dare not say that every one in the relations thus acts up to the relation. There is too~ much of a fervile spirit in all of them, of darknefs and weakness, and indifpofition for the frame and behaviour worthy of so happy a flate; and in some of the children of God more than in others: but may it not be said that such things as thefe are found in thofe of the lowest. form.

They have at least fuch a perfuafion of the general mercy of God in Chrift to finners, as gives them fome hope. If they have many doubts of God's special love; yet they are enabled to put in a claim to him as the common Father, not only by creation, but by redemption. If they cannot appropriate a pcculiar fhare to themselves, yet they put in for a general hope upon the declarations of divine grace to finners. And though at times this hope runs low with them, yet it is never totally extinguifhed: the Spirit of God keeps it fo far alive, that they do not utterly fink. And though. they cannot live fuch comfortable lives as fome other Christians, yet they live upon the feeble hope they have, and would not be without that. upon any terms.

-And they have fo high an esteem for an af fured relation to God, that they account them. the happiest people in the world who have it: and earnestly defire it themfelves.

They cannot keep away from God, but cry to him in all their wants and burdens, as a child would do to its father, even though.. they may fear a denial. a denial. If they are in the depths, yet out of them they cry unto God, Pfal.

CXXX, 1.

In

In their applications to God, they moft earnestly defire the things that are fuited to the new nature; which may be fummed up in

grace and glory.

And though they queftion their state, yet they are very tender of offending God themfelves, and cannot bear to have him difhonoured by others. In their darkest hours they juftify God; and will lay no blame upon him, but upon themselves.

And they continue their dependance upon God in a way of duty, though with a trembling heart.

These things befpeak a filial difpofition, though diftemper or darkness may cramp it. And would to God, fuch fruits as thefe were more confpicuous among those who enjoy the Gofpel. Yet,

2. Every Chriftian fhould endeovaur after the greatest heights and the noblest fruits of the fpirit of adoption; to act more thoroughly upon the principles of ingenuity and liberal affection to his God and Father.

This is moft fuitable to the liberal and gracious difpenfation we are under, as hath been fhewn at large. "We are not under the law, but under grace," Rom. vi. 14. As fin once reigned unto death, fo now grace reigns through righteoufnefs unto eternal life, by Jefus Chrift our Lord, chap. v. 21. And when grace reigns as the motive, love should reign as the principle.

It must be exceedingly pleafing to our heav enly Father. Is there any one who hath the bowels of a parent, and is not fenfible how

much

much greater the pleasure is, to have his children love him than merely fear him? and to have them respect and obey him upon affection, and as drawn by kindness, rather than be orderly only by the force of correction?. So different must the complacency be which our heavenly Father takes in the obedience of love, and that which is only the refult of fear.

It may prevent the exercife of much feverity, which otherwife it may be neceffary for God to ufe. He does not willingly afflict, any more than a tender parent would do; he had rather draw with the cords of love and the bands of a man, than be forced to take his rod in his hands. It is only if need be, that for a feafon, his fervants are in heaviness, & Pet. i. 6. because they are not of fo ingenuous a temper, as to be able to bear with fafety an uniform course of smiling providences.

It would make the whole course of obedience abundantly more comfortable and pleafant to ourfelves. The work of the Chriftian life, in the fervile fpirit, will be all tedious and tirefome; it will go on heavily, because against the grain. But "wifdom's ways will be ways of pleafantnefs," when we are pushed on by the generous principle of gratitude to walk in them; when we love him who fets us on work, and love the work itself as connatural to our fouls.

It would adorn religion and invite other people to embrace it. A Chriftian fhould be very folicitous for the reputation of religion, that his good may not be evil-fpoken of," Rom. xiv. 16. but his light may fo fhine

before

before men, that others feeing his good works, may glorify his Father which is in heaven," Matth. v. 16. Now though one man cannot certainly judge of the principle of another's acting; yet where there are the natural fruits of an ingenuous principle, fuch as, delight in approaching to God, chearfulness, affiduity and vigour in holy obedience, patience, fubmission, and thankfuinefs in an afflicted state, the amiable resemblance of God fhining out in life, and a chearful profpect of going to God in death; where, I fay, the doctrine of God our Saviour is thus adorned, it commands attention, infinuates into men's affections, takes off their prejudices against religion, and shews them engaging pleasures in exchange for the pleafures of fin.

And, to add no more, the expreffions of fuch a fpirit, which we find even in fome Old Tefta ment faints, to a furprising degree in their most difadvantageous circumftances, fhould provoke our zeal. I will only take notice of one, holy David: How much of the gracious fpirit breathes in his Pfalms? How frequent and confident was he in his applications to God?

66

Evening and morning, and at noon I will pray; and he fhall hear my voice," Pfalm lv. 17.. "Seven times a day do I praise thee," Pfalm cxix. 164. He loved the habitation of God's houfe, and the place where his honour dwelt," Pfalm xxvi. 8. He often pleads relation to him, as his God and portion. He "would run the way of his commandments, when he should enlarge his heart," Pfalm cxix. 32. "He counted all his precepts concerning

all

1

all things to be right, and hated every falfe way;" and "that in keeping God's commands there is great reward." When he fell into fin, the offence against God fat heaviest on his mind, the offence given to his Spirit, and the lofs of the joys of his falvation; Pfalm li. When he was afflicted he "was dumb, and opened not his mouth," under the hand of God; and counted, that " in very faithfulnefs. he had afflicted him." How often does he pant after conformity to God? "His delight was in the excellent of the earth." And viewing both worlds, God was to him all in all. "Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I defire befides thee. My flesh and my heart faileth; but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever," Pfalm lxxiii. 25, 26. How fhould fuch a fpirit, then, fhame and inspire us? To fee a poor man content, may juftly fhame the difcontents of the great and the rich. To fee the patience and piety of fome in ficknefs and pain, should be a powerful restraint upon the peevish and fretful spirit of those who are at ease. And certainly the avangelical ftrains of fome in that ftate of the church, which was comparatively a ftate of bondage, fhould ftrongly excite us who are brought into the liberty of the fons of God, to equal or out-do them.

To this end then,

1. Accuftom yourfelves to the frequent contemplation of divine goodness, in creation, and in common providence; but especially as manifefted in the face of Chrift. This has of

ten