people righteous before God Christ was sent to fulfill the Law for his people by his Active and Passive obedience He came to do and procure all that is required to the compleat and perfect salvation of his people In a word Jesus Christ was sent into the World not meerly as a Prophet to teach the Mind and Will of God or to be an example of holiness but he was sent to be a Priest in a proper sense to make atonement and satisfaction for the sins of his people and to obtain eternal redemption for them Application Use 1. We may see here that the work of Redemption was a great work Not the highest Angel of Heaven nor all of them put together were able to perform this but God sent his Son about this work Use 2. We may see here that the heart of God the Father was in this great work of redeeming and saving the elect The Father himself loved them for he sent his Son he gave his only begotten Son that they might live through him Use 3. We may see here the love of Christ unto those that the Father had given him That he was willing to be their Mediator for as he is often said to be sent of the Father so he is said to come Heb. 10.7 Lo I come to do thy will O God Christ was so sent as that he came freely came with alacrity and chearfulness for his delight was with the Sons of men his heart was in this work Lastly Let this encourage sinners to come to Christ to venture their souls upon him Do not question whether God will accept of you by anothers righteousness discharge you by a payment made by a Surety deliver you from going down to the Pit upon a ransom given by another for all this was the contrivement of the Lord himself to glorifie both his Justice and his Mercy for ever Therefore let sinners cast themselves upon Christ and fear not this Rock will never fail that Soul that is built upon it I come now to the next words where it is said that Christ speaketh the words of God for God giveth not the spirit by measure unto him Doct. 2. That Jesus Christ our Mediator hath the spirit given him by the Father without measure This is a great and glorious truth and very sweet and comfortable to the Saints that the Lord Jesus their Mediator hath a fulness of the spirit Psal 45.7 Anointed with the oyl of gladness above his fellows Christ hath the spirit above what any of the Saints have and see Isa 61.1 Isa 2.11 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him the spirit of wisdom and understanding the spirit of council and might the spirit of knowledg and of the fear of the Lord. And you have a visible fulfilling of those Prophecies John 1.32 And John bare record saying I saw the spirit descending from Heaven like a Dove and it abode upon him And so Acts 10.3 God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed with the Devil for God was with him And in another place It pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell All fullness of the Spirit all fullness of Grace dwells in Christ Three Things for the opening of this point 1. What is here meant by the Spirit 2. How the Spirit is said to be given to Jesus Christ seeing he is God How can any gift be said to be conferred upon him seeing he is God and infinite in himself 3. How it may be said that the spirit is given unto him without measure 1. What is here meant by the spirit 1. The Gifts and Graces of the Spirit these are given to Christ not by measure but without measure 2. The Spirit it self Luke 4.14 And Jesus returned in the power of the spirit full of the Holy Ghost Believers have not only the Gifts and Graces of the Spirit but the Spirit it self Rom. 8.9 If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his and the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you v. 11. And if the Spirit be in Believers and dwells in them much more in Christ himself 2dly How can Christ who is God and so infinite and uncapable of addition be said to have the spirit given unto him I answer briefly in a word or two It is true that Jesus Christ as God is infinite and as God he is not capable of having the spirit given unto him but the spirit was given unto Jesus Christ as man the spirit was given to his humane nature which he took upon him 3dly If the spirit was given to the humane nature of Christ how can the humane nature hold the fullness of the spirit the humane nature is finite how can it receive an infinite how then is it said that God hath not given the spirit by measure unto him I answer The expression in the Text is not to be understood without any limitation as if the Spirit were given to the humane nature of Christ in an infinite manner and as if the humane nature were of an infinite capacity the Divine nature of Christ is infinite but though the Divine and humane nature in Christ are eternally united yet they are not confounded This then I say that the spirit was given to the humane nature of Christ beyond all comparison beyond all the Saints on Earth or in Heaven and above all the Angels put them all together The spirit is given to Christ as man incomparatively and transcendently beyond what ever men or Angels have had or shall have It pleased the Father that in him all fullness should dwell which cannot be said of any other Object It is said that Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and man Luk. 2.52 How had he such a fullness of the Spirit and yet is said to increase in Wisdom I Answer The Word being made Flesh he was full of Grace full of the Spirit from his very birth but he is said to increase in Wisdom in respect of the effects and opperations expressions and declarations of his Wisdom One Question more How comes it to be so that the Lord Jesus is so filled with the spirit in his humane nature Answer 1. One reason is taken from the nearness of his humane nature to the Divine Brethren Jesus Christ is the Son of God the natural Son of God he hath the very essence of God the nature of God and the humane nature of Christ is brought very near to the God-head It is brought as near as our Bodies to our Souls and therefore it is said that in him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily that is personally The Sun is the Fountain of light and the nearer we come to the Sun the more we partake of light so the humane nature of Christ being brought so near to the God-head as to be taken into
fear there may be some amongst us that will be found haters of the Lord Jesus Christ If your hearts continue to rise against the way of Salvation by Christ you will be found haters of him If you love your sins and hold them fast and will not have Christ to reign over you then you will be found haters of Christ If you hate the Disciples of Christ because of his Image and Grace in them then you will be found haters of Christ But if you believe in him and your hearts cleave unto him and you are troubled that you love him no more that he is no more precious to you then go in peace Use 4. Seeing the Father loveth the Son in such a wonderful manner let this stir us up to love Jesus Christ Let us love him as God and love him him as God-man Mediator You see he is an object fit for the Love of God the Father and then he is an object worthy of our love And as God the Father loves him with a transcendent Love so let us do likewise Read what Christ saith Joh. 14.21 If any man love me he will keep my words and my Father will love him and I will love him and will manifest my self unto him And see verse 23. You will never loose any thing by loving Jesus Christ Ephes 6.24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity Amen It follows And hath put all things into his hand Before I come to raise the Doctrine from these words let me briefly shew you the meaning of this expression And hath put all things into his hand The meaning is that he hath put all Power and Authority into his hand he hath made him Supreme Head and Governour over all things the Father hath made him Ruler and Disposer of all the great King Lord and Potentate over all And further take notice that this is spoken of Jesus as God-man Mediator Christ is made the Lord of Heaven and Earth in our Nature As Christ is the Son of God so he is equal with the Father so it cannot be properly said that the Father hath given all things into his hand for he had all things originally in his hand as God but as God-man Mediator so the Father hath given all things into his hand that now in our nature in our flesh he is the great Potentate of the world and hath all things committed to him of the Father Doctrine That God the Father hath given unto Jesus Christ in our Nature full Power and Authority over all things both in Heaven and in Earth he hath put all things into his hand This is a Point of great Concernment and for the great comfort and establishing of Believers in evil times that all things are given into the hand of our great Mediator You see John Baptist here gives a full testimony to this truth will you hear what Christ saith in his own person All things are delivered unto me of my Father Mat. 11.27 And Jesus came and spake unto them saying All Power is given unto me in Heaven and in Earth Joh. 13.3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hand 1. To shew you how all things are put into the hand of Christ given into his hand 1. All men are given into Christ's hand But here we must distinguish There are some given to Christ in a special manner and for their eternal Salvation There are some given to Christ to that very end and purpose that he should give them Eternal Life Joh. 17.2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal Life to as many as thou hast given him You see that some are so given into Christs hand that he by his Office of Mediator is engaged and hath undertaken to give them Eternal Life Other sheep I have which are not of this fold them also I must bring and they shall hear my voice Joh. 10.16 Christ there calls them whom the Father hath given him in the Covenant of Redemption his sheep though they are not yet converted and saith he must bring them in and they shall hear his voice Joh. 17. I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them whom thou hast given me for they are thine and yet he prayed as Mediator not only for them that were then Believers and converted but for them that should afterwards believe unto everlasting Life Vers 20. Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their word Vers 24. Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory 2. The rest of men are put into Christs hand even those that perish so as that Christ hath full power to over-rule them and their actings so as that they shall not quite root out his Church so as that he shall have Glory in carrying on his work so far as he pleases against all their opposition punish them so far as he thinks fit in this Life and pass sentence of everlasting Damnation against them at the Last Day Thus we see all men are given into Christ's hand Elect and non-Elect the Elect to redeem and save and the rest to order them and dispose of them as he pleases in this World a d to judge them at the Last Day 2. All the Angels are given into Christs hands The Elect Angels are given into his hand to confirm them as some think and to make use of them in his Mediatory Kingdom as he pleases The fallen Angels are given into his hand so as that he hath Power to check them and restrain them and set bounds to them that they shall not Devour and Prevail against any of his redeemed People and likewise to sit in Judgment upon them and pass open Sentence of Condemnation upon them at the Last Day Ephes 1.21 22. 'T is said of Christ That he is far above all Principality and Power and Might and Dominion and every name that is named not only in this world but also in that which is to come And hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be Head over all things to the Church Luk. 10.17 And the seventy returned with joy saying Lord even the Devils are subject to us through thy Name 3. All Creatures whether animate or inanimate are given into the hand of Christ as Mediator God-man 1. All animate Creatures all rational Creatures Phil. 2.9 10. Wherefore also God hath highly exalted him and given him a Name which is above every Name That at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in Heaven and things on Earth 2. All inanimate all irrational Creatures Psal 8.5 6 7 8. For thou hast made him a little lower than the Angels viz. barely considered as man though far above all the Angels as God-man Mediator and hast crowned him with Glory and Honour Thou madest him to
We should be sure of this that whatsoever we do pray for be according to the Will of God be sure of that be perswaded of that you must not doubt nor question that for if you do you cannot pray in Faith And tho' the thing you pray for be according to the Will of God yet if you do not know and be perswaded that it is according to the Will of God you cannot pray in Faith therefore we must be sure of that that the thing we pray for be according to the Will of God as the Apostle saith concerning eating in Rom. 14. v. last He that doubteth is damned if he eateth That is he committeth a damnable sin because he believeth not for whatsoever is not of Faith is sin So he that prays doubtingly whether the thing he prays for be according to the Will of God or no he sins in prayer whatever he pray for if it be not in Faith with a perswasion that what he prays for is according to the Will of God this man cannot pray in Faith Suppose now a man or woman pray for this or that that he cannot certainly conclude is according to the Will of God as now for example suppose a man have an earnest desire to encrease his estate in the World that he may live bravely at his ease and pleasure and to that end he desires to be diligent in his business and to that end also he begs of the Lord in prayer that the Lord would bless his labours and endeavours that he might gain a great estate in the world and do what he list and live at his ease and pleasure now this man cannot pray with a certain assurance and perswasio◠that this thing is according to the Will of 〈◊〉 Ye ask and have not says the Apostle James because ye ask amiss to spend upon your lusts James 4.3 It is not according to the Will of God and therefore you cannot pray in Faith Or suppose now that a man or woman intend to take a Journey upon pleasure to have a Ramble abroad he would be glad to be preserved and possibly he prays that the Lord would keep him in his way now if a person in this case do question whether his Journey be according to the Will of God he cannot pray in Faith and so his prayer is not pleasing to the Lord Or suppose a man be gaming for money and he would be glad to win possibly he prays that the Lord would bless him in his undertaking that he might win he cannot be perswaded this is according to the Will of God and if so he cannot pray in Faith and so his prayer is not pleasing unto God So that I say this is the particular direction in this case That whatsoever we pray for we must be sure of that that it is according to the Will of God and this is a good help to pray in Faith says the Apostle John in 1 John 5.14 This is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us You must be sure of that that it is according to the Will of God and then we may believe that he will hear us Now I pray consider this a thing may be agreeable to the revealed Will of God and yet not according to his secret Will and Purpose and though the purpose of God be against what we pray for yet if it be according to the revealed Will of God we may lawfully pray in Faith for it As now suppose a man or woman pray for the life of such a Relation a Husband or a Wife or a Child or a Friend he prays earnestly for their life well God in his secret purpose hath determined otherwise the secret Will of God is contrary yet this being lawful according to the revealed Will of God to pray for the wellfare of the sick he may pray in Faith though it be contrary to the secret Purpose and Counsel of God You know this was David's case he prayed earnestly for his sick Child the Lord had a secret purpose that the Child should dye yet he prayed earnestly for the life of the Child and he did not sin in praying because it was according to the revealed Will of God and though it was contrary to the secret Will of God yet notwithstanding he might pray in Faith for the life of the Child though God had intended otherwise You know it was the case of Christ himself he prayed that the Cup might pass from him it was the determinate Purpose and Counsel of God that the Cup should not pass from him but he should drink it Now did Christ sin in praying for that which was contrary to the secret Will and Purpose of God No. Because now this is certain that it is a thing that is lawful and according to the Will of God for a Man or Woman to pray against that which is dangerous and hurtful to his nature he may pray lawfully to be delivered from evil Now Christ prayed to be delivered from evil from drinking the Cup of Gods Wrath though it was the secret Counsel of God he should drink it yet notwithstanding he did not sin because he prayed for that which he knew was according to the revealed Will of God Well this is the first Direction and I pray mind it That if you would pray in Faith for any mercy let us be sure of that that what we pray for be according to the Will of God Secondly The second Direction To pray in Faith so as that we may please God is to pray in obedience to the Will of God do it in obedience to the Will and Command of God as our Duty Brethren it is the Will and Command of God and our Duty that we should pray always in Psalm 105.4 Seek the Lord and his strength seek his face evermore So you know in Luke 18.1 he propounded a Parable to his Disciples to the end that Men should always pray and not faint It is the Will of God that we should pray always now to help us to pray in Faith it is good to be Eying our Duty and the Lords Command it is the Lords Command that we should pray notwithstanding we may meet with discouragements objections and temptations from the Flesh and from Satan to take us off from the Duty as now the Flesh and Satan will be ready to suggest and discourage thus why What benefit have you by all the Prayers that ever you have made What have you found in a way of answer to your Prayer and again do you not see that others that do not pray at all fare even as well as you for all your praying and again can we change the Mind and Will of God by all our Prayers It is said in Job that God is of one mind and who can turn him Can all the prayers of all the Saints and Angels in Heaven and Earth change the Mind and Will of God
personal union with the God-head the humane nature partakes of Grace and Gifts to its utmost capacity 2. It was necessary that Christ should be filled with the spirit in our nature that so he might be able to manage his work and office to perform his active and passive obedience and to be a Store-house and treasury of grace and consolation to his people that they may be supplied from him and of his fullness receive and grace for grace Application Use 1. Learn whence it is that a person may be enabled to speak holily and graciously It is said here that Christ spake the words of God and he brings in this for a reason for he received not the spirit by measure The more we have of the Spirit of God the more we shall speak the Words of God and though we can never have so much of the spirit as Jesus Christ had â—or spake the Words of God as he did yet set us â—ray that we may have the spirit and more and more of the spirit that we may in our measure â—peak the Words of God What is the reason â—hat our words are no more savory and spiritual â—ut unprofitable and vain too often 'T is beâ—use we have but a little of the spirit if we have the spirit at all in a sanctifying way And for those whose words are altogether carnal and vain nothing but prophane scurrilous unclean speeches come from them such may well think that they have not the Spirit of God He that hath the Spirit of God will endeavour in some measure to speak the Wordâ— of God for where the Spirit of God is given in a saving manner he sanctifies the heart and sanctifies the tongue and so causes their words to be gracious and spiritual in some measure Therefore as we desire that our speech may be with grace holy and edifying pray for the spirit to be given unto us It is said of Christ that they wondered at the gracious words that proceeded from him he was full of the spirit and he spake the words of God O let us be much in prayer for the spirit to give us a mouth and wisdom upon all occasions pray that we may have the spirit to fill our hearts with holy thoughts and to fill our mouths with holy discourse Use 2. Learn from hâ—nce that when God calls to any work or service he is wont to give abilitiâ—â— and strength for that work Our Lord Jesuâ— was called to a great work to be performed iâ— our humane nature and you see here how hâ— was filled with the spirit and fitted for thaâ— work When God calls us to any work or service let us not look at the greatness of thâ— work to discourage us no but look principall at Gods calling you to it and if it be so thaâ— God calls us to the work he will give us of hâ— Spirit in some measure to strengthen us and help us When Moses died and Joshuah succeeded him he had great difficulties to go through in the work he was called to But saith the Lord fear not be not discouraged I will not fail thee nor forsake thee Therefore if you be assured that the Lord calls you to the work and service you are employed in fear not trust in the Lord keep in his way and he will give you strength he will stand by you and will not fail you nor forsake you Follow the Lord in your places and if sufferings come towards you the Lord will either put them by or he will support you and strengthen you with might by his spirit in the inward man Use 3. Learn from hence the excellency of Jesus Christ in that he is filled with the spirit Besides his infinite Glory as God you may see here what excellency is in him even as to his humane nature in that the Spirit is not given by measure unto him but beyond what is given to any other men or Angels Take a Saint and the Spirit and Grace of God in him adorns him in the eyes of others you will say there is such a one how full of love of wisdom of humility is he this makes him beautiful indeed But then how glorious should Christ be in our eyes both as to his God-head and as to the wisdom purity holiness and fullness of the spiâ—it in his humane nature In which respect even â—s the Son of man he is fairer then all the Chilâ—ren of men and then all the Angels in Heaven Suppose all the grace that is in all the Saints and Angels were abstracted and put all into one yet this is nothing to the fullness and grace that is in Christ There is wisdom love meekness and every grace in Christ that is compatible to his pure and holy nature without measure Use 4. Learn from hence to go to Christ for the spirit and grace in all our times of need He is filled with the spirit in our nature and as the Egyptians when they were ready to starve in the Famine and came to Pharoah he sent them to Joseph go to Joseph So go to Jesus there you may be supplied go to Jesus for the spirit to mortify our corruptions to quicken our graces to help us in all our duties and sufferings As Jacob said to his Sons Why stand ye looking one upon another there is Corn in Egypt go and fetch from thence that we may not perish So let believers go to Jesus Christ and fetch supplies of grace from him go to him as one that is able and willing to help his people in all their times of need Lastly We may learn from hence the ignorance and blasphemy of those that make a mock of the spirit and deride others as prizing the spirit whereas the excellency of Christ is set forth amongst other things by this that he was filled with the spirit 'T is true many may pretend to the spirit that have him not but therefore to make a mock of having the spirit is no less than blasphemy The Spirit is given to all Believers and he that hath not the Spirit of Christ is none of his not yet of his called ones The Believer is called the Spiritual man 1 Cor. 2.15 Some may pretend to be made partakers of Christ and yet be mistaken but he that shall mock people and use it as a Reproach to them that they believe in Christ and are Christians is a Blasphemer And so is he that shall use it as a Reproach to any That this is one that hath the Spirit Now I come to vers 35. The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hand These words seem to hold forth the Reason of the former he had said before that God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him that is Christ And why so For the Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hand The Father loves the Elect Angels and loves Elect men but the Father loves the Son above all others
you may have boldness to stand before him and not be ashamed and confounded at his coming Therefore I say now come to him as a Saviour before whom at last you must come as a Judge Use 3. Seeing all things are given into Christ's hand let not Believers fear these black storms of Persecution that may come upon them in this world The same Jesus that shed his Blood for his People he hath the ordering over-ruling and disposing of all things Know that nothing can come upon you but it must pass through the hand of Christ therefore fear not Not only men but Devils also are subject to his Power yea he hath Power over our Lusts and Corruptions therefore they shall not have dominion over us And in the worst times fear not that the People of God will be rooted out no Christ sitteth upon the floud he sitteth King for ever Object But if the ordering of all things is given into Christ's hand it seems strange that he suffers many times his Enemies to be the chief in Power and his People to be low and persecuted Answer Christ suffers it yea orders it so that he may have the greater Glory in carrying on his work against so much opposition The Gospel never prevailed more in the world than when the Rulers were Heathens and Persecutors and Christ hath Glory too in punishing his Enemies here and hereafter And as for the People of God they are the more Spiritual and Heavenly and Courageous in times of Persecution Use 4. Seeing all things are given into Christ's hand this may assure us of the perseverance of Believers What should hinder it Christ is above Satan above the corruption of their hearts and seeing the Father hath given them to him he will keep them unto the end Joh. 17.12 Those whom thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost save the Son of Perdition And as for Judas called here the Son of Perdition he never was a Believer in the sense that the rest were Joh. 6.64 but a Devil vers 70. Though Judas was given to Christ to be an Apostle for a time and given into Christs hand as the very Devils are so as that he shall punish them for ever yet Judas was never so given to Christ to redeem to save to bring to Glory to be a Member of his Mystical Body For those that are so given to Christ not one of them can be lost seeing Christ hath taken the charge of their Salvation and wants neither Wisdom nor Faithfulness nor Love nor Power to bring them safe to Heaven Now I come to vers 36. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life And he that believeth not the Son shall not see Life but the wrath of God abideth on him Here you have the Conclusion of this Heavenly Sermon or Speech of John the Baptist He had set forth Christ's Glory and Excellency as the Churches Bridegroom vers 29. He that hath the Bride is the Bridegroom but the friend of the Bridegroom which standeth and heareth him rejoyceth greatly because of the Bridegrooms voice This my joy therefore is fulfilled He had shewn how he must increase and be glorious in the eyes of all that he came from above from Heaven and is above all that the Father sent him and gave him the Spirit above measure that the Father loved him and hath given all things into hand And now he comes to make the Use and Application of this That men would believe on the Name of the Son of God This Duty of Believing on Christ is pressed by two strong Arguments or Motives The first Argument is taken from the great benefit that comes by believing on Christ He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life This is a great benefit indeed Life is very desirable especialy everlasting Life yea for further encouragement to believe in Christ he saith That he that believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life Not only that he shall have it but he hath it already he hath everlasting Life The second Argument is taken from the contrary namely The great Danger the great Evil and Misery that will be the portion of all those that do not believe the Son And this is set out not only Privatively he shall not see Life but Positively as an addition to that misery The wrath of God abideth on them Doct. 1. That he that believes on Christ the Son of God hath everlasting Life Doct. 2. That he that believeth not the Son that believeth not in the Lord Jesus shall not see Life but the wrath of God abideth on him Doct. 1. That whosoever believeth on Christ the Son of God hath everlasting Life This is much spoken of That he that believeth on the Son is delivered from the wrath to come Joh. 3.14 15 16. As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness so must the Son of Man be lifted up that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting Life Joh. 6.40 This is the will of him that sent me that every one that seeth the Son and believeth on him should have everlasting Life And vers 47. Verily verily I say unto you he that believeth on me hath everlasting Life He speaks it with an Asseveration Verily verily he that believeth on me hath everlasting Life Joh. 20.31 But these things are written that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and that believing ye might have Life through his Name 1. Let us enquire what is meant by this everlasting Life that is the Portion of every one that believeth in Christ 2. What is this believing this Faith upon which a Man or Woman comes to have everlasting Life 3. To give you some Demonstrations or Arguments to prove that he that believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life Because possibly some may Question it 4. Shew you in what Sense he that believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life already for the Text saith such an one hath everlasting Life 1. Let us enquire what is meant by this everlasting Life which is the Portion of every believing Soul By everlasting Life here we are not to understand that Life that consists in the Union of Body and Soul No Brethren though our Bodies and Souls should be everlastingly united and never be seperated by Death yet that is not the everlasting Life here spoken of yea and the Damned at the Resurrection shall have their Bodies and Souls united together and shall so continue to Eternity and yet they never see this everlasting Life This everlasting Life in the Text is the greatest hapiness that we are capable of It consists in Two things 1. Freedom from all sin and from all evils whatsoever called 1 Thess 5.9 The obtaining of Salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ 2. The enjoyment of all that is Perfectly Good Grace and Glory Psal 84.11 this state is called the better Country even an Heavenly Heb. 11.16 God is the Believers God and he hath prepared for
them a City and in enjoying God they enjoy all And then observe that the Happiness of Believers is for ever they are not freed from all evil for a time only and enjoy all good for a time only but for ever And so they have everlasting Life 2. Let us enquire what is this believing what this Faith is upon which a man or woman comes to have everlasting Life I answer 'T is not a bare assent to the Truth of the Gospel 'T is not a meer Historical Faith Yea though you should be somewhat affected with it and hear the Word with Joy and do many things as Herod did But this believing is a Receiving of Christ himself in some word of Grace wherby the humbled Sinner doth wholy rely upon Jesus Christ for Life and Salvation Although we are to believe all that is Written in the Law and the Prophets and the whole Word of God yet Christ as a Saviour and Mediator is the object of justifying Faith Gal. 3.2 Received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law or by the hearing of Faith Faith is wrought in us by the hearing of the Gospel by some word of Grace wherein Christ is held forth as a Saviour either Explicitly or Implicitly The Text saith He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life And Paul bids the Jaylor believe on the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved So that whatsoever word the Lord hints to us to work and beget Faith in our Hearts yet the Soul doth not stay there but Ventures and Casts it self wholy upon Jesus Christ as the Saviour and Mediator Thirdly To give you some Demonstrations or Arguments to prove that whosoever believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life 1. God the Father promised this to Christ the Mediator in the behalf of his Ransomed ones Tit. 1.2 In hope of Eternal Life which God that cannot lie promised before the world began God promised to Christ no less than Eternal Life for his Seed Rom. 6. last The Gift of God is Eternal Life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Joh. 2.25 This is the Promise which he hath promised us even eternal Life This was promised to Christ that by his Obedience all his People should be made Righteous and have Eternal Life 2. Christ as Mediator prayed for no less than Eternal Life for his people and the Father always heareth him Joh. 17.24 Father I will that those whom thou hast given me may be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory which thou hast given me 3. Jesus Christ hath purchased Eternal Life for his People Hebr. 9.15 And for this cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament that by means of Death for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the Promise of Eternal Inheritance Christ having made Satisfaction for the Sins of his People and brought in an everlasting Righteousness for them What should now hinder them of Everlasting Life who believe on his Name 4. One thing more to shew you in what sense it is said in the Text That he that believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life not only shall have it but hath Everlasting Life Seeing that Believers have Sin dwelling and remaining in them and are liable to Temptations and Buffetings of Satan and liable to all kind of outward Sorrows and Afflictions and have this Earthly Tabernacle yet to put off How can it be said that a Believer now hath everlasting Life I answer 1. In regard of the certainty of it As when it is said Babylon is fallen 'T is as certain that Babylon shall fall as if it were fallen already So it is as certain that Believers shall have everlasting Life as if they had it already And so it is said 2 Tim. 1.9 Who hath saved us and called us We are saved already 2. In regard that everlasting Life is begun to a Believer Every Believer is in a justified estate his Sins pardoned and the Righteousness of Christ imputed to him and Holiness and Communion with God is begun already in this Life his Fellowship is now with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ 3. In regard of Christ our head Ephes 2.6 He hath raised us up and made us sit together in Heavenly Places in Christ. The members of the mystical Body are now in Heaven though not in their own Persons yet in Christ their Head Heb. 6.20 Whither the fore-runner is for us entred even Jesus He hath taken up Heaven for them and appears in the presence of God for them Application Use 1. From what is said here That he that believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life and he that beleiveth not on the Son shall not see Life but the wrath of God abideth on him Learn that there is an everlasting estate appointed for every one either everlasting Life or everlasting Death An eternity there is for every one of us and we are near it we are upon the brink of it we are near Heaven or Hell The Lord knows that we mind these present things too much and eternity very little But O! That when we come to dye to go into eternity that we may be in Christ that so when the Earthly house of this Tabernacle shall be dissolved we may have a Building of God an House not made with hands Eternal in the Heavens O! that we may remember our eternal condition more that the thoughts of Eternity may be with us in our Callings and Business all the day long and that we may make sure of our interest of Christ that we may have everlasting Life Use 2. Wonder at the Lord's Grace in Christ that he should give everlasting Life to any of us fallen sinful men God doth not give everlasting Life to any of the Angels that sinned but cast them all down to Hell And you that live under the Preaching of the Gospel bless God that you hear of these glad tidings of everlasting Life through Christ and hearing this way of Life Preached and Declared to you O! that you may receive Christ That you may believe on him that you may have everlasting Life Use 3. Heere is matter of strong consolation to those that have believed on the Son O! Let such rejoyce in the Grace of God the Lord hath abounded towards them in his kindness through Christ Jesus It is true you may meet with many sorrows here in this world but rejoyce in this that there is no Condemnation to you because you are in Christ Jesus And not only no Condemnation but you have everlasting Life You may lose Estate Name Liberty and Life in this World but you can never lose everlasting Life for he that believeth on the Son hath everlasting Life Use 4. Here is Direction to those that are convinced of their sins that are weary and heavy laden whose consciences are pressed with the burden of their sins as if they had a heavy mountain lay upon them
and now there comes a powerful Light into the heart to reveal Christ so as to enable the Soul to see Christ held forth in the Promises and to receive him The Apostle saith 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners Now the Soul saith It is so indeed 't is worthy of all acceptation the Soul now is wrought by the Spirit to approve and like this way of Salvation and heartily close with it Now the Understanding is enlightned and the Will rectified and brought to embrace Christ It is the Lord that makes this change He worketh in us to will and to do Phil. 2.13 Every one that is converted receives Christ Joh. 1.12 But to as many as received him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believed on his Name Though it may be that the Souls receiving Christ at first is scarce discerned but afterwards by renewing acts of Faith upon Christ and by the effects of Union with Christ we may come to see that we have received Christ and are made partakers of Spiritual Life There is a certain moment of time when a man hath Spiritual Life put into him he heareth the voice of the Son of God and liveth But the work is so secret and mysterious that it is hard for us to say that just such a day such an hour we heard the voice of the Son of God and lived Though some may be able to know the time yet not all that are made alive by Christ But we find by degrees the acts and effects of Spiritual Life whereby we may know that we have heard the voice of the Son of God and live When we receive Christ then we are made alive indeed for wheras we were under the sentence of death by the Law now we are forgiven all trespasses and have the Righteousness of Christ imputed to us And those that receive this gift of Righteousness are not only freed from Hell but shall reign in life by Jesus Christ Rom. 5.17 When we truly receive Christ we are sanctified also Together with the Faith that the Lord gives us to receive Christ for our Justification he also gives his Spirit to work in us a Principle of Holiness and new obedience that we may be both in repect of Justification and Sanctification alive from the Dead Application Use 1. Here we may see the miserable estate that every man and woman is in that hath not heard the voice of Christ. Brethren and beloved do you believe this that dead sinners are made alive by hearing the voice of the Son of God Then those that never yet heard the voice of the Son of God they are yet dead in Trespasses and Sins If you never yet heard the voice of Christ then you are dead men all your sins are upon you you are under the sentence of death by the Law and if you never come to hear the voice of the Son of God this sentence of Death will be upon you for ever And if you never yet heard the voice of Christ to put spiritual life into you then you are dead also as to any Life of Grace and Holiness Those works that you are ready to be proud of and glory in they are all but dead works and you do not truly serve the living God But you will say we hope we have heard the voice of Christ we have heard many able Ministers many good Sermons we have had the Word opened to us Answer This is a Priviledg indeed to have the Word Preached to you but it is not the voice of a man no nor of the Angels of Heaven if they should speak to you that can put Spiritual Life into you except withal you hear the voice of the Son of God Therefore If you never yet heard the voice of Christ to make the Preaching of the Gospel effectual to your Souls I say unto every such person as God said to Abimilech Gen. 20.3 Thou art but a dead man thou art a Sinner and the wages of Sin is Death thou art a condemned man and thou hast no Life of Holiness neither Therefore consider your case and condition Examine your selves Whether the Word Preached hath had that power upon your hearts to draw you to Christ and to turn you from your Iniquities Objection If that we hear the Word Preached by men yet you say that except we hear the voice of the Son of God we cannot live then to what purpose should we attend upon the Preaching of the Gospel Answer It is your Duty to hear what God the Lord speaketh by his Servants and Ministers and though the Word Preached cannot Convert you without the Voice and Power of Christ yet it may please the Lord at one time or other to make the Preaching of the Word effectual upon your hearts as he hath done to others Use 2. See the exceeding greatness of Christ's Power He is able to make dead Souls to live he is able to quicken those who are dead in Trespasses and Sins a work which neither Men nor Angels can do Yea know and take notice That it is no labour no difficulty to Christ to make dead Souls live He can do it easily and suddenly He can do it with a word He can do it as easily as you or I can speak a word The Text saith That the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live Use 3. Of Direction to those that have heard the voice of the Son of God and are now quickned and are made alive 1. Bless and praise the Lord stand and wonder at what the Lord hath done for you If any of you had been dead and in the Grave and Christ had said to you as he did to Lazarus come forth and so you had been raised but from a bodily death to live again this had been a great wonder But this is a far greater wonder O! therefore bless the Lord say this my Soul was Dead and is alive I was under the Sentence of Death for the Breach of the Law and now I am pardoned I was without any life of holiness and now the Lord hath given me a new Heart a new Spirit Thus when I lay in my Blood the Lord said unto me Live 2. Love the Lord Jesus who hath delivered your Soul from Death Love him because he first loved you and said to you when you lay in your Blood Live Love him and love the word of his Grace by which he quickened you Never forget his Word the Word of his Grace by which he hath quickned your Souls Love his Word and Ordinances wherein he hath put forth the Power of his Grace to youâ— Souls 3. Trust in the Lord to perform all things for you If you have heard the voice of the Son of God and Live then you have had experience of the Power of Christ indeed
go and eat and drink with gladness with a merry heart it 's true the men of the World can be jovial in their Cups eating and drinking and carousing and none seem to be so merry and jovial as they are but they have no cause for it it is just like a Condemned person that may be jovial and eating and drinking and he know not how soon he may be called to Execution this is the case of every Man and Woman in the World if God do not accept of their Works But now saies Solomon Go thy way eat thy Bread with joy and drink thy wine with a merry heart for God now accepteth thy works 3. Is it not a desirable thing to have the Creatures ready to be serviceable and officious to a man or woman that there is never a Creature in the World but is ready to be Officious and Serviceable to him though possiby they may seem to be averse and contrary and cross to him yet they are all Serviceable and Officious to him to have every thing turn to good to a Man or Woman whatever any Creature do to him it turns all to his good though the Creature may intend otherwise The wicked men may intend to persecute and persecute them as Enemies but when a man or woman please God and his ways please God all his Enemies shall be made his Friends Proverbs 16.7 When a Mans ways please the Lord he maketh his Enemies to be at peace with him They shall be Friends to him they shall do Offices and services of Friendship and kindness to him though possibly against their wills all the creatures shall be officious and serviceable to them and they shall not be able to do them any hurt what a desirable thing is this 4. Is it not a desirable thing for a man or woman to have an audience of all their prayers in Heaven for God to be ready to hear our requests and petitions that we put up to him is not this a desirable thing You will say Oh that I were but sure that God did but hear any one Prayer that ever I made what a desirable thing is this now those whose ways are pleasing to the Lord God do hear their prayers They have access to the Throne of Grace with boldness to find grace and mercy to help in the time of need Heb. 4.16 and mark the Apostles expression in 1 John 3.22 And whatsoever we ask we receive of him Why so because we keep his Commandments and do those things that are pleasing in his sight If we be sure we do those things that are pleasing to God Now saies the Apostle we know that whatsoever we ask we receive of him we have now an audience of our prayers and petitions in Heaven Oh! what a desirable thing is this 5. Is it not a desirable thing for a man or woman to be a Favourite in the Court of Heaven to be in special favour with the King of Heaven you count it no small matter to be a Favourite in the Kings Court to be in favour with the King you count it a very desirable thing Truly to be a favourite in the Court of Heaven is much more desirable to be in favour with the great King of kings I tell you the favour of God in Heaven is as Life to a mans Soul David could say it that knew it by experience in Psalm 30.5 In thy favour is Life nay he adds a greater word than that in Psalm 63.3 Thy loving kindness is better than life There is nothing in the world to a Man better than life but to know that a man or Woman is in favour with God he hath that which is better than life Brethren and Friends there are but two great things that a Man or Woman should desire in this World which are the general and comprehensive of all things to be desired one is to enjoy peace with God and the favour of God here and the other is to enjoy the favour and see the face of God in Heaven hereafter What can a man desire more than to be at peace with God and have the favour of God whilst he live and then to know that he shall see and enjoy the face and presence of God for ever in Glory Here is as much as can be desired and these two things we should look after Now here is one of them To know that God is well pleased with a poor Creature now such a person is a Favourite of Heaven and he may be sure of it if he be in favour with God here then he shall see the face of God and enjoy the presence of God hereafter That is the 5th 6. And Lastly to add but that Is it not a desirable thing for a Man or Woman to be able to look Death in the face with comfort when Death comes to stare him in the face when he shall have a sentence of Death past upon him What would you then desire above all the things in this World what not a great Estate not this and that that you can think of in the World but Oh that I might have the Favour of God! and that I might know that God is well pleased with me c. Then a Man or Woman may look Death in the face and may draw near to God with a holy Boldness as I remember Hezekiah when he had the sentence of death upon him in Isa 38.3 Lord saies he Remember how I have walked before thee in Truth and with a perfect heart He could appeal to God that his ways were pleasing to him and now he could resign up his Soul to him though he was troubled that he had not finished the Work that he had to do in the World and so he could have desired to live longer and upon his prayer the Lord did reverse the sentence of Death that was upon him yet when he had the Sentence see how he took it Lord saies he remember how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart that is the things that he had been doing had been pleasing to the Lord So a Man or Woman whose ways pleased God whilst he lived in the World when he comes to die he may look Death in the face with comfort What a desirable thing then is it for a man or woman to please God in what he doth That is the Second thing propounded That to please God is a most Desirable thing 3. But in the Third place you will say what is that Faith whereby a man or woman comes to please God Truly it is Faith that is the principle and ground and Foundation whence a man and his Works and Services and Performances come to be pleasing to God A Man or Woman may be diligent in the performance of Duties and Services and yet God may not be pleased with them As for example take two persons that come and joyn together in prayer they pray the same Prayer or two Persons
Lastly If we would exercise Faith in our participation of this Ordinance then our Faith should be imployed about the Sacramental objects and actions before us for this is the nature of Faith to make a particular application of such things to our selves Now then in the things about the Sacraâ—ent and the actions in the Sacrament in this Ordinance Faith is to be found acting and making a particular application as for example to help you a little when we see the Bread and Wine set in order and readiness for the administration now Faith should act this way namely that God the Father hath prepared a spiritual feast for me and God hath invited me now to this marriage feast as you know we read in Matthew 22.4 He sent out his servants saying tell them which are bidden I have prepared my Dinner my Oxen and my â—atlings c. Thus a Soul should act in a way of Faith now God the Father hath called me to this great feast I am unworthy that ever I should partake of it and yet God the Father hath invited me and called me and hath shown me the preparation that he hath made and these things God hath called me to and invited me 〈◊〉 and hath prepared them for me and Oh the wonderful rich Grace of God towards me And then again when you see the elements prepared the Bread and Wine before you here now is occasion for your Faith to consider of the Love of God the Father and the love of the Lord Jesus Christ that God the Father should prepare Jesus Christ his own Son for me set out by these elements here is the infinite love of the Father to me and here is the wonderful love of the Lord Jesus Christ to me that hath prepared these things for me that Jesus Christ should set out himself as Bread for me Oh! the Love of the Father and the Love of the Son that is held forth to me And again when we see how the Bread is sanctified blessed and broken by him whom Christ doth appoint to do it according to his own Institution saying Take eat this is my Body which was broken for you now Faith should act as if Jesus Christ himself did speak to you from Heaven saying take eat this is my Body broken for thee For Christ hath appointed and Ordained him to do it in his Name and doing it in his Name and according to his Institution it is all one as if Christ himself did it Now then Faith should act as if I did hear Christ speaking from Heaven to me This is my Body broken for you so also when we see the Cup or the element of Wine and hear those words also pronounced This Cup is the New-Testament in my Blood which was shed for many for the remission of Sins truly now we should take these words as spoken from the Lord Jesus Christ himself to us this is my Blood shed for you for the remission of your Sins as if Christ himself did speak from Heaven to us And so again when we do eat the Bread and drink the Wine take them down into our bodies according to Christs Institution now our Faith should act particularly Namely thus in resting and leaning and relying upon Jesus Christ for acceptance in the sight of God and for remission of Sins and for Salvation this acting of Faith is eating and drinking Saies Christ in John 6.56 He that eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood dwelleth in me and I in him And what is this eating the Flesh of Christ and drinking the Blood of Christ but acting and exercising of Faith in our eating and drinking the outward elements So that when we eat and drink with our Bodies we should act Faith with our Souls and eat with our Souls leaning and resting upon Jesus Christ for acceptance in the sight of God for remission of Sins and for peace with God and for everlasting Life and Salvation this is eating and drinking by Faith this is that which Faith doth Now if you would partake of this Ordinance in Faith then Brethren particularly apply the Objects and actions of this Ordinance to your own Souls and thus now I have given you some few Directions about exercising of Faith in this Ordinance of the Lords Supper without which not only without the habit and grace of Faith but without the exercise of Faith you cannot partake worthily you cannot partake so as to please God for without Faith it is impossible to please God even in this Ordinance I thought to have spent some time in speaking to another head namely how we should exercise Faith in our particular Callings and occasions and matters that concern this life for we must act and exercise Faith in all or else we do not please God in what we do even in our very outward occasions and business I am unwilling to make another discourse upon this subject and therefore I shall if you please to give me leave only give you four or five heads of things that might have been further inlarged upon by way of Direction How to exercise Faith in our particular callings and several conditions that we may be in in this life I will but name them you may enlarge upon them in your own private Meditations Briefly then 1st In the first place Would we exercise Faith in our particular Callings and Stations and Relations and condition that we are in then be careful to eye the hand of God leading and bringing of you into this or that calling condition and course of Life that we may be able to say as Paul did 1 Cor. 1.1 Paul called to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ through the Will of God It was the Will of God that brought him into that state and course of life so must we be able to say or else we cannot act and exercise Faith in our particular Callings Stations and Relations we must be able to say that God hath led me into this or that or the other course of life or into this and that change of Condition Faith doth not lead a man to make haste to be over hasty for any thing I have a mind to such a thing I have a strong fancy to it and and therefore I must enter into such a Calling or enter into such a change of Condition but Faith doth put a Soul upon this Namely to be solicitous to understand the Mind of God and therefore observe it Faith will put a Soul upon earnestness and frequency in Prayer to seek counsel of the Lord whether this or that be according to his Will or no and also to advise with Christians about it that so he may understand the Mind and Will and Counsel of God about it That is the first Rule Secondly Another Rule is this we should be careful to walk with God in that particular place and station and relation wherein God hath set us according to his Will for otherwise we do not exercise Faith in it and therefore when a man is led into such a Calling such a way and course of life it is not for him to act and walk according to the example of others to make the practices of others his rule No but we must look what the Will of God is and make that our Rule As now if a man or woman be brought into a change of condition into a Married condition it is not for that man to say Well I will carry it towards my Wife as she carry it to me or for the woman to say I will carry it to my Husband as he carry it to me no this is not a rule to walk by the examples of others but let us look to our own duty what the Will of God is concerning a Wife or a Husband Remember this is a Second rule To walk in our particular calling and station and relation according to the Will of God Thirdly Another rule and direction is this if you would act and exercise Faith in your particular callings then be frequently looking up unto the Lord for his guidance and help and assistance in your occasions and business Let us look up frequently to the Lord that he would guide us and assist us and help us for we must have Strength and Wisdom and Spirit and Grace from God day by day to walk with God in our places and stations we had need therefore be frequent in looking up unto the Lord for guidance and assistance and help in the places and stations wherein he hath set us And Fourthly Look up to the Lord for pardon through the righteousness of Christ and the merrits of his Death for the pardon of our failings and miscarriages in our callings and places and stations we had need to be frequently looking up for pardon that God would pardon our miscarriages and sailings and weaknesses in our places and stations that we do not walk so according to the Will of God as we ought to do we had need look to the Grace and Blood of Christ to be pardoned And then Fifthly and Lastly This might also have been further spoken to namely to leave the Issue and event and success of our endeavours with the Lord to leave all wholly with him all our burthens and cares leave them all with the Lord Let us be careful to do our Duty and to walk with God according to his Will in our places and relations and leave the event with the Lord. Cast your burthen upon the Lord Psalm 55.22 and he shall sustain you And so the Apostle Peter 1 Pet. 5.7 Casting all your care upon the Lord for he careeth for you So should you do and thus walking in our particular Callings and stations and places and relations we shall come to exercise Faith and thereby so walk as to please God O! that now you have heard this point and truth opened that for the future the Lord would help us to be careful to exercise Faith in all our Duties in our praying in our hearing and in our partaking of the Lords Table and in our particular Callings and relations otherwise we cannot please God for the Apostle says here Without Faith it is impossible to please Him Thus much for this Text and this Time FINIS
But now Faith will help a Soul to go over all these Objections it is my Duty and I will do it in Obedience to the Will of God notwithstanding this or that or the other Temptation God hath commanded me to pray evermore and Pray without ceasing and that I should pray and not faint possibly Satan will come with his Temptations and Objections Do you not see that God seems to be angry and offended with your Prayers God seems to answer you contrary to your Prayers then to what end is it for you to pray Yet Faith will help a Soul to answer all with this It is my Duty it is Gods command and therefore I will do it For Faith does carry a Soul beyond Difficulties and Objections As you see it was with Abraham his Faith carried him beyond all his carnal reasonings and objections As when God called him to go out of his Native Country into a place that he knew not and it may be scarce ever heard of in all his Life Flesh and Blood now and the Devil would be ready to make Objections What! shall a Man venture to go he knows not whither But now Faith helped him to go on therefore it is said in Hebrews 11.8 By Faith Abraham when he was called to go out into a place which he should afterward receive for an inheritance obeyed and went out not knowing whither he went He went because of the Command of God in obedience to the call of God So when Abraham was called to a hard piece of Service to offer up Isaac here might have been a Temptation What shall I go and cut the Throat of him in whom all the promises are to be performed From Isaac Christ was to come and God had told Abraham that in him all the Families of the Earth should be blessed yet go saies God and sacrifice your Son Here was the command Abraham goes notwithstanding all the Cavils and objections of carnal reason Abraham goes about it in obedience to the command of God Brethren take this as another direction to help us to pray in Faith notwithstanding the objections and Temptations that may take us off it is our duty here is the Command of God for it and out of obedience to Gods Command I will do it whatever come of it You read in the 5th of Luke the beginning that Peter had been Fishing all Night and had Caught nothing in the Morning Christ stood upon the shore and called to him saies he Cast your Net on the Right side of the Ship Sir saies he we have been labouring and toyling all Night and have caught nothing it is but a vain thing But yet he did recollect himself nevertheless at thy Command we will do it and thereupon casting out the Net upon Christ's command they had a very great Draught in so much that they were Amazed Well this is the second direction to help us to pray in Faith to pray in Obedience to the Lords Will. Thirdly The third Direction is this namely to be eying of the Lords Promise and to pray by vertue of some promise or other and this will mightily strengthen and help Faith in Prayer If a Soul have but a promise to encourage him in Prayer by this means the Soul will come to see as through a Crevice the Willingness of God to hear him and answer him The Soul may possibly scruple and Question But if I pray will the Lord hear me But if the Soul comes in the vertue of a promise he comes with a great encouragement and perswasion that God will hear him Now Brethren for your help in this thing in praying by vertue of some promise understand and know that there are two sorts of promises there are some more general promises concerning Gods hearing Prayer and then there are some more particular promises concerning some particular Mercy or Blessing that we pray for Now as for the general promises the Scripture is full of them that God is a God hearing prayer in Psalm 65.2 O thou that hearest Prayer unto thee shall all Flesh come God is a God hearing Prayer for the encouragement of all Flesh to come unto him So in Psalm 86.4 5. Unto thee O Lord do I lift up my Soul for thou Lord art good and ready to forgive and Plenteous in Mercy unto all them that call upon thee Here is a general promise so in Psalm 102.17 He will regard the Prayer of the Destitute and not despise their Prayer And in Psalm 145.8 The Lord is nigh unto all that call upon him that call upon him in Truth He is nigh them to hear their Prayer So in the New-Testament saies Christ in Matt. 7.7 8. Ask and it shall be given you seek and ye shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you for every one that asketh receiveth c. And so you have such expressions frequently up and down in the Scripture that are general promises to encourage the Soul in Prayer as the Apostle saith in Rom. 10.12 The same Lord over all is Rich unto all that call upon him Such general promises you have frequently in the Scripture and then there are some more particular promises about Gods hearing Prayer as now for some particular Mercy or Blessing that a Man or Woman may stand in need of there are some particular promises that suits them more particularly As you know Jacob he makes use of that Lord saies he Thou hast said that thou would'st do me good When he was in danger by his Brother Esau in Gen. 32.9 10 11. Lord saies he Thou hast said that thou would'st do me good God had promised to bless him and he makes use of that promise and strengthens his Faith in his Prayer by that Argument And so David in 2 Sam. 7. there you may read how the Lord made a gracious promise to David and his House to establish the Throne to him and his posterity that his Posterity should succeed him in his Throne David would have built God a House Well saies God wilt thou build me a House I will build thy House for thee There was a Gracious promise well David makes use of this promise in the latter end of the Chapter verse 27 For thou Oh Lord of Hosts God of Israel hast revealed unto thy Servant saying I will build thee an House therefore hath thy Servant found in his Heart to pray this Prayer unto thee c. So Jehoshaphat in 2 Chron. 20. having his Land invaded by a Foreign Enemy he goes to God in Prayer but mark how he eyes a promise in his Prayer vers 8 9. And have built thee a Sanctuary therein for thy name saying If when evil cometh upon us as the Sword Judgement or Pestilence or Famine we stand before this House and in thy presence for thy Name is in this House and cry unto thee in our affliction then thou wilt hear and help c. He takes hold of the promise of God and pleads that in