(2) THIS is the hidden Spring and Cause of that inexpressible Distance and Difference that is between Believers and the rest of the World. Our Apostle tells us, that the Life of Believers is hid with Christ in God, Col. 3. 3. A blessed Life they have whilst they are here, dead to the World, and as dead in the World. A Life that will issue in eternal Glory: ⟨p. 60⟩But no such thing appears, no Lustre of it is cast abroad into the Eyes of Men: True, saith the Apostle, for it is hid with Christ in God. It is so both in its Causes, Nature, Operations and Means of Preservation. But by this hidden Life it is that they are differenced from the perishing World. And it will not be denied, as I suppose, that this Difference is real and great: For those who believe, do enjoy the especial Love and Favour of God; whereas those who do not, are under the Curse, and the Wrath of God abideth on them. They are alive unto God, but these are dead in Trespasses and Sins. And if Men will not believe that there is so inexpressible a difference between them in this World, they will be forced to confess it at the last Day, when the Decretory Sentences of Come ye Blessed, and Go ye Cursed, shall be openly denounced. But for the most part there is no Visible Cause in the Eyes of the World of this inexpressible and eternal Difference between these two sorts of Persons. For besides that for the most part the World doth judge amiss of all that Believers are and do, and do rather, through an inbred Enmity, working by wicked and foolish Surmises, suppose them to be the worst, rather than absolutely the best of Men: There is not for the most part such a visible, manifest difference in outward Actions and Duties, on which alone a Judgment may be passed in Man's Day, as to be a just Foundation of believing so unspeakable Difference between their Persons as is spoken of. There is a difference in their Works, which indeed ought to be far greater than it is; and so a greater Testimony given to the Righteousness of God, 1 John 3. 12. There is yet a greater difference in internal, ⟨p. 61⟩habitual Grace, whereby the Minds of Believers are transformed initially into the Image of God, Tit. 1. 15. But these things will not bear the Weight of this inconceivable Distance. Principally therefore it depends hereon, namely, the Inhabitation of the Spirit in them that believe.
(2) THIS is the hidden Spring and Cause of that inexpressible Distance and Difference that is between Believers and the rest of the World. Our Apostle tells us, that the Life of Believers is hid with Christ in God, Col. 3. 3. A blessed Life they have whilst they are here, dead to the World, and as dead in the World. A Life that will issue in eternal Glory: ⟨p. 60⟩But no such thing appears, no Lustre of it is cast abroad into the Eyes of Men: True, saith the Apostle, for it is hid with Christ in God. It is so both in its Causes, Nature, Operations and Means of Preservation. But by this hidden Life it is that they are differenced from the perishing World. And it will not be denyed, as I suppose, that this Difference is real and great: For those who believe, do enjoy the especial Love and Favour of God; whereas those who do not, are under the Curse, and the Wrath of God abideth on them. They are alive unto God, but these are dead in Trespasses and Sins. And if Men will not believe that there is so inexpressible a difference between them in this World, they will be forced to confess it at the last Day, when the Decretory Sentences of Come ye Blessed, and Go ye Cursed, shall be openly denounced. But for the most part there is no Visible Cause in the Eyes of the World of this inexpressible and eternal Difference between these two sorts of Persons. For besides that for the most part the World doth judge amiss of all that Believers are and do, and do rather, through an inbred Enmity, working by wicked and foolish Surmizes, suppose them to be the worst, rather than absolutely the best of Men: There is not for the most part such a visible, manifest difference in outward Actions and Duties, on which alone a Judgment may be passed in Man's Day, as to be a just Foundation of believing so unspeakable Difference between their Persons as is spoken of. There is a difference in their Works, which indeed ought to be far greater than it is; and so a greater Testimony given to the Righteousness of God, 1 John 3. 12. There is yet a greater difference in internal, ⟨p. 61⟩habitual Grace, whereby the Minds of Believers are transformed initially into the Image of God, Tit. 1. 15. But these things will not bear the Weight of this inconceivable Distance. Principally therefore it depends hereon, namely, the Inhabitation of the Spirit in them that believe.
