of such a one frees us from everlasting pains and hence himself saith if a man ' keep my sayingt he shall never see John 8. 51 52. Death nor taste of Death that is eternal for that onely indeed deserves the name of Death why because Christ hath tasted Death for him his Soul has been in his Souls stead and so Gods Word comes to be salved man saved And how can we now but cry out O the depth of the riches of the Wisdom of God and of the grace of God how unsearchable is his Wisdom and Grace and the wayes thereof past finding out this love indeed we may admire but reach its demensions we never can O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good Psal 107. 1 2. for his mercy indureth for ever let the redeemed of the Lord say so I they have infinite cause indeed so to say I shall conclude this first part of this 6th use with that of the Apostle Iude Now to the onely wise God our Saviour be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power now and ever Amen Again Secondly cannot the Scripture be broken then from hence are we further to be exhorted and provoked to be much in blessing and praising of God that those things that are of so great importance and of such infinite concernment and afford so great cause and ground of comfort yea upon which our whole happiness and comfort depends are according to Scripture which cannot be broken As that Christ died for our sins it is according to the Scriptures and that he was buried and that he rose again the third day is according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received how that Christ dyed for our sins according to the Scriptures and that he was buryed and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures mark according to the Scriptures For that he was delivered for our offences and raised again for our Justification Romans 4. 25. And that he ascended and now sits at the right hand of God and there makes intercession for us is according to the Scripture Iohn 20. 17. Romans 8. 34. And now what can be matter of greater comfort or sweeter consolation than this nay is not this that on which all our comfort and happinesse depends that Christ died for our sins and that he rose again and now sits at the right hand of God and there makes intercession for us is not this I say the sum of all our comfort and now blessed be God these they are according to the Scripture So 1 Peter 2. 6. It is contained in the Scripture Behold I lay in Syon a chief corner-stone elect precious and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded so he that believeth on me as the Scripture hath said out of his belly shall flow Rivers of living Watter John 7. 38. And so the Scripture saith whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed Rom. 10. 1. So it is written it is Scripture that Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 2. 9. So that God is merciful and gracious Exo. 34. 6. long-suffering is according to Scripture That he forgives iniquity transgression Verse 7. and sinn is according to Scripture That he will sub due his peoples iniquities Mich. 7. 19 and cast their Sinns into the depths of the Sea is according to Scripture That he delights in mercy and to Mich. 7. 18 Jer. 9. 24. exercise loving kindnesse in the earth is according to Scripture That he will heal his peoples back-slidings Hos 14. 4. and love them freely is according to Scripture That such as come unto Christ he will Joh. 6. 37 in no wise cast out is according to Scripture That a bruised Reed shall he not break Mat. 12. 20 and smoaking Flax will he not quench till he send forth judgement unto victory is according to Scripture That he will give the Holy Spirit to Lu. 11. 13. them that ask him is according to Scripture That they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength that they shall Isa 40. 31. mount up with wings as Eagles that they shall run and not be weary and walk and not faint is according to Scripture That he said unto the seed of Jacob Isa 45. 19. Seek not me in vain is according to Scripture That he will gather the Lambs with Isa 40. 11. his arm and carry them in his bosom c. is according to Scripture That the gates of Hell shall not prevail Mat. 16. 18 against the Church is according to Scripture That Christ holds his stars in his right Rev. 2. 1. hand is according to Scripture That he is with them alway even to Ma. 28. 20 the end of the World is according to the Scripture And now the Scripture being that which cannot be broken what a comfort is it what cause have we to bless God that these yea and innumerable more which are of like importance with these and make so much for our comfort are according to Scripture which cannot be broken Thirdly Again cannot the Scriptures be broken and it is easier for Heaven and earth to pass away than one tittle of Gods Word to fail then let such in the Third place be exhorted and provoked to be much in blessing and praising God whom he hath brought into such a condition for whom he hath done such great things Great things indeed as that they may be saved and the Scripture not be broken Let such I say be much in blessing and praising God for there is infinite cause for the Scripture cannot be broken for any it was not for Christ himself and for God to do that for thee to bring thee into such an estate and condition through Grace as that thou mayest be saved and the Scripture not be broken O what infinite cause hast thou to be much in blessing and praising God Now if thou art one who art regenerate born again become a new creature one who art holy and pure in heart thou mayst be saved and the Scripture not be broken So if thou art such a one who dost indeed believe and repent of thy sins and art fruitful in good works thou mayest then be saved and the Scripture not be broken nay let me tell thee to thy comfort that if being such an one thou shouldest not be saved the Scripture it would be broken it would not be fulfilled for that such shall be saved it is every where according to Scripture 1. That such as are regenerate and holy shall be saved is according to Scripture Matthew 5. 8. Rom. 6. 22. John 3. 3 5. And what doth this imply but that if a man be regenerate and born again he shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven 2. That
then we judge righteous judgement when we judge of things according to the righteous and unerring judgement of the word of God for we are sure that is according to truth and not according to the world or outward appearance There is a woe denounced against them that câ—ll evill good and good evill that put darkness for light and light for darkness that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter Isaiah 5. 20. That call that evill which the Scripture calls good and call that good which the Scripture calls evill that put that for darkness which the Scripture calls light and that for light which the Scripture calls darkness that put that for bitter the Scripture calls sweet that for sweet the Scripture calls bitter Woe to such because they say of things quite contrary to the Scripture which cannot be broken which cannot err and so judge not righteous judgement According to outward appearance such as are poor seem miserable and so the world judges of them but now let us judge of such as the Scripture saith of them for that cannot err and judging according to that we may judge of them as such as may be happy for all their poverty Luke 6. 20. Blessed be ye poor for yours is the Kingdom of God Jam. 2. 5. Hearken my beloved hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in Faith and Heirs of the Kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him So according to the outward appearance and as the world judges such seem the only happy men who are rich and great and in high place and in health and at ease but now judge we of such as the Scripture saith of them which cannot err and that tells us they may yet be miserable enough for all their riches and outward greatness as Luke 6. 24 25. But woe unto you that are rich c. James 5. 1 2 3 Go to now ye rich men weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you your riches are corrupted c. Job 20. 22 in the fulness of his sufficiency he shall be in straights c. Zach. 1. 15. And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease c. So Amos 6 1 4 5 6. Job 20. 6 7. 5. 3. c. So according to the outward appearance and as the world judges it seems long before the Lord fulfills his promises prophecies threatnings but now judge hereof according to the Scripture and it is but a little while for yet a little while and he that shall come will come c. Hebr. 10. 37. surely I come quickly Rev. 22. 20. Rom. 16. 20. And the God of Peace shall bruise Satan shortly under your feet Rev. 1. 1. which must shortly come to pass and v. 2. for the time is at hand Psal 90. 5. for a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past and as a watch in the night Psal 37. 10. for yet a little while the wicked shall not be So Job 20 5. 24. 24. So according to outward appearance and as the world judges such seem enemies that reprove others and it is deemed hatred but let us judge of such as the Scripture judges of them and that speaks them friends that their reproof is love and the contrary hatred Lev. 19. 17. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour and not suffer sin upon him So to cause offences to lay stumbling blocks in peoples way heaven-ward to scandal such as are weak and infirm this seems as the world judges of it no great matter but let us judge of this as the Scripture judges of it and that saith woe to such a one and it was better a Milstone were hanged about his neck and he cast into the Sea than that he should offend any of Christs little ones Luke 17. 1 2. So to be saved to go to heaven this as the world judges of it and as men generally think is no such great matter it is no such difficult thing what needs all this ado say some I but let us judge hereof as the Scripture judges and saith of it and then we shall see it is otherwise for that saith strive to enter in at the straight gate for many I say unto you will seek to enter in and shall not be able Luke 13. 14. and if the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the sinner and ungodly appear scarcely not but that the righteous are wholly and altogether saved saved to the utmost Heb. 7. 25. but the meaning is not without much difficulty and much ado not without great pains labour and lassitude not without many trials afflictions the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used of such things as not without much labour and difficulty are brought about as Acts 27. 7. and scarce were come over against Guidus scarce the Greek is the same as here 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 scarce signifies not without a great deal of labour and difficulty so Hâ—b 4. 11. let us labour therefore to enter into that rest labour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the word is very emphatical let us labour or study it notes both care labour and expedition setting our heads a work and hands a work all a work with all expedition too So Luk 21. 36. Watch yea therefore and pray alwayes that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all those things that â—â—all come to pass and to stand before the Sâ—â— of man 1 Cor. 9. 24. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all but one receives the prize so run that ye may obtain So that there must not be only running but such running 9. Again cannot the Scripture be broken then let us be exhorted from hence First Not to be offended nor scandalized nor overmuch troubled at the sufferings and afflictions of the Church and people of God when it seems to go ill with them as to their outward state and condition why because this is no other than what the Scripture hath spoken and foretold shall be and the Scripture cannot be broken Many are the afflictions of the righteous Psa 34. 19. and we must through many tribulations enter into the Kingdom of God Acts 14. 22. and in the world you shall have tribulation John 16. 33. yea and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution 2 Tim. 3. 12. and if any man will come after me let him deny himself and take up his Cross and follow me And the rather we should not be offended nor scandalized at them not only in regard that the Scripture which cannot be broken hath foretold them but likewise in that the Scripture which cannot be broken hath spoken so much of the good and comfort and benefit of them Rom. 8. 28. and we know that all things work together for good to â—hem that love God to them who are the called
being stiled Gods surely it beseemeth them to act as God and now that Princes and Magistrates are in some sense Gods Christ here proves it because the Scripture saith so of them being that which cannot be broken it must needs be so that in some sense they are Gods But to close with the words themselves And the Scripture cannot be broken in which as considered of themselves we have two things observable 1. The Subject 2. The Predicate 1. The subject or thing spoken of and that is the word of God called here and elsewhere 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Scriptura the Appellantur divinae literae nomine communi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Scripturae aut Scriptura 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nam etsi quicquid scribitur scriptura vocetur hoc tamen commune nomen scripturis sacris aptatur per excellentiam Rivet in Isagoge c. Pag 1. Scripture or writing and that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by way of eminency and excellency as if it was the only writing and indeed what are all other writings in comparison of this or but as they tend to explain this or as they refer to this the word of God is the writing the main the chief the prime the principal the writing of writings it hath the preheminency of all writings in comparison whereof others deserve not the name of writings this is the writing which contains in it great things a Hosea 8. 12 excellent things b Prov. 8. 6. 22. 20. admirable things c Psal 119. 18. even such as the Angels desire to pry into d 1 Pet. 1. 12. this is the writing that Kings are commanded to write a Copy of and that it shall be with them and that they shall read therein all the dayes of their life e Deut. 18. 17. yea and the more any search into this writing the more does it enoble them f Acts 17. 11. 2. The Predicate or what it is that is spoken of the Scripture and that is this this that it cannot be broken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 non potest solvi He does not say should not be broken or ought not to be broken no but cannot be broken our Saviour puts an impossibility upon it and the Scripture cannot be broken be broken that is according to the Greek unloosed dissolved or destroyed thus the word is rendred elsewhere Iohn 1. 27. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to unloose Iohn 2. 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 destroy 2 Pet. 3. 12. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 shall be dissolved c. and thus the Scripture cannot be broken that Non potest solvi scriptura hoc est Minime fieri posse quin impleatur Pet Martyr in Rom. 9. is unloosed dissolved destroyed violated or made void as to that it saith or affirms but continues most firm and shall certainly be fulfilled other things indeed shall be dissolved even the firmest and solidest that are the heavens and the earth 2 Pet. 3. 11 12. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved but the Scriptures never can nor shall be dissolved unloosed or destroyed Or secondly The Non falsum esse potest quod in divinis literis proditum est Eraimus Nihil absurdi dixit nihil falsi babet Aretius Scripture cannot be broken i. e. It cannot be mistaken it cannot err or be deceived so Rollock on the place Ferus non potest solvi hoc est non errare potest that is it cannot err it cannot be deceived or be found false in what it saith it cannot lose its truth as the Dutch Anotat expound in part The Doctrine Now the words being thus opened and explained are as you see an intire proposition of themselves and that proposition in the verysame words that it is being explained as you have heard shall be the point which I shall at the present prosecute viz. this that Doct. The Scripture cannot be broken it cannot be unloosed dissolved or destroyed the word of God cannot become void neither can it mistake err be deceived or prove false no look whatever the Scripture saith or affirms of persons or things certainly so they are as the Scripture saith of them for the Scripture cannot be broken if the Scripture saith of Princes or Magistrates that they are Gods certainly in some sense so they are because the Scripture saith so of them and that cannot err Deus non projicit vâ—nas ampullas neque efflat sermonem aliquem fine effectu sed exequitur quicquid Mandavit suis Prophetis or mistake and look whatever the Scripture speaks either by way of Prophecie Promise or Threatning it shall certainly come to pass it shall be fulfill'd and cannot be disanull'd or broken no what God hath written he hath written he will not change nor alter the thing that is gone out of his mouth what is said of God himself that may be said of his word with it is no variableness nor shadow of turning neither Calv. in Zach. 1. 5. 6. is there any possibility of its being dissolved no we our selves indeed shall be dissolved we shall be broken our James 1. 17. bodies and souls shall separate and fall asunder each from other for we know that if our earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolved 2 Cor. 5. 1. Yea those very parts which are most compact and most of all firm and vital shall fail shall suffer a dissolution and be broken the Silver Cord shall be loosed and Eccl. 12. 5. the Golden Bowl be broken the Pitcher shall be broken at the Fountain and the Wheel stall be broken at the Cistern yea all flesh shall resolve into dust but the Scripture still endures and stands firm and cannot be broken all flesh is grass and all the goodliness thereof is as the Isay 40. 6. 7 8. flower of the field the grass withers the Quaemvis evanescant homines vel tollaâ—tur post exiguum tempus è medio tamen caelestis doctrina semper est stabilis retinet suum effectuÌ„ Calv. in Zac. 1. 5 6. flower fadeth but the word of our God shall stand for ever men they are frail and infirm creatures they and their designes quickly fail and are frustrate but Gods word still stands firm and inviolable my Counsel shall stand saith God and I will do all my pleasure the Counsel of the Lord standeth for ever the thoughts of his heart to all generations Psal 33. 11. The proof of the point 1. From Scripture And here I might multiply many but three or four shall suffice besides those I have hinted already 119. Psal 89. for ever O Lord thy word is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 setled in heaven or stands continues Stans Permanet Montan abides is established how ever things go in earth or what ever changes and alterations there are in the world Gods word is for ever setled in heaven thy word is for
ever setled in heaven however the effects thereof through the over-cloudings of manifold troubles and temptations may not sometimes appear on earth yet O Lord for ever thy word is setled in heaven there it s established and is not subject to those It a amplum ut omnes terminos metas superet ad omnia tempora aetates se extendat id est ut sit durabile firmum perpetuum nec unquam aboleri queat Moller in locum Ita ut finis illius viderâ— non potest i. e. infinitum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Junius mutations as things on earth are so Psal 119. 96. I have seen an end of all perfection but thy Commandement is exceeding broad or large that is it lasteth for ever it reacheth and extendeth to all eternity I can see an end of all other things even the perfectest that are I can see they shall have an end but I cannot see an end of thy word that shall never have an end that 's so broad as it reacheth beyond all limits and bounds and perpetually abides so Matth. 24. 34 35. verily I say unto you this generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled You may probably think that what I have spoken shall not come to pass at least in all the circumstances thereof but there are some now alive shall see every whit fulfilled that I have spoken as concerning the destruction of Jerusalem heaven and earth shall pass away but my word shall not pass away * Promissiâ—num certitudo constat verbo dei quo nihil potest esse constantius aut firmius Pet Mart. in Rom. 4. these words may be taken and understood as spoken either comparatively or possitively 1. Comparatively the heavens and the earth shall sooner pass away than any of my words pass away or prove false and so Luke expresses it Luk. 16. 18. and it is easier for heaven and earth to pass than one tittle of the Law to fail 2. Or secondly positively thus heaven and earth shall indeed pass away as at the end of the world as the Apostle Peter expresses it 2 Pet. 3. 10. but the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night in the which the heavens shall pass away and verse 12. wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and v. 11. seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved he speaks of the heavens and the earth and the works that are therein these all shall pass away Pâ—â— 75. 3. 1 Cor. 7. 31. 1 John 2. 17. and be dissolved but the word shall not pass away or be dissolved but shall have its full and perfect accomplishment The earth saith the Prophet Isay is utterly broken down the earth is clean dissolved the earth is moved exceedingly the earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard and shall be removed like a Cottage c. Isay 24. 19 20. But now the Scripture never is nor can be broken at all or dissolved or be removed but remains most firm Thus the Scripture the word that which God hath said is more firm than the Fabrick of heaven and earth it self and shall remain firm and inviolable for ever for the mountains shall depart and the hills shall be removed but my kindness shall not depart from thee neither shall the Covenant of my peace be removed saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee Isay 54. 10. So Isay 55. 11. So shall my word be that goeth out of my mouth it shall not return to me void but it shall accomplish that which I please and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it I will accomplish and make it good it shall not be without effect nor fall to the ground God may as well cease to be as his word be broken disanull'd and not effected and hence are those frequent expressions in Scripture that it might be fulfilled which was spoken Matth. 1. 22. 4. 14. 8. 17. 12. 17. 13. 35. 21. 4 c. implying that God will have what he hath spoken fulfill'd 2. From Reason The Scripture cannot be broken Reas 1 Because all Scripture as the Apostle speaks in the 2 Tim. 3. 16. is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 divinitus inspirata given by the inspiration of God it is divine as is likewise exprest elsewhere Heb. 1. 1. God who at sundry times and in divers maners spake in time past unto the Fathers by the Prophets mark it was God who spake by them so Hosea 8. 12. I have written to him it is Gods writing so 2 Pet. 1. 21. Luk. 1. 70. Acts 4. 24. 25. And therefore it cannot be broken or made void because it is divine and that in a proper and more peculiar sense being immediately revealed from God what indeed is humane is subject to mutation and change as man himself is it s like himself his breath goeth forth he returns 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hic titulus etsi omni veritati de quacunque re sit significatione largiori possit tribui quoniam spiritus est in hominibus inspir at io omnipotentis dat intelligentiam Job 32. 8. attamen immediatè à Deo revelata doctrina merito titulum illum sibi proprie vendicat River in Isagog pag. 9. to his earth in that very day his thoughts perish but the Scripture being divine and that which in a proper and peculiar way is the writing of God that cannot alter or change or be dissolved 2. Because as it is given by inspiration of God so it is the Scripture of that God who is a God of truth and faithfulness and cannot lye 1 Tit 2. In hope of eternal life which God that cannot lie promised before the world began and therefore the Scripture cannot be broken being the Scripture of such a God who cannot lye whose Psal 36. 5 57. 20. faithfulness and truth reacheth unto the clouds and is great unto the heavens yea above the heavens that is it cannot be traced who though we believe 2 Tim. 2. 13. not yet abides faithful and cannot deny himself and also the strength of Israel 1 Sam. 13. 29. will not lye nor repent for he is not a man that he should repent and thus David makes the Stability of Gods word to depend on the Stability of Gods truth and faithfulness because he is most faithful his word is most stable and firm Psa 119. 89 90. thy word for ever O Lord is setled in heaven thy faithfulness is unto all generations Gods truth and faithfulness being firm his word is so likewise thus the Scripture cannot be broken because of Gods truth and fidelity which is infinite yea he is truth it self 3. Because it is the Scripture of that God who is Iehovah who is the Lord as he proclaimed his name before Moses Exod. 34. 6. and the Lord passed by before him and proclained Iehovah Iehovab which we render the Lord the Lord now this name properly belongs unto God
and is not communicable to any creature in heaven or earth and as it doth denote as concerning God that he hath his being of himself as also that he gives being to all creatures so likewise that he gives being to what he speaks and doth fully accomplish and make good the same that he is most true in his promises his threatnings and in his Prophecies and makes them as really in their time to be as if they were already as himself is so he makes all to be and to be brought about that he speaks and hence it is an ordinary thing in Scripture that when the Lord promises or threatens any great matter he useth to adjoyn thereto this name Iehovah as a firm Seal and pledge of performing it as in the 31. Ier. it is observed that in that Chapter where are made many great and pretious promises the name Iehovah is used above twenty times and so oft do we meet with these expressions thus saith the Lord and I the Lord have spâ—ken it and for the Lord hath spoken it and ye shall know that I am the Lord â—zek 6. 10. and they shall know that I am the Lord and that I have not said in vain that I would do this evill unto them a word is then in vain when it is not fulfilled but thus shall none of Gods words be but shall be accomplished because the Lord hath spoken them so v. 13. 14. So 7 4 9 27. 21. 17. 24. 14 27 c. Reas 4 Because it is the Scripture of that God who is unchangeable who is still in one mind and therefore what he saith he will do what he speaks shall certainly come to passe Mal. 3. 6. for I am the Lord I change not a Deus semper idem idem perpetuo manet and as God himself is unchangeable so all that is in God is unchangeable for this saith one is an attribute that like a Silken string thorow a Chain of Pearls runneth thorow all the rest God is un changeable in his essence in all his divine attributes in his purposes and decrees yea and in his promises and threatnings so as they cannot but be performed for I am the Lord I change not men they change their minds alter they are of one mind it may be to day and of another to morrow and so what they purpose is many times not performed but it is not so with God he changes not nay with him saith the Apostle Iames 1. 17 is no variableness nor shadow of turning he is still constant and continues the same yesterday to day and for ever and therefore he will perform and bring to pass what he hath spoken both according to his promises and according to his threatnings I am the Lord I change not therefore ye Sons of Iacob are not consumeâ— which some interpret thus b though ye Sons of Iacob a Duplex potest elici expositio quamvis nondum â—stis consumpti ego tamen non mutor vel superstiâ—es manetis quia rationem habeo naturae meae potius quam rependere vobis quod meriti estis Calv. in Locum are not consumed yet I change not I am the same Lord and ye shall find so in the end however because I forbear you long you may deem otherwise but at length know ye that all shall come to passe and not one thing shall fall to the ground howsoever it be not so speedily as you think executed yet it shall in its time others thus you have deserved over and over again to be consumed and considering your demerits it may seem a wonder I have not done it but that it is thus it is because of me and my nature that I am Iehovah and change not and so will perform what I have promised be as good as my word and this Balaam himself is forced to confess Numb 23. 19. God is not a man that he should lye neither the Son of man that he should repent hath he said and shall he not do it hath he spoken and shall he not make it good for he is in one mind saith Iob and who can turn him and what his soul desireth even that he doth this notes the Job 23 13 stability unchangeableness of God he is alwayes like himself fixt and constant to his own purposes and to the dictates of his own will and wisdom and therefore the Scripture being the Scripture of that God which is unchangeable it cannot be broken but as he continues still the same so likewise doth that Reas 5 Because it is the Scripture of that God who is every way able and hath full and all-sufficient power to accomplish what ever he speaks be it matter of promise or matter of threatning what ever it be he is I say every way able to accomplish it is any thing too hard for the Lord ah Lord God saith Jer. 32. 19 the Prophet Ier. thou hast made the heavens and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm and there is nothing too hard for thee I know saith Iob that thou canst do every thing and that no thought can be with-holden from thee Iob. 42. 2. that is thou dost not want power to bring to pass what ever thou hast said or decreed no be it what it will seem it never so difficult thou art able to bring it to pass and no thought of thine can be hindred i. e. thou canst not be hindred from doing what ever thou purposest or intendest to do no the Councel of the Lord standeth for ever the thoughts of his heart to all generations for the Lord of hosts hath purposed and who shall disanul it and his hand is stretched out and who shall turn it back Isay 14. 28. Men indeed many times purpose and resolve and say what they will do I but cannot effect it cannot bring it about why because they are frail creatures and want power or are hindred by a greater so that their hands cannot effect what their heads have contrived a greater than themselves disappoints them Iob. 5. 12. he disappointeth the devices of the crafty so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise in the 23. Acts 12 we find there certain of the Jewes banding together and binding themselves under a curse saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killâ—d Paul and there were more than forty which had made this conspiracy I but their hands could not perform their enterprise if they had not eaten nor drunk till they had killed Paul they must have starved why because a greater force than themselves rescued and delivered him out of their hands but who can deliver out of the hands of God none as the Prophet Isay expresses it Isay 43. 13. yea before the day was I am he and there is none that can deliver out of my hands no not all the creatures in heaven and in earth should they joyn their power and force together and it follows I
will Work and who shall let it or turn it back or reverse it who indeed certainly none no all the power in heaven and carth cannot in the least hinder him from accomplishing his work what he hath spoken in his word no he is above all obstacles of men or devils there is no putting of a barr in his way so as that there should not be an accomplishing of his word c He hath broken the gares of Brass and cut the barrs of Iron assunder Psa 107. 16. Amos. 4. 5 Isay 40. 17. no I will work and who shall let none could ever take up this challenge and say I I will let no for lo it is he who formeth the Mountains and createth the wind and declareth unto man what is his thought that maketh the morning darkness and treadeth upon the high places of the earth the Lord the God of Hosts is his name all Nations before him are as nothing and they are counted to him less than nothing and vanity so that by the greatness of his might for that he is strong in power not one of his words shall fail the greatest Mountains before him shall become a plain Psal 2. 6. there was a great combination of the Princes and potentates of the earth to keep Christ from the throne yet for all that saith God I have set my King upon my holy Hill of Zion And secondly as men are frail so they quickly fail and so their enterprises fail with them Psal 146. 4. his breath goeth forth he returneth to his earth in that very day his thoughts perish and therefore put not your trust in greatest in Princes for what ever their thoughts and intentions promises or purposes may be to do this or that alas their breath goeth forth and they immediately perish and therefore cease ye saith the Prophet from man whose breath is in his nostrils for wherein is he to be accounted of or what can he do his breath goeth forth and he soon perisheth But now the Lord as he is the mighty God so he is the living God I lift up my hand to heaven and say I live for ever Deut. 32. 40. He lives for ever to see what he hath said accomplished and therefore saith the Apostle it is a Heb. 10. 30 fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God as an adversary as one against whom God threatens indignation and wrath vengeance and woe why because he is a living God and so for ever lives to execute what he hath threatned as Gods eternity his living for ever doth exceedingly sweeten and make pretious and most comfortable the promises so it makes as terrible his threatnings thus the Scripture cannot be broken because it is the Scripture of that God who is of so great and infinite power every way able to accomplish what he speaks and this was the ground of Abrahams not staggering at the promise of God through unbelief his being fully perswaded that what he had promised he was able also to perform Rom. 4. 20 21. he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief but was strong in faith giving glory unto God and being fully perswaded that what he had promised he was able to perform and upon this ground happy is he pronounced that hath the God of Jacob for his help and whose hope is in the Lord because of his power and ability as well as his truth and faithfulness to perform what ere he promises Psal 146. 5 6. Reas 6 That the Scripture cannot be broken it appears and is proved from experience and by an induction of several particulars this is that which experience in all ages hath and still doth evidence to the truth of to which we may appeal As concerning that destruction of the old world did not God do what he said was he not as good as his word so concerning bringing Israel out of Egypt that 's very observable to this purpose which we read Exod. 12. 40 41. now the sojourning of the Children of Israel which dwelt in Egypt were 430. years and it came to pass at the end of the 430. years even the self same day it came to pass that all the Hosts of the Lord went out from the Land of Egypt So I might instance as concerning Iudahs bringing into Babylon was not God as good as his word as themselves were forc'd to acknowledge Lam. 2. 17. the Lord hath done that which he had devised he hath fulfilled the word he had commanded in the dayes of old and Lam. 4. 12. the Kings of the Earth would not have believed the enemy should enter into the gates of Ierusalem but no matter for that God having said it though they would not have believed it yet it was accomplished And so for Iudahs bringing out of captivity out of Babylon which he promised Ier. 29. 10. And this seemed so difficult and a thing so hard to be effected that the Lord appeals to his own heart the more to assure them of it v. 11. for I know the thoughts that I think towards you saith the Lord thoughts of peace and not of evill to give you an expected end and Psal 126. 1. when the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion we were like them that dream we could scarce believe we were delivered though we were delivered I but how difficult and unlikely soever it seemed yet being promised it was performed and so as concerning the ruine of Ierusalem afterward Luke 19. 43 44. was not all fulfilled Thus the proof of this point is proved by long experience d Scripturae si verae fuerunt praedictiones rerum futurarum ut eventus comprobavit cur vera non sint rerum praesentium testimonia Rivit page 20. Isag c. it was never yet known in any age but what God spake came to pass there is no instance to be given to the contrary and this is that which indeed God himself appeals unto Zachary 1. 5 6. your Fathers where are they and the Prophets do they live for ever this seems to be spoken by way of concession e Quod dicit patres vestri ubi sunt prophetae an in perpetuum vivunt per concessionem positum est quasi diceret fateor patres vestros prophetas meos jam mortuos esse sed verba mea an mortua sunt distinguit in summum deus naturam verbi sui ab hominum conditione quasi diceret hominum vitam caducam esse finiri paucis annis sed doctrinam suam nunquam intermori Calv Zach. 1. 5 6. Quum ergo effectū doctrinae meae senseritis in vestris patribus cur non statuitis apud vos quum idem semper sim non posse fieri ut hodie verba mea frustra diffluant careant omni effectu Idem ibidem your Fathers indeed as also the Prophets are dead and gone they have made their beds in the grave I but mark what followes v. 6. but my
shall but only allude to it here and apply it in this sense O it 's a blessed thing when the Lord deals well with us and blesses us according to his word I mean in this sense as his word Judges and determines as concerning dealing well with and blessing and this is not when meerly he gives us wealth and riches and abundance or when he gives us health or â—ase when we are not in trouble as other men nor plagued like other men this indeed the world counts the only dealing well with but it may be ill enough with us and we may be far enough from being blessed for all this Psa 73. 3 4 12. Zach. 1. 15. that rich man in the 12th of Luke he no doubt thought it well with himself and therefore he sings a requiem to his soul v. 19. because he had heapt so much wealth together Soul thou hast goods laid â—p for many years take thine ease eat drink and be merry But what saith God to him thou fool this night thy soul shall be required of thee then whose shall those things be wch thou hast provided so is he that layeth up treasure for himself and is not rich towards God Thus for God meerly to give us wealth and riches or health and ease this is not to bless us according to his word but then the Lord blesses us and deals well with us according to his word when he gives us himself his Son his Spirit his Grace his Favour when he makes his face to shine upon us and teaches us his Statutes as David prayes Psal 119. 135. make thy face to shine upon me and teach me thy Statutes when he gives faith forgives us our sins turns us away from our iniquities makes us rich towards himself with 2 Cor. 8. 9. those riches which Jesus Christ became poor to inrich our souls withall then God deals well with us and blesses us according to his word and that is a dealing well with and a blessing indeed for the word cannot be broken It 's said in Isay 65. 16. that he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth O it 's a blessed thing when we ground our blessedness upon God and his truth I am blessed because I am such a one whom Gods truth whom Gods word which cannot be broken pronounces blessed I such are blessed indeed And so I might adde that this point informs us gives us to see who are indeed excellent and honourable and noble and so who are indeed base vile and contemptible namely such whom the Scripture saith and affirms to be so for that cannot err or mistake and therefore such as the Scripture saith are excellent are indeed excellent and such as the Scripture saith are vile are indeed vile Now the Scripture saith and affirms that the Saints are excellent Psal 16. 11. Prov. 12. 26. that such as search the Scripture are Noble Acts 17. 11. that such as are pretious in Gods sight are honourable Isay 43. 4. and these now are indeed excellent noble and honourable the Scripture so affirming and we can never indeed be truly such till we come to be of the number of these the very heathens themselves had a kind of notion of this e Claudius his Motto Generis virtus nobilitas is virtue not Scutchions or images of Ancestors makes men noble Aemilias Motto Non gens sed mens non genus sed genius â—ot race or place but grace truly sets forth a man and Very observable to this purpose is that of Juvenal Satyr 8. Stemmana quid faciunt quid prodest Pontice longo Sanguine censeri pictosque ostendere vultus Majorum c. Tota licet veteres exornent undique cerae Atria Nobilitas sola est atque unica virtus So the Scripture saith and affirms of the wicked that they are vile though otherwise never so great high and honourable in the eyes of the world Psa 15. 4. 12. 8. when the vilest men are exalted vile though exalted thus Antiochus though otherwise great is called a vile person Dan. 11. 21. And man in honour and not having a saving understanding in the things of God is like the heasts that perish Psa 49. 20. Hence God is said to tread down the wicked even as mire in the street and to put them all away like dross the Hebrew is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Scorias drosses that is vilest dross Pro. 10. 20. the heart of the wicked is little worth it may be his House Lands or Revenues are somewhat worth but his heart is little worth And so I might likewise add that this point it informs us also who are indeed wise and who foolish namely such whom the Scripture saith and affirms to be so for that cannot err or mistake and therefore such as that affirms to be wise are indeed wise and such as that pronounces to be foolish are indeed foolish now the Scripture saith such are wise That fear God and depart from evill Job 28. 11. Psal 111. 10. That understand and consider their latter end Deut. 32. 29. That hear Christs sayings and do them Matth. 7. 24. that walk circum spectly Eph. 5. 15. That foresee the evill and hide themselves Prov. 22. 3. That win souls Prov. 11. 30. Dan. 12. 3. And so the Scripture saith likewise of all wicked men that they are foolish Psa 5. 5. Job 5. 3. Prov. 9. 6. 10. 23. And so I might give you many other places but they are every where obvious more particularly such as hear Christs sayings and do them not Matth. 7. 26. That reject the word of the Lord Jer. 8. 9. that leave off to do good Psal 36. 3. That lay up treasure for themselves and are not rich towards Godâ— Luke 12. 20 21. that trust in their own heart Prov. 28. 26. And thus I might further dilate but this at present shall suffice 3. Again Cannot the Scripture be broken then this further informs us and gives us to see what a firm and strong prop such lean and rely upon that make the Word of God their stay that there trust and hope and bear up themselves that can say as David For I trust in thy Word and but I hope in thy Word Psalm 119. 49 81. I say if the Scripture cannot be broken if it cannot be unloosed or dissolved what a firm and strong prop do such lean and rely upon even such as cannot fail as is more firm than Heaven and Earth it self for Heaven and Earth shall pass away sayes Christ but my words shall not pass away For ever O Lord thy Word is setled in Heaven Solomon tells us the rich mans wealth is his strong City and an high Wall but it is but in his own conceit Prov. 18. 11. For he that trusteth in his riches shall fall Prov. 11. 28. But so shall never such do who trust in the Word no for all flesh is as grass and all the glory of Man
we should not be saved the Scripture would be broken First I say let us be exhorted to be much in blessing and praising of God yea and in admiring and adoring his infinite wisdom mercy and goodness that the Scripture being that which cannot be broken he should contrive and find out a way so as for man to be saved and yet his truth the Scripture what he had said upon mans sinning be salved and not be broken man had sinned and man must dye for sin according to what God had said Gen. 2. 19. for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely dye i. e. not only spiritually and temporally but eternally and now God out of his infinite wisdom and according to his infinite goodness contrives and finds out such a way by his Son becoming man that as man had sinned so man he doth dye for sin his Son becoming man and dying yea suffers what was equivalent to the second death even to eternal death and the pains of hell for ever the whole wrath of God due to the sin of man being poured forth upon him those sufferings though only for a short time yet being the sufferings of such a one of him who was God as well as man were more than if all the world had suffered for ever and did countervail everlasting death and damnation And thus man is saved and yet Gods truth salved and his justice satisfied the Scripture not broken and this it was the Lords own doing the contrivement of his wisdom and the product of his goodness and mercy and it is that which should be very marvellous for ever in our eyes and provoke us to be much in blessing and praising of his name And the more to provoke and stir us up hereunto consider but these few particulars 1. That according to what God had said we were all upon sinning in a lost and undone condition c. 2. That if God could not have saved us and withall have salved what he had said but that must have been broken he would never have saved us no he would rather break a whole world yea were it ten thousand worlds than have his truth broken he is Iehovah and cannot but give being to what he speaks Heaven and earth shall pass away but his words cannot pass away Again 3. Consider that it was beyond the Wisedom and contrivement of all the Creatures in Heaven and in Earth to finde out such a way as that Man might be saved and yet withall what God had said be salved the Scripture not be broken We find in the 6th of Daniel that Darius there signes a Writing and a Decree That whosoever should ask a Petition of any God or man for 30. daies save of him should be cast into the Den of Lions Daniel yet when he knew that the Writing was signed prayed as he did aforetime thrice a day And now when the King hears of this he is sore displeased with himself and sets his heart on Daniel to deliver him and he labeured it is said Verse 14. till the going down of the Sun to deliver him but his Statute and Decree being that which might not be changed he could not do it but Daniel is cast into the Den of Lions No more could all the Creatures in Heaven or in Earth have found out a way for Man to have been saved and Gods Word be verified no but he must for ever had it been left to them have been cast into Hell the redemption of their Souls though never so pretious must have ceast for ever as concerning such Wisdom we might say as Job 28. 12. Where shall it be found and where is the place of it man knoweth not the price of it neither was it to be found in the Land of the living the depth saith it is not in me and the Sea saith it is not in me c. And then consider 4. Fourthly that God now after all this should find out a way so to save man as that what he had said should not be dissolved nor violated O what thanks can we render unto God for this that he should do it when all the Creatures in Heaven and Earth could never have done it and yet when as if it had not been done if such a way had not been contrived man must have been undone for ever and that God should now do it O what thanks can we I say render to God for this how admirable should this be in our eyes especially if we consider the way he contrived and took to do it that we might be saved and the Scripture not be broken he is pleased to break his Son to bruise him Isay 53. 10. Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him he hath put him to grief c. That he might spare us he did not spare him no not his own Son his dear Son his beloved Son his onely begotten Son but delivered him up he comes down from Heaven becomes Man and being found in fashion as a Man humbles himself and becomes obedient unto Death even the Death of the Cross and all that we might live and Gods truth not be violated For God so loved the Word that he gave his onely begotten Son that whosoever believes on him should not perish but have everlasting life John 3. 16. And in this was manifested the Love of God towards us because that God sent his onely begotten Son into the World that we might live through him thus by the grace of God as the Apostle speaks Hebrewes 2. 9. Jesus Christ he tastes death for every man i. e. for all sorts of men for every of the Elect for every one who believes for every one who hath life and salvation he tastes Death he dyes for them in their place and in their stead Gal. 3. 13. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us his Soul was in our Souls stead when he told his Disciples it was troubled and when he cryed What shall I say Father save me from this Joh. 12. 27. hour but for this cause came I to this hour my Soul is exceeding sorrowful Mat. 26. 38 even to Death And when he was in Luc. 22. 44 such an Agony as his sweat is said to be as it were great drops of blood falling to the ground then I say he was in our sted surely he hath a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 borne as a Porter bears an heavy burthen borne our griefs carried our sorrowes it was for our transgressions that he was wounded and for our iniquities that he was bruised they were laid upon him or else they must have lain upon us and sunk us to all eternity But by the grace of God that the Scripture might not be broken in our being delivered from everlasting breakings Christ he is broken and dies and by the grace of God his death stands for ours and his pains though for a short time yet being
Pro. 16. 16 4. 7. principal thing therefore get Wisdom and with all thy gettings get Vnderstanding Acquaint now thy self with him and be at peace so shall good come Job 22. 21 unto thee There is sayes Elihu a Spirit in Man and the inspiration of the Almighty gives them Vnderstanding Job 32 8. Go to God therefore for it For it is he that is a God of Knowledge 2 Sam. 2. 3. There is a promise the earth shall be full of the Knowledge of the Lord as the Waters cover the Sea O desire the Isa 11. 9. Lord to fill thy Soul with Knowledge 2. Again Secondly if continuing in a state of Unregeneracy thou be saved the Scripture must be broken you cannot continuing in such an estate be saved except the Scripture be broken for the Scripture in several places speaks quite contrary as to such being saved continuing such As John 3. â— And again the 5. Verse Jesus answered and said unto him Verily verily I say unto thee except a Man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God and except a Man be born of Water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God I say unto theâ— I who am the Amen the faithful and true Witnesse yea truth it self and cannot lie I who came to open and give an entrance into the Kingdom of God yet I say yea he does as good as swear Verily verily I say unto thee except a Man be born again he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God So Heb. 12. 14. Without Holinsse no Man shall see the Lord. No Man no without being sanctified ther 's no being saved Blessed indeed are the pure in heart for they shall see God but without purity ther 's no seeing God No however it may be at present thou maist scoff at Purity and Holinesse and call it Preciseness yet know it is that without wch thou canst never be saved except the Scripture be broken And rather than the Scripture should be broken God will break ten thousand such as thou art the Scripture cannot be broken And therefore canst not thou but be broken continuing such So Iohn 13. 8. If I wash thee not thou hast no part with me i. e. If I make thee not clean from thy sins freely pardoning them and sanctifying thee if I wash thee not from sinsguiltiness by my blood and from sinsfilthiness by my Spirit thou hast no part with me in Heaven in eternal happinesse in glory in everlasting life in that celestial Paradise And therefore let such harken to that sovereign counsel of the Apostle in Heb. 12. 14 Follow Holinesse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 follow hard press with an eager pursute after Holinesse as one who will not leave till he hath what he followes h Est magno studio annit ut assequaris to follow as a Hunter his prâ—y who persues it till he take it and is there not cause when as if ever without it we see God the Scripture must be broken 3. Again Thirdly if continuing in a state of Unbelief if not coming to Christ and believing on him you be saved the Scripture must be broken for the Scripture absolutely and indispensably requires Faith in all that are saved and excludes all such from salvation who do not believe Mark 16. 16. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned and that though he be baptized so Iohn 3. 36. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life but he that believeth not the Son shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him and he that believes not is condemned already verse 18. and Iohn 8. 24. If ye believe not that I am he ye shall dye in your sins a sad threatning Rev. 21. 8. The Vnbelieving shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone which is the Second Death so that if thou continuing still in Unbelief shouldest see life or be exempt from the wrath of God abiding on thee which is a burthen so exceeding grievous and intollerable or shouldest not be damned and dye in thy sins the Scripture must be broken if continuing shut up in Unbelief thou shouldest not be shut out of Heaven and have thy part in the lake which burneth with fire brimstoné which is the second Death the Scripture must be broken therfore harken to that blessed Counsel our Saviour gives Jo. 12. 36 Whilest you have light believe still in the light while ye have the light of the Gospel believe in the light who is the Son of God while ye have the light of the Word of God believein the Word which is God let these beams lead you to that Sun these streames to that Ocean this is the great Gospel-work Ioh. 6. 29. and the great Gospel-command 1 Ioh. 321. This is the great business both of the light of life Joh. 11. 26. and the light of the Gospel except while we have the light we believe in this light we must unless the Scripture be broken be cast into utter darknesse 4. Again Fourthly if continuing in a state of impenitency you should be saved the Scripture must be broken for the Scripture is absolutely and indispensably for repentance in all that are saved affirms except we repent we shall certainly perish Luke 13. 3. Except you repent you shall all likewise prish and again V. 5. Except you repent you shall all certainly perish aut poenitendum aut pereundum there is no way but repenting or perishing according to what the Scripture holds forth we must either repent of our sins and turn from them here or burn in Hell for them for ever hereafter So that though you now it may be make a mock of sin you must come to mourn for it though you now it may be sport with it you must come to be in pain with it and for it or else if you do not perish the Scripture must be broken though thy heart now be never so stony never so hard and impenitent yet this stony hard and impenitent heart of thine must come to relent must become an heart of flesh it must come to be broken for sin and from sin or else if ever thou beest saved the Scripture must be broken And therefore sovereign Counsel is that which God gives to sinners Ezek. 18. 30. Repent and turn your selves from all your transgressions so iniquity shall not be your ruine else it will and James 4. 8 9 10. Clense your hands you sinners and purifie your hearts ye double-minded be afflicted and mourn and weep c. And that of the Apostle Acts 3. 19. Repent ye therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord This made John the Baptist and our Saviour and his Disciples so much to preach and press Repentance making it the Sum of their preaching because though
fear the Lord I say assure but this and then in the serious consideration of this sovereign truth thou mayst sit down and say it is enough for view the promises look over them all and that from one end of the Bible to the other and see how many so ever they be or how great and pretious soever they be they shall all certainly be fulfilled be performed and made good My Covenant will I not break nor alter the thing that is gon out of my mouth Psalm 89. 34. God has spoken saies David in his holinesse I will rejoice i. e. he has promised so and so and I will rejoice I and there is great cause for what ever God has spoken and promised it shall certainly be performed it shall certainly be ful filled and made good it shall not fail no Heaven and Earth shall pass away but Gods Word shall not pass away Psalm 119. 89. For ever O Lord thy Word is setled in Heaven Here was Davids Comfort how ever things went on Earth how moveable or unsetled soever they were Gods Word on which he fixt his Faith was for â—ver setled in Heaven that was a sure rock still to bear up his Faith that would never fail what ever else did And this kept up his spirit Psal 27. 13. I had fainted unlesse I had belived to see the goodnesse of the Lord in the Land of the Living And therefore the People of God should remember God of his promises and urge him with them and sue them out as Jacob Gen. 32. 9. Hast not thou said so and so and is it not Scripture Lord and the Scripture cannot be broken thus David does often in the 119. Psalm verse 41. Let thy mercies come unto me O Lord even thy Salvation according to thy Word and 49. Remember thy Word untâ— thy Servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope and 76. Let I pray thee thy merciful kindness be to my comfort according unto thy Word unto thy Servant and 107. I am afflicted very much quicken me O Lord according to thy word and 116 uphold me according to thy word that I may live and let me not be ashamed of my hope thus he pleads 2 Sa. 28 29. And now O Lord God thou art that God and thy Words be true and thou hast promised this Goodnesse therefore now let it please thee to bless the House of thy Servant that it may continue for ever before thee for thou O Lord God hast spoken it c. Whatsoever things saith the Apostle Rom. 15. 4. were written afore time were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scripture might have hope n Scriptur a Consolationem assurt cum promissiones innumeras de dei praesentia auxilio fiberatione ab aerumins de salutari malorum exitu de gloria denique in Câ—lis reposita nobis proporit Par. in Rom. 15. 4. And how does the Scripture more work Patience and cause comfort than in the consideration of these promises wchit propounds And in regard of this that they cannot be broken O if the Scripture cannot be broken how many wayes may this comfort and cheer the hearts of the People of God Give me leave a little to instance in some of them and as it were but to open this box of so pretious ointment that so you may the better resent the fragrancy and sweetnesse thereof and that your spirits may be the better cheered and refreshed therewith as 1. If the Scriptures cannot be broken then the People of God shall not want any good thing for this is part of the Scripture it is one of the Scripture promises Psalm 34. 10. 84. 11. They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing no good thing will he with-hold c. 2. If the Scripture cannot c. then all things are theirs for this likewise is Scripture promise 1 Coâ— 3. 21 22. All things are yours c. 3. Then they shall not be forgotten for this likewise is a Scripture-promise Isay 49. 15 16. Jer. 29. 10 11. Yet will I not forget thee c. For I know the thoughts that I think towards you c. 4. Then shall they not be left nor forsaken for this is c. Hebrewes 13. 5. I will not leave thee nor forsake thee 5. Then is and shall Gods Grace be sufficient for them for this is c. 1 Cor. 12. 9. And he said My Grace is sufficient for thee c. 6. Then shall all things work together for their good for this is c. Rom. 8. 28. That all things work together for good c. 7. Then shall they be upheld and sustained in their greatest weakness for this is c. Isay 40. 11 28 29 30 31. 1 Cor. 10. 13. Lam. 3. 31 32. He shall gather the Lambs with his Armes and carry them in his Boseme c. 8. Then shall nothing be able to separat them from the Love of God which is in Christ Jesus their Lord for this is c. Romans 8. 35 38 39. John 13. 1. 9. Then they shall never perish for this is c. John 10. 28. 10. Then sin shall not have dominion over them for this is c. Romans 6. 14. 11. Then Satan shall shortly be bruised under their feet for this is c. Rom. 16. 14. 12. Then there is no condemnation to them for this likewise is c. Rom. 8. 1. And so I migh add then will God be with them when they pass through the waters and through the Rivers they shall not overflow them and through the fire it shall not burn them c. For this is a Scripture-promise Isay 43. 2. Then in 6. troubles shall they be delivered and in 7. there shall no evil touch them for this is c. Iob 5. 19. Then shall they shortly be received to Christ and be where he is for this is c. Iohn 14. 3 17. 24. 12. 26. And thus I might still further run forth and abundantly enlarge and expatiate my self but this I shall leave for the further inlarging of your own Meditations and Observations having shewen you the way Thus that the Scripture cannot be broken is matter and ground of singular comfort to the People of God â—or if the Scripture cannot be broken then the promises which are a main chief part thereof cannot be broken And as this is matter ground of singular comfort to the People of God so let them improve it and make use of it for their comfort let them suck out the sweetness of it cheer themselves with it Seeing the promises cannot be broken neither let your Faith nor your hopes be broken seeing the one cannot fail neither let the other fail stagger or â—efoiled but feal to the firmness and steadiness of what God has premised which shall certainly be performed by the firmness steadiness of your Faith say as David Psalm 42. 5. Why art thâ—â— cost down O