Senn. XLIV. Tromifes of the Gofel 305 ctification, and makes us Partal{err of a Divine Nature, by way of inward Effica- cy and Atlì(tance. Secondly, The Promifes of the Gofpel are apt likewife tohave a mighty Influ- ence upon us by way of Motive and Argument, to engage and encourage us to cleanfe our felves from allflthinefs of Flefh and Spirit, and to perfec7 holínefs M the fear of God. For, Firff, A full Pardon and Indemnity for what is paft, is a mighty Encourage- mentfor us to return to our Duty, and a forcible Argument to keep us to it for the future. For finte God, who hath been fo highly injured and affronted by us, is fo willing and ready to forgive us, as not only to provideand purchafe for us the Means of our Pardon, by the grievous Sufferings of his dear Son, but to offer it fo freely, and inviteus fo earneftly to accept of it, and to be reconciled to him ; the Confideration of this ought in all Reafon, Ingenuity, and Gratitude, to melt us into Sorrow and Repentancefor our Sin, and a deep Senfe of the evil of them, and to inflame our Hearts with a mighty love to God, and our Bleffed Redeemer, who bath loved us, and walked us from our Sins inhis ownBlood ; And to make us extreamly unwilling, nay, molt firmly refolved never more to offend that merciful and gracious God, who is fo flow to punifh, and fo forward to forgive ; and effectually to engage us to a dutiful and confiant, and chearful O- bedience to God's Holy Laws and Commandments, left by our wilful tranfgref- fìon and violationof them, we thould run our felves into a deeper Guilt, and aggravate our Condemnation. Now that by the tender Mercies of our God we are made whole, we fhould be infinitely afraid to fn any more, left worfe things come to us ; left we relapfe into a more incurable (late, and bring a heavier load of Guilt and Mifery upon our felves. Secondly, The Promife of God's Grace and Holy Spirit is likewife a very pow- erful Argument and Encouragement to Holinefs, and Goodnefs, engaging us to cleanfe ourfeines from allflthinef oflefh and fpirit, that our Souls and Minds may be a fit Temple for the Holy Ghoft, which will not dwell in an impure Soul : And likewife encouraging us hereto, by this Confideration, that we have fo un- erring a Guide to counfel and direct us, fopowerful an Affiftant to flrengthen us with all might in the inner Man, to Rand by us in all our ConfliCts with Sin and Satan, and make us (as the Apoftle expreffeth it) more than Conquerors over all our Spiritual Enemies. For tho' we be weak, and our Lulls thong, our Enemies marry, andTemptations mighty and violent; yet we need not be difheartned, fo long as we know that God is with us, and the Grace of his Holy Spirit fufrcient for us, againft all the Strength ofSin and Hell ; tho' our Duty be hard, andour Strength fmall, yet we cannot fail ofSuccefs, if we be fure that the Omnipotent Grace of God is always ready to fecond out fincere, tho' never fo weak, Endea- vours. So that whenwe fee all the Enemies of our Salvation drawn up in array againft us, we may encourage our felves, as the Prophet Elifha did his Servant, when he told him that an Hoff compaffed the City with Horfes and Chariots, and Said, Alas ! my Mailer, how fhall we do ? And he anfwered, fear not, for they that be with us, are more than they that be with them 2, Kings 6. x6. Or, as Hez,eltiah comforted the People, when they were afraid of the mighty force of the King of Aria, 2 Chron. 32. 7, 8. Be firong and couragious, be not afraid nor difmayed for the King of Aria, nor for all the multitude that is with him : For there be more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flefh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us, and tofight for us. This is the Cafe of every Chriftian ; the Force that is againft us is finite and limited ; but theAlmighty God is onour fide, and fights for. us; and every one of us may fay withSt. Paul, Philip. 4. 13. Ican do all things through Chrifi whichffrengthneth me. Thirdly, The Promife of Eternal Life and Happinefs, if duly weighed and confidered, hath a mighty force in it to take us off from the Love and Practiceof Sin, and to encourage our Obedience, and patient continuance in well-doing. The affuranceof enjoying unfpeakable and endlefs Happinefs in another World, and of efcaping extream and eternal Mifery, isa Confideration of that weight, as one R r would
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=