That to know the Father (as I have spoken of it) is a great attainment and glorious privilege, will be evident by these following Considerations, or considerable proofs: to begin with the Old Testament. 'Tis Prophesied of in the Old as the glory of the New Testament; The Prophecies of the time (and world to come, the Messiah or Gospel dispensation) were glorious far beyond their present enjoyments; and the Prophets were more Seers, in respect of what was to be, than of what was; so the Apostle tells us expressly, 1 Pet. 1.10,—12. and when the day dawns and the day-star ariseth in our hearts, it supersedes the Prophecies, they being then know in accomplishments; so that we may say with a little alteration, as Joh. 4.39,—42. Many believed because of the Prophecies which testified of these things, but more believed because of his own word; and now they may say, We believe not (only) because of their sayings, but because we have heard (and felt him our selves, 1 Joh. 1.1,—3.) and know that this is indeed the Spirit of his Son, which beareth witness with our Spirit of Adoption. Now, among many other Prophecies of the glories of the Gospel-Saints, this is one, ⟨p. 294⟩that they should know God as a Father, and their Father, Psal. 89.26. (which is spoken of David, and of Christ who was more a David, than David was) He shall cry unto me, Thou art my Father, Isa. 63.16. ('tis spoken what they should say in time to come) Doubtless thou art our Father. So Chap. 64.8. But now, O Lord, thou art our Father. Jer. 3.19. I said, How shall I put thee among the Children? and I said, thou shalt call me, My Father. Again, to know God as our Father, is (in the New-Testament) put as a greater glory than to know him as our God; for 2 Cor. 6.16. 'tis said, I will be their God, and they shall be my people; but if they come out from among them, and be separate and touch not the unclean thing, then I will receive them, and will be a Father to them, and they shall be my Sons and Daughters, saith the Lord God Almighty. God is the God of Angels, but to which of them said he at any time? Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee; and again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son. The Apostles add this Title to that of God, 2 Cor. 11.31. Ephes. 1.3. 1 Pet. 1.3. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ:
THat to know the Father (as I have spoken of it) is a great attainment and glorious priviledge, will be evident by these following Considerations, or considerable proofs: to begin with the Old Testament. 'Tis Prophesied of in the Old as the glory of the New Testament; The Prophecies of the time (and world to come, the Messiah or Gospel dispensation) were glorious far beyond their present injoyments; and the Prophets were more Seers, in respect of what was to be, than of what was; so the Apostle tells us expresly, 1 Pet. 1.10,—12. and when the day dawns and the day-star ariseth in our hearts, it supersedes the Prophecis, they being then know in accomplishments; so that we may say with a little alteration, as Joh. 4.39,—42. Many believed because of the Prophecies which testified of these things, but more believed because of his own word; and now they may say, We believe not (only) because of their sayings, but because we have heard (and selt him our selves, 1 Joh. 1.1,—3.) and know that this is indeed the Spirit of his Son, which beareth witness with our Spirit of Adoption. Now, among many other Prophecies of the glorys of the Gospel-Saints, this is one, ⟨p. 294⟩that they should know God as a Father, and their Father, Psal. 89.26. (which is spoken of David, and of Christ who was more a David, than David was) He shall cry unto me, Thou art my Father, Isa. 63.16. ('tis spoken what they should say in time to come) Doubtless thou art our Father. So Chap. 64.8. But now, O Lord, thou art our Father. Jer. 3.19. I said, How shall I put thee among the Children? and I said, thou shalt call me, My Father. Again, to know God as our Father, is (in the New-Testament) put as a greater glory than to know him as our God; for 2 Cor. 6.16. 'tis said, I will be their God, and they shall be my people; but if they come out from among them, and be separate and touch not the unclean thing, then I will receive them, and will be a Father to them, and they shall be my Sons and Daughters, saith the Lord God Almighty. God is the God of Angels, but to which of them said he at any time? Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee; and again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son. The Apostles add this Title to that of God,
