210 THE -WORLb TO.CQME. christians; these are not such general blessings of the covenant of grace, of which every christian is made partaker ;" but they are special favours now and then bestowed on some particular persons by the special will of God. I. Such. as are more emi- nent in faith, and holiness, and prayer than others are, such as Lave made great advancements in every part of religion, in mor- tification to the world, in spiritual-mindedness, in humility, and in much converse with God, &c. Or, -2. Sometimes these first-fruits may be given unto such as are weak both in reason and in faith,, and may be babes in Christ, and are not able by their reasoning powers to search out their evidences for heaven, especially under Some present temptation or darkness. Or,- 3. Sometimes to -those who are called by providence to go through huge and uncommon trials and sufferings, in order to support their spirits, and bear up their courage, their faith and patience. It is true, the more general and common way whereby God prepares his people for- heaven, is by leading them through several steps of advancing holiness, sincere repentance, morti- fication of sin, weanedness from the world, likeness to God, heavenly -minedness, &c. These are indeed the usual prepá- ratives for glory, and the surest evidence of a state of grace.- Therefore let not any person imagine he is not a true christian, because he hath not enjoyed these special favours and signal ma- nifestations. H. " If there be any who have been favoured with these peculiar blessings, they must not expect them to be constant and perpetual, nor always to be given in the same manner or same measure ;" they are rare blessings and special reviving cordials; they are not the common food of christians, nor the daily nourish- ment of the saints. The word of God, and the grace of Christ in the promises is our daily support, and the constant nourish- ment of our souls. Cordials are not given for our daily nourish- ment in the life òf grace. III. " However great and rapturous these foretastes may be, let us not so depend on then as to neglect the more substan- tial and solid evidences for heaven, and those steps of prepara- tion," which I have elsewhere mentioned.' Let not those who have enjoyed them give a loose to their souls, and let go their watchfulness, or neglect their daily mortification and diligenSe in every duty. Some of these divine raptures have sometimes been so nearly counterfeited by raptures of fancy, by warm self - love, or perhaps by the deceit of evil angels, that they are not so safe a foundation for our dependence and assured hope, as the soul's experience of a sincere repentance, and general turn of heart to God, and mortification of sin, and delight in every prac- tice of holiness. The devil sometimes lias trans formed himself
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=