WHO SHALL ENJOY THIS REST. 67 the whole soul. He that loveth father or mother more than Christ, is not worthy of hinz,(x) nor is justified by him. Faith accepts him for Saviour and Lord : for in both relations will he be received, or not at all. Faith not only acknowledges his sufferings, and ac- cepts of pardon and glory, but acknowledges his sovereignty, and submits to his government and way of salvation. § 10. (6) As an essential part of the character of God's people, they now enter intá a cordial covenant with Christ. The sinner was never strictly, nor com- fortably, in covenant with Christ till now. He is sure, by the free offers, that Christ consents ; and now he cordially consents himself: and so the agreement is fully made. With this covenant Christ delivers up himself in all comfortable relations to the sinner ; and the sinner delivers up himself, to be saved and ruled by Christ. Now the soul resolutely concludes, " I have been blindly led by flesh and lust, by the world and the devil, too long, almost to my utter destruc- tion ; I will now be wholly at the disposal of my Lord, who hath bought me with his blood, and will will bring me to his glory." # 11. (7) I add, that the people of God persevere in this covenant to the end. Though the believer may be tempted, yet he never disclaims his Lord, renounces his allegiance, nor repents of his covenant; nor can he properly be said to break ,that covenant, while that faith continues which is the condition of it. Indeed, those that have verbally covenanted, and not cordially, may tread under Jbot the blood of the covenant as an unholy thing. This perseverance is certain to true believers, while they believe; faith is made the condition of their salvation, yea, of their continued life and fruitfulness, and of the continuance of their justification, though not of their first justifi- cation itself(y) But eternally blessed be that hand of love, which hath drawn the free promise, and (x) Matt. x. 17. (g) John xv. 4 - --6 --9. viii. 31. Rev. ii. 25, 26. iii. 11, 12. Col. i. 23. Rom. xi. 22.
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