that unvaluable promise Rom. 8.29 and that 1 Cor. 10.13 2. Fervent prayer that GOD would by his Spirit both reveale unto us what be those precious promises which he hath made unto his people in his holy Word and also give unto us wisedome rightly to judge of them and fitly to apply them unto our selves in every estate we shall be in We should beg of him to reveale this mystery of godlinesse and CHRIST to us as the Disciples said LORD increase our faith that phrase of David is most heavenly Psal. 119.49 Thy promise in which thou hast caused mee to put my trust It is the LORD that must cause the heart to put her trust in the promise If we would keepe faith in exercise we must indeavour to know GODS promises meditate on them conferre about them they should be continually in our mindes memories hearts and tongues To live by Faith is to feede upon the severall promises of GOD made in his Word and to apply them to our selves according to all our needs and so comfort and encourage our selves against temptation and unto every good duty This is that which is required by GOD of his people Hab. 2.4 GOD there having threatned judgement against the Jewes by the Babylonians doth afterwards promise deliverance againe but not suddenly the people of GOD therefore in the meane time were to live by Faith and depending upon GOD to waite for the accomplishment of his gracious promises The just shall not onely live eternally by his faith but even here also in this life He shall live by Faith Abraham served GOD wheresoever he came and rejoyced in the promise of salvation by CHRIST Gen. 17.17 Iohn 8.56 Now if he who saw the promises but afarre of Heb. 11. 13. was so cheared and quickned by them what should we be to whom the grace of GOD hath shined so clearely Tit. 2.11 Iacob when Esau met him and his heart began to faint for the Text saith Gen. 32.7 he feared exceedingly did goe and sucke consolation out of the Promises for thus he reasons with the LORD LORD thou hast said thou wilt doe mee good this promise sustained him and he got so much strength with this milke that he was able to wrestle with the LORD all night and would not let him goe without a blessing So David when the Philistines had burnt Ziklag and the souldiers that should have beene his strength were ready to stone him hee remembred GODS promise that he should be King and sit in the Throne of Saul therefore it is said Hee comforted himselfe in the LORD his GOD 1 Sam. 30.6 that is in the promise that the LORD had made to him So Nehemiah when he heard of the misery of his people fell to prayer clinging to a promise that he knew was made by GOD that he had read and markt out of Deuteronomie The same is to be seene in that honourable company of those Worthy Servants of GOD in all ages from the beginning of the world to that day mentioned Heb. 11. which are all brought in as a cloud of witnesses testifying this truth that The Iust shall live by Faith Thus S. Paul also lived by faith both for Spirituall life Rom. 7. and for Temporall life 2 Tim. 4.17 18. and for Eternall life 7 8. verses of that Chapter The Divell striketh specially at our faith in the promises and not so much at the generall faith in beleeving the truth of them in generall as at our speciall justifying faith applying those promises unto our selves Not so much to doubt at the generall voice of GOD in the Word Every beleever shall be saved but at the particular voice of GOD by his Spirit applying the generall to us and saying Thou beleevest Thou art my Sonne Therefore above all things we should fortifie our faith and assurance that GOD is our Father and we his sonnes and as the Apostle exhorteth Labour to make our calling and election sure and for our better applying of GODS promises let us observe two rules 1. To apply all the Word of GOD indifferently as well the Commandements for our direction and the threats for our humiliation as the promises for our comfort 2. To examine the conditions of GODS promises and to looke as well to the performance of the conditions required in the promises as to enjoy the things promised For as the Divell denies unto us the application of the promises when we are interested in them as when we walke uprightly with GOD so contrarily he applies them strongly and earnestly when they belong not unto us as he did the promise of protection by Angels unto CHRIST though he should tempt GOD. So he ordinarily applies the promise of mercy to notorious sinneâ—s though they lie wallowing in their mire and never wash themselves in the waters of repentance And wicked men doe often with great confidence or ratheâ— presumption lay hold of the promises in the meane space neither caring to apply to themselves the commandements and threatnings nor yet respecting the conditions by which the promises are limited Thus when the LORD saith Ezek. 33.11 As truly as I live I will not the death of a sinner they regard not what followeth but that hee repent and live and when they heare the Apostles speech 1 Tim. 2.4 That GOD will have all men to be saved they make a bolster of it whereon they sleepe securely in their sinnes but leave out the following condition viz. that he would have all whom he would have saved come first to the saving knowledge of his truth which is never severed from the fruits of obedience 1 Iohn 2.3 4. So when CHRIST saith That he came not to call the righteous but sinners with that they comfort themselves in their sinfull courses but observe not to what he calleth them viz. to repentance before they can have any part with him in glory Some likewise sucke poyson out of that heavenly flower Rom. 10.13 Whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved not considering that Every one that calleth upon the name of the LORD should depart from iniquity 2 Tim. 2.19 Speciall Rules directing us how to use the Promises 1. Generall Promises are particularly and Particulars generally appliable The LORD in assenting to Salomons prayer made a generall promise to any man or to all the people that what prayer or supplication soever should be made towards his Temple he would heare in heaven and forgive c. Iehosaphat being after in distresse applied this generall to his owne present condition when the children of Ammon Moab and Mount Scir came to turne Israel out of their possessions So David Psal. 119 49. and the woman of Canaan Matth. 15.22 applied the generall promises to themselves The LORD made a particular promise unto Ioshâ—a that he would be with him to blesse his enterprizes against the Cananites and to carry him through all the
pleasure on â— holy day and call the Sabbath a light the holy of the LORD honoraâ—â—â— and shalt honour him not doing 〈◊〉 owne ways nor speaking thine 〈◊〉 words then shalt thou delight thy 〈◊〉 in the LORD and I will cause 〈◊〉 to ride upon the high places of the 〈◊〉 2. Spirituall Blessed is the man that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it Esa. 56.2 See 5 6 7. verses Jer. 17.24 26. a speciall place GOD promiseth there 24 and 26. verses to reward the outward observation of the Sabbath The blessing there promised is two-fold the first concerneth the Common-wealth vers 25. The second the Church and State of Religion v. 26. Promises To Watchfullnesse Blessed is he that watcheth Matth. 24.46 47. Revel 16.15 They are three times said to be blessed Luk. 12.37 38 43. to shew that they are thrice blessed and ever perfected in blessednes which keep constantly their spirituall watch Promises Of Conference The lips of the wise disperse knowledge Pro. 15.7 They are a well of life to feed many The tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speake plainly Esay 32.4 The dumb mans tongue shall sing Esay 35.6 The mouth of the iust bringeth forth wisdome Prov. 10.31 Promises To Conference The mouth of the upright shall deliver them Pro. 12.6 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fâ—uit of his mouth Prov. 12.14 Righteous lips are the delight of Kings and they love him that speâ—keth right Prov. 16.13 See Prov. 22.11 A mans belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth Prov. 18.20 A man shall eate good by the fruit of his mouth Pro. 13.2 Promises To Reproofe He that rebuketh a man shall afterwards find more favour then he that flattereth with the tongue Pro. 28.23 To them that rebuke the wicked shall be delight and a good blessing shall come upon them Pro. 24.25 Promises To giving of Alms. Beneficence shall be rewarded 1. In this lâ—fe 1. In our selves 2. In our posterity Ps. 37.25 26. 1. In our selves with 1. Mercy Blessed are the mercifull for they shall receive mercy Mat. 5.7 Pro. 14.21 22. 2. Comfort in sicknesse 3. Deliverance out of trouble one verse proves both Blessed is he that considereth the poore and needy the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble the LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing he will make all his bed in his sicknes Psal. 41.1 3. 4. Competency He that giveth unto the poore shall not lacke Pro. 28.27 this is a means to bring us to the right use of our wealth Luk. 11.41 2. In the life to come Come yee blessed of my Father receive the Kingdom prepared for you from the begining of the world c. Mat. 25.34 Make to your selvs friends of the Mammon of unrighteousnes that when ye fail they may receive you into everlasting habitations Lu. 16.9 Receiving is not mentioned here in regard of merit as the Papists say as though a man could deserve it by giving of almes but either by way of hearty prayers made by the poore that they may be received or els because their Alms shall be unto them a pledge and earnest of their receiving into GODS Kingdome as a Father sayes sweetly if yee will be wise Merchants thrifty and happy usurers part with thaâ— which you cannot keep that you may gain the which you cannot loâ—sâ— When thou makest a feasâ— call the poore the maimeâ— the lame the blind Anâ— thou shalt be blessed 〈◊〉 thou shalt be recompenced the resurrection of the iusâ— Luk. 14.14 Promises to liberall giving The liberall soule shall be made fat and he that watereth shall be watered also himselfe Prov. 11.25 He which soweth bountifully shall reape bountifully 2 Cor. 9.6 2. To cheerfull giving GOD loveth a cheerfull giver 2 Cor. 9.7 Thou shalt surely give him and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him because that for this thing the LORD thy GOD shall blesse thee in all thy workâ—s and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto Deut. 15.10 Promises 1. To liberality to the Saints He that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous mans reward And whosoever shall give to drinke unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a Disciple he shall in no wise loose his reward Mat. 10.41 42. For a cup of cold water water the common element and cold water that cost thee not the charge of fire to warme it there is a Torrent may a very Sea of all pleasures provided for thee for all eternity For GOD is not unrighteous to forget your worke and labour of love which yee have shewed toward his name in that yee have ministred to the Saints and do minister Hebr. 6.10 See Gal. 6.9 10. Promises To bounty to GODS Ministere He that receiveth you receiveth me He that receiveth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet shall receive a Prophets reward Matth. 10.40 41. Some understand that thus they shall be partakers of the same reward which is laid up for the Prophets Calvin takes it for a reward which is fit for the worthinesse of the person upon whom the liberality shall be bestowed Honour the LORD with thy substance and with the first fruits of all thine increase So shall thy barnes be filled with plenty and thy presses shall burst out with new wine Prov. 3.9 10. And the Levite because he hath no part nor inherâ—tance with thee shall come and shall eate and be satisfied that the LORD thy GOD may blesse thee in all the worke of thine hand which thou doest Deut. 14.29 Promises to seeking of GOD. 1. They shall have their hearts filled with joy and gladnesse in the fruition of GODS favour That propheticall prayer of Davids implieth also a promise in it Ps. 40.16 Let all those that seeke thee be glad and reioyce in thee Let the heart of them reioyce that seeke the LORD Psalme 105.3 the very same is 1 Chro. 16.10 The LORD often promised to his people that if they should seeke him he would be found of them as David told Salomon his sonne 1 Chron. 28.9 and the Prophet told Asa the King 2 Chro. 15.2 See 15. Thou LORD hast not forsaken them that seeke thee Ps. 9.10 Esa 45.19 But his people then must seek him with their whole heart as Deut. 4.29 Jer. 29.13 and diligently Heb. 11.6 Seeke yea me and yee shall livâ— Amos 5.4 6. And your heart shaâ—â— live that seeke GOD Psalm 69.32 The hand of our GOD is upon all them for good that seeke him Ezra 8.22 Lam. 3.23 They that seeke the LORD shall not want any good thing Psal. 34.10 Promisâ—s To waiting on GOD. Waiting patiently for the LORDS comming to comfort us either in temporall or spirituall distresses is a right pleasing and acceptable duty and sâ—rvice unto GOD which he
made promises to the publike assemblies of his speciall presence In this respect the Prophet calleth Sion the habitation of GODS house and the place where his honour dwelleth Psal. 26.8 Psalm 132.14 in this respect the place of GODS publike worship is called the face of GOD. The Synagogues were called the houses of GOD Psalm 83.12 This promise is also made to our Assemblies as well as theirs Matth. 18.20 Where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them Rev. 2.1 CHRIST walkes in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks 3. GOD hath pâ—omised his speciall blessing to publike assemblies In all places where I record my name wâ—ll I come to thee and blesse thee Exod 20.24 GOD hath pâ—omised Temporall blessings to such as do love and frequent the Assemblies No good thing will he with-hold from them that walke uprightly Psalm 84.11 David makes this one reason of his love to GODS Tabernacles but the chiefe reason why he so esteemed them was this the LORD will give grace and glory and 133.3 For there in Sion the LORD appointed the blessing and life for ever The LORD shall blesse thee out of Sion Psalm 128.5 We shall be satisfied with the goodnesse of thy house even of thine holy Temple Ps 63 4. See Psalm 36.8 9. 92.13 14. 4. GOD will deliver the Church out of trouble Thou shalt see peace upon Israel Ps. 128.6 Thou shalt see the good of Hierusalem all the dayes of thy life verse 5. The LORD will not cast off his people nor forsake his inheritance Ps. 94.14 Thus saith the LORD after seventy yeares be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you and performe my good word towards you in causing you to returne to this place For I know the thoughts that I thinke towards you saith the LORD thoughts of peace to give you an expected end Jerem. 29.10 11. They shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig-tree and none shall make them afraid for the mouth of the LORD 〈◊〉 Hosts hath spoken it Many nations are gathered against thee but they know not the thoughts of the LORD For he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floore Micah 4.4 11 12. When thus it shall be in the middest of the Land amongst the people there shall be as the shaking of an Olive-tree and as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done Esay 24.13 See Esay 61.10 Deut. 4.29 30. Jeremy 33.6 Jeremie 31.12 Esay 27.5 7 8 9. CHAP. II. Promises 1. Against the seductions of Antichrist 1. THE faithfull are of GOD and overcome Antichristian Seducers 1 Iohn 4.4 2. The Elect cannot be seduced Mat. 24.24 Promises 2. For the dâ—struction of Antichrist The ten hornes which thou sawest upon the beast these shall haâ—e the whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat hâ—â— flesh and shall burne her with fire Rev. 17.16 There is a promise that Babylon shall bee cast into the Sea as a milstone Rev. 18.21 And a mighty Angell tooke â—p a stone like a great mill-stone and cast it into the Sea saying thus with violence shall the great city Babylon be throwne downe and and shall be found no more at all Each word almost hath a gradation in that an Angell a strong Angell taketh a stone and a great stone even a mill-stone which he letteth not barely fall but casteth and with impetuous force thrusteth in the bottome of the Sea whence nothing ordinarily is recovered much lesse a mill-stone thrust from such a hand and with such force CHAP. III. Promises For calling the Jewes THere is a promise made of calling the Jewes unto CHRIST and causing them to turn from their transgressions The Redeemer shall come from Sion and unto them that returne from transgression in Jacob Esay 59.20 They shall be graffed in againe for GOD is able to graffe them in as it is written there shall come out of Sion a deliverer and shall turne away ungodlinesse from Jacob Rom. 11.23 26. Before the second comming of CHRIST the Jews shall be converted and become a most famous Church againe and they shall be the meanes of the salvation of all the Elect that shall remaine to be converted among the Gentiles as the Apostle plainly teacheth there 25 26. verses I would not Brethren that yee should be ignorant of this mystery that blindnesse in part is happened to Israel untill the fullnesse of the Gentiles be come in and so all Israel shall bee saved In Hosea there are most sweet and comfortable promises to the Jewes 1. Of delivering them out of misery and making them to flourish againe comparing their wretched estate to death and their delivery to a resurrection Hos. 13.14 2. A promise of their repentance and turning unto GOD Hos. 14.2 3. 3. Of the forgivenesse of sinnes peace reconciliation verse 4. 4. Of a glorious Church 5 6 7 8. verses These promises which GOD hath made unto that nation that he will call them and make them his people againe should provoke us to pray for them as they did for us Cant. 8.8 CHAP. IV. Promises For bringing in the Gentiles THus saith the Lord Behold I will lift up my hand to the Gentiles and set up my standard i.e. the Gospell to the people and they shall bring their sonnes in their armes and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders and Kings shall be thy nursing Fathers and Queenes thy nursing Mothers that is GOD will stirre up the Princes of the Earth to be a protection to it and to shrow'd it under the wings of their authority The Apostle Iohn speaking of the new Jerusalem saith the Kings of the earth shall bring their glory to it Rev. 21.24 Other sheepe I have saith our Saviour meaning the Gentiles not yet called which are not of this fold them also must I bring and they shall heare my voyce and there shall be one fold and one shepheard Joh. 10.16 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light and Kings to the brightnesse of thy rising The aboundance of the Sea shall be converted unâ—o thee the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee Who are these that fly as a cloud and as the doves to their windowes they are the words of the Church wondering as it were at the sight of such a propagation as a cloude and Doves it is a prophesie of the Gentiles converted they fly as a cloud that is most swiftly and shall in such fâ—ocks come into the Church as if a whole flight of Doves driven by some hawke or tempest should scoure into the Columbary and rush into the windows The Prophet Esay almost in every Chapter speaketh of the vocation of the Gentiles as the 2. 9. the 11. the 18. the 42. and 45. See 49. Chap. 12. and Chap. 54.1 And Chap. 65.1 Amos 9.11 12. Ephes. 2.12 19. John 12.32 CHAP. V. Promises To Magistrates THe LORD
earth Gen. 13.16 He and his wife being both old he thus as accounting GODS promises vaine answered LORD GOD what wilt thou give mee seeing I goe childlesse Gen. 15.2 Sarah likewise hearing the promise GOD had made to her husband concerning a Sonne by her laughed at it Gen. 18.12 as if she should have said that is a jest indeed GOD told Adam in Paradise That the seed of the woman should breake the serpents head Gen. 3.15 He was long but sure for it was fulfilled at last He that gave us CHRIST how shall he not with him give us all things also Rom. 8.32 He that hath performed the promise concerning CHRIST wherein shall he faile He hath hitherto kept promise with nights and daies as Ieremy saith Ier. 33.20 25. that one shall succeed the other therefore much more will hee keepe his word with his people Hee is worthy to be beleeved who never failed to performe what he promised If GOD have promised us pardon of sinne Sanctification Patience Faith wee should promise our selves these things and rest confident that we shall receive them Shall we beleeve an honest man on his word and yet not trust GOD upon his word who is Almighty and therefore able a Father and therefore willing to performe his promises GOD hath spoken in his holinesse saith David I will reioyce therefore in his Word I will divide Shechem and mete out the valley of Succoth Gilead is mine Manasseh is mine Ephraim also is the strength of mine head Iudah is my law-giver Moab is my washpot Psal. 60.6 7. Though then hee had little enough yet he was confident hee should have all that because he had GODS Word for it So we may beleeve what GOD hath promised since he hath said it and sealed it and sworne it One in the Covenant may lay hold on CHRIST and say CHRIST is mine on the Promise and say forgivenesse is mine on the Covenant and say grace is mine The LORD will not be unmindfull of his Covenant with us Psal. 111.5 nor unfaithfull in performance of his promise to us if wee prove not unfaithfull but keepe covenant and promise with him Psal. 103.17 18. 2 Chron. 15.2 for the Covenant consists of two parts in the one GOD bindes himselfe to be our GOD in the other we binde ourselves to be his people Hos. 2.23 His is a Covenant of mercy ours of obedience He promiseth happinesse we holinesse He glory we duty He hath tied himselfe by an oath wee have bound our selves by the vow of baptisme Hee will not forget his part let us remember ours Let it never be said of us as it was of a Pope and his Nephew that the one never spake as he thought the other never performed what he spake The Carthaginians were infamous for covenant-breaking and slipperinesse in their promises so that it grew a proverbe Punica fides Poeni foedifragi semper habiti saith Plautus and the Athenians were renowned for faithfullnesse in all their covenants agreements and promises which gave occasion to those proverbes Attica fides and Atticus testis used for one that still keepes touch Fidelity in keeping promise is a fruit of the Spirit called by the Apostle faith Gal. 5.22 and a property of him that must rest on GODS holy mountaine Therefore wee should imitate the Athenians shall I say nay rather GOD himselfe expressing faithfullnesse in all our words workes and waies wee should keepe our covenant with GOD and pay our vowes unto the most High Psal. 25.10 Psal. 103.18 we should also be constant in the performance of our promises to men for promises are due debts And non in promissione sed in consummatione virtus est vertue doth not consist in promise but in performance The manner how GOD performeth his promises is not alwaies one and the selfe-same sometimes hee gives the very particular thing promised as unto the children of Israell deliverance out of Aegypt David from Saul Iacob from Esau. Hee restored unto Hezekiah his health according to his promise and removed the host of the Assyrians which besieged Jerusalem sometime hee gives that which is equivalent or better Thus in the 5. Commandement obedient children are promised long life yet Iosiah 2 Kings 23.29 and Abiah 1 King 14.13 were taken away in their best age therefore for temporall life they had eternall so GOD promised Abraham the land of Canaan and hee had the true Canaan the Kingdome of Heaven GOD here breaketh not promise but changeth in melius So in taking away wealth from his children he giveth them more store of grace in restraining liberty of body He giveth freedome of conâ—cience with affliction He giveth patience It was promised Iosiah 2 Kings 22.20 that hee should be gathered to his grave in peace yet hee died a violent death for he was slaine by the hands of his enemies 2 King 23.29 the next words therefore doe expound it And thine eyes shall not see all the evill which I will bring upon this place He died in peace comparatively with a worse state of life for hee lived not to see the misery of succeeding ages Esay 57.1 Some interpret it thus hee was gathered to the Spirits of his Fathers who enjoyed peace GOD doth not alwaies performe his promises to the same parties and yet most truly performeth them Psal. 97.11 Light is sowne for the righteous Oftentimes the Father soweth and dieth ere the harvest and so the Sonne reapes so Abraham inherited Canaan in his posterity So GOD promised to send his Sonne this promise was made to the Fathers and GOD fulfilled it to the children Acts 13.32 33. The time of accomplishing GODS promises is uncertaine to us Acts 1.7 though it shall not be over-passed The vision is for an appointed time but at the end it shall speake and not lie All visions and words of GOD whether of promise or of threatning let them seeme to lie lea and void never so long yet shall be not onely certainely fulfilled but in the period of time which the wisedome of GOD hath impropriated to them Sometimes GODS promises have a limited time as that Gen. 17.21 18.14 and then they are fulfilled in that very time exprest as Gen. 21.1 2. Sometimes hee expresseth not the time GOD in the beginning made a promise to our first Parents concerning the seed of the Woman and deferred it almost 4000. yeares and yet at length accomplished it There have passed about 5000. yeares since the time of the glorious comming of CHRIST unto judgement was promised and it is not knowne when it shall be accomplished Abraham was childlesse till he was 70. yeares old and at those yeares the LORD promised him issue But this promise was not accomplished till a long time after when hee was an 100. yeares old David had a promise to be King of Ierusalem and Iuda but the LORD exercised him by many and grievous afflictions
indeavours accepted He may expect protection in dangers and distresses Psal. 80.14 15 16. Every one protects their owne I am thine saith David save mee Psal. 119.94 He may looke to have his wants supplied Psal. 23.1 4. He may boldly challenge Sin Death Hell the Divell and victoriously triumph over them all with the Apostle 1 Cor. 15.55 56 57. and say with David The LORD is my light and my salvation whom shall I feare the LORD is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid Psal. 27.1 2. We should also improve the Covenant for all holy purposes We must with boldnesse and reverence challenge the Covenant of grace There cannot be a more forcible argument in prayer then to pleade GODS Covenant and the interest wee have in him Our Saviour Matth. 6.9 teaching us to pray bids us to say Our Father as if hee should say presume not to aske any petition of GOD till thou canst so conceive and be perswaded of him Those then who are GODS children may pray with confidence unto him as a Father ipsum nomen orat pro nobis The very name makes supplication for us Thus our Saviour CHRIST prayed O my Father three severall times Matth. 26.39 42 44. and My GOD My GOD Matth. 27.64 Psal. 22.1 The Papists urge their owne merits and merits of Saints in their prayers but GODS people have still urged Covenant Gen. 32.9 Nehem. 1.6.10.11 2 Chron. 14.11 20. 6 7. Psal. 16.1 2. Psal. 18.1 2 3 6. Psal. 22.1 116.16 Ioh. 17.6.9 10. Deut. 9.27 1 Sam. 12.22 Ier. 14.21 Vnite my heart saith David to thy feare Psal. 86.11 as if he should have said LORD thou hast promised to give mee one heart behold I finde my heart divided disjoynted unite it I beseech thee so those that are within the Covenant may goe to GOD and say LORD give mee wisedome faith patience for the discharge of my duty toward thee my heart is out of order LORD mend it it is thy bargaine thine owne Covenant O doe it for thy names sake GOD takes it well if we mind him of his Covenant and presse him with his promise Wee should also aggravate our sinnes in confession by this that wee have sinned against Covenant hand and seale our sinnes in that respect are worse then the sinnes of Pagans or Heathens they sinne but against Creation wee against Covenant whoredome is worse then fornication When wee are tempted to the committing of any sinne the Covenant should be a curbe to us wee should say no I must now lye no more sweare no more breake the LORDS day no more it is against my bargaine such a LORDS day in such a Congregation before such and such witnesses I tooke the Sacrament upon it that I would doe so no more when wee are taken off from any duty the Covenant should spurre us on wee should remember that wee have taken presse money and earnest as it were from GOD in our Baptisme that wee will be for him that wee have often renewed our first Covenant in the Sacrament and therefore there should be no flinching from our bargaine 2. Temporall Promises This second Table containes the Speciall Temporall Promises Speciall promises in regard of a mans selfe Temporall 1. In regard of evill 1. In generall Afflictions dangers 1. To prevent them 2. To qualifie them if they do come by correcting 1. In greâ—t wisedome which is seene in 1. The meetnesse of correction 2. The just measure and continuâ—nce thereof 2. In love and tendernâ—s 3. For good 1. General to make them happy 2. Speciall 1. To try them 2. To purge sin 3. To quicken Graces 1. Faith 〈…〉 2. Hope 3. Patience 3. To helpe us tâ— beare them and in due time to remove them 2. Speciall 1. Sicknesse 1. To prevent it 2. To helpe mâ—â— 3. To take it awâ—y 2. Povertie 3. Famine Promises to Succour in Deliverâ—tâ—â—n 4. Warre to preserve from it 5. Captivity Promises tâ— Comfort in Deliver â—ut 6. Witchcraft or the possession of the Divellâ— 7. Oppression 2. In regard of good 1. In generall to supply any thing needfull 2. In speciall for 1. Name 1. Honâ—ur 2. A goâ—d name 2. Body 1. Lonâ—-life 2. Health 3. Safety 4. Peace 5. Sleepe 6. Poâ—dâ—râ—iment 3. Estate 1. Wealth â— Good successe and prosperity 1. To their persâ—nâ— 2. To their purpâ—sâ—s 4. Calling Promises To diligence in it 1. Abundâ—â—ce and plentâ— 2. Protectiâ—n 3. Promâ—tâ—a 4. Good fate 5. It builds thâ— hâ—usâ— 6. It make 〈…〉 CHAP. II. Of Speciall Temporall Promises 1. Temporall Promises in regard of evill things 1. In Generall Afflictions and Dangers 1. To prevent them GOD will preserve his children from Afflictions and Dangers HE is a Buckler Gen. 15.1 Pro. 2.7 30.5 to keep them from all evill to cover and compasse them round about Psal. 5.11 12. Psal. 8.2 A wall of Brasse Ier. 1.18 and A wall of Fire about his children Zach. 2.5 As the mountaines are round about Ierusalem so the LORD is round about his people Psal. 125.2 There shall no evill befall thee neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling Psal. 91.10 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evill Psal. 121.7 There shall no evill touch thee Iob 5.19 GOD hath promised to protect his children in all their waies Psal. 91.11 and to preserve them in greatest dangers by Sea or land Fire and water are two mercilesse enemies yet the fire shall not burne nor the waters overflow them as GOD hath promised Esay 43.2 They must not passe by these by the fire and by the water but through the fire and through the water neither is here water mentioned onely but flouds or rivers of water nor fire onely but a flame too Surely in the flouds of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him Psal. 52.6 An asseveration is added to confirme their hearts and to shew the truth of the promise Though the earth and the heavens be shaken yet GOD will be the hope of his people Ioel 3.16 And they shall be hid in the day of his anger Zeph. 2.3 Therefore such who are in Covenant with GOD may looke to be freed from evills and dangers if it be for their good and in the valley of the shadow of death may assure themselves of GODS mercifull omnipotent presence Psal. 23.4 Psal. 73.26 Psal. 91.15 Esay 43.2 2. To qualifie them if they doe come GOD will qualifie Afflictions to his children He will correct them 1. In great wisedome which is seene in two things 1. In the meetnesse of correction Heb. 12.9 10. Furthermore wee had fathers of our flesh which corrected us and wee gave them reverence shall wee not much rather be in subiection to the father of spirits and live For they verily for a few daies chastened us after their owne pleasure but hee for our profit that wee might be partakers of his holinesse Earthly Parents oft correct
much more to all his people in all their necessities bodily or spirituall The like are those speeches that GOD will lighten our darkenesse he will keepe the feet of his Saints hee will not forsake them nor forget their complaint that they shall not be confounded in the time of trouble Hee will hide them in his pavillion Psal. 27.4 5. And cover them with his feathers Psal. 91.1 4. His Angels shall pitch their tents about them hee will set them up on high from such as rise against them he will heale their wounds Ier. 30.17 GOD sees our affliction and knowes it well Exod. 3.7 Hee heareth our sighs and remembring his Covenant helps us Exod. 2.23 24 25. All afflictions come from him the Almighty hath afflicted mee saith Naomi Ruth 1.21 it is often called the Chastening of the LORD When we are iudged saith the Apostle we are chastened of the LORD 1 Cor. 11.32 And the same GOD which imposed the affliction takes it away Deut. 32.39 1 Sam. 2.6 7. Iob 5.18 Vna eademque manus vulnus opemque tulit GOD will be the strength of the righteous in their trouble and their salvation out of trouble David had great proofe hereof and therfore after a mighty deliverance composed that excellent Ps. 34. See 7 17 19. verses I know the thoughts that I think towards you saith the LORD thoughts of peace to give you an expected end Ier. 29.11 Reioyce not saith the Church against me O mine enemy When I fall I shall arise when I sit in darkenesse the LORD shall be a light unto mee c. Micah 7.8 9. Light is sowne for the righteous and ioy for the upright in heart Psal. 97.11 The latter part of the verse expounds the former by light is meant joy and by righteous the upright in heart Ioy is sowne for these and as sure as an harvest followes a feeding so to these comfort followes mourning If wee sow in teares we shall reape in ioy I will be content saith D. Hall with a wet spring so I may be sure of a cleare and joyfull harvest Your sorrow shall be turned into ioy Ioh. 16.20 if CHRIST had onely promised that their sorrow should be mitigated or shortly ended it had beene a great comfort but this ministreth abundant consolation Never was Gold-smith more curious and precise to watch the very first season when the gold is throughly refined and fitted for use that he may take it out of the fornace then our gracious GOD waites in such cases with an holy longing that he may have mercy upon his children and deliver them He shall deliver thee in sixe troubles yea in seaven there shall no evill touch thee Ioh. 5.19 Many of the Learned say that here by sixe and seven the Spirit of GOD alludeth unto the daies of the LORDS worke in Creating the world and his resting on the seventh day that so must his servants labour under afflictions all the daies of their life and shall rest from those labours in the perpetuall Sabbath Rather sixe or seaven are to be understood indefinitely certaine numbers for uncertaine things seaven referred to humane evills importeth many Pro. 24.16 See Psal. 91.14 15. Pro. 11.8 Psal. 50.15 Psal. 149.4 1 Cor. 10.13 2 Cor. 4.8 The meditation of these gracious promises may comfort GODS people in trouble GOD assures me hee will lay no more upon me then I shall be able to beare either my burden shall be made lighter or my faith stronger We should goe to the LORD then in our afflictions and say LORD it is part of thy Covenant to deliver me from such a crosse and calamity LORD thou hast said that the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the Righteous that thou wilt afflict but in measure according to our strength and for our good O sanctifie thy hand unto me give me faith and patience to waite upon thee wisedome to make a good use of this chastizement let it purge mee from my drosse and breed the quiet fruit of righteousnesse The end of chastizement is amendment of life whence it receiveth the name of correction which signifieth to set right or streight Therefore we must first labour to finde out the sinne for which GOD correcteth us For which purpose let us remember that place Iob 36.9 If they be tyed with the cords of affliction then will I shew them their workes and their sins When we have found it out let us be humbled for it make our peace with GOD and reforme our selves Ioh. 5.14 and then we may expect comfort from GOD. This the LORD both promised and performed to Iob and in him to all that are afflicted Zophar telleth Iob that which GOD himselfe did make good at last If iniquit be in thine hand put it farre away and let not wickednesse dwell in thy tabernacles It must be the care of the afflicted to purge his hand and house of all manner of wickednesse and sin Then it followeth verse 15. Thou shalt lift up thy face without spot yea thou shalt be stedfast and not feare that is Thou shalt enjoy the comfortable assurance of the remission of thy sinnes and shalt rest perswaded that the staine thereof is quite done away before the LORD And for his outward estate hee addeth ver 16. Thou shalt forget thy misery He shall be quite freed from all the trouble of it Thou shalt remember it as waters that are past which cause the meddowes to be more fat and fertile then they would have beene ver 17. Thine age saith he shall be clearer than the noone day thou shalt shine forth and be as the morning The comfort of a sinner reformed by corrections shall be plentifull and excellent as the brightnesse of the noone-tide sun and withall constant durable and on the growing hand as the light of the morning Faith makes us depend on GODS promises in our afflictions and patiently expect the issue that he will give and that without prefixing any time for Hee that beleeveth doth not make hast Esay 28.16 or prescribing any meanes to him as faithfull Moses when he said Stand yee still and see the salvation of the LORD Exod. 14.13 Faith doth not limit GOD for the measure of affliction Iob saith He will trust in GOD though he kill him Job 13 1â— It was a grievous affliction for David to be driven out of his kingdome by his owne Sonne yet he saith in that slight If he say I have no delight in him behold here I am let him doe unto me as seemeth good in his eyes 2 Sam. 15.26 Therefore in all our afflictions let us set faith a worke for this stirres up prayer and prayer stirres up GOD and GOD stirres up all the creatures Faith gathereth one contrary out of another life out of death assurance of sweetest deliverances out of deepest distresses For the LORD shall iudge his people and repent himselfe for his servants
when hee seeth that their power is gone and there is none shut up or left Deut. 32.36 2 King 14 26. Going into captivity was a signe of the Israelites returning out of Captivity Faith will teach us to say he hath chastized me according as he hath threatned therfore he wil comfort me according as he hath promised Ier. 32.42 It will extract abundance of comfort in the most desperate distresses from those places 2 Chron. 20.12 Prov. 18.10 Esay 33.9 10. For the nature of it is to beleeve GOD upon his bare word and that against sense in things invisible and against reason in things incredible Heb. 11.1 David Psal. 56.10 though sorely afflicted yet rejoyceth in GOD because of his naked promise the woman of Canaan could picke comfort out of the reproachfull name of dog Hath not GOD promised and assured me not to faile nor forsake me but to uphold me in affliction and bring me through it and comfort me by it and glorifie me after it therefore I should with Abraham hope against hope and apprehend the certaine accomplishment of these promises by faith when sense and carnall reason see nothing but the contrary CHAP. III. Temporall Promises in regard of evill things Speciall Sicknesse Poverty Famine Warre Captivity Witchcraft or possession of the Divell Oppression Promises in regard of Sicknesse 1. TO prevent Sicknesse and keepe it away If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy GOD and wilt doe that which is right in his sight and wilt give eare to his Commandements and keepe all his statutes I will put none of these diseases upon thee which I have brought upon the Aegyptians for I am the LORD that healeth thee Exod. 15.26 Deut. 7.15 GOD will preserve his children from the pestilence Psal. 91.3 6 7 10. He will certainly deliver them from the hurt of it so as it shall not hinder the good or salvation of any in the godly mans house 2. If sicknesse be amongst us to helpe in it and remove it from us The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing thou wilt make all his bed in his sicknesse Psal. 41.3 And the LORD will take away from thee all sicknesse Deut. 7.15 And I will take sicknesse away from the midst of thee Exod. 23.25 In all our bodily infirmities and sore diseases we should remember some of these promises and lay hold on them by faith that wee faint not nor murmure Promises in regard of Poverty There is a generall promise made to all that feare GOD 1 Tim. 4.8 Psal. 34.9 10. Heb. 13.5 And many other speciall promises likewise which may comfort and strengthen the godly against murmuring and impatiency in hard times I will abundantly blesse her provision I will satisfie her poore with bread Psal. 132.15 Deut. 8.16 No rich man under Heaven can be so assured that hee and his shall be preserved from beggery as every poore Christian may be For though the LORD in infinite bounty doe bestow those blessings on wicked men in great abundance yet they belong to them onely ex largitate out of a generall providence but to the faithfull ex promisso out of GODS promise David beholding how much it vexed GODS children to see the wicked prosper in this world and the godly distressed of purpose made the 37. Psalme to heartenâ— the godly against this sore tentation which in all ages much troubled GODS people and there hee sheweth that the state of the godly is far better even in this life then that of the wicked 3 4 5 11 16. verses To the same purpose was made the 73. Psalme See Psal. 16.5 6. Psal. 23. Psal. 10.14 Psal. 109.31 He raiseth up the poore out of the dust and lifteth the needie out of the dunghill Psal. 103.7 I have beene young saith David in that 37. Psalme 25. verse and now am old yet have I not seene the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread Davids saying may be taken 1. as his owne observation in his time for he saith not the righteous is never forsaken but that he never saw it and it is a rare thing 2. which Exposition Master Perkins approves the righteous man is never forsaken and his seed too GOD may make triall of godly Parents by want but their godly children shall surely be blessed 3. hee saith hee never saw the righteous and his seed forsaken begging bread that is no not forsaken when they were begging their bread Whensoever wee are pinched with any earthly necessity we should runne to one of these gracious promises for if wee rightly beleeve them they will make us cast our care on GOD that careth for us and moderate our immeasurable carking after the things of this world moving us patiently to waite for the accomplishment of our desires or contentedly to want what GOD denieth Phil. 4.5 1 Pet. 5.7 Psal. 55.22 Psal. 37.4 5. Deut. 8.3 Promises for succour in Famine Particular promises for helpe in Famine and deliverance from it In Famine he shall redeeme thee from death Iob 5.20 The LORD will not suffer the soule of the righteous to famish Prov. 10.3 Behold the eye of the LORD is upon them that feare him upon them that hope in his mercy to keepe them alive in famine Psal. 33.19 In the daies of famine they shall be satisfied Psal. 37.19 If I shut up Heaven saith the LORD thâ—t there be no raine or if I command the Locusts to devoure the land if my people shall humble themselves and pray and seeke my face and turne from their wicked waies then will I heare from heaven and will forgive their sinne and heale their land 2 Chron. 7.13 14. In that day I will heare saith the LORD I will heare the Heavens and they shall heare the Earth and the earth shall heare the corne and the wine and the oyle and they shall heare Iezreel Hosea 2.21 22. When the poore and needy seeke water and there is none and their tongue faileth for thirst I the LORD will heare them I the GOD of Israel will not forsake them I will open rivers in high places and fountaines in the midst of the valleys I will make the wildernesse a poole of water and the drie land springs of water See Ioel 2.18 19. Zach. 8.11 12. 10.1 Mal. 3.10 GODS children in time of scarcity should live by faith Mat. 4.4 feede on the promise and depend on GODS allowance when our owne provision failes us then not to distrust the provision of GOD is a noble tryall of faith Promises to preserve from Warre and deliver from the Sword The LORD will preserve his children from Warre Thou shalt not see a fierce people Esay 33.19 The enemies being astonished shall be a prey to the Church ver 23. GOD will deliver them from the Sword as he saith Ier. 39.17 18. I will deliver thee in that day and thou shalt not be given into the
them in that 26. Ezek. that he would wash them from all their filthinesse without exception 1 Joh. 1.9 therefore let us not put in conditions where GOD doth not and as it were interline his Covenant 2. That their sinnes have beene hainous and extraordinary Zach. 13.1 Hee promiseth to open a fountaine of grace to wash them from all sinnes CHRIST hath discharged our pounds as well as our pence He came to take away the sinnes of the world this is spoken indefinitely 2. Comforts to such who are troubled for want of the meanes of grace either Altogether After GOD hath given you the bread of affliction and the water of adversity hee will restore teachers and no more restraine instruction Esay 30.20 Though thou see no way of helpe yet thou knowest not how GOD can provide Hee can open rivers on the tops of mountaines and he maketh the wildernesse a standing poole when his people thirst and cry unto him Esay 41.17 18. If ordinary meanes faile GOD will then â—â—pply of his Spirit I will be unto them as a little Sanctuary in the countries where they shaâ—l come Ezâ—k 11.16 I will take you one of a cittie and two of a family and I will â—râ—ng you in Sion Jer. 3.14 The LORD giveth the Word great is the company of preachers Psal. 68.11 The ransâ—med of the LORD shall returne and come to Sion with songs and everlasting ioy upon their heads they shall obtaine ioy and gladnesse and sorrow and sighing shall flie away Eâ—ay 35.10 Or in the power of them I will give you Pastors according to mine heart which shall feede you with knowledge and understanding Ier. 3.15 Or having them so and not profiting by them I am the LORD thy GOD which teacheth thee to profit which leadeth thee by the way which thou shouldst goe Esay 48.17 For thy Maker is thine husband c. Esay 54.5 6. Hosea 2.19 In the wildernesse shall waters breake out and streames in the desert and the parched ground shall become a poole and the thirsty land-springs of water Esay 35.6 7. that is the most barren heart shall abound with grace according to that promise Out of their bellies shall flow rivers of living water Iohn 7.38 streaming out for the good of others The Kingdome of GOD shall be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof Matth. 21.43 This is a promise that the Gentiles shall bring forth the fruites of the Gospell therefore every beleeving Gentile may apply it The use of Faith here is to uphold us against our manifold deâ—ects infirmities and imperfectiâ—ns For first it giveth evidence to our soules that the graces wee have are the gifts of GOD because GOD promiseth them Secondly it maketh us rest on GOD for perfecting of that good worke which hee hath so graciously begun The Godly that know they feare GOD unfainedly and yet are often perplexed because all sensible tokens of GODS favour are taken from them should 1. Acquaint themselves with the promises and comfort themselves with these words they will be as flagons of wine to all distressed spirits 2. Let them not consider too much of nor reason too much with their temptations Rom. 4.19 3. Though they feele nothing yet let them say with David Psâ—l 56.10 In GOD will I praise his Word in the LORD will I praise his Word CHAP. V. 5. In regard of GOD Desertions Comforts to GODS people in spirituall desertions 1. LEt them Consider that this hath befallen the best of GODS servants Job 6.4 13.16.9 David Psal. 6. 77. and CHRIST himselfe Mat. 27.46 CHRIST saith Greenham was forsaken for a few houres David for a few moneths and Iob for a few yeares 2. GOD doth not forsake them Heb. 13.5 Esay 49.15 16. but seemes to forsake them 3. Desertion is but short compared with the time of mercy For a small moment have I forsaken thee but with great mercies will I gather thee In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindnesse will I have mercy on thee saith the LORD thy Redeemer Esay 54.7 8. He will not alwaies chide neither will hee keepe his anger forever Psal. 103.9 The LORD will not cast off for ever but though he cause griefe yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies Lam. 3.31 32. 4. GOD waites for a fit season of shewing his favour toward them Esay 30.18 We ought to live by faith Hab. 2.4 waiting for GOD who hides his face Esay 8.17 and to stirre up our selves to lay hold on our GOD Esay 64.7 that is an excellent place Esay 50.10 CHAP. VI. SPIRITVALL PROMISES 1. In regard of Good 1. GODS 1. Love of them which hath three properties it is 1. Free 2. Infinite 3. Eternall 2. Presence with them 1. Each of the godly in particular 2. The whole Church in generall 3. Providence over them keeping them 1. Immediatly by himselfe 2. Mediatly by his Angels 1. Promises of GODS Love ANd he will love thee and blesse thee c. Deut. 7.13 Hee crowneth his people with loving kindnesse and tender mercies Psal. 103.4 There are three properties of GODS Love 1. It is a free Love he stands not upon desert Hosea 14.4 Exod 33.19 1 Ioh. 4.10 19. The LORD did not set his Love upon you nor choose you because yee wore more in number then any other people but because the LORD loved you Lo he loved you because he loved you to shew the freedome and independancy of his love unto them 2. It is an infinite transcendent Love Eph. 2.4.7 18 19. GOD so loved the world c. Iohn 3.16 that is so infinitely so transcendently so incomprehensibly 1 Ioh. 3.1 3. It is an eternall and unchangeable Love I have loved thee with an everlasting love Jer. 31.3 Behold I will betroth thee unto mee for ever Hosea 2.19 With everlasting kindnesse will I have mercy on thee Esay 54.8 2. Promises of GODS speciall and gracious presence This is the most sweete comfort wherewith GOD anciently used to sustaine his children Each in particular Isaac Gen. 26.3 24. Moses Exod. 3.12 4.12 Josh. 1.5 9. 3.7 Ezek. 3. Jer. 1.8 19. David incouraged his sonne Salomon with this 1 Chron. 28.20 And the whole Church in generall Esay 41.10 43.2 Rev. 1.13 2.1 CHRIST left this comfort for his farewell to his Disciples and their Successors Lo I am with you to the end of the world Matth. 28.20 And With you Comprehends under it not onely Pastors but people also For where two or three are gathered together in my name saith CHRIST there am I in the midst of them Mat. 18.20 3. Promises of GODS providence over his children They have an honourable guard 1. GOD himselfe keepeth his Israel who neither slumbreth nor sleepeth Psal. 121.4 5. He keepeth his under the shadow of his wings
also he iustified and whom hee iustified them also hee glorified Rom. 8.30 2. Promises to make us righteous As by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many bee made righteous Rom. 5.19 therefore we are said to be the righteousnesse of GOD in him 2 Cor. 5.21 For this cause CHRIST is called The LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESSE Ier. 23.6 33.16 CHRIST is made unto us righteousnesse 1 Cor. 1.30 He is said to be the end of the law for righteousnesse to every one that beleeveth Rom. 10.4 and the Sacraments are said to be the Seales of the righteousnesse of faith Rom. 4.11 He hath covered mee with a robe of righteousnesse Abraham beleeved GOD and it was imputed to him for righteousnesse Gal. 3.6 This imputed righteousnesse the Papists scoffe at and call it a putative righteousnesse and yet the phrase is used tenne times in one Chapter 4. Reconciliation By CHRIST wee are reconciled to GOD. GOD hath reconciled us to himselfe by JESUS CHRIST GOD was in CHRIST reconciling the world unto himselfe 2 Cor. 5.18 19. CHRIST is our peace who hath made both one that he might reconcile both unto GOD Ephes. 2.14 16. You that were sometime alienated yet now hath he reconciled Col. 1.21 5. Adoption Promises 1. of it Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sonnes of GOD 1 Joh. 3.1 2. But to as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sonnes of GOD even to them that beleeve in his name Iohn 1.12 That is a gracious promise which the Apostle citeth out of the Prophet Hosea Rom. 9.26 And it shall be in the place where it was said unto them yee are not my people that there they shall be called the children of the living GOD. So the LORD promiseth to such as shall separate themselves from the wicked 2 Cor. 6.18 Hee that overcommeth shall inherit all things and I will be his GOD and hee shall be my sonne Rev. 21.7 Blessed are the peace-makers for they shall be called the sonnes of GOD Mat. 5.9 It was GODS promise to David concerning Salomon 2 Sam. 7.14 I will be his father and hee shall be my sonne Whereupon David much affected and ravished saith verse 18. O LORD GOD what am I or my fathers house that thou shouldst vouchsafe me so great honour and happinesse as to finde my childe yea to take him for thine owne and to become his Father See that excellent place Gal. 4.4 5 6 7. Rom. 8.17 2. To it paternity promiseth all blessings Mat. 7.11 and all forbearance Psal. 103.13 Heb. 12.5 6. CHAP. VIII PROMISES 1. Of the Spirit THe giving of the Spirit is a part of GODS Covenant I will powre out my Spirit upon all flesh in those daies and your young men shall see visions c. Ioel 2.28 29. which is repeated Acts 2.17 18. The great Promise that our Saviour CHRIST made to them before he departed in the flesh was this I will baptize you with the HOLY GHOST which was fulfilled after when he powred forth his Spirit So Esay 44.3 I will powre water upon him that is thirsty and flouds upon the drie ground I will powre my spirit upon thy seed and my blessing upon thy off-spring the latter end of the verse interprets it So Ezek. 36.25 26 27. I will put my spirit within you c. I will powre upon the house of David the spirit of grace and supplications Zach. 12.10 How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Spirit to them that aske him Luke 11.13 I will powre out my spirit unto you Prov. 1.23 This is meant in that place Ioh. 4.10 Where our Saviour saith to the woman of Samaria thou wouldest have asked of him and hee would have given thee living water that is the Spirit as appeares by comparing it with Iohn 7.38 39. I will pray the Father and hee shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the Spirit of truth Iohn 14.16 17. It is said Ephes. 1.13 They were sealed with the Spirit of promise that is which was promised to all Beleevers and Gal. 3.14 we are said by faith to receive the promise of the Spirit that is the Spirit of promise or that had beene promised CHRIST had the Spirit in the fullnesse of it It pleased the Father that in him should all fullnesse dwell Col. 1.19 all fullnesse both in respect of the number of graces Esay 11.2 and in respect of the measure of them Iohn 3.34 Col. 2.3 Of his fullnesse we shall all receive and grace for grace Ioh. 1.16 grace freely and grace upon grace Zach. 14.8 A Promise to those that have the Spirit As many as are led by the Spirit of GOD they are the sonnes of GOD Rom. 8.14 CHAP. IX The operation of the Spirit 1. In Generall Sanctification 2. In Speciall 1. Spirituall graces 2. Spirituall duties 1. The kinds of them 2. The degrees of them 1. The Promises of Sanctification _â—OD promiseth in the Covenant of grace which hee hath made with his people to take away their hearts of stone and give them hearts of flesh to put his law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts to put his feare in their hearts that they shall not depart from him and to give them a new heart and to put his Spirit within them The substance of which Covenant is this that all their sins shall be forgiven and both the guilt and punishment thereof wholly remooved Their persons shall be justified and their natures sanctified the lawes of GOD and his promises shall be written in their mindes so that they shall have the knowledge of them and in their hearts so that they shall have the comfort feeling and fruition of them they shall not onely have interest in all GODS graces and blessings but according to their neede shall have the use and enjoyment thereof The LORD often promiseth to Sanctifie and make holy his people as Exod 19.6 31.13 Levit. 22.32 Esay 4.3 4 35.8 Ioel 3.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth John 17.17 and ver 19. For their sakes I sanctifie my selfe that they also might be sanctified through the truth The LORD hath sworne that his children shall serve him in holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of their life Luke 1.73 74 75. The GOD of peace sanctifie you wholly Faithfull is hee that hath called you who also will doe it 1 Thess. 5.23 24. CHRIST is made unto us Sanctification 1 Cor. 1.30 The LORD hath said that his children shall not want any needfull Grace for the leading of a godly life Psal. 84.11 There shall be a fountaine opened for sinne and for uncleanenesse Zach. 13.1 it is GODS Covenant to sprinkle cleane water upon us that we may be cleane and to cleanse us from all our filthinesse and all our Idols
soule and body Promises 1. Of the Glorification of our soules GOD promiseth to translate the soules of the godly into his heavenly kingdome when they die This is implyed in the Parable where the Angels carry up Lazarus soule into Heaven Luke 16.22 This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Luk. 23.43 Which Paradise the Apostle Paul expoundeth to be the third heaven 2 Cor. 12.1 2 4. He that overcomes shall inherit all things See Rev. 3.21 2. Of the last Judgement The godly have boldnesse and confidence at the day of judgement When these things begin to come to passe then shall we look up and lift up our heads because our redemption draweth nigh Luk. 21.28 Vnto them that look for CHRIST shall he appeare the second time without sin unto salvation Hebr. 9.28 When CHRIST who is our life shall appeare then shall we also appeare with him in glory Colos. 3.4 He shall say to them of his right hand Come yee blessed of my Father inherit the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world Matth. 25.32 34. See ver 40. 3. Glorification of the whole man both soule and body Promises of the glorification of our bodies The LORD JESUS shall change our vile bodies and make them like his glorious body Phil. 3.21 The bodies of the Saints shall shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and as the stars Dan. 1 2.3 Yea as the Sun for ever and ever Promises Of eternall life in both soul and body after the day of judgement Then we shall be ever with the LORD 1 Thess. 4.17 Whosoever beleeveth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life Joh. 3.16 I give unto them eternall life John 10.28 He that beleeveth on the Sonne hath eternall life Joh. 3.36 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved Mark 16.16 Act. 16.31 The gift of GOD is eternall life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD Rom. 6.23 See John 6.40 and 20.31 1 Joh. 2.23 John 5.24 1 Joh. 5.11 12 13. Joh. 17.3 1 Pet. 1.3 4. Tit. 3.7 Rom. 5.10 17. Rom. 8.13 Gal. 6.8 Matth. 5.8 12. and 19.29 Matth. 25.34 35 46. 1 Tim. 6.17 18 19. The Promises of GOD assure us of everlasting happinesse and glory in the Kingdome of Heaven I know saith Job 19.25 relying upon GODS promises that my Redeemer liveth 2 Cor. 5.1 4.14 Faith apprehendeth the promise of eternall life hope expecteth it love thankfully entertaines it and all other graces are quickned and strengthned by it Promises For the glory of Heaven In thy presence is fullnesse of ioy at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore Ps. â—6 11 We shall have fullnesse of ioy everlasting pleâ—sures A swift flowing river and 〈◊〉 of pleasures Psal. 36.8 We shall 〈◊〉 no more 〈…〉 Rev. 7.16 GOD will wipe away all tears from our eyâ— Rev. 21 4. We shal sit down with Abraham Isaac and Iacob in the kingdome of heaven Mat. 8.11 as at a banquet we shall then be as the Angels of GOD Matth. 22.30 Nay like CHRIST himselfe 1 John 3.2 We shall be made confirmable to the image of his Sonne Rom. 8.29 and be With CHRIST John 14.3 and behold his glory Joh. 17.24 12.26 We shall enter into our masters ioy Matth. 25.21 he saith not it shal enter into us but we into it shewing that the joyes of heaven are so many that they cannot be contained in the soule of man GOD hath promised us a kingdome Mat. 25.34 A heavenly kingdome Mat. 7 2â— 2 Tim. 4.18 An eternall kingdom 2 Pet. 1.11 A Crown a Crown of life Iam. 1.12 Rev. 2.10 A Crown of righteousnesse 2 Tim. 4.8 An immarcessible Crown of glory 1 Pet. 5.4 The word Crowne represents unto us 1. The perpetuity of that life for a crowne hath neither beginning nor ending 2. Plenty because as the crown compasseth on every side so there is nothing wanting in this life 3. Dignity eternall life is a coronation day every Saint shall be a crowned King The use of Faith in regard of these promises is to uphold us with the expectation of that heavenly happinesse which is promised yea though we be destitute of worldly things and be in many troubles and tribulations Act. 14.22 The Table of the fifth Booke Speciall Promises in regard of Others 1. The Church in generall or particular Churches as puâ—like assemblies God hath promised to them 1. His speciall protection 2. His speciall presence 3. His speciall blessing 4. To deliver the Church out of trouble 2. Against the Seductions for the destruction of Anticâ—rist 3. For calling the Iewes 4. For bringing in the Gentiles 5. To Magistrates 6. To Ministers 1. Extraordinary the Apostles 1. To worke miracles 2. To cast out Divels 3. To lead them into all truth 2. Ordinary all the faithfull Ministers 1. For competency of outward things 2. Of pâ—otectiâ—n and deliverance from trouble 3. To take their parts against their enemies 4. To give good â—uccâ—sse to their labours 5. To reward them largely 6. That tâ—ey shall agree together and joyne force against the common adversary 7. To Masters of a Family and godly servants to blesse the habitation of the godly 8. To husband wife concerning children 1. To give them 2. To blesse them every way 1. With outward things 2. In their soules 3. That mothers shall give sucke to their children 4. To parents correcting their children 5. To comfort them in the want of children 6. To children obeying their parents 9. For company that we shall reap good by the society of the godly THE FIFTH BOOKE CHAP. I. Promises in regard of others The Church in generall or particular Churches as publike Assemblies 1. GOD will defend the Church and all the faithfull THE gates of Hell shalâ— not prevaile against it Matth. 16.18 GOD is in the midâ—â— of the Church therefore it shall not fall Ps. 46.5 I the LORD doe keepe it I will water it every moment least any hurt it I will keepe it night and day Esay 27.3 As the mountaines are round about Ierusalem so the LORD is round about his people from hence forth and for ever Ps. 125.2 See Esay 4.5 6. Psalm 46. whole 124 125. Psalmes Psal. 132.13 to 17. Psal. 89.15 16 17 18. Zach. 9.16 GOD hath made promises unto the publike assemblies of his speciall protection Looke upon Sion the city of our solemne fâ—asts thine eyes shall see Ierusalem a quiet habitation a Tabernacle that cannot be removed c. Esâ—y 33.20 21. See ver 16. This was one reason why David so esteemed of GODS Tabernacâ—es Ps. 84.11 For the LORD GOD is a sunne and shield unto us 2. GOD hath promised to be present with his Church and people in a speciall manner There are promises 1. Of the presence of CHRIST Matth. 18.20 28.20 1 Cor. 5.4 Rev. 2.1 Esay 31.9 2. Of the presence of the HOLY GHOST Esa. 59.21 GOD hath
difficulties and hazards of that holy warre and S. Paul applies the promise to all the faithfull in any straights or distresses of life as the LORD himselfe had before applied it from Moses to Ioshua Let your conversation be without covetousnesse for as GOD was with Ioshua so will he be with thee Hee will not faile thee nor forsake thee CHRIST made a particular promise unto Peter I have prayed for thee that thy faith faile not And the same in effect he applies to all his I pray that thou wouldst keepe them from the evill Thus may the children of GOD doe if they finde any promise made to one godly man and no speciall reason expressed why it should be peculiar to him they may take it as a promise made to them The ground of this is taken from GODS unchangeable and impartiall manner of dealing the same GOD that he is to one faithfull man the same he is to all they all are under the same Covenant and have interest in the same promises 2. Promises are subordinated and performed with dependance Therefore we must not anticipate nor perturbe the order which GOD hath put in his Promises but waite upon him in his owne way Grace and Glory will hee give but first grace before glory no man must snatch at this promise till he have interest in that Godlinesse hath the promises of this life and of that which is to come but we must note the order which our Saviour puts First seeke the Kingdome and Righteousnesse of GOD and then all these things shall be added unto you The LORD promiseth to call men unto CHRIST Nations that knew thee not shall runne unto thee The Apostle tells us whereunto he calls GOD hath not called us unto uncleannesse but unto holinesse Therefore in the next place he promiseth to sanctifie and cleanse his Church I will put my law in their hearts and in their inward parts The qualification of this holinesse is that it be whole and constant The very GOD of peace sanctifie you and preserve you blamelesse unto the comming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST is the Apostles prayer for the Thessalonians Therefore in the next place GOD promiseth perseverance I will not turne away from them to doe them good but I will put my feare into their hearts that they shall not depart from mee But this perseverance is not so certaine but that it admits of fals slips and miscarriages therefore in that case Hee promiseth healing and restoring I will heale their backeslidings I will love them freely I will binde up that which is broken and will strengthen that which was sicke And after all this comes the promise of Glory and Salvation Therefore we must take the Promises in that Connexion and dependancie which they have amongst themselves When GOD hath called us to the knowledge of CHRIST we must not skip over all the intermediate linkes and looke presently for the accomplishment of GODS promise of Salvation or perseverance by GODS sole power and in the meane time omit all care of Holinesse in our conversation For GOD doth not fulfill his promises in us onely but by us too and those things which in regard of his word are his promises are also in regard of his Command our duties 3. Experience of GOD in his Promises confirmeth Faith and nourisheth Hope The faithfull are confirmed in the truth of GODS promises by the experience of his dealing with others of his servants Psal. 22.4 Our father 's trusted in thee they trusted and thou didst deliver them Psal. 34.5 They shall looke unto him and 〈◊〉 to him and their faces shall not be ashamed What made them so confident in GODS mercies verse 6. This poore man cryed and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles Experience of GODS dealing with others doth also nourish and uphold hope Therefore Iames brings to the memories of the Christian Jewes GODS dealing with Iob to strengthen their hope But especially the experience a man hath had in himselfe of the performance of GODS promises will marvellously confirme him This incouraged David when he was to encounter with Goliâ—h The LORD saith he did deliver mee from a Lion and a Beare therefore he will deliver mee from this Philistine 1 Sam. 17 35 37. Paul concluded Gods favour for the time future by his proceedings past The LORD sâ—ith he hath delivered mee from a sentence of death and doth deliver therefore I trust that he will deliver 2 Cor. 1.9 10. See 2 Tim. 4.17 18. This we may see also in Salomon 1 King 8.24 and in other places Deut. 1.29 31. Deut. 3.21 Esay 51.9 11. But we have a notable example for this in Iacob Gen. 32.9 Thou saidst unto mee remove into thy countrey and to thy kindred and I will doe thee good There is GODS Word and promise then followeth the experience he had already of the performance of this promise verse 10. I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies which thou hast shewed unto thy servant for with my staffe came I over this Iordan and now I have gotten two bands Then followes the confirmation he received in his faith by this experience verse 11. I pray thee deliver mee from the hand of my brother from the hand of Esau. Experience likewise bringeth forth Hope Rom. 5.4 Three things concurre to make up experience 1. Knowledge the better knowledge the better affiance Psal. 9.10 They that know thy Name will put their trust in thee 2. Observation of the waies of GOD. 3. Memory remembrance of such workes of GOD as wee have knowne and observed We should observe how GOD hath made good and confirmed his promises even in our owne experience by blessing us while we have walked carefully and conscionably before him how often he hath granted our requests To this purpose is that exhortation Psal. 34.8 O tast and see that the LORD is good Labour to be able to say with David Psal. 119.56 This I had because I kept thy precepts thou hast dealt well with thy servant O LORD according unto thy Word 6â— verse or as it is 140. verse Thy Word is prooved most pure by good experience therefore thy servant loveth it or as he saith elsewhere Marvellous are thy works and that my soule knoweth right well 4. GODS Promises to us must be the ground and rule of our prayers to him There are two things in this rule to be observed 1. That we can make no prayer in boldnesse faith or comfort but for things promised and in that manner as they are promised We must see the things we aske made ours in some promise and engagementâ— before we presume to aske them This incouraged Iacob Gen. 32.9 12. David 2 Sam. 7.27 28 29. Daniel 9.2 3. and Iehosaphat 2 Chron. 20.8 12. to pray unto GOD because he had made promises of the things
if not peace yet patience if not wealth yet contentment 3. With exception of the crosse and reservation of power to the promiser to chasten our misdemeanour Psal. 89.28 31 32. When we crave temporall benefits which GOD hath promised conditionally so farre forth as will stand with his glory and our spirituall good and everlasting salvation wee must beleeve that we shall obtaine them so farre forth as they will stand with these conditions Earthly and outward things are lawfully prayed for but ever â—um Conditione voluntatis with Condition of GODS good pleasure and liking Things Temporall which are promised with condition we are to pray for with condition of GODS will All outward things must be asked with this exception if it seeme good unto his Majesty which exception is proper to the fourth Petition We must aske these outward things not absolutely no further then they may stand with GODS glory Those things which belong to the kingdome of GOD are simply and primarily to be asked other things onely secundum quid and secondarily GODS promises of temporal blessings are Hypotheticae and goe with condition sometimes expressed sometimes suppressed which condition is as a sterne of a ship and turnes the promise another way Of the same opinion are Vrsin in his Catech. on the fourth Petition Piscator on 8. Mat. 2. Cameron Myrothee Evangel in Luke 5.12 Master Harris on the Beatitudes and Covenant Barlow on 2. of Tim. D. Preston in Saints daily Exercise and M. Goodwin in his returne of Prayer This is an undoubted truth that we must pray for heavenly things with a more ardent affection then for earthly Matth. 6.33 1. They comply with GODS nature and hee had rather be giving them 2. They are best for us and will doe us most good 2. GOD will not performe promises till by prayer they be sought for from him till in our humble desires wee declare that wee account his promises exceeding great and precious things The LORD had promised deliverance unto Israel yet saith the LORD For this I will be enquired of by the house of Israel to doe it for them Thus saith the LORD After seventy yeeres be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you and performe my good word towards you in causing you to returne to this place for I know the thoughts that I thinke towards you thoughts of peace and not of evill to give to you an expected end But how shall this excellent promise of GOD be effected It followes Then shall yee call upon me and yee shall goe and pray unto me and I will hearken unto you c. Godlinesse hath the promises of this life and that which is to come 1 Tim. 4.6 yet we doe not forbeare daily to say the LORDS Prayer that we may speede of both The Lord makes a promise of forgivenesse of sinnes I even I am hee that blotteth out thy transgression for mine owne â—ake and will not remember thy sinnes But for the execution of this promise GOD will be soâ—ght unto Put me in remembrance sâ—â—th he and set us pleaâ—e togâ—â—her Eâ—ay 43.25 26. 〈…〉 GOD to fuâ—fill his 〈◊〉 we testifie fâ—rst that they 〈◊〉 â—â—oâ—ises of mercy and not of â—ury or dâ—â—t secondly wee dâ—clare our â—eed and by consequence 〈◊〉 of them and deâ—endance upon them As Promiâ—â—s are the Rule of what we may pray â—or in â—aiâ—h so Prayer is the ground of what wee may expect with comfort CHAP. V. 5. The properties of them GODS Promises are 1. Free 2. Full. 3. Firme 1. GODS Promises are free and tranâ—ferred THey are not mâ—de for any 〈◊〉 that is in us buâ— proceed â—rom Gods freâ—â—om and benevolence â—orking mooâ—ed God out of himsâ—â—â—â— 1. Not 〈◊〉 Thâ— LORD did not â—et hâ—â— lovâ— upon you nor choose you because we were more in number then any other people or for any such like respects but because the LORD loved you That at first might seeme to be Idem per idem as we say a womans reason that the LORD should set his love on them because hee loved them but it excellently sets forth the ground of GODS love to rest altogether in himselfe and in his owne good pleasure 2. Not our beauty we were in our bloud when GOD set his love upon us and entred into Covenant with us 3. Not our righteousnesse Tit. 3.5 Not by workes of righteousnâ—sse which we have done but according to his mercy hee saved us There is nothing at all in us to move the LORD to promise any good to us as that first and great promise after Adam had sinned was from GODS free grace so are all other Evangelicall promises GOD never set the promises on sale or will ever sell his Sonne to any He gives him freely He stands not of desert We may buy of Him freely Esa. 55.1 2 3. Rev. 21.6 22.17 Ezek. 36.32 He loveth freely Hos. 14.7 and pardoneth sin freely Esay 43.25 1 Iohn 2.12 Election is of grace Rom. 11.5 Vocation is of grace 2 Tim. 1.9 Justification is freely by grace Rom. 3.24 Faith is of grace Ephes. 2.8 Eternall life and salvation is of grace Rom. 6.23 Luke 12.32 The Promises are free in ficri made onely out of grace but conditionall in facto esse performed and accomplished with dependance upon duties in us GOD is faithfull saith the Apostle who shall stablish you and keepe you from evill there is the promise and wee are confident that you will doe the things that wee command you there is the duty which the promise calls for When wee pray give us our daily bread by saying give us wee acknowledge that it is from GOD but when we call it ours we shew how GOD gives it namely in the use of the meanes For bread is ours not onely in the right of the promise I will not faile thee nor forsake thee but service and quiet working in an orderly calling The freenesse of GODS promises marvellously lifts up the head above water as the beggar saith the dole is free and why may not I get it as well as another O may some say but if I could pray and humble my selfe there were hope of mercy GOD gives his mercy freely he keepes open house he requires nothing of thee to procure it but he shewes mercy because hee will shew mercy See what he saith Esâ—y 43 24 25. Thou hast wearied mee saith he with thine iniquities and in the next verse I even I am he that blottâ—th out thy transâ—ressions for my owne sake even I excluding all mâ—anes for my owne names sake excluding all motive No unworâ—hinesse then should hinder us from beleeving the promises but rather they that have the most sense of their owne unworâ—hinesse have most incouragement to beleeve for that voice of CHRIST Come unto mee all yee that are weary c. serves not onely for our first conversion but in all
keepe the Law for GOD must inable to both And true repentance saith hee is never too late GOD hath promised pardon to the penitent there is no exception of sinne times or persons but at what time soever what sinner soever repents him of what sinne soever he shall be forgiven This cannot be denied but yet though true repentance be never too late late repentance is seldome true and though GOD hath promised pardon to the penitent yet hee hath not promised repentance to the sinners Thirdly thou knowest not whether ever thou shalt have time for hee promiseth not tomorrow to the offendour who is alwaies ready to receive the penitent One saith GOD hath left man time past to repent of and time present to repent in but the time to come he hath reserved in his owne hands 3. The Promises are most firme and faithfull GOD is true in all his promises be they never so great or wonderfull heaven and earth shall sooner passe away then one piece of his promise faile Rom. 4.16 GOD cannot lie Tit. 1.2 nor denie himselfe 2 Tim. 2.13 He may as easily denie himselfe as his word David often in 119. Psalme giveth this epithite to GODS Word Iust and righteous Word 106 123 137 144 verses Paul often useth this preface This is a true saying and of all men worthy to be beleeved or this is a faithfull saying 1 Tim. 1.15 1 Tim. 4.9 2 Tim. 2.11 Tit. 3.8 Revel 21.5 22.6 it is called The Word of truth Iam. 1.18 Ephes. 1.13 Col. 1.5 The words of the LORD are pure words as silver tried in a fornace of earth purirified seven times Psal. 12.6 Psal. 18.30 Psal. 119.140 Pro. 30.5 As the gold and silver that hath beene often tried doth never deceive men so the divine promises doe not deceive those that trust in them because the truth and goodnesse of them hath beene continually tried by others and graciously performed by GOD himselfe His Covenant is called a Covenant of salt 2 Chron. 13.5 that is a stable and sure Covenant an everlasting Covenant Gen. 17.7 Esay 55.3 Ezek. 16.60 this phrase is frequently used in Scripture GOD that keepeth Covenant Deut. 7.9 Dan. 9.4 Nehem. 1.5 9.32 2 Chron. 6.14 15. Psal. 89.34 Esay 54.10 All the promises of GOD are Yea and Amen in CHRIST 2 Cor. 1.20 Not onely Yea but Yea and Amen Not onely firme and faithfull in themselves but such as shall be made good to the soules of GODS people in full perfection We may call in experience to witnesse this truth GOD hath not onely made good his Covenant to his friends but to his enemies and strangers Deut. 2. Iosh. 23.5 10 14 15. He kept touch with Iehu for the kingdome for foure generations according to his promise He is faithfull to those that deale perfidiously in the Covenant Rom. 3.3 4. He makes good his promises in the circumstances of them keepes the very houre as it were Gen. 15.13 16. compared with Exod. 12.41 therefore this phrase is often used as the LORD hath said or as the LORD hath promised Deut. 10.9 18.26 27.2 Ioel 2.32 Iosh. 23.5 10. We might instance in particulars and shew how the promises of GOD have still beene fulfilled as that first promise of CHRIST Gen. 3.15 we may see fulfilled Luke 1.68 to 73. Gal. 4.4 and that particular promise to preserve Noah in the Arke Gen. 6.18 fulfilled Gen. 8. those made to Abraham Isaac and Iacob But I leave this to the observation of Christians themselves GODS Love and mercy is the onely reason of making promises but his truth justice fidelity power and glory are the reasons of fulfilling them The LORD did not set his love upon you nor choose you saith Moses to Israel because yee were more in number then any people but because the LORD loved you that is the ground of making the promise and because hee would keepe the oath which he had sworne to your fathers that was the ground of performing his promise For thy words sake and according to thine owne heart saith David hast thou done all these great things according to thine owne heart that is ex mero motu out of pure and unexcited love thou didst give thy Word and promise and for thy Word sake thou hast performed it Thou wilt performe saith the Prophet The truth to Jacob and the mercy to Abraham which thou hast sworne unto our father from the daies of old Why truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham the promise after a sort began in Abraham therefore hee is called the Father of the faithfull and when GOD makes a promise it is onely out of mercy but the promise was continued unto Iacob who being Abrahams seed was an heire of the Promise and so the inheritance which was out of mercy given unto Abraham did out of truth and fideliâ—y descend unto Iacob the seed of Abraham and therefore we shall find Covenant Mercy and Oath joyned together in the Scripture Deut. 7.12 Luke 1.72 73. to note unto us both the ground of making the Covenant Mercy and the ground of performing the Covenant made the Truth and Fidelity of GOD. GODS very name JEHOVAH declareth that he is constant and will performe his promise because as he giveth being to all things so he makes that to be which he hath promised By my Name JEHOVAH was I not knowne to them Exod. 6.3 He meaneth that though he made many promises to them especially concerning their possession of Canaan yet he did not shew himselfe to be JEHOVAH an Accomplisher of his promises that he reserved to future generations ver 8. Therefore whensoever in any of the Prophets GOD promiseth or threatneth any great matter to assure us of the most certaine event of such his promise or threatning he addes unto it his Name JEHOVAH as Ezek. 5.17 Ier. 31.31 in which Chapter being wholy promissorie concerning the New Covenant of grace and free pardon of sinnes which the Church obtaineth thorough CHRIST it is repeated 33 times It was the end 1. Of CHRISTS Incarnation to shew that GOD would be mindfull of his promise Luke 1.72 2. Of his Ministery to assure and confirme the promises made before to the Fathers Romanes 15.8 3. They are sealed with the blood of CHRIST the Testator Heb. 9.16 and therefore are said to be all in him Yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1.20 that is sure and infallible They are sealed in his Spirit all beleevers are said to be sealed by the Spirit of promise Ephes. 1.13 and this is GODS privie Seale GOD hath sealed to all his promises in the Sacraments Rom. 4.11 which are given to us as GODS broad Seales to ratifie his Covenant and all his promises made unto his Church they are outward pledges to confirme our faith and make the promises though not more sure yet more credible to us The promises are in some places called in the singular number
the promise to assure us that it is as easie for GOD to fulfill all that goodnesse contained in all those Promises as if they were but one onely Promise We promise and many times faile either by the mutability of our will the imbecillity of our power or the scantnesse of our knowledge not being able to foresee impediments But GOD is neither mutable weake nor ignorant His promises are made in heaven where there is no inconstancie nor repentance For I the LORD change not therefore yee sonnes of Jacob are not consumed Mal. 3.6 as if hee had said I promised not to consume you and you can tell I have kept promise with you for yee are not consumed to this day With him there is no variablenesse nor shadow of turning Iam. 1.17 GOD cannot lie 1 Sam. 15.29 nor repent He cannot lie in making a promise nor repent in fulfilling it GOD is also infinite in wisdome to contrive and in power to bring about the execution of his owne will Hee is onely wise Rom. 16.27 1 Tim. 1.17 The LORD knoweth to deliver the righteous out of trouble GOD is able to accomplish what he hath promised All things are possible to him Mar. 10.27 Nothing is too hard for him Ier. 32.27 Gen. 18 14. Num. 11.23 He câ—nnot be hindered by weaknesse Hee is Almighty Revel 1.8 Hee that is able of stones to raise up children unto Abraham Matth. 3.9 is able to take away our stony heart and give us a heart of flesh There is a promise made of calling the Jewes unto CHRIST and causing them to turne from transgression in Iacob Esay 59.20 But he who should consider the extreame obstinacie and stubbornenesse of that people against the Gospell would thinke it impossible that they should ever be pul'd out of the snare of the Divell therefore the Apostle makes GODS power the ground of certaintie in this promise Rom. 11.23 26. The HOLY GHOST also puts us in mind of GODS power to strengthen our faith in these promises following 1. The alteration of our corrupt nature Marke 10.23 2. All needfull grace GOD is able to make all grace abound 2 Cor. 9.8 3. Perseverance to the end Ioh. 10.28 29. 4. Supply of all necessities GOD that is able will supply them Philip. 4.19 5. Assistance in all trouble Psal. 89.13 21 22.23 6. Deliverance out of all evill Esay 50.2 7. The resurrection of our bodies Ephes. 1.19 20. 8. Eternall glorification Phil. 3.21 This motive taken from GODS Almighty power is used often in Scripture to stirre up men and women to beleeve the promises of GOD. It was used to Sarah Gen. 18.14 to the Virgin Mary Luke 1.37 to Ieremy Ier. 32.27 and to the Disciples of CHRIST Marke 10.27 Abraham looked to GODS power and thereby was moved to beleeve that GOD would performe his promise though Isaac in whom the promise was made was to be sacrificed Rom. 4.20 21. Heb. 11.19 Iehosaphat also by his faith did magnifie GODS power 2 Chron. 20.12 This was Iobs onely comfort upon the dunghill that that GOD who would after wormes had consumed his flesh raise him up at the last day and make him with those very eyes to see his Redeemer had power enough to deliver him from that calamity into which he cast him and to revive his strength GOD is likewise true just and faithfull and therefore will performe his promises GOD the Father who hath promised is the God of truth Psal. 31.5 the Gospell in which his promises are made is the word of truth Ephes. 1.13 His Sonne who hath declared and merited the promises is a faithfull and true witnesse Revel 3.14 truth it selfe Ioh. 14.6 His Spirit which sealeth unto us the truth of the promises even in our hearts is the Spirit of truth Ioh. 14.17 GOD is iust and faithfull in accomplishing his promises Rom. 3.3 5. David saith LORD in thy faithfullnesse or in thy Iustice answer me Psal. 143.1 that is not in the justice of merit but of promise or Covenant for in his promises he maketh himselfe our Debtor and what he owes by vertue of his blessed promise we may challenge If wee confesse our sinnes hee is faithfull and iust to forgive us our sinnes As if he should say GOD of his infinite mercy hath promised to all true Penitents and Confessors that hee will forgive and never remember their sinnes any more he must stand to his Promises or else he should be unfaithfull and he is iust he doth not say he is mercifull but iust to forgive the sinnes of true beleevers because they are all satisfied for and GODS justice will not let him demand the same debt twice of the surety and of the debter The righteous GOD shall give unto mee a Crowne of righteousnesse 2 Tim. 4.8 righteousnesse as well as mercy is the ground of salvation not in relation or respect to merit in us but to promise in GOD. For he is faithfull that promised Heb. 10.23 Sarah iudged him faithfull who had promised Heb. 11.11 The Promise of GOD is our title to happinesse Gal. 3.18 If some great man out of his bounty give another an Inheritance of a hundred pounds per annum upon his paying of a pepper-corne for rent when hee hath payd it he may claime the profits and by law recover them and his plea in the Law must be the bargaine and Covenant betweene them for betwixt the rent and revenue there is no proportion so upon our scant obedience and scarce appearing faith we may challenge heaven and GOD cannot denie it us not because wee have deserved it but because he hath promised it This will uphold the faith of a Christian GOD hath promised nay confirmed his promise with an oath and sent his Sonne in the fullnesse of time Gal. 4.4 in whom all the promises are Yea and Amen What can be more Absolute It is a maine pollicie of the Divell to lay siege to the truth of GODS Word Yea hath GOD said so he would perswade us that GOD will forget to be mercifull and his promise will faile for evermore Psal. 77.8 9. Weake Christians in temptations and desertions are ready to distrust GOD and to question the truth of his promises The wicked hope he will change where is the promise of his comming 2 Pet. 3.4 the godly feare he will change David complaineth Psal. 69.3 I am weary of my crying my throat is dried mine eyes faile while I waite for my GOD Psal. 119.123 Mine eyes faile for thy salvation I shall one day die saith he by the hand of Saul 1 Sam 27.1 Psal. 73.13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vaine Psal. 116.11 I said in my haste all men are lyars Psal. 31.22 I said in my haste I am cut off from before thine eyes After that GOD had promised to Abraham that he would make of him a great nation Gen. 12.2 and make his seed as the dust of the
but the old in tables of Stone 8. The Covenant of nature was made in Paradise the other in Mount Sina 9. There was no Mediator of that this had a Mediator Moses Deut. 5.26 27. 10. That was made with all mankinde when man was perfect this with a certaine people after the fall The Old and New Covenant agree 1. In the principall efficient cause for there is the same Author of both GOD Ier. 31.31 2. In causa pröegumena the inward impulsive cause the mercy of GOD in both Luke 1.54 55 72 78. 3. In the meritorious procatarcticall cause there is one and the same foundation of both Covenants CHRIST Heb. 13.8 Rev. 13 8. 4. In the matter there is the same thing promised in both Rom. 1.1 2. 5. In the essentiall forme in both Covenants there is a mutuall obligation of GOD and the faithfull although of GODS part it is free of mans due Rom. 3.22 6. In the end which in both is the glory of GOD and salvation of man Heb. 11.8 9 10. 7. In the subject for GOD made both of them with the faithfull onely Rom. 3.26 8. In the adjunct the internall obsignation for both of them are sealed by the same HOLY GHOST to the faithfull 2 Cor. 1.22 Ephes. 1.13 The Old and New Coâ—enant differ 1. In respect of the Author or Covenant-Maker which was not CHRIST but GOD the Father of the Old or he made it then mediately and not Incarnate now immediately and from his owne mouth 2. In respect of the Mediator Moses was Mediator of the Old Levit. 26.46 Deut. 5. 27 28. CHRIST of the New Heb. 8.6 9.15.12.24 3. In their quality 1. In respect of liberty of old they had circumcision and the Passeover which were painefull and chargeable Seales and they were burdened with many carnall ceremonies we have bread and wine cheape and easie seales in comparison and are freed from the Ceremoniall Law Col. 2.14 that was a hand-writing against us the new is a rest for us Matth. 11.28 2. Clarity the old was obscure Heb. 9.8 2 Cor. 3.13 14. consisting in rites and ceremonies whereby CHRIST was darkely prefigured but the new is more plaine and perspicuous Iohn 1.17 then the Spirit was distilled by drops now there is a larger effusion of the Spirit Heb. 8.10 Ioel 2. which is repeated Acts 2. Tit. 3.6 Zach. 12.8 2 Cor. 3.12 they had the blood of CHRIST but shadowed onely in the blood of bulls and goates Heb. 9.18 Exod. 24.5 8. we have the very blood of CHRIST it selfe to seale unto our covenant Mat. 26.28 Heb. 9.12 10.4 Zach. 9.11 Cuius sanguis sistit omnem sanguinem as the Fathers say 4. In their quantity the new is larger and more extensive then the Old in respect of 1. Persons the Old Testament was appropriated to a few and did belong properly to the nation of the Jewes alone Psal. 76.1 none but Israelites and Proselytes had part in the promise the New extends to the Gentiles 2. Places that was proposed as to one people so in angulo tantum mundi in one land of Canaan this to all nations throughout the whole world 3. Times that was Temporary and to endure but a while viz. till the â—â—rst comming of CHRIST this is perpetuâ—ll and shall last from CHRISTS first to his second comming Heb. 8.6 13. 10.4 9. 9.12 How hath GOD then honoured us in these daies of the Gospell who are herein beyond not Heathens onely who were without GOD and without the Covenant but even beyond Adam in his innocency and GODS Ancient people of Israel for we have a better Covenant then they had made upon better promises Heb. 8.6 upon better termes and conditions upon better evidences and assurances Since GOD hath thus abounded in love and mercy towards us we therefore should abound in knowledge faith love zeale and care to worship GOD publikely and privately with joy and singlenesse of heart I have hitherto handled the severall Covenants comparatively and that to give some light to the Covenant of Grace which I shall now speake of in a speciall manner as it is a Bundle of all the Promises The Covenant of Grace is expressed in these words I will be thy GOD and thou shalt be my people Ier. 31.33 In this Covenant GOD undertakes to free his people from all evill that mâ—y any way prove hurtfull to them and to bestow all good things upon them Temporall Spirituall and Eternall Gen. 17.1 2. Levit. 2.6.11 12. 2 Cor. 6.16 17 18. Heb. 8.10 11 12. We promise to choose GOD to be our GOD trust in him love and feare him and walke in obedience before him Exodus 15.2 20.19 24.3 7. David cals GOD his Lot and Portion Psal. 119.57 GOD is my portion for ever Psal. 16.5 6. Psal. 142.5 This was promised the faithfull in all ages that GOD would be their GOD and they should be his people Exod. 29.45 Revel 21.3.7 Zach. 13.9 Ezek. 36.28 Ierem 31.1 33. 1 Chron. 17.13 22.10 All the particular promises depend upon this maine Charter that GOD is our GOD one observes that throughout all the Scripture all the mercy promised and every promise wherein any happinesse is contained hath this Seale and I will be their GOD and they shall be my people If we could stedfastly beleeve and rest upon this promise we should finde more true comfort in it then in all the world besides This is the top of mans felicity when GOD takes him into Covenant When GOD Levit. 26. had spoken much by way of promise to his Church as That hee would give them raine in the due season c. That hee would set his Tabernacle among them c. at length he concludes all with this verse 12. I will walke among you I will even neighbour with you as it were and I will be your GOD and yee shall be my people David having prayed for many temporall blessings in the behalfe of his people That their sonnes might be as plants their garners full c. at length he windeth up all with this Epiphonema or conclusion Happie is that people that is in such a case but presently comes with an Epanorthoma or a correction of his former speech Yea rather happy is that people whose GOD is the LORD as if he had said that indeed is a happinesse in some kinde but nothing to this that is but Temporall this is Eternall The honour and happinesse of a nation and people Psal. 33.12 and also of particular persons Psal. 65.4 lyes in this that they have GOD for their GOD. He that is in speciall Covenant with GOD all that is in GOD is for him his truth for his security his love for his comfort his power for his protection his wisedome for his direction all that is in CHRIST is his his love his graces his merits He is his
their children after their owne pleasure to satisfie their will but GOD our heavenly Father in great wisdome considereth with what correction and when to chastize his so as may be most for their profit yea the best profit to repaire his image of holinesse in them 2. In the just measure and continuance thereof Ier. 46.28 30.11 Esay 27.7 8. 1 Cor. 10.13 they shall not be tempted above their strength GOD will not lay more on man then is meet that he should enter into iudgemēt with God Iob 34.23 Affliction is momentany CHRIST comforts his Disciples with the shortnesse of afflictions Ioh. 16.16 GOD will not keepe his anger for ever Ier. 3.12 Ezek. 16.42 Micah 7.18 nor cast off for ever Lam. 3.31 David had great experience of this as he often professeth Psal. 30.5 Psal. 103.9 The rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous Psalme 125.3 2. In love and tendernesse GOD compareth himselfe to a Father Psal. 103.13 14. to a Mother Esay 49.15 16. I will not execute the fiercenesse of mine anger for I am GOD and not man Hesea 11.9 and in the 8. verse he saith His heart is turned within him his repentings are kindled together GOD there imitates parents saith Theodoret when any misery is upon a child their bowels yearne more There is an excellent expression in Iudg. 10.16 His soule was grieved for the misery of Israel He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men Lam. 3.33 Judgement is called his Strange worke Esay 28.21 which wee inforce him unto Atque dolet quoties cogitur esse ferox In all their afflictions hee is afflicted Esay 63.9 Affliction cannot separate from his love Rom. 8.35 39. He preserveth their teares as pretious liquor in his bottle Psal. 56.8 See Psal. 116.15 Psal. 31.7 Psal. 38.9 Psal. 145.8 9. 3. For good GOD afflicts his children for their good There are many benefits which GOD promiseth and his Spirit worketh by afflictions 1. Generall they are blessed whom the LORD correcteth Behold happy is the man whom GOD correcteth therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty Iob 5.17 the like promise we have Iam. 1.12 Psal. 94.12 Whom the LORD loveth hee correcteth even as a father the sonne in whom hee delighteth Pro. 3.12 Quem unicè diligit whom he cockers above the rest of his children so the Hebrew word signifieth That Sonne in whom hee is well pleased saith Mercerus quem approbat whom he makes his white boy so Theophylact interprets Heb. 12.6 The Originall there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 chastize is derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a sonne or childe Our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a farre more exceeding and eternall waight of glory Wee shall have for Affliction Glory For light affliction Heavie Massie Substantiall Glory a waight of Glory For Momentany affliction eternall Glory He addeth also degrees of comparison yea goeth beyond all degrees calling it More excellent farre more excellent an exceeding excessive eternall weight of Glory See Rom. 8.18 Acts 14.22 2 Tim. 2.12 1 Cor. 11.32 Matth. 5.10 11. Luke 6.22 1 Pet. 3.14 4.14 Iam. 5.11 Psal. 119.71 Lament 3.27 2. Speciall 1. Afflictions are trialls the godly by them have experience of their frailties and graces and come to know GOD and themselves 2 Chron. 33.13 This is oft set out by this comparison of gold and silver tried by the fire Zach. 13.9 Prov. 17.3 Psal. 66.10 1 Pet. 4.12 Iames calls afflictions temptations because they serve to try what is in us GOD led the Israelites forty yeares in the wildernesse To prove them and to know what was in their heart that is that they might know saith Iunius The skill of a Pilot is unknowne but in a tempest the valour of a Captaine is unseene but in a battell and the worth of a Christian is untried but in triall and temptation 2. They shall purge sinne they are soveraigne medicines to kill spirituall diseases GODS children shall come out of the fornace of affliction much more refined and purified as Iob did and lose nothing but their drosse By this the iniquity of Jacob shall be purged and this is all the fruite to take away his sinne Esay 27.9 I will purely purge away thy drosse and take away all thy tinne Esay 1.25 Many shall be purified made white and tried Dan. 12.10 Wee know that all things worke together for good to them that love GOD to them who are the called according to his purpose Rom. 8.28 Wee that is not only I and you but all the faithfull know have great proofe of it by daily experience that all afflictions for of them he specially speaketh how many or how great soever they be shall procure and further our chiefest good the welfare and happinesse of our soules See Iohn 15.2 Prov. 20.30 Psal 119.67 Esay 4.4 Iob 33.16 17. 36.8 9 10 15. Hosea 2.6 7. 3. They quicken graces they make us partakers of GODS holinesse and bring forth the quiet fruit of righteousnesse Heb. 12.10 11. The inward man is renewed by them 2 Cor. 4.16 1. Faith is exercised in beleeving most assuredly the promises that GOD hath made of our deliverance that the triall of your faith being much more pretious then of gold that perisheth though it be tryed with fire might be found unto praise and glory at the appearing of JESUS CHRIST CHRIST Faith is as much advanced by afflictions as gold by fire The 11. Chapter to the Hebrewes proveth this Afflictions saith one cause us to seeke out GODS promise the promise to seeke faith faith to seeke prayer and prayer to find GOD. 2. Hope in assuring her selfe of the reward promised to them that suffer patiently Tribulatiō worketh patience patience experience and experience hope Rom. 5.3 4. 3. Patience is exercised in bearing quietly Tribulation worketh patience as was said Account it all joy when yee fall into divers temptations knowing this that the triall of your faith worketh patience Iam. 1.2 3. 3. To helpe us to beare them and in due time to remove them GOD promiseth to helpe us to beare afflictions and in due time to remove them Though he fall hee shall not be utterly cast downe for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand Psal. 37.24 As their afflictions abound so shall their consolations also 2 Cor. 1.5 They shall have the Comforter himselfe Ioh. 14.16 Ioh. 15.26 16.7 GOD often promiseth to his people to be a sure and speedy helpe in all troubles David had great experience thereof The booke of Psalmes is full of those speeches GOD is my Rocke my Tower my Refuge my Shield and Buckler my Health and Strength Psal. 18.2 Psal. 31.3 Psal. 71.3 Psal. 94.22 73.25 26. All which speeches shew that what helpe any man in any danger may finde in any earthly meanes whatsoever GOD is the same and
hand of the men of whom thou art afraid For I will surely deliver thee and thou shalt not fall by the sword but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee because thou hast put thy trust in me saith the LORD In Warre he shall redeeme thee from the power of the sword Iob 5.20 Promises to comfort in and deliver out of Captivity Although I have cast them farre off among the heathen and although I have scattered them among the countries yet will I be to them a little Sanctuary in the countries where they shall come Ezek. 11.16 See ver 17. I will give you a reviving there Ezra 9.8 And make you to be pittied of those that shall carry you captive Psal. 106.46 Then the LORD thy GOD will turne thy captivity and have compassion upon thee and will returne and gather thee from all the nations whither the LORD thy GOD hath scattered thee If any of thine be driven out unto the utmost parts of Heaven from thence will the LORD thy GOD gather thee and from thence will hee fetch thee c. Deut. 30.3 4 5. Nehemiah sueth out this promise Nehem. 1.9 There was a promise made unto Israel to restore them out of the great captivity of Babylon and this seemed to them as incredible as for men to be raised out of their graves after so many yeares consumption therefore they said Our bones are dried and our hope is lost we are cut off for our parts we have no more reason to beleeve any promise or to rest upon any expectations of deliverance then dead bones have to revive againe Therefore the LORD acquainteth them with his power together with his promises O my people yee shall know that I am the LORD that is that my waies and thoughts are infinitely above your shallow apprehension when I shall have brought you out of your graves Ezek. 37.11 13 14. See Psal. 14.7 and 53.6 Ier. 30.6.18 A promise against Witchcraft or possession of the Divell Surely there is no inchantment against Iacob neither is there any divination against Israel Num. 23.23 This is promised conditionally so farre as it is good for GODS people they shall be freed from it Promises against Oppression It is one of the LORDS most royall titles to be the Father of the Fatherlesse and a Iudge of the widdowes Psal. 68.5 To be a Refuge for the oppressed Psal. 9.9 10 14. Esay 25.4 For the oppression of the poore for the sighing of the needy now will I arise saith the LORD I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him Psal. 12.5 He executeth iudgement for the oppressed preserveth the strangers relieveth the fatherlesse and widdow Psal. 146.7 9. In thee the fatherlesse findeth mercy Hosea 14.3 CHAP. IIII. Temporall promises in regard of good things 1. In Generall to supply any thing needfull GOD hath promised to provide things needfull for the godly All earthly blessings are intailed to godlinesse by that gracious promise 1 Tim. 4.8 Godlinesse hath the promise of the life that now is and that which is to come It is said Nothing shall be wanting Psal. 34.9 All things shall be ministred Matth. 6.33 GOD shall fulfill all your necessity Philip 4.19 As a tender Father desiring the welfare of his beloved child bids him to be a good and obedient child and he shall not want any thing so the LORD bids us as good children hearken to his voice and be ruled by him and tels us we shall not want any thing that is good Psal. 34.8 9 10. 84 11. This is that which is so oft repeated That it may goe well with thee in the land which the LORD thy GOD giveth thee Deut. 5.16 33. 6.3 18. 12.25 28. This is meant in those Scriptures which set out the goodnesse of the LORD Psal. 31.19 Psal. 145.9 and many other places where GODS goodnesse loving kindnesse and mercy and that specially in things belonging to this naturall life are commended unto us In those generall promises wherein GOD saith He will dwell with his and not forsake them that he will love and blesse his people that he will be their GOD will reioyce over them to doe them good will compasse them with favour as with a shield that he will set peace in their borders and prosper them in all they goe about that he will keepe his Covenant with them For outward riches are a part of his Covenant All things are yours we are heires of all the world In the Covenant of grace GOD promiseth not onely to write his law in our hearts and to forgive our sinne but also to conferre Temporall blessings as they shall be serviceable to us in our journey towards Heaven Ier. 31.10 11 12 14. Ezek. 34.25 26 27. 36.29 30. Hosea 2.20 21 22. He hath given us his Sonne the Fountaine of all good things what can he denie us then that may be for our good and comfort The promise of CHRIST before his incarnation was to the Jewes a seale of all temporall things promised Our Saviour saith Seeke yee first the Kingdome of GOD and his Righteousnesse and all these things shall be added unto you First in time before all other things and in degree above all other things and all these needfull things shall be cast in As when a man buyeth spice fruit or any such commodity paper and packthred is given into the bargaine It is the property of true saving faith not onely to lay hold on the mercy of GOD for the pardon of sinne and life everlasting in CHRIST but on his promises also for Temporall blessings that concerne this life As wee looke to be saved by our faith after death so we must live 〈◊〉 faith in this world if we relie upon his mercy for our soules we must depend upon his providence for our bodies How doth he trust in GOD for a Kingdome that will not trust him for a crust of bread Faith receiveth earthly blessings not as the fruit of our labour or desert but as the gifts of GODS bounty yea as gifts of the gracious Covenant proceeding from the free love of GOD. Temporall promises in regard of good things Speciall For 1. Name 1. Honour 2. A good name 2. Body 1. Long life 2. Health 3. Safetie 4. Peace 5. Sleepe 6. Foode raiment 3. Estate 1. Wealth 2. Good successe and prosperity 1. To their persons 2. To their purposes 4. Calling Promises to diligence in it 1. Abundance and plenty 2. Protection 3. Promotion 4. Good successe 5. It builds the house 6 It makes sleep comfortable GOD hath promised not only to give these outward things but to blesse them to his children CHAP. V. 2. Temporall Promises in regard of good things 1. Speciall Promises to GODS children in respect of their Name 1. Honour GOD saith Hee will honour those that honour him 1 Sam. 2.30 And Wisedome will honour those that honour her Pro. 4.7 8 9.
So it is oft said Riches and honour are with her Pro. 3.16 and verse 35. The wise shall inherit glory So Chap. 13.18 Hee that regardeth reproofe shall be honoured This is meant by all those speeches where it is said that hearkning to instruction will adorne and bring into estimation as costly ornaments of bracelets jewels and the like will doe so it is Pro. 1.9 They shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head and chaines about thy neck See Chap. 3.22 4.9 The gracious woman receiveth honour Pro. 11.16 Righteousnesse exalteth a naâ—ion Prov. 14.34 GOD doth highly esteeme of the godly himselfe Since thou wast precious in my sight thou hast beene honourable and I have loved thee Esay 43.4 and he will make the wicked to honour them The evill bow before the good and the wicked at the gates of the righteous Pro. 14.19 Behold I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan to come and worship before thy feet and to know that I have loved thee Rev. 3.9 2. Good name A good name is better then precious ointment Eccles. 7.1 and rather to be chosen then great riches Pro. 22.1 GOD hath made many promises concerning this The memory of the Iust is blessed Pro. 10.7 I will make you a name and praise among all the people of the earth saith the LORD Zeph. 3.20 I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off Esay 56.5 The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance Psal. 112.6 Promises to GODS children in respect of the Body 1. Long life The LORD that hee may stirre up his people to obedience doth make many promises of long life and many daies as in the fift Commandement which the Apostle saith is the first Commandement with Promise Ephes. 6.2 every child is there commanded to Honour his Father and Mother upon this promise that his daies may be long in the land So Deut. 5.33 Deut. 25.15 30.20 In the Proverbes this is very oft repeated Chap. 3.1 2. My sonne forget not my law but let thine heart keepe my commandements for length of daies and long life and peace shall they add to thee And 16. and 18. verses of the same Chapter and Chap. 4. from the 5. verse to 14. Chap. 8.35 Chap. 9.11 Chap. 10.25 27. Chap. 11.19 30. 14.30 This GOD promised to Salomon 1 King 3.14 and the like is spoken more generally that the Prince that hateth covetousnesse shall prolong his daies Prov. 28.16 and also Deut. 17.19 20. Long life is promised to the observers of the whole law Deut. 6.2 and other particular branches of it Psalm 34.12 13 14. In all the perills of this life by sickenesse warre famine theeves or any wicked enemy whatsoever we may call to minde some of these promises and so rest quiet thereupon that none of these nor any thing else shall shorten our daies more then shall turne to our good 2. Health GOD hath promised bodily health and strength unto his people that they may enjoy and make use of these earthly comforts Salomon Pro. 3.7 exhorting us to feare the LORD and depart from evill adds this as a promise verse 8. It shall be health to thy navill and marrow to thy bones that is soundnesse of health to thy whole body and Chap. 4.22 He saith That the true receiving of instructions is life to those that finde them and health to all their flesh Bodily strength is often promised The LORD will give strength unto his people Psal. 29.11 See Psal. 103.5 3. Safety Then shalt thou walke in thy way safely and thy foot shall not stumble Pro. 3.23 See verse 26. 1 Sam. 2.9 The Name of the LORD is a strong tower the righteous runneth unto it and is safe Pro. 18.10 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely Pro. 10.9 Who so hearkeneth unto mee shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from feare of evill Prov. 1.33 Thou shalt be secure because there is hope yea thou shalt digge about thee and thou shalt take thy rest in safety Job 11.18 See Psal. 91.1 3 4 5 9 10. 1 Pet. 3.13 14. When a man is in Covenant with GOD he is in league with the creatures and therefore they shall never doe him hurt Gen. 9.2 Hos. 2.18 Thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee Job 5.23 4. Peace Peace in regard of outward troubles is a speciall blessing of GOD and hath beene in all ages promised by GOD to his Church 1 Chron. 22.9 And I will give peace in the land and yee shall lye downe and none shall make you afraid Levit. 26.6 The LORD will blesse his people with peace Psal. 29.11 The meeke shall delight themselves in abundance of peace Psal. 37.11 He maketh peace in thy borders Psal. 147.14 LORD thou wilt ordaine peace for us Esay 26.12 Thou shalt know that thy Tabernacle shall be in peace Job 5.29 See Jam. 3.18 Esay 48.18 When a mans waies please the LORD hee will make his enemies at peace with him Prov. 16.6 5. Sleepe Promises for quiet rest and safety in the night When thou liest downe thou shalt not be afraid yea thou shalt lie downe and thy sleepe shall be sweet Pro. 3.24 Also thou shalt lie downe and none shall make thee afraid Job 11.19 Zeph. 3.13 Hee giveth his beloved sleepe Psal. 127.2 6. Food and raiment GOD hath promised to give his children food unto content Yee shall eate in plenty and be satisfied and praise the Name of the LORD Joel 2.26 Trust in the LORD and doe good so shalt thou dwell in the land and verily thou shalt be fed Psal. 37.3 He giveth meate unto them that feare him Psal. 111.5 He will satisfie the poore with bread Psal. 102.15 He loveth the stranger in giving him food and raiment Deut. 10.18 To such as want meate drinke or apparell CHRIST saith Matth. 6.25 Is not the life more then meate and the body then raiment It is an argument as we say à maiori aâ—minus from the greater to the lesser The LORD which gave the life it selfe will not suffer us to want those things that appertaine to the sustaining of the same and ver 32. Your heavenly Father saith hee knoweth that yee have neede of these things that is foode and raiment A man may know our wants and yet say as it is Iames 2.16 another may desire to supply our wants and yet not know them but GOD 1. Knowes our wants 2. Will supply them for hee is a Father 3. Can supply them for he is a heavenly Father Promises to GODS children for their outward Estate 1. Wealth GOD hath promised his people such a portion of earthly goods as shall be needfull for their more comfortable living in this world Riches and honour are with mee yea durable riches and righteousnesse My fruit is better then gold yea then fine gold and my revenue then choice silver
and the word here in Matth. signifieth exceeding joy such as we use to expresse by outward signes in the body as skipping and dancing 2 Sam. 6.14 16. For great is your reward in Heaven Thou art honourable in GODS account Esay 43.4 he takes notice of all thy disgraces Psal. 69.19 and will take care for thy clearing and comfort Hee will bring forth thy righteousnesse as the light and thy iudgements as the noone day Psal. 37.6 As if hee should have said howsoever thy innocency be at sometimes covered as it were with a thick and darke mist of slander and oppression yet the LORD will in his good time scatter and dissolve the mist and so make thy innocency apparent to the world yea he shall make thy righteous cause as evident as the Sunne when it ariseth nay as noone day when it is at highest and shineth brightest Thou shalt receive double for all thy shame Esay 61.7 Though you have lien among the pots yet shall yee be as the wings of a dove covered with silver and her feathers with yellow gold Psal 68.13 that is although ye have lived in great streights and basenesse yet yee shall be freed from them and obtaine illustrious glory They shall be honoured in the day of CHRIST 1 Pet. 1.7 Their reward shall be great in Heaven Mat. 5.12 and in the meane time there is with GOD a hiding place from the strife of tongues Psal. 31.20 Iob 5.21 Psal. 13.18 How doth GOD cheare his people Esay 41. Feare not be not dismayed ver 10. I am with thee I am thy GOD I will strengthen thee yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousnesse But GOD will bring the wicked to shame for the contempt with which they have dishoâ—oured his servants as it followeth ver 11. All they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded He still incourageth his people there ver 13. He saith againe Feare not for I the LORD thy GOD will helpe thee and ver 14. Feare not thou worme that is were thy state never so weake and despicable I will helpe thee saith the LORD and thy Redeemer He begins the 43. Chap. with the same words Feare not viz. thine enemies for I have called thee and redeemed thee thou art mine Feare not little flocke saith our Saviour feare not men feare not meanes for it is your Fathers pleasure to give you a Kingdome See Ier. 46.27 28. If thou wouldest be delivered from reproches and evill report goe to the LORD and urge him upon Covenant say LORD thou hast said Thou wilt blesse the name of the righteous thou will honour them that honour thee that we shall not be ashamed when we have respect unto all thy Commandements Psal. 119.6 Sue out this promise upon all occasions as David often doth Psal. 31.1 17 and 119.116 2. Promises to those that are imprisoned for the Gospell The LORD heareth the poore and despiseth not his prisoners Psal. 69.33 Hee heareth the groanings of the prisoner Psal. 102.20 And bringeth out those that are bound with chaines Psal. 68.6 as he did Peter Acts 12.10 Feare nonâ— of those things which thou shalt suffer behold the Divell shall cast some of you into prison that yee may be tryed and yee shall have tribulation ten daies be thou faithfull unto the death and I will give thee a crowne of life Here was a bitter-sweet message Yee shall be cast into prison This was bitter feare not this was comfortable but I will give thee a crowne of life this was the comfort of comforts 3. Promises to those that loose outward things for GODS cause In losses for GODS cause We should meditate of GODS gracious promises 1. In the losse of outward things for thy love and service unto GOD remember that place 2 Chron. 25.9 The LORD is able to give thee much more then this 2. In the losse of any earthly blessing for GODS cause call to mind that promise three times set downe by the Evangelists Every one that hath forsaken houses or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my names sake shall receive an hundred fold and shall inherit everlasting life Mat. 19.29 Marke 10.29 30. Hath it for my sake and the Gospels Luke 18.29 30. For the kingdome of GODS sake 3. In the losse of any earthly things in every kind thinke of that speech Hab. 3.17 18. Although the fig-tree shall not blossome neither shall fruit be in the vines the labour of the olive shall faile and the fields shall yeeld no meate the flocke shall be cut off from the fold and there shall be no heard in the stalles Yet I will reioyce in the LORD I will ioy in the GOD of my salvation Consider also Iobs patient blessing of GOD upon the surprize and concurrence of an universall misery Iob 1.22 4. Promises to those that loose their life for GODS cause 4. When thou art like to loose thy life mâ—ditate on those places Mat. 10 39. He that findeth his life shall loose it and he that looseth his life for my sake shall find it Blessed is the man that endureth temptation yea though it be the fiery triall for he shall receive the crowne of life Jam. 1.12 Blessed are the dead which die in LORD and which die for the LORD he speakes of such as suffered in the quarrell of CHRIST under Antichrist they rest from their labours and their workes doe follow them Every drop of blood spilt by a true professor of the Gospell for the constant and found profession of it is precious in the sight of GOD Psal. 116.15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his Saints CHAP. III Promises against evills in the world 1. In generall WHosoever is borne of GOD overcommeth the world and this is the victory that overcommeth the world even our faith 1 Joh. 5.4 CHRIST prayed to his Father To keepe his from the evill of the world Joh. 17.15 Who gave himselfe for our sinnes that hee might deliver us from this present evill world Gal. 1.4 Our Saviour Iohn 16.33 tells his Disciples That in the world they should have tribulation but be of good cheere saith hee I have overcome the world 2. A promise to those that dislike evill company I will dwell in them and walke in them and I will be their GOD and they shall be my people Wherefore come out from among them and be yee separate saith the LORD and touch not the uncleane thing and I will receive you and I will be a Father unto you and yee shal be my sonnes and daughters saith the LORD Almighty 2 Cor. 6.16 17 18. 3. Promises against worldly cares and covetousnesse To curbe our hearts from covetousnesse we should meditate upon these places Heb. 13.5 I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Hee that gave us his owne sonne how shall hee not with him freely
give us all things Rom. 8.32 See Matth. 6.25 to the end Phil. 4.6 1 Tim. 4.8 1 Pet. 5.7 4. Promises against Scandales GOD will secure his people and save them from being ensnared by scandals Psal. 119.165 and nothing shall offend them or they shall have no stumbling block Ier. 31.9 CHAP. IIII. Infirmities are 1. Generall as sinfullnesse of nature that remaines though it raigne not 2. Speciall 1. IGnorance 2. Spirituall deafenesse 3. Slips and frailties Here Promises 1. To keepe them from falling 2. To comfort them being fallen and restore them againe 4. Spirituall lamenesse 5. Doubts and feares of losing the love of GOD. 6. Forgetfullnesse 7. Dullnesse and uncheerefullnesse 8. Indisposition to good 9. Distractions in good 10. Evils of good done 11. Feares of falling away from GOD. Comforts to the godly who likewise want the meanes of grace either altogether or in the power of them or having them doe not profit by them 1. Generall or daily Infirmities Comforts to those that do fall though Infirmity The LORD The LORD GOD mercifull and gracious long suffering and abundant in goodnesse and truth keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity transgression and sinne Exod. 34.6 7. Hee is JEHOVAH Alwaies the same unchangeable hee will not alter his love to thee and for the more assurance he repeateth that title twice then followeth his power GOD Though thou be weake he is strong Mercifull or compassionate towards repâ—ntant and beleeving sinners and though they be unworthy yet he is Gracious The Hebrew word signifieth to powre out abundance of extraordinary bounty upon a most undeserving and ill deserving partie He will shew mercy not because thou art good but because he is Good not because thou canst please him but because mercy pleaseth him Micah 7.18 though thou offerdest daily yet he is Long-suffering and Abundant in goodnesse and truth 1. In Goodnesse ready to bestow all benefits 2. In Truth ready to fulfill all promises keeping kindnesse for thousands a certaine number for an uncertaine forgiving iniquity transgression and sinne that is sinnes of all sorts kinds and degrees whatsoever It is neither the foulenesse of sinne nor the multitude of sinnes nor the long continuance in sinne that can prejudice his goodnesse GOD upon our prayer will cure our infirmities Esay 40.29 Psal. 103.3 hee pittieth his in their infirmities as an Indulgent â—ather his little ones Mal. 3.17 CHRIST himselfe is affected with the sence of our infirmities Heb. 4.15 16. Matth. 11.28 and Esay 42.3 he was a Proâ—itiation for such sinnes and comforts us concerning them before they be committed 1 Iohn 2.12 Rom. 6.14 The Spirit helpes our â—nfirmities Rom. 8.26 helpes â—ogether the Greeke word is decompound and there is a great force in it as two that carry a burden one will carry over â—gainst another and put to his â—and and helpe him so when we begin to sinke GODS Spirit puts under his hand to support â—s which is said in so many words Psal. 37.24 O but I offend daily I sinne againe and againe may some weake Christian say GOD promiseth likewise that he will multiply his pardons so the word signifieth in the Originall as thou hast multiplied thy sinnes for saith he there My thoughts are not as your thoughts nor my waies as your waies but my thoughts goe beyond your thoughts as much as the distance is betweene Heaven and earth He is mercifull and and gracious slow to anger and plenteous in mercy hee will not reward us after our iniquities for as the Heaven is high above the Earth so great is his mercy toward them that feare him Psal. 103.8 10 11. As there is a continuall spring of wickednesse in you so there is a continuall spring of mercy flowing from him both to pardon and wash away this iniquity Speciall Infirmities 1. Ignorance or blindnesse Comforts against ignorance It is a speciall promise of GOD in the new Covenant that Hee will write his lawes in thy heart and hee will make thee to know the LORD He hath promised to leade thee by a way that thou hast not knowne Esay 42.16 wee have such an High Priest as knowes how to have compassion on the ignorant Heb. 5.2 3. The eyes of the blinde shall be opened Esay 35.2 Hee shall open the eyes of the blind Esay 42.2 Luke 4.18 The annointing thou hast received shall teach thee all needfull things and leade thee into all truth 1 Ioh. 2.27 GOD hath made many promises to teach them his way that see their ignorance and mourne for it Hee will guide the meeke in iudgement and will teach the humble his way Psal. 25.9 See 12. 14. verses GOD will fill the hungry with good things Luke 1.53 To him that disposeth his way aright will I shew the salvation of the LORD Psal. 50.23 He that followeth mee shall not walke in darkenesse but shall have the light of life Joh. 8.12 I will manifest my selfe to him John 14.21 The Spirit of truth will guide them into all truth John 16.13 A high way shall be there and fooles shall not erre therein Esay 35.8 2. Spirituall deafenesse Comforts against spirituall deafenesse The cares of the deafe shall be unstopped Esay 35.5 Other sheepe I have which are not of this fold them also I must bring and they shall heare my voice Ioh. 10.16 that is the Gentiles not yet called shall understand the voice of GOD. 3. Particular falls through frailty Comforts in regard of slips and frailties 1. GOD will uphold his and keepe them from falling I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world but that thou shouldst keepe them from the evill Joh. 17.20 The LORD is faithfull who shall stablish you and keepe you from evill 2 Thess. 3.3 That your whole soule and body may be preserved blamelesse unto the comming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST Faithfull is hee that calleth you who â—lso will doe it 1 Thess. 5.23 24. GOD watcheth over his people to defend them from sinne 2 Tim. 4 17 18. Rom. 7.24 25. Psa. 73.23 24. Ier. 32.39 40. His mercy holdeth up the godly when they say their foot slippeth Psal. 94.18 He will be their confidence and shall keepe their foot from being taken Pro. 3.26 He will keepe the feete of his Saints 1 Sam. 2.9 And guide their feete into the way of peace Luke 1.79 And thine eare shall heare a word behind thee saying This is the way walke yee in it when yee turne to the right hand and when yee turne to the left Esay 30.21 The childe of GOD hath a promise of preservation from the sinne unpardonable 1 Iohn 5.18 2. Comforts to those that doe fall through infirmity But of this I have spoken already when I treated of the daily and generall Infirmities of Christians therefore I will tanquam canâ—s ad Nilum runne over it hastily GODS people after relapse into some old or fall into some new sinne when their heart is smitten
for it may comfort themselves with such precious places as these 1 Ioh. 2.1 Luke 17.4 1 Sam. 12.20 22. 1 Iohn 1.9 From this last place a reverend Divine collects this comfort If wee see our unworthinesse and with broken hearts acknowledge it GOD is faithfull and iust to forgive it be it never so great Thou hast played the harlot with many lovers yet returne againe to mee saith the LORD Ier. 3.1 3. The LORD will restore them and raise them up againe by repentance The LORD will heale thy backesliding if thou take unto thee words to confesse thy falling away Hosea 14.2 3 4. There is healing in the wings of the Sonne of righteousnesse and you shall grow up as the calves of the stall Mal. 4.2 The LORD upholdeth all that fall and raiseth up all those that are bowed downe Psal. 145.14 Behold I will bring it health and cure and I will cure them and will reveale unto them the abundance of peace and truth Ier. 32.6 Hee speakes Ezek. 34.16 of the time of the Gospell when CHRIST should bee the Shepheard and shewes the Covenant that he will make with those that are his if any thing be lost saith he if a Sheepe lose it selfe this is my Covenant I will finde it If it be driven away by any violence of temptation I will bring it backe againe If there be a breach made into their hearts by any occasion through sinne and lust I will heale them and binde them up GODS Covenant is to make us faithfull in his Covenant the actions of faith and repentance are ours but the power of doing them GODS 4. Spirituall Lamenesse Comforts against Spirituall Lamenesse or weaknesses of graces Then shall the lame man leape as an Hart Esay 35.6 And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walke in my statutes and yee shall keepe my iudgements and doe them Ezek. 36.27 They shall runne and not be wearie they shall walke and not be saint Esay 40.31 See ver 29. The LORD will be the hope of his people and the strength of the children of Israel Joel 3 16. In our Spirituall infancie we may comfort our selves by those cordiâ—ll refreshing promises I will give unto him that is a thirst of the fountaine of the water of life freely Rev. 21.6 A bruised reede shall he not breake and the smoaking flaxe shall he not quench Esay 42.3 though grace be in us but like the heate in the weeke of the candle when the light is out yet GOD hath taken order that it shall not be extinguished Hee shall feede his flocke like a shepheard he shall gather the lambes with his arme and carry them in his bosome and shall gently leade those that are with young Esay 40.11 Hee will use all compassion with a tender respect of our weakenesse In love in care in pittie he will redeeme us and carry us as in the daies of old Esay 63.9 As he hath borne us from the wombe so will he be the same still unto old age even unto the gray haires hee will carry us in the armes of his compassion hee hath made us hee will beare even hee will carry and deliver us Esay 46.3 4. Since thou art a branch of his planting he may glorifie himselfe in thee so as thy little one may be as a thousand and thy small one as a strong nation GOD can performe it in his due time Esay 60.21 22. CHRIST graciously receiveth and tenderly cherisheth weake Christians Zach. 13.7 Matth. 18.5 Hee giveth charge against the contempt of them verse 10. and will not have the day of small things despised Zach. 4.10 The obedience oâ— the faithfull is weake and imperfect but pleasing and acceptable unto GOD. The Psalmist saith Psal. 147.11 149.4 The LORD taketh pleasure in his people the prayers of the upright are his delight GOD will reckon of so much good done by us as wee desired and endeavoured to doe the preparations of our hearts are reckoned with GOD as great things Esay 55.1 This is a great comfort to GODS children that doe their best indeavour to keepe all his Commandements for though they faile in that obedience which they ought to performe yet GOD promiseth to shew mercy to them Exod. 26.6 so long as their heart is true he will beare with their infirmities Wee are not under the law saith the Apostle but under grace Rom. 6.14 We are delivered from the rigour of the Law GOD hath received us to the benefit of that Covenant in which perfection is onely required in CHRIST uprightnesse in us GOD accepts of the will for the deed 2 Cor. 8.12 and the will above the deed as appeareth by the 10. verse Who hath not onely begunne to doe but also to be forward a yeare agoe making it a greater grace to be willing and desirous to doe well then it is to doe a good thing 5. Doubts and Feares of losing the love of GOD. Comforts against doubts and feares of loosing the love of GOD. In the affliction of thy minde and losse of the feeling of GODS favour acquaint thy selfe with those promises Iohn 13.1 Having loved his owne which were in the world he loved them unto the end and without end The gifts and calling of GOD are without repentance that is such gifts as accompany an effectuall calling are such as GOD never repenteth of or taketh away I will not forsake my people 1 King 6.13 Heb. 13.5 Behold GOD will not cast away a perfect man Iob 8.20 The love of GOD unto his childe in respect of tendernesse is infinitely dearer then that of a most loving mother to her little one Esay 49.15 stronger then the stony mountaines and rockes of flint Esay 54.10 as constant as the waters of Noah ver 9. as the ordinances of Heaven Ier. 33.20 and ver 25. nay as sure as GOD himselfe Psal. 89.33 34 35. 6. Forgetfullnesse A promise against forgetfullnesse But the Comforter which is the HOLY GHOST whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you Iohn 14.26 7. Vncheerefullnesse Comforts against dullnesse and uncheerefullnesse The wildernesse and solitary place shall be glad for them and the desart shall reioyce and blossome as the rose it shall blossome abundantly and reioyce even with ioy and singing Esay 35.1 2. Then shall yee sucke yee shall be borne upon her sides and be dandled upon her knees As one whom his mother comforteth so will I comfort you and yee shall be comforted in Ierusalem And when yee see this your heart shall reioyce and your bones shall flourish like an herbe Jer. 66.12 13 14. Thou shalt reioyce in the LORD Esay 41.16 Thou shalt have thy delight in the Almighty Iob 22.26 The godly have a spring of joy within them Iohn 4.14 In thy name shall they reioyce all the day
Psal. 89.16 See Psal. 33.21 8. Indisposition Comforts against it In the thoughts of our indisposiâ—ion to any thing that is good let these places quicken us I can doe all things through CHRIST that strengthneth mee Phil. 4.13 Yee shall be unto mee a kingdome of Priests Exod. 19.6 We shall be able to offer unto GOD the sacrifice of prayer or praise In every place incense shall be offered to my name and a pure offering Mal. 1.11 which is spoken of the beleeving Gentiles 9. Distractions Comforts against them GOD promiseth in the Covenant of grace Ezek. 11.19 To give his people one heart CHRIST prayed that we might have this one heart Iohn 17.21 23. and be one with GOD. When we are troubled with distractions in prayer hearing or meditation wee should pleade the Covenant and pray with David O LORD unite my heart to thee 10. Evils of good done Promises or comforts to the godly for evils of good done GOD not onely accepteth and taketh in good part the poorest service we doe to him notwithstanding our corruptions and frailties but even delighteth and taketh great pleasure in them Cant. 2.14 as a Father delights more in the stammering of his little childe then in the eloquence of the best Orator CHRIST presenteth and perfumeth our prayers to his Father Rev. 8.3 1 Pet. 2.5 And it shall be upon Aarons fore-head that Aaron may beare the iniquity of the holy things and that they may be accepted before the LORD Exod. 28.38 Aaron was a Type of CHRIST who by his intercession perfumes our prayers and doth away the blemishes that cleave to our best actions Loving Parents doe not take notice of many blemishes in their children so GOD seeth no iniquity in Iacob nor any transgression in Israel Num. 23.21 But passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage which makes the Prophet in the beginning of the verse in admiration to cry Who is a GOD like to thee 11. Comforts against Feares of their falling from GOD who labour to work out their salvation with feare and trembling 1. In regard of GOD. 1. His Counsell on which mans salvation is founded is sure and unchangeable and his calling without repentance Rom. 11.29 2. His Love is everlasting and inviolable Ier. 31.3 Rom. 8.35 ult 3. His Mercy like his Lovâ— is â—verlasting Psal. 103.17 Psal. 100.5.106.1 107.1 Luke 1.50 It is iterated 26. times in 136. Psalme 4. His Will is for such Luke 12.32 Iohn 6.39 His Grace and that is all-sufficient 2 Cor. 12.9 5. His Power is for such and that is Almighty Ioh 10.27 28 29. Iude 24.2 Tim. 1.12 6. His faithfullnesse and truth make both for this 2 Thess. 3.3 2. In regard of CHRIST 1. Because of our union with him He is the Head we the members and he will not suffer any to perish that are ingraffed into him Ioh. 6.39 Ioh. 17.22 23 26. 2. From the perpetuall efficacie of his intercession Rom. 8.34 Heb. 7.21 Hee is a Priest for ever and alwaies intercedes for his What he said to Peter I have prayed that thy faith faile not Luke 22.32 Hee performeth for all He is the Author and finisheâ— of our faith Heb. 12.2 3. In regard of the HOLY GHOST 1. His continuall assistance Hee shall abide with us for ever John 14.16 And hee which hath begun a good work will finish it Phil. 1.6 2. His Obsignation which is irrevocable every one that beleeveth is sealed by the holy Spirit of promise Ephes. 1.13 14. sealed for ever 4.30 2 Cor. 1.22 an honest man will not break his bargaine when there is earnest and evidence for it therefore Chrysostome saith elegantly if GOD having once given this earnest should not also give the rest of the inheritance He should undergo the losse of his earnest 4. The lasting power of the Word once rooted in the good and honest heart Luke 8.15 It is called immortall seed 1 Pet. 1.23 25. The engraffed Word James 1.21 The seed remaining 1 Joh. 3.9 5. The certainty and sweetnesse of the promises to this purpose GOD hath promised that his people shall not be mooved from the state of grace Psal. 15.5 16.8 Psal. 37.24 27 28 31. Psal. 55.22 102.28 Pro. 10.30 Psal. 125.1 Hee will not cast off his people nor forsake his inheritance Psal. 94.14 1 Sam. 12.22 And hee will put his feare into their hearts that they shall not depart from him For this is his Covenant with his people Ier. 32.39 40 41. Hosea 2.19 20. Hee upholdeth them with his hand that they shall not fall away Hee will confirme them unto the end that they may be blamâ—lesse in the day of our LORD JESUS CHRIST 1 Cor. 1.8 9. the like is 1 Thess. 5.23 24 GOD hath made more promises to hold up his children then ever he made to hold up the pillars of the world 6. The prayers of the whole Church of GOD which are very prevalent and powerfull Ioh. 16.23 the daily sacrifice of beleevers is ne inducas in tentationem 7. The force and might of faith 1 Pet. 1.2 3 4 5. 8. The durable vigour of saving graces John 4.14 our Saviour hath promised Iohn 16.22 that he will give unto the faithfull such constant and permanent joy as no man shall be able to take from them He hath prayed that our faith may not faile Luke 22.32 It is a stable grace 1 Ioh. 5.4 1 Pet. 2.6 Comforts to the Godly who are troubled with many and strong corruptions and likewise want the meanes of grace either 1. Altogether 2. In the power of them 3. Or having them so yet profit not by them 1. Comforts in case of dismayednesse under many and strong corruptions I will sprinkle cleane water upon you and you shall be cleane â—rom all your filthinesse and from all your idols will I cleanse you Ezek. 36.25 Though thy sinnes were as great as Idolatry in the first Table or Whoredome in the second yet GOD will forgive and sanctifie thee He will cast all our sinnes into the depths of the sea Micah 7.19 The sea can drowne mountaines as well as mole-hills Though they were as crimson and scarlet which will take no other die yet in CHRISTS bloud they shall bee made as white as wooll and snow Esay 1.18 All manner of sinnes and blasphemies shall be forgiven unto men Matth. 12.31 CHRIST came to save sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 It matters not what the wound is so CHRIST be the Physitian Where sin that is the knowledge and feeling of sinne abounded grace over-abounded Rom. 5.20 have wee a multitude and magnitude of sinnes GOD hath a multitude and magnitude of mercies Have mercy upon mee O GOD according unto the multitude so wee translate it the Hebrew word Rob signifieth also magnitude of thy tender mercies Two things terrifie penitent sinners 1. The multitude and exceeding great number of evils whereof they are guilty he tels
Ezek. 36.25 I will turne to the people a pure language Zeph. 3.9 See ver 13. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisedome and his tongue talketh of iudgement The Law of GOD is in his heart Psal. 37.30 31. CHRIST gave himselfe for us that hee might redeeme us from all iniquity and purifie unto himselfe a peculiar people zealous of good workes the LORD will guide the meeke in iudgement and teach the humble his way Psal. 25.8 12. In the daies of the Gospell saith the Prophet Zacharie shall there be upon the bels of the horses HOLINESSE VNTO THE LORD Those Promises before quoted in the Chapter of Justification Mat. 1.21 Ioh. 1.29 1 Iohn 2.2 1 Ioh. 1.7 Rev. 1.5 may be referred to this head also for they are to be understood not onely of pardoning our sinnes but delivering us from the power of them Promises 2. To Sanctification In keeping of them there is great reward Psal. 19.11 Blessed and happy is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power Rev. 20.6 Depart from evill and doe good and dwell for evermore Psal. 37.27 To give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified Act. 20.32 See the like Act. 26.18 See Rom. 8.1 13. 1 Iohn 1.7 Esay 1.16 17 18. CHAP. X Promises of Spirituall Graces 1. The kinds of them 1. Knowledge and wisdome 2. Faith 3. Confidence 4. Hope 5. Joy 6. Love of 1. GOD. 2. CHRIST 3. Our Brethren 4. Our Enemies 7. Feare 8. Obedience 9. Repentance in which are handled 1. Confession of sin 2. Mourning for sin 3. Killing of it 4. Turning from it 10. Humility 11. Meekenesse 12. Patience 13. Righteousnesse 14. Vprightnesse 15. Peace 16. Zeale 17. Perseverance Spirituall Graces promised 1. Knowledge and Wisdome Promises 1. Of Knowledge IT is part of the Covenant Heb. 8.11 You shall know me from the least to the greatest and I will teach you and you shall no more teach one another his neighbour you shall have my law written in your hearts The Prophet speaking of the daies of CHRIST saith The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea Esay 11.9 the like we have Hab. 2.14 In the time of the Old Testament there was a vaile that covered their hearts and their eyes that they were not able to see the truth clearely but now That vaile is taken away and wee see the truth with open face as wee see an image in a glasse We know much more then they in the Old Testament and in another manner more distinctly more particularly It is oft said that The LORD will teach his people As in that famous prophesie of the daies of the Gospell that GOD would teach them his waies and they would walke in his paths Esay 2.3 Micah 4.2 So Psal. 25.8 9. Hee will teach sinners in the way and the meeke hee will teach his way The Elect shall be all taught of GOD Iohn 6.45 so much as is necessary for their salvation yea The least as well as the greatest They shall know of the Scripture to be GODS Word Esay 52.6 They shall know in that day that I am hee that doth speake behold it is I. They shall know of that doctrine which is taught them whether it be of GOD or whether their teacher speake of himselfe Iohn 7.17 CHRISTS Sheepe know his voice and will follow him John 10.4 The secret of the LORD is revealed to them that feare him and hee will shew them his Covenant Psal. 25.14 See ver 12. When the Spirit of truth is come hee will guide you into all truth Iohn 16.13 The faithfull have an unction from the holy one and know all things 1 Iohn 2.20 and ver 27. The HOLY GHOST abideth in them and they need not that any man teach them See Pro. 1.23 Hos. 14.9 Psal. 107.43 Iohn 8.32 Psal. 32.8 Marke 4.11 Esay 30.21 Prov. 2.3 4 5 6. Prov. 3.6 14.6 Promises 2. To Knowledge and wisedome It is rewarded 1. with Temporall blessings GOD will exalt such as know him I will set him on high because he hath knowne my name Psal. 91.14 Length of daies is in her right hand and in her left hand riches and honour Prov. 3.14 2. With spirituall blessings as grace and peace 2 Pet. 1.2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of GOD. 3. With eternall blessings Prov. 3.13 18. Shee is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her and happy is every one that retaineth her 2. Faith which is thus defined Faith is a supernaturall gift of GOD in the mind apprehending the saving promise with all the promises that depend upon it Phil. 1.29 Gal. 3.14 Promises 1. Of Faith GOD promiseth to give Faith to whom hee meanes to save The Apostle saith It is the gift of GOD Ephes. 2.8 and Iude 3. That it was once given to the Saints Heb. 12.2 CHRIST is said to be the Author and finisher of our Faith And Rom. 12.3 That GOD hath dealt to every man the measure of Faith All that the Father giveth mee that is by election shall come to mee that is by Faith Iohn 6.37 See verse 35. Promises 2. To Faith Many Promises are made to Beleevers 1. Beleefe in GOD brings good successe Beleeve in the LORD your GOD so shall yee be established beleeve his Prophets so shall yee prosper 2 Chron. 20.20 2. Forgivenesse of sinnes righteousnesse and justification are promised to Beleevers Acts 10.43 Rom. 10.4 4.5 5.1 Acts 13.39 3. Wee are made the sonnes of GOD by adoption when wee beleeve in CHRIST Ioh. 1.12 Gal. 3.26 29. 4. GOD will give his Spirit to them that beleeve Hee that beleeveth in mee out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water Ioh. 7.38 5. GOD hath promised to heare the prayers of such as beleeve What things soever yee desire when yee pray beleeve that yee receive them and yee shall have them Mark 11.24 Whatsoever yee shall aske in prayer if yee beleeve yee shall receive it Matth. 21.22 6. Eternall life is promised to Beleevers Iohn 3.16 Whosoever beleeveth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life It is not onely said hee shall have eternall life but already he hath it often in Iohn Chap. 3.36 Chap. 5. 24. Chap. 6.47 54. 1. In regard of right because hee is instated into it in the Covenant of grace Mat. 5.3 2. CHRIST in his Ascention hath taken full possession for us Ephes. 2.6 3. In regard of initiall fruition in this life the life of grace is an imperfect life of glory Beleevers are said to be blessed John 20.29 Every man that beleeves shall be saved Mar. 16.16 There is the gracious promise now the Faithfull man assumes the Minor but I beleeve and out of these two premises inferreth this saving Conclusion therefore I shall be saved
appointing the fittest times and seasons for all things so as may most make for his owne glory and his childrens good Let us therefore imitate David Iob and Simeon spoken of before in waiting for the accomplishment of GODS promises and hoping in him even against hope as Abraham did though sence reason and experience should be against us yet let us cleave to the Promises and waite upon GOD who never faileth those that trust in him 1 Pet. 1.13 5. Joy Promises of it This is notably set out unto us in the booke of Psalmes Psal. 19.8 The Statutes of the LORD are right reioycing the heart Psal. 23.4 Thy rod and thy staffe they comfort mee Psal. 36.8 9. Thou shalt make them drinke of the river of thy pleasures for with thee is the fountaine of life and in thy light shall we see light Psal. 89.15 16. Blessed is the people that know the ioyfull sound they shall walke O LORD in the light of thy countenance In thy name shall they reioyce all the day and in thy righteousnesse shall they be exalted Psal. 45.15 With gladnesse and reioycing shall they be brought Psal. 64.10 The righteous shall be glad in the LORD Psal. 68.3 Let the righteous be glad let them reioyce before GOD yea let them exceedingly reioyce Psal. 97.11 12. Light is sowen for the righteous and gladnesse for the upright in heart Reioyce in the LORD yee righteous Psal. 118.15 The voice of reioycing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous Psal. 132.16 Her Saints shall shout aloud for ioy The bookes of the Prophets are full of these Promises Notable is that sweet song of Esay GOD is my Salvation I will trust and not be afraid for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song hee also is become my salvation Therefore with ioy shall yee draw water out of the wells of Salvation or Consolation The whole 35. Chapter of Esay is full of heavenly consolation to as Gentiles verse 1. The wildernesse and thâ— solitary place shall be glad for thâ—m and the desert shall reioyce and blossome as the rose See ver 10. Esay 56.7 I will make them ioyfull in my house of prayer In the 66. of Esâ—y are many sweet consolations vâ—rse 10. to 14. our Saviour likewise said to his Disciples that their hearts should reioyce and their ioy should no man take away from them Joh. 16.22 Paul saith The kingdome of GOD is in righteousnesse peace and ioy in the HOLY GHOST Rom. 14.17 The HOLY GHOST workes it in the heart one of his fruites is joy Gal. 5.22 The LORD makes so many promises of this one thing to make us see 1. That there can be no holding out in a Christian course without this joy 2. By reason of the many evills that befall us in this life it is very hard to get much more to keepe this joy 6. Love of 1. GOD. 2. CHRIST 3. Our Brethren 4. Our Enemies A Promise 1. Of the Love of GOD. And the LORD thy GOD will circumcise thine heart and the heart of thy seed to love the LORD thy GOD with all thy heart and with all thy soule that thou maist live Deut. 30.6 As if the LORD had said I will ingraft the true love of my selfe in your hearts which you will increase in and constantly proceed in the same and then I will account and accept of it for the full measure of love that my law requireth Promises 2. To the Love of GOD. Many things are promised to those that love GOD. 1. Preservation The LORD preserveth all them that love him Psal. 145.20 2. Plenty GOD will cause them to inherit substance and will fill their treasures Proverbs 8.21 3. Deliverance Because hee hath set his love upon mee therefore will I deliver him Psal. 91.14 4. Joy unspeakeable and glorious 1 Cor. 2.9 10. That Text is chiefly meant of the Gospels joy of the wine and fatlings revealed to the Beleever by the Spirit 5. GOD knowes them loves them will keepe his Covenant with them sheweth mercy to them and their posterity and hath promised them a crowne of life If any man love GOD the same is knowne of him 1 Cor. 8.3 I love them that love mee Pro. 8.17 Hee is the faithfull GOD which keepeth Covenant and mercy with them that love him Deut. 7.9 Which sentence is repeated twice in the very same words Nehem. 1.5 Dan. 9.4 He sheweth mercy to them and thousands of their generations that love him Exod. 20.6 Hee shall receive the crowne of life which the LORD hath promised to them that love him James 1.12 2.5 6. All things shall worke together for their good Rom. 8.28 Promises To the Love of CHRIST If any man serve mee him will my Father honour John 12.26 He that loveth mee shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and will manifest my selfe unto him Iohn 14.21 23. Promises to the love of our Brethren It is the cognizance of a Disciple and a signe of spirituall life By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if yee love one another John 13.35 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light 1 John 2.10 And is translated from death to life 1 John 3.14 If we love one another GOD dwelleth in us 1 Iohn 4.12 Promises to the love of our Enemies It is a matter of great credit to forgive for thereby we are declared to be The children of our heavenly Father Matth. 5.44 45. Love your enemies and doe good and your reward shall be great Luke 6.35 If thine enemy be hungry give him bread to eate and if he be thirsty give him water to drinke For thou shalt heape coales of fire upon his head and the LORD shall reward thee Pro. 25.21 22. Thine enemy that is hee that hates thee not hee whom thou hatest for thou must hate none give him bread that is all things necessary in time of his neede if occasion bee offered for by thy beneficence thou shalt overcome his evill and provoke him to love or if not GOD will certainely reward thee It is also matter of Comfort for us for if wee forgive so shall we also be forgiven If yee forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you Matth. 6.14 the same is Marke 11.25 and Luke 6.37 7. Feare Promises of Feare GOD promiseth to make us feare him Hee saith in his New Covenant that he will put his feare into our hearts as Ier. 32.39 40. and that wee shall feare him for ever The LORD doth oft repeate this promise as Deut 4.10 where one speciall meanes whereby this feare is wrought is set downe Gather mee the people together and I will make them heare my words that they may learne to feare mee all the daies that they shall live upon the earth and that they may teach their children So Pro. 2.5 They who seeke for wisedome shall understand the feare
of GOD. David Psal. 40.3 shewes another meanes whereby GOD doth stirre up this grace in his people viz. the beholding of GODS mercy on others saying And he hath put a new song in my mouth even praise unto our GOD many shall see it and feare and shall trust in the LORD They shall feare thee as long as the Sunne and Moone endure throughout all generations Psal. 72.5 They shall feare the GOD of Israel Esay 29.23 They shall feare the LORD and his goodnesse in the latter daies Hos. 3.5 GOD hath made promises to free his people from servile feares Iob 11.15 Psal. 112.7 8. Prov. 1.33 Promises to Feare 1. Great and everlasting mercy is promised to those that feare GOD. As the heaven is high above the earth so great is his mercy toward them that feare him Psal. 103.11 The mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that feare him verse 17. O how great is thy goodnesse which thou hast laid up for them that feare thee Psal. 31.19 2. Such as feare GOD are accepted of him Act. 10.35 He taketh pleasure in them Psal. 147.11 Mal 3.16 17. The Sunne of righteousnesse shall rise up to such Mal. 4.2 GOD will teach them in the way that they should choose Psal. 25.12 13 14. Hee will fulfill their desire Psal. 145.19 3. They shall not want There is no want to them that feare the LORD Psal. 34 9 Psal. 111.5 4. The Angell of the LORD encâ—mpeth round about them and delivereth them Psal. 34.7 5. Their daies shall be prolonged Pro. 10.27 Pro. 19.23 Pro. 22.4 and they shall be rewarded Pro. 13.13 6. Those that feare the LORD are pronounced blessed Blessed is the man that feareth GOD Psal. 112.1 2. Hee will blesse them that feare the LORD both small and great Psal. 115.13 Happy is the man that feareth alway Pro. 28.14 He that feareth the LORD is and shall be every way blessed Psal. 128.1 4. The reward of eternall life shall be given them Rev. 11.18 8. Obedience Promises 1. Of Obedience GOD will make us able to obey GOD doth promise in the New Covenant to enable us to walke in his statutes and keepe his Ordinances and doe them Ezek. 11.19 20. the like is repeated Ezek. 36.27 37.24 And thou shalt returne and obey the voice of the LORD and doe all his Commandements which I command thee this day Deut. 30.8 The like promise is Hos. 14.9 The waies of the LORD are right and the iust shall walkâ— in them GOD hath sworne that wee shall serve him Luke 1.72 74. Promises 2. To Obedience The Scriptures are full of promises to Obedience True and faithfull obedience bringeth all manner of blessings for body and soule for name and estate yea and for seede and posterity also All these blessings shall come on thee and overtake thee if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy GOD Deut. 28.1 2. to 14. 1. All in generall all these blessings shall overtake thee 2. Every one in particular as is shewed in the verses following Particular promises made to Obedience 1. Holy and Christian security Levit. 25.18 19. 26.3 5 6. Pro. 1.33 Iob 11.13 15 19. 1 Chron. 28.7 2. Sufficiencie of outward things nay plenty Deut. 28. Levit 25.18 19 21. 26.3 4 5 10. GODS blessing on the creatures Exod. 23.25 3. Prosperity and a blessing also on their seed Iob 36.11 Esay 48.17 Deut. 6.17 18 24. This is often iterated almost in every Chapter in Deuteronomie and in divers verses of some one Take heede and doe according to all that I command you that it may be well with you and with your children for ever Deut. 4.40 Deut. 5.29 33. Deut. 6.2 3 18 24. Deut. 12.28 GOD will shew mercy unto thousands of them that love him and keepe his Commandements Deut. 5.10 Exod. 20.6 4. Freedome from diseases Exod. 15.26 and deliverance out of trouble Deut. 4.30 31. 5. GODS love and presence If yee will obey my voice indeed and keepe my Covenant then yee shall be a peculiar treasure unto mee above all people Exod. 19.5 And I will set my Tabernacle amongst you and I will walke among you Levit. 26.11 12. 6. Victory over enemies Deut. 6.19 Deut. 11.22 23. Deut. 28.7 Levit. 26.7 8. 7. Audience of their suites and acceptance of their persons If my words abide in you yee shall aske what yee will and it shall be done unto you Iohn 15.7 Our obedience is an acceptable sacrifice to GOD offered up in CHRIST Gen. 4.7 Levit. 26.9 Acts 10.35 8. Perseverance If you keepe my Commandements yee shall abide in my love Iohn 15.10 9. Blessednesse and eternall salvation Blessed are they that keepe iudgement and hee that doth righteousnesse at all times Psal. 106.3 See Pro. 8.32 29.18 Luke 11.28 Iohn 13.17 Rom. 2.10 Iames 1.25 Rev. 22.14 He became the Author of eternall salvation unto all them that obey him Heb. 5.9 A promise 1. To willing obedience If yee be willing and obedient yee shall eate the good of the Land Esay 1.19 2. Promisâ—s to generall obedience Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy Commandements Psal. 119.6 Yee are my Friends if yee doe whatsoever I command you Iohn 15.14 9. Repentance Promises 1 of it Acts 5.31.2 to it Acts 2.31 2 Cor. 3.16 Ier. 4.1 Ezek. 33.15 16. In it are handled 1. Confession of sin 2. Mourning for it 3. Killing of it 4. Turning from it 1. Confession of sinne To true Confession of sinne are promised Remitting of it purging from it and mercy If wee confesse our sinnes hee is faithfull and iust see the certainty of this promise to forgive us our sinnes and to cleanse us from all unrighteousnesse See the extent and largenesse of this promise 1 Ioh. 1.9 Cum homo agnoscit Deus ignoscit saith Austin Hee that confesseth and forsaketh his sinnes shall have mercy Pro. 28.13 If we would iudge our selves we should not be iudged 1 Cor. 11.31 Jer. 3.12 13. Hee looketh upon men and if any say I have sinned and perverted that which was right and it profited mee not He will deliver his soule from going downe into the pit and his life shall see the light Iob 33.27 28. 2. Mourning for sinne Promises 1. Of godly sorrow GOD promiseth in the New Covenant to take away the stony heart out of their flesh that is the stony hardnesse which was in their heart before and to give them a heart of flesh that is a soft and tender heart to tremble at GODS judgements beleeve his promises and obey his Commandements You shall looke on him whom you have pierced and you shall mourne for him as one mourneth for his onely Sonne and be in bitternesse for him as one that is in bitternesse for his first-borne Zach. 12.10 See Ezek. 20.43 36.31 If thou complainest of a hard heart
challenge GOD with his promise and in a holy reverence and humble boldnesse charge him with that Covenant mentioned in Ezekiel Promises 2. To Godly sorrow 1. Comfort Blessed are they that mourne for they shall be comforted Mat 5.4 The words import an exceeding measure of griefe such as is expressed by crying and weeping therefore Luke saith Blessed are yee that now weepe Piscator and others expound it of sorrow for sinne They that so mourne are already blessed and shall be comforted You shall be sorrowfull but your sorrow shall be turned into ioy Iohn 16.20 See verse 24. Psal. 126.5.6 They that sow in teares shall reape in ioy Hee that goeth forth and weepeth shall come againe with reioycing bringing his sheaves with him GOD hath undertaken to comfort them In the prophesie of Esay every where almost wee finde it promised The ransomed of the LORD shall returne and come to Zion with songs and everlasting ioy upon their heads they shall obtaine ioy and gladnesse and sorrow and sighing shall fly away Esay 35.10 They shall have both outward and inward comfoâ—t for so some distinguish betweene ioy and gladnesse that â—oy is outward of the body and gladnesse inward of the soule Psal. 118.24 arise saith GOD â—alling on his Church and shine â—nd put on brightnesse and glory â—he LORD shall be a light unto â—hee in darkenesse CHRIST was â—ent for this very end to comfort such as mourne for their sinnes The LORD hath sent mee to binde up the broken hearted to give unto them that mourne in Zion beauty for ashes the oyle of ioy for mourning the garment of praise for the spirit of heavinesse Esay 61.1 3. Luke 4.18 I am not sent but unto the lost sheepe of the house of Israel Mat. 15.24 that is saith M. Perkins to those which in their owne sence and feeling are lost in themselves The fruit of the Spirit is ioy Gal. 5.22 The LORD who is the Father of mercies and GOD of all consolation is cald a GOD that Comforteth all those that are cast downe 2 Cor. 7.6 Comfort yee comfort yee my people saith our GOD. Speake yee comfortably to Hierusalem and cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished that her iniquity is pardoned Esay 40.1 2. Behold how freely and how fully the LORD speakes how he doubles his comforts Comfort yee comfort yee and iterates his words speake comfortably cry unto her The LORD will comfort Zion and her mourners Esay 57.18 All Sion the Church of GOD shall be comforted and all the friends of the Church that mourne in her mourning and that take to heart her sorrowes and desolation shall be comforted too GOD shall wipe away all teares from their eyes Rev. 7.17 Thus saith the High and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity whose name is holy I dwell in the high and holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones Esay 57.15 The day of humiliation when GODS people afflict their soules before him is called a day of aâ—tonement Levit 23.27 For so is GODS promise In that day there â—hall be a Fountaine opened for sinne Zach. 13.1 2. Grace This benefit is pressed as a motive unto godly sorrow 1 Pet. 5.5 6. GOD giveth grace to the humble Humble your selves therefore saith the Apostle under the mighty hand of GOD. Iam. 4.6 7 9. GOD giveth grace to the humble Submit your selves therefore to GOD Be afflicted and mourne and weepe 1. Knowledge The humble he will teach his way Psal. 25.9 2. Repentance Godly sorrow bringeth repentance to salvation 2 Cor. 7.10 3. Speciall protection assistance and mercy in the evill day Those that mourne for the sinnes of other men have a great promise of speciall protection in the daies of common calamity Goe through the midst of the City through the midst of Ierusalem and set a marke upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abhominations that be done in the midst thereof Ezek. 9.4 GOD marked them for his owne signo salutari saith Iunius with a saving marke such as that Exod. 12. Thou wilt save the afflicted people Psal. 18.27 Hee saveth such as be of a contrite spirit Psal. 34.18 When men are cast downe then thou shalt say there is a lifting up he shall save the humble person Iob 22.29 4. Audience in prayer The LORD hath promised that the prayers of such shall prevaile mightily with him both for themselves and others It is said of Iacob Hosea 12.4 Hee had power over the Angell and prevailed hee wept and made supplications unto him And of Hezekiah Esay 38.5 I have heard thy prayers I have seene thy teares behold I will add unto thy daies fifteene yeares LORD thou hast heard the desire of the humble thou wilt prepare their heart thou wilt cause thine eare to heare Psal. 10.17 When the Prophet had said Psal. 34.17 The righteous cry and the LORD heareth them he giveth this reason verse 18. The LORD is nigh to them that are of a broken heart 2 Chron. 7.14 If my people that are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray then will I heare from Heaven Yea GOD will heare them also for others Iob 42.8 My servant Job shall pray for you for him will I accept 3. Mortification or killing of sinne Promises 1. Of Mortification A Child of GOD shall be able to mortifie his corruptions and overcome his speciall sinnes which most prevaile over him For sinne shall not have dominion over you Rom. 6 14. that is shall never any more reigne as in times past it did and so have the full victory over you For yee are not under the Law but under grace that is Yee are not still under the condemnation and tyranny of the Law but by true receiving of CHRIST by faith are now delivered from that bondage and so brought into the liberty of GODS children See ver 18 22. and Rom. 7.24 25. He will subdue our iniquities Micah 7.19 Hee will tread them under our feete as it were This grace of Mortification is expressely promised Gal. 5.16 Walke in the spirit and yee shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh Tit. 2.11 14. The members of CHRIST shall be cleansed from the guiltinesse of sinne it shall not be imputed and from the filthinesse of sinne it shall not prevaile over them 1 Iohn 17.9 Mat. 1.21 Iohn 1.29 Rev. 1.5 Acts 3.26 Psal. 103.3 The Prophets foretold in their time That GOD would purge and cleanse his Church Esay 1.25 That GOD will purely purge their drosse and take away all their tinne that is their sinnes I will cleanse you or wash you that is with the imputation or sprinkling of the blood of CHRIST from all your Idols that is from all the sinnes that you have committed When wee feele our
services acceptable to GOD Iam. 5.16 Romanes 12.11 3. It is the way to happinesse Matth. 11.12 17. Perseverance Promises to strengthen our faith as touching Perseverance For this marke the first Promise which GOD made The seede of the woman shall breake the serpents head Gen. 3.15 there Satan is stinted to the heele of CHRIST and that promise made to Abraham Gen. 17.7 and to David concerning Salomon 2 Sam. 7.14 15. the which promise is applied to all GODS Elect Psal. 89.23 28 29. GOD hath promised to his Elect That they shall enjoy the worke of their hands and shall not labour in vaine Esay 65.22 23. Not one of them shall be lacking in the whole flocke Jer. 23.4 Hee will build them and not plucke them downe hee will plant them and not pull them up Ier. 24.6 See Esay 33.20 Deut. 31.8 2 Sam. 7.10 Amos 9.15 Psal. 92.13 14. Pro. 10.30 12.3 Judg. 5.31 Job 11.15 17. Esay 42.3 46.4 Esay 55.3 Ezek. 37.26 Heb. 13.5 20. Esay 54.9 10. Promises 2. To Perseverance The Promises of reward are limited and restrained unto those who persevere unto the end Hee that endureth unto the end shall bee saved Matth. 10.22 which is often repeated Matth. 24.13 Marke 13.13 CHRIST promiseth a reward to those seven Churches of Asia but with a proviso of overcomming To him that overcommeth will I give to eate of the tree of life which is in the paradise of GOD Rev. 2.7 Hee that overcommeth shall not be hurt of the second death verse 11. To him that overcommeth will I give to eate of the hidden Manna verse 17. To him that overcommeth and keepeth my workes unto the end to him will I give power over the nations verse 26. See 28. verse Holding fast and going on hath a crowne attending it Heb. 10.23 Luke 22.28 29 30. Be thou faithfull unto death and I will give thee a crowne of life Rev. 2.10 If yee abide in mee and my words abide in you yee shall aske what yee will and it shall be done unto you Iohn 15.7 See Iames 1.25 Heb. 3.14 Gal. 6.9 CHAP. XI 2. The Degrees of Graces Promises Of growth and increase in Grace GOD hath promised to give grace abundantly not onely to drop it but to powre it I will powre water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the drie ground I will powre my Spirit upon thy seed c. Esay 44.3 4. Their soule shall be as a watered garden Esay 58.11 and Jer. 31.12 GOD promiseth to make his people fruitfull He is compared to a Husbandman the Church to an Orchard the faithfull to young plants whose nature is to spread and shoot out their branches and bring forth fruit Iohn 15.2 The godly man shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that bringeth forth fruit in his season Psal. 1.3 Jer. 17.8 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our GOD. They shall bring forth fruit in old age they shall be fat and flourishing Psal. 92.13 14. An old man being once asked if hee grew in goodnesse said yea doubtlesse I beleeve it to be so for GOD hath said it The righteous shall flourish as the branch Pro. 11.28 Yee shall goe forth and grow up as the calves of the stall Mal. 4.2 The LORD likewise as a good Shepheard saith Hee will feede his people that they may be fat that is abounding in grace as Psal. 23. Ezek. 34.13 14 15. Psal. 36.8 Pro. 13.4 He saith Hee will give strength to his people to walke in the waies of the LORD Esay 45.24 Esay 40.29 31. Psal. 29.11 Esay 26.4 12. Esay 41.10 Zach. 10.12 Phil. 4.13 They go from strength to strength Psal. 84.7 The righteous shall hold on his way and he that hath cleane hands shall be stronger and stronger Job 17.9 But the path of the iust is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day Pro. 4.18 Whosoever hath that is useth well what he hath received to him shall be given and he shall have abundance Matth. 13.12 Luke 19.26 Mar. 4 24. Nathaniel beleeved at the first yet he is promised that hee shall see greater things See Hos 14.5 6 7. Promises to severall degrees of true grace or growth in grace 2 Pet. 1.5 6 8 10 11. Growth in grace will procure growth in glory the more holinesse we have here the more happinesse wee shall have hereafter If we be rich in the worke of the LORD our labour shall not be in vaine in the LORD 1 Cor. 15.58 Hee that sowes liberally shall reape liberally wee shall receive a full reward Iohn Epist. 2.8 CHAP. XII 2. Spirituall Duties THe LORD hath promised to assist us in them by his Spirit and they being done by the operation and assistance of the Spirit shall be accepted and rewarded of the Father 1. GOD hath promised to helpe us by his Spirit in holy duties Therefore wee must not onely looke to the Commandement injoyning duty but to the promise shewing GODS mercy in helping us For GOD in the New Covenant gives what he requires In one place the LORD commandeth Cast away from you all your transgressions and make you a new heart and a new Spirit In another place hee promiseth I will sprinkle cleane water upon you and you shall be cleane from all your filthinesse A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you So GOD commandeth them to circumcise the foreskinne of their hearts Deut. 10.16 and after he saith hee will circumcise their hearts c. Deut. 30.6 He commands us to keepe his Commandements Eccles. 12.13 and promiseth to cause us to walke in his statutes Ezek. 36 27. Hee commandeth us to feare Him Eccles. 12.13 and promiseth to put his feare into our hearts Ier. 32.40 Hee commandeth us to have a new soft heart and promiseth to make it so Ezek. 36.26 Hee commands us to pray and make knowne our wants to him and promiseth to powre upon us the Spirit of grace and Supplication Zach. 12.10 GODS promises are the foundation of all our performances For we by working doe not cause him to fulfill his promises but he by promising doth enable us to performe our workes 2. GOD promiseth to accept the services of his children All our sacrifices shall be accepted The LORD by Moses did often tell his people that their sacrifices should be accepted Levit 1.3 4. 22.21 23.11 Exod. 28.36 38. See Esay 60.7 Ezek. 43.27 20.40 41. Mal. 3 4. If thou doest well shalt not thou be accepted Gen. 4.7 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousnesse Psal. 51.19 Yee are a holy Priesthood to offer up spirituall sacrifices acceptable to GOD by JESUS CHRIST 1 Pet. 2.5 If there be first a willing minde it is â—câ—epted according to that a man hath and not according to that
he hath not 2 Cor. 8.12 I will make them ioyfull in mine house of prayer their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine Altar Esay 56.7 3. GOD will reward the services of his children To him that soweth righteousnesse shall be a sure reward Pro. 11.18 Every man shall receive his owne reward according to his labour 1 Cor. 3.8 Whatsoever good thing any man doth the same shall hee receive of the LORD whether he be bond or free Ephes. 6.8 Behold his reward is with him Esay 40.10 Verily there is a reward for the Righteous Psal. 58.11 I the LORD search the heart I trie the reines even to give every man according to his waies and according to the fruit of his doings Jer. 17.10 Let us not be weary of well-doing for in due season wee shall reape if wee faint not Galat. 6.9 He shall reward every man according to his workes Mat. 16.27 CHAP. XIII The ordinances of GOD. 1. In generall 2. Particular Duties 1. Prayer 2. Preaching 3. Reading Promises 1. To the ordinances of GOD generally THere is a promise to the use of GODS ordinances James 4.8 Draw nigh to GOD and he will draw nigh to you With ioy shall yee draw water out of the wels of salvation Esay 12.3 We may apply this promise when we pray heare conferre or fast in every dutie Promises 2. To particular Duties 1. Prayer 1. GOD will give his children hearts to seeke him by Prayer He shall call upon mee and I will answer hiâ— Psal. 91.15 Then shall yee call upon mee and yee shall goe and pray unto mee and I will hearken unto you Ier. 29.12 He will prepare their hearts Psal. 10.17 For this cause shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou maist be found Psal. 32.6 See Ier. 31.9 and Hosea 3.5 2. GOD promiseth to helpe us to pray His Spirit shall indite our prayers and helpe us to draw our petitions The Spirit helpeth our infirmities and maketh intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered Rom. 8.26 27. I will powre upon the house of David and upon the Inhabitants of Ierusalem the Spirit of grace and supplications Zach. 12.10 So soone as the Spirit of Grace entreth into the heart it makes one plentifull and abundant in supplicating and suing unto GOD for grace and mercy 3. GOD hath bound himselfe by promise to heare his servants when they call upon him The LORD made a promise to Salomon after his prayer saying Mine eyes shall be open and mine eares attentive to the prayer in â—his place 2 Chron. 7.15 The LORD is rich unto all that call upon him Rom. 10. â—2 Be carefull for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thankesgiving let your request bee made knowne unto GOD. And the peace of GOD which passeth all understanding shall keepe your hearts and mindes through CHRIST JESUS Philip. 4.6 7. The prayers of the upright are his delight Pro. 15.8 Hee heareth the prayer of the righteous verse 29. GOD will not onely heare our prayers in generall but our voice Psal. 5.3 our very desires Psal. 10.17 Pro. 10.24 which are effectuall prayers with GOD. He will not despise our prayers Psal. 102.17 He will not reproch us nor upbraid us with what is past or our present frailties Iam. 1.5 It is agreeable to his nature and disposition to heare prayers Psal. 65.12 The thing that hath encouraged GODS children and given them heart in prayer hath beene this hope and assurance that they should finde audience and respect with GOD O thou that hearest prayer or because thou hearest prayer all flesh shall resort unto thee Psal. 65.2 GOD excepts no man all shall be heard For thou LORD art good and ready to forgive and plenteous in mercy to all them that call upon thee Ps. 86.5 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him to all that call upon him in truth Psal. 145.18 It shall come to passe that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered Ioel 2.32 which is repeated Acts 2.21 and Rom. 10.13 Though our prayers be weake yet let us remember that the promise is made to all We may see the proofe of this in a prayer made in much infirmity Psal. 31.22 GOD is more ready to heare then we to aske to give then we to receive 1 Pet. 3.12 His eares are open as a kinde mother or nurse which useth to be so wakefull that shee will heare the child so soone as ever it begins to cry Dan. 10.11 Feare not Daniel for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand and to humble thy selfe before GOD thy words were heard yea before they call I will answer and while they speake I will heare Esay 65.24 that is in our purpose of Prayer This the faithfull have gloried in Psal. 4.3.17.6 and 38.15 GOD hath specially bound himselfe to heare his children in those prayers that they make unto him in their afflictions the time of trouble is the very set houre of Audience The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous and his eares are open to their cry Psal. 34.15 The righteous cry and the LORD heareth and delivereth them out of all their troubles verse 17. Which is repeated foure times in the 107. Psalme 6 13 19. and 28. verses The LORD saith Psal. 50.15 Call upon mee in the day of trouble I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorifie mee Hee will regard the prayer of the destitute aâ—d not despise their prayer Psal. 102.17 to 21. their teares sâ—ghes and groanings are not hid from him Psal. 39.12 He will heare in the morning Psal. 5.3 in the very season the due time when we are in trouble Yea so as hee will in our affliction in a speciall manner let us know that hee is our GOD and that he will deliver us Zach. 13.9 The LORD heareth the prayers of his people when they thinke they are cast out of his sight Psal. 31.22 GODS people have found comfort in all their afflictions by powring out their hearts to GOD in prayer Psal. 109.3 4. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee for thou hearest mee Psal. 86.7 The LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping the LORD hath heard my supplication the Lord will receive my prayer Psal. 6.8 9. A Noble man in this Kingdome had a ring given him by the Queene Elizabeth with this promise that if hee sent that ring to her at any time when he was in distresse shee would remember him and deliver him This was a great priviledge from a Prince and yet that ring though sent might not be delivered GOD hath given his children prayer as that ring and tells them whatsoever distresse they are in let them but send this up to him and he will be sure to relieve them and when they doe send up this it is sure
me hath everlasting life the houre is comming and now is when the dead shall heare the voyce of the Sonne of GOD and they that heare shall live John 5.24 25. not such a voyce as shall call them out of their graves as in the 28. verse for he saith now is but the meaning of the place is that those which were dead in sinne should be quickned either by CHRIST in his own person or by his Word in his Ministers The titles given to the Word expresse this It is called the Word of life Acts 5.20 Phil. 2.16 John 6 68. The Word of grace Acts 20.32 The word of Salvation Acts 13. â—6 Salvation it selfe and life eâ—erlasting Heb. 2.3 Acts 28.28 John 12.50 The word is able to save our soules Jam. 1.21 1 Tim. 4.16 1 Cor. 1.21 To this purpose there are so many commendations of the Word specially in the Psâ—lmes and Proâ—erbes Psal. 19. â— The lâ—w of the LORD is perfect c. the whole 119. Psalm was written to set out the excellency of the Word The nine first Chapters of the Proverbes Take fâ—â—st hold of instruction let her not goe keepe her for she is thy life Pro. 4.13 Instruction is our life therby we attain all things pertaining to the comfort of this life and of that to come See Pro. 1.9 23. Pro. 2. from 1. to 13. Prov. 3.3 to 4. 13. ver to 24. Prov. 4.5 to 14. 20. to 23. Prov. 6.20 to 24. Pro. 7.1 to 5. and the whole eighth Chapter Sanctifie them through thy truth thy word is truth John 17.17 Doe not my words doe good to him that walketh uprightly Micah 2.7 As new born babes desire the sincere milke of the word that yee may grow thereby 1 Pet. 2.2 The comparisons which are used to set forth the profit of the Word confirme this it is resembled to The light Esay 9.2 Raine Deut. 32.2 Deaâ— there also living water Zach. 14.8 Wine and milke Esay 55.1 2. It is able 1. To inlighten with saving knowledge the simplest that shall heare and read it with an honest heart Psalme 119.130 2. To reform the heart and life of him that hath the strongest corruptions Psal. 119.9 3. To comfort and revive the heart that is most cast down either with inward or outward afflictions Esay 57.19 4. To preserve and adde knowledge and grace to them that have best profited Mar. 4.24 Whensoever we goe to the Word we should meditate on some of these precious promises to incourage us to attend unto GODS Word with expectation of his blessing on our labours Promises For the Sacraments 1. In generall They are the Seales of the righteousnesse of faith Rom. 4.11 or of the Covenant of grace The Apostle speaks of both Sacraments 1 Cor. 12.13 2. The specialâ— Sacraments Baptisme LORDS Supper 1. Baptisme Promises to it It is called The laver of regeneration Tit. 3.5 The Baptisme of repentance for remission of sinnes Mar 1.4 Act. 2.38 Our sins are said to be washed away Act. 22.16 Heb. 10.22 and Baptisme saveth 1 Pet. 3.21 all which belong to the blood of CHRIST Rev. 1.5 1 John 1.7 our Saviour saith we must be borne of water John 3.5 that is be made GODS children by receiving CHRIST as John 1.12 GOD hath promised that he will baptise us with the HOLY GHOST and with fire Mat. 3.11 2. LORDS Supper Promâ—ses to it When our LORD JESUS did ordaine it he speaking of the Bread said This is my body and of the Wine This is my blood of the New Testament Mat. â—6 26 28. that is these outward signes and seales were most sure and certain pledges of his body and blood which he did as truly give to be spirituall food as he gave the bread and wine to be bodily food to every believer 1 Cor. 10.16 There is a full meale 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 14.17 Bread and Wine comprehend entire food for humidum siccum are all that are required unto food this is promised Esay 25.6 In this mountaine shall the LORD of Hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things a feast of wines on the lees c. that is he would make for his Church compleat provision So Pro 9.5 A Lawfull Oath Promises to it God hath promised to reward it 1. In this life Jer. 12.16 If they will learne the wayes of my people to sweare the LORD liveth c. then shall they be built in the midst of my people 2. In the life to come with eternall happinesse for he that sweareth and chargeth not though it be to his owne hinderance he shall dwell in GODS holy Mountaine Psal. 15 4. Fasting Promises to it Be afflicted and mourne and weepe let your laughter be turned to mourning and your ioy to heavinesse Humble your selves in the sight of the LORD and he shall lift you up Jâ—m 4.9 10. If thou fast in secâ—â—t thy Father which seeth in secreâ— will reward thee openly Mat. 6.18 Joel 2.12 13 14 15 18 19. first a fast is prescribed then a blessing promised Praising GOD. Promises of it They shall praise the LORD that seeke him Ps. 22.26 They shall shew forth my praise Esay 43.21 Yee shall eat in plenty and be satisfied and praise the name of the LORD Joel 2.26 where GOD promiseth temporall blessings and a thankfull heart it is an evident signe of the continuance of them as there in Joel And Deuter. 8.10 Esay 62.8 9. Promises to it Them that honour me I will honour 1 Sam. 2.30 He that offereth praise glorifieth me Psal. 50.23 Praise is one of the Sacrifices with which GOD is well-pleased Heb. 13.15 16. Psal. 69.30 31. Let all the people praise thee O GOD let all the people praise thee Then shall the Earth yeeld her increase and GOD even our owne GOD shall blesse us Psal. 67.5 6. Promises To Meditation Mercy and truth shall be to them which devise good Pro 14 22. Thinke of these things which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen in me and the GOD of peace shall be with you Phil. 4.8 9. Let not the booke of the Law depart out of thy mouth but meditate therin day and night that thou maist observe to doe according to all that is written therin for then shalt thou make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have good successe Josh. 1.8 Blessed is the man that meditates on the Word day and night Psal. 1.2 Promises To Self-examination If we would iudge our selves we should not be iudged 1 Cor. 11.31 Let every man proove his owne work and then he shall have reioycing in himselfe alone and not in another Gal. 6.4 Promises To those that conscionably sanctifie the LORDS day The sanctifying of the LORDS â—ay will bring comfort and hapâ—inesse to soule and body 1. Blessings Spirituall 13. v. â—â—d Temporall 14. of 58. of Esay If thou turn away thy foot from the â—abbath from doing thy
the streets of Ierusalem Zach 85. and that they should have liberty to invite and enteâ—taine eitâ—er other Zach. 3 10. Ier. 31.20 1 Tim. 4.8 Let us resolve to be Gods and enter into Covenant with him Iosh 24.14 Nehem. 5.13 Nehem 9. 2 King 23.3 2 Chron 3â— 31 2 Chron. 15.12 is a speciall place there was a Covenant yea an oath upon the Covenant a Bond upon a Bond Psal. 119.106 1 Ioh. 4.19 God bestowes himselfe on that man that in true desire would have God for his God M. Harris * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 garbage and filth that is throwne out to dogges Ignatius that holy Martyr called Christ his love my Love saith he was Crucified 2 Sam. 7.18.19 Abbot his Geography and Grimston Gods covenant with his people is a covenant of mercy therefore these two are often joyned together in Scripture 1 King 8.23 Dan. 94. and elsewhere 1. Mercy induced God to make it 2 He administers this Covenant with a great deale of mercy 1 accepting a little 2 giving that little 3 passing by many provocations Psal. 31.1 9. Psal. 36.7 8 9. Psal. 74.20 94.14 Phil. 4.6 Psal. 119.125.176 Amos 3.2 Rom. 2.9 In the preface to the Commandements this is premised to provoke their subjection to the whole Law I am the LORD thy GOD Exod. 20. and againe Levit 18.1 5. I am the LORD your GOD yee shall therefore doe my iudgements and keepe my ordinances and this was the reason of the peoples resolution in Ioshua's time 24 17 8. For the LORD is our GOD c. therfore will we also serve the LORD for he is our GOD. Psal. 32.10 Iob 1.10 * He saith not saith Theoâ—lores a wall of stone or of brasse but of fire that it may both fray a faiâ—e of and keepe of toe at hand that it may not onely protect them but destroy their enemies Non saxeâ— non aheneus sed igneus qui comminus arecat eminus terreat Ezra 8.22 31 Gen. 32. God will be with his in the fire as he was with the three children and in the water as he was with Moses and Ionah * By floods of waters the Scriptures metaphorically expresse great dangers and violent troubles Psal. 42.7 Rev. 1â— 15 Esay 59.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nocumenta documenta Schola crucis schola lucis Detrimenta Corporum incrementa virtutum Gregory Psal 119.75 Esay 10.25 26 20. Ch. 54.7 8. Chap 57.16 Hos. 6.2 Heb 10.37 1 Pet. 1.6 5.10 God hath the wisdome of a Father and the bowels of a Mother Ier. 31.21 A child never sits so much on his mothers lap and in her bosome as when sick so the Spouse being sick of love that is in some misery Christ stayeth her with flâ—gons comforts her with apples his left hand is under her head and his right hand doth embrace her Cant. 2.5 6. Afflictions are sanctified to the godly Qui excipitur à numero flagellaâ—oruÌ„ exelpitur à numero siliorum He that â—scapes his aâ—fliction may suspect his adoptioÌ„ Deus unicum habet silium sine peccato nullum sine stagello Rev. 3.19 * 2 Cor. 4.17 Who can shew a richer and fuller expression in Tully or Demosthenes then is in the Greeke where there is both an elegant Antithesis and double hyperbole beyond englishing Iam. 1.2 Deut. 8.2 3 16. That one v. 35. of 11. of Daniel And some of them of understanding shall fall to try them and to purge and to make them white sheweth that these were the three chiefe ends of their afflictions 1. To try what drosse of corruption what sound mettall of grace was in them 2. To purge out the corruption which was yet found remaining in them 3. To make them more beautifull and shining in grace God afflicts his people that they might trust in Him Zeph. 3.12 Hos. 5 15. Psal. 107.6 13 19. Esay 26.16 Psal. 73.23 2 Cor 7.3 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed a refuge in time of trouble Psal. 9.9 See v. 18 Psal. 46.1 2 3 Vnto the upright there ariseth light in darknesse Psal. 11â— 4 that is comfort in afflictions Heb. 12.5 Psal. 37.39 40. Mal 3.3 Esay 30.18 Numeri definiti pro indefinitis Faith looketh unto God and acknowledgeth his hand in all afflictions Amos 3.6 and this will caâ—se patience 1 Sam. 3.18 Psal. 39 19. Iob 1.21 Hos. 6.1 God hath made a sweeâ—e promise of giving liberally even wisdome to behave our selves under the crosse if we aske it Iam. 1.4 5. See Ier. 33 2. Lam. 3.39 40. Iob 11.14 * It may be understood either as a precept Leâ— him not make hast or as a promise He shall not make haste * Prayer of the Saints in time of afflictions can doe more then all the witches in the world can doe to whom divellish minded people seeke in their troubles for they can but set the Divels awork but prayer will set God aworke S Ierome saith it was a proverbe among the Hebrews God will help us in the Mount Gen 2â— 14 and it is an english proverbe mans extremity is Gods opportunity Ibi incipit auxilium divinum ubi deficiâ— humanum Psal. 61.2 3. Psal. 27.10 1. To prevent sicknesse Pro 3.25 2. To helpe in sicknesse 3. To take it away Iob 5 18. Mat. 6.33 * The good that comes by the promise is a more sure compleate and comfortable good Iob 21.7 8. Ier. 12.1 2. Psal. 73.12 God will either supply the wants of his children or inable them to beare them as he taught Paul how to want Phil. 4.12 Gen. 15 1. Hab. 3 17 18 At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh Iob. 5 22. God will not leave his in famine but will then relieve them as he did the widdow of Zarâ—phâ—ah Esay 41.17 18. Levit. 25.44 This promise Deut. 30. â— was performed by Christ Luke 4 18. Ephes. 4.8 Psal. 22.24 Psal. 140.12 Exod. 22.23 Deut. 10.8 14.29 24.20 Thou arâ— good and dost good Psal 119.68 Ier. 32 41. The Lord undertakes not only by single promise but by Covenant to furnish his people with all needfull blessings pertaining to this life Râ— good Mat. 6.33 Exod. 19 5. Psal. 91.14 Deut 28 1. Esay 58.14 Psal. 14â— 18 Iob 36.7 If any man serve mee him will my Father honour Ioh. 12 26. His borne shall be exalted with honâ—ur Psal. 113.9 He raiseth up the poore out of the dust and liftâ—th the needy out of the dunghill thâ—s he may 〈◊〉 him with Princes Psal 113.7 8 Deut. 28.13 Many shall make store unto thee Iobâ—1 â—1 19. Exod. 20 1â— He that followeth afteâ— righteousnes as a man followeth a trade shall finde honour and life true honour and eternall life Pro. 21.21 See Esay 65.20 22. Psal 91 16. Psal. 1â—8 6 Iob 5.26 Psal. 121.3 An example hereof we have in David 1 Sam 306. Psal. 8 2. Ier 46.27 Micah 4.4 Promises to peaceable men or peace-makers Mat. 5 9. Iam 3 16. 1 Cor. 9.6