distinct apprehensions of it; no such full assurance concerning it, no such clear and express promises of it, as the Gospel hath given

us.

These are the three eminent promises of the Gospel, and in all probability those which the apostle here calls exceeding great and precious; which brings me to consider in the

Second place, Why they are so called. If we consider the condition that mankind was in when God was pleased to make these gracious declarations, we shall see great reason to set a high value upon every one of these promises. All flesh had corrupted its ways: the whole world was guilty before God; and was liable to all that misery which the sinner had reason to apprehend from the justice of the Almighty. We had forfeited that happiness to which our immortal nature was designed, and were without strength to recover ourselves out of our sad condition. But the promises of the Gospel offer us relief, and thereby obviate all the difficulties and discouragements we lay under.

The gracious promise of pardon frees us from guilt, and secures us from the punishment, which our guilty consciences so much dreaded. Without this promise, mankind would have been under the greatest doubts and discouragements; for when we are afraid our sins are greater than will be forgiven us,

we are apt to fall into despair, which is an effectual bar to repentance.

The promise of God's grace and Holy Spirit to enable us to do our duty, fully answers all the objections from our own weakness, and the power of temptation. We may do all things through Christ strengthening us, and how weak soever we are of ourselves, we are strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. The Spirit of God dwells in all those who are willing to admit him, and is ever ready to assist those who comply with his blessed motions, and who vigorously put forth their own endeavours.

The promise of eternal life answers all the difficulties of our obedience, and sets us above whatever the world can threaten us withall for our constancy to God and his truth. A wise man will be content to suffer or to quit any thing upon terms of far greater advantage: and what greater consideration can be offered to encourage our obedience, than an eternity of happiness? So that the apostle had reason to call these, exceeding great and precious promises; so precious, that if any one of them had been wanting, our redemption and recovery had either been absolutely impossible, or extremely difficult. I proceed in the

Third place, To consider the tenor of these promises; that is, whether God has made them absolutely to us, without requiring any

thing to be done on our part, or upon certain conditions to be performed by us. And, I think, it may safely be affirmed, that they are made conditionally.

Concerning the promise of the assistance of God's Holy Spirit, the Scripture takes notice of two conditions: First, That we beg it earnestly of God; this our Saviour expresses by asking, seeking, knocking; which signifies the importunity of our requests; our Heavenly Father will give his Holy Spirit to them that thus ask it. Secondly, That we improve and make use of the grace which he affords us; to him that hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, shall be taken away even that which he seems to have; that is, to him who useth that grace, and those advantages which God affords him, more shall be given; but from him who makes no use of them, and therefore is as if he had them not, shall be taken away that which he but seems to have.

Concerning the pardon of sins; the Scripture plainly suspends that upon the general condition of repentance, and the change of our lives; Repent, that your sins may be forgiven you; and upon the condition of our forgiving others; if ye forgive men their trespasses, then will your Heavenly Father also forgive you; but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses, says our Saviour, Matt. vi. 14, 15.

And for the promise of eternal life; faith,

repentance, and perseverance in well-doing, are every where in Scripture made the condition of it; He that believes, says our Saviour; that is, he that effectually assents to the doctrine of Christ, and is so persuaded of the truth of it, as to live according to it, shall be saved. We have here obedience included in the Scripture notion of faith; and elsewhere expressly made the condition of our eternal salvation: thus, Heb. v. 9. Christ is said to be the author of eternal salvation to them that obey him; thereby implying, that none shall be saved by Christ, but those that obey the Gospel. Heb. xii. 14. Follow holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Rom. ii. 7, 8, 9. To them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory, honour, and immortality, God will give eternal life; but to them that are contentious and obey not the truth, (that is, the Gospel) but obey unrighteousness; indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil. I come in the

Fourth place to consider, When men may be said to have a right to these promises, so as to be able upon good grounds to apply them to themselves. When a man hath truly repented of his sins, so as to forsake them, and lead a new life; when he does from his heart forgive those that have offended him, hath laid down all animosity against them, and thoughts of revenge; then hath he a right to the promise

of pardon, and may apply to himself in `particular, what the Scripture says in general, that God will blot out all his transgressions, and remember his iniquities no more.—When a man constantly and earnestly implores the assistance of God's Holy Spirit, is ready to yield to the motions of it, and faithfully makes use of the strength which God affords him; then he may expect the continuance of his grace, and further degrees of it.-When a man makes it the constant and sincere endeavour of his life to please God, and to walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless ; and is effectually taught by his grace to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the world; then he may with comfort and joy wait for the blessed hope and glorious appearance of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ; then he may with confidence depend upon God, in sure and certain hope of that eternal life, which he that cannot lie, hath promised.—When he can say, with St. Paul, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; then he may likewise triumph, as St. Paul did, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which God, the righteous judge, shall give me in that day.

Upon these terms, and in these cases, men may, upon good grounds, apply to themselves these exceeding great and precious promises of