â— in that integrity he enjoyed with God Gen. 3. 6 7 8 10. Whereupon man becomes Dead in Sin Ephes. 2. 1. 5. with Gen. 2. 16 17. 2. In the Depravation Pollution and Corruption of his whole nature His whole Soul and all the faculties thereof His whole Body and all the Parts thereof being universally defiled to them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure but even their Mind and Conscience is defiled Tit. 1. 15. See Gen. 6. 5. Ier. 17. 9. Rom. 3. 10. to 19. 2 Pet. 2. 14. Hence From both these ensue two woful effects 1. An Indisposition and utter inability yea an Opposition and Enmity unto all Good Rom. 5. 6. and 7. 18. and 8. 8. Col. 1. 21. Rom. 8. 7. and 5. 10. 2. An Universal pronity Propensity or Proclivity unto all Evil. Gen. 6. 5. and 8. 21. Rom. 3. 10 11 12. 1 Pet. 4. 2 3 4. Original Sin being the Root Seed and Common Spawn of all Actual Sin in the World Iam. 1. 14 15. Ephes. 2. 1 2 3. The Holy Scriptures set forth this Original Sin by sundry remarkable Names or Phrases It is stiled 2. Iniquity wherein we were shapen and sin wherein our Mothers conceived us Psal. 51. 5. in regard of the Natural Propagation of it 1 Sin That they are all under Sin Rom. 3. 9. 1 Ioh. 1. 8. Rom. 7. 14. Because it is Sin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Sin of Sins the mother and nurse of all Sins virtually and seminally comprehending in it all sorts of Sins 3 Sin dwelling in us Rom. 7. 20. from the constant Inherence Residence and Abode which it hath in all yea even in the Regenerate themselves to whom it is pardoned and in whom it is in some measure mortified during this present life Rom. 7. 17 18. 4 The Sin that doth so easily beset us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sin easily surrounding us Heb. 12. 1. because it encompasseth Soul Body all our Faculties Affections Senses Parts and whole Man 5 The Law of Sin Rom. 8. 2. and 7. 25. The Law of Sin in our members Rom. 7. 23. because of the power and strength of Sin which is resident in us A Law is powerful and forcible 6. The Body of Sin Rom. 6. 6. because as a Natural Body is compacted of many Parts and hath divers proper Members set in it whereby it acts So sin Original hath many limbs called Our members which are upon Earth as Fornication c. Col. 3. 5. 7 Our Old man Rom. 6. 6. Sin is so called in Opposition to the New man the Regenerate Part and in distinction from our humane Natures because our Corruption of Nature is from the first man the Old Adam as our Regeneration is from the Spirit of Christ the last Adam 8 The Old Leven to be purged out 1 Cor 5. 7. called Leven because as Leven levens and sowers the whole lump of Dow So Sin original levens the whole man sowers and infects the whole man Old from old Adam 9. The flesh Ioh. 3. 6. Rom. 8. 18. Gal. 5. 17. because As Flesh is opposite to Spirit So Original Sin is opposite to Grace And because as flesh is man's basest and vilest part Phil. 3. 21. So Original Sin is the vilest evil in man Pause here O Natural Man Not only Adam's first Actual Sin is thine being justly imputed to thee But this Original Sin thence contracted is thine also being naturally inherent in thee It is the Disease the Poyson the Plague the Leprosy of thy whole Nature Thou art as full of it as any Sink is full of filth as any Serpent is full of venome as any Toad is full of poyson Thou art by Nature wholly defiled with it universally captivated under the Dominion of it and Spiritually Dead in it And in this respect thy Condition is incomparably worse than the Condition of any fowl fish bruit-beast or creeping thing whatsoever For they have no Original Sin in them and thou art all full of it And is this thy natural Condition a State to be rested in by theeâ— wherein thou art far worse than any Dog Toad Serpent mean or vilest creature under the Sun Remember that of Augustine Every one is damned as Generated None is delivered but as Regenerated 3. In the Hâ—ge Heaps â—nd Swarms of all thine actual Sins the poysonous fruit of Sin Original into which thou hast broken forth inconsiderately from thy Birth until this very day The sinfulness of thy natural Condition is mightily augmented and aggrevated O Natural Man Think often in thy Retired hours of the â—Variety 2 Multiplicity and 3 Extremity or Aggravations of thine Actual Sins 1 The Variety and several sorts of thine Actual Sins How manifold are they As actual Sins in respect of the Subject are distributed into Peccata Cordis Oris Operis Sins of Heart Word and Work â— In the Heart what corrupt imagination Gen. 6. 5. what abominable vain Atheistical blasphemous prophane and polluted Thoughts Prov. 15. 26. What deadness stupidity defilement Sâ—aredness c. in the Conscience Tit. 1. 15. 1 Tim. 4. 2. What Enmity Perversness crookedness disobedience rebellion c. in the will Ier. 44. 16 17. c. Luke 19. 14. What impenitency hardness deceitfulness hypocrisy Earthiness Disorder Confusion c. in the Heart and Affections Rom. 2. 5. 2. In thy words and tongue What Vain-speaking Swearing Cursing Lying Blaspheming Back-biting Slandering False-witness-bearing c. Exod. 20. 7. Mat. 12. 36. the Tongue is a world of iniquity Iam. 3. 6. and every idle word must be accounted for at the day of Judgement Mat. 12. 36 37. 3 In thy actions and works though never so Religious in appearance How dost thou miscarry in their Ground Matter Form Manner Circumstances and End 1 Tim. 1. 5. Tit. 1. 15 16. Isai. 1. 10. c. and 66. 3. Hag. 2. 14. Prov. 15. 8. So that in none of them thou canst please God Rom. 8. 8. Yea and even in thy secular Actions thou 〈◊〉 wholly Sinful Prov. 21. 4. and 15. 9. And to this Distribution of Actuals into Sins of Heart Word and Works We may refer that of Sins into Inward and Outward Sins in respect of the Law or Rule violated by Sin are 1 Sins of Impiety or Ungodliness contrary to the first Table of the Decalogue 2 Sins of Iniquity Unrighteousness or worldly Lusts against the 2 Table c. Rom. 1. 18. Tit. 2. 12. Of Impiety there are many sorts of Sins properly repugnant to the 4 first Commandements Of Unrighteousness are many Sorts also contrariant to the 6 last Commandements And this Distribution of Sins according to the ten Commandements is most accurate Sins in Respect of the Parts thereof are 1 Sins of Omission when duties prescribed are neglected and this is a Taking from Gods Law Iam. 4. 17. Mat. 25. 42. c. Rev. 2. 21. 1 Sam. 15. 2 3. 8 9. c. 2 Sins of Commission when things prohibited are Practised
as Gen. 2. 16 17. compared with Gen. 3. 6 7. Achan's sin Iosh. 7. 1. 15. 20 21. 25 26. compared with Iosh. 6. 17 18 19. Sins in respect of the Object offended and wronged are 1 Sins against God and repugnant to Piety Rom. 1. 21 22. 28. 2 Sins against Man against our Neighbour and contrary to righteousness to equity Pro. 14. 21. Gen. 4. 8. 3 Sins against a mans own self contrary to Sobriety 1 Cor. 6. 18. Prov 20. 2. Touching the two first See 1 Sam. 2. 25. Luke 15. 18. Touching all the three See Tit. 2. 12. But Sin is otherwise against God then it is against Man Against God as it is a Transgression of his Law against man only as it is a Damage or Injury Sins in regard of Time wherein they are acted are 1 Sins of youth Psalm 25. 7. Eccles. 11. 9. 2 Tim. 2. 22. 2 Sins of riper age Isai. 65. 20. Sins in regard of Place and cognizance are 1 Private or Secret Psal. 19. 12. and 90. 8. Iosh. 7. 1. c. 2 Publick and open when Sin is perpetrated boldly impudently in the view of others Isai. 3. 9. Numb 25. 6 7 8. 2 Sam. 16. 22. Sins in respect of their Power and Strength are Reigning or not Reigning Rom. 6. 12 13 14. Hither some refer the Distinction of Sin into Mortal and Venial not in the Popish Sense but in a sound Sense viz. As by Mortal Sin we may understand Sin reigning which not repented of shall never be forgiven And as by Venial Sin we may understand Sin not reigning but in Christ upon repentance forgiven and not bringing Condemnation though it deserve it Rom. 8. 1. Sins in respect of Degree are Great or Small Ezech 5. 6. 8. and 8. 15. Ioh. 19. 11. Mat 5. 21 22. 2. The multiplicity of thine actual Sins how innumerable are they Are they not more than the hairs of thine head Psal. 40. 12. are they not numberless like the Sands and who can uâ—derstand his errors how many they are Psal. 19. 12. If in one Sin so many Sins are complicated as in Adam's Sin Gen. 3. In Judas his Sin Mat. 26 If in one day in one hour so many Sins in Thought Word and Deed are done by thee If in one Prayer c. So many Sinful distractions distempers c. are discovered what millions and Ten-thousand Millions of Millions of Sins proceed from thee in thy whole Life 3. The Extremity and Aggravations of thy Actual Sins How many and great are they Have not thy Sins been Haynous Crying Sins As I Bloodshed Gen. 4. 10. 2 Sodom's Sins Gen. 18. 20 21. 3 Oppression Exod. 3. 7. 4 Deteyning Hirelings wages Iam 5. 4. according to the antient memorial verse Which I may thus do into English 1 Blood 2 Sodom's Sins 3 Oppressing Tyranny 4 Detaining Hirelings Hire are Sins that cry Sins against thine own Light Ioh. 9. 41. Luke 12. 47 48. Iam. 4. 17. Sins against the checks of thine own Conscience Mat. 27. 17 to 27. Sins against many Motions of Gods Spirit Act. 7. 51. Eph. 4. 30. 1 Thes. 5. 19. Sins against Gods rich Means of Grace Isai. 5. 1 to 8. Mat. 21. 33 to 45. Sins against the precious Blood of Christ 1 Cor. 11. 27. Heb. 10. â—9 Sins against Gods many and great mercys Hos. 2. 8. Sins against Gods severe Judgments inflicted on others for thine admonition 1 Cor. 10 11. Dan. 5. 22 23. c. or upon thy self for thy Reformation 2 Chron. 28. 22. Sins against Gods Patience and Long-Suffering leading thee to Repentance Rom. 2. 4 5. Rev. 2. 21. Sins wherein thou hast long continued Isai. 65. 20. Deut. 9. 7. 27. Sins which thou hast often re-iterated Mat. 26. 69. to the end Sins heightened by such and such Circumstances As of Person Time Place c. Levit. 10. 1 2 3. Numb 20. 12. 2 Sam. 12. 7 8 9. Numb 25. 6. Ioh. 2. 13. to 18. Sins wherein thou hast shamefully gloryed Phil. 3. 19. Sins for the effecting of which thou hast been far more diligent and industrious than ever thou wast for the saving of thy precious Soul Mat. 23. 13. to 34. Communion with others in their Sins many wayes Eph. 5. 11. As if thine were not enow to damn thee Oh thou silly deceived Sinful Soul When for all these Sins of thine God shall bring thee to judgement Where shalt thou appear Psal. 1. 5. Oh What then wilt thou do when God riseth up and when he visiteth what wilt thou Answer him Ioh. 31 14. II. The Wâ—â—tchedness of a natural mans Condition Who can enough Apprehend or Express What words can sufficiently declare Where there 's nothing but Carnality and Sinfulness there 's nothing but misery and wretchedness The Natural man's Condition as it is most Sinful without all even the least degree of Sanctity So it is most miserable without all even the least measure of saving mercy or felicity And such O Natural man is thy Condition in sundry respects For 1. Thou art by Nature wholly destitute of that Paradise on Earth that suburbs of Heaven that handsel of Glory Sweet Communion with God While Adam stood in his integrity He had sweet fellowship with God Gen. 1. 26 27 28 29 30. and 2. 3 7 8. 16 17 18. and so to the end But Adam had no sooner fallen but he lost that sweet Communion with God was afraid of Gods voice Hid himself from his presence among the Trees of the Garden is Convented Convinced and judged for his Sin and driven out of the Garden c. Gen. 3. 9. to the end And whilst thou art in thy Natural State in the first Adam lapsed Thou art without all Communion with God also For What fellowship hath Righteousness with unrighteousness And what Communion hath light with darkness 2. Cor. 6. 14. Now God is light and in him is no Darkness at all If we say we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness we lie and do not the Truth c. 1. Ioh. 1. 5. 6. 7. and every natural man is Darkness Eph. 5. 8. and habitually walks in darkness 1 Ioh. 2. 9. 11. Now whilst thou art destitute of Communion with God thou dost still remain without all these sweet Companions of Communion with God viz. Thou art 1 Without all special favour and saving mercy from God which had not obtained mercy 1. Pet. 2. 10 2 Without any Saving Relation to God art none of his People nor is he thy God 1. Pet. 2. 10. yea He is ashamed to be called thy God or to own thee for one of his people Heb. 11. 16. 3 Without Christ the last Adam Eph. 2. 12. 1. Cor. 15. 45. By whom alone all Saving mercy from God and all saving Relation to God can be obtained Act. 4. 11. 12. Ephes. 2. 13. to the end 4 An Alien from the Common wealth of Israel Eph 2. 12. Thou art none of his Family and Houshold none of his
brethren what shall we do Act. 2. 36 37. When the Iaylor's heart was convinced and shaken as well as the foundations of the Prison he presently enquires of Paul and Silas Sirs what must I do be saved Act. 16. 30. There are three steps towards the cure of a sick body and of a sinful soul viz. Inveuire morbum To find out and be convinced of the malady Adire medicum To have recourse to the Physician for direction and Applicare medicinam To apply the medicine for the attaining of recovery Who will seek to the Physician or apply any remedy that feels no smart of his malady 4. Vntil thou art fully convinced O Natural man that thou continuest still in thy Natural sinfulness and wretchedness thou wilt never repent and turn from thy sinful estate to God Till the Prodigal soundly smarted under sence of his sin and misery he never came to himself or to a penitent resolution of returning to his Father But then he comes and sayes Father I have sinned against heaven and before thee c. Luke 15. 14 15 16 17 18 19 21. Here see how conviction and lively sense of sin and misery put him upon serious Consideration Consideration put him upon penitential Resolution Return Repentance Confession Reformation and humble Supplication 5. Vntil thou O Natural man shalt be throughly convinced of the sinfulness and wretchedness of thy present Natural state wherein thou remainest unto this present day thou never givest an actual entertainment and present welcome in thy soul unto Jesus Christ and him crucify'd as the only remedy against this sinfulness and wretchedness of thy Natural condition 'T is the sense of present pain that makes the Patient cry out for means of ease till he find it and having obtained it how doth be esteem it and delight in it 'T is the apprehension of present danger at Sea in a storm that makes the Passengers cry to God and man to help Ionah 1. 5 6. Psal. 107. 25 26 27 28. and if the storm cease and the Sea becomes still that they can come to their desired Haven Oh how welcome and acceptable is the Haven unto them Psal. 107 29 30. So here 'T is the conviction of thy present Natural sinfulness and wretchedness that makes thee in thy servent desires even thirst and long after Christ the only Redeemer vehemently and upon obtaining of Christ makes thee prize him highly love him dearly and delight in him most contentedly As the penitent soul did in like case who washed Christs feet with her tears wiped them with the hairs of her head kissed them and annointed them with oyntment Luk. 7. 37. to the end Oh how acceptable is Christs Redemption to them that feel their bondage under sin and misery How amiable is Christs all-sufficiency for salvation to them that are apprehensive of their sins damnation And how precious sweet and delectable is Christs sin-cleansing and soul-saving blood to them that are aright convinced of the wormwood bitterness and gall of their Natural sinfulness and wretchedness Ease is alwayes acceptable but double acceptable after tormenting pain Health is alwayes sweet but double sweet after long tedious and tyring sickness Life is alwayes pleasant but to have returned from the brink of the grave to life again is a double life Thus O Natural man it appears plainly how necessary and advantageous it is for thee to be convinced of the sinfulness and wretchedness of thy Natural state wherein thou still remainest even until now II. How and by what Discoveries thou maist be clearly convinced O Natural man that thou still remainest in thy sinful and wretched state of Nature in the first Adam comes now to be considered and to be considered by thee most seriously Know thou therefore O man O woman whoever thou art That the great God hath in his faithful Word certainly discovered and declared every one and consequently thy self in particular to be and remain still in the Natural state of sin and misery If these ensuing notes and characters of a state of sin and misery do certainly belong to them and to thee viz. 1. If thou art without God in the world 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eph. 2. 12. compared with verse 3. wherein the Apostle intimates That the Ephesians while in their sinful and wretched state of Nature were without God in the world and while without God in the world they were children of wrath even as others Art thou not without God Where 's the divine Nature 2 Pet. 1. 4. Where Gods Image Eph. 4. 24. Col. 1. 10. Where the life of God Eph. 4. 18. 2. If thou art still without Christ that at that time i. e. while in your Natural state ye were without Christ Eph. 2. 12. with verse 3. Christless men are Godless men for it is by Christ as the way whereby we come unto God as the end Ioh. 14. 6. Heb. 7. 25. And Godless men are graceless men sinful wretched men for God alone is the Author of all grace 1 Pet. 5. 10. Eph. 2. 8. Art not without God Then is Christ thine Head and Husband to guide thee Eph. 5. 22 24. Thy Lord and King to rule thee Col. 2. 6. Thy Christ to annoint thee 1 Ioh. 2. 20 27. Thine Inhabitant to dwell in thee Eph. 3. 17. 3. If thou art still without the Spirit of God and of Christ inhabiting in thee Remarkable is that of the Apostle Ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Rom. 8. 9. Here the Apostle intimates 1. That the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ is one and the same Spirit 2. That to be Christs and to be in the Spirit amounts in effect to the same thing 3. That they who have the Spirit of God and of Christ dwelling in them are not in the flesh i. e. in their sinful and wretched state of Nature but in the Spirit i. e. in a spiritual holy and happy state of grace And 4. That they who have not the Spirit of Christ are none of Christs are not in the Spirit but in the flesh i. e. in their sinful and wretched state of Nature Now they have not the Spirit of God and of Christ 1 Who are Unregenerate and Unrenewed For the Spirit of God and of Christ is a Regenerating Spirit Ioh. 3. 5 6. 8. A Renewing Spirit Tit. 3. 5. He renews the whole man in part All things become New 2 Cor. 5. 17. 2 Who are Unsanctified and Unholy For the Spirit of God and of Christ is an Holy Spirit Psal. 5. 111. Eph. 1. 13. and 4. 30. The Holy Ghost 2 Cor. 13. 14. Tit. 3. 5. 2. Pet. 1. 21. 1 Ioh. 5. 7. Iude vers 20. And all those that are builded by the Spirit for an Habitation of God are by him made an Holy Temple in the Lord Ephes. 2. 21. 22.
1 Cor. 3. 16. 17. And this Holy Spirit is the peculiar and immediate Author of Sanctification and Holiness to all Gods Elect 1 Pet. 1. 2. A Spirit of Grace Zech. 12. 10. 3 Who are grossly ignorant of the Spiritual things of God So as not to receive them but to count them foolishness 1 Cor. 2. 14. Eph. 4. 18. For The Spirit of God and of Christ is A Spirit of Truth leading unto all Truth Ioh. 16. 13. A Spirit of wisdom and Revelation for the knowledge and acknowledging of the God of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephes 1. 17. c. 4 Who are not of Gods own family are not his Adopted children nor are furnished with Filial Confidence Fear Love Obedience and other Child-like Properties For The Spirit of God and of Christ is a Spirit of Adoption where he dwells Rom. 8. 15. Confirminâ—g their Sonship and assuring them of their Adopted State 1. As a Witness Rom. 8. 16. 2. As a Seal Ephes. 1. 13. 3. As an Earnest of their Inheritance Ephes. 1. 14. And 4. As a first-fruits Rom. 8. 23. 5. Who are prayer-less persons wholly unable with filial faith zeal and affection to cry Abba Father For the Spirit of God and of Christ is a Spirit of prayer a Spirit of grace and supplication Zech 12. 10. enabling Gods children to cry fervently Abba Father Rom. 8. 15. and the Spirit helps our prayer infirmities when we know not what to pray for as we ought For he maketh intercession for us viz. by enabling us to intercede for our selves with unutterable groans i. e. with unutterable desires and longings of soul Rom. 8. 26 27. 4. If thou art still without the immediate fundamental and saving effects of the Spirits of God and of Christ viz. Regeneration Ioh. 3. 3 5 6 8. Renovation Tit. 3. 5. New Creation in Christ Eph. 2. 10. 2 Cor. 5. 17. Conversion from sin and Satan to God Act. 26. 18. Effectual vocation 2 Thes. 2. 13 14. 2 Cor. 6. 1 2. Ioh. 6. 44. And Sanctification 1 Pet. 1 2. 2 Thes. 2. 13. By which Gods Spirit brings sinners out of the state of Nature Then art still in the sinful and wretched state of Nature 5. If thou art still unbelieving without faith unfeigned as by Nature all are Tit. 1. 15. 2 Thes. 3. 2. And having no hope no well-grounded hope of salvation and happiness by Christ in this or the world to come as is the condition of all in state of Nature Eph. 2. 12. Then thou remainest in the state of Nature to this hour 6. If thou continuest still impenitent and un-reformed to this day not turned from darkness to light nor from the power of Satan to God Act. 26. 18. Col. 1. 13. Thou art still in thy sinful and wretched state of Nature For by repentance God brings men unto himself into a spiritual supernatural state of life holiness and happiness Act. 2. 38. and 5. 31. and 26. 18. Repentance unto life Act. 11. 18. Ezek. 18. 30 31 32. 7. If thou dost habitually and primarily mind the things of the flesh If thy thoughts contrivances designs c. are chiefly about carnal and worldly things how to grow great rich c. but seldom or never mindest the things of the Spirit how to obtain Christ how to be saved how to make thy calling and election sure how to make Heaven sure how to walk with God c. Then thou art still after the flesh Rom. 8. 5 c. 8. If thy mind and wisdom be enmity against God and cannot endure to be subject to the Law of God then it is carnal Rom. 8. 7. Col. 1. 21. The Natural mans mind is so set upon sinful principles and wicked works that it cannot choose but hate God and his Law that utterly condemn them 9. If thou art not a lover but a hater of Gods people in whom Gods image appears and shines forth He that hateth his brother is in darkness viz. in the darkness of a sinful and miserable state by Nature and walketh in darkness 1 Joh. 2. 9 19 11. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death Whosoever hateth his brother i. e. his Christian brother for God Christ Grace Godliness c. in him is a Murderer and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him 1 Ioh. 3. 14 15. 10. If thou art under the Power of darkness Col. 1. 13. The Natural man is not only Dark in the Concreet but Darkness itself in the Abstract Eph. 5. 18. He is so dark that he is all darkness and nothing but darkness therefore he is under the raign and power of it so that he cannot by any ability of his own Extricate or deliver himself out of it The Natural man is under the power of a threefold Darkness viz. 1 The darkness of Sin Sins are works of Darkness Eph. 5. 11. The State of Sin is a state of darkness Such are dead in Sins and trespasses and as dead they are overwhelmed with darkness dwelt in darkness Eph. 2. 1. 5. 2 The darkness of Ignorance This in part is that darkness that blinds the Eyes of Natural man 1 Ioh. 2. 11. So that he cannot receive the things of God they are Foolishness to him neither can he know them because they are Spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. 7 8 9 10 11. 14. The Gospel is hid to them that are lost the God of this world having blinded the minds of them that believe not least the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ should shine unto them 2 Cor. 3 4. 3 The Darkness of misery by reason of his Sinfulness The Scripture frequently expresseth misery under the Notion of Darkness which is very uncomfortable and dreadful As the Miseries in this life Psal. 88. 6. and 107. 10. In death Iob. 10. 21 22. In Hell wher 's utter Darkness Mat. 22. 13. and 25. 30. Blackness of darkness for ever Iude vers 13. Everlasting chains under darkness Iude 6. The Natural man being a child of wrath Eph. 2 3. having the wrath of God abiding on him and being condemned already Ioh. 3. 18. 36 may well be said to be under the power of darkness 11. If thou art under the Power of Satan hitherto thou art still in thy Sinful and wretched State of Nature For every man Naturally is under Satan's Power and dominion till he be supernaturally converted unto God Act. 26. 18. Hence Satan is called The Father of such Ioh. 8. 44. The Prince of this world Ioh. 14. 30. The Prince of this power of the Air the spirit that effectually worketh in the children of disobedience Eph. 2. 2. The God of this world 2. Cor. 4. 4. Now thou art under the power of Satan 1 While Satan blinds thine eyes so that the Gospel is hid to thee Is a mystry a Paradox to thee c. left the glorious Light of the Gospel should shine unto thee 2 Cor. 4. 4. 2 While thou art an Unbeliever 2 Cor. 4.
4. 3 While thou art 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a son or Child of Disobedience Gr. of Vnpersuadeableness Eph. 2. 2. who are most disobedient to God Christ and his Spirit Unperswadeable by his word Promises c. to repent believe c. 4 While thou art acted and energetically wrought upon by the Spirit that is the Prince of the Power of the a yr Ephes. 2. 2. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the spirit now energetically-working or effectually working He effectually works in such when he prevails with his Temptations over them when he attains his will upon them c. 5 While thou art resolvedly set and determined willfully to do the lusts of the Devil Ioh. 8. 44. 6 While thou art held in the Snare of the Devil and held Captive by him at his will 2 Tim. 2. 26. Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Taken alive It seems to be a Metaphor from Captains and Conquerors who in war take their Enemies alive carry them away in triumph and use them as they please Or from Huntsmen who take their Prey wild beasts alive and do with them as they list So Satan deals with the Natural man while under his power he wholly enters him orders him acts him by his Suggestions as he will 12. If thou art dead in Sins and Trespasses and not as yet quickned by Christ Eph. 2. 1. 5. Col. 2. 13. thou art hitherto in thy Sinful and wretced State of Nature To be dead in Sin and Trespasses is to be Spiritually dead while thou art Naturally alive And art not thou Spiritually dead Are not the Tokens of Spiritual Death clearly upon thee 1 Art not thou quite destitute of the Fountain and Root of all Spiritual life to the Soul Christ is the Fountain of all Spiritual Life being united to the Soul by Faith Gal. 2. 20. Ioh. 11. 25 26. As the Soul is the Fountain of Natural Life being uâ—â—ted to the body the body is dead when without the Soul Iam. 2. 26. So the Soul is dead in every Natural man while he is without Christ. Eph. 2. 1. 5. 12. 2 Art thou not wholly destitute of any spiritual sense rightly to discern and receive the things of God 1 Cor. 2. 7 8 9 10 11 12 14. And where there 's no Soul there 's no life 3 Art thou not utterly destitute of Spiritual Breath viz. The sacred breathings of strong cryes and groans â—ervent desires and prayers crying Abba Father This is their breath that are spiritually alive Rom. 8 15. 26 27. No sooner was Saul converted and quickned by Christ but the Lord told Ananias behold he prayeth Act 9. 11. Breath and Life come and go together Gen. 2. 7. Psal. 104. 29. If thou art without this spiritual breathing this Spirit of Prayer thou art without the Spirit of Life from Christ and remainest dead in Sin 4 Art thou not without all vital Heat and Spirit warmth of heart desire love and all good affections towards God Christ his people and his wayes and even stone-cold as to all matters of Religion Devotion divine Worship as carnal men use to be Rev. 3. 15 16 Then thou art not only mortally â—ick but quite dead in Sin stretched-out and ready to be buried in the infernal pit As where there 's Natural warmth in the body there 's life where nothing but Coldness there 's Death 13 If thou art still an habitual worker of iniquity A Tradesman in sin Thou art still in thy Natural state and Condition Such Christ will not at all own but eternally reject at the last day Mat. 7. 23. â—Tis one thing to sin or slip into sin accidently another to trade in sin constantly habitually and to yield up his members as tools of unrighteousness unto Sin Rom. 6. 12 13. c. 14 Finally Thou art still in thy meer Natural sinful state if in the whole course of thy life thou walkest according to the Course of this World The Lusts and wills of the Flesh The suggestions Temptations and operations of the Devil All such are dead in sin and by Nature Children of wrath See all this most fully in Eph. 2. 1 2 3. III. Direction COnsider often with all Serâ—â—usness D Natural Man That living and dying in this thy Sinful and wretched Condition of Nature thou 〈◊〉 utterly lost both Body and Soul for evermore And caust not expect any other portion after this present momentary Life than everlasting Torments in unquenchable Fire with the Devil and his Angels Compare diligently Ephes. 2. 1 2 3. Luk. 13. 3. 5. and Ioh. 3. 36. with Mat. 25. 41. to the end Luk. 16. 24. Iude 7. Math. 9. 43 44. As was formerly intimated Here therefore O Sinful and wretched Natural Man I beseech thee let these 2 things sink deep into thine heart viz. 1. That Thou living and dying in this thy Natural State shalt certainly perish both Body and Soul in Everlasting torments in Fire Prepared for the Devil and his Angels Math. 25. 41. For 1. If thou livest and diest in thy Natural State of Sin Thou livest and diest Without Christ and without Hope Eph. 2. 1. 2. with vers 12. Christless and Hopeless And therefore Hopeless because Christless For Jesus Christ is our Hope i. e. The sure foundation of all our Hope of Salvation 1. Tim. 1. 1. What Christless How then canst thou be saved Who ever was or can be saved without Christ Act. 4 11. 12. And Hopeless too yes For who can once expect or look for Salvation by Christ without Hope 2. If thou livest and diest in thy Sinful and wretched state of Nature Then thou livest and diest a most Cursed Creature Gal. 3. 10. and A Child of wrath even as others Eph. 2. 1. 2. 3. what Cursed For what For that thou continuest not in all things which are written in the Book of the Law to do them Gal. 3. 10. because thou doest not perform as is thy duty perfect perpetual personal obedience to all things in Gods Law which nor thou nor any meer man since Adam's Fall could ever perform 2 To what art thou cursed 1. To pains of Loss and Sense Mat. 25. 41. Depart ye cursed There 's pains of Loss Depart from Christ from the only Redeemer Gal. 3. 13. From the only All-sufficient Saviour Heb. 7. 25. From the one only Mediator betwixt God and man 1 Tim. 2. 5. From the only way unto the Father Ioh. 14. 6. From the hope and consolation of Israel c. 1 Tim. 1. 1. Luk. 2. 25. Oh! who can so depart from Christ and that for ever and not be cursed 2. To pains of Sense Depart into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels What into fire What is more sharp and tormenting to the Sense then fire Into everlasting fire Then no hopes of relaxation or deliverance thence after millions and ten thousand millions of years c. Everlasting kills the soul. Oh! who can dwell with everlasting burnings Into everlasting fire prepared
7. 37. to the end of Saul that was injurious a Persecutor and a Blasphemer Act. 26. 9 10. 11. 1 Tim. 1. 13 14. 16. of the Thief upon the Cross that even after his Crucifiction had railed upon Christ Mat 27. 44. compared with Luk. 23. 40. to 44. Yea of those that were guilty of his Death and Blood yet even some of them Christ washed from their Sins by the very blood which they shed Act. 2. 36 37. to the end Oh miracles of Christs mercy and Compassion to lost Sinners when Christ accepts such who would not hopefully come to him When Christ saves such who have cause to despair that desire truly to repent and believe in him XV. Direction POwer thus to believe in Iesus Christ God-man and by believing to accept and Apply him for thy Recovery O Natural man out of thy sinful and wretched state of Nature thou hast none at all of thy self But all thy sufficiency in this behalf is wholly of God Nevertheless thou mayst and oughtest to do some things for the furtherance of thy Faith in Christ. I. That of thyself thou hast no power or sufficiency at all to believe in Iesus Christ to receive and apply him effectually by believing without the supernatural influence and assistance of God Is plain For 1. The Testimony of Christ and his Apostles is clear for it No man can come to me i. e. by believing Except the Father which hath sent me draw him Ioh. 6. 44. He cannot of himself or by his own power come and believe till God influence him and enable him Again Without me ye can do nothing viz. nothing in fruit bearing either of Faith or any other good spiritual fruit Ioh. 15. 5. That of the Apostles is punctual By Grace are ye saved through Faith and that not of your selve it is the gift of God Ephes. 2. 8. 2. True saving Faith in Christ and the acting of it unto the accepting and applying of Christ is the special work of God and fruit of the spirit of the Regenerating spirit of God Compare and consider well Ioh. 6. 44. Gal. 5. 22. with Ioh. 1. 12 13. 3. Faith in Christ is the Life of the Soul from Christ it is as the vital spirits from him Gal. 2. 20. Rom. 1. 17. Now can the Soul of natural man which is dead in sins and trespasses Eph. 2. â— quicken it self by believing Hence then these things must needs follow 1. That whosoever do believe in Christ truly and by Faith apply him effectually and savingly they owe all this wholly to the rich Grace and meer favour of God And are to render unto him all the praise thereof 2. That 't is a piece of gross Ignorance and groundless Presumption for any Natural man whatsoever to think he can believe and accept Christ at his pleasure This is impossible 3. Let every natural man take heed he reject not the divine offers of Faith unto his Soul nor resist the Spirits motions and operations inclining drawing and perswading the heart thereunto 1 Thes. 5. 19. Act. 7. 51. Eph 4. Ioh. 6. 44. For what if the Spirit of God draw and move the heart so no more And without God there 's no believing II. Notwithstanding Though the Natural man cannot of himself savingly believe in Christ or apply him by any self-sufficiency or power of his own yet something towards it and towards the furtherance thereof he may and ought to do Act. 8. 13. Luk. 8. 13. For what a meer Natural man hath done heretofore why may not a meer Natural man do again Now then O Natural man though thou canst not of thy self believe in Christ and apply him savingly yet neglect not to do what thou canst do in order to this believing in Christ and applying of Christ to thine own soul. Art thou grieved in thine heart thou canst not enough believe in him Art thou desirous to believe in him alone for Recovery and Salvation I would fain take this for granted Let me then draw thee thou poor trembling soul a few steps further towards Christ. Make use of these few Helps and Furtherances unto Faith in Christ Jesus For this thou canst and ought'st to do viz. 1. Know and Consider Jesus Christ well both in his Person Offices and the effects or acquirements of his Offices as all these are delineated in the Holy Scriptures Ioh. 17. 3. 1 Tim. 3. 16. 1 Tim. 2. 5 6. Heb. 9. 12 13 14. and 10. 7. to 19. Rom. 5. 9 10. And Assent fully to the Record that God hath given of his Son in his Word that eternal life is in his Son 1 Joh. 5. 10 11. Now Knowledge Heb. 11. 3. Isa. 53. 11. Ioh. 17. 3. Assent 1 Ioh. 5. 10 11. And Application Ioh. 1. 12. Gal. 2. 20. make up the Nature of true Faith 2. Ponder often and earnestly upon the Promises of God touching Christ and touching believing in him As That whosoever comes to him by believing shall not in any case be cast out by Christ Ioh. 6 35 37. shall not be ashamed or confounded Rom. 9. 33. 1 Pet. 2. 6. shall not perish Joh. 3. 16. shall never hunger nor thirst more Joh. 6. 35. Isa. 55. 1. shall find rest from Christ unto his soul Mat. 11. 28 29. shall live though he were dead yea shall never die Joh. 11. 25. yea shall have eternal life and be saved Joh. 3. 16 17. Mar. 10. 16. Now these and such like Promises being Yea and Amen in Christ 2 Cor. 1. 20. they are Fundamentum Pabulum Fidei The very foundation whereupon Faith is bottomed and grounded and the food wherewith Faith is nourished See Rom. 4. 17. to the end Heb. 11. 11. 3. Consider well the Nature of God the Promiser For this will greatly encourage Faith to embrace the Promises and Christ in the Promises For Gods Truth is such he cannot lie Tit. 1. 2. 'T is impossible he should lie Heb. 6. 10. Gods Fidelity such he cannot will not deceive Heb. 11. 11. Gods Power such he can fully perform what he hath promised seem it never so improbable impossible incredible Rom. 4. 20 21. His love and free grace such in giving Christ for us Ioh. 3. 16 17. and offering Christ to us Rom. 3. 21 c. 2 Cor. 5. 18 c. That with him he will freely give all things Rom. 8. 32. 4. Be diligent and constant in attending upon Gods Ordinances whereby Faith is bred and nourished Especially be singularly careful and vigilant in hearing the Word faithfully and powerfully preached Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God Rom. 10. 14 15 17. The Word preached is the Seed of Faith and Regeneration 1 Pet. 1. 23 25. 5. Cherish and make much of every good motion stirring striving inclination operation of the Spirit of God in thine heart and soul tending to thine accepting and closing with Christ 1 Thes. 5. 19. Eph. 4. 30. Act 7. 51. For Faith is the proper
the strait Gate to attain eternal life by Christ and to make thy Calling and Election sure while thou art here on earth while thou art in this present world under the heavenly deaws of the Gospel Mat. 13. 44 45 46. Luk. 13. 24. Phil. 2. 12. 2 Pet 1. 5. to 12. before thine immortal Soul be implunged into the intollerable and everlasting torments of Hell-fire Luk. 16. 23 24 28. Mat. 25. 46. Or never For if once thou art cast out into the Lake of Fire there is no mercy no mitigation of torment no repenting no possibility of reconcilement with God c. And thence is no hopes of Redemption or Recovery Oh if the damned in Hell could by any tears or importunities obtain liberty though but for a few months weeks or dayes to be on Earth again how diligently would they strive to enter in at the strait gate Luk. 13. 24. How zealously would they attend upon the preaching of the Gospel How religiously would they sanctifie the sabbath how devoutly would they pray Once more offer Christ unto us Once more touch our hearts and Consciences Once more enlighten us let us partake of the Holy Ghost taste the good word of God and the Powers of the world to come Heb. 6. 4 5. Once more open the gate of mercy c. How deeply with sighs and tears would they lament their sins day and night How would they endeavour to believe in Christ repent and obey yea to do or suffer any thing that they might come no more into that place of torment But all such hopes are for ever dasht They had their time and season for all these things which they neglected and lost and now shall never enjoy more so long as Heaven is Heaven and Hell Hell O that all these things could be seriously thought upon before it be too late But when must it be NOW or NEVER XX. Direction UPon the sincere closing with Christ accepting and applying him to thy self as thine only Saviour and Redeemer what fullness of all spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ will be heaped upon thy Soul Eph. 1. 1 3 4. c. What tongue can utter them What heart of man can comprehend them 1 Cor. 2. 9 10. Be thou careful to walk worthy of them continually Eph. 4. 1. Col. 2. 6 7. 1. What heavenly Relations are presently vouchsafed to thee Thou art a fellow-citizen with the Saints and of the houshold of God Eph. 2. 19. and they all thy brethren and sisters in Christ 1 Pet. 2. 17. God is thy Father and thou his Child 2 Cor. 6. 18. Ioh. 20. 17. Christ is thine elder brother and not ashamed to call thee one of his brethren Rom. 8. 29. Heb. 2. 10 11. Christ thine head and thou his member 1 Cor. 6. 15. Eph. 4. 15 16. Christ thine Husband and thou his Spouse 2 Cor. 11. 3. Christ thy Redeemer and Saviour and thou his redeemed and saved Heb. 9. 12. Luke 2. 10 11. The Holy Ghost is thine Inhabitant and thou his Temple and Habitation 1 Cor. 6. 19. and 3. 16 17. Ephes. 2. 21 22. Therefore be thou holy in all manner of Christian conversation 1 Pet. 1. 14. to 18. 2. What great and precious Promises are thereupon given thee 2 Pet. 1. 3 4. Promises 1. Of the life that now is 2. Of the life to come and what Promises canst thou desire more 1 Tim. 4. 8. Now Gods Promises are not like mans Promises yea and nay off and on sometimes performed sometimes violated c. but they are all Yea and Amen in Christ 2 Cor. 1. 20. altogether immuâ—able it being impossible that therein the God of truth should lye Tit. 1. 2. Heb. 6. 18. Having then these Promises cleanse thy self from all filthiness of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7. 1. 3. What a cluster of soul-beautifying Graces are immediately together with Faith in Christ instilled and infused into thy soul Faith is the Captain and leading Grace all the rest follow 2 Pet. 1. 5 6 c. These are the Divine Nature and Image of God whereby the Believer resembles the heavenly Father 2 Pet. 1. 4. Eph. 4. 24. Col. 3. 11. These make the Kings Daughter all glorious within so that her clothing is of wrought gold Psal. 45. 13. These make the Church beautiful even to the ravishment of Christ Cant. 7. 1. to 10. and 4. 1. throughout Labour thou to abound and grow in these Graces continually 2 Pet. 1. 8. and 3. 18. And as he that hath called thee is holy so to be holy in all manner of conversation 1 Pet. 1. 14 15 16. 4. What eminent Priviledges are upon thine accepting of Christ heaped upon thee â— 1. Thou art eternally redeemed from all thy spiritual bondage under sin Satan c. under which thou wast enthralled Heb. 9. 12. Gal. 4. 4. 1 Thes. 1. 10. Gal. 3. 13 14. 2. Thou art reconciled unto God who wast formerly at enmity with him Rom. 5. 10. 3. Thou art justified freely through his Grace thy sins being pardoned fully through the blood of Christ and thou art so justified and accepted of God that thou art become the Righteousness of God in him Rom. 3. 24 25. Eph. 1. 7. 2 Cor. 5. 19 21. 4. Thou art adopted into Gods Family and art become one of the Houshold of God and so art made an heir of God a joynt-heir with Christ Gal. 4. 4 5 6. Eph. 2. 19. Rom. 8. 15 16 17. 5. Thou hast access with filial boldness by the Spirit unto the Father and maist confidently cry Abba Father Eph. 2. 18. Rom. 8. 15. 6. Thou art brought into sweet communion with God Father Son and Holy Ghost which is even the Saints â—eaven on earth 1 Ioh. 1. 3. 2 Cor. 13. 14. 7. Thou hast a Treasury and Fountain of all true Comfort bestowed upon thee the Holy Ghost the Comforter dwelling in thine heart 2 Cor. 1. 3. 4 5. Iohn 14. 16. 8. Thou hast in Christ a new and most excellent Title to all the good things of this present life 1 Tim. 4. 8. Matth. 6. 33. 1 Cor. 3. 20 21. 9. Thou art assured that all things even the worst of afflictions and persecutions shall work together for thy good for thy best Rom. 8. 28. 10. And finally Thou hast well-grounded hopes of eternal Happiness in Heaven when this life shall be no more in the immediate vision and fruition of God in Christ face to face which is far best of all 1 Pet. 1. 3 4. 2 Cor. 5. 1 2 c. Rom. 5. 1 2. Ioh. 17. 24. Phil. 1. 23. And therefore give all diligence to walk worthy of all these blessed Priviledges Enthral not thy self again in the yoke of any spiritual bondage Provoke not God unto enmity by thy renewed sins Blot not blur not the evidence of thy sins pardon by lapses and falls against thy Conscience Behave thy self towards thy God and all his Children as one of
the Houshold of Faith Restrain not Prayer but pray continually with groans that cannot be uttered by the assistance of the Spirit Have no fellowship at all with Sin and Satan nor any needless fellowship with any workers of iniquity Eph. 5. 11. Psal. 1. 1. and 26. 4 5. Psal. 119. 115. Walk not disconsolately and dejectedly but in the fear of the Lord and in the comforts of the Holy Ghost Acts 9. 31. Be abundantly contented in all conditions allotted thee by God Fully expect good by the worst of afflictions that may befall thee and be ever carefull to keep thy Hopes and Evidences for Heaven firm and clear that when thou comest to die thou maist lift up thine head and triumph that thy Redemption and celestial Coronation with Christ draweth nigh XXI Direction WRastle also most vlgorously O thou that wast Natural but art spiritualized wast dead but art alive again against all thy sins spiritual enemies and their temptations Heb. 12. 4. Col. 3. 5. to 12. Eph. 6. 11. to 19. for all time to come that they may none of them in the least measure eclipse any of these thy spiritual Priviledges or embitter any other thy sweet enjoyments Holy David by his lapses brought many deep wounds and scarrs upon his Conscience Psal. 51. 3 8. some of which he probably carried to his Grave Loving and confident Peter by his triple denial of his Lord and Master Christ purchased to himself a torrent of bitter tears Mat. 26. 75. The Ephesian Angel by leaving his first love and first works was so offensive thereby to Christ that he threatned the removal of his Candlestick Revel 2. 4 5. The Church her self by her carnal sluggishness and security lost her sweet Communion with Christ for a season and was involved in deep spiritual distress Cant. 5. 2. to 9. Be thou warned by their examples which are written for thine admonition lest through thy spiritual oscitancy and sluggishness thou bring upon thy self like spiritual calamities and so far wound thy Conscience as to go bleeding to thy Grave XXII Direction EXpress upon all good occasions all possible tenderness of heart and bowels of compassion towards those that yet remain in the first Adam in their sinful state of Nature unregeâ—erate especially towards thy kindred according to the flesh using all good endeavours to convince convert and gain them to Christ that they as well as thy self may be eternally saved Luke 22. 32. Rom. 10. 1. and 9. 1 2 3. Acts 9. 20 with 1 Cor. 9. 19. to 23. For 1. Even thou thy self wast sometimes foolish disobedient serving divers lusts and pleasures living in malice and envy hateful and hating others Tit. 3. 3. An enemy to God by wicked works Col. 1. 21. Yea dead in sins and trespasses c. and a child of wrath as well as they or any of them Eph. 2. 1 2 3. But God who is rich in mercy hath saved thee by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost Tit. 3. 4 5 6 7. Hast thou then experimentally felt the Wormwood and the Gall of thy Natural state of sin and misery And dost thou not commiserate such poor souls as are still in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity Acts 8. 23. Hast thou had the sweet experience of the riches of Gods free-Grace and Love in restoring thee from death to life from thy Natural state of sin and misery into a supernatural state of sanctity and felicity And do not thy bowels yearn within thee after other lost souls especially those of thy kindred that they also may be turned from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God Acts 26. 18. 2. Are not their souls as well as thine own very precious O Consider 1. Their immortal Constitution which no Creature can kill or destroy Matth. 10. 28. 2. The invaluable price paid for their Restitution even the most precious blood and death of Jesus Christ the only Son of God 1 Tim. 2. 5 6. 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. 3. The incomparable and transcendent value which the wisdome of God himself puts upon the soul as being of far more worth then the whole world Matth. 16. 26. And then think with thy self Shall not I endeavour to hinder the eternal loss and to promote the eternal salvation of such precious souls 3. What advantage will redound in sundry respects if God bless thine endeavours to the convincing and converting of their souls to Christ For Hereby 1. Thou shalt save a soul from death Jam. 5. 19 20. And what a great what a glorious work is it to have an hand in saving a soul from deathâ— 2. Thou shalt hide a multitude of sins Jam. 5. 19 20. Even an heap a sink a dunghil of hundreds and thousands of sins thou shalt hide from the revenging eye of God by Christs righteousness 2 Cor. 5. 20 21. 3. Thou shalt occasion great joy in Heaven among the blessed Angels of God who exceedingly rejoyce at the Conversion of sinners Luke 15. 7 10 22 23. 4. Finally Thou shalt hereby not a little further thine own eternal felicity Deut. 12. 3. Thou therefore commiserate thy Brethren in their sinful and wretched state of Nature as thy God hath in thy like condition had compassion on thee Canst thou lend an hand to pluck a Beast out of the mire or a Sheep out of a pit and wilt thou not lend an hand to help poor lost souls out of the mire of sin snares of Satan and pit of eternal destruction O warn them convince them counsel them exhort them rebuke them lament them pray for them weep over them do any good for them that thou maist by any means gain and save their souls XXIII Direction YIeld with all enlarged thankfulness all possible Praise Love and Obedience unto God and unto the Lamb who hath loved thee of the riches of his free-Grace before the world began who in fulness of time hath ransomed thee by the invaluable price of his death and in due time hath washed thâ—e from thy sins in his own blood aâ—d in the Laver of Regeneration by the renewing of the Holy Ghost Eph. 1. 3 4 5 6. 1 Iohn 4. 19. Gal. 4. 4 5. 1 Tim. 1. 15. and 2. 5 6. 1 Pet. 1. 18 19 20 Rev. 1. 5. Tit. 3. 4 5 6 7. For 1. Thou oughtest to be thankful for all Gods blessings of all sorts the least of them being beyond yea contrary to thy deserts Eph. 5. 20. Col. 3. 17. 1 Thes. 5. 18. with Gen. 32. 10. but especially for those choicest spiritual blessings in heavenly things in Christ Eph. 1. 3. Psal. 103 1 2 3. 2. The reality and sincerity of thy thankfulness will inwardly best approve it self in thy cordial affection and unâ—eigned love towards thy gracious God and Jesus Christ for all his love and all the fruits of his love in Christ. Kindness begets thankfulness and love breeds love as fire begets fire 1 Iob. 4. 19. Thus when