2. The things which are done in time for the actual Accomplishment of it. They that would Search the Love of God to the Original, and follow it up to the Well-head of it, must ascend beyond the Creation of the World, and look for it in that Eternity which had no Beginning. Not only the things that he hath done for us, but the thoughts also which he had of us, do Recommend his Transcendent Good Will unto us; the Meditation of them was very choice to David, Psal. 139.17. That God bare Love to his People of Old, He Himself assures them, Jer. 31.3. These Thoughts of his had lain hid from us, but that he was pleased to Reveal them to us in his Word, from whence we must borrow ⟨p. 3⟩our Information: and it is our Duty and will be our Advantage to enquire into it, so far as we have Scripture Light to direct us. The former of these is that which is Designed in the Ensuing Treatise, by Divine Assistance. and in truth, all our Speculations about the latter will be dark, short, and confu•ed, except we trace them hither. We shall neither know where our Salvation began, nor what Security there is for it, or how to act our Faith aright about it. Here is the Idea or Exemplar of all that is done in bringing of Fallen Man to Glory: here is the Ratification or Establishment of the whole concern: here we are acquainted with the leading Causes to, and unfailing Assurances of the Vocation, Justification, and Glorification of all Gods Chosen Ones: for here we find the first Link of that Chain, and that which fastens all, Rom. 8.29, 30. The best and most suitable notion under which this great Affair may be represented to us for our Information, and satisfaction, is that of a Covenant; which being of so much use among men, is the more easily understood: and because it carries in it the strongest confirmation of things that Humane Nature is capable of, must needs be most accommodated to the establishing of our Faith▪ ⟨p. 4⟩Nor is this a mere notion of mans Invention, but that which hath clear and firm footing in the Word of God, as will in its due place appear. Now this Covenant, is by some Divines called the Covenant of Suretyship; by others, the Covenant of Redemption; because there was in it a full Suretyship given for, and a firm Compact made about the Redemption of a number of Mankind, in order to their Salvation.
2. The things which are done in time for the actual Accomplishment of it. They that would Search the Love of God to the Original, and follow it up to the Well-head of it, must ascend beyond the Creation of the World, and look for it in that Eternity which had no Beginning. Not only the things that he hath done for us, but the thoughts also which he had of us, do Recommend his Transcendent Good Will unto us; the Meditation of them was very choise to David, Psal. 139.17. That God bare Love to his People of Old, He Himself assures them, Jer. 31.3. These Thoughts of his had lain hid from us, but that he was pleased to Reveal them to us in his Word, from whence we must borrow ⟨p. 3⟩our Information: and it is our Duty and will be our Advantage to enquire into it, so far as we have Scripture Light to direct us. The former of these is that which is Designed in the Ensuing Treatise, by Divine Assistance. and in truth, all our Speculations about the latter will be dark, short, and confu•ed, except we trace them hither. We shall neither know where our Salvation began, nor what Security there is for it, or how to act our Faith aright about it. Here is the Idea or Exemplar of all that is done in bringing of Fallen Man to Glory: here is the Ratification or Establishment of the whole concern: here we are acquainted with the leading Causes to, and unfailing Assurances of the Vocation, Justification, and Glorification of all Gods Chosen Ones: for here we find the first Link of that Chain, and that which fastens all, Rom. 8.29, 30. The best and most suitable notion under which this great Affair may be represented to us for our Information, and satisfaction, is that of a Covenant; which being of so much use among men, is the more easily understood: and because it carries in it the strongest confirmation of things that Humane Nature is capable of, must needs be most accommodated to the establishing of our Faith▪ ⟨p. 4⟩Nor is this a meer notion of mans Invention, but that which hath clear and firm footing in the Word of God, as will in its due place appear. Now this Covenant, is by some Divines called the Covenant of Suretyship; by others, the Covenant of Redemption; because there was in it a full Suretyship given for, and a firm Compact made about the Redemption of a number of Mankind, in order to their Salvation.
