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outwardly are of God, (called Trinitatis ad extra) which are commonly faid to be common and undivided, are either wholly fo, and in all refpects; as all works of common providence, or elfe being, common in refpect of their acts, they are diftinguished in refpect of that principle, or next and immediate rife in the manner of operation; fo creation is appointed to the Father, redemption to the Son; in which fenfe we fpeak of thefe things.

2. There is a concurrence of the actings and operations of the whole Deity, in that difpenfation, wherein each perfon concurs to the work of our falvation, unto every act of our communion with each fingular perfon. Look by what act foever we hold communion with any perfon, there is an influence from every perfon to the putting forth of that act. As fuppofe it to be the act of faith. It is bestowed on us by the Father: It is not of ourfelves, it is the gift of God, Eph, ii. 8. It is the Father that revealeth the gospel, and Chrift therein, Matth. xi. 25. And it is purchafed for us by the Son: It is given unto you for Chrifl's fake to believe on him, Phil. i. 29. In him are we blessed with fpiritual bleffings, Eph. i. 3. He beftows on us, and increafeth faith, in us, Luke xvii. 5. And it is wrought in us by the Spirit: he adminifters that exceeding greatnels of his power which he exercifeth towards them who believe, according to the working of his mighty power; which he wrought in God when he raifed him up from the dead, Eph. i. 19, 29. Rom. viii. 11.

3. When I affign, any particular thing wherein we hold communion with any perfon, I do not do it exclufively unto other mediums of communion; but only by the way of inducing a fpecial, and eminent inftance, for the proof and manifeftation of the former general affertion: otherwife there is no

grace or duty wherein we have not communion with God in the way defcribed. In every thing wherein we are made partakers of the divine nåture, there is a communication and receiving between God and us. So near are we unto him in Chrift.

4. By afferting this diftinct communion, which merely respects that order in the difpenfation of grace, which God is pleated to hold out in the gofpel, I intend not in the leaft, to fhut up all communion with God under thefe precincts, his ways being exceeding broad, containing a perfection whereof there is no end; nor to prejudice that holy fellowship we have with the whole Deity, in our walking before him in covenant obedience, which alfo (God affifting) I fhall handle hereafter.

Thefe few obfervations being premifed, I come how to declare what it is, wherein peculiarly and eminently the faints have communion with the Father: and this is LOVE. Free, undeferved, and eternal love. This the Father peculiarly fixes upon the faints: this they are immediately to eye`in him, to receive of him, and to make fuch returns thereof, as he is delighted withal. This is the great difcovery of the gofpel. For whereas the Father as the fountain of the Deity, is not known any other way but as full of wrath, anger, and indignation againft fin, nor can the fons of men have any other thoughts of him, Rom. i. 18. Ifa. xxxiji. 15, 16. Hab. i. 13. Pfal. v. 4, 5, 6. Eph. ii. 3. Here he is now revealed peculiarly as love, as full of it unto us; the manifeftation whereof is the peculiar work of the gofpel, Tit. iii. 4.

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I. 1 John iv. 8. God is love that the name of God is here taken perfonally, and for the person of the Father, not effentially, is evident from ver. 9. where he is distinguished from his only begotten Son whom he fends into the world. Now (faith

he) the Father is love, that is, not only of an infinitely gracious, tender, compaffionate and loving nature, according as he hath proclaimed himfelf, Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7. but alfo one that eminently and peculiarly difpenfeth himself unto us in free love. So the apoftle fets it forth in the following vertes; this is love, ver. 9. this is that which I would have you take notice of in him, that he makes out love unto you, in fending his only begotten Son into the

world, that we might live through him.' So alfo, ver. 10. He loved us, and fent his Son to be the propitiation for our fins. And that this is peculiarly to be eyed in him, the Holy Ghoft plainly declares, in making it antecedent to the fending of Christ, and all mercies and benefits whatever by him receiv ed. This love, I fay, in its felf is antecedent to the purchase of Chrift, although the whole fruit thereof be made out alone thereby, Eph. i. 4,

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2. So in that distribution made by the 5, 6.

apoftle in his folemn parting benediction, 2 Cor. xiii. 13. The < grace of the Lord Jefus Chrift, the LOVE OF GOD, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghoft be with you.' Afcribing fundry things unto the diftinct perfons, it is love that he peculiarly affigns to the Father. And the fellowship of the Spirit is mentioned, with the grace of Chrift, and the love of God, because it is by the Spirit alone that we have fellowship with Chrift in grace, and with the Father in love; although we have alfo peculiar fel.lowship with him, as fhall be declared.'

3. John xvi. 25, 27. faith our Saviour, I fay not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you, for the Father himfelf loveth you?' but how is this, that our Saviour faith, I fay not that I will pray the Father for you,' when he faith plainly, chap. xiv. 16, I will pray the Father for you?” The difciples with all the gracious words, comfort

able and faithful promifes of their Mafter, with moft heavenly difcoveries of his heart unto them, were even fully convinced of his dear and tender affections towards them; as alfo of his continued care and kindness, that he would not forget them, when bodily he was gone from them; as he was now upon his departure; but now all their thoughts are - concerning the Father, how they fhould be accepted with him, what refpect he had towards them. Saith our Saviour, take no care of that. nay impofe not that upon me, of procuring the Father's love for you, but know, that this is his peculiar refpect towards you, and which you are in him; he himfelf loves you. It is true indeed (and as I told you,) that I will pray the Father to fend you the Spirit, the Comforter, and with him all the gracious fruits of his love; but yet in the point of love itfelf, free love, eternal love, there is no need of any interceffion for that, for eminently the Father himself loves you; refolve of that, that you may hold communion with him in it, and be no more troubled about it. Yea as your great trouble is, about the Father's love,, fo you can no way more trouble or burden him, than by your unkindness in not believing of it So it must needs be where fincere love

is queftioned.

4 The apoftle teaches the fame, Rom. v. 5. The love of God is fhed abroad in your hearts by the Holy Gholt, that is, given unto you.' God whofe love this is, is plainly diftinguished from the Holy Ghoft, who fheds abroad that love of his; and ver. 8. he is alfo diflinguished from the Son; for it is from that love of his, that the Son is fent; and therefore it is the Father of whom the apoftle here (pecially speaketh: and what is it that he a- · fcribes to him? even love; which alfo ver. 8. he comiendeth to us, fets it forth in fuch a fignal and

eminent expreffion, that we may take notice of it, and clofe with him in it. To carry this business to its height there is not only moft frequent peculiar mention made of the love of God, where the Father is eminently intended, and of the love of the Father exprefly, but he is alfo called the God of love, 2 Cor. xiii. 11. and is faid to be love, so that whoever will know him, 1 John iv. 8. or dwell in him by fellowfhip or communion, ver. 16. mult do it as he is love.

5. Nay whereas there is a twofold divine love, Beneplaciti, and Amicitia, a love of good pleasure, and deftination, and a love of friendship and approbation, they are both peculiarly affigned to the Father, in

an eminent manner.

1 John iii. 16. God fo loved the world that he fent,' &c. that is, with the love of his purpofe and good pleasure, his determinate will of doing good. This is diftinctly afcribed to him, being laid down as the cause of fending his Son. So Rom. ix 11, 12. Eph. i. 4, 5. 2 Thef. ii. 13, 14. 1 John iv. 8, 9.

2 John xiv. 23. there is mention of that other kind of love whereof we fpeak. If any man love · me (faith Chrift) he will keep my words, and my

Father will love him, and we will come unto him, • and make our abode with him.' The love of friendship and approbation, is here eminently afcribed to him; fays Chrift, we will come, even Father and Son to fuch a one, and dwell with him, that is, by the Spirit; but yet he would have us take notice, that in point of love, the Father hath a peculiar prerogative: My Father will love him.

6. Yea, and as this love is peculiarly to be eyed in him, fo it is to be looked on as the fountain of all following gracious difpenfations. Chriftians walk often times with exceedingly troubled hearts, con