deemer. kind and condefcending ReWe are begotten again unto a lively hope, by the refurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. Such are the inestimable privileges to which we Gentiles were chosen in Chrift, before the foundation of the world, being predeftinated to the adoption of children*. * I would wish every Arminian to confider, whether this be not a rational interpretation of St. Paul's doctrine? If fuch a one fhould look into these pa pers, I would beg of him to think, whether he can otherwise tolerably explain what is faid concerning election and deftination. pre "Behold what wond'rous grace "The Father hath beftow'd, "On finners of a mortal race, "To call them fons of God! "Nor doth it yet appear "How great we must be made: "But, when we fee our Saviour " here, 66 "We shall be like our head. "A hope fo much divine, May purge our fouls from sense ❝ and fin, "As Chrift the Lord is pure." Το To this end hath our most gracious God and Father chofen us-that we should be holy, and without blame, before him, in love. So fhall we not receive. the grace of God IN VAIN: fo fhall we walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are cal-. led :-fo fhall we make our calling and election fure :-fo fhall we, in due time, attain happinefs ineffable, and inconceivable. WE fee, then, in fome meafure, how the Author of all good hath manifefted his love to us, both as men, and ast Chriftians. And will not HeaN 3 ven ven and Earth teftify their abhorrence of our ingratitude, if we love not him who hath firft fo wonderfully loved us? Our gratitude will be beft declared, by our conftant endeavour to excel in all virtue and goodness. Particularly we shall do well to meditate much and attentively upon the works and the word of God, and then apply the know ufe. ledge we gain to its proper Though it be only a small portion, it will render us wifer than the most knowing philofopher, who acts differently. Knowledge, like money, is good only as it is applied. If it ferve no other purpose, than to gra tify vanity, or even curiofity, ignorance were better. But if, thereby, both the understanding and the heart be improved; if it lead us to virtue, and to Godits end is happily answered.And hence we gather what kind of knowledge is most valuable. We ought to love God, because he firft loved us; but not for that reafon alone. It has been faid, indeed, that there is no fuch thing as difinterested love. Thus much, however, is certain, that we may have a |