not the infinite and uncreated life of the Holy Ghost for the humane nature of Christ was not capable of the infinite attributes of the divine nature against which when Eutiches taught otherwise he was condemned for an Heretique in the generall Councell of Chalcedon The comparison must be stretched no further then Christ intended to shew the meer conjunction between Christ and us so far as that we derive and receive continuall nourishment and supply of all grace and fruitfulnesse thereof from him But not to imply the same individuall life in him and us as is in the root and branches head and members for root and branches make but one tree and head and members make but one person But wee are not the same person with Christ and therefore wee have life not the very self-same with his but conformable to his and fashioned after his Image the same with his in proportion and resemblance as is the Image of the seal and of the wax the same in proportion not the same in number And this must needs be so because the fathers before Christ had as truly the same spirituall life of Christ as wee the life of his divine nature neither of us have the life of his humane nature was not then in being and therefore they had only a proportion and resemblance of his life before his coming as wee have after his coming Reason 5 The fifth Reason is taken from the change of the heart in conversion It standeth thus If in conversion there be some thing anew created and begotten in us which was not created nor begotten before then there be new spirituall gifts of grace created and begotten in us For the substance of the soul and body is not anew-created and begotten it is the same it was before and the Holy Ghost cannot be said to be created or begotten in us at all but in conversion the Lord doth create a new heart in us Ps 51.10 and doth regenerate or renew a right spirit in us beside the Holy Ghost of which he saith in the next verse vers 11. Take not thy holy Spirit from mee The Holy Ghost cannot be said to be created or renewed for he is no creature nor was he ever old And in Ezek. 36.26 27. hee promiseth to put a new spirit within us vers 26. and withall promiseth to put his own Spirit within us vers 27. And his Spirit and our spirit are made two distinct witnesses Rom. 8.16 Reas 6 The sixth Reason is taken from the Law written in our hearts under the Covenant of Grace thus If there be a law written in our hearts under the new Covenant then either this is the Holy Ghost himself or spirituall gifts of grace wrought in our hearts by the Holy Ghost whereby we are fitted and enabled through his leading to walk in the Law of God and to keep it But there is a Law written in our hearts under the new Covenant Jer. 31.33 and this Law is not the Holy Ghost himself for it is the effect and work of the Holy Ghost 2 Cor. 3.3 where it is said to be written by him now a Law or an Epistle written by any man cannot be the man himself that wrought it Reason 7 The seventh Reason is taken from the voluntary concourse of every child of God with the Holy Ghost in every spirituall work the Reason is framed thus If there be no spirituall gifts of grace in the soule united to Christ then in every good action the Holy Ghost acts immediately the naturall faculties and affections to supernaturall effects as suppose he then acteth immediately my naturall love to the supernaturall love of God But in every good action the Holy Ghost doth not act immediately the naturall faculties and affections to supernaturall effects Proof of this If the Holy Ghost in every good action do act immediately my naturall faculty or affection to a supernaturall effect then in every good action hee turns the course of my naturall faculty or affection against his proper and voluntary bent For my naturall faculty or affection hath no proper or voluntary bent to spirituall good effects but lusteth against them Rom. 8.5 Gal. 5.17 But the Holy Ghost in every good action doth not turn the course of my faculty and affection against their proper and voluntary bent For then we should not do good actions voluntarily and then they would be unwelcome and grievous to us contrary to 1 Joh. 5.3 and then we should lose our reward 1 Cor. 9.17 Object But God himself is said to be our gifts and graces and therefore they are nothing but his Spirit in us As God is said to be our confidence which is all one with faith Psal 65.5 So he is said to be our hope Jer. 14.8 Psal 71.5 our love our love it self 1 Joh. 4.16 Answ First God is said to be our confidence and hope because he is the object of our faith and hope and therefore wee are said to put our confidence or to believe on him 1 Pet. 2.6 Now if it were meant God is the very grace of faith or confidence which is in us then when we believe or put our confidence on God we should put God upon God which were absurd and if something were lacking in our faith as there is 1 Thes 3.10 then something were lacking in God And if it were meant that God is the grace of that hope which is in us then when David prayed he might not be ashamed of his hope hee meant that he might not be ashamed of his God God also may be said to be our confidence or hope because hee is the author and giver of these gifts to his people Psal 119.49 God is said to be our love because whatsoever is good in the creature is in God eminently and infinitely and so is God himself But if God were that grace of love which is said to abide in us 1 Cor. 13.13 then God were a fruit of the Spirit for that love which dwelleth in us is a fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5.22 The Lord scatter our darknesse and lead us by his Spirit of light and truth into all truth through Christ A Profession of Faith made by the Reverend Divine Mr. John Davenport at his admission into one of the Churches of God in New-England viz. I believe with all my heart and confesse with my mouth 1. Concerning the Scriptures THat all Scripture is by divine inspiration or inbreathing of God by Scripture I mean the Books of the old Testament as Moses and the Prophets and of the new Testament and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousnesse that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works 1 Tim. 3.16 17. and that in all things which concern faith and obedience whether in Gods Worship or in the whole conversation of men it holdeth forth a most perfect rule wherunto nothing may be added nor from it may ought be
THE COVENANT OF Gods free Grace Most sweetly unfolded and comfortably applied to a disquieted Soul from that Text of 2 SAM 23. VER 5. Also a Doctrinall Conclusion that there is in all such who are effectually called in-dwelling spirituall Gifs and Graces wrought and created in them by the Holy Ghost By that Reverend and faithfull Minister of Gods Word Mr. JOHN COTTON Teacher of the Church at Boston in NEW-ENGLAND Whereunto is added A Profession of Faith made by the Reverend Divine Mr. John Davenport in New-England at his admission into one of the Churches there Imprimatur JOHN DOWNAME LONDON Printed M. S. for Iohn Hancock and are to be sold at his Shop in Popes-head Alley 1645. To all who have Interest in the COVENANT OF GRACE CHRISTIAN FRIENDS THese comfortable Notes being in the hands of a friend to the Authour who commending the worth and excellencie of them thought not good to smother them by burying them in oblivion but to expose them to publique view for the generall good and establishment of troubled souls that they understanding their right and title to this sure and everlasting Covenant may take comfort to themselves and be supported against all the tempestuous stormes arising from Satan and the world without or the distempers of their own hearts within David was unsetled and his family disordered yet Gods Covenant is everlasting ordered and sure The condition that is required of us as part of the Covenant is the performance of these things to believe repent and serve the Lord in newnesse of life But the power and ability by which wee do them is a part of the Covenant on Gods part to have new hearts and new spirits whereby wee come to repentance and bringing forth fruit worthy of amendment of life this inward abilitie and new frame of heart by which we are renewed in the spirit of our mindes the writing of his Law in our inward parts that is a branch of Gods Covenant but the bringing forth the fruits of these inward abilities and graces that are ingraffed in us by Christ is required in us As for example the grace and power of believing that God hath promised to give it belongs to him but to believe to take hold of the promises to accept of Jesus Christ to receive him as our Lord and Saviour and the gift of righteousnesse by him is required as a condition on our part As wee are to make use of the Covenant in the matter of our justification against the gilt-of-sin so it will be good for us to make use of it for sanctification against the power of sin when wee are troubled with any strong lust or violent temptation which is too hard for us to overcome know this for thy comfort that it is a part of the Lords own Covenant to deliver thee from all thine enemies that thou mayest serve him in holinesse and righteousnesse all the dayes of thy life hee hath promised to give the Holy Ghost and to create a new heart and a new spirit in us and to cause us to walk in his wayes He hath promised that if we be in trouble and call upon him he will deliver us and if we confesse and forsake our sins he is faithfull and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousnesse If thou reapest any comfort by that which followeth let God have all the glory Vale. THE SAINTS COMFORTS against Personall and Domesticall Infirmities c. 2 SAMUEL 23.5 Although my house be not so with God yet he hath made with me an everlasting Covenant ordered in all things and sure THese words are part of the last Song or Psalme that ever David penned and therefore more sweet savoury and spirituall It is many times with Gods children as it is with the Sunne which shineth most glorious when it is neerest setting the more corruption decayes the more grace increaseth no growing Christian but the neerer he cometh to Heaven the more sweet and spirituall are his Meditations and therefore David lying in no known sin his last Song must needs be most heavenly and sweet These are not the last words of David as it is said verse 1. but they are his last spirituall Psalme or Song and therefore full of heavenly matter according to the strength of spirit he was grown unto The 72. Psalme was the last in the Book of the Psalms but this seemeth to be after that wherein he styleth himself The sweet Singer of Israel verse 1. This verse of the Text containeth in it three principall parts First an acknowledgement of the failing of David himself and his family in the many duties God calleth them unto in these words Although my house be not so with God not so hath reference to the second and third verse not walking according to the wayes God called them to walk in What wayes verse 3. Fear of God Righteousnesse and Justice he requires that the fear of God righteousnesse and Justice should rule in a Princes house For explication of the words Though my house be not so with God to wit though my house do not so walk in Gods fear and righteousnesse as he requireth wherein he acknowledgeth his failings Again when he saith not so he meaneth his house was not so pure and clean so fruitfull before God as he required vers 4. God would have a mans spirit to be as the light of the morning cleere without clouds pure from all mixture of darknesse and corruptions and our spirits and families fresh and fruitfull as the grasse when followed with seasonable showers and the pleasant beams of the Sun it grows most sweetly So God would have his children where they enjoy good means of Grace having dewes from heaven and very comfortable Sunshines over them to grow thereby fresh and fruitfull But what said David Although my house be not so not walking in our callings in the feare of God and righteousnesse although my house be not pure and clean fresh and fruitfull acknowledging his house to have failings herein Secondly you have the support and comfort David took to himself in the midst of the disorders of his house from the orderlinsse of Gods Covenant which though his house was unsetled and unstayed yet there was a sure Covenant though his house was fleeting and unstable yet was there an everlasting Covenant hee brings in Gods Covenant amplified by three arguments contrary to the corruptions that was in his family His family was Transitory Gods Covenant is Everlasting His family was Disordered Gods Covenant is Ordered His family was Unsetled Gods Covenant is Sure Thirdly you have a profession of the resting of his faith upon this Covenant this is all my desire and delight this is all the comfort he hath that Gods Covenant is everlasting setled and sure which is amplified thus Though hee and his house grow not though they be transitory disordered unsetled yet Gods Covenant to him may continue stedfast firm and sure and
this is all his desire The word in the Originall signifies also delight It is all his delight though God bring him otherwise to no great matters nay though he should decay in these outward things yet this is all his desire that Gods Covenant to him may remain firm and sure The words being thus opened divers things may be raised from them as Doctr. 1 That there is no godly man keeps so good an house as to walk with God answerable to their calling and the means of grace offered unto them and this is the meaning of the words though my house be not so with God to wit not walking according to my calling in fear and righteousnesse it is true I should shine as the Sun in the morning without clouds with my family but we are clouded with many corruptions the grasse after Sunshines and rains hath alwayes a green and fresh colour but I and my house receive many showers and Sunshines yet are not we in the like manner fruitfull and flourishing David might well say his house had not the feare of God when Absolom was so rebellious against him as to have plucked him out of his kingdome when Amnon defiled his sister and was for it slain by Absolom who further defiled his fathers Concubines and that in the view of the whole nation there was neither fear of God nor righteousnesse to man notwithstanding the many sweet showers they received from the Prophets they walked not answerable to the blessed means received but were cruell and rebellious therefore though God hath called David to walk with him in the fear of his Name and to cause his family to do so yet that hee should fall short of the grace manifested he hath just cause to complain and yet Davids house is set for a pattern for all houses Zach. 12.8 In that day shall the Lord defend the Inhabitants of Jerusalem and he that is feeble amongst them at that day shall be as David and the house of David shall be as God as the Angel of the Lord before them in which place is shewed that God had especiall regard to the house of David and where David falls short few exceed it David had a speciall care to rule and govern his house aright Psal 101.1 2. I will saith he behave my selfe wisely in a perfect way I will walk within my house with a perfect heart yet notwithstanding all this when David looks back and considers his own wayes and findes many disorders and failings his house is not so with God therefore you may take it for granted that no godly man doth keep so good an house as to walk answerable in his calling to the means of grace offered unto him No house walks according to their callings First concerning the feare of God in your Christian callings in every family there be some of these vices 1. Eye-service children and servants are more carefull to approve themselves to their Parents and Masters then to God 2. In every family you shall finde pride and haughtinesse of minde and spirit contrary to Gods Spirit Rom. 11.20 3. You shall finde drousinesse of spirit in the performance of good duties which implies likewise a want of the true feare of God and this you may finde in the Family of our blessed Saviour they could not watch with him one houre notwithstanding his calling upon them and stirring them up thereunto Matth. 26.40 4. You shall finde a slownesse and dulnesse of capacity and understanding to apprehend any thing that good is Luke 24.25 O fooles and slow of heart to believe c. 5. You shall finde hardnesse of heart the Disciples of our Saviour though they were continually with him enjoyed his glorious presence daily conversed with him saw many strange visions and great miracles and thereby had many sweet showers from our Saviour himself falling upon them yet notwithstanding after all this what said our Saviour unto them As yet perceive ye not nor understand have you your hearts yet hardened Matth. 8.17 So likewise in our outward callings we are failing many wayes in righteousnesse one towards another the husband is wanting to his wife in not giving her her due of love or the fruit of love and she back again to him Parents and Masters wanting to children and servants and so likewise those back again to their superiours not giving and rendring to one another that which God requires of them you shall see Sarah wanting to Abraham Gen. 16.5 when she saw that Hagar had conceived by her husband and she came thereby to be despised of her she imputed the occasion of the wrong offered to her by her hand-maid wholly to her husband and calleth the Lord to judge between them notwithstanding she was most faulty her self in it Gen. 16.5 So likewise are husbands wanting to their wives in love kindnesse provision protection c. which is a want of righteousnesse so children are wanting to their parents and one another as Absolom Adonijah and Amnon in true naturall affection to his sister sometimes they are malicious one to another as Josephs brethren of Jacobs family So likewise idlenesse and lying as in Gehezi 2 King 15.25 David had not dealt well with his sons nor his sons with him neither Eli with his in their younger dayes we should not so complain in our generall calling of hardnesse of heart and want of life and unprofitablenesse in good duties towards God if we were not so much wanting to one another in love and righteousnesse if we therefore would not have our hearts dull and unprofitable in our generall calling we must then labour to dispose our selves aright in our particular calling Not so he meaneth not answerable to the means of grace this is true in any family some of the family will not be brought in no not if there be strong means used it will be but in hypocrisie notwithstanding all the sweet showers that fall upon them and pleasant Sun-shines whereof they daily partake yet some will continue as ignorant as at their first entrance into the family and though many do settle themselves to goodnesse yet they rise not without clouds there be many corruptions in them As they have much knowledge so likewise shall you see them defiled with much pride and vain-glory Husbands cannot bring in their wives nor wives their husbands Parents their children nor their servants and though peradventure they may bring in some yet not all neither this without many a cloud many sinfull corruptions lying profanenesse unprofitablenesse and when they have brought them forward in any good way they have many times such fears and doupting of their estates that they are ready to forsake all and fall back again and if they come on to any profitable performance of good duties yet are they so wonderfully unsetled in their estates and conditions that many times the further the day growes the more cloudy it appears such ado and trouble is there to come to any setlednesse in
in us we are to judge our selves for these and to take upon us Joshuah's resolution I and my house will serve the Lord Josh 24.16 From this generall reformation of families God may be pleased to spare the whole Land as many times a man spares a Vine that hath but one branch and cluster of grapes upon it if not altogether yet at least untill such time as the grapes shall be ripe So God seeing a cluster of Christians here and there because they cannot grow if the Vine be cut up God will therefore therefore spare the whole Again though God be purposed to send out his destroying Angel to lay waste a place yet then we have some helps to save our selves There was but one good house in Jericho which was Rahabs the Harlot yet God spared that for some good service done unto him by her so when we shall hold out the truth and sprinkle our selves with the blood of Christ as the Israelites did God seeing the blood of Christ sprinkled upon us by our faith and repentance wee may be saved from those destroying evills that overwhelm others Vse 2 This may quiet the hearts of Gods servants in temptations though they finde many troubles in their lives and in the right ordering of their families they must not take up such complaints of their houses husbands children servants as to thinke that no body is so much troubled in these things as they are for better men then they have had worse houses David had a speciall care of planting his house well and yet see what corruptions are found even in his family what disordered incestuous and bloody sons he had in his house wherefore wee may well complain of the failings of our families if wee observe what want there is of the fear of God what formall and meer outside performing there is of many good duties this therefore should train us up in some patience and quietnesse of minde and spirit to walk wisely and humbly under Gods hand and not to pine and murmur at our estate and condition Vse 3 And yet in the third place not so to be quieted with the disorders in our families as to drive us to neglect but labour to purge them more and more and not to suffer them to come in if sin once get an head wee may receive many sweet showers and Sunshines and yet be little the better for all If David speaks it with griefe it is then for David and every good man to use all means they can to reform their families to call on them to feare God and to walk religiously one towards another and not to suffer these good showers and pleasant Sunshines these profitable means to be bestowed in vain upon them you have a sweet promise Isaiah 55.10 11. For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven and returneth not thither but watereth the earth and maketh it bring forth and bud that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater so shall my Word be that goeth forth out of my mouth it shall not return unto mee voyd but it shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it We are daily to intreat a blessing upon the means that it may be effectuall to the end for which it is sent Quest But how may wee help our families to amend Answ 1 Wee must labour to observe what is amisse in one another and labour to purge out all our corruptions thus mutually to help one another in the knowledge of those things which wee of our selves may be ignorant of that so wee may come to cleanse our selves in some measure from all sins and this ought we to do more especially when we come to solemn duties as at times of humiliation and receiving of the holy Sacraments It was commended in Jacob Gen. 35.1 2 3 4. when God commanded him to go to Bethel and cleanse his house his care was accordingly to reform what was amisse in his family as appeares by his charge unto them to put away the strange gods from them to cleanse themselves and change their garments if we change our dwellings and not our sins the same evils will follow us whithersoever we go consider we therefore if raigning corruptions are within us no raigning sin whatever but it is our God wee must therefore part with it be it never so deare and neer to us and pray unto God that hee would be pleased to give us strength to subdue it and bring it under and not to be of their disposition that will see no fault that is not the way that which is a strange thing in Gods sight let it be so in ours let us gather together all our corruptions and burn them in sacrifices to God it is the sin of a family that troubles a family and that when no means is used for healing it v. 19.17 Levit. 19.17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour and not suffer sin upon him and when God sees no corruptions nor filthinesse in us hee will be readier to blesse us and prosper us in all our wayes So then wee must have nothing to do with our sins which do hinder all good things from us but we must labour to gather them all together and offer them up in sacrifice to God that they may vanish away in smoke that they be no more seen nor heard of Answ 2 That we may the better help forward our families in goodnesse wee must not rest in any good means of grace wee do enjoy for David wee see went further then thus therefore we must not content our selves that wee enjoy the ordinances of God but we must labour to finde God in them and his blessing to us in the performance of them or else all is little worth This was Hezekiahs Prayer 2 Chron. 30. that the Lord would be mercifull to those of his people that prepared their hearts to seek him although they were not cleansed according to the purification of the Temple the Lord heard his Prayer and healed their corruptions because they sought God in his Ordinances Let us then also following their example seek God in his Ordinances labour to feel our wants in him teach the same unto our families and seek him by prayer that hee would be found of us that so we may do that which becometh the Gospel of Christ And so much for this point Doctr. 2 Again in the second place wee may observe That it is the stay and comfort of a godly housholder against all the disorders of his own heart and family that God hath made an everlasting Covenant with him ordered in all things and sure This you see evident in David here Though my house be not so with God yet God hath made with me an everlasting Covenant ordered in all things and sure We have not walked in the feare of Gods Name nor in
it is translated directed Job 32.14 This Covenant was directed to David and the seed of David not left at randome but directed to fall aright upon some person as it were as once it was said of Joseph Deut. 33.16 Let the good will of him that dwelleth in the bush come upon the head of Joseph So shall this Covenant of Grace fall upon the heads of those for whom it is appointed Fourthly because it is set in order so is this word used Lev. 18. It is said to be set in order in regard of the grounds means ends parts and persons on whom it falls First for the grounds of it and they are manifest unto us first from the absolute and independent soveraignty God will do what seemeth him good in his own eyes hee will have mercy on whom hee will have mercy Rom. 9.15 Secondly Gods everlasting love Jer. 31.3 The Lord hath appeared unto me of old say they yea I have loved thee with an everlasting love and therefore with mercy I have drawn thee Thirdly from his free Grace not respecting good or evill in the creature but the good pleasure of his will Secondly it is ordered in the means and they are such as do convey it unto us which are First the Lord Jesus Christ this Covenant was made with him from all eternity Ephes 1.3 Blessed be God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which hath blessed us with all spirituall blessings in heavenly things in Christ Secondly in Christ and by Christ hath God the Father sealed it unto us by his holy and blessed Spirit Ephes 1.15 Thirdly by his Gospel hath he delivered it unto us 2 Tim. 1.10 Christ hath brought life and immortality to light by the Gospel and this is the Instrument whereby the grace of God is written in our hearts 2 Cor. 3.3 Thirdly in the ends of it the chiefest whereof is First that God might be glorified in his free love it sets forth unto us the riches of his grace Ephes 1.6 Secondly that Christ might thereby be glorified Joh. 5.23 Thirdly God hath appointed to glorifie himself in the salvation of his people Ephes 2.2 2 Tim. 1.9 Fourthly this Covenant is ordered in regard of the parts in the Covenant God promiseth First Grace Secondly pardon of Sin Thirdly subduing our rebellions Fourthly outward blessings Hee will not take away his love from us nor suffer his truth to faile Psal 89.33 34. For his love you may reade Jer. 31.3 where the Lord telleth his people that hee had loved them with an everlasting love So for pardon of sin Jer. 31.34 I will forgive your iniquities and remember your sins no more Likewise for subduing our corruptions Micah 7.18 19. Who is a God like unto thee that pardoneth iniquities and passeth by the transgressions of the remnant of his heritage hee retaineth not his anger for ever because hee delighted in mercy He will turn again he will have compassion upon us hee will subdue our iniquities and will cast all our sins into the depth of the sea So likewise for outward blessings Psal 84.11 The Lord is a Sun and shield The Lord will give grace and glory and no good thing will hee with-hold from them who live uprightly If outward blessings be denied to us yet will he not take away his mercy Psal 89.28 My mercy will I keep for evermore and my Covenant shall stand sure and so forward to the 34th verse of the same Psalme Fifthly it is ordered in regard of the persons to whom it is given Gal. 3.16 it was given to Christ and in Christ to every godly man Gen. 17.7 and in every godly man to his seed God will have some of the seed of every godly man to stand before him for ever Quest 3 But why is it called a sure Covenant Answ 1 In Gods eternall purpose it was first framed Ephes 1.4 5. it was everlastingly purposed with God Answ 2 Secondly in regard of the unchangeablenesse of it it cannot be broken it is unviolable and everlasting Psal 89.34 My Covenant I will not break nor alter the thing gone out of my mouth Quest But why is it said to be a sure Covenant Answ 1 Because God is unchangeable himself Mal. 3.6 I am the Lord I change not therefore yee sons of Jacob are not consumed Answ 2 Secondly in Christs perfect suretiship Heb. 7.22 Who was made a surety of a better Testament Answ 3 Thirdly in regard of the firmnesse of the Spirit of promise which sealeth up to us this Covenant and dwels in us Quest How may the Spirit be said to make it sure Answ In the sure word of promise that God hath made and confirmed it by an oath unto his children that by two immutable witnesses they might receive strong consolation Heb. 6.18 The Spirit of God is said to make it sure to us both by the Spirit of faith looking for salvation by another namely Christ Jesus Rom. 4.16 and by the Spirit of fear Hee will put his feare into our hearts that we shall not depart from him Jer. 32.40 And thus is the Covenant of God said to be sure Psal 89.34.36 My Covenant will I not breake nor alter the thing that is gone out of my mouth I have sworn by my holinesse that I will not faile David So likewise a comfortable place have we in 2 Tim. 2.13 where the Apostle saith though wee believe not yet he abideth faithfull he cannot deny himself Quest What Reasons may there be given why wee should so support and comfort the hearts of Gods people when they see both themselves and their families thus disordered Reason 1 Because this Covenant is a soveraign and sufficient medicine to heal all our disorders and remove all our impediments what though wee on our part fail God hath sworn by his holinesse he will not fail Psal 89.35 It being a Covenant of Grace is not abrogated by our failing though wee remain unsetled yet God continues constant If his children walk not with him but rebell against him what will hee do They shall feel the smart of his displeasure but his loving kindnesse will he not take from them Psal 89.30 31 32 33. Reas 2 Though we and our families are disordered yet Gods Covenant is not but stands firm and sure the Covenant of God compassed about with our disorders fetches them in and cures them Reas 3 Thirdly whereas wee are unsetled and unconstant it may be wee can pray well to day to morrow our hearts are out of frame quite yet this Covenant remaines firme one and the same Reas 4 Fourthly we are unsetled and cannot stay nor keep our selves in any good way wee cannot lay sure hold on this Covenant of God yet notwithstanding it lays hold on us it comprehends us when wee cannot comprehend it and supports us through all But to come to the Uses of the point and in the First place Vse 1 it is a Use of much consolation to all such who are
troubled in themselves or in their families though there be many disorders in them though their hearts be naught their whole conversation naught is there no hope for a man to stay himself in this condition If wee should perish in this estate it might be just with God yet this is all my stay saith David Though my house be not so with God though I and my fathers house be not so with God yet David takes comfort to himself concerning his condition from Gods Covenant this was the root of his comfort that God had made a certain and sure Covenant with him ordered in all things therefore apply we this wisely unto our selves Let us search what our own disorders and the disorders of our families be and let us acknowledge the disorders of our selves and of our families what they be let us acknowledge also that wee and our families are not so with God yet in all these disorders wee are to comfort our selves that God hath made an everlasting Covenant with us ordered in all things and sure though wee are disordered yet Gods Covenant is not disordered though we are sinfull and wicked yet God loves us freely hee will pardon us freely hee will heal us throughly so that wee shall not perish notwithstanding our corruptions Object But some may say If I could but establish my self in this Covenant I might receive some benefit and inward comfort from it but my heart is unsetled every day Answ Consider with your selves that though your corruptions appeare and grace runs low with you though you be but temporary and things with you continually ebbing and flowing yet Gods Covenant is sure and unchangeable and alwayes continues the same I am JEHOVAH saith the Lord I change not therefore yee sons of Jacob are not consumed Mal. 3.6 Object If I could lay hold on this Covenant then I might have some comfort in it but all my hope is built upon a sandy foundation Answ Yet notwithstanding Gods Covenant is firm and sure though your wayes and hearts are unsetled and disordered so that God knowes not many times where to have you yet the Covenant of God doth remain sure and firm therefore it is a soveraign medicine for all diseases To apply the Covenant of God unto our soules though there be many disorders in our selves and in our families yet Gods Covenant is free if we be hemm'd in within this Covenant wee cannot break out we might give God leave in our families to choose whom he will and to take where he will David must be contented with Absolom Abraham with Ishmael Isaac with Esau Jacob with Simeon and Levi CHRIST with Judas and for the corruptions wee see in our families wee are to take comfort to our selves that the Covenant of God can heal all these iniquities these iniquities in his due time he will subdue To subdue is a metaphor taken from beasts which have stiffe necks and will not bow to the yoak Object 3 I but the good things in us are like the morning dew or cloud that passeth away righteousnesse sometimes putteth forth it self very savourly in the beginning but suddenly vanisheth away Answ Yet Gods Covenant is sure and everlasting and that decayes not at all Object But if I could in some measure be established in good wayes I might thereby receive some comfort to my soul Answ Yet notwithstanding all this Gods Covenant is sure and everlasting and certain having this seal upon it The Lord knowes who are his What though a whole kingdome be disordered unconstant and unsetled though our kingdome be not so as God requires yet his Covenant is sure he will deal well with us Vse 2 The second Use is to teach every man and woman what ever they do else to labour specially to shroud and shelter themselves under this Covenant that they may be kept sure in all disorders Let them strive to enter within it and till they have thus far prevailed not to give over labouring for it What comfort were it to a man that neither his offences nor the iniquities of others should overthrow him or move his standing if we can but say as David did this Covenant is ordered and sure and that this is all our desire and salvation wee are then out of danger wee need not to fear our estates and conditions are well enough wee are under the shadow of his wings where nothing shall annoy or hurt us at any time Quest I but if a man be not entred into Christs Covenant how may hee enter into it or if he be how may he know it Answ For the answer of this consider with your self whether any of your ancestors have been under this Covenant yea or no if they have whether then have you renounced this Covenant or laid claim to it If you can say you have known some of your ancestors in this Covenant and you have not refused it but laid claim unto it when you understood your selves it is a certain signe this Covenant reacheth to you for the Covenant of God is I will be thy God and the God of thy seed after thee Gen. 17.7 Quest But how if I know not whether any of my ancestors were good or no what must I do then that I may be under the Covenant Answ For the answer of this have you not lived in some good families it is a great stay to you if you have for this reacheth to all the Covenant is made to the housholders and their servants Abraham circumcised all his house by vertue of this I am a God to thee and to thy seed Gen. 17.7 So that unlesse they have abrogated this Covenant it followeth them still and they may claim it to themselves But how if neither of the former I can challenge to my self Quest but all that I have had to deal withall have been carnall men what may I do in such a case to get within the Covenant I confesse then thy condition is so much the more to be pitied Answ but seeing we were not born free wee must therefore take a course whereby wee may become free Quest But what may a man do to be free Answ To the end a man may be a free man of a Corporation he must either serve for it as an apprentise or else as the Captain said to Paul With a great summe of money have I purchased this freedome But purchase it wee cannot for going thus to work the same answer shall be made to us that was made to Simon Magus Thy money perish with thee because thou hast thought the gift of God may be purchased with money Acts 8.18 19. The Papists therefore go the wrong way to work who would bring themselves within this Covenant by their large gifts to edifie What then shall we enter into a course of service to be free of this Corporation why then our best endevors would come wonderfull short of bringing us within the Covenant wee may take much pains and yet fall short
use much fasting and prayer and yet fail much of our performances of the best duties yet notwithstanding if we give up our selves to be bound to this service if we come to God submit our selves to him in all things to do with us as hee pleaseth and as shall seem good in his sight submitting our selves to be ruled and squared by him in all things hee shall have our whole hearts to do with us what he will here is the Covenant made up between God and a good Christian God then offers himself to us he is ours and wee are his Psal 27.8 When thou saidst seek yee my face my heart said unto thee thy face Lord will I seek You must herein resolve to take heed of all sin labour to perform every good duty and be sorry you can do it no better notwithstanding herein stands the difference between one that serves an apprentiship to become free and one that enters into service to be with God The apprentise must serve seven yeers before he can become a free man but the childe of God is made free that first day that hee gives up himself to God though thou be a servant to another man yet art thou the Lords free man 1 Cor. 7.22 If we can but content our selves to be the Lords servants we shall be his freemen yet herein are those services sutable in the beginning an apprentises service is very difficult hee is exposed to much hardship he knowes not how to please Master or Mistresse if he knew their mindes hee would be willing to frame himself accordingly So when we come into Gods service if he but a little hides his face we think presently wee are cast off and that we were never any of his but all this comes for want of experience of a Christian mans life if you can be content to break off from all your evill wayes and with all your hearts cleave unto God doubtlesse then God hath made with you an everlasting Covenant ordered in all things and sure If you be not in the Covenant but your whole desire is that you may you must labour to bring your selves into a good family and that you may be fitted for any service you must deny your selves and give up your mindes wills and affections unto God take Christs yoak upon you if hee calls you to any crosse stumble not at it but bear it patiently and wait upon him for a deliverance out of it and that you may the more earnestly strive to get within this Covenant consider that in so doing you shall certainly bring a blessing upon you and yours though you and your family be disordered yet Gods Covenant will remain firm and sure unto you all estates though never so free conveyed are nothing unto this and therefore as you love your selves and would leave a sure inheritance to those that shall come after let your speciall care be how yee may attain to this for even a kingdome without this is but a poor state Vse 3 It must teach all such as are under this Covenant of Grace to walk thankfully and humbly and faithfully See Davids humble thankfulnesse 2 Sam. 7.18 Who am I O Lord God and what is my fathers house that thou hast spoken of thy servants house for a great while to come We must walk fruitfully with God in the sense of this Covenant in pardon of sins in beating down corruptions there is no better sign that we are in this Covenant then to grow thankfull for it and humble under it and fruitfull in communicating our experience unto others and labouring to bring them within the compasse of it Thus much for this Doctrine The third thing is the confining of Davids desire and salvation to this Covenant whence observe Doctr. 3 That the security and sufficiency of the Covenant of Gods Grace is all the salvation and desire of Gods people This is evident in the Text it is all his will the will comprehends the desire and the delight of a man so that this Covenant is so compleat that a man needs nothing more to salvation or to satisfie his desires and these two comprehend all that hath been said of Gods Covenant What is it that he saith it is all my salvation and desire Salvation comprehends in it these two things First a deliverance from dangers Secondly a safe comfortable and glorious estate So that salvation implies in it safety viz. deliverance from all dangers Ps 3.8 So also a safe comfortable and glorious estate in heaven When David said This is my salvation his meaning is I had never been freed from danger nor set in a safe and glorious condition but by vertue of this Covenant Secondly this is the substance of my salvation for this Covenant gives us such hold of salvation that though we have it not yet we believe we have salvation by vertue of this Covenant we are in many discouragements but God hath made a covenant to deliver us Thirdly This is all my desire viz. the object and summe of all my desire nothing but as it comes within the compasse of this Gods glory is my desire as all my desire is here so all my rejoycing for the word which is here desire in the first Pslam v. 2. is translated delight all Davids desire and delight was in this Covenant he took no comfort in his crown nor that he was a sweet Singer of Israel nor in his children though comly nor in the ordinances of God no further then they were wrapped up to him in this Covenant of God and the Reason is Reason 1 First because there is no blessing safe to us no desire or delight but so far forth as it is conveyed in this Covenant unto us If a man were delivered from danger unlesse by vertue of this Covenant it is a cold deliverance For if he be saved from drowning the gallows may claim his right of him if the gallows cannot hell fire will reach him if he be not within the compasse of this Covenant if hee have credit and wealth in this world yet if not conveyed unto him by vertue of this Covenant it is a miserable estate children beauty strength gifts may be desired if they come under this Covenant Reas 2 Secondly from the compleatnesse of the sufficiencie of this Covenant No deliverance we can stand in need of but this Covenant can convey it unto us all the desires and delights of the Church are wrapped up in it No good thing will he with-hold from them that live a godly life Psal 87.7 All my springs saith David are in thee God delights in us when we are in his Covenant his Covenant reacheth to his Church and wee being members of that Church Hence it comes to passe that we partake of all the pleasant springs of Gods love and rich mercies to us in Christ Jesus For the Use of this point Vse 1 First it may serve to teach men and women be their condition never so happy