I V^iS^ ■ :'j/-''A- r I' ' ■'\f/. i,:^-- '¥ . ■,■■ ^ 1 . . \- (f^-- iC-.v.- y^ PRESENTED TO THE LIBRARY \' OF PRINCETON THEOLOGICHL SEMINHRY BY fKvs. Rlej^andep Pfoudfit. ^ A^^ /li^-/i,^ r/ ^ Xly<-'^''TrtyC^ w COMPENDIOUS VI O F NATURAL AND REVEALED RELIGION IN SEVEN BOOKS. ROOK. I. Of the ftandard of all re ligion J the law of nature in its foun dation and contentt, the inju^iciency of the Ugh t of nature to rioder a man tru- ly virtuous and haopy ; tha fojftbility, Aefireablcnefi , BeC'Jfity, propriety, rea- fonableneft, credibility, divine aath'^rity, properties iad parts o( that revelation which is cootained in the fctjptures of the Old and New Teftament. BOOK 11. Of God, the author, ol>]e£t and end of all religion, in his pcifeit>ions,petfbns,purpores and works. BOOK. Id. Of the bonds ofreligi- ous conneelioa between God and men, the covenant; of worlu and grace in their origin, parties, parts and aJmr.i- firation in time and eternity. BOOK IV. OfChtift the Media, tor of the covenant of grace, in hfa person, offices i.ni Jiates, book: V. Of the bhjjingsot thtt covenant of gr»ce, effeSlual calling, juf. tijication, adoption, fanHiJication , fpiri' tuai comfort, eternal glory. BOOK VI. Of the difpenfation of the covenant of grace by meant of laio, gijp'iy and ordinances thereof. BOOK VII. Of the new covenant c/efyor church, in her confitutiotSf mtmbers, e^cet and gwemmenf , By JOHN BROWN, Miniftcr of the Gofp.el in Haddington, GLASGOW: Printed hj John Bryce, For J. Mathews, No. i%. in the Strand, LofidoTt .• alfo fold by J. DjcKsoN and W. Gray, Edinburgh; and W. Anderson, Stirl'mg. MX)CCLXXXII. t iii ] ADDRESS TO STUDENTS OF DIVINITY. MY DEAR PUPILS, FOR my aiTiftance in inftrufting you, this Com' pendious Vieiv of natural and revealed religion was formed. To gratify a number of you, it is now pub- lifhed. Being formed, not to make you read, but to make you think muchy it mull now appear dry and meagre, as ftript of its additional remarks : and no doubt fome of its cxpreilions admit of a fenfe which I never intended. To render you mighty in the fcrip- tures, readily able to fupport the feveral articles of our religion by the felf-evidencing and confcience- commanding teftimony of the Holy Ghoft ; and, ae- on ftomed to exprefs the things oi God in his own language, multitudes of texts are ordinarily quoted. To manifell the extenfive connexion of divine truths, fome leading articles relative to the perfeBions of God, per fori of CbriJ}, hz. arc traced through many others, in a manner which will perhaps be accounted a di- greflion. Few, infignilicant, local, or dormant con- trovcrfics have been brought on the field. Nor, that 1 know, have the enemies of the truth been unfairly reprefented or indiicreetly anfwered, in others. The decdt, or wrath of man, workcth not the righteouf- nels of God. While I have been occupied in inflrudling you, your conlciences mull bear me witnefs, that my prin- cipal concern was, to imprefs your minds with the great things of God. Now when I am graduajly Rep- ping into the eternal ftatc, to appear before tlie judg- nicnt-feat of Chrift, permit • me to bcfeech you, as a . vol! W Address^!) S^udenis of Divinity, kc, you wifh to promote his honour, and the ct^nalfc^' vation of your own and your hearers fouls,^ir;,s ^bf? I. Sec -that yc be rev\l Christians yourfdvc?, I(jiow more and rnore fee, that notjiing lefsthan real, KEAL Chriftianity is fit to die with, and make an ap- pearance before God. Are ye then indeed born a- gain, born from above, born of the Spirit ? created in Chryi Jefus unto good worhj-r-mvj creatures in Chri/i Jefus, having all old thrngs pajjed away, and all things become new f Are ye indeed the circumcifion which ivorfhip God in the S/»/r^,"*-hUbitually reading- meduat- ing, praying,^.preachlng, converfing with your hearts, under the influence of the Holy Ghoft ? Have you no confidence in the flejh, no confidence in your felf-righ- teoufncfs, your learning, your addrefs, your care and diligence, your gifts and graces j'-^but being emptied of felf, in every form, are poor in fpirit, lejfs than the leajl of ail faints, and the leaft of all God's mercies ; nay, the very chief of fmners in your own fight ? Hath it pleafed God to reveal his 5o«;«you? and to inftruft you with a ftrong hand, to count all things but lofs for the excellency of the knowledge of Jefus Chrifl: as your Lord, and to count. them but dung, that you may win hi-m and be found in him, not having your own righteoufnefs, but the righteoufncfs which is of God by faith,— ^and to know the power of his refur- reclion, and the fellowfliip of his fufferings, — rand to prefs toward the mark for the prize of the high cal- ling of God in Chrifl Jefus, John iii. 3, 5, 6. Jlph.ii. 10. 2 Cor. v. 17. Gal. vi. 15. Phil. iii. 3. Mat v. 3. and xvi. 24. Eph. iii. 8. Gen. xxxii. 10. i Tim. i. 15. Gal. i. 15, 16. Phil. iii. 7,-^14. If you be, or become, ^r^^^/^y} preachers or miniflers of thegofpel, how ter- rible is your condition I If you open your Bible, the fentence of your redoubled damnation flalheth into your confcicnce from every page. If you compofe your fermon, you but draw up a tremendous indi^- ment againft yourfelves. If you argue againll, or re- p^rove other men's fins, you but aggravate your, own. ii you publifh the holy iaw pf God, you. bu< add, to your Address to Sfudents of Divinity ^ &c. v your rebellion again ft it, and make it an awful wit- •nefs againft your treacherous diflimulation. It you announce its threatenings, and mention hell with all -its infupportable tbrnicnts, you but infeofF yourfelvcs in it, and fervc yourfelves heirs to it as the inheri- tance appointed you by the Almighty. If you fpeak -of Chrift and his excellencies, fulnels, love, and la- hours, it is but to trample him under your feet. If you take his covenant and gofpel into your mouth, it is but to profane them, and caft them forth to be trod- den under foot of men. If you talk of fpiritual ex- periences, you but do defpite to the Spirit of grace. If you commend Father, tJon, and Holy Ghoft, and invite fmners to new-covenant fellowfhip with them, you but treacheroufly ftab them under the fifth rib, and betray them with a kifs, and from your heart Cry, This is the heir, the God, come let us kill him. While you hold up the glafs of God*s law or gofpel to others, you turn its back to yourfelves. The gof- pel, which ye preach to others, is hid, — is a favour of death unto death to you, the vail remaining on your hearts, and the God of this world having blind- ed your minds.-— Without the faving, the heart-trans- forming knowledge of Chrift and him crucified, all your knowledge is but an accurfed puffer up, and murderer of your own fouls. And, unlcfs the grace of God make an uncommon Jl ret (h to lave you,, how defperate is your condition ! Perhaps no perfon un^ der heaven bids more unlikely to be faved, than a ^racelefi Seceding minijler ; — his confcience is fo over, charged with guilt, fo feared as with an hot iron, and his heart fo hardened by the abufe of the gofpel. . Alas ! my dear pupils, muft all my inftrutVions, all the ftrivings of the Holy Ghoft, all your reading, all your meditations, all your fcrmons, all your evangcf- ■ lical principles, all your profefiion, all your praycry, as traps and fnares, "take and bind any of you hand and foot, that you may be caft, >as unprofitable fer. ''Oaats, into uti<^r darknefs, with all the contents of your Bible and other books,— all your gifts and .Tp- ptirtnr.- vi Add&ess f& Student i of .Divinity, Jic, parent-like graces, as it were,,inhid in ypur confcir ences, that, ^s fewel or oil, ttjey may, for ever lecJ, or enrage the flames of God*s wratli upon your fouls I After being fet for a time. 3t the g^te of h^j^- vcn, to point others into it, — -after prophcfying |ia Cfarrft's name, and wafting yourfelyes to Ihew others the way of falvaiion, and to light up the friends of ourKedeemer to their heavenly reft.-^muft your own iamp go out iri everlafting darknefs, and ye be bidden. Depart from me, I never knew you, ye workers of ini' ijuiiy f — Muffc I,— ^muft all the churches behold you at lail brought forth and condemned as arch-traitors to our Redeemer I Muft you, for ever, in the mod tremenduous manner, jfink into the bottomlefs pit, under the weight of the blood of the great God our Saviour,-— -under the weight of murdered truths, mur- dered convi£lions, murdered gifts, murdered mini- ftrations of the gofpel, and murdered fouls of men ! -2, Ponder much, as before God, what proper ruRNiTtiRE you have for the minideria! work, and labour {o increafe it. To him that hath fliall be giv- en. Hath jcfus bedowed on you the' Holy .Ghoft ? What didincl knowledge have you of the myftcries of the kingdom ? What aptnefs have you to teach, bringing- out of the good treafure ol your own heart, tbtngs new and oldf What ability to nvajce the deep laylttries of the gofpel plain to perfons of weak capa- cities, and to reprefent things delightful or terrible, in a proper and afFecling n^anner ? What proper quicknefs in conceiving of divine things ; and what rooted inclination to ftudy them, as perfons devoted to matters of infinite importance ? What peculiar fit- nefs have you for the pulpit, qualifying you, in a plain, ferious, orderly and earnell manner, to fcrew the truths of God into the confciences of your hea- rers r With what (lock of fclf-expsrienc^d truths and texts of infpiration did, or do you enter on the mini- fterial work ? Of what truths, relative to the law of God, — or relative to fin, Satan, or the dcferiions and terrors of God, hath your foul not only fcen the evi- dence. Address to SiudmU of Bgulnity^ he. x\\ dencc, but felt the power ? What declarations, pro- ipifcs, offers, and invitations, of the glorious gofpel, liiveye, with joy and rejoicing of heart, found and eaten, and therein tailed and feen that God is good ? Of what infplred truths and texts can you fay. Even Jawe have belie'ved, and therefore ivefpeak : what we have feen and heard with the Father, and tafted and bandied of the word of Hfe, that we declare unto you. Thrice happy preacher, whofe deeply-experienced heart is, next to his Bible, his principal note-book \ John XX. 22. Mat. xiii. 22, 12, 52. i Tim. iii. 2. Tit. i. 9. 2 Tim. ii- 2. Ifa. 1. 4. and xlix. 2. Jer. xv. 16. 2 Cor. iv. 13. 1 John i. i, — 3. John viii. 34. 3. Take heed that your call from Chrift and his Spirit to your minifterial work be not only real but EVIDENT. Without this you can neither be duly ex- cited or encouraged to your work ; nor hope, nor pray for divine fuccefs in it j nur bear up aright un- der the difficulties you niuft encounter, if you attempt to be faithful. If you run unfent by Jefus Chrifland his Spirit, notwithftanding the utmoft external regu- larity in your licence, call and ordination, you, in the whole of your miniftrations, muft a never inclined to be put into the prieft's office, that you might fat a piece of bread, and look every one for his gain from his quarter ; that ye feek not great things for yourfehes ; that ye covet no man^s filver, goh/i or apparel ; that ye feek not men's property, but ;/>'de- ceitfully, — in what tremendous manner ihaJI yonr'pa- rcnt8, who devoted and educated you fct it,-yoLir teachers who prepared you for it,-the feniinaries of learning in which you received your inli:ru(Sion,--the " years which you fpent in your fi:udie8,--all the gifts which were beftowed upon you, -all the thoughts, words, and works of God in the redemption of men, —all the oracles, commands, prom^ifes and fhreaten- ings of God, which direft, inculcate or enforce yout* duty,-all the examples of Jefus Chrift, and all his a- poftles, prophets, and faithful minifters,'-all the leaves of your Bible, all the books of your Clofc-t,-arlF thd engagements you have come under,.-all the fefmons which you preach,-all the inftrudions which you ten- der to others,-.all the difcipline which you exercife,- all the maintainance which you receive,--all the ho- nours which you enjoy or expert, -all the teflimonies which you give againft the negligence of parents, mafters, minifters or magiftrates,- all the" vows and r^folutions which you have made to reform, --and all the prayers which you have prefented to God for af- fiftance or fucccfs, — rife up againft you as wi^irel- fes, in the day of the Lord ! ' "''■^ 7. See that ye, as workmen who need not be a- Ihamed, earneftiy labour rightly to divide the word of truth, according to the capacities, needs, and particular gccafions of yoar hearers, giving ev^ry one Addkess to Sludents of Dhiniiyy See, xvU qnc of them their portion in due feafon. Never make your own eafc, your inclination or honour, but the t)CGd of fouls, and the glory of Chrift, the regulator of your choice of fubjccls. Labour chiefly on the principal points of religion. To bring down the fun- damental myfleries of the gofpel to the capacities of your hearers, and inculcate on their confciences the great points of union and fellowfhip with Chrift, re- generation, juftification and fanclification, will re- quire all your grace, learning and labour. Never aim at tickling the ears or pleafingthe fancies of your bearers, but at convincing their confciences, enligh- tening their minds, attracting their afFcdions, and renewing their wills, that they may be perfuaded and enabled to embrace and improve Jefus Chrift as free- ly offered to them in the gofpel, for wifdom, righte- oufncfs, fandification and redemption. Labour to preach the law as a broken covenant,-the gofpel of ialvation, — and the law as a rule of life,"not only in their c^aenfive matter, but alfo in their proper order and connexion. It is only when they are properly CQr.ne<^cd, that the precious truths of God appear in their true luftre and glory. It is at your infinite hazard, and the infinite hazard of liiem that hear you, if you even by negligence, either blend put afundcr that law andgofpel which Jefus Chrifthath fo delightfully joined together. No where is it more necefl'ary to take heed, than in preaching up iht duties of holinefs. Let all b= founded in union to and communion with Chrift, all eniorced by the pattern, Ipve, righteoufnefs and be- nefits of Chiift, Kph. iv ; V ; vi. Col. iii \ iv. f Pet. iii ; iv. See IXiction. art. Gospll and Sabbath JoUR>JAL, p. 271, — 277. 8. You have ftated ycurfelves public witnelfesTor Jefus ChriR, who profefs to adhere to, and propagate his injured truths.^ — and [o commemorate with thank- fulncfi; the remuihabk r.Krcics^ whtch he hath bellow-' ed on our church t^^m^i nation, — and to teftify againft, and .mourn over our own and our h\.\\ti*sfcurfid back' flidings from that covenaayj^-yi'iirk of reformation c - " " once xviii Address, io Students of Divinity, kc* once attained in our land. See that ye be judicious, upright, coriftant and faithful in your profeffion, 1 iipw approaeh death heavttily fatisfied with our excel- lent Weftminfter Co«/"^5k of Faith, Catechifms, 2iud Farm of chureb-gqvermnent^ — and cordiali'y adl:iering to thefe Covenants, by which our fathers foleumly bcund theinfclves and their pofterity to profefs thedoftrincs and pradife the duties therein contained. 1 look up- on the Seceffion as indeed the caufe of God, but iadly mifmanaged and difhonoured by myfelf and o- thers. Alas T for that pride, palTion, felfi&nefs, and unconcern for the glory of Chrift, and fpiritual edi-fi- Be ye faithful unto the death, and Chril! fliall give you a crown of life. But if any man draw back, God''s foul fhai'l have no pleafure in him, 9. Alway improve and live on that blelTcd encou* ragcment which is offered to you as Chriftlans and mi- j.S^* CHAP. III. Of Chrifli's States .—His humiliation, in be- ing made under the law ; and having its curfe execute4 Upon him ; neceffity of it, and honours attending it : His exaltation mixed, — and unmixed in his refurreclion from the dead, afcenfion to heaven, fitting at his Father's right hand and coming to judge the world, — preparation for, — ^judgment itfelf, — and Execution of the fentcnces pafTed i — neceffity of Chrifl's exaltation, 357, 379. BOOK V. Of the principal Blessings of the Covenant of Grace. CHAP. I. Of Union with Chrijl ; neceffity, kinds; fimilitudes ; illuflration ; and produdion of it by the ex- ternal Call of the gofpel, and almighty influence of the Holy Ghoft, in Effectual Calling: efled of it communion with Chrift, - - 3S0, 401. CHAP. IT. Of Justification, its true nature; ob- je£lts ; contents ; perfeftion at firfi ; delightful influence through Chrill's bearing of the curfe ; ground of it, not men's grace, or good works, but Chrifl's f'urety righteouf- nefs iiuputed by God and received by faith, 402, 441, CHAP. III. Of Adoption in its nature ; objefts ; ho- nours; privileges; date; mean; and marks, 442, — 446. CHAP. IV. Of Sanctifica TiON ; its meaning; im- portance; double form ; neceffity; difference from, and connexion with juflification; caufes; flandard; pattern; contents SexTv C O J? T E N T S. contents of inherent graces, Chrijltan ieihper.!, 9JTll htrly exercifes ; imperfe^ion in this life ; not meritorious. Rules for promoting it j - - Page 446- 492 CHAP. V. Of Spiritual Consolation; cdnfcrva- ■ tion and perfeverance in grace ; indwellihg of the Holy Ghoft as an almighty Comforter ; fenfible aiTurance of God's lo"e. and friendfliip ; peace of confcieiife § joy in the Holy Ghoft, - - \ - 4I2, — 502 CHAP. VI. Of believers Glorification, in this life ; at death \ at the laft day ; and through all eter- nity, - - - . 503,-506. BOOK VL Of the External DispENsArioN of the . Covenant of Grace by Law, Gk)fpel, &c. CHAP. I. Of the Law of God, its nature ; kinds ; per- manency ; manifeftation i qualities; obedience to it fum- marily conlidered ; order of commandments ; rules of tinderftanding them ; duties required and fins forbidden in each ; threefold form of the moral law ; and its feveral ufes to men, to finners, and to fainrs, SO?*: — ^^S^Z* CHAP. II. Of the Gospel of Chrift in its matter, ufes, differences from, and connections with tlie moral law, ... - 564,_^583. CHAP. III. Of the Instituted Ordinances of the covenant of grace ; reading ; meditation ; preaching and iearing of God's \Vord ; fpiritual conference ; prayer ; wi- 7njierial blejjing ; finging of pfalms ; voiv\ng ; fajlingi th anhf giving ; facraments. Of Baptism and Ljrd's Su-|>.- i-ER. — Harmony and difference between thofe under tht Old Teftamer.t, and thole under the New, 583 -619. BOOK VII. Of the Church or Society, for and to which the covenant of grace is difpenfed. C H A P. I, Of the nature, formation and felloiiffhip of the Clxriftian Church, - - - C20, — 627. CHAP. 11. Of Church poiver^ and the fiihjeEls in which it relides, head and officers, - - 627, 643. CHAP. III. Of ecclefiaftical judicatoriesy their divine - vrarrsnt, work and cenfaifs, - • - 643,-650. A C O M- COMPENDIOUS VIEW O F Natural and Revealed Religion. - . . - — — — — — o BOOK I. Of the Regulating Standard of Religion Natural and Revealed, CHAP. L (y //>(? L A W r/" N A T U R E. AS the law of nnture muft neceffiirlly correfpond xvitli the nature of God, who impofeth ir, and of men who arc fubjecled to it j and with their relations to each other, thefe muft be carefully confidered, in order to our obtaining a proper knowledge of it. Beginning with our oivn nature^ as next to us, — we cnn form no idea of -^ Jubjlance diftinft from its moft obvious eflcnri.ll qvralitjes ; as they are neceflfiirily included in every adequate conception of ir. By reflcif^ion upon that which' pafTcth in our own minds, we obtain the llmple idea of thought y andfo conceive of spirits as thjnkivg fnhj]ances : and, by fenfation, we perceive body, to be a fj/iti and r;c- tfTf/i.'d sucsTANcr. Thus knowingthe ejfmtial propertif! of fpirits as wed a? of bodies, and being incaptible to com- prehend the inward corillitnticn pf^ bcvtb, we have at leaft A iV3 2 Of the Law c/" Naiure. as much certainty of the exiftence of fpirits as ofbotnef-,— - though by our more habitual aUentionto the furface of mat- ter, we are apt to imagine, that we more thoroughly uncler- {land its nature. • From inward confGioufners, and from our 6bfcrvation of the adings of others around us, we perceive, that the hit- mau foul is a fpirit endowed with powers of perception^ judgingy and reafonifig, as well as of retoUe^ling ami retain- ing ideas j-^and with a power of ivilUng, chooilwg, defin- ing, delighting in, or difliking, and hating \ — and even a • power of moving at leaft the external parts of our body by means of the nerves, — and of receiving impreffions from them, when objeiind; and paflions in our Ibul excite 'motions in our body. The in- difpofit'on of our body often dlfqualifieth our mimi for ex- ercifing its powers, in a regular* and lively manner. In ileep, in freiizies of our brain, or in feme hyfterical diftem- pers, our mind a6ts in a dilbrderly manner.- On the o- ther hand, intenfe thinking difqualities our body for ac- €Ute and ready fenfation.—- — Biit we cannot determine whe- ther human fouls be formed with different degrees of fpi- ritual powers j. or, whether the difierenc? of c'npacity cb- fervable among men arifeth from the different confritution ©f their bodies, and climates in which they live. Nor can wfe fay, whether our fo,ul is immediately united to and re- fides in the brain^ in which (i.). All tlvefe nerves on which our fenfatien depends, do terminate. (2.) All the difeafes that deprive us of our fenfatien are fcatcd. (3.) A fuialt diforder in the brain renders the agency of the loul very weak or irregular, as in the cafe of ideots and madmen. (4.) When any nerve is cut or hard tied, it retains its fen- fetion only in that part, which is next to the brain. (5.) If our brain be loft or fore wounded, our life ceaftrth : Or, •whether the foul be immediately jmited to and refide in the hearty in which the laft remains of life arc perceived. Some learned men contend. That all our idea; of mate- rial objevfb are produced hj ftnfation, and our id-eas of fpi- ritual objefls by refieElioriy the latter reiflifyiwg the miftafces, of the furnicr i — and that we have no //.v/.i/^ ideas; as Ave* gradually Of the L&vf of-'^Arxj^jL. 3 gradually acquire new itleas ; andean form noncof fenfible ■objej^s, without the exercil'e of the corrcfpondent fenllss of feeing, hearirjg, fmelUng, tallinn;, or touching. Others contend, That all our ideas hnve their origin inour«iind itfelfj and that our fenfatien and ,refie6lion are no m9rc than means of exciting them.- It is certain, that our mind cannot forbear aflcnting to feveral primary axioms of knowledge, as, ilai nothing can be^ and not be., at the fame time ; that nothing can give that which it hath not ; that there is a God i &c.' It is no lefs certain, that the fame exter;ial qualities of objciSts often excite different ideas, in different pcrfons ; or, in the fame perfcns, at different times. That which is pleafant, comely, tsfc. to one, may be difagree- able to another, — cr even to the fame pcrfon, at another time. Some contend, That human fouls neither do, nor (;an exift without aciual thinkings any more than bodies can exift without e:i'Exi'9'T«'NCF. o F Go D is ' no Iqfs'^evrilenifthari otj;: , r\\, '-'.(h .) AH • nations, Heathens,' Je\vs^^'?,iaticiiietans, ■ '■' a!id 5 0/ the LaV7 ofNATUBkE. and Chriftians, harnioniouOy eonfent that there is a Gad, xvho created, pref^rves, and governs all things. Evep the iuofi: ftupid Hottentots, Saldanians, Grecnlander.s, Kvimt- chatkans and favage Americans, are, upon the moii: accu- rate infpeftion, found to b;;lieve this.' — This perfuafion of the exiftence of God is leall: difcernible where, and in thofe, that through ignorance are alnioft fimilar to beads, which plainly manifei^s it to be an infeparable ingredient of Rea- fon. Now, what , prejudice of iLar, of fancy, or of edu- cation, could anfwer the talle of every nation, every per- fon, in every age of the world, in favour 0f this perfuafion, if it were not well fouiided ? How eould any one Prince im- pofe it on all men ? or, When, and where did feveral prin- ces meet to . contrive and eftablifli it ? Or, if princes or priefls impofed the belief of this on ojhers, as a ftate trick to keep them in awe, how came they alfo to believe it them- felves ? (2.) There is a natural impreflion of the exiftence cf God ct! the m.inds of all men, i. e. an indiftinjSl idea of a Being of infinite psrfeBioni and a readinefs to actjuiefce in the truth of his exiftence, whenever they underftand the terms in wlvich it is exprelTed. Whence, but from the power of the truth itfelf, can thjs impreftion proceed, even in the minds of fuch, whofe afte6tions and carn,*l intereft^ 4ifpofe them to believe the contrary ? (3.) The creatioii of all things plainly manifefts,the exiftence of. God. The innumerable alterations and manifold dependence, every where obfervable in the world, manifeft that the things, which exift in it, neither are, nor could be, fro?n eteriiity ; — It is felf evident, that they never could form themielves out of nothing, or in any of their refpe£tive forms : and that CHANCU, being nothing but the nvant ofdftgn^ never die!, nor could, form or put into order any thing, — far lefs fuch a marvellous and "well conneilcd fyftem as our world is. 'Though we Hiould abfurdly fancy matter to be eternaly yet it could not change its own form, or pro^ duce Life or Reafon, — no:-.ing being capable to confer that which it hath not in itfeit> either formally or virtually. Moreover, when we conlider the diverftfied and marvellous forms of creatures in the world, and how exa<^tiy their forms and ftations corrcfpond with their refpective ends and ufe? \ — when we confider the marvellous and exa61: machinery, form, and motions of our own bodie?, and e« fpecially, when we conlkier the powers of our foul, — its Jefires after an infinite good, and its clofe union with, and -;.co:-!rorehenfible operations 09 our bodies, we are obliged , ■ by Of the La w of N a t"0 r e . y' bv iflic light of evidence to admit a Creator oi infinite •vr£- dom, and power, arid goodnefs. Though we can con- ceive a fuc cefli on, "a very long facceiiHon ©f animal produc* tion, we cannot conceive how that produ«fHon could be ef- fected by the animals themfelves, ind^ependently of any o- ther ; and fkill ids, how that fucceffive production could extend unto a proper eternity, or commence without the a- gency of a felf-exiftent, felf-fufficient, almighty, infinitely wife and benevolent Creator. — It is further obfervable, that a tradition of the Beginning of the world hath every where prevailed among mankind. (4.) Tl>c i>rovidential uphold- i-ng and government of all thfangs j—^the motions ©f the heavenly luminaries, exadly calculated for the greatCil ad- vantage of our earth, and its inhabitants j. — the exa<^ ba- kncing and rcgulatirnr of tl>e meteors, winds, ratn, fuow, h'ail, vapour, thunder,, and the like ^ — the regular and ne- verrfailing retx^ns of fummet and winter, iced kime and harvefl, day and night ;— the aftonifhing and diverfiti- ed formati«>n of vegetables,, — the propagation of herbs, almoft every where, that are moft effectual to heal the diftempers of animal bodies in that place 5: — the almoft infinite diver fification of anima;ts and vegetables, and their pfcrtinents, that, wotwithftanding an amazing (imilarity, not amy two are exa£tly alike ;, but every form, member, or even feather or hair of animals, and every pile of grafs, ftalk of corn, herb, leaf, tree, berry, or other fruit, hath fomc- thing peculiar to itfelf; — the making of animals fo fagafcl- oufly to prepare their l»dgings, defend themfelves, provide fnrtheii-heaith, produce, and proteft^ and procure food for their young-,— the direction of liihes and fowls to, and in fuch marvellous and long peregrinations, at fuch feaions,' and to fuch places as beft correfponda with their own prcfervatioii and the l>enefit of mankind ; — the ftationing of brute animals- by fea or land, at leffer or greater distances, as is moft fuit- ■ ed to the fafety, fubii^ence- or comfort of mankind, — and preveutrng the increa'.e of prolific animsls, which are hurt- ful, and making the lefs fruitful ones, which are ufeful, ex- ceedingly to abound ; the fo diverfifyin:^ the countenan- ces, voic:.';, and handwritings, of men, as heft fecurcs and promotes their focial advantages ; — the holding of fo equal »b,ilance between males and females, whil?^ the number of m;des, wliofe lives arc peculiarly endangered in war, navi- gfttwh, <^c. i^ generally greateft ;— the prolonging of men's Irves, wh?n the world needed to be peopled, and now fhort- iing them, when that neceflitv hath teafeJ lo cxiil i— the ahr.ail- 8 Of th , jU W of yi,k .T,U % Ej. almoft uf^iyerrsil prov ifioQ .of ;foofl ^^ rai naept » rS^"^}*^ \^i^Y^^ el, i^c. anfwerable to tl\e nature, of p,at:ticulai:pUce^.f>t^l{i or' hot, moift: or dry j-— the maqfigs^peat C^ iviuiia#?.a^«^-,§, relative to focie^ies, governrfient^ peafe,,^Wi^r^: trafiej^ ^fVj \ii a mariner different' frojn, and qt of the Jewifh and. Ghrifl:ia,n churches, — clearly manift^fk'thf, exiftence of an infinitely wife, patient, and good God^^.TTho preferves and governs the world, and e\ery,thiag in Jt^, (5.) The miraculous events, which hr.ve happer.cd.\in tiu^ world, fuch as the overflowing of the earth by a fiood,-r^the confufion of languages, — the burning of Sodom and the ci-^ ties about by fire and brimftone from hcaveuj — the plague!* of Egypt, — the dividing of the Red Sea,— raining u»(anna from heaven, and bringing flre.ams of water from -flinty rocks J — the flopping of the courfe of the fuin.-r-qaenching. of the violence of fire, — fliutting qf the jnpuths r^- hungry lions, — raifing of the dead,— healing of difeafes, even the moft defperate, without any application pf natural rem^ies, terrible apparitions in the air, or o.n the earth, before the overthrow of cities or nations, — alfo irrefragably.denrtQailrate the exiftenceof God. (6.) His exiftence no lefs clx^ly ,4p,-: pears from the exaft fulfilment of fo many, and lb pat iit^Ur larly circumflantiated predictions, publiflaed longbeferp^the. events took place ; viz. prediiTlions concerning m^nkiji^ in- general j — the defcendants of Noah, Lot and Abraham j^r- Canaariites, Syrians, AlTyrians, Chaldeans, Periians, Greeks,- Romans,---Arabs, Turks, Jefus Chrifl j ^atichrift i new Teftament church. It i€\n% felf-exijlint and ahfo"' luielytlernalf he can have no principle of change in himfelf. The exiftence, eiTence, and agency, of all other beings, being derived from Him, none of them can, in the lead, operate towards any change in, or of Him. — Without fup- pofmg Him to have been once deficient, and fo not Gpi, He cannot be changed to the better. Without becomincj creficienc, and fo ceafing to be God, He cannot be change! tofheworle.^ — Both are equally abfurd. God is Altvucmtt. (i.) He hath never (hewed any mark of weaknefs. (2.) He made, upholds, and govern- mtjllitudes of cre^^tures, nay of mighty creatures. (3.) By^ the in-fluence of h*s power, even in an n(5l of his will, h? maxie all thing? of nothing ; and by it he upholds and go- verns thcitj. (4.) His pov/er Cannot be limited yi-o/w ivithi'? himfelf, as he is alUfiificient ; nor from without himfcif, 33 all the power of creatures proceeds from, and is fubordi- nated-fo him, and oweth its whole efficacy in the produc- tion of ^ffe*..' God is INCOMPREHENSIBLE in hls cxcellcncy^ ^rp04 fes, and works, (i.) We have but very imperfefl: know^ ledge of ourfelves, — What our foul or our body is ;— and how the one is united to, or afts upon the other \^-hovi our ideas are treafured up or recolledled in our memory ;r— whether we always think or not \ — how dreams are pro- duced ; — how all the difficulties relative to human liberty cntay be folved ; — how our nerves afte£\ our foul in frenzies ; •«*-how we breathe ;— how the motion of our blood and mufcles is effected ; i^c. Nay, we cannot fo much as difcern the inward fubftance, or all the properties, of any creatures.^— > How abfurd then to hope to have comprehenlive concepti- ons of the infinite excellencies of God ! (2.) God's per- fections are infinitely fupcrior to thofe of creatures, even where there is fome iimilarity between them. (3.) In his; felf-exijlence^ ahjolute eterrAty^ omniprefencey of which we certainly know him to be poflefled,— -and his being deter- mirted to a6t from himfelf, God is infinitely unlike to us,, as well as infinitely tranfccnds our comprehenfion. (4.) No reafon of ours can aflure us, but God may have in his- ijature millions of excellencies or perfet with godhead. > From thefe views of the na'ure of God and man and ,qt the relations betwixt them it rieceffarily follows, that^ his honour and our enjoyment of him ought to be aimed at, as our CHIEF end, in every thing we are or do,— r-iii due fubordination to which the advancement or maintenance of our own life, health, honour, pleafure, or profit, may and ought to be intended. -^fhe chief good proper to be propofed for the end of our condu^f^^ ili; e\?ery thfrig-ttuly iexcdlt*rtf';^«-n^ be of infinite value Indufefulnefs, capable to tender Wtl' ikeh happy at onee j—- r-atid rtiuft be evidently etertiaii, tlvat the^E^ may be no ground to fear, that"' it fiiould faili dr'be* Ipll. 'It is therefore manifefl:, that rit%h cannot be' tfti^ e^ief goody as tlley are not defireable for themftlves,---d6 not enter into our foulsj— do nor render men eMitriirrir-' cui or happy, — nor is the enjoytnent of thenl eifhef ^r^ fiiin or perpetual. Nor can worldly honours ht'thxiifrief goody — as we have not thefe To much in ourfelves, as in tK6 imagination of others ; nor doth the enjoyment of thtin render us either better or fafer ; nor is it either certain or permanent. Nor can bodily pleafures be this chief '^dod^-'iis tiiefe are often inconfiftent with our tfub honour and' tjfehil- nels, and enervate and corrupt our body while they ^^eafccff*' and vitiate our mind. Nor czn knowledge be this chf^f gvod^ as, of itfclf, it neither renders men virtuous nor hapf^y*. fr cannot protect from a multitude of real evils-, nt>T'-ii^hfe permanent continuance of it certain. Nor can t^zix' iyitiut: ittelf be this chief goody as, though it render our mifitf bet- tar, and make us more ufeful in the t^rorld, it doth rit>f -tjf--: cmpt us from a multitude of real difafters, inward Or but- ward.^ — I — It therefore remains, that God alone, wlta is in- finitely perfe£l, — defireable in himfelf, — fufficient torertdef alt rational creatures happy ,--~and is abfolutely unfading" tjnd' eternal, — and of whom the full enjoyment includes perfeft freedom from all evil, and pofleffion of every thing' good,-~ and fo neceflarily renders us perfect in virtue, honour, atnJ happiuefs, muft be our chieb good. Fkom the preceding hints concerning our own, and the nature of God, and our abfolute dependance on hi^tJ "as our Creator, Preferver and Governour,^ — ^^it is no lefe tfiWiniA^' feft, that the declared ivill of God as our moral Governour, MHift be the fole fandard ^nd rule of all our qualities' -iatid artrons, religious and moral ; and that there can beno fe\^^* fnl authority in the world, but what is d'^riW from hiAtiV' and that no laws or engagements of men can bindth^W-' foives or others, but in fubordination to his authority'a^ti wiil^i-rr. By virtue of the perfecl:ion of his nature, ^^od'; cinnot but will that we fhould be and act in agreeaWenefrs^"^ to thofe relations, in which we ftand conneftcd with hhtti'" f4f, or with our fellow creatures. Such deportment -hr' r.puifeftly realonable, comely, profitable, and honounrbfe.' J5ut, iome things which :^a very proper 'and -nectffafym- fome Qf, the- hk Wr (f Na TV R5« || ippfli^ clrcu5xjilajic!|s,/ij;i^y,.b.e,very.wnflf. ^d eyen vitioius, is p,mnla^wful in trouble. 1*hat which is "duty in necenary Igif-deFeince, may he very criminal in any other c'aTc, 'ilbat^^vhich.is very, becoming in .m^giftrates as ena£ling^^ Q^, laT^j,,,.|)unifhing o/ cfijninals, and raifing of armies ai;i,4-the I'ke, would.be very improper in private perfons.' -— rr-ThiS will of God- nianifejied to men^s reafon^ and rc- prcfentLn^.the mpral fitnefs of their qualities, rhougJits, ■vyords, or a<^ions, is called the law of nature. And to be and aft according to it, is ordinarily called virtue, and tO-be and a£l contrary to it, is called vice. But fome by VIRTUE mean only the duty which we owe to ourfelves and fellow creatures.i. ;Sipd call the duty, which we owe ttx God, /rejligion. : ' vTo render any of our anions /n//y virtuous ^ (i.) We muft have olettt. (4,) To obferve and acknowledge his ma- nifold and diveriified providences, and aft anfwerably to them. (5.) To acquiefce in the whole of his will as wif« and good. (6.) To confider and truft in his power, wifdom and, goodnefs. (7.) To be chiefly careful to pleafe him, and to imitate him in his moral excellencies, who is infi- nitely p^rfeft in himfelf, and on whofe favour and the en- joyment ofilim, our true happinefs wholly depends. (S.) Cordialiy to Jl^fteA to, .beheve, receive,, and pbeycvery fur- .... ' . Ihcr i6 pf the Law ^Nature. ther declaration of his will, which he is pleafed to mate to us. Virtue refpe^ling men is either iferfonal or fotial. In PERSONAL viRTUB, I. Great Care muill be taken to fill our mind with ufeful knowledge. II. In order to prevent both moral and penal evil, we ought frequently to examine and confider our circumftances and condudl. III. We muHr never allow oui^body to want any thing, that is neceffary for its real prefervation and welfare, and never indulge it in any cxcefs of meat, drink, eafe, or pleafure. — SfiLF-MUR-' DER, whether it be inftantaneous or gradual, — directly or indire£lly committed, hath a dj-eadful criminality in it. It implies the want of all proper reverence of God the Lord of our life : It injures the church or ftate, by robbing it of a member, and introducing a pernicious example. It en- tails diftrefs and infamy upon living relations. It manifefts a mind fhamefully weak and incapable of bearing adveriity, and dying in an a£l; odious to God, wc prefumpruoufly rufti on eternal mifery. No intention of thereby avoiding torture, difgracc, or lafcivious rapes can excufe it. Patient enduring of torture or difgrace, in a good caufe, is a glori- ous inftance of virtue ; patient bearing of them in the juft puni(hment of our crimes, is a debt, which we owe to the laws, the juftice, and the v/elfare of our country. The fuffering of a re.al rape hurts neither our confcience, nor Our character -, and therefore oughf to be borne as a trial of virtue. Gluttony in eating too much,— -in eating •without proper appetite, — in eating with too much greea or delight, — or indulging improper inclinations towards dainty meats, — is a moft bealHy vice in which men live as if they were deftitute of fouls, — gradually murder their bo-^ dy, — ftupify their mind,— abufe theirfood to the difhonour of God the beftower of it,— and rob the poor and their re- lations, of that which was laid out to gratify their luft.- - Drunkenness in the too delightfi'.l, joo frequent, or too extenfife uJe of intoxicating liquor, includes every evil of' gluttonny. It alfo produceth furious palTions, improper difcoveries of fccrets, repronch of neighbours, reviling or affronting of God and religion. It leads to profane fwear- ing, curfing, quarrelling, uncleannefs, difhonefty, and murder. P/. Great care ought to be taken for the pro- per management of our paffions, which are m'jrcly natural, and for the mortification of thofe that are vJtious. Thefe paffions inciude, (i.) Admiration, which is excited by things Of the Law o/N-A'fuRk-. i^'^ tWogs 'jipproh ended "ais -'maVvellous orVkVe. '' Tt' i* bTefuf;' when it leads to meditation and cordial choofing of Gul couragioiis arid pleafed in the profecution of if 5 ^purpofji^i' Btit.it becoitieth criminal, when we erteem — ,-or', wJbei> bid things are Ibx-ed ; or good things, more than is nnjet'5v-i.or^ When it hinders our impartial examination ' oT ©urfobft, or makes us overvalue that which belong^ to us"; w4ie«jt't«mpt8 us to procure that which we; think ^good ' fopo,ndelv€§i, »at 4ihe cipence of our neighbours, or renders ' us too'intlulgettt of ■our ovi^n defires, and too fuicepttble olE - flattery from-others. Love to our neighbours, when fixe^i ansd mutual, IS cMed friendJJjipy which mightily promotes reciprocal lyjaipathy, affiftance, fupply, and comfort. As it^4ought;to-b^•.founded upon proper conviftion of prop«i«4rt.CAjery thiilg fa.fe, readily oifer them our beft ad- vice.'and a;(3iftancie*, whenever it is necelTary, fludy to ple^fe tl>S4n Ur all things -lawful, carefully keep their fecrets, kind- lyand ieafonably warn them -of their dangers, faithfully re- prove^their faults, judge very charitably of all their aftion-^j ' never imneceirrtrily complain of them to others, efjpfcially behind , theif cback, — and never neglect or contemn old friezicjs fot tUfe f<»k€ cf -new ones— — Love of clory or powepy wh'en' "if- exceeds due bcjnds, is cr.^led Am^itlofif which^ by fe&ding on n>ry applaufe, rend^ers m Humanity towards brutes, in careifvlly foFbearirig e^* very form or degree of cruelty to them^ is implied in this iocial virtue. In this we imitate God who is good to all, and Ihew a proper regard tp his creatures and our fellow-par- takers of his bounty in creation and providence. "We may ?ieverthelefs, in a duly tender manner, bill thefe animaLs for our own nourifliment. (i.) The happinefs of men, who are more important animals, is hereby pronioted. (2) By that means thefe flaughtered animals obtain a more quick and eafy deatlv. (3.) As a balance of that paip^ which they fuffer from men in their death, many of tliem are more kindly treated and more delicioufly nouriflied, in prder to render them more agreeable food. ^4,) By his remairkable multiplication of eatable animals, and giving their flefli fo agreeable a relilli to our tafte, God fcems to indicate the lawfuinefs of our killing theiB for fcpd. (5.) If none of them were killed for food to manj thejr ejccef- flve multiplication might deprive us of other means of ouy fubfiftence, and even endanger our health and life. But focial virtue much more ftrongly requires kij^PNESS toward men, in doing every thing, which can promote their life or health, except when the public happinefs of many requires particular perfons to be puuiflied. (i.) Human life is too valuable to be taken away, without a reafon more honourable to God the giver of it, and more advantageous to the public, which is interefled in it, than the prefervati- on of it could be. (2.) Natural inflinftj if not terribly de- bauched, {brinks with horror from faedding of human blood without abfolute neceffity. (3,) No man, except ia a frenzy, wiflieth his own life or health taken from him. (4.) The unjuft talcing away of our neighbour's .life, robs his relations and neighbours of the important advantages which they might have received from the prefervation of it. Social virtue requires EcyjjTY towards all men, in do- ing fo them every thing refpecfting their property, as we cculd reafonaWy wifli they would doyntpus in the likecir- .cumflances. But here it mu ft be remarked, (j.) That be- foie property be fixed by any poiTeliion or agreement, eve- ry man may juftly claim that Which he firft finds. And, if there be not enough to fatisfy all, the iirft feizer ought Jo g!ve portions to thoi'e that need them. And, if nece(la- ry /ijpplits be denied to any^one^ he mav juftly take a ne- ceflary Of the Law £/"Nathre. 2t cetTliry portion frem the preced^t poflefTors. (2.) Equalitjr ofwealth.is^in no rerpe(ft neceflary among mankind. Parti- cular perfons ouglit to reap the fruits of their lawful care and induftrvi And, it is not for the hurt, but for the ad- vantage, of the public, that feme be richer than others. (3.) Any perfons may, as they have need or opportunity, leize on things which are ftill common, as light, air, fea^ water, wild beafts, or the like ; or which have be^n aban- doned by the former proprietors. (4.) In ordinary cafes, an'iicjuated claims ought not to be revived, as it tends to produce contention, perjury and war. Nor is a man faulty »n holding the property of another, which upon prefcrinti- 0^1 or other probable grounds, he thought to be his own, — tin he find the contrary clearly evinced. Social virtue requires the ftri^eft regard to truth and CANDOUR in all our conduft. Our thoughts, words and anions ouglu exa£lly to correfpond with each other, as well as with their objects, (i.) Exaft adherence to truth in our words much promotes mutual truftand happinefs a-? mong men. (2.) Witho'ut truth in our words, fpeech be- comes incredible, ufelefs and enfnaring. {3.) Lying, falfe- hood, and even ambiguity of fpeech or behaviour, have al- way been held infamous by all good men- — — In no cafe doth the law of nature allow of lyiftg^ a; it is contrary to the nature and honour of God, and the fafety and happi* nefs of mankind ; and, if it be allowed in arty one ififtam-C, diilimulation, fraud, perjury, l^c. muft be allowed in oth«» er inflances, ' It therefore follows, that cur promlfes ought io he carefully and exactly perjqrrned. (i.) Truth and candour require that we {hould really intend every thing which we engage. (2-) They, to whom aiiy thing is promlfed, thereby acquire a right to it. (3.) They cannot therefore honeftly be de- prived of it without their own free confent. (4.) If pro- perty depending on promifes uttered, fworn, written, or fealed, were held uncertain, it- would introduce the moft perplexing confudon, and ruin all mutual truft among men. (.5.) Breach of our promifes tempts our neighbours to ful- pcd that we were not candid in the making of them, or that we are very inconftant in our tempet* and refolutions, and fo hurts our charaftel* and ufefiilnefsf in the world. But, if our promifes have been obtained by fraudulent im- pofition, tlieyare not in every cafe binding. And promifes made by perfows deftitmc of the due e^xercifw of reafon, or Z't Of the La w of Na tit r^* %rhlch rt>gage to any thing finfol,^ never, bind to pcrfMSi **TK^Viohtidn of ' oaths to men. o^ Vows to God is«xceedi Jflgly criminal, (i.) It rs a horrid abufe of that authority deputed to us by God, in the exertion of wliich we;mafce ^irf promifes, oaths and vows. (^) It pours the highcft contempt on Gdcl, to whom vows are made, and who is fo- iemnly ftated the witness and guarantee of oaths ;— and renders a folemn ordinance of his own the mean of bafely affronting him. (3.) If perjury were ongp allowed, all mu- tual faith and truft among men would foon be utterly ruin- ed. (4.) Perjured perfons have alway, among all nations, been held the pefts and fcandals of human focieties. And no lefs can we reckon thoie who, by artful diffimulation, e- vade the charge of bribery or perjury, in the eledlion of offi- cers or governors in commonwealths ; or who, in churches, folemnly avouch or fubfcribe Articles and Canfejftons offaith^ without believing or maintaining the 'zr^o/^ ^o^w/^j therein contained. — -^ — But, if a promife or covenant he conditi" pnaly an efTential bre4ch of it by one party frees the other from his.jc>bl!gation to hini. "^ ■ Social virtue requires the propagation of mankind only in ifiinarried ftate. (i.) If women were common, it would prevent all tender and faithful friendftiip between the fexes, and degrade them as hearts. (2.) It would occallon mucU% jealoafy and rtrife. (3.) It would much hinder the propa- , gation and health of children. (4 ) It would expofe wo- men with child to great danger and diftrefs. {5.) Proper provifion for, and regular education of, children, would be neglefted, and they left to perifli or at bcft grow up wild favages. (6.) No property could be bequeathed by fathers to children, and fo a notable encouragement and fpur to fobriety, and honeft induftry removed. • Hence it follows, that every form offe/hly lufi, whidi tends to prevent or diflionour marriage of men and women, ought to be detefted and mortified as highly criminal, — as dilhonourable to God who made us, and to our fouls, bo- dies-and chara£lers, — as a fource of prodigal diffipation of our fubftance, — an indirect murder of ourfelves and our pof- terity, — an occafion of ftrife and hatred among accompli- ces in wickednefs, — a grievous and irreparable injury. to .them and their friends, with whom unchaftity is commit- ted'i— a moft effeftual mean of rendering our foul ftupid, ntheiftical, or idolatroufly fond of an object of filthy incli- jiiitions. — ' — Xvi ADULTERY men ccmmit the moft criminal '■ • diflionefiy. Ofthz I^Aw of Natur^. 23 diihtmeftyj'mideprivmg their neighbour of that whiclj is moft dear, precious and honourable to him ;— involve thcfii^ felves in a moft vile and perjurious breaeh of marriage vows, --introduce diforder and confufion into families, — and tempt to the commiffioii; of idolatry, murder, and every filing horrid.— In civilized nations, it hath been punifhcd with death', and indeed, as it entangles two at once in ai trime fo ruinous to their fouls, bodies, and families, it is in fome refpeits worfe than murder itfeVf. As it therefore; follows, that married perfons ought ear^t neflly to promote the happinefs of their yoke-fellows and children, none ought to have more than one wife or huf- band at the fame time, (i.) As God, in his providence, alway maintains fo near an equality in the number of males and females among mankind, polygamy mu ft occafion caf- tration, felf-poUution, fodomy, beftiality, or the like abo- minable conduft wherever it is much ufed. (2.) It pro- motes contention among thofe who a£Fe;• ^ .; As children have fo much dependanCe 'on parents, — and as the happinefs of the parties and their offspring fo mt'.ph depend on the propriety «f their marriage connc^ion^ norve oupjit 94 Of the Law<9/Natvr^ ought "to critCf into it, withaut confultingthety parmis\Ai aKve, and obtaining their confent. And, as marriage can , never be diflblved, but by death, or on account of adultery or wilful defcrtion, ijione ought to he forced into it by pa- * riftits or others,— ^6r to enter into it without gr^-/// delibera-' ifonzh&folemn cMfutting of Go'd^ i\\t fupreme and general Parent of manicind, •Social virtue requires the wflj^ /^«fl^/* iT/^f// nattiral affeEiion among thofe that are related to one another. Parents ought kindly and carefully to educate their children for ho- nouring God, and beiJigufeful to .mankind. And, ifpofii;* ble, mothers ought to fuckle their own children, (i.) Chil- dren when young cannot provide for them felves, andfo , muft perifh, if parents negledl them. (2.) The more care* fully children be educated, the more ready arc they to lovxj» obey, and be an honour and comfort to iheir parents. (3.) Careful and prudent education of children is of great impor- tance to thp public welfare of church and nation. (4 ) The education of children, when it is wholly truftcd to others, is very often fearfully negledted. ^-Children ought to he portioned according to their apparent merit rather than .ac- cording to their age. — It is abfurd, that one- child fliould carry off almoft the whole of his parent's property, ibr no other reafon but becaufe he is a male, or came into the world fome months before the reft.- — —In ordinary cafes, an /'/-\, deji Jon may have the largeft portion, as it is expected, that he will hav^c moft &ill to manage it, and will be a prote£loF and dire prudently managed, is an- effedual warn- ing to other magiftrates to beware of abu Hug and opureiTkig fheij Aibjecls. (4*) In mixed forms of government, the propriety of refiftance is moft plairv, as well as mofl: eaiy : as when a parliament refills a king, or a king relifts a parlia- ment, in defence of the common liher-ics of the nation. — • . Neverthelefs, as princes are cxpofed to many and uncom-» :Won difficulties, and {tre apt tof be impofe^ on by their con- .' .. iidentSy Ofth€ Law tf/" Nature. * ly fidents ; — and as their real defigns are not eafily penetrateii, and often not to be pryed into by their fubjecls ; — atid as rcfiftance ordinarily occalioHS nustii bloodihed and mifery, — fubje ter others from the like crimes. It is even. foriie.tiiAes neceffaiy, that innocent perfons ftiould fuffer in their lib- nours and eflates along witii the guilty. — For the (ecurity of nations and tlie more effectually to deter others from iucU wickednels, the children ;6f traitors may be deprived .of their parents^ eftates, that they may not thjcreby^be enabled, to. at«- venge the traitors death on the nation.^. - " ..^,, ^ r --^ - -» *' In ncceiTary felf-defence men hare a right tp^ill their a|^ failants. But duel's are an, unlawful and muderoujs fe.- main of the ancient Gothic barbarity. Men thereiB\inani.-^ feft the mofl abominable pride and paffion,.-r-pi:efumptUovir-» ly u fur p the power of the civil magiftrate in averT|fing,tli;;oQ« .felves, aiid madly rifquc their pwn death, and (jamnrtiory in attempting to murder their neighbour, or cve|i friend,,.. In no cafe ought nieh to; deprive their neighbour 0/ \\is life, and plunge him into an eternity, perhaps, of inexprjef- fible mifcry, if, in a cohfiftency \yitli equity and the public welfare, it can be avoided. But ill forrie.cafes war. is iaw^^ •ful and neceflary, upon one fide, though never .qn both, ( I .) Some men aire fo unjuft that th-ere is no lecuning .of o^. own property or life, but by pppofing force to f9rce/ (.:j.^ Violent injurers of others oeing public pefts of fpciety, tii© reftraint or dellrudtlon of thernbccoraes.neqcilivry, not only! for the fecuririg of our own life and. property, but iiltb to, prevent their irijuring or murdering of otheTs.-r-^Thpugh war. ought never to- be undertaken without urgent, necefiity,. wiien the matter indifpute is of great, importance in.jiIeU^, or in its confequcnces, — and ncvlr till after the moft ear- '-'^ • neft 30 Of the hkvf tf/" Nature. neft attempts to retain or recover our propertv br tnildcr iiiethod*^ — yet it may be fometimes lawful to take arms be- fore we be attacked and over-run the country of cur im- placable opponent, in order to render him incapable of fur- ther mifchief,— even as we may bind a madman before he fcath aClually hurt us. Nay, it" may be lawful for pri;'ate peribns to take arms of their t)wn accord, in cafe of invaii- onsi or fudden affaults j or when the forceof public laws is iafpended by public coufuitons. — -~--But as wars are alway nnlaivful and murdercQ*, upon one fide, and frequently on both, no man ought to a0ilV ija war without an impartial ex- i-mmation and well grounded , fatisifaflion concerning the I*wfuin€fs of it. No command of fuperiors can fanftify nrge ami mi^rder : Nay, evea in lawful War, violence and bfocdlhcd ought to be avoided as far as can ppffibly coniift with the good end propofed i— and, though it may be ia\v- sul tt» im.}x>re on an enemy by feigned mvirches, declining ui battle cr .other doubtful aels, it is always unlawful to de- ceive him by lies, falfe pronrifei^, or oaths, — And to violate t.Tace3> treaties,, fafji conducl, or injure ambafladors or mef- "ienger^ j — and, to hire any to betray or affaffinate their prin- ces or generals,, o,r to betray their fecrets is bafe and wick- ed, and v£ten teaii$, tQ prolong the war pr render it more iurious. . ,. ,. '_ "_ ,.. , , ,, ■ . As magiftrates derive Eheii* whole power and authority from God hiuvfelf, and are bound as his deputies to exer- cife it for, his hpnour and the welfareof their nation in fub- ordination to it, they cannot lawfully ellablifli any religi- on, but that which is of God, — cannot authoritatively to^ iiraie.-^ FALSE RELIGION, which at once robs, affronts, and blafphemes God the King of nations, draws down his wr2;th upon the e.ncouragers and embracers of it, and cor- rupts the morals and difturbs the peace of the nation, — any jnorcthan they can lawfully authorize calumny, theft, mur- der, adultery, or the like. — —But, by their own eminent- if-y virtuous example, and by proper encouragement of or- thodox and faithful reuchers, and by enacting of prudent and good laws in favours of it, they ought to promote the open profeflion and practice of the true hlligion in their dominions, and to reftrain, or even feafonably and luitably pnnilh the open affronting of it. Neverthelefs, they ought never to porce men to religious a«Sts, efpecially furh ai fisppoie real faintniip, by any civil pOKtliies. (i.) Keal religion doth not chietly Gonfift in external perform- ances, but in :he proper frame, au4 exercife of the heart. ' ' (?,} Suqh O^r^ Law o/* Nature. ^r (a-.) Such cpmpulfive force, inftead of convincing nicn of the truth, hardens them againft conviction, and hinders impartial examination. (3.) It cai\not tlierefnre render men truly re/tgieusj but only bale diflemblers in reUgion. (4.) It is hurtful to fociety. It obligcth thoie that arc cdis>- Jlutithujly perfwaded of the propriety of that which is con- trary to the will of the magiftrate, either to cudui"c the iiings of their own confcicnce, if they comply, or to ice themfclves and their families niined, if 'they do not. — It pr(;iudiceth others in favours of the proiecut^d, as if no ci- ther argument than violence covld be produced agamli their opinions. And this is apt tocaufe their adherents ii%crcall?, if not to create public difbrders and revolutions, in tlie Oat^. In order to a general promotion of religion and virtoae, all men ought earncftly to addift th«mfclves to, (i.) An at- tentive reading, hearing, and thinking of the nature of God and men, and of the connexions between themi as diej have opportunity afforded them. (2.) The utmoft regta- larity and reverence in their external worf^iipping of Gcxdy which mark their own regard to him, and ftir up others to the like. (3.). The moft candid and earncft prayer to God, that he would teach, incline, and enable them to a right performance of their duty. (4.) A religiees affenvbUng to- gether in the focial worlhip of God ani Werable to their fe- cial temper of mind, and that at proper t'mes fixed either by God himfelf, or their common coufcnt, that no civil bullnefa may hinder or diftutb luch afibctations. {5.) All, in their particular relations aiid circumflances, as mert^ itf>. tne»f hujbandsy wivest parent^y chiidreiiy hratkcrSy Jift<^'i^ maf" UrSy ftrvantSy mag\flyateSy fubjeffsy ieschers^ thughty la^vytrs^ phyfuianSyfohlierSy aojtfmeny mcrchairtSy-^richcr peof^ nc" ble or i^nohky — natives or Jirahgersy — old or ysuvg, profpei-ous or affiii9,ed ifi. foul y_ body , pypperis. cr relatiotiSy — ot:ght with. great attention, to fulfil thefe duties, which part icuiariy cor- ref|K)nd with their diverlified conditions." (6.) The pr-c- fcnt and ftiture advamtacjes of religion and virtue, and dx'i-^ advantages of vice, ought carefully to be pondered and deeply laid to heart. . In tWs lif^ the cifcumfpeft tuitiv*!!©!! of religion a'ncJ virtue promotes men's health and honour, and tiieir aft^r irfleitions on their condiift and regular hopes of a fnttire rt'- , ;lbit zfyllen: of their law or religion of nature ; but iiave contenied ihemfelves with rambling, crafty, Or infoleiit, attempts to render the ora- cle.s of God, ridiculous, in :htir marter or manner. To ramble after them in all their manifold abfnrdities and whims, wCuld be verv impertinent here. We Ihail on- E ly §4 '.<^*5^ iNsirsFitrENCY of\ Jf review their prineipal, or mpre-coHH»ft» prf tenceSj jejfi- trafted from Tindal'^ Chrj/iianityi tis fid as ihe ertafion^ V:i.z> (i.) That the light of, pature is phfulutely fufiki«it. ti^ifS^r duil men to all that virtue ancjl h3ppinefs, .which 4s ftiitedHP their nature. (2.) That the light -of nature iproceeditig ffpaa an infinitely wife, perteft, and ao^liangeaWe G<3d,. At-y ^y fee abfolutely perfect and unchangeable, <)«dt•hattherefbr€-aH^::er relations from God muft be unneceffary,:ex;fep.t.^erh^ps.tQ remove prejudices. (3,) That by the light .;of n^tjr^^.wg perceive God to be juft, wife, good, and merciful i— -happy in himfelf, — making and upholding nothing for his own ho* our, nor requiring any fervice from any creature for that ea — but doing all, chiefly in order to render them happy. (4,) That God, influenced by his own infinite natural goodntfs, takes care to have this law of nature which regulates the fit- nefs of human deportments implanted in, and fufficiently known to every roan, as his circumftances require. (5.) That the obligations of this law of nature are enforced with no fanfVion of future rewards or punifhments, but merely with that pleafurc or pain, which attends human adlions or the refleilion on them, in this life. This creed of their long famous chief is a mixture oi injidelity and atheifrn. But, I. Our infidels never plainly or felf-conflftentTy inform as, what their loiu of nature is -, but repreJent ii as reafon^ fentimenty or moral fenfe^ by which men difcern good from evily •virtue from vice^ in much the fame manner, as our tafLe difcernsy%viff/ from bitter^ or onr fight hlach from uvhitey beauty from deformity. Now, (1.) This cannot be a law at all. If both God and meuy as they pretend, be under if j from whence doth it derive its authority ? — If it hath no authority from an impofer, how can it be either obeyed or tranfgreffed ? If it could be transfgrefie.d, there is no proper penalty enforcing it, to feize on the difobedient fubjc^. If God himfelf be a fubjedl of this law of nature, corifcicuce, as his deputy, cannot punilh men for breaking it. And, lanlefs every man, at once, have tivo^ and but one perfon, his own nature cannot at once punifh, as the principal judge, and be punifhed, as the guilty criminal.-— ;—I5elides, the more any man is accuftomed to any vice, his inward re- morfe, on coraraitting it, becomes lefs, and perhaps his pleafure the greafSf:- If then the pleafure or pain attend- ing anions in thisiife, be all the pollible fanciion of rewards or punilhments annexed to this law of nature, then the more multiplied and aggravated the tranfgreffions of it bc- c©mc^ they will be ihQ Ids punifhed, if not the more de- light- th£ Law n;>blenels pradv;int2ge&.flf it,— ^or the Law arrd LlGHT o/" Njtf URE. 3f \n theiK a6lthg ?»e6ordiftg to tke reafon End truth, or real cirGumltances of things ; o»', in their a<£ling according to i<^v\Sti. miv^r.d\feeluig^-o\-y in afttng that which is bi-autifut. TT^Hwnie,- thegitat.modein pillar of infidehty, who perhaps p^ither' belreved a God,: a heaven, or a hell, places virtue in tlial which is f^^/^ fl«r/ /r^r£'^i7^/(f to natural inclination^, ,as in broai f]iot.ildcr5,Avell-(haped legs, if not alfo in pride, adultery^ ksfc. (3.) This pretended law of nature can make no proper imprefficn on men's minds. From the abgyc, and a thoufandlike inflances, it is plain, that mul- titudes, inftead of being deeply awed and affefted by its all- determining power, feem to find pleafure in doing that which is inoji vile^ horridy hurtful, 'nwd unnatural. The mo/i of the conduft of the illuminated Egyptians, Greeks pnd Romans, in their worfliip and wars, amounted to al- moil nothing elle. — Now, if human nature be ftill good and uncorrupted, how extremely weak muft be the determining influence of this perfect law of nature engraven on every nvan's heart, if, when aflifted by fo very many extrinfic in- ducements, it cannot excite one of a thoufand to the actual iludy of virtue. . If human nature be morally vitiated, men's moral fenie, fentiment, or Reafon, muft be proportionally corrupted with ignorance and vitious inclination : And if fo, how can it be a proper and unerring guide to true vir- tue and Idfting felicity ? — In vain it is pretended, that our Reafon will fufficiently affift our moral fenfe or fentiment ; for, as Lord Shaftfbury, an Infidel dodtor^ obferves, " Few men can think, and of thofe who do, few can guide thdr thoughts." — None a that they, iriayXaTelyiall on theinfelt^^ thdr.friends, or their pro|):erty, without any danger of th«'^- t;rnalvengeanceof:<^d ?-rIn vain it is pretended, that Im^ man laws and inftru£^ions may aflift men's moral fenfe orf^n- timent, in direftaig them to virtue;; for, if human natiire^it- iclf he corrupted, human laws and inftructions bid fair to; be tainted with thi? corruption; and if, as infidels pretend, God be fiibjedl to the law of nature, they can have no proper autho- rkj — Befides, human laws reach only to externals, in which nei.ther the principal fubftance nor parts of virtue, nor th« re'wrards of it, nor the punifhments of vice confith — And, notwithflanding all theie laws and inftrudlions, as well as all th>e external providences of Gk>d, and their tendency to p3t>mote virtue, the far. greater part of men continue noto- riiaufly vitious. — In vain it is retorted. That neither doth tliie Chriftian law reftrain its profeSed fubjefb h"om vice :-- few, according to God's own revealed declaration, it is but ^5?ritten on the hearts of afets; of thofe called Chriftians, and that but very imperfeiHily, while they live in this world, '^—l^o wonder then that many who bear that name, be a re- proach totheirprofefiion, — efpecially as our Infidel doctors, and their numerous friends, in order to difgrace and un- dermine the Chriftian religion, bafely pretend to profefs it, and prefume to partake of the fealing ordinances of it. (4.) This infidel-law of nature provides- no proper method, nay leaves no poflibility, — of rooting out the wrong prejudices of education or cuftom. For, though my moral fenie, fen- timent, or Reafon, iliould be really corrupted, how can that be documented ? If the law of nature be implanted in my heart, as well as in that of my neighbour, how can he prove that my moral fenfe is not as pure and as much to be tntfted as his own ? Or, if I fliould grant, that mine is cor- rupted, what authority hath either Goil or man, tocorrert;is pretended, That God cufi require- no more of merij, tlian-vjhat tjyey fca-to. be their dutyy and are able to perform^. But, ho.w abfurdly 1. Muft men, by indulging themielves in flotb or vice procure themfelves a right to diminifli tli-cir duty te God or men, as they pleafe ?— and yet God be ob- Uegd toaccept of theur conduit as a ptfrfe^ obedience to his Iftw^.-atnd of themfelves on account of it ? — Muft men have power to abridge or alter the abfolutely perfeft law of na- ture, as they pleafe, and God be obliged to accept oi un- natural lufV, theft, murder, worfliipping of leeks, onions, buHs, ferpentsi cats, dogs, ^c. as virtue, hecaufe fomc 4ieQfh4y€ ;;kqught thezn lawful and good ? '• ' 7 '- .'?*■ •' ' ■ -' '-t *: i aiT-l •■•-"■ ■ IL After the evidence which hath been given of the oTs-^ ftUrityj weaknefs, imperfection, or inconliflency of the light, or infidel-law, of nature, it is highly abfurd to pre- tend, that it either muft be, or is ahfolutely perfeB ^ becanfe it originates from an abfolutcly perJeEl author.— ~W\\^ muft all effedts produced by perfe<5l caufes be abfolutely perfe<5t I Mull: Gtodius, Cataline, Tiberius, Nero, Heiiogabalus, ne- ceiTarily be as virtuous and perfe^ as Socrates, Epictetus and Antoninus,— becaufe the lame infinitely wile and perfe<^l: God made them all ? Muft all creatures, or even all men, be infinitely, or even equally perfect, becaufe God their common parent is fo? Are unborn infants as perfect mtn and women as their parents ? Are thieves and murderers, whores and whoremongers, abfolutely perfect, becaufe an infinitely perfect God formed them ?- Nay, might not a law be ablblutely perfet^ in itfelf, and yet not calculated lo promote men's happinefs, in fome particular circoniftancei * -— Nar,i though the circumftances of man kinijs^of his willy ,i«?4:njark,hk. d,+le thereto,- -be ne:c?fidry .|-^ — Why, notwithftandJDg>lJ his jpfi- hite power, wifdom, and goodnefs, is this end fofnuch de- feated, and men generally miferable ?---Why areDOtalt of them in Afrka, Tartary, Greenland, and America, and Britain, equally happy, honoured, healthy, intelligerjt, and ufeful, being equally the work of his hands ? — Hath he formed in them Tifree ivill, which he cannot govern to pro- mote their own welfare ? Or, have the viiJainows. pHefts been capable to defeat his kind intentions, wife purpofes, and almighty influences ?— In vain it is pretended,, that the falutary correftions of a future ftate may ref^fy thpt to defeat or jjleviate from that important eod, muft be inffiitely criniinal. — ■ — Is it then to be fuppofed, that men ought never to re- gard this end or their own eternal welfare, as dependent on it? — Or, that God will fit unconcerned at their pouring /contempt on it, and thus attempting to murder ^ hitnfelf, the infinite Mafcier, Upholder, and Governor of the world \ ' arid to ruin the welfare and exiftence of all Lis creatures, 'which depend- dfii'Miti for every thing?— Nay, -though we ^ could the La vf iand' L i q 8 T- . ^ ■MAf:ts R « . ^^ -c6*ifd.Aippofe,tIxat God's own honoB* had not -becnvhis chief end in maki:ig and managing the workl,_ it might be oQr ^utytb^itiake it our chief end in bur whole condm^.— Though a beneraient friend fhould nQC chiefly,, or even not ac^l't^ aim at his own iionour in/reclyfuppfying oiir wants, 'it' Wight be our duty to aim at hi> honour, iu tcftifying bur thatikfuhacfs.' •^' IV. It i« readily admitted, that God's infinite goodneiTs ^determines hira to mak* his law of nature fufficiently known to' his innocent rational creatirres. Btit it bath been fuffi- ciently provedj/that he neither doth, nor i^ obliged to make it perfectly and clearly known to mankind in their, prefeht ftate. And, if he were obliged to render it fufficiently 'known to them, why might he not reftore the knowledge '©fit by revelation, if the natural impreffions of it be loft? ■ V. We readily grant that future rewards of virtue which depend not on any //^/«rj/ ri*/a//ij« betwixt God and men, hnt Cn federal agreements y cannot be proved to be an en- forcement of the law of nature. But, we can never admit,. that future punifhments of vice are not a penal, nay the principal penal fanftion of the law of nature. How can God, in juftice to himfelf or to his creatures, forbear to • mark his indignation againft the man who attempts to be "their common deftrOyer ? — If he duly regard his own infi- nite excellencies^ how can he mark the horrid blafphemer, the bloody murderer, and the rapacious thief, asno.lefs his favourites, than the imoft virtuous and devout perfons ?-f— -If he be i-nfimtcly difpleaied with fin, why may not he pu- nifh it, when, where, and how, he pleafeth ?— By What right or power can any limit his patient long-fufFeriing "to- •wards the guilty ?— If they perfift in their fin till their -' death, why may they not be puniflied in a future ftate ? — • If they fin as long as they can, why may not God purtiili their fin as long as he can ? — If fin, as committed againfl infinite perfeclioo and authority, and in oppofition to aa . ■ infinitely important end, — and as an attempt to difhonour and deftroy an infinitely precious and ufeful God, be infi- -nitely criminal, how can any punifhment lefs than infinite ;^ be adequate to it ?— And, how can tbey be executed on a -firtite perfoa, but in his eternal damnation ? — If the juftice «A6f God require the infli^ion of fuch piinifliments, it is T»"fteedtef« to.;enquire, how they can be ufefol to other ctck- -tures,-"— — AfKlyet^AWhokpows hovi^tht future puiiifliment .©XAnners may eflhgnee, the evcrlai^ng ]^aj>pinj^f5fi©rthcf vir- J^ubuf j-r^hpw mu<:li,i| .niay jm^ with.a tte- ^"lightful fehfc .of Gpd*5 goodn^(^ to.lhee>ii— 'Orisvifeb:.* dc- ll^htfuJ acquieTce^ce,]!! bis eternal .vindi^i^n of ix« own /infinite excelljsnciGs, Jo .ihe piiniifhtnei^t gf \hofe imfaaus wretcHes thatj co'ntenineii th«?rT^ oqt.,eartjlj ir-v-rrMoccoyer, thou|;h we fhoutd fuppofe future troubles x^,:h^ n» tnoiQ ^^an falutary corredions,^or no more than probable or e- ;,V^n' poffiblCj the law of nature which direVHtsipen to prDvide ' fbod, raiment, houfcs, and the like, for a future period, which they will perhaps never. enjoy, muil alfo direct them to ufe every known and proper mciin of preventing or e- icaping them. 'iHm CHAP. lit. '€f th Revealed St^ndaad e^_ ^elfgm fmfainfd '^'^jf^ ,ih? Scriptures of th( Old and 2^eno Te^antetit in its ^-_ JP O SSI31LITT, DeSIREABL E N E S S, N E C E S S I- .::t^ XT, P Rt> PRiETY, Reasonableness, Cr EDI nX" -IS-^l^Vi i)'iVtNE Au THORIXy, a;7^CaNTEWT5. -"W^'A Revelation of God's mind and will t« noen is^crs- J_ji. siBLB. — Being infinite in wifdom and know- pledge, God cannot but know many thipgs, which we do "jjjot. — Being abfolutely lovereign, he cannot be boivnd to . ~inanifeft i\l his mind at once, to us,— jaor-eyeii all that we ^-are capable of knowing, — There is no morefjcejfiftity of his '»^«nanifefting thijigs relative to religion, than of Jbis. nv^oifcft' ■.•4nf» things relative to arts and fciences, before it be needed. .^—-Though his infinite wifdom and goodnefs fhould retjuire .Him, ^t the firf]^, to n>anifeft all that is abfolutely iiecfiflary fobe knowp in order to the promoting of real virt^ue and Jiapprnef";, — why may he not afterward;^ make new mioifef- tations, which may prornote fijperior happlnefs ^-r-r—lf he hmh given us a power of j;pinmvmica|ir.g cur .thoi»ghts to ■others around us,.r-how can he be incapable toscommuni- '. cate his own ? If he hath enftamped upon every gecuHaf Hi||c, 5ha(nnfe'rM6f Writing, 5s*c. how tan he tc in?apable td revcjal 'i3»i5 mini to men in a maiihfer, that vvill fuflacientl^jnavk it iirisxspwnf'— Arid, if he make merciful additions to the law- of jDatori©,-vwhy may they not be received upon fufricient.ejvi- ^-iiencesi of their divine authority? — ^Aiid, wl^y nray.ypt •TOen, who, before they received this reyelation,. w^re Y?*"/ 'ignorjint, — by the plain articles of it ^nd the uncpjtitijo^led miracles and power attending it, be awakened, and .en- abled to perceive its divine authority.— Thpugh this revela- tion pannot forbid any thing, which the law of nature i;e- quires, or require any thing, which the law of nature for- bids,— why may it not manifeft feme things which the law, at leaft the light, of nature, as enjoyed by us, did not ? or require fome things not required ; or forbid fome things not forbidden by it ? And, why any more need of ma- thcmatical demonftrablenefs to prove a revelation to be from Cod, than to prove the law of nature to be from him ? IJ. A fupernatural revelation from God is deS:IRE,aplEc •— *Though the law of nature was perfeftly fufificlent to ton- duil men to happinefs, while they continued in the eftate, ,in wb^ch they were created,.*-thc entrance of fin, by put- ting things out of order, may have rendered it infufficient. Ignorance may have darkened their mind, fenfe of guilt ter- rified their confclence and vicious inclinations biafled their will and affe«^ions : — and their whole fpiritual conftitutipn may be fo weakened, as to render helps neceffary^to them, and to excite' and enable them, to know and obe.y^ even the law of nature.-f— Arid, if human inftrudions and ex,ci^e- ments may be ufeful, why may not divine ones be xnufh more fo ! — If then they be oflfered, why flxould they, not be readily and thankfully received and praftifed I — -^la vain it is pretended, that rationality will render men fuiJici • Ctttly religious : for generally the high pretenders to ration- ality have leafl: appearance of devotion or virtue. Nay^ tho' men (hould know fomewhat relative to their duty and inter- eft, might not a larger meafure of wifdom and knowledge render them fVill more virtuous, ufeful, and happy I "V^';ill oar tnfrdels pretend, that the moft ftupid fayages, who are endojred with rationality bid fair to be ais, ufeful and happy as Socrates, Epiifletus, Antoniuus> Seneca, ,l^«-. Z' — Tho' men ihoiild know their duty in. no incqn^idjerAblp degree, •may they' not need cxcitmenl to and direi^ion in praftifing V^ , it7 %t ty* w Rsvgitfe* S-Tf'Afi^K^'i '^%%e IS a[ future ftste of everiaftirig' felicky ?—- -bmR Viiich muft nece^ariiy be kno\m and firmly believed, iiior- lieV to ah attaining to per/eftion in virtue, nay to dny redl "de|;ree of it, or any fatlsfaftory comfort 6f mind. Tlioiig^ foine great genius Ihould arife, and find out everything ne- ceiTary to be known, in order to perfe£lion in virtue aM happinefs, how could he, in a clear and efficacious manner, manifeft his difcoveries to others, who are fo ignorant, and fp much biafled to the contrary ? — By what coufcience-aw- ing authority could he give out ? or how could he enforce h'js inftru/lions ? — -Though the magiflrates power were ev- erted in his favours, that extends only to the externals of ^Ckions, and not at all to the true form and ejje?ice of virtue. ■ To add no more, the defires and hopes of Socrates, Tlatp, and other heathen phil'ofophers for fome divine re* vclation to folve their doubts; — the manifold pretences to revelf\tion among Heti't'hfens, Mahometans, Jews and CtSrif- tians ;— arid even the ready application of medicines provr- dL-ntlally provided for our difeafed bodies — f^ove that'rcve- l?.,tipn the medicinS' of difeafed minds is defircnhley \n ord«?"r to make us underftand and obey the law of nature, or at leaft to render us more, Or more eafily, happy tbiti otfi«t- \vile we could be,— if nPt jva/Zj) <';«;/^tranfci:ipt of Ilia infinite €xcelJaicya~X^\'^. dcvii^tipfl[ fr^ai Uic iftfimtely iriLr. pOi'il(Uip.e!id of cr^aticHi and.rprftVKlenc.e,;— -and hence thelTr CTin>€, obj^i'Uyely igoqAdered, ^^f^,])§. itijimt-ely Immuty an^ fo muft-deiVrve nothing Icfs than infinite pumjhmcnt. .G94» cannot manifeft a proper regard to his own excellencies and laws, when they are contemned, hated, and trampled on, or to his creatures when they are abufed and jjijured, unlefs he execute due punifliment on the tranfgreflbrs. It is is n<^t mean but proper for him to punifh tliofe bafe wret- chas, whom all the charms and rewards of virtue could ne- ver attraftj—wbom neither his excellency and kindnefs could allure, nor ail his naajefty, authority and juftice could awe» ^3.) If, in proportion to the heinous nature of their crimes, their punilhment be infinite,— impoffible to be borne by,theni .at once, it muft be extended through an eyerlafting, dura* tion. Unlefs too, their nature be changed, they will, un- der their punifliment, offend more and morc-r^Nay, tho* their nature were got once changed, how could mere crea«5 turea love a ivrathfuly a cendemtiing^ zpitnybing Qod, witli ail their heart, foul, mind and ftrength ? How could their hqliaefs of nature hi?, preferved under his curfe, and the ex^ CMtion of it ? Fallen inen mufl therefore continue for evec ji^. their fiofuhicfs aad mifery, unlefs fome infinite ,7Lfid. aU mighty. dtiiver'r be r't^urjd who can give infinite fatisfa^ipnXii aii offended God; :f9r their fins, and reftore themfelves intQ ' favour with'him.and, conformity to his image. —No fuch de» iivarpr can be found, unlefs there be more than one perfgij in the godhead, and thefe graciouHy agree, that one of them It^ll undertake the arduous work.^ ■■ It is highly abfurd to I^Ketend that repentance will atone £<,r &rimis^ where infinite ffitisfacfiin is d^^e. — It would e^e<^U2lIy ruin civil focieties, if repentuiice .were admitted as a fui^cient fatisfaftiQi;i for criiT>es ^gainft naen. The viltft traitor, murdi^rer, or rob- " i>srj would pretend to rpper*t (and noae could fee his.heart) xatber than rot in a prifon or hacg on a gibbet.— r-^The rcpentaijcc of a man who continued unckr the dominion of finfui4uit$, could imply jio renl hatred of Ati itielf, but pa- ly-amount to a mere rage ag;i,it.ll it,-on .-vccount of its confe- «^pcnc^5 ; otxather to a mtre grii'f and rage, that God il^ov^ldhe JTo 4K>iy- ^nd juiJL^that he- v,;U aat ljac"er fia-to, pafs G un- ^9 9f fie RhVEAtiD Standard of Rehgion. unpuniflied. How could this i5c an acceptable fatisfaftlon 'to God.f-r^In th? future ftate no troubles fufFered by a finite 'creature CouM ever amount to an jrifinite fatisfaEi\on, Nor have wc the leaft -proof, that the torments of that ftate ever did, or will, or can rcdrefs men's finfuinefs or mifery. "What, If there be millions of ratipnalcffatwes, that have T)een tormented almoft ever finee the creatjqt),- without be- ing in the leaft bettered by it ? (4.) If any proper method of recovering fallen men be found oiit by God, it js proper that it fhouldbe made mahifeft. Wkheutdivkie, revelation of the fubfiftehce of three pcrfons in one godhead, 'reafofl win pronounce the redemption of finners impoffible. _ A concealed method of falvafion could never fuflaciently vin- dicate the jullice of God, in punilhing am innocent, a di- vine Redeemer, in our ftead, and juftifying us, who- are guilty finners, on his account. — A revelation of the method ©f our redemption is neceflary to make us coniider itj and ^ive our cheerful confent to it ; — neceflary to make us know tour Redeemer, and how to receive his bleffings and teftify bur thankfulnefs, in alifwerable forms of duty, not manifef- 'ted by the law of nature,-— and even neceflary to vindicate pur behaviour towards God and men, when it is fo differ- ent from that of the world around us. IV. No revelation relative to the redemption of mankind could anfwer its refpeftive ends, unlefs it was fufBciently imarked with internal and external evidences of its divine au- , thority, or origination from God. in its internals, my reafon would induce me to expert, that it fhould con- tain nothing unworthy of God's perfections or inconfiftent with his law of nature ; that it would elucidate and confirm the laws of nature and awaken men's attention to them, e- fpeclally in their leading 'articles ; that it would fnanifeft fome hew' and 'importarvt myfteries concerning God's re- deeming of mankind ;— 'and clearly exhibit fotoe remarka- , ble truths> not at all, of atle^ft very darkly, hinted by the law of nature, relative to pardon of fin, future happincfs, and the like ;— -that all the principal points of truth Ihould, in fome pafl'ages, be fo plainly manifefted, that every unbi- ased reader of ordinary capacity might really perceive them; — in fine, that it Ihould exhibit a moft exalted and amiable reprefentation of God as ivife, hol^, jufty gracious y and iner- ciful^ and ys works of creation a>nd providence, V:aron fuggefts, that it m?iy nevcrthelefs be true. Both rcaTon and experience atteft^ that men may have many real excellencies, piety, benevolence, and the like, which are not yifibly tnarked in the common productions of their hands. — -—Even, the deformed hints pf three perfons in one g^dhcaci which by Pjfthagpras, PJstp, Tr jfmegiftus, and fp«ie Chinefe Chinefe fJhilofophers, which, I doubt not, were derived from (Revelation, concur to reprefcnt this myfVery as agree- aWe io Reafon, My rcafon loudly demands, that I ad- mk tjjat an infinite God knoivs hitnf elf infinitely better than I can pretend \ and that therefore I ought readily to be- heve ercry xeprefcntation he makes of himfclf, however incap;ible I be to \inderftand it fully. Nay, wltli- out ruppofition of this myfterious fubfiftence of the godhead in di{lin£t prrfons, Rea(bn attefts, that the redemption of finful and miferable men is abfolutely impoffible. For, how could the lame divine perfon be Sender and Sent ; Creditir and Debtor ; Judge and condemned Criminal in law ; Pu* piJJjer and Punijhed ?~ • Is it reafonable to damn every in- dividual of mankind, rather than admit that GoJ may pof- fefs a perfeftion, which I cannot comprehend, and of whicU I do not perceive any marks in hij works of nature ? How fhocking the thought I Upon foppofition of God's purpofing to recover all or a* ny of mankind from theii fallen ejhte, Reafon pronouncetU the whole mediatorial fcheme when revealed as not merely agreeeableto itfelf, but moftof it abfolutely necelfary, and all of it highly becoming the perfections of God. —p— Infi- nite fatisfac^ion for fin being neceifary to purchafe the par* don of it, none but an infinite perfon could give it.— Hovr reafonable then, that the fecond- perfon in the godhead ihould become our Surety and aflume our nature,— not on- ly, that he might endear God to us, and as our pattern ex» emplify to us a courfe of the moft unblemifhcd and exalted virtue,— but chiefly, that in the very nature which had iln« ped, he might obey the law and fatisfy the juftice of God,— and a£t as our interceeding advocate with Him, provid. ing that all this was necefiary for the recovering of mankind, —and that the honour of God, and of our d'vine Surety fhould not, on the whole, I'uffer, but be anfwerably ad- vanced.— r-Both Reafon and experience atteft, that no ea- fier method could eflfedlually recover fallen men. — Nptwith- ftanding all the philofophy of the Egyptians, Chaldeans, Perfians, Greeks, Romans, Indians, and Gauls,— all the coftly ceremonies of the Je*ys and their prof^lytes,- all th^ engaging deliverances, and alarming correcSlions of divine providence, men had, for|feveral thoufand years, become worfe and worfe, deceiving, and being deceived. By this method of redemption, the honour of God, and of the Mediator is fuffieiently fecured, and glorioufly advanc- itd.-HrThc divine l^ede^mer's life being properly his ov*n,, 52^ Ctf the Revbaled Standard of Reltgion". jfcereafonabiy furrendered it to his Father's juftlce in th^ room and for the benefit of finful men. Neither he nor the . vrorM buffered any injury by his death. To balance his de^ . bafemcnt, labours, and fufferings, he was quickly raifed from the dead, and rewarded with everhfting glory and liaaour, as Head over all things to his church. — Though belted men inftrumentally robbed him of his life, his own 'Bdhmtary fur render ai it conftituted his fufferings and death » proper atonement for men's fin. — • — Hereby the perfeip with himfelf fuited to ccr finful and wretched condition. — ■. How pofflbly then caji Reafcn teach men to hazard, nay, fecure their own eter- nal damnation, rather than acquicfce in fuch a fcheme of redemption,--fuch a Mediator,— fuch a fubftitution,— fuch a mediation, devifed and eftablilhed by God for their everlaft- ing and inconceivable happinefs. >:-''"• Upon fuppofit ion of fuch a reafonable fcheme of redem- ption, nothing can be more reafonable, than that every per- ibn, for whom it is intended, iliould be particularly chofen in the Mediator, as their faving Head, that he may have e- vcry one, tor whoin he undertook^, as his fellow-iharcrs of eternal Cf the Revealed $tand4Rd of Reltglon. 55 eternal bleiTednefs. — If, in confequence of his engagement for them and aitumption of their nature, their fins were charged on, and fatisfied for, by Him, Reafon de'man3% that in eonfequence of their union to him as their Surety ^A •Hufband, his righteoufnefs fulfilled in their ftead IhooH •be judicially placed to their account, and all the blefllngst£ juftification, adoption, fan^tification, Ipiritualcoipfortj aniJ eternal glory be communicated to them as in Him. This revelation contained in our Bibles fuggefts no :»»- nvorthy apprehenjions of God. Human parts, meihDers, ^ lections, pafiions, or a(^ are afcribed to him, merely in coo- defcenfion to our weakneis, as without them, the deiftltai Collins juftly obferves, ** many could not conceive of GoA' at all," and they are td be underftood in a fi_gtirative\aajl fpiritual manner.- — God is never reprefented z% unholy, — • 'When he is fatd to harden or deceive men, it means n^xtiorA than that he permits them to harden and deceive themfelves, or to be hardened and deceived by Satan and their wickd companions. — Jeremiah's charge of God with deceivinghXvsL h probably the language qf his unbelief and paiRon : or, lais words might be tranliated. Thou haji perj^tiaded me, nad 1 nvas p'erfuadedy t. e. to prophefy, Jer. xx. 7. God is tlafi author of the eviloi punifhment, but not of the f-y/Yof vice, Amosiii. 6. Ifa.xtv.7l — God did not ^r^irl his promifcto the Ifraeiitcs in the Arabian wildernefs. He never promised 'that that particttlar generation', which came out of Egypt. Should enter into Canaan. — Their continuance and ruinisl the wildernefs were but a juft interruption or delay of the ful- filment ofhispromife occ'afioned by their fin. And trhcn their children had got poflefllon of Canaan, it manifeftly ap^ Reared, how unjufti? God had been charged with any hrfiadh, of his promife. Num. xiv. 34. ' ' ' ' Nothing, Avhichis approved in fcripture, is cofitrary to the Latu sf nature. The Jewifh laws prohiDited every kin4 of immorality and "particularly drunkennefs and dilobed'i- ence to parents, Deut. xxix. 19. and xxi. 18,— 21. 'Dicf difcouraged every kind of whoredom and uncleanncft--^ Pficrts daughters, who committed whoredom, and c^'ery perfon chaxgeable with adultery, incelV, ibdomy, bnliaJi- ty, were appointed to dearh. If a young woman had been defiled and Concealed it, or if a wife fecrerly committed a- dukerVj they expofed themfelves to the utmoft hazard of ^ lliameful death. Lev. xviii, xx. Deut. xii. 20, 21. Num- V. He that defiled a flave paid the value of her ranf^m and fhe'was fcourged/' Lev. xix.'2C),'2ij 22. ' Baftards were ex- eluded from the congregation of the Lord, Detit. iXmS"- . I, — 8.-1— -Honefty and benevoleftte were ftrongfly jhCuiaW fed ;— that men {Tiould love their neighhburs as chemitlvesi— {hould kindly deal with the oxen and aflcs of their enCmie^l^ »-and carefully prote(5t and provide for ftrangers, widowSjl and fatherlefs children, Exod. xxii. 21, 22. Lev. xix. 10* ^(T.— — Indeed, fome laws were finguUr and obfcure j hut thcfe ought to be explained by others, which arc morp plain } and the rather, that in fo compendious an hiftory^ inany things are certainly omitted, which might have ma- itiifefted the meaning and propriety of them. — • — »^t was highly reafonablc that Abr?iham, when commanded by God the fovereign proprietor. Lord, giver and reftorer of human life, fhould willingly attempt to offer his only fon Ifaac ift Sacrifice.— -Befides, God intended, by this command, mere- ly to try and honour Abraham's faith and obedience j and tvhenever thi? was done, he ftopt the execution, and load* cd them with his bleflings, Gen. %xu. Heb. xi. 17, — 19. ■'■ "It was highly reafonable, that the Ifraelites, when Conimanded by God the primary and fupreme proprietor of all things, and judge of the world, (hould Asit (not bor- X0\v) arid carry off that wealth, which their long hsird fcryice had deferved as wages, and to which the Egyptians had forfeited all their right before Gwl, Exod. iii* 22. and ijtii. 35, 36. — — As tlie Midianitcs, Canaanites, and Ama- lekitcs had, by their adulteries, idolatries, and murders, jTorfeited their lives and fubOiance^ into the hands of his juHice, God had full right to appoint whom he pleafed to deprive them thereof : and it was very proper to appoint the ifraelites to do it, in order to deter f hem from thecom- jnilBon of fuch crimes, Num. xxv. xxxi. Deut. vii. Lev. atviii. XX. Jolh. vi,— xii. Num. xxi. Judg. iv. Exod. xvii. 1 Sam. XV. Phineha^, Ehud, Elijah, and Jehu, afting as deputies under God, the fupreme magiftrate of their na- tion, might juftly punilh malefaftprs or a^hoftilcly againft «!eclared enemies. Num. xxv. Judges iii. i Kings xviii. i Kings i. ix. x.—— Idolatry, blafphemy, and witchcraft, being high treafon againft God as king of nations, as well as of Ifrael, it was highly proper, that thefe and other like crimes fhould be puniftied by death. And had that penalty cfFeftually deterred the Jews from thefe abominations, it had been exceedingly profitable to them and to the heath- ens around, and had prevented much mifery. Gt)d never puniiheth children for the lins of their parents, fcut y/hen they arc involved In their guilt, or have by other fins Ofythe- Reveauld Sta^d^i^d of Religion, ^f^ fins defef.vje^ the puni/hment infli<5ledr. though on accAunjt ojF tpejf paceijits^wickednffs, thejr ,Riet witU it in a particular forfii,,,i^xodk XX.. 5. TT'The innocent ^hilcjcen, of Kowh did n,o,t,^.4iffer ipi his , puniihment. The children of Pathaq, i\ljiram, and Achan, who periihed with their parents, were prpbaliiy partakers with thpm in their crimes, Num. xxvi. 10, n.. and xvi. 27,7— 33- Jo.lh. vji. 24, 25. Perhaps the dcfcendents of Saul, that were hanged by the Gibeonite?, l\ad .wickedly juftified his perfidious murderof thefe ftran- gers, who were dedicated to the fervice of God. It is cer?- tain, the cafe was extraordinary^ warning all the Ifraelites to beware of violating any of their engagements materially Ijiw.fnl, 2 Sam. xxi. i, — 9. Uncircu mcifed Hebrew chil- i^ren were not liable to death till, by. their own fault when cpmje to |;he years of difcretion, they had contemptuoufly • Uegledted the fpal of God's covenant,, and badge of his pecu- liar,, people i and perhaps cutting off from God's people means no more than qxclufion from his church 1 G.eneil^ xvjj* 10.^ — 14. -But.ixfter all, it is certain, that.childreti qfteji.fuffer in the punilliraent of their parents fin-r— from tl)e hajUds of nien in,th€ forfeiture of the eftates of traitors ; rr-and frpin^ thp hand pf God, when multitudes of infants peri^OX ift inundfatlpRs^ .earthqyakes, fires, maiTacres, ovpj;*- throws' of nations or cities, £5"^. And,, in ordinary ca(es^ how- often do children fufJier in theirbodjes, minds, and q- ftates, through the.fijOth, prodigality, and other wickedr nefs of pa|-enfs,, ar]id,.t|ie,b^ education which they r.ewve fiomthem.,/ ,,,.^ .,.;i,^^, /j,. ,\ :., ,.0,^ Jtyo- rerentfumefs p^ J^rn^er is allowed, but Itnctty fprbicj,- den.'ih, the fcriptures,,.,Prov. XXV. 2U Rom. xii- 17,-r— ?.V Mat. V. 45, — ^4:8._!J-.iike yi. 26, — 36.- Elijah andEliflj^ atSled by .extracu-dlnary -.warrant froni God,. and punith,e^ none but ring-leaders in idolatry and blarphemy, if not alip mur;der of tliQ go41y,> w.lio therefore deferved death by. the civil magilirate, flvingsxviii. 19,-40. 2 Kings i. 9; — 1^. andii..i4. 2nd ix. 7,,8. Jeremiah did not refGntfuUy wifh the ruin of his perlecutors, but, as direfled by.. God^ fore- told it as -^ warning to others, jer. xi, -Xviii, xx, XjXvjij, xxix, xxxvi, xliv. Several exprefiions of the Plalms might be 'ranflated and are to be.underliood not as. refoitful.iiiijlji^s but as flityii/ ./»;v/7i^ic/jj'- of that punifhmrnt which ftiould bcfal the. incxn-riglble enemifs of. David, .and efpecia|ly tlve implacable enemies of Jefus Chriifi., of wHom he. was atyp?. — ^Moreover, as God was. in a peculiar manner tVie king of the Jcwilh nation, thefe-.petitions, for . ju^dgm^Qts,- on pffeQ- '^^ 'i)f ihe Revealed Standard of Religm, ders may be confidered as reafonable applications to him for proper proteflion and redrefs, Pfal, v, vi, vii^ xxxv/xl, Ivii, lix, Ixiv, Ixx, Ixxix, cix, cxl. And as the Jews lived •under a more equal-like influence of outward proVideftce, and had not fuch diftinQ revelations of futvire rewards' and •punifliments as we have, the exercife of external feverities cfpeciaily upon ringleaders in wickednefs was in Tome cafes 'iKore needful. Neither Samuel nor Jeremiah uttered any falfhobd, bolt merely concealed that which they had no call to declartj, 1 Sam. xvi. i, 5. Jer. xxawiii. 26, 27. Nor is there any evidence, that the Egyptian midwives uttered any falfhood •concerning the eafy childbirth of the Hebrew women, Exod. i. 19. — Rabab did not betray her coontry, but merely pro- vided for her own and her friends fafety when fhe faw the anevitable ruin of her country to be at band. Nor is fhe e- yer commended for her lie concermng the Hetwew fpies, but for her faith in receiving them, Heb. xi. 31. Nothing ridiculous or aWurd is ever enjoined in fcripture. 'The conferences of God with Satan> concerning Job and Ahab, may be figuratively underlVoodv And yet,^ God y might as Avell converfe with Satan, as with Cain, Balaam, ^c. Job i, ii. I King xxii, Hofca's marriage might be ^figuratively tranfafted. Or, he might very honourably inarry a woman, whole character wa* good, but ■after mar- riage played the harlot : or an whoriih woman, who had 'become remarkably penitentj Hof. i, iii^ Ifaiah's Walking. naked ^nd barefoot y aieans. no more than his going withou't his upper garment and fljoes, Ifa. xx. Ezekiet's^elleging •a tile on which Jerufalem was pourtrayed, 430 days lying OD his fides, and Uving on cparfe bread fired with dung, — and other fymbolical actions ofpropliets, -had no oddity be- fore God ; and if their people reckoned them ftrange, they vrere fo much the better calculated to alarm them, Ezek, iv, V, viii, xii, xxi, xxiv. Jer. xr% x^viii,xix, xxxv. ^e. ' Chrift*s parables were not calculated to impofe on hiis hearers, but inthe manner ofthe antients, and of the Eaft, — to make therh carefully lillen to, c a illy remember, and deliberately conllder, what he faid, before they either W- ceiyed or rejecSled it. Afzvsrd and contention' yitrt not the propofed ends and proper efFect« oThis^cominginto the world } but merely the confequences, occafioned by men's fe}e- ,;^L. \ . (i.) God may know fufficient reafons for fuch inftittf- tions, though our weak minds da not perceive them. — It would indeed be improper for him to exert his fovereignty in appointing every ceremony or law, that could be devif^ .ed, as thai would mar his woHhip, and produce the utmoft jconfufion. But it is yery proper, that he try men's obedi- ence, by fome laws founded on his mere wilL If magiftrates, for the greater welfare of their fubjefts, may ena6V fome ftatutes which are not abfolute.ly neceffary in themfelves, Wliy may nbt He, whofe authority is abfolutely indeperhi 4ent apd infinite, and his wifdom and goodnefs' unbound- ed, eflaelate to his d\*n honour, and hence are the lefe fit to be left to t^e direftton of men's corrupt fancy' or fhoice.. " " ' ' ■ .'- ■•.■■■-• ■■■■"■> ^ :^,^2.)i The Jewifli ceremonies were not infthuted at their departure from Egypt ; but moft of them afterward, Jer. vii. *2, 23.' Nor were they ever required, as of equal im- portance with the efTeniial duties of -morality. Hot", vr. 6. Nor are they ever reprefented as bad in themfelves, though the Jevs manner ofc'bferVing them, or their adhering to them after the refurredtion of Chrift be highly condemned, Hof, xi., 12;. Ifa, i. II,— 15. and xxix. 13. and Ixvirj. But, when performed according to God's appointment, they wert lajfing ^.nd public fnemonals' q{- the mighty works which, he had done for that nation •, — aiid,- by feparating them from their heathen neighbours, rhegfced their fond- nefs for their abominable idolatry and fuperftition, to the rites of which, no doubt, fome obfcurc JewiUi ceremonies alluded. They alfo -contributed to ^rei'crve his oracle? li ;; fvca; ,^0 Of the Revealed SrA-nDAVLnof Re/lghn. from corruption.— Some of thefe ceremonies reprefentcd his infinite majefty, and regulated their affairs under hitn, as their monarch. But moft of them were intended to pre- ^gure Jefus Chrift in his perfon, offices, eftates, kingdom, and bleflings,— and to make them long for, and prepare them to receive him, upon a due examination of his' cha- ra<5ter. Even the burdenfome load of thefe ceremonies ten- - order to pro- . . mote Of- the Reveaeeb Stakkard (f Rd'igione ~€t niote-virtueamong them.— Neither the-Old, nor the New Tefttromt, will allow any of thefe, to introduce a fiivg^e Jaw or. rite of their own invention into the doctrine, wor- ihit), ciiicipiine, or government of the church ; but re- quires them to explain, inculcate and appljrthe ge-iieraF and particular prefcriptions of Jefus Chrift ; and requires their hearers to receive nothing impttcitety from themj but care- fully examine all their doftrines and appo'mtnients by the^- racles of God. And to-render it their: intereft) as well as their duty, to detect every attempt to impofeon themj the burden of a miniflers maintainancc is'laid" iipon them and in ordioary cafes falls heavieft on thofe, that are, -or ou^ht ta be, inofl: capable of trying them .^—Church officers are ajib exprefsjy forbidden to iiliirp ^nyferu/nr ddminhni op (6^ a^ as fpirjtrtal hrds over tlieir people. — The facraments of the New Teftament are tut two, and eafily attended,— which plainly commemorate what Chrift is to us, and hath done, and-will do for us, and reprefent, feal and apply his fpiritiiat purifi- cation and nourilhment to our rouls,-^and of which the material iymbohfiuateff bready ivinej or other drirfkable liquor if wine cannot be had, are every where to be found. •=• - " ':-■ -:-".• :^ ' •' '^ * {3.) It is impoffible, tliat God*6 pfer ^c. — ^It fuppofeth men under the civil and municipal laws of their country and exhibits general rules, fo framed by in- finite wifdom, as to anfwer all particular cafes. Nor, with- out becoming ufelefs in bulk, could it defcend to every par- ticiH^rduty. — ^Even the many figurative and parabolical ex- preflions of fcripture manifeft its antiquity, and that the He- brew and Greek copies of it are the true originals. — Being drawn from things well known to the Jews and Greeks, who were accuftomed to fuch figures, they exhibited their matter in a moft plain and ftriking manner. — And whatever appears obfcure in them is ellewhere more plainly exprefTed. — Our infidels do not reckon the works of Homer, Cicero, Quintilian, Offian, Isfc. a whit the worfe, that they abound with figurative. language. -^Commentators and divines have indeed contended about the fenfe of fcveral tBxts : but their own pride, prejudice and itch after novelties, not the ob- fcurity of revelation, have occafioned their diflenfions. — But, have not our heathen doftors had their own contefts in almoft every article of the law (of n3ture ? Had they not 280 different fentiments concerning that fundamental p6int of the chief good and p7-incipal'end of all human anions .' Never did the divines annex.as many interpretations to a text of fcripture. — ^The fcriptures are not laid down in a fyfematicpJ fcrm^ though fome of Paul's epiftles come near to it. — Such a form would neither comport with the majef- ty of God their author, nor with the weak capacities of iomemen. — It would not fhut up men to a diligent compa- rifon of fcripture texts. . It would not admit of fuch delight- fully diverlified connexions of divine truths ; nor rcprelent thcni fo fuiiably to the diverfified conditions- of men ; 'nor V, . ; . . . - : ,. xtvXdk Of the KfeVfiALED STANDARD cf Religion. 15]; co\itid tliey be fo ufefully illuftrated wijth a ■variety of hifioi^ ricaj fafts. •.,..( '-t Tne revelation contained in our Bibles b alio reafonablft in t)ie manner of its exhibition. As wickedncfs prevailed in, the world, God enlarged his fupernatural oracles, and il- luminations, in opoofiiipn to it. In the infancy of the world, little of revelation was granted ; and as the men to whom it was given, lived many hundred of years, the con- veyance of it was intrufted to their memories.— ^WhenJarger portions of it were exhibited and the lives of the receivers fhortened, it was committed to writing for the more effec- tual prefervation and propagation of it.-^It was gradually beftowed to make men long after more, andefpecially for the promifed Mefliah to ufherin thefuUblazeof it.— Before his incarnation, multitudes of promifes, prophecies, and to- kens were given, by which men might be prepared to dif- cern and receive him. — ^The moft of it was exhibited at fea* fons, and in places, where multitudes were awakened by miracles or alarming providences,- — or had peace and quiet- nefs — to examine it, and when the church had peculiar need of comfort and inftruftion. — ^The whole New Tefta- ment was publiftied when the world was far and wide a- wakened by benevolent miracles, and by the terrible cala- mities of the Jewifh nation which reje£led it. Notwithstanding the revelation contained in our Bibles be thus reasonable in its matter, form and EXHIBITION, — ^yet, if a doctrine be once revealed with, proper marks of its divine authority, we ought to embrace it, even tliough we be incapable to perceive the reafonable- nel's of it, — as it is certain, that God may know and reveal many things, which our reafon, wl»ile it is fo vyeak and cor- rupted, cannot diftinftly apprehend. — If any declaratioa have fufHcient evidence of its origination from God, it is horrid prefumption for us to fufpend our belief of it till we have examined and found it anfwerable to our own apprc- henlions of reafonablenefs. Bolingbroke a noted infidel ex- cellently obferves, " That it would pafs for downright mad- ** nefs, if we were not accuftomcd to it, to hear creatures of '*« the loweft intelleftual form, pretend to penetrate the dc- " figns, fathom the depths, andunvail the myfteries of in- " finite wifJoin." -:^ VI. The revelation contained in cur Bibles is perfeiHiIy credible. The feveral parts of itare fo coiinc6led, that we I cannot 1^5 Of the Revealed Standabi> ef Religion; cannot reeelre any one, without receiving the whole,r— every part tending to ertablifli tht credit of another. — In the Nevif Teftamem we have the hiAory of the firlfilment of the ty- . pical and verbal predidiions of the Old. Nay, in each Tefr tamenty we have not a little biftory of the fulfilment of fome preceding predi^ions of if.-;-lf therefore we receive the predililofis^ we muft receive the hiftory of their fulfil* mtnt, as eredibte. If we accept the hiftory of the fulfil- Jnent> we cannot rejefl the prediflrons as forged.r As the tranfaftions of the New Teftarf>ent ly ncareft our timesy kt us firft examine its credibility. — That Chriftianity is no modern invention bat was profeficd aboat 17G0 years agOy Is attefted by Ckinens-Roraamis, Ignatius, Polycarp, ;Jufrin-Mart-yr, Irenseus, and Tatian, Chriftiaas, — ond by Tacitus, Streton, Tiberianus-Serenus, Pliny the younger, E-. piftetus, Gelfus, Porphyry, Hierocles, Marcus Antoninus^ «nd Julian, heathens.- — ^Theonce extant a^s cf Pilate, — Ta- citus, Sueton, Lampridins, Porphyry, Celfus, Hierocles and Pliny, as well as jolephos the Jew, menti&n Jefus Chrift as then living and beading a feftof foUovs'crs. — Nor couid fucb multitudes have agreed to profefs his ftif- Jettyirg religion, if •they had not had the folleit conviction of his exiftcace. — ■Many authors of that period v/rote on other fubjefls, which did not lead then: to fpeak of thcfe things. And many more, -y^hich perhaps mentioned them, are irrecoverably loft. It is fufSciently credible, that fome priiacipai pubhihers of the Chrift ian religion wrore bocks bearing the dellgna- tions of thofe contained in our New Teftament. As that age was very remarkable for an ttcPi of writing, we cannot realbnably imagine, that the zealous Christians of it, took no care to record th<* amazing tranla^lon-'i of JeAw Chritt their I^rd and his fol ♦ wcrs. — In the writings afcribed ta Barnabas, Clemeiis-RomanuSj Hermas, Ignatius, Vapias, Juftin-Martyr, Diognetus,^ — churches of Smyrna, Lyons, Vienne, — Dionyfius of Corinth, Tatian, Hegeiipp«s, Ms- -^lito, Irenxus, Athenagoras, MiUiadts, Theophilus, Pani-ae- Bus, Clemens Alexandrinus,. PaLyeratcs, Qai^adrattis^ Arif. tides, ApoUinaris and 8pnmachti$,r— who flouriflied before ^. i>. 200, while the apol^olical mainarcripts were tlill ex- tant, we find multitudes of pairages quvoted from the New "T eftament or allufions made to them.— Even the epiftle to the Hebrews, the 2d of Pietsr, and the 2d and 3d of John, and that of jude, which being written to private perfons, or to Jews, were the laft publicly known by tlie churches^ are quoted or acknow-Jedged, tliough not fo nxueh.as.otbcr books, Of the Revealed SrAii7>k?.D^/Refiglofi. G^ books; by the earlieil of the Chriftian writer's. Celfujs the furioBs oppofer of CUriftianity, about A. D. 1-50, pro- duceth a vaft number of quotations from the New Tcita)- ment in order to render it ridiculous; — Moreover, the moft of thcle books being written for, or to, focieties of Chrifti;- ans, coiyld not poflibly be forged or eifily corrupted. — Their temporary doubts concerning fome of tbem, till tlaey got full proof of their apoilolical original ; — their zealous rejec* tion of rpurious produdions, — and their putting of the great- ell dillance between thefe infpircd books and thofe of their principal do6lors, — fully manife ft their care to admit nor- thing for divinely infpire*!, without fuflicient proof. — When ever they difcovered a forgery of a facred book, as of the pretended adis oi Paul and ThecJa, they fpeedily warned all the churches around to prevent their being impofed on. — They were fo remarkably zealous for t\\c\r facrcd l>ocis, that no, not the nioft exquilite tortures .could force them to de» ftroy or give them up to defiru(3:ion.: — Nor did their moft inveterate enemies pretend to difpute thegenuinenersthereof. It is no icfs evident, that the Jewiih religion in its ex- tenlive form was introduced by Mofes, and continued in Canaan for about 1500 years, before it gave place, to. the Chriftian. Philo, Jofephus, and many other Jewi(h writ- ers, who lived about lixteen or leventeen hundred years a- go, — Strabo, Juilin, Pliny the elder, Tacitus, Juvenal., Lcnginus, Numenius, Chalcidius, the Orphic vcrfes, Dio- 4orus, Manetho, Cheremon, Apollonius, Lyfimachus, Jicr^ tnippus, Dion-Caffius, Philemon, Polemon, Appi.on,PtO' Jemy, Hellanicus, Philocorus, Caftor, Thallus^ and Poly- hiilor, heathens mention Mofes or the Jewilh antiquities. r ^The Jews had facred books among them of the- fa.me rie we have quotations from ail of them except Judges^. Ezraj Nehemiah,. Efthcr, and perhaps' Chronicles, Ruth;^ Ecciefi- aftes, and the Song of Solomon,— to the ex^rcflions of TvhitK laft, there are fundry alluiibhs.— — Jofephus the Jew, Mclito, Orjgen, Athanilius, Epiphanius, Jerome and other Cliriftian docftors, that lived aear to the .ipOlioiic iige, .in tlieir LISTS, more .er lers-exprefly, incKide all, the, books, of onr Old Telfa men r,-^ Ruth being comprehended in Judges, arfti Nchtmiah reckoned the 2d book of Ezra. -Moles' I i itiX 68 0/"^^^ Revealed Standard of Religion. zeal and faithfulnefs naturally kd him to write his own laws^' which were fo numerous and important. — The ancient hea- then authors fufficiently atteft, that he did write books.— Later palTages of fcripture manifeft, that he wrote thefe ve- ry five books afcribed to him, in our Bibles. 2 Chron. xxiiii 18. Dan. ix. 11, 13. Mai. iv. 4. Mark vii. 10. and xii. 19. Luke xvi. 29, 31. and xx. 28, 37. and xxiv. 27, 44. John 5. 45. and v. 46, 47. and xxvi. 22. and xxviii. 23- The writings of both Old and New Teftament have been FAITHFULLY coKVEYED to US. Thofe of the Old retain fufficient marks of the purity of their ancient Hebrew or Ghaldaic originals — In the Talmud, and other Jewifh writ- ings, we find multitudes of paflages quoted, as they ftand in our Hebrew Bibles. — • — Even in tranflations, thefe books retain manifold marks of their Eaftern origin. — For many ages, the Jews had prophets, biafTed by no temporal confi- derations, able and ready to detect every corruption of their facrcd books, had it been attempted.— ^Almoft three thou- fand years ago, the Ifraelites were divided into the two con- tending parties of Ifrael and Jtidah, which ordinarily hating each other, would not have-failed to ^aife horrible outcries, bad their opponents dared to vitiate the -laws of their God and writings of their darling prophets,'Mofes, Samuely Da- -^idf ts'c'.'— -Scarcely- had the Ifraelites been carried captive to Affyria, when the Samaritans, who peopled their defolated, country, procured for themfelves a "copy of the books of Mofes, which,, to this day, gert'^eiaHY continues the fame as -the Hebrew. — The hatred and-contention, which afterward fufaCfted between the Pharifees and Sadduces rendered it ftill more impoflible for any •to attempt to corrupt the ora- cles of God, without bringiflg -a public odium uponhimfelf. — ^ — About two thoufand years'agO, a-Greek tranflation of thefe books was publifhcd'-and fpr'ead, whicii, in the main^ agrees withour Hebrew ones;— .-Tlve Chaldaic paraphrafes, particularly the literal one of Onkckrs^ which was compof- cd about eighteen hundred years ago, farther tended to fe- cure thefe books from corruption. • Notwithrtanding all that Chrift and his apoftles invcighe4;againll- the -wickednefs of the Jews, they never charged tiveni with:lofing or corrup- ting a fingle text in their Bible.— ^—^-TheaTiimofity, which Jiath ever fince prevailed between the jews and Chriftians hath rendered it impoifible'for either to vitiate ihefe facred originals, without being Ihame-fully dctefted.— t — When* a Romifh printer about two centuries ago, attcmpteU but to alter a fingic letter hito 00c aitnoil'fimilar, bu' into "ill' Gen. Of- the Revealed Standard of Religion. 6^ Gen. Ui . 1 5 . What a d readful noife, the Jews and othftrf raifed through alaiort all Europe ! . ■^;. :; ^ > . .....v '/ Had t4ie Jews attempted to corrupt th?ir' facred book«i. it would certainly have been in thefe paffiiges, in which the fearful wickednefs of their nation is repreferttedj and Jei'us of Nazareth not any temporal deliverer is manifefted, as the promifed Meffiah. But in none of thefe eaii we find any evidence of concealment or corruption. Nay, though fines the fpread of Chriftianity, the Jews have fct upon explain- ing thefe fcriptures in favours of their own deluiions, thef have been zealous, even to fuperftition, for preferving tlierai in their originals, pure and entire.— About A. D. 509, when, through the general ignorance of the Chriftian doc- tors, they had a fair opportunity of corrupting them, W8 find their Maforite Rabbins earneftly occupied in numbering, and marking the letters, that i'o not one qf them might be loft or altered, in that, or any future age, ■ The corruption oithe originals of either old pr new Tef-* lament by Chriftians, is abfolutely incredible. Such were the multitudes of copies, readers, hearers, and even fe^^s among them, that none could have fucceeded, unlefs he -could have made his alterations to have fuddenly ftartcd in- to ail the many thoufands of different copies and into «U the different memories of hearers and readers^-at pnce.-^ When Macedonius attempted to vitiate them in the §tlx century, how quickly was the alarm founded far and vride, — and the few corrupted copies detecfled, and corrected, or deftroyed ? • As all the furiouHy opponent fe^^s of Chrif- tianity pretended to bring their proofs in religion fromfcrip- ture, $5*4-. how could they ever have fuffered one another to forge or alter it, without railing an horrible outcry, and wide-fprcad accufation .? — Nooe of the terms, about which they fo much contended, as Homoousion, Ho- MoiausioN, Meter Theouj or even FiLioQUEr^rc found in our Bibles. — — Beiides fo many quotations of Icrip- ture, tlie iame with refpe^t to fenfe as in our books, ftill remain in the writings of Chriftian Fathers before A. D. 6co« as could almoft reftore the whole contents of the Biblfe, tiiou<;h every copy of it were loft. • • ; . Perhaps indeed all the apoftles were dead be^r.e th^rca- nonof Icripturc was fully fixed in the:Chriftii\n church.; but their original autographs might be eitniit ^iid ivcll known. It is certain, that in thc\2d century of the Chrii- tian' JErai. Theophilu* <^f AntiocU: in: *SyrJa, I.rcnxus h\ Rranoe, 'i^rlulhan.of Ortha^e, im«il Ckiiieiis. of Akx;'n- « dria ^o (y//^^ Revealed Standjiro of ReU A'ia m Egypf,- quote the very fame Tacred books which w6 now have ; which manifefts, that copies of them were then' fe^reaci through at! the Chriftian churches in Afia, Afriica, ind Europe. In the 3d and 4th centuries, we hare eleven catatogaeS of thefe cinonical books, feven of which arc the fujci« as ia our Bifeles. Origen about A. P. 210, hath them." ifl but James and Jude. Eufebius, about 315, hath iheni ^11 5 but fayi that, though generally received, {"omc doubt- ed of the epiftles of James and Jude, 2d by Peter and 3d by John. Cyril, about 346, and the council of Laodicea, in 364, have them ail but the Revelation. Athanafius, a- bout 315, Nazianzen, 375, Jerome, 332, Ruffin, 390, Au- gutiine a;rid the council of Carthage, in 394, have them allj but the a<£i of council, if genuine, gives too much honour to- fome apocryphal books. "£\\t tranfcribers of thele facred books, being no more infallibly inipired than our printers of them, the comparer of a multitude of copies cannot therefore fail to find a num- ber of various readings. By a comparifon of fome of the beft I^ebrew copies we were long ago informed of eight or ten hundred in the old Teftament, By a comparifon of about ^00 copies, I>i-. Keunicot hath farniflied us with many thoufands more. From about 1 25 copies, Dr. Mill hath produced not a few tho'ttfands in the rjevv Teftament, which haVe been reduced and improved by Kulier and efpecialiy l)y Bengelius. The colleftions df various readings by pfo- fefied Chriftians, mark their earneftnefs in examining the books which they adopt as infpired ; and too often not a little of their itch after novelties, multitudes of their various readings being collefted from manukripts, and even tran- ilationsof very little impoj'tance or exaanels, if not fome* times from their own mere fiancy and fupercilious inclina- tidij' t& criticifm. Meanwhile, a judicious comparilon of mUny copies, vvhich are tolerably exaft, is. an excellent liicthod of correcting a book. Terence, intheditferent ma» uulcripts of which 20,000 various readings have been found, is reckoned the moft correct of all our Latin claffics. Had 125 copies of it bfen compared, 'the^Variations might have aiwouhted to 50,000, though it be Icarcely larger than a 3d pirt of oar n6\^ Tellament, None of all the various read- Jngs ditf^^erd in the Hebrew and Greek copies of our Bible d-'prive us of one article of our faith, or efiablifh acontrary error, but chiefly relate to letters, accents, and thei like, Jr Is even an evidence of God's marvellous prefervation of \.:l'z ilrintures.'that the tranftrilSos^aive been permitted ttf ^ fail Of the Revjealed Standard of Reli^kn^. le^ fall into fo trifling miftakes, anctnotwifchfta^jStjiivg pr€fery<:4 from Gopital blunders. _ . . It is ablurd to imagine, that Jength of tfme in tlVe convev-^ ancc of a book, diminijbelh the credlkility oi \t. 'From what hath been ob{erved,the fafe conveyance pf oyrf^acred fcrip.- tures is t,en thoui'and times more pro^aj)lc, than the jafc conveyance of Homer, Herodotus, Thucydides, or Xeno- phon, wlio all reprcfent Qreece in 3 ftate v.ef y di^ercnj: from the prefent. If then thefe author? havsflpt^ for more than twothoufand years pait, loft one ten thoufandth pa<:^ ©{ their original credibility, the fcripiures have not loi^ one ten thoufandth part pf that. And meapyi'hUe, tjve ^x- ac^t accompiifiiment of prophecies hatl^ Qi'Kh kicr^afcd thp evidence of their divine origination. Printed copies of pur Bible are of as mtTch auth<>fity as any manufcripts extant, or any other not t^k^n froni iixt auti^ graphs of the prophets and apofUes. ;Sea;!;CC qver a- tran« Tcriber took the Uriih or tivent'uth part of care and pains, i» comparing copies,, or in correlating his w;of;k, w^hich hatjji been taken- on the principal editions of the Hebreyr .^n4 Greek Tefijaments-. — ^To protnote their own gfvin, ?rid i^ tiie cafe of private nvnts^ iecijiring ciyir properly, VkrUithat no rtjgard is^to be p*ia to them.--:r4--\Vntinig is^ ' "fir f i Of ti>e fUvfrALEb St AN£>AK1> of RrJ^io^r^ fit fi^ihc<)rrupting Revelation, tliat it' is a moft eJLci&llcftI mean of the fafe conveyance of &, as well a& of the diftatH^ ■qf Socrates, Plato, ilfc. , - -■ ^^'-^' ^'^''■••' ^'^^ * ^-i^' Our revealed religion is not founded orf'Wiet'e^Wdi': '■ 'Wi? have the law of nature in our breaftr as well as iii^dirfls' hava" But, why may not God communicate his -Willtd' iJs, in^i^ "manner tike to that, in which he enableth us to^ cpttimimlt cate oursj one to another? If we can procure cfertainkkoWti ledge by conference with philofophers, why may tre 'i^6t procure it as certain by peruling the oracles of God ? — If it* require fkill in languages and cuftoms of nations, to tranv 'flatc the fcriptures rightly, are not thefe alfo neceflary to render the diOates of Socrates, Plato, Ariftotle, Seneca, Epiftetus, and Antoninus, relative to the law of nature, plain to an Englifli reader or hearer ? — If the Tranflafors "of Revelation differ about the meaning of feme words of it, the enquirers into the law of nature differ much more with refpedl to the forms, motives, manner, and end«, bfthat virtue, which it requires. — ^Though this common people be not capable to judge of the exaftriefs of a tranflatioh of fcripture, they who are peculiarly interefled in detecting impoftures may be capable enough. — ^Nay the reafonabteti^fSf credibility y and divine ow/z^oW/j of the fcripture arc fo deeply marked, that no tranflation can conceal them. — ^Though I ihould not be capable of accurately tracing the fafe con- ■veyance of Revelation, common fenfe may enable me to difcern the reafonablenefs, credibility, or even divine au- thority of that matter, which is contained in the tranflation which I underfland — -And it is no defpicable evidence of the credibility and fafe conveyance of Revelation, and of the reftitude oi owe pi^Hc tranjlation of it, that our infidel doftors, who pretend to fo much fenfe and learning, have hitherto produced nothing but fuch uncandid and pitiful quibbles, in oppolition to them. Revelation can no more be hurt, by clergymen believing and fpreading of it, than the light of nature can be, by their poffeffion of it. — Revelation requires every man to fee for " himfelf, — to try all things and hold faf that ivhich is gcod.^-^— It doth not force men into religion by clerical influence, but enlightens their minds, and attracts their heart, by the-ma- nifeftation and application of its truths,- — Nor, numbers compared, will it be found, that more Chriflians are int' pUcit followers, than are among infidels. The FACTS recorded, and doctrines taught in tjur 3ibles, are credible in themfelves. The writers of the Old Tefta. Of the Revealed Standard of Religion. 73 Teflament were concerned in many of the tranfaftlons, ^hy» they relate. They pubUfhed thieir accounts, while the facts were frefli in men's memory. In the iimplicity of th€ir reprefentations, and in recording their own and tkeir friepds Ihameful miOakes, they manifeft the utmoft can* cfor., They never appear to have had hopes ofy or aimed at ivorldlv advantage, in their writings ; but would have ex- pofed their charaard of Religion. '-75 f^ri'oir heard of any thing fimilar ; — nay, by perfons who had rid education, and whoie capacities, perhaps were very weakJ' •' ' • His 'R!^3suRRElCt'16it, Which is the prirtcipai point in ihe Chriltiau fcheme, whicli prove aid the reft, was, and is fupported tyy every proof,— ^from enemi«, — from friends^^, — from angels, — from fubfequent events, to this day.' — ^Mul- titudes faw him nailed to, and hang on his crofs. The fol- jdiers found him dead, vrhtn they came to break his legs. Multitudes fawhiscorpfe interred in a hew grave, hewn outof ■of a rock, v/hich could not be entered but by the door, with- out much labour and noife. — While a large ftone, folemrily fealed by the rulers of Judah, fhut him up, a ftrong watch of enemies deprived his friends, had they been willing, of every opportunity to carry off his dead body. — Early, on the 3d day, a dreadful earthquake, and an apparition of angels ter- rified the guard and made them run off. Mean while his body was gone, and his grave cloaths left in good order, as by a deliberate remover. Many virtuous perfons arofe from their graves in Jerufalem, and appeared to the citizens. The guard, having informed the Jewifii rulers of what they had {(tzn^ heard, aiad felt, they largely bribed them to con- ceal the fruth, and to pretend, that Jefus' difciples had ftolen away his dead body, while they were keeping. No- thing could be more evident falflihood : for how durft any of them, — how could all of them fleep on a watch, — a watch of fo great importance? If they were all afleep, how could they know how, or who, carried off his dead body ? Notwithftanding repeated warnings and predictions, his difciples wc^-c fo exceedingly averfe to believe the truth^of his refurredion, that fcarcely their miffing of his body in the grave, the teftimony of angels, the atteftatioh of bre- thren, and even the fight of their own eyes could con- vince them of it, — rill his repeated appearances to them, and familiar convcrfe with them, and at laft, the mirJicuU ous defcent of the Holy Ghoft on them, rendered them in- capable to doubt. — Had he not riien from the dead, ihey had the ItrOhgeft grounds to be highly otFend^?d with, and ii\cenfed againll him, as one who had dfeceitfally expbfed them to fo much difappointment, reproach, hatred and "danger. — But, finding themfclves fuddcnly qualified to work miracles, dilcern fpirits, fpeak divers languages, and to dif- 'coiirfe of religion and virtue in a ihimner infinitely fuperior 'ip Socrates, arid all his phitol'ophical brethren -j-^finding, '^&at they, who "had juft before, on tli^c llitjhtett temptati- ^,4j6 Of th Revealed Standard of Ralrgisn, (,.ons, deferted or denied him, werefiUsd witlv fuch zeal and ^tboldnefs in. bis caufe, as to fear nothing but ixni-^^tikay, contrary to every temptation of worldly lionoui", profit and pleafure, and.manifeftly rufhingupon lofs, reproach, hatred poverty, perfecution, and death,' — ^in the moll plain, and public manner, on the fpot where, and a few weeks after it happened, publifhed his reJurreFiioti^ and charged the Jew- jlh rulers and people, with the murder of their own pi-omi- fed and divine Mefliah.— Notwithftandi'ng they had no car- nal power or influence, but had been held abfolutely con- temptible,— multitudes, who had the lirongeft Inclination, and moft full opportunity to dete>5t any impofture in this point,— firmly believed their report, confeiTed themfelves the murderers of the Son of God, and humbly applied to him for forgivenefs and eternal falvation. — Notwitblianding all tkeir craft, malice and fury, the Jewifh rulers could find no other refutation of the report, than imprifonments, fcourgings, threatenings, and murders of the publifhers, Thefe preachers declared, that which they had feen and lieard, and in which common fenfe will not admit of their being deceived. For, how could thty fancy themfelves into a number of meetings and converfations with their rifen JMafter ? How could they, by mere fancy, fix themfelves in the moft difl:in£l afiurance, that they had heard him, in a manner peculiar to himfelf utter fo many gracious words, and had feen him work fo many miracles in fuch difiirent times, places, and perfons ? How could they fancy them- felves into an a£tual and evident poiTeflion of the miraculous gifts and graces of the Holy Ghoft ? How could Saul of Tarfus, a man of great learning and fenfe, dream him- felf into a belief of his miraculous converfion, — into the knowledge of languages which he had never learned,. — into the pofleffion of apoftolic powers ; into an humble but bold zeal for the interefts and glory of Jefus Chrift, whom jufi: before he had fo heartily hated and furioufxy perfecuted, in his caufe and members. Their exalted infl:ru£lions and prudent conduct fufficiently manifefi, that none of them were fuch idiots, as to be the fit dupes of impofture.— The marks of integrity, fimplicity, benevolence and virtue^ fo confpicuous in their conduct, fufiiciently prove, thatthey would not feek to deceive others, in matters fo injurious to the honour of God, and fouls of men.. — Could ever thema- Bifeft, the folc profpecl: of hatred, reproach, imprifonment, tortures, and violent death,-^ of rebukes of confciencc,**-*and of eternal daraiiationj^Jiaye prompted them, witb allttheir might LJinigh^ ita' propagateihat whfch tKey-knew to BeTalfe-'-ifcd , '(wbt-«Ff aih ?-r-^~The number of thofe preachers was cofili- brdef-aMci and of their followers maMy fen'tBoufands abiDut Je- bOTn^alenii^— NotuMthttanding repeated folidtations, threat€n- LiingsiMtortti'res, tsfc. none of them, however unfit they were li to keep fecrets, pretended x.6 dii'cover any fraud. —Judas in- - Adied betrayed his Master, but quickly repented, publ?ely and folemnly protefted him inn6cent, and then he hanged - hjniielf under defperate cdnviflions of his vyickednefs. ^ Indeed, it is not pretended, that every one that was em-? :, VenUereU tbteJtflOwIeJt^e whi* h '>nu lik-y f^ Of the Revealed Standard of Religion. they had of divine things abfolutely certain, and direfted them to proper words, to exprefs their conceptions of them. "While he allowed them the ufe of their own language arid natural dbilities, he inftruded and directed them, in a man- ner which tranlcended them. Nor can we fufficiently un- derftand, » hat heart-compofing, humbling, and fan£lify- ing influences Wi3:r/^rtance. (2.) The moft peremptory, clear, and cer- tain tertimonies of the Holy Ghoft may be eallly rejecfted, under pretence that they are lefler blunders of penmen. (3.) If the penmen had been left to the choice of their words, the meaning of fcripturemuft be altogether uncertain. The prophets andapoflles might have had very proper ideas, and vet their woiMs be very improper to expreis aiid convey them to us. Erroneous perlbns may pretend, whenever they -pleafe, that fuch words gf fcripture are not proper to ex- prefs the infpired ideas, — and lift)lVitute others, wbich they judge more meet, in their rtead. — Indeed Paul hints, that nat he, but the Lord^ or /.r, not the Lordy direifted in fome cafes relative to marriage. But lie there; only means, that our Saviour had exprejly taught fuch things, or vot^ m the days of his flelh, 1 Cor, tii. lo, 12- Some exprefllons-h-ave iin appearance of unfixed meaning, to teach us, never to be £00 peremptorj|i!i that which relates to mere circumflances of thiiigs, John vi. 9, i Pet. v. 12. Concerning this infpiration of fcripture, it mufl: be re- marked, (1.) it doth not require, that every fentence, »vhich is inferted in fcripture, Ihould be attributed to God as its author. Many bad or even Ibnie good expreflions of devils or men are therein recorded, of which nothing but the infailibie nar.ition and the prat fe -ox d if prat fe are of divitie zr.fpiratmt. (2.) The ditlerent parts of ilripture being fo con^ n'edled, and fupporting each other, — Ciirift and his apoft'les approving the whole of the Old Teltament j and the New bcii.ig baf.i uiore clear decUr,«iu:i of that which had been more Qf the Rev]|.alep Standard of Relighrty 77,. rnqre darkly hinted by Mofes and the prophets, — it \% npt, ft^c^ffafy, that all the niaiks of divine authority fhould ,er quanyjappear in every verle, chapter, or book. — Some paff_ Ja^'es are but circumftantial introductions to, or explication-j of other paffages, which are more effential and important. — But, that taken in their proper connection, the books ox our Old and New Teflaments, are of divine iNSPiRA'^i-' ON, is abundantly evident. (i.),The matter of them requires a divir-ie infpiration. The hifkory of the cre^tiofrand part of that of they?W, £?V, which are recorded m them., were known only to Go.d, Myfterics concern-ng the Trinity of perfons in the godhead^ — the csvenant of grace — the uruiertaiing, incarnationy offurs^ ^ndjliiies of the Son of Gad as our Mediator y — our lation luiih biniy and jujVficationy adoption^ fanBificationy fpiritiutl torn-' forty and eternal hUJfedmfs in hinty are therein declared, which God alone can comprehend, or difco-ver.— The fcheme of religion pi-efcribed is fo pure, benevolent, fpiri- tual, and cxtenfive as God/ only coiHd devife or appoint k. While it reprefents himfelf, as every \rhere prefent, infi- nitely perfedt, powerful, wife, holy, juft, good, true and faithful, — an infinitely gracious lover of righteotifnefs, and. hater of iniquity, — and as onr bountiful Creator and Pre- ferver, and as our infiniteVy merciful Rcdcenieir, by the in- finitely precious obedience and death of his only begotteni Son, — it req^uires Ds to know, believe in, truft on and re- vere him, with our whole heart,, ibul, mind^ and ftrength^ as our Father, Friend, llulband, Saviour, and Portion in Clirift, — and confidently to depend on, and a& from him, every thing that we need in time or eternity, — and to obey him in every thing, which lie commandeth, as children, whom be hath begotten again to a lively hope, and made joint heirs with Chrirt, of himfelf and his heavenly inheri- tance.—We are taught, how our nature mav be truly itH- proved and perfecled in virtue and happind^,. by our be- lieving reception of Chrill, as made of God unto us wlidom and righteournefs, and fanftitkation and redemption, — a-; an effectual roat and principle of true holinefs, — and by our Hving and walking in him by faith, denyiisgungodlinefs-anci worUUy lulls, and living foberly, righteoufly and godly, pa- tiently, contentedly, and cheerfully, — and through his word, and Spirit, and blood, mortifying every felnili and finful incliiyalion, and fetting our afFcftions on things above, whei:e he i-i, and looking for his glorious appearance to judge the ttorld.— We are jt»nght ta be foltowers of God as dear chilureiu So 0/ the Revealed Standard of Religion. children, and to walk in love as Chrift hath lox'ed 'u«,-«-^^- iove our neighbours as ourfelves, fulfilling the duties of €-"■ very poffible rehtion or condition ; — and to lay afide all ma-'' lice, envy, hatred, revenge, and other malevolent difpofi- tidns or paflions j — and to love our enemies, rendering good- for^ evil, and praying for them that difpiiefully ufe us.-. Thefe laws of univerfal purity and benevolence are prefcrib-'^ ed with an authority proper only fo God, — and extended to"^ fuch a compafs, as God only Can demand ; and fins are for- bidden, which he only can obferve or prohibit. — '■ — The moft powerful motives to virtue and difluafivcs from vice,— drawn from the nature, promifes, threatcnings, mercies and judg- ments of God, particularly from his kindnefs, in the work c*f redemption, and his new covenant-relations to us in Chrift, — ^and from manifold advantages, tempora-1, fpiritu- al and eternal, — are mofi: wifely propofed, and earneftly ur- ged.— And while the moft excellent means of directing, ex- citing, and enabling us to all the exercifes of piety and vir- tue are eftablilhcd in the moft prudent form, and authori- tative manner, — the moft perfect and engaging patterns are fet before us, in the example of Chrift our Redeemer, and*^ of God. as reconciled in him, and through him reconciling the world to himfelf, Exod. xx. i, 17. Lev. xviii ; — XX. Deut. iv; xxv. Matth. iv ; xxvii. Rom. vi j xii ; — xv. Eph. iv ; — vi Col. iii ; iv. I Thcff". i ; — v. Tit. ii ; iii. Heb. xii ; xiii. Jam. i ; — v. i. 1 Pet. i •, — v. 2 Pet. i; — iii. i John i; — v. Rev. ii;#ii. (2.) The MANNER, in which thefe points are exhibited in fcripture, is manifeftly divine, wife, condefcending, and yet majeftic. The difcoveries of them have been gradual, as men's needs required, or their condition anfwered. Gen. iii*, xii; xvii ; xxii ; xxvii; xlvi; xlix. Exod. iii ; — xxxiv. Lev. i ; xxvii. Num. i ; v : vi ; viii ; xv ; xvii ; xviii ; xi5t ; xxviii; yix. Deut. iv ; xxxiii. Job i -to Rev. xxii. Heb. i. 1. ^The principal points, relative to God's fatisfa<5tion with Chrift as our mediator, — his new co- venant-grants of himfelf to us in him as our God.— and his law of the ten commandments were proclaimed by himfelf from heaven, with the greateft folemnity. Matth. iii. 17. and xvii. 5. Exod. xx. i, — 17, And, while thefe and o- ther truths are delivered in a moft plain and fimple ftyle, it is marked with an incxpreflible fublimity and majefty.— '' "While the declarations, laws, promifes and threatcnings,' l^c. are authorized by a thus faith the Lordy-^the ftile, par- ticularly in fcripture SofigSy fob, PfalmSf LamefitiJtienSy I- far ah f (yji^^ Revealed STANi)Aii1> tf ^etlpofn Si* yaft4^,oeci.-is at once furpri-fingiy fnited to tbe.cjignitjr ofth"6 aut^j-jirfftijie nature of" the i\ibje<^, and theconditioji ofthe^/. p(i|j^$;addre£cd. ■/: ■— i -.•.:'-:■'-•■•-;■ ^ _^ ^■_,. .(i^^^.Xh«> raanifeft -scopi^f (■Kie''' proves them to have been infpired by his Spirit. Notwithftanding they were in part wrii^ten before any other boo4cs, and Satan and his in- numerable inftruments have hated, and, with all their u- riit-ed framf' a-nd force, laboured to deftroy or corrupt them^ God, in his- providence, ftill preferved them in theit puri-^ ty. By appointing the original tables of his moral law, and »n original copy of the other laws of Mofes to be kept ii* the Holy of Holies^-. — by appointing every Hebrew king to write a copy of thefe luv/? foi- kimiclf, — hj appointing the public and private reading of them and reaching them to- their children, — and' making the opponent parties thiat en- joyed them, mutual checks upon each other, ^r. "h'e, in his infinite wifdom and goodnefs, fecured their fafe preser- vation. By tremeuduous jmigments he reftrained Antio- dhus-Epiphanes, the Syro-Grecian monarch, Diocletian, the Roman entperor and others, who attempted to deftroy all the copies of tnem, in order to extirpate the Jewifh or Chriftian religion. And, in what amazing forms, he hath upheld and comforted fuch as riiked or parted with their lives, rather than deny the dictates of feripture, or in the leaft contribute to their diftionour. (7.) Mui.TiTtJDEs of MIRACLES, which could Only be efFefled by the infinite power of God, have been wrought for confirmation of the doclrines and fa<51:s recorded in ferip- ture, and for attefted nothing but wliat was c^fifl^ent with reafbn. Neither reafon nor experience admits, that God's iuiinite wifdojn and goodnefs will permit one, much lefs thoufands of un- controuled miracles tiO be wrouglu for the confirmation of falfehood. — In the miracles, which confirm the fcripture, we find every probatory circumftance. They were alraoft ji^numerable, and all of them calculated to anfwer fome great end.* Anfwerable to the nature of the brokew law ?nd its curfes, many of thole wrought by Mofes and Elias, were tremenduous and wrathful, E\od. vii. — xiv. Num. xyi. I Kings xvii, xviii. 2 Kings i. ii. iVnfwer ably to the fpirit of the gofpel, which jelus Chrifl and his apoftlea publiflieJ, the miracles which they wrought were generally of a bene- volent nature and tendency, Matth, iv, viii, xxi. Mark i-'-^xi, Luke iv. xix jotui ii. xxi. A4ls iii. xx; xxviii. — Moft of thefe miracles were wrought in fo public 31 manner, t^at both friends and enemies had the fulleft op- portunity of thoroughly examining them, and when tUe concurrent circumftances of providence loudly called them. . -Moft pi them, as the fafe palTage of the Ifraelites through the Red-fea and Jordan,— their living forty years on manna from heaven and water from flinty rocks, — the ftanding rtijl, or retrograde motion, of the fun, — the feed- ing of feveraj thoufands on a few Joaves and fiihes, — the raifing of the dead or buried, — and the like, were of fuch a nature, that common fenfe cannot allow the witneffes to haye been miftaken concerning them j— ^r that any power, lefs than infinite, could have performed them, — Even the inveterate enemies of the gofpel, Jews or Heathens, in part atteft, that thefe miracles were really wrought.— 'And it is plain, that they were wrought in confirmation of a religion the moft pure and benevolent, and the moft of thtm by perfons of diftinguifhed piety and virtue. In vain it is pretended, that the iomfnof? experience of mzii' kind being againft the exiftence of miracles, ought to be laid in balance with the pofitive proofs in favours of them ; and it ought to be c.onfidered, whether it be not more pro- bable, that all the witneffes of them have been deceived, than that thofe miracles have been really wrought j for (j..) ^^Qthing twi be a miracle at all," which h not contrary to 04 ^f the REVEAL^DSr An DAB.D6f Re!:;^ioft. the common experience of mankind. (2.) Negaiive prbof is of very little force in oppoiition to that which isfm/ittve; sis it canmerelybear, that the deponents did not obferve that vhith others affirm they did. If two creditable perfons depone, that they heard me utter fuch expreflions, or faw me com- mit fuch crimes, the teftimoay of ten thoufand millions, deponing that they did not obferve me fay or do fuch thing?, will not overbalance it. If negative evidence be not dire<^- ly oppoUte to that which is polltive, with refpe£t to time and place, it is of no force at all, in oppoiition to it. Mil- lions of mankind could truly depone, that they never faw frozen water,— never obfervcd the load-ftone vary its influ- ence under exceflive cold,— never faw an animal Avhen cut into an hundred pieces propagate into as many animals of that kind, — never faw a ivhite man, or a negro, Sec. But will it therefore follow that thefe things never exifted, and were never really feen by others ? — Becau'e thoufands of millions, who did not live in the age or place of miracles, never faw them, v/ill it follow, that thole who lived in that age and place, when and where they are faid to have hap- pened, never faw or felt them ? (3.) If God be the infinite- ly powerful Maker and Manager of all things, he can ealvly work miracles by controuling the ordinary operation of fe- cond caufes, which himfelf hath eftablifhed. And if there be an occafion and end worthy of an interpofal of his infinite power, reafon teacheth that his wifdom and goodnefs will determine him to exert it. (4.) Unlefs it be proven, that God is incapable to mark his own interpofals for divine, and ^^at the human fenfes arc, in every cale, altogether unfit to be trufted, and fo all human fellowfliip undermined-, thefe fenfes muft be allowed fufficient judges of the reality of the miracles recorded in fcripture. It is highly abfurd, to compare thefe miracles with thofe which have been afcribed roEfculapius, Vefpallan, Adrian, Apollonius, or Abbe-Paris the Janfenift. The miracles afcribed to the firft three are only reported by heathens, on difiant hear-fays, who might be prompted by worldly intereft to flatter them. — The record of thefe afcrib- ed to Apollonius was not formed till about a hundred years after his death,— ■fromyf'fr^/ memoirs, which the recorder confefTeth to have been written in a homiafi flile, and AufFed with romances^ — and was formed m order to confront the evangelical hiflory of Jefus Chrift, and to pleafe a romantic lady i and not one of Apollonius' ftw difciples pretended . ' 'to -Of the HEVBAtED ^T A^D At D of Re/igion "-$$ >t<> h?jve received from him a power of working miracles. • The wonderfal cures afcribed to Abbe Paris, or his tomb, ha-f)pened only among his admirers, and refpecVed difeafes, the-crifis of which happening in the order of natural cau- fes, and joining with a ftrong imagination of the Abbe's -power and theufe of natural remedies, real cures might be effefted in fome i — while many others were, by the exa- ■mination of the magiftrates, detected to have been mere im- poihires. It isnolefs abfurd to pretend, that miracles cannot con- firm a doctrine, which cannot be demonflrated : for, (i.) If nothing bur what can be formally demOnltrated, mult be regarded, how little of the Law of nature will be known, or ought to be obeyed ? Or, why mv.{i formal demoHJlfation be required to afcertain the doElrines of Revelation^ any • more than to afcertain the Laws of nature ? {2.) If all the affairs of common life among men be afcertained without - formal demonftration, why may not God afcertain his reve- lations without it, and in j^ manner much more fuited to their capacities and experrence. (3.) A demonftration of the realbnablenefs of a thing cannot fuificiently prove the divine original or appointment of it. None can prove "it unrealonable toobferve two days in every week in the pub- lic fervice of God. Yet it will not follow, that he requires any fuch thing. Something more, or rather than, demon- ftration, muft therefore mark the divine authority of a re- velation. (4.) Though fome men had real revelations from God, and were certain of it, thefe could be of no ufc to mankind in general, unlefs they had marks of their di- vine original, which others might perceive. (5.) As Reve-r lation fuppofcth meh rational creatures, as well as endowed with outward fenfes, miraculous appearances, are not to be taken ?iS^fole proof oi the divine authority of miffions or doctrines, but as co-ordinate with the anfwerablenefs of thclc things to the perfections of God and the natural rules of virtue •, — and which being more ftriking to weak minds are more etTc6\ual to bear down their prejudices, and pro- cure their attention, and thus lead, and add to the force of the internal evidence Which is in the doftrines themrdves. (6.) Where the do^rines thus correfpond witli the, perfec- tions of God, and Our connexions with him, "we are in no danger of being impoled on by miraculous appearance?, through our ignorance of the phyfical caufiAtions of nature, or our' inability to examine the extent of created powers. No evil fpirits would work wonders f or e{lat>lilliing a fcheme v.'ortby g5 Of the Revealed Sir*NP4RD of ReUgiom worthy of God or beneficial to men, whom they fo h^arilljr Jxate. No fuch pious and virtuoud good God, permit his ratioi nal creatures to be icduccd into errors by a multitude of qn- )Controule4 miracles. (7.) RJoft of the miracfes recited ill Scripture could not poflibly have been counterfeited, "* ■ ■ - (8.) The PROJECT of reforming mankind by the reve- lation of fcripture and the manifeft success of it, area continued miraculous proof of their divine original.— Noth-» ing but certain evidences of hi$ diyine commiflion could have made Mofes rife his character, that on th« 6th day of the week, his whole nation in the wildernefs, Ihould alway Lave manna fuificient for two days, rained from heaven u^ en them j — and that in Canaan fheir ^elds ihould alway produce double crops on the |5th year, — and on that fuppo- iition make a ftanding law, that they Ihould never attempt to gather manna 011 the 7th dW', or cultivate their fields irj the 7ch year. -I^otking but the moft infallible aiTuranse that God would then pi otcft them from their inveterate e- nemies on every fide, would have made him require, that all their males, capable of travel, fliould thrice every year leave their homes ^wi. attend facred feftivals in the midft of their country. — Nothing but the mod manifeft warrant from God could have made him to hope, that in the family of Aaron, there would alway be a fuificient number of males to execute the olfice of prietlbood for all Ifrael, free of all the exclufive blemilhes, which he ilates •, — or could haye made him to hope, that their fmall country would fiipply his numerous nation with fatHcient provifion, e3j.clufive oi all the prohibited fielh, and of all the oblations required for the Lord. — Nothing but certain evidence of i^ divine infti- tution, attended with a divine influence, could have m^de the Ifraelltes to fubmlt to fo many burdcnfome ceremonies^ £xod. xyi. Lev. xiiv. Deut. xv. Exod. xxiii, xxxiv. Lev. i^jti, — xxiii, xi, i, — vi. Num. J^viii, xxviii, xxix. 'rhe/)/-c/Vi7 of Chriilianity and nsfuccefs are ftill more ?- •making, — and could proceed from nothing lefs than a divine varraut and influence.— V/ithout thclis, how could ever a few we^k or villainous men, altogether unaided by worldly irilhience, — form a icheme of reforming the whole world, fio-n principles and pruQices deeply rooted in their inclina- tiuxibj ar.d firmly elUblUlisd by .the:€*ie»ih'e cufiums and ici) t> 0/ th-RnytAlno Standard o/'i?<'%;Vw. €7 Ipng-confirraed laws of all fta[tiOTJs»— and that ftot hy fopce or Irauci, biif by mere declarations of what they thongtit true ;— ;or, of w.hat they knevfr to he falfe, if they were im- poftors ?w.w. 'Hovy cpwld crafty villains, or even the weak- eft fools, choofe for their hEro, one who had mAde his ig- i^ajiftioos I'atfcrings hisdiftingtii^ing chara(fteriftic, — one, w|>p had been alway confemned, and had lately been cruc'i- iied IjKitweeiv two thie^fes, as a noted and bafe malefaflor^ by the common confent and cry of his cowntrymen, — on-e, who, if he was not God in our nature, had abufed his dif- ciples confidence, and drawn tliem into a train of temporal and eternal mil'eries,-'— one, who had never encouraged them to expert any thing in this world, in following him, but crofies, hatred, iniTprifonrAent, tortures, and death,- — ilor for any thing in the next, if they indulged themfelve^ in any fraudttlent promoting of his caufe, btrt everlafting; dcftruiftion ? — How poffibly could a few villainorrs projectors of a general rcfornaation begin cheir Work, in the very place where, and a few weeks after, and amidft fhefe very multi- tudes, by whom their Herofcid been ignominioufly i:rucifi- cd,— and in the face of dangers and death, pubilely pro- claim him-to be the Son of Grod and true MelTiah, who had rifen from the dead and afcend«d to heaven, and fat dbwu at the right hand of God ? — How could they, amidft the deepeft povcrtVj. cruelleft h-afred and moft calumnious re- proach, and m^ft inhuman i^erfecution of enemies unnum- bered, in' every place carry on their projeg virtue td all the productions of the moft renowned heathen philofophers ? —How aftonifhing, that thofe few, mofl pf them illiterate ^eachers, without the leaft aid or encouin^cment from any earthly power, fliould fo triumph over t^iC eraft, the rage and power of infuriated Jews ;r — over all tl\e pride, policy, aiKl power of the Romaa empire, when in its full flrength and fagacity ; — over the pride of learning and obftinacy of ignorance, hatred, prejudice, and luft ;^ — over the harden- ed inclinations, deep-rooted culroms and long iixed laws of both Jews and heatheos ; — and that, notwithftanding eve- ry form of danger, lofs, andoppolirion, the gofpel (hould, within a few years after Chriit's drath, be preached in al- moft every corner of the Roman empire, and countries a- round. it ;— and that multitudes, at the iia^ard of every thing 83 O^^/j* Revealed Standard of Religion. thing d^ar to them,, fhould readily .b^Jieye \ty ftedfa^jjif^? liere ta it, and cheerfully prailife it i How afl:onifl>ing that;i for more than L700- years paft, aud^notwithftandingw^.- juimbercd perfecutiops, and all the profane uiiught^nj^fs of paany profelTors^'and the bafe inditTerenGeor in<;:pnc^i-v,abks v^lanies of many clerical inftru£lors, this projeft hath J>«eg. more or lefs fuccefsful, in reforming the hearty arjd^hves of multitudes, and civilizing the manners, in almoft every nar tion of importance, under heaven ? :.-;,. 3 - (9.) Nothing more clearly demonftrates the divin&-in(pi- ration and authority of the fcriptures than \.)keexaB fulfil' w^«/ of the typical and verbal predictions, which they e^thibited, in the moft circumftaniiated manner, fcores, hundreds, or thoufands of years, before that fulfilment, or any appearance of it took place. Prediclions, efpecially as above circumftantiated, ncceffiirily require a looking with certainty, through an itifimtyoi poflible events, and feeing and determining which fliall certainly happen, and. which lliall not. Suchforefight and determination are only com- petent to God, the Otnmfcient ^d Almighty governor of the world. To mark him their author, the fcriptures are crou- ded with prediftions, — the exa^l fulfilment of which is re- corded in the infpired and other hiftories, which have been, written fince. Almoft every hiftorical paflage in our Bible is a record of fomething antecedently foretold. The new Teftament is little more than a reprefentation of the fulfil- ment of the types and prophecies of the old, concerning Jefus Chrift, and his gofpel-church. Nay, the hiftories of churches and nations from the beginning to the end of the world do, or will, to judicious readers, reprefent little more than the fulfilment of fcripture prediftions concerning the faniilies of Adam and Noah, — Canaanites, Amalekites, Am- monites, Moabites, Edomites, Phihftines, Egyptians, E-. thiopians, SyriaKS, Aflyrians, Chaldeans, Perfians, Greeks, Romans, Saracel ?, Tartars, Goths, Hunns, and Turks, and efpecially concerning the Jews, Jefus Chrift, the new Teftament church, and Antichrift. This proof^. drawn from Xht fulfilment oi prediiSlions, ftill continues,.^ and ij)- creafeth in clearnefs and force, as that taketh place and is cbferved. — The difpernon and mifery of the Jewilh nation, fo often repeated, or long continued ; the progrefs, tonti- fcuance and fuccefs of the gofpel among the Gentiles ; the long continued and extenfive domination of popery, and partial revolt from it at the Reformation ; — the paft and prcfent condition of the Roman and Tiukifli. empires ; — tht 0/'//^? Revealed Standard of Religion.' %!) p^efcnt ftate of Aflyrla, Chaldea, Arabia, Phenicia, Ga- tfiiii,<'E'gypt^ fe'r. in exa£l correfpondence with thofe pre- dWlioliSi are'ftanding teftimonics of the divine infpiration of dbr BiWe>Sj no lefs concliifive and ftriking, th?n if we had fe^iracles wrought before us, everyday. — ^ — And "it is remar- kable, that not Only was our Saviour's divine charaftsrin^- nifefted in liis incomparable behaviour, miracles, inftruili-* ons, and inftitutions, but alfo in the ftriking fulfilment of his predictions relative to the miferies of his Jewifh con- temners, and fpread of his gofpel-church ; — arid that Jo- fephus their hiftorian was almoft miraculoufly preferved to write an hiftory of that fulfilment. No prediftion emitted by .any true prophet mentioned in fcripture ever failed of accomplifhment. — But if a con- dition be exprefled or undcrftood in the annunciation, it is rather a warning than a predicftion, and fo no fulfilment falls due, unlefs the condition be implemented. In ihc.t vtT^ dajy nay moment, in which Adam ate the forbidden iFruit, he became legally and fpiritually dead ; and his tem- poral and eternal death began to take place, as far as the makmg of the covenant with his pofterity in him permitted, 'Gen. ii. 17. God no more than warned David that the menof Keilah would deliver him up to Saul, if he continu- ed ihere till Saul (hould come up to it, I Sam. xxiii. 12. — Eliflia's declaration concerning Benbadad might be tran- flated. Thou Jbalt tict certainly live. And, according to our Englilh verfion, it mean*^ no more, than that his dircafe was not mortal. Now it is certain that he did not die of his difeafc, but by Hazael's ftifling of him, 2 Kings viii. 10. — The Niiievites were no more than threatened with ruia within forty days if they did not repent, Jonah iii. — Nay, unle(s threatenings be univerfal or confirmed by an oath, they generally imply an exception, in cafe of repentance. Agreeably to Huldah's predi(flion, Jofiah died in peace with God and his confciencc, and before the war which ruined his nation broke out, 1 Kings xxii. 20. — Jehoiakim was h\\' r'led like an afsy though it be not recorded in fcripture, Jer. xxii. 18, 19, and xxxvi. 50. — Zedekiah's eyes being put out at Riblah, he went to Babylon luithotit feeing.it ^ where he died, and was honourably buried by his friends, though we have not the hiftory of his funeral, Jer. xxxiv. .4, 5.. — The lajl days denote future time in general, or, that which followed our Saviour's afcenfion ; — or, the laft years of the Jewifh conftitution, Gen. xlix. 1. 2 Tim. iii. r. 1 Johnii. 18.— It was the coming of Chrift to execute judg- '■ M ment 5© Of ill Revealed Standard cf ReUghn, jnent on the Jewifh nation, not his coining to judge the vrorld, which thcfe in the apoftolic age were warranted to expert in their own time. Mat. xxiv. with 2 Theff. ii. 2» —Paul coniidered himfelf as z member of that myftical bo- dy of Cbrift, whofe fellow-members will be alive at Chrift*s; Second coming, i Cor. xv. 51, j2. i ThefT. iv. 15, 17. (i.) Though the above or like arguments be fufficient to filence gainfayers, and produce a rational convi£lion, that the fcriptures of the old and new Teftament are indeed the word of God, — yei it is only the Holy Ghoft's efFeftiial ap- plication of them to our n^lnd, confcience, and heart, in their felf-evidencing life, light, and power, which can pro- duce a cordial and faving perfuafion of it. — ^The word of God thus aj^lied, brmgs along with, and in, itfelf, fuch light, fuch authority, and fuch convincing, quickening, fanftifying and comforting power, that there is no poffibility of (hotting our eyes or hardening of our heart, againft it, or of continuing blind or unconcerned about it ; but all the faculties of ourfoul are neceflariiy aife^ted with it, as indeed inarfccd with evidences of if & divinity, 2nd attended by al- mighty influence, i ThefT. i. 5. and ii. 14. Joh« vi. 63. Jer. xxiii. 25^. And hence, withaut feeing any miracles, - or other external evidence of its divine authority, many of the primary hearers of revelation were obliged to believe*^ it on a moTQ Thus faith the Lord^ iiaJ. to Mai. iv. " Jer. xxiii. 28, 29, 31. » Cor. xiv. 24, 25^. Heb. iv. 11, 12. 1 Their ii. 13. John vii. 17. and x. 3, 4. A£ts xiii. 48, CI. — This is the true and formai around and reafon of cur faith. And hence, while many of great pai'Ts and lear- lung, who underftand, and c^^n urge oh others the merely rational pix>ofs of the divine inlpiration and authority oif"! fcriptnre, — never cordially believe tliem, to the faving ' ©f their foHLv~~others, who are of weak capacities, having them applied by the Holy GhoR to their heart, believe them fo firmly, as to truft their eternal ftlvation, on a (in- gle fcntence of them ; and to be rcaciv, patiently and cheer- fully, to undergo all manner of ln9eiingAiLV of -Rellgtgjt. g^ of his Mciliahihip, by their own inexpreilible mifcries for rejecting him. T .-it.QBJ^^c, IV. Jefus Chrift made choice not of learned and •fenlible men, but of weak and iimple wretches, whom he could cafily deceive, for his apoftles and agents. Such otl- ly, and they in fmall numbers, were the witnefles of his re- {urreftion ; whereas a fingle walk through the ftreets of Jerufaiem, or appearance to the Sanhedrin would have put the n^aner beyond doubt, and procured the atteftation of men of high rank and credit. Answ. (i.) The inftance of Paul, the moft a<^ive, zealous and fuccefsful, a- mong his apoftles, proves, that they were not all limpla and ignorant. But if they were fo, they were the more un* fit to promote an impofture ; — they could not like Zoroafter, ApoUonius, and other cheats, infinuate themfelves into the affec. under the meridiaa htltre of their philofophy ■ and rcfe^^tchei. into the law af tiature, muft as efie£lually prove 95 Of the Revealed Standard of ReligUn. prove that it is not from God. And Ifuppofe the true dif- ciples of the mere light of nature in the north-eaft of Ada, "T5r fouth of Africa or America^ ^c, are tiot mnch fuperipr in virtue to the wicked Chriftians in Britain. (5.) Thisoo-. • jeftion turns out a proof of the divine original of the Chrifti- an revelation. It reprefents the Chriftian clergy and pep- •ple exactly anfwerable to the fcripturc predi^ions concern- ■ing many of them, 2 Titn. iii. i, — 6, 13. and iv. -3^ 4. I Tim. iv. I, — 3. Acts. xx. 29, 30. 2 Thelf. ii. 3,^^-^ — 12. Rev. xiii; xvii. Matth. xxiv. iPet. ii; iii. Jade 4,- — ^19. —And, fince thefe wretches never attempt to conform re- velation to their inclinations and praftices, it is evident that God, from regard to it, muft keep them uader fome infalli- ble reftraint. From the above proofs of the divine authority of the reve- lation contained in our Bibles, it is evident, that the apocry- phal books of Efdras, Tobit, Judith, Isfc. arc not to be reck- oned any part of it. (i.) The Jews, to whom the keeping of the oracles of God was committed, Rom. iii. 2. Pfaljn cxlvii. 19, 20. never received or acknowledged thefe books as divinely infpired, and have alway conlidered Malnchi.-^% thtfeal OT laji of their prophets. And indeed, he himfaf hints, that no prophet fhould arife after him, till John Baptift, Mai. iv. 4, 5. (2.) There is no approbation of thefe books in the New Teftament, nor a iinglc fentence of them quoted. (3.) The writers of them plainly hint, that themfelves were not prophets, nor infpired, but liable to miftake, and need the pardon of the reader, Ecclef. i. i> 3, 5. I Mac. ix. 27. 2 Mac. ii. 24, 27. and xiii. 39. (4.) There is not, in thefe books, the ftamp of divine wifdom, majefty, goodnefs, and holinefs, as in the books, which we admit ior canonical. (5.) In all of them there are things falfe, or difagreeable to the oracles of God. On thefe or the like accounts, they were not admitted into the lift of canonical books, by Melilo, Origen, Eufebius, Athanafius, Cyril, Nazianzen, Epiphanius, Amphilochius, Tertullian, Ruffinus Philaftrius, Jerome, and other ancient Fathers, — or by the Councils of Laodicea and Conftantinople. Nor for ought I certainly knov/, by any Council except that in- famous one of Trent ; nor, till the ninth and tenth centu- ries, in which men were plunged into popifh darknefs and ftupidity, were they of much repute. Several Of the Revealed Standard of Religion, oj SfiiV^RAL books mentioned in fcripture, as o£ fajhsr,*^ .^rh^'wfirs of the lord y &c. are not now extent, at Icaft un- , (ipj-the ancient names. But, if their contents have not been ingrofled in thoie that we {lill have, we ought not to fuppofe, that they had been divinely infpired. (i.) Th« fcripture aflures us of God's prefervation of all the infpirsd writings of the Old Teftament, Matth. v. i8. Luke xvi. 29, 31. and xxiv. 27, 44. Rom. xv. 4. (2.) It is altoge- ther inconfiftcnt with tlie wifdom and goodnefs of God to fuppofe, that his providence would permit a book to be loft, which he had intended for ftanding ufe in the church. (3.) The zeal of the Jews for their facred books rendered the lollng of any of them impoffible. Nor do Chrift or his a- portles ever blame them for either loling or corrupting of any of them. The Old Teftament doth not now bind men to an ob- fervance of typical ceremonies, or laws ftridlly judicial. But in fo far as it inftrufls them in revealed truths, or inculcates moral duties, it continues its whole binding force, till the ^d of time, (i.) Chrift: came not to deftroy the law or the prophets, but to fulfil them, Matth. v. 17, 19. (2.) The fcriptures of the Old Teftament are recommended as a rule in the New, Luke xvi. 29, 31. John v. 39. Rom. xv. 4. 2 Tim. iii. 15, — 17. 2 Pet. i. 19. Ads xvii. 11. and xxvi. 22. Matth. xxii. 29. (3.) The writings of the pro- phets, as well as of the apoftles, are the foutidaticn of the New Tcflamcnt church, Eph. ii. 19, 20. (4 ) Our know- ledge and faith of the creation, fall of man, arid of Chrift being the pi-omifed Meffiah, ^c. much depends on books in the Old Teftament, Luke xvi. 16. and xxiv. 27, 44. John i. 19. A£ls x. 47. Rom. x. 4. and iii. 21. 2 Cor. iii. 3, 7. Eph. ii. 15. While no more but a fmall portion of divine truth, eafy to be remembered, was revealed; — while the principal teach- ers of it lived many hundred years, in which they had op- portunity to communicate it to multitudes j — and while df*- lullons were lei's known in the v/orld, — God exhibited his will only in words. — But, when his revelations became fo extenlive, that men's memories could net eafily retain them all ; when the teachers lives were exceedingly ftiortened ;— ». hi« peculiar people had exceedingly multiplied 5 — when he intended to render the manifeftstions of his mind in dreams and viiions le'fs frequent,— it becaiBC necelTary, for theber- N ter ^8 0/ the Revealed Standard 0/ Religion. ter prefervation and propagation of his revelations, that tRey fhould be comnortted to writing. — ^^Fhe penmen did not write them of their own accord, but as exprefly or impfi- citely commanded by God, Exod. xvii. 14. and x^xiv. 27. Deut. xxxi. 19. Ifa. viii. 1. artd xxx. 8. Jer, xxx. 2. and xxxvi. 2. Ezek.xliii. ii. Dan. xii. 4. Hab. li. 2. Rev. xi. 19^ and xiv. 13. and ii ; iii. Ifa. vi. 9. Mat, xxviii. 19.— Neverihelefs, a divii>e commiffion to teach, bound none to Write, unlefs the Holy Ghoft directed and determined them to it. And hence feveral prophets and apoiHes never wrote any part of fcripture. The church is (i.) The keeper and guardian of the ora- cles of God, Num. iii. 2. (2.) The public diredlorto, and exhibiter of what is truly his word, Ifa. xxx. 21. i Tim. Hi. rj. (3.) The protedlor of it againfir the afiaults of ad- verfaries, i Tim. iii. 15'. l^nt \itrhz^%\\-ie pillar and gt oh nd cf tmth^ there mentioned, may mean not the church,, but the great myftery of godlineis reprefented in ver. x6. (4-.) The preacher and publiiTier of the contents of fcripture, 2 Cor. V. 18, 19, 20. Rom. x. 15, 17. (c.) The explainer of the meaning of fcripture, Afts xiii. 16. Neh- viii. 8. But the fcriptures do not d^erive their authority li'om the church, butyrpw God aloJie. (r.) The church hath, all her authority from the fcriptures being founded on them, :lnd fo can give no authority to thera more than to God hjmfelf, Eph. ii. 20* John v. 39. Acls xvii. i r. (2.) If we believe the fcripture on the ground of church-authority^ we fubordinate the authority of God to that of the churcb, contrary to A(5Vs iv. 19. and v. 2gt. Jolra xx- 29, 31. Ifa. viij. 20. 2Chron. xx.20. (3.) If we admit the authority of the church, as the found^.tion of the truths revealed ir» fcripture, our faith is but human, ftanding \n the wifdom *nd veracity of men, not in the power of God, contrary tc> 1 Cor. ii. 5. 2 Cor. iv. 2. ansil i. 24. i TheiT'. i. ^, and ii. 13, (4.) Even Chrift and his apoOles fubmitted their authority to be tried by the fcri[>tnres, John v. 39. Gal. i. 8, 9. 2 Pet.* i. r6, — 19. Adcs. xvii. 11, and xxvi. 22. (5.) From what church doth the fctiptiu-e derive its authority .'' Is it from the antient or the modern church ? — from the collec-- tive or tl\e reprefentative church ? — from the church uni-- verfal or p{\rticular ? — from the pOj^e, or a council I — Papifls do not know» The fcriptures are pl.-vin and perspicuous. Every thing neceffi»ry to be knawn, believed, or praiftifed, in or- der to our falvatlon, is To clearly and plainly revealed in fome- Of the Revealed Standard of Religion. 99 fame paffliges of them, that every ferious enquirer of mode" rate capacity, may, by diligent confideration, linderftand it. (i.) God himfclf exprcHy declares the fcriptures to be plain, Dent. XXX. 11, — 14. 2 Cor. iv. 2, — 4. Rom. xvi. 26. (2.) They are a-eprefented as a lamp and Itght^ and for the inftru(fiionof theyw/iV, Pfalm xix. 7, 8. and cxix. lOij, 130. Prov. vi. 23. and i. 4. 2 Pet. i. 19. (3.) All aduit perfons, however weak, are commanded to read and medi- tate on them, that they may receive inftrucllon, John v. 39. Luke xvi. 29, 31. Ads xvii. 11. Dent. vi. 6, — 9. Ifa. viii. 20. and xxxiv. 16. Rev. i. 3. Pfalmi. 2. and cxix. 97, — 100. Mat. xxii. 29. (4.) The many repetitions, expli- cations, and the multitudes of figures and emblems drawn, from common things, manifeft, that God earneftly aimed at Ipeaking intelligibly to men : nor could he fail in this at- tempt. — But, alas \ the myfteries contained in Icripture cannot be comprehended by our finite and weak minds ; and there are hard pafiTages, chiefly in hiftory and prophe* cies, which do not ib nearly concern our falvation, 2 Pet iii. i6. Rev. v, i, 3. The diligent ufe of means is ne- ceflarY in order to underftand the fcripturc. And, even the plaineft paffages of it, cannot be fpiritually and favingly underftood, without the fpecial illumination of the Holy Ghoft. (i.) Spiritual blindnefs reigns or prevails in men's minds, while they remain on earth, i Cor. ii. 14. 2 Cor. iii. 5, 14. and iv. 4. Eph. v. 8. Rev. iii. 17, 18. Plal.cxix. 18. and cxxxix. 6, and Ixxiii. 22. Prov. xxx. 2, 3. (2.) In the declarations and promifes of God, and in t be. pray- ers of his faints, this fpecial illumination is reprefented as ne- celfary to make us favingly underftand the mind of God, Pfalm XXV. 8, 9, 14. and cxix. 18, 27, 33, 34. Ifa. xlviii. 17. and liv, 13. and lix. 21. and xxix. iB, 24. and 1. 4. Lukexxiv. 45. John vi. 44, 45. 1 Cor. ii. 10, 12. ,2 Cor. iv. 6. Eph. i. 17, 18. and iii. 14. — 19, 1 John ii. 20, 27. John xvi. 7,— 14. andxlv. 26. Prov. i. 23. Not merely the express words of fcripture, but aU fo the coNSEQjjENCES jaftly deducible from them, are in. eluded in the regulating fiandard of our faith and practice. ( I .) All fcripture is for dcEir'mey — -for infriiBicrry cQrrcBion and comfort ; all which ends cannot he obtained but by de- es in religion. But the Holy Ghoft himfclf fpcaking in the fcriptuyc is the oulyfiprovp.znd infallible judg^. {\.) All churches and councils confifl: of, and all popes and fa- thers are, fallible men. They have often erred and contra- difted themfelvcs, or orre another, and are fometimes the parries to be judgedv Nor are men capable of judging iii caufes which were nerer before them, or did not exifi: in- rts particular form, till many years sfctr their death. (2.) The fcripture never mentions any fuclv infUlibie judge on earth. (3.) The command of God, and the example of Chrift and his apolUcs, require us to appea'l the defcrmi- nation of every dil'pute rel.uive to faith or practice in religi- on to the fcripture it -.''if, DeuN xvii. 10. ffs. tfiii. 20. and xxxiv. \6. Luke xvi. 29, 31. John v. 39. i John iv. i. 2 Pet. i. 19, Ac^s xvii. II. James iv. 11, 12. Mar. xxiii. S, — 10. and iv. 2, — 10. and xxii. 29, — 33. John v; vii ;■ 7iii } -x. Luke xxlt, 27. AQs XV. 15, — 2<».- and xviii. -28;' and f04 Of the Revealed Standard of Religion. and xxvi. 22. And the Pharifees and Sadducecs arc con- demned for departing from the fcripture as their ftandard ofjudgmentj Mat* xv. 3, 9. andxxii. 29. HuMAK REASON IS of great ufe to examine the fcripture marks of divine authority ; — to defend it againft enemies, who attempt to deny, corrupt or wreft it ;-^to draw out the confequences ;-s-and trace out the manifold conneft^n be- tween the divine myfteries contained in it •,— to ccmpare Scriptures one with another, or even with the laws of na- ture ; — to illuftrate divine truths by hints taken from phi- lofophy, natural hiftory, ^c 1 — and thus to diCcover whe- ther fuch a meaning affixed to a text be contrary to common fenfe or to other paffages of fcripture, Mat. vii. 15. and xvi.6. Col. ii. 8. 1 ThefT. V. 21. Heb. v. 14. Ads x vii. ir. 1 Cor. ii. 15. and x. 15. and xi. 13. Gal. iii. 15, — 17. 2 Tim. iii. 16. Tit. i. 9. But human reafon is not to be admitted to judge what hints of revelation are to bs be- lieved and praftifed or not ; — or even as an irifaltible mean of underftanding the meaning of fcripture, for, (i.) The rea- fon of unregeneratc men is luholly^ and that of regenerate men />flr//a//)i blind and corrupt, Eph. iv. 17, 18. Rom, i. 27, 28. and viii. 7, 8. Jer. xvii. 9. Eph. v. 8. 1 Cor. ii, 14. Deut. xxix. 4. 2 Cor. iv. 3, 4. and iii. 5, 14, 15. and xi. 3. I Cor. xiii. 12. (2.) T'-e myfteries of Revelation infinitely tranfcend our reafon, and are incomprehenfible by it, I Cor. i. 19, 20. and ii. 9. and iii. 18, 19- Rom. xi. 33. I Tim. iii. 16. John i. 18. Mat. xvi. 17. and xi. 25. (3.) God reprefents our faith, in the matters of religion, as not founded upon the authority of men, but only on his oracles of truth, Deut. iv. i. Ifa. viii. 20, John v. 39. and sx. 31. 2 Tim. iii. 15. Rom. x. 14, — 17. i Thelf, ii. \6, 2 Pet. i. 19. A6ls xvii. 11. 2 Cor. i. 24. and iv. 2. i Cor. ii. 4, 5. Our religion is neverihelefs a reafotiahle fervice, not outward and carnal like the Jewilh ceremonies, but fpiritual, performed in the gracious exercife of our reafon, Rom. xii. I. The proper means of underfcthding and explaining the firiptures are (i.) Much fervent prayer for the powerful illumination and dired^ion of the Holy Ghort, v/ho indited them, and for his effectual application of them to our heart, Pfalmcxix. 28. Eph. i. i3, 19. and iii. 17. (2.) Frequent and attentive reading of them, and meditating on them, with a flngle and «arneft defire, and aim to know the mind .of Of the. Revealed St an da r p cf Religion. x q$ of God by^them, and laying open and fubmitting our couf fcTeJic'e'to'it, th-at we may believe and pradlife it, John v. J39. Axfts xvii. II. Pfalm i» 2. and cxix. 97,-r-ico. i Tim. iv. 13, j^. Mat. vi. 22." (3.) Careful comparifon of fcrip- tures, one witii another, that they may illuftrate one ano- ther; and that we may never affix any Tenfe to a particular itxiy bat that which is agreeable to the analogy of faith or ge- neral fcheme of gofpel-truth, Rom. xii.6. and alfo to the context. (4.) We muft carefully attend to the occafioh and fcope of the book, and particular paffage, which we incline to underftand or explain, — that the fenfe on whicli we fix may be anfwerable to it. '(5.) We muft never de- part from the ^r//^ literal fcnf of a tsKty in order to fix on that which fome call the fpiritual meaning, without the molt evident and forcible reafons. Nor ever fix a carnal fenfe up- on any text, which is manifeftly allegorical. — Spiritual im- provement may and ought to be drawn from every pafiage : but no plain hiflorical one ouglit to be wrefted into any myftical meaning. — If hifiories relate to types, the hiftory" of the type and the niyftery of the antitype ought to be con* junclly confidered. [6.) Efpccially they, who profefs Xo explain the fcripture to others, ought to underftand it In its original languages, in which the truths of God appear with incomparable light and emphafis. — Such as cannot read the originals, ought carefully to perufe the heft t-ran- flations and their margin;d readings, (-j.) The figures of fcripture language ought to be carefully obferved, and the cuftoms alluded to, and fects and offices mentioned, to be thoroughly known. (8.) To underftand the hiftories, and efpccially the predictions, we ought to be prepared with a confiderable knowledge of geography and of the hiftory of the nations, and efpccially of the church. (9.) We muft: never reft in a general knowledge of a text, but diligently fearch out what is chiefly and empliaticaily reprelented in it ; — the difcernment of which often depends upon our ac- curate attention to a fingie and infignifi-cant-iike particle la it, as IN ; EY; of; through; when; then; BUTj YET ; therefore ; ^c. (10.) C?.reful, but never im- plicit pcrulal of judicious commentaries, ei'pecially fiich as are moft evangelical and pracVical, and which earnefrly at- tend to the connexion, and lead ns to compare one text with another. (11.) In perufing the fcriptures, we ough,t alway ferioufly to remember, that we are in God's prefencd', Uftening 10 his voice, and fearcl^ing his word, in which the eternal filvation of our foui is contained^ Scarcely ?n^ - O thing fo6 Oj the Revealed Standard of Religion. thipg more elFeflually hardens tbc heart, than a mere noti- onal or philofophical perufal of the fcriptures. In general, the fcripture is dividei> into the CMd Tef- tament, which, repreienting Chrift as to come in the fleih, was publilked before his incarnation : — ^nd the New, which reprefents him as already come in the flelh^ humbled in his obedience and fufFerings, and exalted in hi* ' refurreftion and afcenfion to heaven, — liath been fince publifhed, and is far more plain and fpiritual, and directed to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews. In both Tefta- ments, at leaft in the translations,, we have firft the hi/iori- cal books, which are generally plaineft ; next the doEirinaJ^ many paflages of which need to be illuftrated from the hif- torical j andlaii:ly ilier prophetiea!^ which are generally moft obfcure, and need to be illuftrated from the preceding clafles. In refpeO of their matter, the revelations con- tained in fcripture may be diflinguiflied into (r.) Hijiories which reprefent the paft circumfiances of cities and coun- trie<:, and what ha^th been done by Coder men, (2.) Pre^ di5i'icns^ in which God foretells what fliould happen, in ibme future periods- (3.) DoElrhi??, which declare the permanent nature of perfons and things,— ai^ ft .' BE, which denotes his felf-exiftence, abfolute indcpcndcn- dency, immutable eternity and all-fufficiency to his people, Exod. iii. 14. Rev. i. 4, 8. Jehovah, which denotes his felf-exiflen:ey abfolute independeficyy and unfuLceffive €trrfjit^', and his effetfual and marvellous giving of Being to his crea- tures, and fulfilling his promifes, Gen. ii. 4, 7, 8, 16, rp, ar, 22. and iii. i. and x. 9, xo. and xii. 1, 4, 7. — ^This name of God was known in the earlieft of ages of the world. Gen. iv. i. and ix. 26. and v. 29. and xiv. 22. and xv. 74 and xxiv. 7. And fo God not being known to the patri- archs by it, mcan-^ no more than, that he had not dcmon- ftrated the propriety of it in any remarkable fclfihnsnt of promifes, Exod. xvi. 13. This name often enters into the compofltion of the names of perfons or things, as, in that ftatc, ic merely denotes a relation to Jehovah, but taken fimply by itfelf, rt is never afcribed to any but God. (i.) He alone is Jehovah, Pfal. Ixxxiii. 18. Ifa. xxxvii. 20. and xlv. 5, 6. (2.) I'hisnaine i'S reprefented as a diftinguifhing name of God, Ifa, xlii. ?. Exod. xv. 3. Hof. xii. 5 Atnos V. 8. and is h'n great and terrible name, Pfal xcix. 3. (3.) The excellency which it denotes, is applicable to none but God, Pfal xcvi. 5. Ifa. xliv. 24 Wherever aw angel a called Jehovah, or Lord, in capitals in our tranflation, he nrnd be underflood to be the Son of God, who is , which denotes \\h felf-exi/hncCf znd. his eflablifhment of, and authority over all things;^ — and Theos, which repreiettt^: him as the Maker^ Pervader and governing Obferver of alt things — This name Theos, aa vi'eU as El Eloah, which v/e render God-) is a name which reprefents his divine na- ture, not merely his power or office (i ) Pcrion-s hav- ing power and authority are not truly God, i Cor. viii. 1^6 (2 ) God is repreft'nted as a God by nature y to dif- tinguiOi him from idols. Gal. iv. 8. (3.) He was God bc« fore his power Irtd formed any creatures, or had any to go- vern, Rom. i. 20 and xvi. 16. Pfal. xc z. (4 ) Tkeotes ^v'S^wVAQTT.?-, godhead^ means not power, or office, but a divine nature,, Afts xvii 29 P^om. 1 20. Col ii. 9. (^ \ No crcatm-e is called God- without fome liinkd^ionsnnexcJ, which plainly imports, that they are not fo by nature : an- gels and magiitratc" are called gods^ beciufe of their being his deputies iu his government of the world, and refembling h:'» majeru', wtfdoa>, power, ami eqalty, Pfal. xtvii 7, an4 Ix.SJtif. T[ia Of the Nature o^r Perfections of God, IxxxH. 6. John X. 34 Exod iv. \6 and vii. i. and xxii. 28. — Idols, devils and mens belly, are called gods^ becaufe they are often regarded or worfhipped inllead of the true God, Pfal. cxv; 4. 2 Cor. iv. 4, Phillip, iii. jp. God is reprefented by a multitude of metaphorical »ames, as a Man, Zion, Rock, ^^— Beiides the names, which re- prefent the divine nature, there are others which reprelent particular perfons in the godhead, as Father, Son, Jefus Chriftr, Holy Ghoft or Spirit, Matth.xxviii 19. 2 Cor. xiii. 14. — The TITLES which denote what relation God hath to others belong to his name.— Some of them, as 'Creator of all the ends of the earthy Ifa. xl. 28. Preferver of men^ Job vii. 20. King of nations^ Jer. x. 7. Lorfi of hofs, bt\ong to him as the God of natu re. -r-r-OthQvs as tlie God and Father of Chrift, Eph. i. 3. 1 Pet. i. 3 • John xx. 17. i Cor i.-3. The God of Ahrnha*}i,. af Ifaacy 'and:. Jacob ^ Exod. iii. 6 — The Godznd Holy One of Ifraely 2 Sam xxiii. 3. Ife xlviii. 17- — ^^^g^ffetintSy Rev. XV. "^ —^Father of mereitj%, and God of all comfirty 2 Gor. i. 3 -'—The Godv of mercy, Pfal lixi 17- — TheGodofgraceyi Pet. v. io,-^~^htXjod of fence , Rom. X.vi. 20. 2 Cor. xiii. u. Heb.xiii. 20i — ^^As the Godoffaiva- '■ttony Pfal. Ixviii. 20 ' — rThe hearer of prayer, ^c.-> — ^bciong -to him as the God. in Chrifly reconciling the nvorld to himfelf. In refpe^l of his fubftance, God is a moft pure spirit, having an undcrjftanding and will, and without any bodily parts, or any affections or paiEons.. j(i-) He is ex prefly re- prefented as a Spirit, John iv. 24. Num. xxiv^ 2. Judg. iii. 10. Ezek,~-.xi 24. -2 Cor. iii. 17, il8: and as. the God, Fa- ther y ami former of Jpirit^s y /Nam -Kxi. .2.2 . Heb. xii 9. Zech. xiiM.-with Lnke;xxij?.:39. (2.) He is reprefented as alto- gether incopbreal and inviflble, Jobjs 4 and ax. 11. and iv. hSy-tj. and -*xiii„3,.4,.8. Ifa.-xl. 1.8 JDcut..iy. 15., 16. Exod* xxxiii. 20 John.v..37,.aQ,d,L:.iS. Rom. i. .20, 23. 1 Tim i..»7. and vi..i.6. Heb. xi.27.; (3.) Immortalili^ is afcribed to him, Deut 5y{xiii.:40>. Jer.- x. J.o 2 -Gor. vi. j6. I Their i. 9. rTim;.i,- i7-.andiv . iq ■andjvi...L6. A£^s xiv. 15. Rom. i- 73. Rev. L,t2. Gen 'Sj.vi. 12. iPfal. xviii. 46. "Which life is maniferied in- his giving. and preferv- ing that natural or- fpiritual lifcy whichihis creatures* enjoy. Acts xvii. 25,-^29. Pfal. xxxvi. 9. V I Tim. vi.. rg. ^om. jv. 17. I John V,.2o. John v. 21, 25, 2i6, aS. and xiv. 1X9. (4.) Spiritual 2i£ts oi thinking 2nd "zt'/Z/z/j^-arc sfcribijd to him, Pial. cxxxix. 2. and cxlvii. 4, 5., and xcii. 3. jia. iv. 8. Jyer. xxix. II. Pfal. cxv. 3. Rev. i\'. ii» Dari. iv. 3^. .Jfa. xjvi. 10. and xiv. 24, 27. Eph. i. ii» Phil. ii.-i3. Row. ^, i6, r ■ 18. Of the Nature or Perfections of God. 113 18. (5.) The power, wifdom, holinefs, juftice, goodncfs and truth, and the peribns, purpofes, and works, hereafter proved to belong to hinl, harmonioufiy imanifert him a mojl pure Spiri/.—''^—'rhe bodily members attributed to him in fcripture, are but inftrufiive emh/ems of his fpiritual per- fections and a£t.:,-- iifed in condefcenfion to our weaknefs, Hof. xii 10. — In this manner aifo, all the affections or paf- Hons of flefire, joy^ hopSy fear, grief ^ angfr. Sec. arcribedto him are to bd undcrftood. Moreover, God having abvay dealt with men, in the way of covenant-connexions, many of thefe affections are intended to reprefent him a's a friend, or enemy, anfwerably to the tenor of thefe covenants. And the changes feemingly attributed to him, really impoit the change in, or on, us, from under the covenant of works to be in the covenant of grace. The ATTRIBUTES, PERFECTIONS Or EXCELLENCIES of God, are the eflencial und abfolutely infeparable proper- ties of hffji fpiritual rtibftance or nature. They may be dif- tinguilhed into thofe called rcw;;i:<;;/Va^/ Clen. iii. 14, — i^. and VI. 9. and ix^ xii \ xiii ^ xllx i Lev. xxvi j Deut. xxvii. — '— -xxxiii.--^r. ,.. (6.) The connexions b^Ayecn pclilble things, wljieh never a as he kncWs whrit his power, can produce, and what dependence one circumrtance hehoved to have upon another, Ezek. iii. 6, 7. Mat. xi. 2 1^2V« -J.. Qod knews.all thefe things fi.) NeceiTarily fron^ him- felf, Pfal. cxivii. 5., i John i. 5. - Dan li. 20j— 22. (2.yTni- tuitively, by a fimple glance, net by aiiy cqurfe of reafoning or fucceffion of ideas, aswe know thing?, Heb. iv. 13. Job Xxviii. 2^, — 28. (3.) Independently, of allinftruftlon frohi objeds or teachers, Ifa. xl. 13, 14. Rom. xi. 33, 34. Job xl. 2. (4) Diftin^tly and comprehenfiveiy, — in their na- ture, number^ properties, and conditions, i John i. 5, Ifa. xl. 21. PfaK cxivii. 4. and cxxxix. 12, 13, 14. andxi, 4. (5.) Infallibly, Matth. v. 18, Ifa.xiv. 24, 26, 27. A^k 3. Eph. i.. II. (2.) 'Iri,mj|'k:ihg awfurahd thrfeatefiing pt^ri- ^denccs an introduiftion to the nit){t-glprioti's arnjl-delightfttl events. Thus Sarah's long continued bufrelnneiV' ihtrcJducfeii her becoming the mother of multitudes 'of hations,' ' Jadbb's " difiionour;ible c+iile introduc'ed his receiving of lingular ma-* ■ Difeftations from God ; and his wreftling and Umenefs iii- • • trb'duced his reception of his invahrable bkfling, GeOi x?ti " of men through hmi, John xi. .47,^^52. Hornble p'o-wfcf Pa ' and If6 Of the NiiTURE or Pe«*ectioks of Ood. and progrefs ui impiety and jBlthinefs, have, as it were, in* troduced diftinguiflied favours from God, and the moft lia- gular holinefs oflife, Rom. v. 20, 21. Aaiak's hiring of Balaam to curf? the Ifraelitcs and his prediiflions thereby opcafloned, — ferv- ed to fpread the report of the future incarnation of Chriil aaiong.the cafiern nations — This., about 1500 years after,: ]p^ the wife men to abfcrve his Star, and come by. its direc*.'' tion to werlhip hini at his birth. jTheirprefents fupported Him, hi« mother, .and fuppofed father, while they were exiles in Egypt, Num.. xxii,^ — xxiv with Mat. ii (6.) In eafily counterplotting his mofi crafty .enemies,, and making their moft -violent cppofition of his wilt the very mean of promoting it, Trov xxi. .30 Pfalm.xxxiii. ic. Job v. 11, 13. and xii i<5,r-2,o. Jfa xxix. 14.. 1 Gor; i. 10, 25, 27. Thijs the hardnefs of pharaoh^5 heart rendered the delive- rance pf the Ifrael^tes from Egypt more honourable and God.like. The algrfiiing invjtfioiJS of Judca in the days of Jehofhaphat a^nd Hezeiviah iilWd in the glory and enrich- ment oJ the Jews, 2 Guion, xji,. Ifa. xxsiii. 3v 7- xxxvi ; xxxvii. (.70) Ixk his exa^ {lining of events. The I raclites «,^rc J eftramed from entering ipt^ Canaau, till thf rebellious ckf^iifeis of it vfiere all dead,— till ;hg iniquity of the Canj^a-r ' ■' . ,.:'"■' nites Oftht ^kTvt.^ of-Vt%v%cr^i% of God, rt^ nites was full, and tlvey. had weakened themfelves by. their inteftine wars, Num. xiv. 26. Gen. xv. i6. Judges i. The incarnation of Chrift ^yas delayed, till the need of him to • lave men was fully manifefl ; — till repeated and wide fpread warnings had railed a fufficient expeftation of hirri ; — till the Jews had become wicked enough to perfecute and mur- der him ; — and till they had fallen under the power of the Romans, who crucified their flavcs^ Gal. iv. 4. Mat. ii,— xxvii. John V, ^xix. The church or' her triie members ' feldontmeet with remark^ible dellvej-ances till their troubles have come to an extremity, Micah iv. 10. Pfalra xii;' J"; J)eut. XAxii 3^,^ lia-xxsiiii ic. and xli 17, 18. DarticI" xii- I. Pfalm cxlii. 4/ |* aodcxxiv, Ai^8 Xti. ^,— 14. Rev. JVf. 7,— :I^. ....!>.. ^ , ^ . ^. ., ,■ . ;Moi-e particularlyii -God's wlfdoimi -dppekrs as f<;em to tjke all the honour 'of' the work,. and yetr^ferving it a:ll'for hirrtfelf, Roni'. xi.3<5^" Rev. iv. I r,-^i3,-'^-^It more abiindarirly appears' In his ^cr-' vermmnt cf mankind. ( i • ) In giving- thtrh. 'laws fuited' \Xr their natiure, their condition,' their confcienxre, and' tHpir- comfort, Rom. vii. 12, 14. i Tim. ii S. Pfalm x;?x:'7',^i6.' and cxix. . (2.) In giving them proper ability, incliriat?6n^' and affirtance to obey thefe laws, unlefsa curfe prociiriedlyy their dilbbedience prevent it, Ffalm ii. -12, i 3.' and ii. 6, ' Jfa. xjivi. 12. 2 Their, i.'ii. (3.) In Affording them 'prober' motives and encouragements to obedience "fuited td their condition, Ifa. Iv. L, — 7. Jer. lii. Hof. xiv. 1 Cor. xv. £;8.' Heb. X, — xiii, {4.)Tn the amazing propriety of his iiitr*' raations of his will to them. Chrift was Idng exhibited ?ri' promifes and types before he appeared kv -the' llefhl Hii^ uttered feveral uiidervaluing-likeMoriis to his Another vi'horiijj' he fore fa w, the Papiftsr would idolize'. —Hie peculiarly re-r huked, and records the faf»l^s of'Peler, -whom, h'^ foi^afaw, ' they would blulpheim'oufly avow to be the infallible lie!ad of their church. The do<5lrine of Juftijficat5o(n by freie' grace,,' through faith in Chrift's imputed righteoulhels, iis, bhiefiy'' delivered ill an Eplftle to t lip church at RorAe^ vv^hcre, ■htf' farei'aw, it would be peculiarly qorrnpted and-denied^ Joho" \h 4. Ltika xii 27,; 2i^. M^t-'3k!i>.' A8y a(^. arrtl Hiv. 3 i.'anc^'' hZ 0/^/-^^ Nature orrti'Ticrio^s'a/Goi, j^v]._22) 23. andxxvi. 34, 35, <59,— 75. Luke v, 8. xiii. 6,-— 10. and xviii. 19 u. and xix. 26. and xxi. ap, ■r-22. Gal. ii. 11,-14. J^om. i,—x. .(5.) In limiting tneir iinfulnefs and bringing glory to himielf, and good to tliem» out of it i and in making the rage and power of fin ccntribute to deftroy itfelf, and advance the glory of his fi-'ee ^race, Pfalm Ixxvi. 10. Rom. v. 20,. 21 . (6.) In that t^c msnner,. the means, the tendency, and even the timing of.every. change made upon their ftate, nature or condition, harraonipufly concur to mark his difpleafure with fin, and to manjfcft the exceeding riches ^of bis grace, Rom. v. i2» ~t2u 2.*ri>e^. i.4)r— ii-. Afts xxii. 6. i Tim. i.iia—- 17- ir Cor. xv. 8, — ^^Tc^Gal. i, 15, i6j^ 22, 23. But (4.) In nothing doth diewifdom^f God appear fo much as in our hedemption through Chrift. It appears iViiht per/on of the Redeemer, (i.) In clioofing him, who was the middle perfon in the godhead, and Son of God, to mediate between God and u?, and make us the friends and children of God, that thus the order of mifiion and opera- tion might correfpond with that of the fubfiftence of the di- vin,e nature, Johniii- r6. Rom. viii. 16, 17. Ifa. Ixi. i.and 2£lviii. i5. (2.). In fo uniting bis finite and infinite natures, that they delightfully fubfift \n one perfon^ without any con-- fuSon, eompofition or oppofition, .1 Tim.; iii. 16. Jerem, xxxi. 22. Ifa» vii. 14. and ix. 6-. Zecb. xiii. 7- John i. 14. Phil. ii. ^, 7, (3,.) In invefting him with mediatorial offi- ces, infinitely well calculated to promote his own glory in the honour of Chrift and our everlafting happinefs, Ifa, xlix> r,^ — 9. and xUi. 1,— 8. and Ixi^ -1,-^3. Phil, ii.6,— -13. Eph. iii. 21. I iPct. iv. 11. (4.) In the form and order of Kisftates of dc^bafement and exaltation •infinitely aufWerable to our guilty, polluted and wretched condition^— and to the covenants and honour of every divine perfon, Luke ii. 10, •—14. Phil. ii. 6,-^M. Luke xxiv. 2t^. Heb. ii. 10. and xiii. 20.- — —It appears in the purchafe of^wr redemption by the obedience and fatisfj^lion of Chrift, (i.) In reconciling tbe-.feemingly difcordant perfe£lions of the Deity, by the dcbafement arid death of him, in whom they dwell, Pfahn Ixxxv. 10. Mat. iii. 15. Heb. ii. 10. with Ccl. ii. 9. (2.) In, ?t once, manirefting his greateft hatred of fin, and his greateft love to finhers, Rom. v. 6,— 10. and iii. . 24,-^2 <5. and vili. j. (3.) |ti executing his infinite wrath on Chrift from infinite love to him and to lis in him, Mat, iii/47•v*"'^- xyii..5. Ifa. liii. Id. I John iv. 9, 10. ,(4.) In renderings the fliaiVie, ignominy, fuffermg and death of Chrift tjia- ffrand grand mean of honour, happinefs and life to him, as Medi- nr'Aiv and to us in him; Phil. ii. 6, — ii. Heb. ii. 8, — lo. lU. liii.-iOj-^ia. Rom. v. 9, — 11, 15.,— 21. (5.) In mak- fei'g-mtn's -contemptj^a^bufe, and murder of his Son, the me.-tnr of finifhing tranfgrefllon, making an end of fin, bring- ing in ah cverhfling righteoufnefs, and deflroying thedomi- mbn of Satan in the world, Dan. ix-. 24; i John iii. 5, 6, S. i-Peter ii. 24. and nii 18. Rev. v'.^.- (d.) Ih thus making every one of his perfections proinbte its 'owii glory, by the. ftrangeft nieans^ — -Juftioc, by punifBSng the innocent Mef- iiah, and by preparing pardon, peace and happinefs for iin- ful guilty men,-:r-Mcrcy, by drawing down fcjarful punifti- menr on God's beloved Son, that it might beftow everlaft- ing favours upon the children of Satan,— rebels againft God and "heirs 'of hell. ' "■•'■It" appears in the puh/ication ofcurre- d'empiier?^ in that, {1.) All the reports meluded in it exaftly corr^fpond with our neceflities, and with the erds for which, they Were intended and appointed. (2-) The publication w?s gradual, -as men could bear it, Heb. i. i. (3.) The form of it was fuited to the infant, ormore adult, llate of the church, and fo waslefs 01' nio re fpi ritual, Heb. i^ t. and x.'i. John i. 17. Col. ii.' 17. (4.) Broken hints relative to the Incarnation of the Son of God and his atonement for fin were preferved orfpreaJ among the heathcttSi as a meza of facilitating the fpread and belief of the gofpel, A£fcs xvti. 23. (5.) God took particular care to have aU tltc leading hits of revelation fihgularly attefted. (6.) The more noted declarations of divine truth were feniarkab?}- wbH-timed. Thefe by Mofes were puNifhed, when the Ifraetites in the wittlernefs had the~ntmofl: leifure to conC- dir iihern. ' The reports ofChriil's refurre^ibn were piibi:- ffied "fifty days after it, when the murdeivou* Jews had time' to 'come to them fHves^, and when the h(ls were exaftly re- ' m'ei'iAbe red, and whwi a- part of fourteen hatfons, who at- tended the feaft of Pentecbft, were preftnt to hear arid" rpfead them, A£ts ii- V(7.y In cbobfing^ fuch inftrumcnts afld opportunities for this puhlic'aiion^ as rendered his own pbiv^r and goodnefs -in tlie fuccefs of it" more obvious.——-— Ifalfo appears in the applkatJon of our're^^mpiiofi. (T.V.' ^hej perlons to' wKdnV it^is ordinarily applied, are fucli' as ' wc would leaft exper/i5r.ITATVR« rM«-l*E!l^£(?Tip)»IS ^ 'Gif^d. his converfipn to Chrift, Phllcm. 1(9,— *^6^. (^^')r,B^«g5 .<>&e rage of laft and ovenvhelming or troul?le are made nv^oi? of applying it, Rom. V-. 20, ? i , .3nd.^ yii. 8,rr 1 3- Ifa,'3i3tx:j^i. 12,?— —2.4. 2 Chrcp. xxxiii. i-i, 12. Hofea-ii.; 7^ t^. and V. 15. (4.) All things, -efpeciallyfuch as, they mod ciiflike, are macle to work together. for the good of tj^e eleft, a^d particularly o/the believers, JBLom^viii. aS*;,* Cojr.'lv.i •«7. , , I Cor» lii. 22." . ■.•--:.' ': : . "- ' nr. TTie potr ER of Goi ^^ that elTential -perfe^iop of his nature, by which he can do every thing not bjtfe-or finful. — It is no difparagement but honour to his power, that he cannot do that which implies a contradidion, in the very nature of it, — as to fatisfy an immortal foyl with earthly portions, 6r make one under the reigning power of fin-re- lifli fpiritual delights j — or that he cannot do that whichtiis contrary to his own exiftence, — as to die, — become weak, — flecp, ts^c. or which is contrary to his nvoral perfe(^ions, — as to lie, — love fin, — deny himtelf \ — or which'is contrary to his own fixed purpofe. — 'But it may be obferv^d, that God*s pnrpoie doth not limit his po\v,er itfelf, but the ex- crcife of it» His power ought therefore never to be diftm- gnifhed into abfolute and ordifiaie. His power itfelf xamjot be boundedy and the exercife of it cannot be insrdinaie, . That God is almighty is evident (i.) From expr^ii «3eclaratlons of fcripture. Gen. xvii. i. and xviii. 14. and xlviii. 3. Deut. xxxii. 39. and iii. 24. Job ix. 4, 10, 19. andxxxvi. 5. and xxxviii. 22^ 23. and xli. 10. Pfalm :\lv. 3. and Ixviii. 34. and ixxxix. 13- and ixxii. ^ig. and xxjv. 8, 10- ai^d xcvi. 2,— -7. and cxv. 3. andxciii. i. aJI^ Ixii. > XI. Ifa. ix. 6. and xxvi, 4. and xl. 28, 29. and Ixiii. -i. jer. xxxii. 17. Mat. six c Sf^. Luke i. 35, 37, 49. Ronwi. 20. Eph. i. 19. and iii. 20. Rev, i. 18.. and xix- 15:. ^(a.) From that abundant pov/er v/hich he hath.commUnicaited.to his creatures, luminafies, vegetables, brutes, men^sftjcl'ian- gels. Job xxxvi, — xli. Judges xv ; xvi., 2 Sarn»xxi/5 xjliii. X Chron. xi ; xx* Prahn ciii. 20. 2 Theff. i. 7. . (3.): From the manifold and amazing difplays of his power in4i,is wdrits ©f Creation, Providence, and Redemption. ,* ir ".r In Creation, his alaiighty power appears,. (.i'.)'iln making all things of nothing, rHeb, xi. 3. Gen. i.Cdi; j.m6. Rom. xi. 36. (2.) In forming {uch muhitudes:of cscatures at once, Pfalm xxxiii. (5. Col. i. 16. Gfin. i. Pfaim cxlviii, Exod. xji. li. ^3.) in forming them of ihe tame Tuothirfg, pf the NAruHE or PfiRF^fcf ib^NS*'^ Gcd. ^^2t or of tinfit mattef, in fo manv diverfified forms, Otn. «• i'Pfilm civ 5 cxlviii. (4.) In forming them all with the greatea eafe, byKis mere wrord, Pfaim xxxiii. 6, 9. Gen.i. and ii. 7* Heb. xi. 3. (^.) In making them all without aiy inflrumental caufe, Geii. i. Pfalm xxxiii. 6, 9. Heb. xi. 3. (6.) In forming them as Inftantaneoufly as his gloi-y admit- ted, Pfalm xxxiii. 6, 9. Gen i. andn. 7. Exod. xx. ii." In JProvidence, his almighty power ap'paars, (i.) In nis^preferva:ion of all things in th.eir different nnture, forms, ftat'ions, motions,' 6r red, Pialm cxlvrii > cxxxvi ; civ ; •arid cxix. 90. Cal.' 1. 17; Rev. iv. i r. '(2.) In t^e propaga- tion of vegetables in the ground, aiid' elpe'crilly bt animals inthewombj or in egs, or from preceioF dlfte^ed ones, — and by means of heat, moifture, ^c'.VfAm t\x*\ exltir ; cxlviii. and cxXxix. 14. Job'x.'S,— 12.' , (3.J In exciting and p'r*oducing all their - motioiis or actions, Pfalm cxlvii. 15, — 'fS. and civ* 10,— 14, 27J 30, bnd cxxxv. 7. and cxxxvi. 5, — "p. "Job XXX nil, —xli. Dan.'iii'. 17.' and iv. 17. '■ apJ ii. 21. A'tfiu'xvii. 28. Rcym. xi. t^6.' (4.) In retraining unruly beafts, wicked iVicn, and devils, at his pleafure, Pl'ahn Ixvii. 7* and IxxvL 16. Prov. xxi. i. Rev. xx. 2. (5.) In changing men's difpolitions and inclinations, as he pleafetb, Gen. ::ixxiii. 4. and xxxv. 5. i Sam. x. 9, 26. and xxiv. 17, iS. Efther vl. i, 2. Pfalm cv. 25. and CVi. 45. (6.) In making fo many million's of unruly inclinations liarmonioufly promote his one defign,' notwithllanding ^11 their own different or contirary ones, Exod. ii, — xiv. ffa. X. r, — 7. and;cxvii. 9. (7.) In deftrdying his and his peo- ples enemies, when they are at their ftrongefV, and deliver- ing His favourites when m6lVweak'"'and dlftreiTcd, Deut. x:xxii. 33, 35. ^.6, 41, 42, 43. Ifa. xxxvii. 6, 7, 3^. and x:;:jiij. io. and xliii. 17, 18. snd xlv. 13.' Efther Ui,—x. Exod. i,— xiv. and xvili. 11. Ezek. xxxvii. i, — 14. Mic. iv. 10. Dan* xii, i. Rev. xi. 7, — 15. and xx. 9. (8.-) Iri eSefting the greateft ev«nt« by weak means, or none at all, ICa. aU. I5i j6. I Kings XX. 14. Judgej-vi. 15. andvii..2, -•—5.2. 2 Ciiron. ;!tlv. ji« or by means tnerely cafual. Thu-; the lighting of a viper on Paul's hand, broujght about the convi^aion of the Maltcfe, A — xi. Luke iv,-^xx. John Of pe Nature of Perfections of Go.4. T23 John ii.-^xi. (4. > In the tremencJuou^ puniflimerit iii- fiitSted an him antl full fiipporc of him under i^, Ze. h. xi(i. 7. andiii. 9. Ifa. liii. 4,— fio. ^nd. 1. 6, 7i 9- and xlii. 1. Pialrn xxli i Ixix. Mac; otxvi i xxvli./ (-5.) In- enabling 'him tofuch patience and;rjsfi^4tjcn_urjder luch fufFerings, of vvhiphhe had a perfc^Stly .tjuick ienfe* Ifa. liti. 7. Het. xiii 2, 3. John xviii. Ill .76.) In raiSng him from tlie dead and juftifying and gioritying him, Rom. i. 4. and Vi, 4. andiv. 251. 1 Tim.iii. 16. Eph. i. 19, 20, 23. Pifahncx. 1, — 7. Phjl. ii. 7^'— II. IJeb. ii. 8, p. i Pet. i. 20, 21. ^It appears in the Publication of Rede'wptidn, { i .) la propagating doOrines fo contrary to the carnal reaion, common cuftoms, deep-rooted lulls, and Urongly fuppoit- cd laws of mankind, i Cor. i. 20, — 24. and'iii. i8..T:t. iii» 3. Rom. I. 21,-32. and iii. 10, — 13. "(2) In propa- gating it by (b unfit-like inftrumenrs, that juiVbeforehiud manifeded fo much cowardice, ignoraiice, or vvickednefs. Mat. xxvi. A«5ls i,-^ix. (3.) In propagaiing it by fimplc decbrations enforced with no temporal authority or v.- of Iii- iy influence, 2 Cor; x. 4, 5. Zech. iv. 6. (4.) In the a« mazing fpread and influence of thefc declarations on the hearts and lives of millions of ignorant, outrageous, and ob- ftinate finners, for convincing, converting, and fanclifj'itig them, Adls ii,-^x^^.i. and xxvi. 17, j8. Rom. i. 8. rndx-v. 19. 2 Cor. vi. 10, II. Col. i. 5, 6. Epli. iii. 8, 9. 2 C ;29v Oih 3." i^.'.w'i ii.^jp. ji^pr- xii 7.i^?-:g.. He,]?--?*}. ;M^1t, XfiJ. 20, Mar^ 155, 2 J. . ^(:;^,) ^in conferring -an abi»n43nt_iiomfjort, aii4 , evertaftlRg happj jiefs ,uppn all his; peopk>- .poiwilhitiuivbicK, as one free from all obligation of la;Wor fprce €>£. piotiye or iniiuerice without himfelfj he jaaay fQrm, fuppon, and govern, his creatures in what niannejc; hje pleal^b, Pan* n'. 34^ 35.: — His fovereigjri .dominion: over his creaturejcis f iunded.on the infinity dignity andexcclkncy oflusnatufCgi Pfalm Ixxxvi. 8. and Ixxxix. 6j— 8. ancj on his being th«- contriver, Creator, Prefetver, and laft ^nd of them, Pfakn iicv. 3, 5. lia. J. 2, 3. and xUii, 2;. i Cor, vi..i9, zo, Prov. xyi. 4, Rom. xi. 36.^ — ^It extends over all creatures, 1 'T\:ji.\. I'j, ahdyi. 15. Whether in heJivep, lia, xlv. ia» Pfalm ciii. 19, 20. and cxlviii. 1,-^-4. Qr in earth, J«b :xii. 15, jl8'. pfalm slvii. 7,r--9. and xxiv, r. and 1. 10. i^rov. xxi. "i. Hag.ii. 8. Dan. iv. 35. Pfalm civ,— ^--cvi^ cxlvii ; exlviji.. Qr in hell, Pfalm Ij^xviii. .4(^ l.liin&5 :ii&U.'52. Luke xxii. 3c. Rev, xx. 2, 7. It is evident, that God hath an abfoiute fpyereignty over all things, (|.) Frpm exprels declarations of fcriptureji flom ix. 1 6y I 8,-r-?23 Ma^th. xx.; 1 c. , Pfal. xcy; 3, 4. and xcvj. 6. and pxv. 3 and cxxxv. 6. and Jjixv, 6, 7. and xxii, 28, 29. Job xxy- 2 Dan. iy 34, 35, 3ft, 37. and ii. 2r. Eph. i. II. AOs xvii 24:, ^6. (2.) frpm the charaftera afcribed to him in fcriptur«, as jf-cr^/ a/" ^g/?/; fiifig.cf.fia" ti'oTis i King cf ihe whole earth j Only Fotet:iatr\i -Kmg of tl/i^s ; Lor4 of lords ^ MpJI High , . ^f. Bfal 4xxxi7:" la. v.ndlxxx.4, 14? ^9 ^tid xlvii 7. Jef x. 7,-ttIO i. Tim. yi. )5. Rev. xvii. 14. ar.d xiv 1^. Exod. xviiifir. Beur. X 17. Gen. xiv. i|8,-— 22. Pfal.l. 14 ?nd Iv'- 2 and Ixxxiii, ;>8.. (2r)-.Aa the liberty, property,, or autljprity, '^'tich creatures have, yvilh ^:erpf£l tp themfdvesoy Others; i$ de« i-ived /Fofn God, AAs xyii. 28, Prov. viii. 15, H^.. iPfal, J.^xxli Rom xiii i,— $. 1 Cor. iy. 7. RofPj. xi..36« (3) ills fbvetelgnty is difpl^yed.in his works pfcreatiofji^ pro- viderice, ^0*5^ rfdeiiiut^n,r-Tin ffiJ^TiOK^iji^ appears ija Of tie Nature ay PtRFECtioiis- e/,God» *25 his forming fuch diverfified creatures of tM /atae nothing, or«F the fame unfit matter, and with ,fo many and diverfi- fied connexions among themfelves, Gen. i. ■ In provl- lipNCE it appears, (i,) In the diverfified degree and dura- tion'of that fuffport, which he affords to his creatures, (2,) In the forms, extent, and continuance, of his ppfitive laws, and their binding influence on mens cohfciences, ^3.) In the manner, time, place, or objects, to whom his Jaws are publifhed j or of the writing of them on mens hearts ; — ^and in the, at firft, unperc^ivf^, exceptions of his law:,,-Tas' iri Abraham's offering up his ion, 6t a man's mar- rying the childlefs widow of bis brother. (4,) In the ob* je on ac» count of which they wi infliiflcdj Dan. iv. 35.. Pfal. cxy. 3. and cxxiv. 6. Matth. xi. 25, 26. and xx 15.— In re- PE]:tfi>TioM,— rit is manifcfted, (i.) On the Red€emeri~-m. God'sL calling him to be our furety to pay our debt i— -and be our fpiritual Head j — in fixing the time of his payment, -rthe place of his birth, life, and death, — the parts, fprms^ degrees, and continuance of his fufierings, — and the forms, degrees and periods of his exaltation in his own perfon, or in the happincfs of his people, Ifa. xlii. 6. Luke xviii. 1 1- Hcb, ii, 10, phil. iL 7,-^11, (i,) On the ^erfons of the rtdeetned,- — inchooiing any at all ;— ^in choofing fomej, vvhilc Others, no worfe, are palled by ;— anvl in allotting. to theiri. fuch particular means, opportunities, fealpns, forms, an4 degrees of gifts and grace ; and fuch intermixed tempt^tippsj troubles, deliverances, and comforts, Matth. xi. 25, 26- Rom. xvi. 18, 23 Exod. xxxiiii. 19. Matth, ,xx. i, (3.) In (qualifying fuch particular perfons, of thofe that remain un- vegenerate, an(} at fueh particular feafons, with fuch indi-* vidual forms and measures of gifts, and common graces, to render them ufeful in promoting the honour of the Redeem-r er, and the converfion, and edification of his redeemed, John vi. 70. Heb. vi. 4, 5, Num.xxiiij xxiv, • '. :•■ ! '. V. The H01.JNESS of Ood is that efiential perfeillpn of his nature, which lies in perfc^ freedom from, and hatred of all fin and love to every thing holy and pure.- That God is infimtely holy appears, '(i.) From exprcfs declaratir ons of fcriptu^t, Jolh. ixiv. 15). t 8am. \\. 2. Exod.jfv. iiv;Pfal. ixSixix y5i^nd xi'. 7. airid'Xcix. 9^ iProv. xxx. 3. liab, iiS 0/"//^^ Nature (?>• Perfections, d/" G. and iii. 12. Heb. iii. i. I Theff, v. 27. i Peti if. 9. (3.) His hoUnefs is manifeOcdin Hs works of crfea- iidn^ pt*6viderice 4nd redemption, Pfal. cxlv. 7. • In CREATIONS', it ap'pears, in forming every creature, vrhich was capable of holinefs, perfect in it, Gen. i. 20, 27. Rev. xiv. to. with Jude vi, — In providence, it appears, (l.)Tn giving to all his rational creatures a moral law re- quiring the moft perfeft and uninterrupted holinefs of heart and life,— and enforced with the moft powerful fan£tion of rewards and punidiments, Rom. vii. 12. Matth. xxii. 37, 39. Rom. Xii ; xiii. Col. iii ; iv. Eph. iv j v, vi. i Theff. iv; V. I Pet. ij — ^v. Exod. xx. 3, 17. (2.) In prefcribing the moft proper means of promoting holinefs, Gen. ii. 17. T/it. it. II, i>. Matrh. xxviii. 19. 2 Cor. xi. 23, — 29. Even all the facrifices, purifications, and punKhments, prefcrib- cd by the JewiOi laws, nSarked the holinefs of God, Lev. i ;— ' xxiii. Num. v; vi ; xv •, xix; xxviii •, xxix. Lev. X. I,— 3. (r;.) And fo permitting fm as not to have any aiflive hand in it, or give any encouragement to it, Hab. 5. 12, 13. Pfal. iv. 5, 6. Ifa. xliv. 4. Prov. xvi. 16, — 19. (4.) Tn fixing ilanding marks of his deteRation of fin upon the firft introducers of it, or any particular form of it : as on devils y — wome'/i, — Cain^ — old world, builders of Bao'el, oodomi'.es, opprefTors of the church, profaners of God's wcrlLipj prcfuraptuous re-bels agaiafl his cllablifhed govern- ment. Of the NATtTRE or PERFECTIONS of G :i8» Pfal. x. ri, 14. 2 Sam. xii. IJ, »2» Jer, .J^yi. -1,7, 18. (6.) In marking- all the wicked with the moft.niamcful diftance and dlfgrace in the laft jiidgnrienjt, j ThelT, iv. 16^ 1:7. Matth. XXV. 33. Pfal. i. 5. and cxxxviii. <5- (/•) ^" ^^* eye^lafting exclufion of unholy apgelsandmen from his pre- fenc^, and Tmarking them with the moft ,tremenduous. to- kens of his deteftation, Matth. XXV. 41, 46^ Pfal. ix. X7* Rev. XX. 10, 15. and xiv. 10, U- 2 ThefT., i. 8, 9. Eveu thefe providential a£ls, which we are apt to imagine impure^ are perfeBly holy. He iemptj men, merely by trying their obedience, or in permitting them to be enticed to fin, by Sa- tan, evil men, or their own finful lufts, 2 Sam. xxiv. i. Matth, :*i. 12*. James i. 13.14. He ^/^j men f«>y> merely by g.ivvog them an opportunity of doing it, 2 Sam. xvi. i2» He A^/n^^-z/j men.in fin, when he juftly withholds his hearty foftening grace, and permits Satan, their neighbours, or their ^nlufts tqrehder them more ftupid, perverfe and ob- ftinate, Exod. Iv.-; xiv. Ifa.lxiii. 17. and vi. 9, 10. He delivers men up to vile atFel6 fmilcs from him, and (hutting out his prayers as if he l^ad been a real finner, Matth. Xxvi$ xxviij Pfal. xxii j Ixix. »n^ Ixxxix. 38.' Jfat ■•.., :..-.. . • Iiu. yiil f>f the Nature a- Perfections of God, liii» Rom. viii. 3, 32* Heb. iju lo* (4.) In giving C!iri(!: io purchafe holinefs for men, and making him to them, 'wi/d^rn, righteou/nefsf fanEiificiit'ia}zj and redethption^ Tit^ i* 14. I Pet* i. 18, 1.9. I Cor. ii 30. (5.) Info forming the feofpel in all its declarations, pirornifes aiid Irivitatioos, as may beft convey^ and encourage us to holinefs in heart and life, 1 Tim* vi. 3. and iii. 16. 2 Pet. i- 4. 1*Jt. ii. 11,12. 2 Gor. V'ii. I. John XV. 3. and Kvti. 17. Luke i, 74, 75. . (6.) Ip ib framing the whole fcheme of our redemption that holi- nefs of our heart and life is the end of every thit^g iii it, Eph. '{. 3, 4. Heb. xiii. 12. and ix/ 144 1 Cor-vi. ri. Tit. ii. 14. and iii. 8, 14. Ezek. KKXvi. 25,— '27. Luke i. 74, 7^. ,1 ThefT. iv. 3, 7. and v. 23. Rom* vi. 14. and vii. 4, 5, (5. Eph. iv. It,— *i3. Ifa. KKvii. 9. Heb. kii 16, ii. 2 Cor* iii. 18. I John ill. 2. (7.) In efFc^lually rendering men4ioly "by the manifeflatlons of his own holinefs in the gofpel, 2 Cor. Hi. 18. andiv. 4, 6. (fl.) In the {harp corre£lion of his peculiar favourites for their unhollnefs, and even for fins yhich appear far lefs criminal than fome others, Amos iii. 2. Rev. iii. 19. Heb. xii. 6,— il. Pfalm xcix. 8. and cxix. 67, 7t. and Ixxxix. 31,-34. andlxxiii; Ixxvii j Ixxxviii. '1 Sam. ii ; iii. Num. xii. and xx. I2. Deut. xxxii. $9L {9.) 1[n making pcrfeft holinefs a principal ingredient of our e- Urnal happinefs, Eph. V. 25, — 27* 1 John iii. 3. Judc ■25- VI. The Justice of God is that eflentJal property of "his nature, which cjifpofeth him to render to himfelf, and all his creatures, that which is right and equal,p^— ^It is evi.-^ :s, as fuch, in R the /f^o Qffhe Nature o/*. Perfections cfX^od. the future ftatc ;— and in marking their fins in thqjr nu- nilhments,— -as in the cafe of the void world, T—Spt|cfl?itesj, ,Egyptians, Aifyriafos^ Chaldeans, Jews, Papifts,: d2f^."-iGfen. .vij viij xix. Exod. i; xiv. Ifa. xxxii-i j xxxvji. Je;;. .sxv J xlvi ;— li* Judg. i ; — xii. 2 Kings xvii | xxff, Matth. 12, 13. Pfal. v.. 4, — 60. and xi. 5, 6, 7. and ix. 5^ ai^^ I. 21. Jcr, xliv. 4. Neb. !. 2, 3. Prov. vi. 16, — 19. and xvi. j. ii^ecb. xi. 8 ; — and as a Governor and Judge tiiat caaapt but m^n- tain the honour of that law, which finners tnffl^plc on, tiul do right to his innocent cre,it«re.«j, which are hart by their wickednefs, xlii. 21.2 ThciT. i.. 6,-8. Rom. i. 18, 32. and ii. 2, 6y — 10^ Gen. j3Luke xxiv* 2^. • VIl^ ¥he;% cfeivki^:^s of God is thiir effenttal property of h'ts ittfftij-e, wlikJi iuclines him to regard and delight in him- R 3 k\f, '^3* Of the Nature or Perfections of God. felf, and to deal kindly with his creatures. — As it inclines him to aiFe£V, efteem, and delight in himfclf, or one di- vine perfon in another^ — and to care for, and promote the welfare of creatures, and delight in and rejoice over them, it is called love. — And he hiaifelf is repeatedly called LOVE, becaufe love to himfelf and to his creatures, gives rife to, and animates his whole conduO:, particularly his work of redemption, i John iv. S, 9, to, 16, 19, Rom. v. 8. John iii. 16. — His love, in refpecl of the phjedts of it rnay be diftinguifhed into that which he bears to himfelf, Ifa. V. 16. Lev. X. 3. Pf'Iatth. xi. 27. John i. 1 3. and iii. 35. that which he bears to all his creatures as fuch, Plahn fpv. 31. Gen. i. 31. and that redeeming love which he bears to his chofen of mankind, Deut. vii. 7, 8. and xxxiii. 3. 3'ohn iii. i<5. and xv. 9, — 15; and xvi. 27. and xvJP 28. Rom. V. 8, 21- and viii. 32. G^I. ii. 20. Eph. i. 3, — ^8. and -ji. I, — 9. and iv. 32. and v. i, 2, 23, — 25. 2 TheC ii- i^. 1 John iii. 7. and iv. 8, 9, 10, 19. Rev. i. 5. — Hia'fove to creatures is diftinguifhed into his love Aviliing their welfare, Rom. ix. 16, 18. Exod. xxxiii. jp, Pialm Ixxxvi. 15. his love doing them good, John iii.. 16.. Rom. viii. ^, — ^39. Ffalm V. 12. Eph. v. 2. i John iii. 1. ?)nd iv. 9,^R). and his love delighting, in tliero, Pfalni cxlvii. 11. and cxlix. 4. and XXXV. 27. Ifa. Ixii. .5. Zepb, iii. 17. But.thefe are but the fame love exercifing itfelf. in different forms. — '— ^As God's goodnefs inclines him to make or fupply his creatures, to none of which he owes either being or any thing elfe, % is called bounty, Pfal. cxvi. 7. and cxix. 17. i Kings iii. 6. —As it inclines him to do good to thole thii^||bre luideler- ing or ill-deferving, it is called: grace, orHJ^ee favour, , Rom. iii. 24/ and v. 20, 21. Eph. ii. c, 7, 8. and i. 6, 7. .-.2 Cor. 8, 9. Pfalmv. 12. Ar^ it inclines hlm|fc pity, help, and provide for, perfons in mi fcry, it is callecr mercy or COMPASSION, Pfalm ciii. 8, 11,-17. and Ixxxvi. 5, 15. and IxxKix. I, 2, 28. .andcxi. 4. and cxii. 4. Rom. ix. 16, J 8. — And as he takes peculiar pleafure in thus manifefting his goodnefs, in the redemption of men, mercy is attribu- ted to him feveral hundred times in fcripture, Pfal. cxxxvi. c. (5*/:. he hath bowels afcribed to him, Ifa. Ixiii. 7, 15. Jer. XXXI. 20- Hof. xi. 8. and is rf'prefented as full of com- pafft&ft, Pfal. xviii. 38. and Ixxxv. 15. andcx'. 4. and cxii. 4. and cxlv. 8. — And, as his goodnefs inclines him for a time, to forbear punifhing the aifronts done to him, it is called pa- TriENCE and longsufeering, Rom. ii. 4. and ix. :22. and XV. 7. zPct.iii.p, J^, Exod.^x^tiv. 6. Pial,.ilxxxvi,.i5. .. ... : . .. . .. ; .,:. ' . - .;i,,-.K .;; • •.:. It Of the Natur-e Of Per pactions cf'God • ¥33 It i". moft evident, that God is good. (i.)The fcriptnt^s in palVages innumerable reprefcnt him as good, — as only good,— as kind, — gracious, — mercifnl, and long luftering, Pfalm XXV. 8. and xxxvi. 7. and cxix. 6S. and cxlv. 7, — g. Matth. xix. 17. Ila. IxiiL 7. Zech. ix. 17. Plal. xxxiii. 15. cvii. and cxxxvi. and xxxiv. 8. and cxiiv. 2. and Ixiii. 3, — 6. and xl. II. and Ixix. \6. Joel ri. 12, 13. Jer. iii. 13. Eph. ii. 5, 7. and i. t5, 7, 8. Mic. vii. iS, 19, 20. Neh. ix. 17. 2 Per. iii. 9, 15. Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7. (2.) All that goodi^efs which is to be found among creatures animate,': or iifanimate, rational or irriitional, originates froin God, Rom. ^i. 36. Pf/ilm cxixi 68. James i. 17. 1 Cor.iv. 7. Gen. i. and ii. (3.) The goodnefs of God, is moft extenfively and clearly manitelied in his works of creation, providence and reflemption. In CREATION it appears, (i.) In his forming all creatures .in order, that they might fhare of liis kindnefs and bounty, — < he having no need ot either their exiftence or fervice, Pfalna xvi. 2. (2.) In forming fuch vaft multitudes of creatures, — in fuch diverlified qualiiies, luuations, order, connexi- ons, and mutual dependencies, that the goodnefs of ail migl* contribute to the advantage of each. Gen. i. (3,) In creating angels fo many in number, fo high in dignity, ft> excellent in quality, and fo capable of enjoying himfelf^ Pfalm civ. 4. and ciii. 20, 21. (4^ In forming man— his body fo beautiful, and marvelloufly compaifted of a miilti- ' tude of members, and fitted to promote his true happinefs, — his foul endowed with i'o many excellent' faculties, quali- fying ir foiKthe enjoyment of God himfclf, as his chief good, and marveUouily united to his body, that he might, at once partake of an earthly, and an- heavenly felicity, Gen. ii. 6, 7. and th|§t, by a particular confultation of the divine per- fons, he was formed in the image of God,- Gen. i. 26, 27. anxl vx. 6. and that his formation wa? fo timed as to come into a world fully fitted and furniflied for his'immediate hap- pinels, Gen. i. antl ii. •«■ '; A In PROVIDENCE, God's goodnefs appears, "'(1."). In his upholding innumerable numbers of creatures in order to render them partakers of his favours, Pfiilm itxxvi. 6, 7. Zech. ix. 17. Pralm:civ ; cvii •, cxlv ; cxlviir; (2.) In go- verning them all, to the beft advantage of them all in ge- neral, Pialm cxix. 68. and civ 5 tv; cvii- ;- cxxxvi •, cxlv ; cxlviii cxlviii ; Jofaxxxvii,^ xii.' (3;)'In'fo dii'tributinp; his goodnefs among them, that they mayail dep.nd ony^ntl' talfeit, in each other; and even worms' mtiy teach angels and men the royftcrics of the Godhead, Job xii. 8, 9. (^j.) In his pec a- *34 Q/i?^^ Nature ai^ Vektec'tioss ef Gcd. ^eciniarfy kind deportment towards angels and men, while tlyif Wept their firft eftaie, — giving them good laws furfed ^Oytneir natures and conducive to their happinefs ; — in en- tering Into a covenant of friendfhip with naen •, — if not alfo with angels, though not in a reprefentative, Job xxxviii. 7. Get. iii. \6, 17. (5.) In permitting fin to enter intoth-c world, chiejl^y that it might aSbrd an occafion of opening his infinite treafures of redeeming love and grace, Rom. v^ 8, 26, 2f. Eph. ii. I,— 8. and i. 6,- — %. Gen. iii. (0.) In his amazing patience toward finful men, — in not imiting and even damning them in the very aft of finning, but de- ferring his vengeance as long as the vindication Of his own pcrfeftions and good of his creatures in general can permitj Gen. vi. 3. and xv, 13, 16. Rom. ix 22 — In repeating his warnings, before he punifh or corrcfV, Lev. xxvi. Dent, icxvii, — xxxii Judges ii. 2 Kings xvii. Pl'alm Ixxviii. and cVi. Ifji. i. Ezek. XX. Mai. iv. Mat. xxiv. Rev. vlii, — xx. ^f.— -fh irifliifling his judgments by'progreffive degrees, ^nd With an apparent reluftancy, Ifa. ix \ X. Ezek. xx. ^AnipS iii 5 iv ; vi Ezraix. 7. Joel i. 3. Judges x. \6 Ifa. i., 24. Hof.-vi. 4, 5. and xi. ,8. Pfalm Ixxviii. 3. — And in moderating his judgments, and loading men with his fa- ViQors, notwkhflanding many and great provocations, Pfal. ciTF. io.^'Ezra ix. 13, Job xi. 6. and xxxiii. 27. Ifa. Ivii. it*, •i*^ip. .and xliii. 24j 25. Mat xxvi ; xxvii. with Afts ii,-^~ Txl Tit. iii. 3, — -7. {7.) In working an infinity of wonder- ful and miraculous works for the welfare of perfons and na- tions, Exod. ii ; — xx. Deut. xxxii. 6. Ezek. xx. NVb. ix. E?ra i,—x. Either i, — x. Mat. i,- — xxviii. Luke i, — xxiv, John i,— -xxii. A6l:s i,- — xxviij. Rotii. xv. 9. Heb ii. 4. ^ The hiftories or predictions of fcripture are full of theni. (8.) in his wonderful care of our world, notwithftanding its prelent defilement with fin, — as of irrational creatures, Pfalm cxlv. :. 14, 18. andxii. 5. and xxx^*. II.. and xli I, — 3. and Ixviii. 5, 10. and Ixxxii. 3. and ixix. 33, and Ixxil. 4, 13. and cvii. 41. and cix. 31. and cxx.xii. i^. and cxlvi. 9. Exod. xxii. 2;. Deut.X'vi 29. arid xyj. II, ,14. a,n.d xxiv. 17^ 19,-21. and xxam. 12^13. ProY. xv^2.5^^nd xix." 17. and xxiii. 11, 18. Ifa. i^ 17, 'i_3.'v jer. vli.' K Zechl'vii". io. Jer. xlix. 11. Hdf. xiv. 3. Janies ii27i — -'qf ''kicked men, Mar. v. 45. Ezek. xx. Afts xiv. Of ike Nature or Perfections t^ G in diftatirig ojr fuggefting proper rules of government to them, putting part of his own honour and authority on their magiflratcs for their be- nefit,. Pfalm cvii. 3c, 3i. Jer. xviii. 9. Rom. ziii. i, — (5. J, Tim, ii. i, 2. Tit. iii. i. i Pet. ii. 13, 14, 17. Pfalm JxxxiJ. (9.) In fo timing his favours, particularly dcUrer- iances, that they become doubly valuable.— Delays of tbeni till we be brought to ah extremity, afford us opportunities .of acling faith, and encouraging ourfelves in him alone, Johnxi. 15, — 49. 2 Chron. xx. 7» 12. Pfal. xlii j xlii^r— and granting them in the very crifis of extremity, i>irs us op to improve our new covenant intereft in him^.-Pfattn ,cxxiii. 3. andxliv,,?^, 24. Exod. xv. i, 2. PfAl. ciii; ciyii Gxviii ; %\\ xiii ; xviii.— Earthly comforts are; cut ca to prepare us for his intended fpiritual favours, Pfal. cli, 23, 24. and cxlii. 4, .5. — And remarkable deliverances pfev<*flit future calamities. Thus the deftruftion of the Eg jptjiafis and Ifrael's deliverance at the Red fea made the he^SSjQ^ the Canaanites to melt, Jofli. ix. 9, 10. aind ii. 9^11* ,, Ip the origin, the impetration, and the application of REDEMPTJON, th« goodncfs of God ft ill more glorionflf appears.—: — In the origin of it, it appears, (k) In that abfolutely free and infinitely abundant grace in God himfelf is the only primary caufe of it, John iii. 16. i John iv. 9, JO, 19. Rom- v. 8, 2p, 21. Eph. ii. 4^ 7. (2.) In tiiat the redeeming work was begun an infinity of ages before we were ruined, Eph. i. 4, 5. 2 Tim. i. 9. Tit. i. 2. \ Pet. i. 19, 20. Prov. viii. 23, 31. Mat xxv. 34. (3.) In that, moved by mere free love, all the divine pcrfons heartily joined in the contrivance and plan of it, and took their rc- fpfiftlve O^are of the work, — the Father to exert th« grace^ —the Son to advance the merit, — -the Holy Qhoft to applv the purchafed benefits ; — 'the Father to make the excc^- ing great and precious promifes, — the Son toVatlfy thcmin his obedience and death, and purchafe the things prdrnircd, • — and the Holy Ghoft to put them, and all the bicflings which they contain, into our pofTcflion ; — the Father to a- tfopt us for his children^ — the Son to redeem us for his myi*- tical members,— and the Holy Ghoit to renew and fanftify our heart, and make us meet habitations for God, Prov. viii. 23, — 31. Pfalm xl. 6, — 8 Ifa. xlviii. 16. and liii. ro, —12. and Ixi. i, — 3. and xlix. i, — (5.- In the iivfpE- tration: of our redemption God's gpodnefs appear?, (i.) In that the deliverance is infinitely more important, coftly, fure» •136 G/"/^^ Nature <3y. Perfections of Cod. ■fure,- and delightful, than creation itfelf, Eph i. 3, — 8. and 3J. ij — 8. Rev, i. 5, 6^ and v. 9, 10. {2.) That, not fal- len angels, whofe nature is of more importance arid dignitj-^ but fallen men, are delivered, Heb, ii. 14, 16 Jude, 6." (3.) That the only begotten Son of God is the Re^een'ter and Surety of fuch mean, finful and infamous creatures, John iii. 16. i Johniv. 9, 10. (4 ) That he, by the moft debafed obedience, and the moft dreadful, but voluntary ftiiferings, magnified his Father's law, and fatisfied his juf- tice, that he might open an abundant vent to his favours to us ward, Hcb. ii. ic. and v. 8. and xiii. I2. and i. 3. Gal, jii. 13. 2 Cor. V. 21. I^a. liii. 4, 5, Jo. and xhi. 21. Rom. viii. 3, 4. and x. 4. (5.) That he thus manifefted his love, after men had, for four thoufand years, continued in the moft: uninterrupted, horrid, outrageous, and progrcffive re- bellion againft him. Gal. iv. 4. Gen. iii. to Mai. iv. Rom. iii. 10, — 19. and i. 18,-32. and v. 6, — lo, 20, 21; (6.) That notvvithftanding God's moft dreadful curfe lay up- on Chrift from his conception till his death, the Holy Ghoft marvelloufly furnifiied him for, and fupported him under, his arduous work, John iii. 34. Heb. ix. 14. (7.) That God accepted this fatisfaftion due from us, from his own Son in our ftead, — and juftified and glorified him as our Reprefentative, and conftituted him our advocate, that our faith and hope might be in himfelf, Rom. iii. 25, 26. and V. 6,— II, 15,-21. and viii. 3, 4, 32,-34. and iv. 25. and X. 4. Ifa. 1. 7. 9. and Iii. 13, — 15. and liii. i. John iv. 9, 10. and ii. i, 2. Eph. v.- 2. Gal. ii. 20. i Pet. i. 18,— 2». I Tim. iii. 16. Heb. vii. 25. In the application ef this purchafed redemption the goodnefs of God is mani- fefted, (t .) In that all the bleflings of it are lodged In the hands of Chrift:, our elder brother, as Adminiftrator of the new covenant. Col. i 19. Pfal. Ixviii; 18. Mat. xi. 27. and andxxviii. 18. John iii. 35. Ifa. xlix. 6. Pfalm Ixxi'i. 17. and^ xxJ. 4. (2.) That Chrift is exalted to the right hand of God, folemnly to take infeftment on, and pofieffion of e- ternal happinefs, in our name, and to interceed for us, and pour down the Spirit on us, to apply to us all the benefits of hispurchafe, John xiv. 2, 3, 26. and xvi 7, — 14. Eph. ii, ^, — 7. Heb. vi 19, 20. and vii. 25. and iv. 14, — -16. i John ii 1,2. (3^) That in him all the bleffings of redemp- tion ly ready for us, in exceeding great and precious pro- ttiifcs, which are publifhed to us in the gofpel. Mat. x»ii. 14. iPe;. i. 4. 2Cor. i. 2c. ifa. iv. i^ — 7. Rev. xxii. 17 Prov. Of the Nature or Perfectioks of God. 13^ I*rov i. 20, — 23. and viii 4. and ix. 5. John vi. 39. (4.)| That thefe prepared bl'^fTings are fo infinitely great and ma- ny, and MUST be beflowed upon us, Pfai. xxxi. 19. an*! x\ifvi.'6, — 10. and Ixv. 4. znd Ixviii. 10, 18, — 22. Ephl ii 3»— 8. and ii. 4,—- 10. and iii. 17, — 19. (5.) That th^ offers of thefe blcffings in the goipel arc fo particularly di.' refted to finners, even of the worft kind, E^ek. xxxvi. 25,' ■ ' — ^ti Ila. xliii; 24, •25-. and xlvi. 12, 13. and i. ' rS. and Iv. I, — 7. Jer. iii. Mat. ix. 13. and xviii. ir. iTim.i. ij. (■($•) That thefe oilers of falvatioa are'granted and continu- ed, notwithftantllfig men's multiplied and dreadful provo-' cations and fearfiil abufe, contempt, and oppolkion to them, A — (O. Gil. i. ic, 16. 1 Tim. i. 13, — 16. (11 ) Tint amid ft flrange and furious opptofition Chrirt and his Spirit enter into men'i hearts, ini order to apply his benefits, Rotn. vii". 8, — 25. Luke 3iii 21, 22. Pfalm ex. 2, 3. 2 Cor. x. 4, 5. (12.) That he dt'als fo tenderly wjth Lis people when they offend him, Plalm ciii. 12, 13. Ifa. Ivii. 17, 18, jp. Jer. xxxi, 10, — 28. and iii. Hoi", vi 4. and xi. 8. (13.) That he clofcly adheres to them, and fympathizeth with them, un- der all their troubles, and delivers them as foon as it can be for their real advantage, 2iefh.,ii. 8. Ifa. Ixiii. 9. and x'. 11. and xli. 10, 14, 17, 18. and x'vi. , 4. Luke xviii. 8. and deliglits t0 converfe with-them, and, to hear and aniwer thcii* prayers, Jer, :»xxii. 41. and xxxi.i. 3. Zcph iii. 17. llaiah S Ixii. '38 Of the Nature or Perfection? of Cc4. J-.. ->. ■ "^^ .:7:.~'.". '-,1 'A. .;.;■( u :[■ ,\- ; t'" ■\.) Ixii. 4, 5. and XXX. 18, 21. and Iviy, o. and Ixv. ^4. gnd Xlv. II. L*lke xil 9:" Maft. vfi.-7.- TOl.fFl i5,^"^4'Xti.'%l and lxxx^^. <5j m Song il, f 4vK^^nv' ^|l^^-^^^ "God's goodrieTs appears wi mahifi5Fdire|jpe^i,-'rh llf fit < par- ticular bleiHngs «f our 'eleftiohi^uffion^Vvtii-Cbfflii'^^j^^ -cation, adoption, faii(H:im:att©hj( 7 rpmttiar coiiifbft'^'^^j^jcj^' e^ ternal glory ;— and in all tlie- meafiSTJf 'grace^ qvdiftai^ ..^r iblemn, Eph. i» 7;— 8. andli^Yi^— ro.-RbmLv. itjiM^^ ' ■ •* ,,.-. ' . r--^ %- -t" r— ^'h ■-■ ■'^yv ~'^''; VIII. The TRUTH of C^l'4;nStB'cre hk"^^|fo!?th^^^^^^^ ality of his exiftence, and neceffary j^offeflion of infiti&e eX^ cellency, on account of which he is called the true Gt)^ in oppofition to fuch as are gods only in refpedl: of hamef, but have no infinite or independent perfeftion, Jer'. x, 10. —But it means, that eflential property of his nature, by which he is infinitely free from, and abhors all deceit and falfehood. It may be diftinguiflied into his Jiticerit'^y up- rightnefsy or candoury which confifts in the exaft agreement of his words and works with his thoughts^ inclination, t>r will, and his veracity or faithful nefs y which confifts in the exa6l correfpondence of his works with his declarations,^ predi£lions, promifes, and thrcatenings, — and with all thefe relations in which he frnnds to his creatures. It is moft evident, that God is true in thefe refpefts, (i.) The fcriptures exprelly reprefcnt him as a God of truth, that cannot lie or fail to perform his word, Num.xxiii. ip- I Sam. XV. 29. Tit. ii. 2. Heb. vi. 17, 18. and x. 23. % Tim. ii. 13. 1 ThelT. v. 24. i Cor, i. 9. and x. 13. Deut.. vii. 9. and xxxii. /\. Neh. ix. 8. Pfal. xxxiii. 4. andlxxxix. 1, 2, 5, 8, 14, 35. and xxxvi. 5. and cxix. 38, 49, 70, 160. and cxi. 7, 8. and c. 5. and xxv. 10. and xxxi. 5, Ifa. xxv. I. and Ixv. 16. John xvii. 17. Rom. iii. 3, 4. £ Pet. iv. 19. Rev. L 5. and iii. 15. Job xiv. 16, 17. (2.y His independency, infinite holinefs, equity, power, and majefty, fet him above all poffibility of, or temptation to deceit or falfehood. Num. xxiii. 19. i Sam.'xv. 29. Heb. vi. 16, — 18. 2 Tim. ii. 13. (3.) All that candour and faithfulnefs among mankind, or regard to it, proceed from him, James i. 17. i Cor. iv. 7. (4.) This candour or faith- fulnefs Is manifefted in (i.) The felf-confiftency of all Kls words, notwithftanding their being fpckenon very different occafions, Pfal. cxix. 30, 31, 43, 86, 87, 90, 104, 128, 138, 142, 160, 163. (2) None of his words are contrary to th€ difcoveries of his pcrfeSions, ■ wh-ich are made by the liaht Vf the Nature or Perfections of God, 139 light |0f nature or l>y jBlcvelation, 2 Tim. ii. i3.Deut. xxxii. 4. (3[.) His wtiple, work of providcrjcey and ail the difpo- iit ions and actions of rtjanlcind, are a plain verification of the' leading truths of his word, compare Exod. xxxiv._6, 7. t)eut. xxxii. 4. with the hiftory of his works, Gen. iii.-r-r to Efther X. Ifa. i.-*— to Mai. iv.. Mat. i. to Rev. xxiiw Pfal. Ixxviii; ciii,-'-cvii ; cxxxvi ; cxlv, — cxlix. -and Jer. xvii. 9. Rom. iii. 10, — 20. and viii. 7, 8. and i. 24, — 32. Mat. V. 19. with the hiftory of mankind. Gen. iv ; vi 5 xi. 2 Kings xvii. Neh. ix. Ezek xvi ; xx ; xxiii. K?.. lix. Jer. ii,; — xxiii; xliv, fe'r. (4.) All the princf^al a£ls of his providence in the world are a manifeft fulfilment of his infpired predi£lions. (5.) He hath, or doth, accom- plifli thefe promlfes, threatenings, or predijflions, which, to us, appear moft unlikely to be fulfilled, or which he had the ftrongeft-like reafons to fhift, — as of the incarnation, fufferings, and death, of his Son, — the calling of the Gen- tiles,— and the Juftification, San£lificatlon, and Glorificati- on of finful men. Gal. iv. 4, — 6. Ifa. liii. Mat. i to Afts xxviii. I Cor. vi. 9, — 11. Eph. i ; ii j iii. Rom. i, — xi. Col. i ; ii. (6.) His truth and faithfulnefs will be moft fully manifefted in the laji judgment y when all the works of God and men fhall be exactly compared with his word, — and in the everlafting happinefs or mifery of angels and men. Rev. XX. i2, — 15. Mat. xxv. 31, — 46. 2 Theff i. 6, — 10. Rom. ii. 6, — 10. To anticipate objedVions, it muft be obferved, (i.) Thit God may declare to men what is their duty, without mani- fefting his own fecret intentions. His law is the only rule of our duty ; and his purpole the only rule of his own con- duct, Mic. vi 8. with Deut. xxix. 29. Ifa. viii. 20. and Iv. 8,-^11. Eph. i. II. (2.) That God may permit others to deceive, or be deceived, without having any deceit in him- fclf, or in his conduft, i Kings xxii. 22, 23. Ezek. xiv. 9. with Deut. xxxii. 4. Pial. xxv. 8, 10. (3. That when promifes, threatenings, or prediiftions, have in them a con- dition expreffed or understood, the fulfilment of them doth not fall due, and ought not be looked for, unlefs that con- dition be firft fulfilled, Mark xvi. 16.. Jon. iii. i. 1 Sam. xxii^ If, 12. Ifa. xxxviii. i. ?•■;■■. •■ . Stop, my foul, thy contemplation of tlie Moll: High, and afk thyfelf, a$ in his prelence ; If God be a Spirit, Arn I fpiritually minded, — and a worfliipper of Him in Ipi- rit and in truth ? Do I deteft and.baniih every carnal ima- ^ 2 gination .^140 ■ 0/"-/y^f NATUIL£.0i^P.5RJECTlONS of Gpd', Agination of him from my heart ? — Is he the all-knoiving^tid only Wife- God ? Y)o I then behave as oue ever naked and^-? ' jKrn to his view ? Do I reverently avoid all prying rntoliis fecrets r Do I relifh all his oracles, as the itorel^oule and fountain of all true Avifdom and knowlecjge to niy hearts? Do I cordially approve all his ordinances j and ^doaire his 4wholc(vord, purpcTe and work ? Do J rcknowledge him in ■ »n my vv^ys, thnt he may direcl: my paths j and, in the moft perplexing cafes, truft to his fldll and power, for my deli- verance ? — if he be Almighty y — a Sovereign Ruler , am I, in the *-iew of my own we.ikh^fs, ftiil bluflijng, ftili tre^n- bling before him ? Dp I alv/ay labour to check the very firfl rifings pf my heart in rebellion agajnfi- Hini ? Do F, without ftaggering, reft the ivlioie burden of my falvation -upon him ? Do I rejoice in him, and firmly expcdl deliver- ance from him, when I apprehend all things \yorking againft nie ? Do I afcribe all tha:; I am and have, except my fin* fulneis, to him ? And am I contented with ali that i meet 'With in providence, as ih?, doing pf my Lord i Am I '^holy as he is holy ; pure as h? is pure ? Do I abhor myfeif -and all my righteoufnefs in his fight ? Do I chiefly delight "in his holineis ? And doth even the contempt of it by othr vers, excite my love to, and eiieem of it ? Do I, in all my ■dealings with him, labour to aft under a deep imprefiioh of }iis hoiinefs ?. Do I, above all thinps, hate fin ?-.— my ovirr^ An l-^my mofi: refined and fecrct l:n ? Do I alway labour. in the gofpel-glafs to behold his hoiinefs, that I may be changed into the fame image, from glory to glory, even as •by the Spirit of the Lord ? Under the alfedting views 'of his Jti/ticey Do I revere every difpenfation of hi5 prpvi- • dence, and kindly ackno\yledge, that unto him as'my Lon4 beiongeth righteoufnefs, and unto me iliame and confuiion efface ? Do I hvein perpetual wonder, that his infinite t- tjuity can fuffer fuch a iinner to live ; nay, wiil lave me ? Do I continually flee from all my ovi-n righteouinefs to that of Jefus Ghrill, and reft on it atone for my eternal falvati- on I If God be good, — be Love, Am I, with amaze- ment, believing his {pving-kindnels, and applying it to my own ii^art ? Am I opening n»y mputh wide, that he ma^y fill it ? Am I latisfied with his goodnefs, as the fource an4 ^iie fiibjlanceuf ;!ll my happinefs ? Do I reckon all thingsi', ascoming from his' hatid, as good,-^very good for me ? Do Jj above all, deiiretobean eternal debtor and unparalelled piiracle of hi'S r«4e5ming goodnefs ? Atid, all inflamed here- l»iih, how but ns my )x Hinv ^^»t ^{Vi'tcv^iJl ''^' ■■' ■ ■" ■ ""■' ~ " ' me. Qf, the- Na Triwt^ ^r ^ R-F B3Csfr.it> xY. fff -G^ycf. ^41 me, and gavfthis So,i> jfpr njc ? ..j. ,-fio I lov« them that hat« me? arKi 4o good to, arid pray foif, them that defpitcfully ufeiae ?.;■.■. ■., ..jlf Uebe th. — my all ? The immutable or incommunicable perfections of God arc, I. His SELF-EXISTENCE and ABSOLUTE INDEPEK- DENCY, in refpfft of which, his being and nature are ne- ceiTary. He cannot but be ; and be what he is j and is al* together in himfelf, Exod. iii. 14 Rev. i. 8. and xvi, 5. and Xxii. 6' He hath no dependence on any creature ; but evg* ry creature, inits exiftence, nature, and operation, is whoif ly dependent on him, Pi'al. cii. 26, 27. and xvi. 2, Job xxii. 2. and xxxv. 6, 7.^-And, from this ,his abfolute f*?* vercignty and dominion, doth it proceed, Dan. iv. 34, 35, and ii. 20, 22. Mat. xi, 26. and xx. 15. , II. His abfolute simplicity in refpeft of which he Js infinitely free from all compolition, and every thing in hina is God himlelf, (i.) He is rcprefeated as a iimpje abftradk, — -laQHT, — Love, — Life, i John i. 5. and iv. 8, 16. and V. 20. (2.) Being the itidependcut and ahfoluUly firft bs- ing, he could have none to unite compounding parts iii him, Jla. xli. 4. and xHv. 6. (3.) Being incorruptible and ur»^ changeabte, he cannot coniill of uiyilible parts, Rom, i. 23. I Tim. i, 17. and vi. 16. Mai. iii, 6, (4.) Being intinitq, there cannot be any thing added to another in him, Jej;.. xxiii. 23. r Kings viii. 27. (5.) Being perfect in tlie higb,- ert degree, he cannot be compounded of thing?, which, t*- Jten leparately, would be imperfei5ut. xxxii. 3. I Cfeon. xvi. 25. Ezra v. 8. J6b xxxvi. 26. and "5cxxx4r. 22. Tit. ii. 13; Pfal. xxix, — grezt- er than all men, — than all nations, Pfalm xxxv. ro. and civ. r. and Ixxxvi. 8. and Ixxxix. 5,-^8. Dan. iv. 32. Ifa. xl. ■*2,— 22, — greater than all things or gods, Job xi. 7,-9. if Kings viii. 27. Pfalm Ijtxxvi. 8. Exod. xviii. 1 1. — as tranf^ c'ending all poffihle limits of excellency, Job xi. 7. Pfalm cxlv. 3. and cxlvii. 5. — It alfo includes the unbounded ex- tent of his prcfencef. The being of his efTence, wherever fpace or any creature could be, is called his immen/ity, 1 Kings viii. 27. and its being wherever creatures aftually are, is called his omniprefence, Pfalm cxxxix. 7, — 10. Jer. xxiii. 23, 24. Eph. iv. 6. I Cor. xii. 6. — God is peculiarly pre- fent with Chrift. His nature in the perfon of t;h'C "^on •is united to and dwells in his manhood, Col. il. 9. i Tim. iii. 16. Rom. viii. 3. Gal. iv. 3. And, he delight- fully dwells in him as God-man Mediator, 2 Cor. v. 19.— He is prefent with his faints in graciouHy dwelfltng ill thefr •heart and thus affording them hlspecaliar favour^ help, arid comfort, John xlv. 16, 23. 2 Cor. xiii. 14. Rcjm. viii. 14", ^!— 17, 26, 27. Gal. iv. 6. iCor. iii. 16, 17. andvi: t8, 19. 2 Cor. vi. 16. Rev. xxi. 3 Eph. ii. 19, — 22. ijohn iv. 4, 16. and iii. 24. John xvii. 21, — 23, 26. Pfalm Xxxix. I2. — He was prelent with his prophets and apoftles, in his in- fallible infpiring influence on tiaeir minds, in their declara- tion of his will to men, i Pet. i. 11. 2 Pet. i. 2r. 2 Sain, xxiii. 2. Heb. i. i. — He is prefent in his church, in his ora- cles, and in the infcituted ordinances of his worfhip, reprefen- tatives of his authority, and influences of his Spirit, Matth. xviii. 20. and xxviii 20. Exod. xx. 24. John xvii. 21. i Cor, xii. 12, 13, 28. Eph. iv. 11, — 13. i John iii. 3, 5, 7. — He was prefent in the Jewilh tabernacle and temple at Je- rufalem, or at Bethel, Sinai, i^c, in the manifefted fym • bols of his glory, power, and grace, and in his folemn or- dinances of worfiiip, Exod. xxv, 8, 22. and xxxxiS:. 43. I King^ v. 5. and viii. ir. Gen. xxviii. 16, 17. and xlviii. 3. Exod. iii. 4. and xix. ii. Pfalm. Ixviii. 17. and cxxxii. 5. and Ixxx. i, 2. — He is prefent in heaven in the moft glori- ous manifeftation of his excellencies, Ifa. Ixvi. i. Pfalm cxv. ^. Matth. vi. 9. Heb. xii. 23. Phil. iii. 20. John xiv. 2, 3,. Heb. i. 3. and iv. 14. and viii. r. — He is prefent in hell, ih the moft dreadful execution of his wrath, Pfalm cxxxix. 8. 2 Thefl". i. 9. Rev. xiv. 10, 11. Mark ix. 44, 45.— He is prefent with ail creatures, in obferving, fupporting, and , .^^* *7- I Con jiji d. , ly.: His abfolute eternity confifts In hw, being wlthr Qut beginning, ending, or fucceffion, of duration, wliick i*i.cl.eQd is nothing elfe than his infinity as it refpeilts dura- tion.- It is manifcft, that he is eternal in this manner, (i.) The fcriptureexprefly reprefents him as eternal or ever- lalVing \vithout any limitation, Gen. xxi. 33. Deut. xxxiii. 29. Plijlm ix. 7. and Iv. 19. Prov. viii. 23, 25. Ifa. xl. 28- aad Ivii. 15. Din. vi. 25. Jer. x. 10. Rom. xvi. 26. Rev. iv. 8, 9. Hab.J^ 12. — -And, he alone is eternal without be- ginning or fucceflion of duration, Pfalm xc. 2, 4. and xcii. J|..>n^ cii.. 24,— -28. 2 Pet. iii. 8. Rom. i. 23. i Tim- i. ly.'^and vi. 16. Ifa. ix. d. and Ivii. 15. James i. 17, He ajpne 15 the Firft and the Laft, Ifa. xli. 4. and xliv. 6. and xlviii. 12. Rev. i. 8, ii. and xxi. 6. and xxii. 13. (2.) The dpysj years, and fucceffion, competent to his creatures are rep^efented as unapplicable to him, Jobxxxvi. 26. PfaL xc. 4. 2 Pet* iii. 8. Dan. vii. 9, 24. Pfalm cii. 24, 27, Job 5;. 5. Ifa. xnii. 13. (3.) Many eternal things, as eternal lifey — -Jlrmgthy — ^nercy^ — dominiony — throne^ &c. are alirribcd to him, t)cut. xxxii. 40. and xxxiii. 27. Rev. iv. 9, and V. 14. Jfa. xxvi. 4. Pfalm ciii. 17, cxxxvi. Dan. iv. 3, 34. and vi, 26. Pfalm xciii. 2. Lam. v. 19. Ifa. li. 6, — 8. Pfal. xxxiii. II. and cxxxv. 13. And, we can as eafily con- ceive, how God's unfucceffivc eternity co-exifts with th,c fucceflive duration of his creatures, as we can conceive how his omniprefence co-exifts with all material fubibu)?^, withouthavingany corporal extenfion in himfelfc, „ ,\\\}-^ .V. iHis pNCHAKGEABLENESS is that elTen^iial, property of his nature, by which he is from eternity to eternity, al- xvay the fame,, without any alteration, and it is ofte^ ex- prefly afcribed to him in fcripturc, James i. 17. M^» iii. (Cxix. 89. (6.) In his ejentxal prefence^ that he cannot pro- perly remove from one place to another, \ Kings viii. 27. Jer. xxiji. 23, 24. (7.) In his duration that is never lefs nor greater. He hath never exiftcd longer, nor hath any iefs future duration to enjoy, Pfalm xc, 2, 4. 2 Pe;t. iii. 8. — His formation of his creatures from nothing, of his changing of their forms in his providence, infers no change in himielfi His power and will to create, preferve, or govern, them in fuch a manner, being the very fame from all eternity. — New relations between him and his creatures infer not a change in him, but in them. VI. His ONEHESS, of ONLtNEss, in refpecl of which^ on account of his infinite perfection, there neither is, nor carl be any other like to, or equal with him. This doth not riiean, that there is but one Supreme Godj as Arians, and Socinians, who admit Jubord'mate gods, profefs. Nor that there is hvit one Jpecif-c divine nature which different beings may poflefs, as Tritheifts pretend : Nor that there is but cne divine per/on exhibited in different charaflers, and by different names, a§ Sabellians contends But it means, that there neithef is, nor can be any more than one individual or as others fpeak, numerical divine fubjla7ice. This the necef- i'ary felf-exiftence of God, his abfolute eternity, infinity, omnipotence, and fovereignty which exclude every rival partaker demonftrate. And multitudes of fcriptures ex- prefly declare it, Deut. iv. 35, 39^ and vi. 4^ and xxxii. 39, and xxxiiii 26. 1 Sam. ii, 2. 2 Sam. vii. 22. i Kings viii. 23. 2 Kings xjx. 15. I Chron. XV. 26* Pialm xvi-ii. 3r. and XXXV. 10. and Ixxxvi. 8. and cxJviii. 13, and Ixxxix. 0, 8. and cxv. 4, — 8, Ifa. xliii. 10,-^15. and xliv. 26. and xlv. 5, 18, — 22. Jer. X. 8, — 15. and xiv. 22. Hof. xiii. 4. Exod. XX. 3. John xvii. 3. Roni. iii. 30. i Cor. viii, 6. Eph. 5v. 6. James ii. \g. and iv, 12, 1 Tim. ii. 5. — But none of- thefe texts exclude the Son, or Holy Ghoft, from true and fiipreme godhead. Nay, the very charafters afcribed to the one o«/y true Gcd, are afcribed to each cf thefe two per- fons, compare Ifa. xliv. 6. with Rev. i. 8, 1 1»— Ifa. xlv. 22, 23. with Rom. xiv. 9, 10. Phil. ii. lo, 11. — John xvii. 3. \fiih I John- V. 2C, 2 1 .-— Bsom. iti- 3©* with Ifa. Uii. i-i.— . In, Of the Nature or PERFEtrroNs of God i^iy In T Cor. viii. 6. i Tim. ii. 5. Ofie God means the divine nature as fliltinguilhed from Chrift the Mediator. i>Nor\ are the diftinft perfons in the godhead reprefented as hav-' ing./i»n/flr, hm t\\t very fame tiAtcx^Sy attributes, cotj-nfel qp' will, and work, compare Piahn xxxiii. 6. Iia. xliv. 24.— • ' Rom. X. 12. Luke ii. ■ i Rom. xi. 34. Ifa. xl. 13. 2 Coti ' iii.-^ 18. — Deut. vi. 4. Pfal. lxx\iii. 18. Jer. xxiii. 6. Ezelc. vrii. 3. Matth. xv. 31. Luke i. 16, 17. 2 Sam. xxiii. 3. — Rom. vii. 25. Gal. vi. 2. Rom. viii. 2. Deut. vi. 16. t . Cor. x. 9. A£ls V. 9. — I Cor. ii. i(5. Rom. viii. 27 — r Their, iv. 3. A(5ls xxii. 14. and ix. 15, 17. 2 Pet. i. 21. — Ezek. xxxvii. 3, 14. 2 Cor.){ii. 9. Rom.xv. 19. — Rom. xvi. 26. Rev. xxii. 13. Heb. ix. 14. — ^John vii. 28. Rev. iii. 7. I John v. 6. John xiv: 17. — Rev. xv. 4. Afts iii. 14. Dan. ix. 24. i John ii. 20. John xiv. 26. — Jer. xxiii. 24. Ezek. i. 22. Prilm cxxxix. 7. — Dnrt. xxx. 20. Col. iii. 4. Rom. viii. 10. — Pfalm c. 3. John i. 3. Job xxxiii. 4. — John V. 21. 1 Cor. XV. 45. John vi, 6^- Rom. viii. 11. John vi. 45. Gal. i. 12. John xiv. 26. — i John i. 3. 2 Cor. xiii. 14. - — I Cor. xiv. 25. 2 Cor. xiii. 5. John xiv. 17. 2 Cor. vi. 16. Eph. iii. 17. Rom. viii. 11. — Phil. iii. 15. Gal. i. 12. Luke ii. 26. Heb. i. 1. 2 Cor. xiii. 3. Mark xiii. ii. — Ifa. ilix. 7, 8. A* T C H A P,' [146 ] CHAP. n. Of the Persons in the Godhead, APerfon is a thbihlng fiibjlance^ 'ivhrch can aEl by itfelf^ .Or, it is, an intelligent agent ^ which is neither a part r/j nof fvjlained hy another.- — The charafteriftics of a perfon 3re, ((.) That iv be poiTciTed of a rational underllanding iind ivill. (2.) That the pronouns he, and efpeciaMy I and THOU be applicable to it, not merely in figurative, but in the moft plain and {Implc language. (3.) That thinhing, fpeahl7igy judging, fending^ and other peribnal a^s, be ap- plicable to it, (4.) That perfonal offices or ftations of pro- phet, prieft-, king, teacher, advocate, captain, k^c. be ap- plicable to it. But, as the divine nature infinitely dif- fers from a created one, ^o a divine perfon ijjfinitely differs from a created one. (i.) All created perfons are feparate or fcparable in their fubftance, one fi-om another: but di- vine perfons, in their fubftance, are perfeclly one and the fame, with, and in one- another, John x. 30. and xiv. 9^ icu (2.) Different created perfons czn have only a fub- ftance of the fame kind, not the farne Individual one. But divine perfons have, and muft hare each of them the very fame inliividual or n'/merica! fubftance, I John v, 7. John X. 30. (3.) Every created perfon is a diftindV being, in, or by, though not from itfelf. But all divine perfons are, and luuft be, cne b- .ng. It hath been formerly proved, thnt the infinite nature of -God can fubfift m 2 pAvra/z'rj of perfons. The fcripture ma- nifeifs, that it dothj«#4«fo. (i.) Eloiiim which means God in the plural, or the ivsrjhipful ones, is ufed in the Old Teflament about two thoufand time% to denote the true God. And, it is often conne6led vith a verb in the lingu- lar number, Gen. i. 1,3. ^c — and fometimes with a verb- or adje^live plural. Gen. xx. 13. and xxxv. 7. Deut iv. y. Jofli. xxiv, J 9. I Sam. xviji. 26, 3<). Pfalm Iviii. 1 1. Jer. x. ID. Dan. v. 18, 20. — Evqn in Pi'alm xlv. 6» Elohim may- denote Chrifl as the imjgeand deputy of the invifible God : and Of the Persons in the Godhead. "147 and in ver. 7. it may denote the Father and Spirit who a- noint him. Nay though In one pafT^^e, it-fhould mean but one divine perfon, it will not follow, that in fome thou- fands, it fiiouid lofe its natural fignification.— Angels, Magiftrates, Mofes, and idols, are called Eloh'im becaufe they occupied the place of thefe divine perfons, as meflen- gcrs, deputies, or rivals, Pfalm Xcvji. 7, and Ixxxii. i, 6. Exod. xxii. 28. and vii. i. Judg. ii. 12. (2.) The true God is oftdn reprefented as more than one perfon. Gen. i. 26. and iii. ii. and xi. 7. Job xxxv. 10. Pfalm Ixxviii. 25. (Abirim) Eccl. xii. i. and v. 8. Prov. ix. 10. and xxx. 3. Hof. xi. 12. Ifa. xlv. 15. and liv. 5. and vi. 8. with John xii. 39. A6ls xxviii, 25, 26. — Ifa. xii. 21, — 23. Song i. 11. and viii. 9. Dan. iv. 17. (the decreeing watchers being the fame as the Moft High ve'r. 24) — Mai. i. 6. John iii. 11. and xiv. 21, 23. and xvii. 21,22. (3.) More perfons than one are reprefented as Jehovah or God, Gen. xix -24. Pfalm xlv. 6, 7. and Ixviii. 17, 18. Jer. xxii. 5, 6. and xxxiii. 15,16, (4.) Many palTages of fcripture repreient Jehovah as an Angel or Mejfengery — which are to be underllood of the Son of God, fent forth to announce and officiate in the work of our redemption, Gen. xvi. 7, — 12. and xvili. 12, 13, 20, 26, — 32. and xxii. 11, 12. with Heb. vi. 13,— 58. Gen xlviii. 16. Exod. iii. 2, 15. and xxiii 20, 21. with 1 Cor. X. 9. — Zech. ii. 3, 5, 8, 10. and iii. 1,2. . It is fully evident, that there are precjfely three per- fons in the one godhead, or divine eflence or iubftancc, from (i.) The fcriptural account of God's creation cf all ^iugs. Gen. i. i, — 3. Pfalm xxxiii. 6. with Eph. iii. 9. Acls iv. 24, 27. Heo. i. 2. John i. 3. Job xxvi. 13. Pfalm tiv. 3.0. '(:.) From the account of his creati jn of man. Gen i. 26. Pfalm xcv, 6, — 8. Heb. iii. 6, 7. Ifa. liv 5. Eccl, xii i. Jobxsxiv, 4. {3,) From the account of his common providence, Jokin V. 17. Heb i. 3. Pfalm civ. 30. Ifa. xxxiv 16 (4) From the account of the Ifraelites deliverance from Egypr, Ifj Ixi'i 9, 10, 14. (5 ) From the account ^^^f^jiis .covenanting wlih the Ifraelites, Hag ii, 4,-^7. (6) PFom the account of his general plan of our redeinpiion from our finfulnela and mi- fery, Eph 1 3, 14 1 Pet. i. 2. (7 ) From the account of his miflion of Chrill to be our Mediator, W'a, xlv i6, ^ith ver I2, 13, 17. (8) From the account of Chrill's in- carnation, I Alice i 35. (9 ) From the account of Gqd'i anointing of Chrifl and his people, Ifa. xi. 2' and b;i 1, 2. 2 Cor. xxi., 22. ( I c.) From the account of Chrift's baptifm,. !Mat. ill, 16, 17. John i, 32,— -34^ (tJ«) From tlie account T 2* . of 14^ Of the Persons of the Godhead. ©f his miniftrations and afliftance therein, Jfa. xHi. i. Mat-' xii. i8. (i2.) From the account of his otFering of himicl' in facrifice to God, Heb. ix. 14. ('i'^.) From the account of his and his people's rcl"urre 21. (30.) From the account of their fjpi- rituai comforts, Rom viii. 9. i Pet. iv. 14. (31.) From the apoftohcal benediction, 2 Cor. xii'. 14. (32') From the heavenly atieflation of t|ie gofpel record, 1 John v. 7. ——In which multitude of infpired texts we find one per- {ox\ under the name of Jehcyah, God, Father, or repre- fented as primary agent ; a fecond unde?- the name of the Word, Son, Servant, Angel, Anointed, Jefqs Chrift, De- fiTt of nil nations, and reprefented as the Saviour of men ; and a third, chilled the Spirit, Holy GiioA, God, crV. Indeed, the Socinians, modern Arians, and fome pther?, prtft^ind the lafl ijicntiontj te\t Johii v. 7. to be fpurious ; » bec^u(e Of the Persons oj the Godhead. I4<> becaufc (i.) " Many Greek manufcripts want it." But many of tliefe alfo want other texts : and the fimilarity of the 7th and 8th verles made a carelefs tranfcriber apt to 0- verleap one of them. (2.) " Many of the antient tranflati- «« ons want it." But none of thele tranflations are of great weight in this matter, as they want much more of the New Tertament Nor are any of them, except the Syriac and Jerome's Latin one, much worth. (3.) " The antient Fa- " thers do not quote it, when it would have been much to " their purpole in their dilputcs with heretics." But that might be, becaufe they had deficient copies, or cared not to adduce a text, which their opponents might have rejefted. Let it be further obferved, (i.) The orthodox had no temptation to forge it, having plenty of proof for their faitk concerning che Trinity bellde. But the Antitrinitarians had flrong temptations to drop it out of their copies, which is alfo more ealily done. And yet perhaps it originated frona no defign but the hurry of a tranfcriber, amidft the rage of perfecution. (2.) About 1400 years ago, we find com- plaints of fome Antitrinitarians attempting to corrupt the fcripture ; but never, till of late, that the orthodox had done fo. (3.) This text is referred to by Tertullian about A. D. 200; quoted by Cyprian about 250, and by Atha- nafius, or one in his name, about 350. Jerome hath it in his tranflation about 400, and admitting it to be in all the bell Greek copies, he fcvcrely blames the want of it in the old Latin verfion. S«Dn after, it is quoted by Eucherius and Vigilius. In 484 the African bifiiops quote it iq the Confeflion of their faith which they preiented to Hunneric that Arian king j and about thirty years after, Falgeniius, when required by an Arian king to produce his objc£lior.s againft the Arians, quoted it tluee times. When the Vul- gate Latin tranflation was folemnly, smd with great care, corre^ed from Greek and Latin manufcripts, by order of Charles the Great, about A. D. 800, and again by the fam- ed Univcrfity of Sorbonne, about two hundred years after, this text was retained. Erafnms, who inclined to Arianifm, firft fuCpe^Sled it, anddropt it out of his firll: edition of the New Teftamcnt : but rcftored it in his fubfcquent editions, upon th.'^ credit of an old Bntifh copy. It is (aid, .that nine of Stephen's fixteen manufcripts from which he printed his excellent edition of th8, 33, yS, Phil. ii. 9,— 'II. Mat.-xxviii. -iS' John v. 22. Eph. Of the Persons of the Godhead. xc Eph. i. 20, — 11^ 1 Cor. xv. 24, — 27. He prom'ifed, and fends the Holy Ghoft, who proceeds from liim, to anoint Chrift as man and Mediator, and to icnd nnd quilify his prophets and apoftles, miniftcrs and people, Pfai. xlv. 7. Joel li. 28. Lulce xxiv. 49. John xiv. 26. and xv. 26. — He predeftinated elecSl men to everlafting holinefs and happjnefs, Rom. viii. 28, — 30. Eph. i. 4, 5. Luke xii. 32. Mat. xx. i'\. He propofed the new covenant as terms of their falva" tion to his Son, Ifa. liii, 10, — 12. Pi'al. Ixxxix. 3, 4. Heb. ii. 10. Having accepted his atoning and recoaciHng righ- tcoufnefsin their ftead, he favingly difcovers him to them, draws them to him, and in him juftifies and reconciles thein to himfelf,' Jer. xxxi. 32, — 34. Mat. xi. 25. Gal. 1. 16. John vi. 44, 4j. 2 Cor, v. 18, — 21. Rom. viii. 33. He. adopts, quickens and fans5lifies them. Gal. iv, 6. Rom. viii, II,* r4> — 1 8. Tit. iii. 5, 6. He, by his Spirit, confirms ^nd comforts them, and brings them to comr^lete and ever- lading happinefs, 2 Cor. i. 21, 22. Ef^. iii. 20, 21. Johrt X. 28, 29. and xvii, ii, 24. and xiv. i<5, 17, 2t, 23. 2 ThefT, ii. 16, 17. Heb. ii. 10. Rev. vi. 17. It was never denied by any but Atheifts, that the Father is the MOST HIGH GOD. And (i.) The fcriplure ex- prelly declares it, Rom. xv. 6. 2 Cor. i. 3. Phil ii. n. Eph, i. 3, 17. Heb. i. i, 3. i Pet. i. 2, 3. John xx. 17. And he is called Jehovah, Jer. xxiii. 5. and xxxiiii. 15. Pfalra ex. I. Ifa. xlii. 5, 6, 8. and xUx. i, 4, 5, 7, 8. and 1. 4, 5. and liii. 6, ic. and Ixi. I. (2.) Divine perfedrions arc afcribed to him, as felf-cxiftence, John v. 26. Eternity, Rev. i. 4. Eph. i. 4 Abfolute all-fufficiency, i Cor. xv. 28. Omniprefence with all his faints, i John i. 3, — 7, John xiv. 21, 23. Omnifcience, 2 Cor. xi. 31. Almigh- ty power, Mark xiv. 36. Abfolute fovcfeigmy, Mat. xi. 2c, — 27 and XX vi. 53. John iii- 35. and x. 29. and xiv. 28* \ Cor. xi.3 and xv. 24, 27, 28'. Eph. v, 6. (3.) Divine works are afcribed to him, as Creation, E^Vn. iii. 9. Ifa. xlii. 5. Providence, John v. 17. Mat. xi. 25. — forgiving fin, Luke xxiii. 34. Eph. iv. 32. raifing up Chrift and his people from ilic dead, John v. 21. Heb. xiis.*2o- Rora. viii. 1 1. (4.) Divine worlhipis performed to hioi by Chrift and his people, John xi. 41- and xii. .^7, 28. ajnd xiv., 26. and. :ivii. Eph. i. 17. and iii. 14. Mat- xxviii. 19. II. The frcond perfon in the Godhead L; called the "Word, or Ward of God ^ becaufe he is thevpcrfe<5t rffem- . blance. 'I5i Of the Persons of the Godhead. blance of his Father, even as our words are of our mind. He is the great Speaker for us to God, in his antient en- gagements and his continual interceflion. He is the fubjec^- matter and end of all divine revelations, and the principal publiftier of them, Luke i. 2. with 2 Pet. i. 16. Afts xx. 32. Heb. iv. 12- John i. i, 2, 14. i John i. i. and v, 7. Rev. xix. 13. — He is called the Son of God on account of his relation to the Father, by whom he is begotten, Pfalm 11.7. John i. 14. and iii. \6. Rom. viii. 3, 32. and i. 3. Gal. iv. 4. ^Thathe is the SonofGed, hath been at- tefled by hts Father, in repeated declarations from heaven. Mat. iii. 17. and xvii. 5. — by himfelf, Joim v. 16, 17. and X. 30, 36. andxTii. 11, 24. and xix. 7. Markxiv. 61, 62. -i — by the Holy Ghoft, in forming his human nature, and in his baptifmal un£lion, Luke i. 32, 35. Mat. iii. 16 John j. 33, 34.-^by John Baptift, and by apoftles and faints, John 1,33, 34; — Mat. xvi. 15, 16. John vi. 6y. and xi. 27. A6ts iii. 7. I John v. 5. It hath been confcfled by de- vils, Mat. viii. 28, 29. Mark iii. 11. and v. 7, Luke iv. 41. and by wicked men, perhaps juft then converted, Mat. xiv. 33. Mark xv. 39. • But he is not the Son of God, by his miraculous concepti- on and birth, (i ) The Holy Ghoft is never reprefcnred as his Father, nor could be, without admitting two fath- ers in the Godhead. That ho/y thing born is called the Son of God, becaufc his manhood iublifted in the perfon of the Son of God, Luke i. 35. He had the character and rela- tion of Son of God, long before his conception or birth, Prov. XXX. 4. Pfal. ii. 7. Gal iv. 4. John iii. 16, 17. (2.) According to his human nature or fejh, he is the Son of tnan^ — of Abraham, David, and not the Son of God. (3.) His being made of a nvomnn, was fubfequent to his being the Son of God, Rom. viii. 3, 32. Gal. iv. 4. (4.) His extra- ordinary conception and birth could never render him the only begotten Son of God, as he is termed, John i. 14. and iii. 16, i8. I John iv. 9. fince Adam was his fon by creati- on, and Ifaac, Jacob, Jofeph, Samfon, Samuel, and John Baptifl:, were procreated by extraordinary influence,— tho' indeed very different from that which was exerted in thepro- duftion of Chrift's manhood. Nor is he called the Son of God on account of God's railing him from the dead, for (i.) He was the Son of God long before, Mat. iii. 17. and xvii. 5. John v. 16, 17. and x. 30, 36. Mark xiv. 61, 62. Mat. xvi. 15, 16. John vi. 6g. and i. 49. (2.) If his rfcfurrcftion had rendered him the Son of God, he would have Of the Persons of the Godhead. i^v have been his own father, as he raifed himfelf, John x. 17, 18. and ii. 19. (3.) This could not have rendered him the only begotten Son of God, as millions befide have or fliall be raifed from the dead, Mat. xxvii. 52, 53. John V. 28, 29. I Their, iv. 14, 16. Rev. xx. 12. Nor doth A£ts xiii. 33. import, tliat he became the Son of God by his refurreftion, but that his Sonfhip was manifefted by it, compase Rom. i. 3, 4 — and that his refurreftion publicly proved, that the word of falvation, particularly that Pfalm ii. 7, 8. was then exhibited, given and fulfilled to men. Nor, doth his mediatorial office conftitute him the Son of God. (i.) Amiflxon on an errand, or an appoint- ment to fervice cannot, in the nature of things, conftitute Sonfhip. (2.) His Sonftiip is reprefented as prior to his commiffion to, or execution of his mediatorial office, John iii. 16. Gal. iv. 4. i John iv.9, 10. and iii. 8. Heb. v. 8. (3.) His divine Sonfhip puts virtue into his mediatorial office, and fo cannot depend on it, Heb. iv. 14. (4.) His being from the Father in refpe£i; of his Sonfhip is cxprefly diftinguiflied from his bungfent to execute his mediatorial office, John vii 29. But he is the Son of God by necejfary and eternal genera- tion; — that is, by fuch neceffity, that the divine nature cannot at all exifl, without fubfifting in him, in the form and relation of a Son to the firft perfon, (i.) In many texts of fcripture, he is fimply called the Son of Gody and in that charadler reprefented as the Moft High God, — the Lord God of his people, — the Lord God, — God the Saviour, Luke i. 16, 17, 32, 35, 46, 47. — as coming from heaven, and above all, John iii. 31. Mat. xi. 27. — and as the objeft of faith and worfliip, John iii. 17, 36. and ix. 35, — 38. Mat. iv. 33. and xxvii. 54. or, as the fame with God, Heb. L 8. I John iii. 8. with i Tim. iii. 16. — and as equal with his Father, Mat. xxviii. 19. John v. 21. (2) God hath given the moft folcmn and emphatic teftimonies to his di- vine Sonfhip, Matt. iii. 17 and xvii. 5. The firft of theCe texts literally tranflated runs. This is that my Son^ — my be^ loved one y in whom I am well plenfed. And in the other, we are commanded to hear him^ as infinitely fuperior to Mofes and Elias, his then vifitants, who had been the molt extraordinary of all the Old Teftament prophets. This ma- nifefts, that he wzs JudaFs God, and the Lord God, Ifa. %\, p.T^And, it is oblervable, that in all his inftru) He is reprefented as perforniitig a multitude of perfonal a^s, as teaching, fpeaking, Mark xiii. 11. AiHis •xxviii. 25. vvitneffing, A<^ts v. 32. and xx. 23. Rom. viii, 15, 16. dwelling, John xiv. 17. i Cor. vi. 19, 2 Tim. i, 14. fending of miniilers. Acts xiii. 2,-^4* and jgc. 1%. with. Matth. ix. 3B. judging what is meet, Afts xv. 28, forbid- ding, A6ts xvi. 6, 7. — 'As from all eternity he acted in the counfels of God, particularly, in approving the new covenant plnn of our redem.ptjon, and taking his proper fhare in the execution of it, — fo, in time, he ads dilHnil:ly, though not feparately, from the Father and Son, in their whole work. -^— In relpecl of order he liaillied the work of creation, Pfal. xxxiii. 6. Job xxvi. 13. He qualified Moles, Bezaleel, Aholiab, Odiniel, Ehud, Barak, Deborah, Gideon, and his three hundred foldjers, and Samfon and others, witii uncommon firength of body, or wifdom, or courage of mind, for their relpeftive work, Deut.xxxiv. 7. Exod. xxxi. 3,-— 6. Judg. iii. io, 15, and iv. 9, 14, 21. vi j vii •, xiii ', — xvi. He infpired the prophets and apoftles with an infal- lible knowledge of the will of God, I Pet. i. u, 2 Pet i. 21. He endowed Pulaam, Caiaphas, and others with pro- fpecls of future events. Num. xxiii ; xxiv. John xi. 50, — ■ 52. 1 Kings xiii. n, — 2c. He wrought miracles unnum- bered by Moles, Elijah, Eliflia, Chritl, the apoftles, and others Of the Persons of the Godhead. p^ . ofhers, Exod. iv, xvn. Num. xvi ; xvii. i Kings xviil ; — XX. 2 Kings i ; — vii ; xiii. Matth. xii. 2a,— ^28. — He framed the body, and created the foul of Chrift in union to his divine perfon, Luke i. 34, 35. He fanftified I'.is nian- liood in forming it with every gift and grace of which it was capable, Ifa. xi. 2, 3. John iii. 34, He inrreafed this grace in proportion to the growing faculties of that man- hood, Luke ii. 40, 52. He folemnly anointed and qualifi- ed him for his miniilenal work, Matth. iii. j(5. Ifa. Ixi. i, 2, 3. and xi. 2, — 4. Lukeiv. 18. John iii. 34. Hedire^led him into and carried him through all his temptations from Satan, Matth iv. r. He allifted him in his working O'f mi- racles, Mattli xii. 28. and in offering up himfelf a facrifice to God, Heb. ix. 14. He raifed him from the dead, Rom. i. 4. and viii. u. and vi, 4. He juftrfied him, as our pub- lic Reprefcntative, i Tim. iii. 16. He filled his manhood! with hes-venly joys, Pfalm xlvii. 7. A^rhzps fending of him, Ifa. xlviii. 16. Government of the church, Matth. ix. 38. A^fls vii. 51. andxiii. 2, 4. and XX. 28. and XV. 58. Beftowing of extraordinary fpiritual gifts, I Cor. xii. Heb. ii. 4. Foretelling of contingent futu- rities, John xvi. 13. A6ls xi. 28. and xx. 11. i Pet i. 11. Convincing men's confciences of their moft fecretfins, John xvi. 9. Enlightening of their mind in the knowledge of Spiritual things, Eph. i. 17, 18. and iii. 16, — 19. I Cor. ii. 10, 12, 15, 16. Juftification of Chrift and his people, i Tim. iii. i6. i Cor. vi. 11. Rcgeiiiration and fanftifica- (ion Qf the Persons of the Godhead. -l^i f ion of men*s hearts, John iii. 5, 6; i Cor. vi. i r. Tit, lii. 5, 6. 2 Their, if. 13. and iii. 5. i TheiT. iii. 12, 13. 1 Pet. i. 2» Ezek. xxxvii. i, — ^ — 14. Comforting of faints and prefervation of them in grace, John xiy. 16, 26. and xv. 26. and xvi. 7. Eph. i. 13, 14. and iv. 30. 2 Cor. i. 21, it2- Pfahn li. ii, 12. Quiclcening of faints and churches, when under fearful degrees of fpiritual death, John vi. 63. Rom. viiik 2^ Ezek. xxxvii. i, 14. Rev. xi. 11. and raifing of the dead at the laft day, Rom. viii n. with A(Sls Xxvi. 8. (4.) Worfliip proper only to God is required and afcribed to him. Prayer to him is exemplified Song iv. 16. Rev. i. 4. 2 Their, iii. 5. and commanded, Matth ix. 38. with Acts xiii. 2, 4. and xvi, 5, 7. and xx. 28. i Cor. ii. 4, — II. Solemn appeals are made to him, Rom. ix. i. with. Deut vi. 13. Jer xvii. 10. In his name hapufm is admini- ftred, Mattl). xxviii. rp. Church judicatories meet and act, A£ls XV. 28. and xiii. 2, 4. and folemn henediclions are emitted, 2 Cor. xiii. 14. The fin which is peculiarly committed againft him is itated as unpardonable, thougix the worit of theie againil the Father and Sou are not, Matth. xii. 32. Heb. vi. 4,-— 8. and x. 26, — 31. In ail thefe texts of fcripture, in which fomethlng not proper to an intelligent and eternal perfon, is alcribed to the Spirit or Holy Ghoft, his name muft be underitood as meaning not himiclf, but his gifts and influences, John vii. 39. Joel ii, 28. Adis ii, 17. and x. 44. and xix. 6. Heb. i'. 4 — And wherever his perfon is reprefented as inferior to, or lent, or given by the Father or Son, the text is to be underfkood of his ftation or agency in the work of our re- demption,—^of which, with his own choice, he is cohftitu- ted the applier, John X|iv. 26. and xv. 2O. and xvi. 7. Ezek. XXXV i. 27, I John iii. (24. The Holy ^\i.Q^ prcceedi from the Zon^ as well as from the F.ither. (i.) He is reprefented as the Spirit of the Son us well as of the Fathei-, Gal, iv. 6. I Pet. i. i r. (2.) He is fcnt and communicated by the Son, as well as by the Fa- ther, John xvi. 7. 13, — 15. and XX. 22. Prov. i. 23. But •whether he proceeds from the Son, precifely in the fame manner, as from the Father, we know not. These thrpc divine perfons are diftinguifhed from one .mother, (i.) By \\it'\v nanus oi Father, Sonj and Holy Ghoft, Matth. xxviii. 19. 2 Cor. xiii. 14. Malachi. iii. 16, 17. 1 John v, 7. (2.) By their order of fubffiftnce ; the Father the firl\ j the Son the fecond ; and the Holy Ghoil X the i62 Of the Persons 5/* //^y their different Jlations^ which, in a delightful correfpon- dence with their natural order of fubfiftenee, they hav« vo- luntarily affumed, in the work of our redemption ; — the Father as the Creditor, Judge, Mafter, and Rewarder ;■— ^a God,— an ALL in all to mean,-. — to vile, — to monftrous, — murderous me '—Alas, why did,-^ why do T, ever exchange this ineftimable pearl of great price, -r— this unbounded treasure of godhead itfelfj-^this infinity Lover, nay, Love,-^ — for that which is of nOj^^^f worfe than no, value ? — Why defpife eternal Love, for the fake of a tranfient ihadow \ — of a tafle of gall and wormwood ? ' — of vanity and vexation of fpirit ? — - — Alas, why doth e-« \er my heart turn from him ? Why do my defires after him ever cool or flag ?— :r-Why is my love, — ^^my life, ever «nan* fwerable to his unchangeable excellency and kindncfs ?-^ -r^When thefe infinite three are ever with me,— are all my own,- — why am I not alway ravifhed with their loves f ■ — Why am I not ever lifliening to their voice and pouring out my heart into tl^eirbofom ? Why doth not my foul talk with them, when I fit down, and when I rife up ? — .' -.■.-. But, have thefe honoured, thefe true and faithful, thefe vnchangeable three, by folemn oath, attefl:ed and con-t firmed every promil'e of the new covenant, that I might have Arong confolation and good hope through grace ? — Dare \ then fl-agger at the promifes through unbelief, and not be ftrcng in the faith, giving glory to God ? Q. thrice happy newrcovenant l^ate, in which Father, Son, jini Holy Ghoft undertake all fop m^ ; — perform all for, aft 1 in me, — and are all in all to me ! Thrice ha oy heaven, where the glittering vanities of creation ihall be for ever forgotten,— ^v^ci 4 three-one redeeming God ihali 0/"/;^^ Decrees awJ Purposes tf God.: t6^ (hall be for ever feen, — for ever known, — for ever imniedi- ately enjoyed as my God, and my all in all. CHAR IIL Of th( Decrees and Purposes 9/ God, GOD indeed a£ls on lilmfelf in contemplating, loving, and delighting in himfelf ; and in the perfons of the Godhead knowing, loving, delighting in, and confultjng wiih each other, Mat. xi. 27. John i. 18. and iii, ^5. Col. i. 13. Zech. vi. 13. Ifa. xlviii. 16. But few hints of this agency on himfelf, except in fo far as it terminates on his Creatures, are revealed to us in fcripture.. His agency refpefting his creatures includes his forming a plan of his conduct in his own mind in his purpofe or decree^ — and his execution of that plan^ in his works of Creation and Provi- dence, Nothing can be more evident, than that God hath, in his purpofe, fixed the whole plan of the work ofhi-s hand, (i.) From the perfe(^ion of his nature. If his knowledge be infinite and unchangeable, he muft have known every thing from eternity as perfectly as he ever can do in time, — If the whole exigence, nature, and form, and every mo- tion or aft,, of every creature, depend on his fovereign will, he could have no knowledge of them, but from his own purpofe, how to make and manage them. — Abftra6llng from it, they might have been, or not been, — might hare exifi:ed in this, or in a thoufand other different forms, or csnditions.-r-No placing of creatures in any fuppofable clr- cumftances can infallibly fecure any particular behaviour. — .Of the angels who attended Jehovah in heaven, fome ftood faft, and others fell from their firft eftate of perfed holinefs and happinefs, i Tim. v. 21. Pfal. ciii, 20. Jude 6. 2 Pet. ii. 4, How many men have, like Jacob and Efau, Iain in the fame womb, even at the fame time, and had the fame patterns and education, and yet their behaviour and late have been exceedingly different, Gen. xxv, — xxviii, ^om. 1^5 Of the Decreets and Purposes of God. Rom. ix. Heb. xii. 25, — 17. Mai. i. 2, 4. If God be infi-'. ttitely ivife^ ho'.v could he, in a random manner, commence and carry on fuch an important work, fo clofely connecled with an infinitely glorious end ? How could he, but To plan hi« work, that all the parts of it might harnxpnio'jfly pro- mote hisgeneraland particular ends ? If he be of one mind, which none can change, he muft have unalterably fixed e- very thing in his purpofc, which heefFcfts in his work. Job xxiii. 13. If he be almighty ^ no apprehended oppoHtion could deter him from peremptorily fixing his plan : and no unruly free-will could defeat his ijjtentions. (2.) The ma- nifold, marvellous, comely, and profitable, connexions of an infinity of diflimilar creatures, and the exa 13, —21. and xvi. xo, — 12. and xVii. 4, — 8, 16, — 21. and xvlii. 10, 14, r8. and xix. 13. and xx. 12, 13. and xxii. 17, 18. and XXV. 23. and xxvii. 28, 29, 39, 40. andxxviii. 13, — 15. and xxxvii. 7, — 10. and xl. 13, 19. and xli. 25, — 32. xlviii -, xlix. Exod. iii, — xvii Lev, xxvi. Deut. xxviii, — xxxiii. Jolh. i. Judges ii ; iv ; vi ; vii. i Sam. ii ; Hi J viii; xiii; xv; xvi. 2 Sam^ vii. i Kings ix v xi ; xiii; xiv ; xvi; xvii ; xix ; xxii. 2 Kings vii ; x; xiii ; xxi , Pfal ii ; xxi ; xxii ;'xlv ; xlvii ; Ixvii, — Ixix ; Ixxii ; xlvi, -^c ; ex ; cxxxii. Ifa. i.— ^ to Mai. iv. Mat. xxiii, — XXV, 1^8 Of the Decrees and Purposes of Gjdi rKxv. T Tim. iv. 2 Tim. iii. and iv. 2 Pet. il 5 iii. 2 Thefl; J. and ii. Rev. v, — xxii. The form and duration of every man's life and the time and manner of his death are precifely fixed in the decree of God, (i.) The fcripture plainly affirms this, Job vii i. and xiv. 5. A£ls xvii. 26, .28. Eccl. iii. i, 2. and v. 17. and ix. 12. Pfal. xxxi. 15. and cxxxix. 16. and xxxix. 4, 5. (2.) God hath frequently foretold the manner, time, or means of men's life or death,— ^as of the Ifeoi Ilhmael, Gen. xvi. 12. Ifaac, Gen. xvii ; xviii. Jacob and Efau, Gen.xxv. 23. Mofes, Exod. iv. Ifraelites after his death, Deuteron* xxviii, — ^xxxiii. Samfon, Judg. xiii. Saul, i Sam. viii ; ix j x; xiii; xv* Solomon, 2 Sam. vii. 12, — 15. Jofiah, i Kings xiii. 2* Cyrus, Ifa. xliv. 26, — 28. and xlv. 4, 13. and xlvi. II. and efpecially of Christ, Ifa* vii* 14. Jer. xxiii. 5, 6. and xxxi. 22. Mic. v* 2. Mai. iii. i, 2. ^c* * 'And of the death of the wicked inhabitants of the old world. Gen. vi. 3, 7. of the Sodomites, Gen. xixi 13, 17. of the murmuring and rebellious Ifraelites, Num. xif ; xvi \ of David's infant, 2 Sam. xii* 14. of Abijah, i Kings xiv. 12. of Ahab and Jezebel, t Kings xxii. 28 and xxi. 22j 23, 29. of Ahaziah, 2 Kings i. 4. of Belfhazzar, Dan. v. 25, 26. of Peter, John xxi. 18. of Paul, 2 Tim. iv. 6, 7. of Christ, Luke xviii. 32. John xii. 33* and vii. 30. and xiii. I* and xvii. i, 13. Pfal. xxii *, Ixixw Ifa. liii. of Eli*s fons, t Sam. ii. 34. of David's fubje£ls, 2 Sam. Xxiv, 15, of Sennacherib's army, Ifa. x ; xxix, — xxxiii ; xxxvii. and Xxx. 27,— 33. of the Jews by the Romans, Ifa. Ixv. i2» Deut. xxviii. 16, — 68. Lev. xxvi. Pfal. xxi. 8,-^12. Mat. xxiii ; xxiv. of the heathen emperors of Rome, and their armies, Pfal. ex. 5, 6. Rev. vi. 12, — 17. — But, to prevent objedlions, it muft be obfervcd, (i.) That men's life is faid to htfjortenedy when it doth not extend to an dinary length, or to that of which their conftitution feemed capable, Job xv. 32. and xvii. 1. Pfal. Iv. 23-. and cii. 33, 24. Prov. X. 27. Eccl. vii. 17. (2.) That prolotiging of men's life, denotes merely the long enjoyment of it, but not any lengthening of it beyond the meafure or period fix- ed for i-t in God's purpoiV, i Kings iii. 14. Exod. xx. 12. Deut. iv. 40. and xxx. 18. Prov. x. 27. — Hezekiah had fifteen years added to his life; after a mortal difeafe had threatened the deftruftion of it,— but not one moment ad- ded to the time of his iife> alloted him in God'» decree, Ifa, Xxxviii, I, 5. ' ■ All pf the Decrees «// vation, I Tim. V 21. Dan. vii. 10. Rev. v. 11. Pfal. ciii, 20, 21. — and that others were pafledby, — to be permitted :o fall into fin, and continue, and more and more abound in it ; and oii account of it, to be for ever juflly punifhed with everlafiing deftrmftion, to th? praife of the glory of his holinefs and juftice, M;it.xxv. 41. And, by this purpofe as well as by their own finful corruption and guilt, and the curfe of God lying upon them on account of it, they are re- •ferved as in chains till the laft judgment, Jude 6. 2 Peter 'ii. 4. But the predtftination of men, in which we are more immeUiiitriy concerned, is more fully revealed in the •fcripruiT';. y ■ It 170 Of the Decrees and Purposes oj God. It is not agreed among divines, how God confidered men in his predeftining purpofe, — Whether zscreaiab/e andyo/A- h/e ; or as to be created and to fall ; or as created zndi fallen ,- or as converted ; or as having perfevered in holinefs till their death. The abfurdity of the two laft views will be hereafter manifefted. — ^The difference of the firft three views, appears to me to originate in men's making their own manner of thinking on the point, an exaft exemplar of that of God, — and to be really reconcilcaWe. —In God's infinite mind, his whole purpofe of predeftination is but one fimple thought, — which may be apprehended by our finite and weak mind in the four following fieps (i.) His purpofe of manifefiing the glory of his own perfe£lions, particularly of his mercy and juftice in his dealings with men. In re- fpe£t of this, men can only be confidered as creotahle and ■ fallible. (2.) His purpofe of creating men and permitting them to fall in their common Head, in order to promote or occafion the glorification of his mercy or juftice. In refpeft of this fliep, men niuft be confidered as to he created and to fall. (3.) His fore-appointment of fome particular men for the manifcftation of his mercy and others as objedls of the manifeftation of the glory o{ his Ju^iee. In refpe£t of this ftep, men muft be viewed as created znd fallen. (4.) His fixing of the proper means for rendering the former proper veflljls of mercy, and the latter vefi"els of his everlafting, bat juft in- dignation. In refpedlof this ftep, men muft he confidered as chofen or as paffed by. In thefe views, Supralapfari- ans, who reckon the objedls of predeftination, men as erect- table TiXidi fallible y or to be created ^nd to f ally — and Sublapfari- ans, who reckon men sa created and fallen to be the, formal ebjeSis of It, may cordially agree. — The glory of God's per- fe£lions, as the laft end of the whole purpofe, is firft pre- fented to view ; and the decree appears as nvhole and uni^ form as Supralapfarians need wi(h. And men, as finners, are chofen to falvation in Chrift, as Sublapfarians contend. The above reprefentation alfo plainly diftinguilhetk God's predeftining purpofe into the two important branch- es of Election and Reprobation. In fcripture we find God electing men to fome particular office^ — Saul, David, and Cyrus, to be kings, 1 Sam. x. I, 24. and XV. 17. and xvi. i, 6, — 13. 2 Sam. vii. 8. Pfalra Ixxviii. 70- Ifa. xJiv. 28. and xlv. i ; — Bezaleel and Ahp- Jiab to frame and rear up his tabernacle, and Solomon to build his teinplej Exod.. xxxi. 2j5. i Kings v.. 5. and viii. 19. 1 Chron. xvii. ii, 12. and xxii. 9, lo-y — Aaron and his Of the Decrees and Purposes of God. 17J his fons to be priefts, Exod. xxviii. Heb. v. 4 ; — the Levites to be minifters of his fancTluary, Num. i. 49, 50. and iii ; iv ; viii ; xvii -, xvlii. Peter and Andrew, James and John, ksfc. to be his apoftles, Mat. x. 1, — 4. Job vi. 70. A^six. i5>. Eph. iv. II. — We alfo find him electing the whole Ifraelitifh nation to be his peculiar people, typical of the gofpel church, and of his redeemed multitude, Exod. xix> 5, 6. Lev. xx. 26. Deut. vii. 6. andxvi. 15. andxxvi. iS. Ifa. xlviii. 10. with I Pet. ii. 9. Rev. vii. 9 But there is alfo a divine eleBlm of Tome men to everlajling life to the praife of the glory of his grace, (i.) Some men plainly appear as chofen to more than memberlhip in the vifible church. Before the Jewi^i nation was completely unchurched, but fome of them were a chofen generation, while others, according to the determination of God, ftum- bled at Jefus Ghrift to their own evcrlafting rum, i Pet. u. S, 9. Mat. xxiv. 22, 24, 31. Lukexviii. 7. Rom. ix. 27. and xi. 5, 7. Ifa. viii. 14, 15, 16, 18. Some poor were chofen, rich in faith, and heirs of the heavenly kingdom, James ii. 5. (2.) Many^ who were called by the gofpcl to falvation in their external church-ftate, were not chofen, while a y^7u were. Mat. xx. 16. and xxli. 14. (3.) Some men are by God remarkably difllnguiflied from all others, — zs enrolled m atiothcr book, the I>i\mb's booh of life ^ and in heaveny Ifa. iv. 3. Dan. xii. I. Luke x. 20. Phil. iv. 3. Rev. iii. 5. and xiii. 8. and xx. ii. and xxi. 27 ; — as fepa- rated from this world, and'pertaining to another world or kingdom, John xv, 19. and xvii. 9, 16. Mat. xiii. 38. Mark iv. I r. Num. xxiii. 9. Ifa. xliii. 21. and Ixiii. 18. I Pet. ii. 9. Luke xx- 35. — as types of whom the Jews are czWcdk children of the kingdom^ Vi-AX. viii. 12 They are reprefented as fprung from another root, and of another race or kindred, — being of God, i John iv. 4, — 6. and v. 19. John viii. 47, 42 with 44 — of//'? light pr day^ Lukexvi. S. 1 Their, v. ^.—from atfove^ John iii. 3, 5, d. and viii. 32. — as fubjeft to another Head, — Chri(l,.an,d God reconciled in him, Ifa. Ixiii. 19. Mat. xxiii. 8, 10. John x, 3, 26, 27. and vi. 37. with v. 40 ; — as perfedtly fecured from condem- nation, and infeparable from .the love of.Chrift and his F.i- ther, Rom. viii. 33, — 39. John x. 28, 29. . and xiii. i. Jude I. 2Tim. ii. 19. Ifa. xlix. 15, i6»— as appointed to ialvation, i ThelT. i. 4, 5. and v. 9. 2 Thefl'. ii. 13. 2 Tim. ii. 9. 10, 19. Mat. XX. 23. and xxiv. 31. and xxv. 34. Luke xii. 32. and appqintad to.faith as the m,c.in of receiving it, — -and hence men believe it or nor, as they r.rs cleded to Y 2 eternal 172 Of the Decrees and Purposes of God, eternal life or not, Tit. i. i, 2. 2Theff. ili. 2. A6lsxiil,48. ' John X. •26, 27. Rom. xi, 7. and viii, 23,-^30. 2 Tim. i.p, aTheff. ii. 13. i ThefT. j. 4, 5. It was not merely ia their pofterity or external circumftances, but primarily in their perfons, as conned^ed with fplrltuui and eternal faU vaiion, that God made a diflerencebet'>veen Jacob and Cfau, and he made Efau's behaviour promote the I'piritual, if not alfo the temporal happinefs of Jacob as well as of his feed. Gen. XXV. 2^, 33. and xxvii j xxvili ; xxxii ', xxxiii, iind xxxvi. 6. Mai. ii. 2, 3. Rom. ix- u,-^i3. In the decree ofeleBkn, God doth not fix conditions o^' e-t ternal life, and choofe ftich as will fulfil them ; but he lets TiipzTt particuhr per/ofjs to be infallibly made partakers of e^ ternal falvation. (I.) Particular perfons, as hath been juft hinted, have their nam^s ivrlttcn in the hco'k of life ^ Luke x. 2c. Rev. xiii. 8. and xx. 12. and xxi^ 27. Ha. iv. 3, ^r, (2.) Some men are reprefented as particularly and perfo-» ntflly chofen to everlafting life, Eph. i. 4, 5, 6. Mat. xx,. 16/and xxii. 14. John x. 3, 26, 27. and xiii, i8. and xvii. 9. and vi. 37. Acts xiii. 48. and xviii. 10. Rom. viii, 28, — 30. and ix, 13, 23. and xi. 5, 7. i ThefT. i. 4, and v. 9, 2 Their, ii. 13. 1 Pet. i. 2. and ii. 9. 2 Tim. i. 9. and ii, ID. (3.) The infallible and unalterable connexion between eleftion, redemption, and eternal falvation^ necefTarily rcr quires, that thefe very perfons, who are aclually faved, muft have been ele<^ed to obtain that falva'ion,/ Pfal. xxxiii. 1 1, Ifa. xjv. 24, 27. and xlvi. 10. Rom. viii. 28, — 39, and ix, 1S^J3, 23. John X. 15, 27,-29. God's ele<^ion of thefe particular perfons is ARsoi.UTg proceeding wholly and only from his own infinitely wife and fovereign will and good pleafure ; and altogether indepen- dent on their forefeen faith or good v/orks. (?.) The fcripture reprefents his election of them as merely depend- ing on his own will, and purpofed in himfelf, Luke xii. 32. ;>nd X. 2j. Mat. x'. 25, 26. Rom. ix. 11, — 13, 16, 18. and xi. 5, 6. Eph. i. 5, 9, i?. Dcut. vii. 8. and ix, 4. and X. 15. 2Tim.i. 9. (2.) Qod, who chcofeth them, is ab- folntelv fovereign in his difpolal of his favours, Gen. vi. 5. with viii. 2i. Dan. iv. 35. Ifa, Iviij 17, 18. and xliii. 24, 25'. Rom. V. 20, 21. and ix. 15, \6.i 18, 20, 21. Pfalrn «xv. 3. and cxx?v. 6. Job xxxiii, 13. (3.) He could fore- see no moral, goodnefs in fallen and corrupted men, to move htm to ele ^1> ^^* ^"*^ "'• 5» ^^' 2!. Gal. vi. p. Maith. xxiv. 13. Rom. ii. 7, 10. Ifa i. 19. and iii. 10. Answ. Not one of thefe declarations re- prefents God's eiefting decree in the conditions of its efta- blilhment, but merely exhibit the connexion between the dlifereht fruits of it, — or parts and degrees of falvation, which is fixed in it. (2.) Faifh, fincere obedience, and perleverancc in holinefs, are not proper conditions on which our eternal happinefs is fufpended\ but being necefTary fruits of eleclion, and means of, and preparations for that happi- nefs, they charaBerize the perfons, who have been ele6lcd and fhall be glorified, John x. 27, — 29. Adis xiii. 48. I ThefT. i. 4, 5. 2 TheiT. ii. 13. 1 Pet., i. 2. Eph. i. 4. Rom. viii. 29, 30. OBjtc. III. An abfolute unconditional and unchange- able election of particular perlbns to eternal happinefs ener- vates and renders altogether unprofitable the whole preach- ing and ordinances of the gofpel, and all the good endea- vours of mankind, and encourageth them to lloth and wic- kedncfs, — as, if they be ele<^ed, they will certainly be faved, do wltat they will ; and if they be not elected they will not be fared, let them do what they ca-n. Answ. (i.) As in this decree, the means of happinefs are fixed along with, and infcparably from it, it is highly abfurd to pretend, that the fixing of the end will render the means unnecefiTary or un- profitable. (2.) Even in the common affairs of life, they who believe, that God hath unalterably fore-ordained all things which come to pafs, are as diligent in their lawlul employments, and as careful to provide, and ufe food, rai- ment,-houfes, medicine, ^c. as others, who do not. (3.) No man hath any reafon to cxpevithout divulging to us his moft fecret purpofes. It is time enough for us to claiui the fame rule of condu6l with Jeho- vah, when our free will hath transformed our meau and tielperately wicked nature into true Godhead. II. With refneiTt to the reprobation of men, it may be obferved, I. That God purpofed to permit fn. (i.) This the fcrjpture exprefly affirms, Gen. 1. 20. A'fls ii. 23, 24. and iv. 27, 28. and hence (2.) He hath foretold mul- titudes of evil aflion-. Gen. XV. 16. Deut. xxxi. 16, 20, 29. .fiud x>;xii> 6, 15, — 21. iia. i ; v j x. Jer. xxy. Rev. vij viii ; ix; xi; — ziii. % Tim. iii. r, — 6, 13. 2 Theffi ii. ^i— 12.- (v) In t:;ne C^od a^fluaUv permits much lin, z 1 Aas i8o Of the Decrees and Purposes ef God. A<^s xiv. 16. 2 ThefT. ii. 9, — 11. Gen. 1, 20. Pfalm IsxxJ. 12. Rom. i. 21, — 32. No fin, which hath been, or is in the world, can be laid to have happened without his fore- knowledge of it, Afts XV. 18. Ifa. xlvi. 10, ii, Pfal. cxlvii. 5. or notwithftanding all that his infinite power could have done to prev-ent and hinder it. Gen. xviii. 14 Jer. xxxii. 17, 27. Matth. xix. 26. Nay his permiffion of it tends to the honour of his abfolute fovereignty, infinite wifdom, ho- linefs and juftice, — and to the advantage of eftablilhed an- gels and men. II. God in his predeftining purpofe, left fome men unelected to perifh in their fin, to the praife of the glory of his juftice. (i.) The fcriptures plainly de- clare this, Prov. xvi. 4. (where pahhhal hath made ^ figr nifies to appo'mty crdaiti, prepare, Exod. xv. 17, Plal. xxxi. 39, even as poieo, Mark iii. 14. Heb. i i 2.) I Pet. ii. 8. (y^'htrejlumbling denotes finning) Jude 4. (where rum A, condemriatioriy denotes the finful caufe of condemnation' or what is criminal) John ix. 3.9. Rev. x:ii. 8. 2 Cor. iv. 3, 4. Rom. ix. 13, — 22. I Their, v. 9. 2 TheiT. ii. 10, — 12, 13, (2.) In God's providence, which is an exa3Es of Go£ tgi > fulnefs, I Theff. v. 9. But it muft be remarked, that tho men's lins be forefeen and viewed in God's pre-appointment of them unto wrath, as the caufe of their condemnation and punilhnient, yet they are not the caufe of his leaving them uneledted to perifh in their fin, for (i,) Reprobates are no worfe by nature than thufe that are ele«5led, i Cor. i. 26, 27. and iv. 7. John-xiii. 18. Eph. ii. i, — 3. {2.) God could not forfec their praftice, as worle than that of many elected perfons, before their converfion, i Cor. vi. 9, 10, II. Eph. ii. I, — 13. I Tim. i. 13, 16. Tit. iii. 3, — 6. (3.) The wickednefs of unele£ted men is reprefented as the confequence, tho' not the proper effect of their reprobation, 2 Cor. iv. 3. John x. 26. and xii. 39. i Pet. ii. 8, 9. Judc 4. Rev. xiii, 8. Reprobation may therefore be defcribed, « A fimple aft of an independent^ fovereigii, infinitely wife, powerful, righteous, and holy God,— whofe thoughts are infinitely high, his judgments unfearchable, and his ways paft find- ing out, Ila, Iv. o. and xl. i j. Rom. xi. 33, 34. Pfalm xcii. 5. and cxlvii. j,--in which he, in his eternal and unchange- able counfel, Matth. XXV. 34. with 41. Rom. ix. 11. Jam, i. 17. Ifa. xlvi. 10. Heb, vi 17. Eph. i 11. Pfalm. xxxiii, 1 1 ; — intending to manifefb the glory of his abfolute fove- reignty, almighty power, unfearchable wifdom, unconceiv- able patience, — and particularly of his infinite holinefs and avenging juftice, Rom. xi. 36. and ix. 11, 15, — 22. Mat. XX. 15. Rom. xi 33, 34 and ii. 4. Ifa. v. 4, 16. Prov, xvi. 4 ;— did, according to his own good pleafure, purpofe in himfelf to leave many particular men, no worfe in them- fclves than others, — »an their ellate of fin and mifery, into which they were to be permitted to fall, Rom. ix. 6, 7, ii, 15, — 18, 29, 2r. and xi. 20, 21, 22. and v. 12. Eph. ii. 3. Matth. xxiv. 40, 41 •,— -and never to know them in the way of peculiar regard, or love them with any good will, or pity them in ord^r to their effsftual recovery, — nor to choofe, predeflinate, diftinguifh from others, or ordain them to e- tcrnal life, Matth. vii. 23. P.om. viii. 29, 30. and ix. 13, 15. Mai. i. 2, 3. John xiii. 18. i Cor. iv. 7. A£ts xiii. 48. 1 Theflf. V. 9, — or write their names in his hok of hfe, cv fct them apart for his^f^/), peeple, childrefiy or vefels of mer~ • cjy John X a6.,Rom. ix. 6, 7, 23. Hof. i. 6, 9. Mai. iii. n j — and hence purpofed to withhold from them all his uji- tleferved favours of redemption and reconciliation through Curiftjr-of eficftuai calling, fdith, juftificaticn, adoptioa, audi i82 Of the Decrees and Purposes of God* and fan£lification, John x. 15, 16. and xvii. p. and xii. 37* — 40. Matth. xi. 25, 26. and xiii. ir, 13. Rom. viii. 28.—- 33. 2 Their, iii. 2. Eph. ii. 8 ; — though not his favours of common providence, gofpel ordinances, fpiritual gifts, or i^rivings of the Holy Ghoft, by which they are rendered iifeful to his eleft people, Acls xiv. 17. and xvii, 30. Rom. ii. 4. And ix. 22. Exod. vii. i(^, 17. Lev. xxvi. 3, 13, Deut. xxviii. i, 14* Ifa. v. 4. Matth. xiii. 9. and xxiii. 37. Heb. vi. 4, 5. and x. 26, 29. 2 Pet. ii. 20, 21. i Cor. x.i. 10. Gen. vi. 3, Ifa. Ixiii. 10. Acls vii. 51 ; — and fur- ther determined in himfclf, that they, having rendered tiiemfeh'es miferable by their fin original or adlual, againlt law or golpel, — and become abufers or defpifers of his bene- fits ofiered to, orbeftowedon, them, Rom. v. 12. Eph. ii. ly — 3, 12. Rom. ii. 12, 14, 15. Markxvi. 16. John iii. 18, 3<5. and iv. 40. Rom. ii. 4, 5. and xi. 7, 8. Matth, x. 15. and xi. 21, 22. Job viii- 4. Pfajm 1x:^k'. 13. Adts xiv. 16. — fhould, — in an infinitely wile, fovereign, juft, and ho- ly manner, anfwerable to their own freedom of will and their rebellious inclinations, Deut. xxxii. 4 Pfalm xiv. 7. Jer. xii. 1. Jam. i. 13. Matth, xxiii. 37, 38. John v. 40. and viii. f2. A — By what tie is he bound to fhew favour to one finner, who hath offended him, and fought his life ? — By what tie is he bound to fliew more favour to finful men, than to fal- len angels, who are his own rational creatures of a far high- er rank ? (2.) What avails that infinite mercy, which is fuppofed to have predefhinated all men (and why not all de- Tils ?) to everlafting happinefs, if it bring but a few of them to it, nay, can bring none of them to it, but as their wicked free will pleafeth ; — nay, if it do not fo much as inform the hundredth part of mankind of the only method of their fal- vation through Chrift ? (3.) Of the fmall part of mankind, who are properly invited by the preached gofpel to receive this falvation, multitudes, not by any influence of God's de- cree, bu«- by their own felf-approved enmity againft him, obftinately rejeft him, John v. 40. Pfalm. Ixxxi. 1 1. Hof. xi. 2, 7. Rom.riii. 7, 8. Jer. xvii. 9. Zech. vii. 11, 12. and xi. 8- Gen. vi, 5. and viii. 21. (4.) A fcheme, which in- fallibly fecures the eternal happinefs perhaps of many thou- fands of millions of mankind, is infinitely more merciful than one, which fecures it for none, but fufpends all upon the pious behaviour of a free will, a carnal mind entnity agaitiji GoJf — a heart deceitful above all things and defperately wick- ed.— ^We allow, that every man, that hears the gofpel is warranted, — is folemnly called, and earneftly intreated by God to believe on Jefus Chrifl for falvation. We allow, that one fingle adl of believing, which is ten thoufand times iefs than perfeverance in faith and holinefs till death, will render a man*s itate unalterably happy for ever more. — We Of the Dectleus and "Purposes of God. 185 We allow of God's giving, even to reprobates, the largeft meafures and higheft degrees of the reliftible or vincible in- fluences of his Spirit to affift them towards afls of faith. Our opponents dare not pretend, that they allow more to their eledl, — nay, to their choiceft faints. — If men's free will can therefore turn the fcale in their favours, and make them believe in ChriO:, we allow a method of eternal falvation a thoufand times more cafy to reprobates, than our oppo- nents do to any man. ObJec. III. " How can it coniift with the infinite wif- dom of God, to fix on the objects of his favour or of his abhorrence, without regard to their moral behaviour as the caufe ? — or, to appoint means of falvation for thofe, to whom he hath decreed never to give that, which is abfo- lutely neceflary to render thefe means effectual ? — or, to require or expert the converfion of reprobates, when he himfelf hinders it, by his unalterable decrees ?" Answ. («.) God abhors no creature, but on account of its fin. Gen. i. 31. Pfalm civ. 31. It would be very unwife in God to fix upon any of mankind, as his favourites, from refpeft to their behaviour, fince, in their unconverted eftate, not one of them can do any thing, but what is abominable to him, in matter or manner, Pfalm xiv. 1, — 4. Rom. viii. 7, 8. and iii. 10, 20. Jer. xvii. 9. Eph. ii. i, — 3. Tit. ill. 3. — But, both his wifdom and fovereignty are highly glorified in his choofing of many, the moft unpromiling, that fo his almighty power and infinite mercy may the more abundantly (hine forth in his qualifying them for the moft familiar fellowlhip with himfelf, and for his fervice, i Cor. i. 25, — 29. J Tim. i. 13, — 16. Rom v. 20, 21 • (2.) God hath not granted the means of eternal falvation to the moft of mankind : — nor doth his granting them to any ex- hibit his decree of faving them, but the trtic method of ob- taining falvation, and their duty to comply with and im- prove it, Mark xvi. 16. As expeBing the converfion of reprobates. To pretend that he expeSis any thing which never happens, is to deny his infi- j)ite wifdom and knowledge. (4,) God's requirement of ;heir proper duty from gofpel hearers is his appointed mean of effedlually converting his eleft, — even as Chrid's calling of Lazarus to fow^yi;-/^' and the widow's fen and niler's t;laughter to ar'tje^ wat ^is decreed mean of aiflually raifing them from the dead H— l»nd mean while itrcndcrs reprobates A a much 86 Of the Decree* and Purposes of GoJ.- much more ufeful and happy in this world, than otherwHe they would be. , Objec. IV. " If God, by a fecret and unchangeable a<^ of his wiii, hath conllgned multitudes of mankind to ever- fafting ruin, how can he> in a confiftence with uprrghtnefs and llncerity openly declare, that he is not willing that any iliould perifli, but that all Ihould be faved and come to the knowledge of the truth, Ezek. xxxiii. ii. i Tim. ii. 4. 2 ret. iii. 9 ? How can he impofe a law upon them, to be o- .beyed under pain of damnation, while he himfelf is unalter- ably refolved to withhold from them all power and ability to keep it ? How can he be ferious and carnefk in calling men to repentance and falvation, if by his own unalterable purpofe, he hath rendered both utterly impolTible ? How can he profefs to wiih their welfare, or promife them eter- nal life upon conditions, which are iiifallihly bindred by his own decree ; — or to offer it to them, upon whom be is un- altcrab'y determined never to beftow it." Answ. (j.) The ferlpture never declares, that God is inclined to have every .individual of mankind, Judas, Antichrift, ^c. faved, but the contrary, John xvii p, 12. iThelf. ii. 4, 11, 12. Rom. ix- 22. Now, if one be appointed to v/rath, it will affecl •the fincerity. of God, in the fenfcof the objection, as much as if it were ten thoufand millions. (2.) We readily grant, that men of all nations^ ranks, and conditions, are actually faved, than which the fcripture never affirms any thing more univerfal, on this point, i Tim. ii. 4 2 Pet. iii. 9. with Joelii. 26. Jolin xii. 32. and xvi. 9. Rev.vii. 9. (3.) Be the purpofe of Gotl what it will, his holy, iuft, good> and exceeding broad law, binds, and will for ever bind, both devils and men toholinefs, nayto psrfeiflion in holinefs ; otherwife they could not comm.it iin, Rom. iv. 1^. and r, •13. 1 John iii. 4. — And, men's attempts to obey it are re- V'arded m this tire, or in the rtot with, at lcaf>, iefs degrees oFpuniHiment, Matth >i. ai, — 24. and xii. 41, 42. (4) As, in ordinary caies, no m.?.n, in this life, can certainly know, that he is included in God's reprobating decree, — and as it, in no cafe, lays any rcflraint or force upon men's vill, it cannot be it, but their own inward corruption and tnmity againft God, which hinders their care or endeavours to promote their eternal happinefs. (5.) Mod of thefe ferip- tures, in which God appears to wifli men's Vv'clfare, and to promife them happinefs on condition of their obedience, dire<^ly rela'-e to the felicity of the Jews in Canaan, — which they held upon the foot of Tuch reformation and behaviour, as Of the Decrees and Purposes of God. 187 was partly m their own power without any afllliance of fa v- ing grace, Dcur. v. 29. and xxxii. 29- Plalm Ixxxi. 1 :•. Ifa. i- 19, 20. Ezek. xviii, 30, — 32. and xxxili. 1 1- Jer. vi. 8. (6.) Spiritual pardon and ialvation are never fecured by promifc to any, but fuch as have true faith, — and that not as a proper condi; ion, but as a mean of receiving them,-;- and hence as a fruit of eleY this,- and ^^t (jre^t^*^ them, as it is certxin he hath dane. 0/ the Becilels and V\]-BifOst.s of Gad. i?0 done, wherein is he a whit more benevolent than the aboVe defcribed decree of reprobation admits ? (4.) If the a^lual liappening of fin and damnation among angels and men be not Shockingly unworthy of God, how is it pollible, that his purpofe relative thereto, can be fo ? . Objec. VIII. " Men in general are called by God to be- lieve the gofpel, and make fure their eleSlion^ which necef- farily fuppofeth, that none of them are irreveriibly repro- bated." Answ. (i.) None but the hearers of the gofpel, who are not perhaps the hundredth part of mankind, are called to make fure their eleftion, 2 Pet. i. 10. 2 Cor. xiii. 5. (2.) God's command to make fure our eleBiouy proves that only fome, not all, men arc eledled to everlafting life : For, why labour, with all diligence^ to make fure that which is common to every otiey as common to their very ra- tional nature .? (3.) If men's election be fufpended on their final perfeverance in faith and hoiinefs, as our opponents pretend, it cannot be made fure in this life, nor perhaps in that which is to come. Some angels perfevcred as ill in heaven, as Adam did on earth, Jude vi. 2 Pet. ii. 4* Objec. IX. " If faith and hoiinefs be the conditions of men's eternal falvation, and unbelief and impenitence the conditions of their damnation, they muft necelTarily be the conditions of that decree, which fixeth their falvation or damnation." Answ. Faith, repentance, and new obedi- ence, 2.vt not proper conditions oi OUT {-nXwTitwn \ but proceed from our being united to Chrift, and intercfted in him and his falvation. They are firft fruits of that falvarion, by which we receive and improve begun falvation, and are pre- pared for complete falvation in heaven, Phil. i. 29. Eph. ii. 10. Rom, vii. 4. and vi. 14. and viii. 2. (2.) It is ex- •trcmely abfurd, to iniHl: that the caufes of a purpofe, and the means of executing it, muft be the very fame. The Jews murder of Chrift was a mean of rendering him our a- toning facrince. Was it therefore the caufe of God's pur- pofe to fet him forth to be our propitiation i Acts ii. 23, 24. and iv. 27, 28. Fleb. ii. 10. and and v. 8. Luke xxiv. 26. with John iii. 16. Rom. v. 8. 1 John iv. 9, 10, 19. Paul's perfecuting r?.ge and Onefimus's theft were occalional means of their remarkable converfion to Chrift, Were they there- fore caufes of their ele(5tion to eternal life i* — All thlnjrst fins, devils, troubles, ^c. work together for believers l"piritu?l and eternal advantage, Rom. viii. 28, 2 Cor. iv. 17. Were therefore tins, devils, and troubles, the caufes and conditi- ons of believer's eledion tofpirituai and etsrnal happincl^ P*^- Can 190 Of the Decrees and Purposes of God. Can fruit on trees be the caufe of their root ? or water in ciflerns, vcfleis, or ftreams, be the cauf« of the fountain ? Reflect. Having thus reviewed the myfterlous purpo- fes of Jehovah, think, O my foul, if even the fuppofed pof- fibility of his having loved me, — having fo early loved me, and thouglu on me, in my low eftate, ought not, in the earlieft periods of rny life, to have inftigated and animated me, to exercii'e my utmoft care and diligence in improving the gofpcl method of certainly knovping that thefe things were fo. — Upon the apprehenlion of a mere poflibility of fu- ture exiftencc in this world, what thoughts, — what cares,— what labours I have exercifed about the concerns of it, from time to time ? — \¥hy then ib few, and thefe fo languid, 1q lifelefs, about things of infinitely greater importance ? — things of infinite — of everlafting confequence ? But, hath the great, the eternal God, thought, — alway thought on, and loved me ! And have I fpent fo many moments, — fo many hours, — {o many years of my fliort life, — without thoughts, — without high, fixed, and heart inflaming thoughts of hiia ? — v.^ithout love, — without fuperlative love, without an all-lubjecling, — all aflxmilating, love to him ! Hath the infinite Jehovah, with all his heart, chofen me to be h.is veJTel of mercy , his jeively his portion^ his friend^ his ch'ildy his bride ! Ought not I, if I had ten thoufand hearts, — ought not I, with them all, to choofe Him? — Him, who is infinite loveliness and love, for my Savi- our, my Friend, my Father, my Husband, my God, my ALL ? Palling by millions, not one of them worfe, ('.id he fct me apart for himfelf ! And fhall not my foul pre- fer him to every tnne of creation ? — Whom, my infinite ALL, have I in heaven, but thre, what on earth do I, — - dai-e I, defire befides thee ? — Hath he, in his perfons and perfedions, (o exerted himfelf in the eftabliiliment of my eleftion, — my etern?d falvation ! — Let me v/ork together with Him, giving all diligence to make my callijig and elec-> ' tlorifiire, Did he choole me to hoHnefs, -^lo love? Let me follow hard after it, as a part, a mean of m,y eternal felici- ty.—^Huth his unchangeable purpofe infallibly fixed me and my everlaiVing falvation, in himfelf.'' Let me be ftcdfaft, ilamoveable, alway abounding in the work of the Lord. — But, Is there a tremendous purpofe of reprobation } Break not through, my foul, unto the Lord to gaze. But, if I be uncertain with refpe£l to my firate, let me exceeding- ly fe::r aud quake,— Let xne efcape fop my life. Arife O .my tf the Decrees and TuRPCsts ^ Ccd. \gt my flceping foul ; — cry mightily to thy God, tl.y olFeV'ed Saviour, that he may think on mc, that 1 perilh not. Let roe give him no reft, till my lalvalion go forth as a lamp that burneth, till he fay, Pear v.ot^ lam with thee , he not difmaycdy I am thy God. — I have loved thee ivith an cvcrlafl" ing love^ and therefore ivith loving-lindnefs have I draivn thee. ■—But have I, in God's light, perceived, that he hath not appointed me to wrath, but to obtain falvation through owr Lord Jefus Chrift; ? — Let me then, for ever, admire, — for ever adore, his fovereign mercy and grace, that left not me to perifhin my fin, when he pafled by thoufands, — nay, millions of my brethren in iniquity, whofe crimes he forc- faw, would be fewer, and far lefs aggravated, than mine- — Many, O Lord my God, are thy gracious thoughts to me- ward : they are^'^one above all thought : when I fpeak of them, they are more than can be numbered. C H A P- IV. Of God's Execution of his Decrees in his Works cf Creation owi Frovi dekce. GOD's execution of his decrees includes \\\i givhig a being to all things in creation, and his upholding and governing that being in providence. His work ot creation was chiefly performed bv him in the firft: fix days of time, without making ufe of any inftrumentsw His work of providence, in which he employs inftnunents, hath been, 1^, and conftantly will be, carried on through all eternity. As his decrees had no begiiviir.g, the execution of thetsi will have no etid, I. The tvorld did not exift from eteTnity, The actual in- finity of the duration of matter or any other fiaite^being, Is altogether inconceivable The late invention ofuleful . aris ; — the fiiort reach of hiftory into pafi: periods of but ri "■feV thoufand years; — the room on the earth for m-my TO^re'inhibitan:?, though they have besn gcncraiiy on the iutrcafc, tpi Of God's Execution q/ his Decrees Jncreafe; — the remaining heights on the furface of it, not- withftanding they are gradually Wafiicd down by the raloj Is'c. prove that it cannot be eternal. But from fcripture xve learn, that it had its beginning little more than 5,780 years ago. — Common fenfe plainly dictates, that the world could not make itfelf, or be formed by a fortuitous concourfe bf atoms. But the fcripture informs us, That God, F^therj Son, and Holy Ghoft, by the word of his power, created all things in fix days, — in the moft diftin£l and orderly man- ner,— all very good in themfelves, and marvelloufly fitted to anfwcr their re(pe£tive ends and manifold connexions. Gen. i. ii. Exod.xx. 11. andxxxi. 17. Heb. i. 2. Prov. iii, Ip. Col. i. 16. Rom. xi. 56. Job ix. 8, 9. and xxvi. 10, — 13. and xxxviii. Pfahn xxiv. i, 2. and xxxiii. 6, — 9, and xcv. I, — 6. and cii. 25, 2(5. and civ, 3, — 6, 19, 24. and Ixxxix. II, 12. and Ixxiv. 16, 17. and viii. i, — 4. and cxix. 73, 89, 90, 91. and cxlv. 8. and cxlvi. 5, 6. attd c. 3. gnd cxlviii. i, — 6. and cxxxvi. 5, — 9. Neh. ix. 5, 6. Prov. XXX. 4. and xvi. 4. Ita. xl. 1 2, 26. and xlii. 5. and xliii. 5, i;, 2r. and xliv. 24. and xlv. 7, ri, 12, 18. and xlviii. 13. and li. 12, 13. and Ixiv. 8. Jer. x. ii, — 16. and v. 22. aiid xxii. 5. and xxxi. 35. and xxxii. 17. Amos iv. 12, 13. Zech. xii. i. John i. i, — 3. A£ls xvii. 24, — 26. and iv. 24. i Pet. iv. 19. Rev. iv. 11. Heb, iii. 4. — and that angels in heaven, and men upon earth were the prin- cipal creatures which he formed. Job xxxviii. 6,7. Pfalm ciii. 19, 20, 21- and civ. 4. Gen. i. 26, 27. andii. 7, 22. and V. I. Angels, properly fo called, are fptritual creatures which God formed for his particular attendants and minifters, Pfalm civ. 4. — ^Thefe hofts of heaven were created during the firfl: fix days. Gen. ii. i. Exod.xx. il. Before that, nothing but abfolute eternity had place, Pfalm xc. 3. Prov. viii. 23, 24. Eph. i. 4. Mat. xxv. 34. It is moft pro- bable, that they were created on ihtJirJJday, as theypraii- ed God when he laid the foundations of the earth, Job xxxviii. 6, 7. Being creatures, they muft be finite in their faculties, endowments, and prefence, Mark xiii. 32. — none of them can be in different places at once, Dan. ix. -21, — 23. and XX. 13, 14. They are reprefented as now ei- ther in heaven or hell, Mat. xviii. 10. and xxii. 30. 2 Pel. ji. 4. Jude, 6. They are unembodled fpiritSt endowed by God with a very extenCve underftan^llng and aitive will. And though they can 7« his Werh o/" CREATION. I93 can afflime ■''bodies of condenfated air, in which they may appear to men. Gen. xviii." 2. and xix. i, 5. and xxxii. i. yet no body is- ever perfonally united to their fpiritual fub- itance, ITalm civ. 4. Heb. i. 7, — 14. Eph. vi. • 12. Luke J^xiv. 39. and xx. 35, 36. Col. i. 16.— —They have a very extenfive knowledge, natural, acquired, or revealed, 2 Sam. xiv, jy. and xix. 27. I Cor. xiii. I, 2. 2 Cor. xi. 5, I4. I Kings xxii. 23. Dan. vii ; viii ; ix ; x •, xi ; xii. Zech. r, ] — vi. Rev. i. a. Eph. iir. 10. i Tim. lii. 10. i Pet. i. 12. • Their knowledge refembles ours, in their manner of increafing and exercifing it : — and being finite, it never ex- tends to future ev^ents which God hath not revealed, — or to the depths of divine myfteries, Ifa. xH. 22, 23, 26. and xlyi. 10. Mai-k xiii. 32. Eph. iii. 10. I Pet. i. 12. — nor to any immediatedifcernment of men's thoughts or inward dif- poruions, I Kings viii. 39. Pfalm cxxxix. 2, 4. Prov. xvi. 2. I Sam. xvi. 7. Jer. xvii. 10. John ii. 25. Acts i. 24. l Cor. ii. II. Rev. ii. 23. i Chron. xxviii. o- and xxix. 17. Their freedom of will, dependent on God, but now- fixed with refpeO to the objetfls of its choice, is evidently marked in the voluntary obedience of holy angels and rebel- lion of bad ones againft God their Maker, Pfalm c iii. 20. Mat. vi. ID. Luke xv. 7. i Pet. i. 12. with John viii. 44. Jude, 6. 2 Pet. ii. 4. i Pet. v. 8.. 2 Cor. ii. 11. andxi. 3. I Kings xxii. 22. The greatnefs of their power is mani- feft from exprefs declarations of fcripture, Pfalm ciii. 20. 2 Their, i. 7. 2 Pet. ii. 11. Eph. vi. 12. Rev. xviii. i, 2. and from their many mighty exploits, — as flaying of all the firit born of Egypt, in one night, Exod. xii. 29. Pfalm cxxxv. 8. — killing of feventy thouland . Ifraelites in a few hours, I Chron. xxi. 14, 15. — and an hundi-ed and eighty-five thoufand valiant Affyrians in one night, 2 Kings xix. 35. Ifa. xxxvii. 36. and x. 34. 2 Chron. xxxii. 21. But it is finite, limited by God, Job i. 12. and ii. 6. Mat. viii, 31. Rom. viii. 31. — end cannot, by any immediate influence, bow men's hearts, Prov. xvi. i, 0. and xxi. i. Pfalm ex. 3. Deut. XXX. 6. though, by impreflions and fuggeftions, they may much influence their condut^t, Eph. ii. 2. AiTls v. 3. Luke xxii. 3, 4. John xiii. 2, 27. — nor. can it perform any thing /);-i!/»fi-/y miraculous, Pfalm Ixxii. 18. and Ixxxvi. 8. and cxxxvi. 4. Exod. xv. ii. Angels are exceedingly numerouSjPfalm Ixviii. 17. .Deut xxxiii. 2. Mat. xxvi. 53. Jude, 14. Dan. vii. to. Rev. v. II. with Mark v. 9. Their being called armies^ pnnc:-' pc^it^s^ fozversy t.hrcnesy domifi-cnsy kz. denotes, their or-: tg4 Of Gadh Execution of his Decrees derly arrangement, and probably alfo their difference o? rank or ftarion, Gen. ii. i. Col. i. i6. and ii. lo. i Per. -iii. 22. Eph. i. 22. with vi. 12. Col. ii. 15. But, what their order, or ranks are, we know not ; — nor whether the name Archangel be afcribed to any but Chrift, 1 Thefl'. iv. 16. Tilde, 19. Dan. xii. i. Rev. xii. 7. — who is often cal- led an Angela or ihe A I'gel — Jehovahy Gen xlviii. 16. Acls vii. 30. Il'a. Ixiii. o- Mai. iii. i. Exod. xxiii. 20, 21. Job xxxiii. 23. Gen. xvi. 7, 9, 10, 11, 13. and xviii. 2, 17, 22. and xx'i. 11, 12, 15, 16. and xxxii. 24. Hof. xii. 3, 4. Judges, ii. I, — 4. and vi. 11, 12, 14, 20, — 23. andxiii. 3, 9, 13, 16, 17, 18, — 22. Zech. i, — vi. Rev. vii. 2. and viii. 3, and x. 1,5,9. All the angels were created in an holy atid happy fate, (i.) •The infinite holiners and goodnefs of God require that eve- ry rational being be formed in perfecSlion of moral rectitude, uniefs an incumbent curie, which could not have place here, prevent it, Pfalm cxix. 68. and civ. 31. (2.) The finiflied creation was all very good. Gen. i. 31. — But they were fallible. Multitudes of them being chofen by God to be for ever happy in the enjoyment of himfelf, ftili retain their original knowledge, righteoufncfs and hoiinefs, I Tim. V. 21. Dan. vii. jo. Mat, xxvi. 53. Rev. v. 11. Pfal. Ixviii 17. Deut. xxxiii. 2. Jude 14. Zecb. xiv. 5. Luke ii. 13. Heb. xii. 22. Mat. xxv. 31. and vi. 10. — and are con- firmed by him in their holy and happy ftate, Mat. xviii. 10. and xxii. 30. b'lt not in Chril^, '.vhofe reconciliation by his death they need not, Eph. i. fo. Co!, i. 20. and who is not their Mediator, but men's, Ifa. ix. 6. Zech. jx. 9. Luke ii. II. I Tim. ii. 5. Heb. ix. i^. and ii. \6. Though heaven be their peculiar refidencc, in v/hicli they are per- fectly blelTed in the U\\[ and fmm.ediatG enjoyment of God, — they are often employed on earth, to execute his purpo-. fes. Mat. vi. ic. and xviii. 10= Heb. i. 14. Pfalm xxxiv. 7. • — ♦ "^riieir work i?, (i.) To worfliip God in high prai- fec, A-iited to their nature and flatr;, Pfalm cxlviii. 2. and rlii. 20, 21. Ifa. vi. 3. Heb. i. 6. Luke ii. 14. Rev. v. 11. (2.) To minlfrer to, attend upon, and ferve Jefus Chrift as Mediator, Zcch.i, — vi. Mat.iv. i. Luke xxii. 43. and ii. to, 13. Dan. vii. \o, Pfalm xviii, 17. and xlvii. (j, 6. i Tim. iii. 16. Adts i. to. Phil. ii. 9, ro» i Pet. iii. 22. Rev.-- i. T. and xxii. 16. Heb, i. 14. (3..) To minirter to, — pro- te*ft, admonifli, deliver, inllrn6t, rejoice over, comfort, and tranfport to heaven, — the faints, and to feparate them from the wicked at thehft day, Heb. i. 14. Pfalm x;xxiv. 7. and X in his Works of Cke AT lOK. rp- and xci. ii. Gen. ix. 12. and xxxii. r. A£ls xif. 7, — 10. t Kings X!X. 5. Gen. xxiv. 7, 4c. A6ls x. 5. Dan. vii, — xii. Zech. 1.9, — 14. and ii. 3, 4. A6ls xxvii. 23, 24. Luke xv. 10. and xvi. 22. MA. xiii. 41. and xxiv. 31. (4.) To re- reftcain and punifh the wicked, Dan. x. 20. Gen. xix. 11. Exod. xil. 39. 2 Sam. xxiv, 15, 16. 2 Kings xix. 35 A£ls xii. 23. Pfalm xxxv. 5, 6. — But, it doth not appear, that every particular faint Jiath a parficular guardian angels bi;t angels in general, as direcled by God, attend them, Pfahii xxxiv. 7. Heb. i. 14. Nor will the Jews notion of a guar- dian angel ^ iftheyhadit, be any proof, Acls xii. 15. But many angels, abudng the freedom of their will, quickly fell from that holy and happy fl-ate, in which they were created, by pride or I'omc other lin, 2 Pet. ii. 4. Judc 6. I Tim. iii. 6. They are real perfons, not horrors of confcience. (i.) Perfonal qualities, z% •wiles y Jubtiliy, de*' vifingy tsfc. are afcribed to them, Eph. vi. 11, 12. 2 Cor. ii. II. and xi. 3,, 14. (2.) They tempt, ly in vi^ait for, T^tid deftroymen, Gen. iii. i, — 8. 1 Kings xxii. 22, 23 Mat. iv. I, — fo. I Pet. V. 8. John viii. 44. James iv. 7, i Cor vis. 5. Zech. iii. i, — 3. Pfahn cix. 6. (3.) They believe the exigence of God, and tremble at it, — ^nd Ihall be eternally pnniflied, James ii. 19. Mat. viii. 29. and xxv, 4T, — - — Their punilhment began with the firftmoment of their fin- ning in their being expelled heaven, and fnut up in chains of dnrknefs ; but they were not fo confined to hell, as to hinder their acting on earth, 2 Pet. ii. 4 Jude 6. i Kings' xxii. 22, 23. Job i. 7, — 12. and ii. 2, — 7. Pfalm Ixxviii. 49. Mat. iv. I, — 10. and viii. 29, 31, and xvi. iB. Eplv. vi. 1.1, 12, 16. 2 Cor. il. If. and xi. 3, 14. Luke x. 18. Rev. xii 7, — 9 and xx i, — 9. — It was increafed by the incarnation, public miniflrations, and death of ChriH, -and by the fpread of the gofpel, and ereclion of the Cliriftiiii church, Gen. iii. 15. Col. ii. 15. Heb. ii. 14. i Johniii. R, Mat. xii. 43. and will be compleated at the laft day, M.v. XXV. 41. and viii 29. Rev. xx. 10, 14 In this world, thefe fallen angels, or devils, exert thcmfeWes to tlieir 'it- moft, (li) In taking away the truths of God's word from men, particularly in hearing the gofpel, P^ark iv. 15 (:.) In tempting, accufing, and molefling the faints, Mat. xvL. 23. I Cor. vii. 5. 2 Cor. ii. 10, it. and xi. 3, 14. Luke xxii 31. Rev. xii. 9, 10. Zech. iii. 1, — 3. i ThelT. ii. f8. a Cor. xii 7. 1 Pet, v. 8. Rev. ii. 10. and xii. 7. (3.) In ledncing the wieked ?nd retaining them in their corrupt and mil'erii.blc eftatC; John xiii. 2, 27. A(^s v. 3. Mat. , \ B b 2 * xii. 1^6 Of God* s Execution of his Decrees xii. 43. — ^leading them into error and delufion, 2 Co.r. iv. 3, 4. 2 Theff". ii. p, 10. Rev. xx. 3, 8, 10.— or entering into familiar fellowrnip with them, Ex<»t!. xxii. i8. Lev. xix. 31. andxx. 6, 27. Deut. xiii. i. and xviji. 10,1^1,14. Ifa. viii. 19, 21. Exod. vii. 11, 12, 22. and viii. 'f^ 18. Num. xxiv. I. I Sara, xxviii. 7, — 9. (4.) In entering into men's bodies to render them delirious, furious, Is'c, i Sam. xvi 14. Miat. iv. 25. and ix. 32. and xii. 22. and xv. 22. andxvii, 15. Nor (5 ) Do we know, what influehce they have in raifing ftorms, producing difeafes, ^r. Eph. ii. 2. Jobi. 19. and ii. 7. Mankind was the other more excellent dafs of God's creatures, in which the angelical and animal natures were marvelioufly united, Gen. ii. 7, Eccl, xii. 7. Adam and Eve were the firft of this dafs and parents of all the reft, Afts xvii. 26. I Cor. xv. 45. Rom. v. 12. Gen. ii; v ; x. I Chron i. The parts of their nature were, (1.), An-e- rect body of unparalelled comelinefs, and formed to point them out as lords of this lower world, under God, ajrd qua- lified for the contemplation of heavenly things,, 5^3' cxxxiv. 14, 15, Eccl. xii. 2, — 4. Ifa. Ixiv. 8. Gen. ii.' 9, 22. (2.) A rational foul, one of which- is united tO every hu- man body, Heh. iv. 12. i Theff. v, 23. Gen, ii. 7. Mat, X. 28. and xvi. 26, i Cor. vi. 20, Zech. xii. i. Pfal. xxii. 20. and XXXV. 3. and xix. 7. and xxv. i. — It is not in any re- fped corporeal but fpiritual, Eccl. xii. 7. Ifa. Ivii. 16. Luke xxiv. 39, Mat. x; 28. Acls vii. 29. — It is only in a figura- tive manner, that it is reprefented asy^fw, or as having hands, a tongue, or the like. Human fouls are not generated by parents, but immedi- ately created by God, (1.) The fouls of Adam and Eve were not formed of duft, but immediately created by God, Gtn. ii, 7. (2.) God alone is reprefented as the father cr former of fouls, Eccl. xii. 7. Ifa. Ivii. 16. Pfalm xxxiii. 1^. IZech. xii. I. Heb. xii. 9. Num. xvi. 21. A<^s xvii. 28, 29. (3. Souls- cannot perifii along with generated bodies, Mat. x. 2^. I C^x!'.' xjft''.42, 53. Luke xii. 20. Adls vii. 59, 60. — (4.) Souls being indiviiible, parents cannot communicate a- Rjr part of theirs to their children in begetting them.- — r-In Gen. xhi. 26. and many other places, fouls 2re put for hu^ manperfons, including both foul and body, or for the bo- '", Gen. xlvi. 22. vvith Lev. xix. 28. Nor can foiils die ' "h their bodies, but are immortal, (i.) Being notjconi" ^ . ^:ci\ of partSj they ax ^^aaUird'y incapable of d^()>J.ntiou, Mat. in his Worhs of Creation. g| \f>j Mat. X. 28. (2.) Though their capacities be very extenfivc, the^' make fmall improvements in this life, Prov. xxx. 2, 3, rfahn Fxxiii. 22. Phil. iii. 12. I Cor. xiii. 12. (3.) Men, chie%|l£iints, have a great defire after immortality, Luke ii. 254»^-30. 2 Cor. v. r,— 8. and iv. 1.7, 18. Phil. i. 23. (4.) Cod'i juiHce requires the immortality of fouls, that they maybe puniflied, or rewarded, in a future ftate, Eccl. iii. i(5j 17, (<;.) Scripture reprefents fouls as furviv- ing thqft bodies with whfch they had been perfonally united, Matth X. 28. Eccl. xii. 7. Luke xxiii. 46. and xvi. 22, 23. A6ls vii 59, 60. Gen. ii. 7. with r Cor. xv. 45, 18, 19. i Pet. iii. 19. Rev. vi. 11. Matth. xxii. 32. 2 Cor. v. 1, — 8. Phil. i. 22, 23. (6.) One foul is of mexpreffibly more im- portance than the whole world, Matth. xvi. 26 : — It is only jn refpe^ of their body, that men's death is like to that §f bealls, or renders them incapable to know things, or praife God, Eccl. iii. 17, 2c. and ix. 5. Pfalm xxx. 9. and cxv. 17. Ifa. xxxviii. 18. — But, this immortal foul conti- nues ciafely united into one perfon with its body, while it is capable of being its relideuce. Job ;v. 19, 2 Cor. v. i. Phi!, i; 23. z Pet. i, 14, Acts xx.'io, Man was created after the image of Gody in fpiritual know- ledge, righteoulnefs, and holinefs, his mind duly difcern- ing every proper objedl, and his confcience, will, and af- fections awing or inclining him to perform every part of cki- ty towards God, or his fellow creatures, Eccl. vii. 29. Geji. i. 26, 27. and V. I. with Col. iii. ic, Eph. iv. 24. — Evea fince the fall, men fomewhat refemble God in the fpiritua- iity, intelligence and immortrility of their foul, Gen ix.. 6. James iii 9. But nothing of that original moral wifdom, righteoufnefs, and holinei's, in which the image of God properly confifted is to be found in them, till it be rellored in regeneration, Rom. iii. 23. and viii. 7, 8. Eph v. 2. and ii 1,-3. and iv. 23. Col. iii. 10, and ii. 11.2 Cor. v. 17. and iii. 18. Aits xxvi. 18. i Pet. i. 23. 2 Pet. i. 4,-— This moral conformity to God, though not eircntiai to, o'' infeparablefrom, man's foul is called ;/«^?/ra4'gs-it'^Vas"coii- created with, and in him, agreeable to his 11 .ry to anfwer God's end In making it, and to b;. lo;-,^;. -jJ. u- long with it m the propagation of mankind. Gen. 1.31. Ecci. vii. 29. — And the remaining refcmblance of our foul to God in reff>»eA of its i'piritual fubflance and agency is ftill naiu- rtii, Rom. ii. 14, and i. 20. Gen ix. 6. \ Cor. xi. 7. — But our evil concupilcence, not being from God, cannot be jia- tutai in the primary rueaning oi tb^t word;— though om- na- ■^'■' tur« .98^ Qf Gois Execution of his Decrees tare 'be iiotv Infefted with it,, in its very formation.— Hav- ing this^ moral image of God concreatcd in his whole ■'ffcful, Adam had full ability to have believed on Chrift, if he could have been exhibited to him in his innocent ftate,*^Eccl. vii. 29. And it is, by this very, image of God, imperfcerfect than they, and hath brought them into exiilente, he hath an undoubted right, and all-fuffici- ent iitnefs, to uphold and govern them. Having infinite knowledge to difcern all their qualities and connexions ;— r infinite wifdom to conduct them to their proper ends, infi- nite power to uphold and manage them, notwittiftanding all their flrength, miichievouihefs, jarring, paffonS-^.in^ ftinas flings or immediate aims, — Infinite holinefs and eq"y t» prevent culpable partiality or impropriety in his conduct,- — infinite patience to bear with offenders, while ii can he for his glory, ^^'^ their good, — and omniprefcnce, rendering him ei^ually near to each of them, he cannot but be infinite- ly fit for this work, (a.) His own perfe(ftions require him to uphold, and govern all his creatures. His independency requireshitn to hold all things hi perpetual and immediate de- pendency ©n himfelf. His wildom requires him to make all his creatures anfwer the ends, for which he formed them. His goodnefs requires him never to foriake the work of his hands. Even his equity forbids, that they fhould be brought into being, and then left to fhift for themfelves. (3.) Their very nature obligetli thenit to'a conftant depen- dence on God. They cannot fubiill a moment without new fupport fronn^ his infinite power, wifdom, and goodnefs. And having formed tliem to be receivers from, not givers •to, him, his providence muft fupply them according to their necefllties, jis far as his own glory, the chief end of their creation, can permit. (4.) The regular motions of the hea- venly bodies, — the regular ebbing and flowing of the fea, — the regular returns of day and night, fummer and winter, feed-time^and harveft, — the periodical retirements of many animals to places fuitable to the feafon, their fagacity in de- fending or providing for themfelves, and in forming their lodgings, hatching or nourilhing their young,'-^the near .ipproaches of thofe animals, which are ufeful to mankind, and retirement of hurtful ones, into woods and defeits, or deep orciiftant places of the fea -,- — the multiplication of the more ufeful animals, while noxious ones, which are natu- r.ally more prolific, are not fufFered to abound ; — the afto- niihing variety obfsrvable in animals, vegetable?, and other things, feemingly fimilar j — the amazing diverfification of men's faces, voices, tempers, and forms of writing, taken as connefted with the order and fafety promoted by it ; — the conftant proportion of men and women anfwerablc to their circumftances j — the frequent counterplotting of men's moft fagacious projects, and defeating their m^oft forcible and pro- mifing attempts •, — the many miraculous counteractions of the ordinary laws of nature, — and a thoufand other like aflions irrefragahly manifeft a divine providence managirg the world. (5.) The exa£l correfpondencs of thouiands, Ihad almofl faid of every event, relative to perfons, families or nations, and efpecially relative to Chrlft and hi.> church, with ti^f predsctior.s of fcripturc, plainly demoriftrate, thr^t God. ^^.., ■;,,"^ ■ • ■■ ' . ■''- ' ■ ■ the aod Of GecPs EXE C U T? 0 N of.J)k .Deems 'i the ^edii^er hath .the upholding antlf'v^overnine^itr^fj^l things in his own hand. (6.) The fcriptures no leis pilainly declare that God, Father, Son» and Holy Ghoi^, by. the agency of his own will, upholds arid governs all, his crea*- tures, John v. 17. Heb. i. 3. Col. 1. 17. Job. xxxni.; 4* Pfalm civ. 30. Dan. iv. 34, 35. Rom. xi. 3<5. Ephi?!jf.?ifn Rev. iv. II. Ifa. xli. 4. and xlv. 5, 6. and xtv^^^j^Ff^— 13. Job xxxvii. 6, and xii. 9. and xxxviii ; — — xli. i^falm. viii ; is. and xix. i, — 6. and xlviii ; Ixv ; ixvi ; Ixviii ; Ixxviii ; ciii ; civ ; cv ; cvi ; cvii ; cxiv ; cxxxv j cxxxyi ; cxlv ; cxivi; cxlvil; cxlviii. Ezek. ix •, xx. l3fc. .;.. ^.^rW ^- In this work of providence God upholds and governs. ALL his cyeattii'es, and all their actions, Heb. i. 3. Rom xi-. 36. Eph. i. 1 1. Col. i. 17. Ifa. xlvi. 10. Rev. iv. i r. (r.) all 'irr'dt'isnal creatures — -animate or inanimate, great or fmalh, Neh. ix. 6. Pfalm xxxvi. 6. and civ. 19, — 21. Dan* iv* 35. Job xxxvii ; xli. Pftlmviii; civ; cv; cyi;,cvjii cxxxvi; cxlvj cxlviii. Hof. ii. 18, 21, 22. Ezek.xxxiv. 25^. Matth. vi. 28, — 33. and x. 28, — 31. Exod...viii. ^6, 17," and X. 12- Deut. xxviii. 28. Joel ii. 20, 25. Hen9e .ftars and rivers fought as his troops, in deftroying Jabin's army, Judg. V. 20, 21. frogs, flies, and lice plagued the Egyptian opprefTors of his people, Exod. viii ;•■ x. Serpents pu- nilhed the murmuring Ifraelites, Num. xxL, hornets, drave out the wicked Canaanites, Exod. xxiii. 28. mice plague.d. the profane and murderous Philiftiiies, i Sam. ,v. 5. bears and lions executed his vengeance on the profane fcotFers of Bethel, the difobedient prophets, and idolatrous Samari- tans, 2 Kings ii. 24. and xvii. 25'. i Kings xiii^f If^ai^, 1 Kings xvii ; xviii. JameS v. 17.— ravens •^ ' C c . - vrhick 2P2 0/ God's ExncVT ion of hij Decrees which feed on carrion, regularly provided Elijah with clean flefh, I Kings' ~xvi}. 6. ^ whale fwrallowed up Jonah,, and after three days landed 4iim in a proper plac«, Jon». i^ 17. and ii. 10. an outrageous fiery furnace burnt the^ l?oi;i6S of Shadrach, Melhach, and Abednego, while.it d^d not finge their clothes or hair, Dan. iii. ip)-*— ^37 ;— hungry Oons at- tended Daniel a whole night,, without hurting him in the leaft, — but furioufly devoured his accufcrs, Dan vi. ??, 23, 24; — (3.) All flmfl'^w^fl/ motions as the flipping of an ax head, — falling of a lot,— or fixing of a random arrow in the joint of a coat of mail, i^c. Exod. xxi. 13. Deut» -xix. 5. Prov. xvi. 33. I Kings xxii. 17, 28, 34. Ezejc. xxi.. 1.9,— r^?* Jer. li. 16. Pfalm cxivii. 15, — 18. Matth. x. 29^ Gen. jfxii. 8, 13, (4.) All free actions, which depend on m^n's will, Prov. xvi. I, 9. and xx. 24. and xxi. i. Jer. x. 23. Phil, ii. 13. Gen. iv. 7. and xlv. 5. and v. 20. Ifa. xlvi» 10, ri. and X. 5, — 7. Adts iv. 28. (5.) All civil anions, even the management of armies in the hotteft battles, Ifa. X.-5) 6, 7. Pfalm xlvii. 9. Jer. xxxvi. 19. Prov. viii. 15, 16. Ifa. x; xiii. Jer.. xlvi j — li. Mic ii. 13. (6.) All r»ora/ actions, goody or evi/y Ifa. xxvi. 12. i Cof. iv. 7. Phil. ii. 13. Jam. i. 17. 2 Cor. iii. 5. Exod. x. i. Deut xi. 3, 6. 2 Sam. xii. II, 12 and xvi. 10. and xxiv. i. 1 Kings xi. 14, 26. and xxii. 22. Pfalm Ixxxi. 12. Ifa. vi. 9, 10. andxxix. 14. Jer. iv. 10. Ezek. xiv. 9. and xx. 25, 26. Rom. i. 24, — 28. and ix. 17. and xi. 8, 32. 2 Theff". ii. 10, 11, 12. In re- fpe£t of his operation about thefe creatures and anions his providence may be diftinguifhed into his naturaly miraculous^ Tnoraly -3^6. peculiar providence. God's NATURAL difpenfatioH of providence includes, (i.) His upholding of all his creatures in their exiftence and particular forms, and in their powers of action, motion, or paflion, — and in the a(5lions or motions, themfelves. Job xii. 10. Heb. i. 3. Col. i. 17. Rev. iv. it. Neh. ix. 6. Pfal. xxxvi. 5, 6. and cxlv. 15, 16. and cxivii. 8, 9. Matth, vi. 26, — 30. (2.) His government of them, — which includes, (i.) His fixing of certain laws, or rules, czWed ordinances of heavetiy covenant nuith day and nighty ov the like, according to which he ordinarily regulates his influence, Jer. xxxi. 35, 36. and xxxiii. 25. Pfalm cxix. 90, 91. (2.) His co- operating with, and dire ^iViTcr^/ /Providence, 303 Hats &Ji'K^,-'-and onfuch particular objeBsy-^zrA in fuch a tnanner, Kai X. 5. Ezek. xxi. 21, — 23* Jot) i. 12. and ii. 6. Adls i. 26. Exod. xxi. 12, 13. I Kings xxii. 34. and he ac- curately directs them to their proper ends, Prov. xix. air. and xvi. 1, 9. and xxi- i. Gtn. xlix. 10. ' In Ms ordinary managements of providence God allows fecond caufes to have their full influence, and zOls in, and by them, agreeably to their nature as inferior agents or in- ftruments in his hand ; — But his co-operating influence or concourfe is not merely genera/, fixing a particular imprefllon upon feCond caufes, and then leaving them to move and aft of their own accord ; but it is particularf with every parti- cular creature, and producing every particular motion or aft, in its particular form, (i.) The fcripture reprefents God as exerting particular influences, — in giving victories, Pfalm xxxiii. 16. and xviii. 43. and cxliv. i ; — in giving direftion or fatisfaftion, Pfalm xxiii. i, — 5; ; — in fending Jo- ftph into Egypt, Gen. xlv. 5, 7. and 1. 20 j — in employing the Aflyrians, Chaldeans, and Perfians, as his rody ax^ hanuner, and hojty Ifa. x. 5. 15. and xiii. 14. Jer. li. 22, 23. And fometlmes his terror, falling oil their enemies, procured viftory or deliverance for the Jews, Judg. vii. 14, ' — 11. 2Chron, xiv. 11, — 14. and xx. 22, 23. 2 Kings vii. 6. How abfurd .to imagine, that all thefe were owing to impreflions made upon certain atoms, at the creation ! (2.) If God only made a general impreliion of whateyer kind on things, at the firfl, all things muft: now be carried qn by ne- ceflity of nature, independent of his will ; — and either that impreflion hath neceflarily produced fin in angels and men ; or, they, i^i iinning, have counterafted his almighty influ- ence imprefled. (3.) Such a general concourfe e^vempts his creatures from all continued dependence upon him in their operations, while they are allowed to depend upon him in their exigence, A\^s xvii. 28. Prov. xvi. i, 9. and xxi. I. But concerning this divine co-operation, it mufl: be obferved, (i.) It is not any power tranfmitted from God to his creatures, in order to move them ; but an agency of his own will, by which he maketh fecond caufes to aft, /^ when and how he pleafeth. (2.) The afting of God, zmX^jcf^j^f^^-^ that of his creature, upon which he afts,, are not feparable, ^ ,/:^-^ %or difterent, but he maketh it to aft, not by its own inde- ^i^^Je^ pendent energy, but by the influence ofhisvyilU (3,) No creatures are left to determine the influence of God's con- courfe with them, as they pleafe, as the. nature of the ob- C c 2. . ■• • • jefts %f4 0/ Gcd's Ext.cvr ton of lis Decrees je^ts upon -which the fun fliines, determines hk^ I'jifltieqcc tproelt, harden, fearch, or fructify thenij iff c:*i^i£:' they.. yere thus left to determine it, his agency would be fobjec^ t€,d to theirs.-, and tbey would do nrore in an action than he did ; — he could be no more the author of gqodthan of evil; Dp decree, could be certain of execution, or any prediftion, proVnife, or threatening, of fulrhnent. (4.) The agency cf God's will muft, in order of nature, not of time, always precede th^t of his creature, in every iiiption or a£t, |lom, 3ti. 36. •;-:/ ., God's MIRACULOUS providence is that in which his a-s gcncy furpafieth, or is contrary to, the influence of fecond .caufes, and ftated rules of his commQn qperation ;— as ir^ floppuig the courfe of the run,-— ;dividing feas,— r-raillng dead perfons, — or giving (ight to iuch as were horn blind, &Cf — God doth not exert more power in working miracles, than iq; common providence, but merely fufpends hiis prdinary in- fluence or counteracts the natural or common influence of pf fecond caufes. — And herein no creature can be any more ithan a moral inftrum.ent of declaring the will of God, by fomc word Of token, that fuch a miracle fliould be wrought, -T— If. we confider the infinite wildom, poys^er, holinefs, juflice, goodnefs, truth, and majefly of God, we may, in ffai niirqc/es, expe*^:, (r.) That the mpral inflrument? w\\\ jtnake t\o Jantajilc or ahfurd application to fugerior powers. ,Jn working miracles, GhfiO: and his prophets and apoftles ^pever did any thing, but what was exceedingly Ample, a? -pronouncing a few proper words, touching the pbje6\s, ftref- j:liing out a rod towards it, Wc. which imported an author fi.tatiye declaration of God's will, (2.) As it would be uu- *^vprtl\y of God to perform an almighty operation for no, or -^j&yeil. an insignificant, pnd, every p^iracle may be expe(^led .to auiwer fome very important end. (3.) As it would be jjn\voith.y of God's wifdom, goodnel.^. b/ rlxeir examplg, inf^rp^* tion, or influence encoucage them in fin, Judg*ix..4.;.i Kings xii. 10,11, Prov.ix. d.and xiii; 20. aad .xx.V;iii-.-..«9i ^4. (5.) He licaps outward favours upon them, jwijich. dccafionally increafe their pride, atiieilm, and fin|u.L,,vi-n-: concern j Luke xii. 16,— 20. and x.vL 19. Job xxi.. "14,-1, |a Ezek^ xvi. 49. Deut. xxxii. 15. Luke xviii. 24, 25-. PJ^hn Ixxiiii 5,-^9. Ifa; w ii, 12. HoC x;iii. 6; (6.) He eichejT' forbears to. afflidl them, or afflicts them very flightlyi or the time, manner, or inftrument of their afflictions is iqchj, that their corrupt heart defpifeth theni, rageth againft thenii or improves them as excitements to lin, Ifa. i.^, Jer. v^,^.' 2.Kings vi. 33; 2 Chron. xxviii. 22- - (7.) By Satanicalor trther influence, their confcierice is retrained from reprov^ ing them, or is fo ignorant or biafTed, that it calls eyil, gpod, and good evil, Gen. vi. 3. Hof, iv. 17. Ifa. v.-i'8j— 23^/ and XXX. 10. Ezek. xiii. 10, 22. Mai. ii. 17. Mic. ii., 1 1.- . The above account of God's blinding meji's inittd findy hardemng their hearty may be illuftrated fro,m ,t|ie , iot ftance of Pharaoh king of Egypt, (i.) God, by exalting - him to an high ftation, afforded him an opportunity of T'e- ^ markable pride. (2.) He withheld from him that gracious influence, which v/ould have humbled his heart, and ren- dered him obedient and willing to let the Ifraelites go; , (3..) He fent him peremptory orders to ^llowthem to depart, , which on account of his claim to them, and of the mellen- gers he fent to demand their liberty, and perhaps alio on account of their throng of work, tended to irritate, the fpi- rit of the proud king. (4.) His mandate was deUvered jn , fuch a form as could lead Pharaoh to reafon upon it, in this manner, " If the God of the Ifraelites be more, powerful . *» tlian I, why (liould he reqneft my difmifiion of his.peo.-.. ** pie ? And if he be weaker, why fliould I fubmit to. hi^ :; *< will, in a point fo exceedingly detrimental to my Jking- " ** dom ?" (5.) A biaffed confideration of the mcflengers, who made the demand in God's name, tempted bira to fui^- •; pe£t, that the Ifraelites were too idle, or chsriilied rome : fuperftitious whim, if not a feditious defign.— rr— (6,) , The firft miracles which Mofes and Aaron wr«ug^j6:^w<|r^;'^ l»Ut ©bjefts of fight, and did no hurt, (7.) The ma- gicians, ■' -fr hii ^i?r t? "^ Fr d V I n E N c E . aop g!^rari#,''tcadj^ counterfeits of thefe firft miracles, natively tempted him to look on the whole as a diabolical farce, and Mo^es and Aaron as jugglers. (8.) The diftinguiihe;d fafe.- ty of the Ifraelites and their property, under the feyeral pWguci Infliflcd on his kingdom, tended to irritate his proud ipirit. (9.) The eafy, fudden, and often repeated remov- als of the plagues, tempted his proud, carnal and wick«d heart to defpife both plagues and deliverances. (10 ) The miracle, which his magicians could not counterfeit, being feemingiy more infignificant than thofe which they had, might tempt him to think, that Jehovah could inflict no worfe plagues than had already happened, (n.) Mofes peremptory refufal to leave a fingle bead belonging to his enflaved nation, when he granted tl>em allowance to go off themfelves, was very provoking to his proud fpirit. ( 1 2.) The Ifraelites carrying off the Egyptians gold and filver,. ftrongiy tempted his haughty and covetous heart to purfue them. (13.) Their travelling to the fouth-eaft, where they were miferably entangled by mountains and feas, in- ftead of going flraight to Canaan, tempted him and his fer- vants to think them under :\o divine, nay, no rational di- rection ; and fo might be eafily forced back to their fervi- tude, which was exceedingly profitable to his kingdom. (14.) Meanwhile, God all along gave him up to the influ- ence of his own corrupt lufts, — to the temptations of Satan, and, no doubt, to the rernonftrances of wicked courtiers, who could fuggeft a multitude of reafons againft his allowing . the Ifraelites to leave the country. 2. God LIMITS finful difpofitions and a£lions, Pfalm Ixxvi, 10. (I.) In Xhtiv dfgreey that they are fo finful and no more, — fo vigorous and no more, ^c. Gen. xx. 6. Jer. ii. 5. (2.) In their extetit and influence, that it reacheth fo far and no farther, Ifa. x. 32. and xxxvii. 29. Pfalm hcxvi. 10. Rev. XX. 2. (3.) In their duration, permitting men to continue them juft fo long, and no longer, Gen. vi. 3. and XV. 13, 16. Dan. vii. 25. Rev. xi. 2. and xiii. 5. He thus limits men's finning, (i.) By withholding from them an ability or oppo^rtunity to commit particular fins, by laying them under poverty, fickneff;, or the like, 2 Chron..xxi. 16, — ^-19. arid xvi. 10, 12. (2.) By cutting them off by death in the beginnint^ and progrefs of their fin- ful courfe, I Kings xvi ; xxii. 2 Kings I, — xvi •, xxiv ; xxv. (3.) By feverely corrcCling or punifhing them for their fin. Job xxxiv.. 31, 32. (4.) By powerfully com iiicing them of . D d rhe 110 O/.GsiPsE-KECijTiOU ef Ms Decrees the evil and tianger of it, Judg. H ; 'a.^- ((pi) ^ftanVc^v^g abd changing their heart, A6ls ii vJxi^'' .S^- - . -f r^f ■ 3. God OVERRULES the finful difpofitions and jSiAions of men and devils, (i.) To his own gloiVj in. makiti^ thec^ Occaiions of his manifeftation of his patience, goodtiefe, .or revenging juflice,-~-and especially in rendering theiiJ occailr ons oF promoting redemption work, in which al^ hi& ',per- fcdlions are glorified to the highefV, Pfal. Ixxvi. lO; R»m'. V. 20, 21. (2.) To the good of hi*, people, in making them, or the troubles procured by them, means of awaken- ing, convincing, converting, humbling, reforming, or fsnic- tifying them, Rom. vii. 14, — 24. Heb. iii. 12, 13^ nn4xii. 29. Ka. Ixiv. 6. iPet. ii. I. Heb. xii. t. and x. a^4,:/l5*' 2 iCor. V. I,— r^. Rom. V. 20, 21. with vi. i^ 2. ..' 1110,1} '■- By God's PECULIAR providehce we mean, thatvvhich h efpecially exercifed about Chiill, as man znii. mediator, and his church. That thele are a peculiar obje<5l of divine providence is manifeft, (i.) All God's dirpenfaiions of pro- .yidencc promote the glory of his grace in Chrill, whofejul- >£/> the church is, Eph.i. 10,22,23. (7.) All power in bea- "ven and on earth is lodged in tii-: hand of Chrit'i^Jn order f^ be exercited for ths good of his church, £ph, ii« 22. Mar. xi. 27. and xxviii. s8. John iii. 35. and v. 22. (3V.) The perfections of God are moft glorloufly difplaved in Ghrift and his church, Eph. iii. 10, 21. She is God's hill, Ffalm ii. 6. andlxxxvii. i. his throne, Jer. xvii. 14. the fir- mament of his power, Pfalm cl. i. hiy for inftruc- tion, Eph. iii. 10. and iv. n, 12, 13. PH^im cxlvii. 19,20. his temple or houfe, Eph. ii. 20, — '22. i Pet. ii. 5. Heb. iii» 6. — She is, as it were, Chrill, the rofe of Sharoil. fpread, .^Chrift furnifhedwith members, — in whom there is glory to God in thchigheft, f Cor. xii. 12. Eph. iii, 2r. Luke tt. 10,-^14. 2 Cor, iv. 6. (4 ) The chtirch hath a nxore near and dear relation to God through Chritl, than any .thing el fe, being his bride, hisiiit:r» his frirnd, his ftock» his jewels, his reft» hb garden, \vs j*6rtion, ^c. Ifa. liv. 5^1 and Ixii. 4, 5.. Song v, i, 'Jt. lvx*k. xvi. 8,— 'I4. and .xxxiv ; xxxvi ; xjsxvii. John x. MA ill. 17. Pfal. cxxxii. 13, 14 Song iv. 12, — 16- and vi.. ;. Dent . x^ixai.. 9. Pial. cxxxv. 4. (5.) God hath a peculiar "fteem ot, ioveto, and delight in, his church a-^^ conne^'le'l with Cijrifl, Jfat %\\. I'5, 19. and xii. 14. and xiiii. 4, 15, ':i. andxljv,; I, i, 6. and Ixii. 3»— 5- Jer. xxxii. 39, — 42. Pfal. Jxxxvii. i, 2. ajid cxlvii. I J. ?,nd cxlix. 4. and cxxxi?. 13, 1,4. Zephv^iii. 17. ^ptWithftandaig unnumbered fiiiful bl^nilhts aiwi provoca- tions ■■ in dis Works of pRoyjfDENCE. 21 1 tjonsy litt'Iovfe one faint more than all the world ^leficies, Ifa. Ivii. 15, — 18. and Ixvi. 2. Geu. vi. 8. (6.) He is ^c- cilifeipfy prcfem with Chriil and his church, 1 Cor. y. \^, .Riv; xrv I. Ezek. xlviii. 35. Hag, i?. 4, 5. (7.) The prny- ^s of Chrlft and his people have a peculiar influence m foi- mi«g the difpenfations ot his providence, John xl. 4 . Zeth. i- 12,— ^15- Rev. viii. 3., — 5. and ?u../^v~ ^* J^"^ xlv., ViL Pfftlm cvi. 23. Ezek, xxii, 30. James v. i5, 17. (8.) Un- der the management of Clod's pro\idence, all things work together for the glory of Chrift and rhc good of! is church, Roni. viii. 28. — For tkis purpofe the world is fo long con- tinued in its prefent form, Acis xvii, 30. 2 Pet. i:i. 9. and by the prefence of Chriil ^ixidhi^ church in it, it is preferr- ed from utter corruption and ruin, Prov. x. 25. Pfalni Ixxv. 3. Ifa. vi. 13. and Ixv. 8. — —All natural things and .all miraculous it^ems are directed to, and promote this gbry of Chriii and good of his people, Hof. ii. i 8, — 23. Exod. iiii— ^xx. Num. xi ; xii ; xvi; xvii ; xx. Jo or extea4.ing the church, Jer. '^^0.; D d i " ^" ^JCiv. Ill Of God's Execution of his Decrees fxiv. 5,-^7 Phil. i. 12. Afts viik 3,> xiH i mi ■%'i\^ ■^xix. ■ I "Wjckedmen are made of great uie.to thechurfito (f.) In fprcading the knowledge of divine truths, Byv^li]^ jfnfluence of Ptolemy king of Egypt, or fome renegade Jeiy%j part of the Old Teftament was tranflated into /Greeks. ;*i wide-fpread language, to prepare the nations for thetfpr^ead; of the gofpel. — Auguftus's enrolment of his fubjeck,- and Herod's confultation, and his murder of the babes, foknina- ly marked Bethlehem the place, and that the date of our Saviour's birth, Luke ii. livr-^T. Mat, ii. i, — 18. {2.\ Iti protefting or providing for the church or her members* Gen. xii. lo, Ifa. xvi 3, 4. Rev. xil. 16. (3 ) In advanc- ing fome of her principal friends and pijlars to great powcg and influence —Thus Saul 3nd Abner prompted JPavidjoJl Sam.jtvi, 2 Sam. iii; v. Pharaoh promoted Jpfep.h,:Geni- ' TiXX. Another Pharaoh and his daughter, r.Meis,. ^XjQcI. .^i,. Nebuchadnezzar and Darius, Daniel, Dan. i,— rivi? ' Aha^ fuferus, Efther and Mordecai, Eflher ii } viii. ^-^4 ^¥i?>'Xe5» Ezra and Nehemiah, Ezravii. Neh. i;. (4.); In:4eUv§ri^g and enriching the church, Ifa. ijciv,. 3, 4, \y, a^d j^yv 11, ••^13.' (5.) In purgiqg the church of her ccri-upt «iemb«ts, by the terrors of perfecution, or even by luckh>g.tlie. blood of faints till fhe be cured^ i John ii. 1,9. lia. x3^vii; 9. and Xxxi. 9. Ezek. xx. 38. — Even devils are ma.de t,0' work to- gether for the good of the church. By takkig poiTeiBon of fuch multitudes in the time of Chrift and his-apoftles, they occafioned multitudes of miraculous confirmations of the gofpel and Meffiahfhip of Chrift. By entering into the Ga^ darene fwine, theyjuftified God's law, which prohibited " the eating of thefe animals, and punifhed the. tranrgf effort of it, — they manifefled Chrift's almighty power and fove- rdgnty, and proved the truth and great importance of his iriiraculous cures.-T Nay, fin itfelf is made toprcmot;eihe h&nour of Chrifi, and welfare of his people, Rom.;V,-2o, STi. Eph. i. 7. I John i. 7, 9. Sarah's- paffion promoted ■ the promifed reftri^lion of Abraham's blejTcd feed to Jfaac, • Gen. xvi ; xxi. Onefimus' theft occafioned his convc/fion to Chrift, and I^^mVs furious perfecution of the faints haAe»r cd his, Philem. 10, Acts viii ; ix j xxii ; xxvi. Gal. i, % Tim. i. Papal fury, clerical hcrriJ iin pieties, and liccntiowg indulgences, occafioned the Proteftant reformaiiion i a.^ Icirtg Henry's pride and lewduefs occafioned his i>rqRiotingariiy Lukeij. 19, 51. Hof. vi. 3. turn a-i kouty Zech. xiv. 7. Gen. xU. 14. Eftner vi. 3, 4. Gen. xxi.^ i'7.^— -abd tiidy James v. u. Job xlii. 10, 12. (8.) Ho\w thjey ^ri^ mikt'ily fweet and bitter, dark and plain, Lam. iii^ i^y ^ Ji' Ifa. li^i^vii. 8, 9^ Hab. iii. 2. (4,) flow they meet tcgc,^,- f/irt-ijoij^iiii. Withxiii.Johnxvi. 33.Eccl.vii. 14. (ij.) Whpt ifeJj^/^i&^Mic. Vt; 8vmi.TxTil.it5, 17. :jer.Vii.;7.^ (6.), 2f4 Of God's Execution ef his Decrees Wovithcy harmonize with fcripture doftrines, Pfal. xlvlii, 8. 1 Cor. i. 26. Jer. xvii. 9. Mat. xxii. 24. with fcripture prophecies, i Tim. i. 18. Amosiii. 7. with fcripture promi- fcs, Jofh. xxi. 45. Pialm cxix. 6-5. Gen. viii. 2flc'Markx. 29, 30. Excel. XX. 24. Prov. X. 9. and xvt. 7. *fith fcrip- ture threatenings, Lev. x. 3. Hof. vii. 12. Mic. iv. 11, i2» 1 Sam. ii. 30. Deut. xxxii. 35. and with fcripture examples, I'lalm cxliii. 5. Jer. xii. 1,2. Pfal. xcii. 6, 7. Eccl. viii. 14. I Cor. iv. 9. Gen. xlvii. 9. '- and how they karmoiiize with each other, in their parts, form, and end,'i Cbr. x. 13. I Pet. iv. 12. Eccl. i. 9j — ^n. or with tlreir, xiwnjpar- ticukr, or common end, Deut. xxxii. 4. Eccl. iii. 1 1. Rom. viii. 28.— or with the prayers of faints, Gen. xxxii. 24, — 26. and xx:4iii. ic. and vi. 8, 9. Pfalm xli. iirEzelc.JS,xxyi. ^/. Gen. xxiv. 45. 2 Cor. xii- 8, 9 Pfalm Ixv. 5. Exod. Xvii. II. Rom. viii. 26, 27. Dan. ix j x. — and how they correfpond wjth thofe fms, which they punirtj, — in time, — in kind, — ^in limilarity, — or in contrariety, i Kings xiii. 4. Judges i. 7. Gen. xix. 24. Lev, x. i, 2. i Cor. xi. 30. Gei>. lii. 5,6. with Pfalm xUx. 20. — Gen. xxx. i. with axxV;, 16, — 19.— Gen. xxvii. i, 6, — 24. with xxix 23.— John xi. 4^;. with Luke xix. 43, 44. and xxi. 24. Reflect. Having thus traverfed the fpacious field of creation and providence, think, O my foul, Ami,— are all thefe beings around me, vilible and invilible, the workman- fiiipof God, and coniiantly preferved and governed by hini } Why do I not then alway confider myfelf as the temple of the living God, and all places as his refidence .'' — Why do not I conrtrintly perceive him, in all things, and enjoy him in all that I meet with ? Why do not I caft all my care, and the care of all the churches, upon him ? — Why do not I take every et-ent as a demonftr.ition of his love to my foul, iiudof his hatred of my fms ? — Why do I undervalue any .thing which Jehovah reckons worthy of his making, fup- t)brt and government ? O his unfathom/able wifdom !^- Iils almighty power ! — -his amazing grace!— his perpetual mindfulneis of his covenant, — that makes ail thefe creatures vork together for his glory and my good ! And Oh, the JiorriJ guilt of abufuig a lingle cre.iture to the krvice of ;iiy finful lulls ! BOOK [ 215 ] B O Q v*ife, holy, kind, and fove-' reign, propofeth to his creatures, can be refufed in a con- fifl:ency with perfeft purity of nature. — Nay, Jefus Chrift could not have refufed any terms, which were propofed to him. He could not refufe them, as Son of God ; his will being the very fame with that of his Father. He could not refufe them as Mediator, without difobedience to Jehovah's infinite authority. Nay, his manhood could not have re- fufed them without finning, which its immediate union to his divine perfon rendered abfolutely impoflible. — To pre* tend therefore, that becaufe Adam durft not refufe the terms, which God propofed, there could be no covenant at all made with him, but a mere law impofed on him, plain- ly includes a denial, that God can enter into any covenant at all, even with Chrift. — If a father who hath a prior, a natural claim to the whole obedience of his fon, require him to perform fome particular fervice in order to obtain a par-' ticular reward, and mean while, furnifh him with food, rai- ment, tools, and every thing neceffary, in carrying on the work, — he cannot lawfully refufe the terms ; and neverthe? lefs, when the required fervice is fulfilled, he hath a right, by his father's promife, to claim the reward. And if fo, there laft expelled from the church of God and hearts of his people.—— Sinai a barren mountain covered with thorns, — ooce terrihle with thunders and li(?htnings, — and far diftant from Canaan, the promi- sed iand, reprefents the covenant of works and legal difpenfation, as pricking men's confciences with charges of guilt, and terrifying them with proclaimed commands and curfes;— bat altogether unlit to bring them into the evangelical and the heavenly reft.-— Ishmarl is an emblem of the Jews and other legaiifts, as early children of . God in their open profefFion ; but continuing under their Ipirituiil bondage, and perfecuting his Chriftian people, and liierefore at lift expelled from his church. Sarah, a free woman, late and fa- pernatural in her conception and child birth, but continning in A- brahaili's family till (he died, prefigured the Chriffian difpenfatioo and covenant of grace, as free, U«e, but Jupernaturally produilive of children to God, and reisainiog in his church til) the end of K\xne. Mount ZiON, pleafant and comeljr, the refidence of God. ia. his temple, and near the middle of Canaan, reprefented that cove- oaot and difpenfation, as fingularly pleafant and beautiful, — blefTed wi«b God's peculiar prefence, — and bringing men to heaven.—— . Isaac hcured out Chriftian and other believers, — laft in orsjifrj-rr- , . boto ©f the Spirit, mac^ free by Chriff,--pcrftcuited bv Jews aiid^ other legalifts,— -but Sxsd acd ev^erlaflinjj members of Ged's tamilf, aod heiis of him^lL 'Ijj^ijfeJlBy .3 real' cpyen^t^betwecn th-em. Xtcrjip^ fl^|o'oi\r prefent p9U^t is, pbyloiis. ,/^.i ,^^" ^^ iuSiciejiily, evident/ ^)^t a,real..c,0\';e,uapt>-Of tliii K(mV jvas made, by G9d[}vi:l\^^d^fn,'m l^i^^ljihgce-nt .ffate,, (T-l' in1ns .tfanradlbn wTth Jvifp„Aye h?.y-e.all,;tb«, regHJ/ttej. o£., a' to veil a n t ^— propc^ _/;« rtif/^-^^opCf , ^ji^i r€a.l,/f r>n j;, a CPl9.*v flition, promiie;-— and penalty In ca^fe of ^/prea^h on.Ad^mti f\, — 21. I Cor. XV. 22. His being their natural fatlier or root could not be the foundation of this imputation, other- wife all his 1ms at leaft before he begat Seth, oiir progeni- tor, behoved to be imputed to us, — whereas all men were conftituted iinners by one offenccy Rom. v. 18. — Moreover, if parental relation inferred imputation of cendu(Sl to chil- dren,, all the iins, if not alfo all the good works of our pro- genitors, efpecially of our immediate parents, behoved to be imputed to us, whereas all men were conftitute contra^mgin this covenant were, f. Gob .Father, Son, aud Holy Gholl, coniidered as the Creator, •Sovereign, Proprietor, and Governoi- of mankind.— In his propofal of ir, he appears as (i.) A GoA oi fupremey uvf Jfoiinded authority^ damping his mere will into a law, to be ^^heyed under the highert penalty, and dilpodng of eternal life, on what terms he plcaled. (2.) A God o^ unbontrded g%idnefs, in eftablilhing with Adam, whom he had newlv created, perfectly holy and happy, a moll proper method of making, him and all his pofterity eternally more happy, on . the eatiell terms. (3.) A God of infinite condefcenfioTiy enter- ing into a covenant with his creatures, and requiring that obwdience by padioD, which' Us might have req^nr^d by mere (y //If Covenant £/* Works. 21^ mere authority*' II. Adam confiderecl, (i;)'As a man p^r-^ • ficilyholy, aficl, rJghfeous.,~~'^ex^ex\.\y inclined and capable td fu}firvYlJ3teycr,pbeviience God requiredV ficcl.'vii. 29. C^Hi; i. 27.,,j>n.(,l v.. I. with Col. iii. io...Eph. iv. 24. Nor ind'eedl woulB a.kiud aud righteous God have required any dbedi*: ence. from, Kim, but what iie had made him capable of per^. fQC^uiig,.McUth.xxv. 24.^Pfahn cxix. 68. and Ixxxvl. 5,1^^ P«i,ut. Xxxii. 4. (2.) As a com.mon public head of all hl-ft natural. polAerity. His being their common Parent fitted hint! to be their moral Head or reprefenrative in this co^ef"* hant. Hence all that defcend from him by ordinary gene- ration, and perhaps Eve alio, were reprel'ented by him in it.^— Indeed Ihe fell by her own perfonai tranrgrefiion, but (o niight any of the reprefentees have done before the con- dition was iL-lfilled, ths covenant confirmed, and the ftate of trial in it finiihed. — Chrifh being the Son of God ; — being from all eternity conftit-uted the Reprefcntative of his owh ele(^ feed in the remedial covenant af grace, — having never any human perfon, — -and being defcended from Adam, not by natural or ordinary generation, but by the liipernatural influence of the Holy Ghoft-, ia virtue of a promife pofterjv or, to his fall, John i. 14. Pfahn Ixxxtx. 3, 4, 19, 20. Ifa. vii. .14, Luke i. 35. Gen. iii. 15.— he could not be repre- fented by him in it- .Jt is lufHciently evident, that Adam truly repvefcriled and iio^dbouiid for all his natural poilerity in this covenant, ( r.-) In ajl. the occ.afional typical covenants which God made with men,.. ..the parent in ibme fenfe rcprefented his poflcrity as NoaH, . Gen-, ix. 9. Abraham, Gen. xvii. 7, 8. David, "2 Sam. vii. i(^. Phinehas, Num. xxv. 10, — 13. the liraelirei,, iJa. lix. 21. (2.) In this matter, Adam is repret'ented as llmilar to Chrift,^ j Cor. xv. 21, 22, 45," — 49. Rom. v. i2, —1\ . And as Chrift and his fpirituai feed are called by the fa??\e i?ame oi. Jacob, Ifraely and Chr'iJ}^ — lb Adam's pofte- rity are, in. the Hebrew original, called by "his name about fpurjuindred and tliirty times. (:?.) Adam's bi-each of this XQVCju&ut.is by an infinitely righteous God imputed, or ftated . in. lr.\v-vreckoninc! to the account of all his natural pofier'ty, — "evefi.t'hpugh they never live to imitate him in aiftual fifi, '. Rom. V. 12,— t9.-r--How could this take pbce, but upon ,'thejoot.pf their covenant reprcfentation' iti him .'' /^i.) All his natural pofterity are conftituted finuers, and ruined in lawj.hy the one offence of ids firfl fin, Roiit. v. 17, 18. \.^j Cod's entering into covenant vidih all mankind in Adahi 'was. mof, rcajouahlc 3-:d V.-ul. fi.l It >v;;3 ihe {hortcP. way iu r.iso Of the Covenant ^ Works, In which they could obtain everlafting happincfsr ItftRis method one man's perfedl obedience to God's law for a' time, perhaps a very lliort time, would have fecured this h^f^pi- nefs to all mankind ;— whereas, had each man ftood bound for himfelf, it would have continued in fufpenfe to many- of them, who knows how long. (2.) it plainly appeared the fafeft method. Adam, being formed in an adult ftate, perfectly holy, fully able and inclined to fulfil the wliole law of God,— -and living while Satan was lefs crafty, and .there were fewer occafionp of temptation,— an^ having the ftrongefi: motives, — regard to his own, and to all his chil- dren of mankind's, happinefs, to engage him to care, a(Sti- vity and perfeverance in his work,— promifed fairer to re- tain his perfeflion and perfevere in his obedience, than any of his feed.- Adam was the mofi: fit perfon of mankind to be the covenant-head and reprefentative of all the rell. Being their common parent, he was mort equally related to them all. He had ftronger motives and better opportunities to pefevere in perfetSl: obedience, than any other could have. ' — In fine, an infinitely wife, holy, juit, and good God, having chofen him for their Head, and included this reprs- fentation of them Jn his propofal of his covenant-favours, none of his porterity, if they had been all alive on the fpot* could, without fin againft God, — without felf-injuring fol- ly, have withheld their confent, Pfalm ex x. 68. Gen. xviii. 5:5. Deut xxxii. 4. Eccl. iii, 14. andvji. 13.^.11.^ ii.;.- :i Though this covenant was propofed by God the great lawgiver to his newly created fubje£t£> ^nd on that account , IS -frequently called the Laiv^ ox JLanu of Works, Rom.vi;, 4. and vi,4 4. and iii. 27, ^V.-^Adam could not but con- . fent to the terms of it, (i ) Being God's rational creature, . fubject to his fovereign dominion, he w^as bound to accept ., whatever terms he propofed, and to receive his favours, in whatever method he pleafed to bcfiow them,^<-.-|slot to have tigfired and embraced the promife would have implied con- tempt of God's goodnefs and bounty, — Not to have readily received the. precept, would have implied hatred of his ho- Jiners, and rebellion againfb hisauthority.r — Not to havefub- mitted to the penalty would have implied a denial of his jufttce and authority. — Not any degree of any of thefe could have con/jfted with perfect innocence. (2.) The natural love, whiich,unc<)rrupted man bore to. himfelf,- naturally c^rrVd him out toward God, as his chief good ; and confequently Jo the only .way of enjoying him as fuch. (3^) Adam's pure forifcjeKce,«ouid.not.byt perceive and jitteft, that tixe whole .•o» te-iop : Of the GovrENAJSET '&f WORks. ' "221 ,: .t^ndJ: of.t^js covenant was very acceptable and gracious, lii'z, .,s^at kQ flipuldlibld God ashisr/;i//^c6flf,'aTid ftek hi.ppi- vp^^^ifkhiui above alKthiiigs elfe;. thathe fhould cheerfully ■ iSP^pfJ ojf tlie cvcrlafting enjoyment of him,- /5« injinite good, V)WheH offered upon the ealieil terms ;■ that he fliould cheer- ^rliul'ly receive .that law, which was the will of his Creator, Mftrfd aitranfcrlpt of his moral perfej- mife was, God's engagement or declaration of his wdl to beftow eternal life on Adam and all his natural pofterity, as the reward of his fulfilment of the condition. — ^The Penalty was, that puniihment which God threatened and behoved ..to inflid on Adam aud his feed, if he did not perfe^' iovc Ti\ Of the Covenant cf Works.. Ibve Go4Avith all feis heart, foul, mind, and ftrength, and ta loye bis ninghbour as liimfelf, as he iliould have oppoxtunirr ty. Mat x-iii. -57, — 40. Mark xii. 29, — SS* (>) The.end: of this coven'*iit, being to render men more happx^ than whieil they were iievvly created j it was very proper that io;n«; fd^Hvi precept Hiould be added to the law of nature vctitten on rrian's heart in his creation, and efpecially one tliatmight womote hi3 cx;i^' fulfilment of the whole cohditiDn.—^5-r^ That which God aftualiy prefcribed was, that Ad-anifhouJd! never eat of the fi-uit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, which, growing in the midft of the garden of.Eden,^ where he was lodged, was ahnoft continu.ally inliis wiewj This command was remarkably calculated. ( i,) To.manifeft God's high fovereignty over man, as one who could-enait his mere wili into a law, — and try men's obedience in a pctint which his enlightened confcience did not dictate, bat which manifefted his intire fubjetflion to the mere wili of God'. (2.) To render Adam's obedience or dilobcdience more con- fpicuous, that God might appear moft ju ft in- befVowing the reward or inil idling the punilhment oh him and his feed i- Plalm li. 4. Rom. iii. 3, 4, 8, — 18, 25, 26. (3.) To mark that Ad;im held all that which he enjoyed of God, as his great fuperior, proprietor and landlord ; and fo, even in l^iriidife, durft not meddle with an apple without God'i al* lowance, and ought to confult him in all that he did. (4.) To be a perpetual monitor to Adam that he was fallible, ^nd had need to take heed to his ways, and to watch againfl hifi fpiritual enemies; and that be was not come to his com- plete hnp'sinefs and reft, fince, even in his paradife, there vva6 a want, and the moft delightful fruit of a tree wa." de- hied hiir. ; and that his chief happinels iay only in God himielf, and fo nothing was to be defired bat only in fub- miffion to his will, and for his fake. (;.) To'bea fumma- ry of the lav/ of nary.re imprinted on his heart,-— in obedi- ence to wtiich, he might honour God, loving him with all hfe heart, ibul, mind, and itrengrli, and manifeft a proper love to himielf, a:id to his pofterity. .. • ,' . The MATTER of obedience required from Adam in tkis C^venanr, w.^^ an obfervance of the ivhole lain of God, wa* tiiroi or pcvliive, or a being "and ocfing exaftly according to it, from regard to its divine authority. This included (i.) The retaining of his nature in all its original purity. With- out this, none of his thoughts, words, or deeds, could have 1>een trnlv, perfectly, or acceptably performed, Eccl. vih 29. I rim. i. c. (2 ) An exerciilng of all the powers of -his. ho- 0/ 2!/?;^ Covenant fl/ Works. ^jii . '■' hit .s'-i^r':'^:- : ':i , .■.:_: : :i ./::.-..;;:! '; ,■ *^,) ly natupcf in thoughts, weirds, or "'deeds, anfwer^ble toi thiS*. liwiof "the covenant. ' •■ - . .7dn refpeflbf its manner, Adam's obetil'mce behoved ifd:. he'('j:.)iP"RRFECT in \is fri/idp/ie and woiii>£^ — exactly an-: fverable to every pi-eceptoft-hc W^c/^-fei;, — ^snd corrci'pon» derit with aii the parts and powers- of* his naitirej foul, bodyj tmderflanding, conTcicncej will, affeiftions, and me- mory, Lukex. 27, aS.-r-^in the matter, manner, iTtieans and fend ofthe a^ien itfelf^ — and in degree, with all the heart, foul, . ttirnd and ftrerigth, Mat. 5ixii. 37, 39. Mark xii. 29, — 13' '(^•) Perpetual, till God (liould releafe him from under that law, in its covenant form, Gal. iii. 10. Ezekiel XV4ii'24. Nor, till he had finiflied his courfe of obedience, had he any legal claim to the promiled reward, but was merely in zjiatcoftria!^ proper for the acquiring of it, GaL iii. 12. This (Vate could not have been eternal, as that. would have excluded all reward at the end of his ferv'^cci^ But, when God would have removed him from if, and fix- ed him and his pofterity under his law as a rule oj ilfe, in a manner fomewhat iimilar to the ftaie of believers, who are dead to the law by the body of Chrift,- — whether when the fruit had wholly gone off the forbiddeu tree ; — or when he liad begotten his firft child ; — or when his eldeft childrea were each capable to a£V for himfelf, he. — we know not, (3.) Personal, — not that every one of mankind fliould have obeyed for himfelf, in order to found his particular claim to the promifed reward : for, jf death was entailed upon Adam's natural pofterity by his difcybedicncc, before a- ny of them had actually finned, Rom. v. 12, — 24. etcrn^i life behoved to have been conferred upon them, on account of his< obedience to the law a.f a covfnnni, and their owii would have been, at once their happy privilege, and their holy gratitude to God, under his law as a rule of life. But it was to be />f;y37/fl'/, performed by sunn himfelf, not t bjJi forety, end begun and finidied by the famr pei-fou, ' f/^l) Performed In a covenamt-form, in Adam's fulfilling the laAir, jiot Tiiereiy a? impol'ed on him by the infinite autliority erf Got}, but aifo as taken upon himfelf by his own cf.g^gc- mcnt,^ — and fulfilling it in hope": of Cod's gracioaily beftow- jng the promifed reward. If he had not thus regarded th*: covenant, iu which he ftood, in all his obedience, he hail "poured contempt on that gricioully formed ordinance. p4 God, in ail its concerns, .Jud{j...s3^. 35, Pfnl, cxix. ao<5.'a«ft ;i. 14. Num. XXX- • . . ■ \^-- ■ fe24 Df the Covenant c/'Wcrks. ■ A REWARD 6f life was annexed to Acl^m''5 fulfilment of this obedience by the promise of God., The threatening of death, in cafe of difobedience, efpeciatiy, as annexed trt to the breach of a pofitive precept, implied,- that Adain ha4 n^ reafon to itzr i\\t lofs of his life or bappincfs, while l)C continued in iiis obedience ; and that if he perievcred in it, te might expedl fome great reward, fufficient, to balance that death, which had been annexed to the pofitlve .precept in a matter quite indifferent in itfelf. — God's declaration to Cain concerning acceptance and condemnation, as fufpen- dcd on his good or ill behaviour, — and every re-publication of the covenant of works to men, plainly hinted, that it contained a promife of reward to finiflied obedience. Gen. iv. 7. Lev. xviii. 5.Neh. ix. 29. Ezek. xx. 4. Mat. xix. 17. Rom. X. 5. and ii. 7, 10. Gal. iii. 1 2- Nay, his annexuig of a gracious reward to imperfeft obedience to his law as a rule of life, Pfalm xix. 11^ i Cor. xv. 58. Heb. xi. 6, 26. confirms it. And it isobfervable that all nations have had a behef of God's readinefs to accept of, and reward good works. The life, with which God promifedto reward Adam's fulfilment of the condition of this covenant, com- prehended, 1. The continuance of that life which he had while he continued in hiscourfe of fervile obedience, which includes, (l.) The continuance oi natural life in the inatter oi \i ; his body having in it no adlual principle of death, his continued obedience to the law of the covenant barred out deatli from it ; — in the 'vigour of it without any languor or decay, — tho' by means of labour, food, reft ; — and in the pure comforts of it, — there being nothing to embitter, but every thing to fweeten it, Rom. x. 5. Gal. iii. 12- Lev. xviii. 5. Dent. iv. 40* (2.) The continuanxre of a profperous fpiritual lifey— including the continuance of God's image in its perfe(flion on his foul ; — the continuance of his favour and kindnefs, and of familiar intimacy with him in every ordinance fuited to that ftate, without any hiding or frown, — ^nd the con- tinued comforts of a good confcience, reflecling on that which was paft, and tn his conftant approach toward his complete and eternal reward, 2 Cor. i. 12. 2 Tim. iv. 7,.S. 2. The enjoyment of a more perfeB life, after he Ihould ii*ve finiftied his fervile obedience ; — in which (i.) Adam and his pofterity fhould have had their bodies fealed up, and fecured againft natural death, and every form or degree of approach to it. (2.) God would have >nfallibly confirmed their iouis in perfed conformity to hinafelf, (3.) Their perfohs Of the Covenant c/* Works. 225: j^erfons (lioukl have been unalterably fixed in a»fl:ate of favour with With,' and made honorary fubjcfts to his law as a rula (■4fi Without any breach of the uniort between foul and bo- oV, both fliould have, in God's time, been iranjiatedto hca-" ff>/; there to be for ever blefled with the full and immediate enjoyment of a three-one God, Their eternal life in heaven, would hzve been the fame Ih fiibftance with that which believers enjoy tliere, through Chrift. (1.) Reafon itfelf fuggefts, that God would pro* inife to Adam and his feed fomething better than that hap- pinefs which he enjoyed \ — and that after h\s Jlate offervicei there would probably happen o« the one hand, it is manifefi that God could have donc.OQ injury to man, though he bad reduced him to nothing that moment he had finifhed any prefcribed courfe of obedience, 'ITie reward necefiarily attending a caurfe of perfect holinefsj would have perfectly marke^l his goodnefs and bounty, Pfali xix. I r. 1 Cor. i. 12. But on the other hand, it is certain that, man was created with an eager defire after the enjoy- ment of God, as his chief goood,— and that annihilation would have been the more Ringing in projKthian to his holinefs pr defire after God. — Now, i cannot conceive of God'^s forming a defire after himielf, never to be fully fatisfied, unlefs wher^ fin interpoleth, nor of his annihilating a foul in the very moment of its ardent defire after, and delight in himfelf.-rt God cannot but love an holy creature. But, I cannot.con- ceive how his infinite love coidd deny this holy and belove*| creature, its wdhed enjoyment of himfelf ; or, bow it could admit of his annihilating i'uch a creature;, in its very a6t o;^ (y//v Covenant^ Works. 227 Jove to hJm, ^nd eager preffing after the higheft degrees of holuieis and love. Death was the penalty threatened hi the covenant of warkSjG^n. ii. 17. If death was annexed to the leaft breach of the polltive precept, it could not but be annexed to the bl-each of the natural hw written on man's heart, Rom. vi. •^3. Ezeic xviii. 4. Rom.ii. 8, 9. lia. iii. 11. with John iii. ijj.' The eniphatical form of the threatening Dyi/igt thou jPjalt die^ imported the infallible certainty, the unfpcakable extent, and the dreadful nature of that death, Gen. ii. 17. it was, in general, (i.) LtGAL death, which confifts in the curfe or condemning fcntence of the broken law imnie- diatcly fixing upon the tranfgreflbr, as a cloud hovering o- ver his head, pregnant with God's vengeance, and as cords of death girding him io fall:, that God alone can loofe him. Gal. iii 10. John iii. 185 36'. (2.) Real death, which conhfts in the actual execution of that condemning fentence on him, from the firft moment of his finning. This may be dilfinguifned into ■ 1- Spiyitiml death. Sin, and the curfe procured by it, feparating man from the favour and fellowfljip of God,- the fountain of life, he neceffarily becomes dead in trefpafl'es and fins, Ijn. lix. 2. Epb. ii. r. — la \\\t conuncncemevt of it, in Adam's firft a6lof fin is included, the lols of God's image' on the foul, and the fucceflion of all manner of fiuful corrup- tion in its flead, — as of ignorance, pride, vanity, pronenofs " to falfliood and deceit, in the underjlamhng ; — blindners, • ftupiditVj partiality, and dilorder, in the confcietice ; — weak- nefs \nth refpe<^i: to good, pronenefs to evil, perverfe wil-^ fulnefs, and enmity againfi: God in his exiffence, perfec- • tions, difcoveries of himl'clf, word, ordinances, people, and every other thing bearing his image, in the ivill ; — carthli- nefs', diforder, refpecting objects and degrees, in the ^^^tr- thns : — treacherous readinefs to forget every thing good, and tenacious retention of that .which is trifling and finfnl, in the Wi-Hwv, Gen. i. 26, 27 with Rom. i. 28, — 31. and iii. 10, — 18. and viii. 7, 8. and vii. 8, 24. Jer. xvii. 9, JVIat. xw 19. Mark vii. 21, — 2T,, Tit. iii. 3. Gen. vi. (;. and viii. 21.- (2.) The complete breach of all friendlliip and fdlow- fliip with God, and the fucccfiion of ftated indignation, wrath, abhorrence, hidings and frowns, inftcad thereof, Pfalm V. 4-, — 6. Eph, ii. ■:>, r2. In iXi. prcgrffs this fpiri- tual diath includes (1.) The growing firength of finful lulls, «nd increafing number and heinoufncfs of dciid works, 2 Tim. :ii..!3. (?;)- The infi-iflionof God'.- jafl v,;ngeanceon • • " F f 3 the the Omit ijtj many fearful an4 rujaous ftrokesj, f$>me of tlifiin Je/t, as fbrrows, crofles, anxieties, vexations, terrors,, aad defpair j — others of them unfelty as judicial blindpefs of mind, hardnefs of heart, fearednefs of confcience, ftro»g deluiions, a reprobate fenfe, vile atFe<5\ions, flavery of Si£- t'an, ^c. 2 Cor, vii. lo. Mat.xxvii. 3,, 4. Gen» i?i. .14. t^eut. xxviii. 65, — ^67. Jer. xx, 4. Luke xxi..26. Ifa. xxxiii. 14. Prov. xviii. 14. Ifa. xvii. ii. Heb, x. .26, — 31. — — Eph. iv. J 8. 2 Cor, iv. 3, 4. and i!i. 14. Ifa. Ixiii. 17. and xli:. 25. I Tim. iv. 2. Rom. xi. 8. Ifa. Ixvi. 4> a-T^heff, ii, 9, — 12, Pfal. Ixxxi. 12. Rom.i. 26, — 31. T4t, i. i;!, '1*6. 3 Tim.iii. 8. Pfal.cix.(5. ...,s.:x 2. Natural or temporal death, which is (i.)-Jto-. tvard in a linner's own body.— — In his firft adl of finning, ' man became mortal in his conftitution and a ilave to death, and had the feeds of it implanted in him, Terror and an- jtiety of mind produced a ^eathful motion in his blood and \isnimal fpirits, Gei\. ii. 17, and iii. 16, 19,, This death 'ijiarketh its progrefs in manifold difeafes, Eccl, iii, 20. Gen. jii. 19. Deut, xxviii. 22^ 28, 20. Mat. iv, 24. It is ccm' ^'pleated in the feparation of the foul from the body under the , curfe, Gen. iii. 19. Jer. xxxiv. i8j» (2.) Outward znd re- lative^ affecting thofe creatures upon which the natural lite or health of men's body depends, Hof, ii. 21, 22.-^ — ^— This Hegan in the irrational part of the lower creation falling un- der the bondage of coi-ruption for the (in of man its imme- diate proprietor, Rom. viii. 22. Jience animals are armed againfi one another, efpecially againll man ; fields are blalt- ed into barrennefs \ the air is poifoned with peftdential va- -, .pours } thefearageth intempefts; the winds are black, cold ^.,,^nd {lormy,.-2ll being fitly framed together for promoting of ..'l,jnen's death. — = — It increajtth in their becoming worfe and Ij^i'SVorfe. The earth was rexldcred much more unhealthful by „^-.the flood \ the air was more thoroughly poifoned 5 and a '. 'flbortening of rnan's life enfued.— Still things grow. worfe "arid worfe : fertile fields are turned to barrennefs, funk by ' earthquakes, marred'by volcanps, &c. Hence human life is but about a fourteenth part of what it once was, PfaJ. cvii, 33j— 35. andxc. 7,-10. and cii. 26,-^It will be com- pleatecl, when the prefent frame of this lower world fliall be difTolved, the eleSnents melt with fervent beat> and the **arth and the works in it be burnt, up, Pfalm cii.^v'^^^* iii. IQ. ,,,'.:.■■; ;-.., - 3, Eternal death, in which natural and fpiritual'death . are, jis it W^re, u.niUct^ftUjiimed.tQ ths.higheft i and fOf-'-thf Co V 1 iJr A N f <^/ "Wo RK S . 2 2^ .h£pce1t^*c&lled the fecund deaths Rev" icx. 6,' i4.-r--As fl^^js 4ieatU' -prm^^uls from the pennl fanBion of the covenant of worksi- it iilcludes in it the cotnplete I of s of t\ try thing good or agreeable, earthly, heavenly or divine, Luke xii. 2q'. Rev.xxi* 8. andxxii.-i5. Matth. xxv. 41. and the etidii;' ring of mofi trenienduous torments in foul and body, till infinite fatisfa^ion be made for lin, Matth. xxv. 41. Mark ixs 49. Rcvn xiv. 10, ti. Pfalm xc. 1 1. Luke xii. 58, ^g.rr' :As it falls on z finite zndfinfuiciezixurey it includes the ir- recoverablenefs of God's image and favour, Hof, ix. 12. Pfalm Ixxvii. 7, — 9. Heb, x. 26, 27. — a conftant and ago- nizing defpair of relief, Mark ix. 44, 45 48, 49. a con- ftant fubje^tion to the full power and violence of indwelling iufts, pride, envy, malice, l^c. Rev. xvi. 10, 11,21. and jiU in eternal duration, 2 Thelf. i. 7, — 9. Rev, xiv. 9, lo, II. Matth. XXV. 41, 46. Ifa. xxxiii, 14. This penalty of the broken covenant of works flows from the natural perfedliqxis of God ; — not from any mere zCt of his will as the making of the covenant doth, (i.) The Ma- ■jefty of God the covenanter, being infinite, every atH: of dif- '•:obedience to the law of the covenant mull be high treafon ' againft infinite dignity- and goodnefs, — a contempt of, and rebellion againft infinite authority, and an attempt agaitift: die infinitely precious life of God, — and hence can deierve nothing lets than infinite puniftiment. Being thus objec- tively infinite, and nothing lefs than the blood of God ca- pable to balance its gaUt, or purge from its pollution^ it muft continue for ever ; and fo the puniihment of it on a finite pfe-rfoa be extended through all eternity. — God, who is El KANE, a jealous God, ready to relent the injuring pf any thing dear to him, in^fl; avenge himfclf of fuch a cri- minal.— He cannot conceaLiiis majefty, when finful worms attempt to rob him of it, j-ample it under foot, and en- throne themfelves in oppcjition to him •, but the wli,olef -'earth ought to be filled wim the glory of the Lord, Exbd. vc'xx. 5. Ifa. li. 4. and v. 16/ Num. xiv, 21. (2.) The holi- nefs of God's nature requires fuch a penalty annexed to fin. Being infinitely holy, he cannot admit men, defiled and en-. r;flaved by fin, to fellovvlhip with him, — nor, in cpnfiiience ■^ ' ivitli his own curie lying on them, can he grant them a fi^nc- tified nature to qualify them for it. — He cannot, vith plea- >;^fure, 'behold that v/hich is an abomination to his ibul ; nor can he but hate thofe, in whom this aboir,in.T.ion is loved -and reigns, Pfalm V, -4, 5. and xi. 6,-^'." Hat. i. 12, I3-J^r. -': 'al»vi -4.; Frov; jcvi.^j; and vi* 16,— li' holinels be his very 230 OyWe- %yE-iM^|r^#o^ksr image, Thd^cajtmdtj'witfioht appearing as flnful, forbirarfS; iiievv hia tleteflatron of fin, Pialnil.ii., and hence l^re-^ jirefenied as "fahBificd iri the. puuifliment of it, Lev-'k/'i? Ezek xxxvjii. 16. Ila, v. 16, Jo (h, xxiv. 19. '{^i^■.^ It ha'tli aJready been proved, that the julHce of God nec^^arily re- quires his punifliaient of lin. He cannot be jufr witjioiit gvving every one his due, either in himlelf, or in his repref-' fentative and furety, Rom.i. 32. and ii, I, Jer. vii. :.^, 7; 9. Gen. xviii. 25. Ffahn xi. 6, 7. — God's judgments are hot called his /ironge ait or work, on account ot their dTfagree- j\bleners to his good and merciful nature,— but becaiile they yre much Ids common on earth, than his merciful proriden- fcC^, Ila. xxviii. 21. He hath no pleafure in the death -or ii"iiJery of his creatures in itCelf, Ezek. xxxiii. 11, arid xviii, 32. Lam. iii. 33. Hof. xi. 8. but he relifheth k" aS a Vindi- catioa of his own perfections, Deut. xxxii. 3^, 3t5, if r,.4^V 43. lia. i. 24. Hof. x, 10. refreihethliinifeifWithTt'i Ainbsr V. 9 Dutch Vernon. / :;:'■' ' ■' ■-'■^-^'^^ '^y ■ The SEALS of this covenant, by which the ptomife and threatening in it were confirmed, Were (i.) The tree off hncwledge of good and evily fo called, becaufe God, By ifi" put man to the trial of his obedience or difobedience ;. a^nH by eating of the fruit of it, man expeiin.entally krie\V the good, which he had loft, and the evil whjch he had Incnr- red. This, like the feal of the r-ijnbow, in Noah's cove- nant, might oniv be looked at ; and it fealf d eternal happi- wels to men upon condifion of the fulfilment of the law of the covenant, 3nd infinite inifery, if it was broken, Gen. il. 17, (2^) Tht trt-e of lifey the fruit of which perhaps invi- gorated the human body j but certainly was a pledge of an eternal life, in confequence of the fulfilment of the condi. tionofthc covenant, Gen. iii. 22. and ii 9. And hence- Chrift as enjoyed in heaven is called by its name, Rev. ii. 7V find xxii, 2. Nothing but fin againfi: God, in want of conformity of heart or life, or in tranfgreflion of liis law, which prefcrib- ed the condition of the covenant, could break it, i John iii. 4. Rom. iv. i^. and v. 13. But, that it hath been bi-oken, is evident, (i.) Sin, in innumerable forms, ra-' :>eth cr reigns, every where in the world, Gen. vi. ^1' and viii. 2f. ar.d xJii. 13. 2 Kings xvii. 7, 23. Pfalm xiv. J, — 4. and liii. i, — 4. Ifa. lix. i, 15. and v. 5,^ 23. Mit. vii. 1,-5. M-itth. XV, 19, Mark vii. 21,^—23. Rom. ;i/;;8, — 32. and iii. £c,— '18. t Cor. vi. 9^ io." Gal. -v. tp,-:- '■• • : 21. Of -ike Go VXNA^^T pf,^o R K S. .'i2\ ai. EphvJi. i-^r:^3^.i2. and fv. i7,--^i<>. ?nd v. 5, 6. PhiL iii. 18, 19. Tit*, ni! 3. 2 I*et ii. Rev. xvii.' ' (2.) All nipfik' are by nature, impiifoned for their debts and crime?, Ifsr,- xUu. 0, 7, and Ixi. i, 2. Zegh. ix. j.i, |2.' (3.) All men have.contrafted an habu ofccn'enant brejakirig, lldnl. i. rljt? P/jilm lxx.viii.iO, 37,. 57. Jfa. xlviii. 8.' (4*!) This world ii^ everv where marked with t1ie wrath of God, Rom. i. iSf; Geri. vii ; xix. Exod. vii j— xiv. Jolh. vi-, — xii: Ih i; ixiv}' xxxiv/ Jer. i j- Iii. Luke xix ; xxi. Matth. xxiv. Re\v vi ; XX. (5.) A new covenant of redemption is reveal-* ed by God, Ifa. xlii. 6, 7. and xlix.'f,^i2. and liiJ. !b, — « 12. Jer. xxxi. 33, 34- Heb. viii. to,— iz." Pfahii xl. 6,-8* ar;d Ixxxix. 3, 4. Gen. iii. 15. and xvi:. 7* Tins covenant of works was broken by ' AdairJs emti/ig of ike forbiddtn fruity in which Im hQ^firft^ doubted of the per- emptorinefs and veracity of the threatening, and of God*s perfetStions cpnne£led with it. (2 ) His underttznding be- ing darkened, his affections and will conceived a iuft after* that fruit, imagining that his eating of it would render hint wife and happy as God. (3.) He completed his offence, in ' his a<5lual taking and eating of that fruit, Gen. iii. 3,' — 6* — — This, his fir ft fin, included, (i.) Horrid unbelief, ih fo much that Satan, in the form of a fcrpent, was believed in oppofiiion to God, i John v. 10. with Gen. ii. 17. antl iii. 4," — 6, (2.) Pride, ambition, bold and' prefumptuqiis curiofity. Gen- iii. 5. Ifa xiv. 13, 14. Our firfi: parenfs were in paradife and lords of this lower world ; but nothing would content them, but to be as God. They knew and enjoyed very much j but they coveted the knovHedge and enjoyment of every thing, (3.) Shocking ingratitude and diicontentment. They had every thing ufeful or deiight- fill,; , They were the envy of devib, the companions of aii-^ gels, lords of animals, of every thing on earth, but one tree i and yet grudged their maker and ber,cfii.^or, th^t Imall referve for his own peculiar property, Gen. ii* 7,'- ''■— 3.£. vyithiii- 5, 8. (4.) Contemptuous apoftri'-y from, and Oj^i^a,., rebel! ion ag?,inll God. They renounced bis fcove- nant offriendfliip, and threw offallfubjeiHon to, or profelT- ed dependence on him, Pfalm ii. 3. with Get), ii. 16, 17. and iii 3,-^6. (j.) The who'le law of God wa> bro^ken in this one aft, The authority of God, whicli is the fot:nda- tioa of ,it, was trampled on : The isve which i>; ftc fnlfil-' inent ofit, was negk-^ted, and enmity admiTt^d in its ftcad.' 'Hie poiuive precept whiMi was'a fommaryof, and fiencb^ l£L the moral ones, was contemned, .'inct exoreflv v;bl;itci|i- '23^ 0/"-//^^ Covenant £^ Works. ^m, .7. Nay, in tliis lln> every partkulai* it confifted in his being feducilrle to evily though he was j«- clined only to good. God created him perfectly holy,' and ?.-; ble to keep his whole law, natural Or pofitive, and to reflft every temptation. He gave him a heart wholly and only inclined to that which is good, but fubjeft to change,- and that only by his own will and deed. Natural immutability in goodneisand holinefs, being the peculiar property of god-- head, could not be conferred on Adam, Ma), iii. 6. Pfalcn cii. 26, 27. James i. 17. God's rendering him immutable in holinefs by an act of grace, in the mauiier of cllablifhed angels and glorified faints, could not have confifted with the tenor of the covenant made with' him •, wOu'd Itave confoun- ded his ftate of fervice with that of his honorary reward. liciog QTV/j^ Covenant -^ Works. 25J Being therefoi^ thus aiftually cfyafigeahley Cod neither forcierfi pon t.enipted, nor inclined him to ^nf cl^angc, but (b Icfe him to himfdf, that he audhe alo«ieiJi>i»i<;l'chj)ng6.the i-fi-^ cUrjatipn an4 choice of hi« own wiil,- frorti good to e-Vii. IL-Satan very craftily tempted him to evik : (i.^ He chofc a fubtile.and fimple iiice fcrpent, or perhaps one very b-'au-^- tifui, which might be taken for an angcl^ to be birinflni-? meijt in the temptation j and to mark his triumphant vie-c f&ry over mankind by h, he hath caufed multitudes of thenv"' to this <^ay, to worlhip him, in fer pents. (2.) In the ah-^- Tence of her hufband, he tempted Eve, who perhaps had heard the terms of the covenant, only from Adam. (3.)- He ilidved a doubt concerning the prohibition of the fruiJCs of the tree of knowledge, in I'uch ambiguous terms, that it-, was difficult to know whether he meant to alk. Whether./ Ciod had leally forbidden them to eat of that fruit ; or if he- meant to infinuate, that the forbidder of that excellent fruit; could not be the true God, who had fo lately created them: to partake of his favours ; — or that God, who had forbid-, den fuch a thing, was an hard maftcr. (4.) Finding .that Eve adhered to God's commandment, he lawured. to render the truth of the threatening apparently doubtfuli.,i£ not improbable, or impoflible. (5.) He pretended an earr nefl delire to promote their knowledge and happiaefs; and improved the name and fight of the tree to further histeii>p^> tation. (6.) Perhaps he pretended, that he had acquii'txl' his own fuperioriry in knowledge above other brutes by eat--, ing of that fruit. But, he certainly introduced his ptiiix contradi^ion of God's threatening by a folemn appeal ta hisi, concerning the ufefulnefs of the fruit. (7.) Having, prevailep on Eve, he by her tempted Adam, who was n* doubt tlie more readily deceived, as he fawtliat fhc diJ »:ofc immediately die by eating of the fruit. III. Behig left b/i^ God to the freedom of his wid, Adam abufed it, and coni-f plied with Satan's temptrtions. — This compliance \7?s. inr tirely l)is own iX'-z^i. Thciigh God d;d not give hitn fuch meaiures of grace, .a? aciuaily to mr.ke him overcoirve . the temptation, yet he prve him as much as was fufficient to h.ive enabled him to withlb.nd it, had it been rightly im- pjoved. An infiniieiy holy, righteous, and good God coul.l neither force, iticHnej nor tempt him to fin. And as he w.js fijily mafter of his own will, neither Satan, nor Eve, could force hi; ifirotii God,^^in th^ir averflon to be affected, with, dt confers their fin, — in their exrenuating and excufing their fin and transferring the blame of it upon others, ^fpfeCially on God himfelf. (5.) "Without fuppofing :iic«i chargeable with fin from their very conception, and that ■their faul is formed under a charge of guilt, and a con- demning fentence of God on account of it, h is impoflible to cohceive how an infinitely righteous, holy, and good God, could, create it dejiitute of original righteoufnefs ; — or how our nature;, in its very formation, becomes corrupted with fin. If we are not formed under guilt and the.curfe, why is not finful corruption prevented, and holinefs implan- teci ? (6,) The mifery and death, which happen to infants, ifi every age j particularly, by the flood, deftruftion ofSo- dom and the cities about, and the manifold ravagesand.de- ftructions of cities and nations, prove, that they are charge- able before God with fome grievous tranfgreflion : Other- wife God, who is inliuitely merciful, would lie verfo. early and To wrathfully deftroy the moft excellent work of his hands, (y,) The paralitl^Hjetween Adam and Chrifl ma- nifeflly proves, that as in Chrifl ele«St men fulfil the law^ and live, fo in Adam all men are conllituted breakers .of^tli^ law, and die, Rom, iii. 4. GaL ii. 20, i Cor. xv. 2i, 22, 45,-^49. Rom. V. 14, — 19. II. The law of the covenant being thus broken by Adam, in his own and the narne of ail his pofterity, they loft all encouragement to obedience from the covenant promife of eternal life. The promife being altogether undermined by his fin, all profpedt or hope of the reward contained in it, and all capacity of earning" a claim to it, upon ttie foot of that promife, were, fpr ever ut- terly loft, Rom. iii, 23. and viii. 3, 7, 8. III. The bld- fings of the covenant being loft, the favour of God forfeit- ed, and eternal life by the works of the law renda*ed impof- fible, the curfe or condemnatory fentence of the covenant feized upon the tranfgreiTors, and bound them . ovpr; to death. It feized on Adam and Eve, in the firft momen^ of their finning, Gen. iii. 16, — 19. Aiid it lay ready in the threatening to feize their pofteriry in- the firft ^moment, of their pcrlonal exillence, or even to hale them. , into ..cxif- tence, in their dcftined moment, io the moll wretched- con- G g 2 • : ' -. ., dition, ■ ^J6 . Of. thfi' Co V E» A.ia Ti- s/T Wo R ^ ■ .._4Uion, Rfim^ y,.i2,-r^i4. Eph*;ii.vi,T-f3. Gal. iib fto.^ 7IV, '^i'he rcprcfcfitHtion in the covenant was diflblved,^nd.^^dry ;^ parUeular perion of mankind fell bound for hinifeljf. ; A- ^ Uaini being now dead in law, and under the bcgvm reign of ^^Tpiritua.l death, was no long^ fit to continue the head and reprefentative; of others, in a covenant, which \yas original- ly ordained unto life.— Moreover, the difplacemfi?it,pf hini ,irom hiscovenant-headlhipwas necefFary, thatthe-CQV^nant of grace might be ifnmever bound to love God, on account of thefe very excellen- cies,' whiGh- he maniferts in their dcllruftion. AxL' men are naturally ntider the covenant of tuorh, hi .its matter and forn), (j.) The fcriptures plainly repreient thetu as under it, Gal. iii. 10, 12. Matth. x'x. 17, Rom, iii.r 19. and vii, 8, q. (2.) None but Chrift's little flock are repreferited as delivered from, and dead to the law, or co-» venant of • works ; and that never till they be united to Chrift,-' in their eftedual calling, John iii. 18. Rom. viii. i, 7i 4f and vii. 4. and vi. 14. Gal. ii. 19, 20. and iii. 13. and' iv. 4, 5. Col. iii. 3; It hath been pretended, that if un- converted gofpel-hearers be under thee ojnmand of the cove- nant of works, they muft be required by it, to feek Juflifi,. cation by their own works, while at the fame time the gof-? pel requires them to receive it through the righteoufnels of Chril>. But (i.) Adam was not required to seek juftifi- cation by his /(fr/i-t? obi-dieticey but to perform it, in hopes of God's gracioufly accepting and rewarding him. (2,} Though tlie covenant of works had required liim to feel^ jul.lificrition by his own perfe(ft obedience, it cannot there- fore bind men to Icck, or expefk juftification, by works, the bell! of which are an 'abomination to the Lord, Ifa. Ixir, 6, Prov. xv. 8. and xxi. 24, 27. and xxviii, 9. (3.) The .co- venant of works cannot nov^ bind men to feek juftification by their works, wlien even intimtely valuable obedience can- not larisfy its demands, without full fatisfaftion for olFehces already committed, Heb ix. 22. Rom. iii. 24, — 26. and v. 61 By 10. t John iv. 9, 10. (4.) .Si;Ke the law of the co- venant of works requires men, to believe every thing which God reveals, and to receive whatever he offers ; it mull: ne- ^ceirarily require every gofpel-hearer, as utterly unaT^ie tp fulfil it himl"elf,-r-to believe the gofpel record, and receive ■ the law magnifying righteoufnefs of Jefus Chrift off -red In it, and that iindei- pain of redoubled guilt and pynifliment, - J6hn-iiit i«, 38. I John iii. 23, and v. 10, 12. Heb. x. 29. !::•« bxj; . ' ' Aii 238 pf'the Covenant ^^Jr^WoRKis: ]^^AU nienby nature, and ev«n-btUCV£rVvW fo'fsri^^ iftey ar.e unrenewed, d!fy?r^ ^c> be under the covenant of 'word's /'ihW ta,jobEam happinels by their own righteournefs, or t&e'con«^ ^Jjrioii of it. (i.) It is natural to men, and hence !meri of evci*y form or religion, ftation, oillce, education, or mahne#, ejjliie, agree in it, Rom. ix. 31, 32- and x. 3. Jon. k i^." ^^a^itli.xix. 16. John vi. 28. Aclsii. 37, Luke xv. 19, (?t) Our o^vn working or fuffering, in order to obtain happiners fr^rn God, is exceedingly fuited to the pride of our corrupt Future, and makes us look on God as our debtor,. Rom., xl ^j.; apd vii, 9, 13. John v. 45. Ifa. Iviii. 3. It is like pang* 'of .death to quif our hold of the law, E.om. vii, 4, 9. Gat. iij. 19, (3,) Men's ignorance of the extenfive and bigh de- 'BJandf; of the broken law, and of their own utter inability to keep it,— or their care to abridge their apprchenfions of tu.em, and to enlarge their conceit of their own abilitj?, BHghtilv promofe their defire to be under it, Rom, vii. pjTrr 13. and X. 3. Gal, iv. 21. (4.) Men have uaturally a pe4 culiar enmity againft God and his gracious method of re- demption,— againft Jefus Chrjft and his whole mediation, particularly his lacrificing work ; and hence love to oppofe the honour of it by cleaving to legal methods of obtaining happineli, Rom. vi.i. 7. John xv. 2/\, Rom. X. 3, and iji. ■^J.-With V. 21. Gal. ii. 2«. and v. 2, 4. ".^'iNot only doth the Spirit of God make ul'e of the broken law in the illumination, awakening, and convi<5\ion of fih- n^rs confciences, but even in itfelf it hath a manifold powet Qver them. ( i .) It flill retains its federal commanding power over them, binding them to fulfil the moft perfeft obedi^ eueth in its proce^iH5g from. the cur-fe of it lying on frlie. fuflferer. _*(4.) 'i^o lay hold 6n all opijortunitics, ia time and -eterjiity^^tpl execute wrath upon them in their foul, body., or relatiyes^'^;' Pfalm xlxxvii». 22. 2 Pet ii. 3. — In the execution of -this: ~ curfe doth the administration of the broken covenant of works chiefly confift. ili*-lnt THIS LIFE the curfe of the broken law operates on th%n,' and renders their ftate fearfully finful and niiferable. Even before their birth, it, pregnant with wo, fecures their future exiftence in a natural union with Adam their accurfeJ progenitor, Rom. Vi 12. No death of anceftors in wars, difeafes, or dangers, is permitted to prevent their exigence-, nor can their piety prevent the attendance of the curCe/ . QexiAvi ir, 14, i*/, — 24. with vi. 4. and 5. 3. Pfalm li. 5.. In virtue of the cm-fe God's providence is always makings preparations for fixing it on each of Adam's dcfiined, ahdrl reprefentead poflerity. And hence the moft atrocious fin- ners arerbften fpared, and rendered fruitful, Pfalm xvii. 14. Job Kxi; II. and xjtvji. 14. — In the moment fixed for theirj formation in the won>b, the curfe, as it were, ufhcrs theni,'~ into being, loaded with its dreadful weight, and infcdVed/- with its bileful infliience, Eph. ii. 3. Deut. xxviii. 1 8. Ift"' confequence of which it all along operates on their foul^l' their body, their perlbn, and their relative concerns. (i.) It operztes ott their JouL (i.) It feparates it from all gracious and happy intercourfe with God, in whofe hvouf^ is. life, Pfalm xxx. 5. Bcut. xxi^. 21. Ifa. lix. 2. Pfalm v.r 4, — 6. Amos iii. 3. — If God form them under this curfej" it prevents his convn)unlcat:ion of any holy endowments t(>\ their fcnl. HeiKe, being formed under fin imputed imd the curfe due to it, infants are formed deftitute of original righteoofneis, John iii. 6. Job xiv, 4. Pfalm 1^. 5. Eph. ii. !> — ^^ — Whatever infiijcuce the temper of their. bodies may h.ive in formirig of inward corruptions into particular lufts, i know not iiow iinfwl corruption could enter into our na- ture, at our very formation, or how it could fo quickly o- vejrfpread Adam's whole nature in a moment, but by the 'n- fiuence of an incunibent curfe, withholding all randllfying- r.iEaniunications from G<rcie|ic^ 7 a||^|w dominion pf fin a5 ilj? punlfhrnerit of ^Jbe (bttl^>beio^.4Hp /ep^e^'froip God', rpirituai' ^eata preys on it, ai>d 4$piivfisft of ^IJ thai comeKnefs i^TiaS, *an4 prevents what Qtherwjfc it vfQuld'have hjad. .^ No?rprtituaI knowledge, hplinefs, or right ebufners, can enter iato, or continue in, the accttrfed foul.. Hence how quickly the glory of our firft parents, like that of ihe accurfed fig-tree, withered away ! Gen. iii. 7, 8. All the powers of the ac-, curfed foul are dead while it liveth. The eyes of the uhder» Handing are fhut, a»d, as it were, glazed in a ghaftly man* ner \ the fpeech of cordial prayer and praife is laid^ the right pulfe of affcftions towards God is ftopt ; every fpirl- tual fenfe is locked up, and all within cold and ftiff as a ftone, Rom. i. 21, — 32. Eph. iv. 17,, 18. Ezek. xi. 19. and xxxvi. 26. (3.) In confequence of this death, all the powers of the ajccurfed fool become fearfully infeir$^^ {lis word, his ordinances, rand y^'*'*'^^^^'*^*?** atJld'-irhit' « moift fttocking, k filkd trhh peculiar etiiinitfagainftChnflt ^s a^avipur, and againft every gracious purjpofe or difpcrii/ fafvon of God for our fatvatibh ; and the more of hi« rei deeciing ^race appear in any thing, as in the pricfthood of Cu a>, a« t^»e doftrine of free juftification and happinefs throa^h his imputed rightedufnefs, and the free grant of it to fiqncrs ih the gofpel, the llronger is our enmity againft it,. Rt>rn, viii, 7. and i, 30. and x. 3. and ix, 31 John xv, t8; 24i'-^tt is moreover perverfe with refpcft to our chief end, "fixing on the moft trifling nnd deteO-able thinrs rathei* than cr- God himfeif, Hof, x. Zcch- vii. 5. Pni' lii. ip'. 2" Timtrji. 4. Pfalm iv. 6. Rom. vUi 5. and (b obftinate!,-' tha' riot all the tei^ors op pains of damnation, or joys df heaven can bovr or riielt it, till the curfe be removed,' Fiof.'xi. 2j'7. Zech. vii. 11, 12. Ifa. xlviii. 4. and i. 5. Jer.' V. 3. JEzek. xi. 19. and xxxvi. 26. A6\s vii. 51. The af* fedllo ;:^ ',hofe feet and arms of the foul, how flow toxVard^, and !v .Te from God !— How fliut againft-*^ecciving hirn olr' his unipeakrtole gift, and againft every fpiritual objeft ! 'Buif^ how alert and ready to fly as hungry ravens or eagles bin things, carnal and finful, and to gralp them faft as our all in allt Pfalm iv. 6. Ezek. 33. 31. Prov. xxiii. 5. Phil iii. 19I Rom. viii. ^. The memory, that magaeine and regifter ' 24. — They are reprefented as divet-'s^ becaufe of titeir manifold forms, Tit. iii. x, ungodly ^ dctefted by ' -God and contrary to his nature and U\v, and to the love and fear of him, Jude 18. 1 John ii, 16, dcvili/b, introdu- ced ;:nd fuppprted by Satan ; and his very im-age on the foul, ■ John viii. 44. luarruig againft the providence, Spint, and • g4'a'e of God J and againft mens ibuls, and even among thcmfelves, James iv. i. Ga!, v. 17. Rom. Vii, 23. 1 Pet. r. 1 1, lucrldlyy reigning in the heuits of worldly men, and leading them towards the world as their portion and jiattern, 'lit. ii. 12 ; infatiable^ Ifa. Ivii. 10 Eccl. i. 8. decf^iifuly%ph. ^- ' iv. 2-2 hurtful, fierang inen through wirh many fbrt'cws, I Tmi. vi, 9, I o. burning them up, Rom. i. 27. ^nd droivn- itig them in perdition, i Tipn. vj, 9. Thefe lufisj re- ; - (cciying thtli- doniinipn from the curfe of the Uw upon- the - ■ one hanc^, and from the choice of the finner on the Other, • fDullantiy reign, work, and nianifeft thendclve&, as tliey ,' vjif^l'e pppQrt+niJty, like lin vncuU^vated ^eirden, vyhich b^iogs toxik £o^tlv bfi'vfUrs, thoras, nettlesyanderther noxious weeds, Afct. V xy. J9 Mf^xk vii. 2f;, — ^3. Rotn. i. 21, — 32. and m. roj — , ,18^ QalvV. 19, — ^^21.- I Gor. vi. 9, £o. Lph. ii. i, — 3, 12. ,an4 iv, 17^—^19, Prov. xjtiv. 30, 31. and they become more ^|l .more powerful, till tljey be altogether uncontrollable, Tit. iij, 3, 2 i*e^ ii- I3> I4i 22. And that particular lull:, which from their conftitution, ftation, or circumftancesj rnoft ealily belets, and molt powerfully influenceth their cohduft, -is called thelv predcminnnt luft, Heb. xii. i. Pfalm xviii.'23. .(6.) For the juft puni(hment of mens progrefs in Avickednels, God, in the execution of his curie, inflidts additional plagues on them. Some of thefe plagues are not felt, but loved , .'. and delighted in, though dreadful in their nature, and an- .fwerabje to former wickednefs, Ifa. vi. g, 10. Pfalm Ixxxi, II, 12. Ifa. i. 5. Jer. v. 3. To punilh men's not receiv-» ing, bat rebelling againft the light of his word, or of their own confcienee, God gives them up to Judicial bUndnefs of mind, John iii, 18. Job xxi. 14. Eph. iv, 18, 2 ThelT. ii. ID, II. 2 Cor. iv. 3, 4. Ife, vi. 9, 10. and xlii. 19, 20, 25. Matth, xiii. 11. A^ts xxviii. 27, John xii- 40, Rom. xi. 7, .-^—lo. To punifh their not receiving tbe love of the truth, but holding it in unrighteoufnefs, he gives them up , . lojirong delujions and vile pra«Stires, 2 ThefT. ii. i o, — 12. Ifa. Ixvi. 4. Pfalm Ixxxi. 11, 12. Hof. iv. 17. Rom. i. 18,- 32f rTo punilh their hardening of themfelves in fm, he gives them up io judicial hardnefs of heart, that neither his word nor his providence affecSts them, Rom. ix, 18. Ifa. Ijciii. 17. withholding his grace from them, Deut xxix. 4. blafting his ordinances, thefe means of foftening hearts, to them, Hof. iv. 17. Rom, xi. 8, 9. Ifa, vi. 9, 10. expofing !^,thenx to temptations, Deut. ii. 30. Plalm cix. 6. Rev, xx, < rt,7, 8- an4 luifcring them to profper in their wickednefs, j^iaUn Ixxiii. 2, — 12. Job xxi. 7, — 15, Deut xxxii. !5,--^i8. Jer. xii. i. and xliv, 17. Mai. iii, 15. Pfalm xxxvii. 35. — To punill> their contempt of, and rebellion againft, the checks, the alarms and rebukes of their confcienee, he gives them up to a yp"''^ of Jiumber, and a confcienee feared as . with an hot iron, which neither feels, nor reproves them for, their commiilion of the mod horrid crimes, Rom. xi. - ,8. I. 'Tim, iv. 2. Gen. vi. 3, — To punilh their indulgence of vilenefs in their aftedions, even contrary to the flrivings > :of t4i,eir confcienee, he gives them up to vile affeBions,' d\\-^ poling them to the moll fliocking levvdnefs, or the like, Numv i. 26, 27. £ph. iv. 19. and v. 12..; i Cor. vi, 9. Gal. , ;.V. 19. i Pet. iv. 3. ^ Pet. ii. 14. Jude 7..^-;7To. pumlh their their finning. againft common (^hleaiiS Tatiorial- con v^i^i^ l^.CsgiTj'es-themiup to a reprobate .niittd of pnfey Rom. 'i. i"^-'^ a^im. iii. 8. Tit. i. i6, — To punifti their ready c6Tti|)^i-^ aikvles, render it an accurfed ferpent to hifs forth revengfe^s Rqm-iii. 9, 18,. and i. 26, — 18. i Cor. vi. 9, 10. Galv-i V* ij^'r^ai- Titviii. 3. \ Pet. iv 3. Jer. v. 7, 8. JDeut. xxiii.r I $. .,2,!Pet. ii. 2,: 22. Thus, it is the llave of manifold, cruelji and oppreffive lufts, even while it, contrary to nature, ap-*:;' pears to command the foul, 2 Pet. ii. 19. (4 ) The curfe from5"' every airthji! — fromair, from earth, fromfea, frombea{ls,fronS ' men, from angels, both good and bad, darts its empoifonedi-'- arrows and heaps mifchief, upon mens bodies, — faraiiijljj^t war, peftilence, difeafes, defolations, captivities, imprifofi**^ mdnts, dangers, wounds, bruifcs, pains, \sfc. Deut xxvi^iiC5 '5»^"^~~^^* •^^^'- ^^^^' ^4> 39« 2 Kings i 2. and viill 29. 2 Chron. xxi. 19. Aclis xii. 23. {5.) Mean while, th.«ti. accurfed -Sodjr itfelf is a feed plot of mifery ; and its inwards^ cornjptlon, efpeeially when it meets with correfpondehti^^^ autwardcircumftances, works into unnumbered difeafes, and renders our world a kind of hofpital, Deut. xxviii. 22»-' Ley. xxi..J8,'— 20. Matth. iv. 24. (6.) Man's body, beingq thi^sJnfe^ed, becomes a remarkable clog to his foul in al^t its ^attempts toward fpiritual exercifes or h.ippinefs. It«f~^ weaknefs or wearinefs occafions Dumber, fleeping, or un- ^^ eafinefs in, the worfhip of God. Cares for its welfare, ^-^ or hpnouj-r- prevent ferious care or thoughtfiilnefs about-^ things fpiritual or eternal. Its health and llcknefs, in di£. ferent£otrr)s^ hinder concern about true and everlafting hap-i.*i pinefs,vMahi. 13^. Matth. xxvi. 40, 43:rafid Vi. 26,—'34«"' Lukeou.40, 4i.pand xii. 16, — 20. - ' ' ' -'S (S-jh^enV PBjispi^s.and all their relative ccnccrm are zf^r''^ fe£te4.by.this curfe.. (r,) Tliey themfelvts, foul and bodyi--' areitbjrcbyy.and fr^m thjcir own choice, . the fubje(5ts arrd^^ il|vej^,5)f ^atan,-— 4»is lawful and-fiire .capti\fe9j- plagued with i "i'^-^-i.!:- ' ' his his iehiftonif Kafaflmehts,. and drudgery,- 2 Tin*, u^^al^H Ifa'^ xlix. 24. and Ixi. I. \vho cannot-be delivered from his^'S additional chains and burdens, but by the infiirfire rtierits"^ and almighty power and grace of Chrift, Z'ech. ix. It; ffa. — xtix 24,25, 25j Matth. xii. 29 (2 ) Evc'ry thing" c6n--f nefted with their accurfed perfon is accurfed to thfem, fof . their fake. Their charad^er is curfed with fKame and dif- '"• honour ; and the higher they rFfe in the world,' thi* th* more remarkably appears, Ffalm Ivii. 4* J6b v. ii* Deut;. xxviii. 27. Pfalm xxii. 6. and Ixix. 19, 2o.-^Th'e enfpilby- ment of their mind or hand, as curfed, ifllteth in Vanity of mifchief, Deut. xxviii. 17 Hag. i. 6, 7. EccL i. (3.— Their fubllance, being cut-fed, groans to efcape out of their hands, is confumed by a fecret fire of God's wrath, of" file^ t6-Ward heaven to bear witnefs againft the abufcrs of it, Jibin. viii; *i. Job XX. 26. Prov. xxiii. 5. Hof ii. 9;-^Thdr outward lot, whether profperous or afflifled, as curfed, decoys dr drives their foul from God, Job xxi. 8,-15. Dettt. xxjiii. ■f^j— j8. Hof. xiii. 6. Luke xii. 16,— 20. Prov. i. 32. 2 Chron. xxviii. 22. 2 Kings vi. 33. Job xxxv. 16. Ifa. i; 5. jPer. V. 3. xliii ; xliv. — ^The word and ordinances of God, rhefe means of grace and falvation, and all th^^oppdrtunities of attending them are curfed to them, and tend to their Burt, i Cor. ii. 16. Rom. xi. pj Pfalm Ixix. 22, 23. Ifa. vi. p, lo, 2 Theff". ii. 11, 12. 2 Pet. ii, 20, — 7.2. John x v. 22, 24. Matth.xi. 21,-23. 2 Cor. iv.3, 4. — ^Their refatians being curfed to them, increafe their miiery iii different forms. Magiftrates are oppreffors, entanglers of confcichce, a praife to evil doers, and a terror to them that do v/ell. Minifters are unfaithful, unwatchful, una6Vive, unfuCcefsful, or de- ceiving. Neighbours are unjuft, felfiih and mifchicvous. Being unequally yoked, hufbands are fuch fons of Belial, that one cannot fpeak to them ; and wives fUch brawlers, continual dropping, and rottennefs, that one c^not live with them. Children are a reproach and grief to parents, arrows to pierce their hearts, and robbers to wafte their fubftance. Daughters like carved palaces in cornelinefs, and corner flones in connecting families, fall on parent's heads, and crulh them with expences and grief, i S^am. viii: 1 1,7^" 17. Prov. xxix. 2, ^16. Ezek. xiii; xlv. lla. fk. t^,"i^. ' Jer. vi. 13, 14. Mic. ii. 11. and id. 1 1. 2 Cor.ii." i|. 1 S&i. XXV. 17. Mai. ii. 11, — 16. Prov. xix. 13- and Xxyii.'-i^.'and' sxi. 19. and xxv. 24. and xii. 4. and x. r. 5. ahd i^; 20.:, and xvii. a, 25. and xiii. i- attd xix. 26, andsxviii. f, 24.^ Of tlu Co V E N AW-T-^ of Woil K 5 . '' 245^" Hofclv^ 13, 14. Mic. vii. 5. Gen. xxxix; xzxvii. 2 Sam. xiii; jui.flod xvi. 2r, aa. (3.) They are in perpetual dan- ger qfftill greater milery than that which they are under, — being, wakad for by the (word, the vengeance of God ; and having fnares every where laid for them> Rev. iii. 17, John iii. 18, 36. Jer. xx. 3, 4. Pfalm vii. ji, — 44. Job xviii-j XX. (4.) Being in prilbn and without ftrength, they ., cannot efcape, but muft flide in due time, be fuddenly hur- led out of their place, and driven away in their wickednefs, and Ayept into hell by the ftorm and flood of God's wrath, Deut. xxxii. 35. Prov. 1. 26. and xiv. 32. H. After this life, the curfe operates on men, in a ftill more dreadful manner, (i.) In confequence of foul and body, combining in rebellion againft God, the curfe, in death t makes an unhappy reparation between them, (i-) A moft ruinous ftroke from the hand of an angry God. Men,, ^laving trufted their life to the broken covenant of works, its curfe tumbles them headlong into the hands of his wrath.> Job xviii. i3. Heb. x. 31. (2.) A final break- jngup of all treaty between God and them, relative to their eternai falyation. In death, the curfe fixeth an unpaffible gulf between him and them, fets his Teal to the proclama- tion; of an eternal war with them, and infolubly girds itfelf about them as a dreadful ferpent to crufh them for ever, Luke xyi. 25. (3.) A conclufion of all their comfort, .'^ which draws an immoveable bar between them and it, — ^ '. queqcheth. their coal, and puts out all their light, that all darknels may for ever dwell in their tabernacle, Luke xvi. 25. Job xviii. .17, 18. (4 ) The king of terrors armed with all that ft^ength, which he can derive from fin, and from the holy and juft law of God. When men die under the guilt of fin, God's ju ft ice and power mull chafe them into cverlafting^re. When they die under the dominion and pollution, of" their lufts, thefe muft attend them to thfe lowert hell, as tormentors. (5.) A fearful paflage into e- verlafting mifery. By death the curfe opens a trap door imder finnexs, that they may fall into the bottomlefs pit, and be fwallowcd up in unfathomable depths of mifery, ' Luke xvi. 22» 23. (2.) Immediately after death, man's foul is by the power • of the curfe, haled to the judgment feat of God, to receive its particular fentence of eternal damnation, Heb. ix. 27. Eccl. xii.^7,, with Matth. XXV. 41. In this (i.) All their ^ fins are brouglkt forth, as out of a fealcH bag, in which they had been carefully prefcrved, Hof. xlii. 12. Amos viii. 7. i i Job a^^o Of f he Cov^v Kvi r of W o^Ks.- JobxTv. id^ I). (2.) Every fin appearS-drawmg a curfe.afe' ter it. Alas, what unnumbered cords of damnation * GaL Hi. ic. Rom. vi. 23. (3.) There being no more a'throne of grace, or advocate with theF.ither, for them, they, hav-t: ing iinned by the law, mull: perifli by the law, and be ap- pointed to enter into eternal fire, as workers of iniquity, • Luke xiii. 21J, — 28. Pfalm xi. 5. Matth vH»23. Prov. xiv, 3-2. Ifa. xxxiii. (4. (3.) Their condemned foul is lodged in hell by the power ofthecurfe, now irrevocably confirmed by God, Lukexvi. 13. (r.) Their foul is lodged here ar. in a prifon, fecuring it for the lafl judgment, i Pe*. iii. 19. (2.) AH the dregs of Gk)d's wrath fhall be wrung out by the influence of the curfe, and poured into it, PLhii lxxv^8. (3.) It (hall be fixed among other damned fphits, devoted to eternal ruin by a like curfe, Matth.xxv. 4 . (4.) The happincfs which it hath irrecoverably loft, for a trifle or worfe, fhall now ap- pear in its full value, as an aggravation of torment,- Luke xvi. 23, 25, 26^ (5.) Confcience being fully awakened to fleep no more, IhalJ faften upon the damned foal the mofi: terrible convj;Slions of his former finfulnefs and apprehcnfions- of the wrath of God, Mark ix- 44, 46, 4S^ (6.) Alt the powers of their foul fliall lie under the unreftrained influ» ence of its finful lufts, and the tormenting pailions of pride^ grief, envy, rage> anguilh, defpair, which attend them>, Prov. xiv. 32.^ Matth. xxii. 13.. and viir. 12. Rev. xvi.. 10, 21. Ifa. viii. 2f. {7^) While the fouls of the wircked are tormented in hell, their fins fliall, till the laft-judgment, con- tinue increafing on earth, in the praftke of every one, wha hath been directly or indiredHydrawjt into fin by their mcans^ Mic. vi. i6» 2 Kings x. 29, 31. (4.) Meanwhile, their body, being baried under the curfe, (f.) The grave is no bed of reft, no hiding place to- it, as to the bodies of faints, Ifa,lvii^2. Rev. xiv. 13. But it is there fliut up as a malefaificu- in a prifon till the iaft judg- ment, Pfalm xlix. f4. (2.) Sin and guilt continue upon k> \?ithout any poflibility of removal, Job xx^ 11. Ezek xxxii. 2.7, (3.) It is corrupted in the grave by the influence of t-li€ curf(*, Job xxiv. 19^ :•■ ':>"1[ ;.' (5.) No part of their debt to the precept or penalty of the broken coveuant of works being pakl, the bodies of the wicked fliall be raifed again to life under this curfe, at the laft day. (r.) By virtue of this condemning fentence, they fhall be produced and brought forth, as malefaftors, toever- lulling punilhrr.cnt, John v. 29. Rev. xx. 13. Dan. xii- 2. (2.) Hav,. Of the Co V E N A.Nr"^ fifWp^ K $. A^-j. {l^ H?vi«g> 4^ theii' forme/- life, beep .inftruments of un- righteouilrK;rs, they Ihail now be. marked with iEin as un- clean veflels, perhaps eacJi with its predominant luiV, ICa. Ixvi. 24. {-(3.) The union between Ibul and body fliall be renew- cdf,wUh jnexprefiiblc anguifh to both. (4.) Who knows what terrible appearances the anguifla of their fouls and the imnaediate impreflions of the wrath of God may give to tbefe bodies? Rev. vi. i(5, 17. Ila. xxxiii. 14. and x.ili. &. and viii. 21, 22. (6.) In the laft judgment, fmners (liall appear under thp power of the curie, as damned malefactors, before the tri. bunal of Chrift. (r.) Their ftation at his left hand (hall, with its iliame and difgraee, mark them accurfed, Dan xii. 2. Matth. XXV. 33. (2.) The curfe interpofmg between him and them, Ihall render his apear.mcc motl terrible, — as a devouring lion, — a confnming fire; and the more curfcs intcrpoie, his appearance will be the more terrible, Rev. i. 7, and \'i. 16, 17. Pfalm 1. 22. (3.) To manifefl the infi- nite equity of the curfe, In the public proclamation and e- ternal execution of it, all the finful qualities, thoughts, words, and actions of the wicked, atid which they have dj- re<^t!y or indire(n:Iy encouraged or approved in others, fliail be- plainly ftated to their account, Eccl. xii. 14. Roai, xlv, yi. 2 Cor. V. 10. Rev, xx. 12. (4.) In confequence hereof, tbe-curfe fliall be folemnly proclaimed by Chiiil, and or- dered into immediate full execution, Matth. xxv. 41, — 46, Rev, XX. 12, 13. ■ (7*) Wbiie by virtue of the condemnatory fentence no^sr ,rjpe for full execution, the holy angels fliall drive, and the devils drag theni, from the judgment feat of Chrill, Matth. xiii. 41,42. and xxii. 13. The cuiTe which had all along in- feffted this lower world, fhall kindle it iuto an univerf^l flame, to give the tranrgrefibrs their lart, their terrible a- dieu. By this ipeans the earth, aiid lea, and air, (hall get rid of the curfe ; and of all that vanity and cjrruptiou, which had long infe«Sted them, Ihall be returned, in inex- preflible vengeance, on the wicked, who had occahoned ii, and all iin and mifery Ihall thence forth be confined to he^l, a Pet iji. 10, 13. 2 Thefl'. i, 8, 9. Pfalm 1. 3. Rom. viii. 21, — ^^23. Rev. XX. 14, 15. (8.) In hell the, curie of this broken coyeuant of works .,ihali tor ever prey upon the ur.ired foul and body of the ;Vicked, in its full ftrength, Pfalm Ixxv. 8. Rev. xiv. 10, 1 1.. ;( . .) By it the infernal pit, having received them, fhall dole its mou:h u£on them, and lliut them up as in a fiery 1 i 2 oven • 55* ^./(^^ CoVENANTVg/^Wo.RKS. ^.,!Oven,- Nu«tJ* .xvi. 32. Matth;^xiiJ.'3io.*Pfalm x"*li'lfl^^ti-) ,.,;^s a dreadful partition, it fliall for ever eijjclude allex<;«?ife kiOf God's mercy and patience from airipng t-hem, Matihrxxv. 41. Hof. ix. i2> (3.) Hence all fandtifying and fin reftrain- . ing influences fhall be for e^'er ftopt from them ; and Gbd ihall abandori tbem to the fullfiiry of their lufts, while they fhall 4iave nothing to fatisfy them, Matth, xxii. 13. Rev. xvi. 21. (4-) As the breath of the Lord, it fliall for eycr blow np the fire of his indignation on them ; and fix the envenomed arrows of his wrath in them, Ifa. xxx. 33. Lev, xiv. II. (5.) It fhall prolong their mifery into eternal du- ration, aijd dreadfully uphold them in bearing it, and per- haps perpetually render it more and more tormenting, Rev. 3cjv. II. Luke xii. 59. Matth. v, 26. and xxv. 41^ — 46. 2 ThefT. i. 9. Mark ix. 44, 46, 48. Ifa. xxxiij. 14. Though the condition of the faints, and of the wicke4 in death, and that which precedes it, be often apparently fimiiar, yet, every thing vvhioh the faints raeet-with,,or^he management of it by God, proceeds from his' love and juftify- ing fentenpe.— 3inful plagues are the choice and delight of the wicked j but they are the heavy burden of believers, Rom. vii. i4,-:-24. Pfalmxxxviii. 4. and xl.^ 12? ■ ..':.-.'■ f Reflect. Having thus far corapafled the flaming mount, tnd traverfed the paths of condemnation, haft thou, my foul, believed and trembled? Knowefl thou thefe terrors of the Lord, that thou mayeft perfuade men ? Am I flill un- der ? or, have I efcaped from this broken .covenant ? — this > tremenduous curfe ? Know 1 vvhen, and how, Jefus Chrift removed it, and all its dreadful effects, from my heart j — when, and how, be plucked me as a brand out of the fire, and quenched, and wafhed me in his blood ? What experir ence have I of the tranflation of the curfe from my perfon to my Saviour, and through him, to my iins, for their de- flruftion ? — ^Thrice dreadful, but: — heart-melting ^thought, ^''Was Jefus, was Jehovah made a curfe, — for mc ? Stop ■'-' then, my foul, and in the mofl awful mode, devote tbyfelf 'to him. Bear me witnefs, ye lifiening angels, you Omni- "" fcient THREE, that I conf»fted icdcmp- Qf the Co-v fa kur of Q%ACT^. :"tf53 i-ederfiptiQn through Iris btood,- the fcrgiveneft of trf/flhs, 9l»paqr<^ling'4p tl>e riches,-^-the exceeding 'riches of his gf-icc. TT—rHow tremendous the charge of, dealing between God andm^j-r-men who are under his awful ciirfe ! What d^ep compaiRpn ! What prayers and fupplkations with ftrong cries and tears to him tltatis able to fave them from death ! What earnert and Unremitting labour ! : What firhplicity of the gofpcl ! What" travelling in birth tjll Chrift be fomVcd jn their ^buU, is neceiTary here ! C H A P. IL Of tbe CQ,y%^A^T of Grace, in the Making W A D M I N I S T II 4 TI O N o/" ?■/. MAN'S ruin being wholly of himfelf by his fin, and bis damnation being infinitely j aft, it vy^s impoffible, is recovery ihould proceed from God by any necclpty of nature. He is indeed naturally good and merciful, /out : it was not neceiTary, that this goodnefs and mercy fliould be '-"manifefted in the infinitely coftly, the eternal redemption of his malicious enemies, that fought his life. — As i^ifinjtely )ioiyj righteous, and faithful, he might have puniflied c- tfery'finful creature with eyerlafting deftyudtion, Pfalra. xi. • 5.-^Being infinitely and independently bleffed in himfelf, ^ ilieir "ruin coijld not have impaired his happinefs, Expd.,iii. f 14. John v^ 2<5. I Tim. vi. 15, 16. and i. 11. Neyerthe- - 'lefs, if the whole of mankind had been eternally ruined, / Kis vvifdom and goodnefs in hiq creation of them, had; not 'J fo tleSfly ihone forth, To have created a 'n^hole /&/W.'of '" "rationil beings, not one of which anfwered the end of. its "fontiJition, in glorifying an4 enjoying himfcjlf; or to have 'beem fee>nfingly difappoinjed of his immediate end, with re- '^''f|>e6l to the whole of them, would not have convincingly ^"thin'i'fefted his infinitis wifdom, at leaft to his enemies.-^ — "If not One" of them had fliared his eternal favour, how.ob- ^ fctteh'id the nianlfeftatlon of his infinite ggodnefs been a- *bidngU>em ? — In' tfain/'it'is prctsiided^''tliat ii\ fuch a cafe. God vrould have immediately i\v^t Ad5»m and Eve into hei^, and i& prevented the damnation cfinUlions.— As in makifig the covenant oi u'lorks with Adam,- God had in his view e.- yery particular 'perfon rcprefented in it-,— »-his equity an— 3, 12. (4.) 'Ihe whole ftru£lure of the covenant of works being of God, his hoiinefs, equity *ahd fajthlulnefs were deeply intercfted in the fecuring its honour. Infinite hoiinefs could not bear with the wanton violation of the holy and good commandment delivered to Adara^ Hi'b. i. ij. Jer. xliv. 4. with Rom. vii. 12, ■ Infi- F.ite juftice could not forbear punilhing fo horrid a crime, Gen. xviii. '^5. Deut. xxxii. 4. Pfalm xi. 5, — ^.7, Infinite fiuthfulueis could not difpenfe with the execution of that dcrtth, which was doubly fecured in the threatening, Gen. ii. 17. Tit. i. 2. Num. xxiii. 19. i Sam. xv. 29. 2 Tim. ii. 1:5. It was therefore necefiTary, that any covenant for the redemption of fallen men Oiould be made with a divine pe/*- ibij, who could intallibly fecurc and fully pay their whole debt, Q/f-//^^ Covenant cf. Grace.' ^ 05,^ debt, ftated fram the broken covenant of works, in tht- fame nature which, had iinned, Pfalm xl. 6,— S. Ifa. liii. j^. 5, ro',— r2. Rem. viii. 3, 4;. rTheff. v.,9, 10. Gal. ii. ?a,' A6>s XX. 58. Tit. ii. 14. Heb. ik lOj.'ii'i ;i4, 16. andvii. 2t2. and, ix. 15. IMattlx. xx. 28, 2 Cor/ v. 21. i Pet-, ii. 24.- and iii. 18. . The mil'ery into which ail men plunged themfelves bf fin, was the occasion of God's makinga new covenant for their redemption, Eccl. vii. 29. Gen. iii. i, rp. HoC xiii. 9. Eph. ii. 1,- — 10. and i. 7. Rom. iii, 9, — 20, 23. and Viii. 3, 7, 8. and V. 12, — 21* Tit. iii. 3. But hisownama- aing.love and fovereign grace was the cause and Ipring of io, Pf'.lm xL 5. and cxxxvi. 23. Jer. xxxi. 33. Ifacliv. 8, — tix and lxiii.7. John iii. 16. i John iv. 9, 10, 19.- Luke ii, 14. Eph. i. 6, 7-' and ii. 4, — 8^ And hence it is common- ly calledihe COVENANT OF GRACE, Originating froui th« mere grace of God,, and contracted between divincfpeifonsj ir was tnade from all eternity. Hence (l.) Clirift k repr^r fented as having h.\5 gai7igs forth from of old, from everlaf* ting, Mic^ V. 2.- as fet up from everlafting, Prov„,viii. 2t* and foreordained before the foundation of the world, i Pet. i: 20. (2-) Grace and eternal life are reprefented as pronii- fed, as given before the world began, 2 Tim. i. 9. Tit i. 2*- -r-and the kingdom of heaven prepared for men, and their names enrolled in the book of lift*, — before the foundatiort of the world, Matth. xxv. 34. Rom. ix. 23* Rev. xiii. 8. His covenant of grace is neverthelefs called th€ feconi covenaaty becaufe, though it. was firft made, it is laCI: exe- cuted, the breach of the covenant of works neceflarily pre-^ ceding the entrance of this. And, it is called the tinv ayoe- notit for much the lame reafon, and becaufe of its everlat- ting, ftability and excellency, Heb. vlli. <),— 13. Jer. xxxi. 3'r-34> - /: . As this corenanr took r'lCt from the Infinite, the «qu^l love of all the three divide perfons, they were equally eni- ployexi in-the making of it, and rook their refpeftive fliares in die work, of it. It is manifeft that the ]-{i7Xt;if>- piicatioji of the. biciiiags, purcbaft4.> and XX. 28. John xvi. 7, — 144 r Cor, vi. n. Rom. "vni. 2,. 13. and XV. ,16, 19. Eph. i. 13^ 14, 17, i8. and4i,'2i,.2r*-5 Eph. V. 9. Gal. V. 22, 23, 18, 25. And from his concern; in the making of this covenant, he hath a right to be Int^t* ceffor in the hearts of believers for the bleffings ©f it^ , Rom. viii. 15, 26, 27* Gal. iv. 6. - 7jm&rt,r>' ^ But this covenant of grace was, in a peculiar manner^ made by God with his own Son, as Mediator^ between him and men. (i.) The fcripture plainly reprefents.God as co- venanting tvith Chrirt, Pfalm Ixxxix. 3, 4, 19,1—^ — 36. all tvhich texts have too emphatic language to have their full . application to the covenant of royalty over Ifrael made with David, which was typical of that made with Chrift,— Pfal. xl. 6, — 8. Luke XX ii. 29. Ifa* liiii 10,— (2. Zech.- vii 13. which text runs in the future time, becaufe the execution of this covenant is never finiflied^ — And hence we read of Chrift's connexion with a better covenant ^ Heb. vii. 22. and TJii. 6. and ix< 15^ — ^and of its promifes being before made - •or confirmed by God unto Chrifl;, Gah iii. 1^6, 17. Trt. i. 2. (2.) God is reprefented as the God^ Heady and Alajier^ and Judge^ of Ghrift his Son, and as giving, fending, helping, bruifing, juftifying, and glorifying him, Pfalm. xxii-i- and xlv. 7. John XX. 17. Eph. i. 3. i Pet. i. 3. i Cor. xi. 3. John iii. 16. Rom. viii. 32, 3. i John iv. 9, 10. Ifa. xlviii;; 16. and xlii. i. and 1. 7, — 9. and liii. 10. Heb. ii. 10. and xiii. 20. I Pet. i. 21. Eph. i. 20, — 23.. Phil. ii. 9,— n^ (3.) Chrift if reprefented as God's f^rvant, or fent^meflen*- ger, Ifa. xlii. i, — 7. and xlix. i,. — 9. John yi. 27, 29. and X. 36. — as a Surety, Heb. vii. 22. Pfalm cxix. 32. — as made under the law, Gal. iv. 4, 9. Rom. viii. 3, 4. made ob^di.» cnt, Matth. iii. 15, Phil. ii. 7, 8. Heb. v. 8. John viii. 29. and X. 18. and xiv. 31. and xvii. 4. Rom. v. 19. Pfilm t^\* 7, 8. made fin, 2 Cor. v. 21. Ifa. liii. 6, 11. 12- j Pet. ii., 24. made a curfc, Gal. iii. 13. made afufferei* for us, l Piet.. i. 19. and ii. 24 and iii. 18. Rev. v. 9. Eph. v. 23, 23), 2J, 26, 27. Matth. XX. 28. Luke xxiv. 26. Ifa. liii. 4, 5i 10,. 2 Cor. v. 14, 15. Rom. iii. 24, — 26. and v. 6, — }i. and as receiving the reward of his work, Pfalm ii. 8. and xxi. i,— ^ 7. and xxii. 27, — 31. ex. Ifa. liii. 10, — 12. and xlix. 3;,— 9. Luke xxiv. 26. John xvii. 4, 5. Pl\il. ii, 7,— -ii. Heb, 11.9, 10. (4.) Solemn confirmations of agreement by oaths and feals are reprefented as between God and his Spn,--»-To . mark the in6niie I^'^portanc? ^ jjifalUble .c^rtain-ty,,, and the • neceiTary h9xxS5trj belief of th^t ^frhich he decIaFed,- God fVare It-tdTt Chrittf P-fol. tie. 4. and Ixiifix. 3, 4, 35. Hi&b, vif. 17,-214^ 23. ««d Cliriil pledged his heatt orToul, -that he would api*^ proach to an offended Ood as an atonrag prieft and facrifice^ Jer.jjJtx a I God conferred and Chrift accepted, the^- I'ealsofboth difpenrntions of the covenant ^f grace. Chrift^- indee^^ did this in obedience to his Father's law, — and as-a" iolemn avowal of his fellowlliip with the vifible church, and ojf- his rfadinefs and cheerfulnefis in his work, — and as a mean of exciting and ftrengtheoing the graces of his manhood. Byt- thcfe leals were alfo confirmations ofthe engagement between him and his Father, relative to the redemption of man. — Thus, in circumcision, God fignified and fealed to Chrift, that he acknowledged him the promifed feed of Abraham, in whom men ihould be blefled ; — that through his being cut otf by blood (bedding and death, his myftical body f}\on!d be preferved and admitted to fellowlhip with God ;— and that they fliould derive their Ipiritual circumcifion from him, Gen. xxii i8. with xvii. lo,- — 14. Col. ii. 1 1, — 13. By receiving circumcifion', Chrift avowed himfelf a debtor to fulfil the whole law ©f God, Gal. v, 3. and that, to pre-' ferve us and procure our ftllowftiip with God, he was ready to endure bloody fuftcrings and death, as our Head, and fleOi of our flefh, Pfahn xl. 6, — 8. John viii. 21, ^3, — 3c. •—In baptifm, God folemnly acknowledged Chrift as accep- table fo him in liis perfon and office, — he fecured his fur- nifhing of him with all the fulnefs of the Spirit for himfelf and his people, *-*and iignified that in due time he f^jould be delivered irom, and lifted- alx)ve all watei-s of trouble, Mat. iii. 15,-— 17. and Chrill: avowed his readinefs to plunge him-^'^ felf into the depth? of divine wrath in the full aflurance of ■ his Father's lupport under, and deliverance from it, Matth. - iii. 4 5. Ifa, 1. 7, 9. Luke xlj 50- Match', xx. 22. — In granting-^ the palTover to Chril^, God folemnly acknowledged him his-f*" Lam!? without fpot, 2 Gor. v. 21. Heb. vii. 26. Ih liii. '^.'S and that by his death, and the application of it to men, df^ • llve'rance and conifort Ihould be fecured f<5r all his (pirituvil feed, Ife. liii, lo, — 12. Heb. ix. 28. Excd. xii. Peur. xvi. Num* ix. — Irs eating it, Chrift avowed his immediate readi* nel^'to undergo the moft trcmcpduous fuffering and death,* forprccunng'his people's falvstion, Pfalm xl. 7, 8. John xviii' IX. twke xxii. 15. — In Chrift's partaking of his holy ' fupperj God fealed to him, that by his death, he ihoulu be the et^nal nourifhment and comfort of his ifJeople ; that bis fufl^rings and- their virtue (hould be folemnly remembered '.'■''■'^•■' ]ik and i'^9 Oj'i'ke CoVENANT-d^ Grace* and experienced among his people on earth till the eyad of, time, and nn heaven for eveirj'Ifa.rliii.io, — 12.. Pfalin xlv^ 17. and xxli. 27,— 31. And Chrift ' folemnly avowed^ ^^fs intention to enter immediately on. his laft. iu fieri ng^- and death, and iignified his unitioji of his -people . into jpne my-. ftical body with h rmfelf, Matth.j xxvi, "26. t Cior. x , X^A 7- ' Thus the partt onheavcnVfide'is God eirentiaUy.^tpn- fidered, in the perfon of the Father as fuftaining tjiemajef- ty and authority of the Godhead. He is to be Here viewed (1.) As highly offended with man's lin, Pfalm^ xiv. 2, 3. and V. 4, 5^, 6- Jer. xliv. 4. Hab. i. 13.; (2.) As purpofing to manifell the exceeding riches of his grace in: the redemp- tion of a part of mankind, 2 Tim. i. p^ Tit. i. 2. Pfalm, cxxxvi. 23. Jer. xxxi. 3, 20. (3.) As infinitely j,uA and holy, who cannot but give fin its due recompense, and can- not fave finners, but in a way of magnifying his law, {at is,- fying his juftice, and vindicating his holinefs, Gen*, x^fiii,. 2-5. Deut xxxii. 4. Pfalm xi. 5, — 7. Exod. xxxiv. 7. Ifa, iv. t6. and xlii. ^\. Matth. v. 18. ^ ,- The Son of God is the part'j contraBer on manX fidej i Tim. ii. 5, 6. lia. vii. 14, and ix. 6. Pie was conlidered (i.) As a perfon of infinite perfe6lion, having in himfelf fufEcient wifdom, power, holinefs, jufiice, goodnefs and tFuth, for the marvellous and arduous work ofour redemp*. tion, Pfalm Ixxxix. 19. Ifa- ix. 6. Rev. i. 4. Phil. ii. 0. Zcch. xiii. 7. (2.) As our rightful proprietor, who might ■fave us, if he pleafed, and who had a tender- regard and compaffion to the work of his hands, PfaL-n c. 3.. Rom. ix. 20, — 23. Ifa. xliii. 2r. and liv. 5. (3.) As a public head and reprefentative of all his elei5l of mankind, as his fpiiitual feed, Eph>i. 3,4, 6, 7. 2 Tim. i. 9. Pfalm Ixxxiaj. 3,4. Jfa. liii. ID, II, 12. ;.'.; V .:. That it was made with hini as a Reprefentative of his fpi- ritual feed is evident, (i.) All thefe covenants, which were typical or emblematical of it, were made with parents as reprefentatives of their defcendahts, — as the covenant of prefervation from floods with Noah, Gen. ix. 9. the coye- ' rant of peculiar friendfliip and relation with Abraham, Gen. xvii. 7. the covenant of priefthood with Phinehas, Num. XXV. 12, 13. the covenant of royalty with David, 2 Sam. vii. 11,- — 19., the covenant of poil'eflion of Canaan and peculiar relation to God with Ifrael, Exod. xix. 5, 6. xxiv. i>eut. V. 2. and xxix. 1 1, 15. (2.) Chrift is, in a peculiar ihanner, compared with Adam our reprefentative m the co- venant of worfesj — with refpe£l: so his connection with, his "eleft Of the CoYEif ANT v?^ Grace.. 259 eleiTlr mcrnbers, R-om. V. 12,— -;:,i. i Cprxv. ai, 22, 45,—^ 49:' (3:')iChrift and his fpiritual feed are called by iheYamt nameof Israel, Ifa. xlix. 3. with Rom. ix. '6. GaL vi. 16.- Ifa/xlv. 17 and xliv. 23, Jacob, Pfaini xXtv. 6. with Ifa. xli.i4. Christ, i C®r. xii. 12. Gal. iii. 16. which plain- ly infers, that he is their bead and they his members, Eph. \'. 3 who cpiild itot-faU^ nor be difcouraged/norbe fcduc'ed by Satai4|,^ijP-|'^ifi>,ixjgo3j; 2, 19, 22, 28,29, 33,36, ,.. .M-f -.^brnu 'i* The par /y cofitraBed for y m this covenant,, were .pcrfons of mankind cholen by God to cverlafting life, - (i>i)-Qnly they, that were cho/tn in Ckriji, are blefftd in. kim.^ iphv i. 3i 4. In their eledUon hp and they are confidered zi one idjdy, of which he is the Head, and they the members, Heb^ ii. II, Ifa. xUi. t, 6. Eph, v, 23, 30. (2,) All thoi'e whoofi. Chrift reprefented become heavenly men, i Cop,.-xv. 47#-^ 39. Coi, iii. i,T — 4 Eph, i. 4. with ii, 6. (3.) Th ofe, for. whom he undertook, are reprefented as his fpiritual (eedt, begotten again in their regenerationj in due timCj Cpl-iiii,' 16. Pfalm Ixjf^ix 3,4s and xxii. 30, 31. Pfahn liii. lO, lu James i 18. i Pet. i. 2, 3. (4.) Thofe whom he reprefented, are God's fpiritual Ifrael, Rom. ix. 6. Gah vi. 16, Heb. ii. 16: Ijx this-repretntationthefe perfonsareconlldered, (i.) A-s dinners, loft and undone in themfelves, by the breach of the covenant of works, Hof. xiii. 9, Luke xix- 10. Mat xvidiV' Jr> and ix. 12. Rom. v. 6, 8, 10, (2,) As altogether un- able to help themfelves, Rom, v. 6c and viii. 7, 8. 2, Gor,; i^i. 5; John XV, 5. Jer. xiii, 23 Eph. ii, 1. Col. 11, 13. ('^4 As diftinguifhed from the reft of the world, in -the lb- vereign purpofe of God, Matth. xx, 23. 2 Tim. ii. 19, John Xivii 6, 12. Eph. i. 4. 1 ThelT. v. 9,. (4.) As objc^softhe redeeming love of God, Father, Son, and Holy Gboft, John xvii, 23, 6, and xiii. 18. and xv. J5ji(^. Eph-if.itSiir John iv, 9, 10, 19. and iii. i. • r" . It wati therefore neccflary, that, in reprefenting them» Chrilt fhould not only bear the general chara<5ler ofMedW' tor, but that, in particular, he fl.ould be (1.) Our KtiiSr MAN-REDKEMER, Job. xix. 2^. Ifa. xlvili. 17. that- he might marry the widowed human nature antj holy law,. an4 raife up to them an offspring of good pcrfons, and worka^-?. Luke iii. xyjfvlii. Gen. iii. 15, Heb. h. 11, — 16. Matth., iii;'' 15. Luke xxiv. 26, Ron!, vii. 4, Pfalm xxii* 30, 31.. John xii. 24, — might deliver ui from the (lavery of the brpkeii law^ and of fin, Satan, and the worldj Gal iv. 4, 5. and iii. ,13. Rom. vii. 4. and vi. 14. and vii', 2. | Pet. i, i§, 19. Tit. ii. i4» Heh. ii. 14, 15; 2 Tini. ii. 25, 26. Ifa. xlix. • ■.;,' a4,'-26. 24i,— »lin «GaJ; i/'4, 'atid'vf/'x4.^4^might buy back our mort-. g^ge^ fWheKitance of eternal h^ppincis^ i Thcff. v. lo. Eph, i» 14/ J 26, and v. i. and ix. 14, 28. and X. 5, 10, 14. Ifa. liii, Pfaim xxii j Ij^ix. In the- MAKING of this covenant of grace. (1.) The Son of God was conllitutedyiv'c//^ Adamt and agreed to af- lume our nature, and become a true ma(i ; and hence zfub" Jiantial Mediator between God and men, capable of fubjec- tjng himfelf to the law binding on us, and to pay our debt of love to God ar^d men,-^— and of lufferlng for fin, in that very nature, which had finned, Pialm xl, 6,-r--Z. Gen. * 3(xviii. 12, John i, 51.^— in the view of which, he was con-' ftituted-ari official Mediator, Head, and Reprefentative of his ele r8. Rev. v. 9. and intitles them to etCinal liFe, MattR-xix.. 17. with iii. 15. and v. ly, 18. Rom, v, 1^, 2!. — -Nothing can therefore remain to be fulfilled by them, ;is the-proper condition of this covenant, Dan. )X. 24. 2 Cor. v. 21. (2.) It hath been proved, that the perfedlions of God's nature required, that the condition of the broken co- venant of works fliould be the condition of any covenant, he could make for the recovery of fallen men. Unlefs his truth and righteOufnefs fail, the penalty muft be executed. Gen. ii. 17. Sin muft be expiated to the full fatisfadlion of his infinite majefty and perfe£lion, which can by no means cleair- the guilty, Exod. xxxiv. 7, Unlefs the holy com- mandment be honoured with perfect obedience, no man cats enter into life, Gal. iii. 12. Matth. v. 18. and xix- 17. — Nothing but the right-eoufnefs of the Son of God can anlwer to thele high demands, Matth. iii. 15, Rom. viii 3, 4. (3.) The fcripture plainly reprefents Chrlft's fulfilment of all righteoufnefs anfvverable to the precept and penalty of the broken law or covenant of works, as the proper cctiditicn of the eternal happinefs of his fpiritual feed, Ifa. liii. 10, n. I.uke xxii 20. Matth. iii. 15. and xx. 28. Luke xxiv. 26. ilsb. ii. lo. Phil. ii. 8. and iii. 9, 2 Cor. v. 21. Roni. iv. 2^.,andv. io,.i5, — 21. and iii. 24,-26. i Pet. i. i8, 19. and ii. 24. and iii. 18. 2 Pet. i. i. Rev. v. 9. Eph. v. 2. Tit. ii. r4. i Thefl*. v. 10. (4.) Upon his righteoufnefs a- Ipne believers found their plea for, and hopes of eternal fal- vation, Eph. i. 6, 7. Col. i. 14. Phil. iii. 8, 9. Rom. iii, 20, — 22. and V. 21. Gal. ii. 16. and v, 4. and Chrifl: him- felf founds his continual interceflion, Johnxvii. 4. i Jbhh 11. -i, 2. Rev, viii. 34 (5.) Only the righteoufnels of Chrift, t)ur Surety, as the condition of this covenants cacti render eternal life a debt to the covenanter or covenantees, Rom." iv. 4, — 6. and by it, our eternal redemption is a debt to Chrlft, founded on his merir, which is both intrlnfic and paBionul, he being at once the moft iiigh God, and the fuU filler of the condition of this covenant made with him, Ifa. •Kli; 10, II, I2i Pfalmxl. 6, — 8. Acls xx. 28. (6.) As our faith, repentance, and new obedience can, by no means, anfwer the demands of the broken law, fo, inftead of being * proper conditions of this covenant of grace, they are all in- ■ eftimable benefits, promifed in it, upon the foot of its fulfilled con- t^4 ^f the. Covenant, of Grace. condition, Phil. i. 29. Pfalm x;^ii. 27, rji^- Adlbi. v>^,J^ They fuppofe every perfpn in whom thcv lyre, already wi,thf m that covenantj — none of them being perfbrmablc underth^ curfe or condemning covenant of works, Gal, ii. 19 a^t^ ill, 10. I Cor. XV. 56. Rom. vii. 4. and vi. 14. anjd;viiL 3* *^Being duties performed, not under the law, aj ai^qyepanty. but under it, as a rule of lifi-, they can have 110 patftl- onal merit, but are founded on union to, and fellowQiip with Chrid, intereft in his righteoufnefs, and complete claim to eternal hfe, Luke i. 74, 75. Heb. xii. aiJ.rT-Everv faith can no more properly be dalled the condition of tlije co-, venant of grace, than a child's receiving and gearing qf h^s^ father's wages of fervice, can be called the condition, vsrh^cl^j intitles to fuch wages, and renders the mailer bound to pay^ them, Ifa. liii. 10, — 12* Heb. ii. 10,— '16 Pfalm xxii. 30,, 31. (76) The covenant of grace excludes all boaflijng, Rom. iii. 27. and v. 20, 21. Tit. iii. 3, 5. But it could not do fo,, if our faith, repentance, and new obedience, wete the pro-., per conditions of it, as the weakeft a£ling of any of there graces under the curfe of the law and dominion of fin, would be more ground of boafting, than Adam*s complete fulfil-, ment of the law, in hisftate of innocence, would have, been, As the perfections of God required, that this condition ^ oiihtfuyety-ri^kteoiifnefs of Jefus Chrift fhould be ftated from the broken covenant of works, Matth v. 17, 18. Rom. Viii. 3, 4. GaL iv* 4, 1;. It neceflarily included, ( u) The holltiefs of his waw^oo^/abfolutely perfe£l in parts and degrees^ and retained till the end of his humbled life, Ilcb. vii. '2J$.,. Luke i. 35. Man, under the covenant of worjcs, being ipr difpenfibly bound to retain that perfection of nature^^ which had been given him in his creation, dulj iit^prpven and ftrpngthened, it behoved Chrift to afford it, in the room of., thofe that are faved by him. To fuppofe, that the law of. God did not require this holinefs of nature, is to fuppofe^ that want of original righteoufnefs, aad hence even the cpi^;^, trary corruption of nature, is no Tm : for where,, no law- is,. there can be no tranfgreflion, Jlom. iv. 15. and •y, 13.. Nor can the admitting of Clirift'^ holinefs of nature into his jlyrcty^. righteoufnefs to be imputed to us, any more render pur h^-. llnefs of nature unneceflary, than his obediance of life can render our holy obedience unnecefTary. Our holinefs of nature is an important part cf otir happinefs purcltafed by Chrift's holinefs of nature and life, Ron), v. 10, 15,— 2. f. (2 ) The holy obedience of his life carried to the highefl perfection in parts and degeres, ^nd continued till his death, Jchn Jb^n^via^'^p. Heb.v. t. Matth. iii. !^. and vify, i^V Phii'JJ^.'^^alnt xl'. 8. G-Tr.iii: io,.i2.'Rt)th. x. 4, 5. and V. iip:'-'K0t4h. xix." I). Lev: xviii. 5. Deut. xxvii. 26.' CfiViJF^ retaining oF his holinefs of natbfe and perfererance in rhfe Kdly cfbedience wns inrmirely difficulr^'as hea^l along- comihued under the curft bf God in our ftead, Gal. ill. 1 3.' I Ctyr.'XT. 56. (3.) Full fatist.iiticn to the penalty of the] btoiten'laW incurred by min's (in, in voluntarily bearing the vt'i-VTa'me punilhmeitt, which wt deferved, in all the effen- tial ingredients of it.— In (f.) His "being fubje«5Ved to legal death Cr tire curfe due to us for our fin, Gal. iii. 13. Deut. xxi. i3< Hence God was legally wroth with him, Pfalm Ixxxix. 38. and xiii i, 2. He was configned into the hands of his revenging jufliice, that it might demand full fa- tisfadlibh from hirfi for all the fins which were imputed to" liim, witTiCvit'ah^ pity 6r abatement, Zech. xiii. 7. Ifa. liii. RoM: viii; ii.-:— and was fet up as the butt or mark of all the .irrows and bilfows of his Father's almighty wrath, John xvlii. Ill Pfalm Ixix. I, 2, 14, 15. (2.) The infinite exe- cutlori' of this curfe or condemning fentence, of the bro- ken Is^w^ npbn his foul, body, and perfon, in every thlngp cdmpreh'^titied in that temporal or fpiritual death whicli Hows 'from the curfe itfelf, Gen. ii. 17. Gal. iii. ro, f^. Luke ,kxiv."26. Ifa! 1. 6. and Iii. 14. and xlin. 7. and liii/ 2,-1^. Pialm xxii. i, 21- and Ixix. i, 2r'. and xi. 2,6,— "'S, 12^, 13, 17. John xii. 27. A£ls xx. 28. Heb; ii; 10. and V,*7r imd xiii. 12. Rev. v. 9. Eph. v. 2 i Pet. i. ip. andii.'24. and i-i. f8. 2 Cor. v. 21. Matth. xxi 28. xxvl;' xxvii. Mark xiv ;' XV Liike xxii ; x^iii. John v; viir; y; xyiii ; xix. — ^The reign of indwelling lufts, the pollution of fin, and the eternity of pjti'fhment, not proceeding frofti the curfe of the law, in itfelf, did not belong to this pu- nifhmfehtj'when intliftecl on an infinitely holy and worthy ' ;)erfon. His iritinite pow-er andholinefs prevented all infec* tion from fxn, 2 Cor.'v. '2 •• Ifa. liii 7. Thes.infiriite digJH- ty of lii^ perfon rnade his temporary fufferin^s oi infinife va- lue anfwerabl? to the demands of the law, John xviii 1 1. A€ts xX 28. Rom. i, 17, and v. 17, 18. 2 Coif. v. 21. And i)eing the only Son of God, who ivad come voluntarily 'in* der this* rurfe for others,— it did not debar him from Itis Fa- thers neceiiary fupport or orcalional fmilesv ifa. xlii. 1 . John iiil 34. Matth. iii- f6, 17. and xvii. i;— ^. an4 iv. I I. Luke X. 2 I. and xxii. 43. Johr. xj;. 28. *^eing made with a perfon Innmif, eterral, and nnch&ngc- ablci'j in'wifdomj power, hoUn'::rsy}uftk<", good nefs, -^nd L I truth, 266 Of the Coy en an t of -G RA CE.^ truth, who could not fail to fulfil whatever he had undcR-^ taken, this covenant left no room for a penalty in cafe, of breach, Pfalm Ixxxix. 19, 22. Ifa, ix. 6. and xlii. 4. Heb., vii, 25. The condition of this covenant being fulfilled hj, Chriit, no proper pejo^Uyor punifhment can be inflicx. ^ - t.v, In their immedist^pplication, fome promifes of the co- venant of grace refpe£l Chrift, as the head of his el€(ft, as their obje6\, and others of them ref pe£\ the eled themfelves^. But fuch is the onenefs and relation between them, that e- very promife fulfilled on him, terminates in their advantage, and every promife fulfilled on theiUf terminates in his glory and joy, Pfalm xxii. 27,; — 31. Ifa. Iiii. 10, — 12. and xlii. i> — ry. and xlix. i, — 12. The promifes, which are imme- diately fulfilled on Chrift himfclf were made chiefly, if not folely, to him. — Of thefe, the promifes of furniture for his. ' work, in having an holy manhood formed for him, and the Holy Ghoft plentifully given him, being fulfilled antece- dently to his performance of his humbled fervice, have their foundation in the fovereign love of God along with our e- le£\:ion, Heb. x. 5. Ifa. 3rS*« i> — -9' and xlii. i,— d.and IxL I. and xi. 2, — 4. and It^, 7, 9. Pfalm Ixxxix. 21.. witK „, ..-. Matth. Of M^ Covenant e/" Gracev 267 • MattK'iii. t6. Johniii. 34 — But the promifes of God's ac cvptnrtce of his fervicey including the promife of his refurrcc- tion from the dead, Pfalm xvi. 10. with Heb. xiii- 20. and the promife of his juftification in the Spirit^- — in which- he received an ample difch^rge of all the debt, which he had engaged to pay for his people, Ifa. 1. 8. with i Tim. iii. 16. Rom. iv. 25. Heb. ix. 28. John xvi. 10. — and the promiies of God*s rewarding him for it, — including a mediatbrial in- tereft in God as his God and portion, — heiriliip of him, and. all things in, and with him, Pfalm Ixxxix. 26, 27. Heb. L J4. Rom. viii. 17. John xx. 17. Pfalm xlv. 7. and xvi. ir: — an exaltation to be God^s prime minifter, and great ma- nager (Jf ail things relative to the church, Afts ii. 36. Pfal. ex. I,— 7. Ixxii. xxi. and xxii. 27,-^29. Ifa. xlix. 8. and lit. 13 Dan. vii. 14. Matth. xxviii. \%. and xi. 27. John ill. 35: and v. 22. £ph. i. 22. Phil, ii, 8,— inik-lfa- ix. 6, 7. and xxxii. i.- — a fpiritual leed numerous as the ftars of " heaverii and bleffed in him to the higheft, for ever, Ifa. liii. io,-— 12. Pfalm Ixxxix. 4, 29, 36. and xxii. 30. and Ixxii. • 17. Ifa. xlv. 17, — and complete vidlory over all his and hiis people's enemies, Pfalm ex. i, 2, 5, 6, and lxxxiXv-23. aind- ■ xxii. 27, 28. and xlv. 5, 6. Mic. iv. 3. artd iiiM3. andv. 4; ' 5. Zech. ix. 9, 10. andxii. (^. and xiv. i2. Pfalm xviii i " xxi ; Ixxii. ■ ■ ■""" i ^ All the promifes which have their hiiinediate* fulfiltiient' on the elect were primarily mndf to Ghrift himfelf. (i i^ThS ■ fcriptnres plainly affirni this Gal. iii, t6, 17, 14. I?falni< " Ixxxix. 4, 28, — 36. (2.) Chrift: is the great and primary heir of all things, divine promifes not excepted, Heb. i. 2. Pfalm Ixxxix. 27. John xx. 17. Rt)m. viii. 17. (3.) Theffe promiles were made to be fulfilled upon ccmdition c)f his fuU' tillingallrighteournefs, and \^o contain part of the reward proi-j mifed to him, Ifa. liii. 16 — 12. Pfalm xxii; Ixix; with Heb*. ♦■ ii. 8,9, 10. anxlxii. 2. Phil. ii. 8,— ^Vi. (4.) They wcfe niade and the gnce contained in them given before -the world- ' began, while not one of the ele£l: exifted,' Tit 'i. 2. 2 Timi i. 9. -It therefore follows, (r.) That no condirionnl pro- miies of this covenant entail any fpiritual benefit upoirany perfon, but fuch as are united to Chrift and clothed with his righteoufnefs, which is the condition of it, Ifa. 119. and- ' jir. 10. I Cor. XV. 58. Rev. xiv. 13. and xxii. \4- (2.) That the very beginnings of grace are conveyed into elei't perfons in promiles, I Pet. i. 23. James i. 10. Ezek.'xi. 19.' and xxxvi. 26. Dent", xxx. 6. (3.) That fpiritxi'id union witli Chrift gives one a.^i a^ual intereft in^ and begun poflelhon L I 2 oi ■^tS% Of the CovEVArtf.ofZGRAci. ©f^ aU the promifes, as an herrthiBrEof in Chrift,/:i:Cdp;>lv 30. 2 Cor. i. 20.. (4 ) That we ought to plead the pfOhit-' ies only in the name of Chrift, John xiv. 13, 14, and xvu 03,-24. Gen. xii. 3. and >xii. 18. Pralm Ixxii. 17. -Ephrft 3. (5.) That we ought never to di'ead the ftilure-^f anjt proniKes. For, ho>vever much we have provoked tlie Lord, Chrifl, to X^hom they were p'rimarjly nrade, never gave him any provocation to break them, but an infinite and ^vcrlaf- ting ground and cauli: to fulfil them. The promifcs immediately refpecting the ele^, rn getineral comprehend ETEiiiiAL life, that is, all true happinefs in time and through all eternity and all the means of it, Tit i, 21. John ii. 25. Ha. xlv. 17, — It might be viewed, as in- cluding a death to the broken lav?', — to fin,-— and to the world, Rom. vii. 4, and viii, 2. and vi. 2, 14, Col. iii; 3, 4. and ii. 20. Gal, i. 4, and ii, 19, 20 and vi, 14. — and an endlels /ife, — from a reconciled God as its caufe, — on him as its upholding fupport, — with him zs a gracious compani- on,— and to him as the higheft and laft end of it, Pfalni jtxvii. J. and cxlii. 5. and Ixxiii. 24, 26. Col. iii. 3,4. J^om. vii, 4. Gai. ii. 19, i Cor, vi, 20. and x. 31.-^-^ — Or, this eternal life may be conJidered in three different periods of it j — before the elect's (pirituaf union with Chrift ; — be- tween the moment of their unit ion to him and their death ) and in thrjr eternal ftate. In the ftrft of which periods, e- ternallife is on its way towards them, but they ha\'e ncirher title to, nor pefieflion of it, in their own perfpns. In the iecond, they have a full title to eternal life, but no more than an imperfect: polTeUion of it. In the third, they have the full pcfieilpn of it, as well as title to it. ..-^^ lo n:/. -i< .r. But taking all thefe periods \n conncjfroh, -we crjay- take lip the promil'e of eternal life in the following fleps or arti- cles. { I .) The promife of fecurity agaiijft any thing which ^endsto hinder their partaking of eternal IHe 5— thatv they) fhall be brought into natu;-?.! life, Ifa. liii. lo, Whiie':thb fuffe immediately thrufts them into being, as children of fal.'en Ad^m, the promile made to ChriA, and to. tliein ia hjm^ fccretly draws thpm into life, that they may partarke of Kis redemption; — that potwithitanding many, and great flapgers, their natural life ihafl be prefervcd till the apppiiit- ed moment of their marriage with C|irift, Matth. XX1V..22; I^zek. xvi. (5, 8. Jfa. Ixv. 8,r:-that no grave iione fixing them under fpiritu^l death fhall he laid upon them, in their over pafl^ng of their day of grace,r-rror,, in their committing JlUe uijpj»r Jpli^ble fin, Mufk 'n\. 29 i:--and ^at all- tKey: '■,:.■ meet cneetv Wttlvordo, during their alienation from God^ fliall, by his^nflnite-wil'iionr,- power, and love, bt? managed into Qccadons f>F means of pfoinoting their union to Chrift, iizefc^3cxv3<^> 37' Hbf."ii.^6, 7, 14- Job xxxiii. 14,. — 3a. Lukevjcvi I (,-r-i3. Afts rx. 1,— 18. xxii; xxvi. Philem. io»""-i.9; 2 Chrou. xxxiii. 1 1. John iv. <5,— 29. Luke xxiv, 3<9,-:-343. — ■ — This proniire is grafted upon God's pro-^ rnifc of :prepararion, furniture, and aliiftance to Chriftj and on that of preftrving his body from corruption in the grave, Ifaiah vii. 14. and xi. 2 Pfalm xvi. 10 • ('i-) The promife of i'piritual unition to Chrift in ihs moment of love fixed ia God's eternal purpofc and cove- nant,- Ifa, iiii. 10. and liv. 5. Hof. ii. 19, 20. E/ek. xvi. 8. This comprehends the proinife of the Spirit to convince, allure, apprehend, conquer, and quicken their foul, b/ fhewing them the things of Chrift, and working faith in t{\t'ir hearts to receive him, Ha. xliv 3, — 5. John xvi. 7,— ■ 14. Pfal. ex. 3. and xlv. 4, 5 Ezek, xxxvi. 26, 27. and xxxni. 5, 9, 14. John vi, 37, 44, 45;, 6^. Pfal. xxii. 31* Horn. XV. 12. Ifa. xi. 10. Phil, i, 29. Eph. ii. 4, — 10. This promife is grafted upon that of God's uniting a real man- hood to Chrift's divine, perfbn, and of his reuniting his foul to his bbdy in his reiurreiftion, Eph. ii. 5, 6, Ifa. xxvi. 19, Jlof. vi..2. Phil. iii. 10. ii. (3.) The pi'omife of a free and full and .irrevocable and everlafting juftiiicatjon, through their union to Chrift as the Lord their righteoulhels, and the imputation of his fulfilment of the condition of the co- venant, ta their perfon,— it being theirs, as the free gift of God offered to them in the gofpel, and by virtue of their communion with Chrift as their furety and hufliand, lAiiali xlv. 24, 25. and liii. 11, and xlii. 21. Dan. ix. 24. Rom. V, x6,-— 19. -and i. 17. and iii. 22. Phil. iii. 9. 2 Cor. v. 21, — This- includes all the promifes of full and irrevocable par- don of all their fins, paft, prefent, or future, in ib far as they are tranfgreflions of the law as a covenant, Heb. viiV. 12. £ph. i. 7. John v. 24. lia. liv. 9. and i. 18. and xliir. 25. and xliv. 22. Jer. I. 20 ; — and of a full and irrevocable acceptance of their perfons into a ftate of favour with Godj and of full title to a real eternal life, begun here in graced, and perfc«ifed hereafter in heavenly glory, Eph. i. 6. Rom. T. 19. .2 Cor. V. 21. Ifa. xlv. 24, 25. — ^Thefe promifes arc f;rafted upon that of a full juftilication made to Chrift, i Tim. iii. 16. Ifa. 1. 8. Rom. iv. 25. John xvi. 10. {/\.) The promil^js of a new covenant relation to God as their recon- ciled aiul recoaciling fpiendj Ezelc. xJ^Vii*: 3i6i Rom. v. joi /C-'i^i 2 Co|», V]o. 0/^the CovtLiiAvf'^df Grace. 2 Gor.lT.'ir^'J-^tiveir addpting Father, Hof. i. 18. ivith Gal* iv.-4, 5. llom. V. "fy 2. John i. 12. r Johniii. i. 2 Cor. vi. 18. Jer. iii."4, r4r=i9, 22.--- and as their God, — portibiii-^ and ALL m all, Exod. xx. 2. Pfalrh 1.'7. and Ixxxi. 8, i&, •Jer. XXX; 22. and XKxi, 33. Ezek. xxxvii. 23, 27. and xl. ■ao. Heb. yiii. TO. G6n. x\?U. 7. Rom. viii. 17. Gal iv. 7. -ir-Thefc promifes are grafted upon that of the acceptance of Chrift and his work, and of his mediatorial interefl: in God, and heirihip of all things, 2 Cor. v. 19. Eph. i. 6, 7. John XX. 17. Rom. viii. 17. (5.) The promifes of fanftifi- cation of their nature and life, Ezek. xi. 19. and xxxvi, 26, 27, 29. Pfa'm ex. 3. and xxij. 30, i Thelf, v. 23, 24.-^-aS proceeding from thcirunion with Chrift, i Cor. i. 2, 3c. Eph. li. 10, 2 Cor. iii. 18. and v. 17. Gal. iii. 26, 27. and vi. 15. — from their juftification by his blood, Heb. viii. lo^ 12. and xiil. 12. — and from their relation to God as their Friend, Father', and God, iThelT. v. 23. — Rom. viii. 29,' 30. Gal iv. 6. and y. 17, 24. — Ezek. xvi, 8, 9. Jer. xxxiii 38,-^40. As they have in Chrirt complete treafure of wif- dom and grace, ready to be communicated to them, CoJ. ii. JO. John i. 14, 16. — there proceeds from him as mani- felVedto them, and from his Spirit dwelling in their heart by faith, a predominant meafure ofevery fpiritual grace, i(- fuing in their gradual death to the love and practice of every iin, and in their living to righteoufnels, performing an b- bedience to God's law, perfeft in all irs parts, — tending to- ward perfe^rtion in degrees, and acceptable to God as their reconciled Father in Chrift, 2 Cor. iii. iS. Col ii. 10, ')i. and i;i. 10, ir. Phi!, iv. 13. Jer, xvii. 7, 8. Pfalm xxviii'. 7, «^. — Thei'e promifes are grafted upon that of thei'aaiflificatl- on of Chrift's manhood in the womb, and of his being fil- led with thie Holv Chatl, and upon that of his refurredtion from the dead, Phil. iii. 10, 11. Rom. vi. 1 ,^ — 12. and vii, Ar Col. ii. It, 12. John i. 14, 16. (6.) The promifes of their perfeverance in their ftate of union to Chrift as their- hufband, tht" Lord their righteoufnefs, and head of influ- ences,— and in their covenant-relation to God in him,-Jude i. Co!, iii. 3. Jer. xxx'i. 40. — and their polTelllou and ex- eicifii or implanted grace, Job xvii. 9. Prov. iv. 18. — to promote which, the continued inhabitation and influences of the Holy Ghoft arc promifed, Ezek. xxxvi, 27. John xiv. 16, 17. and xvi. 13, 14. Ifa. xxvii. 3. Hoi', xiv. 7. Col. ii, ly.— and renewed fatherly pardons of their daily iins of in- ■ivrmity, Mpon their renewed afting of faith and repentance, Jev. xxxlli, 8. John xlii. 10. Ila. xliii. 25. John i." 7, 9. and ii. 0/;^^e.CovENANTc;^ Grace. -pi-i IL r, 2^ Mlc. vii. j8, 19. — Thefe prdtnifes are grafted tipon thofe of Chriil's perieverajice in fulfilling his Surety righ-^' tcoufncis, Ifa. xlii. 4. Plalm Ixxxix. ^2. and of the perrna* • npi)t fecurity of his heavenly life, PfaUTi xxi. 4. John xitv^ ip, Col. iii. 3,4. (7.) The promifes oflpiritual comfort, which confills in fenflble aiTiirance of God's love, peace of cbnf<:ience, and joy in the Holy Choft, Ifa, xl. j, 2. and xliv. 23. and xlix. 10. and Ixi. 2. and Ivii. 18. — Thefe are grafted upon that of Chrift's being made full of joy with his Father's countenance, Pfalm xvi. i». and xvii. 15. Afts ii. 28. Rora., viii. 29. (8.) The promife of temporal benefits, Ezek. xxxvi. 28, 20. Hof. ii. 18, 22. Ifa. xxxiii. 1<5 i Tim. iv. 8. and vi. 8. P/alm xxxvii ; cxii ; cxxvii ; cxxviii. — in- cluding new covenant proteftion from all things really evil, P/alm xcj. 3,-^-i3. Zech.ii. 5. Pfalm i. 3, 4. and xli. i, — 4. Job V. 19, — 22. Ifa. xlix. 11. Pfalm cxxi. 6. Rev. vii, i6# and provifion of all good things, as proceeding through Chrift from the rediaeming love of God, Pfalm xxxiv. 10, and Ixxxiv. II. and Ixxxv. 12. and xxxvii. 3, 19. Prov.iii. 2, — 24. Mat. vi. 30,-33. Ifa. Ixv. 2J, — 23. Rom. viii. ;^2. This promife is founded on that of Chrift's heirfliip of all things, Pfalm Ixxxix. 26, 27. Heb. i. 2. i Cor. iii. 2i, 23* (9.) TJie promife of an happy death, — death difarmed of it.^ fting, Hof. xiii. 14. Pfalm xxiii. 4. — death fan£lified and fweetened, i Cor, iii. 22. Phil. i. 21, 23. Luke ii. 29, 30. 2 Cor. V. I, — 5. — and at laif deftroyed in the refurrection, Ifa. xxvi. 19. and xxv. 8. i Cor. xv. 54. This promife is grafted upon Chrifl's fafety in, and vidtory over death, -and his refurreftion from it, Pialmxvi. 10. John xi. 25. Ifaiah. xxvi. 19. I Cor. XV. (10.) The promife of an honourable judgment atthelafl day, Pfalm 1. i, — 6. and xcvi. 13. and xcviii., 9. Mat. xxv. 31, — 40. This is founded upon that ot Chrifl's being prime minifler of heaven, and having do- minion over all, i ThefT. iv. 15, — [7. Co), iii. 4. ( 1 1.) The. promife of eternal happinefs, beginning in their foul at death, Ifa. xxxv. 10. and Ivii. 2. with 2 Cor. v. i, — 7. Phil. i. 23. Luke xxiii. 43. Rev. xiv. 13, and compleatcd in both foul and body at the laft day, Ifa. Ii. 11. and liii.io. Dan. xii. 2, 3. John v. 28, 29. — ^This promife is grafted upon that of Chrift's exaltation and perpetual fitting at the Father's right hand, Rev. iii. 21. Pfalm xvi. 11. and ex »» S> 7- .From the above hints of the partiesy waking, and/^r// of bh^s covenant of grace, it is manifefl, that it ought never (9 27^ Of the Covenant 2/" Grace. to be fplitted into two, as if one covenant of redemption had been made with Chrift^ and anotht^r of grace were made wiih the eleft in their own perfons. (i.) The fcriptures men- tion none but iioo covenants relating to the eternal happinefs of men, — of which tlie covenant of works, which gendereth to bondage, is one, and therefore one covenant of delive- rance muft be the other, Gal. iv, ^4. — which two are calUd the oid and the nenv covenant, Heb. viii. 5, — 130 and the hiv and grace ^ Rom. xi. 6. and vi. 14. and the faiv of ivorh znd. law of faiths Rom. iii. 27. (2.) The blood of Chrift is repeatedly called the blopd of the covefiant, but ne- ver— of the covena?jtSy as if it were the condition of a eo- venafji of redemptioity and the foundation of ^ covenatii of grace, Exod. xxiv. 8. Zech. ix. 1 1. Heb. i?. -20. and X. 20. and xiii. 20. This proves that our falvation depends upon none but one covenant' •, and that Chrill and his people ob- tain their eternal glory by the fame covenant. (3.) If that, which fonie plead for, as a diftincl covenant of r^emption, DC detached, there remains no proper covenant at all, to be made with the eleil: ; but merely a bundle of precious pro- jnifes, freely giving and conferring upon them the unlear* chable riches of Chrift : Nor is any thing requirc?d as an ap- parent condition in one promife, that is not abfolutely pro- jnifed in another, Ila. Iv. i, — 3. Afls xiii. 34. Rev. xxii. 17. Ezek, xxxvi. 25,-31. Ifa. i. 18. and xliii. 24, 25. and Ivii. 17, 18. Jgr. iii. 19. and xxxi. 33, 34 Heb.' viii. 10, — I 2. {4.) There is no rcafon, why the new covenant fliould be fplit into two, more than to pretend, that one- covenant of works was made with Adam, and another with his feed, Rom. v. 12, — ii. i Cor. xv. 21, 22, 45,-49. The EWD of God, — Father,— iSon,-~and Holy Ghod, m making this covenant of grace was, (i.) To difplay the glory of his own perfei^ions, — wifdom, power, hoiinefs, juftice, and truth, — and efpecialiy the exceeding riches of his grace, Ifa. xlix. 3. 2 Cor. i v." (5. Eph. 5. 6, — 8. and ii. 7. and iii. 2c, 21. Rom. v. 26, 2r. i Pet. iv. 1 r. (2.) To bring elefi: men out of an eftate of fin and mifery into an cftate of falvation, Lnk^ii. 10, — 14. and i. 74, 75. Hofea xiii. 9. John iii. 14, — 18. Ifa. Iv, 7, 3, 7, and xly. 1 7^/22, —^4, 25. ' "'; .■-^. The AD^jiN-isTRATioN of fbl.t covcnant ofgrace'which include? all that is nece 0ary to be done for making tb'echb- fe« Reprefentees, partakers of th^ purrhnied and^promifed bltilj»7g5 of if, — is ccmmiued' in J^fus Chri-ft, i Cor. 'xv. 45. Ifa. Of the Covbnant-^'Grace. 273 Ifa. >:lix. 3»-^. jand.xlii.,i,-n<7. a«d Ixl. i, — 3- and Hi. 13,. t^. wild Hi. II, 12. Mic..Ve.f4, 5. ;Z^cb* \%. 9,. 10. Mat, xi.* 27. andxxvii). 18. John iii. 35, and v. 22. — iwho is to ad- minifter U for ever, Heb. i. b. and xiii. 8. Luke i. 32, 33. Ifa. ix, 7, and xlv. 17. Dan. vii 14. Hof. ii. I9» 2C Jer. xxxii. 3^,— -41. Ir is committed to him, (i.) For the high- ci[ advancement of God's honour, — that he may have no itppiediate dealing with finful men, even when perfectly - healed ; but his holinefs, juftice, mercy and love to them, mayfor ever ftiine through his Son in their nature, as their Mecliator, 2 Cor. iv. 6. Jpb in. 33. Pfalm Ixxxiv. 9. . (2.) To anfwer the cafe, and fweetcn the redemption of thefe iinful men, the whole of their fellowflup with -God, thro time and eternity, beipg through him, who is both theic Brother, and their God, John i. 14. and x. 7, 9. and xiv. 6. Eph. U. 18. a,nd iii. 12. Heb. iv. 14, — 16 and x. 19,-— 22. I Pet, 11. 5. ?nd iv. II. (3.) As an honorary reward . to dhrift ithe Redeeiper, that aU his ranfomed millions, and all the concerns of their eternal falvation, may for ever de- pend on him, Phil. ii. 7, — \i. Eph. i. 20,-22. Ifa. h Chrift's commiffion from his Father for adminiftring this covenant is general and.unlimited, Ifa. Ixi. i, — 3.andxlix. i» — 9. Mat. xi. 27. and xxviii. 18. John iii, 35. and xvii. 2. (3.) Chrift executes his commiilion refpeOing finful men, in the moft general and unlimited manner, Prov. i. 22. and viii. 4. and ix 4, 5. Ifa. xly. 22. and Iv. r,-^7. Mat. xi. 2^* , and xxii. 4, 5. and xxviii. 19. Mark vi, 15, 16. Luke xiv. 23: Rev. xxii. i6. (4.) Though Chrift cffe£hially. lave none, but his eledt, Eph. v. 23. — he is by divine appoint- ment, grant, and office, the Saviour of the ivorld^ fit for all finful men, and to whom they are all warranted by God to apply for falvation, John iv.42. i John iv. 14. His falva- tion is a common falvation^ Jude 3. and his gofpel is Grace which bringdb falvation '\Ti offer to all men^ that hear i^. Tit. ji. II. I Tim. i. 15. (5.) If Chrift's adminiftration of the new covenant were not thvis general and indciinite, fon^e. men would have no more warrant to hear the gofpel, or bei loieve in and receive him, for their lalvation th^n devils have,- M m contra- 2)1^4 Of the Covenant ^ Grace. contrary to Markxv!.i5, i6. John vn. 37, 38. and vi. 37; Rev. xxii. 17. Prov. i. 22. and viu.,4. andix. 4, 5. Ifa. Iv. ij — y. and xlv. 22. and xlvi. 12, 13.— -Nor coiUd they be condemned for their iinbeHef, according to John iii. 18, 36. Mark xvi. 16. Rev. xx'u 8. Pro\'. viii. 36. — —The foun- dation of God's general grant cf Chrift in the gotpel as his ordinance to men for their fulvation, and of his general «d- miniftration of the covenant is (i.) Chrifi's fuifiinicnt of the condition of the covenant ; being infinitely valuable in itfelf, is, intrinfically conlidered, a fuflicieni: ranfatn- for all men, hOis xx. 28. and iii. 15. i Cor. ii. 8. 2 Cor. v. 21. Phil. ii. 6, — 8. {:.) Being fultilled in a human nature e- qually related or limilar to all men, it is equally anfwerable to all their needs. (3.) All men, indefinitely coniiuered, have in them the mornl charaiStersof thofe for whom Chri/l died, being ttnjuj}y ungoi ly, /tuners^ enemies- to God^ Sec, 1 Pet. iii. 18. Rom. v. 6, —10. and the chara^ers with which the abfolute promifes of the covenant dire£lly corref- pond, — htwigjiout-hcarted and far from rigbteoufnefsy — rgod- Itf^y-^tnjuly — loJli—jef-deJJroyedy8iC. Ha. xlvi. 12, 13. Heb. •Viii. 10, — 12. Luke xix. 10 Hof. xiiL 9. Jer. Hi. i,,2. The ENi>3 for which Chrift adminifters- this covenant are (i.) The bringing of llnful men into the bonds of it, Ifa. Iv. 3, — 5.. and xiix. 6. Mat. xxiii. 37. J^ake xiv. 22, 23. (2.) The right management of thofe that are inflated in it, while they remain in this world, I Pet. ii 25. Ifa. xL 1 1. Ezek. xxxiv ; xxxvii. in juftifying them, Mat.ix, 2,6. adopting them, John i. i2, (anc^ifying them, John xiii. 8. Afts V. 31. Eph. v. 26 caring for them, 1 Pet. v. 7. go- ing with them, Ezek. xlvi. 10. and governing them, Pfalm ii. 6. Ezek. xxxiv. 23, 24. and xxxvii. 24. — And, a<; he, in his interceffion, deals with God for them, John xvii. 9, 12, — 24* Heb. vii. 25. Rom. viii. 34, — thev m\ift receive all their orders from God through him, Exod. xxiii. 21. Deut. xviii. 18, — 20. Mat. xvii. 5. Rev, i. x, 3. GaLvi. 2. 1 Cor. ix. 21. (3.) The ccmpleatixig of their eternal hap- pinefs in heaven, Eph. v. 26, 27. Jude 24. finifhing the'r faith, Heb. xii. 2 carrying them fafe through death, Pialm xxiii. 4> Rev, i. 18 bringing them to glory, Heb. ii. i ©► John xiv. 2, 3. and giving them their heavenly thronr and crown, Rev Hi. 21.2 Tim. iv.,8. Hence it is mnn,fefl, that the elecl only are the objects of the moi-e fpccial and important adminiftration of this covenant; and that it is ad- mintftered toothers, only in order to promote their i'alvati- ©n, I Cor. xii. and iii. 12, 25. Eph. iv. 11,— 13. In Of the Covenant o/* Grace. 275 Tn the form and order of his adminiftratun of this co- venam, (k) ChrllVj as a trustee, receives from God all theputchafed and promifed bleflingsof if, for thebelioofof his iinf«l brethren of mankind. (2.) Having tliem all in his hand, he, as a testator, bequeaths them to finful men; (3.) As executor of his own teftament, he as their intercreed ing /»rr^, inftru£ling />roi/>Zv'/, and liberal and jrimiefcly ii«^, confers his legacies on his elect. I. Ghrifl, being by his Father conftituted the trustee of the covenant of grace, hath all the blefiings of it lodged in his hand, Col. i. 19. John iii. 35. Mat. xi. 27. Pfaitn Ixviii. 18. This was done from eternity ; and hence Chrift wa« ready to begin his adminiflration on that very day on which Adam fell. Gen. iii. 5, — 15- But the folemnity of his inveftiture with that high office, was delayed till his re- furreftion and arcenfion, when he had fully paid tl\e price of the benefits committed to him, P/alm Ixviii. 18. Matth. jixviii. 18. The bleffings committed to his truft are, (i.) The unfeen guard of the covenant, or prefervaiion of his e- le£t'in their unconverted eftate, Ezek. xvi. 6. If^*, Ixv. 8. (2.) The uniting and quickening Ipirit of the covenant, Rev. iii I, Rom. viii. 2. John v. 2!J, 26. {3.) The juUifying righteoufnefs of the covenant, Jer. xxiii. 6. and xxxiii. 16. Ha xlv. 24, 25. and liv. 17. and xlvi. 12, 13. and Ixi. 10. r Got. i, 30. 2 Cor. v. 21. (4) The coven.'nt-relation to God as aJFriendj Father, and God, Col. ii. 9, 10. Eph, ji. 14. 2 Gor v. 19 Mlc. V. 5. Ffalm Ixxxix. 26, 27. John i. 12. and XX. 17. Rom. viii. 17. (5.) The fan' 5, 16. and iii. i^. i Cor. xvi. 22. John xxi i'5:,-h-»7- Mat, xyvii:. 20 In thefe Teftaments, the hiflp"§3^**J rules ' of behaviour explain the bequeathments, a:nd dircfi us,, to <. icnur'-jye thenm in Ihankfulnefs to God. — Andto ccnncct the ' ' ■ ■■'• duties Cy//'^ Covenant £/■ Grace. 277 duties of holinefs with the privileges which attend them, marvy cla'ufes riin in a "conditional fdrm : bat thefe are. all -ittduoible -to ^bfolute ones, iti which God's mjtking us to ■-^s^^riti thefe required duties, is promifed as a free privi- ?ltegi'^^without any conditions, A(Sts xvi. 31. Rom. xv. 12, ■si|t€i 'Sec. , '■•■ . ..:;.-. ,(on Cbrift's bequeathing of bis purchaf^d bleflings being liis •fundamental a^ of adminiftration, upon which every thing relative to the application of them depends ; — finful men, indefinitiely confidered, muft be his legatees, to whom he difpones them, in the offers of the gofpel •, and all of them, as they hear his Teftanient publifhed, have fullwar- 'Vent, by faith to claim and take into poiTeffion all his bene- ffits difponed,— And hence, in his teftament, they are not denominated from their perfonal names, arts, callings, or 'places of earthly abode ; — but from general marks, defcrip- ^ve of their dirpofition, ftate, and converfation before God, XiO^^'i^ men, fit tf Illy loji^ felf-deJJroyed^ Jlout-hearted and far * from righUotifnefst polhited^ ivickedy rebellious ^ &c. Prov, Tiii. 4. and i. 22. and ix. 4, ^. A£ts ii. 39. Rev. xxii. 17. John vi. 37. and vii. 37, — 39. i Tim, i. 15. 2 Cor. v. 20. Matth. ix. 12, 13. and xi. 28. and xviii. 11. Lukexix. 10. and ii. 10, 1 1. Hofea xiii. 9. Ifa. xlvi 12, 13. and Iv.- i, — 7. and Ixv. 1, 2. and i. 18. Jer. iii I, — 5, 14, 19, 22. — All the abfolute promifes of the covenant being direft- ed to men, as in fuch wretched conditions, the eledl repre- fehtees, being, by conviftion, made to know their lefta- mentary chaiafttrs, do, in agreeabienefs to them, cla-im and take into pofleffi on the bequeathed blefling$,-^and mul- titudes of reprobates are rendered ufeful to them in' their fpititual concerns, i Tim. i. 17, 19. Mac, vii. 22. £ph. iv.'ilr,~i8. "The LEGACIES, which Chrift bequeaths in his tefta- ment, comprehend every ching neceflary for the recovery and eterbal happinefs of iinful and miferable men, Rom. viii. 3^i. Pfalm Ixxxiv. 11. and Ixxxv. 12. Phil, iv 19. ParticulaYly (i.) Himfelf as an Hufband, — effe fodji Prov. i. 23. John vii. 37, 38. Ezek. xxxyi. 25, 27'. '^ycB- xrr. 10. John xvi. 7, — 14. and xiv. 16, 17, 26. andxv.'^26' (5.) A proper portion of the good things of this life, Pialm xxxviL 3, \6. Matth, vi. 33. (6.) An unftinged and fvieet- encd death, John viii. 51. Ifa. xxv. 8. Hof. xiii. M* _"(/•) An eternal life m heaven, John vi,4o,---— -rc^. .awif- 2{J. and xvu. 2. : , ,.•_..,. . y.,^^ III. Having irrevocably bequeathed his unfearchable rich- es to finful men, Chrlft, though not to the exclufion of his Father, and co-operating with his blciled Spirit, executes his own teftament, in efFediually conferring upon the ele<5t the blelllngs thereiji diiponed, anfwerable to their nped, iii the charai^ter of an Advocate, Prophet and King." (i.) A?, on account of their unworthinefs, guilt and ig- norance, his legatees cannot profecute their claim before God the judge of all, Chrift, as AdvocatSy or inferceeding Ptit/I of the covenant, manageth the caufe of hi« chofen, Ikilfuily and boldly pleading on the foot of his finifhed righ- teoufnefs in their Head, that his difponed bleflings may be conferred upon them, in the appointed moments of grace, 1 John ii. I, 2. Rom. viii. 34. Heb. vii. 25. and ix. 24. John xvii. By this he (i.) Secures the effectual inbringing of them into their new covenant tVate of union and feliovy* iliip with himfelf, and of intereft in, and peace and favour with, God, John xvii, 20, 21. (2-) 'Takes, adlual infeftment of all the ne\'.' covenant blelllngs in their name, Heb» vj. 20. Col. ii. 10. Eph. ii. 6. John xiv. 2, 3. (3.) Maintains the new cjovenant-pcace and friendlhip between God and them, — anfwering all accufatious laid againft them, and re-i moving all real controveifies, which happen between them and God, Rom, viii. 33, 34. i John ii. 1, 2. ifa llv. p, 10 and xwii. 4. and Ivii. 18, 19. (4) Procures them accefs to God, and acceptance of all thcjr fervices, which they perform in faith, — i^iotwithftanding their remaining un- v^'orthinefs, ignorance and imperfection, Eph ii 18. and i, 6. Rom. 5iii. i. I Pet. ii. 5. Rev. viii. 3, 4. and vii. 14. (5) Procures them an abundant entrance into heaven at death and at the lafl: day, — and an everlafi:ing continuance in that h.ippy ilate, John ,xvii, 24. Heb. vii 25 Pfalm ex. 4. (2 ) As, by reafon of their ignorance and weaknefs, his legatees, cannot, of themfelves, apprehend the myfleries cf his covenant and teftament, Chriil reveals it to them, in . the i;l.ireefoldcbarAf AST of Gk Act. 279 ttefs. j[^i,) As the truths of his teftament are good news frojm,jV,f?r country, He, ■».% Mejfenger 6f tht covenaiit, bringis to us^ the glad tidings of our iiiarriAge' with his perfon, arad of ouirju.iiification, adoptioH, fahftification^ and eternal i'dl- yaitipR through his blood",— ^and deals with us to accept of thele: offered benefits, Mai. iii. i. Ifa.lxi.i, — 3. Pfaim x). 9,^ JO. " (2-) As we are unable to conceive aright of the my- uerious truths and bleilings of his covenant, He, as an ««- paralleled Interpreter^ explains to us thtf terms of his cove- nant, and articles of his teftament. Job xxxiii. 23. 1 Joha V, ,20, John vi. 45, 46, 63. Heb. v. 2. Ifa. xlii. 6, 7. and xUx,. 6. and xlviii. 17. and Ix. 1. and Ixi. 1. Luke xxi r. 271,45 John viii, 12. and ix. 5. Eph. v. 8, 14 (3.) As wc are ilow of heart to believe the truths x)f Gk)d, efpecially thoCe that are contrary to our corrupt felf love, and the dic- tates of « defiled confcience, Chrift: as thcfaithjul aud truf •witnefs 6i the covenant, attefts them to us, Ifa. Iv. 4, Rc:v. i, 5;. ?ind iii. 14. John viii. 18. and xviii. 37. 2 Cor. i, 20. —declaring them to us in his word, John xx. 3 i . Rom. xv. 4, 8.— confirming them by folemn aflcverations and oaths, John jji. 3, 5. Matth. xxvi, 63, 94, Heb. vi. 17, 18. Re%'. X. 6, 7. lla. xlv- 23.— exemplifying them in his perfon and work, John i.iM. and xiv. 6. 2 Cor. i. 20. — ratifying them in his fufFeriiip and death, Heb. ix. 16, John xvili, 37. Rom. XV. 8. ahd fealing them in his facramcnts, Mattb. xxviii. 19 1 Cor. xi. 23, — 29. x\£li;ig in thefe thrc^ chara^ers, Chrift, as the prophet of the new covenant (i."J Intimates and offers the covenant-propofals to men in his word, in order to bring them to a perfonal intereft in it. .And in this he makes ufe of angels, prophets, apofrles, pai^ tors,, teachers, parents, mafters, ijfc. as his deputies or iti- ftruments, Dan. ix. 21, — 27. Luke i ; ii. Matth. i. 20,21- AcVs «. 13. 2 Cor. v. 19, 20. Heb. X. 25. and xii. 25. Deur. vi. y. Pfalm Ixxviii. 4, 5, 6. Iflu xxxviii.,ry. Gen. xviii, lo- (2.) By his Spirit makes thefe intimations ciFeftual for the iihuuination and converfion of his ele£t, i Pet. i. 12. I Their. 1., 5. John xv. 26. and xiv. 26. and xvi. >,— -14. (3.) Further inftruifts and diret^ls his converted people, by his word and Spirit, during their continuance on earth, .|*falm XXV. 9, 14. and xxxii. 7, 8. and Ixxiii. 24. Ifa, liy, .i3- a»id xlvili. 17. I John ii, 20, 27. Eph. i. 13, '?> '^t ^nd iii. i(5, — 19. (4.) Immediately communicates light »nd ijcnovvledg^e to them m their heavenly ftate, Plalm xvi. n.l andxvii. 15. Ifa. Ix. 19, 20. Rev. xxi, I3. and vii. 17. i 'jfo'Knlii. 2. ! Coi'. ziji.' 12. A-'W ; -. :..,. \ " "- {v) A? 2^:?. - 'Notwithstanding Chrift's indeiinite ad'miniftrati'on of the covenant of grace, few men are ever aftually inftated in it, by their own perfonal taking hold of it, Matth. xx. j6. and jsxiv. 14. and vii. 13, 14- Luk6 xii. 32. and xiii. 24. I John V. 19. Rom. ix. 27. and xi. 5. Jer. iii. 14. — No adult perfons aie inflated in it, but thofe, that, under deep conviftions of their finfulnefs and mifery, have fled to it for refuge, Rom. ix. 6. Heb. vi. 18. Pfahn cxHi. 4, 5. Afts ii. 37, — 39. — heartily approve the whole plan of it, 2 Sam. xxiii. 5. Pylatth xi. 5. i Cor. i. 23, 24. Afts ix. 6. T Tim. i. 15. Ifa. Iv. 3.— graetfully love God themaker of it> 1 John iv. 19. and v. 3. 2 Cor. v. 14, 15. PJalm Ixxiii. 25, 26. andiv. 6, 7. and xviii. i. and Ixxxiv. 12. and xlii. i, 2, 5, 9, II. and xliii 4, 5. and cxvi i. and ciii. i, — 6. — hear- tily fubmit to Chrift as their head in it, Hof. i. 1 1. Gal. ii. 20. Phil. iii. 7, — 9. — cordially truft: their whole falvation to the condition of it, 1 Cor. ii. 2. Phil. iii. t, 9. Gal. vi. 14. Ifa. xlv, 24, 25. — feed with inward fatisfa(^tion on the pro- mifesofit, 2 Sam. xxiii. -5. Pfalm 7, 10. and xix. 10. and cxix. 72, 97, 113, 127, 162, 167. — and \dio have the fan£tifying, free, ingenuous, and fympathizing Spirit of the covenant, dwelling and working in them, Rom. viii. J, 4, 9, 15, 26, 27. Gal. iv, 6. and v. 16, 18. and vi. 10. Pfalm Ixix 9. and cxix. 136, 139. Zecb. viii. 23. and xii. ?o, — and in fine, who approve of, delight in, and conform themfelves to, the laws of the covenant, in fo far as they know them, — and defire to be taught that which they know not, Rom. vii. 12, 14, — 25. Pf.dm cxix. 5, 6, 18, 26, 128. and cxxxix. 23, 24. and xliii. 3, 4. and cxliii. 10. Gal. v. 17. Matth. vi. 22. Tit. ii. 11, 12. 2 Cor. i. 12. Phil. iii. 3. John iii. 21. Job xxxiv. 32. Men are a^ualiy or perlbnally inflated in this covenant by their being fpiritualiy united with Chrift their Reprefenta- tive in it, Ifa. hv. 5, — 17. Ezek xvi. 8. Hof. ii. 18,-— ro. i.Cor. i. 30. 2 Cor. xi^ 2. By this fpiritual marriage uff- on, Chrift himfelf in his perfbn, offices, and relations, is made ours, Song Li. 16. John xx. 28. Phil. iii. 7, 8, 9. his fulfilment of the condition of this covenant, ours in law- reckoning, 2 Cor. V. 21. Rom. viii. 4. and v. 19. Ifa. xlv. 24, 25. and Ixi. 10. Jer. xxiii. 6. Phil. iii. 9. and all the blefJings of it ours in law-right, i Cor. i. 30. and iii. 22^ — Chrift gracioujly brings us into the bond of this covenant by imiting Of the Covenant ^ Grac^. .2*3 uniting h^iinfelf ta us as our l)u(band, the Lord our righteoi>f- nefs, father, and lancVifying head, Hof. ii. 19, 29. Eze^. xvi. 8. Ha. liv. 5, 17, and xlvi. 12, 13. and Ixi. ro. Jer. JijLj^^:!^. and xxxi. 10. ,1 por. i. 30, Eph. ii. 10. 2 C®r. t%'??7'{ v'And we dutifully enter inio the bond of it by faith, ^^s..9(vi<3i. Ifa. Iv. 3. Mark xvi. 16. John iii. 14, — 18. ajifhich by receiving all the blellings of it freely, prcferves the grace of the covenant, Rom. xlv. 4, 5, is. Eph. ii. 4, 9. and i. 6, 7. and, by uniting with Chrift the repre- .i^iutative, preferves the unity of it, John x. 9, 10. Eph iii. ■^'). — This faith includes a belief of the fcriptiirs account of .;jhis covenant or teftament, upon God's own authority,— ^and a cordial confent reliing the precepts and threatening of that broken coye- ,.nant,. John xvi. 8, .9, 10. Rom. vii 9. and iii. 20 Gal Iii. 24. This legal faitli is but forced on our foul again (\ our will,;and in no wife unites us to Chrifl: ; nor is it, or the legal repentance which attends it, any ground of our wel- vrjcome tohim. J3at, in the hand of the almighty and ail wife vslipirit of. Gad, it excites us to flee to him or ratiier to flee .^frotn all tilings elfe, At's xvi. 3T."Pialm ii. 12. and xxxvii. 3. Rom. XV. 12. Gal. ii. 16, 20. AiSts xv. 11. i ThclV. ii. 13. with I Cor. ii. 5, In this particular truft in Chrift oQr heart really deiires to be favcd from lin and wrath, Rom. X. 10. and vii. 24, 25. — renounceth all confidence in itfelf, and every other creature for falvation, Phil, iii, 3. Jer. xvi. 19. and iii. 23. and xvii. 5. Prov.. iii. 5. Acts ii. 37. Matth. V. 3 ; — cordially approves the new covenant method of fal- vation as infinitely well fuited to the honour of God^s per- fections, and to our particular neceflities, 1 Cor.-J.r 23, 24. and ii. 2. Mat. ix. 12; — betakes itfelf to Chrift in all his offices of prophet, prieft and king, John vi. 35, 40, 68', 69. Hcb. vi 18. A£ts \ii'. 37 •, — .trufts our whole falvation to him ard his righteoulnefs, being firmly perfuaded, upon the teftimony of God himfelf, declared in the gofpel, and applied by his Spirit,, that He, as ours by his Father's gift, Vkill fully execute upon us every faving office, fulfil every jievv covenant-relation, and accoinplifh every gofpel-promife, John iii. \6. Heb. ii . 6, 14. and x. 38. Ila. xxviii. »6, and XXV. 9, and I. jo. and xxvi. 3, 4. and xlv. 22,-^ '.^5. 1 Pet. ji. 6. Rom. X. 10, 1 1. Pfalm cxii. 7. 2 Tim. i. 12. Song ^ii'. 5. 2 Chronxiv. u. And xvi.' 8. and xx 20:. Heb xi. 13 — : This perfuafion is produced by the Holy Ghoft as the Spirit of life in Cbrijt JefuSy difcovering him in the declarations and promifcs of the gofpel, and in and by them conveying him into our heart, as made of God to us wif- dom, righteonfnefs, fanftification and redemption, — in which work, and through which word of the covenant, he fiom Chrift*s fulnefs conveys habitual grace into our heart, by which wears Tendered capable to drfcer n^ • receive^' and reft : ^ Of^tJye Go vjBKA'NT of GiCa C E . . " C.2S 5 reft ttpoiixtiim,' i- ThdT. i; 5/6, and in i3»i: And i hence, lie'i* €;aHed tho Spirit offaitby i Cor. iv, 13, 1 : — •• lut \M'nMi.faith, by which wc take hold of Grod'ff covenant, Y tifl€ljndes in its very nature a rea/y though not alway a clear^ bdvdiSt'xnity XiT Rrongy: nfurMfJce, or perfuafion of the truth of ■^D : God's declarations and promifes with refpedt to one's, felf, Jind of Chrift's acting up to 'all his charafters, offices, and -..relations, reprefented in the gofpel : and in proportion to 3f!; the degree of this affurance, is our reception of him and his fulnefs ;— our believing upon God's own teftimony, that he tliereiniGivETW us all the fulnefs of his covenant, being our very reception of it. (i.) Such an aflurancc is inclu4- ed in all the plain or metaphorical defcriptions of faith in fcripture, as tL perfuafion^ — theyi/i&^^wff of things hoped for, -—ill its Jainefs and freedom, and never to ihare the bleflings of, itJ^_ .If, after repeated- en quiriesjntp this infinitely gracious tranfa<5lion,— I preach another gofpel, — or, in any form, decoy linners to feek righteoufnefs and falvation by the works of the law, fliall I not be, for ever, accurfed of God, and detefted by angels and faints, — adcrifion of devils, and abhorred by all fleih ? tOQK [ 288 ] BOOK ]V. Q/* /y&^ M E D I A T O R of the Cove?iant of Grace ^ in ^/j P E R s o N, Offices and St a t e s. CHAP. I. Of the Mediatorial Person of Chr'ijl. THE agency and manifold ftations and relations of the Son of God, in the making, fulfilment, and admini- ftration of the covenant of grace, plainly manifeft him the MEDiATOfR of it 5 — to which three things were neccflary, (i.) A inMitttorial conjiitutionofperfony that, having the na- ture of both parties, he might be a middle perfon between God and men, and lay his hand on us both, in order to our reconcilement, tTim. ii, 5,6. Job ix. 33. (2.) h mediator rial office^ authorizing and qualifying him to adl for us to- ward God,— and from God toward us, every thing necelTa- ry to make up the breach, Prov. viii. 23. Heb. ix. 15. and viii. 6, {3.) A mediatorial Jiate^ in which his condition might correfpond with that which was neceflary for pur- chafing or preferving the reconciliation between God and us, Luke xxiv. 26. Phil. i. 7, — 1 1. Heb. ii.^p, 10. If God had not intended to redeem a part of loft man- kind, his Son had never become man, (1.) Without this gracious defign, God had no end worthy of fuch a marvel- lous work, as the incarnatiort of his Son. (2 ) The fcrip- ture alway reprefents the love of God to fallen men as the caufc of the miffion and incarnation of his Son, John iii \6. Rom, Of t/je "Me i>i ato r j-Ai EsTtsait of Ckt-i/. . ^t^ Jtom. V. 6, — !8. I John iv. 9, lO. (3 )'It never mentions yny other end of Chrift's incamatlon, but to glorify God in the falvation of men Nor, till man !iad ruined himfelf, did the leafl: appearance of it take place, Gen. iii 15. >vitU Matth.J.21. Lukei 67. and ii 34. John I. 29. Matth. ix. 12, »3. and xviii 11, and xx 28 Gal iv 4, ^. 1 Tim i ic. Ileb ii 14. I John Ii, I, 2 and iii. 5, 8 (4.) All his of- fices of Mediator, Redeemer, Suret)% Prophet, Prieft, and King, refpcct men as fallen. Such only he inftfufts and calls to repentance, Ifa. l.\i. 1,-3. Mat. H. 13. Heb. v. 2. For fuch only he offers facrifice, and intercecds with God, I Tim, ii. 5. Ifa. liii. 4, — 12. I John ii. i2. John w'u. lleb yii,7,25. Rom. viii. ^3, 34, Such only he fubdues, governs and protefts, Pfalm ex. "?. Rom. \'iii :- John x. 27, 28. with Ezek 34, 35. ^The natural goodnefs of God no more required his Son to afiiime our nature, than it required him to alTume the angelic.: Int-iocent crea- tures would have had a proper head in God himfelf- • Chrift is not called the JirJ} begotten cf every creature, be- caufc men were madb after hw; image as incarnate, but be- caufehe is the only Son of God, begotten from all eternity, |)i'fore any creature was formed ; and becaufc of his iuperioc jExcellency and dominion over every creature. Col. i. 1 5. < But, if God intended to redeem fallen men, it was ne- ceiTary, that a divine perfon fliould become nian. (i.) God's jurtice and other perfections required, that no f:n- joersihould be faved, unlefs an infinite ranfom were paid for them, — and the law fulfilled and fin puniftied in that ve- jy nature which had finned, Heb. ix. 22. A<^ls xx. 28. Jvlat. XX. 28, Epb. i, 7. Col. i. 14, 15. Ezck. xviii. 4. (2.) If any lower mean could have efFecfled our redemption, God's infinite wifdom and goodnefs could not have expofed -iiis own Sor^to fuchdebalcd obedience andtremenduous fufFer- ing, Heb ii. 10. with Lam. iii. 33. It was not till about the four thoufandth year from the creation of th€ world, ih^ithzfulncfsoft'nne tixed in the jwupofe of God, and m.irked ia his infpired predictions, ;ind when .the world was. in the moft proper condition for it, that the Sop of God camus in the llefli. But preparati- ons had all along been making for it, (1.) The neceflary ■pccafion of it, tUroMgh Adam's fall and ruining all mankind, iv.is forefeen by God from all eternity, Acts xr. 18 Pfaltn /sxxKvi. 23. [i) In the moft aftonilhing and foveroign Jtove, God.piirpiofed to re*:ovef part-of 'Vnankind from that :fmfcjl aud milerabk Citati", into >-hich, he forefaw, they O 0 would 2^0 Of the Mediatorial Person ef Chnji^ would reduce thenvfelyes, i Theff. v. ^f. i Theff, ii.,i2,i,-l> Eph. j. 4. (3,) The Son of God was fet up from eternity as their Mediator, and multitudes of men chofen in him tb e i^erlafting life, Pfalm Ixxxix-.- 1 9-,. 2o. Prov. vijK 23,— ^ 1 Pet. i. 20. Eph. i. 4, 5. 2 Tim, ii 9. Tit.; >. 2. {4.) Jiereupon enfuedhis entrance irrto-medilatorial glory fuited to the then ftate of things, and a peculiar delight in ;the fons of men and in the habitable parts of the earth, ia which he and they were to have their abode, and hold mu- tual fellowfliip, John xvii. 4, — 6. Proy. viii. 31. That de- light in his future manhood, and c«npe£liojis with men, perhaps rcfembled, while it infinitely tranfcended, that re- gard which glorified fouls have lo their deadbodiesj and de- lire of reunition with them, in the refurre^tion. (5.) It was indeed proper, that his coming in the flefli lliould be deferred, — till the necefiiity of fuch a mean of reforming the world fhould be fully manifefted, — ignorance and learning, want of ceremonies, and a multitude of them in religion, — external mercies and judgments, all proving inefFe^ual ; — till fufficient marks for examining his character fhould be leifurely pre-exhibited, — till men's longings for him fhould be exceedingly awakened, and fb his incarnation more ho- nourable ; — till there fhould be a fufficient number of hell- hardened profefTors of the true religion to perfecute and murder him, — and of friends and enemies to attefl his la-- hours, death and refurrcftion ; — -and of men to experience his benevolent miracles, and the conquering power of his gofpel. But no fooner had Adam finned and ruined him- felfand all his pofterity, than the Son of God, as one ea- ger to difcover his mercy and love, intimated his piu-pofe to become man, and fufFer for our redemption, Gen. iii. 8, — • 15. (6.) His heart being exceedi-ngly let upon his media- torial work, he, in a multitude of predi»5lory promifes^ publicly intimated his incarnation, fufferings, refurre6lio,n, and gathering of a numerous people to himfelf, in fo much, that not one important circumftauce, relative to his appearan- ces, work, or fuccefs, was left unforetold, Luke xxiv. 25, 27. 44, — ^47. A. (^.) Mefliah's coming in the flefli was to be quickly flicceeded by GodV admiflion of the Gentiles into his church jnftead of the Jews, and by the abolifhment of idols, Gen. xlix. 10. Ifa. liii ; liv; Iv. Zefh xiii. 2. Ifa. li. 18, 20. Thefe e- vents began remarkably to take place, more than feventeen himdred years ago« Jesus of Nazareth was, and is, the true Messiah. (l.) All the chara^'erifticks of Meffiah relative to h\s for e^ ntnnery Mai, iii. I. and iv. 5. Ifa. xl. 3, — 6. Mat. iii. 3,*~ 14. Luke i J iii, John i. 19, — 34. and iii. 2 3,— —36, — his tri!>e zT\d f ami /yy Gen. xlix, 10, Ifa. xi. i, 2, with Matth, i." Luke i. 2 6 J. — 36. and ii. and iii. 22, — 38. — and to the iiffic, Gen. xlix. 10. Dan. ix. 24. Hag. ii. 6, 7, Mai. iii. i, —place, Mic. 2. with Matth. ii. Luke ii ; — and mc.nneir of his i>irf/-\ Ifa.vii. 14. Jer. xxxi, 2 2. v^-ith Mat. i. 18, — 25. Luke i. 26, — 35. exa(flly agree to him. (2.) The charafte^ fifties of Mefliah's />.?;yci';, God-man, Ifa. ix- 6. and vii. 14. with Luke i. 16, 17, 35. Rom. 1.4. and ix. ^.-—o^ces, -Dcut. xviii. 15, — 18. with Afts iii. 22. and vii. 35,37. Mat. xi. 5. and xvii. 5. and v, — vii j xiii. Pfal. ex. 4. with Heb. iv. 14. and v ; vii j ix 5 X. Mat. xxvi ; xxvii. Pfal. ii. 6. and Ixxxix. 3, 4, 19, 20. Ezek. xxxiv. 23, 24. Ifa. ix. 6, 7. and xxxii. i. Jer. xxiii. 5, 6. andxxx 21. Dan. vii. 14. with John ii. 13, — 22. and xviii. 36. Matth. xxi. 12. andx. and xvi. 18, 19. and xxviiL 18, — 26. Phil, ii, «,— tl. Eph. i. 22, 23. and iv. ir, 12. — zudfaUSft^h], y^\\\ Ixix. Ifa. liii. Luke xxiv. 26. Heb. i.3. andii. 8,— 10. I Cor. XV. 3, 4. Phil, ii, 7, — ir. i Pet. i. 19, — 2r. exaftly anfwer to him. (3.) His doftrines and works are the very fame, which were afcribed to Meffiah by the pro- phets and are moft proper for him. His donrines, bow myf- terious, arid holy, and heavenly, and divine ! and how contrary to the corrupt inclinaticiisof men I — Inwhatfim- ple manner ! and by what unpromifing inftruments were they publiflted and fpread ! and yet how powerfully effeftu" al in converting the nations ; — His miracles^ how numerous, public and benevolent ! Ifa. ii. 2, 3, 4. and xlviii, 17. and Iii. 15k and liv. 13, Mic, iv. 2, 3. and v. 3. Mai. iii. 2, 3. with Mat. V, — x ; xii, — xv ; xvii, — xix. Luke iv,— xix. John ii> — xviii, (4.) For about 1 740 years, the Gentiles hate obcdienrfalir gathered to him as his people, Pf^l. ii» 8. ;''<••"• ^^ '• and ?9"4 . Q^/^ir Media Ton I AL. Person £/" CA/'f/l and ,xx4i. 27,— 31. and Ix 22. and Ixxii. Gen. xUx.'4®> lia. xlii. 6, 7, and xlix. d,"-— 12. andxi ; liv ; Iv. withMaIr il.: John iv. and xii, 20. Acls ii; x, — xx* Rom.xv. 16,. 19' Eph. iii. 8, 9. -Bu^t it muft beobferved, that the fpir.it ut ^1 blefljngs of Meffiah's kingdom are frequently foretold under carnal emblems, anfvverable to the Jewifti difpenfar tion, — as of an high houfe or tempUy Ifa. ii. 2. Mic. iv. u. ^vQzt peace y Ifa. xi. 6, 8. Hof. ii. i8. grezt iighi, Ifa,.!,. 26; and Ix. 19, 20. a glorious city and temple^ Ezek. xl, — xlviii. greaf happinefs in Canaan, Jer. jij ; xxX ; xxxi, — xxxiji, £«• zek. xxxiv ; xxxvi \ xxxvii. It hath already been proved, that Jefus of Nazareth is a divine perfon, God equal with the Father — Book II. It may be further dgmonftrated to every profeiTed Chriftian from the many abfurdities which necelTarily attend the de- nial of it. (i,) If Chrift be not the Moft High Qod,-,bfi: muft have beeii an introducer of blafphemy and idolatry,-:- in encouraging men to believe on, and worfhip hjmfelf.. And even the Mahometan religion, which aims at the a^ bollfliment of all worfliip of creatures, muft be much more excellent than the Chriftian. (2.) If Chrift be not the on- ly true and Moft High God, the Jews did well in crucifying him as a moft infamous and bUfphemous in^poftor, and to profecute his difciples who publicly and obftinately main- tained him to be the true God, and by a multitude of Old Teftament oracles proved him to be fo. (3,) If he be not the Moft High God, many leading oracles in our Bible are erroneous or trifling. The myftei-y of the gofpel is altoge- ther inflgniiicant. The love of God in fending Chrift to die for us is of no fuch excellency and virtue as the icrip- tures reprefent. His death is but a metaphorical atone- ment, unavailable to the redemption of our foul. (4.) If Chrift be not the Moft High God, the language of icripture is moft obfcure, feductive, impious, and abfurd, in attri- buting to him the names, perfe£lions, works, and worlliip of God, Sec. Andeith.Tthe prophets muft have mifera- bly mifreprefented matters concerning him, or the apoftles miferably n-iifuuderftood them in applying them to prove the true divinity of Chrift. (5.) If Chrift be not the Moft High God, the Chriftim religion muft be a fyftem of mere fuperftiition, appointed by a creature ; — a mere comedy, in which one falfely appears in the character of the only true and Moft High God. AH its miracles, myfteries and pre- dictions muft be magical tricks, or diabolical deluftons, cal- culated Of the MEmATomAL Person of €hrij}. a$| culated to promote faith ill, and WorfKip of, a.tnere cr5^to":i^§ inllEead of the fuprcme God. :-In'his incarnation, th<^ Son of God afltttned a true MANHOOD, — ^a human foul, and a true body formed of iShe fubftance of the virgin Mary, — not immediately created^ or fent down from heaven, (i.) God's wifdom and equity required, that the broken law, under which we ftood, fhould be fulfilled in the Very fame nature that had linncd ; and that our Redeemer fhould be near of kin unt6 us, that the right of redemption might be his, even inrefpe^tofhis man- hood, Ezek. xviii. 14. Luke i. 71. Rom. vii. 4. Eph. v. 23*" (2<) He is exceeding frequently called a Man, and Son of many Pfal. Ixxx. 17. Dan. vii. 13. Zech. vi. 12. andxiii. t".' Mat. viii. 20. and ix.6. &c. (3.) The fcripture reprefcntsr him as the/^r^of the woman. Gen. iii. 15. the feed of A- braham, Gen. xii. 3. and xxviii. 18. and xxii 18. the 0^' fpri/ig of JeWCf Ifa. xi. i- the y^^^ of David, and yr;«> of his loins, Rom. ix. 5. and i. 3. Luke i-32. the feed of Mary 5 made of her, and the fruit of her womb, Luke i. 31, 32 j 35. Gal. iv. 4. ^And without admitting this, his double genealogy muft be ufelefs, falfe, and feduftive. Mat. i. i, — 17. Luke iii. 23, — 38. The fcripture never calls him the -Son of Jofeph, but on one occafion, and that becaufe Jo- feph acknowledged and educated him, as if he had been his child, Lukeii. 41, 44. and iii. 23. (4.) If he had receive^ his body from heaven, or by any immediate creation, he had not been like unto us in all things, fin excepted, Heb* ii. 1-7. or related to us, or marked with the prophetic cha- racters of the lineage of Meffiah, Gen. iii. 15. and xxHJ ' 18. and xHx. 10. Ifa. xi. 10.' Jer. xxxrii. 15, 16. Ifa. vii. li^^' (5:) The fcripture plainly reprefents him as having a true humhnfoul^ Ifa. lili. 10. Pfal. xxii. 21. Mat. xxvi.38. John xii. 27. with a finite and limited underftanding, Luke ii.- 52. Mark xiii. 32. — and a will diftincl from, and fubordi- natcdto, his divine. Mat. xxvi. 39. — znd:\true human body. Mat. xxvi. 26. Luke xxiv. 39 which partook of flefh and blood, and did eat, drink, hunger, thirft, fleep, become weai-y, Ihed tears, and fweat drops of blood, Heb. ii. it, 14, 16. Mat. xi. 19. andiv. 2. John xix. 28. andiv.(5. and xi 37. Luke xix. 4>. and xxii. 44. In forming the manhood of Chrift, the Holy Ghoft im- parted no fubftance of his own ; and fo is hot the father of ' it : but (i.) He formed part of the fubftance of the Virgin ' into his human body. (2.) He formed his human foul iri » he clofeft union with that body, and that in union with his divine ^S Qfi^ Mediatorial Person of Chyijl, divine nature. (3.) He fanflified this manhood in the Vfi« ry formation of it, and filled his foul with a fuincfs of gifts ijtd grace correfpondent with its then condition, Ifa, vii. My Jer. xxxi. 22. Mat. i. 20. Luke i. 35. ^The fancy. ^Ghrift's human foul being created before the foundation of the world, hath no countenance from fcripture ; renders yvs> manhood unlike to that of his brethren ; and attempts to evade the proofs of his true Godhead drawn from his ex- igence and afting under the Old Teltament. Tiie Son of God aflumed this human nature into his ottn iivine perfsn. The fcripture reprefcnts him as God and man in i\\c fame perfon ; — madejlsflj^ and yet the onl-^ beget' ten Son of God, John i. 14. Gal. ivi 4. Rom. viii. 3. — in the form of God and equal to God, and yet in fafliion os a ' inati, Phii. ii. 6, 7. Heb. iv 14, 15. and v. 7, 8. — as God manifefted in the jlejh, i Tim.iii. 16. — as made oi the feed • of David, or fathers, and yet the Son of God, — God bhffed for ever, Rom. i. 3,4. and ix —as put to death in thefleih, and quickened in the Spirit, i Pet. iii. 18 ', — as God, and yet lliedding his blood for our redemption, Afts xx. 28 ; — as man, and yet GocCs fellow, Zech. xiii. 7; — as Jehovah, and yet a branch out of David's root, Jer. xxiii. k^,6 and xxxiii. 15, 16; — as a child born, and yet the mighty Cod, ifa. ix. 6. Mic. V. 2 ; — aslmmanuel, and yet born of a wo- man, Ifa. vii. 14. andiv. 2. Mat. i. 23. &c. &c. In the unition of Chrifl's two natures in his divine per- fon, two divine a(Sls are obfervable, (i.) Aforming — uniting a(ft, by which his manhood was at once formed and united to \i\% perfon as Son of God, This uniting of his manhood to his perfon, in the very formation of it, prevented its having any perfonality of its own, even as the uniting of our foul to our body in the very formation of it, prevents its having any exiftcnce, witl*out relation to Adam as a cove- nant-breaking reprefentative. All the divine perfons con* curred in this aft, the Father and Son ailing in, with, and through the Holy Ghoft, Heb. x. 5. and ii. 14. Ifa. vii 14. Jer. xxxi. 22. and xxiii. 5. and xxxiU. 15. Zech. iii. 8. Lukei. 35. (2.) An affuming a6t, in which the Son ronly took to, or into his divine perfon the human nature, that his Godhead might dwell in it, or be as it were clothed with it forever, Heb. ii. 14. John i. 14. Phil. ii. <5. Rom. vili. -3. GaJ. iv, 4. Perhaps it would not have become the god- head, That the Father fhould have afTumed the manhood, — as, being the firft perfon in order of fubfirtence, he pould iiot, in correfpondence there^vith, have been fent by the Son Of the Mediatorial Person of ChriJJ. i.'^) Son and Spirit, atiila^ed as a Mediator towards them j-^ or being the Father in the godhead, he couid not bcf9,i^een no divine!H[ie^- ■fbn p6fterior, in order of Tubfiftence, to have been, lent, Joy him to apply his purchafed redemption. But it v.as;-jiii£- pireiy condecent, th^i/.bgS:>/i fhould become man,r^th5t the midxlle peribn in the godhead fliould be the Meiliaior between God and man ; tiiat he who was Son in the, gpi^ bead fhould be the fon of the Virgin in the manhood ; tU.jc he, who is the only begotten and weil-bcloved Sonof Goii, fhould reconcile uS to God ; that he, who is the natural, neccflary, and efTential Son of God, lliould render us the adopted fons of God ; that he, who is the Father's Word, fliould declare unto us the Father's mind and will ; that he, who is the exprefs image of his Father's power, fliould re- ftore in us the image of God. - .. The union of ChriiVs divine and human natures, orcoh- ftitution of his mediatorial perfon is produced by thele two aftsk This union is a permanent relation between both na- tures, and afFecls the divine nature which affumcd the hu- man, as well as the hunian which was alTumed. And it is (i.) Personal, not th.\t two pcrfons, a divine and human, are joined into one 5 but that two natures, a divine and hu- man, are united in ofie perfon^ who is at ones true God and true man, Col. iL 9. lia. vii. 14. and ix. 6. Jer. xxiii. 5, 6. and xxxiii. 15, 16. Zech. xiii. 7. Mic. v, 2 John i 14.' and iii. 13, Rom. i. 3, 4. and ix. 5. Luke i. 16, 17, 35- Phil. ii. 6, 7. H?b. iv. J4, J5. and ix. 14. Adls iii. 15. i Cor. ii. 8. 1 Tim. iii, 16. \ Pet. iii. 18. The Son of God tould not have aiTumed a human perfon y 'Loh'ich cont'imi' *w' to he fuch. As no finite fubltance can fubfift in more fubjefts than one at the f^^me time, Chrift's finite manhood could not have fubfiAed both in his perfon, and ij) its own perlbnality. If Chrilt had a human perfon, he could not bf^ equally related to all men. He could not have obeyed the law of God under the weight of its curfe, nor have \?orne the intinite load of puniihment due to uj. Nor ccuid his obedience and fufiering have been of inStJte vziiue to anfwer and magnify the broken law for us.-^^He could not have afTunied a human perfcn, the perfonality of whiclv ceafed upon its being alTumed by him. Such a notion hath no fovmdation in fcrlpture. A human nature formerly pol- feiTed by a iiinner, or even a mere creature, covild nc4.de« ceatly b: &fiuiaed into a perfo.ial uaioii WJth.thc Son of P p G.ul. . , 298 Of the Mediatorial Person of Chrl/f, .G.o.d. It was not poflible for a Tiuman perfon to be form^ ,. (fd without original fin.— But it muft be obferved, that . (<•) The divine perfonahty of the Son of God, being in . , itfelt as unchangeable as his divuie nature, could neither be deftroyed, nor changed, Heb. xiii. S, MaLiii. 6. James i. 17. Exod. iii. 14. (2.) Chrifl's manhood having been united to his divine perfon in the very formation of it, could never have any perfonality or particular fubiiflence of its own ; nor did it need it, having- by the uniting a£V, received a divine perfonality, inflead of its own human one. Nor doth the want of human perfonality, efpecially when {"-•pplied to infinite advantage, render his manhood kfs perfe^, it being foul and body united, not its mode of fubfiftence, which . conftitate a compleat human -nature. (3.) Chrift's manhood is not hfimediate/y united to his di- vine nature, conlidered as abfolutely in itfelfy — but as it is characterized and fubfifls in the perfon of the Son : and hence is not perfonally united with it, as it fubfifts in the Father and Holy Ghoft, Rom. viii, 3. Gal. iv. 4, John i.. 14. (4.) Thorrgh, in its immenfity, Chrift*s divine nature infinitely tranfcend his human, which can be but in one fmall place at once, yet in its fpirituality, it is whole eve- ry where j and in this view is united with, and dwells in, his manhood, i Tim. iii. 16. Ifa. ix. 6. and.vii. 14. John i. 14.' Col. ii. 9. - . . (2.) It is an UHCOMPOUNUiNG union, both the united natures retaining their diftinck eiTential properties. Hence we find afcribed to Chriil ( i ») Infinitely xlifFerent natures ^ Rom.i* 3, 4., and viiji 3.^ and. ix. 5. i. Pet. iii. 18. Heb. ix. 14. John i. 14. I. Tim; iii. 16. Phi!, ii. 6, 7. Ifa. ix. 6. and vii. 14. Gal. iv.'4. , (2.) Different underflaudiws and tuills^ •—knowing allthings,. John ii. 7'5. and'xxi. 17. and yet not knowing .the ;titn)e''of the laft judgnient, JNlark xiii. 32; — ha,ving, one wiy^ with thcEathec,': Jol\n v, 19. and x. 30. and xiv^9, ro- l John v. 7. wdyet having a will different from the Father's, Lu.ks xx,ii- if2. (3*i) Contrary circiim" Jiances or properties^ ;aS, .to leave tJye. world^^ in refpedt of his '.manhood, Jplyi-xvi. .7,-28.. and. ye;t to hz-alway in- it^ in felpeCl of hi^^dbpad,.,M3t. xxviii. ^o. aud xviii...3D. to ht 2i, child burn y..2in^ yet -the everlajlmg- Father ^ Ifa. ix. 6. almighty.Qody '3xA-^.^l frucifisd through iueakncfSy\jiax.JiS\\. I. Ifa. ik. 6.., 2 Cor. xiii. 4. . ■ -,;-.4vfi., . (3;) It is an INDISSOLUBJ.E and everlasting union. ;(i.)- If Chrift. hadintended to lay afide his manhood, he liad probably xiqne foj.when he had,finili>ed his humbled fer vice. Of tfje MeH I ATtHLtALVERZ^-a of Chrijf. Zpp fefvltei in which it was peculiarly neceffiirj'. But it is cer- tain that -he retained it in his refurre^ion and afcendon, awd vill retain it in the laftjudgment, A 17. — It could net be cmmfciefity for it increafcd io ■vvirdom, Luke ii. 40, 5:. and when on earjh Hi^'Cw not th^ ^ time of the lafl: judgment, Mark xiii. 32 — It was net ai-s mi^htyy but was weary, amazed, and very heavy, — troubled till it knew not what to fay^ and needed his Father's help, John iv. 6, Mat. xxvi. 38. John xii. 27 Heb. v. 7, Ila. Iv, 7, 9. and xlii. i. Nor can it, but God alcne, quicken the dead, Rom. iv. 17. 1 Pet, iii. 18. John vi, 63, Pfahx^xvi, 9. Ai^s xxvi. 8. , But the ^rr/^ ^t-^?/ of this perfqnal union of Chrift's two natures are (i.) Communion oi mutual inter cjl in each o- ther, John xii. 27. Pfalm xvi. 10. (2.) Conjunct afwiti(- ingy which, as it refpeclis his divine nature, includes the fending of him and the preparing of an human nature for the perfonal refidence of his godhead, Gal. iv.4, Ifa. xlviii, 1 6. and as it refpe^ls his manhood, denotes the actual be.- itowal of all neceflary gifts and graces upon it. And as thefe endowments were different in degree, in different pe* riods, while the union was the fame, they appear to have proceeded, not immediately from his divine nature, but from the Holy Ghoft dwelling in his manhood and qualify- ing it according to its growing capacity, nnd different ftates of hnniiiiution or exaltation, Luke ii. 52, Mark xiii. 32. ^3.) Commjnion in all mediatorial qua/iiiesy offices apd <7<7j-, ■ — that, notwithftanding a particular nature be tire iuxmedi- .nte agent or fuflerer,— the perfon|God-man is reputed to liave aer(inents of one nature are ufcribed to him, when lie is named fyom t^e other. — ^Thus we fay, the blood of God, and that the Son of God was born, died, rofe again j tliat the Lord of glory wag crucified, Afts xx. 28 Rom. viii. 3. I Cor. ii. 8 and that the man Chriil is God's e- rio|, knows nil things, is pvery where, and almighty, Zech. :;?««, he might iftftrudl us with brotherly affection, and in a ntaft*^ •.- ner adapted to our weaknefs ; and might exemplify His^" . doclrines and injunftions in his own perfon, life and death^i^ -a Ma'f. xi. 29, 30. — r-It was necefTary to his execution of lils -1: I'uigh ofzci-i'-^i\\'ity hiing God, his fubje»^5 might not be re*-" * duce'd lower in their redeemed, than they had been in their created ftate, Hof. i. 10, 1 1. and that he mighb be equally • near to, and capable to fubdue, rule, and defend all his" people in every place and perio(^ Pfal. ex. 2, 3. and Ixxii. 8, 9. and xxviii. 9. and xxix. n. Zech. ix. 10, Ifa. ix.'y'V^'*' — ^might be able to withftand all the power and policy of hell and earth, Matth. xvi. 18; — might be head over all things to his church, Eph. i. 22 ; — might be able to con- vince, conquer, renew, comfort, fanclify and govern the hearts of all his eiecft, and to fupply all their v»rants, Pfalm xlv. 3, — 5'. John xiv. i. and xv. 3, — 5. and vi. 63, PhiL iv. 19 — and able to manage the unruly hearts of all his im- placable enemies, devils or men, Prov. xxi. 11. Pfal.lxxvi. 10. and to call them to account for their conduft, Adls xvi, 31. Rev. XX. 12 :— ^and l?ei)ig matiy he might not ex- alt his heart above his brethren fubjefted to him, but main- tain a tender and condefcendirig regard to them, Zech.ii:8; — and Q/*/i5^ Mediatorial Person o^ Chrl/f. 303 -^aijd might, by his own example, enforce obedience t© that law wi-hich he enadls, and by which h6 will, in a vifible manner, fix the eternal ftate of angels and men at the hft day. It is neceffary to his implementing of all his faving relations of Father, Hufband, Friend, Shepherd, &c--— "While his manhood renders them near, delightful, and as it were natural towards men, his godhead renders them in- finitely efficacious and comfortable, f Song fv- 9, — 16. Pfal, xxiii. 1, — 6. and xviii. 1,-^3;. Ifa.ix. 6.. and Ixiii. 16. and liv. 5. — It is necefiary to hisjlctes of h\imiliation and exal- tation. While hismanhood did or doth render them pofli* ble, real, and adequately exemplary to us,— ^his godhead rendered his humiliation infinitely deep, niarvellouily . dig- nified, and the ^vo^k of it truly and intrinfieally meritcrioxis, — -and renders- his exaltation inconceivably high, ;makeshini capable to fupport and rightly manage his unparalleled glo- ry, and makes it infinitely comfortable and efiicacious to usward, 2 Cor. viii.p. and v. 21. Heb. ii. 17, 18. and iw 34,— 16. and vi. 18,— 20. and X. 19, — 22- The. grace and rehtiive glory of this mediatorial perfon oH Chrift arc exceedingly remarkable. His perfinal grace com-^ prehends [i .) T\\q grace of tmion hy which his manhood isi gracioufly exalted to its high ftate of fubfiftence in the per- fon of the Son of God, John i. 14. i Tim. iii. 16. Rom. viii. 3. .Heb. ii 11, 14. (2.) The grace of u nfli on yV/hvcix. lies in God's appointment of him to his mediatorial work,— • and in his abundant furnifliing of his human nature with gifts and graces for it, John x. 36. and vi. 27,. 29^ and iii. 34. Ifa. xi. 2, — 4. and Ixi. i. and xlii. I. (3.) The grace- effclhivJJjipy which confifts in thofe. happy fruits which proceed from the union of his natures, and his un^ion by the Holy Ghofi:^ i Cor. i. 30. Col. i. 19. and ii. 3, 10, 19. Or, his pcrfonal grace confifts in ( I .) His fitnefs for his work, as God in our nature, appointed to it, Col.ii.9. John iii. i(5.. i Tim. ,iii..i6.- John i. 14. -,{,2 ) His fulnefs' of grace lodged in him, fuificient for the fupply, of all his people. Col. ii 19.; and ii. la. Phil. iv. 19. (3.) His ex- cellency to endear, — he, in his perfon, offices, relations and work, being every way fuited to the underfianding, confciencc, defires or neceflities of our immortal fouls, Song v..io,-r-ri5. Col ii. 10. and, iii. ii. i Cor.' i. 30. • • , The relative glory of the perfon of Chrift, God-man^ lieth.in its manifold; connexions with the nature, perfe^ii-. ons, purppfes, covenants, »and revealed .trtUhf of Gad i-r^* and with believers familiar fellowfliip with God, — and all their 3*4 Of the MEDiATOiiiAL Person of Chrljl, l3ieir faving graces, and exercife of theni,-*-and all their ac* ceptable worfliip of God, and new obedience to him. I. In refpecl of his nature, (i.) God is one with, or the SAME asChrifl, — »in his divine nature, John x. 30* i John V. 7. — in perfection, dignity, work, and worfliip, John v. 16, — 29. and xvii. 9, 10. and xiv. 9, 10. in will, Pfalni xl. 8. in afFeclion, John xiv. 21, 23. 2 ThefT. it. i6,. and in intereft and dominion, John xvii. 2, 9, lo. and xvi. 15, and xiv. 2,9, 10. (2.) God is with Chrift, co-operating in the fame work, John v. 17, 19. and xiv. 23. 2 Theif. ii. \6. Prov. viii. 27, — 30 ;— *in upholding and afllfting his manhood, A£ls x. 38. Ifa. xlii. i. and 1. 7, 9 ;— in exercif- ing love and favour towards him, John xvii. 24. Mat. iii. 17. and xvii. 5 ; — and in fharin^ the fame honours, Rev.^ iii. 21. andxxii. I. (3.) God is !n Chrift, — in myfterious Go-inexiilence of perfon, John xiv. 10, 11, 20. and xvii. li, 23 \ — in marvellous reft, fatisfa£lion and delight, Ifa. xlii. 21. 2Cor.v. 19. Pfalm Ixxx. 17* In him alone he is to be found by finful and felf-ruined men, Ifa. Ixvi. 1, 2. 2 Cor. V. 19, — 21. Eph. ii. 19. and iii. 12. In him all things refpe^ing God delightfully hairmonize,— as perfefti- ons of mercy, juftice and wrath, the exercife of which feems inconfiftent :-^Names apparently irreconcileable, — as mer- ciful znA gracious ^ forgiving iniquity, tranfgreflion and fin, —and yet by no means clearing the guilty^ Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7 : —Words apparently contradii5lory, reprefenting God's de- teftation of the juftification of the wicked, — and yet repre- fenting his own juftificatlon of the ungodly, Exod. xxiii. 7. Prov. xvii. 15. Rom. v. 6. Ifa. xliii. 24, 25. and xiv. 24, 25. 2 Cor. V. 21. — and works apparently contrary, as mak- ing men dead to the law, and yet writing the law in their heart, Gal. ii. 19, Rom. vii. 4. and viii. 2, Jer. xxxi. 33. Heb. viii. 10. (4.) God is manifested in and thro* Chrift. All the words and works of God cannot give a full, clear, efficacicrus, faving, and fatisfying view of God fuitable to iinful men. But Chrift being of the fame fub- flancc with him, and yet a diftin<5t perfon in our nature, is infinitely nt to reprefcnt him to us. As Son of God, he is the hrightnejs of his Father's g'cryy and the ey:prefs image of his perfouy Heb. i- 3. John xiv. 9, 10. As God-man me- diator, he is the reprefentative hnoge of the invifhle God, Col. i. 15. 2 Cor. iv. 4, 6 ; — in and thro' whkh, the perfefti- ons of God jfhine forth 'with the raoft unnillied, amiable, - • heart- Qf thr Mediatorial Person^:^ Chrijh 3^^ he^irt-captivating and foul-transforming brightnefs. (i.,);„ Wh fpirituality in framing a covenant, kingdom and people, not of this world, 2 Sam. iii 5. John xviii. 36. I Pet. ii. 5. (2.) His infinity,, in devifmg and executing an infinite- ly important plan of our redemption, and in cheerfully giv- ing his infinite Son an unfpc-aknhle gift to be a ranfom for "us, and then to be a hufband, eftedual Saviour, and eyerlaft- ing portion to us, 2 Cor. ix. 15. John iii. 16. (3.) His^- ternity, in eftablifliing a covenant with him, and an office in him, which reache'Afromeverlaftingto evcrlafting, 2 Sam. xxiii, 5. Prov. viii. 23. Pfalm ex. 4^ Ifa. ix. 7. (4.) His immut ability in all his infallible purpofes and providences, relative to Chrifl-, in nothing altering his appearance or work, notwithftanding our innumerable provocations, — and in the everlafiing union of our nature to his perfon, as a fixed pledge of our acceptance and happinefs, Mai. iii. .6. Jer. iii. 3. Ifa. liv. 8, — 10. (5.) His imlepen-dencc, in per- fonally uniting his own Son to manhood, and in that new, form, rendering him dependent on himfelf as his created man, and mediatc-ial fervant, Jer. xxxi. 22. Ifa. vii. 14. and xliL i. Jer. xxiii. 5. and xxxiii. 5. (6.) His ahfolute fovertignty in giving his only begotten Son to be Mediator and Surety for hell-deferving finners ; and for men, not for fallen angels ; — and for fome men, not for others as good and valuable m themfelves, and no lefs neceffitous, Pfalm Ixxxix. 19, 20. Heb. ix. 14, 16. i Cor. i. 26. Mat. xi. 25, 26. and XX. 15. (7.) W\sfubftf!ence in three perfons^ — plain- ly marked in Chrift's million, Ifa. xlviii. \6. his unftion, ' Ifa. Ixi.. T. his baptifm, Mat. iii. i(5, 17. his death, Heb., ix. 14. his refurredtion, Rom. viii. it. and i. 3, 4. his in- tercelilon, John xiv. 16, 17, 26. and his application of \\\s purchafcd redemption to us, John xv. 26. and xvi. 7, — 15.^ I Pet. i. 2. (8.) His divine. /if I'y inbeftowingfuch fulnefs of fpiritual and eternal life on Chrift, for the quickening, com- fort, and everlafting happinefs and glory of men dead in tref- pnfTes and fins, John v. 25. and xir 25. Rom. viii. 2. £ph.. ii. I, — 10. (9.) His'infimteivi/ciotn Tind knowledge^ in find- ing a proper perfon for the infinitely arduous work of our redemption, — in bringing him into the world in the mofl: proper time, place and manner, — and endowed with the mofl proper furniture ; and through him bringing the great- eft glory to God, and good to men, out of the worft of e- vils; — in puniftiing fin and faving finners ; — in making Sa- tan's compleat'iike vi£\orY the occnfion of his complicated ruin i — and in rendering Chriil: \\qfdom to the moft foolifh Q^q - and 3o5 Of the Mediatorial Person of Chrifi. and ignorant, (lo.) His infinite /otwr, in uniting Chrift*s natures in one peifon, and our perfons to him ; in inflict- ing moft tremenduous punifhments upon him, and fupport- ing him under them, and even making his manhood flou- tifh in holinefs under the prelTure of an infinite wrath and curfe. — In rendering him an overcomer by fufferings and death ; in raifing him from the dead, and beftowing upon him a fuper-exceeding and eternal weight of glory, — and in Juftifying, preferving, comforting and glorifyaig, his peo- ple, through him, i Cor. i, 24. (i'-) His infinite /&c////^rj in the inconceivable purity of Chriii's human nature, even under the curfe, Luke i. 35. in hiding himfelf from him on account of fin not inherent in him or committed by him, but merely imputed to him, Matth. xxvii. 46. and in his flay- ing him, his beloved Son, in order that he might deftroy fin, Dan. ix. 24. i John iii ^, 8. (12.) His infinite y7//?/r^, in his pitylefs execution of all the vengeance due to our iins, upon his only begotten and well beloved Son, and in re- warding his moft guilty reprefcntecs, with everlafting grace and glory, on bis account, Rom.r viii. 32 and iii» 24, — 26. Ha. liii. 10. 1 1. I John iv. 9, 10. 19, and i. 9, Rom. v. 2 1. and vi. 23. (iS*) His infallible truth in fulfilling the moft important and difficult-like promifcs and threatenings, in the conftitution of his perfon, and in his work of fatisfying for and faving men, 2 Cor. i. 20. Gen. iii. »5. and ii. 17. with I Their, v. 18. i Pet. iii 18. (14.) His infinite wa- jefyy grentnefs^ and authority, in fending, commanding, pu- nching, and rewarding his own infinite equal, in our na- ture, Tfa. xlii, 6. and xlviii. 16. Matth. iii. 1^. John x. 18. and xiv. 31. Phil. ii. 6, — 11. Zech. xiii. 7. Ifa. iviii, 10, — 12. Eph. i. 20, — 23- ('5-^ And chiefly his infinite ^r^ff, tnercyy goodnefs^ and love^ John iii. i^. i John iv. 8, 9, io> 16, 19.- II. God's piirpofes, and the execution thereof in his works, are deeply connefted with Chrift. His perfon God man is (i.) The foundation of them, Col i. 17. (2.) The centre in which they all delightfully meet, Eph. i. 10. (3.) The glorr of them, the union of his two natures being the principal contrir^r-ce and woi'k of God, Jer. xxxi. 22- I Tim. iii. 16. (4.) The gra^^i jncan of accomplilhing the purpoi'es and eif<;;n:in(T the great wo'ks of God, Heb. xi. 3. and i. 2, 3. Ifa. xlix.^'g. (5,.) The grand fcope and end of them in connexion with the glory of God and falvation of men, Rev. v. u, — 43. (6.) The great attra^Stive of God's heart Of the Mej^iatorial Person of Chriji. 307 heart to his purpofes and works, thit makes him reft and rejoice in them with incxpreffible plcafurc and delight, Pfal, civ. 3 1, Zeph. iii. 1 7. III. With refpe^ to the revealed truths of God, Chrift in his perfon and offices is (i.) The fountaifif whence they proceed to us, Jolin i. 18. Rev. i. 1.2 Sam. xxiii. 3. Mat. v^j vii. John iii. 3,5. Rom. i. i6. (2.) The foundati- on of them," John xiv. 6. Ifa. xxviii. 16. i Cor. iii. 1I4 (3,) The uiatter of them, when taken in their full connexi- on, 1 Tim iii. 16. I Cor. i 24. and ii. 2, 6, 7. Col. L 2^, - — 27- and iii. i r, John xiv. 6. (4.) Their rcpoftioryy in which they are fafely, hanourably, and myfterioufly laid up, John i. 14. Col. ii. 3. Ifa. xi. 2. and IxL. 1. Eph. iv, 20, 2 1.2 Cor. i. 20. (5 ) Their centre^ in which all their lines orderly meet. Ails x. 43. Rom. x. 4 and iii. 21, 22. 2 Cor. i. 20. Luke xxii. 20. and xxiv. 27, 45. John i. 45. Acts xxvi. 22, 23. I Cor. XV. i, 3, 4. i Tim. iii. 16. (6,) The great Teacher and Interpreter of them, Mai. iii. i. Ifa. xlvifi. 17. and 1. 4. and Hv. 13. Job xxxiii. 23. Rom; XV. 8. Song ii. 9, — 15.' i John v. 20. Luke xxiv. 27, 45. Mjc. iv. 2. and v. 4. (7.) The nvitnefs and even the attef tation of them, Rev. i. 5. and iii. 14. Ifa. Iv. 4. John iii. 3, 5. Pfaiml. 7 Ezek. xxxiii- 11. Heb vi. 16, — 18. 2 Cor. t. 20, (8.) The exemplification of them In all their leading ar- ticles relative to God or men, — fin or mifery, — holinefs or happinefs, — law or gofpel, Eph. iv. 20, 21. (9.) The light %r\A glory of them, Gal. i. 16. 2 Cor. iii. 8, 14, 16, 18. and iv. 3, 4, 6. (10.) The life^ ponver^ and efficacy, of them. All the pcrfeXions, purpofes, and agency of God for ren- dering them effedlual are in him. And, known feparately from him, thev nre undervalued, dcferted, perverted, dead, and inefFeftiial, — nay a favour of death unto death, — a killing letter, — a miniftration of death, 2 Cor. ii. 16. a iii. 6, 7. : But connected with him they are quick and pow- erful, Heb. iv. 12. Rom. iv. 17. Jolin v. 25. and vi. 63. and xi. 25. Rom viii. 2. Pfalm cxix. 50. (ii) ihe ap- plication of them to men's hearts depends upon his applica- tion of his perfon. No truth can be rightly perceived, till he be i'piritualiy difcerned. No truth can be received in the love of it, till he be embraced. We can have no comforta- ble interefl in divine truths, till we be interefted in him. No fa\ ing virtue of truth can be felt, till we experience his felf-uniring touch, Rom. vii. 9. and viii. 2. But, in his entrance into our foul, divine truths are applied, nevermore Q^cj 2 to 368 Of the Mediatorial Person of ChriJI. lo be taken from us, Ifa. liv. 13. Gal \. \6 2 Tim. iii. 15' a Cor. i. 24. Eph. V. 8. and iv. I4. 2 Cor. iii 3, 18. Eph* 3. 18, 19. and iii. 16, — 1<^ Jer. xxxi. 32, — 34. Pfa'.m cxix* II. Jer. XV. i6. ■■•' IV. Nor are the covenants of Godlefs connected with Chrift God-man. Thefe particular ones yvhich God made with Noah, Abraham, Phinebas, David, Ifrael, were framed to reprefent that whicii he made with Chrift and his people in him, Gen. ix ; xvii; xxii j Num. xxv. 2 Sam. vii. Exod, xix. 5, 6. xxiv Deut. v. 2. and xxix — Chrift in his per- ion and work was the real, though, at firft, unfeen end of God's making the covenant of works with Adam aaid the full vindication of his making it with a reprefentative, Rom. V. 12, — 21. 2 Cor. XV. 21, 22, 45, — 49. He is the fulfil- ler and magnifier of it in the room of his eledl, Rom. x. 4. and viii. 3, 4. Ifa. xlii. i, 21. andlviii. 4, 5^ 6, ic. And he thus renders it harmlefs, ufeful, and pleafant, to fallen men, Rom viii. i, — 4 and vii. 5 Gal. ii. 19,— 21. and iii 24. — - Chrift is the Contractor, Mediator, Surety, Sacrificing Prieft, Condition-fulfiUer, Adminiftrator, Truftee, Tefta- -tor, Executor, Advocate, Prophet, and King, in, or of, the covenant of grace, Ifa. xlii. 6. and xlix 6 Pfalm Ixxxix. •3. Heb. ix. 15. and vii. 22. and x. 10, 14. Rom v. 16,- — •21. John xvii. 2. Pfalm Ixviii. 18. Heb. ix. 16 lia, Iv. 4. and xlix. 8, 9. i John ii. i. A<^s iii. 22. Pialm ii. 6. All the blefilngs of it are in, and only obtained in union with, Jiis perfon, as election, Eph. i. 3, 4. the Spirit, Rom. viii. 2. Tit. iii. 6i juftification, Ifa. xlv. 24, 25. new covenant intereft in God, 2 Cor. v. 19, Gal iii. 20. John >x. 17. Rom, viii. »7. regeneration and fanctification, Eph. ii 10. 2 Cor. V. 17. Gal. vi. 15. i Cor. i. 30 and vi. 11. fpiritu- al comfort, John xvi. 33. Luke ii, 25. prcfervation in ■grace, Jude i. Gal. ii. 20 Col. iii. 3. an happy death, Rev. ■ xiv. 13. 1 Thefl*. iv, 14, 16.. and eternal glory, Ifa. xlv. 17. and Ix. 19. — He is the caufe, fubftance, and end, of ■all thefe benefits. Ele 31. Zech. X. 12. John xv. 5. Pliil. iv. 13. 2 Tim. '^i. i. Eph, vi. 10. All the confidence necefTary to it, is obtain- ed in and through him, Heb. x. 19, — 22. and iv. 14, — i^. Piiilm xxvii. i, — 3 and cxviii. 6. — 17. All harmony of R r defigrx 3M Of the Mediatorial Person £/" C,???-?;?), clefign with God, as our leader and companion, is obtain- ed only in Chrift •, and all the accept^blenefs of God's pre- fence and condu 7»— 13« 2 Cor. X. I . Eph. V. 2, 11^ 24, 25, 29- and iv. 32. and vi. 1 , 4, 5> 6, 7, 9. Phil. ii. I, — 5. Col. nu 16, 18, 20, 23, 24. and iv. I, 17. Reflect. Have I feen and believed on this all-lovely, all-ufeful, Lord Jefus Chrift .'' Hath it pleafed God to re- veal his Son in me ? Have I by faith beheld this great myf- tery of godlinefs, this new thing created in the earth,- — God made manifeft rn the flefli ? Have I turned allde to fee this great fight, the bujh burnings and not cenfumed ? Havel beheld the glory of the Woi'd made flelh, and dwel- ling among men, — dwelling in r.iE, — as the glory of the on- ly begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth? Have I, in this image of the invifible God, beheld the Father al- fo ? Have I fcen the glory of God in the face of Jelus Chrift ?— What think I of Chrift > Whofe Son ? Whofe Saviour is he .'' — What is he to me ? — Is he white and rud- ely, the chief among ten thoufand ?— Is he altogether love- ly, and my Beloved and my Friend ? — Bsholdrng, as in a glafs, the glory of the Lord, Am I changed from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord ? What would I have Chrift to be to me, — to do for and to me ? Mv foul, I charge thee before God, never dare to preach a An- gle fermon till thou haft cordially perufed this truly divine fyftem, Jesus Christ, as made of God to mc \visi>diM ! — O the tranfcendently excellent thoughts, — devices, — ^^and inventions that are here !— -how God might pardon finful men, and put them among his children ! — hoiv he might ' have mercy on his inveterate enemies, and rebellious revol- ters from his righteous government ! — how Grace might much more abound, and reign through righteoufnefs to e- ternal life ! — how mercy and truth might meet together, and righteoufnefs and peace kifs each other ! — how the prey might be taken from the mighty, and the lawful captive be delivered ! Thoughts \ — how many ! how conde- fcending ! — how deep ! — how high \ — how gracious ! — how fixed ! Of.tke Mediatorial VtKion of Chrij}. 315 JSxeVf'j— how efficacious I — how delightful 1^ — how precious ! — — ^To convey them into my heart, Into wJiat new form pfperfon, offices and relations is the eternal Son of God, as it were, caft: and moulded ! — What new, — what ftu- penduous manifeftations of the manifold wifdom and know« ledge of God enfue ! — What myfteriesof godlinfjfs, — myf- tcries of the kingdom ! — What Icftures concerning Jehovah and his gracious connexions with finful men, — with finful MF. ! What things were gain to me, thefc I therefore <:ount lofs for Chrift : yea, doubtlefs, I count all tilings but lofs for the excellency of the knowledge of Chrift Je- fus my Lord ; — and I do count them but dung to win him, and to be found in him. All the heaven I wifli be- low is but to tafte his love : and all the heaven I wifli above is but to fee his face. Oh ! for that eternity, — that e- TERNiTY, when Chrift God-man ftiall be my Teacher !— Chrift (hall be my fyftem !— Chrift fliall be my Bible !— - Chrift fhall be my ALL IN all I CHAP. II. Of the General atid Particular Offices of Jefus ChriJ}, TO coTiftitute the Son of God in our nature, our Me- diator in oflice, he was divinely called and appointed ' to his work, and furnjftied fork, Heb. v, 4, 5, 10. li'a. xlii. ■'6. and xlix. i, — 9. — In allufion to the anointing of the He- brew kings, priefts, and fometimes prophets, at their in- ftalment into their office, Pfalm cxxxiii. 3. Exod. xxix. 7, 9, 21. I Sam. X. I, and xvj. 13. i Kings i. 34, 2 Kings xi. 12. 1 Kings xix. 16, — hisappointment to, and furniture for his work is called an anointing, and himfelf Messiah, Christ, or the Anointed, Dan, ix. 24, 25. Mat.vi. 16. John vi. 69. and i. 41. As aiSted as a Medi- *ator before his incarnation, Zech. i, 8, — 12. and iii, 2, — -4, Gen iii ', xii ; xv ; xvii ; x:tii ; xxviii Nor could our re- demption, forgivenefs, and eternal life be purchafed, pro- cured, or beftowed by a mere man, Ifa. xlv. 17, 22, 24, 25. and xhii. 25. with liU. it. John xvji, 2, 3. wjih i John V. 20. Chrift is appointed Mediator only for men. No doubt, the holy angels are confirmed in their happy ftate by him as Son of God^ Heb. 5. 3 Col, i, 17, God's gr^nt of them to him for miniftring Spirits to his heirs of falvation, fecures their continuance inholinefsandhappincfs, Heb. i. 14. Eph, J- 21, 22, I Petv iii. 22, The difcoveries of divine perfec- tions, in his redemption work, mightily enlargeth their hap.- pinefs, r Pet. i. 12 Eph. iii, 10. But Chrift is not a Me- diator, even of confirmation to angels (i,) The fcripturc licver reprefents him as the Mediatorial Confirrr.er of angels, but as the Mediatorial Saviour of men, i Tim. ii. 5, 6. Nay it exprefly alTerts that he took not hold of angels^ Heb. ii. i<5. (2.) No variance hath ever taken place between God and holy angels, and fo there can be no need of a Mediator be- tween them. (3,) Chrift having never alTumed the nature of angels, hath no proper fitnefs to mediate between God ^and them. (4 ) Holy angels have no need of Chrift's atone- ment or of his interceftion founded upon it, — both which are eftc;nt:al parts of his medi.itorjal work, i Tim. ii. 6. i John ii. I, 2. Heb. ix. 15, and xii, 24 and vii. 22, 25. Rom. v.ii. 33, 34. (5 ) If Chrift be the mediatorial confirming head of angels, he might have been Mediator of the co- venant of works. Innocent Adam had at leaft as much ni'JiTof him as they. (6.) There is no more n€ed of a Me- diator Of the General Offices cf Chrijl: ^u^ diator of confirmation, than for one of creation. God caa" preferve his creatures in happinefs, as well as form them perfe^Iy holy. Indeed angels are fubjeded to Chritl as' head of the church ; but fo are brutes, devils, and every thing elfe, Col. ii. lo. I Pet. iii. 22. Eph. i. 21, 22.Pral, vii:. 4) — 7'—- The iv// thifigs gathered together in Chrift and re- conciled through the blood of his crofs, are eledt men, Jews and Gentiles, I'aints militant and triumphant. Thefe, be- ing once icattered, and at variance wiih God, need to be gathered and reconciled to him, Eph. i. lo. Col. ii. lO.— - And indeed, when thefe are brought back from their re- bellion to a ftate offriendfhip with God, and a courfe of holinefs, the holy angels behave towards them, not as ene- mies, but as members of the fame happy family with them- fclves. Chrift God-man is the only Alediator between God and men. (i.) The fcriptures exprefly declare that there is but one ONE Eis, one only Mediator between God and men,. 1 Tim. ii. 5, withMatth.xix. 17. Eph. iv. 6. Rom, iii. 10, ir. I Tim. iii. 2, 12. Nor doth the fcripture ever hint, that he is but the only primary Mediator, or the Mediator of redemption i but reprefeht him as the only Mediator that a£ls in reconciling men to God. And, in their pretended oblation of Chrift in their mafs, and in admitting men's works or fufFerings, as a fatisfans in tribulation ; they know one another's needs j ^nd. ^ayer for one another is a pai't of their Church feUo\yihip-,j jtt'tTiis imperfect ftate. - .^_ . '-.,^ 'Chrid's GENERAL officc of Mediator Incliidcs Ui3;,t^ce^.j FA RTicuLAR offices of Prophet, Priest, and King,., -r— each of which implies an honourable ftation, and a charge,, or burden, of work, (i.) The fcriptures cxprefly afcr.ibc thefe three offices to him, Deut. xviii. 15, — 18. Acts iii.. 22, and vii. 37. — ^Pfalm ex. 4. Heb. iii. i. and iv. 14. and ix. II. and x. 21. — ^Pfalm ii. 6. Matth. xxviii. 18. Ifa. ix. 6, 7. Dan, vii, 14. (2.) The anointing, ftation and work of thofe that were typical of him figured him out in this threefold office ; Mofes, Samuel, Elijah, Elifha, Daniel, John Baptift, &c. typified him, as a prophet : Melchlzedek, Aaron and his defcendents typified him as a prieft : Davidand his fuccelTors typified him as a king. And it is obfcrvable, that none prefigured him in all his offices in a ftated man- ner. Melchlzedek was a king and prieft, but not a prophet. David was a king and prophet but not a prieft. Mofes and bamuel were ftated prophets and civil rulers, but never, ex- cept on particular occafions, afted as priefts, Exod. xxiv ; xxix. I Sam, vii. 9, 10. and xvi. 2, 3 Pfalm xcix. 6. (3.) Our threefold mifery of ignorance, guilt, and bondage re- quired this threefold office in Chrift, — that, as a prophety he might inftruft us, in the nature and will of God ; — that, as zpriejij he might remove our guilt and bring us into peace with, and nearnefs to God ; — and that, as a king^ he might deliver us from the bondage of fin and Satan, and make us like to, and happy with God, Eph. v, 8. John i. 18. — Rom. iii. 19, — 26. Matth. xx. 28. 1 Pet. i. 18, 19, Rev. V. 9. Ifa. xlix. 24, — 26. I Cor. i. 2. Rev. iii. 4, 21. The nature of our falvation requires this threefold office, that he might purchafe it, as a prieft ; reveal and offer it, as a prophet ; and confer and apply it, as a king, Heb. ix. 12, — 15. alad ii. 3. Pfalm ex. 2, 3. In his execution of his offices upon us, Chrift's prophetical ronviftions and illuminations of our mind neceffarily pre- cede his application of his pr'tejlly righteoufnefs, and this precedes the fubje^tion of our foul to him, as our kwg^ Job xxxiii. 23, 24. 2 Cor. v. 14. Heb. xii. 28. But in the na- tural order of his offices, Qhx\ii's priejthood ^es^ndis firft. ( i.) Of the Particular Offices of Chrifi^ 32! Our falvation mu'ft be purchafed and procured before it caa be explained, offered, or applied, Pfalm xxii. — in which Ghi-ift is reprefented as firft purchafing falvation, as a fuffer* ing prieft ; then publifhing it, as a prophet, — and laftly fub- duing and governing faved men, as their king. His being the WAY bv his biood, precedes his being the truth ard the LIFE, John xiv.- 6. with Heb. x. 19, 2c. (2.) The fa- crifilcing work of his priefthcod belongs to his fulfilment o£ the condition of the new covenant made with him. But his prophetical and kingly work belong to the adminiftration of it, which is the reward of his fervice. Nay, even his inter- ceeding work is the procuring caule of all that light and life, which he confers upon us as a prophet and king. If?.. liii. 10, — 12. Heb. vii. 25. Rom. viii. 33, 34. John xvi. 7, — '5" (3O In his execution of his prophetical and kingly offices, Chrift, in the name of God, deals with men to pro- mote their happinefs ; but, in the execution of his prieftly ly office, he deals with God for his honour, which ought to be firft in order fecured, Eph. v. 2. Heb. v. \. and ix. 24, 28. Pfalm xxii. Ifa. liii. A proper attention to the form of the covenant of grace plainly manifefts that thefa offices of Chrifl: are not the proper fountain of the promifes of the gofpel, but only the means of their fulfilment, Tit. i. 2. 2 Tim i. 4. I. Chrift, by the appointment of God, is a mediatorial Prophet, (r.) The fcripture exprefly reprefents him as a prophet, Deut. xvili. 15,-^18. Acfts iii. 22. and vii. 27. John i. 45. Ifa. Ixi. i, — 3. Luke iv. 17. John vi. 14. and vii. 40, 41. Luke xxiv. 19. Matth. vii, 29. (2.) His me- taphorical chara£lers oi Angela Mejfenger of the covenant ^ In- terpreter y Witnefsy Courj feller, Wifdom of Ged, Apojlle oi^owr profeffion, Teaching Mnjlery Light of the IVorldj Sim of Righteotifnefsy Bright tmd Jllorni/ig Star, manifeft htm a prophet, lia. Ixjii. 9. Mai. iii I. Job xxxiii. 23. Ifa. Iv. 4. and ix. 6. Prov. viii; ix. 1 Cor. i. 24, 30. Heb. iii. i. lia, ii. 2, 3. Matth. xxiii. 8, 10. and xvii. 5. Mic. iv. 2, 3. John iii. 2. and viii. i 2-. and i. 9. and ix. 5. and xii. 35. Ifa. xlii. 6. and ix. 2. and U. 1,19, 20. Mai. iv. 2. Rev. xxii. 16. and ii. 28. (3.) The light of the lamps in the Jewifli ta- bernacle and temple, — the blowing of the filver trumpets, — as well as a multitude of typical perfons, particularly pro-, phets typified him in his prophetical office, Otn. v. to Mai. iv. I^uke i ; iii. John i •, iii. (4.) Tlie eftV61ual re- velation of the myfteries of owr redemption in order to re- S f move ;5-i2 OfiheVkKTlCVl.A'k OwTlCES vf CMJf, Tnovg '<3ur ignorance, necefTarily required this office, ^M^ttb? xi. 27 John i» 18. Rom X. 14, — 17. ;:T( j}«3Do:i;;:S bar, t!~5 Being God in our nature, Chrifl hath^n infinite fitnefe for being the great prophet of tlie church.. (1.) He hath an abfohitely perfect and comprehenfive knowledge of all things, in their nature, properties, and ckcumftances, John 5. 18. and xxi. 17. and ii. 25, CoL ii. 3. Heb. iv. 13. Provi. viii. 12, 14. (2 ) While he is full of infinite patience, kind- nefsi compiflion, and care to inftru^l us, in every thing-im- portant, he hath a fovereign power over our confcience, James iv. r2. Matth. vji. 29. and xvii. 5;. (3.) Being ab- solutely infallible, being tn/th itfrlf, — a faithful ^nd true vvitnds, he can neither deceive nor be deceived, Heb xiii. 8. John xiv. 6 Rev i. 5. and iii 14. (4.) He gives furni- ture and authority to all other teachers of God'^s revealed truths, I Cor. xii. 28. Eph. iv. 11, 12. Matth. xvi. 19. and xxviii ip, 20. Mark xvi. 15, 16. John xx. 2.', 23. A^ksi. 8. Matth X. Luke X. -- . Chrill: neither- needed, nor did afcend to he'jven for in- ftru^ion and furniturej before he began his public miniftra- tions. (1.) 1. he fcripture never reprefents him as afcend- ing to heaven, but once after his refurrection, — which was after he had conie down to our world in his incarnation, snd gone down to the grave, in his burial, Heb, Jx. 12. and viii. I, and i. 3 \vith E.ph. iv. 9. John vi. :^8. and xvi. 28. ('2.) As Chrifi's divine nature continued as much in heaven, while he appeared on earth, as before, John iii. 13. and i, 18. and vii. 34. and xii. 26. and xvH. 24. and his human nature was filled with the Holy Ghofl, John iii. 34. l(a. xlii. I, — 4. and Ixi. i, 2. and xi. 2, — 4. Col ii. 3. he needed not afcend up to heaven for inllrnftion or furniture. N^y, long after i\is public miniftrations, his wifdom amazed all that iaw it, in the temple, Luke ii. 46, 47. ;-;,;•.' Chrift began to execute his prophetical oflice immediate- ly after Adam's fall, in publiiliing the firft promlfes, an«i particularly announcing the bad confequenccs of hk fin. Gen. ii. 20. and teaching to offer facrifices, Gen. iiS.-.* 4»-t- 21. In his own perfon, he, at dilierent times, and in. diver- lified form';,, ifiued forth manifold inflrufiions and predic- tions, under the QUI Teftamcnt, Gen. vi ; ix; xii.jir xvj. xvi J xvii ; xviii; xxi; xxii ; xxvi ; xxviii. Exod> iii;,;/ •;■ xxxiv. Lev. i ; xxvii. Num. v; vi •, viii; xi;;X^} xji » xiv; XV; ivif^ xviii ; xix ; xxviii; x\ix. Jolh. i,;, viv; vii. Judg. ii ; Vi ; xiii Zech i ; — vi. In his public nrur iiillrations on earch, lie cxecutL-d this oiFxe, not by carrect. ing Of iLt^ Vazticular Opficws if Ciri/i. .^^ij iRg or enlarging the moral law of God, but (t.) in explaili- ing and enforcing its commands, Matth. vj — vii; xv, XvU'. Luke vi. ^c, {2.) In declaring the truths of the gofpel, which is called the dollrine of ChriJ}^ A vi } x; xxii. — In ihs heavenly ftate, his immediate difplays h) V 2 of 3^4 Of the Particular Offices of ChriJI, of his perfon manifeft the perfe<^ions of God, ira. \sJ^% 20. Rev, xxi. 2 J. jj .:''-^{ ' t:' ■'■y ""-ot) .., In his perfonal execution of his prophetical office, (r.) Ghrift, in an authoritative, bold, and perfeft manner, de- clared divine truths, Heb. i. i, and ii. 3 Matth. vii. l^. John vii. 46. He often reprel'ented them in parablesy that he might fulfil Old Teftament pfedlftions, Pfalm xlix. i, 2. and Ixviii. i, 2.-— miglit manifeft the fpirituality of his own mind, and teach us to improve every common incident as a fpiritual inftructor, John :ii. 12, 13 ;— might efFe£tually re- prove the Jev/s, without enraging them, Matth. xxi. 28,-^ 46 ; might more readily inftrucl the attentive and thought- ful, illuftrating divine truths in a manner delightful to their mind, and eafy for their memory, Jer. xiii ; xviii ; xix- .,£zek. iv ; v; xii ; xv; xti; xvii ; >ix; xxiii. Ifa. Ivii. 8- 'Hof. xii. 10 ;-^and might jullly occafion the blindnefs and ruin of thofe that hated his inftruflions, Matth. xiii. to, — 15. (2.) He exemplified the truths which he taught, in his own perfon and condufl:, Eph, y, 2. i Pet. ii 21. i ThefT, i, 6, (3.) He attefted his- do£lrines by his miracles, his death and facraments, John v. 36. and x. 38. and xviii, 36, 37. Matth. xxviii, 19. and xxvi. 26, — 28. (4 ) He did, and doth, eiFe£lually apply his doctrines, laws, promifes, and ihreatenings, to mens confcicnce, Ifa. xlviii. 17 John vi. 63. Chrift alfo executeth his prophetical office in a mediate manner, by appointing and furnifhing of angels, prophets, apoftles, paftors, teachers, parents, mafiers, ^cr-r-io in- timate his trutlis to mens ears, Heb. i. i. Eph. iv 11, 12. and vi, 4, Gen. xviii. 19. and by fending his Spirit to qualify his meffingers ; and to explain and apply their in- ftru^Vions to mens hearts, a pet. i. 19, — 21 Heb. xii. 25, Acts V. 38, 54. Deut. xxil. 10 Luke ii. 25, 32. i Pet, i. n, J i, 23. I Theff, i. 5. and ii. 13. Acts ii ;- vi. John xvi, .7» — '4- Ii^- Hx. 21. — But Chrift far excels all created in- Aruiftors. (j ) Being the ivifdovi of God, he had and hath a comprehenfive knowledge of divine truths, and of all the fpirituni conditions of his hearers, Prov. viii. C6l. ii. 3. Htb, iv, . 3. Rev. ii. 23. (2.) He neither did, nor doth need nny inftruftion, having all knowledge in, and of him- ftlf, John i. )8. and ii. 25. and iii. 32. and viii. 38,-40. (3.) He can open mens underfVandings, and make them fpi- rirual'y to iinden'rand andapply his inftructions, Ijuke*vxiv. ^5. ! John V. 20. A£ls xvi. 14. (4*) His exemplification ot his inflru^ions, in his- own perfon, iS abfolutety peyfe^, 2 Cor. Cf the P A R T I C U I. A R ' Of 1 1 G E s ^f CJyriJf. ^3 y 2 Cor; w^4,6. CoL i. 15. Mat. xvii. 5, John viiK ^.-^ Cor. V. 21. I Pet. ii, 21, 22. (5;.) He delivered bis doc* trines, iiot in the name of Jehovah, as one different from and fuperior to him, but in his own name, as his own oFa^ clcs, Johniii. 3, 5. vi ; viii ; 3;. Mat. v, — vii ; xiii ; xx j xxiii ; xxiv ; xxv^ (6.) He wrought all his miracles, by which he confirmed his miflion and dofHirine, in his own pa;ne, and by his own power, without ever praying for the exertion of any divine power in efFeftiqg them, John x. 32, 38. Mat. xi. 5. (7.) While his death attefled his do<^rines, ic chiefly ferved as an afsnetneni for the fins of his people. Mat. XX. 28. Tit ii. 14. i Pet ii. 24.andiii 18. Rev. v. o. Chrift's execution of his prophetical office produc- Cth (1.) Rational knowledge of divine truths by external declarations of them, (2.) Experimental, but not favlng knowledge of them, by thefe external declarations attend- ed with awakening afH;<^ions and common operations of the Holy Ghofl, Heb. vi, 4, 5. Mat. xiii. 20, 22. Ifa. Iviii. 2» 2 Pet. ii. 20. (3.) Saving, heart-conquering and fandlify- ing knowledge of them, by the efpecial and effe(^ual influ- ence and application of them by the Holy Ghofl, John vi. 44, 45, 65. I Tim iii, 15,-17. 1 Thefl". i. 5. and ii. 13. 7, Their, ii. 18. II. Chrifl Is a Priest appointed hy God to ofler facri- fice of atonement for men's fin, — -and , to interceed with. God for their eternal redemption, ^i.) He is often expref- ly called a prieft in fcripture, Pfalm ex. 4. Zech. vi. 13. Heb. ii. 17. and iv. 14, and iii. i. and v. 5, 6, 10. and vi. 20. and vii. 3, 17, 21, 26. and viii, 4, and ix. ii» and x. ^i. (2) Offering of fl\crifice and rnaking of intercelfio;!,^ which are thfe works of a prieft, are afcribed to him, Eph. V. 2. Heb. ix. 14. and vii. 24, 27, and x. 7, 10, 14. and ix. 24. and vii. 25. Rom. viii, 34 His prieflhood being only manifeftedby Revelation, and being the foundation of his other offices,^-and efpecially difbelievcd and detefled by unrenewed hearts, — and as he, in the facrificing Avorkof it, needed peculiar encouragement, he was infialled in it by the cath of Cody and had it prefigured by an uncommon miihitude of types, fome perfofiaJf as Melcbizedek, Aaron and his fons, &c. and Tome realj as facrifices, obhtions, iic. Gen, xiv •, xv ; xxii. Lev. i, — xvi. Num. xv j xvii 5 xxviii i xxix. Heb. v, — x. Pfal. ex. 4. The. Lfviii*:f a r;^tisfar ■ came God to make him a perfe<^l Captain of lalvation thvju^h Jiijfcr'uig-t Heb. ii. ic. In vain it is pretended, L " That God may abate of his right in punifhing offences againfi: liimfelf, as men may and often do :" for (i.) Men cannot i a every cafe, as in pro- Ifcution of murder, give up with their right, Num. xxxv. 31, 32. Now fin is an intended, an attempted murder of God himfelf. (2.) God cannot give up his claim "i-'eUvtive to, tliejafi puniihment of fin, without doing injury* to him- felF, whofc lionour and majeilynre affronted, — injnrv to his law, which is contemned and violated,— iiijnry to' hi- crea- ture.s under hi.s government, which are hurt, or, if capable, would be tempted to, or hardened in, fin. IL In vam it is pretended, «* That fati^faiflion for fin cannot con fill: w|tli the mere fill forgiving of it ;'" for (f .) SiiH arc not n'voney'debts^ in Of the Particular Offices ef Chri/lj, ' 331 in ^vhic)l^ pji.yment from any hand is all that can be required, — but, rr/w/rx, which, in ftri(fl law, ought to be puniHied on tlic offender himreh^. (2.) God's mercy llvines infinite- ly brighter in hlr, Taving men through the blood of his Son, than if he had faved them without any ranfom, Tit. iii. 5, — 7, John lii. 16. Rom. v. 8, 21. and iii. 24. i John iv. 9, 20, 16, 19. Eph. V. 2, 25. 2 Cor. viii. 9. Gal, ii. 20, 2t. (3.) God's providing and accepting a fatisfadiion from his own Son in our ftead, is an a*ft of infinite mercy and grace. And as we contribute nothing to his making that fatisfadli- on, or to his Father's accepting of it, his rcmiffion of our fins, in refpe(f\ of it, mufi: be as/ull and free, as if no.fatis- faiftion had been made, Rom. iii. 24, — 26. Eph. i. 6, — 8. iind ii. 7. IIL In vain it hath been pretended, '« That God hath forgiven tnanr fins without regard to a fatisfatftir on ; that Abel appeafeu God by his faith ; •i i, 16,^ — 21. (2.) Jt reprefents him as redeem- ing us by the price or ranfom of his obedience and fulTer- jngs, Job xxxiii, 24. Ifa, liii, 5, 10, if. Moit, iii. 15, and XX. 28. and xxvi. 23. » Cor. vl, 20. 2 Cor. xiv, 15, 21, Rdm, V. 6, 7, 8. and viii. 32, 33, 34, Gal. i. 4, and iii. 1^,. 14 and iv, 4, 5. Eph. i. 7. and v. 2, 25. Col. i 14, 20. .; ^ -r-ThefT.v. 10. Tit, ii. t4. i Pet. i. 1 3, 19. and ii. 24. and! iii'. 18. 1 John ii. 1,2. Rev. v. q. John x. 11, 15. And it mufl: be remarked, rhat hyper and anti In thefeGreek- texts properly mean instead of. (3.) It afcribes to the obedience and death of Chrifl, their native and neeeffary effecls, t\\t piirchajing of men, Afls xv. 28. i Cor. vi. 20, Tit. ii. 14. Pwcv. v. 9. Gal iii, 13, and iv. 4, ^,-^the expia- tion and purging fl7t;^ji; of their fin, Heb, i. 3, and jx. 14. and X. 22. I John i. 7, 9. Rev.'i. 5. atonement or prapiiiaiion for fin, Job xxxiii. 24 Rom. iii. 24,—- 26, and v. 11. Heb. ii. 17. I John i. 7. and ii. 2f and iy. ip, their recsnciiiat on to God, Rnm. V. 10. 2 Cor. v. 18, — •21. Eph. i!.,i6. Co!.'* i. 20, 21. ihtir deliverance fi'om fin, — from the curfe, and froHi Of the Pa R TI-CU L A R O F F rCE s of Chrrji. 33^ fromthe'law as a covenant, -Tit. il. 14." Jolih i. 29. i Jolin iii* 5, 8» Eph. i. 7. ariUv.^5. Gal. iii. 13. Rom. viii. j, 2, ^3, 34. and vii. 4. and vi. 14. Gal. iv. 4,5. and ii 19,. 20^ their health and peace,' tfa.liri. 5. i Pet, ii, 24. Mic. V. 5v EphvU. 13, 14. "(4'.) It reprelcnts his obedience and deaith ViS -a. fa cfijice for fiJiy Ifa. iiii. jo. John i. 29. Rom. iv. 24* and iir. 25. Eph. v. 2". i Corinthians v, 7. Hebrews ix. 14,. 26, z8. and vii. 27. and viii. ->. and x. i, 12, 14. Now, it may be obferved, that all the facrifices, efpeciallv the fin offerings, were ceremonial fatisfa^lions in the (lead of tranfgreflbrs, that God might be reconciled to them in a typical manner, — in order to which the lin of the offe^iders was emblematically transferred 10 the unblemiftied anlmalj.bj- the laying on of their hands on its head, before it was flaia in facririce :— and hence tha Jin offerings and trejpafs cffsriugs had the very name of sin, trespass, or guilt, given to them by the Hebrews, Lev. i. x\\\. xvj. Num. vii.j. xxviii ; xxix. Exod. xxix. ^r. — All thefe facrifices were ty-^' pical of that of Chrift \ and hence quickly ceafed after his- cl«ath, Heb. vii, ir, 25. and x. 4, 5, 14, 18. and xiii. 10, (5.) In the obedience and death of Chrift we find e- very thing which the broken law could demand ir^afat'isfac-r. t'wnforftnful men ; and nothing which could be demanded of him for himfelF, He was 7nade under the laiju, Gal iv: 4. He was a bond fervant, obedieiit unto the flavifl), the ac- curfed. death of the crols, Phil. ii. 7, g. He fulfilled ail righteoufnei's in anfwer to the demands of the broken law, Matth. iii- 15. and v 17. Heb. v. 8. Dan. ix. 24. John viii» 29. Being w.7^i'^«, having all the fins of his people impu-, ted to him, 2 Cor. v. 21. Jfa. Iiii, 6. i Pet. ii. 24. — he., wTis waele a cin-fc, Gal. iii. 13. — and hence was. treated br" God iind by creatures, as if he had been a remarkable tranl- grefTor, Il'a. Hi. 14, and 1. 6. and xlix. 7. and Iiii. -Pfalm- xxii. I, 21. and Ixix I, 20. Rom. viii, 3, 32 Mat. XXVI j xxvii. John xtiii •, xix. Heb. ii. 10. (6) He was ctuafud for uSy in a manner, in which none other ever ^was. Cor; \: 13. And hence muft have died in cur pead \h\?^w reckoning : for if he had but died for our gccd, that had been no more than Paul and others have done, or ought to do, in labouring and fuffering for the benefit of the church,- Col. i. 24. 2 Cor. i. 6. Phil, ii, 17. 2 Tim. ii. lo. and iii, 10, I I, and iv. 6, 7. i John h\. \6, (7.) In conlequence of bis obedience and fuffering fulfilled for, and imputed to , us, we become righteous before God in luw-rockoidrig, • Rom. v. 16, — 19, and viii 3, 4. 2 Cor. v, 2:, Phil. i'.L.o. • ■ '-'- .■■•■■■"■■ " ■ ■■ lla. 534 Of the Particular Offices of Chrijl... Ifa. xlvJ 24/ 2«f. and though by natiKC, children of wratl);, are legally reconciled to him, Rom. v», ;7, 10. -2 Cor.y. i?^. — 2'». Col. i. 20, 2r. Fph. ii 2, ir,i4>, : .j,..;v To p»^ vent obje^lrons, it muft be obferve^, { i .) No paf- fjg'CS of fcripture relative to mens bearing their pnun Iniquity intei'fere with God's demand of fatisfaftion from his iun^ccenc -»nd holy Son in our ftead. Thefe i n Ezeic. xviii. 4,--r7— 30. i^nJ xxxiii. 20. Ifa. iii. ir. Rom. ij 8, 9. either relate par- ticularly to the wicked Jews there fpoken of, cr merely de- note the certahi ruin of obflinate iinners. — Children have often fuftered from God in the punifliment of their parents' iin, Exod xx. 5. 2 Kings x. Pfalm cxxxvii. 8, 9. Hof. xiij. v6. Ifi, xjii. 16. Jer. xlvij. 3. Lev. xxvi 39. Lukexxiii. 28, ■2'^il Or lubjeits in the punifliment of their rulers, Judg. ix. .1 Sam. ti ; — iv. xiii ; xv; xxviii ; xsxi. 2 Chron. xiii > 3«X! ; xxv'fil. I Kings xi ; xxii. And, if Chrift had not fullered as our Surety, having our (ins imputed to him, he could never have fuffered at all, eipecialiy in fo tremenduoua ■Si. manner, — being fo holy and virtuous in himfeif, (2.) Tlie Scripture never hints, that Chrift fuffered on!)\ or chief y^ to confirm his doftrine, procure e?cperience, learn to fym- pathize with us, leave us an example of finiflied virtue, and tc piirchafe eternal life for himfeif,— but to make atonement for iin, which doth not hinder its anfwering other fubor- dinate ends. (3.) Though Chrift's fatisfadlory obediente and fufferings hz not imitable by us, with refpeft to Iiis end of fatisfying God's law and juftice, they are an excellent pat- tern in their matter and manner, and their being intended tor the glory of God and benefit of men, Eph. v. 2. i John ii. 6 I Pet. ii. 2. (4.) Chrift fuffered every natural ingre- dient of the puniliimcnt of cur fin, though he did not fuf- fer thofe which merely iiow from the curfe, and its penal cil'etlts, lying on a finite, or finful creature, as dominion of Iin and eternity of puniihniept. And indeed, had he been capable of thefe, he could never have made any fatisfadlion. (5.) A judge may demand latisfv^tion for offences, and yet j^>ive it bimlelf. And, though Clirift indeed equally fatisfi- ed all the divine perfons, vvho were ail equally offended, yet yet the lather peculiarly luftained the character of judge, in the work of our redemption. (6.) Inftead of encourag- irig men in fin, Chrift's fatisfadlion effectually redeems tlieni iiom i:, Tit. ii. 14. i Pet. i. 18, 19. IMattb. i. 21. Rom. vi. lOj — 12. The application, ol hl-> righteoufnefs to their cOiifcience effectually delivers them from the ftrength and duxi:iioa of it, . P..om. vii. 4 and vi. 14. Gal. ii. .'p. wit^h I Cor*. Of the PARriCULAR OfFICES. £/" Chr'tjf; ^3,^,- I Cor. ifv* 515. The Relieving views of it moPt powerfully d^ t'eirrijne tHem fo hate tin, and to love and pradife holiiiers, Rom. yi. 10, i r, 12. 2 Cor. v. 14, 15 plalm cxix. ^2. ;jnd cxvi." 3^6/ Lxake i. 74, 75. Heb. xii. 28. (7.) Our gracious cballente and patient iu tiering are exceedingly profitable in many refpeds, though they neither fat isfy the jullice of God nor purchafe our eternal happinefs, Pfaiin, xix. u. Ifa; iii. ID. I Cor. XV. 58- Rev. xiv, 13. and iii. 2 r.. and xxti. i/,'. ChrilVs obedience and fufferings are fo full and com- PLEAT a fatisfailion to all the demands of thelawandjuflicc ai God — 'and price of our eternal redemption, — that noihirio c>i.n be added to it. (i.) Such is the infinite dignity of Ciirift's perfon^ that his fulfilment of the broken law is fuf- ficient to balance all the debt of all the eleiSt, nay of miliion« of guilty worlds, Col. iJip. Ifa, vii. 14 and ix. 6. Jer. xxiii. 6. Zech. xiii. 7, Tit. ii. 13, 14. A!i-'^ fijr the lohoky or any thing inftead of that which is of areair> tmlue , — Ha. liii, 4, — J2. 2 Cor. v. 21- Ifa. xlv, ::4, 25. (2.' That as the bed works of believers cannot laiisty for the;:*, in rhe leaft before God, as their judge, Ifa, Ixiv. 6. PU!*. iii. 8, 9. fo the infinite perfection of Chrift leave"; no pof- fiijle rooin for their making any fiUNfjvnijn, 2 Ck-. v. 2! A(^s XX. 28. Rev. v. 9. To prevejit ohjeftit)ns it may be ohferved, (i.j It is ab- Turd to dillinguilh between the gtiilt of thafauii of fin, and • the gi'Ht of puniffjmeni. If Chriir's fatisfa;5tion therefore rc- ^- 'Iriiove the chargeablei>ef^ of 0111 faults upon us in orde;- t-* luii'ftiincnt, tilers can rem i.i no oWIlgation topr.nifh-.n^n-, Ron:. Rom. vm.:i. ifa;'-liv. 9. Rev. v. p:. \i^.y Though de£V mea~: coittiaue in. a legal ftate of wrath, tilt rtvcy be ipirttttaHy*'u--- nited to Chrift, yet the moment ©fitheird^:! iverance'~&emg- from all eternity iixed in his covenant with his- F^rt^-er, all • that they meet with, even under the curfe, is managed tJy hi'.n for the introduftion of theii* happinefs ; and- lo'-^n* be no part of that fatisfaftion, which they owe for their finf (3») All that believers fuffer in their ftate of union to -Jrfirs Chrift, is but fatherly chaftifemenls, proceeding from Tils Father's, love to them, purchafed by his righteoufnefs for them, and fecured by his new covenant promifes ; and fo can be no fatisfaclion to the penalty of the broken covenant of works. Col. i. 24. i Pet. iv. 13. 2 Cor. i. 7. Heb xt. 26^- 27. andxii. 6, II. Rev. iii. 19. 2 Tim. i. 8. PHdm cxlx. 67, 71, 75. (4.) Mercy and truth exercifed prevent notbrrous vices, and the temporal judgments which attend them,- or even maniieft the perfons pardoned by God, Dan. iv; 27. , Prov. xvi. 6. but never fatisfy for fin or purchafc abfolulion from God's avenging wrath on account of it, Heb. ix. "2-2^ 1 Their, i. ID. Afts iv. i2- (5.) Believers giving up of themfelves and fervices to the honour of God is never in- tended as atoning facrificcs for fin, but as grateful oblifiahs for mercies received and fecured, Rom. xii. i. PhiL-iJ-r-iT'.' i Tim. iv. 6. Heb. xiii. 15, 16. i Pet. ii. 5, 9. Hoft -xiv. '2'. Plalm Ixvi ; cxvi ; ciii; cxlv j cxlvi. " I'^c^i By this NECESSARY, TRUE, and PERFECT, fatlsfactlon of Jefus Chrift, (i.) The perfecTlions of God are manifefted in the moft bright and heart-engaging manner. His infinite wifdom fliines in his juftly punilhing his infinitely holy Son> that guilty finners might be juftified and faved : His un- bounded majefty and authority, in liaving a God-man for his bond fervant : — his inflexible juftice, in his not fparing, but condignly punilhing his beloved, his only begotten Son, when but charged with the fins of men : — his holinefs, in his being wroth with, and cafting off, his anointed for our fakes: hi'; faithfulnefs, in Jehovah himfelf affaming the llkenefs ox finful llefii and ferving and dying under a curfe, rather than one promife or threatening fhould fail : — his a- iionilhing grace, in God himfelf, whom we had cfFended, • becoming man, made under the law, — obedient, poor, re- proached, reviled, tempted, and tormented in both foul jnd body, — <\veating great drops of blood, groaning and dy- .' g for us unfiil worms, his inveterate enemies, Luke ii. 14. 1 Cor. )v. 6. John xii. 27. and xiii. -^l. i John iv. 9, 10, Eph, Of^tJ^'PAKTicyLAR Offices of Chrifl, j^^r^ Epl^^v; 5V (2.) The infinite debtof an eleift world wasfu^i^ ly paidj and unipeakable and everlafting glory purchafed for tbiCJ|i,-~and for hi-n as their head, Matth. xx. i8. Rev. v. 9, :i Their. V. 10. I Pet. iii. 18. Ifa. liii. 4,— 12. Phil ii. 7, — ri. and he obtained a new right to them, as his re- deemedy Tit. ii. 14. Afts xx. 28. I Pet. ii. 9. I Cor. vi.ip,. 20. (3.) This ratisfa,ction being infinitely e3«:ellent in itfelf, fulfilled in a nature common to men, and thus equally fuited to every man's cafe, a fufiicient foundation was laid for a ge- neral and indefinite invitation of them to receive and reft on.it, as their juftifying righteoufnefs before God : — and a-II of them according to their degree of connexion with the e- le^t, receive manifold gifts, offices, or outward accommo- dations, which otherwife they would not, Ifa. Iv. 1,-^7. Lev. XXXV. Eph. iv. 11, 12. — though indeed reprobates en- joy thefe things as confequents rather than as proper fruits- of the death of Chrift with refped to them. (4.) A moft effeftual fountain of gofpel holinefs was opened^ The law of God was therein manifefted in its high and unalterable authority, — aftonifhing extent, and infinite holinefs, good- ncfs, and equity, Ifa. xlii. 21. the horrid nature of fin as an attempt on the life of Jehovah, and an actual murder of his Son In our nature, and as a crime, which entails ever- lafting deftruftion upon all them that love it, — and which only the blood of God can expiate, Zech. xii, 10. John xvi. 9. Heb. x. 29- By this fatisfa) Chrift died for tbofe only for whom he undertook, as su RE- TY, in the covenant of grace, in order to obtain their eter- Pz[ falvation, Heb vii, 22. Ifa. liii. 6, 8' 2 Cor. v. 24-1 Pet. iii. 18, Rom. viii. 3, 4. and x. 4. Tit; . itl;::. 14. . ' Now they are hhfeed, whom his Father loved and gave untahim put of the world, John xvu 6, 9, 14, 23 Whom he ihall fee in happinefs with pkafure, and who ihallbe ji\ftified and glory in him, I(a. liii. lo, i u and xlv. 24, 25. and who fliall experience his quickening virtue in their fouls, bear his image, ferve him,' and become heavenly men> 1 Gor. XV. 45, 49. Pi'alm xxii. 30, 31.. (2.) Thefe men for whom Chrift died are, in fcriptnre, repredented as ??z/?;/)', M;it. xx. 28. with xvi. and xxii. 14. — as his i^/f-/!?, who camiot be con- demned, nor Separated from the love of God, Rom. viii. 32, -^39. his church and Wj, A!-. 21. 1 John iv. 9. Heb. ix. 15, 16. Eph. i. 7. and v. 23, — r-27. Tit. ii. 14. Rom xi. 26. John xvii, 19, and x. 10. Gal. iv. 4, — 5. and iii. 13, 14. atjdi. 4. and vi. 14. 2 Cor, V, 21. Heb. ii. 9, ro, 14, 15-. 1 Pet. va. 18. And all thefe ends are repref-ntedasa(i.}The terms^LL and lEVERY, ufed in fcripture often denote but a gre^t ma»y, — dr of all forts. Hence it is faid, that all Judea went out ip John's baptifm, and all men held him as a prophet, M,at. iii 5, 6, znd xxi. 26.— that all men came to Jefus, Jx)ihn ill. 26. — while it is cerj:ain.that multitudes of men, and, eS^n of Jews, contemned, both John and Jcfus, Mat. xi. ift, yg, Luke vii. 30.— It is faid, that, all the cattle in the land of Eiiyptdied, when none but fucb aa were left in the field . « died. died/ fiscod-. ilc. «5^ 3, i^— ^that the hailfmote- evert hetK god-lwake E\rERY-tree,-^while many herbs and trees a^ tep«>ardrenftatDed to'be deftroyed by thelpcu^s, Exod. \ti 73V and». j j.'—that all the Ifraelitcs gave their ear-rings, formaklng of the goldfen calf, when hone but fuch as had gold: ear-rings, arid con fen ted to that idolatry, did fo, Ex- cd^xxxii. 3, 26. I Cor, X. 't.— that all the people of Ju- dea were carried captive to Babylon wich Jehoiachin, when jio more but his queen, princes, eunuchs, artifans, and a fe\V others, were then carried (:aptive, and multitudes af- terward vemained under the government of Zsdekiah, 2. Kings xxiv, 14, 15. and xxv j — that all nations ferved NebliChadnez?ar, and his fon and grandfon i that the light of himeiftended to all the earth ; that all flefh was fed by him, when but a few natioqs within about five or fix hundred miles of Babylon fubmitted to, or depended when none arc meant but fuch as were near tp him, and looked at, Mark viii. 25. — that Paul became a iei'Vitit^ and all things to all men, when no more thajx a^ll (brts of men, Jews and Gentiles, bond and free, 8cg. -and -alj lawful condel'cenfions are meant, i Cor. ix. 19,— ^2, i-vthat the flelh of all men is given to the beafts, when jftonc but antichriftian men are meant, Rev^xix. 19. ■";■■ i^omclimes the fignification of all and every is limitQd by the nature or condition of the thing which is fpoken of, licrvants are to obey their maimers, and children their pa- rentj in all things, /. e, all things lawful, Tit, ii. 9. Co,L iil 22> 20. The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raif- cth up all that are bowed down, A e. fuch a&truft inJiim, <>raj'e upheld and delivered, Pfalm cxly, 14. AafwcraUy ' la thefemaHifold plain limitations of the terms all and j^- ' VEiiy,' wt readily grant, that Chrift died for m.-^ny men ; .that he died fcf joieii of filT forts and rankf, 1 3^h and low, xick '42 -(y>?^ PARTICULAR Off JGE«^C/;ri/?. tich and poor, bond and free, Je^s and Gentiles,— an'd that he died for all that bel-eve on, and are faved by, him. 'B«t what is that to his dying in the room of all men as thcnr ^S^rety and Repreicntative ? (2 ) Not one text quoted i^n 'the Obieflion, proves that Chrift died in the law-rooni of all mankind. It is not faid in i Tim. iv. 10, that Chiift, but that the living God, is the Mainour of all meu^ delivering them from manifold troubles and dangers. Nay ChViff, not as Surety, but as Adminiftrator of the new covenant, is the ojfie'ial Saviour of all men, to whom they have all full warrant to apply for eternal falvation, i John iv. 14. John IV. 42 — In the four next texts all and every mufl be li- mited agreeably to the context, — to all forts or ranks of men, ■ i Tim. ii. 4, 6, i, 2. — to the children, whoarey^/;^//?e wicked man there, ok en of, but C'hiift himfclf is faid to hz fanctified by the btd of the cdvenaH*:, compare John xvii. 19 fjcb ii. lo-—- r — l'.'-ri'lr-:s^ rnen may be apparently houghf or fanEuiicd jv.th ■' " Chr^li's 344 Of the Particular Offices of Chr'tji.^ Chrift's blood, though it had never been intentionanjfi nbn«^^ but cleft men can be under any oblJgatiDn to believe the x gofpel. None could be exhorted to believe on him,, as they could not be fure, that he had died for them ; nor could they be blamed for their impenitence and unbelief, as they couI(d not know, that Chrift had died for them, in order to i'ave them." Answ* (i.) Mens obligation to believe on ' Chrift, as offered in the gofpel, is not founded upon any fecret intentions of God, but upon his opeiily manlfefted of- fers of falvation in the gofpel, and his plain command to re- ceive that which he offers, Deut. xxix. 29. Ifa. xlv. 22,— 25. and Iv. 1,-^7. Rev. xxii. 17. Matth* xi. 28. John ill* \6f 17. Ads ii. 38, 39. and iii. 26. and xvi. 31. i John iii. 23. and v. 10,— 1 2. John vi. 27,-=- 29* (2.) No man is called, at firft hand, to believe that Chrift, a$ his Surety, intentionally died for him in particular *, but Is called to believe his oWn unfpeakable need of him, and his fulnefs and ability to fave him ; that God hath, by a deed of gift conftituted and offered Chrift to iinful men in general, as fuch, and therefore to him in particular, as an jtll-fiifR- cient Saviour ; — that there is an unfallible connexion between faith and eternal lalvation ; that fuch as come to Chrift be* lieving his gofpel offers fllall in no wife be caft out ; that the invitations of the gofpel are direfted to him, as plainly and particularly as to any other, and ought to be credited arid embraced without any inquiry into the intended extent of Chrift's death ; and therefore to credit and embrace th'eih accordingly. Nor can eleftmen know any thing of God's kind intentions towards them j but in believing his gi^aci- ©us promifes and feeling his gracious influences on their foul, 2 Pet i. 4, 10. 1 Theff, i. 4, 5.. Gal. ii. 19, 20. Rom. viii. 28, — 30. (3.) The law of nature would have prohibi- bited and condemned men for all their iinful impenitence, though no Saviour had ever been provided Gofpel-hear- ers will not be condemned for their not believing untruths ©r uncertainties, but for not believing that which is plainly declared and offered in the gofpel. (4.) If, as our opponents muft grant, heathens be not condemned for not believing oh Chrift, of whom they have not heard, Rom, x 17. it muft be the revelation of him in the gofpel, not his intention in dying for all men, that is the immediate ground of our faith. Objec. V. Even gofpel hearers have not fujfficient means •of falvsrtion, unlefs they be certainly informed that Chrift died qjrW PARTICULAR OfPfC.fiS^£/^C/;/-^. - 34^ d^e^''for ttiem", before they believe- in- hti».r Answ-. {f.j*W^ isjheji hp^jcyJ,- tliat our opponents will n© hioVci ^rgtatitl, tHi^.HeAth?OS, \vbo never hcHi* 0:f' Chrift's^death, haie'fuf-^''? ficrea;'rae2ijis of, ralvatlon. (-2.) Gofpel reveiaHons-and chf'i*^ cJihances become unprofitablje, not tronjany infufficicincy «f - tlietf:|5. ,but through mens ncgledt or mifimprovenKeBt vf ' th^jn.^^„"(,3.J God is, no more obliged to reader the 'gbf-'^V"' jiel^e'ffec^ual to all theni, that hear it, than to beltoxv \t'- upon, all them that want it. {4.) Men are and will be ' coHdenVciq-d,, not fo properly for what they cannot do, cr attain, as for what they are and do, in approving theit' owa want of true holinefs, John v. 40. Zech. vii. ii, 12 " ■-••••' Odjkct. VI " The doclrine of Chrift's dying for fomei? ^ not for all men, reflects mightily upon the love, goodncfs, {ind'mcrcy of God, as if, though Chrift's death might have equally availed to redeem all mankiiuly he had unkindly M-' ' mited' its efficacy to a /f-zy, by his intention." Aksw. (1.) ' Cii.rift's death was not intended in the room of a tew, but' ' for innumerable multitudes, perhaps thoui-ands of miilions • of mankind, .Rev. vi; 9, and xxi. -24. (2.) Who dare le- ply againft God, who is bound. to fhew mercy to no finn^v, but hath mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whotti he will he hardcneth ? Exod. xxxiii. 19. Rom ix. 16, — -23. (3.) God. had no more icafon, v.'itHout hinifelf, to have mercy on ;aU men, than upon all devils;— for not one of ■ whom it can be pretended, that Chrift died, Heb, iiw 16. jude 6..L (4.) If notwichllandrTig Chrift's dying for rheiDj' • moft pr.all of mankind may go to hell ; moft of them nevef--'—^ hear of his death for them, nor receive the Holy Ghofl to"^ -" make them apply it to themfclvesj where tordd there be ^.- ^ ny mercy or love in his fo dying for them ?— Where could' •" there be either mercy or wifdom, in dying for them all, on. * conciUtion, that their deceitful and defpcrntely wicked heart, fliould convert id'elf, and believe, and repent r W hat dif-S'^ ' tinguiihed mercy and love could there be in his doing:n»)'*s more for them who are favcd, than for thofe who n re cter- '""''• iially danined- — and no niore than he did for thouiands of' t" miirmns, that weie in hell, at the time of his dcnth, he- ' yo;»d all reja^h of merry, and many mere, who, ho forlawi' would never be a whit better of his death, as ro their lipiri-"'. ' tualconccrno. — —How infinicely greater the mercy, in hi'S '"^ «nronilitional dying for many rrfilhons, fo as to render their • ■* r^riia) faivation- abfolutcly certain 1 X x Obtect. . 04<5 Of the Particular Offices of Chrlji. '"^:: Object. VII. " The doftrine of Chrift's dying uncon- ditionally, in the room of fomc; men only, is defiruBm^e '- of all piety and virtue^ — of all prayer and thanhfgiving ior alJ men^ — and of all folid comfort to awakened confciences. But that of his dying equally for all men, mightily encou- ■ rageth to thefe, and ail other holy duties : it rcprefents Chrill: and his Father as infinitely amiable and engaging patterns o^ benevolence,— gives inconGeiv?>ble energy to all the gofpel-calls to faith and repentance, — and comforts the mofl: notorious finners, with grounds of hope, if they re- pent." Answ. The friends of particular redemption are willing to rifque a comparifon in piety and virtue, in prayer and thankfgiviug for all men, and in every thing elfe be- coming the gofpel, with their opponents, whenever they will, if the law of God be allowed to be the ftandard of judgment. (2.) Particular redemption requires prayer to be made for all iorts of men, nay, for all men, living, or that Ihall live hereafter, unlefsone were certainly known to have committed the unpardonable fin againft the Holy Ghoft, — with fubmiffion to the will of God, i Tim. ii. i, 2. r John V. 14, J 6. Thankfgiving is to be made only for what good things men have received, have a right to, or ground to hope for. It is infinitely greater ground of thankfgiving that thoufands of millions are certainly and unconditionally redeemed to everlafting life, and Ihall, without fail, enjoy it, t\\?if\ if men by the conditional death of Chrift for them all, had only an infinitely improbable chance of happinefs, if, their corrupt free will behaved aright. The choiceft faint, according to our opponents, hath no more certainty of ob- taining heitven, than we allow to the mod; profligate wretch that ever lived. Nor, have faints in heaven any more ground of thankfgiving than the damned in hell, as Chrift died equally for them all. And the Spirit may have exert- ed himfelf equally for their welfare. (3.) Particular re- demption reprefents God a's loving men, even his enemies, effedtually, and for ever ; — a pattern of the moft exalted be- nevolence. But, where is his engaging patt-ern of benevo- lence, if he only do that for us, which can aviiil us nothing, unlefs we perform the infinitely impoffible condition of felf- regeneration and perfeverance in holinefs, by the power of our own carnal rnind, which is enmity againft God ? Be- iides, the death of Chrift being only known to a fmall: pnrt of mankind, it cannot be. in .it, , but in his common provi-> dence, that all men can difceJfeP-. him as an univerfaK pattern of benevolence, Matth, vr'45. ^i*^i" cxlv. 9. (4.) If an Ar- 0/ the VAVL-ttcuLAK Offices of -Chryi. l^^-j " Arminian preacher would candidly tell his audience, ^ Cferift died for A L L men ; but he and his Father are altogether carelefs, or incapable to gain their end of faving men by this means. They feldom inform the hundredth part of man* kind of it. The far greater part of thofe for whom he died, are eternally damned. God himfelf cannot help it, unlefs their free will conduft itfelf aright. Nay, though, with power, fuperior to omnipotence itfelf, you fhould, under the curfe of God's law, and under the dominion of your m- ■ward enmity againft him, repent, believe, and long perfe- vere in pcrfer^of properly include his human Tympa- thy towards his countrymen, Luke xix- 4?, 42. nor per- haps in part his prayer for his murderers, Luke xxiii. 34. — It is reprefented as an asking, praying, pleading as an advocate^ and offering up of incense for us, Pfalm ir. ,8. John xiv. 16 and xvii. 9. Heb. ix- 24 and vii. 25. Rom. viii 34. i John ii. I. Rev viii. 3, 4. He doth not afk any thing for himfelf, but as it tends to his people's ad- vantage, John xvii. He intprceeds for /j/V e/cci ofily, John xvii. p. I John ii. i. Rev. viii. 3, 4, and for each of them X X 2 a::d ani;! all their cafes, Jphn xvii 9,^-724; .Hpti "vn. 25^/^tikc xxii. 5/, 32. Rev. viii, 34.-r-The accufations of Sutant Hov. 7A1; 10^ Zech. iii. j .— the multitude of our fin§^iili4 .watrts, J John ii. t ^-^and our own unwonhinefs and uufi^ nefs for immediate appearance before God, or to order our caufe before him, render ChriPi's interceflion ahfultjteiy ne-> e-f-Jfary — Its being repreiented as a pleading in the ftJuSlii* nry^ Heb. i>;;. 24, ^5. — as an otrering of incenfe on the ^cU -? 5^,v • Chrifl's intercefiion, in \tz prefent fcrmzor\^^^i\x\[\ \1rl\s .■prerentingofhimfelf before God, in our nature, and in the merit of his finiflied atonement, as the ground of his be- ftowing upon elec^ men all the bleffings whlgh they need, according to the covenant of grace, Heb. ix 24. (2.) His intimation of his will in thought, if not fometimes in words, that his purchafed ble|Iings may be applied to them accord-^ ing to their need and the new covenant^fettlement, John • xvii, Luke Kxii 31, 32. Zech, i, 12, Rev. viii, 3, 4. (34) His anfwering of all accufations laid againf^ them by Sa- tan, the world, or their own confc:cnce,—T refuting that which is fdfe, and pleading forgivcnefs of every thing juif-. 1y charged, on account of his own compleatei. 42. and xvii. 24. PwOm, viii, 34. Hej. vii. 25. they procure for his ele£l every bieffing of the new covenant, in it9 proper order and time ;-r-for tlie un- converted, the gift of the Spirit, regeneration, jurtification,^ adoption, John x. i(5. and xvii. 20. Pfaim ii. &.— for be- i!Gvers' growth and perfeveF.mce in grace, peace of coofci-: ence anj acc^^fs with boldncfs to God's throne of grace^^ and atiait eternal glory,— not wi^htocjing their daily f^iVwgSj^ ^ ' I JoM I Johnir. t,' John xiv. 13, 14. arid xvil. 17. Heb. iv. 16, and ^1.^9. 20- John xvii. 24.— And, by his intercelTiou, he effcflually counteracts Satan and all his inftruments, Luke ssxi/. 3'i,3i. Zech.iii. 1,-^3. and i. 12. "Hi. Befides that natural fa premacy and dominion over all things equally with his Father and the Holy Ghoft, — Chrift hath alfo a mediatorial doviimon^ or kingdom, which, (i.) Was given him by his Father as the reivardoi his offer- ing himieif in facrifice, Pfalm ii. 8. Mat. xxviii, 18. Phil, ii. 6, — II, Ifa. Hii, 10, — 12. and Hi, 13, 14. i Pet. i. 21. Luke xjcii. 29. Dan. vii. 14. (2) Belongs to him as God- man, Ifa. ix. 6, 7. John \>v 22, — 27. (3.) Which chjejly refpefts his church, and is ercfted and adminiftered for pro- moting the eternal falvation of her true members, Eph. iv, II, — 14. — ■ "■ (1.) Multitudes of fcriptures T^cvWit brdJJjip and dominion to him, Gen. xlix. «o. i Sam. ii, 10. 2 Sam. rri. 1(5. Pfalm ii j xxi ; xlv; Ixxii ; Ixxxix ; xlvi,' — c ; ex; cxxxii ; xlvii ; cxlv,'— cxlix. and xxii. 27, — 3«. and Ixviii. 17, — 35. and xxiv. 7,— ^-lo, and cxviii, 22. Ifa. ix. 6, 7. and xi. 4, 5. and xxxii. i, 2. Jer. xxiii. 5, 6. and xxxiii. 15, i6. and xxx, 21. Ezek. xvU. 22, 23. and xxi. 26, 27. and xxxiv. 23, 24, 29. and xxxvii. 24, 25. and xliii. 3, and xlvi. 10. Dan. ii. 44, 4?;. and vii. 13, 14. and ix- 25. and xii. I. Hof iii. 5. and xifi. 9, 10. Mjc. v. i,t— 6. and ii. 13. Zech. vl. 9, — 13. and ix. 9, 10. Mat. ii. 2. and xxv. 34,41. and xxviii, 18. John i, 49. and xviii, 36,37. i Tim. i. 17. And, even on his crols, his kingly power was marked in three different languages, John xix. 19^-.- ...» (2.) Many kindly titles are afcribcd to him, — as a made Lord, Adlsii. 36. I Cor. viii. 6. Eph. iv. 5. Prince of life, Afts iii. 15. King of faints, King of kings, and Lord of lords. Rev. XV. 3. and xvii. 14. and xix. 16. Head of the church, Lpk. iv. ^5, 16. and v. 23. and i. 22. Hof. i, ir. Col. i, i8. and ii. 19. the Foundation, i Cor. iii. 11. Ifa. xxviiio 16. Eph. ii. 20,— 22. chief corner Stone, Pfalm cxviii. 22, Zech. X. 4. Eph. ii. 20. Ruler, Judge, Leader, Comman- der, 2 Sam, xxiii. 3. Mic. v. i, 2. Ifa. xxxiii. 22. and Iv. 4. C;iptain of the Lord's hod: and of falvation, Jofh. v. 13. Heb. it 10. Shepherd, Ezek. xxxiv. 23. Ifa. xl. ri, 12. r Pet. ii. 25. and v. 4. Heb. xiii. 20. (3.) Many fymhols ef kifiglj power are attributed to him, — as royal unction, Pfal. xlv. 7. and ii. i>— 3« and Ixxxix. 19, 2o.-»-royal inaugurar tion commenced in God's eternal purpofe, Pfalm ii. 6, — 9. intimated bv angels at his conception and birth, Luke I. 31, a^o Of the Particular Offices of Chr0, -r— 37. and )i. 10, 11. and acknowledged by himfelf and'o- ctkers at his death, John xviii. 33, — -37. and xix.. i?,'-t"I9. :Mat. xxvi. 14 Luke xxiii. 42, 43. — folen^n invcftiture with foyalty in his refurreftion, afcenlion, and fitting down at his Father's right-hand, Mat. xxviii. 18. Aftsii, 36. i Pet. -•iii^22. Eph. i. 20,-22. Phih ii, 9, — 1 1. — royal coronation ^hy his enemies, Mat. xxvii. 29. John xix. 2, 3, by his church, .Song iij. II. and by his Father, Heb. ii. 9. Phil. ii. 9, — I i. Pfalm xxi. 7. — a royal throne, Pfal. ex. I, 5, and xlv. 6. Heb. i, 5. and viii. 1. Rev. iii. 21. Mat. xix, 28. and xxvi. .64. a royallceptre, by which he gathers and governs his people, Heb. i. 8. Pfalm xlv. 6. and ex. 2. and deftroys his implacable enemies, Pfalm ii. 9. Rev. ii. 27. and ix- 15. royal laws, Ifa. ii. 3. Rom. iii. 17. i Cor. ix. 21, Mat. xj. 29,30. Gal. vi. 2. Prov. viii. 15. royal ffervants or ambaffa- dors, 2 Cor. v. 20. and iii. 6. i Cor, iv, i, 2. royal guards or attendants, Zech. xiv. 5, Hab. iii. 3, — 7. Deut. xxxiii. 1. Jude 14. Mat- iv. II. and xxvi. 53. Dan. vii. 10. Pfal. Ixviii. 17. and xlvji. 5, 6. .Mat; .xiii. 41, 49, and xxv. 31. royal revenues, Pfalm xcvL 8, and xlv. 11.. royal magazines of fpiritual armour, Eph. vi. 10,-^-19. royal powef to judge, acquit, or condenin, John v. 22. Mark ii. 5,-r-ii. Matth. XXV. 31, — 46. (4.) He VIZ'!, prefigured in his kingly office by Melchizedek king of Salem, Heb. vH. i, — 24. Mofea king in Jeflaurun, Heb, iii, Jofliua the conqueror of C^- na^n, — David and Solomon kings of Ifrael, and by all the .kings of Judah, Jcr. 3fX2^. 9> 2o. Song iii. 6,-nii. Matth, xii. 42. Chrift's mediatorial kingdom is, I. Very ^.v/^«/7i/^, reach- ing to all creatures, cither as conquered enemies, niinifters and inftruments of government, or faithful fubjedls, Matth. xxviii. 18, A6ls X' 36. Pfalm ex. i, 2, 3, 5, 6, and viii. 6, — 8. Heb. i. 14. Eph, iv, 11, ij, i Cor. vi. i 1, Tit. iii. 5, — 7. Eph. v. 25,-^27, 30. — to perfons of all ages, nations, and conditions, Pfalm ii. 8. and Ixxiii. 10, — 14, and xxii. 27, 28. Gal. iii. ^8. Col. iii. 11. and to both body and foul, Phil. ii. 10, ti.— ^But, though Chrift, as Mediator, .hatha power to influence the management of all things in heaven and earth for the benefit of his church, Eph. i. 22. John xvii. 2. Mat. xxviii. 18, Prov. viii. 15, 16. with 1 Sam. viii. 15. he is not, as Mediator, the moral governor of men, who are without his vilible chnrch. (i,) The fcriplure never reprefents him as mediatorial moral gover- nor of heathens, but as King of Zion, Zech. ix. 9. Pfaim ii. 6. of the houfe of Jacob, Luke i. 33, of his own houfe, % Heb. 0/*/j&^- Particular Offices of Cirj/^. 351 Heb. i\Ik6. His kingdom can have multitudes added to' It, Pfal.'cx. 2. 3. Rev. xi. 15. Obad. 21. Men are not natu- falFy members of his kingdom, but gracioully brought into It, Col. I. 13.. (2 ) We find no mediatorial laws without his churchj Rom. ii. 14. Eph. ii. 12. Ifa. ii. 3. nor any pro- clamations of his mediatorial authority,, Ila. Ixiii. 19. Plahn cxlvii. 19, 20. (3.) Chrift being alway ufidivided, he cim- npt be the mediatorial governor of HeathensTncrals, till he be firfl their mediatorial prophet or teacher, Pfalm cxlvii. 19, 20. Eph. ii. 12. Adlsxiv. 16. and xvii. 30. (4.) Chrift: cannot be the mediatorial moral governor of Heathens with- out their being under adifpenfation of the covenant of grace, and having the means of their eternal falvation, which it is certain they have not, Eph. ii. 12. Prov. xxix. 18. 2 John • 9. II. Chrifl's mediatorial kingdom is o.f a spiritual nature, Luke xvii. 20,21. John xviii. 36. And hence, in its New Tftament form, it is called the kifigdom of hcavsn, or o/Gody to mark that its original, form, adminiftration, privileges and tendency are heavenly and divine, Mat. iii. 2. and iv- 17. and xxii ; xxv. (i.) In its more glorious form, it began when the temporal dominion was departed from his tribe of Judah and family of David, Gen. xlix lo. Dan. ix. 24,-27. (2.) It was typified by the temporal go- vernment of the Jews, and therefore muft be of a more ex- cellent,—a fpiritual nature, Heb. xi. 40. and x. i. and ix. 10, It. (3.) Every thing pertaining to the kingdom is fpiritual. The king is meek and lowly,- — a root out of a dry ground, that came not to be miniftred unto, but to mini- ll:er, — a fervant of rulers, who avoided every appearance of temporal dominion, Zech. ix. 9. Ifa. xi, 5. and liii. 2. and xlix. 7. Mat. XX. 28. John vi. 13. Luke xii. 13, 14, an4 is a quickening Spirit, I Cor. xv. 45. His throne at his Fa- ther's right-hand, and in the hearts of his people, is fpiri- tual, Pfalmx. I. Heb. i. 3. Rev, iii. 21. Eph. iii. 17. Col. i. 27. His fceptre is his fpiritual word, made the power of God to men's falvation or deftru£Vion, Ifa. ij. 3. and liii. i. Pfalm ex, 2. Rom. i. 16. John vi. 63. Heb. iv. 12. 2 Cor. X. 4, 5. Pfalm xlv. 4, 5. and ii. 9. 2 Cor. ii. 16. Hof. vi. 5. Rev. ii. 12, 16. and xix. 15, 21. His laws are ipiritual, Rom. iii. 27, and viii. 2- and vii. 12, 14. The worihip and homage paid him are fpiritual, John iv 24. Rom. xii. :. i Pet. ii. 8, 9. Phil. iii. 3. His true fubjefts are fpiritual men, a willing people, renewed in the fpirit of their minds, born from above, not cf the will of tlie flefli, but of the will of G.od by his Spirit, i Cor. ii, 15. Pfalm ex. 3". Rom. xii. 2. ^ Lph. 352 Of the '^A'uric-Ji.AV. O'^tici'i if' Cf^i^iji^^^ Eph, iv. 23. Johni. 13. and iil. 5, 6. James i. 18. tPet-ii^- 2, 23. and ii. 5, Gal. iv. 19. and their dwelling at>d con-* vernation are heavenly and fpiritual, Ephl ii. 6. Phil m ioi- • Col. ill. r, 2. His manner of government js fpiritual, Zech.i^-" Iv. 6. His minifters, principal enemies, .iarmour, warfarep? and principal punilliments and rewards, are fpiritual, 1 Pet.'\ Hi. 22. Heb. i. 14. Pfalm ciii. 19, 20, 21. Eph. iv. 1 1, 12- and vi. 10, — 2o- 2 Cor. x. 3,-5' John xiv. 27, and xvi, 33. Rom. xiv. 17. 2 Cor. iv. x8. 2 ThclT. i. 6, — 10. (4.) His ends of erefting his kingdom are fpiritual, /. e. to de- ftroy the works, power and kingdom of the devil, i John jii. 5, 8. Col. ii. 13. and to glorify God in the eternal lalva- tion of men, Gen. xlix. 10. Pfalm Ixxii. 17. Ifa. xiv. 17. Uph. i. 3. I Pet. iv. II. Luke xii. 14. Eph. iii. 21. — It is only in allufion to the Jewilh ftate, and in condefcenfion to men's weaknefs, that this fpiritual kingdom is often rcpre- fented by the prophets in figures drawn from a temporal kingdom, Deut. xxx- 4, 5. Ezek. xxJtiv ; xxxvii. Dan. viii :•> 1-j. Mic. iv. 6,— 8. Pn^lm ix ; IxxH ; xxi ; xiv. III. It is EVERLASTING. Chrift was appointed to it from all eter- nity, Pfalm ii. 6, — 8. Prov. viii. 23. Mic. vi. 2. He began to execute his kingly office immediately after the fall, Gen, iii. 8,-19. ^^ executed it all along under the Old Terta- xnent, in taking Adam, Noah, Abraham, and their families, into a church ftate. Gen. iii. 24. and iv. 3, 4. ix ; xii,— xxviil.—- in prefcribing laws to the Hebrews in the vyilder- nefs, Exod. xv. to Deut. xxxi. — in appointing the form and fervice of Solomon's temple, i Chron. xvii ; xxli^ — • Xxvi. I Kings V, — ix. In his incarnation, he was born z iingy Mat. ii. 2. He was acknowledged as fuch by the Wife men, Mat. ii. i, 2, 11. by Nathaniel, John i. 49. and by the Syrophcnician woman, Mat. xv. 22. by blind men, Mat.- ix. 27. and xx. 30, 31. by mariners. Mat- viii. 27. by the crucified thief, Luke xxiii. 42. by Pilate, John xix. ig. by angels, Luke i. 3r, — 33. and ii. 10, 1 1. and by his Father, Mat. xvii, 6. h\ his ftate of humiliation, he a6led as King of his church, in inftituting ordinances, appointing officers, and iffiiing forth commandments in his own name. Mat. x. and xvi. 18, 19. and xviii. 15. — 2c. and xxvi. 15, — 28, and V, — vii. Luke vi •, x. — in diriodging devils, Mat. iv. 25. and xii, 28, &c. in r-^peatedly purging the Jewifti temple from biiyers and feliers, John ii. 13, — 17. Mar. xxi. 12, 13.— in triumphantly riding to Jerufalem en an afs, Mat. xxi John xii. Zech. ix. 9. in conquering and triumphing over his e- nemies. Of, the l^-ARTicyLA^ Offices ff'^C/irJ/^ 3^^ remie^to^ the crofs, Col. ii. 14, 15. Gen. iii. 15. — In, ant^;; aftet?3, lii^; vcfu.rre— 4. and x. 4. andvii. 4. and vi. 14. Gal. iv. 4, 5. Arid he w^s under the judicial and ceremonial laws, only as they were grafted into this moral law. (i,) The moft high God, great lawgiver and Lord of all, was made under the com- inandj) of this broken law, requiring him to perform per- feft, perfonal, and perpetual, obedience, under the infinite weight ofhs curfe, Matth. v. 17, 18. andiii. ij. Heb. v. 8. John viii. 29. Ifa. xlii. 21. Dan. ix. 24. (2.) The infinite- ly happy God, bluffed for ever, was made under the curfc of this broken law, which th,? tranfgrejtTors reprefented by Jiim had incurred. Gal. iii. '^13. — Thj.s curfe, (i,) Laid hiin under the power of legal death and retained him under it from the moment of his conception till he had finiftied his humbled fervice and was juftified in his refurrcdlion. (2.) It fliut him up to undergo the wrath of God, in every thjng about him, which it could affed, and from every airth, and agency of every kind. He underwent the execution of this curfe, ia (i,) His foul, lia. liii. 10. It was often tempted. Mat. iv, i, — 11, John xiv. 30. Heb. ii. 17, 15. and iv. 15,— ,-was grieved with the reproaches caft on himfelf, and with the fins and miferies of others, Pfalm Ixix. 19, 26. and xxii. 6, 7. Heb xii 3. Mark iii. 5, 21. Matth. xi 19. and xii. 24. and xxvi. 59, 74. andxxvii, 29, 39,-^49 John viii. 48, ^^2. Luke xix. 41,42. John xi. 35. — and burdened and tor- mented with the hidings of his Father's face, and the fears and impreffions of his wrath, Matth. xxvii. 46. and xxvi. 39. Luke xxii. 43. Heb. v 7. John xii. 27. Pi'alm xxii. i, 2, 14, 21. and Ixix, I, 2. (2 ) In his body,^r— in circumci- lion, Luke ii. z:. in labour, Mark vi. 3. in hunger, Matth. iv. 2. in thiril:, John xix. 28. in wearinefs, John iv. 6, 7. in repeated dangers of death, Matth. ii. 16. Luke iv, 18, -r-29. Mark iii. 6^ 7. Lukexiii, 31. John v. 16. and vii, i, 32, 44. and viii, 59. and x. 39. and xi. 53, 54. in bloody iwcat, Luke xxii. 44. in apprehenfion and bonds, Matth. xxvi. 50. and xxvii. 30. in being fliamefully fpitted on by vile mifcreants, Ifa. I. 6. and Iii. 14. Matth, xxvi. 67. and xxvii. 30. in being buffeted, fcourged, and his hair pluck- ed out, Ifa. I. 6. Mic. v. i. Matth. xxvi. 67, and xxvii. 30. John xix. I, in being crowned with thorns, and having his garments ^ Of Chri/Ps State e/" Humiliation. 355, garments"|>airtfuUy torn from his bloody J^ncf wounded body^ -Matth;: xxvii. 29, 34, 35. John xix. 2. in receiving gall and vinegar for drink, Plilm lxix*2i. Matth. xxvii. 34, 48^ and in dying the moft fliiameful, lingering, and iiniverfalljr tormenting death of the crofs, Luke xxiii. 28. John xix. 17. Pfalm. xxii. 17. Mark xv. 24, 25. (3.) In his reputa- tion he Was loaded with the moft abufive railing and calum- ny, Matth. xi. 19. and xii. 24. John viii. 2-2, 24, 4S, 52* and vii. 20. and x. 33. Mark iii. 7, 21. and xiv. 6-^, 64. Pfalm Ixix. 19, 20. and xxii. 6. the moft falfe accufations, Matth. xxvi. 59, — 67. and xxvii. 12. Luke xxiii. 2. John xix. 7. and the moft ignominious redicule, Pfalni xxii. 6,— 8 andxl. 15. and Ixix. 7, 12. Matth. xxvi. 68. and xxvii. 47. Luke XV. 2. John vii. 35. (4.) In his outward lot. He fprang of a very debafed, though once royal family. Ha, xi. I. and liii. 2. was conceiv«||d by a woman of low eftate, Luke i. 27, 28. in Nazareth, a wicked and infamous city, John i. 46. and vii. 52. born in Bethlehem, a mean place, Mic. V. 2. Matth. ii. i, — 6. in a ftable, and laid in a man- ger,— thus rendered like to a beaft, to punifli our original hearkening and continued conformity to beafts, inftead of God, Luke ii. 7. He, for a time, lived an exile in Egypt, the land of cruel bondage, Matth. ii. 14, 15. and long dwelt and laboured as a mean carpenter in profligate Nazareth, Matth. ii. 23. Luke ii. 51. Mark vi. 3. He was opprefled with poverty, efpecially while he preached the gofpel, and went about healing all manner of difeafes, 2 Cor. viii. 9. Mat. viii. 20. Luke ix. 58. Pfalm Ixix. 29. and xl. 17. (5.) The* his godhead could not be affected with fufFerings of any kind, yet his perfon being under thecurfe. Gal. iv. 4 and iii. 13. his divine glory was concealed under the likenefs of (inful fiefli, Rom. viii. 3. and fubfifted in perfonal union with a manhood, continually afFefted with fufFerings, and was, by that means, expofed to the vileft contempt and infults, A6ts XX, 28. and iii. 15. i Cor. ii. 8. Pfalm xxii. 6. The curfe of the broken covenant of works, having thus .fet him up, in all that pertained to him, as a butt of God's indignation, — drew fufterings upon him from every airth- His Father, who loved him infinitely, — ading as a righte- ous judge toward him as our Surety charged in law with our ftns,— deferted him, — hid his face from him,— was ivroth with him, — and executed upon him his juft venge- ance, by himfelf, and by devils, men, and other creatures, as his Inftruments, Ifa. liii, 2,— 12. Matth. xxvii. 46. Zech. , xiii. 7. John xviii. 1 1. and xix. 1 1, Aas ii. 23, 24. and iv. 27,28. m ^6o Of ChK'ifs State ^/'HvMiL.UTXQiw) 37) 284— -While holy angels, fliut out by the curfe,t IbSodfe.; aloof from hinn, devils permitted> and, as it were eropdwec*,] ed by it, tempted and harafled him^ Matth. iv. , i,-— i^Kf' John xiv. 30. — Of men, his kinsfolk reproached, reje(ftl?d^. I and plagued him, Mark jii. 21. John vii. r, — ^^lo. his nejghf ; hours of Nazareth attempted to murder him, Luke iv. 28^5; "i ■29. his hearers cavilled at his words, and blafphemed him/ ' Luke xi ; xiv. Mark iii \ v. John v ; % his difclpleS • vexed him with their ignorance, unbelief, prefumption, contention, ambition, and unconcern, Luke v. 8. JoKh xiv. 5,— 9- and xvi. 31. Maith. xiv. 31. and .xvi. i-a'i ■ 23. and xvii. 7. Luke xxii* 23, 46. JudaSj one of thetii, in the rilofl: treacherous manner, betrayed him for a pitiful reward, Pfalm xli. 9. and Iv. 13, — 15. and cix. 4 Matth. xxvi. 15, 2ij 25,47, 48. cohtrary to his moft folemn pro- mifes, Pe'.er, upon the rnoft|pght temptations^ thrice deni- ed him, and curfed and fwore that he had never known him, Matth. xxvi. 33, 35, 69, — 74. the other ten forlbob him and fled, Matth. xxvi* 31, 56. John xvi. 32. His avowed e- iiemies perfecuted him in every form. Herod L attempted to murder him in his infancy and flew all the babes about Bethlehem for his fake. Herod IL fought to kill him, when a preacher ; and with his men of War abufpd and contemned him. — After they had for feveral years perfecuted him, the Jewifli rulers, priefls, fcribes, and pharifees, apprehended him, procured his crucifixion ; and in the vileft manner in- fulted and abufed him, in it. The common people, who had juft before loudly extolled him as the promifed Mefliah,. preferred a mofl: notorious robber and murderer to him ; and infifted for his crucifixion, and helped to abufe him un- der it. Pilate the Roman governor condemned him ; and his heathen foldiers fcourged and crucified him, and parted ., his garments, Pfalm ii. i, — 4. and xxii. 6, — 21. and Ixix, I, 22. Matth. h; xxvi; xxvii. Luke xiii. 31, 32. and xxiii. 7, — II. Markiiii John v ; vii; viiij x ; xi ; xviii ; xix. Luke xxii ; xxiii. And, by flanderous accufations, the Jewifli rulers attempted to imprifon him in his grave, Matth. xxvii. 6j, — 66. The humiliation of Chrift was neceiTary, (i.) To execute the purpofe of God and covenant engagements of Chrifl:, A6ls ii. 23, 24. and iv. 27, 28. Pfalm xl. (5, — 8. (2.) To fulfil the manifold types and predictions of the Old Tefta- ment. Lev. i ; xvi. Num. xv ; xix; xxviii ; xxix. Pfal,- xxii; Ixix. Ifa. liii. Zech. ix. 9. and xiii. 7. The troubles of Abel, Ifaac, Jacob, Jofcpb, Job, Mofes, David, and all • OfChi/l'sSTATEo/HvuitiAriovr^- 3/?ti all tlie facrifices and the lifting up of the brazen ferpent'prfwr. figured this, Col. ii. 17. Heb. x. i. (3.) To fatisfy ths's broken law of God, and purchafe eternal redemption for up^^"' Ifa. Mil. 4, 5, 6, 8, !0, 11, 12. Heb. ix 12, 15. and x. to,' 14. r Pet. i. 18, 19. and ii. 24. and iii. 18. Rev. v. 9. {4.) To give the redeemed an unfpotted pattern of hoUneis and patience under fufFering, i Tet. ii. 20, — 24. Eph. v. 2» 25. Reflect. Turn afide, my hell hardened heart, and be- hold this great fight, the bufh of Jefus* manhood burning in the flames of Jehovah's wrath, and not confumed ! Behold the power of men's enmity againfl: God, that made them thus hate, reproach, and murder, his only begotten Son, — their Saviour, whofe inftru£lions had been fo edify- ing, his life fo virtuous, and hi^ unnumbered miracles fo benevolent ! Behold the dreadful puniflunent, — and in that the heinous Tiature,-^-of fin ! What is a deluged world ! — a burning Sodom, — a plagued Egypt, — an opened hell, — • and all the torments of the damned, — when compared witk this, — the Son of God curfed, — troubled in foul till he knew not what to fay, — amazed and very heavy,— forrow- ful even unto death, — roaring under the hidings of his Fa- ther's face and groaning and dying under the weight of his wrath ! — Behold with awful dread, what muft quick ly be my condition, if I be and continue an unbelieving and '' impenitent hnner, — a gracelefs preacher ! — How betrayed by Satan, and by the world, and my o\Vn treacherous, but much trufted heart ! How fafk apprehended by a ftinging death ! How accufed by the fiery law • How condemned by- God, and configned to be an ererlafting butt of his infinite • vengeance, and a dcrifion of wicked angeis and men ! How upbraided by the curfes of thole, whom my farelefs minir firations, my carnal or trifling converfe, and untender ex- ample have feduced towards hell ! But liften my foul, — > how, — by every reproach, — by every wound, — every groan, — every tear, — every drop of blood, Jefus the Son of GotU invites and obtefls mc to come unto him and be faved ! Dare 1 ! — ^czn 1, contemn, or refift, fiioh calls from him, who loved me, and gave himft-lf for me ! — Behold ! how complcatly my debt is paid, — my hnppinefs is purchafid, — my peace with God procured and confirmed ! B-r-hold a fni- iillftd, an everlafting righteoufnefs, a finiflied tranfgrcfljon, an ended fin, awaited curfe, a vanquifiied drath, an tx- tinijuiflisd hell, a fulfilkd, a magnified, a fmil\ng law, an . '^ Z z^jjj^ efpou- |"5i Of'Chr'iJl's S T A T E If If U' M I L 1 A T 1 0 N. cTpounng God! and all for me! — Behold the mighty <3ett "of love, which I owe to Chrift iand his Farther ! '" let me prize, prize more than ten thoufand worlds, the liian, God's fellow, who, for me, wasfold for thirty pieces of filver. Let nie cleave with " full purpofe of heart to my once forfaken Lord. Let me" boldly confefs my thrice de- nied Redeemer. Let my foUl and hSart entertain him, Who, for me, had not where to lay his h^ad. Let me with ho- fannas in the higheft exalt my once contemned, reproached Chrift. Let me take up my crofs and follow him.— If I for- get thee, O Jefus, let my right hand forget her cunning, and my tongue cleave to the roof of my rnouth. — - — But ah 1 my fins! fhamed, detefted, crucified, and deftroycd, let them be. — Nay, lothed and detefted be my foul, if I" fol- low,— if I preach Jefus Chrift, for filthy lucre, riot from love. ' " ■ . ,V. ? Notwithstanding the tremenduous humltlatloft of our Redeemer, it was attended by many honourable circum- ftances. (i.) An angel repeatedly foretold his birth, Luke i. 26, — 36. Matth. i. 20, 21. (2.) John Baptift his fore- - runner leaped in his mother's womb, at his unborn ap- proach, Luke i. 41. (3.) An hoft of angels with high fbouts of praife proclaimed his birth, Luke ii. 10, — 14. (4^) An angel prevented his falling under a fufpicion of baf- tardy ; and directed the prefervation ol his infant life, Mat, 1. rp, 20 and ii. 13, 19, 20, 22. (5.) When he was pre- fented in the temple, Simeon and Anna, by divine infpira- tion, proclaimed him the true Meffiah, Luke ii. 25, -38. (6.) An uncommon ftar directed the wife Gentiles to the place of his birth, in order to worfhip him, Matth. ii. 2, p, 10. (7.) Being yet a child, he difputed with the mod learned doftors, Luke ii. 40, — 50. (8 ) His Father by a' voice from heaven repeatedly attefted his divine Sonfhip, Matth. iii. 17. and xvii. 5. John xii. 28. {9.) The Holy Ghoft, in a vifible manner, deicended upon him at his bap- tifm, and reftcd upon him, Matth„ iii. 16. John i. 33, 34. (10.) John Baptift repeatedly declared him the Meffiah, : John I. 29, — 36. and iii. 24, 36. Matth. iii. ir, — 14. i^y ('!•) He fafted forty days in the wildernefs, vanquifhed ■*' Satan's temptations, and angels miniftred to him, Matth iv. '» ^12. Luke iv. i, 10. (12.) His body was glori- oufly transfigured on the mount, and he converfed writh. Mofes and Elias, two glorified faints, Matth. xvii. f , -14. 3»ykc ix. 28, — j6. ( i ':5 v ^joice from heaveo encouraged him V A voic m twn, y,nd6r his fearful apprehenfions of approaching deat^, John pu^'j,-r29' . (14.) The folemn hofannas of the chii- drcA.and multitude at Jeruf^km proclaimed him the IVlef- iia?,,a few days before he was crucified, Mat. xxi- John xn. (15.) An ange^ appeared to ftrengthen and comfort him, in his agony, Luke xxii. 43, 44. (i^*) A fupernatsral darknefs attended his crucifixion, Maith. xxvii. 45. (17O A perplexing dream of Pilate's wife attefted his innocence, Matth. xxvij. 19, (18.) Pilate, who condemned him, re- peatedly pronounced him innocent, and, inftead of a crime, refolutcly marked his crofs with a threefold atteftation of his true Meffiahfhip, John xviii. 38. and xix. 4- Luke xxiii. 4, 14, 15. 22. Matth xxvii. 23, 24. John xix. 19, — 22. (»9) A crucified thief and an attending centurion, being then converted, publicly acknowledged him the true Mcf- ilah, while he hung on the crofs, Luke xxiii. 40, — 47* Matth. xxvij 51. (20.) While he expired, an earthquake rent the rocks, and tlie vail of the temple, if not alio opexi- cd many graves about Jerufalem, Matth. xxvii. 51, 52. (2 1 .) Nicodemus and Jofeph of Arimathea, who had hither- to concealed their regard for him, now openly acknowled- ged hjai the Mefliah, and procured him an honourable bu- rial in Jofeph's new fepulchre, lately hewn out of a rock, in his garden j thus making his grave luitb the rich after it had been appointed, with the wicked malefatftors, in Calva- ry, John xix. 38, — 42. Ifa. Uii. 9. (22.) While he lay in his grave, fulfilling the fentenceof the broken law, Gen. ii. 17, and iii. 19. implementing the ancient types and predic- tions concerning him, and manifefting, that he was truly dead, the Holy Ghoft prefcrved his mangled bloody corple from all corruption, Pfalm xvi, 10. Adlsii. 27. 31. and xiii. 3>» 37- (^3') Hi^ enemies, attempt to imprifon him in his grave did but render his refurretftion more glorious and ma- nifeft, Matth. xxvii, 66. and xxviii. 4, 11. (24.) His a- mazing inftru(fkions, fermons, and conferences, Matth. v ; — vh j xiii ; XX ; xxi j xxii j xxiii ; xxiv j xxv. Luke iv ; xxi. John ii ; xvi. (25 ) His almoft unnumbered miracles, Matth. iv. 25. and xi. 5. and xiv. 35, 36, His miracles were public and uncontrolled, — manifefting his power-^over devils, in diHodging them from men, and granting them liberty to enter intol'wine, Afts x. 38. Mat. viii. 16, and ix. 33. and xii. 22, — 28. ^c — over men, in making the furious band, who came to apprehend him fail backward at his word,, John xviii. 6. — over difeafes, heal- j^^.^_ing the moft inveterate leprofies, palfies, dropfics, fevers^ -, ■ Z^ bloody hi^4 Of Chrlft'i State o/'HuMiLiATioii. bloody iffuesj-'blindnefs, withered benumbedncfs, lamerififs, piaimednefs, lunacies, ^c. Luke iv.. 40. Mat. viii. Mirk iy. — — lii ; V ; vii ; ix ; x. Luke xiv. John \ ^ ix.>^over death, in raifing to life the deceafed daughter of jairus, the coffined fon of the widow at Nain, and Lazarus who had . been dead four days, and was buried, Mark v. 36,-^42. liuke vii. 1 1, — 15. John xi. 38, — 44. — over irrational crea- tures, in curfing the fig-tree, Mat. xxi. 19. multiplying the loaves and fiflies, Mat. xiv. 15, — 21. and xv. 31,-^3.8. caufing multitudes of lifli to come into a net, Luke v. 4, — 7. John xxi. 6, — 8. and one bring money in its mouth for paying the tribute, Mat. xvii. ^7. in walking upon the fea, and making Peter walk upon It, Mat. xiv. 25,-29. incahn- ing dreadful tempefts by his word. Mat. viii. 26. and xiv. 32. — His Vv'orking of miracles difleredfrom that by his pro- phets and apoftles. (i.) He wrought all his miracles by his own power, and in his own name, John v. 17, and xi. II, they wrought theirs in his name and ftrength, An xvi. 7, — r4. Aft; ii. 33. (5.) The terrible overthrow ard difperfion of the jewiih nation i.s a llanding proof of his a!- cenfion, Mat. xxvi 64. John viii. 21. — And, inthisafcen- {lon, (i.) His Father tobk him up into heaven, to acknov* ledge him ills beloved Son, and to manifeA hi.<^ perfeft ful- filment of ail righteournefs for his elect, Phil. ii. 9. Luke xxiv. 51. A, a6. and xiv. 10. A(ns iv. 2. and xvii. 18,31. an<^ xxiii. 6. arid xxiv. 15. and xxvi, 8. I Cor. vi. 14. and xv. 2 Cor. i. 9, azid iv. 14.. ^.TheiT. iv. 14, — 16. 2 Tim. iv. i. Heb. vi. a. Of ChriJ's State c,^ ExAtTATioN. 373 vi» 2. Rev, XX. 12. with Ezek. xxxvii. i, 14. — In Luke xiv 14. and xx. 26. i Cor. xv. 23. Phil. iii. 1 1. John vi. 39, — 47, I Their, iv. 14. Wicked men are excluded from a happy refurrci^lion by the influence of Chrift's in- dwelling Spirit, but not from a miferable reftoration to life. . — All men Hull be raifed in the fatne lajl day : but the righ- teous including the martyrs, Ihall be raifed tirft in order, — And the fume human bodies which were buried Ihall be raifed again in all their efiential parts. (1.) It would not be a refur- rection but a new creation, if the fame bodies were not railed, (2.) God's jufticerequires, that the fan")ebodies, which affifted in virtue or vice, (hould be raifed to fhare in their refpedlive rewards or punilhments. (3.) Chrift-, who is the pattern of our refurreOion, had his very body, that was crucified, re- ftored to life and reunited to his foul, John xx. 20, 26, 27. Luke xxiv. 39. with Rom. viii. n. (4.) The very feme bodies of men, which fell afleep,— ^which were once mortal, corruptible, weak, dilhonourable, vile, — fbwn in death, lay in their graves, and were devoured by worms, fliall be raifed again, Dnn, xii. % i Cor. xv. 43, 54. Phil. iii. 21, John V. 28, 29. Job xix. 25, — -27. No pollible mix- ture of particles can render this railing of the fame body dif- ficult to God's infinite knowledge, wifdom and power : — and perhaps no elTential particles of human bodies can incorpc* rate with any other animal body. Neverthelefs raifed bodies will be very much different in qualities from what they are now, fulted to bear the happinefs or mifery of the eternal Hate, i Cor. xv. 42, — 44, 52,54. and vi. 13. 3. The righteous and wicked (hall, by the angels, be fuU It feparated, one from another, — the righteous placed a^ Chrift's right hand in the iir ; ■:\nd the wicked, perhaps claf* fed according to their moft remarkable crimes, ll;aU be left afleinbled on the earth. Rev. xx 12. i Theff". iv. 17. Mar. xiii. 41, 49. and xxiv. 31. and xxv. 32, 33. IL The general judgment of all mankind will immediate- ly follow thefe preparations, (i.) God's not puniihing or rewarding men in this world, according to their deeds, flrongly fuggefts the certainty of fome future general judg^t • ment, Eccl. iii. 16, 17. 2 Thefl'. i, 6, — 8. (2.) The con.- fciences of heathens fuggeft a future judgment, Rom. ii. 15. And hence fprang their fables of Eacus, Minos, and Rha- d.-vmanthus judging men in the other world. (3 ) Scripture plentifully attefts the reality of a future general judgment, Pfalm 1. 1, — 6. and xcvi. 11, — 13. andxcviii. 7, — ^. Eccl. xii. 374 Of CkgijVs State o/* Exaltation. xii. 14. Jude 14, 15. A6ls xvii. 31. Matth. xii. 32, 3*^, 37. and xiii. 41. and xvi. 27. and xxvi. Rom. xiv. 10. 2 Cor. V. 10. 2 Tim. iv. i. Rev. xx. ii, — 15. John v. 27, — 29. Heb. vi. 2. To render men perpetually watchful, and conftantly preparing for this general judgment, in which their quali- ties and conduct will be thoroughly tried, and their eternal tHad. happinefs and mifery publicly fixed, God hath perfect- ly concealed the precife time of it, Mark xiii. 32, — 38. But the deftruftiv^ vengeance of God on the Jewifh nation, the heathen pei-fecuting empire of Rome, — and on An- chrifl, and Gog and Magog, are preludes of it, Pfalm xxL 8, — 12. and ex 5, 6. Matth. xxiv. 29, 51.' And the general converfion of both Jews and Gentiles to Chrifl:, and thoufand years reign of his faints, are more delightful fore- runners of it, 2 ThefT. ii. 11, — 13. Rev. xi j xvi j xx. Rom. xi God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghofl: will judge the world at the laft day, Eccl. xii. 14. Pfalm 1. 6. Rom. ii. 15, 16. But, Chriil: God-man, as the mediatorial deputy of God, will immediately act in this work, Matth. xxv. 31, 46. and xi^. 28. John v. 22. Aix. 11. Ifa. liii. 10, — 12. and Iii. 13. Pfalm. xxi. and xxii. 27, — 31. Ifa. ix. 6, 7. and xl. 9, 10. and xlix. i, — 12. (2.) To mark Iiis diftinguidied love to him, as the darling of his heart, in whofe high honour and intimate fellowfhip he infinitely delights, Ifa. iv. 13. and xlii. r. Mat. iii. 17. and xvii. 5. Pfai. xci. 14, — 16. (3.) To manifert his infinite highnefs, in holding fo inconceivably exalted a God-man Mediator, ftill l.ibjetfV to him, John xx. 17. i Cor. Xv. 27^ 28. (4.) To manifcft tlie exceeding riches of his grace towards m>.n, in exalting their nature in perfonal union with his own Son, that they may behold, receive from, and vvorfliip God, ar- fwerably to their condition. And hence perhaps his exul- tation is reprefented as a gifty Phil. ii. 9. Gr. II. In re-> Jptcl of Chrji himfclf. (l.) That his honour might be fully and confpicuouily re-eftabliflied after fo rem.irkable lumiili- ation, Johnxvi:. 5. (-i.) That, notwithftanding his man- hocd had a right to great glory by its perfonal union with h.3 divine nature, he might alfo enjoy it as the reward of his humbled fervice, and a public and everlailing mark of the perfciftion andacccptatioii of his atonement to God, Ifa. xl.x. 3, 4. and xl. 10- and Iii ic, — i?, Phih ii. 6, — if. with John xvi. 10. (3.) Th-at in his adminidration of the new covenant, he might honottrr.bly execute liis. tioreefold ofHce, take pi-lTctiion of eternal life and prepare heaven for nis people, -and, by his interceilion, word, and Spirit, prepare tb.ctji for it, and at lift manifefl his fpecial love to them be- fore tVie whole world, Johnx'.v.^2, 3, 19. Heb. vi. 20. (4.) 'laat he might eJ^ciftunlly fubdue, reftrain, deOroy, and triumph over hi s 378 ^ C^r//?'^ State 2^ Exaltation. he might manifeft himfelf the true promifcd Meffiah, i Cor. XV. 4. Luke xxiv. 26, 27. Heb. viii. 4. III. In refpeSl of his eleB. (i.) In his refurredlion he fecured their union to him, as his quickened rayftical members ; — fecured their juftification, receiving a rolemn acquittance and acceptance, in their name, 1 Tim. iii. 16, Rom. iv. 25> — fecured their regeneration and fanftification,"" Col. ii.'ii, 12. and iii. i. Eph. ii. 5, 6. Rom. vi. 4, — 6. Phil, iii 10. Gal. ii. 20. and fecured their refurredtion to everlafting life, 1 Theff. iv. 14. .1 Cor. XV. 12, 13, 22,;23. Col. iii.. 3, 4, Rom. viiii 1^, t^, •29. (2.) In his afccnlion he took poffeffion of heaven in their name, — prepares it for them, — pours down his Spi- .rit upon them, — weans their affections from things of this world, which he hiith _ left, and attra£is them to things above, where he is, John 'xiv. 2, 3. ■ 2 Cor. v. 5. John xvi. 7. and xii. 32. Col. iii. .1. (3.) His. fitting at the right hand of God is their relative glorification, — fe- cur«s their exaltation in due time, Eph. i. 20, — 23. Rev. iii. 21. It manifells the perpetual efficacy of his i^ttercefiion for complcating their happinefs and the defiruclion of their enemies, Heb. i. 3. and viii. r, 2. i Cor. xv. 24. Pfalm ii. 4. and xcvii. 1, — 5 It teacheth them an holy re- verence of him, Pfalm ii. 12. and xlv. 11. Rev. i. 13, — 17. an ardent love tq him, and a ready opening of their heart to him, Pfalm xxiv. 7,-10. a contempt of earthly, and an efteem of, and defire after, heavenly, things, as feen in Him, their Head, exalted to the higheft, Eph. i. 18, — 20. (4.) In his coming to judgment, he will crown them with glory and honour ; and inftead of fecret pardons, comforts, and atteftations by his Spirit, — will publicly, before all an- gels and men, proclaim them his and his Father's righteous favourites and adopted children. Reflect. If God fo exalt Jefus Chrift, why hath he riot an higher, — a far.higher place in my heart ,? Why do not all •my thoughts, words, and deeds, concur in exalting him ? Why is not my whole converfation in heaven, where Chrift 5s at the right hand of God, and making continual inter- terceflion for me ? Why am not I alway denying ungodii- nefs and worldly lulls, and living foberly, righteoufly, and godly in this prefent world,, — and looking for the glorious appearing of the great God my Saviour, — and my being for ever with the Lord I BOOK [-379 ] '^ BOO K V. 0/* /;&£■ Principal Blessing* of the Covenant of Grace, Union, ivitb Chrlfty Justifi- cation; Adoptionj SanctifcatIt- o N ; fplritual C o M F O R T, and eternal G L o- RIFICATION. CHAP. L (yU N I ON ixi'ith Chrijly and EFFECTUAL CALLING to it. THE general benefit, which Chrift purchafed by hi^ humiliation, and procures and beftows in his exalta-r tion, is our redemption or salvation, which includes the whole of our deliverance from the broken law, and from fin, Satan, the world, death, and hell, — our full title to, and pofleflion of grace and glory, to all eternity: Or, it includes the change of eur fpirttualJJatey in union to Chrift, juftification through his blood and adoption into his family, which is perfecSted in the very firft inftant ; and the changs of our nature and condition in regeneration, fanftification, confolation, and eternal glory, which is perfected by de* grecs, Rom. viii. 30. . Chrift's purchafe of redemption for u5 doth not profit us, but by the effe«5lual apphcation of it to us. (i.) The typi- cal reprefentations of it raanifeft this.— -The water of purifi- cation did not remove legal pollution, unlels it was fprink- led ; nor the mixture of blood and water purify the leper, unlefs it was applied to his flefli, Num. xix. Lev. xi.; xv; .xvij xiv. wuh \ Pet. i. <;. Heb. x. 22. and xii. 24. (^0 Ebb?, The 2 8o Of U$r 1 0 N wth Chr'iji, The emblematical reprefentations of Chrift And Kis benefits by a garment, Rom. xiii. 14, Ifa. Ixi, 10. by food, John vi.. 53 Ifa. XXV. 6. and by medicine, Ifa. liii, 5, Rev. xxii. 2,.. \vhlch do not profit, unleil they be applied,— prove this, (3 ) All the promifes of the gclpel repreient God as making, ever himfelf and his blefiings to men, Gen. xvli. 7, 8. Ifa,- XXV. 6. and Iv. 2, 3. ^(fls xiii. 34, Ezek. xjtxvi. 25, — 27- (4.) If this application were not abfolutely necefiary, the , eternal happin^is of all men behoved to be equal, as the price of our redemption is infinite in value, and equally fui- table to all men, contrary to John siii. 18. Acts yiii. 21, Mat. vii. 13, 14. (5.) Chrift's word, facrameuts, and oth- er inftituted means of falvation, plainly mark the necefiity of a Ipiritual application of it, 2 Cor. v. i{>, — ii. Luke x. 21. Gal iii, 27.- I Cor.jf i-6, 17, The Holy Ghoft is the EFFECTUAL a pplier of redemp- tion to us, in, and by jvhom Chrifl and his Father work ori lis. And he applies it, cither mediately^ through word and facraments, to adult perfons, or immi'diatelj:y to infants^ and in the heavenly ftate, Ifa. x'iv, 3, — 5. John 3£vi 7,-14, Ezek. xxxvi, 27, Ifa, lix. 21. h,i\A Chrift being the l^urety, Truftee, Adminiftrator, Source and Sum of all the blcflings cf the new covenant, iTNtON with him muil be a remark- able benefit in itfelf, and the imm.ediate foundation of all the reft, which are lodged in his perfon. — There is an ap-, f are nt union betwee?i Chi ill and all the members /»f the vi- ifble church, which is formed by their receiving of common gifts and influences from him, and their mailing an open })rofe{Iion of his truths and ferviq^ j — and whicii is eaiily broken, John xv, 2, 6, Mat. viii, 12. And there is a mo- ral union of mutual afieflion between him and believers j which is more properly cotiimr/nhn, John xiv. 21. — But that UNION with him, vipon which our enjoyment of his beiie- ^!s depends, includes (i.) A legal union between usi - as guilty and felf-ruined ddtors and crimina/st and him as Our Surety. This was formed from all eternity, when we were chofen in him. The everlafting love of God and co- •venant of grace arc the honds of it ; — and the placing of our fmslo Chrifl's account, that his fatisfidtion for them migh^ be placed to ours in law-reckoning is the ctTect of it, Heb. vii. 72. Eph. i. 4. 2 Cor. v. 21, Rom. v, 19 (2 ) His PKR-SONAL UNION with Our nature, formed in the fit/nifs ojtime^ in order to his ,fidfiUing the requirements, which his le!4al union with us drew upon him, Heb. ii. 1 1,^-16. John i. 14. Ifa. vii. 14 Rom. viii. 3, .y QA. iv. 4, 5. (3 ) A spi- Of tTw 1 6"¥J • lOUh - Chr\^* 3 8 f A ^r'Wi'f'tJAr/or MYsfidA-t UNlOK, formed in ths mo^ rnerft''6f our i^egenerdtMiij— in wh'ch we, as Chrift's pur- ciiafe^d Bride, arc by his Spirit entering into our heart, anil by dor receiving of him by faith, united to him as our Hut- band and Head of influence, i Cor. i, 30, and vi. 17. Joho: 2fvii. 26, Eph. ii. 21, 22. and iii. 17. — In attefting the rea- lity of this union between Chril^ and believers, the fcrjpture reprefents hiai as in them, and them as in him, John xiv. 20. and vi. 56. and xv. 4, 5, 7. and xvii. 21,26, Col i. 27^ I John V. 20, 2 Cor. v. 21. Ha. xtv. 17. and having him for their life, 1 John v. 1 1 , 1 2. Gal, ii. 2C, Col. iii. 3,4. and being partakers of him, Heb iii, 14. ^ This fpiritual union between Chrift and believers being > exceedingly myfterjous in itfelf, is in fcrjpture illuftrated to us by many fimilitudes, fome of which tranfcend, and oth- ers are tranfcended by, it. (1 .) It is likened to that union which is between the perfons of the Godhead, John xvii, 21. and xjv. 20, and vi. 57. But, here it falls infinitely fliort, — not being abfolutelyncceflary, or felf-exiftent ; nor doth it conftitute Chrift and believers one individual fub- ftance. (2.) It Is likened to the union of Chrilt's two na- tures in his perfon :— rforas his manhood was conceived by the power of the Holy Ghoft, we are born of the Spirit, P-Iat. i, 20. liuke i. 35. with John iii 5, 6, 8. i Pet i. 3, 23. I John iii. 9. and v, 18. As Chrift, by a fovereign adf, aliumed ou^ature, — he by another apprehends our perfon, Hcb. ii. 14, 16. witli Phil. iii. 12. As, in his manhood, dwelleth all the fulnefs of Godhead, we, being in him, are filled with all the fulnefs of God, Col. ii. 9, ic. Eph. iii. 19. He, being made flefli, tabernacled with us, — and we, being united to him, God dwells with us in him, John i. 14. with Rev. ii 13. Eph. ii 21, 22, and iii, 17.— Inhjin, as God- man, there is the grace of union, undion, and headlliip \ and in us, as united to hjm, there is a gracious union, unc- . tion, and memberfhip, John i. 14, 16. with Col. ii. 19. and i. 18. — Nevertheleis, our rpiritual union with him falls far Ihortof the union of his two natures, — as it doth not render Iiini and us one perlbn, — nor, for a time, incapable of fin. Gat \,i']. Rom. vii. 14,-25. andviii. 13. But, it is in- deed by that new nature which his felf-uniting aft forms in t:s, that he holds fellowfhip with our foul, 2 Pet. i. 4 2 Cor. V. 17. Gai. vi. 1^. and wh'ch, by his gracious influ- ence, worketh out inward corruption, till it be utterly abo-i liflied, Rom. vili. 2, 13. Gal. t. 17, 24, Rom. vii. 14,— ^5- {%•) ^^ 's likened to the union between a king and his fubjedts, ^$Z Of Union nvlth ChriJ, fubjeftsj becaufe he, as their Brother, hath power over, pares for, rules and prote jcJiQfe and permanent. (4.) As it imports mutual knowledge, <;hooring, and folemn lelf-dedication, and iflues in mutual love, delight, and intereft, it is likened to the marriage- union betwixt hufband and wife, Eph. v. 30, 32. Ifa. liv. 5. Ezek. xvi. 8,— 14. Song ii. 16. and vi. 3. But, here alfo, it much tranfccnds, as it renders Chrift and believers one Jp'trtty and can never be diflblved, i Cor. vi. 16, 17. Phrl. ». 5. 2Pet.i. 4. Col. iii. 3. Hof ii. 19, 20. (5.) To mark .that their happy connexions, fupport, and glory depend on him, it is likened to the union of a building with its foundation or corner-ftone, Ifa; xxviii. 16. i Cor. iii. 9, 1 1, _I7. Pfahiicxviii. 22, i Pet. ii. 4,5. Eph. ii. 20, — 22. But, .here alfo, it far tranfcends, as Chrift is equally near and ■communicates life to every believer, i Pet. ii. 5. Gal. ii-. 20. John xiv. 19. and xi. 25. (6.) Becaufe thro' it, we receive all our fupporting, quickening, beautifying and fructifying influences, it is likened to the union between the root of a tree and its branches, John xv. i, — 7. Col. ii. 7, But here alfo, it far tranfcends, as Chrift our root is equal- ly near to all his branches, and not one of them can become altogether withered, barren, or broken off, ||om. vii. 4. and vi. 14. and viii. 35, — 39. Johnx. 28, 29. (7.) As we are enlightened, governed, honoured, and receive our fpi- •ritualnourifliment and breath through Chrift, it is likened to the union between our head and other members of our body, Eph.iv. 15. 16. I Cor. i. 12. Col. i. 18. and ii. 18, 19. But, it far tranfcends this, as Chrift is equally near to every member, and none can be be feparated from him, or : become utterly benumbed or mortified, John xiv. 16, 19. Col. iii. 3, 4. Gal. ii. 20. Ifa. xxvi. 19. (8 ) As Chrift en- ters into our foul, and is the very life of it, our fpiritual u- nion with him is likened to that of our foul, or of our food, with our body, John vi. 56, 57. Col. iii. 4. But it is much . more clofe, as Ciirift can never be feparated from us, or ceafe to actuate us, Eph. iv. 16. Col. ii. 19. Gal. ii. 28, Our fpiritual uniau with Chrift may be further illuftrat- cd from our connexion with Adam. • In coniequenceof our legal union with him formed in the covenant of works, his Fall under the curfe drew all his pofterity along with him, that very moment ; and, lying in threatcnings of the brokea law. Of Union 'with Chrifi% gg^ law, it is ready to pour its vials of wrath upon them, wh^ni ever they exift ; and hatha baleful influence in drawing us into adlual exiftence ; but never, till we become united with him as our natural root or parent, hath it any hold, by which it can fix upon us : — fo, in confequence of Jcius's fultilling all righteoufnefs for us, he, as our legal Head and Hufband, received afuUjuftification form, which lies rea- dy for us in the promifes of the gofpel ; but till we be uait- cd to him, as our Head of influence, in whom all the pro- mifes are Yea and Amen, we have no a<5lual fliare in hi$ righteoufnefs and grace. It may alfo be further illuf- trated, from the perfonal union of Chrift's two natures. — ^i.) In the conftitution o( the legal uniofi between Chrift and us, a precifc moment was fixed for the unition of our na- ture to his divine perfon, thn;"- But, mukiiudcs of mankind have no outward call td the fellow0iip of Chrifl. (i.) Multitudes of them are deftitute' of his llatutes, and ignorant of his judgments, Plaim cx'vii^"- rp, 20. are not his people in an external manner, Hof. i. cj, and ii. ii^. Rom. ix. 25, 26. and x. 19. are Grangers to the covenants of promife, \rithout Qod, and without Chrift, and without all hopes of future happinefs, "Eph. ii i2. are perifliing for want of viuoh, Prov. xxix. 18. r.re permitted to walk in their own ruinous ways, Afts xiv. 16. and xvii;' * 36. with Ifa* liii. 6. and Iv. 7. and are by \rirdom ignorant of God, 1 Cor. i, 20. Rom. i. 21, — 23- (2) Thedoctrine offalvation is hidden from the heathen world, Eph. iii. 8, 9. Coli i. 25. Rom. xvi". 25. (3.) God forbade preaching of the gofpel to many men, Mat. x. 5. h^% xvi. 6, 7. (4.) An extenlive knowledge of the world experimentally de- monftrates, that the bulk of mankind are ignorant of the method offalvation through Chrift. Objec. I. *'The call of the gofpel reacheth all men, Tit. ii. II. I j^jto-ii. 4. Col i 6. Mark xvi. 15. Lxike ii. 10." Ans\v. i^iPextcnded to men oi all fort s\ Jews and Gen-- tiles, and of c.U ranks, poor or rich, but not to every parti- cular perlun, Rev. v. 9. and vii' p. A warrant to prexK' it every where will not prove, that i: is every where preached. Objec. II. " The voice of nature, which extends to e- very man, calls all to repentance and virtue, Plalm X'X. 1, — 5. Rom i. 18, — 2.1. and ii. 14, 15. Afts xiv. 17, and xvii. 27." Answ. It calls them to God as a Creator and Preferver, but affords no hints of him as a Redeenier. Odj c. III. '* All men hsve had a double revelrtion of the gplpel of Cijril^, in the fi.lt pronnfe to Adam and Eve, and in God's covenant with Noah, Gen, iii. 15. and ix.'* Answ. Were all m.en that have, do, or ihall live on earth,' ^cfenr to hear thefe declar-<:.t)cns, or capable to underfland the:ii .'•— Why not as weh maintuin that all mankind, in' th<;ir I^!incfs, floth, iniincerity, enmity againft God, un- lyofl-b.inefs ofChrifi, and untitnefs to receive him-, — and that no thoroughly convinced pcrfgn, efpecially if temp4ed 0/" Effectual CALtiNC. 337 by Satan, will be able to fee in himfdf enough of finceritfj fJnfibility, and vviUiiignefs, to receive Chrift offered in the OitjEC, I. Only the tkir/y, the Hvih'wg, the heavy hden labourers f are invited to receive Chrift and his falvation, Jfa. Iv, 1, John vii. 37. P^cy. xxii. 17. Mat, xi. 28. Ans. The thirjh Jii Ifa. Iv. I. cannot mean only tiiofe who car- neftly deij're Chrift and his righteoufnefs and bleflings ; for, in veife 2. thpy arc faid to be fpendjng money for that •vhich is not bread, and labouring for \X\zi which fatisfieth not J but muft mean fuch as defire liappinefs Jn any form. IVhoJoL^ver luill^ in Rev. xxii, 17. denotes the univerfaiity of the invitation, not the qualification of the perfons iu^ vited, Joiin vi, 37, and vii, 37. The heavy laden labourers in Mat. xi. %%. includes fuch as have fatigued themfelyes iiiCnful courfes, and are laden with the guik and enflaving power of fin, Ifa, Ivii. 10. Heb, ii- 15, aTim^ iii. <)? Objec. II. It would be infinitely unbecoming for men, whohadjuft been wallowing in their wickednefs, to ap- proach to, or receive the holy Jefus, before fouie change be madp upon them. Answ, (i.) God rpuft indeed make- them nevy creatures, before they be able to receive him j but it is not as tieiv men, but ■H'^fniful men^ that they are warranted and required to receive him for their falvatjon. Mat. ix. 13. and xviii. 11. jTim.f. 15, (2.) How is it unbecoiJMk for the dangeroully difeafed to approach to, or admiSBfall-il^llful phyfician, before they be almoft cur- ed ? for the unclean to apply the purifying water, be- fore they be partially cleaufed ? for the ftarving to take ;my wholefome provifion till they be almoft fatisfied ? Exod. XV. 26. Hof. xiv. 4, Ezek. x-;xvi. 25. Zech. xiii. i. Ifa. i, 18. A*^s ill. 26. Rom. xi. 26, 27= Prov. ix. 5. Ifa.lv.l,- — 3, 7. Rev. xxii. 17. How is it unbeconiing for ignorant men to come dircdly to the only-eftl-vftual Teacher : — lunbecom- ing for guilty men to receive the Lord their righteoufnefs, who is mads of God unto them righteoufnefs ?— unbecom- ing for loft n>en to come to the ouly.^ the divinely appointed Saviour of men .'' Ifa. x'viii. 17. and xlv. 17, 22, 24. Luke xix 10. Hof. xiii. 9. (3.) It is impofTible for men to attain to any true iincerity, hilmility, or reformation of heart, be- 'tfcie they receive Chrift, Job j^iv. 4, Prov. xx. ^ Pfalm li. 5. Eph. il I, — 3, 10. Rom. viii. 7, 8, 2. John xv. 5. Jer. xvii. 9. and xiii. 23. Tit. i. 15. and Hi. 3, — 7. (4.) In receiving Jefus Chrift, as made of God unto us wifdom, righteoul'ncls lanclificatlon, and redemption, we cannot continue '§88 " O/" Effectual Calling. continue cleaving to our fin, as we receive him in order to purge away and deftroy it. Objec. III. God could not be candid, if he called all men that hear the gofpel to receive Chrjft and hisfalvation, ^nce he knows many of them to be reprobates. Answ. If God intend to cut off one by death, wjU that juftify the man's withholding proper food, medicine, or warmth from Jiimfelf, or his plunging a knife into his own throat ? (2.) God by his gofpel calls no m-an to believe any thing but what is important truth, nor to do any thing but what his law requires. Objec. IV, It is altogether abfurd and unprofitable to all reprobates to believe on Chrift, fince they cannot believe, Answ. (i.) Indeed they caiimt^ and tvhat is worfe, they ivUl noty believe on him, John x. 26. and v. 40. Ifa. l[cv. 2. Mat. XKJii. 37, (2.) Minifters, being utterly uncerrain who are elected, and who not, muft invite men in general to Chrift, and leave it to the Holy Ghcft, who knoweth all things, to determine fuch as are ele^ed to believe, to the faving of their foui. (3.) By the general invitations of the gofpel, many reprobates obtain common gifts and gra- ces,— have many lins prevented, — obtain much temporal happinefs,? — and are rendered remarkably yfeful to the eiedh - Before their myftical unition to Jefus Chrifl^men, and efpecially gofpel-hearers, may perform that wj^A is natu- rally or civilly good, — and even the matter of^^ngious du- ties j and, under common operations of the Holy Ghoft, may perform that which xt^cmhltz fpiyitual goodnefs. But they can never heartily comply with the gofpel-call, believe in Chrift, or perform any thing in a truly holy and fpiritual manner, (i,) We have foraicrly proved, that all men by nature are under the curfe of the broken law, which is the ftrength of ftn. And as, in their conception, that curfc keeps them deftitute of original righteoufnefs, fo it retains them in that condition, while it lies on them. (2.) Scrip- ture declares all men uticleaii, which being univerfal, muft be underftood of rtnful pollution. Job xiv 4. that David, a* child of pious parents, and one of the beft of men, was flia- pen and conceived in lin, Pfalm li. 5. that the Jewilh pa^ pie of God were wicked tranfgrefTors from the womb, Pial. Ivili. 3. Ifa. xlviii. 8. and that all men, by nature, are lb cnilaved by their indwelling corruptions, that they can do norhing fpiritually good, Gen vi. 5. and viii. 21. Pfcl. xiv. :;, • .:. and l;:i 2, 3. Prov. xx. 9. Jer. xvii. 9. John iii. <5. 0/* Effectual Calling. 3^9 and XV. 5, Rom. v. 6. and vlii. 7, 8. Eph. ii. 1, — 3, 12. Tit. i. 15. and iii. 3. 2 Cor. iii. 5. 1 Cor. iv. 7. Matth. xv. 21. (3.) If men had any natural inclination or ability to do that which is fpiritually good, why, amidft fo many ihou- fand powerful motives to virtue, and none at all to vice, are men, every where, fo remarkably wicked, in their thoughts, their words, and their deeds ? — Why do all at- tentive, and cfpecially the moft fanflified n>en, find fucli inclinations toward vice, and fuch difficulty in doing any thing fpiritually good, Pfalm xiv. i, — 4. and liii. i, — 4. Rom. i. 21, — 32. and iii. 9, — 19. Mark vii. 21, — 23. Rom. vii. 5, — 26. James iii. 2. 1 John i. 8, 10. Object. I. *' Without freedom of will and ability to perform that which is fpiritually good, men can be in no proper Itate of trial for everlafting happinefs or mifery ; but mufi be either in the ftate of devils, or of eftablillved an- gel^" Answ. Believers, while on earth, are not as efta- bliflied angels, being imperfect in their nature, work, and condition : Nor, are wicked men as devils, being under a difpenfation of God's mercy, which hath and will iiTue its the eternal falvation of many, Rom. vii. 14, — 25. 1 Tim. ii 13, — 16. John iv. Luke vii. 36, 50. i Cor. vi. 9, — II. Tit. iii. 3, — 7. Eph. ii. i, ^22. and iii. 8, 9. Adts xxvi. 17, 1 8. (2.) Since Adam's fall, no man hath, or e- ver will be, in a proper Jlate of trial ftr everlafting happi- nefs. (i.)jjW^ believers are fixed in a ftate of everlafting falvation iflBirift. Without this, they could have no fo- lid hope of their pcrfeverance or eternal glory, Rom. viii. 28, — 39. Jer. xxxii. 39, 40. Ifa. liv. 8, — lo. and xlv. 17- John X. 27, — 29. and xiv. 19. Col, iii. 3, 4. (2 ) If all men were in a ftate of trial for everlafting happinefs, they ought all to have equal means and opportunities of grace af- forded them, which it is certain they have not, Eph. ii. 12, Prov. xxix. 18. Pfalm cxlvii. 19, 20. Acfts xiv. i<5. end xvii, 30 (3.) Such a ftate of trial would fufpend men's eternal happinefs upon their own inclinations and behaviour, not upon the free grace of God, contrary to i Cor. iv, 7. Mar. xi. 25, 26. Rom. ix. 16, 18. and ix. 6. (4.") The Il'raelites then ftood in a ftate of tr.'al foi* their temporal happinefs in Canaan, but in none for their eternal happinefs, Ifa. i. 19, 2o^Deut. viii. 2. and xiii. 5. Judg. ii. 21, 22. and iii. i, 4. Exod. xvi 4. and xx. 20. (5.) For promoting the ex- ercife and evidence of their graces, believers are, in their condition, much tried with temptations, hard fervices and fufferings, i Cor. iii. 13. 2 Cor, viii. a. i Pet', i. 7. and iv, I?- 55IO ty"Evf£CTVAt CAtti-kc, 12. James 1.3, 12. Rev. ii. 10. and iii. to, 19. Pialrtt txt'ii io. Dan. xi. 35. and xii. 10. Zecb. xiii: 9. But their' ^S ternal falvation, being fecured in Chrift, is in no wife ^fiii'- pended on their goad behaviour, Cal. iii,- 3, 4 John xiv. rpi and X. 27, — 29. (6.) Many ti'Srnings, exhOrtationSj pfo- mifes, and threatenings, are directed to Tinners, in fcrip- ture, not to put them to the trial, whether thev wi\ o£ themfelves, do that which is truly acceptable to God, but to awaken their concern to have their tlate changed bv an unition to Chrift, A6\s xxvi. 17, 18. Col, i. 13. Epb. ii. i, ' — 6. or direfted to believers, to caufe them to walk worthy of that fbate of falvation, in which they are fiJced in Chrift, Col. ii. 6, 7. r Cor* xv. 58. Jer. xxxii* 39, 40 Heb xii« 28, 29. Phil i. 27. Col. i. lOi Luke i. 74, 75. 2 COr* vii. J.' Eph. iv. — vi. Gol. iii j iv< Object. II. *' If men have not afreedorn of wilt indiffer- ently to choofd good or evil, and power to a6l accordingly, their qualities and works, not being of free choice, cannot be either virtuous or vitioUs, defervant of praife and reWard, or of blame, and punifliment." Ans'U'-. Hath God then no freedom of choice, no liberty, 'ate all his attributes and works unworthy of praife becaufi his infinite and unchange- able perfection of nature cannot admit of his doing any thing bafe or finful ?j Are the afts of holy angels and glorii fled faints, and efpeclally of the liian Chrift, in no Wife vir- tuous, or praife-worthy, becaufe their wills wtft and .are divinely determined towards good only ? Are t^r adls of de- vils no fins, becaufe their inclination is fixed on mifchief ? May not all rhefc a6l voluntarily, though their will beunaU i-erabiy bended to that which is good, or to that which is e- vil. (2.) It is highly abfurd to pretend, that the more in- ward hoiinefs one have, inclini-ng him to that which is good, the lefs virtuous and praife worthy his good adlions ;— ^and the more fixed and propenfe malice he have, determining him to evil, the lefs bad his evil a(5tions are : — that the bet- ter the root be, the lefs valuable the fruit } and the worfe the root, the better the fruit, Matth, vii. 16,— 8. and-xii. 33, — 35. (3.) Man's will never was, nor never will be, placed ii) an equal bent towards good and evil. In his ftatc c>f innocence it was inclined only to good, though change- able towards evil, Eccl vii. 9, Gen. i. 27. and v. i. "Mn his fallen ftate it is inclined only to evil. Gen vi. 5. and viii. 21. Jer. xvii. 9. Rom. viii. 7, 8. Tit. iii, 3.— In mens ftate of begim recovery, their new nature is inclined only to good, and their unrenewed, or old man;, only to evil, Rom- vii. I4;-~i5- W 1 ^Effectual CalunC. ^r T4,— 2|?, Gal. V. 17, 19, — 24. In the heavenly' ft*te, it V.ll'l>e Hiclitied only to good, i John iiii 2. Eph. v. 27. Object. III. " To fuppofe men by nature without this fret'dom of will tochoofe, and abiiiry toperrorm that which- K fpiririially good, is inconfiil-ent with the whole tenor of tlie covenant of grace, and all the promi cs and calls of the gofpel, in which meti arc fuppofcd capable to believe and I'epent*" Answ. (i.) The proniifes of tbe new covenant plainly fuppofe men to have hard and ftony hearts, and to itand in abfoiure need of God'sSpirit put intothemtochaage tiieir heart and enable them to choofe and perform that wliich is fpiritunlly good, Ezek. xl. 19, 20. and xxxvi 26, 57. Jcr. xxxi. 33. (2 ) The calls of the gofpel do not fup> pofc men's natural ability to perform any thing fpiritually good, but are calculated to convince them of their weak- nefs and wickednefs, and to bring them to Chrif^ in whom alone ipiritual rtrength is to be had, John vi. 37, 44, 4^;, 63, 65. and vii. 38, 39. PhiJ. iv. 19. Zech. x. 12. Objec* IV. " Without an equal bent of their will to good*^ and evil, men cannot befuhjected toanymoral law." Answ. Was then Chrift,— and are holy angels, glorified faints, — even devils, and damned men, under no moral law, becaufe their will is not equally inclined towards good and evil. If ia, the blafphcmy and murderous malice of the latter are as pleafmg to God as the love and lively ferviccs of the former, Rom. iv.^k, and v. 13. 1 John iii. 4. OajKo^r V. " Scripture attefts, that, if heathens had enjoyed proper means of grace, they would have repented and bfen faved, Ezek. iii. 0. Matth. xi. 20, — 23." Ansvv. h is not aliirnied, that they would have turntd to the Lord iii a truly hearty and evangelical manner, and been eternally iaved i but, that they would have fo turned, as to prevent their temporal deflrudlions, which it is granted may be done without fpecial grace, Jon. iii, i Kings xxi 29 Object. VI. " To deny the equal bent of men's will to good and evil, or their natural abiiiry to do that which is ipirituaUy good, is a plain adopting of the tenets of atbcifti- cal Hobbes, and of the antient heathen lloics." Answ. ( I .) We mny fafcly and honourably adppt the truth, though .Sat^n, and all his emiiTaries, flicvild, for wicktd purpofes, do the fame. Jam. ii. 19. Matth. viii. 29. with xvi. K). Mark i. 24. wiih ! John v. 5. Acls xvi. 17. with 1 Cor.iv 1. (2.) Hobbes pretended, that God, by his grace, laa- not determine men's will ; that he kath no more hand in D d a "" their .^1 0/" Effectual Calling. Iheir beft a£lIons, than in their worft ; that infants have no original fin ; and being under no law are capable of no faulty that the firft motions of mens mind are not finful ; that no good thoughts are infpiredby God, or bad ones by Sataa; that men may fafficiently underftand their Bible without a- ny afliftance of God's Spirit; that the mere belief of Chrift's being the true Meffiah is fufficient for men's ialvation ; that faving faith is not the gift of God, but the produtSUon of rrien*s own mind •, that our faith and obedience j.uilify u$ before God, he accepting of the will for the deed. Many heathen floics taught, that human nature is not corrupted with any original lin ; that the following of right reafon is fufficient to render nf>en happy in the higheft degree > that men have it in their power to do little or no evil, and to conform themfelves perfedlly to God in moral goodnefsj that virtuous men are, in fome refp€ct, fuperior to the.gods, as they are perfect by their own choice and care, .not byr^t ny neceffity of nature ; and that truly virtuous dil^pfitions once gained may be totally and finally loft. — I>et our oppo- nents therefore claim them as their fathers and brethren m fentiment. If men's eternal happinefs do not depend on their own free will, an effe^uai calling of any of them to a ftate of feU lowfhip with Chrift, muft be entirely of God's free grace. (i.) Scripture attributes it v/hoUy to God's free grace, Jam, i. 17, 18. Eph^ i. 3, — 8. and ii. i, — 10. Rom. Jk 16, — 21. and ix. 16, 18. and xi. 6. and iii 24. and vi»™. Tit. iii,. 3, — 7. and ii. 11, 12. 2 Tim. L 9. 1 Tim. i. 13, 15, 16. (2.) This call finds men in a moft dreadful ftate of fin and mil'ery, Tit. iii 3. Rom. i. 21 — 32, and iii. 10, — 20, 23. and viii. 7, 8- Eph. ii. i, — 3, 12. i Cor vi. 9, — 11. Job xiv. 4. Gen. vi. 5. and viii. 21. Jer. iii^ i, — 5. Pfalm xiv. I, — 4. (3.) God often effectually calls thofe, that are moft outrageoufly wicked, as Manaffeh, Mary Magdalene, the harlot of Samaria, the dying thief, thg murderers of Chrift, Saul the perfecutor, 2 Chron. xxx;iii. 1 1, — 13. Luke vW^^^, 50, John iv. Luke xxiii. 42, 43. Afts ii j vi ; ix. i Tim. i. 13, — 16. (4) Immediately before his call of them be rendered efleftual, men'^s heart is at the very worft, un- der the fin-irritating power of his law, Rom. vli. 5, 8, — 13. (5.) Though God, to honour his own ordinances, frequent- ly beftow his grace upon men, while they are attending them, yet he has never promifed to reward natural men's moft fe- rious attendance, with fpecial and faving grace j and when tUey receive it, it is not as the reward of their attendance, bat # ■ ■'V^ ii ■ ■■ ■ y^f^ 0/*Effectual Callisg. 3^5 but as the iflue of their uflrj^g Cod's appointed means of be- ftowing it. Thus while Moles itretched out his rod towards it, the Red-fea was divided. In his feveufold walhing in _^rdan, Naaman was healed. Such as got firft i^to the troubled pool of Bethefda, were effe^ually cured. — In at- tempting to ftretch out his withered arm, the impotent man had it perfe(Stly rcftored to vigor : and in wafhing his eyes in the pool of Siloam the blind man had his eyes opened ; not as rewards of their work, but as the ifTueof their ufing God's appointed means of eflcdting thefe thihgs, Exod. xiv- 16, — 22, 2 Kings V, 10, 14. John V. 4. and ix. 7. Mark iii. 5. Object. L " Then men, by the mod outrageous fin- ning, put themfelves as much in the way of efFedtual calling, as by the mod ferious prayer, reading, hearing, or meditat- ing, on God's word." Answ. (i.) None but the mofi: a- bandoned men will fin becaufe grace dcJth abound, Rom. vi. I, 2. and ii. 4, 5. Jude 4. (2.) Though men by their at- tendance on God's ordinances, do not prepare themlelves for Chrift and his grace, yet thereby they give him his u- fual and beloved opportunities of converting them to himr felf, even as beggars, who, at the king's command, placfe themfelves on the way, which hS often pafTeth, that they ' niay receive his charity, Prov. vili. 34, — 36. li'a.- Iv. 1, — 3* Object. IF. << Many conditional promifes are made id the good i%ideavours of unregenerate men, James iv. &*. Rev. iii, 76. Matth. vii. 7, 8." Answ. *' Thefe texts are addreHcd to profefTed faints. And it cannot be proved, that the dranv'mg nigh to God, epen'nig to Chrift, ajking^ feeklttg) and kmck'nig there mentioned mean nothing more than may be found in unregenerate men. An ALMIGHTY, INVINCIBLE, Or as Others term it, ir- resistible, influence of the Holy Giioft is therefore fl^/#- Ititely fiecejfary, in and with the outward call of the gofpel, - in order to apply it lb man's heart, fo as to tranflaie thcvn from their ftate of fin and mifery, into a ftate of union to, and fellowfhip with Chrlft. (i."> Men's natural wcaknef^ ^o that which is good, and their deep-rooted enmity agaipft ' it, require fuch an almighty influence, 2 Cor. iii. 5. John XV. 5. Rom. V. 6, and viii. 7, 8. Jer. xvii. 9. Tit. iii. 3. Nay, befides their natural corruptions, they are generally un- der the influence of many additional hindrances from Chrlft and falvation. — They never ierioufly confider the certainty, awfulnefs, and inlinitely concerning confequeuces of their D d .1 a dc -ill ^p4 xxi. 18, 33. John vi, 37, 44, 45, 63, 65. and j^v. 5, Phil, *'• '3- Jer. xxxii 40. Ezek. xxxvi. 2^, 27. and xi. 19, 20. and xxxvii. i, 14. pfalm Ii. 12. Deut xxx. 6. Song i, 4. Afts xi. 1 8. and v. 31. and xvi, t4. and xxvi, 17, 1.8, ' ^ et, i. ?, 3, 23. Col. i. 13. and iii. f. Rom. iv. 17. and viii. 2. Hcb. xiii. 20, 21. 1 Cor 1.26,^—31. 2 Pet. i. 4, And hence the gofpel, through which this "^[^owerful influr ence is exerted, is called the rod of ChniVti Jrri-ngfb, arm of the Lord and poiver of God, Pil.lm ex. 2, 3. "ifa. liii. i. Rom. i. 16. J Cor. i. 24. (3^} Unlefs the influence of the ' J July Gholl, in this work, were itivincibli'^ men's fa^th, xtr' pentance, and good works, behoved to be aicribed to their ov.n /y Effectual- CuLLiNcj- ^95 cx^n/ref tuiJly as rendering eflfeOualtiie influence of God, — contrary to Epfa. ii. 8. i Cor. iv. 7. Ifa. xxvi. 12- PluU ii. i3.' Rom. ix. 16, 18. and ix. 6. Tit. iii. 3, 5. (4O V"* icfs God, in rhis work> could and did, more than aftbrd jnen fuch means, op{X)rtun)ties, and influences, as their free will may rightly impriwe pr not, as it pleafeth, — thefe fecond eaules believed to ail independently of God, but dependently on men's free will, contrary to i Cor. iii. 5, — 7. j Thcfl*. i. 5, John vi 63, (5.) If God's influence in changing men's ftarc and nature, be ahnighty and not invincible, but dependent on their free ivill for its efllcacy and fuccefsj-r-glorified fainto in heaven have no more ground to thank God for their e- terngl lalvation than the damned in hcU have tQ thank him for theirs, as not he, but their own free ivill, was the pi'o- per caufe of it,— contrary to Rev. v. g, and vii. 10, 12. (6.) Unlefs this heart chtm'ging influence be almightv and ;«- I'incible, we can have no comfortable certainty of »ur eter- n:\l happinefji, no not in heaven, as even there the free will of many millions of angels gave them a damning flip, 2 Vet, ii. 4. Jude. Matth. ^xv. 41, i Tim. iii, 6. God may choofe us in Chrjif, and prepare heaven for us before the founda^ tion of flic world, Eph. i. 4. Matth. xj^v, 34, Chrift may become man, obey, fufFer, and die for us, rile again for our juflification, and do all that he can by his interceflion, able to fave to the uttermoft, Gal, iv, 4, 5. Jlom, iii. 25, and iv. 25. and viii. 3, 33, 34, IJeb. vii. 25, 26, the gofpel may be preached to us, in every advantageous- circumflance, Heb, ii. 3, 4, I Pet. i. 11, 12. i Thefl' i. 5, Rom, i. 16, 17 Tit. ii. II, — 14. the Koly Ghoft may do all, that he can, to bring us into, and keep us in, a flate of grace, and yet all be to no purpofe, unlel's our free will, which is tfi- mity ngninjl Qod, convert itfelf to him, and, by its influ- ence, more promote our falvation than all the Omnipotent THREE, by love, by wjfdom, by power, by blood, by pray- er, are capable to do. ♦ Object. I. *' Thefe fcriptures which rcprefent men's converfion to God as an efle£l of divine power mean no more, than that the miracles, which they law or heard of, determined or excited them to believe the gofpel doctrines, thereby confirmed, r Cor, iv. 19, i Thefl!'. i. (5, Rom. i 16." Answ. In none of thefe texts doth pow^r mean miracles. Miracles are not Chrifl: crucified, 1 Cor. i. 24. Nor did Paul demand knowledge of the miracles of liis oppofers. Nor are miracles a proof of men's elctftion as this power was, 1 TheflT. i, iv. 5. Matth. vii. 22, 23. Object, ©/■ Effect u At Calling. - Object. II, " Multitudes of infpired promires, exhdr* jtatipns, ^c. reprefent God as unfuccefsfuUy exerting him- ^if to his uttertnoft, for the converfion of men, Ifa. v; 34. (which words might be rendered, What fhall be hereafter , dcms to my vineyard,) John i. 7, 9. and v. 34, 40. and xii. 32, — ^4o.-:^and as withing that they would comply with his calls, and bewailing that they did not ;-~.and reprefent tKc efficacy of his ordinances as dependent on their choice, diligence, and care, Deut, xxxii. 29. and iv. 29. and viii, 2. and xjix 19. and x. 16. Pfalm Ixxxi. 10, — 14. Prov. i. Z2t — 30, Matth. xxiii. 27. (which means that the Jewifli rulers and parents hindered their fubjeifls and children from attending or improving Chrift's inftruftions) Luke xix. 47, -r-44. Ifa, i. i6,--:-2o. and xxx. 15. and Iv. i, — 7. and xlv; 22. and xlvi. 12, 13. Gen. iv. 7. Jer, iv. 4, 14. and vi. 8. Bzek. xviii. 30, — 32- and xxiv. 13. and xxxiii. i r. Joel ii. 13. Zech ix. 12. Matth. iii. 2. and iv. 17. and vii. 7, 3. Luke xiii. 24. ACts ij. 38. and iii. 19. Phil. ii. 12. Tit* ii. II, 12. Epb, V, 14. James iv. 8. Rev. iii. 19, 20. Matth. XXV. 14, — ■■ — 29. Luke xix. 12, 27, tsfc." Answ. (i,) Though men, in their unreggncrate ftate, can do nothing fpiritually good, yet thsy can do many things, which are materially good, as to pray, read, hear, or meditate on the fcripture, — which the fioly Ghoft may make the means of })is regeneration and quickening influences. And, though God cannot accept their labour as coming from their accur- fed perfon and corrupt heart, be may, froin regard to his own ordinances, intet with them in the ufe thereof. Nay perhaps, he never fails gracioufly to meet with fuch as, with natural earneftnefs, perfevere in feeking after falvation. (2.) God's demands of dutiful obedience do not neceflarily fuppofe men's fufhciency of ftrength to fulfil them ; but for t.heir conviction of their inability, and to drive them to ChriH: for righteoufnefs and flrength, — reprefent what they owe to God, to themfelves, and to«their neighbours, un- der pain of eternal damnation. (3.) God may do all that is poffible or proper in the beftowal of outward means of faU vation upon men, without fuccefs, Ifa. v. i, — 4. but not pU that he can do, in tbe exertion of his fpiritual influencej I Cor. ii. 4, 5, Rom. i. 16. 1 ThefT. i. 5. and ii. 13. (4.) Many of the texts, mentioned in the objection, merely re- prefent God , as in a friendly manner declaring his law ; and Ibme of them denote Chrift's human fympathy towards his (elf ruined Jewifli countrymen. Others of them reprefent what the Ifraclites were bound to, and capable of perform- ing Cy.EFFECT'UAJ.. Calling. 35^^ ing, as the means of their temporal happinefs in Canaan. (5.) While feme of thefe texts refpedl eleB perfons, whom Chrift cffe H' -"In his whole work of convincing men's confcieoce, enlightening their mind and renewing their will, the Holy Ghoft forms men for receiving and re/ling upon Chri^ as offered in the gofpel, in which, he and his fulnefs are conveyed into their heart, and hence they »re no fooner apprehended and quickened by him, than their foul, upon God's own teftimony and giving promife, believes God's report concerning him, and receives him and unites itfelf with him as offered in the gofpel, John xvi||9, — 12. Ifa. Iv. 1,-7. John vi. 57, 44, 45, 63, 6^. and vii. 37, 38. 2 Cor. v. 14, — 21. A6ts xxvi. 18. Jer. xxxi. iS.Phil. i. 29. and ii. 12,13. By virtue of this union to, and communion with Chrift, our fpiritual condition is alfo gradually changed and perfecled. By union to, and fellowfhip with him, 'a% o\xr quickenitigz.ndfatiBifying\iQA6.f we obtain our gTzduzl fanBiJicaiicfi of nature and life, i Cor. i. 2. John i.. 16. Afts xxvi. 18 2 Cor. iii. 18. Col. ii. i5, 19, Eph. iv. 6 -By our union to and fellowlliip with him, as the Lord our righteoufnefs, mean of fellovvfliip with the Father, and Treafury of all bleflings, we obtain fpiritual comfort^ Heb. iv. 14, — 16. and x. 19, — 22. John xiv, — xvi. Ifa. xi. 10, and xii. i,— ^6. Phil, iii- 3. and iv. 4. Rom. V. I, — 1 1. By union to and fellowihip with him, as the Conqueror o<* death, rifen, and exalted Saviour, who hath all power in heaven and earth, we obtain our eternal glorification^ Rev. i. 1 8. and xiv. 13. Hof. xiii. 14. Ifa.xxv. 8 and Ix 19, 20. and xxvi. 19 John xiv. 2, 3, 19. and xvii. 24. Rom. vii, i, 11, 17. Col. iii. 3, 4. Rev. iii. 21. RsFLECT. Havel indeed been called of God with this holy, this high and heavenly calling, and fpiritually united to the all precious Redeemer ."^ Can I appeal to himfelf, that he is my Beloved, and I am his ? God forbid, that I fhould profefs, fliould preach a Jefus Chrift, that is not my own. Let union with the Son of God, as effcd^ually made unto me wifdom, righteoufnefs, and fan£lification, E e e X and •3 '^02 Q/" Justification. nJ redemption, be the root, the foundation of all my. re- ^][igioR.-r — ^Am I indeed crucified with Chrift, and yet live j J|lnd yet not I, but ChrifT: liveth in me ? And, is the life, Which I live in the flefli, by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himfelf for me ? O wonder ! wonder ! wonder Irr-an efpoufing God, and I the ugly, wicked, worthiefs, 'bride ! C H A I^. II, 0/"JuSTIFICATION, JUSTIFICATION-, in fcripture, never means the making of perfons inherently holy and righteous, but the holding and declaring them righteous, as in a court of judgment, (i.) In this fenfe the Hebrew hatsdik and the Greek dikaioun, which we render tojujlifyy are tak- en, Exod. xxiii. 7. Deut. xxv. i. Prov. xvii. i^. i Kings viii. 32. Ifa 1. 8. andliii, n. and xlv. 24, 25. Pfal. cxliii. a. Jobxxvii. 5. 2 Sam. xv. 4. Pfalm Ixxxii. 3, Gen. xliv. 16. Luke x. 29. and xvi. 15, and xviii. 14. Mat. xii. 37. Rom. ii. 13. and iii. 4, 20, 24, 23, 30. and iv, 2, 5, 25. and V. 1,9, 16, 18. and vi, 7. and viii. 30, 33, 34. Gal. ii. 16, 17. andiii. 1 1, 24. and v. 4. Tit, iii. 7. Mat. xi. 19. 1 Tim. iii. 16. with John xvi. 10. James ii. 22, — 25. — Now, wherever, in thefe texts, Jujlifltation is oppofed to condemnation-, — or it is reprefcnted as criminal ^o jujVfy the wicked •, — or wherever divine perfons are faid to hejit/iijiedy It cannot mean making them holy or virttiouSy but the holding or declaring them to be fo. — M\m^tTsjuJlify many in pubH- fhing God's fentence of juftification revealed in the gofpel, and in flirring them up to manifeft their juftification by good works, Dan. xii. 3. Heb. — even as they fave men, i Tim. iv. 18. 1 Ccr. ix. 22. James v. 20. i Cor. vii. 16.— Rev. xxif. If. might be tranflated, He that is righteous ylet him do righteoufnefs Jiill,—oT be jujiified Jlill^ 'u t. continue fixed in his juftified ftate, and by good works more and more ma- nifeft to other men, and to his own confcience, that he is jufli-^ied before God, John i»- 2g. and viii. 7. James ii. 22, —25. 0/" Justification^. ' ^Z •— 25. • (i.) This alfo appears from the icriptural reprefen- tatioDS of juftification^ or of pardon of fin, a leading ingre- dient in it, — ^as a reconcilement^ — a receiving of the atonement ^ Roihi V. 3, — I f. not coming into judgme?it or condemnation, John V. 24. Rom. viii. i, — 33. God blotting out of fin, Ifa. Xliii-25, and xliv. 22. Pfalm 11. 9. mk retaining -angtr, but pil/f'fjg by tranfgreffion, and cajling fiins into the depths of the fea, or behind his back, Mic. vii. 18, 19. Ifa. xxxviii. 17. Pfalm 11. 9. Jer. xviii. 23. with Pfalm xc, 8. and cix. 14, 15. Jer, xvi. 17. not feeing fin, Num. xxiii. 21. Jer. 1. 20. not imputing or remembering Cm, but Jorgiving, covering, re- moving and purging it away, Jegl^xxxiii. 8. Ifa. xliii. 2^* Pfalm xxxii. i, 2. and Ixxxv, 2. ana ciii. 3, 12. and Ixxix, 9. Rom. iv. 6. Ifa. i, 18. Ezek. xxxvi. 25. Rev. i. 5. Col. ii, 13. Heb. viii. 12. (3.) Every thing relative to juilificati- on is reprefented in the form of a trial in law. Here is ^ Judgment, Pfalm cxliii. 2. ^ Judge, Ifa, 1. 7, 9. z judgment', feat, Heb. iv. idftflfa. xxx, 18. a guilty pannel, Rom. iii. 19. an ^a-?^//^ law, confcience and devil, John v. 45. Rorp. ii. J 5. Pfalm cix, 6. Zech. iii. 2. Tl charge or hand-nvriting exhibited againfl: us, Col. ii. 14. a plea of grace reigning through Chrift'srighteoufnefSjRom. iii. 24, 25. Dan ix. 24, Eph, i. 6, 7. and ii, 7. Rom. v. 16,— -7.1. the acculing cri- minal betaking himfelf to this plea alone. Job ix. 2, 3. and xl, 4. and xlii. 5, — 9. Pfahn cxxx. 3, 4. Ifa. liii. 4, — .6, Luke xviii. 13. Rom. iii. 24, — 26. and v. 11, 16, — 21. and viii. I, — ^4, 33, 34. Heb. ix. 12, — 15, and x. i, — 14, i Pet. ii. 24. and iii. 18. i John i. 7, 9. zn advocate, who improves this plea before God, the judge, for the JuJIi^cati- on of the guilty pannel, I John ii. i, 2- and a feUence pro- nounced by God, upon the foot of this plea infifted on, Job xxxiii. 24. Pfahnikxxii. f, 2. Rom. iii. 21,-^26. and viii, I, 33, 34. 2 Cor. V. 21. Gnl. iii. 13, 14. and ii, 16. Juftification largely taksn, refpedls as its object,, either { I.) Things, in which fome particular aft, or feries of afts, is declared innocent or righteous. Thus God jurtlfi. ed Job's reprefentation of him as righter than thofe of his friends. Job xlii. 7, 8. and counted Phinehas' zealous exe- cution of the two impudent adulterers to him for righteouf- nefs, Pfal. cvi. 3i.Num, xxv. ii, — 13. And David pleads, that he would judge him according to his integrity or righ-i teoufnefs, in a particular cafe, Pfalm vii. 8. and xviii. 24, And the Ifraelites juftified themfelves more than treache- rous Judah, in being Icfs wicked, Jer. Iii. 1 1, and the Jew? ^ftified the Sodomites, in being more wicked than they, Ezek. 404 ' 0/" Justification. Ezek;xvi. '51, 62, Or, (2.) Perfons, and that either (1.) )S-ighteous parfpnSf declarirrg them innocent of that which is charged upon them ; as when God jullifies bcUevers againft ^theaccufations of Satan i — or fuftaining them to have that ,^odnel's of heart cuhjife, which they really have. Thus ,God commended, Jap, chapter i. 8. and ii. 3. and Mofes, Num. xii. 7. and accepts every one that fears him, A 4> Z^i 33> 34* — ^This jullification o- riginated from all eternity, when eleft men were chof'en in Chrift, and their debt to the broken covenant of works was placed to his account, to be demanded only from hittty Eph. i. 4. Heb. vii. 22. Ifa. liii. 6. Its foundation was laid in Chrift's finifliing tranfgreflion, and bringing in an everlaft- ing righteoufnefs, anfwerable to all the^emands of the bro- ken law, Dan. ix. 24. i Pet. ii. 24. III. liii. 4, — 12. — In his refurrec\ion Chrift was folemnly juftified, as the public Head and Reprefentative of all his elect ; and the fentenec lies ready in him, to be extended to them in their refpe the Father, as he laid our fins upon Chrift, accepted his rlghteoufnef^ in our ftead, and imputing it to us as otir judge, acquits, and accepts us, as in him, Rom. viii. 29, 30. 2 Cor. V. 21. It is afcribed to the Son, as he purcha-. fed it with his bjflpd, procures it by his intei^lTlon, and as adminiftrator ofVe new covenant, iflues forth the fentencc, Matth. XX. 28. I John ii. r, 2. Afts v 31. Match ix. 2, 6. It is afcribed to the Holy Ghoft, as he applieth Chrift and his righteoufnefs, to our perfon and confcicnce, intimates the fentencein his word, and feals andattefts it to our heart, 1 Cor. ii, 10, II. and vi. 11, Tit. |ii. 7. Rom. viii. i^. z Cor. i. 22. and v 5. Eph. i. 13. and iv. 30 Nothing buc God*s own free grace and love inwardly moves him to justi- fy finful men, Rom. iii. 24. and v. 20, 21. Eph. ii. 8. Tit. iii. 5, — 7. He provided our furety, afforded the price, and accepted it, in our ftead : he freely offers and gives it to us, in the gofpel, — imputes it to our perfons, and gives us faith to receive it, — all according to the exceeding riches of his free gracfC, John ijL 16. 2 Tim. i. 9. Rom. v. 20, 21. Phiij, j. 29. Eph. ii. 4,^8. and i. 6, — 8. . All the elect and they only are juftified in their ra- fpe£live times of love , Ifa. liii. 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 1 1. Rom. v. 19. and viii. 28, — 34. confidered in themfelves as ungodly and condemnable to eternal wrath, Rom. iv. 5, <5. and v. 6, 8, 10. Tliofe that lived under the OldTeftament were asper- fedlly juftified, as thefe under the New. (1.) The general promifeof the covenant of grace, madetothem, plainlyin- cluded compleat juftification, Gen. xvii. 7. Pfalm xxxiii.' 12. Num. xxiii.2i. Ifa. i. 18. and xxviii. 16. and xliii. 25. and xliv. 22. and Ivii. 17, 18. Jer. xxxi. 34. and xxxiiL 8. Ezek. xxxvi. 25." JNlic. vii. 18. 19. Exod, xxxiv. (J, 7. {i.J Sereral 46(5 (y Justification. Several believers, tinder the Old Teftarttent, are exprdfiy reprefented as juftified, without any limitation, Rom.-iViig^ James ii. 25. 2 Sam xii. 13. Pfalm xxxii. i, 2» and Ixv. 3a and Ixxxv. 2, 3* and ciii. 3, 12. Ifa. xxxviii. vy. MicDvfi. 1 8, 19. (3.) All the^preffions of God's mt retain'tirg'Mi anger y — not remembej^m their ftity — -7iot imputing ity^—noL be» Holding it J — hut fsf^uingy pajjing by, covering, expiatingy lifting up, cleanftngy blotting oiity and cafting fm behind his hacky prove that their pardon was abfolutely perfedl, Micah v'ii. 18, ip" Ifa. xliii. 25. and xliv. 22. Pfalm xxxii. ti' 2. and Ixxv. 3. and ciii 12. Num. xxiii. 21^ Exod xxxiv^ 6y 7, 9. And it, as wdH|s that which Chriftian believers receive, is called a phe^^ as well as paxesis, Matth. vi. 12, 14. and ix. 2. Mark i. 4. Luke vii. 47, 48. Ads x. 43. Rom iv. 6. Heb. ix. 22. Our juftification is a mojl ftmple a^, in refpeft of God our ^udge ; but, m it refpedts the precept and penalty of the broken law, and the correfpondent chan^|||||piade upon our ftate, it may be diftinguifhed into pardon of fin and ac- ceptance with God. Pardon refpefts the penalty of the broken law, removes the guilt of fin, frees from the curfe due to it, — on account of Chrift's holinefs of human nature and obedience to the precept of the broken law, fuftaias us as fulfillers of it in God's fight, inftates us \n his favour, and intitles and adjudgeth us to eternal life. This title to eternal life is of a legal or Judicial mture, fuch as a man hath to his purchafed property, whereas that received in adop" tion is fuch as one hath to an inheritance, as his father's fon and heir. — In this double title to our eternal life, we are conformed to Chrift, who as an obedient fervant, and as Son of God in our nature, hath full right to his eternal glo- ry. Both pardon of fin and acceptanffe are included in our juftifying fentence, refpetfl our perfons, change our ftate, with refpeiSl: to the favour of God and our own fafety and happincfs ; free us from all charges of guilt againft, or iJemands of fcrvice to, the broken covenant of works ; and are never preceded but followed by gofpel repentance^ Rom. viii. i, 33. and v. 16, — 2\. Eph. i. 6. i John v. 11, 12. Ezek. xvi. 62, 63. and xxxvi. 25, 31. Paternal par- don and acceptance are founded on, but not included in, oiir juftification : — make no change on our ftate before God, but only in our fpiritual condition and comfort, and are granted from time to time, as our fins are committed and repented of, and our obedience of faith performed and are preceded as well as followed by tru« evangelical repentance. Paternal 0/" Justification!. 4of Paternal pardon forgi^res our fins, as they arC coA!tnitted a* gainft: the law as a rule in the hand of Cbrift, and expose i|§, not to God's revenging wrath, but to his fatherly angcFarftl chaftifement. Paternal acceptance rerpe<5ts not ourperfon?, but our holy fervices and introduc^|||US to the enjoyment of God's fatherly fmiles and favout^^^fiam xii. 13. Mat. vi. 12. I John i. 7, 9. Pfalm xxxii.^^Rom. v. 10. Pfalmr xxiii. "'•'■ In our judicial pardon, all our fins paft, prefent or fu- ture, are forgiven in fo far as they are, in any fenfe, tranf- greffions of God's law as a covenant^Liuorks. ( r.) The fcrip- t.ure plainly reprefents them as J^^orgiven in our juftifi- cation, Ifa. i. 18. and xliii. 25. ancRiliv. 22. Jer. xxxi. 34. and xxxiii. 8. Heb. viii. 12. Ezek. xxxvi. 25. Col. ii. 13, 14. A6ts xiii. 39. Num. X3yii. 21. Jer. 1. 20. Pfalm Ixxxv.. 2,3. and ciii 3, 12. If*' liv. 9 Rom. viii. i, 33. {2.)The facraments of the new covenant feal the remipon of all our fins, at once, Ufet. iii. 21. Mark i. 14. Acls ii. 38. and xxii. 16. Matth. xx"vi 28. — If baptifm did only feal the re- miffion of paft fins, it had beft be delayed till the laft mo- ment of our life, contrary to Matth. xxviii. 19. Mark xvi. 16. A<3:s ii. 38. and xxii, 16. Judicial pardon cannot be conditionally fealed, as it is beftowed upon us, as an infi- nitely/»'<'<' ^z, Rom. iii. 24. and v. 16, — 21. Tit. iii. 7. — '■ Nor is any promife of judicial pardon, or of reconciliation dire£led to juftified perfons -, but they are fuppofed to be fully poiTefled of thefe benefits, Rom viii. 1,-4, 15, — 17, 33,34. Gal. iii. 26. (3.) In their fpiritual union to Chrift,- believers are legally reckoned to have fully fatisfied all the demands of the law, as a covenant in him, Rom. x. 4. and viii. 3, 4, 33, 34. and v. 6, 8, 16, — 21. and vii. 4. and vi. 14. Gal. ii. 19, 2ol'2Cor. V. 21. Ifa. xlv. 24, 25. and arere- prefented as dead to, or for fin, as he was, Rom. vi. to, i r. Gal. ii. 20. (4.) Being once fpiritually united to Chrift, we can never afterward be, for one moment, feparated from him. Nor, being one with Chrift, can any of our fins ftand charge- able Hgainft us, without fuppofing him to have left part of our debt unpaid, in his fatisfaiSlion, Ifa. liii. 6. Heb. ix. 12, 14. and X 10, 14, i8. 2 Cor. v. 21. Riom. viii. i, — 4, 33, 34. and X4 4. (5.) If God's redeeming love be unchangeable, they who arc once inftated in fuch favour, cannot be, for a moment, liable to his revenging wrath, Jer. xxxi. 3, 20. and xxxii. 39, 40. Ifa. liv. 8, — 10. Rom. viii. 28 — ^()> Zt'ph. iii. 17. John xiii. i. and xv 9,10. {-6.) If the after Vii " fin* ^o8 ry Justification. fips of helievers be not fo panioned in their juftificationy a3 to prevent all legal imputation of them ; the fame perfons at the fame time, might or rather mulV, as believers, be dead to the law as a covenant, and not under it, but ad- judged to everlaftina^^ by the covenant of grace, Rom^ vii. 4. and vi. 14. id^Bii. 2. John vi. j^o. 1 John v. 10, V2v and yet, as akvayft^^^^ be alive to., and under the law as a covenant, and liable to God's revenging and eternal wrath, Ezek. xviii. 4. Rom. ii. 8,9* and vi. 23- (7) Believers, full remiffion of all their lins at once, with reipe£l to their legal guilt, not only corj^fponds with their compleat tranila^ tion from under the coj^Btot of works, and exalts the free grace of God, which niWiurpended no part of their legal pardon upon their future faith fyt repentance ; but alio powerfully excites and promotes their moll: carneft and per- severing ftudy of gofpel hoHnefs, Luke vii. 4?., — 47. and i. 74, 75. Pfahri cxvi. 16. and cxix. 32. 2 Cor. ^ii- 1. Heb» 3cii. 28. A| Objec. I. '* Believers after fins cannot be pardoned m their juftification, as they cannot be hioited out, and not re- memheredy tHl once they have been committed, and marked, and remembered." Answ. (1.) Remembering ibme times refpe^ls that which is prefent or future, Eccl xi. 8. and xii- I. (2.) If Jefus Chriil was condemned and punifhed for, and abfolved from, millions of tranrgreffions oefore they were committed, why may not fins be pardoned as well, as fatisfied for, before they be committed i^ i Pet. ii^ 24. Dan^ ix. 24. , Objec. II. ** t^.don is plainly reftrijn:ed to pa ft crimes,. Jer. xxxiii. 8. Ezek. xviii. 22.'* Answ. Paft iins are par- ticularly mentioned in thefe texts, for the humiliation of of the guilty perfons j but pardon is not^eftridlcd to them only. ' Objec. III. '* Confeffion of fin, and repentance, and hu- miliation for it, which necefiiuily follow the commiflion of fin, muft precede the pardon of it, 2 Chron. vii. 14. Prov. xxxviii. 13. I John i. 9. Ads iii. 19." Answ. (r.) Thefc texts do not relate to legal pardon of fin, but either to the removal of outward judgments, o-r to fatherly pardon, — or to the public intimation of pardon at the \,\(i day. (2.) It will be hereafter proved, that, though a rage againft fin, or at God's conne»fl.iiig fearful punilhment with it, may pre- cede judicial pardon, — np truly evangelical repentance or humiliation can. Objec. 0/" Justification;, 4iQ(j Oujnc. IV. " If believers after fins be judicially forgiven in their juftification, they ought not to pray for the pardon of their fin, as Chrift diredl?, Matth. vi. 12. Luke xi. 4." Answ. (i.) They that are juftified, but not di(lin(Stly af- fured of it, ought to pray for pardojtt^theirfin in general, leaving it to God to grant what ^ijj^^B^roper. (2.) Every juftified peribn ought duily to pray f^Brore clear and povver- iul inti.nations of judicial pardon to his confcience, which may be called pa^^w, as well as the manifertation pf juftifi- cation is called hy its name, James ii. 21, — 25. (3 ) Every juftified peribn ought daily to pra^or paternal pardon of his daily infirmities, James iij. 2. h|p >• 8, — 10. Eccl. vii. 20. Ifa. Ixiv. 6. wl^ Objec. V. <« We muft forgive others, in order that God may forgive us our fins committed afier our juftification." Answ. (i.) Our hearty forgiving of others the injuries, which they have done us, muft follow afigr, and proceed from God's judi«al pardon of ojur fins, Marth. xviii. 32, 33. Eph. iv. 31, But our comfortable fenfe of that pardon fre- quently follows our being by his grace enabled from our heart to forgive others, Luke vi; 37. and xi. 4. (2.) We muft forgive others in order to our receiving fatherly par- don, Matth. xviii. 35. Objec^'I. " The finful fcandals of believers regularly excommunicated from the church are hounds t. e. not pardon- ed,— in heaven." Answ. (i.) Excommunication deprives men of their villble memberlhip in the church on earth, but doth not change the I'piritual ftate of their perfon, and hence God's ratilkation cf it cannot bind them over to his reven- ging or eternal wrath. (2.) If an excommunicated believ 34. Ifa. xlv. 17, 24, 25. and iiv. 8,— 'lo. Objec. 1, Believers are required to repent in order to obtain the pardon of their fins. Answ. Yes, in order to receive fuller manifeftationsof their legal or judicial pardon, or to receive fatherly pardons ;— but never in order to ob- tain judicial pardon. The. putting aivay of David's fin, on his repentance, 2 Sam. xii. 13. doth not mean any removal of his liablenefs to God's avenging wrath ,-^but, that God had reraovcd that long before, and would not extend his pa- ternal correftion to the cutting off of his natural life, as he deferved. -Part of the due correction is often infiidled on believers, even when their fin is blotted out by paternal par- don, Pfahii cxvrii. |8. and xcix. 8. and cvi. 43« Objec. II. If the fins of believers while unrepentcd of, do not render them liable to God's revenging wrath, there is Q^JUSTIJFIGATION. 4I| ■Uno'iieed:of-Ciirift?s intcrceiTion. Answ. His continual pleading of his righteoufnefs in their favours, prevents all inch Hablenefs to God's wrath, i John iii. i, 2. Heb. vii* 25»-^procures further manifeftations of his judicial ^rdon j . — and procures fatherly chaftifemen||||fcBnd the proper re^ moval of them in due time. Nay, h^^Brtcfllon will be ne- ceflary for them in heaven. ^^^ Objec, III, Maintaining th^t believers fins do not rendflt them liable to God's revenging and eternal wrath, ftrongly encourageth them to carnal fecurity and licentioulhefs.— - Answ.(i.) Maintaining of the coj^ary mightily difcoura- gcth their earnell: following of ho^^B ; as it reprefents them as loved by God with no mor? tm^a weak and fluctuating affection, and ready to be ruined by fome fmall millake at laft. (2.) How is it poflible for one, who hath any real experi- ence of the new nature in believers, or regard to the fcrip- ture, to think it lb fuperdiaboHcally wicked, as to fin be- caufe experienced grace doth abound ? Rom. v. 20, 21. with vi. I, 2, 5, 10, ir, 14. 2 Cor, v. 14, 15. and vi. 17, 18. with vii. 1, 6. John iii. 2, 3, and iv. 9, 10, 16, 19.— t/ukc i. 74, 75. Pfalm ciii. i,-— 6. and cxvi. 16. and oix. 32, 166. Heb. xii. 28, 29, (3 ) It is moft terrible to a heaven-born foul to be, by his llns, expofcd to the tempo- rary prevakpjce of indwelling lufts, rage of devils, hidings and frowns of God's face, and other fatherly chaH-ifements, Rom, vii. 14, — 24. 2 Cor. xii. 7, 8. Pfalm xiii. i, — 4. and - Ixxxviii. and Ixxvii. r, — 10. and Ixxiii. 2, — 19. and xlii. 9;, 10. and cxvi. 3. and cxliii. i. — 7. Job vi. 4 and ix. and x, 16, 17. Prov. xviii. 4. Pfalm iii ; vii j x ; xxxv ; xxxviii 5 xlii ; liv, — Ix ; Ixiv ; cii. Believers' juftification is ablblute- ly PERFECT and irrevocable from the very firfi moment of their myftical union with Chrift, (i.) It is a judicial a(5V, which admits of no degrees. Acts xiii. 38, 39. Rom. viii. I, 33, 54. and vi, 14. and vii. 4. Col. ii. 13. Jer. xxxi. 34. - and xxxiii. 8, Ifa. i 18. and xliii. 25, and xliv. 22- (*.) It is founded on the imputation oP"an infinitely perfedland everlafting righteoufnefs, Dan. ix. 24. Rom. v. 16, — 21. Ifa. xlv. 24, 25. Jer. xxiii. 6. 2 Cor. v. 21. A£ls xx. 28, i Pet. i. 18, — 21. andii. 24. and iii. 18. Rev. i. ^. and v 9, ^3.) All that are juflified, are perfeftly freed from the law as a covenant, Rom. vii. 4. andvi. 13. Gal. ii. 19. and iv. 4, 5. andv. 18. (4.) Nothing can be laid to their charge before God as a judge, Rom. viii, 33. Jer, I. 20. Num. XJliii. 21. (5.) No curfe or condemnation before God re- jnains for them, Rom. viii. i, 33, 34. John v. 24. Gal. iii. '4'^ O/" JuSTIFieATION. iiii. r3. PPalm Ixxii. 17. Eph. i. 3, 6, 7. Ifa. y.U^'j'f:''(6^ God hath no judicial or avenging wrath to pour out upon tbem^fa xxvii. 4. and liv. 8, — 10. and IvJi. 17, 18. Jer. xxxi. 18, 20. Hof. xiv. 4. (7.) They are inftated in the favour of God, wyHB|s infinitely perfeft and everlafting, lia. liv. 8, — !o. ^fHP^'' j> 4- Plalm xxxvii. 24, 28, 33, and Ixxxix. '^4, 2 8, '^3. and cxxxvi. Mai. jii. 6. Rom. xi. ^i). and V. 10, 21. and viii. 28, — 39. aThelT. ii. 16, 17. . Object. !, " Belisvers cannot be perfe£lly freed from the law as a covenant of works, without receiving a liberty of finning." ANsw.jSkey are not hereby delivered from» but much more boun^^K the moral law as a ru/e oflife^ in %\\t hand of Chrift, in^mom they have much more abun- dant and affefting views of the infinitely evil nature and de- merit of (In, a>id of the holinefs and majefty of God, — and ofthe excellency and authority of hjs commandments, and hence much ftronger motives, as well as affiftances, to ho- ly obedience, than they could have under the law as a cove- pant^ I Cor, ix. 21. Rom. vj. and vii. i,— -6. Objec. II. " Believers, notwithftanding their juftification» continue at leall in part under Grjd's curfe. Our firll pa- rents had it denounced upon them after they had believed in Chrift :— -men, in every age, toil for their fubliftence,— and women conceive and bring forth their H^ildren with pain. — Their arHj£lions are called ptifiiJIjtnentSy and proceed from God's wrath or anger ; and death is an enemy to them." Aiisw. {1,) We have no proof, that our firft pa- rents had believed in Chrift, before God addreffed his threatenings to them. Noi' is there, in them, any curfe denounced againft their perfons. Gen. iii, 16, — 19. (2.) IBelievers afiiiitions, btjing ofthe fame matter with thofe of wicked men, and often fuftered in connexion with them,-— and alvvay procured by \hc\c own lin, and tending to its de- ftru£lion, may be termed ■i.punijhmeiit., — while, to their per- fons, they are the invaluably ui'eful difcipline of the new co- venant, purchaled by Chrift: for them, Heb. xii. 5, — 1 1 . Rev- , jii. 19. Rom, viii. 28. 2 Cor. iv. 17, i8. Ita. ii. 7. Hof. ii. 6, 14, Pfalm cxix. 67, 7i> 75. and xciv. 12. Prov. iii 12. (3 ) From whatever indignation in God againft their fins, tue afflitflions of believers proceed, — his love to their perfons cs united to Chrift is the principal fpring thereof, Heb. xii. (5, 10. Rev. iii. 19. (4.) Death hath an unfriendly appea- xanceto believers, but it is a real benefit to them, transport- ing their fouls to Chrift j and hence, the niore enlightened -cf (^ JuSTIFICATIpN. 41^. of them earneftly defire it, Luke il. 29. Phil. 1. 21, 23. 2 Cor V. 4. ••' This fentence of j'uflification beirtg the very reverfc of the curfe of the broken covenant of works formerly exp|0ii!ed>. — muft be our legal life in the co^natrt of grace, froni which our tempt>ral, fpiritual, and et^Hl life, proroifed in that covenant, do proceed. — It not^fKj adjndgeth us to that REAL new-covenant life, but engageth ail the perfec- tions of Gad, infallibly to confer it upon us, — Let us there- fore, with delightful wonder, obferve how, through the operations of the curfe on Chrift, this juftifying fentence operates on believers, in a naanneidBk'edtly contrary to the foreoientioned influence of the cuSBK)n others j and that, as all the dealings of God with the wicked, in time and e- ternity, are but his execution of the curfe on them ; fo a!i his dealings with believers, in time and eternity, are but' the execution of his juflifying fentence pafFcd upon them. More generally, Chrifl having fulfilled all righteoufnefs' under the curfe, he received a fentence of juflilication as our public Head, i Tim. iii. 16. Ifa. liii. 8,9. Rom iv. 25.' and viii- 33, 34. whkh, pregnant with precious blcfiings, infallibly fecured our fpiritual and eternal welfare, who are his eled feed, in a ftate of union with himfelf, Ifa. Irii, 4, 5,' 6, 8, 10, II Jiom. V. 10, 15, John X. 10, (2.) This vir- tual juflificat?on in Chrift, as our Reprefentative, prevents every thing that could effectually hinder our myf]:ical uniii- on to him, and regeneration by him,. Ezek. xvi. 6, S. Acts IK. Philem. 11, 15, 16. (3.) By it, the perfections of God are infallibly engaged to make his providences concur in making preparation for, and promoting our fpintual uniti- on to Chrift, and our receiving of influences from him, lloil ii-6,,7, 14, 18, — 20. Ezek. XX. 37. (4.) This fentence be- ing transferred to our perfon through our fpiritual union to Chrift, placcth us in a moft delightful flate. Chrift hav- ing borne the wrath of God, Pi'al. Ixxxix. 38. Ifa. liii. 10. we are infaihbly inftated in his infinite and everlafting fa- vour, Rom. V. 2, 10. Col. i. 20, 2f. Ifa. liv. 8, — xo. and Ivii, 19. and xxvii. 4, 5. Pfilm v. 12. James ii. 23.- — Chrift having fatisfied his Father's law and juftice to tiie n;termort, Luke xxiv. 26 Ifa. liii. 10. Heb. ii. 9, 10. and V. 7, 8. I Pet iii 18. and ii. 24. Mat. xx. 28. John x\ii. 4. we are folemnly configned into the hands of Inlinite merry, that God .may exert ail his influence in pvomo'ln"* our happinefs, Pfalm v.'7, 8. and xxiii. 6. and Jxi. 7, auvl XX \i-' Ml4 ^ J U ST I PICqATI ON. -xxxi. 19. Deut, xxxili. 27,-^-29. Ifa, Ixlli. 7.— r*Ghr«'. 6,-4,|fe 10. Zech. xiii. 7 A£ts ii. 23. andiv. 27, 2Bv-we are fet up as the marks of God's infinite love, that till its bleffings may be p|fl|ed at, and conferred on us, through ^1 eternity, Pfalm^^i. 18, 19. and Ixxii. 17. Eph, i, 3, —14. andii. 4, — 10. Rom. v. 17,18,20,21, Tit.iii. 5,6, j. Chrift having for our fakes become poor by the'curfe, 2 Cor. viii. 9. Mat. viii. 20. we, by our juftincation, have all his unfcarchable riches, all the fulnefs of God, fecured for us, Pfalm IzxxT. U^-i 2. and Ixxiv. 11. and ciii. 4, 5:. and xxxiv. 8, — 12. H|Priv. 19. Eph. iii. 8, 19. Evils, from every airtH, having purfued Chrift by virtue of tl\e curfe, Pfalm Ixix. 1,2, 14, 15. Ifa. liii. 4, 5, 8, 10. Pfalm xxii. I,— 2(. our juftification infallibly fecures us from e- very real evil, and draws bleffings on us from every airth, Pfalm xci. 10. and ciii. 3. xxxiv ; xxxvii. Job v. 15,- — 26. 1 Pet. iii. 13. Job i. 10. ^The curfe, having deprive^ Chrift of his comforts, and made even his ncareft connexi- ©ns diftrefsful to him, John xix. 11. Mark iii. 21. John vii ; viii. Mat. xxvi. 69, — 73. God, in executing his juf- tifying fentence on us, muft make all things work, for our fpiritual and eternal advantage, Rom. viii. 28. 2 Cor. iv. 17, and xii. 7, — 10. Phil. i. 16, 19. Pfalm cxix. 71. Ifa. xxvii, ^. Mic. vii. 14. Heb. xii. 6, — 11. James i. 3, 12. i Pet. i. 7. More particularly, — in this life, I. It operates on our soul, (t.) The curfe having fe- parated Chrift from much comfortable fellowfhip with his Father, Pfalm xxii. i, 2. Mat. xxvii. 46. juftification opens our free accefs to the moft intimate fellowftiip with all the divine perfons, Heb. x. 19, — 22. 1 John i. 3, 7. Eph, ii. 18. and iii. 12. John x. 7, 9. 2 Cor. xiii. 14. Hence, in the very moment of our juftification, regenerating influ- ences from God flow into our foul, and renew all its pow- ers after the image of God, notwithftanding all that Satan, the world, and our inward corruptions can do to the con>. trary, Rom. v. 12, 15, 20, 21. and vi, 14. and vii. 4. GaL ii. 19. and vi. 15. 2 Cor. v. 17, 18. And thus, in confe- •qucnce of Chrift's divine power and holinefs, keeping his manhood perfectly holy even under the curfe, we, under the juftifying fentence, through fellowftiip with him and his Father and Spirit, ^ave our primitive beauties of holin?|s ieftorcd, Ezek. :i.vi, 8, — 14. Pfalm xlr. 11, 13, 14, Song i, 15. and (^ Justification'. ^%^ ijj arnd-if. 14. and iw. I,— .5, 7* and vi. 4, ^. and vii.^'j^^*- 6, (2.) As, notwithftanding his being under: the law, tnadfe Hn, and made a cur fe for us, Chrifk continued ^erfeiUy free from finful defilement, and flourifhed inholinei| 2 Cor. V. 21. i Pet. ii. 2-2. Ifa. liii. 9. — we, bein-gjuftificd, and lo no more under the law, but under gJftK, fin hath no morfc dominion over us, but holinefs dwenlf reigns, and grada* .ally fills all the faculties of our foiri, Rom. vi. 14. Col. ii. "*3' ]°^^ '^'- ^- 2 Cor. V. 17. our underftanding is mad« iight in the Lord, Hof. ii. 20. Eph. v. 8. 1 Cor. ii. 15. our confcience is made pure and tender, Heb. ix. 14. 2 Kings ■xxii. 19. 1 Tim. i. 5. Heb. x. 22g|Wir will is inclined to e- very thing good, 2 Cor. v. 19. Fmmx ex. 3. Phil. iii. 7,-* 9. our affe£lions replaced in their proper order and bentj Luke vii. 47. Pfalm xviii. 2. and cxvi. i. Rom v. 5 and vii. 24. Pfalm cxxxrx. 1 7, 20. our memory retentive oi goo4 and ready to forget injuries and trifles, Heb. viii. 10, — ^^12. Pralmxlii.6. Gen. xlviii. 3. (3.) The curfe, having fixed on Chrift, confined him in his humbled eftate, till he had fulfilled all the condition of the new covenant, Liike xxivi 26, 46. Heb ii. 9, 10- and v.' 8. juftification fecures us in our happy ftate to all eternity, that all his purchafed blef- lings may be fully conferred on us, and all our grateful, ho- ly ferviccscompleated, Rom. v. 8, 10. and viii. 3.?, — 39. t Pet. 1.5. Satan may tempt, but (hall be defeated, i Cor. X. 13. Heb. ii. 14, 15. the world may flatter, or frown, but ihall be overcome, John xvi. 33. i John v. 4. fin may ftruggle and prevail, but ftiall never reign, nor pufli to the unpardonable crime; and fhall at laftbe compl.eatly deflroy- ed, Rom. vii, 23, 25. 1 John iii. 8, — 10. Mark iii. 29. Pfalm ciii. 3. Mic. vii. 19. (4.) Notwithftanding the in- creafing of his fufFerings under the curfe, Chrift increafed in wifdom and grace, and learned obedience by the things which he fufFered, Luke ii. 40, 52. Ifa. xlii. 4. and xi. 2, Heb. V. 8. And, under the influence of our juftifying fen- tcnce, our implanted liolinefs increafeth, and though limple in itfclf, Eph. v. 8. John iii. 6. is formed info a number of particular graces, and Chriftian tempers, which are exercii- ed in good works, Rom. v. 1, — 5. Gal. v. 22,23. 2 Pet. i. 4, — 8. Pfalm Ixxxlv. 7. John xvii. 9. Prov. iv. 18. one of which ordinarily predominates in our heart and life, even as fome particular finfnl lud: doth under the influence of the curie, Rom. iv. 20. Num. xli.3. James v. i r. i Kings iv. 30. with Heb. xii. T. Pfalm xix. 13. and xviii. 23. (5.) Nptwithftanding Chiifl's inrrcafing holiuefs of human na- G g g^ ture, ^4i6 Of Justification. ■• ■ , "^ -' .' ■■■{ ->:ov2.: ture, and his more and more afEduous fervice of God, feljfe curfe increafed his fufferings towards the end of his humbled Jife onArth, i Per. iii i8.andii. 24. Phil, ii. 8. Heb v., 7, — 6. mat. iv, — xxvil Ijuke ivj — xxiii. John ir, — xix — ^ •And, to revvarJ ourJjMieying progrels in holinefs, ourjuf- tifying fentence poii^roown ipecial favours on ns, Mat. xiij, 12. and xxw 29. Ih Ixiv. 5. Pialm. xix, ri- Ifa. iii. io.>-:t- To reward our receiving of the word with ail readinefs of mind, it fecures further illumination, lia. xxxii. 3. John yiii. 32. Hof. vi. 3. — ^To rewa'rd our lowlinefs and tender- nefs of heart, fofteningi|^uences are beftowed, Ifa. Ivii. i^^ Prov. iii. 24. — To rew^li our holinefs of converiacion, pu- rifying influences are added, Mat. v, 8. 2 Cor. iii. 18. Rev. iii. 4. To reward our care, to keep our confcience void of offence, and maint?in a prudent behaviour, further wif- dam is granted, Dan ii. 21. John vii, 17. Prov. ' i. 5. and ix. 8. To leeward our faithful and ftedfafi rcfiflence of temptation, — fupport under, and deliverance from it, are fecured, Rev ii. jo. 1 Cor. x- 13. (6.) The curie having filled Chriil's foul with moll: drea 1. 1 Tim. i. 12. ..II. It operater. on our bodies, (r.) As under the influ- ence of the curie, Chrifl, in his incarnation, afTumed the likenefs of llnful Eelh, Rom. viii. 3. fo, being juftified, oitr body is for the Lord, i Cor. vi. 13, \^^ 19, 20 its teaden- cy to unfit our foul for holy duties is gradually fubdued, .1 Cor. ix. 27. Rom. xiii. !i, — 14. and it will at length. be freed from all iinful pollution, Phil, iii. 21. i Cor. xv. 44. (2.) By virtue of the curfc lying on him, Chriit's body had no form or comelinefs, his face was more marred than any man, Ila. lii.14. and liii. 2,3. — through juilificarion our body is walhed with pure water, and fanclsfied, Heb^. x. 22.. I ThefT. v. 2:3. i-; no more under the dominion of llnful flelh, but its members configned and fitted to be.inftruments- of rightecufnefs, our ears to hear God's voice,— our eyes to behold Luke ii. 29. Phil. i. 22, 23.— The curfe bav;ir.g elscliided God's comforting prefence from Chrift in his agonies jof deathj^felm xxii. i , 2 Mat. xxvii. 46,— juftification fecurcs for us wK fupportxng, if not comfortable prefence and influ.» ence, and tranfports our foul to bis immediate fellovvlHo by it, Pfalm xxiii. 'ifi and xlviii, 14. Rev, xxj. 22, — :/\. Pfalm xliii. 4- 1 Cor. xv. 28 The curfe having exerted all its force upon Chrift in his death, and made him expire uri- der the dreadful preffure of divine wrath, Ifa.liii. 4, — 8, 10. Pfalm xl. 12. and xxii. 14. Zech. xiii. 7. juftification will, by death, put an end to all our troubles of body or mind, and introduce us to in(p>nceivable happinefs, Rev. xxi. 4. and xiv. 13. Jfa. Ix. 20. 2 Cor. v. 4. Jfa. ivii. i, 2. Pfalmi Ixxili. 24. Chrift's death being flinged by the curfe, he met it with agony and terror, Mat. x:^vi. 38. and y,^vv.. 46. John xii. 27. Heb. v. 7. — but our death, being difarmed and fweetene^. by our juftifying fentence, we may meet it with compofure and joy, Pfalm xxiii, 4. Luke ii. 29, 30, 2 Tim, iv, 6,-rr-8. (2,) In the removal of' our foul to the eter- nal Jiate, The curfe having led Chrift to the flaughter,-and niade hjm appear before his Father's tribunal, laden with the fins of j\ll his eledt, Ifa. liii. 6, 7. — juftification will then cover our fins, and make our imperfeffl obedience of faith to appear and be accepted, Rev. xiv, 13. Mat, xxv. 34,-40, Under the curfe, every fin imputed to Chrift drew its pu-, rithment along with it, Ifa.- liii, 4, — 6. — juftification will then make every acl of our gofpel-obedierice draw along with it its gracious reward, Matth. xxv. 21, 23,-^The curie having deb-^rred Chrift's foul from all deliverance, till he bad made full atonement for our fin, a/id brought in arre- yerlafting righteoufnefs, Mat, xxvi. 39, 42. Luke xxlv. 26, 46. jtiftificatiori, through his atonement and interccflion, fecures tiie eternal welfare of our foul, and the readinefs of -heaven to receive us, i John ii, i, 2. Rom. v. 17, 21^ John >iv. 2. (3) InX-hzfeptrrats fate of our^^fculs. The curfe having funk Chrift into aji horrible pit, Pfalm xh 2. and Ixix. I, 2. — ^juftification wi]l place our departed fouls on thrones of glory, John xiv. 2, Rev. iii. 21. Chrift having had the cup of God's indignation poured into him by the turfe. Mat. xxvi. 39, 42. John xviii. 11. and xii. 27. Pfalm ex. 7. Ifa. liii. 3, 4, we, by the juftifying fentence, Ihall, at God's right-hand, be filled with fulnefs of joy and plea- furcs for evermore, Pfalm xvii 15. and xvi. 11. Ifa. Ix. 19, 20, The curfe having furrqundcjd Chrift with ungodly men arid ) Of -Jus T>rKi c A'T ro n: 41 jj^ and dcvHs/'attd appointed. hls-grave with th^'wldecilj ^hXl xxiL li.Jfa. liii. 9. Juftification Ihall place our louls i* mong holy angels, fpirits of juft men made pe5|Bft> and chiefly whh divine perlbns, Heb. xii. 22, — 24. PlK i. 23; Jotin xvii. 24. (4) \t\Xhe condition of our dead bodyi The curfig having fliut up Chrift in his grave as in a prilon, Ifj. liii. 8, Pfalm xl. 2. and Ixix. 14, juftification renders our grave a place prepared and perfumed by God foi'' our fccii- xity and rell, iia. Ivii. 1,2. Job xiv. 13. — Some fe-u its of fin continued fixed by the curfe on Chrift in his grave, Ifa. lii?. 9, 12. Matth. xxvii. 6^^ 66. By juftification we will ly in bur grave, with all our fins biotteikout, and wrapped in his everlafting righteoujhefs, Mic. vii. 19. Ifa. xxvi. 19, 20. — 'Even under the curfe, Chrift*s body faw no corruption in the grave, Pfalm xvi. 10. A£ts ji. 27, 32. and xiii. 34, 35. Under our juftifying fentence, our bodies (hall be dilTolved in our grave, for their purification and glorious refurre£lion, I Cor, XV. 36, 42,— r45, Job xix. 26, 27. (5 ) In our re- furreEliiii. Chrill having, under the curfe, with his vifage more marred than any man, paid all our debt and fulfilled all our legal fervice, Ifa. lii. 14. and liii. 2, 3. Dan. ix. 24. I Pet. ii. 24. and iii. 18. Mattth. xx. 28. Tit. ii. 14. Eph. V. 2. we, under the juftifying fentence, Ihall be raifed ia glory to receive the reward, i Cor. xv. 41, — 44. Phil, iii, 21. Pfalm xvii. 15. and xvi, 10, 11. Dan. xii, 2, 3. Matth. XXV. 21 , 23? Chrift having under the curfe, endured defer- tion and ignominy, Matth. xxvii, 46 Ila, 1. 5, 6. and lii. 14. and liii, 3,4, 7. Matth. xxvi; xxvii. our juftification fhall place us as his ranfomed members in diftinguifhed ho- nour, Matth. XXV. 33, 34. I ThefT. iv. 17. Col. iii. 4,-i— God his judge, having, through the interpofing curfe, ap- peared in terrible majefty to Chrift, Pfalm Ixxxix. 38. Zech. xiji. 7, Chrift our judge will, through our interpofing juf- t jficatiouj appear to us in the moft delightful and engaging form. Job xix. 25, — 27. 2 ThefT. i. lo. Heb. ix. 28. Tit. ij. £3.-rrrThe curfe having imprinted upon Chrift its moft vi- fible marks of infamy and wo. Gal. iii, 13. Matth, xxvi; xxvii.— the holy fru tsof our juftification (hall be proclaim- ed for our, and for Jeius' and for Jehovah's honour, in his redemption work, Matth. xxv. 34,-40. — Chrift having been by the curfe, publicly condemned and executed, Gai. iii. 18. I Pet. jii. 18. Heb. xiii. 12. John xviil; xix. our juftifying fentence Ihall be publicly proclaimed by Chritl, •before all angels and men, and ordered into immediate ami full execution, Matth. xxv. 34, 46. (6.) In our e(>mpUnf I ^2R Of JySTXF-ip^TJOJT. P &nd eternal happtnefs. The curfe. haying £but up Chrift for a time to lamentation, mourning, and wo, Ifa. liii 2i 3» .5^* 4|fr •'* juAiiied, having returned from the tribunal .witlli 4k^ "^"^ cveilafting joy on our heads, fhall be unal- terably fixed in the higheft felicity, Rev. iii. 12. i TheF. iv. 17. — The curfe havhig for a time debarred Chrift from Jjja Father's prefence and fmiles, we, through our juilitica- tion, flinll be for ever with the Lord and lee him as he is, -r-all our oivn, i ThelT. iv. 17. j John iii. 2. f Cqr. xiii. 12- and XV. 2B.— The curfe fixed on him, having made Go.d to take pleafure in bruiting his own Son, Ifa, Ijii. 10. Zecl). xiii. 7. our juftiiicatigji Ihall have its full execution in God's laying on us an exceeding and eternal weight of glo- ry> Rom. v, 17, 2\. and vi. 23. Pfalm xvi. i i. and xxx.i. 19. Zeph. iii. 17, Ifa. Ix. 19, 20 2 Cor. iv. 17. Rev, ii. 7, 17. and jii. 4, 5, 12, 21, When we confider the infinite knowledge, equity, and faithfulnefs of God the juftifier, we muft conclude, that nothing can be the ^r(??(r«:juiied, as any neceflary qualification ; ♦put is, the very reception or application of the pardon, (q:) None can repent evangelically, while they remain under the lu\v as .-^ covcmnt, which is the ftrength of fin, i Cor. xy. 5.6. — nor turn to God with fell purpofe of heart till they ^apprehend him gracious and merciful, forgiving iniquity, jtran^grefTion and fm, Ifa. Iv. 7, Hof, xiv. i,. — 3, 8. Jer. iii. 4, 5, 12, — 14, 22. Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7. ,. Objec. I. " We are called to turn and repent, in order id obtain the pardon of our fins, Jcr. iii. 12, 13, 14, 22. Ifa. Iv. 7. Rev. ii. 4, 5. and iii. 19. Pfalm xxxii. 4, 5. Acts ii. 28. and iijk 19. and viii. 22." Answ. Turning in the two firft mentioned, and other like, texts, at leaft, includes faith or comings which receives pardon, Jer. iii 22. Ifa. Iv. 1 » 3, 7* Tbe three next texts relate to fuch as are in Chrift, and (;nly need God's fatherly pardon. Thst text, Ac);s ii. 38. merely reprefents, that repentance is neceffary in adult perfons to prepare them for baptifm, thefeal of pardon. la Ach iii. 19. perhaps rtpetitance means but a change of mind as cQav(:rfion is fubjoined to it. Or, repentance and con- verfioo taken for the iame thing, may mean our whole cx- crcife of turning to God by faith and love. Bcfides, the pardon here mentioned may denote the declarative pardon publifhedin the lafi judgment. Nay, the words have been rendered. Repent therefore hecaufe of the blotting out of your. fiHs. In Aifts viii. 22 repentance includes turning to God by faith, as well ?.s by grief for, and hatred of fin. Objj-.c. ii, '♦' Many promiles and threatenings of fcrip- ♦ure fvilpentl the pardcn of ou-r fins on our true repentance, 1 K'nps viii. 47, — JO. 2 Chron. vii. 13, 14. Prov. xxviii. 13. Luke, xvii 3, 5. 1 John i. 9." Answ. Th^ iaft of thtfe texis refpefts believers and fatherly pars^ons, i John ii. 12, 13, 14. Ail the reft, immediately refpt-i^ the out- wurd hiippineis of the Jewifh natisn, which we readily grant to have been not a litfle fufpended, on their good behaviour. . In Piov. xxviii, 13. Luke xiii. 35 f, pardon of fin is not ip^ntioned : but it k merely iuggefttd, that repentance is H'h ii aa 424 O/" JUSTIFICATON. an excellent mean of averting mifery and receiving happinefs. Nay, in Luhcy no mor€ but the infeparable connexion be- tween final impenitance, and fearful ruin is declared. Now tbougl^ur wicked works, be certainly damning, it will not followj^hat our good works will certainly fave us, Rom v. 21. and vi. 23. wijh Lev. xxvi. Deut. xxviii. Amos i ; — iv, Ezek. xviii. IV. None of our otcn good works can be pur Juftify- ing righteoufnefs. { i.) The fcripture plainly excludss them from the leaft room in the ground of our juftificatioa, Job ix. 2, 3. Pfalm cxxx. 3, 4. and cxliii. 2. Rom. iii. 19, 20, 28. and iv. 4, 5, 6. Gal. ii. i(5, 21. and v. 4. Phil. iii. 8, 9. (2.) The imperfection of our beft works renders them altogether unaniwerable to the demands of God's law, i Kings viii. 46. Eccl. vit. 20. James iii. 2. Ifa. Ixiv. 6. Pfalm xiv. I, — 4. and liii. 1, — 4. Rom. iii 10,— 20,23. Nay fup- pofe they were perfeft, they could not fatisfy for offences already committed, Rom. vi. 23. Heb. ix. 22. (3 ) Our juftification including pardon of fin, and being wholly of free gracty excludes all human works from being the ground of it, Tit. iii. 3,-7. Eph. i. 7. Col. 14. Rom.v, 1.7, — 21, and iii 24 and xi. 6. Objec. I. *' David, Hezekiah, Nehemiah, and other faints plead, that God would judge them according to their works, Pfalm vi). 8. Ila. xxxviii. 3. Neh. v. 19. and xiii. 14,22." Answ. (i.) None of thei't; texts relate to the juftification of thefe men's perfons, that being compleated, long before j but reprefent their defire that God, as king of nations, and particularly of Il'rael, would manifcft and reward their innocence or goad deeds, with fome temporal favours, (2.) Thefe very men betake themfelves wholly to the iovereign and great mercy of God, for their eternal fal- vation, Pfalm cxxx. 4. Neh. xiii. 22. Ifa. xxxviii. 17. Objec. II. " Abraham, Rahab, and others were juftifi' ed by their good works, James ii. 2r, — 25,'' Answ. (i.) James who maintains juftification, and ?aul, who denies juftificatioa by works, both mean the fame kind ofivorhs. James treats of works, which manifeft a true and lively faith, and fear of God in the heart, James ii. 14, 25. Paul means works of righteoufnefs, Tit. iih 5. works required in God's law,- Rom. iii. 20, 28. Gal. iii. 10, r 1.— good works ro which wc are created in Chrift, Eph. ii. 10. But (2.) Thev mean very different kinds of faith. In difcourfing of juftification, Paul alway fpeaks of the faith of God's de£^, by 0/" Justification'. ^2i by which men put on Chrift and his righteoufnefs, live in him and have him in them j and which faves them, and worketh by love, in an univerfal obedience to God's law, Tit* i. I. Rom. xiii. 14. G-.l; ii. 20. Phil. in. 9. Eph. iii. 17. and ii. 8. Gal. v. 6. 1 Tim. i. 5. But James fpeaks of a dead faith, a mere nominal faith, which worldly men have, and which brings forth no good works, (3.) They mean ve- ry different jufiijications. Paul, in his epirtles to the Romans and Galatians, means only that juftification of fiiiful men before God , in which he pardons their fin, enftates them in his favour, and gives them a legal right to everlafting hap- pinefs : and his fcope is to fhcw guilty men, mad on being juftified by their own works, how they may obtain true jul- tification of their perfons. — James never mentions- Juftifica- tion ^^ii>-;cluded from our ju.^ifving righ- tcoufnefs before God; for (j.) Why fhould the l^oly Gholl fo laborioufly difproye the admifl^on of fuch works as arc not to be found on earth, i Kings viii. /^6. Ecfl. vii. 428 0/" Justification. JO. Prov. XX. p.. James Hi. 2. Ifa. Ixiv. 6. and vi. 5. Rom. vii. 14, — 25. GaU V. 17. Phil. iii. 12 .' (2.) If only imper- {c£t wdlks juftify men, why doth the Holy Ghoft labour to perfuade us, that oui* works are ccndemnable, in proporti- on to their imperfection, Ifa. i. u, — 15. and xxix. 13.— (3.) How abfurd to exclude perfeft works, which fulfil the precept of the law, in order to introduce imperfeft works, which, as Juchy break the law, as our juftifying righteoulhefs before God, whofe judgment is according to truth, Rom, Xu i ? (4.) Paul, David, and other faints, renounced their pwn works, which they believed to be very imperfe<5t, from l>eing their juftifying righteoufnefs, Phil. iii. 8, 9. Rom. vii. 14, — 25. Pfalm cxliii. 2. and cxxx. 3, 4. (5.) How can imperfedt righteoufnefs be the righteoufnefs of God ^ — a righ' teoufnefs IN Jehovahy'-fine linen ^ clean and 'white y which readers men all fair, without fpot, unreprovabl-e in God's %ht. 2 Cor. v. 21. Ifa. xlv. 24. Pi.ev. x'o:. 8. Song iv. 7. Col. i. 21? (6.) How could God's juftifying men, in an imperfedl righteoufnefs of their, own, agree with his juftify- ing the «/;^»ith the authority of God, and is granted to us O/" Justification. 4^1 lis for our ii flru^ion, Ifa. ii. 3. Mic. iv. 2. Rom. iii. 27. but LAW doth not alway mean the decUired will of a pro- per foVereign, binding his Tubjefts to their due obedierlCe ; for*,' irfv^ard grace and corruption are reprefented as/^o^'/, Romi' Vii. 23, 2r. and viii. 2._ And that the gofpelis '~no fich 'ft^w faw zr, is pretended, is moft evident, (r.) The gofpel is reprefented as good or glad tidings to finfu! men, which it could not be, if it merely offered them happinels on conditions infinitely exceeding their ability, and contra- ry to their inclination. (2.) The gofpel is a manifefVatiort of the exceeding riches of God's grace. It reprefents the Father, as abounding in love, grace and mercy towar'cl hisenemies, John iii, 16, 17. i John iv. 9, ic, 16, 19. and iii. I. JEph.i. 3, — 8. and ii. 4, — 9. Ifa. xlii. <^, 7. and xlix. I, — 12. It manifefts Chrift the Son, in his perfon, God- man,— in his gracious name-i, offices, relations, vi'ork: and. fulncfs, for the benefit of finful men, — his humiliation ifs the price, and his exaltation as the immediate caufe of'our everlafting redemption, Matth. xx. 28. i Pet. i. 18, — 20. Ifa. iiii. 10, — 12. and Iii. 13, — 15. It abounds with pro- mifes, in which he and all things necefTary for their falvati- on, are freely offered to finful men, i Tim. i. 15. Ifa. xlii. 6, 7. £2ek. xxxvi. 25, — 31. It is full of gracious and unli- mited invitations and encouragements to them to accept of him aiid all his fulnels, as the free and unfpcakable gift of God to thM, Ha. Iv. I, — 7. Matth. xl 28. 2 Cor. v. 18, - — 21. Rev: xxii. 17. Prov. i. 22, 23. and viii. 4. and ix. '4, ^. (3.) Though the gofpel provide for the honourable 'fMltilntent of the law, both as a covenant and as a rule of life; !R(Sni.iu;'3f. Ifa. xlv. 24. Heb. ix. 14,-17. i Cot^.5. 30. I'CorVv'. 14,-17 Tit. ii u, — 14. and connect btir privilegfe^ with our duties to the honour of God's grace, I>ukei. 74, 75. Pfalm cxvi. 16 andcxix. 32, 166. 1 Gor, vi, 19, 20. 2 Cor. V. 14, 15. and vi 18. with vii i. I Johii iv 19. and iii. 2, 3 Rom. v, 21. with vi. i. Tit. ii. li,— 14. arid iii, 8, 14. ilcb. xii. 28. — yet the claims to eternal life by the law and by thegcifpel, are directly contrary, John i. vr. Heb. ill. 5, 6. and xii. 18, ■;4. Rev. iii. 20, 24. and iv. 4, 5 and V. 15, — 21. and vi. 23. and xi. 6. Gal. ii. 16, — 2:. and V. 2,4. (4) If this neiv Ai7i/ requires the fame obtfdience as the antit/J, it is unneteffary.^-lf it require*' a 10. (11*) How, in confiftence with his infi- ,nite holinefs, can God enaft a law, which conniveth at e- •very degree of finfulnefs., which is confiftent with Unceri'y ? Hab. i, 12, 13 Pfalm v. 4, 5. and xi. 6, 7. (12.) How- could Chrift die to procure a new law, which gives no fmall indulgence in, and to fin I — Is he a Saviour of men in their fin ? — a Saviour of Jin from the antient oppolition made to it by God's law I — a martyr for iin, to make that which was once held fm, to be no more fo ? For where no law is, there can be no tranfgreffion, Rom. iv. 15. and v. 13.— (13 ) How could ChrilVs mediation procure this fin-indulg- ing law } If God's juftice and holinefs require him to ad- here to the terms of the antieut law, — liow could the end of Chrift's mediation be to deftroy that juftice and holinefs ? If God's juftice required him to bring down his terms to men's abilities, how could the end of Chrift's mediation be to re- deem God from adhering to that which was unjuft .? ' ( 14 ) , •Thi'; 0/^ Justification. 4?3 This ncwr law mightily difcouragcth men's hoUnefs, and hinders their fpiritual comfort. For, how hard tcTknovr, if we come up precifely to its ftandard of sincerity, with- out which we are in a ftate of condemnation ? And, if wc go beyond it, who knows what may be done with our ur- required fupererogation ? II. If the covenant of grace made with Chrift and his people be one and the same, as hath been formerly prov- ed, his fultilrXJent of the condition of it, muft be imputed to them, to render them righteous in the^r new-covenant ftate before God, as their judge. Gal. iv. 24. Exod. xxiv. S. Zech. ix. 11. Matth. xxvi. 28. Heb. ix. 20. and xiii. 30. Rom. v. 12, — 21, 1 Cor. XV. 21, 22, 45. It hath been proved, that, in this covenant, every thing hath been un- dertaken for and promifed, that we can need, Ifa. liii.iO^,' • — 12. Gal. iii. 16. Heb. viii. 10, — 12 and that all the pro- mifcs of it with refpe^ to us are cither formally or reduc- tively abfolute ; and that f?.ith, repentance, and fincere 6- bedience, are promifed to us as GotVs free gifts, and not re~ t^mrtd zs proper conditions oi\x, Ezek. xxxvi' 25, — 32 Jer. xxxi. 32, — 34, and xxxii. 38, — 41. Hof ii. 19, 2q. Eph." ■ ii. 4, —9. Ads V. 3'. — and that the admiffion ol any adt or quality of ours as the condition, woukl deOroy the whole form and grace of it, as it flands oppofcd to the covenant of works, Rom xi. 6. Eph. ii. 4, — 9. and i. 3,6, 7, 8. Tit. iii. 5. li'ii, Iv. I, — 4. Rom. iii; 24. and v. 17, — 21. — it is alfo manifeft, that dying iofints are never capable of ading' faith, repentance, or lincere obedience. — Further, if God give U3 faith and repentance, before we enter into the new covenant, why might he not give us the whole blefiings of eternal life, without any condition performed by us ? If we obtain them, after we are in this covenant, how can they be conditions of our entrance into it ? ^^rhe fcriptureiie- ver reprefents the covenant of grace made with us, as ptir- chafed by or founded on the death of Chrill, but as flow- ing from the fovereign will of God. Nor is it conceivable, how a covenant promidng eternal life to finful men, fb def- perately wicked, on condition of their faith, repentance, or iincere obedience, could either be honourable to God, pro- fitable to them, or worthy of having the death ot Chrift for its foundation, Jcr. xvii. 9. Rom. viii. 7, 8. Gen. vi. 5- Matth. XV. 19. God's making this covenant with men, or putting to them, means, tlviit they are perfonally in- ftated in it, take hold of it, H»d acquiefce in the wliole 1 i i i tenor 434, ^ JpsTJFiCA-^T:IOl*. tenor of it, Jereoi. xxxi. 31, — 34. ami xxxii- 3S, — 41. J Sam. xxiii. 5. • III. In the new covenant, Chriil^ and his people are one. p.eyfon, in law-reckoning, he their Surety, and they his-, legal REPRESENTEES, I Cor. xii. 12. Heb vii. 22. Rom, viii. 3, 4, 29, 32, — 34. Eph. i. 3, — 7. Johnxvii. 4, 6. GA. 'in 20. and iv. 4, 5. The Hebrew hkhereb, Bitrttj, means one that mingles himfelf with others, or goeth foftly under their burden in law, Gen. xliii. 9. and xliv. 32,33. Neh, V. 3. Prov. vi. I. and xvii. 18. and xx. 19. Jer. xxx> 21, And the Greek en g yds is one that gives hand, and en-r gageth to pay for another, Heb. vii, 22. Chrill:, having become our Surety, all the debt which we ov/ed to the bro^ ken covenant of works was charged upon him, Plalm 3^1. 6, —8. Gal. iv. 4. -Onr Jifis tbemfelves, and not merely the ' ooligation to punifhment arhing from them were laid upon him, (r ) Scripture exprefly affirms this, Ifa. llii. 6, 11, 12. rPet. ii. 24. i Johniii. 4, 5.-^-Thus he was made fin for us, being charged with all the fins of his elect, 2 Cor. v. 21 (2.) The antient offerings, which reprefented him, had the iins of the offenders, for whom they were offered, laid up- on them, by the putting of their hands on them, before they were facriffced. Nay, the trefpafs-offerhigs and ffn-r offerings had the very name a sham, trefpafs^ and hha- TAAH,^//, given to them, Exod. xxix. 14, 36. and xxx. 10. Lev. iv. 3, 8, 14, 21, 24, 26, 27, 29, 35. and v. 7, 8, — 12. andvi.4, 17, 18,25,29,36. and vii. », i, |, 6, 7, 18, 37. and viii. 2. and ix. 2, 3, 7, 8, ic, 15, 22. and x, J 6, 17, 19. and xii. 6, 8 and xiv. 3, 13, 17, 1^,-^3,. and XV. 15, 30. andxvi. 3,6, 9, 10, 21,22, 25, 30, 34.andxx!ii. 19. Num. vi. il, 12. and viii. n. andxviii. 9, 22. and xix. 9, 17. and vii; xxviii ; xxix, &c. with Ifa. liii. 6, \o^, 4, 5, 8. Dan, ix. 24. Rom. viii. 3. 2 Cor, v. 21. (3) 'Fhe -yt'/v^ /-(?//«( as its effects, peace with God, fanftification, -fpiritual co-mfort, and eternil^lory are not, — cannot be, imputed, but really imparted to us^ We arc not relatively znd legallyy but really holy and happy in ihefe. (4,) If Chrift's righte- oufnefs itfelf be not imputed to us, fomc other righteoufnefs mull be imputed, as an infinitely righteous God cannot fuf- tain and declare us righteous in his fight, but oh a proper ground, Rom. ii. 2. (5.) If Chrift's righteoufnefs itfelf, iiot its effci^s,. fatisfied the demands of the broken la^ un- der which we were held as offenders, that righteoufnefs it* felfj not its effects, muft be imputed to us, that God, as a righteous judge, may be fatisfied with us, Rom, viii. 3, 4. and ^. 4. Gal. iv. 4, 5. (6.) If Chrift's righteoufnefs itJelf be the ground, on which be pleads for us, in his intercef- fion, and we by faith plead for ourfelves, itfelf, not its ef- fe«^s, muft be imputed to us, Rev. viii. 3, i John ii. i, 2. Heb. ix. 24. and vii- 25. and x. 10,-22. (7.) If Adam's fin itfelf was imputed to us, the very righteoufnefs of Chrift mufi: be imputed to us, to counterbalance that, and all o- ther tranfgrefllons, chargeable againft us, in law, Rom. v. 1,2,— rri\. I Cor. XV. 21, 22, 45, — 49.- Now, if Chrift, as our furety, be one with us in the view of God's broken law J — if our fins themfelves >^ere charged upon, and fatis- fied for by hjm, without regard to any condition to be per- formed by US} and if his righteoufnefs itfelf be imputed to Vs, as our fins were to him, — ^it neceffarily becomes our juf- tjfying righteoufnefs •, and being fully aniwerable to all the demands of that law, by which we muft be juftiried, it leaves no room for any thing elfe, as our juftifying righteoufnefs hefore God, Rom, v. 16,^^21. 2 Cor, v, 21. Jer. xxiii. 6. and xxxiii. i<5. Ifa, xlv. 24. IV, The fcripture, in an infinity of texts, rcprefents that righteoufnefs, which Chrift fulfilled under the broken co- \cnanv of works, in our ftead, as our only juftifying righte- carncis before Godj Job. xxxlii. 53, 24. Ifa. xlv. 24, 25. and ^^ JUSTIFICATIOK. 435^ and lili. 4, ^,6^ 8, io,'ii, .I2. and xlii. 21. and xlvu la. arfd litf. 17. arid Ijti. 10. Jer. xxiii. 6. and xxxiii. 16. (whick ought alway to be read, He, ivhofmll call her, is t\}e Lord our righteott/nefSfyDAu. ix. 24, 26. Zcch. iii. 4. Matth, xx* 28. and xxvi, 28. John i. 29. Rom. i. 17 and iii. 2t, — 26, -31; and iv; 6, 11,25. and v. 10, 11, 12, — 21. and viii. 2, 3i 4> 32) 33> 3^- an^ »x. 31, 32. and x. 3, 4. i Cor. i. 30. 2 Cor. V. 2i. Gal. ii. 16, 20, 2i. and iii. 3, 14- and iv. 4, 5^ and V. 2, 4. Eph. i. 7. and v. 2, 25, — 27. Phil. iii. 8, p. Tit. ii. 14. Hcb. i. 3. and ix. 12, 14, 15, 28. andx. io> -14, 1 3, — 22. and xiii. 12. I Pet. i. 18, — 20. and ii. 24* and iii. 18. 2 Pet. i. i« i John i. 7. and ii. i, 2. and iv. 9, 10. Rev. i. 5, 6. and v. 9. and iii. 18. and xix. 8. Nor are his holinefs of hnman nature and obedience of life Ids imputed to us, than his fufFerings for fin. (i.) The law as a broken covenant, by which we mufl: be juftified, demand- ed thefe as well as his fufFerings for fin, Rom. ii. 13. GaL iii. 12. with Heb. ix. 22. Matth. iii. 15. with Luke xxiv. 26, 4^. (2.) Eternal life is never annexed to mere fuffer- ingfr, but to holy qualities and fervices, as the condition of it, Gal. iii. 12. Matth. xix. 17. Rom. x. 5. and ii. 13. Lev. xviii. 5. Ezek. xx. 11, 21. (3.) Mere enduring of punifhment is not a righteoufiiefs at all, as it doth not an- fwer the commands of God's law, Rom. v. 19. 2 Cor. v. 21. And, in damned angels 'and men, is no fatisfa£lion at all, as it doth not proceed from any cheerful regard to God's law. (4.) That obedience of Chrilt, which is dirc£tly con- trary to Adam's difobedience, muft be the ground of our juftification, and conftitute us righteous in law, Rom. v. 19. Phil, ii. 6, — 8. and iii. 9. Eph. i, 6. Dan. ix. 24. {5.) Chrift never being under the broken law, nor owing it any obedience, for himfelf, but for us, all his obedience to k .rtiift b6 imputed to us, in whofe room he fuIBiled it, Gal. iv. 4, 5. Rom. viii. 3, 4. (6.) Believers, being united to Chirift and clothed with hisrighteoufnefs, are not bound to perform any obedience to the law as a broken covenant, but merely to obey it as a rule of life, in the hand of Chrift, Rom. vi. 14.- and vit. 4, 6. and viii. 2. Gal. ii. 19, 20* and v. 18. Objec. r. « If Chrift's fulfilment of the broken law be imputed to us as our juftifying righteoufnefs, than our ho- linefs of heart and life are rendered unnecelTary." Answ« Holinefs of heart and good works are neceffviry fruits and e- vidences of our jnftification, — and neceflary parts of our fal- v^tion, as will hsreafter be proved. But they are not ne,. celfaryj 43^8 0/" Justification. ceffary cpndttioins of our juftification,. or of our enjLra^ce into a ftate of falvation : for (i.) Many infants are; jp4- tnitted to union with Chriit, juftification, and even, hea- ven itfelf, before ihey can perform any good "tropics* ^^a^nc X. 14. (2.) No truly*good work can be performed by adult perfons, til! they be aftually entered into a ftate of falvation, Rom. vii. 4, 6. Eph.i ii. 10. i Cor. xv. 56. (3.) Scripture teprefents falvation as founded only upon God's free grace reigning through the righteoufnefs of Chrifl; j arid as an In- heritance ^ii;?// f^i ?/x, not pur chafed by us y Eph. \u 7» $. and i-' 7, II, 14. Rom. vi. 23. and v. 21. and viii. 1^. 17* Johnx. 9, lOj 15, 16, 26, — 29. Tit.iii. 3, — 7. Gal. iii. 18, 29. and iv 30,31. (4.) Ifourjuftification or falvation de- pend at all upon our good works, it muft depend wholly tipon them, Gal. v. 2, 4. and ii. 21. Rom. xi. 6. and iv« 4, I4. (5.) All our good works performed in' faith, fuppofe tMT preceding^ full, and everlafting juftification, and intereft in eternal falvation, through Chrift's righteoufnefs •, and are hot performed under that law, by which men are adjudged to eternal happinefs, Rom. vii. 4, 6. and vi. 14. and viii. 2. Gal. ii. 19, 20. and v, 2, 4, 18. i Cor. ix. ^r, Objec. II. " Though ChrilVs imputed righteoufnefs juf- tify us againft the demands of the law as a broken covenant, we liiuft have a righteoufnefs of our own to juftify us an- fwerably to the demands of the gofpel, as Chrift did not fa- tisfy for our unbelief and final impenitence againft it." Answ. (i.) We have already proved, that the gofpel is no new laiv^ demanding duties from men. (2.) If where no law is, there is no tranfgreflion, Rom iv. 15. and xv. 13. I John iii. 4 ; — what can be fin againft the gofpel, that is not fin againft the law ! Where doth God's law allow un- belief Or impenitence, more than his gofpel doth, i John jii. 23. Ezek. xxxiii. ii. (3.) Chrift as little fatisfied for the other fins of reprobates, as for theif final impenitence and unbelief, John x, 11, 1 5. Ifa. liii. 5, 6, 8, 19, 11. (4.) He fatisfied for all the fins of his eleft, their impenitence and unbelief, which otherwife would have been final, hot excepted ; and his blood applied to their confcience clean- feth from all fin, Ifa. liii. 6. i P^t. ii, 24. Dan. ix. 24^ l John i. 7, 9- . .:;., ChriiVs forety righteoufnefs being fulfilled in our nature, name and ftead is ours in thefe refpefts In confequence hereof, God, in the gofpel promife, exhibits and gives it to us, in, and with Chrift himfelf, Ifa. xlv. 24. and xlvi. 12. and liv. 13, 17. It Ij imjjuted -io onr perfon in God's aft of uni't- QT JUSTIFICATIONT. 439 Mhttiti^ UTtb Chrift, and is received by faith alone,' together witfi, and in him, Ifa. Ixi. lOsyi Cor. v 21 . Phil. ui. 9. Gal. il i6.--Imputation is thereckoningof feme quality, deed or Aiffering to a perfon's account, that h6 may be dealt with accordingly. — It is either of* that which he really perform- ed or fuffered himfclf, Gen. xxx. 33. Pfalm. cvi. 31. 2 "Sam. xix. 19. Acls vii. 6q. Lev. xvii. 4. or is fuppofed to have done, r Kings i. 21. — or, of that which was done or fuifered by another, who ftood in his room. — As the Ifrael- ites bore the iniquities of their fathers and kings, as Jero- boam, ManafTeh, Num. xiv. 33. Exod. xx. 5. Some have founded imputation on parentul magiftratical relation. But here, though the bearers, as irrational creatures often do, fliare in the deferved eiFedts of their parents and governors Uns, they are not thereby conftituted criminals in law reck- cni.ig; and fo there Is no proper imputation at all. But, all proper imputation of that which is done, or fuffered by another, muft be founded on fuch a relation between the doer or futferer, and him to whom his deeds and fufferings are imputed, as conftitutes them one perfon in the view of the law. Hence, when debts, fin, or righteoufnefs, is im- puted, the imputer becomes debtor, offender, or righteous in Uiw-teckoning, Philem. 18. Gen. xliii. 9. and xliv. 32. Rom^ V. .I2j 19. — It is therefore plain, (i.) That God who is ahinfirtitely exaft judge, can impute nothing to a perfon, but for that vi'hich it really is in itfelf, perfe«St or imperfe«St, Rom. i'l. 2. Gen xviii. 25. (2.) That the imputation of that, which we do or fuffer ourfelves, is a mere legal char- ging of that to our account, which was perfonally ours be- fore : But the imputation of that which was owing, done, or {uffered by another, in our ftead, imports a legal com- munication of it to us. (3.) That the imputation of that which was our own, in every refpeft before, as well as the imputation of Adam's firft fin to us, imports ftri^l juftice ; but the imputation of our fins to Chrill, in order to his making atonement for them, and the imputation of his righteoufnefs to us, is of free grace, to the glory of God's juftice. (4.) That, in juft imputation, no perfons can be judged ^/;nfrj or r^-'tor/x, who are not really fuch upon fuflicicnt grounds, in law reckoning. (5.) That imputati- on includes no infufion of fin or righteoufnefs into the na- ture of the imputees, nor any conferring upon them the re- wards or effetfls of it. But, it is a legal charging of that debt, fin, or righteoufnels, to us, which was in fome re- fpc 5' ^> lo, II. Eph. i. 3, 6, 7. :fu..^,.M.-7ov, It is not perfe^ly agreed, whether God's a£t' imputing the righteoufnefs of Chrift to us, or ovr receiving it by faith» which are perfe<^ly contemporary, be tJrrt in order of nature •, nor is either fide without its difficuhies. My poor thoughts are, (i.) That while we continue under the condemning fentence of the bro-ken covenant of works, there can be no real habit of grace or acl of faith, any more than perfeft ho- linefs or happinefs, i Cor. xv. 56. Ptora. vi. 14. and vii. 4. and viii. 2.. Eph. ii. 10. Gal. iii. 10, 13. and h. 4, r^. (2.) That God's circumcifion of our heart and writing his law in it, 19 the confequence of his pardoning our fins^ Heb. viii. 10, ir, 12. Col. ii, 13. (3.) As in Adam all men die, fo in Chrift all his eleft are made alive, i. c. God's im- • poitation of Chrift's righteoufnefs iffueth in his implantation of grace in our heart, even as his imputation of Adam's firft fin, ifTueth in. his withholding original righteoulriefs, in the formation of our foul, and in the fuWequeat corruption of our nature, i Cor. xv, 22.. (4.) That the beginning of our real eternal life depends on the imputation of Chrift^s righ- teoufn^is as well as the progrefs and perfection of it, i John V, T2. (5 ) It is given us on thebehalf of Chrill to believe, Phil, i;., 29. and we obtain precious faith through, the righ- teoufnefs of God our Saviour, 2 Pet. i. r. (6.) God's im- putation of Chrift's righteoufnefs may as well precede the exiflence or agency of our faith in order cf nature, — as Chrift's a£l of uniting ns to himfslf, and God's a£l of rege- nerating us- in, Clirift may, in order of nature, precede that faith, by which v CHAP. III. Of Adoption. '^ A NGELS arc called BonsofGody being made after his y"^ image, admitted into intimate familiarity with him, and having a kind of authority over inferior creatures, Job xxxviii, 7. and perhaps i. 6. and ii. i. But fome take the two laft texts to mean profeffed faints, as Gen. vi. j. Mattb. X'iii. ! 2. — In much the fame refpects, Ad^m was the Son of Gody Luke iii. 38. but fome apply that text to Chrift, who is the Son of God by natural, neccifary, and therefore e- tcrnal generation, Pfalm ii. 7. John i. 14, and iii. 16. Men are called/o«/ o/" Goi;/, (i.) Becaufe they are created, and preferred by him, Mai. ii 10. Ads xvii. 25, 28. Heb. xii. 9. (2.) Becaufe, they reprefent him as his deputies, in civil government, particularly in that which was typical, , Pfalm Ixxxii. 6. with John x. 34, — 36. (3.) Becaufe of their peculiar relation to him, as his fubjedts or chnrch- mcmbers, Gen. vi. 2. Mat. viii. 12. Exod. iv, 22. Deut. xiv. I. and xxxii. 10, 11. Rom. ix. 4, -Believers ai^ fans ofGod\x\ a very exalted m.anner, (r.) By their fpiritual marriage union with Jefus Chrift, his only begotten Son, Pfalm xlv. 10, II. John!. 12. with Exod. xxr. 9. (2."i By regeneration, in which they arefpiritually begotten or born in his image, by the renewing power of his Spirit, John i. 12, I ^. and iii, 3, 5, 6. James i. 1 8. I Pet. i. 3,23. and ii. 2. T John iii. 9, and v. 18. (3.) By adoption, in which they, who were by nature children of Satan, dlfobedience, and wrath, are, in confequence of the imputation of Jefus* righteoufnefs to them for their juftification, admitted mem-" hers of his family, by a concurrent, and abfolutely gracious '-^ a«^ of God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft, i John iii. 1. J<*r. iii, 4, 19. 2 Cor. vi. 18. Eph. i. 5. John i. 12. Rom. viii. 16. Gal. iv. 6. .Ir.L the ELECT, and they only, arc in their re- i ■ ; c've tima of love thus adopted, Eph. i. 5. Gal iii- 26. —Theie 0/" Adoption. 443 — Thefe under the Old Teftament were God's children. Job xxxiv. 36. Pfalm ciii. 13. Ifa. Ixiii. 16. Jcr. iii. 4, 14, 19. and xxxi. 20. — by fpiritual union to Chrill:, Ho(. ii. 19, •20; Ifa. liv. 5. Pfalm xlv, 9, — 14— tjy regeneration, iP,7ek. xxxvi. 26. andxi. 19,20. Pfalm U. 10. — and in refpecl of adoption and fpiritual heirlhip, Gal. iv. i. Pfalm xvi. ^,6. and xvii. 15.—- and as children they had fellowfliip with, him, Gen. V. 22, 24. and vi. 9. and xv. i. and xvii. r. Lam. iii. 24. Pfalm Ixxiii. 23, — 26, 28. and cxliii. 10. Heb. xi. 10. — Their adoption was as perfect as ours under the gof-. pel : — But the Lord ufed them as children under age. He prefcribed to them their natural food, and what they might touch, Lev. xi. Deut. xiv. Col. ii. 21. He much concealed himfelf from them, Ifa. xlv. 15, Mat. xiii. 17. The facrificial tokens of variance between him and them, were yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily renewed. Ca- naan was but an obfcure pledge of their heavenly inheri- tance ; and, though never to forget it in their prayers, they werefometimes driven from it. — r- — Under the New Tcf* tament, Chrift, having affumed our nature, and paid our debt, fets us his younger brethren free from the legal cere* monies and beggarly elem>ents of this world, John viii. 32, 36. Col. ii. 16, 20. He calls them to more fpiritual and reafonable fervice, Rom. xii. i, 2. i Pet, ii, 5. Heb. ix 10, ir. Mai. i. ri. Mat. xl. 30. Hof. xi. 4. He gives them more knowledge of, and intimacy with himfelf and his Fa- ther in him, Song viii, r, 2. John i. 18 and xiv. 9, 10. and XV. 15. Jer. xxxi. 34. i John ii, 20, 27. Ifa. liv. 13. and xlviii, 17. Eph. ii. 18. and iii. 12. I John i. 37. he allows them greater boldnefs in their approaches to God, and equal acccfs to him from every part of the world, Heb. X. 19, — 22. and iv. 14, — 16. and vii. 19. and xi. 40. John X. 7, 9. and xiv. 6. Rom. v i, 2, 3. Eph. ii. 18. and iii. 9, 12. Ifa. xix. 19. and xlv. 22. and liv. 5. Pfalm xxiv. i. and ii. 8. He bellows his Spirit upon them more abun- d.intly, Rom. viii. 15, — 17. Gal. iv. 4, — 6. Ifa. xliv. 3, 5^. Joel ii. 28* AOs ii. i Cor. xii. and calls them to more di- re(\ and immediate views of their fpiritual inheritance, Luke xxii. 29. Adoption into the famfly of Cod includes, I. ^d- vaticemtut to great honour. God, of his mere grace and love, reigning through the rightcoufneis of Jefus Chrift', traivflates us from tire family of Satan into his own, in which we have Rim for our new-covenant Father, Chrift, holy an- gols 444 ^f Ad^xption. geld, and faints for our fpiritual brethren, i Jolm uvi. Jer. iii. 19. John xx. 18. and are God*s prophets, priefts, and kings, anointed with the fame Spirit as Chrifl-, 1 John si. 20, 27. 2 Cor. i. 21, 22. I Pet. ii. 9. Rev. i. 5, 6. and v. 10. As prophets^ being enHghtened in the knowledge of divine mylteries or even future events, Pfalm xxv. 1 4. and Ixxiii. 24, — 26, 2'6. and xliii. 5. We (i.) Openly confefs thrift and his truths with our mouth, 2 Cor. iv. 13. Rom. X. »o. Matth. X. 32. entertain our neighbours with holy conference and fpiritual inftruclions, Eph- iv. 29* and vi. 4. Fhil. ii. 16, Song iv. 11. and v. jo, — \6. and vii. 9. iing the praifes of God, Eph. v. 19, 20. Col. iii. 16, 17. with I Sam. X. 5. and xix 24, 25. i Chron. xxv. 1,2, 5. (2.) Study an holy, inftruclive and exemplary pra£lice, Matth. V. II. Phil, ii, 16. I Pet. ii. 12, 15. and iii. i. (3.) Atteft the truths of God by our fufi'erings. Rev. ii. 10. Lukexiv. 26. Matth xvi. 25. As priejisy we Uve in familiar fellow- fhip with God, and offer up fpiritual facrifices, interccffi- ons and worfliip to him, Rom. xii. i, 2. Col. iii- 5. Heb. xiii. 15,1(5. Phil. ii. 17. 2Tim.iv.6. Mai. i. 11. Rev. viii. 3, 4. I Cor. XV. 58. Heb. x. 25. and xii. 28. As kings ^ we have generous and noble fpirits, Pfalm Ii. 1 2, Dan. v. 1 J, 12. Song i. 3. Zech. X. 3. 2 Cor. iv. 17,: 18. Phil. iii. S, 9. Heb. xi. 26, 27. pofTefs royal treafures of God's word and grace, Pfalm cxix. 11, 72. Jobxxiii. i 2. Jer. xv. 16. James ii. 5. and are venerable before God and men, and duigcrous to be injured, Ifa. xliii. 4. and xlix. 23. and Ix. 14. Song vi. 4, 9. Rev. iii. 9 and fpiritunlly war with, and conquer fin and Satan, and rule the world and our own fpirits. Gal. v. 17, 24. Eph. vi. 10, — 20. Rom. vii. 14,-r- 25. andvi. 10, — 14 and viii. 37. and xvi. 20. Rev xii. n. .1 Cor. vi. 1, 2, 12. I John v. 4. Rev. ii, 26, 27. Ifa. xlv. .1 1. Prov. xvi. 32. II. Adoption includes God's beftowing of a light to all the privileges of his family. (1.) A new name, Jer. xiv. 9. 2Cor. vi 18. Rev. iii. 12. Ifa. Ivi. 6. andlxii. 12. (2.) A new fpirit of adoption, the Holy Ghoft to comfort and feal us up to the day of redemption, Rom. viii. 9, 15. Gal. iv. ^, 6. Eph. i. 13, 14. and iv, 30. 2 Cor. i. 21, 22. and v. 5. (3.) His own fatherly fympathy, Pfalm ciii. 13. Zech. ii. 8. 11a. Ixiii. 4, 5, 7,9, 15. (4.) His fatherly protection, Frov. xiv. 26. 2 Chron. xvi. 9. Deut. xxxiii. 27, — 29. Ila. xlvi. 4. and iv. 5, 6. and xxvi. 20. Pfalm cxxi. 2, — 8. and xU. Za'h. ii. 5, 8. (5) The niiuiftration -ef angels to at- tend, God's adopting a£t, as intimated in the heart-renewing truth of the gofpel, Jer. iii. 4, 19. John i. 12, 13. Gal. iii. 26, 27. 2 Pet. i. 4. It is manifefted by an holy and hea- venly converfation, marking their likenefs to God and love to him and to his word, ordinances, people and interefts in the world, Matth.v. 44, — 48. Luke vi. 27, — 36. i Pet, i. 13, — 17. 2 Pet. i. 4, — 8. I John i. i, — 5. And, it will be publicly manifefted in Chrift's acknowledgment of them, as his brethren, at thelaft day, Mat. xxv. 34, — 40, 45. Reflect. Haft thou, my foul, experienced the double change of thy ftatc ? Am I, that was once an enemy of Je- fus Chrift and his Father, now walhed in his blood, and juftified in his fight ? Am I, that was fo long a child oi' the devil and heir of hell, made a Son, — an heir of God and joint heir with Chrift, and made light and love in the Lord ? — God forbid, that I fliould dare to praach a free juftifica- tion, which my foul never felt the need of, i?cver received, never delighted in .'* — a gracious adoption, in which- I have no Of Adoption.' 447 no (Hare?-—— -Perhaps, in no lawful ftation, do fewer ex«' p€rief>^(?« thefe blefTed changes, than in that of preachers.—* If men intrude themfclves into, or even approach, the fa- cred office in their pollutions, how often God configns them over to fpiritual death, that all that they read, think, or. fpeak of Jefus Chrift, and his eternal falvation, tends to harden their own heart ? How ofter^preachers neither pray, nor talk about divine things, efpecially, if out of their pub- lic, mini^lrations, with the delightful feeling or inward warmth . of the private Chrirtian ! How often, by affedting-like de- fcants upon the do Prov. iii. 12. Pf.dm xciv. 12. Rev. iii. 19. The law of God, as a rule of life, in its whole extent, is the rsgxilAting JIandarJ of our fan(ftitication, Matth. xx\ iii, 20. John xiv. 15. and xv. 10, 14, i John iii. 3, 4. and v. 3. James ii. 8. Deut. xii. 32^ and v. 32. and iv. 2 and v. 6, — 2f. Exod. XX. 2, 17. And though no faint can at- tain abfolute perfection in holinefs in this life, the law per- emptorily requires it in both qualities and praflice, Matth. xxii. 37, 39. and v. 48. 2 Cor. xiii. 11. i Pet, i, 15, 164 (i.) The infinite perfection of God's nature renders it im- potlible for him to give any law, which requires no more than imperfect holinefs and virtue, 2Tim. ii. 13. {2.) His love to his people, renders it neceflary for him to bind them to the higheft degrees of holinefs, which is at once happi- nefs and a mean of it, i John iii. i, — ^^3. John xv. 9, 10, {3.) The more perfection in holinels wc attain, the more is God glorified, John xv. 8. i Cor. vi. 20. and x. :; i . 4nd XV. 58. I Pet. iv. II, (4.) This demand of perfection in holinefs is neceilliry to excite our moi\ earned ftudy of fellow- fliip with Chriflr, in order that we may abound in holinefs, John XV. 3, — 10. Col. ii. 6, 9. Eph. iv. 16. John i. 14, i6f 1 Cor. i 30. (j.) It i.7 neceffary to promote our earnefr en- deavours after much more holinels and virtue, than wc have attained, Phil. iii. 1^,-14.2 Per.i. 5, — 8. and iii. i8. Eph v. 9. Gal, vi 22, 23. (6.) It is necelTary to promote our humility, lelf denial, and daily improvement of Chrifi's blood for forgivenefs, under a fenfa of our ihortcomingv, Pjiii. iii. 8, 9, 1 1 , I 2, i John i 7, <». The 454 Of SANCTIFlCATIdK; -',; The example of former, or j»-efcnt faints. Is to be im- proved as an excitement to, and mean of regulating our ftudy of holinels by the law of God, Heb. vi. 12. and xii. i, 2. and xiii. 7. i Cor. xi. i. But the example of Chrifi:, and of God in him, in that which is imitable by us, is our only perfect pattern of holinefs, which we ought to copy, Heb. xii. I, 2. I John ii. 6, 29. and iii. 7. Phil- ii. 1,-^7, 15. Eph. iv. 32. and v. i, 2. i Pet. ii. 21, 22. and iv. i. and i, 15, 16. Mat. T. 44, — 4B. and xi. 29. andxvi. 24. — Chrilt's example, being given under that very law which is our rule, and in circumltances much fimilar to our own, is a peculi- arly proper pattern, (i.) In his aflured faith and truft in his Father, Ifa 1. 7, 9. Pfalm xvi. r. and xxii. 8, 9, 10. {2) In the univerfality of his obedience, John xv. 10. and viji, 29. Matth. iii. 15. and v. 17 Phil. ii. 8. (3.) In his fb- lemn and fervent devotion, Matth. iv. 2. and xi. 25, 26. 27. Luke vi. 12. and xxii. 41, ^-"44. John xvii. and xi. 41, 42. and xii. 27, 28. Heb. v. 7. (4.) In his perfeft refignation to his Father's will, Matth* xxvi. 39. John xviii. u. (5.) In his mod difinterefted love to men, 2 Cor. viii. 9. Eph. v, 2. John XV* 9, — 12. Gal. ii. 20. (6.) In his unparalleled humility and meeknsfs, Matth. xi. 29. John xiii. 14, 15. Phil. ii. I, — 7. (7.) In his conftancy and patience under trouble, i Pet. ii. 21,-24. I^^- ^- ^- ^"^ li''» 7* Heb. xii. 2,3. (8.) In his fincerity, candor, and uprightnefs, i Pet. ii. 22. Ifa. liii. 9. (9.) In his readinefs, cordially to forgive injuries, and render good for evil, Luke xxiii. 34. Col. iii. '3* (^o.) In his conftant readinefs to do good, temporal or fpiritual, to his moft inveterate enemies, A^s x. 38. Luke xxii. 50, 51. (11.) In the fpirituality of his mind, and readinefs to improve the moft common things for fpiritual inftruftion, John iv ; vi ; x. Matth. v j — vii ; xiii ; xvii ; XX i xxi •> xxii 5 xxiii j xxiv j xxv. Luke iv, xx. John ii, xvi. Though our faith cannot be a mean of God's implanting grace in our heart, yet, being formed by his regenerating aft, it, under the influence of the Holy Ghoft, im- proving the word of God, and the perfon, righteoufnefs, fulnefs, and example of Chrift, and the perfections of God as manifefted and offered in him, is a noted mean of our in* creafing in holinefs of heart and life, (i.) By uniting with Chrifi and receiving juftification and adoption in him, it lays a proper foundation of holinefs and virtue, John xv. I, — 10. Rom. vii. 5, 6. Gal. ii. 19, 20. Col. ii. 6, 7, 10, 11. (2.) By believing God's declarations; and regarding his O/" SancTification. 455 his example, it powerfullyafFcfts our heart with the odlouf- Dels apdicrirninality of lin, and with the nature, excdlency, and. mQtives, to holinefsj John xv. 3. and xvii. 17. Eph. v.. 26y.t1Thc.fr. ii. 13. 2:Thefr. ii. 13. (3.) By trufting to Chrift and his Spirit, that according to their characters, they, will fulfil their gracious promifes, it derives virtue from them, for mortification of fin, and increafe of hohnefs. Col. ii. 19 Eph. iv. 16. Jer. xvii, 7, 8. Pfalm xcii. 13, 14, 15. — In managing rehgious duties for the increafe of our fancli- fication, faith (1.) Improves the Lord Jefus Chril^, in his manifold connexions with us finful men, in correfpondence to the condition of our foul'; and from his fulnels, by his Spirit, and through his woixl, derives grace to form in us proper tempers, and to animate, and fit us for proper ex- ercifes, John i. 14, 16. (2.) It prefents cur perfons and i'ervices to God, to be accepted, only through the righte- oufnels and interceihon of Glirift, Col. iii. 17. Eph. iii. 21. and V. 20. I Pet. iv. it. Rom. xii. i. — In managing our common tranfadlions of life for promotinghohnefs, faith, (i.) Enableth us to receive all our outward mercies as pur- chafed by Chrift, and as the gifts of his free grace, Gen. xxxii. 10. and xxxiii. 5. (2.) It difpofeth us to count all things but lofs and dung to win Chrift and his fpiritual blefiings, and to a readinefs to part with them for his fake, Phil. iii. 7, — 9. Acts xx. 24. and xxi. 13. (3.) It difpo- feth us to look for our fuccefs in our civil bufinefs, from Chrift's new covenant care of us, i Pet. v. 7. Phil. iv. 6. Pfalm xxxvii. 3, — 9. Matth. vi. 26, — 33. (4.) It enableth us to improve outward things as means of fellowfliip with God, — profperity for exciting our thankfulnefs to him and defire of more full enjoyment of him, 2 Chron. xvii. 5, 6. — and adverfity for weanhig our afFei^tions from this world, and fetting wholly on him, Hab. iii. 17, 18. Pfalm cxlii. 4, 5. Hof. ii. 6, 7, 14. (5.) By improving the redeeming love of God and everlafting fulnefs of Chrift for us, it dif- pofeth us humbly and cheerfully to beftow all the temporal property we have in his fervice, Rom. xv. 27. i Cor. ix. II. I Chron. xxix. 14. Ifa. xxiii. 18. — In the commanding temper of our foul faith hath a peculiarly powerful influence, as.(i.) The objedts, upon which it fixeth,are fuch as are of an univerfal efficacy wlien rightly improved. (2.) The tef- Urnony and authority of God, whifch it improves, are mofl powerful, and determining. (3.) It hath an appointment by God to be the leading principle of our Chrifii.m przdice, next to- Chrift and his Spirit. (4.) In walking by faith we M m m walk ^^^ Of Sanctification. walk as al way united to Chrift, and alway reftlng upon hkn for grace and ftrength, and for acceptance, according to his chara£ler and promifes. The fanftificatiou promoted by God's word, ordinances and influences and by the faith of his operation, anfwerably to his law, image, and pattern, inclucics, (i.) Sanclification of nattfre, in which our whole man, foul, body and Spirit, is renewed after the image of God, Eph. iv. 23, 24^ (2.) SanSiiJication of lafe in which we are enabled more and more to die unto fin and to live unto righteouf- nefs, 2 Pet. i. j, — 8. and iii. 18 Rom. vi 5 xii ^ xiii j xiv. Gal v; vi. Eph. iv ; — vi. Ccl. iii; iv. i ThefT v. Heb. xii ; xiii. i Pet. i, — v. 1 John i, — v. James i,— v. Jude 20, — 25. — Or, it includes ^r^r/'o?/J habits implanted, f/>r?/-. iian Tempers acquired, and hoh^ exercijes performed. — In thi^ view, it includes regeneration, which properly means God's implantation of gracious or holy principles in our heart. Tit. iii. 5. Eph ii. x. r Pet. i. 3, 23. and ii. 2. Eiiek. xxxvl. 26. and xi. 19. John iii. 3, 5, 6. and fanftification ftrictly taken, which means the continuance, ftreugtheniug, and increaling of thofe gracious principles, and exerciiing them in holy and virtuous a<^ions. Job xvii. 9. Prov. iv. iS. 2. Pet. i. 4, — 8. and iii. 11, 12, 14, 18. — and which, as it re- fpe^ls our nature, is a continued new creation, in which ©ur regeneration is carried into perfection ; on which ac- count, it was called Regeneration by our Reformers, and their immediate foKowers, for almofl: an hundred year?. In oppofition to that habitual permanent indwelling fin- fulnefs of our nature, a fupernatural habit or vital princi- ple of grace or holinefs, is created, infititd, and implanted by God, in every faint, in his regeneration or etFeciual cal- ling, which is continued, ftrengtliened, and increafed i» flinctification, flricfVly fo called, and perfe«^ed in glorificati- on,— which being different from, and antx;cedent to all aCVs of faith orobedience, dofh, under the a»5tuatiug Influence of the Holy Ghoft, difpofe and enable to fuch asl^s. I. Nei- ther God, nor any of his creatures, perform any aifl or mo- tion, without firil having a correipondent irfe and power> er ailing principles, Matth. vii. 17, rB, and xii. 33, — 35. Nothing may as well fpeak, work, believe, obey, as any a(5t of faith or holinefs be performed, Vtitliout a corrclpon- dent gracious permanent principle. II. Adam and angels were created with vital principles or habits of hoUneis, in order to qualify them for holy a<^s, Gen. i. 26, 27. and v. I. Ecci. vii. 29, Cbl. iii. \o. EpU. iv. 21. Jude 6* with Plaha Of SANfc¥"l'Fl€ATl0)K. 4!|7 Pfalrfi tSf. r9,~2!^ This habit, or principle, inclu \%. cir'cufnrfing their heart to love himfelf, Col. ii. ir, 12. Phil. iii. 3. Rom. ii. 29. Deut. xxx. 6. retieiuing them af- t^- his image. Tit. iii. 5. Eph. iv." 24. creating them unfo good ivorks, Eph. ii. 10. and iv. 24. Col. iii. 10. — manifeft- ly prove, tiiat he produceth Ibmething permanent, a (upcr- natural habit or vital principle of hoiineCs. V. The inlpi- red de'fcriptions of that, which is conferred by God on men M m m 2 . ' ia '^58 ,..-,; V. The Chriftian Journal, or common incidents fpiritual inftrudtors, being a feries of devout meditations, on a Spring, Summer, Harveft, Winter, and Sabbath-day. VI. Large explication of the Aflembly's Shorter Cate^ chifin by way of queftiou and anfwcr. > . VII. Two (hort Catechifms, the firft containing mpft of what is abfalutely neceffary to be known in order to falva- tion j and the fecond, moft of that which is necelFar^ tO^be known in order to admiflion to the Lord's table. ,, VIII. A gener?il hiftory of the Chriftian Church from the birth of our Saviour to this preient time, tvfro volumes i« twelves, ... ", '['. rX: The Chi'iftian Student and Paftor exem'pli6cd":in the lives of nine eminent mirtifters jn Scotland, England, and America. ^ X. The Young Chriftian ; or the pleafantnefs of ;eafly rpjigipn, exempUtied in the lives of eleven young perl'pn^ Ta he PubliJIjed lo'ith all convenient f^eed^ ' '^'\ The Private Chriftian, exemplified in twelve Lives of Eminent Saints, Scotch, Englifh, and Irifh, along with a trad of Cafuiftical Hints relative to temptations of Satan ; indwelling corrruptions ; fpiritual experiences j holy con- v^rfation ; and fcandalous offences, Alfo a fmall Pocket Concordance of the Holy Bible. 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