And first to begin with those earthly blessings which be generall and containe all the particular blessings of this life It may appeare that this is Gods gracious intent to succour our weaknes who although we enjoy many good blessings for this present life as health and wealth food and raiment and the like many yet if we wanted but one it would much molest vs and take away our comfort and chearfulnesse in his service for this cause the Lord as a tender father desiring the welfare of his beloved child bids him be a good and obedient child and so promiseth him he shall not want any thing So I say the Lord our kind and tender father bids vs as good children hearken to his voyce and to be ruled by him and tels vs we shall not want any thing that is good as is expresly sayd Psal 34. where Dauid led by a late experience of Gods mightie delivering him out of a great danger composeth a Psalme of thankesgiuing vnto God for the same wherein he provoketh all other the faithfull servants of God as to praise God with him Psal 34. so to consider this bountie of the Lord Vers 3. saying O â—ast and see that the Lord is good 8. Blessed is the man that trusteth in him 9. And againe O feare the Lord yee his Saints for there is no want to them that feare him Yea more speaking as I vnderstand him of the mightie and cruell oppressours of the world who like devouring beasts doe eat vp as sheepe Gods poore people Vers 10. sayth The Lyons doe lacke and suffer hunger but they that seeke the Lord shall not want any good thing and to like effect much more in that Psalme as you may read Psal 84 11. The Lord God is a Sunne and shield c. and no good thing will he withhold from them that walke vprightly Againe beholding how much it vexed Gods children to see the wicked prosper in this world and the godly many wayes distressed â—e of purpose made the 37. Psalme to hearten the godly against this sore tentation which hath in all ages much troubled Gods people as may be seene by the complaints of Iob and Ieremy Iob. 21. and many others Ier. 12. In this Psalme the Prophet doth plentifully handle this point Psal 37. that the state of the godly is farre better even in this life then the wicked besides the infinite oddes in the life to come for proofe whereof as he in many words sets out the short and soone fading prosperitie of the wicked so doth he more largely lay downe the blessed condition of the godly in things belonging to this life As vers 3. Trust in the Lord and doe good so shalt thou dwell in the land and verily thou shalt be fed Vers 4. Delight thy selfe in the Lord and he will giue thee the desires of thine heart Vers 5. Commit thy way vnto the Lord trust also in him and he shall bring it to passe Vers 1â— But the meeke shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselues in the abundance of peace Vers 16. A little that a righteous man hath is better then the riches of many wicked With many other like in the same Psalme as you may see To the same purpose was made the 73. Psalme where he begins Yet God is good to Israel and to such as are of a cleane heart and doubtlesse many other Psalmes were made to comfort the faithfull in this life that God would be their portion and reliefe in all their necessities as Psal 16. 5. 6. Psal 23. is wholly to the same end which he propounds v. 1. The Lord is my Shepheard I shall not want and so proues it in the verses following I might heape vp many other scriptures to this end for God hath not beene sparing in this kinde as every one who is exercised in the Scriptures can witnesse Mat. 6. 33. But seeke yee first the kiâ—gdome of God and his righteousnesse and all these shall be added vnto you This is that which is so oft repeated Deut. 5. 16. 5 33. 6. 3. 18. 22. 25. 28. That it may goe well with thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee This also must needs be meant in those Scriptures which set out the goodnesse of the Lord as Psal 3â— 19. O how great is thy goodnes which thou hast layd vp for them that feare thee which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sonnes of men And Psal 145. 9. The Lord is good and his tender mercies are over all his workes Its needles to cite more of these which be so common wherein Gods goodnesse louing kindnes and mercy and that specially in things belonging to this naturall life are commended vnto vs For seeing godlines hath the promises of this life aswell as of the life to come It cannot be doubted but in all those generall promises wherein God sayth He will dwell with his and not forsake them That God will loue and blesse his people That he will be their God Will reioyce ouer them to doe them good Will compasse them with favour as with a shield Will keepe his covenant with them That he will see peace in their borders and prosper them in all they goe about In these I say and the like many it cannot be doubted but all needfull blessings of this life be contained And therefore this should be the Vse Vse of all these generall promises we should make of them all that whensoever we feele our selues pinched with any earthly necessitie then to runne to any one of these gracious promises that so well considering what abundant reliefe is contained in them we may quiet and content our minds therewith assuring our selues that seeing he is faithfull who hath promised we shall not want any earthly blessing at what time and in what measure it shall be good for vs. These generall promises of all good things for this life are the more to be observed in reading the Scriptures and at least some of the most principall in our conceit to be kept in memory that they may be ready for our vse in time of need both for that these be many mo and more oft repeated in Scripture then any particular and also for that we cannot alwayes haue ready the particular promises for our speciall necessities when we haue most need of them And this might be sufficient to haue spoken of this point for the strengthning of our faith in the assurance that we shall not want any earthly blessing which shall be needfull for vs. But seeing the Lord hath so far yeelded to our infirmitie Speciall promises as to apply his promises to our speciall necessities it shall be available for our comfort to take knowledge of them that so we may make our vse of them as need shall require Among all earthly blessings Long life life it selfe is the chiefe for vpon it
a moment but with euerlasting kindnesse will I haue mercie on thee saith the Lord thy redeeâ—â—er and 57. 16. For I will not contend for euer neither will I be alwaies wroth for the spirit should faile before mee and the soules which I haue made Likewise the Prophet Ieremie in his time witnesseth the same in the name of the Lord Iere. 3. 12. saying For I am mercifull saith the Lord and I will not keepe anger for euer and to the same effect Ezek. 16. 42. So will I make my fury towards thee to rest and my iealousie shall depart from thee and I will be quiet and will be no more angry Notable to this purpose is that of the Prophet Micah 7. 18. Who is a God like vnto thee that pardoneth iniquitie and passeth by the transgressien of the remnant of his heritage he retaineth not his anger for euer because he delighteth in mercie and to conclude with that of the Apostle 2. Cor. 4. 17. For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for vs a far more exceeding and eternall weight of glory Thus may we behold Gods wise dealing with his children in all his chastisements Application obseruing the fittest seasons and iust measure both for the quantitie of the correction and for the continuance thereof all as is most agreeable to the strength of the patient qualitie of the disease which if it be beleeued must needs in further degree make vs contented to beare the hand of the Lord and neither to fret at nor faint vnder any affliction which the Lord so wisely doth order for our good euery way And therefore so oft as we shall finde any affliction to lye heauy vpon vs either for the greatnesse of it or long continuance in our feeling so oft let vs runne to some of these promises wherein the Lord assureth vs that he will lay no more vpon vs then wee shall bee able to beare and will suffer no affliction to lye longer vpon vs then shall be needfull and for our good that thus resting vpon Gods word wee may waight Gods leasure for our ease and full deliuerance For our better furtherance herein Gods loving dealing with his in affliction we are to consider Gods louing and tender dealing with his children in all their afflictions which is plentifully set set forth vnto vs in the holy Scriptures both by many comparisons expresse testimonies and examples all little enough to hold vs vp from sinking if the affliction seeme great or long in which we are ready to feare God forgetteth vs or at least doth not pitty vs. For this cause the Lord is said to be a Father of the fatherlesse Psal 68. 5. and a Iudgâ— of the widdowes And Psal 103. 13. Like as a father pittieth his children so the Lord pittieth them that feare him For hee knoweth our 〈◊〉 he remembreth that we but dust Yea more The Prophet Esay 49. 13. c. notably sets out this comparison in God towards his afflicted people saying Sing O heauen and be ioyfull O earth and breakâ— foorth into singing O mountaines for God hath comforted his people and will haue mercie on his afflicted But Zion said the Lord had forsaken me and my Lord hath forgotten mee Can a woman forsake her sucking childe that she should not haue compassion on the some of her wombe Yea they may forget yet will I not forget thee So Dauid Psal 9. 18. For the needy shall not alwaies be forgotten the expectation of the poore shall not perish for euer To the same purpose he said to God Psal 31. 7. I will be glad and reiâ—yce in thy mercy for thou hast considered my trouble thou hast knowne my soule in aduersitie And Psal 38. 9. Lord my desire is before thee and my grâ—â—â—ing is not hid from thee And to the same end it is said Ps 56. 8. Thou tellest my wandrings put thou my teares into thy bottle are they not in thy booke which shewes such tender compassion that he was so affected with the calamities of his seruant that he most narrowly obserued euery one yea he made so pretious a reckoning of their griefes and sorrowes that not a teare fell to the ground but he kept them in memory as men preserue pretious liccours in bottles that in due time he might comfort and succour them For which cause it is said Psal 116. 15. Pretious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints And to like effect Esa 63. 9. In all their affliction hee was afflicted and the Angell of his presence saued them in his loue and in his pitie hee redeemed them and hee bare them and carryed them all the dayes of old Wherein as in many other places of Scripture for it would be to long to recite all wee may see most admirable ApplicatioÌ„ compassion in Almightie God towards vs in all our afflictions that euen as the bowels of a tender hearted mother are mooued within her when shee seeth her childe in any perill so is the Lord troubled to see his children in any extreamitie that he doth as much pitie them and is as ready to succour them as if his bowels were mooued within him Mat. 14. 14 which was in very deed so in our Sauiour Christ in his humanity Marke 1 41 and 6. 34. as is * often testified of him in the holy story This should yet more comfort vs in all our afflictions that he who is God ouer all of such infinite power to helpe both whom he will and how and when it pleaseth him is so tenderly affected towards vs that he doth not onely take speciall notice of all our grieuances but doth after a sort euen as a tender mother suffer with vs and by his Spirit doth beare the burthen of our infirmities with vs as it is said Rom. 8. 20. This compassion of the Lord if well waighed must needes allay the heate of such fiery tryals as Gods children doe oft fall into and make vs more patiently indure whatsoeuer so tender hearted a Father shall lay vpon vs. And therfore these promises in which Gods louing and compassionate dealing with his is set forth vnto vs must be oft in our minde and thoroughly thought on that in time of neede wee may rest vpon them to finde like fauour at the hands of our most louing Father And thâ—s shall suffice for this second ground of comfort in all afflictions taken from the manner of Gods dealing with his as in great wisedome so in like loue 3. Ground of comfort in afflictions from the ends of them Wee are now in the third place to consider what be the worthy ends why God so exerciseth his children to beare the crosse euen from their youth to their old age these we heard be generally three First glory to God secondly example to others third profit to our selues all which should strongly mooue vs to be so farre from repining to suffer them
to al his people in all their necessities bodily or spirituall Because the faiâ—hfull in all ages haue stood in need of this comfort therefore is this so oft repeated that we in our generation may looke for the like helpe in our neede To the same intent be many other like speeches That God will lighten our darkenesse hee will keepe the feete of his Saints he will not forsake them nor forget their complaint That they shall not be confounded In time of trouble he will hide them His Angels shall pitch about them He wil heale them and take all sicknesse from them They shal not feare their enemies but God will make their enemies afraid of them Be avenged of their enemies That God wil repent him of the evill pronounced against them with many other of like sort and oft more specially of removing warre pestilence c. The summe of all which is Application that into whatsoever calamitie or distresse Gods children shall fall though the Lord doe leaue them for a season as though he did not regard it yet hee will be with them by his Spirit to helpe them that they shall not vtterly perish yea rather that they shall be able with patience to hold out till God send them a happy end and issue out of all That this hath beene Gods dealing with his beloved in all ages needs no proofe it is so manifest Ioh David and Paul may be sufficient to witnesse this how wonderfully God was with them in al their tryals The other branch of this last ground of comfort is this God will deliver that the Lord will not onely assist his vnder the burthen of their afflictions with all needefull helpes that they may be able to beare them but will in due season fully deliver them out of them all which being so hardly beleeved especially in great and sore afflictions therefore the Lord hath very often renewed his promise of delivering his out of all their troubles All of which for the most part being the fame both in sense words a few may suffice for many David had great proofe hereof and therefore after a mighty deliverance and that by a hard shiftfull of infirmitie hee composed that excellent Psalme 34 where magnifying Gods mercy for so great deliverance hee riseth higher to set out the like goodnes of God to all the faithfull saying verse 7. The Angell of the Lord 〈◊〉 round about them that feare him and delivereth them and verse 17. speaking of the righteous he sayth they cry and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all their troubles and verse 19. many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivereth him out of all so Psalme 27. 39. 40. But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord is their strength in the time of trouble And the Lord shall helpe them and deliver them he shall deliver them from the wicked and saue them because they trust in him These shall suffice in so cleere a point for there are none that be any whit exercised in the Scriptures but may finde like testimoninies and proofs of the truth though not alwayes in the same words It is fully to the same purpose that the Apostle â— Cor. 10. 13. comforteth them with this amongst other Arguments that God will with the tentation make away to escapeâ—… 〈◊〉 ye may be able to beare it and that of Ieremy 29. 11. For I know the thoughts that I thinke towards you saith the Lord thoughts of peace to giue you an expected end By these and very many other the like it is cleere that this is Gods wonted favour towards his Children that though for sundry and those most iust causes he lead them into troubles and oft leaues them a long time vnder them yet he never finally forsakes them but when the time to haue mercy is come Psal 102. theÌ„ the Lord will surely succour all his and deliver them by one meanes or other such as shall make most for his glory and the good of all his All of which being so certaine Application that how many and great soever and of long continuance the afflictions of Gods children shal be yet the Lord will never leaue nor forsake them but will be a present helpe in time of neede ministring all needefull comforts both outward helpes and inward graces to support them and in the end will one way or other fully set them free and quite deliver them out of all their feares and troubles we may see what small cause wee haue to be discouraged by our afflictions or to fret and repine at them yea rather wee haue most iust cause to reioyce in theÌ„ to blesse God for them and to labour both to beare them and to profit by them that God may haue glory thereby our selues may reape the benefit by them and others may profit by our example And thus laying all together which hath beene sayd of afflictions we shall find that they be no lets but special helps as to godlinesse in this life so to happines in the life to come Thus much for this fourth point how to liue by faith in all afflictions of what sort soever THE FIFT GENERALL HEAD OF living by FAITH is for earthly blessings THvs haue we in these foure points handled how wel God hath provided for our spirituall life all needfull blessings that whatsoever our condition shall be yet we may comfort our selues in God who as he hath promised so will he performe that we shall not want any thing that is good And whatsoever doth befall vs though never so hurtfull in it selfe yet it shall turne to our good in the end Now we are come to the fift generall head of this Treatise of living by faith which concernes all earthly blessings how we may be provided of all things needfull for this naturall life which being so necessary as we well know that we cannot be without them we be naturally so addicted to them that nothing doth more take vp our minds and hearts Care for earthly is a hinderance to spirituall then our care labour for these neither doth any thing more hinder our spirituall life All which the Lord our God well considering hath herein most bountifully provided for vs and promised vnto vs all needfull blessings for this life in such sort that were we wise to see and imbrace this bountie of the Lord we should not onely be freed from a world of cares and troubles wherewith most men be vsually so incumbred that they can find or spare no time nor travell to seeke after the things which belong to a better life but we should be so furthered by our contentment in those outward and earthly blessings that with more chearfulnesse we should run our race of Christianitie and be every way more fit to all holy duties Let vs then heare and consider what the Lord saith vnto vs in this behalfe Generall promises for earthly blessings
what he promiseth we may come to beleeue them and so 〈◊〉 vpon Gods mercy for his blessing on our childrenâ— as well as vpon our selues which if we doe I cannot well see what shall be wanting to the full contentâ—â—â—â— of all Gods children even in earthly blessings which are so much desired and the want whereof is so distastfull and vnwelcome to our nature And thus to conclude this fift point I haue shewed how we may liue by faith that we shall not want any earthly blessing neither for our selues nor for our posteritie which being added to all the former will proue there is no life comparable to the life by faith and therefore this about all is to be laboured for by all that desire true comfort in this life and thereby hope of a farre better to come THE SIXT AND LAST GENERALL HEAD Of living by Faith is for Perseverance THere is now but one thing wanting as farre as I can see to the making vp of the full comfort of the true beleever so much as may be attained in this life namely how he being so frayle every way his enemies so many and strong should be sure that he shall hold out to the end and so overcomming receiue the end of his faith the salvation of his soule which being a matter of so great difficultie and so rarely attained they be not a few who flatly deny this certaintie of perseverance and many moe doe mistrust themselues herein and thereby much weaken all the comfort of their life It shall be therefore highly needfull to adde this to the former how a true beleever may attaine to this certaintie by faith that notwithstanding all his owne weaknesse and strength and malice of his spirituall enemies yet he shall persever to the end I intend not to make a treatise of this point of the perseverance of the Saints either to proue the truth of the doctrine or to confute the contrary errour which is done already and that soundly as by argument so by example both by auncient and latter Divines But as in the former points I haue chiefly laboured to strengthen the faith of Gods children to depend vpon God with hope and patience for succour in all their necessities spirituall and earthly so in this my onely labour shall be to establish our hearts in this confidence that he who hath begun a good worke in vs Phil. 1. 6. will performe it vntill the day of Iesus Christ Which as it was the confidence of the Apostle for the beleevers in his time so ought it to be ours in all succeeding ages to the worlds end seeing we haue the same promises whereon to build our faith which they had and which the Lord made to his people of old Let vs now then consider of these promises and so make our vse of them It is not to be doubted but this was intended in the first promise which God made that the seed of the Woman should bruse the head of the Serpeâ—t Gen. 3 15 and in that made to Abraham that he would stablish his covenant with him for an everlasting covenant Gen. 17. 7. Which is oft repeated but seeing we haue very many more cleare promises hereof we will passe by these This was plainely promised by God to David concerning 〈◊〉 2. Sam. 7. 14. and afterwards as truly performed I will bee his father and he shall be my sonne if he comâ—â—â— iniquitie I will chasten him with the 〈◊〉 of men and with the 〈◊〉 of the children of men â—5 But my mercy shall 〈◊〉 depart from him Psal 89. verse 28. the like is recorded Ths is more generally spoken of the blessed man Psal 1. 3. His 〈◊〉 shall not 〈◊〉 The booke of the Psalmes is full of these comfortable promises Psal 9. â—0 They that know thy name will 〈…〉 for thou Lord hast not forsaken them that seeke thee and verse 18. for the needy shall not alway bee for gotten the expectation of the poore shall not perish for euer Psalme 15. 5. Hee that doth these things shall never bee moved the like Psal 112. 6. 125. 1. Pro. 10. 30. and 12. 3. Psalme 23. 6. Surely goodnes and mercy shall follow me all the dayes of my life Psa 48. 14. For this God is our God for ever and ever he will bee our guid even vnto death Psalme 73. 24. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsell and shalt receiue me vnto glory verse 26. My flesh and my heart faileth but God is the strergth of my heart and my portion for ever Psalme 103. 17. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting vpon them that feare him In the writings of the Prophers we may reade many such promises for perseverance Esâ—â— 54. 8. But with everlasting kindnesse will haue mercy on thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer chap. 55. 3. Heare and your soule shall 〈◊〉 And I will make an everlasting covenant with you eveâ— the sure mercies of David the like Ezek. 16. 60. and 37. 26. is a speciall promise to this purpose I will put my feare into their hearts that they shall not depart from me Iere. 32. 39. 40. Many moe might bee gathered out of the old Testament Esay 59. 21. but I feare some wil thinke them to many who if they shall well waigh either the excellency of these promises or their owne backwardnes to beleeue them when they most stand in neede of them then will they finde all to little to vphold them against their feares of falling away Wee will therefore proceede to see what comforts for our perseveraÌ„ce are delivered in the new Testament which we shall find to be more cleere then the former for that as I thinke we bee in more danger in this last age of the world seeing the Devill knoweth his time is but short Revel 12. 12. is more full of wrath against Gods people to seeke their overthrow This moved our Saviour Christ himself so much to comfort Mat. 28. 20. his Disciples and so all the faithfull that hee would bee with them vnto the ende of the world Luke 〈◊〉 22. and bids them feare not little flocke Iohn 16. 33 for it is your Fathers good pleasure to giue you the kingdome Bee of good comfort I haue overcome the world which wee see is of great force to perswade them they should never be overcome but should hold out till they were received to glory for further assurance whereof he confidently affirmeth saying Iohn 6. 47 veritly verily Hee that beleeveth on me hath everlastingly 〈◊〉 and therefore can never perish or fall away for further assurance it is sayd Iohn 13. 1. That 〈◊〉 Christ loved hee loved vnto the end And what greater assurance can we desire and looke for then this 1. Thes 5. 24. that God fâ—ithful who hath called vs who also will doest that is as goeth before immediatly Presâ—rve our whole spirit soule and body blameles vnto
A TREATISE OF FAITH Wherein is declared how a man may liue by Faith and finde releefe in all his necessities Applyed especially vnto the vse of the weakest Christians By EZEKEL CVLVERVVELL The Iust shall Liue by Faith EPHES. 6. 16. Aboue all taking the shield of Faith ROM 15. 4. Whatsoeuer things were written aforetime were written for our learning that we through patience coÌ„fort of the Scriptures might haue hope LONDON Printed by I. L. for William Sheffard and are to be sold at his shop at the entring in of Popes head Allie out of Lumbard-streete 1623. TO ALL GODS PEOPLE WHO HAVE ENIOYED any benefit by my Ministerie especially of my Pastorall charge DEARLY Beloued in the Lord although I cannot but be priuie to my selfe of many defects in discharge of my dutie which God required at my hands toward you which I humbly beseech the Lord and you to pardon yet this hath beene is and I hope shall be to the end of my dayes my comfort that I haue not laboured in vaine amongst you What were my labours and successe thereof I must appeale to the consciences of you who are yet liuing for you know that not a few are now at rest with the Lord whose holy liues and happy ends gaue good testimony hereof But to leaue these to the wise consideration of such whom they may concerne and to giue vnto all to whom these presents shall come a iust account of my proceedings herein I doe professe that for many yeares past I haue had my thoughts much exercised about this prime grace of Faith by which alone we receiue all sauing grace and without which none and after that by long experience I found through conference with many of diuers sorts that very few attained to the true knowledge much lesse to the right vse of Faith either in the assurance of their saluation or well ordering of their conuersation For to passe ouer all carnall Protestants who only haue a forme of godlinesse making an outward shew thereof and deny the power of it in walking after their owne lusts I haue obserued very many who haue in truth laboured after saluation yet through want of good direction haue made forsaking of their sinne the ground of their beleeuing and so building such a weightie matter vpon so weake a foundation could neuer come to such certaintie of their saluation or constancie in a holy conuersation as true Faith would haue brought them vnto Some others I haue seene who being deeply affected with the sense of their misery and knowing that there is no meanes of recouery but by Christ haue desired nothing more then to be deliuered and restored by him yet these not knowing the right way how to attaine to Faith by which alone doe receiue Christ and all his benefits haue spent many yeares vnprofitably and vnfruitfuâ—ly Others there be who perswading themselues that they haue Faith and thereby bee quieted from feare of condemnation yet much wanting the life and power of Faith neither so honour God and their profession nor in time of triall finde that sound peace and comfort which a liuely Faith would certainly procure By all which it appeareth how few they be that haue attained to the true knowledge of Faith what it is how it is goâ—ten and increased and how to liue by it The consideration whereof grieuing my soule to see so many mistaken in so weightie a matter and so much labour to be lost hath been the chiefe moouer of me to imploy all my thoughts how this great euill may be redressed Whereupon entering into deeper consideration how this might be attained I well perceiued that seeing Gods truth reuealed vnto vs in his Word is the sole ground of Faith the only way to get and keepe Faith is to bee well acquainted with Gods Word in which I cannot sufficiently admire the wisedome and loue of God in prouiding such store of heauenly comforts to releeue vs in all our necessities so that had wee the knowledge and the right vse of them we should then see what were the Life of Faith and the blessed estate of a beleeuer in this world aboue all other estates though neuer so excellent These thus being I gaue my selfe to the search of the Scriptures to finde out what these heauenly comforts were which God hath so abundantly prouided for our reliefe in all time of neede And to this purpose with no small labour haue gathered out all the promises as well as I could out of both the Testaments which being laide together made a great heape of heauenly treasure such as any of vnderstanding would greatly admire and reioyce in and I may in truth professe I was much affected with the bare reading of them But well considering that the naked laying downe of these promises would not be sufficient to direct euery one to the right vse and fit application of them for the begetting and increasing of Faith I haue laboured to draw these vnto seuerall heads such as in my opinion may containe all our necessities that at leastwise the weakest sort may more fitly apply them to their seuerall vses and so by Faith be comforted when all other helpes faile them If in this my labour I haue not so sufficiently satisfied the desires of the most iudicious I must content my selfe that according to the measure of grace receiued I haue laboured to be helpfull to such as stand in neede hereof and haue carefully auoided whatsoeuer I haue thought might hinder their profiting and specially all controuersies about Faith and haue plainly shewed out of the Scriptures what I haue conceiued to be the truth wherein I may haue this defence of my failing that I haue not had any guide in this labour neither haue I seene any who haue in this way gone before me and therefore I entreate my Reuerend brethren in the Ministerie whose abilities doe farre exceede mine that they would perfect this which is but weakely begun And for my part I will not cease to pray that this may be as profitable to others as painfull to my selfe which the Lord grant for his Christs sake Ezekel Culuerwell TO THE CHRISTIAN READER THE leading of a happy Life the attainement whereof this Treatise directeth vnto is that which all desire but Gods truth only discouereth and Faith only enioyeth In the first Adam our happinesse was in our owne keeping but he by turning from God to the creature made proofe what and whence he was a creature raised out of nothing and without the supporting power of Him in whom all things consist subiect to fall into a state worse then nothing againe Hence God out of his infinite power depth of goodnesse intending the glory of his mercy in restoring man would not trust man with his owne happinesse but would haue it procured and established in the person of a second Adam in whom we recouer a suter estate then we lost in the first for though Adams soule was ioyned to God yet
that knitting was within the contingent and changeahle liberty of his owne will but now we are brought to God in an euerlasting couenant of mercy by Faith in Christ who by taking the nature of man into vnitie of His person and not the person of any became a publike person to be Author of eternall saluation to all that receiue him and so gathering vs that were scattered from God into one head bringeth vs backe againe to God by a contrary way to that whereby we fell that is by cleauing to God by faith frō whom we fel by distrust A fit grace for the state of grace giuing the whole glory to God and emptying the soule of all selfe-sufficiency and inlarging it to receiue what is freely wrought and offered by an other thus wee come to haue the comfort and God the glory of mercy which sweete attribute mooued him to set all other attributes on worke to make vs happy Out of the bowels of his mercy as he chose vs to eternal saluatiō in Christ so vouchsafeth he all things necessary to life and godlinesse And as the same loue in God giueth vs heauen and furnisheth vs withall things needfull in the way vntill we come thither So the same Faith which layeth hold on the promises of necessary assistance comfort prouision and protection and this office it performeth in all the seuerall stations of this life vntill it hath brought vs vnto the enioying of Him in whose presenceis fulnes of ioy and pleasure for euermore Wee see that same loue in parents which mooueth them to gaue an inheritance to their sonnes mooueth them likewise to prouide for them and to traine them vp in experience of their fatherly care So it pleaseth our first and best Father besides the maine promise of saluation to giue vs many other rich and precious promises that in taste of his goidnesse and truth in these we may at length yeeld vp our soules to him as to our faith full Creator with the more assured comfort and the longer we liue heere be more rooted in Faith I know whom I haue trusted 2 Tim. 1. 12. saith aged S. Paul But alas how little is that we know of his waies because we obserue him no◠making good his word vnto vs. All his waies are mercy and truth Psal 25. 10. 12. 6. and euery word is a tryed word For the better helpe of Gods people to know there portion in those good things Psal 31. 19. which their Father not only layes vp for them for times to come but laies out for them heere as his Wisedome seeth fit this reuerend and holy man of God hath compiled this Treatise wherein he layeth open the veines of promises hidden in the Scriptures to the view of euery Christian and digesteth them in their order and withall sheweth their seuerall valew and vse for the beautifying of a holy life vvhich vvits-lesse exercised of themselues would not so vvell haue discerned For the benefiting by vvhich Treatise it vvill not bee inconuenient to know these foure things First that it supposeth a reader grounded in the knowledge of the nature and properties of God of Christ and his offices of the couenant of grace and such like because as in an arch one stone settles an other so there is such a linking together of points in diuinitie that one strengtheneth another For from vvhence hath Faith that efficacie but because it is that which is required in the couenant to lay hold on the free promise And vvhence haue the promises their strength but from the constant nature of Iehoua who giueth a being to his Word and is at peace with vs by the all-fufficient sacrifice of the Mediatour of the new couenant Words haue their validity from the authoritie of the speaker were not faith founded on the word of an infinite God so throughly appeased the soule would sinke in great temptations whereas now euen mountaines vanish before a beleeuing soule For what is all to Christ and vvho is able to subdue all to himselfe Hence it is that now we are by Faith safer then Adam in Paradise Phil. 3. 21. because we haue a promise which he wanted Safer it is to be as low as hell with a promise then as high in Paradise without it because Faith wrought by the power of God hath what strength God hath on whom it resteth and therefore worketh such wonders But howsoeuer the knowledge of these things serueth the argument in hand yet it must not be expected that hee should bee long in these things which are but coincident and should be foreknowne which I speake because some of weaker iudgement not considering the iust bounds of Treatises may expect larger handling of some things Whereas he hath laboured especially to furnish the argument in hand and not to load the discourse In the second place it must be knowne that the fruit of these things belong to such as are in Christ in whom all promises are yea and Amen made and performed Hee that by the immortall seed of the Word and Spirit is borne againe may claime a title to that he is borne vnto For cleering of this there be three degrees of promises one of saluation to absolute and personall obedience but this by reason of weakenesse of the flesh driueth vs to a despaire in our selues and so to the second promise of life by Christ This requireth nothing but receiuing by Faith which is wrought in those that are giuen to Christ whilst grace is offered the Spirit cloathing the words with a hidden and strong power and making them operatiue when they are commanded to beleeue their hearts are opened to beleeue To persons in this state are made a third kinde of promises of all that is needfull in this world vntill all promises end in performance of both these promises and the last especially this book speaketh of Thirdly it must be pressed vpon those that meane to profit that they resolue to come vnder Christs gouernment and be willing to be ledde by the Spirit into all reuealed truth Wisedome is easie to such as are willing and the victorie is as good as gotten when the will is brought from thraldome to base affections to resolue to bee guided for such a heart lyeth open to Gods gracious working and the Spirit readily closeth with such a spirit as putteth not barres of obstinacy Notwithstanding We must know in the fourth place that when we are at the best we shall yet be in such a conflicting state as that we shall long after that glorious libertie of the sonnes of God after we haue done the worke God hath giuen vs to doe For God will haue a difference betwixt heauen and earth and sharpen our desire of the comming of his kingdome which nothing doth so much especially in times of outward prosperitie as those tedious combates of the inner man and yet let this raise vp our spirits that it is so farre that this remainder should
free and vndeserued so on the other side there is no sinne which ought to hinder any one from receiuing pardon so freely offered vnto him but rather as the greatnesse of the disease should more hasten the sick to seek to such a physitioÌ„ as can cure al diseases not keep backe such as be called to bee cured 〈◊〉 so no heinousnesse of sinne should driue any from comming to Christ which is able and willing to cure all that come vnto him but rather hasten the poore sinner more speedily to come to Christ and so much the more for that Christ shall haue greater glory in pardoning great offenders and more loue from them beeing pardoned As a Physition shall haue more credit in curing great then small diseases So then the maine thing that must mooue and draw a poore sinner to come to Christ to be eased is the free mercy of God offering Christ without exception to all that beeing laden would bee eased which euery one must apply to himselfe that seeing it hath so pleased God to send these glad tydings to him to call him command and beseech him to receiue this grace offered therefore hee neede not feare but may boldly beleeue and receiue Christ offred to him as wee shall further heare by and by For our further helpe Who promiseth wherein in the third place it shall bee highly needfull well to weigh who it is that maketh this great offer vnto vs miserable sinners euen God himselfe who is both 1. able and 2. willing and 3. as faithfull to performe what hee promiseth all which are so manifest that they need no proofe for the truth of them But wee haue neede oft to set them before vs for our vse to strengthen our faith in making vs more boldly to relye on Christ To this end are specially these testimonies of Gods power mercy and truth so often repeated in 1. Gods power the scriptures that wee might haue them euer before vs to vpholde vs against our doubtings and feares whereof our nature is full for though in generall none will deny but God is Almighty yet it may appeare in al ages not onely the wicked but euen Gods children haue doubted of Gods power as though hee were not able to helpe them as it is euident in Gods people in the wildernesse in their often murmurings through their distrust of Gods power Psal 78. 19. Can God furnish a table in the wildernesse For this cause was the Lord so often constrained to oppose his Almighty power against their distrust As for Sarahs laughing thinking it impossible she should haue a child the Lord saide to Abraham Is any thing hard or impossible to God Gen. 18. 14 And againe to Moses obiecting Whether al the fish in the sea should bee gathered for foode for Israell in the wildernes Num. 11. 23 The Lord answered Is the Lords hand waxed short thou shalt see whether my words shall come to passe or not The like many whereby it appeares to be a great cause of vnbeliefe that looking too much vpon the impossibilities which are apparent to vs and not opposing to them Gods power wee so despaire of helpe as is most sensible to bee seene in poore afflicted consciences whose chiefest feare and doubts are that their sinnes are greater then can be forgiuen and they thinke it an impossibilitie for such as they are to bee saued Who now knowing by Gods owne word that saluation in Christ is freely offered and proclaimed euen to them though neuer so vilde and vnworthy and that by God himselfe Psal 115. 3. 135. 6. who is of all power in heauen and earth to do whatsoeuer he will and to whom nothing is impossible this may bring the afflicted and despairing ner at least thus farre as to say then it may be God will be mercifull vnto mee wherein I doubt not may be found some true faith in apprehending the mercy offered though so weak as caÌ„not be discerned or felt by the beleeuer himselfe and this I should take to be the lowest degree of faith For the further strengthening whereof it shall be much auaileable for all such as yet feele not not their faith Weakest faith and for euery weake beleeuer Goodnesse and mercy of God to cast their eies vpon the wonderfull mercy and goodnesse of God which alone maketh him so loath to cast away any poore sinner and so willing to saue euen his enemies and ranke traytours against his high Maiestie Here if euer is a fitte place for all such scriptures as set out Gods mercy to poore sinners the more to perswade them to beleeue as that of Ezechiel 33 11. where the Lord sweareth by himselfe saying As I liue saith the Lord I haue no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turne from his way and liue turne yee turne yee from your euill wayes for why will yee dye oh house of Israel 2. Pet. 3. 9. And to like effect is that of Saint Peter That God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance which scriptures and many the like are not to bee vnderstood of Gods determining will and decree but of his reuealed and approouing will which hee would haue vs to know and beleeue thar thereby wee might bee drawne to rest our selues vpon him for saluation which whosoeuer though neuer so great sinner shall doe he shall not perish but haue euerlasting life This then is that sure foundation of faith whereon all that truely beleeue doe build namely the rich and free mercy of God reuealed in the Gospell whereby all that shall be saued be drawne thankfully to accept this mercy so freely offered to them beeing yet starke dead in their sinnes and voide of all sauing grace and therefore all they who looking into themselues and finding nothing to draw them but all to driue them from hope of life are often and much to set before them this vnspeakeable and vnualuable mercy of Almighty God as in preparing such a remedy for all our misery so in making so free a grant therof in the Gospell to all sinners excepting none And now more specially in â—endring it to them so that they may boldly accept this mercy in Christ offered to them and shall not sinne but please God therin that thereby they may be drawn on in a further degree to beleeue to finde mercy at Gods hands wherunto if one thing be added I see not what can be wanting to make the sinner bold to lay hold vpon Christ with all his merits so freely offred to him by God who is so able and willing to bestow Christ euen vpon his enemies This one thing I meane Gods truth is Gods truth and faithfulnesse in performing with his hand whatsoeuer commeth out of his mouth as Dauid and Solomon oft professed which howsoeuer as before I spake of Gods power it is confessed of all that God is both faithfull and iust
any storme wee shall bee sure to escape shipwracke and so in the end arriue at our desired port of euerlasting saluation Thus haue I now shewed as briefly and plainely as I could how euery one who is troubled with vnbeleefe about the cercainety of his saluation namely whether such as he so void of all grace and so full of all sinne may be bold to beleeue and thereby be assured to be saued by Christ and to this end that his sinne is quite forgiuen and hee accepted as righteous in Gods sight so reconciled to God and adopted to be Gods child that hee may reioyce in hope of the glory of God how such an one I say may get and dayly increase this assurance of faith that there is no condemnation to him belonging but that he hath euerlasting life and is passed from death to life then which what can be more welcome and comfortable to a troubled conscience I well see not And therefore as oft before I exhort all that feele this weaknes of faith concerning their saluation aboue all to obserue these and such other Scriptures whereof there bee many wherein Christ and saluation be offered to poore sinners Obserue Scriptures concerning Christ that they who haue as good right to them as any may not for any thing they see in themselues put these promises from them as not made to them But rather in admiration of Gods wonderfull goodnesse mercy and compassion vpon such vnworthy wretches to giue glory to God in beleeuing and accepting this mercy so freely offered which they must doe before they shall see such a true change of heart life in them as they earnestly desire for want wherof they thinke they ought not to beleeue which is to such if not the onely yet the chiefest lette and hinderance from faith whereas on the other side when it shal please Gods spirit by these his free promises to drawe them to beleeue and though weakely yet truely to stay themselues vpon Gods great mercy so reuealed to them then assuredly shall they see and feele this change in their hearts that they know not what to say or thinke of Gods mercy in pardoning such as they feele themselues to be This cannot but breede an vnfained loue in them to God with an earnest desire and true purpose to glorifie him which be the chiefe parts of a holy life and surest proofes of sauing faith which can no more want these then a true fire can be without heate though too many carnal Gospellers think otherwise and so miserably perish Hauing thus seene how wee are by Gods promises to get and increase our assurance by faith that we be Gods children Now it followes that wee consider what be the markes of God children Assurance by the fruits of faith whereby we may be further assured thereof Among which markes seeing faith it selfe is the first and surest proofe that we be Gods children and to this end many pretious promises bee made to such as doe already beleeue as the former promises were made to beget and increase faith It is meete that wee take some view of these not for the strengthening of our faith but that by our faith bee it small or great we may haue a sensible assurance of our saluation To which purpose may this serue that we who beleeue in Christ are so oft said to bee blessed as our Sauiour said to Thomas Blessed are they who haue not seene Ioh. 20. 29. and yet haue beleeued Mat. 13. 16. 16 17. and againe to his Disciples Blessed are your eyes for they see c and likewise to Peter Blessed art thou Simon Bar Iona for flesh and blood hath not reuealed it vnto thee but my father which is in heauen and the like many to the same end also it is said That he who beleeueth shall be saued Mr. k. 16. 16 That the Gospell is the power of God vnto saluation to euery one that beleeueth Rom. 1. 16. 10. 9. Againe If thou confesse with thy mouth the Lord Iesus and shalt beleeue in thy heart that God raised him from the dead thou shalt besaued and againe Whosoeuer beleeueth in Christ Ioh. 3. 15. 16 shall not perish but haue euerlasting life yea hath euerlasting life 5. 24. Ioh. ◠47. and is passed from death to life Againe 12. 46. 11. 26. I am come a light into the world that whosoeuer beleeueth in me shall not abide in darkenes and though he were dead yet shall hee liue and shall neuer dye The same also is intended in these Scriptures in which forgiuenesse of sinnes righteousnesse and iustification are promised to beleeuers Act. 10. 45. Rom. 10. 4. Act. 13. 30. Rom. 4. 5. 5. 1. Gal. 3. 26. So likewise it is saide Ioh. 1. 12. Wee are made the children of God by faith and as many as receiued him to them hee gaue power to be the sonnes of God euen to them that beleeue in his name Lastly to heape vp no more of this kinde to this end is that Christ shall come to bee glorified in his Saints 1. Thes 〈◊〉 10. and be made maruellous in all them that beleeue c. In all these and many the like promiises made to such as doe truely beleeue in Christ may euidently appeare that if any doe know and can prooue themselues to bee in the faith 2 Cor. 13. 5. as the Apostle speaketh by this he may be infallibly assured of his saluation Wherein seeing the greatest part of professours of Christian Religion bee deceiued saying they haue faith when in truth they haue none it highly behooues such as looke for better comfort aboue all to beware their hearts doe not beguile them herein 2. Pet. 1. 10. and to bestowe all study to make their calling and election sure that they may know that Christ dwels in them otherwise they cannot bee approued neither by themselues nor any others to bee in the state of grace Thus much for faith it selfe whereby we may certenly know that we be Gods children heires of saluation and cannot perish We are now further to see some speciall fruits of our faith which be the effects of Gods Spirit in al true beleeuers be so many marks whereby they doe know themselues and be knowne to others that they be Gods sheep so be further euidences and assurances that they be Gods children and shall be saued In which respect Assurance by the fruites of faith this gift of Gods Spirit to beleeuers is called a seale Ephesians 1. 13. Where the Apostle setting out the conuersation of the Ephesians 1. by the gift of the spirit layes downe both these euidences first of their faith secondly of this gift of the spirit saying In whō ye also haue obtained inheritance after that ye heard the word of truth the Gospell of your saluation wherein also after yee beleeued yee were sealed with the Spirit of promise which is the earnest
of that excellent sentence 1 Cor. 2. 9. 8. 3. Eye hath not seene nor eare heard neither hath entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that loue him And to like effect But if any man loue God the same is knowne of him In all which and the like many our loue of God is made a certaine proofe that we be in Gods fauour and heires of his kingdome Our loue to Christ so likewise is our loue to Christ Ioh. 14. 21. 23. as he himselfe professeth And he that loueth me shall bee loued of my Father where our loue of Christ is not the cause but the effect of Gods loue to vs as followeth a little after If any man loue me hee will keepe my words and my Father will loue him and we will come vnto him and make our abode with him In like sort our loue we beare one to another as brethren and members of the body of Christ Loue of our brethren is made an infallible marke that we belong to Christ as he said to his Disciples Iohn 13. 35. By this shall all men know that yee are my Disciples if you loue one another And for further proofe hereof we need goe no further then to the first Epistle of John in which this brotherly loue is oft set downe as a sure euidence that we are in a blessed estate 1. Iohn 2. 10. Hee that loueth his brother abideth in the light chap. 3. 14. and there is no occasion of stumbling in him Againe we know that wee are passed from death to life because we loue the Brethren And in another place 4. Vers 12. If wee loue one another God dwelleth in vs and his loue is perfected in vs. And a little before in the same chapter Vers 7. Beloued let vs loue one another for loue is of God and euery one that loueth is borne of God And againe verse 17. Herein is our loue made perfect that we haue boldnesse in the day of Iudgement Yea more our Sauiour teacheth Loue of our enemies that the loue of our enemies is a good proofe that we are the children of God as both the Euangelist Mathew and Luke report Matth. 5. 44 45. The places be knowne Luk. 6. 35. From all which wee see how any who calleth in question Vse whether hee hath true faith and be in the state of grace may by this grace of loue assure himselfe that he hath true faith and so shall bee saued Onely we must take heed wee deceaue not our selues with a vaine carnall loue Take heed of deceit as many doe which shall appeare by these two especially whether our loue come from Faith and secondly breed true obedience which if it doe it is sound and a sure warrant of sauing grace otherwise if either of these bee wanting then our loue at best is but naturall which can be no proofe of true happinesse For further manifestation hereof that our loue is sound and so our faith and safety we need no other arguments then to see what bee the fruites that grow from hence For the Scriptures in sundrie places make loue the root of all fruites of a godly life Rome 13. 10 calling it the fulfilling of the Law Col. 3. 14. and the bond of perfectnesse So that if our loue be fruitfull in holinesse to God and in righteousnesse to men it will manifestly declare that wee bee the true children of God Herein may well come in the first place 2. Feare of God the feare of God which if it come not from loue and be not tempered therewith is but a seruile feare and not that holy feare which is made such a marke of Gods children that it is vsually made a surname to them all to be such as feare God As Psal 112. 1. 115. 13. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord and greatly delighteth in his Commandements Hee will blesse them that feare the Lord both small and great And the like many That which wee are here chiefly to regard is what high commendations are giuen to this fruite of Faith the feare of God whereby he that feeles this grace may know he is truly conuerted and shall bee saued This is to bee seene in all those Scriptures where they that feare the Lord be pronounced blessed as in the last forenamed places and so Psal 128. 1. 4. meaning hee that feares the Lord is and shall be euery way blessed To the same purpose be those Scriptures which set out the greatnesse and perpetuity of Gods mercy to those that feare him Psal 103. 11. 17. and Luk. 1. 50. the places bee knowne Such is that Psal 31. 19 O how great is thy goodnesse which thou hast laid vp for them that feare thee The like Eccl. 8. 12 It would bee long to cite all of this kinde These bee some that such as feare God are accepted of him Act. 13. 26 That God will teach the man that feareth him in the way that he shall choose Psal 25. 12 347 10 and more in the same Psalme to the like effect The Angell of the Lord encampeth about them they shall not want any good thing Psal 145. 19. 147. 12. The Lord will fulfill their desire bee taketh pleasure in them Mal. 4. 2. And to end this The Sunne of righteousnesse shall rise vp to these and the reward of eternall life shall be giuen them Reu. 11. 18. If this bee not sufficient I know not what may be to perswade any man who findeth this true feare of God in his heart that he is and shall be blessed for euer It behoueth therefore all that would haue this comfort to make sure to themselues that God hath put this holy feare into their hearts and so may they rest assured of Gods loue Thus would I leaue this point but I feare some tender consciences will aske how may I know that I haue this holy feare in me whom I might send to that briefe note of difference that I gaue a little before which in my opinion is the best difference between the good feare and the bad namely the holy and childe-like feare comes from the loue of God the other at the best from selfe-loue which may goe farre yet can it neuer come neere the holy feare as not in the roote of Faith and Loue so neither in the fruit of syncere obedience which the Holy Ghost makes the fruite of the feare of God Eccles 12. 13. Feare God and keepe his Commandements He then that feeles Gods rich mercie vnto him in calling him out of his miserable estate to some hope of saluation by Christ to breed in him a loue to God for the same and that loue to make him afraid to displease and offend so gracious a Father and shall finde this feare mouing him to shun what God dislikes though neuer so pleasing to his corrupt
These I doe beseech to attend to such promises as God hath made to his people in particular concerning this grace that wheras he sees that naturally there is no feare of God before mens eyes he faith he will put his feare into their hearts as Ieremy 32. 39. 40. And I will giue them one heart and one way that they may feare me for euer for the good of them and of their children after them And I will make an euerlasting couenant with them that I will not turne away from them to doe them good but I will put my feare in their hearts that they shall not depart from me Which if we could beleeue would sufficiently assure vs wee should not want this sauing grace but that God will certainely bestowe it vpon vs in that time and measure hee sees meete But for our confirmation the Lord doth oft repeate this promise as Deu. 4. 10. where one speciall meanes wherby this feare is wrought is set downe Gather me the people together and I will make them heare my words that they may learne to feare mee all the daies that they shall liue vpon the earth and that they may teach their children So Prou. ◠5. They who seeke for wisedome shall vnderstand the feare of God To like effect Deu. 6 1. 2. and 17 19 it is specially spoken of the king and more generally of all chap. 32. 12. And to this purpose speciall is that of the Prophet Dauid Psal 40. 3. where hee shewes another meanes whereby God doth stirre vp this grace in his people namely the beholding of Gods mercy on others saying And hee hath put a new song in my mouth euen praise vnto our God many shall see it and feare and shall trust in the Lord so likewise Dauid being taught of God inuiteth others saying Come yee children hearken to mē I will teach you the feare of the Lord. Psal 72. 5. They shall feare thee as long as the sun and moone endureth through all generations The like Psal 102. 16. so Esa 29. 23. They shall sanctifie my name c. and shall feare the God of Israel Jeremie also speaking of Gods singular mercies which hee promiseth to his people chap. 33. 9. And it shall bee to me a name of ioy a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth which shall heare all the good I doe vnto them and they shall feare and tremble for all the goodnes and for all the prosperitie that I procure vnto it so Hosea 3. 5. Afterward shall the people of Israel returne and seeke the Lord their God and Dauid their king and shall feare the Lord and his goodnes in the latter daies These shall suffise it would be long to cite all The right vse we are to make of these and the like Vse is so oft as we finde our hearts condemning vs for want of this feare doubting how euer we shall attaine to it in any good measure so oft that wee must call to mind some of these promises which though deliuered in particular to some of Gods children yet in truth belonging to all of them Therefore euery child of God may and ought to apply them to himselfe and stedfastly beleeue that God will performe his word to him and so waiting with patience the Lords appointed season hee shall not bee disappointed of his hope but shall certainly enioy the fruit of his desire And thus much for this I see this third point how wee may bee sure of grace to leade a godly life so as shall be accepted growes large and no meruaile for it reacheth to all the duties required in both tables I may not therefore runne into all particulars but will make choice of some and namely such as I conceiue Christians most faile in and haue least comfort in performing them Of this sort be speciall Concerning holy exercises prayer c. all our spirituall seruices of God as our praiers and exercises in his word and sacraments In all which I haue heard many of good hope complaining that they found small comfort in these because they performed them in so weak and sinnefull manner A principall cause whereof I haue obserued in many to be this that they placed all their comfort in the good discharge of their duty wherein when they failed which they found oft then they were discomfited Which euidently shewes that they had little vse of faith in those duties for faith doth comfort in our greatest failings as well as in the least To make this more plaine which I feare is little seene of manie a poore soule who takes great paines to serue God and yet seldome findes comfort that his seruice being so full of infirmitie is pleasing to God It must be confessed that while wee liue here there is flesh and spirit mingled in all the actions of Gods children so that as their best prayers bee stained with some corruption of the flesh so I conceiue that there is some operation of the Spirit in their weakest which being offered vp in faith is assuredly acceptable to God therein may Gods childe finde sound comfort not in himselfe nor in his worke but in Gods pardoning of all his defects and accepting his obedience in the perfect satisfaction made by Christ whereas otherwise if any hauing prayed with great feruency of Spirit shall bee conceited therewith and not humbled for his failings in that his best praier and rather expecting for fauour for the goodnesse of his prayer then looking for mercy onely for the merite of Christ which though it bee too little seene yet too oft it falleth out I durst boldly say that the sleepy prayer offered vp in faith is accepted when the weeping prayer without faith is reiected In so saying Want of faith in Gods worship be it far from my thought to approoue of drowsinesse or any other grosse corruption in prayer or to disgrace any zeale or gift of Gods Spirit in prayer but that I aime at is to discouer a common and yet close and dangerous corruption in our prayers and other holy exercises that when we performe these in any sort to our liking then wee bee glad and rest quiet that God will accept them I deny not but such may then reioice in the assistance of Gods Spirit but the fault I finde is that these haue in such times little vse of their faith for not beholding the blemishes of these their best seruices of God they are not humbled for them and so not driuen out of themselues to seeke for fauour in Christ in whom alone God is well pleased and thus they staine their best duties for want of faith This will more cleerely bee seene in the contrary when these doe pray or heare reade or meditate or receiue the Sacraments with much accusation to their conscience they haue no comfort that such duties shall be accepted which must needs arise from want of faith for did they in their poorest praiers for which
weeping and with supplications wil I lead them 31. 9. I will cause them to walke by the riuers of waters in a straite way wherein they shall not stumble for I am a Father to Israel and Ephraim is my first borne 50. 4. And againe In those dayes and in that time saith the Lord the children of Israel shall come they and the children of Iudah together going and weeping they shall goe and seeke the Lord their God Hosea 3. 5. c. So Zacharie in his time prophesied that God would powre out vpon the house of Dauid Zach. 12. 10. and vpon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplications They shall call vpon my name 13. 9. and I will heare them I will say it is my people and they shall say the Lord is my God Our Lord Iesus Christ in his time comforted his Disciples that they should not so hang vpon him as to haue no confidence in God the Father Ioh. 16. 23. but they shall boldly pray to the Father in his name 24. and shall receiue whatsoeuer they aske 26. No doubt but more places to this purpose might be cited The maine intent of them all Vse is not so much to shew it is our duty thus to seeke the Lord and to call vpon him or to perswade thereunto which is in many Scriptures required but rather whereas many are very willing to call vpon God according to his will and so as might please him but finding so small abilitie to pray as they would they be discouraged all this is to draw them to beleeue that God by his Spirit will teach them to pray so as he will heare them the certainty whereof depends not vpon any worthinesse of our persons or prayers but only vpon the mercy of God in promising and vpon his truth in performing his promise both which we deny and so robbe God of his chiefest honour if wee beleeue not that God will make vs able by his Spirit so to call vpon him as he will accept in his Son And therefore in all our doubts and feares about this matter our onely refuge must bee to these promises and so to giue credite vnto them that we comfortably seeke and looke for helpe from God when we can finde none in our selues And thus much for our comfort that God will assist vs by his Spirit in our prayers which also might suffise to assure vs that he will also accept vs for so much is expressed in the most of them and necessarily imployed in them all But seeing the Lord who better sees what we most need That God will accept our prayers then we doe our selues hath made so many promises that he will accept our poore seruices though neuer so weake if they be in truth which will be welcome newes to many an humble heart I may not defraud them of these comforts but will lay them open for their vse and beseech the Lord to make them profitable to all that vnfainedly desire it When Moses from God had sharply denounced feareful iudgments against Israel for their sin and namely a scattering among the heathen he addes this comfort But if from thence thou shalt seeke the Lord thy God thou shalt finde him Deut. 30. if thou seeke him with all thy heart and with all thy soule and to like effect hee addes much more This promise may be specially comfortable Vse to any poore soule cast downe in sense of some grieuous fall whereby he may see Gods readinesse to receiue any poore sinner comming vnto him The like promise did the Lord make to Salomon after his prayer saying Mine eyes shall be open 2. Chron. 7. 15. and mine eares attend to the prayer in this place And full oft we reade that the Lord promised to his people that if they should seeke him he would bee found of them as 2. Chron. 15. 2 the Prophet told Asa the King Ierem. 29. 13. And 1. Chron. 28. 9. Dauid said the same to Salomon his sonne Psal 34. 10. They that seeke the Lord shall not want any good thing The selfe same thing is truly to be gathered out of all these places where the faithfull professe either that God hath heard their prayers or their faith and confidence in God that hee will heare their prayers both which be grounded on Gods promises that hee will heare them Of this sort there be many as in the Psalmes so in sundry other Scriptures The Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping Psal 6. 8 9. the Lord hath heard my supplication the Lord will receiue my prayer And Psal 9. 10. Thou Lord hast not forsaken them that seeke thee Psal 10. 17. Lord thou hast heard the desire of the humble thou wilt prepare their heart thou wilt cause thine eare to heare Psal 18. 3. I will call vpon the Lord who is worthy to be praised so shall I bee saued from mine enemies Psal 20. 6 Now I know the Lord saueth his annointed hee will heare him from his holy heauen with the sauing strength of his right hand These are sufficient to manifest this truth But seeing my scope is rather to stirre vp to beleeue I hope it will not be more tedious to any to reade these and consider them then it is to me to gather them and I may truely say I haue often read them with comfort For sometimes one sometimes another doth more affect I will therefore not spare to adde many moe To this purpose notable is that in the Psalme 34. 15. The eyes of the Lord are vpon the righteous and his eares are open to their cry verse 17. The righteous cry and the Lord heareth and deliuereth them out of all their troubles Which is oft repeated Psal 107. 6. 13. 19. 28. Psal 50. 15. the Lord saith Call vpon me in the day of trouble I will deliuer thee and thou shalt glorifie me And For thou Lord art good and ready to forgiue Psal 86. 5. and plenteous in mercy to all them that call vpon thee c. verse 6. 7. Psal 102 17. He will regard the prayer of the destitute and not despise their prayer to verse 20 to heare the groaning of the prisoner to loose those that are appointed to death Psal 145. 18. The Lord is nigh to all that call vpon him to all that call vpon him in truth He will fulfill the desire of them that feare him 19. he also will heare their cry and will saue them Prou. 15. 8. But the prayer of the vpright is his delight and verse 29. But hee heareth the prayer of the righteous He will be very gracious vnto thee at the voice of thy cry when he shall heare it he will answer thee Ioel 2. 32. And it shal come to passe that whosoeuer shall call on the name of the Lord shall be deliuered Act. 2. 21. the same is repeated and Rom. 10. 13. Thus wee see how plentifully
all other depend And the Devill himselfe who is so well acquainted with our disposition could say All that a man hath will he giue for his life for this cause the Lord the more to hearten vs to all obedience doth make so many promises of long life and many dayes as in the fift Commandement which the Apostle sayth is the first Commandement with promise Exod. 20. 22. Every child is there commanded to honour his father and mother vpon this promise That his daies may be long in the land So Deut. 5. 3. You shall walke in all the wayes which the Lord your God hath commanded you that ye may liue and that it may be well with you and that ye may prolong your dayes in the land which ye shall possesse The like Deut. 25. 15. 30. 20. In the booke of the Proverbs this is very oft repeated chap. 3. 1. 2. Salomon in the name of God as a father exhorting his sonne sayth My sonne forget not my law but let thy heart keepe my commandements addeth this promise vers 2. For length of dayes and long life and peace shall they adde to thee More to like effect in the same Chapter where setting out exceedingly the great gaine of wisedome that is of saving knowledge among the rest he addes this vers 16. Length of dayes is in her right hand and in her left hand riches and honour And vers 18. Shee is a tree of life to them that lay hold vpon her and happy is every one that retaineth her Chap. 4. from vers 5. to vers 14. you shall read both this promise of life and many other blessings belonging to this life repeated which I will spare to set downe finding writing to me now more tedious then formerly read the place with these following 8. 35. 9. 11. 10. 25. 27. 11. 19. 30. 11. 14. 30. 21. 21. 22. 24. This God promised to Salomon 1 Kings 3. 14. and the like is spoken more generally that the Prince that hateth covetousnesse Pro. 28. 16. shall prolong his dayes Thus we see how plentifully the Lord hath promised long life to those that will be ruled by him Vse of long life whereas on the other side Psal 55. 23. the wicked shall not liue out halfe their dayes but shall soone and suddainly be cut off Which as it was intended by God to be a strong reason to perswade vs to obedience so we are to be moved by all these promises to beleeue them and thereby to be stirred to a more carefull walking before God But seeing that which I chiefly intend is to strengthen our faith that we shall not want any of these earthly blessings Vse this must be the vse we are to make of all these promises concerning long life that in all the perills of this life by sicknes war famine theeues witches or any wicked enemy whatsoever we might call to mind some of these promises and so rest our selues quietly therevpon that none of these nor any thing els should shorten the dayes of our life more then should turne to our greater good Yea further seeing the Lord hath made it so great an encouragement to feare and serue him as if he had not a greater reward in matters of this life to bestow vpon his faithfull servants and so the faithfull haue in all ages esteemed it and desired it Esa 39. 19. as Hezekiah and Dauid oftentimes Psal 6. 4. yea and many of them did enjoy it as the holy Story records for a blessing of God vpon them The consideration of these should moue vs so to prise this blessing and desire it as they did which I the rather mention for that I haue heard preached and read in the writings of some both godly and learned Divines many perswasions to be weary of life and to be desirous of death which to say no more quite crosseth this wisedome and goodnes of God in promising life to his best servants as a chiefe reward of their good service let vs then so account of long life as a rich blessing which makes all other blessings of this life the more excellent and vsefull both to God and man to our selues and others and the want hereof the quite contrary as may be easily shewed in all particulars how doth it abate the vse and comfort of health wealth strength and valour of learning and generally of all excellent gifts of the mind or body if these be nipt off in the bud and not suffered to come to full ripenes so to continue to their full terme and end Let vs then I say so accept these promises that in all time of need we may stay our selues vpon them and that we may find comfort in all tentations to the contrary This being the first and chiefe blessing of this life Long life I meane if this should not be accompanied with health wealth peace and other like blessings it would make long life more wearisome then welcome vnto our frayle nature For this cause God is not sparing in making promises of these and all other comforts for this naturall life As namely of bodily health Health and strength whereby we may better enjoy and make vse of these earthly comforts This is that which the Lord promised to his people of Israel immediatly after they came out of the red Sea where it is sayd the Lord proved them and said If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God Exod. 15. 26. and wilt doe that which is right in his sight and wilt giue cure to his commandements Deut. 7. 15. and keepe all his statutes I will put none of these diseases vpon thee which I put vpon the Aegyptians for I am the Lord that healeth thee And Exod. 23. 25. I will take sicknesse from the middest of thee So Iob. 5. 18. its sayd of God For he maketh sore and bindeth vp he woundeth and his hands make whole And so goes forward to the end of that chapter in setting forth Gods goodnes in preserving his in all estates from all manner of troubles and supplying them with all needful blessings for this life as there further may be seene Psal 41. 1. c. David setting out Gods goodnes to those that shew mercy to the poore in their distresse among many other blessings addes this vers 3. The Lord will strengthen him vpon the bed of languishing thou wilt make all his bed in his sicknes Salomon Pro. 3. 7. exhorting vs to feare the Lord and to depart from â—â—vill adds this as a promise ver 〈◊〉 It shall be health to thy navill and â—arrow to thy bones meaning thereby soundnesse of health to the whole body And to like effect chap. 4. 22. he sayth that the true receiuing of instructions is life to those that find them and health to all their flesh So the Prophet Esay in many wordes setting forth the manifold blessings of this life Esa 33. 15.
c. which God promiseth to those that walke vprightly c. sayth vers 24. And the inhabitant thereof shall not say I am sicke the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquitie The place is worth the reading To the same intent is bodily strength so oft promised as Iob 17. 9. The righteous also shall hold on his way and he that hath cleane hands shall be stronger and stronger So Psal 29. 11. The Lord will giue strength vnto his people the Lord will blesse his people with peace Psal 103. 5. This is numbred among Gods mercies for which the Prophet prayseth God who satisfieth thy mouth with good things so that thy youth is renued like the Eagle And Elihu Iob 33. shewing Gods mercy to a sinner truly converted adds this vers 25. His flesh shall be fresher then a childes he shall returne to the dayes of his youth Psal 84 7. They goe from strength to strength every one of them appeares before God in Sion These and many moe be the promises which God hath made vs concerning bodily health Application strength whereby we may be able to performe the duties of our places and callings and more comfortably enjoy all other the good blessings of this life which doth sufficiently commend the great and most needfull vse we haue of these as our daily experience sheweth And therefore these are so much esteemed and by great cost sought for even by meere naturall men though oft in vaine all which not onely commends Gods fatherly affection to his children in providing and promising these vnto them but ought in speciall manner to comfort vs in all our bodily infirmities and sore diseases that how or whensoever the Lord shall visite vs with sicknesse and weaknesse whereby we be hindered from many duties both toward God and man which he never doth but when need requires and then also for our greater good then we may remember some of these promises and so lay hold vpon them by faith that we faint not nor murmur as men without hope but comfortably quiet our selues that the Lord will in due season rayse vs vp to our former health and strengthen vs that we may with more watchfulnes and chearfulnes serue him Such as never or seldome haue felt the want of this blessing of health cannot so prise it or be thankfull for it as they ought but they whom God hath much exercised with long and tedious paines and bodily infirmities will make no common reckoning of health but prefer it before wealth and honour which be so much set by and they be they who will prise these promises and who beleeving them shall patiently waite for the accomplishment of them They shall reape the fruit of them both more comfort and conscience to hold out their holy profession vnto the end Among whom seeing it is well knowne to all that haue liued with me for these last ten yeares at least that I haue had my part in much bodily infirmitie so much as my experience may be vsefull to others in like case I do acknowledge to Gods praise that I haue had good proofe of the truth of this which I haue written and doe daily expect more both for my comfort and strengthning to hold out to the end And so much for this blessing of health which God hath promised to his obedient children The next is wealth Wealth that is abundence of earthly goods such as be needefull for our more comfortable living in this world which seeing they be many wher of we stand in neede and which our nature doth exceedingly desire therefore the Lord is most plentifull in promising these that hereby hee might win our hearts to more chearefull obedience for this purpose that might suffice which is written Levit. 26. from verse 3. to 14 Deut. 28. from verse 2. to 15. 7. 12. to 17. I leaue svch as desire to see these to reade the places so likewise the 128. 23. psalms in which is as much said as may be desired and more then is wel beleeved For did wee beleeue that in hearkning to the voyce of the Lord to obserue and doe all his commandements we should be every way so abundantly blessed it could not but make vs much more afraid to offend so bountifull a Father and as carefull to please him in all things But to cite some of many Prov. 3. 9. Honour the Lord with thy substance and with the first fruites of all 〈◊〉 increase vers 10. so shall thy barâ—es bee filled with plenty and thy presses â—urst with new wine verse 16. setting out the incomparable commodities of wisedome he adds this Length of dayes is in her right hand and in her left hand riches and honour v. 17. Her wayes are wayes of pleasantnesse and all her pathes are peace verse 18. Shee is a tree of 〈◊〉 to them that lay hold vpon her and happy is every one that retaynath her Againe Chap. 8. 18. 19. 〈◊〉 and â—onour are with me yea durable riches and righteousnesse My fruit is better then gold yea then fine gold and my revenue then choice silver Prov. 10. 22. The blessing of the Lord maketh rich and hee addeth no sorrow with it Chap. 15. 6. In the house of the righteous is much treasure c. Iob 22. 23. If thou reiurne to the Almighty c. verse 24. Then shalt thou lay vp gold as dust and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooke Notable is that promise concerning these earthly blessings made to the people of Israel at their returne Iere. 31. 12. Therfore they shall come and sing in the height of Sion and shall flow together to the goodnes of the Lord for wheate and for wine and for oyle and for the young of the flocke and of the heard and their soule shal be as a watred garden and they shall not sorrow any more at all c. The like Mala. 3. 10. Bring ye all the tithes into the store-house c. If I will not open vnto you the windowes of heaven and poure you a blessing that there shall not bee romme enough to receiue so the Apostle exhorting to liberalitie to the poore Saints sayth 2. Cor. 9 verse 6. He that soweth bountifully shall reape bountifully verse 8. And God is able to make all grace abound towards you that yee alwayes having all sufficienâ—y in all things â—â—y abound to every good worke c. I finde my selfe wearior in writing out these promises I feare many will be more wearioâ— in reading them over then any of vs would be weary of receiving and enioying these things so promised And yet I may boldly affirme I haue not see downe one quarter of those which I haue gathered out of the Scriptures for how often doth the Lord promise plenty that the land shall yeelâ— her fruit that he will giue them 〈◊〉 in dâ—â— season that there should bee none barren but he would increase them in all their