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vocations of the generation that is abhorred by God. But as he will arife in due time to execute his vindictive justice upon the one, Pfal. 50, 21, 22. So he will arife 459 to make good his promifes of grace, and mercy to the other. For God never faid to the Seed of Jacob, that they fhould feek him in vain, Ifa. 45. 19. I fhall conclude this with that of the Apoftle, 2 Thef. 3. 5, The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. He had laid down great grounds of comfort for them, in the former Chapter, verf. 13, 14. And affures them, verf. 3. of this Chapter, that God was faithful, and would ftablish them. They fhould not mifcarry, nor fail of that which God had chofen them unto; but knowing the difficulty of waiting, when expected fupplies were delayed, efpecially when Providences feem contrary to Promises, he prays that the Lord would direct them into the love of God, and patient waiting for Chrift. This is the third particular, which it concerns fainting Souls to take fpecial notice of

(4) Fainting Souls, or Souls often fubject to fainting, fhould endeavour after a diftinct knowledge of the great, and fundamental Doctrine of Juftification.

I. In the Meritorious caufe of it, which is the obedience of Chrift, as Mediatour, in doing 101

doing, and fuffering what God the Father appointed, and which he accepted in the be half of all thofe, to whom it is imputed; fo as to discharge them from the curfe of the Law, which they had deferved to be executed upon them to the uttermoft and to accept them, as righteous unto Eternal Life, of which they were utterly unwor thy.

(2.) That it is God which juftifieth, Rom. 8.33, Who (hall lay any thing to the charge of God's Elect? It is God that justifieth.

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(3.) That the moving caufe is Gods free love, Rom. 3. 24, Being justified freely by his grace, through the Redemption that is in Chrift Fefus.

(4.) That the means of receiving it, is Faith, Rom. 3.22, Even the righteousness of God, which is by faith of Christ Jefus, unto all, and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference. Thefe things being well di gefted, are great Cordials. For whom he juftifieth, be glorifieth, Rom. 8.30.

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and

(5.) Let fuch alfo think of the nature, and efficacy of Chrifts Interceffion that with thought upon thought. He appears in Heaven for us, Heb 9. 24. And who thofe are, ye find, Heb. 7.25, Wherefore he is able alfo to fave them to the ut termoft that come to God by him, Seeing he ever liveth to make interceffion for them:

For

For what? To give forth unto us, and to apply what he hath purchased, 1 Joh. 2. 1, 2. And we may be fure of it, that his Interceffion is as effectual, and can no more be rejected, then his fatisfaction, because both are acts of his Prieftly Office.

SERMON XII.

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Now proceed to the third, and lastbranch of the Ufe, that hath been fo long infifted upon. To exhort those (if there be any fuch, and I have reafon to hope there are fome fuch) whose Souls do profper, with whom it begins to be better, with refpect to the frame, and temper, of the hidden Man of the heart, then it hath been : To exhort them, to give all diligence, that it may continue fo with them: That they may not lose the things they have wrought, but receive a full reward, 2 Epift. of John verf. 8. But keep them in that holy frame, whereinto the exercise of godlinefs hath brought them.

But before I fhew what in order thereun to is our duty; I fhall premise five things to be confidered.

1. That an abfolute fettlement of the Soul in the fame highth and degree of this fpi it al profperity, that is by fome attained, s rarely, if ever, preferved for any long time together. There is a tincture of that

mad

madness which Solomon speaks of, Eccl. 9. 3; yea, alfo the heart of the Sons of Men is full of evil, and madness is in their heart while they live.) that remains, and always will res main in the hearts of the best, when they are at beft. Paul found it fo, Rom. 7. 21, T find a Law, that when I would do good, evil is present with me. And Mad-men feldom continue in any one temper, any long time together. Therefore as it is with Men in respect of their outward condition, though all things may prosper with them, and that for fome confiderable time together; as it was with Job; He had his months wherein the Candle of God did fhine upon him, and the fecret of God was upon his Tabernacle; when the Almighty was with him; when his Children were about him, Job 29. 23,4. But in all thefe, we know, he un derwent a great, and fad change; the clouds gathered upon him, and darkned all his SunThine. David found it fo; his fair weather (as we use to fay) did not last always, Pfal. 30. 6, 7. He thought himself fetled in his Kingdom, above danger of oppofition, but he found it otherwife; God was offended with him, hid away his face, and then fuch troubles came upon him, as he never dream'd of. Even fo it hath been, with moft thriving and growing Souls, when they thought they could have faid, as Da

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