Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

1. The manner of their Production by his immediate Power. Thus he is styled, The Father of Spirits, in distinction from the Fathers of the Flesh. For tho the Conception and forming of the Body be the Work of his secret Providence, yet 'tis by the hand of Nature, the Parents concurring as the second Causes of it: but the Production of the Soul is to be entirely ascribed to his Power, without the Intervention of any Creature.

1. The manner of their Production by his immediate Power. Thus he is stiled, The Father of Spirits, in distinction from the Fathers of the Flesh. For tho the Conception and forming of the Body be the Work of his secret Providence, yet 'tis by the hand of Nature, the Parents concurring as the second Causes of it: but the Production of the Soul is to be entirely ascribed to his Power, without the Intervention of any Creature.

2. In their spiritual immortal Nature, and the intellectual Operations flowing from it, there is an Image and Resemblance of God; from whence this Title is common ⟨p. 102⟩to all reasonable Creatures, and peculiar to them: for tho Matter may be ordered and fashioned by the Hand of God into a Figure of admirable Beauty, yet 'tis not capable of his Likeness and Image; so that neither the Lights of Heaven, nor the Beasts and Plants of the Earth are called his Children.

Secondly, By External Calling and Covenant some are denominated his Children; for by this Evangelical Constitution God is pleased to receive Believers into a filial Relation. Indeed where there is not a cordial Consent and Subjection to the Terms of the Covenant, visible Profession, and the receiving the External Seals of it, will be of no advantage; but the public serious owning of the Gospel, entitles a Person to be of the Society of Christians; and Filius and Foederatus are all one.