12. The apostasy from the gospel here described, being the abso lute height of all sin and impiety that the nature of man is ca- pable of, renders them unto eternity obnoxious unto all punish- ment that the same nature is capable of, 13. It is our duty diligently to inquire into the nature of sin, lest 14. Sinning against the testimony given by the Holy Ghost unto the truth and power of the gospel, whereof men have had expe- rience, is the most dangerous symptom of a perishing condition, ib. 15. Threatenings of future eternal judgments unto gospel-despisers, belong unto the preaching and declaration of the gospel, 16. The equity and righteousness of the most severe judgments of God, in eternal punishments against gospel-despisers, is so evi- dent, that it may be referred to the judgment of men not ob- 17. It is our duty to justify and bear witness unto God in the righteousness of his judgments against gospel-despisers, 1. There can be no right judgment made of the nature and deme rit of sin, without a due consideration of the nature and holiness of God, against whom it is committed, 2. Nothing will state our thoughts aright, concerning the guilt and demerit of sin, but a deep consideration of the infinite great- ness, holiness, righteousness, and power of God against whom it 3. Under apprehensions of great severities of divine judgments, the consideration of God, the author of them, will both relieve our faith, and quiet our hearts, 4. A due consideration of the nature of God, his office, that he is the Judge of all, especially of his people, and that inclosure he hath made of vengeance unto himself, under an irrevocable pur- pose for its execution, gives indubitable assurance of the certain unavoidable destruction of all wilful apostates, 5. Although those who are the people of God, do stand in many relations unto him, that are full of refreshment and comfort; yet it is their duty constantly to remember that he is the holy and righteous Judge, even towards his own people, 6. The knowledge of God in some good measure, both what he is in himself, and what he hath taken on himself to do, is neces- sary to render either his promises or threatenings effectual unto 8. There is an apprehension of the terror of the Lord in the final judgment, which is of great use to the souls of men, 9. When there is nothing left of judgment, nothing remains but the expectation of it, its fore-apprehension will be filled with 11. That man is lost for ever, who hath nothing in God that he 12. Those properties of God, which are the principal delight of believers, the chief object of their faith, hope and trust, are an eternal spring of dread and terror unto all impenitent sinners, 13. The glory and honour of the future state of blessedness and misery, are inconceivable either to believers or sinners, 14. The fear and dread of God, in the description of his wrath, ought continually to be on the hearts of all who profess the 1. A wise management of former experiences, is a great direction and encouragement unto future obedience, 2. All men by nature are darkness and in darkness, 3. Saving illumination, is the first fruit of effectual vocation, 4. Spiritual light in its first communication, puts the soul on the diligent exercise of all graces, 5. It is suited unto the wisdom and goodness of God, to suffer persons on their first conversion, to fall into manifold trials and temptations, 6. All temporary sufferings, in all their aggravating circumstances, in their most dreadful preparation, dress, and appearance, are but light things in comparison of the gospel and the promises 7. There is not any thing in the whole nature of temporary suf- 8. It is reserved unto the sovereign pleasure of God, to measure out unto all professors of the gospel, their especial lot and por- tion as unto trials and sufferings, so as that none ought to com- plain, none to envy one another, 9. Of what sort or kind the sufferings of any that God employs in the ministry of the gospel shall be, is in his sovereign dispo 10. Faith giving an experience of the excellency of the love of God in Christ, and the grace received thereby, with its incompa- rable preference above all outward perishing things, will give joy and satisfaction in the loss of all our substance, upon the ib. ib. 11. It is the glory of the gospel, that it will on a just account, from a sense of, and interest in it, give satisfaction and joy unto the souls of men, in the worst of sufferings for it, 12. It is our duty to take care that we be not surprised with out- ward sufferings, when we are in the dark as unto our interest in Doctrine Page 14. It is our interest in this world, as well as with respect unto eternity, to preserve our evidences for heaven, clear and unstained, 583 15. There is a substance in spiritual and eternal things, whereunto faith gives a subsistence in the souls of believers, 16. There is no rule of proportion between eternal and temporal things, VERSES 35, 36. 1. In the times of suffering, and in the approaches of them, it is the duty of believers to look on the glory of heaven, under the notion of a refreshing, all-sufficient reward, ib. ib. 587 2. He that would abide faithful in difficult seasons, must fortify his soul with an unconquerable patience, 588 3. The glory of heaven is an abundant recompence for all we shall undergo in our way towards it, 590 4. Believers ought to sustain themselves in their sufferings, with the promise of future glory, 5. The future blessedness is given unto us by the promise, and is therefore free and undeserved, 6. The consideration of eternal life, as the free effect of the grace ib. ib. ib. 1. The delay of the accomplishment of promises, is a great exercise of faith and patience, 592 2. It is essential unto faith to be acted on the promised coming of Christ, to all that look for his appearance, 595 3. There is a promise of the coming of Christ, suited unto the state and condition of the church in all ages, ib. 4. The apparent delay of the accomplishment of any of these promises, requires an exercise of the faith and patience of the saints, ib. 5. Every such coming of Christ, hath its appointed season, beyond which, it shall not tarry, ib. 6. This divine disposition of things, gives a necessity unto the continual exercise of faith, prayer and patience about the coming of Christ, 7. Although we may not know the especial dispensations and mo- 9. Under despondencies as to peculiar appearances or comings of ib. 596 ib. ib. Doctrine Page 10. Every particular coming of Christ, in a way suited unto the present deliverance of the church, is an infallible pledge of his coming at the last unto judgment, 11. Every promised coming of Christ is certain, and shall not be delayed beyond its appointed season, when no difficulties shall be able to stand before it, 12. There are especial qualifications of grace required unto stedfastness in profession, in times of persecution, and long continued trials, 13. Many things are required to secure the success of our profes- 14. The continuance of the spiritual life and eternal salvation of 16. It is an effect of spiritual wisdom to discern what is the dan- 17. It is much to be feared, that in great trials, some will draw back from that profession of the gospel, wherein they are engaged, 18. This defection is commonly durable, continued by various 19. It is our great duty to look diligently that we are of that ho- 596 ib. 598 598 ib. 599 ib. 600 ib. ib. ib. 21. Backsliders from the gospel, are in a peculiar manner the abhorrence of the soul of God, ib. 22. When the soul of God is not delighted in any, nothing can preserve them from utter destruction, ib. 23. The Scripture every where testifieth, that in the visible church there is a certain number of false hypocrites, 602 ib. ib. 24. It is our duty to evidence unto our own consciences, and give evidence unto others, that we are not of this sort or number, 25. Nothing can free apostates from eternal ruin, 26. Sincere faith will carry men through all difficulties, hazards and troubles, unto the certain enjoyment of eternal blessedness, ib. |