bear his strokes to and in Eternity May he whilst Life lasteth change 'em thoroughly The Third Use is of or for Exhortation The first branch thereof is more large and general Be we all stirred up to put this matter upon a fair issue and tryal Is the Spirit poured out on us Have we received the Spirit which is of God yea is God I will first present some Considerations tending to excite us to this Trying and to seriousness in it The first is Many trust very foolishly in trusting their own Hearts Prov. 28.26 which Naturally are untrue and as far from goodness as from Truth There were of Old those called Gnosticks and Montanists who called themselves Spiritual ones but very falsly and at this day many strongly conceit that the Spirit of God is in 'em but put 'em on proving it and you silence ' em Secondly There are in all of us considered in our Naturals Principles that lead us to a vain confidence that we are Rich Jer. 17.9 and increased with Goods and Goodness Ezek. 36.31 And is it not a leading work of the Holy Spirit to shew us our self-emptiness and bring us to self-loathing Thirdly Is it not of sad signification when we decline all serious search and tryal in the case Psal 26.2 139. last Did not the Man after Gods own Heart shew what he was by his desiring God to examine and prove him Were not those Virgins far out Mat. 25. that looked not into their Vessels to see what supply there was in 'em for their Lamps Fourthly God will to the quick try us He may send on us such a sudden and sharp Affliction as will answer the name of a Temptation or Tryal He will certainly come to us by Death Eccles 12. last and bring us to Judgment and then there will be a full and impartial decision of the matter Then the Secrets of all hearts will be laid open And now marks or signs lye next us And the first I shall name which I shall do little more than name having before given an hint of 'em See Doctor Manton c. distinguish'd are exclusive ones If they be upon Persons they are void of the spirit of Holiness To wit 1. Walking after the Flesh and fulfilling its Lusts Hath the Flesh a full dominion within the Spirits Territories Rom. 8.1 Have they the Spirit whom the Flesh at a beck can command into its Obedience Gal. 5.16 so that they will run into excess and be drunk unclean or lazy The second is Living in an ordinary and wilful neglect of Spiritual Duties or however of Spiritual Graces in the use of ' em Doth not the Spirit of Life where he enters bring his Law into the Heart Rom. 8.2 And doth not Mens Closets and Houses savour of it I next come to give some of those Marks which are good but not conclusive 1. They may not have the Spirit of Sanctification who have had some of those preparatory works as they are called which Saints have Acts 24.25 They may have frights for wrath that want fear of sin They may have sorrows that have not Godly sorrow They may be shaken that are not settled on the Rock of Ages 2. They may be destitute of the Sanctifying Spirit that have some desirable motions and affections from him They may desire benefit by Christ that have no real desire of Christ himself They may desire him as a Bridge on and over which they pass to Happiness that do not desire him as an Husband in whose Bosom they may iye and whose Orders they may observe They may love the Loaves that do not love the Person of Christ they may joy in some Gifts from him that count not abiding with him joyful And so I proceed to lay down Marks styled inclusive They that carry 'em have received if not a double a larger portion of the Spirit than sundry others who yet have received him May those who will vouchsafe to read 'em desire that they may bear ' em The first is An hearty and deep detestation of inward and thought-defilements added to an escaping the gross Pollutions of the World Psal 119.113 128. Though David fell far and foully yet in his main course and bent he had an habitual yea and actual hatred as of every false way so of every vain thought and therein stood above many whose Feet are on Holy Ground An eminent presence of the Spirit was with him The Second is A readiness in many cases to deny ones self and part with ones own Right and concern not onely for Peace sake but chiefly for God's sake Gen. 13.8 Was not Father Abraham higher by the Head than most are that are his Seed who not onely yielded to Lot that was his Nephew but also refus'd to touch any of the Spoils that were recovered in War being first taken from the Sodomites I know Balaam could speak words of self-denyal as if an House-full of Gold was as nothing to him but it was because God made it too hot for him to hold 2 Pet. 2.15 for in his Heart he loved the Wages of Unrighteousness If a Person come to this A meipso libera me cry'd Luther that he fears the encroachment of self-ends and is free to be taken off from self-willedness and is Mortified as to self-advancement a large measure of the Spirit is conferred on him A Third is Walking more evenly and uniformly than most do who yet are in the Road to Heaven Gen. 5.24 1 Pet. 2.12 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 No doubt there were in Enoch's Age other upright Persons yet on account of his out-shining 'em and out-going 'em in Obedience he hath this High Character That he walked with God When a Person 's Conversation as to the several turnings that are in it are honest and becoming the Gospel and is so much all of a well-wrought piece that it is not easie for a Friend to find any thing that deserves a sharp Reproof See the Life of Sir Nat. Barnardiston and of the Lady Wharton or a Foe to quarrel with any practice as inconsistent with saving Grace a Person is verily filled with the Spirit 4. So is he that gives great Glory to God by exercising Faith in the face of many and great discouragements was not this an Evidence that Abraham was fuller than many of the Holy Ghost Rom. 4.19 20. in that he considered not his own Body being then dead as to the hope of begetting an Isaac a Son of Laughter nor yet the deadness of Sarahs Womb He did not so consider either of 'em as not to rely on God for fulfilling his Promise in giving him Posterity He believed in hope against hope he set one God over against all Objections His Faith remov'd Mountains out of his sight 5. They have the Spirit above many that are mighty in Prayer that can humbly and earnestly plead in
THE RICHES OF GRACE DISPLAYED The SECOND PART In the great Instances thereof In giving the Son Sending the Spirit Effectual Calling God's Covenanting with Man By W. Bagshaw Minister of the Gospel LONDON Printed for Ralph Shelmardine in Manchester 1685. ADVERTISEMENT Reader THou maist take notice That the Reverend Author of this Book did begin to Publish something on this Excellent Subject in a Book Entituled The Riches of Grace Displayed c. in the Year 1674. To which this is a Second Part proceeding on several great Instances to the fifth in number which are mentioned in the Title page To which will be added a Third Part of five Instances more of the same Rich Grace to wit of God the Father's Justifying Adopting Sanctifying Comforting and Glorifying Persons The Subject is of the highest concern and this may be said of the handling of it That it is fully and yet briefly done And the Reader may be assured that as the price cannot be great so he shall not pay for scarce a superfluous word in the whole May God Bless it to the eternal Advantage of every careful peruser of it Amen ERRATA PAge 3. line 1. read manner p. 4. l. 21. dele which is p. 5. in the Marg. r. Commendabilem ib. Polus p. 14. l. 7. r. at Ibid. l. 23. dele say p 17. l. 16. r. O that p. 25. l. 12. dele he came so p. 30. l. 13. r. inflicted p. 31. l. 19. r. O that p. Ib. l. 22. r. pledge p. 48. l. 10. r. know p. 55. l. 10. r. cures p. 63. l. 14. r. yet p. 64. in the Marg. r. rependere p. 70. l. 11. r. desires p. 72. l. 14. r. her p. 76. l. 18. add is p. 81. Marg. r. against ' em p. 87. l. 5. r. and. p. 103. l. 13. r. do p. 110. l. 22. add is p. 122. l. 6. r. living water p. 133. Marg. r. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 143. l. 16. r. chearing p. 147. l. 4. r. of us all p. 154. l. 20. r. and design p. 164. Marg. r. malè colorata p. 180. l. 15. r. Context p. 182. l. 25. r. this p. 184. l. 2. r. removed p. 187. l. 1. add as well p. 193. l. 12. r. crys p. 203. Marg. r. Date THE RICHES OF GRACE The SECOND PART 1 John 4.10 Herein is Love not that we Loved God but that He Loved us and sent His Son to be a Propitiation for our Sins DId not Divine John carry Grace and Love in his Heart as well as in his Name BP Brownwrigg It was well observed by one of great eminency and is worthy of the observation of others that as he shared above others in the Love of his Saviour he above others shewed as well as bare Love to his Saviour Jo. 13.23 As he was the Disciple that Jesus Loved He was a compound of Love and sweetness he was the Disciple by whom Jesus was beloved and in the exercise of Love his fellowship was with the Father See Doctor Roberts as well as with the Son Jesus Christ Witness this Epistle 1 Ja. 1.3 and that part of it wherein my Text stands And he who felt such pure flames in his own breast was desirous to kindle the like in the breasts of others thence doth he display the Love of God before 'em His heart would not easily off from that Subject and it kept his Pen to and on it On that sweet string he struck in the Verse before this and on it he strikes again in this Verse wherein 1. The Matter treated of is Love Love in its height 2. The Matter of his treating thereon is as was usual with him 1. Negatively the excellency of Love lay not in Mens Love to God 2. Positively it lyes in Gods Love to Men. Of whose Love there is an eminent instance to wit sending His Son to be a Propitiation for our Sins The Text hath in it fair footing for sundry points or observations but it falls for my present design to touch only on this Doctrine 1. The sending of His Son to be a Propitiation for Mens Sins was an eminent evidence of the Rich Grace and free Love of God the Father Of this person's Love doth the Text and Context much treat That we are to take the word God therein personally for the Father is argued from his being distinguished from the Son and having that action which is especially appropiated to the Father Differentia est per propria appropriata Bp. Prid. manuduct p. 34. ascribed to him that is sending the Son Though there be no inequality among the Divine Persons or Subsistents there is an order and the Scripture speaks of the first Person Isai 53.10 as the first propounder and mover as to the work of Mans redemption And when the Text saith herein is Love or in this is Love it speaks as much as I have put into my Doctrine See the Eng. Annot I find it thus glossed on The very nature of Love doth herein appear One I remember expressed himself thus This is Love worth pointing at Mr. S. E. what if I say this is Love worth wondring at it is much on this score especially that God the Father is stiled Love 1. Jo. 4.8.16 which is full of Love Love it self And in the foregoing Verse it is said expresly In this was the Love of God manifested in this mainly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 though not in this only in this above and not only among other things that he gave his only Begotten Son 1 Jo. 3.16 So God Loved the World so wonderfully so as cannot be to the full expressed or conceived Here is a Sic without a Sicut So that good Men and Angels are fill'd with admiration This Love had no president Rom. 5.8 and shall have no parallel Commendabile reddit salus ad locum This commendeth or rendreth commendable the Love of God the Father particularly That we may take a fairer view of this his Love we will offer at the resolution of certain Questions 1. Who is it that thus declares his Love Is it not God the Father Did not the Son come and was he not sent out of His Bosome Vide Amyraldi Thes de peccato in Spirit Sanctum Now did not Mans Sin in violating the Law and first Covenant strike very fully at this Person from whom if we regard the order of the Persons in the Godhead that Law and Covenant had the first rise Had not He been what He is if Man had never been And could not He have Glorified Himself in Mans Damnation Rom. 5 8. Now that He against whom Man had Sinn'd should for Man provide a Saviour that he who was provoked by the World should send his Son for as well as into the World that he that is All-blessed should bestow on provokers this prime Blessing that he who could have honoured His justice should thus declare
1 Pet. 2.7 Not onely as making Peace for you but withall as bringing Power for subduing sin and carrying on Gods Service to you 3. Could you as you feel you do in some degree pant after Holiness and Pureness in your Spirits Do you not Watch as well as Pray against Spiritual defilements Phil. 3.3 Are not your Souls for Spiritualness in Worship Would you not have Faith and Love to influence the Duties you engage in Tell me if you can where those Hypocrites dwell in whom the three qualifications last named meet As for Profane Persons Procul hinc procul ite I may say to 'em stand off stand off From this word which I have applyed to these to whom it is proper and hearken to me that God may hearken to you The next word is very much for you For the Second branch of the first Use is as followeth They that are at a want of the Holy Spirit may hence learn to whom or whither they should go for him Should they not bow their knees and with 'em their Hearts to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and cry Pour O pour of this Holy Water thy Spirit upon us I should have more hope that this Use would be more useful to you if once you well understand your own case and state I may deal with you further about it ere long at present I propound these Questions to you 1. How can you think having the Spirit consistent with such diligent service as the Flesh or the World have from you 2. How can you pretend to be inspired with the Spirit that have not a great care to demean your selves well towards the Spirit and a fear to resist yea to quench or grieve him And O that you would give this a serious thought Can you with confidence look God in the face or hope to escape his dreadful wrath if his Spirit be not in you Could I see or hear of right relentings in your Hearts for your miscarriages with reference to the Spirit and breathings in 'em that he may breath in you yea and be a Guide and Governour to you how joyfully and seriously would I commend you to and commend to you the Grace of God the Father encouraging you to expect this great gift 1. Do not earthly Fathers even evil ones know how to give good gifts to their Children Luke 11.13 Will not the best of Fathers the Heavenly one give the Spirit to humble askers 2. Grace though long slighted Luke 15. per totum hath long Arms and hath 'em open to receive poor Praying Penitents 3. Qui dedit gratiam desiderii da hit gratiam desideratam Will not he that causeth Persons to desire his Spirit if they follow on desiring answer their desire Seeing upon the Fathers giving the Spirit to Persons both he and his Son will be Honoured by 'em and for his Sons sake he doth with his Honour give him The second Use for Reproof The first branch of the Reproof falls full upon them to whom the Holy Spirit and the effusion or pouring out of his Grace is matter of Drollery and scorn It is known that the men of Rome call Protestants in scorn Spiritists See Mr. Brownsword against Popery for their speaking much and honourably of the Aids of the Spirit May this Spirit reprove and convince 'em of this sinful sin May they feel his humbling work that so they may not fall under his destroying Hand Mat. 12.31 32. Are not all the Persons in the Godhead wronged when the Spirit is so Will not Arrows shot at Heaven fall down on their Heads that shoot ' em It is a Lamentation that any are so daring The second Branch is for or if you will against those that make vain pretensions to the Holy Spirit and his differencing workings when indeed they are too much strangers both to him and them O that they who cast off all or at least most of the Institutions of Christ did not cry up themselves as men who have most of the Spirit 1. John 4.23 24. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Doth Worshipping God in the Spirit exclude external Worship pointed at in the Greek word 2. Doth the Spirit speaking in the Heart contradict his speech in the Scripture 3. Doth Baptism by the Holy Ghost shut out Baptism by Water Doth drinking of or into the spirit 1 Cor. 12.13 make against drinking the Sacramental Cup that is set out by that very Phrase Should not Spiritual Persons use and prize Spiritual Ordinances The Third Branch of the Reproof falls to their share with whom the Spirit of God and his Gracious Influences are at an undervalue They neither have nor desire to have him Alas Alas is not this evidently their case 1. Who are sensual Jude 19. living in Carnal Pleasures being given up to ' em 2. Who are inspired with the spirit of the World 1 Cor. 2.12 Earth Earth Earth may be written on their Minds and Affections 3. Heb. 6.9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Who are utter strangers and that out of choice to those first works of the Spirit which accompany Salvation or have it following ' em 1. Are they enlightned Have they a sight of sin in its sinfulness Of Christ in his Beauty and Glory And of Holyness in its Excellency and Extent Is their knowledge near so much as a spiritual one Is it any more than a meer literal one Hath it in it clearness of Light See Doctor Arrow-smith's Armella which enables Persons to discern things that differ or sweetness of taste for relishing what excels 2. Are they enlivened Doth this appear 1. By their crying or breathing in Prayer after spiritual things Acts 9.11 and Christ with whom they are given 2. Natura principium motus By their motion in other Holy Duties and by the vigour and constancy as well as freeness of it 3. By their sense of what tends to prejudice Spiritual Life Hath not a little living Child a feeling of a small prick of a pin 4. 1 Pet. 2.2 3. By their desire of proper Food and Nourishment particularly of the sincere and unmixed Milk of Gods Word that they may grow thereby Have they an inward concern about these things O that there were such an Heart in ' em May the Lord set this use of Reproof home upon those to whom it of right belongs 1. Shall slighters of or meer pretenders to the Holy Spirit be able to stand in Judgment surely they will not What then will be the end of those that take the scorners Chair and play not onely with sacred things but also with this most sacred Person except Repentance reach their Hearts 2. Will not this to those that hearken to him sweet Friend be found by those that abuse and undervalue him a most severe Foe Can Persons during this state endure the terrors he strikes into their Consciences How then will they be able to
to John 3.19 Joh 21.14 O how many avoid Knowledge and affect Security The Second is Driving a trade and course of Profaneness being Creatures of carnal pleasures The Third is Minding savouring Animalia voluptatis 1 Tim. 5.6 Phil. 3.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and relishing Earthly things mainly if not onely Eating dust is that the Serpent is Condemn'd to far unfit is that Food for the Seed of the Woman The Fourth is Gal. 4.29 2 Thes 2.10 Having an aking Tooth and envious Heart at the better sort of People The Fifth is Setting light by God's Word and being void of the love of the Truth I proceed to instance in marks that are good but Not Conclusive Sundry have 'em who have not been Effectually Called The First is Escaping some of the more gross pollutions of the World * See Mr. Fowler Men may be without open Crimes and yet without Christ Luke 18.11 If we believe the boasting Pharisee he was no Adulterer or Oppressor The Second is Being at times found in some Duties for the matter of 'em commendable Such as 1. Hearing the best Ministers Mark 6.20 Herod sate under John Baptist's Teachings 2. Praying in publick and private Hypocrites have made many and long Prayers 3. Observing some Fast-days Isa 58 2 3. Had not the Pharisee two in a week The Third is Luke 18.11 Being entrusted with and interested in choice Church-Priviledges Such as 1. Being joyn'd in and to a good Society Were not foolish Virgins with the wise Mat. 25.1 2. Being washed with the water of Baptism Acts 8. Was not Simon Magus so 3. Being admitted to the Holy Table Mat. 7. Luke 13.26 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Gratias gratis daras The bare Plea of eating and drinking in Christ's presence will be found insufficient The Fourth is Attaining Gifts that are desirable and to others Edifying Such as 1. Being able and apt to enlarge in Prayer on sundry occasions 2. Prophecying in Christ's Name Mat. 23.14 Mat. 7.20 21 22. or Preaching very plausibly I add The Unconverted may 1. Seem Zealous for the Sabbath 2. Declare for Reformation 3. Jer. 42.4 5. Acts 8.24 Come to Ministers with Cases 4. Beg a share in their Prayers Now we come to marks Inclusive They on and in whom they are are without doubt called to be Saints And it may pass for an adequate or even sign of such a Calling if Persons do earnestly desire and endeavour to bear and express ' em Such desires and endeavours weak Christians are acquainted with and the furthest reaching Hypocrites strangers to May therefore Readers be careful in considering ' em And full of longings that they may have more and more experience of ' em 1. The first is more general to wit having a new Heart or Principle of Spiritual Life and Love Dr. Bolton This is as one said the great crack found in many Vessels that are found in God's House or Church consider'd as visible Mat. 7. latter end They build without regard to a good Foundation and bear without reference to the root of the matter Some Fruit they have but about having the Seed of God they are not concern'd They are seen moving in some Holy Duties but never felt breathings after that Divine Nature from whence such motion should flow Many are chain'd and not chang'd or have onely known a change of their sins and not of their Souls they do not long after a thorough change 1. That their Understandings may not onely discern between good and evil 2 Cor. 5.17 but also between good and good the good that may serve 'em and that which can satisfie ' em 2. That their wills may be set against sin and for and on God Where a renewing work is Effectual Calling hath certainly been about which we may have better Information from the following Particular Signs The first is Brokenness and Poverty of Spirit If we speak of persons of Years Mat. 5.3 hath not that Heart been broken that is sound Is Conversion there where Contrition hath never been They who can witness that they are not onely humbled but humble Non solùm humilitati sed humiles broken in a good degree for sin from sin and from their former self-confidence who as they know they are vastly indebted to Divine Justice they feel they have nothing wherewith to pay and are undone if Christ appear not as their Surety who have a quick sense of their want of Sanctifying Grace and that supplies can onely be had with and through him have an hopeful evidence of their being Called A Second is Cleaving to and glorying in the Lord Jesus as a None-such for a Mediator and Reconciler of God to man by his merit and man to * See Mr. Herles God by his Spirit as Wisdom for their Direction Righteousness for their Justification 1 Cor. 1.30 Sanctification as freeing from the Reign of sin and Redemption at last from all sort of Suffering Phil. 3.3 Rejoycers in Christ are of the Circumcision or Spiritually Circumcised A Third is Choosing God in Christ as the Treasure saying from their Hearts Whom have we in Heaven but thee Psal 73.25 And what is that on Earth that we desire besides thee Thou art that Sun whose presence makes a day in our Souls Thou art All in All in Heaven and best of all on Earth both in the want and enjoyment of Creature-Comforts Is God liv'd on as their Portion by any that are uncalled A Fourth is Waiting for the guidance and influences of the Holy Spirit Art not they the Sons of God that are led by this Conductor Rom. 8.14 Gal. 5.25 And living in him desire a design to walk in and after him longing that he would mortifie their Flesh and revive their Spirits The Fifth is Bending Ordinances and Providences both favouring and frowning against sin still striking at the Head and Heart of it aiming at its Death Gal. 5.24 and arguing for it from Mercies and Judgments and longing that at Sermons it may receive some Deaths-wounds Is it thus with any save the Called A Sixth is 2 Pet. 1.5 6. Having growth and strength of Grace in desire being for adding to Faith Vertue and to Vertue Knowledge c. for building up themselves on the Rock of Ages Gal. 5.22 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Vide Polum ad locum and for shewing that Love Joy Meekness Long-suffering c. are one and the same Fruit of the Spirit and for being every day stronger and stronger The Seventh is Having respect to all God's Commandments Not wilfully making balks in such good and holy Ground Psal 119.5 6. Tit. 2.11 12. Bish Rainbow but studying to walk Godly Righteously and Soberly as one in my Youth gloss'd on those Adverbs acting in those good ways from a good Habit and regarding the manner and end with the matter of Duties The Eigth is
speedy and thorough breach of Covenant with sin So Mr. Gibbons That Naturally Men are in this unholy League is a kind of sensible thing That it should be dissolv'd is a needful thing Mat. 1.21 Men cannot at once be in their sins and their Saviour The Fourth Direction Time is to be set apart that this work may be well done To wit 1. In and with a sin-lamenting frame Jer. 50.3 4. weeping that it was not done sooner 2. In a self-judging frame owning that wrath was their due and that they have neither strength by which they should close with the Lord Rom. 5.5 6. nor worth for which he should help 'em to do it 3. In a Praying and Pleading frame waiting that God for Christ's All-worthiness would persuade their Hearts to enter his Covenant Plead they thus 1. Lord thy Grace offers thy Son will it not teach us to embrace him 2. Lord It is our Duty to Covenant with thee wilt thou not enable us to do it 3. Lord On Covenanting with thee we shall Honour thee help me to Honour thee Some doubting drooping Souls may Object against themselves First We are so very vile God will not accept us if we give our selves to him Answ 1. John 6.37 7.37 Satan and your mis-giving Hearts may say so but where did God tell you so 2. Hath not be plainly told that on your coming he 'l in no wise cast you out 3. To multiply Pardons to the Penitent is for his Honour Be willing he should have Honour A Second Objection We have dealt falsly as to our Baptismal Covenant can we hope God will deal with us after his gracious Covenant Answ 1. Heb. 3.12 13. Jer. 31.1 21 23. Great Humiliation is called for Desperation is a Rock to be avoided 2. Covenanting with God notwithstanding past Treachery is still your Duty A Third Objection We fear if we do make Covenant we shall break it Answ See Guthry on a Christians great Interest 2 Tim. 2.1 It being your Duty fear must cause you to do it aright but must not hinder your doing it When in your selves you are without strength have recourse to the Spring of strengthning Grace It is sufficient for wait that it may be effectual in you The last branch of the Exhortation is for those that with a right hand and heart have laid hold on God's Covenant 1. Walk they as Covenanters should do 1. Psal 110.3 and 119.6 May they exercise Obedience that is 1. Free and out of Choice being Voluntiers in God's Service 2. Extensive reaching every part and point of the Law as to their will and purpose They should have respect to inward and Instituted Worship to the right manner and special time of Worship to the exercise of Religion in all their Relations to the maintaining of Charity Acts 13.22 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Purity Justice and Contentment and that their Obedience may hold on and out to the end Secondly May their Faith be in constant exercise May they always hold the Blessed Head Gal. 2.20 the Lord Jesus May the Life they live in the flesh be by the Faith of the Son of God! Are not all their fresh Springs in him who is called the Covenant May they go out of themselves as empty poor and weak unto him as full rich and strong beyond expression Is not this the Spirit of the New Covenant Again That the former Direction may be better observed let this that follows take due place Be they for a frequent and serious renewal of their Covenant See Strong on the Covenant p. 184 c. Fresh Cords may have much force Do not many and many find it good for them in this way to draw near to God 1. After fresh falls and declinings Luke 22.31 in order to their rising and recovery 2. Under great pressures and chastenings in order to their support and chearing 3. In the time of quicknings and enlargings Jer. 50.4 5. for the prevention of deadness and straitness 4. Before great Enterprizes and Undertakings that they may be Bless'd and Prosper'd 5. At the close of Sabbaths and Fasts Nehem. 9. latter end that precious impressions may be abiding yet great care must be had lest Formality eat out the Heart of this Practice and in new Covenantings new Influences from Heaven are to be waited for The last Use is for Consolation to those who have suffered and do improve the foregoing words of Exhortation Heb. 13.22 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word signifies both 2 Sam. 23.5 Jer. 13.11 Heb. 13.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 May they not with joy draw Water out of this Well of Salvation Is not God's Covenant an everlasting one well order'd in all things and sure Is not this one branch of it that he will never never never leave or forsake those whom he causeth by it to cleave to him Will he suffer 'em fully and finally to depart from him Shall bewailed failures in Covenant be taken as forfeitures of it Assuredly they shall not May this poor Piece have Heavens Blessing attending it And may by all that read it Covenant Mercies in the use of Covenant-duties be received Amen and Amen FINIS