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do fo and fo, for to work fo and fo, in fuch, and fuch a Soul, is his Eternal love to those Souls.

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The time when this purpose takes effect, is then, and not till then, when the Soul obeyeth the call of Chrift. Then it is, that an actual Application of that good thing, which was intended, is made. This is exemplified in the Lord's dealing with Paul. He was a chofen Veffel, from all Eternity, Act. 9.15. But then was not this good thing wrought in him, by the improvement whereof his Soul might profper, untill he obeyed the Call of Chrift: For till then, he was a Perfecutor of the Church of God, and that beyond measure. But when it pleased God to call him by his grace, and to reveal his Son in him; then, that good thing was. wrought in him, according as God had purpofed, as he declares, Gal. 1. 13, 14, 15, 16, Immediately, he conferred not with flesh, and blood. But (as Act. 9. 20.) be straitway Preached in the Synagogue, that Christ was the Son of God; for as he tells King Agrippa, Act. 26. 19, He was not disobedient to the heavenly Vifion. Now, if ye ask what this good thing was, which he received in obeying this call, in improvement whereof, his Soul began presently to profper? Ifhall give it you in a word: It was a Heaven-born principle of Spiritual life. 1 Joh. 5. 12. He

that

that hath the Son, bath Life, and he that hath not the Son hath not life. Then (as he faith, Eph.2.5.) He was quickned, who before was dead in fins, and trefpaffes. Then, his Soul was in a way of thriving. As a Tree, when there is life in the Root, it is capable, if well ordered, of profpering, and bringing forth fruit.

Thus it is evident, that if we look upward, we find the first foundation of Soul-profperity is laid in God's Eternal, Electing Love. But if we look inward, it is then laid, when once, we are effectually called, 2 Tim. 1.9. Who bath faved us, and called us with an holy calling: That is, He hath brought us into a ftate of Salvation; which is the only state wherein the Soul profpers. And there it fhall profper. Rom. 8. 28. And we know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpose. verf. 30. Moreover, whom he did predeftinate, them he also called; and whom be called, them he also justified; and whom be justified, them he also glorified. When this Call is firft obeyed, the Soul begins to prof per, for the Understanding begins then to be favingly enlightened. 2 Pet. 1.9, But he that lacketh thee things is blind, and cannot fee far off. In that day of God's power, the Soul is made willing, Pfal. 110.3. And then the Confcience begins to be purged from

dead

dead works, Heb.9.14. And this good thing, thus, in this day begun, fhall, one day, be made perfect, in full and abfolute Soul profperity. 1 Thef. 5.23, The very God of peace fanctifie you wholly. So prays the Apostle for them, and is confident his prayers fhall be heard, verf.24, Faithful is he that calleth you, who will alfo do it. He faith to the Corinthians, i Cor. 1.8,9. Who shall confirm you to the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jefus Chrift. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of bis Son Fefus Christ.

I might now difmifs this point, concerning the first Rife,and Foundation of this Soulprofperity; and proceed to fhew the growth and progress of it. But I must first speak a few words, to prevent, if poffible, all mistakes by any thing that hath been faid. It can not be denyed, but in fome, that never yet heartily, and unfeignedly obeyed the call of Chrift, what by one means, what by ano ther, they living under the ministry of the Gospel, there may be wrought not only a fair Reformation of the outward Man, but likewife fome inward work upon the Soul; and that in each of the three forementioned excellent Faculties, which have an appearance of very great tendency to Soul-profperity, but indeed come very far fhort of it, as to the truth, and reality of the matter.

1. In the Understanding, there may be much light in the things of God. We read Matth. 7.22. that not only one or two, but Many fhall fay, we have Prophefied in thy Name. Some think they lyed in saying so, as if none were partakers of fuch excellent gifts in their unconverted ftate,but the Scrip ture is clear to the contrary, Heb. 6. 4,Thoje who were once enlightened, and tafted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost.-If they shall fall away,&c. Yet here was nothing really wrought, for the profperity of the Soul. They had none of thofe good things, which do accompany falvation. verf. 9. But, beloved, we are perfwaded better things of you, and things that do accompany Salvation. Thus it is with many; they know much, but their Souls are not fully brought under the power, and authority of what they know : itill, upon the account of fome luft, or other, they are under the power of darkness, spoken of Col. 1., 13. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness.

2. In the Will, there may be fome light touches of the Spirit, inclining it to cleave to the outward and vifible part of Religion; together with some workings in the motions, and outgoings thereof in feveral affetions, Matth. 13. 20,-the fame is he that beareth the Word, and anon with joy receiveth

it. 1 King. 21. 27. Ahab rent his Clothes, and put Sack-cloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in Sack cloth, and went foftly. verf. 29. Seeft thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? And these stirrings of heart may work fome refolutions, and fomething may be done in pursuance of those resolutions. Pfal. 78. 34,36,37, When he flew them, then they fought him, and they returned, and enquired early after God, &c.

3. The Confcience likewife may be fo awakened; and so much may an unregenerate Man stand in awe of it, that he dare not go against the light thereof. Thus was it with Paul, he was fo exceeding zealous, and made fuch Confcience of obeying the Tradition of the Fathers, that he durft not but do as he did. Act. 26.9. I verily thought with my felf, that I ought to do many things contrary to the Name of Jefus. And he had great peace in fo doing, Rom. 7.9, For I was alive without the Law once. So had Abimelech, in that he did nothing, but what in conscience he thought to be Lawful. Gen. 20.6. For this reason, so many among the fober fort of the Heathen commended a good Conscience.

All these things feem very fair, but lay them all together, and let one and the fame Man be thus qualified in all these refpecs, yet they are not in the leaft, any true evi dence,

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