and ways, as he hath appointed for them to walk in, in reference to the end proposed. He intercedes that through supplies of that Spirit, their faith fail not, that no temptation prevail against them, that they may have suitable helps in time of need, and so be preserved, according to the tenor of that sanctification, which he is pleased to give them in this life, which is imperfect, not from all sins (for it is the will of God to keep them and walk with them in a covenant of pardoning mercy), not absolutely from this or that great sin, as is evident in the case of David and Peter, whereof, under such sins, the one lost not the Spirit, nor the other his faith, but from such sins, or such a course or way, in and under sin as would disappoint him, and make his desires frustrate, as to the end first proposed, of bringing them to glory; so that as the intendment of his oblation is meritoriously, and by way of procurement, to take away all our sins whatsoever; and yet in the application of it unto us, as to the taking of them away, 'by purifying us to be a holy people unto himself,' it is not perfected and completed at once, nor the work thereof consummated, but by degrees; so in his intercession, which respecteth the same persons and things with his oblation, he puts in for our deliverance from all sins, and the power of them, but so and in a such manner, as the nature of our present condition, whilst we are in via, and the condition of the covenant, whereunto God hath graciously taken us, doth require.

Through the goodness of God, we have now brought this first part to an end. They, who are in any measure acquainted, in what straits, under what pressing employments, and urgent avocations, and in what space of time, this offering was provided for the sanctuary of God, will accept it in him, whose it is, and from whom it was received.

CHAP. X.

mero memesautta, ag" the doctrine of perseverance in reference to the obedience on of the saints; why its tendency to the promoting of their star war 2 true handled, before their consolation. Five previous obsermatem** Beng gospel truths in general. ́1. That all are to be received Ace. 2. That the end of them all is, to work the soul into to make the musty 30 God; proved by several Scriptures; 2 Tim. iii. 16. Tit. i. Some truths have a more immediate tendency hereunto than

Cor. v. 14. 4. Most weight is to be laid by believers upon We are not themselves to determine what truths have most in endency, &c. Gospel obedience, what it is, and why so called.

1. In the matter of it, which is all and only the will of God. arm of it, which is considered. 1. In the principle setting it on

2. In the manner of doing it, eying both precepts and proThe end aimed at in it, the glory of God as a rewarder; Heb. . . iv. 4. The principle in us, whence it proceeds, which is the

the Spirit, proved; Eph. iii. 16, 17, &c. What kind of motives most to the currying on of this obedience, namely, such as most the rock This new man, which they do most, that discover most of the love pand, and his good-will in Christ, such as these are alone useful to morgent, and the subduing of the contrary principle of flesh, which hinsobedience proved; Tit. ii. 12. Rom. vi. What persons the im

of this doctrine concerns, only true believers who will not abuse So this doctrine of perseverance conduces so eminently to the earof gospel obedience in the hearts of these true believers. 1. By discouragements. 1. Perplexing fears which impair their faith. thoughts of God, which weaken their love, without which two, and love, no gospel obedience performed. 2. Unspeakable obligations

God, hence put upon the souls of the saints. Objection concernyhe abuse of this truth, to presumption and carelessness discussed, exed at large and removed. The mortification of the flesh, wherein it www how it is performed. The influence of the doctrine of the saints' evance thereinto. Dread and terror of hell not the means of mortifi, at large proved, by shewing quite another means of mortifying the via. The Spirit of Christ; Rom. viii. 13. applying the cross, and

Christ; Rom. vi. 5, 6. 3. This doctrine is useful to promote www obedience, in that it tends directly to increase and strengthen faith love, both towards God, and towards our Lord Jesus Christ. How it thens their love to God, yiz. By discovering his love to them, in three ent properties of it, freedom, constancy,fruitfulness. How it strengthi love to Jesus Christ, viz. By discovering his love to them, in two ets of it, his oblation and his intercession. 4. This doctrine congiving gospel obedience its proper place and due order. 5. with the ends of gospel ordinances, particularly the ministry, ad whereof is, to perfect the saints; Eph. iv. 12, 13. which

is done by discovering to them the whole will of God, both precepts on the ̧one hand, and promises, exhortations, threatenings, on the other. That of the promises more particularly, and more largely insisted on. THAT which remains to complete our intendment, as to that part of the work which now draws towards a close, is the importment of that doctrine so long insisted on (having in some measure vindicated and cleared up the truth of it), as to the effectual influence it hath into the obedience, and consolation of them that are concerned therein; and this I shall do in the order that I have named, giving the pre-eminence unto their obedience; which, more immediately respecting the glory of God, and the honour of the gospel, is to be preferred before their consolation; yea, though God should never afford his saints any drop of that consolation, which we affirm to stream from the truth discussed, yet it is honour unspeakable for them, that he is pleased to admit them, and enable them to do him service in this life; and it will be their infinite consolation, that they have done so, to eternity.

For the making our way clear to the demonstration of that influence, which the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints hath into their obedience, and close-walking with God, and so to manifest what weight is to be laid upon it, on that consideration, I shall give some previous observations, which may direct, and give us light in our passage, both concerning gospel truths, gospel obedience, and gospel motives thereunto. I hope it will not be thought amiss, if I look a little backward to fortify and clear this part of our progress; there being no concernment of our doctrine, that is more clamoured by the adversaries of it; nor can any respect of it, or any truth of God, more causelessly meet with such entertainment, as I hope will abundantly (in the progress of our business) be evinced, to the consciences of all, who know indeed, what it is to walk before God, in a course of gospel obedience, and who have their communion with the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ. For the first:

1. Every truth revealed from God is to be received not only with faith and love, but with equal reverence to any that is revealed, though we are not able to discern such an immediate tendency unto usefulness in our communion with him, as in some others we may: the formal reason, where

unto our faith, love, and reverence, unto the word of God is resolved, is, that it is his; now this is common to the whole, for he is the author of every part and portion alike; and though perhaps we may want some part of it at a less fatal price than some other, yet to reject any one tittle or jot of it, as that which is revealed of God, is a sufficient demonstration, that no on jot or tittle of it, is received as it ought; upon whatever this title and incription is Verbum Jehova, there must we stoop and bow down our souls before it, and captivate our understandings to the obedience of faith; whatsoever then may hereafter be spoken, concerning the usefulness of the truth under consideration, and that comparative regard, which in respect of others, ought on that account to be had thereunto, doth not in the least exalt it (as it is in itself, in respect of faith and reverence due thereunto) above any other truth whatsoever, that is in Scripture revealed.

2. That next to the revelation of God, his will and his grace, the grand immediate tendency of the whole Scripture is, to work them to whom the revelation is made, into a conformity to himself, and to mould them into his own image. All Scripture (the apostle tells us, 2 Tim. iii. 16.) is given by inspiration of God; and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works :' hereunto all Scripture tends, and is useful and profitable for this end; and the gospel is called 'the truth that is according to godliness;' Titus i. 1. 'As the end of the law is charity out of a pure heart, and a faith unfeigned;' 1 Tim. i. 5. That which in respect of the prime author of it, is λóyos Oɛoũ, 'the word of God;' 1 Thess. ii. 13. and in respect of the principal matter of it, is ¿ λóyos ó Toυ σravρou, 'the word of the cross;' 1 Cor. i. 18. in respect of its end and tendency towards us, is λόγος εὐσεβείας, the word, or truth, that is according to godliness.' The word is that revealed will of God, which is our sanctification; 1 Thess. iv. 3. and the instrument whereby he works our holiness, according to that prayer of our Saviour, 'Sanctify them by thy word, thy word is truth;' John xvii. 19. And that, which when we are cast into the mould of our obedience is in some measure wrought; Rom. vi. 17. the substance also or matter being written in our hearts, is the

grace and holiness promised unto us in the covenant; Jer. xxxi. 33. And that this is the improvement, which ought to be made by believers, of every gospel truth; or rather that it hath an efficacy to this purpose, the apostle tells us, 2 Cor. iii. 18. 'We all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord;' by apprehensions of the glorious truths discovered in the glass or mirror of the gospel, we are changed and moulded into the frame and image therein discovered, by the power of the Spirit, effectually accompanying the word in the dispensation thereof; and unless this be done, whatsoever we may pretend, we have not received any truth of the gospel, as it is in Jesus, in the power of it; Eph. iv. 20-24. Ye have not,' saith the apostle, so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus; that ye put off, as concerning the former conversation, the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.' Whatsoever men may profess, if we have learned the truth as it is in Jesus, it will have these effects in us, even universal relinquishment (as to sincerity) of all ungodliness, and a thorough change (both as to principles and practices) unto holiness, and to righteousness, which the gospel teaches us, which, if we have not learned, we have not yet learned it, as it is in Jesus;' Tit. ii 11, 12. 'The grace of God, that bringeth salvation, hath appeared to all men, teaching us, that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present evil world.'

3. Some truths have a more immediate, direct, and effectual tendency to the promotion of godliness, and gospel obedience, than others; this the apostle emphatically ascribes, as a privilege, to that doctrine that reveals the love of Christ unto us; 2 Cor. v. 14. the love of Christ constrains us;' other things effectually persuade, but the love of Christ constrains us to live to him; it hath an importunity with it, not to be denied; an efficacy not to be put off or avoided; and what is in the things themselves, as in the