The Promife ofTemporal Benefitsi t8i And thus are the faints caufed to perfevere in grace, both real and relative. , The promi(e of continued influences fecures not only the p,refervation, but the renewed exercife of their grace, particularly of their · faith and repentance ; and the promife of continued pardon to them believing and repenting, fecures the removal of the guilt of fatherly anger. The Spirit of Chrifl:ever dwells in them, and to continues an invi· olable bond of their union with him: and dwelling in them he recovers them when they are fallen, fl:irs up the holy fire of grace lying hid w~th afhes of c.orrup· tion. Then the wither.ed hand offaith is again firetcht out; and the, man believes the promife of the pardon of guilt of eternal wrath, as to all his fins; this melts his heart 'in kindly repentance; and fo he believes the promife of continued pardon, as to fatherly anger, · with refpeCt to the fins, the caufes of God's prefent controverfy with him, and obtains p:\lrdon according· ly~ By thefe,, means, matters are always kept from _ ·coming to a total rupture. ' V. Cf'he Promife of Temporal Benefits. In the fifth and lail: pla~e; the promife of, eternal . life to rhe eleB:, confidered in this period, · compre– hends a promWe of temporal benefits to be conferr'd on them, and every one of them, being united to, Chrifi ;· and that in fuch meailire, as God feeo meet for hi~ owl"! glory an~ their good. This promife, fian'ds embodied with the fpiritual promifes, in ,the covenant. Ezek. xxxvi. 19. ' I will alfo fave you from : all your uncleannefs, and will call for the corn, and will increafe it.' Hofea ii. 22. ~The earth fri~ll hear the corn, and the wine, and t!M' oy1, and they .£hall hear jezereel.' I~deed this is not the pl"incipal 1 thing contained in the promiffory part of the covenant; but it is a neceffary addition thereto; as the prefent fiate of the faints, while in this world, doth require, Mat. vi. 33· And th1;1s godlinefs, as the Apofile ob1\'1 4 · ferves, '
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