Looking unto Jesus a view of the everlasting gospel, or, the souls eying of…

5. The decree of God was an order (as I may call it) or an act of love, to give in time that grace unto his elect, which before all time he decreed should be an effectual means to bring them unto glory.

6. The covenant betwixt God and Christ was an agreement of love: God and Christ struck hands to save our souls;¹ grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the World began. Grace was given us, that is, the gracious love and favour of God in Christ was given us before all secular times. This was Gods meaning from everlasting, this was the design, yea the greatest design that ever God had, to set out the infinite glory, and the riches of his love in Jesus Christ. No question but he had other great designs in doing such great things as he hath done; but above all the designs that ever God had in all his works, this is the chief, to honour his mercy, to glorify the riches of his love and grace: had it not been for this he would never have made the World; and therefore in that World to come it will be the delight of God to show his Saints and Angels what he is able to do for a creature; yea, he will to all Eternity declare to them, to what an height of excellency and glory his love and mercy is able to raise poor souls, so that the very Saints and Angels shall admire, & adore, and magnify the name of God everlastingly for it.

6. The covenant betwixt God and Christ was an agreement of love: God and Christ struck hands to save our souls;¹ grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the World began. Grace was given us, that is, the gracious love and favour of God in Christ was given us before all secular times. This was Gods meaning from everlasting, this was the designe, yea the greatest designe that ever God had, to set out the infinite glory, and the riches of his love in Jesus Christ. No question but he had other great designes in doing such great things as he hath done; but above all the designes that ever God had in all his works, this is the chiefe, to honour his mercy, to glorify the riches of his love and grace: had it not been for this he would never have made the World; and therefore in that World to come it will be the delight of God to shew his Saints and Angels what he is able to do for a creature; yea, he will to all Eternity declare to them, to what an height of excellency and glory his love and mercy is able to raise poor souls, so that the very Saints and Angels shall admire, & adore, and magnifie the name of God everlastingly for it.