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
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
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
Saviour Redeemer The HOLY GHOST is his Comforter dwells in him to teach him and guide him into all truth and to seale up the promises to his heart He hath the guard of Angels Heb. 1.14 Dominion over the creatures and free use of them both for necessity and delight Heb. 2.7 8. 1 Tim. 4.2 3. All things are his and he is Christs 1 Cor. 3.22 23. GOD calls such as are in Covenant with him His Treasure Psal. 135.4 His peculiar people Exod. 19.5 Deut. 14.2 His love for delights Cant. 76. The Lot of his inheritance Deut. 32.9 His hidden ones Psal. 83.3 His Iewels Mal. 3.17 Hee that toucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye Zach. 2.8 They are his beloved Psal. 108.6 127.2 As the signet upon his right hand Cant. 8.6 Esay 49.16 Hee dwelleth with them Ioh. 14.23 He followeth them whithersoever they goe Iosh. 1.9 He stands at their right hand Psal. 109.31 And holds them up by it Psal. 73.23 He covers them under his pavillion Psal. 27.5 Hee keepes their feet 1 Sam. 2.9 Their very bones Psal. 34.20 Hee counteth their wandrings Psal. 56.8 Hee numbreth their haires Matth. 10.30 Hee bottles up their teares Psal. 56.8 If they doe but sigh Hee observes it Psal. 38.9 He is the shield of their helpe the sword of their excellencie Deut. 33.29 Hee is their hope their helpe their health Psalme 71.5 Ioel 3.16 Ier. 17.7 Their Rocke their Refuge Psal. 62.2 6 7. Hee will teach them in the way that they should choose Psal. 25.12 And make them perfect in good workes Heb. 13.21 2 Thess. 2.17 Hee will give them their hearts desire Psal. 37.4 Pro. 10.24 His eye is ever upon them for good Psal. 33.18 The Prophet comprehends all in that one verse Psal. 84.11 The LORD GOD is a Sunne and shield the LORD will give grace and glory no good thing will hee withhold from them that walke uprightly A Sunne for consolation a Shield for protection A Sunne to give them life a Shield to defend life given A Sunne to make them fruitfull in all good a Shield to preserve them from all evill He will give not onely temporall blessings as it followeth there no good thing c. but he will also bestow upon them grace here and glory hereafter even that grace that shall be once glory Godlinesse is profitable to all things saith the Apostle having the promises of both lives of temporall things for this life and of spirituall and eternall things for the life to come Since then the happinesse of a Christian consists in this that GOD is his GOD every one should labour to secure this maine point and try whether he be in speciall Covenant with GOD. To this duty the Apostle exhorts us when he bids us Give diligence to make our calling and election sure 2 Pet. 1.10 2 Cor. 13.5 he saith Examine your selves whether yee be in the faith prove your owne selves And indeed there cannot be a better evidence that we are in the Covenant then this that we are in the faith or that faith is in us for so are those words to be understood For the Covenant of grace runs all upon promises I will give thee c. now faith answers the promise for the promise is to be beleeved Abraham beleeved in the LORD and therefore GOD reckoned him as a man that was righteous Gen. 15.6 and accepted him to be a partaker of the Covenant Every beleever is within the Covenant He that hath a true and saving Faith which worketh inwardly by purifying the heart Acts 15.9 and outwardly by Love Gal. 5.5 may certainely conclude that GOD is his GOD. We may know likewise that we are in Covenant with GOD by this if wee labour to keepe Covenant with him Psal. 103.18 if our greatest care be to please him and our greatest feare least we should offend him If we have chosen him it is certaine hee hath chosen us for so Cyril interprets that place Iohn 15.16 You have not chosen mee but I have chosen you that is saith he in regard of priority I have chosen you first There is a threefold Choosing of GOD. 1. In opinion to prize and esteeme him above all other delights when with Paul wee count all things as drosse and dung nay dogges-meat as the Originall hath it in comparison of CHRIST Philip. 3.8 2. In affection if we love him above all when we can say with the Spouse Cant. 1.7 O thou whom my soule loveth or with Peter LORD thou knowest that I love thee Ioh. 21.16 3. In practise when we choose his waies as David saith I have sworne and will performe it that I will keepe thy righteous iudgements Psal. 119.106 If upon a diligent scrutinie into our owne hearts and waies we finde GOD hath the chiefest command over all our thoughts affections and desires and that wee are truely ingrafted into CHRIST by faith wee should then prize the Covenant and improve it to all holy uses 1. We should highly prize the Covenant We should say with David What am I or what is my fathers house that I should be raised hitherto We should rejoyce in this that the Great and mighty GOD will enter into Covenant with us every promise should be precious unto us That noble Emperour Theodosius thought it a greater honour to be Membrum Ecclesiae then Caput Imperij a member of the true Church then Monarch of the world Salomon in the booke of his repentance preferres the title of Ecclesiastes a Preacher or reconciled Penitent before the title of the Sonne of David King of Ierusalem When Charles the fifth Emperour in a challenge to Francis the first King of France commanded his Herauld to proclaime him with all his Titles stiling him the Emperour of Germanie King of Castile Arragon Naples Sicilie c. Francis commanded his Herauld to call him so often King of France as the other had titles by all his Countries implying that France alone was more worth then all the Countries which the other had So when the wicked brag of their Honours Livings and great Lordships a child of GOD may say that GOD is his he is his portion and oppose this to all other dignities whatsoever For when a man hath GOD he hath all hee is Blessednesse it selfe when hee comes into the heart all comforts come along with him The Child of GOD may view the Heavens and say my Father made them hee may behold the workes of providence and say my Father feeds cloathes and preserves all the creatures in the world if he be in prosperity he may say GOD hath yet reserved greater goods for mee if in adversity hee may say CHRIST hath endured much more for my sake The Word and Sacraments are his Hee may goe boldly to the throne of grace Heb. 10.22 and aske almost what hee will in the name of CHRIST Marke 11.24 All his infirmities shall be borne withall all his
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