Indeed the new creature is, ab origine, and all along an hoping creature both in its primum, and its porro esse. 'Tis conceived, and formed, and nursed up in hope. In its production, and in its progress towards perfection, 'tis mani••••ly influenced thereby. In the first return ⟨p. 228⟩of the soul to God, hope being then planted as a part of the holy gracious Nature, now manifestly discovers it self, when the soul begins to act, (as turning, after the reception of the Divine influence, is its act) hope insinuates it self into (or induces rather) that very act. Returning is not the act of a despairing, but hoping soul. 'Tis God apprehended as reconcilable, that attracts and wins it: while he is looked upon as an implacable enemy, the soul naturally shuns him, and comes not nigh,1 till drawn with those cords of a man, the bands of love. 2While it says, there is no h•pe, it says with all (desperately enough) I have loved strangers, and after them will I go. But if there be any hope in Israel concerning this thing. If it can yet apprehend God willing to forgive,3 then Let us make a covenant, &c. This presently draws the hovering soul into a closure,4 and league with him. And thus is the union continued; unsteadfastness in the Covenant of God, is resolved into this not setting, or fixing of hope in him, or (which amounts to the same, setting of hope in God is directed as §10a means to steadfastness of spirit with him, and a keeping of his Covenant. 5Revolting souls are encouraged to return to the Lord, upon this con••••, […], that salvation is h••ed for, in vain, ••om any other. The case being indeed the s•me, in all after conversions as in the first. God, •s multiplying […] p•rd•n; and still retaining the same name,6 the Lord, the Lord gr•ci•••, […] (which name in all the se••rails that compose and make it up, is in his ⟨p. 229⟩Christ) invites back to him the backsliding sinner, and renews its thoughts of returning. And so is he afterwards under the teachings of grace led on by hope, thorough the whole course of Religion towards the future glory. Grace appears, teaching sinners to deny ungoodliness,7 &c. in the looking for the blessed hope, the glorious appearing of the great God, &c. So do they keep themselves in the love of God; Looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Thus is the new creature formed in hope, and nourished in hope.
Indeed the new creature is, ab origine, and all along an hoping creature both in its primum, and its porro esse. 'Tis conceived, and formed, and nurst up in hope. In its production, and in its progress towards perfection, 'tis mani••••ly influenc't thereby. In the first return ⟨p. 228⟩of the soul to God, hope being then planted as a part of the holy gracious Nature, now manifestly discovers it self, when the soul begins to act, (as turning, after the reception of the Divine influence, is its act) hope insinuates it self into (or induces rather) that very act. Returning is not the act of a despairing, but hoping soul. 'Tis God apprehended as reconcileable, that attracts and wins it: while he is look't upon as an implacable enemy, the soul naturally shuns him, and comes not nigh,1 till drawn with those cords of a man, the bands of love. 2While it says, there is no h•pe, it says with all (desperately enough) I have loved strangers, and after them will I go. But if there be any hope in Israel concerning this thing. If it can yet apprehend God willing to forgive,3 then Let us make a covenant, &c. This presently draws the hovering soul into a closure,4 and league with him. And thus is the union continued; unsteadf•stness in the Covenant of God, is resolved into this not setting, or fixing of hope in him, or (which amounts to the same, setting of hope in God is directed as §10a means to steadfastness of spirit with him, and a keeping of his Covenant. 5R•volting souls are encouraged to return to the Lord, upon this con••••, 〈…〉, that salvation is h••ed for, in vain, ••om any other. The case being indeed the s•me, in all after conversions as in the first. God, •s multiplying prdn; and still retaining the same name,
- 1Hos. 11.
- 2Jer. 2.
- 3Ezra 10. 2, 3.
- 4Psal. 78. 7, 13.
- 5Jer. 3 2•, 23.
- 6Exod 23. 2•.
- 7Titus 2. 11▪ 12.
