inQContribing ill' an lactlemption,2 I s and thecomfort of true Chriftians is fo muchconcern'd C----hap in it. For ifGrace and Free-Will are put in joint tirJ commifon, fo that the efficacy of it depends on the mutability of the Will, whichmay receive or rejeer it, the confequence is vifible, that (which is impious to fuppofe) theSon of Godmight have died in vain. For that which is not effe&ual without a contingent condi- tion, mutt needs be as uncertain, as the condition on which it depends. So that although the Wifdom of God fo admirably formed the defign of our Salvation, and there is fuch a connexion in his Counfels, yet all may be defeated by the mutability of Mans delires. And the moft fincere Chriftians would be alwaies ter- rified withperplexing jealoufies, that notwithflanding theirmoft ferious iefolutions tocontinue intheir Duty, yet one day they may perith by their ApoJlafe. But the Gofpel affures us, that God will not reverfe his own Eternal Decrees: And that the Redeemer fhallfee Ira, 53. IL. the travel of his Soul, andbe fatisfed: and that Belie- vers are kept by the Power of God through Faith unto Salvation. 3. There is an excellent manifeftation of Divine Love, in the glorious reward that is promifed toBelie- vers, which far exceeds the primitive felicityof Man. Adam was under the Covenant of nature, that promif- ed a reward futable to his obedience, and ftate. The manner ofdeclaring that Covenant was natural. i. External, by thedifcovery of God's Attributes in hisWorks, from which it was eafìe for man to collect his duty and his reward. 2. Internal, by his natural faculties. By thelight of Reafon he underflood that fo long as he continued in his original Innocence, the Creator who from pure goodnefs gave him his being, and all the happinefs which was concomitant with it, would certainly pre- B b ferve
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