our distresses whatsoever throughout the whole course of our life Iacob confesseth himselfe unworthy of the least of all GODS mercies Gen. 32.10 yet in the 9. verse he entitleth himselfe unto the promises He that commeth to mee I cast not away Ioh. 6.37 As if the LORD should say feare not though base sinfull poore and of no account in the eye either of thy selfe or others For if thou commest to me thou art welcome notwithstanding these and I never cast him away that commeth The wicked abuse the promises of GOD to loosenesse they say GOD is gracious and mercifull CHRIST dyed for us the LORD will forgive us and so stuffe themselves with promises till they have made them a pillow for sinne It is true there is mercy with GOD Psal. 130.4 not to make us bold to sinne but to feare him The Apostle urgeth the promise to spurre us to obedience and as a motive to the feare of GOD we should take heed of sinning because GOD is gracious Rom. 6.1 14. Heb. 10.29 Ioel 2.13 who would spend to try a liberall friend GODS mercy is regulated by his truth and justice He hath promised no mercy to such Deut. 29.20 they have neither part nor portion in this matter Acts 8.21 2. GODS Promises are full and of large extent in respect of 1. Persons 2. Things In respect of persons They are propounded generally with such termes as these every one or whosoever Ioh. 3.15 16. Matth. 11.28 Revel 22.17 Esay 55.1 2. Acts 10.43 Ioh. 7.37 Iohn 6.37 40. 5.24 11.26 Ezek. 33.11 1 Iohn 2.1 They are offered to all none excepted the Angell brought glad tidings for all people Luke 2.10 no sort of men are excluded but in CHRIST they may have their part in these promises as the Apostle sheweth Gal. 3.27 28 29. Hee will blesse them that feare the LORD both small and great Psal. 115.13 The LORD is rich unto all that call upon him Rom. 10.12 In every nation hee that feareth him and worketh righteousnesse is accepted with him Acts 10.35 The Promises are propounded promiscuously to all together with the commandement of beleeving but they are not performed to all because they faile in performing the condition but power is given to the Elect to performe the condition Ephes. 2.8 Act. 5.31 11.18 There is therefore a twofold offering of CHRIST 1. Externall in the preaching and publishing of the Gospell or the promises of CHRIST Act. 9.15 2. Internall a certaine spirituall Illumination whereby those promises are proâ—ounded to the hearts of men as it were by an inward word The promises are indefinite in regard of all and every man and to beleevers onely they are univeâ—sall Iohn 3.16 Mark 16.16 Râ—m 1.16 10.4 GOD undertakes with them not for themselves onely but for their seed aftâ—r them I am thy GOD and the GOD of thy seed hee sheweth mercy to a thousand generatâ—â—ns of them that feare him and keepe his Commandements He maintaines not onely such is serve him but all their houâ—hould yea and all thâ—â—r posterity too for the promises are made to you and to your seede and to as many as GOD shall call 2. In respect of things His Promises are likewise large for things No good thing will he withhold all that is in heaven in eaâ—th will GOD bestow on his In Deut. 28. Psal. 37. 128. whatsoever is good for the soule the body the estate the name the posterity of mâ—n is promised to them that feare GOD and obey his Commandements The Promises in the Word extend themselves to all estates to all conditions and to all kind of distresses whatsoever they are a Christians Catholicâ—n being a helpe to all duties a quickner of all graces and a Comfort in all Troubles The people of GOD streiten promises and enlarge precepts but the generality of the promises may comfort any gracious person Whosoever beleeveth shall bee saved none is excluded but such as exclude themselves This is singular comfort in temptation no matter for thy sinnes whosoever beleeveth in CHRIST shall be saved though his sinnes be never so great This may comfort the godly also in their meane estate in the world whosoever beleeves the hainous sinner as well as the lesser the poore begger as well as the mightiest Monarch shall not perish but have life eternall The indefinite promises are to be appropriated by particular application Gal. 2.20 1 Tim. 1.15 The Articles of the Creed concerning remission of sinnes and life everlasting doe include and we in them acknowledge our speciall faith concerning our owne salvation Hee that hath not this particularity of applying hath nothing of faith more then a Divell as two of our worthy Divines have well observed The Divels hold generalls of CHRISTS death remission of sinnes thereby purchased unto the Church herein only they faile that they apply not these to themselves nor can beleeve that they are sharers in these benefits and let it be thought no presumption for GODS child to out-strip the Divell one step at least in beliefe of the Articles of his Creed The Apostles applied the promises to them whom either they did instruct or confirme in the faith 1 Cor. 1.4 9 30. Chap. 12.27 Ephes. 1.13 Chap. 2.5 Acts 2.39 13.38 Col. 2.10 1 Pet. 1.18 19. 1 Iohn 2.12 The faithfull also apply them to themselves 2 Cor. 3.18 5.1 Ephes. 1.4 2.5 Col. 1.12 1 Pet. 1.3 1 Iohn 3.1 2. 3.24 The Papists scoffe at this particular assurance and say there must be a particular word for a particular faith Where is it said by name say they to any man Thou Peter or Iohn shalt be saved Wee may retort this argument upon themselves for where is it said to any by name Sanctifie the Sabbath sweare not and yet the commandements belong to us why not then the Promises though not spoken to us by name The word of promise is as particular as the word of threatning command or prohibition The Generals include their particulars When a Prince gives a pardon to all theeves every one can apply the same unto himselfe though his name be not set downe in the pardon To mee saith D. Sâ—latâ—r it sounds as particular in case of my faith and repentance as if our Saviour himselfe should say unto mee as to him in the Gospell Sonne thy sinnes be forgiven thee The wicked enlarge the promises and streighten the precepts they take liberty to sinne presuming on pardon from those two generall maine promises Hee that beleeveth shall be saved Mark 16.16 At what time soever a sinner repents him of his sinnes I will have mercy on him saith the LORD Ezek. 18.21 22. Here are two sweet promises the one annexed to Faith the other to Repentance but out of these fragrant flowers the wicked sucke poyson It is an easie matter to beleeve saith the worldling though indeed it be as hard as to
Bellarmine saith this particular proposition such or such a man is truly justified hath eternall life is not contained in the Word of GOD either immediatly or by consequence Some Divines say that such places as these Psal. 103.3 Rom. 10.9 Gal. 2.20 intimate and imply such a particular proposition immediatly but this is deduced by evident consequence out of the word from such generall promises and propositions as these Whosoever beleeveth in him shall receive remission of sinnes Acts 10.43 And by him all that beleeve are iustified from all things c. Acts 13.39 He that beleeveth on the Sonne hath everlasting life Iohn 3.36 follow by good consequence these particulars Paul Peter Calvin Bradford or any other particular man beleeving in him receives remission of sinnes is justified and hath eternall life as it followes directly and infallibly every man is a reasonable creature therefore Iohn Thomas c. is endued with reason For all Generalls comprehend and include their particulars otherwise how shall it be proved that GOD made Hens and Ducks c. but by this that hee made all the world and gave being to every creature One meanes to get Assurance is a serious meditation on the Promises of GOD and an humble and sound application of them to thy selfe Heb. 10.22 23. When the LORD acquaints us with his Word and Promises and causeth us by his Spirit to put our trust in them this is a sound and true Assurance Iob 33.26 The smallest measure of Faith that can be is when a man not being able to apply the promises to himselfe and to say I am perswaded my sinnes are forgiven yet out of a troubled heart doth unfainedly desire the favour of GOD above all the world To this thirsting the Promises are made Mat. 5.6 Psal. 107.9 The LORD will fulfill the desires of them that feare him Psal. 145.19 See Esay 55.1 2. Esay 44.3 4. Rev. 21.6 22.17 Iohn 7.37 Psal. 10.17 Luke 1 53. Promises of Assurance Psal. 50.23 that is I will cause him to see and know that hee shall be saved Mal. 4.2 Psal. 85.9 97.11 GOD hath first commanded the faithfull to make their calling and election sure 2 Pet. 1.1 and to beleeve his promises Mar. 1.15 1 Iohn 3.23 Secondly promised that hee will certifie and assure his people of his favour Ezek. 34.30 Thirdly GOD hath given his people in all ages experience of the truth of this his promise in themselves Rom. 8.15 16. Gal. 4.6 3. Confidence Promises 1. Of Confidence It is said of GODS people That they shall stay upon the LORD the holy one of Israel Esay 10.20 At that day shall a man looke to his Maker and his eye shall have respect to the holy one of Israel Esay 17.7 Thou shalt call mee my father and shalt not turne away from mee Jer. 3.19 They shall trust in the name of the LORD Zeph. 3.12 Many shall see it and feare and shall trust in the name of the LORD Psal. 40.3 Vnder his wings shalt thou trust Psal. 91.4 Hee is the confidence of all the ends of the earth and of them that are a farre off upon the Sea Psal 65.5 They that know thy name will put their trust in thee Psal. 9.10 In his name shall the Gentiles trust Mat. 12.21 The Iles shall waite upon mee and on mine arme shall they trust Esay 51.5 The righteous shall be glad in the LORD and shall trust in him Psal. 64.10 Promises 2. To Confidence 1. Safety GOD is a shield to them that put their trust in him Pro. 30.5 who so putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe Pro. 29.25 They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion which cannot be removed Psal. 125.1 Thy life shall be for a prey unto thee because thou hast put thy trust in mee saith the LORD Jer. 39.18 None of them that trust in him shall be desolate Psal. 34.22 The LORD shall save them because they trust in him Psal. 37.40 The faithfull have promised themselves helpe because they trusted in the LORD Psal. 57.11 143.8 9. Numb 14.9 1 King 6.16 Psal. 3.6 23.4 27.1 3. Psal. 46.1 2. 49.4 46. Psal. 4.11 118.6 Esay 12.2 2. Peace Thou wilt keepe him in perfect peace whose minde is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee Esay 26.3 3. Mercy Hee that trusteth in the LORD mercy shall compasse him about Psal. 32.10 4. Blessednesse Blessed is the man that trusteth in thee Psal. 84.12 Blessed is the man that maketh the LORD his trust Psal. 40.4 Who so trusteth in the LORD happy is he Pro. 16.20 4. Hope Calvin calleth Hope an expectation of those things which Faith beleeveth to be truly promised of GOD. M. Perkins defineth Hope thus Hope saith he is the grace o◠GOD whereby with patienc◠we waite the LORDS leisure for the performance of his promises especially touching redemption and life eternall Hope is an expectation o◠such good things to come 〈◊〉 GOD hath promised and Faith beleeved Faith is the foundation of Hope Hope is the nourishment of Faith Faith apprehendeth the promises of things to come Hope expecteth the things promised Simeon having a promise that before he died he should see CHRIST with his bodily eyes beleeved the same and looked for the performance of it Luke 2.26 29 30. Promises 1. Of Hope David often professeth that GOD was his hope and his trust even from his youth and GOD made him hope even from his mothers wombe Psal. 71.5 22.9 And that GOD is the hope of all the ends of the earth Psal. 65.5 CHRIST is in you the hope of glory Col. 1.27 The righteous hath hope in his death Proverbs 14.32 Promises 2. To Hope The LORD promiseth Psal. 91. both temporall blessings and eternall salvation to those that hope in him They are pronounced Blessed that have true hope Psal. 40.4 We are saved by hope Rom. 8.24 The hope of the righteous shal◠be gladnesse Pro. 10.28 Hope maketh us not ashamed Rom. 5.5 Psal. 25.3 To Hope in GOD and to have GOD for our Helpe ar◠linked together in Scripture Happy is he that hath the GO◠of Jacob for his helpe whose hop◠is in the LORD his GOD Psal. 146.5 See Heb. 10.35 Lam. 3.24 2◠26. Psal. 14.7 11. Hope is preserved by a 〈◊〉 consideration and full perswasion of GODS properties which make us patiently abide for the accomplishment of his promises foure speciall properties for this purpose are to be observed 1. His free grace that makes us waite on him being perswaded in our hearts by faith that the same grace which moved GOD to make any gracious promise will further moove him to accomplish it 2. His infinite power being perswaded that hee is able to do it 3. His infallible truth so faithfull is GOD that not a word which he hath said shall fall to the ground 4. His unsearchable wisedome he is most wise in
oath and promises These Promises are of all needfull things in the world both Spirituall and Temporall of assistance under all crosses and of deliverance from them and at length of eternall glory and happinesse in Heaven which because it is furthest off and includeth in it an accomplishment of all other promises is the most proper object of Hope in which respect the Scripture doth thus intitle it hope of salvation 1 Thess. 5.8 hope of eternall life Tit. 3.7 hope of glory Rom. 5.2 At this Cape of good hope arrives every good Christian every true Israelite The rest are either hopelesse being Aliens from the Covenant of promise or over-hoping without evidence and due qualification fondly expecting the promise 2. The Promises are the obiects of our Faith and also the foundation of it whatsoever is promised may and must be beleeved and whatsoever is beleeved without a promise is rather presumed The Gospell is called the Word of Faith Rom. 10.18 the Ephesians beleeved after that they heard the Gospell Ephes. 1.13 The object of true faith is 1. Principall the promise of salvation by CHRIST this is the maine promise So GOD loved the world that hee gave his onely begotten Sonne to the end that whosoever beleeveth in him should not perish but have everlasting life 2. All inferiour Promises annexed thereunto of Temporall blessings as food raiment health peace liberty deliverance in temptations safety in dangers c. these depend upon the maine promise of CHRIST so farre forth as they are for our good for in CHRIST all the promises of GOD whether they concerne life eternall or this temporall life are yea and Amen that is sure and certaine to GODS children True Faith first of all directly and plainely fasteneth it selfe on the maine promise of GOD in CHRIST but after and with this on all other promises that concerne soule or body The Heart that saith by faith GOD will pardon my sinne and save my soule will say also by the same faith GOD will give me foode and raiment and all things sufficient for this life Rom. 4.18 Abraham by the same faith wherby hee was justified beleeved GODS promise that he should have a Sonne in his old age and Noah beleeved GODS promise of his preservation in the Arke by the same faith whereby He was made Heire of righteousnesse First faith apprehends mercy in CHRIST and then providence for this life Justifying Faith beleeves the Creation and all other holy truths Heb. 11. besides the Promises therefore the promises are not the onely object of Faith But not imploying her selfe about them as her speciall object but presupposing them as necessary Antecedents Justifying Faith beleeves other promises besides that of CHRIST and salvation by Him as concerning strength in tentations moderation of afflictions comforts of this life True but as Appendants and Appurtenances to the maine and principall Promise for in CHRIST that is the Fundamentall Promise concerning CHRIST All that is the other depending Promises are yea and Amen The proper and peculiar object then of Justifying faith is the Evangelicall promise other things are beleeved some as necessary Antecedents some as necessary Consequents of this But Faith findes life and salvation neither in the histories of the Creation nor in the Legall Commandements threatnings promises but onely in the Covenant of Grace CHAP. 11. 2. The Kinds of them SOme divide them thus The Promises are either Generall or Particular Reall or Personall Conditionall or Free Temporall or Eternall Others thus They are either Spirituall or Temporall concerning this life or the life to come of things simply necessary to salvation or of things good in themselves but not alwaies good for us The Promises are either Legall or Evangelicall Generall or Particular Principall or lesse Principall Direct or by Consequent Absolute or Conditionall Temporall Spirituall or Eternall There are Promises Legall and Evangelicall Legall are made on condition of workes as the perfect keeping of the Law which none since Adam save CHRIST can lay claime to Deut. 7.12 Ier. 7.3 23. These should be uneffectuall if CHRIST had not for us fulfilled that righteousnesse whereupon they hang Gal. 2.16 Evangelicall are made on condition of beleeving and repenting 2 Cor. 7.10 Iohn 3.15 These are made to the worker not for the merit of his worke but for CHRISTS merit in which both his person and worke are accepted Legall Promises or sentences may be found in the New Testament as Rom. 2.8 9. to the 13 Rom. 10.5 Gal. 3.10 12. and Evangelicall promises of grace may be found in the Old Testament as Psal. 32.1 2. Ier. 31.31 32. Both these are either Generall or indefinite propounded to all Exodus 20.6 Iohn 3.16 17 18. Or Particular directed to some kinde of persons few or one Exod 20.12 Matth. 9.2 Numb 25.12 13. There are Promises Principall and lesse Principall 1. Principall as righteousnesse remission of sins 2. Lesse Principall deliverance in afflictions safety in dangers health wealth There are direct or expresse Promises and Promises by consequent Direct as that which was made to Abraham of a Sonne Gen. 18. to Paul that not one in the ship should lose his life Acts 27. Promises are implied by consequence either in the examples or prayers of faithfull Saints 1. In their examples by those blessings which they have enjoyed GODS giving it to one is a promising it to all Thus doth S. Iames urge that end which GOD gave to Iobs troubles as a ground of our faith to make us waite for a like deliverance in troubles S. Paul assures us that for this cause GOD comforted him in his tribulation that hee might be able to comfort them which were in any trouble by the comfort wherewith hee was comforted of GOD 2 Cor. 1.4 Whatsoever things were written whether precepts promises threatnings or examples are written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15.4 2. In their prayers by those things which they prayed for in faith and obtained The Faithfull calling upon GOD and GODS gracious hearing of them are as much as a promise that GOD in such and such things will heare us calling upon him David made this a ground of his faith Psal. 22.4 5. There are Promises Absolute and Conditionall 1. Absolute which GOD hath simply determined to accomplish even as they are propounded as before CHRIST was manifested in the flesh the promise of the Messiah Esay 7.14 and of calling the Gentiles Esay 42.1 since that time the promise of calling the Jewes Rom. 11.26 and of CHRISTS second comming in glory Matth. 24.30 2. Conditionall which are no further promised then GOD in wisedome seeth to be most meete for his owne glory and his childrens good Thus are promised 1. All temporall blessings which Lazarus wanted 2. Freedome from all crosses and troubles Iob and other Saints had their part in
much more to all his people in all their necessities bodily or spirituall The like are those speeches that GOD will lighten our darkenesse he will keepe the feet of his Saints hee will not forsake them nor forget their complaint that they shall not be confounded in the time of trouble Hee will hide them in his pavillion Psal. 27.4 5. And cover them with his feathers Psal. 91.1 4. His Angels shall pitch their tents about them hee will set them up on high from such as rise against them he will heale their wounds Ier. 30.17 GOD sees our affliction and knowes it well Exod. 3.7 Hee heareth our sighs and remembring his Covenant helps us Exod. 2.23 24 25. All afflictions come from him the Almighty hath afflicted mee saith Naomi Ruth 1.21 it is often called the Chastening of the LORD When we are iudged saith the Apostle we are chastened of the LORD 1 Cor. 11.32 And the same GOD which imposed the affliction takes it away Deut. 32.39 1 Sam. 2.6 7. Iob 5.18 Vna eademque manus vulnus opemque tulit GOD will be the strength of the righteous in their trouble and their salvation out of trouble David had great proofe hereof and therfore after a mighty deliverance composed that excellent Ps. 34. See 7 17 19. verses I know the thoughts that I think towards you saith the LORD thoughts of peace to give you an expected end Ier. 29.11 Reioyce not saith the Church against me O mine enemy When I fall I shall arise when I sit in darkenesse the LORD shall be a light unto mee c. Micah 7.8 9. Light is sowne for the righteous and ioy for the upright in heart Psal. 97.11 The latter part of the verse expounds the former by light is meant joy and by righteous the upright in heart Ioy is sowne for these and as sure as an harvest followes a feeding so to these comfort followes mourning If wee sow in teares we shall reape in ioy I will be content saith D. Hall with a wet spring so I may be sure of a cleare and joyfull harvest Your sorrow shall be turned into ioy Ioh. 16.20 if CHRIST had onely promised that their sorrow should be mitigated or shortly ended it had beene a great comfort but this ministreth abundant consolation Never was Gold-smith more curious and precise to watch the very first season when the gold is throughly refined and fitted for use that he may take it out of the fornace then our gracious GOD waites in such cases with an holy longing that he may have mercy upon his children and deliver them He shall deliver thee in sixe troubles yea in seaven there shall no evill touch thee Ioh. 5.19 Many of the Learned say that here by sixe and seven the Spirit of GOD alludeth unto the daies of the LORDS worke in Creating the world and his resting on the seventh day that so must his servants labour under afflictions all the daies of their life and shall rest from those labours in the perpetuall Sabbath Rather sixe or seaven are to be understood indefinitely certaine numbers for uncertaine things seaven referred to humane evills importeth many Pro. 24.16 See Psal. 91.14 15. Pro. 11.8 Psal. 50.15 Psal. 149.4 1 Cor. 10.13 2 Cor. 4.8 The meditation of these gracious promises may comfort GODS people in trouble GOD assures me hee will lay no more upon me then I shall be able to beare either my burden shall be made lighter or my faith stronger We should goe to the LORD then in our afflictions and say LORD it is part of thy Covenant to deliver me from such a crosse and calamity LORD thou hast said that the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the Righteous that thou wilt afflict but in measure according to our strength and for our good O sanctifie thy hand unto me give me faith and patience to waite upon thee wisedome to make a good use of this chastizement let it purge mee from my drosse and breed the quiet fruit of righteousnesse The end of chastizement is amendment of life whence it receiveth the name of correction which signifieth to set right or streight Therefore we must first labour to finde out the sinne for which GOD correcteth us For which purpose let us remember that place Iob 36.9 If they be tyed with the cords of affliction then will I shew them their workes and their sins When we have found it out let us be humbled for it make our peace with GOD and reforme our selves Ioh. 5.14 and then we may expect comfort from GOD. This the LORD both promised and performed to Iob and in him to all that are afflicted Zophar telleth Iob that which GOD himselfe did make good at last If iniquit be in thine hand put it farre away and let not wickednesse dwell in thy tabernacles It must be the care of the afflicted to purge his hand and house of all manner of wickednesse and sin Then it followeth verse 15. Thou shalt lift up thy face without spot yea thou shalt be stedfast and not feare that is Thou shalt enjoy the comfortable assurance of the remission of thy sinnes and shalt rest perswaded that the staine thereof is quite done away before the LORD And for his outward estate hee addeth ver 16. Thou shalt forget thy misery He shall be quite freed from all the trouble of it Thou shalt remember it as waters that are past which cause the meddowes to be more fat and fertile then they would have beene ver 17. Thine age saith he shall be clearer than the noone day thou shalt shine forth and be as the morning The comfort of a sinner reformed by corrections shall be plentifull and excellent as the brightnesse of the noone-tide sun and withall constant durable and on the growing hand as the light of the morning Faith makes us depend on GODS promises in our afflictions and patiently expect the issue that he will give and that without prefixing any time for Hee that beleeveth doth not make hast Esay 28.16 or prescribing any meanes to him as faithfull Moses when he said Stand yee still and see the salvation of the LORD Exod. 14.13 Faith doth not limit GOD for the measure of affliction Iob saith He will trust in GOD though he kill him Job 13 1â— It was a grievous affliction for David to be driven out of his kingdome by his owne Sonne yet he saith in that slight If he say I have no delight in him behold here I am let him doe unto me as seemeth good in his eyes 2 Sam. 15.26 Therefore in all our afflictions let us set faith a worke for this stirres up prayer and prayer stirres up GOD and GOD stirres up all the creatures Faith gathereth one contrary out of another life out of death assurance of sweetest deliverances out of deepest distresses For the LORD shall iudge his people and repent himselfe for his servants
life from the stock so we have all our life from him 3. GOD is well pleased in CHRIST Mat. 3.17 In whom not with by or through whom but a larger preposition then them all which signifieth two things 1. That GOD is well pleased with CHRIST 2. In and through him with others therefore it is said Ephes. 1.3 GOD hath blessed us with all spirituall blessings in CHRIST verse 4. GOD hath chosen us in him ver 6. accepted us in the beloved ver 7. In him wee have redemption through his blood the forgivenesse of sinnes according to the riches of his grace It is said Acts 13.34 I will give you the sure mercies of David that is all those good things which were promised in CHRIST who was of the seed of David 2. Blessings by CHRIST to the Godly 1. Redemption Who gave himselfe for us that hee might redeeme us from all iniquity Tit. 2.14 We have redemption through his blood Ephes. 1.7 And he shall redeeme Israel from all his iniquitie Psal. 130.8 He hath redeemed them from the curse of the law by being made a curse for them Gal. 3.13 CHRIST JESUS by his owne bloud entred into the holy place having obtained eternall redemption for us Heb. 9.12 CHRIST is made unto us Redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 2. Effectuall Calling our particular calling doth interest us in the promises of GOD Acts 2.39 For the promise is unto you and to your children and to all that are a farre of even to as many as the LORD our GOD shall call there is the condition 3. Justification By his knowledge shall my righteous servant iustifie many Esay 53.11 By him all that beleeve are iustified Acts 13.39 In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be iustified Esay 45.25 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of GODS Elect it is GOD that iustifieth Rom. 8.33 He iustifieth the ungodly Rom. 4.5 that is saith Beza he makes him righteous in CHRIST who is unrighteous in himselfe 1. Justification consists of two parts 1. Not imputing sinne 2 Cor. 5.19 2. Imputing righteousnes Gal. 3.6 Promises of forgivenesse of sinnes This great benefit of forgivenesse of sinne by CHRIST is plentifully proclaimed unto us miserable sinners Behold the Lambe of GOD which taketh away the sinnes of the world John 1.29 Hee shall beare their iniquities Esay 53.11 Once in the end of the world hath hee appeared to put away sinne by the sacrifice of himselfe Heb. 9.26 He was manifested to take away our sinnes 1 Joh. 3.5 The blood of JESUS CHRIST cleanseth us from all sinne 1 Joh. 1.7 He hath by himselfe purged our sins Heb. 1.3 He bare our sinnes on the tree 1 Pet. 2.24 He loved us and washed us from our sinnes in his owne blood Rev. 1.5 He is the propitiation for our sinnes 1 John 2.2 Hereunto agreeth that invitation of our Saviour Come unto mee all yee that are weary and heavie laden and I will ease you Mat. 11.28 GOD of his rich grace and mercy in JESUS CHRIST doth make offer of free and full forgivenesse of sinnes to every burdened thirstie and penitent soule Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him returne unto the LORD and hee will have mercy upon him and to our GOD for hee will abundantly pardon Esay 55.7 Returne thou backesliding Israel saith the LORD and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you for I am mercifull saith the LORD and I will not keepe mine anger for ever Jer. 3.22 I will cleanse them from all their iniquity whereby they have sinned against me and I will pardon all their iniquities whereby they have sinned and whereby they have transgressed against mee Jer. 33.8 GOD when he forgiveth us so fully acquitteth us of our sins as if we had committed no sinne at all This appeareth by many Metaphors used in the Scripture I am hee that blotteth out thy transgressions saith the LORD Esay 43.25 It is a Metaphore taken from Creditors who when they purpose never to exact a debt will blot it out of their bookes I have put away thy transgressions as a cloud and thy sinnes as a mist saith the same LORD Esay 44.22 The clouds which are driven away by the windes appeare no more nor the mist which is dried up by the Sunne so the sinnes which GOD forgiveth returne not againe thou hast cast all my sins behind thy backe saith Hezekiah to GOD Esay 38.17 that which a man would not look on or regard that he casteth behind his backe Thou wilt cast all their sinnes into the depths of the Sea saith Micah to the LORD When a man would have a thing utterly forgotten hee will cast it into the bottome of the Sea from whence there is no fetching it againe The Psalmist pronounceth him blessed whose sinne is covered Psal. 32.1 A thing covered is not seene hee hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob nor seene perversenesse in Israel Numb 23.21 The same Psalmist pronounceth him blessed to whom the LORD imputeth not sinne Psal. 32.2 a sinne not imputed is as not committed as Merchants when they will forgive a debt put it not into the reckoning and so do not impute it GOD himselfe saith I will forgive their iniquities and I will remember their sinne no more Ier. 31.34 the latter clause expounds the former to forgive is to remember no more that is never to call that to account which was once remitted Thus GOD blotteth out our sinnes that they condemne us not Putteth them away that they hurt us not Casteth them behind his backe as though he regarded them not And into the Sea that they drowne us not Covers them that they appeare not Doth not impute them as though they were not Forgetteth them so that he punisheth them not All the blessings in the new Covenant are given with remission of sinnes When GOD forgives a mans sinnes then hee gives him all other things Sanctification and whatsoever else as we see at large Ezek. 36.26 The LORD there after he had promised to forgive all their sins hee saith hee will give them a new heart hee will cause them to walke in his waies and then hee comes with outward mercies too hee promiseth them deliverance from their enemies and other good things in the rest of the Chapter but all other things come in with remission of sinnes Acts 10.43 To him give all the Prophets witnesse that through his name we have remission of sinnes The Prophets gave witnesse concerning CHRIST of many other things besides remissâ—on of sins that we have in his name which wee have by him but all other things come with this GOD was in CHRIST reconciling the world to himselfe 2 Cor. 5.19 a marvellous great mercy it consists in this that their sinnes were not imputed The priviledges of the new Covenant are chained together Whom hee hath predestinated them also hee called and whom he called them
hearts discouraged by the little strength we finde to master our speciall corruptions then we may apply to our selves any of these promises wherein the LORD himselfe doth undertake this worke which is too hard for us That he will subdue our iniquities cleanse us from all unrighteousnesse Though a strong and importunate lust hang upon us an hereditary disease a lust that is naturall to us which we think wee shall never be able to conquer yet GOD hath promised to breake the dominion of every sinne That hee will crucifie the flesh with the affections thereof Hee can heale the strongest lusts CHRIST could cure those that were borne blinde and lame therefore when we grapple with a strong lust we should goe to the LORD and pleade the Covenant and say to him LORD I feele this temptation is too strong for mee such a lust I cannot overcome thou hast said Thou wilt circumcise my heart that thou wilt dissolve these lusts I beseech thee to doe it If we truly hate and detest sinne though it doe sometimes stirre in us we should not be discouraged for our Sanctification here is but in fieri it is but in doing yet Rev. 6.2 CHRIST rides about conquering and will yet goe on to conquer sinne in us He will not subdue our corrupt lusts unto us at once but as he did the Cananites to his people Israel by little and little Exod. 23.30 Deut. 7.22 That promise which GOD made to Paul in the stirrings and conflicts of his concupiscence is made unto all of his temper my grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.9 There are two things in that promise grace to make it and sufficiency to fulfill it The LORD doth sometimes descend to particulars as that Hee will cleanse them from their Idols and that hee will take away the stony heart out of them But wee may apply the former generall promises to our particular occasions and they will be as comfortable as if the LORD had said in particular hee will kill our pride our unbeleefe our hypocrisie Promises 2. To Mortification The benefits the LORD will bestow upon us if in obedience and love to him wee can be content to cast away our sinfull lusts He that forsaketh any profit credit or comfort for CHRISTS sake shall be rewarded an hundred fold Mar. 10.29 30. Mat. 19.28 Hee shall receive not ten in the hundred but a hundred for ten If yee mortifie the deeds of the flesh by the Spirit yee shall live Rom. 8.13 Without it there is no living it is a necessary condition required to the attainement of salvation 4. Turning from sinne Promises 1. Of Turning from sinne Then thou shalt remember thy waies and be ashamed Ezek. 16.61 Yee shall remember your waies and all your doings wherein yee have beene defiled and you shall lothe your selves in your owne sight for all your evills that yee have committed Ezek. 20.43 the like is repeated 36.31 Vnto you hath GOD raised up his Sonne JESUS and sent him to blesse you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities Acts 3.26 GOD promiseth to the Gentiles in their conversion Then will I change in the people their lip that it may be pure so Iunius reads it with the which all may call upon the name of the LORD that is I will call them to repentance and then followes a promise of taking away the staine of sinne In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy workes The remnant of Israel shall stay upon the LORD the holy one of Israel in truth The remnant shall returne c. Then shall shee say I will goe and returne to my first husband for then was it better with mee then now Hos. 2.7 They shall returne unto mee with their whole heart Ier. 24 7. Promises 2. To turning from sinne Turning unto GOD by repentance procureth his mercies upon us 1. Temporall Returne unto mee and I will returne unto you saith the LORD of hostes Malac 3.7 See Deut. 30.1 2 Nehem. 1.9 Iob 22.23 24 25 28. Ier. 7.3 5 7 14 15. 18.8 2. Spirituall the promises of remission to repentance are very frequent in Scripture So the Prophet Esay promiseth pardon to the penitent Wash you make you cleane put away the evill of your workes from you that is repent and then followes Though your sinnes were as crimson they shall be made as white as snow that is yee shall be pardoned If wee acknowledge our sinnes that is if wee repent hee is faithfull and iust to forgive us our sinnes Hence repentance and remission of sinnes are joyned together by our Saviour Luke 24.47 Acts 2.38 Repent and be converted that your sinnes may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come Acts 3.19 Let the wicked forsake his way and returne unto the LORD and hee will have mercy on him Esay 55.7 3. Eternall O Hierusalem wash thy heart from wickednesse that thou maist be saved Ier. 4.14 10. Humility Promises To Humility The LORD inricheth the humble with all his gifts both Temporall Spirituall and Eternall 1. He will reward them with temporall benefits By humility and the feare of the LORD are riches and honour and life Pro. 22.4 2. GOD promiseth deliverance to the humble 2 Chron. 12.7 Iob 22.29 3. Honour Before honour is humility Pro. 15.33 18.12 Iob 5.11 Iam. 4.6 10. Luke 18.14 Matth. 23 12. 2. Spirituall graces GOD giveth grace unto the humble Iam. 4.6 1 Pet. 5.5 Pro. 3.24 1. Pardon of sinne 2 Chron. 7.14 2. GOD teacheth them his waies Psal. 25.9 Mat. 11.25 He revealeth to them the secrets of his Kingdome making them thereby wise unto their salvation Pro 11.2 3. GOD blesseth them with his presence taking delight to dwell with them Esay 57.15 3. GOD will crowne the humble in the life to come with eternall glory Blessed are the poore in spirit for theirs is the kingdome of heaven Mat. 5.3 Austen and Chrysostome expound it of inward humility 11. Meekenesse Promises 1. Of Meekenesse The Wolfe shall dwell with the Lambe and the Leopard shall lie downe with the Kid and the Calfe and the young Lyon and the falling together and a little child shall leade them And the Cow and the Beare shall feed their young ones shall lie downe together c. Esay 11.6 7 8. whereby is signified that men once converted shall be so changed and altered that if they were never so fierce and cruell against the Church and one against another before yet they shall be framed to a peaceable and meeke disposition towards all men Promises 2. To Meekenesse 1. Protection The meeke are under GODS protection in a speciall manner Psal. 76.9 He will beautifie the meeke with salvation Psal. 149.4 They shall be hid in the day of the LORDS wrath Zeph. 2.3 Hee will rebuke aright for all the meeke of the earth Esay 11.4 2. Advancement The LORD lifteth up the meeke Psal.