CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Therefore Thirdly, Our comfort and joy lieth in the discovery of our propriety ⟨p. 178⟩and interest in God; for though we be his, yet if we believe it not, it is as if we did not belong to him; It's said, David encouraged himself in his God, 1 Sam. 30.6. The evidence of his propriety was his encouragement, and Paul acknowledgeth an appropriation, when speaking of Christ, he said, Who loved me and gave himself for me, Gal. 2.20. Hence it is that our Saviour upon his departure out of the world doth so fully inform his Disciples, that he will be theirs still though he bodily leaveth them; That the propriety and interest they have in him is not taken away; Hence also it is that an elected man while unconverted, can take no more comfort from God or his promise then a reprobate, because as yet his propriety is not evidenced; As yet there is no ground of any claim or holy boldness at the Throne of grace, Therefore it's a main duty of the people of God to study this Point above all, viz. their propriety in God, Am I the Lords or no? It's not impossible to find out the truth of this, though Satan and our hearts are very much tempting to the contrary; there are few that can escape the storms and tempests that arise in this matter, and quietly anchor their souls on God.

Therefore Thirdly, Our comfort and joy lieth in the discovery of our propriety ⟨p. 178⟩and interest in God; for though we be his, yet if we beleeve it not, it is as if we did not belong to him; It's said, David encouraged himself in his God, 1 Sam. 30.6. The evidence of his propriety was his encouragement, and Paul acknowledgeth an appropiration, when speaking of Christ, he said, Who loved me and gave himself for me, Gal. 2.20. Hence it is that our Saviour upon his departure out of the world doth so fully inform his Disciples, that he will be theirs still though he bodily leaveth them; That the propriety and interest they have in him is not taken away; Hence also it is that an elected man while unconverted, can take no more comfort from God or his promise then a reprobate, because as yet his propriety is not evidenced; As yet there is no ground of any claim or holy boldnesse at the Throne of grace, Therefore it's a main duty of the people of God to study this Point above all, viz. their propriety in God, Am I the Lords or no? It's not impossible to finde out the truth of this, though Satan and our hearts are very much tempting to the contrary; there are few that can escape the storms and tempests that arise in this matter, and quietly anchor their souls on God.