PAGE divine truths; more to the promises; above all, to the 541 Reason 1. There is a suitableness between a sanctified heart and sanctified truths. 541 Reason 2. There is a spiritual taste infused to relish those truths. 541 Reason 3. The Church's will is not her own, but Christ's. Reason 4. There is a spiritual contract between Christ and the soul. 541 541 Reason 5. It is a seal of effectual calling. 541 What effectual calling is. 541 Use 1. If we find an unpliableness on our part, to beg the performance of the covenant of grace. Motives to give our Amen : Motive 1. God honours us in having our consent. Use 2. A reproof of two sorts: 1. Those which have no 'Amen' for God." The desires of the Spirit, the true characters of a Christian. Five observations making way to the main point : 1. There will be a second coming of Christ, more glorious than the former. 544 2. A Christian that hath true faith in the times to come, will have answerable desires and prayers. 544 8. A gracious heart turns promises into desires and prayers. 4. The more assured one is of any thing, the more effectual it makes him pray. 545 545 5. God's promises have gradual performances. 546 The sixth and main point 6. It is the duty and disposition of a gracious heart to desire the glorious coming of Christ, and all his other comings, in way and order to this, as they make way for his last coming. Reason 1. The Church is in want till then. 546 547 Reason 2. Our life is hid with Christ in God. 547 547 547 547 548 Reason 7. From the state of the church at the best in this world, in regard of troubles without and corruptions within. 549 PAGE Trials of our desires for the second coming of Christ :- Trial 3. Whether our hearts be in the kingdom of Christ now. 551 Trial 4. By our holy exercises. 551 Directions enabling us to utter this desire and prayer :- 552 Direct. 2. Labour to grow in the new creature. 552 Direct. 8. Be sure to do what you do thoroughly and quickly. 552 from crosses and Satan. 553 Obj. 1. I find I am not so desirous of the coming of Christ as I ought. 554 Obj. 2. But I desire to live still. 554 A pressing exhortation to long for the second coming of Christ, and from thence also to quicken ourselves in our Christian work. A conclusion Upon the particular occasion. 556 THE FAITHFUL COVENANTER. NOTE. The Faithful Covenanter' forms a portion of the miscellaneous sermons of Evangelical Sacrifices' (4to, 1640). Its separate title-page is given below. For general G. title-page, see Vol. V. page 156. THE FAITHFUL COVENANTER. In two Sermons upon G E N. 17. 7. The late Learned and Reverend Divine, RICH. SIBBS: Doctor in Divinity, Mr of KATHERINE Hall GRAYES-INNE. NEHE. 1. 5. O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth Covenant and mercy for them that Love him. LONDON, Printed by E. Purslow, for N. Bourne, at the Roy all Exchange, and R. Harford at the gilt |