away the is andendofGods Gifts, This is alto Gods intent in the Lords Supper. This is my body, faith Chrift, and this is my blood, Matth. z6. 26, 27. in thofe words teaching us, That in that Sacrament there is an exhibition of Chrift and hisbenefits intended on Gods parr, and receivedof thofe by whom no obfiacle is interpofed: and therefore doth the Apoftie call it in expreffe words, i.Cor.! o. 16. The communionof thebody and blood of Chrift. For this end allo is the Patience (&) of God ( another fin- gular dignation of God) exercifed among men : as we may fee Rom.z.4. Defpifeft thou the riches of hisgoodnef'eand for- bearance, not knowing that the bountifulnefJ'e of Godleadeth thee torepentance d but thou after thy hardneffe and heart that cannot repent, heapeft-up wrath to thyfell; &c. In thefe words maybe noted for our purpofe z. Gods intent in forbearing finners; which is the leadingof them to repentance, and fo on to falvation: for repentance is per fe ordinate ad falutems by him ordained to falvation, as a means to the end. z. The - perlons to whomGod intendeth this good by his forbearance: And they are loch as defpife the riches of his goodnefe, and have hard and impenitent hearts. 3. The iflue and event of this their contempt of Gods patience, and that isa treafuring- upof wrath unto themfelves againti the day of wrath. Out of all which layed together arifeth thus much, That God by (pa- ringwicked men who have hard and impenitent hearts-, in- tendeth their everlafling good, though they by the abufe of his patience and refufall to repent do treafure-up unto themfelves wrath and miferyeverlafling. The like to this is delivered in z. Pet. 3. g. God is not flack, faith Peter,(osfome men count flacknefe) but patient toward us? that is, us men. And why patient toward us ? bccaufe he wouldhave none toperil. The end therefore of Gods patience is mans Salvation and Re- pentance. In the lai.place thofe other gifts of God, by which mens understandings are enlightened and their fouls beautified, namely Knowledge,Faith, Repentance, Fortitude, Liberali- ty, Temperance, Humility and Chaftity, and fuch like, are beftowed upon all that have them ( amongwhom are many who prove reprobates in the end) that by the exercife of them and continuance in them they might come to eter- nall life. That reprobates are adorned with many of there graces, pearethby fundry Scriptures, efpecially Heb. 6.4. where the . pofile faith, That it is impoJfblefor them that have been ess- zhte. 367
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