V.

SERM. Repentance and Faith, when explained in their due Extent, as Streams from the Fountain which appears from what hath been already faid.

4. Let us always judge of the inward Principle by the outward Practice. It is the only way whereby we can know the Hearts of others; and fometimes the best way to come at true Knowledge of our own: for the Heart is the Fountain of Life, in a moral, as well as a natural sense; and when we cannot come at the Fountain itself, we may judge of it by the Streams that iffue therefrom, whether it be sweet Water, or bitter.

And that this is the beft and fureft way to judge of our proper Character now, appears from hence, because it is the way whereby GOD himself will judge us all at last: for though he perfectly knows the Hearts of all the Children of Men, yet that the Righteoufnefs of his Judgment may be manifest to the whole World, he hath declared that he will judge every Man according to his Works.

5. All these three great Conditions of the Gospel Covenant are the Gift of GOD, or the effects of the Holy Spirit's Operation on the Heart. Chrift is exalted as a Prince and

Saviour,

V.

Saviour, to give Repentance unto Ifrael (m). SERM. And Faith, as well as that Salvation which is the effect of it, is exprefsly called the Gift of GOD (n). And we are formed to a holy Obedience through Sanctification of the Spirit (o). And happy is it for us that they are thus fully and freely promised; for certain it is, they could never be acquired by the proper power of fallen and imperfect

Creatures. But

6. Though they are all freely promised to us as the Gifts of GOD, yet they are all expressly required of us as our Duty. Repent and be converted, that your Sins may be blotted out; Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and ye fhall be faved; make ye a new Heart, and turn unto the Lord; are Precepts we often meet with in Scripture, which undeniably fhew that fomething may be done, aud must be done on our part, that we may have thefe neceffary Qualifications for Happiness otherwise nothing would be required.

Laftly, If therefore we fincerely endeavour to do what is our part, and in our power to do, with humble Prayer for, and Dependance on Divine Grace, we may firmly exVOL. IV. pect (m) A&ts v. 31, (n) Eph. ii. 8. Phil. i. 29. (0) 1 Pet. i 2.

K

SERM. pect it's concurrrence with thofe fincere En

V.

deavours, to enable us to do what of ourfelves we cannot; and the continuance of the fame Grace, till these Divine and Heavenly Principles are effectually formed in the Heart, to make us meet for Heaven.

And to conclude, we hence clearly fee, that though the Condemnation of Sinners be owing to themselves (because they refuse to da what they may and ought) yet the Salvation of Saints is owing to the free Grace of God; which thus begets them to a lively Hope of, and fits them for, the Heavenly Inheritance.

SER

SERMON VI.

The Promises of the Gospel Covenant better than those of the Legal,

HE B. viii. 6.

吊吊

- He is the Mediator of a better Covenant, which was established upon better Promifes.

ROM thefe Words I ob

SERM.

VI.

III. That it is a better Covenant than that of the Jews,

The last of these Obfervations I began to treat of in the preceding Difcourfe: where I obferved that the Gofpel-Covenant was better than the Jewish:

1. Because it contains better Terms. 2. It affords better Affiftances: and 3. It is founded on better Promises. The first of thefe Heads I have already dispatched, and proceed now immediately to the fecond: therefore

2. The Chriftian-Covenant is better than the Jewish, because it affords better Helps or Affiftances. Because

The Method of Worship under the Gofpel is more easy, rational and spiritual. The Revelation we enjoy is more plain, full and extenfive.

And the Divine Aids offered to us are more particular, ample and effectual.

1. The method of Worship inftituted under the Gospel, is more eafy, rational, and fpiritual.

It