ities,
except sin, that without eyes of faith, men could not perceive that he was
the Son of God. And by this wonderful exchange are we made the sons of
God. Whoever, in the apprehension of their own enmity and distance from
God, receive Christ Jesus, offered as the peace, the bond of union between
the two families of heaven and earth, that were at an infinite odds and
distance, whoever (I say) believes thus in him, and flies to him, desiring
to lay down the weapons of their warfare, their peace is not only made by
that marriage which Christ made with our nature, but they are blessed with
this power and privilege, to be the sons and daughter of the Most High.
And from thence you may conclude, that if God be your Father, you can want
nothing that is good. But the determination of what is good for you,
whether in spiritual enlargements, or in the things of this life, you must
refer to his wisdom, for his love indeed is strong as death, nothing can
quench it. In the point of reality and constancy, there is nothing to
shadow it out among men. The love of women is earnest and vehement, but
that is nothing to it, (Isa. xlix. 15,) for they may forget, but he
cannot. Yet his love is not a foolish dotage, like mans that is often
miscarried with fancy and lust; but it is a rational and wise affection,
administered and expressed with infinite reason and wisdom; and therefore,
he chooses rather to profit us than to please us in his dealings. And we
who are not so fit to judge and discern our own good, should commit all to
his fatherly and wise Providence. Therefore, if you be tempted to anxiety
and carefulness of mind, either through the earthliness of your
dispositions, or the present straits of the time, you who have resigned
yourself to Jesus Christ, should call to mind that your heavenly Father
careth for you. And what need you care too? Why not use your lawful
callings, be diligent in them? This is not to prejudge that, but if you
believe in God, then you are obliged by that profession to abate from the
superfluous tormenting thoughtfulness that is good for nothing but to make
you more miserable than your troubles can make you, and to make you
miserable before you be miserable, to anticipate your sorrows. If you say,
God is your father, you are tied to devolve yourselves over on him, and
trust in his good will and faithfulness, and to sit down quietly as
children that have parents to provide for them.

Now, the other gift is gr