The afflicted and retired mans meditations, concerning the excellency of the spirit With a discovery of the twofold-mind; the danger of the one, the comfort and safety of the other. First, here is observed, what it is for to be carnally minded. Secondly, means to suppress a carnal frame of spirit. Thirdly, the dreadful state of a carnal minded man. Fourthly, how the spirit is a Christians help. Fifthly, means to obtain the spirit. Sixthly, the characters of a spiritualized Christian. Seventhly, the glorious priviledges of a spiritual minded man. And a few meditations by way of observation: with a dialogue between Christ and a sinner; Christ and a Christian; Christ and the afflicted person: as also, a word to the remnant of the womans seed: with a loud call to all saints, to love one another upon the account of son-ship, and not onely upon the account of fellowship. Written by Samuel Bradley, who hath love for all that love the Lord Jesus in sincerity, who prayes for Zions unity.

The eleventh Priviledge of a Christian.

Eleventhly, Such as are Spiritually Minded, do know God to be in Covenant with them; And such as know the Covenant of Grace, know it to be a Covenant of Peace.

To know the Covenant of Grace a right, is for to know our selves intrusted therein, and United to Christ by it; that is, to know God our God in Covenant with us, and to have our ear open, to hear what God shall say unto us.

Hear, and your Souls shall live, and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you, even the sure Mercies of David.

The Covenant of Grace, is a firm Covenant, there is no breaking of it, it abides for ever; though God for good Reasons may hide his Face for a time, from a Soul in Covenant with him, yet God will not hide his Face continually, for he is obliged in his Covenant not to depart for ever.

For a small Moment have I forsaken thee, but in great Mercy will I gather thee; In a little wrath have I hid my Face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindness will I have Mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer.

Mark, Is God gone? he hath ingaged himself upon the word of his Faithfulness for to come again; though God may for a moment withdraw, yet he and a Covenanted Christian must not part for ever; he will manifest everlasting kindness, which de∣notes to us God's unchangeable love, to such that he hath entred into Covenant with; of his Love there is no end.

If God be thy Redeemer, Mark, he binds his Covenant with an Oath; For this is as the Waters of Noah unto me; for I have Sworn, the Waters shall no more go over the Earth; So have I sworn, That I will not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee: For the Moun∣tains shall depart, and the Hills be removed, but my Kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the Covenant of my Peace be re∣moved, saith the Lord, that hath Mercy on thee: God's Cove∣nant

which he hath made with his People, is called a Covenant of Peace. Oh! blessed News to such indeed whom God hath ta∣ken into covenant with himself, Christ and they shall never part; but more of this hereafter God willing.

Notes

• Isa. 55.3.
• Isa. 54.7. vers. 8.
• Jer. 31.3.
• Isa. 54.9, 10.