Ver,3. the 17th Chapter of St: JOHN. 3j defpair. Again, Non plum periculofl+m eft, fed etiam horribile, de Dee extra Chroum cogitare. In Trials and Temptations, it is dangerous to think of God alone, to confi- der him out of Chrift; but here infinite Majefly condefcendeth to convene with yob. The Indian Gymnopphifis would lie on their Backs, and gaze on the Sun all day : Oh how thould we, by the deliberate Gaze of Faith, retie& upon this j 4 « ¡.u,m6cot, r Tim. 3. 16. this glorious Myftery, fit for Angels to look into ! Only get an Intereft in it, or elfe it will be more cold and comfortlefs ; thy God, and thy Chrift, that is another thing, when thou canft own God as thy Father, and Chrift as thy Brother. Luther faith, Deus magic cognofcitur in predicamento Relation's, quàm in predicaments Subftantix; To know God in relation to us, is far fweeter than to be able curioufly tiro difcourfe of his Effence. John r4. ao. At that day ye (hall know that I am in my Fa. ther, and you in me, and I in you. When we know God in Chrift, and Chrift in us; this is to know him indeed ; not only by hear -fay, but acquaintance, to know him fo as to love him, and enjoy him. Vfe 4. To prefs us to feek Salvation in no other but in God through Chrift. Come to Chrift, you are in need of Salvation, and there is no other way : AEts 4. x2. Nei- ther is there Salvation in any other, for there is no other Jame under Heaven given among Men, whereby we muff be faved. Chrift is an Alfufficient Saviour, able to fave unto the uttermoft, all that come unto God through him, Heb. 7. 25. a Platter broad enough for every Sore: do you call your felves upon him, fee if he will refute you; John 6.37. He that cometb unto me, I will in no wife caft of Now I (hall come to the Particulars that are to be known concerning God and Chrift. Firtt, Concerning God. Do&. i. That there is a God. This is the Supream Truth, and Mil to be known; Heb. r s. 6 They that come to God, mull believe that he is. The difcufon is not need- lefs. Though it be impoffible to deface thofe Impreffitins of the Deity, which are en- graven upon our Hearts; yet the drift of our Defires and Thoughts goeth this way, ai if there were no God. Pfal. ro. 4. The Wicked through the pride of hù Countenance, will not feek after God God is not in all his Thoughts. All his Thoughts are, there is no God ; Pfal. 14. a. The Fool bath Paid in his Heart, There is no God. Though he durft not fpeak it out, yet he faith it in his Heart, he entertaineth fome fuch fufpicious Thoughts and Defires about this Matter. Thofe that are guilty of Treafon, would fain deftroy the Court -Rolls : fo carnal Men would deftroy all Memorials of God. Yea, many of the Children of God feel this Temptation. Is there a God ? It will be not loft laboúr to anfwer the Inquiry. I (hall pitch upon fuch Arguments as are every Man's Mony. . r. God is evidenced by his Works: (s.) Of Creation. The World is a great Book and Volume, the Creatures are, Letters, the molt Excellent are Capital Letters. If you cannot read, the Beafts will reach you. Job t 2. 7, 8. Isk now the Beep, and they will teach thee; and the Fowls of the Air, and they flrall tell thee : Or Peak to the Earth, and it fhall teach thee ; and the Fillies of the Sea (hall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all thefe, that the Hand of the Lord hatb wrought this.? The mute Fifties, that can hardly make any found, have Voice enough to proclaim theirCreator. The Apoftle tells us, Rom. 1.'20. The invif- ble things of him from the Creation of the World are clearly teen, being underflood by the things that are made, even his Eternal Power and Godhead: Like Phidias, who in his Image carved his own Name. There is God engraven upon every Creature. But how doth the World thew that there is a God ? There mutt be Tome Supream and Infinite Caufe, for nothing can be Caufe to it ?elf, then it would be before it is. ;dr otle ac- knowledged, agEfrss á.1770V, a firtt Caufe. Every Houfe mutt have a Builder, and this, curious Fabrick an infinitely wife Archite &. Thou that denieft God, or doubteft of his Being, look upon the Heavens; Pfal. rg. r. The Heavens declare the Glory of Gods and the Firmament flsemeth his Handy-work His Glory (hineth in the Sun, and fpar- kles in the Stars. The Sun is a,Rep'refentative of God in the brightnefsof his Beams; extent of his Influence, iindefatigablenefs of hi* Motion: All the Motions of the E e e Creature*
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