1. For the Excellency of our Privileges. You know, that which will minister solid Comfort to the Soul, it had need be Excellent. A small Matter, though never so sure, will not occasion a strong Consolation; the Joy is according to the Object. Now whether a Christian look backward or forward, there is Matter of Rejoicing to the Heirs of Promise. Backward, there is the Immutability of his Counsel; Forward, there is a Hope set before us. From one Eternity to another, may a Believer walk, and still find cause of rejoicing in God. If he looks Backward, there God reveals to him the unchangeable Purposes of Grace before the World was. If he looks Forward, there is an eternal Possession of Glory, when the World shall be no more. It is sweet to know what's past, and what's to come; there's naturally a Curiosity in us which would be satisfied. We know what God was doing before the World was, and what he will do when the World shall be no more. We may know, for our comfort, God was treating and dealing with Christ about our Salvation, putting it into an unchangeable course; and he hath for ever provided for ⟨p. 214⟩the Comfort and Welfare of our Souls, that we may enjoy him, love him, and delight in him for evermore. Man, out of a natural Curiosity, hath a great delight both in History and Prophecy, to read what is past, and to fore-know what is to come, especially what concerns his own Destiny. Now God in condescension tells us, under the assurance of an Oath, what he has done for us, what Thoughts of Love he had towards us from Eternity, what he will do, and how happy our Estate shall be for ever. God doth not only satisfy the Curiosity of our Nature, that desireth Knowledge, but the bent of it, that poiseth us to our own Happiness. It is sweet to read our Names written in the Book of God's everlasting Decree; Luke 10.20. Rejoice because your Names are written in Heaven: That God hath set us down as Heirs of all that Grace and Mercy he hath dispensed in his Covenant. It is sweet and pleasant to reflect upon his ancient Purposes of Grace; and by the Eye of Faith to read our Names written and recorded in the Rolls of Heaven. When you hear any Offer in the Gospel, to say this was God's Purpose and eternal Counsel to bestow this upon me before all Worlds; he thought of me then. And then there is an Hope set before us, thy Lot is fallen to thee in a fair Ground.
1. For the Excellency of our Privileges. You know, that which will minister solid Comfort to the Soul, it had need be Excellent. A small Matter, though never so sure, will not occasion a strong Consolation; the Joy is according to the Object. Now whether a Christian look backward or forward, there is Matter of Rejoicing to the Heirs of Promise. Backward, there is the Immutability of his Counsel; Forward, there is a Hope set before us. From one Eternity to another, may a Believer walk, and still find cause of rejoicing in God. If he looks Backward, there God reveals to him the unchangeable Purposes of Grace before the World was. If he looks Forward, there is an eternal Possession of Glory, when the World shall be no more. It is sweet to know what's past, and what's to come; there's naturally a Curiosity in us which would be satisfied. We know what God was doing before the World was, and what he will do when the World shall be no more. We may know, for our comfort, God was treating and dealing with Christ about our Salvation, putting it into an unchangeable course; and he hath for ever provided for ⟨p. 214⟩the Comfort and Welfare of our Souls, that we may enjoy him, love him, and delight in him for evermore. Man, out of a natural Curiosity, hath a great delight both in History and Prophecy, to read what is past, and to fore-know what is to come, especially what concerns his own Destiny. Now God in condescension tells us, under the assurance of an Oath, what he has done for us, what Thoughts of Love he had towards us from Eternity, what he will do, and how happy our Estate shall be for ever. God doth not only satisfy the Curiosity of our Nature, that desireth Knowledg, but the bent of it, that poiseth us to our own Happiness. It is sweet to read our Names written in the Book of God's everlasting Decree; Luke 10.20. Rejoice because your Names are written in Heaven: That God hath set us down as Heirs of all that Grace and Mercy he hath dispensed in his Covenant. It is sweet and pleasant to reflect upon his antient Purposes of Grace; and by the Eye of Faith to read our Names written and recorded in the Rolls of Heaven. When you hear any Offer in the Gospel, to say this was God's Purpose and eternal Counsel to bestow this upon me before all Worlds; he thought of me then. And then there is an Hope set before us, thy Lot is fallen to thee in a fair Ground.
