344 Verf, zz. n E,polition upon the Boo{; of J o s. Chap. 35a: God change not only our manners but our very natures ; they not onlygive a light to the Underflanding, but a newnefs to the Will, new Affe&ion,, newDefires. This is it which the Apo- file calls the newcreature (zCar. 5.17.) and that this creature is wrought to its higheft perfe &ion by the teachings of God, he fbewerh (z.Cor. 3. is.) We all with open face, beholding as in aglaff,the glory ofthe Lord,are changed into thefame. image; from glory toglory, as by the Spirit of theLord. The glafs wherein we have this fight of the glory of God, is chiefly the Word. The glory into which we are changed by thole fights, isour confor- mity to that holinefs which fhineth in the Word, And this change is twofold ; Firfl, from fin to grace, which is a degreeof glory. Secondly, from glory toglory, that is, from a high to a higher, and at laft to the higheft degree of grace. Look what theWord is, and calleth us tobe, that are we whentaught according to the truth of the word., by the power and Spirit of God. Fourthly, The teachings of God confirm the foul in that which is taught, or we have learned If God teach any divine lefför, that will flick. We receive many leffons frommen, and let them flip, asthe Apofiles word is .( Heb. z. a.) Do&rine taught us of God fettles upon us, we hold the fubflance of ir, and hold forth the fruit or power of it in every feafonof onr lives a yea, if trouble or perfecution arife for the truth, theywho are taught of God will hold it fait, though they let goall they have inthis world for it. If God teach us the do&rineof Free Grace, how we are juflified by the righteoufnefs of Jefus Chrifl, without our own works; If God teach us the do&rine of pure Worfbip, how he is tobe ferved, and honoured according tohis own will, wich out the Traditions of teen, (as Chrift fpake (t.Mat. 5.9.) If (I fay) God teachus thefe, or any other laving truths, we can- not but hold them : whereas they who havereceived them from menwill part with them on the account of man. Only that which Cod bath taught us abideth with us, and that no man can take from us. Men may take the life of fuch a one from him, which God bath given him, but they cannot take the truth from him which God bath taught him. What God teacheth, is written, as it were, with a pen of iron and the point of a diamond, ir isgra- ven upon the tables of the heart for ever. Thus we may in forme meafure difcern who are taught of God ; and fceing they who are
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