to conceive something may be greater than God but it is impossible for the understanding of Men or Angels to conceive a thing may be greater than God See in what manner the Prophet prayeth to God and then tell me whether we can conceive any thing greater than he Jer. 32. 17 18 19. Ah Lord God behold thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched-out arm and there is nothing too hard for thee Thou shewest loving kindness to thousands c. The great the mighty God the Lord of hosts is his name Great in counsel and mighty in working For thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men to give every one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings He is called the blessed and onely Potentate the King of Kings and Lord of Lords Who onely hath immortality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen nor can see to whom be honour and power everlasting Amen 1 Tim. 6. 15 16. Now these three things may fully evince that God is infinite and incomprehensible 1. Because God is absolutely and eminently perfect not so much as a negative imperfection is in God All perfections are his essence or rather his essence is all perfections all infinite power infinite mercy infinite justice infinite wisdom therefore he is called Pelagus essentiae a sea of being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 We may behold great perfection in the creatures Angels are great in power great in wisdome but all the perfections that are in creatures are but as a drop of a bucket in comparison of the main Ocean they are as nothing 2. God is infinitely powerful therefore infinite in his essâ—nce that he is infinite in power witness his Creation of the world there is an act and work proper onely to infinite power witness the upholding the whole world by the word of his power 3. From his great Creatures which he hath made we may apprehend the Iâ—finiteness of God Quod efficit tale est magis tale ex pede Herculem The Earth and Water are a vast and great globe the Heaven especially the Heaven of Heavens is of a most vast and inconceiveable circumference the very Sun and but one Star in the Heavens is far greater then the World is now if God hath made such great things he must needs be infinite see what the Scripture speaks of the great creatures in comparison of God Isa 40. 10. Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and meted out heaven with a span and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a ballance Behold the Nations are as a drop of a Bucket and accounted as the small dust of the ballance behold be taketh up the Isles as a very little thing All Nations before him are as nothing they are counted to him lesse then nothing and vanity ver 15. 17. CHAP. V. IF God be infinite hence you may Vse 1. learn what an evil sin is that it is an infinite evil because it is committed against an infinite God We measure sin by the act and not by the object the act is transient it passeth away an idle word a vain thought a vain thought as a vain thought is little and so we are apt to think the sin little because we measure it according to the act not by the object against whom it is committed Men make nothing of an Oath of a Lye of being drunk even such gross sins as these are bâ—cause they measure them by the act but this is but a wrong Rule to measure your actions by you must measure sin by the object against whom it is committed which is God and so every sin is an infinite evil Thy idle words are infinite evils because sinâ— against God much more thy blasphemies Words spoken against the Kâ—ng and a small wrong done to his person is Crimen laesae Majestatis is high treâ—son but worâ—s spoken against an ordinary man are not so because 't is the King against whom they are spoken makes them treasonable and brings death and destruction to him that speaks them Hence it is that God will punish every sin with an infinite punishment in respect of duration those sins of which thou makest no reckoning the infinite God will inflict wrath upon thy soul for them Thou makest no matter of thy idle words and vain thoughts oh know that God will punish thy idle words and vain thoughts with infinite wrath Psal â—0 11. Who knoweth the power of thine anger even according to thy fear so is thy wrath Here is an Use of singular Comfort Use 2. to all broken-hearted sinners God's mercies are infinite his mercy is incomprehensible You think your sins are greater then can be pardoned yet though thy sins be great and numberless God's mercies are infinitely more infinite Thou canst not out vie God's mercies Lay down as many sins as thou canst at stâ—ke God will lay down infinite multiâ—udes of mercies Turn thou from thy wicked ways and believe and prove whether the Lord will not pour down mercies that there shall not be room enough to receive them God will abundantly pardon For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways saith the Lord For as the Heavens are higher then the earth so are my ways higher then your ways and my thoughts then your thoughts As if God should say your thoughts are that you are the most notorious sinners that are that your sins are unpardonable you think with your selves is it possible that such a sinner should find mercy Will God be gracious to such a vile wretch as I am Thou hast saith God too shallow thoughts concerning me my thoughts are not like thine thy thoughts of my way of mercy are but finite poor conceits but my thoughts of love and mercy to broken hearted sinners that humble themselves unfeignedly are like my self infinite I have infinite thoughts of mercy toward you I have infinite thoughts of mercy for you for as the heaven is higher then the earth so are my ways higher then your ways and my thoughts higher then your thoughts Isa 57. 7. 8. 9. When men do think their sins unpardonable what do they they but make God finite his mercies finite his mercies comprehensible 3. If God be an infinite majesty Use 3. this may serve as an use of instruction to us 1. Then it concerns us to behave our selves with all humility and reverence when we draw nigh to God by how much greater a prince is the more reverence we shew to him God is great infinite majesty therefore worthy of all fear submission and reverence the Angels in heaven cover their faces standing in His presence Isa 6. Beholding his infinite and most glorious majesty and their own nothing this is Solomon's exhortation to all that pray to consider what
Gods subsistence whose name is I am I will be 4. When all things shall come to nought friends riches health strength life and all and shall subsist no longer in thy self then God will subsist and make thee to subsist in eternal glory then will he say I am that I am thy reward to eternity thy happiness to eternity thy eternal comforter thy eternal God This sheweth the happiness of all Use 3. Gods servants because God doth ever subsist to direct them in all their ways to protect them in all their dangers to comfort them in all their tribulations and abundantly to reward them though they run thorow a thousand changes yet the Lord subsisteth the same to them and carries them thorow as upon Eagles wings let a christians condition change yet God will never leave him nor forsake him Then extol the name of this great Use 4. Jehovah Psal 68. 4. that is acknowledg that God onely is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is of himself and subsisteth by himself that God onely is Riches are not Prov. 23. 5. honours pleasures are not but God onely is by him thou dost subsist CHAP. VI. A Second point I draw from this that the Lord is Jehovah shall be this That the Lord will make good all Observ his promises to his Church and people because he is Jehovah 'T is said that now to them he will be made known by his name Jehovah that he is a God giving being to his promises commanding a full and due accomplishment of them In the handling this point I will do these four things 1. I shall shew the meaning of being made known by the name Jehovah Then 2. I will prove the point by Scripture then by reason 3. I will give the Rules concerning Gods fulfilling of promises 4. Then make Application 1. My name Jehovah implies these things in reference to his promises 1. That I the Lord am faithful in my promises will not deceive those that put their trust in me Let men believe what my mouth hath spoken and my power shall make my word to come to pass 2. That I the Lord am true in my Use 1. promises God is not as man or as the son of man he cannot lie promise one thing and mean another but what the Lord promiseth he decreeth to do Gods actions shall be and are as good as his words Hath the Lord promised deliverance from all trouble pardon of sins peace of Conscience grace and glory every good thing you shall see him true in all failing in none but all shall be made good to his Church and people 3. That I the Lord am constant in my promises Hath the Lord promised this or that mercy to his Church and people he will never repent of his promises Men often waver after promises made he will not waver nor breed suspicion in our hearts the Lord will firmly stand to his word I the Lord have made promises of mercy to my people the word is gone out of my mouth I will never go back from my word all the mercies and good things promised shall accompany my word The Lord hath said of his name Jehovah This is my name for ever and this is my memorial unto all generations Exod. 3. 15. A memorial of what things It is a memorial of Gods faithfulness truth and constancy in his promises that all succeeding generations shall see and acknowledge God to be faithful true and constant in keeping promises in full and due accomplishment of them I will ever be known to my Church and people by the name Jehovah CHAP. VII Sect. 1. NOw for proof of the Point first by Scripture The Lord glorieth in this title a God keeping Covenant what doth bind himself by promise in a Covenant he will not fail in one condition on his part he is circumstantially punctual Behold what he speaks of his Faithfulness in keeping Covenant Jer. 31. 35 36. Thus saith the Lord which giveth the Sun for a light by day and the ordinances of the Moon and of the Stars for a light by night which divideth the Sea when the waves thereof roar the Lord of Hosts is his name If those ordinances depart from before me saith the Lord then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a Nation before me for ever That look as the ordinances of the Sun Moon and Stars of Day and Night remain firm unalterable so shall his Promises and Covenant made to his Church and People be as firm and unalterable And v. 37. he addeth If Heaven above can be measured and the foundation of the Earth searched out beneath I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done saith the Lord. As he proveth the immutability of his Covenant and Promises from the immutability of the natural ordinances so here he proveth it from an impossible thing As 't is impossible to measure Heaven to search the Earth to its center so it is impossible that ever the Covâ—nant between God and his People should be broken All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth Psal 25. 10. These two are coupled together because God truly performeth what he promiseth to his People sc his mercies his promises of pardon of sins sanctification life eternal direction of his people in the way to eternal life this is his way of mercy His way of truth is to fulfil these promises to command these loving kindnesses to come to all his people this is his way of truth Now these are called the ways of Jehovah because it is Gods constant and faithful course truly to perâ—orm his promises of Mercy S. Paul tells us 2 Tim. 2. 13. If we believe not yet he abideth faithful he cannot deny himself Though men should mistrust the fidelity of his Word and give no credit to him yet God abides faithful and constant in his Promises he cannot lie he will not deny himself Now God will perform all his promises because his Name is Jehovah It is observed by Zanchy that as often as God in his Prophets doth promise any great Mercy or threaten any grievous Judgment he makes mention of this Name Jehovah I am the Lord or Jehovah Take some instances for all Jer. 31. 31 32 33 34. a place full of federal Promises to his Church concerning his putting his Law into their inward parts and writing it on their hearts of enlightening their minds and pardoning the sins of his people and such like there he mentioneth this name divers time Thus saith the Lord or Jehovah Thus saith Jehovah I will make a new Covenant with them Thus saith Jehovah I will put my Law in their inward parts c. Thus saith Jehovah I will forgive their iniquities c. to shew that he will make good his promises they shall surely be pardoned they shall be sanctified they shall obey me The fifth Chapter of Ezekiel is full of severe threatnings of fearful Judgments and that those threatnings
shall be accomplished the wicked shall see him as true and faithful in his Judgments and vengeance as in Mercy and Peace It is said vers 13. They shall know that I am Jehovah that I am a God who will give and command a being to my threatnings as well as to my Promises that I will create evil for the destruction of godless wretches as create good for the peace safety and salvation of them that fear me Sect. 2. Having proved the Point by Scripture I will also prove it by reason Because all the promises made to Reas 1. his church and people are the very expressions of his efficacious will to shew them mercy to supply their wants with desirable comforts what the Lord efficaciously willeth and intendeth shall undoubtedly come to pass All the works of God are but the effects of his will 'T is said God said let there be light and there was light let the earth bring forth herbs let the trees bring forth fruit according to their kind and they did so Gods saying is nothing else but his efficacious willing of the things and as he willed things so they came to pas so his promises in the covenant of grace are nothing else but his will to pardon to sanctifie to comfort to deliver to give grace and glory let mercy embrace such a soul let pardon be assur'd to such a sinner let such lusts be mortifyed let such deliverance betide such a person and all cometh to pass because he willeth the things his promises are the expressions of his will 'T is an observable phrase used in Scripture command deliverance for Jacob and command loving kindness to shew to his people the efficacy of his will in making good his promises he hath promised deliverance loving kindnesse let it be to such a soul 2. Because God is as able as he is willing his name is Jehovah it is the Lord that gives Being to all that have being therefore he is able to give being to his promises as to his creatures to give a being to promised mercy to promised pardon to promised grace and glory and whatsoever good he hath promised See what arguments God useth to encourage his people to ask of him things to come Isa 45. 12. I have made the earth and created men upon it I even my hands have stretched out the heavens and all their host have I commanded he created man and all creatures therefore he can create all good which he hath promised to his Church therefore put God in mind of his promises to his Church and importunately urge him with his promises Say to him Lord thou hast commanded man to keep his promise to be faithfull of his word thou hast promised this and that mercy thou canst not deny thy self being most faithfull command this and that mercy The Prophet Malachy speaking of the creation of womâ—n Malac. 2. 15. saith did not he make one yet had he the residue of the Spirit that is he made but one woman for Adam he could have made more because of his abundance of Spirit the Lord hath abundance of spirit he hath made good his promises to others and can make them good to all that shall trust in him 3. Because Gods performing his promises to his Church and people is God's memorial it is an everlasting memorial of him to all generations succeeding generations come to know what God is by his performance of promises God is known by his name Jehovah his mindfulness of his Covenant and promises makes us mindfull of God As God performing his promise of remission of sins makes men in all ages to know that he is Jehovah that pardoneth iniquity transgressions and sins and they from their own experience will make God known to be a God pardoning iniquity so the accomplishment of promises of deliverance promises of comfort in trouble accomplished promises of the things of this life and and of the life that is to come accomplished makes him known to be faithfull and constant in his promises that he is a God that cannot lie nor deny himself but abideth faithful to all generations CHAP. VIII Sect. 1. IN the third place I willlay down the Rules concerning God's performing of his promises and in the first place I must premise these distinctions 1. That there are promises which concern Church in general and there are promises which concern the members of the Church each particular godly man there are promises made to Jerusalem and promises made to the daughters of Jerusalem 2. There are promises of temporal good things and promises of spiritual good things of spiritual blessings 3. There are promises of grace it self and mercy it self and there are promises of the measure of grace The observable rules are these The promises to the Church in general are propheticall promises they are prophecies as well as promises so the accomplishment of them is to be prayed for it shall be in Gods appointed time The Jews prayed for the comming of the Messiah long before his comming yet he came not in the flesh till the fulness of the determinate time came no question but the seed of Jacob prayed for the possession of Canaan yet no possession till the years were expired wherein God promised to give them Canaan The Church in many ages hath prayed for the subversion of the Kingdome of Antichrist yet Babylon the great is not fallen the Church hath likewise prayed for the conversion of the Jews and the bringing in of the fulnesse of the Gentiles yet the one is not converted neither is the fulnesse of the other brought in yet the Lord Jehovah will make good these and such like promises in his own time then shall the blessings of the promises and the prayers of all Saints fall into the Churches lap We must pray and we may expect the accomplishment of the promises in due time because we have the promises and the prophecies but 't is curiosity to calculate a set time as to say positively that in such a year Antichrist shall be overthrown we are ignorant of the times and seasons when God will accomplish his promises to his Church they are not clearly revealed unto us Sect. 2. Now as touching those Promises that concern each particular member of the Church First concerning Promises about Grace and spiritual Mercies we are to observe these Rules 1. That God will make good his Rule 1. Promises to all Believers concerning pardon of sin sanctification adoption perseverance life eternal and a Believer may be confident that God will bestow these things undoubtedly upon him by this name Jehovah he will be made known to all and for these things thou mayest absolutely pray 2. That God will give such a measure of grace of comfort and assistance as he knowerh to be fit for thee not such and such a measure of grace and assistance as thou thinkest needful Your heavenly Father knoweth what grace what comfort what assistance you most need Be sure
ever he will never desert and forsake those that worship him in Spirit and truth but as he here promiseth Israel so he doth to all his servants the eternal God will be their refuge their habitation 2. If God be eternal then all those make an ill bargain that for the love of some base lust lose an eternal God who prefer the fruition of pleasures and profits before him What shall it profit a man to win the whole world and lose his own soul the same and more may be spoken to such persons what shall it profit a man to win a thousand worlds and to lose an eternal and immortal God The day is coming when all wretched worldlings shall cry out as Israel did at the sacrifice of Elijah The Lord God he is God the Lord God he is God Baal is not God so riches are not an eternal God honors are not an eternal God pleasures are not an eternal God but God only is eternal oh that I could now say the eternal God is mine It will be most just in that day for God to cast thee into eternal torments for rejecting him in this moment of thy life 3. Then surely they are blessed who have the eternal God for their resuge for their portion happy are the people that are in such a case saith the Psalmist Psal 144. ult speaking of outward prosperity who have barns and fields full of corn strong and fruitfull cattle Esau's blessing the â—atnesse of the earth but they rather are blessed that have the Lord to be their God who have the Lord for their portion who have the dew of heaven which is Jacobs blessing yea the very eternal God of heaven All earthly treasures which the word so greedily seeks after and on which wicked worldlings set their hearts will at one time or other take their wings and flee away and will be seen no more but the eternal God never forsakes those who take him for their refuge and portion he is eâ—ernal strength in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength Isa 26. 4. He gives eternal comforts eternal honours eternal riches eternal pleasures Psal 16. ult Eternal glory and if he be once thine he is thine to Eternity 4. Since God is eternal learn hence what ground we have to put all trust and confidence in him trust ye in the Lord for ever Psal 26. 4. There is no trust to the favour of creatures to man the greatest of men because their breath is in their nostrils the doors are always open mans breath goeth forth he returneth to his earth Psal 146. 4. but God lives for ever He is an eternal refuge therefore thou mayest trust to him always in all dangers His strength is eternal therefore thou mayest trust him in thy greatest weaknesses his mercy endureth for ever therefore thou shouldest never despair but trust in his mercy for ever and ever Psal 52. 8. All in God is eternal his Word his Faithfulness his Truth he keepeth truth for ever Psal 146. 6. 5. This should encourage us to undergo momentany crosses losses disgraces troubles for God when God calls us to it because he is eternal Suppose thou endurest the loss of riches they are but momentany God will be eternal riches If thou endurest momentany disgrace and dishonour God will give thee eternal honour and glory I reckon saith S. Paul that all the afflictions of this present time are not worthy to be compared with that glory that shall be revealed Rom. 8. 18. much less worthy are they to be compared with the eternal God of glory 6. Here is an Use of Terrour to wicked men who impenitently live and die in their sins for if God be eternal then your damnation your curse and sorrows in Hell shall be eternal The fire in hell is eternal fire because the eternal God made it and will preserve it to eternity therefore your damnation to that fire O sinners is eternal because God is an eternal Judge and his sentence and punishment shall be eternal Isa 30. 33. Tophet is ordained of old c. he hath made it deep and large the pile thereof is fire and much wood the breath of the Lord like a stream of brimstone doth kindle it CHAP. V. IN the next place consider if God be eternal then is he a King eternal and his dominion is for ever This may appear 1. From the continuance of his government and dominion even from the foundations of the world Earthly Kingdomes have had and have their waxings and wanes their increase and decrease their glorious exaltations and their heavy downfalls and ruinous desolations but the Kingdome of God is the same yesterday to day and for ever All creatures are under his dominion and in subjection to his commands now as at first there is no decay in his government nor in creatures obedience but still his will is fulfilled 2. By his continual protection of his Church and People from generation to generation his Church never wanted Enemies vowing the ruine and desolation of her from her foundation it hath been in all Ages like a Candle set upon the top of an high Hill the blustring winds of malice opposition and persecution pussing blowing and storming against it yet the Eternal King hath preserved it that they could never blow it ouâ— There is a whole Hell of Devils and a World of wicked Men whose hearts Satan hath filled with malice against the Church yet the gates of Hell could never prevail against it 3. Because God to day and yesterday binds the Consciences of men and so for ever Conscience is God's Vicegerent and Lord Deputy in the hearts of men that Government endureth his Laws do still bind the Conscience Men's Consciences are terrified for the breach of his Laws 't is none but he can speak peace or continue terrour 4. His Kingdome is for ever for at the destruction of the world he will reign as absolute King in Heaven and over Hell In Heaven a glorious King over Hell a just and terrible King honouring his Subjects with Crowns of immortal glory and punishing the Rebels with Chains of utter darknes he will tread down his Enemies and they shall be trodden down into the piâ— of everlasting confusion But it may be said Albeit God be Object an eternal King yet the Enemies do sometimes prevail against the Church how then doth he continually protect it 1. It is true they may and do prevail Sol. over part of the Church but not over the whole and never shall prevail they may destroy the suburbs of this holy City but never shall they rase Jerusalem down to the ground 2. They may and do sometimes prevail over persons not over the the cause which is the Truth of God and his â—eligion the bodies of God's Saints have been cast into the streets like mire by the Antichristian party but the Truths of God which they professed shall be preserved as a Jewel in a Cabâ—net 3. The sufferings of
four-fold infiniteness 1. An Infiniteness in respect of quantity as if there should be a body that hath infinite dimensions of infinite breadth length and depth God is not thus infinite because he is not a body neither is there any infinite body the heaven of heavens are of a vast circumference and the greatest of all bodies yet it hath its bounds and limits 2. There is that which is infinite in respect of number so the sands on the sea are said to be infinite because innumerable the stars in the heaven be innumerable yet be they not truly infinite because there can be as many more stars and sands neither way God is said to be infinite because God is but one 3. There is an infinite in respect of qualities inherent so no creature is infinite because there cannot be infinite vertues in finite natures as all created natures are so God is not properly said to be infinite because in God there are no qualities and vertues but improperly God is said to be infinite in qualities as they denote his pure essence infinite in power infinite in goodnesse infinite in mercy all in God is infinite because they are his very nature 4. There is an infinite in respect of Being Nature or substance to have an immeasurable incomprehensible and unlimitted being or nature so God and onely God is infinite who onely is incomprehensible and unlimited therefore he is said to be ubique nusquam every where and no where he is no where circumscriptivè limited and bounded ubique repletivè every where filling all things God comprehends all and is comprehended of nothing his center is every where his circumference no where When we say God is infinite we mean he is a spirit of infinite extension when we say he is extended it is meant secundum totalitem not secundum partes he is wholly extended not part by part therefore he is of infinite extension CHAP. III. NOw that God is infinite and incomprehensible may appear by removing all bounds and limits of Being Creatures are bounded and limited with these bounds with Time Place Efficacy Their own Beings 1. Creatures ar finite and limited with their Essential Terms as the Angâ—lical nature is but God hath no Essential Terms limiting and bounding him his Essence is an unlimited Essence 2. All creatures are bounded with Time The Angels and Souls of Men who have a being to eternity yet had no being of duration when they were created but God is infinite in duration he is not bounded with beginning nor end but from everlasting to everlasting he is God 3. Place is another bound or limit to creatures Angels that are in Heaven are not at the same time upon Earth We see how every creature that is in this place is so bounded that he is not in another And this is one strong Argument against Taansubstantiation Christ's Body is not physically or naturally in the Bread and Wine but onely sacramentally because being a body he is as all bodies in a place circumscriptively but no place sets bounds to God he is every where he filleth heaven and earth the heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain him 4. A thing is limited and bounded in respect of it's efficacy and operation Angels are powerful mighty in power yet their power is limited Nihil agit ultra sphaeram activitatis Nothing can go beyond his power The School-men speaking of Angels in place say they are in loco definitivè that is by applying their actions to this and not to that place the Sun throws out his light and heat at a great distance yet it is bounded Now God is infinite in respect of efficacy and as he is Is there any thing too hard for me saith the Lord Whatsoever is possible he can bring to pas his power is boundless his mercy is boundless not onely in respect of duration but also in respect of operation so that God is infinite in respect of Essence therefore incomprehensible infinite in respect duration therefore eternal 5. Intelligentiâ Great things may be comprehended in the understanding of Angels and Men but God surpasseth our understandings It is impossible Magnus denotat duo magnitudinem extensionis magnitudinem cujustibet perfectionis sapientiae c. for Men and Angels to conceive the greatness of God The Angels shall be prying and prying to eternity yet never shall they see God fully perfectly and comprehensively Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised his greatness is unsearchable Psal 145. 3. When God is said to be Great it always noteth his Infinitenes Great beyond all conception of Angels and Men could they conceive his greatness God were not Infinite 'T is possible to search out the depth of the Sea of the Earth of the height of Heaven but God is a bottomless Ocean of Majesty and perfection 't is impossible to reach the height and to fathom the depth of God's Majesty you cannot come near him whom no man hath seen nor can see visione comprehensiva 1 Tim. 6. 16. his infinite Majesty will find the Angels and Saints work to eternity to find him out to comprehend him and when they have done what they can they cannot comprehend him Do not I fill heaven and earth saith the Lord Jer. 23. 24. The heaven is my throne the earth is my footstool where is the house that ye build unto me and where is the place of my rest Isa 66. 1. Thus Zophar speaks to Job Canst thou by searching find out God canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection It is high as heaven what canst thou do deeper then hell what canst thou know the measure thereof is longer then the earth and broader then the sea Job 11. 7 8 9. CHAP. IV. I Shall now lay down several Reasons to prove that God is infinite and incomprehensible 1. If God were not incomprehensible Reas 1. then there may be something which is extra Deum beyond or above or without God which hath not his being in God but these places of Scripture manifest nothing can be above or beyound God Psal 139. 7. ad 12. sheweth that there is no fleeing from God's presence and that no creature can be where God is not Job 11. He is higher then the heavens c. 2. If God were not infinite and incomprehensible Reas 2. then there would be something that is an adequate measure of his greatness If there be any such measure of his greatness then it should be the Heaven of heavens which is of the largest capacity seeing it containeth within it's compass the whole created world but this is not the measure for behold the heaven of heavens cannot contain him he is higher than the heavens deeper than the earth 3. If God were not infinite but Reas 3. finite then 't is possible that God might move from place to place as finite bodies may 4. If God were not infinite then Reas 4. it is possible for us
upon you that the earth affords that hell affords are against you Therefore if ye will walk contrary to God prepare ye to meet the Almighty God in most horrible and almighty wrath But tell me O sinner hast thou the strength of stones to bear his wrath such strength is too weak God can break the rocks and pound them to pouder much more thy stubborn heart If he touch the mountains they will smoak much more when he shall inflict full stroaks of vengeance upon thy soul and body What saith the Apostle Do we provoke the Lord to anger are we stronger then he Can ye stubborn sinners grapple with the terrible wrath of the Almighty God or can ye overcome him when ye shall meet him cloathed with almighty vengeance if ye can you can do more then all the Devils in hell can do for they tremble at the power of his wrath 2. Let the stout-hearted and stubborn sinners be admonished to humble themselves before this Almighty God and fear to sin any more against him Go and break your hearts and humble your souls deeply and make your peace with Almighty God before the decree bring forth his irresistible wrath Our most conquering contention and wrestling with God is our serious humiliation under the mighty hand of God Brethren either your hearts must be broken with the sense of sin or else the Almighty God will break you all to pieces like a potters vessel with his iron rod either you must cast your selves down before him or God in his wrath will cast you into the lowest hell Isa 27. 4 5. But you will say how shall we do it What said the Leaper to Christ Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me clean Go ye to Christ and say Lord if thou wilt thou canst humble my proud heart Lord if thou wilt thou canst break my stubborn heart Lord if thou wilt thou canst soften this hardned heart of mine Lord if thou wilt thou canst smite this rook of mine and rivers of tears shall gush out I see it is an hard matter for such proud stubborn hearts to be humbled but nothing is impossible for thee SECT 2. THe second Use is a use of terror Vse 2. to the professed enemies of God's Church and people 1. God will shew forth his almighty power and wrath against his Churches enemies to their utter destruction however the Nimrods the mighty hunters before the Lord may set themselves in their pride fury and malice against his people yet these lofty mountains shall be made plain and these Anakims these great Nimrods shall be driven away by his Almighty wrath as the chaff before the wind The Lord who is King of his Church is most wise and therefore can frustrate and bring to nothing all their devices he is Almighty therefore can destroy them with a sudden destruction Vse 2. Here is comfort to God's people Be not affraid thou worm Jacob for the Almighty God that hath all power all might all strength is thy sheild buckler tower God is on thy right hand and left hand before thee behinde thee to uphold preserve defend and save thee If God be with us who can be against us if God be with you who is he that can harm you let all the furies of hell with their malice and madness set upon you yet Vmbra Dei plus valet quam mille gladii hominum mille sagittae mille exercitus The shadow of Gods protection will be more available for your help then a thousand swords and darts of men then a thousand Armies are able to do you hurt Vse 4. Then be exhorted to pray with confidence at all times and daily to depend upon Almighty God So long as there is a possibility that the thing may be done though small or no probability in respect of the outward secondary causes and means appear yet pray because every thing is possible to Almighty God and he will put forth his Almighty power to do what shall make for his glory and thy good Despair of no mercy whatsoever Eph. 3. 20. God can do abundantly above what ye can ask or think God can do great matters give great mercies he can give great deliverances remove great evils confound the crafty overcome the mighty therefore pray still you cannot ask so great things as God can do for you you cannot think of so great things as God can do yet the mind can conceive greater things then the tongue can utter ask and think as great things as you can yet God can do and give more abundantly Despair likewise of no person despair not of the conversion of thy wife and children and friends after whose salvation thy soul longeth pray for them and continue in so doing because all things are possible to God he can break hearts he can change hearts convert the stubborn humble the proud he can draw a Camel through a needles eie Be exhorted likewise to depend always upon the Almighty God let him be thy stay trust and confidence in the greatest streights difficulties perplexlties or in what condition soever What! are means weak its no matter God is Almighty and can bring mighty things to pass by small means Do means go cross it is no matter God is Almighty and can make contraries to work thy happiness Do means fail God is Almighty and can do any thing without means All things are possible to him that beleiveth that dependeth on the Lord the Almighty God Vse 5. If God be Almighty then be ye lifted up ye heads that hang down and be strong ye feeble knees Gods almighty power is matter of great comfort Art thou weak be not cast down but hope in God and he can strengthen thee to do all things Art thou faint be not cast down God Almighty can renew thy strength that thou shalt run and not be weary walk and not be faint Isa 40. 31. Art thou afraid thou shalt not hold out but fall back from God the almighty power of God shall keep thee through faith unto salvation Gods almighty power is a Christians strong hold and garrison Art thou afraid of tentations Gods almighty power is sufficient to bear thee up and out of the most fearful tentations Hast thou a dead heart God's almighty spirit will quicken thee Fear no affliction for God's almighty power shall make thee more then a conqueror in all these Fear not death nor the grave for Gods almighty power can raise thee from the dust and make thy body glorious like unto the glorious body of Christ A discourse of the Life and Immortality of God Hebr. 3. 12. Take heed brethern lest there he in any of you an evil heart of unbeleif in departing from the living God CHAP. I. THe Author of this Epistle doubtless was St. Paul the chief subject of it is Christ A secondary drift and scope of it is to deter such as make profession of the faith of Christ from backsliding and departing from Christ as