Psal. 89.16 See Psal. 33.21 8. Indisposition Comforts against it In the thoughts of our indisposiâ—ion to any thing that is good let these places quicken us I can doe all things through CHRIST that strengthneth mee Phil. 4.13 Yee shall be unto mee a kingdome of Priests Exod. 19.6 We shall be able to offer unto GOD the sacrifice of prayer or praise In every place incense shall be offered to my name and a pure offering Mal. 1.11 which is spoken of the beleeving Gentiles 9. Distractions Comforts against them GOD promiseth in the Covenant of grace Ezek. 11.19 To give his people one heart CHRIST prayed that we might have this one heart Iohn 17.21 23. and be one with GOD. When we are troubled with distractions in prayer hearing or meditation wee should pleade the Covenant and pray with David O LORD unite my heart to thee 10. Evils of good done Promises or comforts to the godly for evils of good done GOD not onely accepteth and taketh in good part the poorest service we doe to him notwithstanding our corruptions and frailties but even delighteth and taketh great pleasure in them Cant. 2.14 as a Father delights more in the stammering of his little childe then in the eloquence of the best Orator CHRIST presenteth and perfumeth our prayers to his Father Rev. 8.3 1 Pet. 2.5 And it shall be upon Aarons fore-head that Aaron may beare the iniquity of the holy things and that they may be accepted before the LORD Exod. 28.38 Aaron was a Type of CHRIST who by his intercession perfumes our prayers and doth away the blemishes that cleave to our best actions Loving Parents doe not take notice of many blemishes in their children so GOD seeth no iniquity in Iacob nor any transgression in Israel Num. 23.21 But passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage which makes the Prophet in the beginning of the verse in admiration to cry Who is a GOD like to thee 11. Comforts against Feares of their falling from GOD who labour to work out their salvation with feare and trembling 1. In regard of GOD. 1. His Counsell on which mans salvation is founded is sure and unchangeable and his calling without repentance Rom. 11.29 2. His Love is everlasting and inviolable Ier. 31.3 Rom. 8.35 ult 3. His Mercy like his Lovâ— is â—verlasting Psal. 103.17 Psal. 100.5.106.1 107.1 Luke 1.50 It is iterated 26. times in 136. Psalme 4. His Will is for such Luke 12.32 Iohn 6.39 His Grace and that is all-sufficient 2 Cor. 12.9 5. His Power is for such and that is Almighty Ioh 10.27 28 29. Iude 24.2 Tim. 1.12 6. His faithfullnesse and truth make both for this 2 Thess. 3.3 2. In regard of CHRIST 1. Because of our union with him He is the Head we the members and he will not suffer any to perish that are ingraffed into him Ioh. 6.39 Ioh. 17.22 23 26. 2. From the perpetuall efficacie of his intercession Rom. 8.34 Heb. 7.21 Hee is a Priest for ever and alwaies intercedes for his What he said to Peter I have prayed that thy faith faile not Luke 22.32 Hee performeth for all He is the Author and finisheâ— of our faith Heb. 12.2 3. In regard of the HOLY GHOST 1. His continuall assistance Hee shall abide with us for ever John 14.16 And hee which hath begun a good work will finish it Phil. 1.6 2. His Obsignation which is irrevocable every one that beleeveth is sealed by the holy Spirit of promise Ephes. 1.13 14. sealed for ever 4.30 2 Cor. 1.22 an honest man will not break his bargaine when there is earnest and evidence for it therefore Chrysostome saith elegantly if GOD having once given this earnest should not also give the rest of the inheritance He should undergo the losse of his earnest 4. The lasting power of the Word once rooted in the good and honest heart Luke 8.15 It is called immortall seed 1 Pet. 1.23 25. The engraffed Word James 1.21 The seed remaining 1 Joh. 3.9 5. The certainty and sweetnesse of the promises to this purpose GOD hath promised that his people shall not be mooved from the state of grace Psal. 15.5 16.8 Psal. 37.24 27 28 31. Psal. 55.22 102.28 Pro. 10.30 Psal. 125.1 Hee will not cast off his people nor forsake his inheritance Psal. 94.14 1 Sam. 12.22 And hee will put his feare into their hearts that they shall not depart from him For this is his Covenant with his people Ier. 32.39 40 41. Hosea 2.19 20. Hee upholdeth them with his hand that they shall not fall away Hee will confirme them unto the end that they may be blamâ—lesse in the day of our LORD JESUS CHRIST 1 Cor. 1.8 9. the like is 1 Thess. 5.23 24 GOD hath made more promises to hold up his children then ever he made to hold up the pillars of the world 6. The prayers of the whole Church of GOD which are very prevalent and powerfull Ioh. 16.23 the daily sacrifice of beleevers is ne inducas in tentationem 7. The force and might of faith 1 Pet. 1.2 3 4 5. 8. The durable vigour of saving graces John 4.14 our Saviour hath promised Iohn 16.22 that he will give unto the faithfull such constant and permanent joy as no man shall be able to take from them He hath prayed that our faith may not faile Luke 22.32 It is a stable grace 1 Ioh. 5.4 1 Pet. 2.6 Comforts to the Godly who are troubled with many and strong corruptions and likewise want the meanes of grace either 1. Altogether 2. In the power of them 3. Or having them so yet profit not by them 1. Comforts in case of dismayednesse under many and strong corruptions I will sprinkle cleane water upon you and you shall be cleane â—rom all your filthinesse and from all your idols will I cleanse you Ezek. 36.25 Though thy sinnes were as great as Idolatry in the first Table or Whoredome in the second yet GOD will forgive and sanctifie thee He will cast all our sinnes into the depths of the sea Micah 7.19 The sea can drowne mountaines as well as mole-hills Though they were as crimson and scarlet which will take no other die yet in CHRISTS bloud they shall bee made as white as wooll and snow Esay 1.18 All manner of sinnes and blasphemies shall be forgiven unto men Matth. 12.31 CHRIST came to save sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 It matters not what the wound is so CHRIST be the Physitian Where sin that is the knowledge and feeling of sinne abounded grace over-abounded Rom. 5.20 have wee a multitude and magnitude of sinnes GOD hath a multitude and magnitude of mercies Have mercy upon mee O GOD according unto the multitude so wee translate it the Hebrew word Rob signifieth also magnitude of thy tender mercies Two things terrifie penitent sinners 1. The multitude and exceeding great number of evils whereof they are guilty he tels
for the children of Israel Esay 66.11 That they should sucke and be satisfied with the breasts of consolation A worthy Divine observes well the Emphasis of the originall Two Metaphors are there used one is to milke consolation out of the Promises the meaning is this that the promises are full of comfort as a dugge is full of milke for he repeateth the promise presently after now if thou be ready to faint goe and milke out consolation out of the promises and that will relieve thee and stay thy heart The other Metaphore is to extort the promises as a rich man oppresseth a poore man and gets out of him all that he is worth so deale with the Promises for they are rich there is a price in them now when a man is poore and needy let him goe to the rich promises and be an extortioner to them that is consider them to the utmost see the utmost riches that is contained in them and they will make thee rich Againe draw out the utmost of the milke that is in them and it will exceedingly revive and comfort thee CHAP. IIII. 4. The right Vse of them WEe should labour to work upon our selves to be holy upon Consideration of GODS promises thus is GOD our Father is he holy And are wee his Sonnes and Daughters and professe our selves to be so and shall we be uncleane Hath GOD promised to pardon our sinnes and shall we therefore provoke and grieve him every day more and more by our sinnes shall we thus requite the bounty mercy love and goodnesse of GOD Hath he promised us a Crowne and Kingdome an immortall and eternall Inheritance that can never be shaken nor taken from us and shall not we labour to walke worthy of the sâ—ne When the LORD renewed the promise of the Land of Canaan to the children of Israel Deut. 10.11 12. He doth inferre this use upon the same And now O Israel saith hee what doth the LORD require of thee but to feare the LORD thy GOD to walke in all his waies and to love him and to serve the LORD thy GOD with all thy heart and with all thy soule As if he should say since GOD hath made thee so large promises there is somewhat required at thy hands to do So Rom. 12.1 I beseech you Brethren by the mercies of GOD since GOD hath beene so mercifull towards you both in promises and performances for so fâ—rre that may be extended that therefore you giâ—e up your bodies a living sacrifice holy acceptable unto GOD. But because the right use of the Promise is a meanes to sweeten all our afflictions confirme our faith excite us to well-doing and to breede contentation of minde in all estates and conditions whatsoever something shall be premised generally concerning the use of them and then speciall rules laid downe to direct us how to use them For the generall three things are to be observed 1. We must labour to be acquainted with them 2. Faithfully to remember them 3. Wisely and fitly to apply them 1. We are to acquaint our selves familiarly with those Promises which are most Generall Precious and Fundamentall wherein GODS power and goodnesse is principally seene Such a speech there is in Iob Acquaint thy selfe with him and be at peace thereby good shall come unto thee Receive the law from his mouth and lay up his words in thine heart If we have an herbe in our garden that would ease our griefe and we know it not what are we the nearer So if we know not the Promises though they be in the booke what are we the better 2. We should strive to remember the Promises for that which is not remembred is not knowne David hid GODS promises in his heart Psal. 119.111 and those upheld him in his trouble and he received admirable comfort by them verse 50. The Promises of GOD are the Magna Charta of a Christian his chiefe evidence for Heaven Now if men do so highly prize their Charters and Priviledges and carefully keepe the conveyances and assurances of their Lands how should we then treasure up these promises which unto the Faithfull are in stead of all assurances for his maintenance protection assistance deliverance comfort and everlasting happinesse The Apostle sheweth that the cause of the Hebrewes fainting in their troubles was this they had forgotten the consolation that is the comfortable promises of GOD made unto them for the strengthening of their faith in the fiery triall As a Lamp saith Chrysostome will soone be out if oyle be not continually supplied so faith if it be not nourished with continuall meditation of GODS promises will soone faile 3. We should beleeve the promises and apply them particularly to our selves Faith apprehends the promises not onely as true and so assents but as good and sweet and so adheres and cleaves unto them Thy loving kindnesse apprehended by faith is better then life Psal. 63.3 The apprehension of Faith is with feeling sweetnesse in CHRIST and in the Promises and therefore called The receiving of CHRIST Iohn 1.12 The eating and drinking of his flesh Iohn 6. Psal. 34.8 Taste and see that the LORD is good that is Beleeve in him as appeares by the reason added Blessed is the man that trusteth in him When the understanding hath judged aright of the promises and adjudged them to our selves that they belong to us then the will welcomes them claspes about them hugges them and as it is Heb. 11.13 kisses and embraces them and when the heart thus kindly entertaines the promises then with old Simeon we hold CHRIST in our armes GOD himselfe applieth the promises outwardly in the Word and inwardly by the testimony of his Spirit and is wont to make good his promises unto his children proportionably to their trust in them and dependance upon his truth and goodnesse for a seasonable performance of them Be it unto thee according to thy saith Matth. 9.29 All things are possible to him that beleeveth Mark 9.23 That we may apply GODS Promises we are to use two meanes 1. Fixed Meditation we should ponder well and muse upon the promise Pondering is when a man lifts any thing to see what weight it beares so ought faith to doe with the promise sound the sweetnesse of it to the bottome and that 1. By marking it wee should set a starre upon the Margin of a speciall promise and by the book that culs out promises of note in this kinde 2. Musing of it we should dwell upon it Mary pondered the Angels words in her heart 3. Making the word of promise familiar by frequency we should get it by heart till it be easie so did David make the promise his Counsellor and Companion Psal. 119.24 When we go to prayer we should chew of those promises Rom. 8.26 Iam. 1.5 When we go about our callings we should thinke seriously of that promise Psal 121.8 When any crosse befalleth us we should remember
that unvaluable promise Rom. 8.29 and that 1 Cor. 10.13 2. Fervent prayer that GOD would by his Spirit both reveale unto us what be those precious promises which he hath made unto his people in his holy Word and also give unto us wisedome rightly to judge of them and fitly to apply them unto our selves in every estate we shall be in We should beg of him to reveale this mystery of godlinesse and CHRIST to us as the Disciples said LORD increase our faith that phrase of David is most heavenly Psal. 119.49 Thy promise in which thou hast caused mee to put my trust It is the LORD that must cause the heart to put her trust in the promise If we would keepe faith in exercise we must indeavour to know GODS promises meditate on them conferre about them they should be continually in our mindes memories hearts and tongues To live by Faith is to feede upon the severall promises of GOD made in his Word and to apply them to our selves according to all our needs and so comfort and encourage our selves against temptation and unto every good duty This is that which is required by GOD of his people Hab. 2.4 GOD there having threatned judgement against the Jewes by the Babylonians doth afterwards promise deliverance againe but not suddenly the people of GOD therefore in the meane time were to live by Faith and depending upon GOD to waite for the accomplishment of his gracious promises The just shall not onely live eternally by his faith but even here also in this life He shall live by Faith Abraham served GOD wheresoever he came and rejoyced in the promise of salvation by CHRIST Gen. 17.17 Iohn 8.56 Now if he who saw the promises but afarre of Heb. 11. 13. was so cheared and quickned by them what should we be to whom the grace of GOD hath shined so clearely Tit. 2.11 Iacob when Esau met him and his heart began to faint for the Text saith Gen. 32.7 he feared exceedingly did goe and sucke consolation out of the Promises for thus he reasons with the LORD LORD thou hast said thou wilt doe mee good this promise sustained him and he got so much strength with this milke that he was able to wrestle with the LORD all night and would not let him goe without a blessing So David when the Philistines had burnt Ziklag and the souldiers that should have beene his strength were ready to stone him hee remembred GODS promise that he should be King and sit in the Throne of Saul therefore it is said Hee comforted himselfe in the LORD his GOD 1 Sam. 30.6 that is in the promise that the LORD had made to him So Nehemiah when he heard of the misery of his people fell to prayer clinging to a promise that he knew was made by GOD that he had read and markt out of Deuteronomie The same is to be seene in that honourable company of those Worthy Servants of GOD in all ages from the beginning of the world to that day mentioned Heb. 11. which are all brought in as a cloud of witnesses testifying this truth that The Iust shall live by Faith Thus S. Paul also lived by faith both for Spirituall life Rom. 7. and for Temporall life 2 Tim. 4.17 18. and for Eternall life 7 8. verses of that Chapter The Divell striketh specially at our faith in the promises and not so much at the generall faith in beleeving the truth of them in generall as at our speciall justifying faith applying those promises unto our selves Not so much to doubt at the generall voice of GOD in the Word Every beleever shall be saved but at the particular voice of GOD by his Spirit applying the generall to us and saying Thou beleevest Thou art my Sonne Therefore above all things we should fortifie our faith and assurance that GOD is our Father and we his sonnes and as the Apostle exhorteth Labour to make our calling and election sure and for our better applying of GODS promises let us observe two rules 1. To apply all the Word of GOD indifferently as well the Commandements for our direction and the threats for our humiliation as the promises for our comfort 2. To examine the conditions of GODS promises and to looke as well to the performance of the conditions required in the promises as to enjoy the things promised For as the Divell denies unto us the application of the promises when we are interested in them as when we walke uprightly with GOD so contrarily he applies them strongly and earnestly when they belong not unto us as he did the promise of protection by Angels unto CHRIST though he should tempt GOD. So he ordinarily applies the promise of mercy to notorious sinneâ—s though they lie wallowing in their mire and never wash themselves in the waters of repentance And wicked men doe often with great confidence or ratheâ— presumption lay hold of the promises in the meane space neither caring to apply to themselves the commandements and threatnings nor yet respecting the conditions by which the promises are limited Thus when the LORD saith Ezek. 33.11 As truly as I live I will not the death of a sinner they regard not what followeth but that hee repent and live and when they heare the Apostles speech 1 Tim. 2.4 That GOD will have all men to be saved they make a bolster of it whereon they sleepe securely in their sinnes but leave out the following condition viz. that he would have all whom he would have saved come first to the saving knowledge of his truth which is never severed from the fruits of obedience 1 Iohn 2.3 4. So when CHRIST saith That he came not to call the righteous but sinners with that they comfort themselves in their sinfull courses but observe not to what he calleth them viz. to repentance before they can have any part with him in glory Some likewise sucke poyson out of that heavenly flower Rom. 10.13 Whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved not considering that Every one that calleth upon the name of the LORD should depart from iniquity 2 Tim. 2.19 Speciall Rules directing us how to use the Promises 1. Generall Promises are particularly and Particulars generally appliable The LORD in assenting to Salomons prayer made a generall promise to any man or to all the people that what prayer or supplication soever should be made towards his Temple he would heare in heaven and forgive c. Iehosaphat being after in distresse applied this generall to his owne present condition when the children of Ammon Moab and Mount Scir came to turne Israel out of their possessions So David Psal. 119 49. and the woman of Canaan Matth. 15.22 applied the generall promises to themselves The LORD made a particular promise unto Ioshâ—a that he would be with him to blesse his enterprizes against the Cananites and to carry him through all the
earth Gen. 13.16 He and his wife being both old he thus as accounting GODS promises vaine answered LORD GOD what wilt thou give mee seeing I goe childlesse Gen. 15.2 Sarah likewise hearing the promise GOD had made to her husband concerning a Sonne by her laughed at it Gen. 18.12 as if she should have said that is a jest indeed GOD told Adam in Paradise That the seed of the woman should breake the serpents head Gen. 3.15 He was long but sure for it was fulfilled at last He that gave us CHRIST how shall he not with him give us all things also Rom. 8.32 He that hath performed the promise concerning CHRIST wherein shall he faile He hath hitherto kept promise with nights and daies as Ieremy saith Ier. 33.20 25. that one shall succeed the other therefore much more will hee keepe his word with his people Hee is worthy to be beleeved who never failed to performe what he promised If GOD have promised us pardon of sinne Sanctification Patience Faith wee should promise our selves these things and rest confident that we shall receive them Shall we beleeve an honest man on his word and yet not trust GOD upon his word who is Almighty and therefore able a Father and therefore willing to performe his promises GOD hath spoken in his holinesse saith David I will reioyce therefore in his Word I will divide Shechem and mete out the valley of Succoth Gilead is mine Manasseh is mine Ephraim also is the strength of mine head Iudah is my law-giver Moab is my washpot Psal. 60.6 7. Though then hee had little enough yet he was confident hee should have all that because he had GODS Word for it So we may beleeve what GOD hath promised since he hath said it and sealed it and sworne it One in the Covenant may lay hold on CHRIST and say CHRIST is mine on the Promise and say forgivenesse is mine on the Covenant and say grace is mine The LORD will not be unmindfull of his Covenant with us Psal. 111.5 nor unfaithfull in performance of his promise to us if wee prove not unfaithfull but keepe covenant and promise with him Psal. 103.17 18. 2 Chron. 15.2 for the Covenant consists of two parts in the one GOD bindes himselfe to be our GOD in the other we binde ourselves to be his people Hos. 2.23 His is a Covenant of mercy ours of obedience He promiseth happinesse we holinesse He glory we duty He hath tied himselfe by an oath wee have bound our selves by the vow of baptisme Hee will not forget his part let us remember ours Let it never be said of us as it was of a Pope and his Nephew that the one never spake as he thought the other never performed what he spake The Carthaginians were infamous for covenant-breaking and slipperinesse in their promises so that it grew a proverbe Punica fides Poeni foedifragi semper habiti saith Plautus and the Athenians were renowned for faithfullnesse in all their covenants agreements and promises which gave occasion to those proverbes Attica fides and Atticus testis used for one that still keepes touch Fidelity in keeping promise is a fruit of the Spirit called by the Apostle faith Gal. 5.22 and a property of him that must rest on GODS holy mountaine Therefore wee should imitate the Athenians shall I say nay rather GOD himselfe expressing faithfullnesse in all our words workes and waies wee should keepe our covenant with GOD and pay our vowes unto the most High Psal. 25.10 Psal. 103.18 we should also be constant in the performance of our promises to men for promises are due debts And non in promissione sed in consummatione virtus est vertue doth not consist in promise but in performance The manner how GOD performeth his promises is not alwaies one and the selfe-same sometimes hee gives the very particular thing promised as unto the children of Israell deliverance out of Aegypt David from Saul Iacob from Esau. Hee restored unto Hezekiah his health according to his promise and removed the host of the Assyrians which besieged Jerusalem sometime hee gives that which is equivalent or better Thus in the 5. Commandement obedient children are promised long life yet Iosiah 2 Kings 23.29 and Abiah 1 King 14.13 were taken away in their best age therefore for temporall life they had eternall so GOD promised Abraham the land of Canaan and hee had the true Canaan the Kingdome of Heaven GOD here breaketh not promise but changeth in melius So in taking away wealth from his children he giveth them more store of grace in restraining liberty of body He giveth freedome of conâ—cience with affliction He giveth patience It was promised Iosiah 2 Kings 22.20 that hee should be gathered to his grave in peace yet hee died a violent death for he was slaine by the hands of his enemies 2 King 23.29 the next words therefore doe expound it And thine eyes shall not see all the evill which I will bring upon this place He died in peace comparatively with a worse state of life for hee lived not to see the misery of succeeding ages Esay 57.1 Some interpret it thus hee was gathered to the Spirits of his Fathers who enjoyed peace GOD doth not alwaies performe his promises to the same parties and yet most truly performeth them Psal. 97.11 Light is sowne for the righteous Oftentimes the Father soweth and dieth ere the harvest and so the Sonne reapes so Abraham inherited Canaan in his posterity So GOD promised to send his Sonne this promise was made to the Fathers and GOD fulfilled it to the children Acts 13.32 33. The time of accomplishing GODS promises is uncertaine to us Acts 1.7 though it shall not be over-passed The vision is for an appointed time but at the end it shall speake and not lie All visions and words of GOD whether of promise or of threatning let them seeme to lie lea and void never so long yet shall be not onely certainely fulfilled but in the period of time which the wisedome of GOD hath impropriated to them Sometimes GODS promises have a limited time as that Gen. 17.21 18.14 and then they are fulfilled in that very time exprest as Gen. 21.1 2. Sometimes hee expresseth not the time GOD in the beginning made a promise to our first Parents concerning the seed of the Woman and deferred it almost 4000. yeares and yet at length accomplished it There have passed about 5000. yeares since the time of the glorious comming of CHRIST unto judgement was promised and it is not knowne when it shall be accomplished Abraham was childlesse till he was 70. yeares old and at those yeares the LORD promised him issue But this promise was not accomplished till a long time after when hee was an 100. yeares old David had a promise to be King of Ierusalem and Iuda but the LORD exercised him by many and grievous afflictions
there is no mention made of Esau whom he begot also But when Iacob is said to have begotten Iudah it is added and his brethren because the promise of Redemption which was to come by CHRIST was pronounced to them also But that promise belonged not to all them neither but onely to such who following the steps of their holy Fathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob applied it by a true faith to themselves as the Apostle sheweth This is a comfort to the people of GOD they can never loose Evangelicall blessings of grace and glory because CHRIST is made the Lord Treasurer and Lord Keeper of them We are not trusted with them our selves for then wee should loose them but he receives them for us and communicates them to us THE SECOND BOOK CHAP. I. Of the Covenant THE PROMISES ARE either GENERALL OR SPECIALL GENERALL THE COVENANT Which in Hebrew is called Berith from choosing because it is established on certaine conditions which both parties choose it is taken for both a Covenant and a Feast therefore some derive it from a word that signifieth to eate because the Hebrewes at their Covenant-makings usually had a Feast Gen. 31.54 Others derive it from a word that signifieth to stay It was a Religious Ceremony common to the Jewes and Gentiles that in making solemne covenant before their gods a beast was slaine by the Priest and the parts thereof laid one over against another The makers of the Covenant passed betweene those divided parts the Ceremony intended and imprecation that he might be cut in pieces as that beast was who should violate the Covenant so made And from the use of this Ceremony came the phrase of cutting a Covenant as with us striking of a bargaine from our fashion of striking hands upon a bargaine made Alexander ab Alexandro Lib. 5. c. 3. speakes of it nay This was a custome in Abrahams time and therefore GOD himselfe to confirme his Promise to Abraham vouchsafed to use that Ceremonie Gen. 15.10.17 for which it is said GOD did cut a Covenant with Abraham ver 18. See Ier. 34.18 The word Covenant doth somtimes signifie a simple promise of grace without condition Gen. 9.11 Numb 25.12 13. but ordinarily it notes a mutuall contract or agreement between the parties covenanting by stipulation and promise Psal. 50.16 25.10.14 44.17 A Covenant is a solemne Contract passing betweene some parties two at the least whereby they bind themselves each to other in certaine articles to both their contents for their mutuall peace and comfort For the forme and manner of it it must be done with some solemnity and herein stands the difference betweene a promise and a Covenant for a Covenant is a bundle of promises bound and knit up together in one tie and mutuall solemnity There is a Civill Covenant which is a league or agreement inter dimicantes betweene two or more parties being at variance Gen. 21.32 and a Religious or Sacred Covenant which is a league or agreement that GOD hath made with man for his Salvation and that is twofold 1. That which GOD made at the beginning with our first Parents in the state of Innocencie Gen. 2.17 promising perfect felicity on condition of their perfect obedience It is called Foedus naturale the Covenant of nature because it was made by GOD with man at his first Creation and because it is contained in the Law which is knowne to men by nature and Foedus Legale the Covenant of workes because workes were the condition of it it did runne thus Doe this and thou shalt live and I will be thy GOD Ezek. 20.11 Levit. 18. Rom. 10.5 Gal. 3.12 winne it and weare it obey perfectly and live everlastingly The two Sacraments of this Covenant were the Tree of knowledge respecting the Law Doe this and the tree of life respecting the promise Live GOD shadowed out this covenant also to the children of Israell in the wildernesse of Sina when he brought them out of Aegypt Moses describes it Exod. 19. 24. the blessings and curses comprehended in that Covenant are recited Levit. 26. Deut. 27. 28. It hath rationem speculi It is a glasse to manifest and discover sinne and death and so serves to humble men which are naturally proud Mat. 19.17 and to make them flie unto CHRIST for sanctuary who perfectly fulfilled the Law for the Elect in and through whom we may obtaine the Legall promises Rom. 10.4 Gal. 4.4 I will shake all nations and the desire of all nations shall come saith the LORD Hag. 2.7 to note unto us saith one that a man shall never desire CHRIST indeed till he be first shaken 2. That which GOD of his singular grace made with man fallen This is a free disposition of GOD whereby he promiseth eternall salvation by the death and mediation of his Sonne that he may magnifie the riches of his mercy This was revealed and delivered to our first Parents in the garden of Eden immediately after the fall by GOD himselfe and after was continued and renewed with Abraham Isaac and Iacob It is called Foedus Evangelicum the Covenant of the Gospell and the Gospell Rom. 1.16 A New Covenant Behold the daies come saith the LORD that I will make a new Covenant with the house of Israel Ier. 31.31 that is with the whole Church the whole Israel of GOD as appeareth Heb. 8.8 10. The Covenant of grace Rom. 4.16 because nothing else moved GOD to make and establish it it is not grounded upon our workes and worthinesse but upon the free mercies of GOD and all-sufficient merits of Christ Gal. 3.18 The Covenant of peace Ezek. 34.25 37.26 Peace Rom. 10.15 the Gospell of peace Ephes. 2.17 6.15 Reconciliation with GOD and a Testament because this reconciliation was ratified by the death of the Testator Heb. 9.16 17. It runs in these termes beleeve and repent and Thou shalt be saved Iohn 3.16 Gal. 3.11 19. Mar. 16.16 The Covenant of Grace saith D. Preston is double 1. Absolute and Peculiar onely to the Elect Ier. 31.33 Ezek. 36.26.2 Conditionall which is common to all and that is expressed in these termes CHRIST hath provided a righteousnesse and salvation now if you will beleeve and take him upon these termes that he is offered you shall be saved Mark 16.16 The Sacraments which GOD gave to man in his corrupt estate were either 1. Before CHRIST prefiguring Him 2. After Him as memorials of Him The Sacraments before Christ were of two sorts 1. Either such as belonged to all sorts of people 1. The Arke and Noahs preservation in it Gen. 6.18 Heb 11.7 1 Pet. 3.20 21. 2. The Rainebow Gen. 9.9 11 12 13 15 16 17. 2. Such as were peculiarly appointed to the Jewes some of which were 1. Extraordinary during but once or a short time and answering either To Baptisme as the red sea the cloud 1 Cor. 10.1 2 3 5.
their children after their owne pleasure to satisfie their will but GOD our heavenly Father in great wisdome considereth with what correction and when to chastize his so as may be most for their profit yea the best profit to repaire his image of holinesse in them 2. In the just measure and continuance thereof Ier. 46.28 30.11 Esay 27.7 8. 1 Cor. 10.13 they shall not be tempted above their strength GOD will not lay more on man then is meet that he should enter into iudgemēt with God Iob 34.23 Affliction is momentany CHRIST comforts his Disciples with the shortnesse of afflictions Ioh. 16.16 GOD will not keepe his anger for ever Ier. 3.12 Ezek. 16.42 Micah 7.18 nor cast off for ever Lam. 3.31 David had great experience of this as he often professeth Psal. 30.5 Psal. 103.9 The rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous Psalme 125.3 2. In love and tendernesse GOD compareth himselfe to a Father Psal. 103.13 14. to a Mother Esay 49.15 16. I will not execute the fiercenesse of mine anger for I am GOD and not man Hesea 11.9 and in the 8. verse he saith His heart is turned within him his repentings are kindled together GOD there imitates parents saith Theodoret when any misery is upon a child their bowels yearne more There is an excellent expression in Iudg. 10.16 His soule was grieved for the misery of Israel He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men Lam. 3.33 Judgement is called his Strange worke Esay 28.21 which wee inforce him unto Atque dolet quoties cogitur esse ferox In all their afflictions hee is afflicted Esay 63.9 Affliction cannot separate from his love Rom. 8.35 39. He preserveth their teares as pretious liquor in his bottle Psal. 56.8 See Psal. 116.15 Psal. 31.7 Psal. 38.9 Psal. 145.8 9. 3. For good GOD afflicts his children for their good There are many benefits which GOD promiseth and his Spirit worketh by afflictions 1. Generall they are blessed whom the LORD correcteth Behold happy is the man whom GOD correcteth therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty Iob 5.17 the like promise we have Iam. 1.12 Psal. 94.12 Whom the LORD loveth hee correcteth even as a father the sonne in whom hee delighteth Pro. 3.12 Quem unicè diligit whom he cockers above the rest of his children so the Hebrew word signifieth That Sonne in whom hee is well pleased saith Mercerus quem approbat whom he makes his white boy so Theophylact interprets Heb. 12.6 The Originall there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 chastize is derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a sonne or childe Our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a farre more exceeding and eternall waight of glory Wee shall have for Affliction Glory For light affliction Heavie Massie Substantiall Glory a waight of Glory For Momentany affliction eternall Glory He addeth also degrees of comparison yea goeth beyond all degrees calling it More excellent farre more excellent an exceeding excessive eternall weight of Glory See Rom. 8.18 Acts 14.22 2 Tim. 2.12 1 Cor. 11.32 Matth. 5.10 11. Luke 6.22 1 Pet. 3.14 4.14 Iam. 5.11 Psal. 119.71 Lament 3.27 2. Speciall 1. Afflictions are trialls the godly by them have experience of their frailties and graces and come to know GOD and themselves 2 Chron. 33.13 This is oft set out by this comparison of gold and silver tried by the fire Zach. 13.9 Prov. 17.3 Psal. 66.10 1 Pet. 4.12 Iames calls afflictions temptations because they serve to try what is in us GOD led the Israelites forty yeares in the wildernesse To prove them and to know what was in their heart that is that they might know saith Iunius The skill of a Pilot is unknowne but in a tempest the valour of a Captaine is unseene but in a battell and the worth of a Christian is untried but in triall and temptation 2. They shall purge sinne they are soveraigne medicines to kill spirituall diseases GODS children shall come out of the fornace of affliction much more refined and purified as Iob did and lose nothing but their drosse By this the iniquity of Jacob shall be purged and this is all the fruite to take away his sinne Esay 27.9 I will purely purge away thy drosse and take away all thy tinne Esay 1.25 Many shall be purified made white and tried Dan. 12.10 Wee know that all things worke together for good to them that love GOD to them who are the called according to his purpose Rom. 8.28 Wee that is not only I and you but all the faithfull know have great proofe of it by daily experience that all afflictions for of them he specially speaketh how many or how great soever they be shall procure and further our chiefest good the welfare and happinesse of our soules See Iohn 15.2 Prov. 20.30 Psal 119.67 Esay 4.4 Iob 33.16 17. 36.8 9 10 15. Hosea 2.6 7. 3. They quicken graces they make us partakers of GODS holinesse and bring forth the quiet fruit of righteousnesse Heb. 12.10 11. The inward man is renewed by them 2 Cor. 4.16 1. Faith is exercised in beleeving most assuredly the promises that GOD hath made of our deliverance that the triall of your faith being much more pretious then of gold that perisheth though it be tryed with fire might be found unto praise and glory at the appearing of JESUS CHRIST CHRIST Faith is as much advanced by afflictions as gold by fire The 11. Chapter to the Hebrewes proveth this Afflictions saith one cause us to seeke out GODS promise the promise to seeke faith faith to seeke prayer and prayer to find GOD. 2. Hope in assuring her selfe of the reward promised to them that suffer patiently Tribulatiō worketh patience patience experience and experience hope Rom. 5.3 4. 3. Patience is exercised in bearing quietly Tribulation worketh patience as was said Account it all joy when yee fall into divers temptations knowing this that the triall of your faith worketh patience Iam. 1.2 3. 3. To helpe us to beare them and in due time to remove them GOD promiseth to helpe us to beare afflictions and in due time to remove them Though he fall hee shall not be utterly cast downe for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand Psal. 37.24 As their afflictions abound so shall their consolations also 2 Cor. 1.5 They shall have the Comforter himselfe Ioh. 14.16 Ioh. 15.26 16.7 GOD often promiseth to his people to be a sure and speedy helpe in all troubles David had great experience thereof The booke of Psalmes is full of those speeches GOD is my Rocke my Tower my Refuge my Shield and Buckler my Health and Strength Psal. 18.2 Psal. 31.3 Psal. 71.3 Psal. 94.22 73.25 26. All which speeches shew that what helpe any man in any danger may finde in any earthly meanes whatsoever GOD is the same and
for it may comfort themselves with such precious places as these 1 Ioh. 2.1 Luke 17.4 1 Sam. 12.20 22. 1 Iohn 1.9 From this last place a reverend Divine collects this comfort If wee see our unworthinesse and with broken hearts acknowledge it GOD is faithfull and iust to forgive it be it never so great Thou hast played the harlot with many lovers yet returne againe to mee saith the LORD Ier. 3.1 3. The LORD will restore them and raise them up againe by repentance The LORD will heale thy backesliding if thou take unto thee words to confesse thy falling away Hosea 14.2 3 4. There is healing in the wings of the Sonne of righteousnesse and you shall grow up as the calves of the stall Mal. 4.2 The LORD upholdeth all that fall and raiseth up all those that are bowed downe Psal. 145.14 Behold I will bring it health and cure and I will cure them and will reveale unto them the abundance of peace and truth Ier. 32.6 Hee speakes Ezek. 34.16 of the time of the Gospell when CHRIST should bee the Shepheard and shewes the Covenant that he will make with those that are his if any thing be lost saith he if a Sheepe lose it selfe this is my Covenant I will finde it If it be driven away by any violence of temptation I will bring it backe againe If there be a breach made into their hearts by any occasion through sinne and lust I will heale them and binde them up GODS Covenant is to make us faithfull in his Covenant the actions of faith and repentance are ours but the power of doing them GODS 4. Spirituall Lamenesse Comforts against Spirituall Lamenesse or weaknesses of graces Then shall the lame man leape as an Hart Esay 35.6 And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walke in my statutes and yee shall keepe my iudgements and doe them Ezek. 36.27 They shall runne and not be wearie they shall walke and not be saint Esay 40.31 See ver 29. The LORD will be the hope of his people and the strength of the children of Israel Joel 3 16. In our Spirituall infancie we may comfort our selves by those cordiâ—ll refreshing promises I will give unto him that is a thirst of the fountaine of the water of life freely Rev. 21.6 A bruised reede shall he not breake and the smoaking flaxe shall he not quench Esay 42.3 though grace be in us but like the heate in the weeke of the candle when the light is out yet GOD hath taken order that it shall not be extinguished Hee shall feede his flocke like a shepheard he shall gather the lambes with his arme and carry them in his bosome and shall gently leade those that are with young Esay 40.11 Hee will use all compassion with a tender respect of our weakenesse In love in care in pittie he will redeeme us and carry us as in the daies of old Esay 63.9 As he hath borne us from the wombe so will he be the same still unto old age even unto the gray haires hee will carry us in the armes of his compassion hee hath made us hee will beare even hee will carry and deliver us Esay 46.3 4. Since thou art a branch of his planting he may glorifie himselfe in thee so as thy little one may be as a thousand and thy small one as a strong nation GOD can performe it in his due time Esay 60.21 22. CHRIST graciously receiveth and tenderly cherisheth weake Christians Zach. 13.7 Matth. 18.5 Hee giveth charge against the contempt of them verse 10. and will not have the day of small things despised Zach. 4.10 The obedience oâ— the faithfull is weake and imperfect but pleasing and acceptable unto GOD. The Psalmist saith Psal. 147.11 149.4 The LORD taketh pleasure in his people the prayers of the upright are his delight GOD will reckon of so much good done by us as wee desired and endeavoured to doe the preparations of our hearts are reckoned with GOD as great things Esay 55.1 This is a great comfort to GODS children that doe their best indeavour to keepe all his Commandements for though they faile in that obedience which they ought to performe yet GOD promiseth to shew mercy to them Exod. 26.6 so long as their heart is true he will beare with their infirmities Wee are not under the law saith the Apostle but under grace Rom. 6.14 We are delivered from the rigour of the Law GOD hath received us to the benefit of that Covenant in which perfection is onely required in CHRIST uprightnesse in us GOD accepts of the will for the deed 2 Cor. 8.12 and the will above the deed as appeareth by the 10. verse Who hath not onely begunne to doe but also to be forward a yeare agoe making it a greater grace to be willing and desirous to doe well then it is to doe a good thing 5. Doubts and Feares of losing the love of GOD. Comforts against doubts and feares of loosing the love of GOD. In the affliction of thy minde and losse of the feeling of GODS favour acquaint thy selfe with those promises Iohn 13.1 Having loved his owne which were in the world he loved them unto the end and without end The gifts and calling of GOD are without repentance that is such gifts as accompany an effectuall calling are such as GOD never repenteth of or taketh away I will not forsake my people 1 King 6.13 Heb. 13.5 Behold GOD will not cast away a perfect man Iob 8.20 The love of GOD unto his childe in respect of tendernesse is infinitely dearer then that of a most loving mother to her little one Esay 49.15 stronger then the stony mountaines and rockes of flint Esay 54.10 as constant as the waters of Noah ver 9. as the ordinances of Heaven Ier. 33.20 and ver 25. nay as sure as GOD himselfe Psal. 89.33 34 35. 6. Forgetfullnesse A promise against forgetfullnesse But the Comforter which is the HOLY GHOST whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you Iohn 14.26 7. Vncheerefullnesse Comforts against dullnesse and uncheerefullnesse The wildernesse and solitary place shall be glad for them and the desart shall reioyce and blossome as the rose it shall blossome abundantly and reioyce even with ioy and singing Esay 35.1 2. Then shall yee sucke yee shall be borne upon her sides and be dandled upon her knees As one whom his mother comforteth so will I comfort you and yee shall be comforted in Ierusalem And when yee see this your heart shall reioyce and your bones shall flourish like an herbe Jer. 66.12 13 14. Thou shalt reioyce in the LORD Esay 41.16 Thou shalt have thy delight in the Almighty Iob 22.26 The godly have a spring of joy within them Iohn 4.14 In thy name shall they reioyce all the day
them in that 26. Ezek. that he would wash them from all their filthinesse without exception 1 Joh. 1.9 therefore let us not put in conditions where GOD doth not and as it were interline his Covenant 2. That their sinnes have beene hainous and extraordinary Zach. 13.1 Hee promiseth to open a fountaine of grace to wash them from all sinnes CHRIST hath discharged our pounds as well as our pence He came to take away the sinnes of the world this is spoken indefinitely 2. Comforts to such who are troubled for want of the meanes of grace either Altogether After GOD hath given you the bread of affliction and the water of adversity hee will restore teachers and no more restraine instruction Esay 30.20 Though thou see no way of helpe yet thou knowest not how GOD can provide Hee can open rivers on the tops of mountaines and he maketh the wildernesse a standing poole when his people thirst and cry unto him Esay 41.17 18. If ordinary meanes faile GOD will then â—â—pply of his Spirit I will be unto them as a little Sanctuary in the countries where they shaâ—l come Ezâ—k 11.16 I will take you one of a cittie and two of a family and I will â—râ—ng you in Sion Jer. 3.14 The LORD giveth the Word great is the company of preachers Psal. 68.11 The ransâ—med of the LORD shall returne and come to Sion with songs and everlasting ioy upon their heads they shall obtaine ioy and gladnesse and sorrow and sighing shall flie away Eâ—ay 35.10 Or in the power of them I will give you Pastors according to mine heart which shall feede you with knowledge and understanding Ier. 3.15 Or having them so and not profiting by them I am the LORD thy GOD which teacheth thee to profit which leadeth thee by the way which thou shouldst goe Esay 48.17 For thy Maker is thine husband c. Esay 54.5 6. Hosea 2.19 In the wildernesse shall waters breake out and streames in the desert and the parched ground shall become a poole and the thirsty land-springs of water Esay 35.6 7. that is the most barren heart shall abound with grace according to that promise Out of their bellies shall flow rivers of living water Iohn 7.38 streaming out for the good of others The Kingdome of GOD shall be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof Matth. 21.43 This is a promise that the Gentiles shall bring forth the fruites of the Gospell therefore every beleeving Gentile may apply it The use of Faith here is to uphold us against our manifold deâ—ects infirmities and imperfectiâ—ns For first it giveth evidence to our soules that the graces wee have are the gifts of GOD because GOD promiseth them Secondly it maketh us rest on GOD for perfecting of that good worke which hee hath so graciously begun The Godly that know they feare GOD unfainedly and yet are often perplexed because all sensible tokens of GODS favour are taken from them should 1. Acquaint themselves with the promises and comfort themselves with these words they will be as flagons of wine to all distressed spirits 2. Let them not consider too much of nor reason too much with their temptations Rom. 4.19 3. Though they feele nothing yet let them say with David Psâ—l 56.10 In GOD will I praise his Word in the LORD will I praise his Word CHAP. V. 5. In regard of GOD Desertions Comforts to GODS people in spirituall desertions 1. LEt them Consider that this hath befallen the best of GODS servants Job 6.4 13.16.9 David Psal. 6. 77. and CHRIST himselfe Mat. 27.46 CHRIST saith Greenham was forsaken for a few houres David for a few moneths and Iob for a few yeares 2. GOD doth not forsake them Heb. 13.5 Esay 49.15 16. but seemes to forsake them 3. Desertion is but short compared with the time of mercy For a small moment have I forsaken thee but with great mercies will I gather thee In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindnesse will I have mercy on thee saith the LORD thy Redeemer Esay 54.7 8. He will not alwaies chide neither will hee keepe his anger forever Psal. 103.9 The LORD will not cast off for ever but though he cause griefe yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies Lam. 3.31 32. 4. GOD waites for a fit season of shewing his favour toward them Esay 30.18 We ought to live by faith Hab. 2.4 waiting for GOD who hides his face Esay 8.17 and to stirre up our selves to lay hold on our GOD Esay 64.7 that is an excellent place Esay 50.10 CHAP. VI. SPIRITVALL PROMISES 1. In regard of Good 1. GODS 1. Love of them which hath three properties it is 1. Free 2. Infinite 3. Eternall 2. Presence with them 1. Each of the godly in particular 2. The whole Church in generall 3. Providence over them keeping them 1. Immediatly by himselfe 2. Mediatly by his Angels 1. Promises of GODS Love ANd he will love thee and blesse thee c. Deut. 7.13 Hee crowneth his people with loving kindnesse and tender mercies Psal. 103.4 There are three properties of GODS Love 1. It is a free Love he stands not upon desert Hosea 14.4 Exod 33.19 1 Ioh. 4.10 19. The LORD did not set his Love upon you nor choose you because yee wore more in number then any other people but because the LORD loved you Lo he loved you because he loved you to shew the freedome and independancy of his love unto them 2. It is an infinite transcendent Love Eph. 2.4.7 18 19. GOD so loved the world c. Iohn 3.16 that is so infinitely so transcendently so incomprehensibly 1 Ioh. 3.1 3. It is an eternall and unchangeable Love I have loved thee with an everlasting love Jer. 31.3 Behold I will betroth thee unto mee for ever Hosea 2.19 With everlasting kindnesse will I have mercy on thee Esay 54.8 2. Promises of GODS speciall and gracious presence This is the most sweete comfort wherewith GOD anciently used to sustaine his children Each in particular Isaac Gen. 26.3 24. Moses Exod. 3.12 4.12 Josh. 1.5 9. 3.7 Ezek. 3. Jer. 1.8 19. David incouraged his sonne Salomon with this 1 Chron. 28.20 And the whole Church in generall Esay 41.10 43.2 Rev. 1.13 2.1 CHRIST left this comfort for his farewell to his Disciples and their Successors Lo I am with you to the end of the world Matth. 28.20 And With you Comprehends under it not onely Pastors but people also For where two or three are gathered together in my name saith CHRIST there am I in the midst of them Mat. 18.20 3. Promises of GODS providence over his children They have an honourable guard 1. GOD himselfe keepeth his Israel who neither slumbreth nor sleepeth Psal. 121.4 5. He keepeth his under the shadow of his wings
Psal. 91.14 The LORD compareth himselfe to an Eagle which safely carrieth her young Deut. 1.31 32.11 and to a carefull Shepheard Ezek. 34.12 Psal. 23.1 2 3. Iohn 16.12 Esay 30.21 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous Psal. 34.15 a mans eye is upon one that hee loves ubi amor ibi oculus The LORD hath a care of them he loves defends and protects them He saith Psal. 32.8 I will guide thee with mine eye Hee will guide his children by his speciall providence in all their waies Psal. 121.8 Esay 46 4. He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous but with Kings are they on the throne yea hee doth establish them for ever and they are exalted Job 36.7 Hee keepeth all his bones not one of them is broken Psal. 34.20 There shall not a haire of your head perish Luke 21 18. Matth. 10.30 Acts 27.34 Hee that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye Zach. 2.8 To expresse the tendernesse of his love he named the tenderest part of the body saith Salvian that he might shew that hee is troubled with the least contamelie offered to his Saints as we are with the least hurt of our eye Nay hee saith not hee that toucheth you toucheth his eye but the apple of his eye the tenderest piece of the tenderest part the Chrystall humour as the Philosophers call it Ishon in Hebrew of Ish pupilla in Latine of pupa because therein appeareth the resemblance of a little man or because as a man is to be prized above all other creatures so GOD esteemeth his people above all the world David found by his owne experience Psal. 17.8 Psal. 63.7 and 41.12 that GOD preserved him as the apple of his eye and so may all Christians What was said to Iacob Gen. 28.15 and to Ioshua by Moses Deut. 31.8 and by GOD himselfe Iosh. 1.5 Paul applieth generally to all Christians Heb. 13.5 I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Hee guides them in all their waies Hee that hath mercy on them saith the Prophet shall leade them even by the springs of water shall hee guide them Esay 49.16 2. Christians have the guard of Angels He shall give his Angels charge ovâ—r thee to keepe thee in all thy waies they shall beare thee up in their hands least thou dash thy foot against a stone Psal. 91.11 12. The Angels keepe us and that universally in all our waies they keepe us and that very charily and tenderly they beare us in their hands and they keepe us very safely and surely so that we dash not our feete against a stone The Angell of the LORD encampeth about them that feare him and delivereth them Psal. 34.7 CHAP. VII 2. CHRIST himselfe and many blessings by him are promised to the Godly 1. Redemption 2. Vocation 3. Iustification which hath two parts 1. Not imputing sin 2 Imputing righteousnes 4. Reconciliation 5. Adoption 1. CHRIST is promised to the godly THe first promise made to man and the foundation of all other was thâ—t Gen. 3.15 It shall bruise thy head It or He that is CHRIST shall bruise thy head that is breake the power and dominion of Satan The first Promise was made concerning CHRIST because GOD intended to make good every promise in CHRIST In all ages the LORD renewed this promise of sending CHRIST the promised seed as immediately after the floud Noah by prophesie blessing his two sonnes said GOD shall enlarge Iaphet and hee shall dwell in the tents of Shem Gen. 9.27 He meaneth that we the Gentiles should be called to be one body with the Jewes in CHRIST The same was afterwards oft renewed to Abraham In thy Seed that is CHRIST thou thy selfe and all the nations of the earth that is the faithfull in all nations shall be blessed Gen. 12.3 Gen. 13.14 15.4 18. Gen. 17.4 22. The like was after promised to Isaac Gen. 26.4 and Iacob Gen. 28.14 and Gen. 49.10 it is said The Scepter shall not depart from Iuda untill Shiloh come that is the Messias come for Shiloh signifieth the tunicle or skinne that lappeth the Infant in the Mothers wombe called by Physitians the secundine because it grieves the woman that is with child the second time as it were a second birth in French arriere fais in English the after-birth or after-burden and by a kind of figure is put for the Sonne of GOD in the wombe of the Virgin made man to note him to be of the flesh of Mary and his birth to be like the birth of other children sinne onely excepted There shall come a Starre out of Jacob and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel Numb 24.17 In all succeeding ages Moses and all the Prophets in their times foretold of CHRIST Acts 3.24 10.43 The LORD thy GOD will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee of thy brethren like unto mee unto him shall yee hearken Deut. 18.15 like unto mee both in the participation of nature and office saith Iunius a true man and a true Mediator CHRIST is there meant Acts 3.22 7.37 That evangelicall Prophet Esay spake of him then as already come For unto us a childe is borne unto us a Sonne is given and the Governement shall be upon his shoulder and his name shall be called Wonderfull Counsellor the mighty GOD the everlasting Father the Prince of Peace Esay 9.6 See Esay 11.1.32.1 2. 53.2 3 4. Ezek 37.24 34.24 Ier. 33.15 16. Ier. 23.5 6. Micah 5.2 Zach. 3.8 6.12 13. 9.9 10. He is called the messenger of the Covenant Mal. 3.1 For in him GOD reconciled the world to himselfe 2 Cor. 5.19 There are multitudes of promises also concerning CHRIST and the generall benefits by him in the New Testament 1. That he shall save us The Evangelist Matthew gives this reason of his name JESUS For hee shall save his people from their sinnes from the guiltinesse power and punishment of them The Sonne of man is come to seeke and save that which was lost Luke 19.10 GOD sent his Sonne into the world that the world through him might be saved Iohn 3.17 The Apostle with a vehement asseveration affirmeth this This is a faithfull saying and worthy of all acceptation that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 Hence CHRIST is often called our Saviour Esay 49.26 Esay 60.16 Luke 2.11 1 Tim. 1.1 1 Tim. 2.3 2. CHRIST is said to be A light to the Gentiles Matth. 4.16 The light of the world John 8.13 9.5 under this comparison of Light all benefits which CHRIST brings us are contained light of knowledge grace and glory Hitherto belong all such Scriptures as shew CHRIST to be our Life Col. 3.4 Iohn 6.33 Ioh. 14.6 CHRIST also cals himselfe The bread of life Ioh. 6.35 51. Compares himselfe to a Vine Iohn 15.1 to teach that as the branch hath his whole
makes expresly this promise unto a godly King that if he decline not from the commandement to the right hand or to the left he shall prolong his dayes in the kingdome he and his sonnes in the midst of Israel Deut. 17.19.20 His enemies will I cloath with shame but upon himselfe shall his crowne flourish Psalme 132.18 Promises to Ministers 1. Extraordinary the Apostles 2. Ordinary all faithfull Ministers Promises to the Apostles 1. To worke miracles Mar. 6.17 That promise was made by CHRIST unto his Church to be fullfilled immediately after his ascension It extended only to the times of the Primitive Church and to such as then lived Perkins 2. To cast out Divels Mat. 10.1 3. The Spirit promised to leâ—de them into all truth Iohn 16.13 so that they were free from errour in doctrine Promises to faithfull Ministers 1. For sufficiency and a competent measure of the blessings of this life GOD promiseth this as a blessing to his Church that in the plenty and aboundance he would give to his people his Ministers also should be plentifully provided for And I will satiate the soule of the Priests with fatnesse and my people shall be satisfied with goodnesse saith the Lord Ier. 31.14 Levi hath no part nor iâ—heritance with his brethren the LORD is his inheritance according as the LORD thy GOD promised him Deut. 10.9 2. Of protection and deliverance from trouble I will cloath her Priests with salvation Ps. 132.16 I am with thee saith the LORD to Ieremy to deliver thee Ier. 1.18 19. See 7. 8. verses Jer. 15.19 20. 20.11 Ezek. 2.6 3.9 He holdeth the starrs in his right hand Rev. 2.1 by which is signified his power in protecting and governing his Ministers 2. GOD will take their part against their enemies and revenge their wrongs He suffered no man to doe them wrong yea he reproved Kings for their sakes saying Touch not mine Annoynted and do my Prophets no harme Ps. 105.14 15. Hitherto belongeth that benediction and propheticall prayer that Moses made for Levi Blesse LORD his substance and accept the worke of his hands smite thorow the loynes of them that rise against him and of them that hate him that they rise not again Deut. 33.11 4. GOD hath promised to give good successe to their labours He walketh in the middest of the seven golden candlesticks Rev. 2.1 by which action is noted his presence in the middst of his Church guiding and blessing his Ministers with all the members therof Loe I am with you alwayes even unto the end of the world Matth. 28.20 CHRIST was present with his Apostles and now is with their Successours by his protection of their persons and co-operation in their worke But if they had stood in my counsell and had caused my people to heare my words then thâ—y shoulâ— have turned them from their evill way and from the evill of their doings Jeremy 23.22 5. Their reward shall bee great They shal receive a crowne of glory that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5.2 4. Their reward is with God Esa. 49.4 6. They shall agree together and joyne force against the common Adversary It is promised as a blessed fruite of the Gospell That Ephraim shall not envy Iudah and Iudah shall not vexe Ephraim But they shall fly upon the shoulders of the Philistines towards the West CHAP. VI. Promises To Masters of families and godly Servants IN ordering and guiding the affairs of our family wee should depend by faith upon GODS blessing See Ps. 127. Promises to godly servants 1. They have a generall promise 1 Tim. 4.8 2. More speciall ones Servants be obedient unto them that are your masters c. Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doth the same shall he receive of the LORD whither he be bond or free whatsoever yee doe doe it heartily as to the LORD and not to men knowing that of the LORD yee shall receivâ— the reward of inheritance for yee serve the LORD CHRIST Col 3.23 24. The Apostle Peter shews that a poore servant when he suffers hard words and ill usage from his master doth herein find acceptation from GOD â— Pet. 2.19 GOD hath promised to the faithfull to keepe their houses and blesse them in their going out and comming in It is a speciall blessing oft promised to the godly that their habitation and dwelling shall prosper Pro. 3.33 that GOD will make the habitation of their righteousnes prosperous Job 8.6 yea that they shall know and feel that peace shall be in their tabernacles Job 5.24 There shall no evill befall thee neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling Pro. 14.11 The tabernacle of the upright shall flourish the house of the righteous shall stand Pro. 12.7 GOD keepes such a fence about them and their houses and all that they have as Satan cannot hurt them Iob 1.10 Blessed shalt thou be when thou commest in and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out Deut. 28.6 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy comming in from this time forth and even for evermore Ps. 121.8 It is the protection of GOD that keeps our houses from the calamities of fire within and lightening from Heaven and from the annoyance and molestation of evill spirits and other judgements governours of families should therfore put sinne farre from their Tabernacles Job 22.23 CHAP. VII Promises To Husband and Wife IF the Husband or wife be godly they have a promise from the Lord for their comfort David bestowes a whole Psalme upon them to this purpose viz. 128. the summe whereof was this that he should eat the labours of his hands that he is well and should be happy that his wife should be as the fruitfull vine upon the walls of his house comfortable as well as fruitfull that his children should be like the olive branches round about his Table profitable and beneficiall as well as many those are of the best fruits the one for chearing the heart the other for clearing the face Psal. 104.15 the one for sweetnesse the other for fatnesse Iudg. 9.13 that he should see Hierusalem in prosperity all his life long that he should see his childrens children as Iob 42.16 and peace upon Israel See also Prov. 31.28 and 30. verses promises made to the vertuous woman and Proverbes 11.16 Promises Concerning children GOD promiseth the godly 1. To give them the fruit of the wombe It is promised as a blessing and favour of GOD to his people to multiply their seed and to make them fruitfull I will make you fruitfull and multiply you Lev. 26.9 He will blesse thee and multiply thee There shall neither be male nor female barren among you Deu. 7.13 14. The like is Deu. 6.3.8 â— 28.11 Thy seed shall be great and thine off-spring as the grasse of the earth Job 5.25 Thy wife shall be as a fruitfull vine by the sides of thine house thy children like olive plants round about the table Lo
but it is a notable glorifying of God the glory of his truth is given him when a man doth as it were subscribe to GODS Word and set his Seale to iâ— Ioh 3.33 Rom 4 20. not to beleeve is horriâ—le preâ—umption for that we presume to give God the lie â— Ioh 5. â—0 for he that doth not in speciall apply the promise unto himselfe doth not in heart beleeve the generall promise Non enâ—m hic sensus est quem fingit Bellarminus credo in Ecclesia dari remissionem peccatorum quod Diabolus atque desperabundus quivis potest credere sed credo diri remissionem peccatorum per Christum mihi quia in illum Credo Episc Daven in Col. Generals of promise blessing or comfort delivered in Scripture are intentionally meant to particulars rightly qualified Quod omnibus promiâ—titur singulis promittitur a 1 Ioh. 1.7 Esay 1.8 Ezek. 18.22 b Ezek. 3â— 12 c Mat. 1â— 28 * Poenitentia vera nunquaÌ„ sera at poenitentia sera rarò vera Austen Qui promisit â—oenitenti veniam non promisit peccanti poenitentiam Peccanti crastinum non promisit Nemo promiâ—tat sibi quod Evangelium non promittit Nehem. 9.8 * A firme sate and uncorruptible Covenant which lasts for ever Num 18.19 Decretum ab omni corruptione tutum perpetuumque saith Iunius Every word of his mouth is exactly performed aâ— his people by experience have found and confessed Iosh. 21 45. 1 King 8.56 * 2 King 10.30 a The promise Gen 12 2 3. performance Gen. 13.26.24.1.35 the promise Gen. 15.5 fulfilled Deut. 10.22 the promise Gen. 17 16 9. fulfilled Gen. 21.1 2. b Promise to Isaac Gen 26.3 fulfiâ—led 12 13. verses c To Iacob Gen. 24.15 fulfilled Gen. â—5 3. His love moveâ— him to promise his truth binds him to performe Deut. 7 7 8. 2 Sam. 7.18 21. Micah 7 20. The promises run all upon mercy Exod 20.6 34 7. Deut. 5.10 Luk. 1 50 Psal. 103 17 18. Mat. 5 7. Psal. 62 2. Every one of Gods promises is as sure as himselfe being confirmed with his owne oath Heb. 17 18. Luk. 1 7â— Esay 54.9 D. Benefield on Amos 1.2 Psal. 119.89 152. Psal. 33.11 Num. 13.19 2 Pet. 29. It is not Gods power simply but with relation to his promise which secures our faith Luk. 1.37 Psal 1â—5 3. 135 6. In Dei pâ—omissis nulla falsit is est quia in facieâ—dis nulla omnipotentâ— est difficultas Fulgentius God having made a promise unto Israel to restore them out of that great Captivity of Babylon and it seeming to them incredible he acquainteth them with his power together with his promises Ezek. 37.11 13. Where the Holy Ghost intreats of the doctrine of repentance and faith the word create is metaphorically useâ— to assure us that God will performe his promise though it were as hard a worke as to create all things at first Thus hee hath promised to create a clean heart Ps 51. and to create the fruite of lips to be peace Esay 57.9 and to create upon every place c. Esa 4.5 and to create light and deliâ—erance out of afflictions Esa. 45 7. God performeth his promise when there is no ground nor possibility in nature for itâ— notwithstanding all the media incongruâ—i dissimilia Iob 15.25 26 â—7 All the promises are as true as truth it selfe The promises are called suâ—e Rom 4 16. Promâ—ssa tua sunt Deus qua falit timeat cum promittii veritas August Confes l. 12. c. 10. His words are as deeds his promises as performances The land which was onely promâ—sed to Abraham is said Gen. â—5 12 to be given him Promittendo se fecit debitorem Austen 1 Ioh. 1.9 Verba illa Iustâ—s fidelis referuntur ad promissionem divinam Bellar. de poenitent l. 3. c. 6. God is as just in performing the mercy which he promiseth as in executing the vengeance which he threatneth 2 Tim. 2.13 1 Thess. 5.24 Gen. 3 1. Moses bewrayed his infidelity Num. 11 1â— 14.15 Christs Disciples and otheâ—s that believed in him accounted the promises of his resurrection to be vaine Luk. 24.11 25. Psal. 105.24 Luk. 1. 18 20 The Covenant is mutuall betweene God and us 1 King 8.23 God hath said that he will be All-sufficient to us but he requires then on our part that we be Altogether his Cant. 2.16 In marriage the woman must take the may for her husband as well as he her for his wife True faiths apprehension of Christ is mutuall it laies hold on Christ as we use to do in our salutatioÌ„s when we imbrace one another there is mutuall hold on both sides Whence the act of the Patriarkes faith apprehending the promises Heb. 11.13 is elegantly set out by the metaphor of saluting They saluted the promises True faith kissing Christ is kissed of him embracing Christ is reimbraced of him Phil. 3.12 a Psal. 15.4 b When we receive this command from God keepe my covenant we should pray with Austen Da Dominc quod iubes iube quid vu or as the Church teacheth us when wee heare the 10. CommaÌ„dements Lord have mercy on us and incline our hearts to keep this law c Exod. 19 5 Deut. 5.16 Is a good exposition of this place So farre as long life may be a benefit to Gods children so far he giveth it to them Gen. 25.8 * He promised â—itam 〈◊〉 â—ongatam and gave vitam perpeuatam for it In Coelis repâ—sita est maior compensatio Calvin 1 Chron. 34.28 Acts 7.5 Tibi dabo semini tuo Gen. 13.15 Particula et videtur exegetica Pareus in locum God delayeth the fulfilling of his promises Hab. 2.3 Goodnesse makes the promise truth performes it and wisdome observes the fittest time Esay 60.22 2 King 4.16 17. Gen. 3.15 Iude 14. The Amorites countrey is by promise given to Abâ—ahams see iâ— Gen. 12 7. 13.15 and 15.18 and Abrahams seede in the posterity of Iacob possessed it Amos 2 10. but some 400 seventy yeares after the promise Luke 2. â—5 Alwaies some distance of time passeth beâ—weene promises â—erfoâ—mances Pollicitiâ— diveâ— quilibet este potest Ovid. * Matth. 4. Excelsâ— fro 〈◊〉 in excelso On a mountaine he promiseth mouÌ„taines 1 Pet. 1.4 * Like the man in Erasmus his naufragium who in a storme promised the Virgin a picture of wax as big as S. Christopher but when hee came to shâ—re would not give a tallow candle Heb. 6.12 15 Psal. 130.7 8 * He promised the câ—ildren of Israel onely the land of Canaan but hee gave them besides the whole lâ—nd of Canaan two other kingdomes which he never promised and to Zachary for his unbeleefe stricken dumbe he promised to give his speech at the birth of the child but besides he gave him also the gift of prophecy God prevents his people with his blessings Psal. 2â— 3 He is bountifull to them afore they aske ver 3. and above their requests ver 4. Christ