The Second and last collection of the late London ministers farewel sermons preached by Dr. Seaman, Dr. Bates, Mr. Caryll, [brace] Mr. Brooks, Mr. Venning, and Mr. Mead ; to which is added a farewell sermon preached at Dedham in Essex by Mr. Matthew Newcomen ; as also Mr. Lyes sermon at the conclusion of the last morning-exercise at All-hallows in Lumbard-street, being a summary rehearsal of the whole monthly-lectures.

The Fifth Sermon.

1 John 3.14. We know that wee have passed fr•••• death to life, because we love the Brethren.

IN these words five things.

1. A supposed Estate, in which we are all by na∣ture, and that is an Estate of death spiritual.

2. A peaceable Recovery, or mention of another state, an Estate of life.

3. A real Transition from this state of death to life, we are passed, &c.

4. An inseparable property of all Regenerate souls in the world, they do not hate, but love the Brethren.

5. A comfortable Conclusion, that a Christian may make, from that property, he may know, hee may be assured by this, that he is passed from death to life, because he loves the Brethren. The observa∣tion thus, a Christian may know his real Conversion and Transition to eternal life, by this Character among the rest, because he loves the Brethren. This propo∣sition was slipt into these two particulars.

1. That every Beleever may have an assurance of his Transition from death to life.

2. That love to the Brethren is one of the great e∣minent Symptomes of mans Regeneration.

1. A Christian may know his real Conversion, and Translation to eternal life; Such a great and real change is there wrought in every Beleever at his Conversion, and this wrought by such a great effi∣cient, and infinite cause, the Spirit of God, and this cause, working by such real and powerful means and instruments, the great Word of God; and this done notwithstanding the great opposition that is made

by a poor sinner against the word; and when wrought it hath such real and grand, effects upon a Beleever, that 'tis impossible but a Beleever must needs know this his transition from death to life.

Secondly, Love to the Brethren is the great symp∣tome of mens Regeneration. Love to the Brethren, not taken solely, singly, as if this was the onely Cha∣racter, but concomitantly, taken with others, but beyond and above all others; this is the privy seal of God on the soul, if yee have inflamed it with love, hee may know hee is passed from death to life. The Use was of Confutation of the Papists, those grand enemies to Gospel-Truths, and Be∣leevers peace. They abhor this Doctrine of Assu∣rance, by it, their Purgatory would fall down, their Popes Kitchin would grow cold. They tell us, Be∣leevers cannot attain Assurance in this world; no.

1. Why hath God commanded us to make our Calling and Election sure? and will God com∣mand impossibilities, such as cannot be wrought by our, or his own power?

2. Other Saints have attained this Assurance, this New Name, and White Stone within them.

Obj. That's by extraordinary Revelation.

Answ. This is not upon proof: was not the As∣surance of Gods people in Scripture grounded up∣on general promises? Had they (many of them) either extrinsecal signs or marks to assure them of it? did it not spring from principles common to all Beleevers?

Obj. But suppose they have Assurance to day, they may lose it to morrow; man is a mutable creature, hee may be a Childe of God in the morning, and a brat of Hell in the evening.

Answ. 'Tis true, man is a mutable creature, yet

is hee preserved by an immutable God: man is a weak creature, but yet is preserved by the power of God unto salvation: man, as a Creature, is no less mutable in Heaven, than upon Earth, there pre∣served by God, therefore why not here?

Obj. This is a doctrine that tends to looseness.

Answ. Not so, it did not work looseness in Paul, Job, &c. I labour more than they all. Nothing un∣der Heaven so soveraign to stave off, and preserve from lust, as the assurance of Gods love to the soul. Such assurance comes from the highest act of faith; and one of the great things of Faith, is, to purifie the heart and life. Such an Assurance must needs con∣strain the soul: The love of Christ constraint••is. Nay, so far is it from inclining to looseness, that it casts the soul upon its knees, lifts up the souls hands, sends him to Heaven continually, constantly; arms it. with petitions, resolutions never to let the Lord of Hea∣ven and Earth alone, gives him no rest, begging of him as for other things, so especially for this, Lord, as thou art pleased to give mee the priviledge of enjoying promises, so, give mee the power to per∣form duty. Thus, saith hee, thy will be done in Earth, as it is in Heaven. And so I am come as far as