phet foretold that Christ our High-priest would I haste to conclude my Epistle (being much 66 Who art thou that repliest against God, seeing he hath Power j " Power to make one Vessel to Honour, and another to Dishonour ?” Rom. ix. 19, 20, 21. And does according to his Will both in the Armies of Heaven, and also among the Inhabitants of the Earth, and none can stay his Hand, or say, What doest thou ?” Dan. iv. 35. And let the Objector confider, that notwithstanding all this, the Lord faith, "Strive to enter in at the strait Gate, (ftrive in the right Way) for many will seek to enter in (perhaps in their own Strength) and shall not be able," Luke xiii. 24. “For no Man that striveth for the Mastery over his Sins, will be ever crowned, except he ftriveth lawfully,” 2 Tim. ii. 5. Which must be done in the Strength of another; and like holy David say, “The Lord is my Strength, and my Song, . who is likewise become my Salvation,”. Psal. cxviii. 14. Or like the penitent Prodigal, who seeing himfelf undone by his mad Career, and finful Practice in Life, having lost his original Rectitude, and spiritual Senfes by the Fall : But having thro Merey received a Grain of Faith, he came to himfelf, and humbly faid, “I will arise and go to my Father, faying, I have finned against Heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy Son, make me as one of thy hired Servants, left I perish with Hunger." (Now let us view an humble Supplicant on his bended knees, his peni. tential Tears flowing out, and his Hands lifted up to Heaven, craving Mercy of an offended Father. The Father being moved with Compaffion, pardoned and embraced his returning Son. Thus they that fow in Tears shall reap in Joy, Psal. cxxvi. 5.) 'Till this is the Case, none of the Sons of Adam may expect from an offended God Remission of Sins, and hea. venly Embraces, Luke xv. 16, 17, 18, 20. And whensoever this is the Case, the penitent Sinner ought to consider on what Account God hath been pleased pleased to work a Change in his Heart ; and adopt che Apostle's Words, applying them to himself, viz. “ Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of his Son; and whom he did predestinate, them he also called : and whom he called, them he also justified : and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we say to these Things ? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Rom. viii. 29, 30, 31. Hence the converted Sinner may learn that Salvation is by Grace (according to the determined Counfel of God) not of Works, left any Man should boaft, Epb. ii. 8, 9. And although by Nature, and previous to his effectual Calling by Grace, he was like a wild Ass's Colt, and would not be guided by the Word of God, Job xi. 12. Yet when Chrift calls him by his Word and Spirit, and marks him with the Mark of his Sheep, of whom he says, “ I know my Sheep, and am known of mine," Ezek. ix. 4. Jobn x. 14. Then the Called of God hear and know the good Shepherd's Voice, and follow him, because he hath given them eternal Life, and they shall never perish, ver. 27, 28. through Ignorance of the Life of Grace in their own Souls, may suppose that the Effect of full Assurance will be Sloth and Unfruitfulness in God's Vineyard: but it proves to be quite the Reverse, as appears in the Conduct of holy David; he knew himself in Favour with God, yet he prays God to walh him throughly from his Iniquity, and cleanse him from his Sins. Also, to 'create in him a clean Heart, and renew a right Spirit within him. And again, Caft me not away from thy Presence, faith he, nor take thy Holy Spirit from me, Psal, li. 2, 10, II. Saint Paul also breathed in Prayer to God in like Manner, desiring to know Chritt, and the Power of his Resurrection, and the Fellowship of $ But some, his Sufferings, being made conformable unto his Death. Always pressing on towards the Mark, for the Prize of the High-calling of God in Christ Jelus, Pbil. iii. 10, 14. Fighting the good Fight of Faith, laying hold on eternal Life, i Tim. vi. 12. Though he suffered the Loss of all Things, yet he counted it but Dross and Dung, that he might win Christ, and be found in him, not having his own Righteousnefs, which is by the Law, or by his own Works, but the Righteousness of Christ through Faith, Phil. iii. 9. He was not ashamed of the Cross of Christ, for he knew that if he suffered with him, and for his Sake, he should also reign with him, 2 Tim. ii. 12. For as the Faithful are Sons of God, and Joine-heits' with Christ, therefore, if they suffer for the Gospel's Sake, as Christ their elder Brother did;, they shall be conformable tò their Head, and be glorified together. Thus faith the Apostle, “I reckon that the Sufferings of this prepresent Time (which are but for a Moment) are not worthy to be compared with the Glory that shall be revealed in us,” Rom. viii. 17, 18. Thus the Faithful in all Ages, would, like Moses,“ rather suffer Affiction with the People of God, than enjoy the Pleasures of Sin for a Season; esteeming the Reproach of Christ greater Riches than all earthly Treasure, having an Eye to the Recompence of Reward," Heb. xi. 25, 26. And remembring the Price of their Redemption, being not redeemed with Silver or Gold, from their vain, worldly Conversation ; but with the precious Blood of Christ, as a Lamb without Spot, who freely offered himself to God for them, according to the determinate Counsel of God, and his gracious Purpose, before the Foundation of the World, i Peter i. 18, 19, 20. Here then is great Consolation and Joy to all true Believers, when they consider their high Privilege above 10. above others, by, being Disciples of Jelus Christ : But they who receive the Spirit of Adoption, ! A ? , . Thingt |