take up Rooms for them there The 19th Position That there might be Communion between God and fallen Man the Son of God who became Man became the Mediator between God and Man Tho I cannot swear to all that a learned Writer hath said Dr. Scot vol. 2. I heartily approve of his stiling the Doctrine of our Saviour's Mediation a Fundamental Principle of Christian Duty this Mediation being also the great Channel for Conveyance of saving Mercy 1. Heb. 12. ult Had Man been to have looked immediately on a provoked God would he not have appear'd as a consuming Fire 2. Had the Lord look'd on and dealt with Man as in Filth and under Guilt had not his fierce Wrath fallen on him 3. Is not Christ as Mediator Joh. 14.6 the way from and to his Father If Enquiry be What 's implied in Christ's being a Mediator I answer 1. If respect be had to the Greek Word so rendred 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Tim. 2.5 it is as some think a word peculiar to the Scriptures and is said to signify a Middler or middle Person a Person that steps into and stands in the middle betwixt two or more that are at Variance See Dr. Collings and Leigh Crit. Sac. in order to agreeing them 2. We are hereby led to consider the Person under Consideration Jesus Christ who partaking of the Nature of both is equally distant from and drawing near to God and Man deals with God for Man and with Man from God having as motion'd so made Peace between them And accordingly great Men speak of him as a Daysman Ephes 2.13 14. that lays his Hand both on God and Man that he may procure the Reconciliation of God to Man by his Merit and of Man to God by his Spirit Is not Christ rightly counted the true and full Mediator for Men of all Nations as Moses is stiled typical and in part Mediator for one Nation Of his three Offices or the three Branches of his Mediatorial Office e're long I may touch Here I hint More learned Men than one have compared the Mediation of Christ to the Ladder Dr. Horton c. whereof Jacob had the Vision And are not five middle or intermediate Steps or Rounds written on it 1. See Rev. Brynsley on this Is not Christ as an Arbitrator or Umpire that undertakes to take up the Difference 2. Is he not an Intercessor or Sollicitor that deals with both sides in order to that end 3. Is he not a Surety that answereth for the Wrongs done to his Father by his Children Heb. 7.22 4. Is he not an Advocate 1 Joh. 2.2 that pleads his Satisfaction for them 5. Is he not a Ruler Idem that gives as Laws so Hearts to obey them The two first point at his Prophetick the two following at his Priestly and the last at his Kingly Office And now I infer 1. That Sin made a wide Breach between God and Man Isa 59.2 Can any lower or other Mediator save he that is God-Man make it up Inf. 2. One Difference between the Covenant with Man when fallen and Man in his first Estate is evident the former being a Covenant of * Amicitiae Friendship was made with Man immediately See acute Blake the latter being a Covenant of Reconciliation is made through a Mediator Inf. 3. No Man or Woman should think of transacting with God in an immediate way nor dare to go to the Father not having the Son in his Arms. Luther Was not the great Reformer afraid to think of an absolute God or of God out of Christ Inf. 4. It is the Concern of all who are for trading in Spirituals to study the Mediator When they look upon him as God he appears 1. Able to bear the Wrath of his Father off from them 2. To satisfy the Justice of his Father in behalf of them 3. To appear and plead in his Presence for them 4. To obtain Grace for And 5. To apply Grace to them And when they look on him as Man may they not see 1. His Fitness to suffer for Man And 2. His Readiness to pity Man 3. His entring and taking possession of Glory in Man's Nature And when they see him as Immanuel as having his Human Nature united to his Divine Person they may see flowing from this Union that which is called the Communion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Communication of Properties 1 Jo. 3.16 so that his Godhead gave Virtue or Value to the Sufferings of his Manhood Is it not said that God he that is God laid down his Life Inf. 5. Persons should try whether they be interested in this Mediator 1. Do they feel as their pressing Burden the Breach Sin has made 2. Do they despair of having it made up save by him 3. Do they comply with his Proposals 4. Do they employ him to the Father Be it known this Mediator is precious for there is but one Last Inference Drooping Souls when they find themselves willing to receive Christ 1 Pet. 2.7 should take the Comfort that belongs to them Heb. 7.27 Is not this Mediator able and willing to save 'em to the uttermost The 20th Position That there might be Commerce and Communion between God and fallen Man he who is God-Man as Mediator did and doth exercise the three Offices or threefold Office of Priest Prophet and King In that famous Psalm which carrieth the Title of David's Creed Psal 110. Symbolum Davidicum See the excellent Dr. Reynolds on it as the Lord Christ in and by that choice Servant of his exerted his Prophetical Office his Kingdom and Priesthood are expresly prophesied of Who that owneth true Christianity questioneth the Truth of the Position now before us May its Usefulness be touched on in some Inferences Applicat 1. I infer That it is the near Concern of all who are for managing the spiritual Trade to meditate on the several Offices of Christ See Gillespy 's Ark the second Part. viewing and weighing their exact Sutableness to the best Good of Man and their sweet Concurrence with one another with respect to that and the Glory of God Was he not a Priest to God Heb. 5.1 that he might be a more meet Prophet to and Prince over Men 1. Is he not as a Prophet made unto his People Wisdom 1 Cor. 1.30 Is he not as a Priest made unto them Righteousness Is he not as a King made unto them Sanctification and Redemption 2. Vid. Amesii Medullam And Norton Orthod Evang. Doth not his Prophetick Office tend to heal their Ignorance of God Doth not his Priestly Office conduce to heal their Estrangment from him Doth not his Kingly Office further the taking away of their Enmity against him 3. Doth not he as a Prophet make known the best things Doth not he as a Priest make Purchase thereof Doth not he as a King make over those things
are up and doing will not the Lord be gracious with them But O how dangerous are Deferrings The last Inference is Convinced humbled dejected ones may take much Encouragement and should in the face of many Discouragements come to and lay hold on God's Strength and Son that they may be at Peace with him Isa 27.5 Have they not his Word and can they desire a better Warrant that on their so doing they shall be at Peace with him Should they not in holy Duties go for and fetch Grace from him Is it any Presumption in them to come to him seeing they have a particular Call and a particular Promise that they shall be welcome Tho they have much dishonoured God by Sin will not God count himself much honoured by their believing on him whom he hath sent Joh. 6.29 30. The 18th Position That there might be Commerce and Communion between God and fallen Man he who was and is God became Man Was not the Word essential the Word which is God Joh. 1.14 manifest in and made Flesh Did he not partake of the Human Nature Tho he ceas'd not to be what he was Non transmutando quod erat c. Boxhorn p. 1 2. did he not begin to be what he was not Blessed be God great Men do now undertake those who call and count themselves Wits that disbelieve the Mysteries which the Scripture mentioneth among which is that great Mystery of Godliness or Religion Dr. Tillotson Dr. Stillingfleet Tho the Godhead was not altered was not the Manhood assumed into Personal Union with the second Person or subsistent in it 1 Tim. 3.16 Long have poor I been affected with the sententious Saying of a late Worthy Mr. Norton Orth. Evang. whose Name is precious in both Englands God and Man met in one Person that God and Man might meet in one New Covenant I add and so in one Communion That he who was the Son of God from Eternity became the Son of Man in the fulness of Time is a Fundamental in Christianity is argued at length elsewhere Here I hint 1. Our choice Divines own that being Anointed respects Christ's Human Nature tho it 's said Idem Bucanus the Name or Word Christ pointeth at the Person consisting of both Natures 2. Is it not intimated in the very first Edition of the Covenant of Grace that the Serpent's Head or Power Gen. 3.15 was to be bruised by the Seed of the Woman Tho the secondary Seed or Generation of the Faithful are included as sharing in the Conquest as to the Benefit of it No doubt the primary Seed to wit Semen primarium Christ is primarily intended as the Conqueror And doth not he who delivereth out of Satan's Hands by way of Power Heb. 10.20 21. deliver out of the Hands of his Father's Justice by way of Price and so make way that God who is offended and Man who hath offended may converse together That the Incarnation of the Son of God conduced to restore lapsed ruined Man as to Reconciliation so to Communion with God is evident Is there not such a vast even infinite distance between the All-glorious Creator and the Apostatized Creature that Man could not think of such a thing as an immediate Access and Address to God Had not God made a low stoop to Man 1 Tim. 2.5 and so drawn nigh to him how can we think that he should have adventured to draw nigh to God I ask 1. Is it not upon God's matching into and with our Nature that he deals in a familiar friendly way with our Persons See Mr. Jeanes his Mixture Do not deep Divines say that the substantial Mediation must be presupposed as the Ground of the actual Mediation 2. Quod non assumsit non redemit If the Human Nature had not been assumed had we who partake of it been redeemed 3. Is not the Human Nature in Christ the great Channel through which as the Divine Nature is the first Fountain from which Grace floweth and is communicated to Christians And so I infer 1. That those Tenents are erroneous Gal. 4.4 and carry much of danger in them which cast any Reflection on the Truth and Worth of Christ's Human Nature See Dr. Usher's Immanuel Was not the Son of God made of and conceived in a Woman Was not part of her Substance sanctified that it might be the holy Thing united to the second Person in the Trinity The second Inference is The Wonders shew'd in God's Word do far and far transcend those called the Wonders of the World Isa 9.6 Is not Wonderful one of Christ's Royal Titles and that as he is a Son given and a Child born to and for us Was it not admirable that his Father should prepare for him a Body That he who is Infinite should take on him the Human Nature that is Finite Rom. 8.3 See the Engl. Annotat and that after Man was fallen and so appear tho not in sinful Flesh yet in true Flesh and in the likeness of sinful Flesh Yea that he should take on him as the Nature of Man so the State of Infancy and the natural Infirmities thereof Did not the holy Spirit wonderfully tie the Knot between the Divine Person and Human Nature See excellent Usher in the Bride-Chamber of the Virgin 's Womb The third Inference Every Man and Woman to whom the Gospel comes will be found inexcusable who slighteth the Lord Jesus Christ and lives without him and that Communion with his Father Acts 4.12 that is to be had in and through him Alas 1. Some are Neglecters of or negligent in the management of holy Duties and Ordinances Are they not as Atheists or Formalists 2. Not a few by living in Worldly Fleshly or Devilish Lusts dishonour the Human Nature which God hath highly honoured Will not Christ in his Human Nature sit as Judg Act. 17.31 and condemn those that die in this Guilt Will they not be thought worthy of the sorest Punishment The fourth Inference It 's the great Duty of Christians in the management of all Duties that they may maintain Communion with God in them to eye and employ the Lord Jesus Christ Is he not a Non-such Is any other Person God-man Immanuel Is it not through him Joh. 14.6 and him alone that God comes to Man and Man goes to God The fifth Inference Drooping Christians should lift up their Heads and Hearts Heb. 2.15 4.15 Manet Compassio c. Is not God become Man and will he not be tender of Man From him that is Man is received Satisfaction that Man may receive Salvation The last Inference is They who are in Heaven do and well may admire the Lord Christ Is not he in their Nature gone to Heaven Heb. 10.20 Joh. 14.2 and that in the Nature of a Fore-runner to make a way for them thither and of an Harbinger to
his skill Did he not thoroughly know 1. Eph. 2.12 See Mr. Love on that By way of exporting to carry up duties and dispositions thither 2. By way of importing to fetch down all graces and priviledges thence Oh! How it should touch and tender hearts that through the want of wisdom in the most and weakness of it in the best Commerce with God is little held The Second Inference is Vide Pelt harmoniam We have all reason to differ with and keep a distance from the followers of Socinus Do not they after him assert that Adam had but a poor pittance and no store of knowledg Do they not represent him as a great Body Or to use their own terms as a little child or Infant as to his understanding When our Divines instance in his giving names to many Creatures agreeing with their Natures Gen. 2.20 they will nor allow this to stand for a signal Sign of Knowledge and this is forced to favour their Supposition that Man was no great Loser by his Fall O that some D. J. T. whom we do not call Socinians did not too much socinianize When an admired Person had wrote that if Adam had had any considerable Knowledge he would not have sold himself and all his hopes so cheap out of a greedy Appetite to a little then for hidden Fruit doth not his acute Answerer well say that that Appetite was sinful and could not be in Man whilst sinless Did it take its rise from Ignorance or Errour Did it not a rise from Incogitancy and not due using his Knowledge Certainly Solomon in all his Glory and with all the Philosophy and Understanding 1 Kings 4.32 33 34. from which he wrote on divers Subjects fell far and far short of Adam Solomon's Knowledge was no little owing to hard Study and so was acquired but Adam's was infused and his Soul was inlightned at once as the Air is upon the Sun 's arising How little do Men now after many years beating their Brains attain in comparison of what he was endued with The Third Inference is All of us should and no doubt the best of us do take up a Lamentation and write it for a Lamentation that Man's Sun is turned into Darkness Eph. 5.8 that Men and Women considered in their mere Naturals as to what is spiritual are Darkness itself in the Abstract The Last Inference is They are to be commended who though Knowledge be now hardly common to do seek after and cry for that sort of it Prov. 2.2 3. which will further their trafficking with and into Heaven O that Persons took the nearest way to it and had recourse unto the blessed Jesus that he may be made unto them Wisdom 1 Cor. 1.30 and they may be made Light in him his Merit obtaining and his Spirit applying to it The 4th Position is That Man in his first estate might move and better hold Converse and Communion with God See Rev. Burgess of Orig. sin p. 250 c. his Memory was richly fraught Was it not a most precious Cabinet and Storehouse of sacred Verities Was it not as that Holy of Holies the Ark of the Covenant wherein God's Royal Law was laid up and kept What Man's Memory is is not easily defined Have I not in this poor Paper hinted that there is in it what bespeaks Wondering Do we not rather feel than know what we do when we remember things If I was meet to engage in a Philosophick Debate about its Nature I should not judge it meet to do so Evident it is that the great Soul of Man hath a Power Memoria est praeteritarum as of apprehending things present so of reminding things past to which Memory hath much reference I do not say that the Memory is a distinct faculty from the Understanding nor do I gainsay those that hold it is contained in it Vide Morneum de ver Relig. p. 251. Doth not their Arguing receive Encouragement from what the Apostle speaks of stirring up pure Minds by way of remembrance A noble French Divine tho no Preacher writeth to this sense that the Memory is Reason employ'd in recounting or the Receptacle into which the Mind poureth its Notions That Adam had a Power of remembring flowed from his having the Nature and not only the Shape of Man That Brutes have a sensitive Memory is not deny'd that Man hath an intellectual Memory Isai 46.8 it denved is a Worthy's Phrase denved against Reason Of what avâ—il had Understanding been to Man if he had not had Memory Have not some said that all useful Knowledge lies in Remembrance That in Adam when he came out or God's hand Memory was perfect Gen. 1.28 is argued from his being made in the Image of God Did not that take in the Perfection of all natural Powers Had he been in all other Powers sound and had either Falshood or Frailty in his Memory he had not been throughly happy either as to Temporal or Spiritual Consideration That the Perfection of Adam's Memory further'd his Communion with God is proved from our weighing the Objects about which it is exercised Was not God who is as he is stiled the most signal Object thereof still fair and afresh presented to and by it Was it not ready to suggest to Man with what a glorious God even the God of Glory he had to do 1. Glorious in Holiness being at the greatest Remote and Distance from Sin Exod. 15.11 of purer Eyes than to behold it without utter Dislike Habbak 1.13 See acute Norton Jer. 17.10 and being in every Point and Degree conformable to himself 2. Glorious in his Omniscience which is joined with his Omnipresence Doth he not search and see the Heart and the Grace which he hath wrought in it 3. Glorious in Goodness Sui diffusivum which is for diffusing and communicating it self Having made Man a large Vessel had it been kept clean and open he would have fill'd it Again Did not Adam's Memory present to him God's whole Will and his own whole Work Was not the Royal Law written in legible Characters on his Heart Had he not in his first Estate presented before and to him the right Object Matter Manner and Time of special Worship And withal all due respect to the Person Chastity Goods good Name and Quiet of his Neighbour And now I First infer That Adam when in Innocency was a thrice happy Man Witness what follows O terque c. 1. Was any Forgetfulness of God's Mercy or his own Duty incident to him 2. Did he not remember together with the Notion the Importance and Excellency of Truths 3. Did not his Memory fully serve its end Was it not an holy Repository and Treasury A 2d Inference is We that if not past feeling feel that we are in a fallen state cannot want matter for Mourning How are the Vessels of our Memories as broken Vessels
a thousand Hells Is it not terrible to hear of that Sentence O what will it be to hear it The 2d Inference is The Patience and Goodness of God to Slighters of the Spiritual Trade is admirable yet 't is said to 'em Acquaint your selves with the Lord Job 22.21 yet through a Mediatour this may be The 3d Inf. is They who have not entred into and engaged in Converse with God should be for doing now without delay Can Persons be willing to be banished from the gracious presence of the sight of God and that for ever Is not the Fountain of Being the Fountain of Life Will not this cut deep if Heaven be lost for Lusts or Trifles Will not this cause as wailing so gnashing of Teeth Quantum pro quantillo Luke 13.28 when they see others that sate under the same means in the Kingdom of God and themselves shut out The 16th Position To those who live and die in the wilful neglect of the heavenly Trade on Earth there remaineth fiery Indignation which shall for ever abide and torment them in Hell 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1 Thess 1. ult Gal. 3.10 Doth not the Law breath out the Wrath to come or which will still be coming against all those who have not obey'd its Orders Hath it not a Curse for every one that violates any one of its Commands Doth not the Gospel leave all Jo. 3 ult who having come to ripe years do not come over to the Son of God that through him they may transact with the Father for Mercy and in Duty under the Penalties by the Law threatned 3. In the Representation which we have of the general Judgment Matthew 25.41 c. and the Proceedings of that day under the hand and from the Mouth of Christ is it not declared that they who have not by Grace derived from Christ discharged in sincerity their duties to him shall go into everlasting fire The 1st Inference is There is great danger in and so had need to be great watching against sins of Omission Tho persons escape the grosser pollutions of the world See Baxters Apology p. 238 240. if they do not in the ways of Gods appointment tender their Homage to him and wait for grace from him is not the mouth of the Pit open to devour ' em O that many took a truer measure of the guilt that attends their willful sinfull Omissions 1. Deo servire est regnare Is not Gods Law in its primary design positive and its Precepts affirmative and doth not Religion much lie in respect to such Precepts 2. Do not sins of Omission strike high even 1. At Gods Soveraignty who gives out Orders 2. At his Goodness as if all his Laws were not written in love I add have not all sins of Commission sins of Omission leading to them To descend a little to particulars both as to Duties and Graces 1. As to Duties Jer. 10.25 Do not showers of Wrath hang over prayerless houses 2. Was it not well said or written to King Charles the second By Dr. Gauden that whatever hindred his regard to the word of God would prove ruining and damning 3. Is not he accursed that respecteth not the right manner of doing duties Mal. 1. ult should any one that hath a male in the flock offer a corrupt thing 1. Is not he in whom Unbelief reigneth under the Sentence of Condemnation As to Graces Jo. 3. ult Doth not the Wrath that comes on others abide on him 2. Doth not an Anathema Maranatha a Curse till the Lord come belong to such as are destitute of love to Christ 1 Cor. 16.22 See Pink on this The 2d Inference They are in an evil case and state who so commit as to drive a Trade of Sin serving divers lusts 1 John 3.8 9. plying the work of the Devil 1. If persons live and lie in those sins which Satan both tempteth to and acteth in So acute Herle distinguisheth of which sort are Pride Malice Lying Persecuting 2. If persons follow those Vices which Satan tempteth to but doth not that I know act in into which Count fall Drunkenness and Uncleanness Do not their paths visibly take hold of Hell Prov. 9. ult If the tree that is barren be cut down what will be the end of that that bears ill fruit The 3d Inference is It is the great and important concern of persons a concern as great as that of their immortal souls to look and long after this Ezek. 18.31 John 14.6 that there be in 'em a divine Nature a pure and powerful principle from which the heavenly Trade may be set and kept up that through Christ they may come to God the Father and find him coming to them May they cry for the Residence in order to their having the Influence of the holy Spirit And that 1. As an enlightned Spirit A Mystery is mentioned as to lower Trades Without Controversie 1 Tim. 3.16 great is the Mystery of godliness of the practice and not only of the principles of it Can lower teachers teach it 2. Rom. 8.14 Eph. 4.18 As an enlivening Spirit Is not life the principle of Movers and Traders Can any that are alienated from the life of God hold spiritual converse with him 1. That persons heard the Lord say to 'em What mean you O ye sleepers Rom. 13.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 will you sleep the sleep of eternal death It 's high time for you to awake and arise can you dwell with a consuming fire 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a fire that will burn and not wast torment and yet not destroy as to being Rather than you should not be awakened Evaccat haud perimit Isa 33.14 I am willing that the flames of hell should flash in your faces and consciences I had rather allure than affright yet rather affright than lose you If this work go on the Soveraign Remedy provided for lost man will next be touched on FINIS Trading Spiritualized The Second Part. Or some more POSITIONS On which Tradesmen And Others may O that they would meditate By W. BAGSHAW Minister of the Gospel LONDON Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers Chappel 1695. To the truly Worthy and deservedly Honoured Mr. William Nicholas HOW many praying Persons in the High-Peak do and will rise up and call you Blessed and with you many noble Citizens who promote the Work of the Lord therein We cannot think of the Fall of your late dear Son-in-Law * Good Mr. Coupe without Grief He together with Reverend Mr. How set on foot that charitable Work which that Worshipful Knight Alderman Abney hath continued and is now committed to your Hand Blessed be God for you and you of him that so favour the Place of my Birth and Labours May you and all that derive from you and all the bountiful Persons
that join with you be blessed indeed here and hereafter So prayeth Noble Sir Greatly obliged W. Bagshaw To the Reverend Mr. Samuel Angier Mr. Robert Mosely Mr. Gamaliel Jones and other endeared Fellow-Labourers at our beloved Chalsworth THO I rejoice in your Love to the Truth in Christ I wonder at God's rich Mercy that inclineth you to encourage my preaching it which alas savoureth so much of the poor Earthen Vessel O that I gave you more cause to own me as I do own your over-honouring me May the Lord be in all our Meetings of a Truth May you long continue great Blessings to me and to the Church of Christ May I in some measure serve the Lord and under him you and others who am dear Sirs Vnworthy to be called your Brother W. Bagshaw Trading Spiritualized The Second Part. The 17th Position THO Man be fallen through Sin into Misery and under the Displeasure of God God is free and willing to transact deal and hold Communion with him Had the Door of Hope been shut upon fallen Man as it is on fallen Angels with what Sorrow might I write and others read Psal 30.5 63.3 Doth not that Life of Man that is most worthy of the Name consist in the Favour of and Fellowship with God Doth not the Truth of this Position shine into right and open Eyes 1. Rom. 6.14 2 Cor. 6. latter end What is the Language of the Dispensation of the Grace of God stiled the New Covenant and Grace it self Grace in the Abstract Is it not that God will give himself to his People and they give themselves to him O blessed Transaction 2. Was not this Position exemplified and the Truth of it evidenced very soon after Man's Apostacy Gen. 3.15 Vid. Tact. Sac. p. 5 6. Even within the Doom denounced against the Seducer was not Intimation given of the promised Seed the true Messiah And did not the Light that then dawned V. Owenum de Theolog. by degrees break forth towards a Noon-day Might not Man in that Catechism truly called Christian the first Edition of the Gospel run and read that God was reconcilable to and free to hold Converse with him 3. Whence also is it that the Lord stands and hath so long stood at the Doors of Sinners Hearts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rev. 3.20 and that knocking earnestly intreating them to hear his Voice See Rev Sedgwick on this and open in a way of consent to him that he may by his Spirit and Grace come into them and they may have sweet and solacing Communion with him set forth under the Notion of their supping with him and his supping with them 4. Doth not the Experience of thousands and ten thousands put a Seal to this Point and Position 1 Joh. 1.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Do they not feel the Lord communicating Grace to them whilst they are exercising Grace on him Have they not Meat that the World knows not of as well as Work that it toucheth not with 5. Can any thing more fully prove the Position in hand than this that when Man had render'd himself uncapable of transacting with God in an immediate way Joh. 14.6 1 Joh. 2.2 4.8 9.10 God the Father provided a Mediator sending and setting forth his Son as a Propitiation or Propitiatory Sacrifice in Man's Nature which he assumed that so mutual Transactings might be And now I infer 1st That there lies before Man Matter as of Thankfulness so of Wonder Doth not Jehovah who stooped low in convenanting and conversing with Adam whilst a Subject condescend so far as to invite Joh. 3.18 Rom. 5.7 8. 1 Joh. 3.1 as well as admit him and his Posterity to draw near to him since he and they were Rebels Did not Man at once lose God and himself and doth not God seek that he may save him having sent his own Son made of a Woman made under the Law on that Account and Errand O admirable The second Inference is It is the Concern and Duty of all who hear the joyful Sound of the Gospel Ephes 2.4 Isa 53.10 to study the exceeding rich Grace which in and by the New Covenant is display'd on which this weak Hand hath in Print touched Is there not in that Covenant and Grace a Foundation laid for Man's Intercourse with God 1. See on this the Ark opened Hath not this Covenant for the Spring of it his Grace as well as free Love Doth it not therein appear that he is Love 2. Did not the Covenant of Redemption or Suretiship as choice Divines speak and write which was from Eternity make way for that which is stiled the Covenant of Grace in time 3. Doth not the New Covenant run much in a promising Vein and Strain Is it not stiled in the most holy Writings the Promise Acts 2.39 and by good Writers a Bundle and Collection of Promises referring to the Life that now is and to that which is to come 4. Doth not God in and by this Covenant Gen. 17.7 bequeath and make over to Persons an Interest in himself in every Person in the Godhead Quantus est quantus and in all the Attributes or Perfections attributed to God 5. Doth not that which is and in a sound sense may be called the special receiving Condition of the Covenant See Rev. Lorimer Williams to wit The Faith of God's Elect both by Divine Institution and in the Nature of the Means necessary to apply Christ and interest in the Benefits purchased by him flow from free differencing Grace Dare any of us gainsay him who saith Ephes 2.8 It is not of our selves Is it not the pure Gift of God The third Inference They who are Recusants though bearing the Protestant Name and appear Excusants undervaluing God's Overtures and Offers to transact with them are in a most sinful and miserable Estate Heb. 2.3 10.29 How can they escape what way in the World can they think of wherein they should escape the Damnation of Hell Who had rather trade in Trifles Temporals yea base Lusts than drive a Trade with and into Heaven 1. Doth not God clearly see all the Pretensions to and the Vanity of them on and for which they continue Slighters and Neglecters of his Grace 2. Is he not concern'd in point of Honour to bear witness against such Slighters Wo wo wo will be to them that live by and die in this Guilt The fourth Inference They who have not entred into the way of transacting with God should bethink themselves turning in to their own Hearts and not think of delaying any longer Should they not forthwith and upon the instant give their Hands 2 Cor. 6.1 and so themselves to the Lord O that they waited and cry'd for Grace enabling thereunto Yet the Day of Grace lasteth yet the God of Grace wooeth Modo Modo non habent Modum If it stir them so that they