Now the Scripture way wherein we are directed to arrive at this knowledge, is by following of the streams up to the fountain. There are some streams of common bounty, which flow from God the Fountain of Goodness, to all the World; he being the common Benefactor to all his Creatures; and the•e are ⟨p. 140⟩none but do partake more or less of his Benignity, Psal. 145.9. Mat. 5.45. But yet a man may swim in the fullness of all these favours, yea be glutted with them, and yet be an utter stranger to this Covenant, Psal. 17.14. These are kindnesses which God can allow to his Enemies. But there are other distinguishing favours, which the great King reserves to bestow only on those whom he hath set his heart upon, & is resolved to make them his special favourites: so that whosoever is made to enjoy any of these, he may hereby certainly know that God hath a mind to honour him, and intends Eternal Life for him. There are peculiar tokens of the Love of God which he gives to none but such as have found Grace in his sight; and those that enjoy them, may from thence unerringly conclude that they were given to Christ in an Everlasting Covenant. We may read the descent of these in Rom. 8:29.30. There is a white Stone, and a new Name which is not Legible by any but him who hath it. This God bestows upon none other but those who were thus Covenanted for. There is a powerful work of Conversion wrought in the Soul, by causing the man to pass ⟨p. 141⟩from death to life, the donation of the Spirit of Adoption by which we are enabled to Cry, Abba Father, the infusion of the Grace of Sanctification, in which there is a wonderful change made, a New Creature brought forth, all old things past away, and all things become new in him. Now these are all the gifts of saving Grace, they are the secret conveyance from the Well-head of Electing Love, they are the Covenant Mercies, and things that Accompany Salvation: if then you are called by his power, seized by his Spirit, sanctified by his Grace; you may by this be assured that you were Chosen in Christ, and Covenanted for with him. These benefits are not scattered promiscuously, but are given peculiarly. Labour therefore to have and discover such Operations as these in your hearts, and to be more and more acquainted with the reality of them:
Now the Scripture way wherein we are directed to arive at this knowledg, is by following of the streams up to the fountain. There are some streams of common bounty, which flow from God the Fountain of Goodness, to all the World; he being the common Benefactor to all his Creatures; and the•e are ⟨p. 140⟩none but do partake more or less of his Benignity, Psal. 145.9. Mat. 5.45. But yet a man may swim in the fulness of all these favours, yea be glutted with them, and yet be an utter stranger to this Covenant, Psal. 17.14. These are kindnesses which God can allow to his Enemies. But there are other distinguishing favours, which the great King reserves to bestow only on those whom he hath set his heart upon, & is resolved to make them his special favourites: so that whosoever is made to enjoy any of these, he may hereby certainly know that God hath a mind to honour him, and intends Eternal Life for him. There are peculiar tokens of the Love of God which he gives to none but such as have found Grace in his sight; and those that enjoy them, may from thence unerringly conclude that they were given to Christ in an Everlasting Covenant. We may read the descent of these in Rom. 8:29.30. There is a white Stone, and a new Name which is not Legible by any but him who hath it. This God bestows upon none other but those who were thus Covenanted for. There is a powerful work of Conversion wrought in the Soul, by causing the man to pass ⟨p. 141⟩from death to life, the donation of the Spirit of Adoption by which we are enabled to Cry, Abba Father, the infusion of the Grace of Sanctification, in which there is a wonderful change made, a New Creature brought forth, all old things past away, and all things become new in him. Now these are all the gifts of saving Grace, they are the secret conveyance from the Well-head of Electing Love, they are the Covenant Mercies, and things that Accompany Salvation: if then you are called by his power, seized by his Spirit, sanctified by his Grace; you may by this be assured that you were Chosen in Christ, and Covenanted for with him. These benefits are not scattered promiscuously, but are given peculiarly. Labour therefore to have and discover such Operations as these in your hearts, and to be more and more acquainted with the reality of them:
