i68 SERMONS upon the SERM. XXI. Throat, and cafteth them into eternal torments : The Devil would have that Sen- tence executed upon us now, according to our deferts ; but the Judge on the Throne pronounceth us Bleffed, as saving taken hold of the Priviledge of the new Covenant, and fò efcaped the Curfe.of the Law. In this term cur Juftification is Implyed, Ail. 3.19. Chrift doth in effe± fay, There my Friends and Servants, deferved in themfelves to be accurfed and miferable for ever, but I have made fatisfaElion to God for them, and pronounce them bleffed, and free from all fiis and titifery.- . (3.) The term is oppofed to their own fears : Not only doth the world "cohdemn us, and Sathán urge the Curie of the Law againft us, as having tran(greffed the bonds and Rules of our duty in many cafes, but our own trembling hearts are ever and anon carting up many a fearful thought; What (hall become of us to all eternity ? This fear is fo ftrong, and rooted in the hearts of the godly, that 'tis a long time e're the Promifes of the Gofpel can vanquifh and quell it ; though the Meffengers of Chrift come and tell them of the tender Mercies of God, that there is enough in the Merits of Chrift of the Priviledges and Immunities offer- ed by the new Covenant, and beech ,them that they would not obl}inately litt up their fears againft the whole, defign of Chrift in the Gofpel, yet all will not do : if they can get a little peace and reft from accufations of Conscience, 'tis almoft all they can attain unto in the world ; Perfelt love cafleth our fear, r Joh. 4. to. But then the fupream Judge before whom all muff Rand or fall, will afire them with his own Mouth, that they are Bleffed ; and therefore they fhall fully get rid of all difquieting and tormenting fears : He fhall fay, Tremble no more, Come ye bleffed of my Father. (4.) It noteth what God bath done for them, to bring them to this eftate of Blef- fednefs, Eph. s. 3. Bleffed be God and the Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift, who hath bleffed us with fpiritual Blengs in heavenly places in Chrift ; He hath loved them, , and enriched them with Grace, heaped many fpiritual favours 'upon them, which 'now they are to receive the confummation and accomplifhment of; Det benedi` cereefbbenefacere, when we blefs God, we declare him bleffed; when God bleffeth us, he maketh us bleffed, his Paying is doing: Since ye are Ele ±ed, Called, Jufti- lied, San±ified, at the will of my Father, come and freely poffefs your felves of all that you have hoped, longed and waited for. Secondly, [ Of my Father :3 t. In this expreflìon he pointeth at the fountain taufe of all our Happinefs ; the beginning of our Salvation was from an higher caufe than our own holinefs, yea than Chrifts Merit, from the Favour and Bleffing of God the Father : 'He was the principal efficient caufe and ultimate end of the work of our Redemp- tion, and the Saints Bleffednefs : Chrife as Mediatour is but the way to the Fa- ther, yob') 14. 6. It is the Father appointed Chrift, gave him to us, yob. 3. 16. gave them to Chrift, yob. 57.6. and in time brought them to clole with his Grace, yob. 6. 44. It is the Father that prepared this Kingdom for them, be- fore the Foundation of the world ; they are the Fathers, chofen ones, thole whom the Father loveth. 2. This expiefíi.on !hews how the divine Perfons glorifie one another : As the Spi- rit glorifieth the Son, yob. t6. 14. fo here the Son glorifieth the Father, and re- ferreth all to him ; he doth not fay, My redeemed ones, but re bleffed of my Fa- ther ; they are not lefs beloved add bleffed by the Father, than by the Son who redeemed them ; Bleffed in the Fathers love who elefted them, gave them to Chrift, lent Chrift and accepted his Ranfome, declared his will in willing their glorification. II. The Invitation in two words, vita, xmnev'm 71, both have their emphafis and proper fignification; the one fignilieth our Entrance upon the glorified e(fate, the other our everlafling Poffeffion of it. (r,) AEUn, Come ; to the wicked he faith Depart, but to the Saints Come : As the quinteffence of all Mifery lyeth in the one, fo the. Confummation of all Bief- fednefs in the other : He had faid. before, Math.. t t. s 8. Come to me all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you ref' : But that was but an Acquaintance at a diffance, and force remote fervice we were called unto ; but now Come into my
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