is wont to crowne with multiplied and over-flowing refreâ—hings when he comes They that wait upâ—n the LORD shall renew their strength they â—hall mâ—unt up with wâ—ngs as Eagles they shall runne and not be weary they â—hall walke and not faint Esâ— 40.31 For since the beginning of the world wâ—â— have not heard nor perceived by the eare neiâ—her hath the eye seene O GOD besides thee what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him Esay 64.4 they shall not be ashamed or disappointed that wait for him Esay 49.23 He shall save them Pro. 20.22 They shall inherit the earth Psal. 37.9 34. and Heaven too Blessed are all they that waite for him Esay 30.18 Dan. 12.12 We must stirre up our selves to receive the promises Cant. 5.2 3. The godly sometimes walk without comfort because they put it from themselvs and GOD oftentimes causeth his children to seek long before they find comfort But the ardent desire shall at length be satisfied Remission of sinnes and peace of conscience are favours worth waiting for We have not waited so many years in the meanes of grace for comfort as GOD hath waited for our conversion Promises 1. That we shall delight in God Then shalt thou have they delight in the Almighty Job 22.26 The promise of delighting our selves in the LORD is confined to the duty of delighting in holy exercises If thou call the Sabbath a delight c. then shalt thou delight in the LORD Esa. 58.13 14. A promise To delighting in GOD. Delight thy selfe in the LORD and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart Ps. 37.4 Promises to godlines or grace exercised or to godly and gracious men which act the graces and exercise themselves in the duties above specified True Godlinesse hath the promises both of this life and of that which is to come of this life Seeke ye first the kingdome of GOD and the righteousnesse therof and al these things shall be administred unto you Matth. 6.33 and of the life to come To him that orderâ—th his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of GOD Ps. 50.23 1. The godly shall be blessed 〈◊〉 â— 13 Ps. 11â— 1 Ps. 9.8 Ps. â—11 12 13. Ps. 110.1 Ps. 1.1 Ps. 128.1 4. They whom the world account above all men most miserable are truly and only happy as our Saviour prooves Matth. 5. Blessed are the poore in spirit c. from 3. ver to 12. we shall never be truly happy till wee be sincerely holy nor fully happy till wee bee perfectly holy 2. The godly shall be a blessing to the place where they live I will blesse thee and theâ— shalt be a blessing Genesis 12.2 And I will make them a blessing Ezek. 34. â—6 Iâ—rael shall be a blessing in the midst of the land Esay 19.24 3. PROMISES ETERNALL Promises Eternall 1. Against damnation 2. For Salvation 1. Passages to it 1. Death comforts against the fear of First Death 2. Vntimely death 2 Burial 3. Resurrection 2. PerformaÌ„ces of it 1. Glorification in part of our soules 2. Last judgement 3. Glorification of the whole man both soule and body Promises 1. Of eternal life both in soul body 2. For the glory of heaven THE FOVRTH BOOKE CHAP. I. Eternall Promises 1. Against Damnation The godly shall be delivered from eternall Confusion and Damnation YEe shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end Esay 45.17 Rom. 9. 33. and 10 11. 1 Pet. 2.6 GOD will deliver the soule of the righteous from the pit Job 33.28 Ps. 86.13 There is no condemnation to them that are in CHRIST IESVS Rom. 8.1 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of GODS elect It is GOD that iustifieth ver 33. They are delivered from the wrath to come 1 Thes. 1.10 Blessed is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power Rev. 20.6 He that overcommeth shall not be hurt of the second death Rev. 2.11 CHAP. II. 2. For Salvation 1. Passages to it 1. Death 1. Comforts against the fear of death 2. Feare of untimely death 2. Buriall 3. Resurrection 1. Comforts against the fear of death HE that will beare with comfort the pangs of death must labour to die in faith that is he must lay hold of the promise of GOD touching forgivenesse of sins and life everlasting by CHRIST All these saith the HOLY GHOST Heb. 11.13 died in the Faith viz. Abel Enoch Noe Abraham and Sarah all laying hold of the promise of life by CHRIST So Iacob Gen. 49.18 by Faith rested on the mercy of GOD and by hope he waited for his salvation Thou shalt not be afraid of destruction when it commeth Job 5.21 Death be it never so bitter or painfull shall not be able to seperate us from the love of GOD Rom. 8.28 38. St. Stephens violent death was but a sweet sleepe Act. 7.60 Iohn 11.11 It is but a sleeping in JESUS 1 Thes. 4.14 The grave is called a bed of rest Esay 57.2 CHRIST hath pul'd the sting out of death for all the godly Esay 25.8 Hos. 13.14 1 Cor. 15.55 and tooke away the strength of it by his death Heb. 2.14 15. The righteous hath hope in his death Pro. 14.32 it is gaine unto him Phil. 1.21 for he is delivered by death from many and great evils 1. Sin Rom. 6.7 He shall never offend GOD more 2. Those miseries which follow sin Esay 57.1 2.3 The temptations of the Divell Rev. 12.8.4 The opposition and vexation of the world and flesh Rev. 14.13 Eccles. 4.1 2. It is to them obstetrix immortalitatis a passage to immortality 2 Cor. 5.1 4. a sturdy Porter that opens heaven gates unto him See 1 Cor. 3.22 15.26 Psalm 37.37 2. Comforts against the feare of untimely death Thou shalt come to thy grave in a ful age like as a shocke of corn commeth in in his season Job 5.26 The number of thy dayes will I fulfill Exod. 23.26 The Lord will preserve him and keepe him alive and he shall be blessed upon the earth Ps. 4. 1.2 With long life will I satisfie him and shew him my salvation Ps. 91.16 2. Buriall It is a kind of blessing promised by GOD to his Saints to be buried 1 King 14.13 2 King 22.20 3. Resurrection Promises of our Resurrection He which raised up the LORD JESUS shall raise up us alâ—o by JESUS The Covenant of GOD is of force with us as we lie in the dust of the Earth Mat. 22.31.32 He keepeth the very bones of his Saints Ps. 34.20 All that are in the grave shall come forth they that have done good unto the resurrection of life John 5.28 29. I will raise him up at the last day John 6.39 40 44 54. See 1 Thess. 4.14 16. Rom. 8.11 Dan. 12.2 Esay 26.19 CHAP. III. 2. Performances of it 1. Glorification in part for the soule 2. Last Judgement 3. Glorification of the whole man both
10. Iob 22 27. 33.6 Esay 58 â— David pleadeth this promise Psal. 4.1 Generall promises to prayer that God will heare and answer us Esay 30.19 Iohn 16.23 particular promises first deliverance from any trouble and affliction Ps. 50.15 of strength and patience to beare it Iam. 1.5 Secondly whatsoever spirituall grace wee stand in need of Luk. 11.13 Thirdly inward ioy peace of conscience Iob 23.26 Ioh. 16.24 We are to be familiarâ—y acquainted with these promises and meditate on some of them when we goe to pray Exod 22 23. Psal 9.9 22.24 Psal. 86.6 7. Psal. 5.24 Ier. 29 12 â—3 Luke 8.7 8 Iam 5.16 Psal. 81.10 * D. Playferâ— Non dicitur quid dabitur saith Austen Christ nameth not what shall be giveÌ„ to you to let us know that that gift is a thing suprae omne nomen above all that can bee named Matth 6.6 If every severall beleiver have a promise Mat 7.7 8 to bee heard in whatsoever he shall ask according to the will of God when he praieth apart by him self or privately in his frâ—ily or with a few much more when hee ioyns in prayer with the Minister and â—he rest of the godly iâ— the publiâ— assembly Mat 18 20. God hath promised to accompany this ordinaÌ„ce of his with the divine power efficacy of his Holy Spirit Esay 59.21 Iohn 5.25 Rev. 1.3 Pro 8 34 35. Metaphora à clientibus so res patronoruÌ„ obsidentibus sunius Esa. 5â— 1 2. Promises 1. Generall God will ever assist this ordinance and worke with it Mat. 28.10 2. â—â—ee will save the souls of his people by this ordinance Iam. 1 21. â—s 55.3 3 By this ordinance he will beginne grace and convert the soule Ps. 19.7 4 By this ordinance he will increase and perfect grace where he hath begun it Mark 4.24 Act 20.32 God hath made also partâ—cular promises to them that attend on this ordinance 1. That by it he will give them strength to overcome their strongest corruptions Psal. 119 9 2. That hee will by it worke peace in their consciences Esay 57.9 Prov â— 14. Mark 4.24 Luke 1 28. Rom. 1.16 Wee should heare so as to expect hope for life by the word which the Lord promiseth Deu. 3â— 47 Ioh. 5.39 It is a usuall thing to call the principal cause the instrument by the same name Acts 1 4 5. 1 Cor 11 24 25. â—â—k 21.19 â—0 Iohne 14 5â— Mark 1 22 â—4 The duty of Fasting is to bee performed when the accomplishment of some remarkable promise is expeâ—ted to be fulfilled to the Church Dan. 9.2 3. This promise may be also applied to the following of good examples presidents Lan. 3 4â— The Lord promâ—seth many singular graces to all that sanctifie hiâ— day of what nacion or condition soever they be â—hey shall have their hearts filled full of spirituall joy God will give them the spirit of prayer hear their prayers he will give â—hem ability to serve him hee will also accept reward their service Terque quateâ—que beati Poelices ter ampâ—ius Horat See Mat 6. Heb 13.16 Eccles. 11. â— Esay 587 8 10 11. Ps. 129. Pro. 14.21 22 * Though Alms deeds merit not at Gods hands yet they make him our debtor according to his gratious promise said King Iames Pro 1â— 17 1 Tim 6.18.19 He that hath a bountifull eve shall be blessed for he giveth of his bread to the poor Pro 2â— 9 Dicit frigidae aquae ne in calida sumptuÌ„ lignoruÌ„ causari quis posset Hieron Mark 9.4 Propecuto aquae frâ—gidae torrens voluptatis See Mal. 3.10 1â— A promise to paying of tithes Zephany 2.3 Rest on every side from enemies Book IV 2 Chro. 14.7 Esay 55.6 2 Chro 14 7 Mat. 77. 2 Chro. 31.11 Blessed are they that seeke him with their whole heart Psalm 119.2 Book III Psalmâ—9 â—9 15 16 â—7 18. 1 Tim 4 8. Book IV â—râ—mises in genâ—rall to tâ—e wâ—ys of godlinesse 〈…〉 Auâ—â—in * Some doe referre it to the day of judgement when the faithfull shall not be confounded or ashamed cum ventris in future when Christ shall come to judgemeÌ„t Glosse interlin Haymâ— But it is more generall shewing that the faithfull neither in the time present nor to come shall be ashamed Not to be confounded signâ—fieth non frustrati not to be disappointed of theâ—r hope P. Matt. And more is underâ—â—ood then said i.e. shall be confirmed comforted and establisheâ— Parus He that will kâ—epâ— my saying shall â—ot test of death Iohn 8.51 that is shall not be overwhelâ—ed by â—t Dying in the Lord. Revel â—4 13 is but a rest from labours 2 Tim. 1.10 That one happy pang which puls away the soule from the body doth also pul away sinne both from the soul and body God doth watch over the faithfull for good by his proâ—idence both in life and death Mat. 10.28 29 30 31. Psa. 72.14 2 Sam 25. In Christ shal all be made alive 1 Cor 15 â—â—punc that is shall be raised by him at the resurrection The Cermaâ—es call the Church yard Godsaker because the bodies are sowne there to bee raised again and the Grecians called their Church yards or places of sepulture 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dormitories or sleeping places wher the bodies rest expecting the resurrection The soule of tâ—e faithfull at the dissolution of the body shall go immediately to heaven Therfore there is no purgatory Christ promiseth to the Saints of God afâ—er death Life 1 Tim 4.8 Apoc. 2.10 Iohn 5.24 11.25 Rest Luke 16.25 Apoc. 14.13 Ioy Mat 3.25.23 Esay 35 10. * 1 Iohn 4 17 3.21 Acts 3 19. Heb. â— 28 There is a promise 2 Tim 4.8 to these that long for Christs secoÌ„d comming love his appearing Mat. 13.43 See 1 Cor 15 4â— 43. Heb. 9. â—5 11 16. Iam. 1 1â— 5 Iude 20 21 verse The glâ—ry of the body say the Schoole men consists first in clarity Mat â—â— 43 2 Impassibility 1 Cor. 5 53. 2 Of the soul consists in the manifest visioÌ„ of God which succeeds faith 1 Cor. 13.12 2 In the perfect fruition of God which succeeds hope Rev. 7.16 7 3 In the perfect love of God whâ—câ— succeeds of imperfect charity 1 Cor 13.8 Rev. 21.3 1 Thes 4 17. 1 Pet. 13.4 Sir Thomas Bodley gave for his arms three crowns with this posey Quarta perennu erit the fourth shal be eternall Book V. Esay â—3 20. The unvisible Church is the â—â—llar of tâ—uth Christ is made to her righteousnes sanctificaâ—io She hath all light and 〈◊〉 here in Heaven The â—ambe himself shall be hâ—r Sunne glory She shall be led into al truth Her faiâ—â— shal not faiâ—â— her enemies shal â—cke the dost of her sect come and worship before her she shall inherit the earth prevaile against tâ—e gates of her enemies Yea the promises made to Christ hiâ—self are applied to her compare Esay 49 â— with that in 2 Cor 6â— Promises unto the Church assemblies Christ hath promiâ—ed to be present in a more comfortable maÌ„ner in the assemblies of his people then in any of our houses or any other place Promises unto the Church-assemblies Publike places have a pâ—omise of Gods special presence in them 1 King 9.3 There is beauty Ps. 7 4 goodâ—eâ—se taâ—nesse in Gods houâ—e such as 〈◊〉 fill the soule of a man give him as much as hee can desire Esay 55.7 See 2 Thess. 2.8 See ver 8. Fâ—rbâ—s upon tâ—e place Magnas la pa sua molâ—â—uit cum ingeniâ— impetuâ— mato iâ—si pro ijciatuâ—r longe maximo protectus ab act quo valido â—ebusto BrightmaÌ„nu in locum Esay 42 2â— â—3 Ps. 68.29 31. 7â— 10 11 â—â— 19 Esa 62 2. Ps. 38 4. Esa. 60.3 5 8 Act. 10.45 Mâ—t. 19 2â— 28. â—0 It was promised Esa 6.13 that a tenth should returne 1 Tim. 4.16 Rev â—1 18. Dan. 12. â— Mat. 24.45 46. 2 Tim. 4 7 8 Secundum laboreÌ„ accipient non secund um proventam saith Bernard Esay 11.13 14. Ephes 6 5 8 He blesseth the habâ—tation of the Iust Pro 3.33 Exod. 34 24. a That very promise was after repeated to Abrahams posterity in all ages to be a staffe of comfort to them still therfore it is oft said that God is the God of AbrahaÌ„ Isaac Iacob Exod 36 15 â—6 Leâ—â— 42 Ps. 105 8. 〈◊〉 b Acts 3.25 Rom. 4.11.16 1 Cor 7.14 Esa. 619 65.23 Ps. 102 â—8 Pro. 14.26 * Hâ—on 4 of Iob 1 Cor 7 14. Rom. 11.16 See 1 Kin 11 34. 2 Kings 10.30 Obiect * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ambrose and Piscator say this is the first precept of the second Table with promise Answ. Boza Vâ—sin Râ—vet on 20. of Exo Zanchtuâ— on Eph 6. B Bahington B. Andrews D. Gouge and others Deut. 5 1â— Ier 35.18 19 Mal. 3.16 17.
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
they desired and therefore they were certaine that they prayed according to his will This was Nehemiahs ground in his prayer for the reparation of Ieruâ—alem Remember I beseech thâ—e the word which thou commâ—nâ—est thy servant Moses saying if yee transgresse I will scatter you abroad But if yee turne unto mee and keepe my Commandements and doe them though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven yet will I gather them from thâ—nce c. Now these are thy servants and thy people whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power and by thy strong hand O LORD beseech thee let now thine care be attentive to the prayer of thy servants who desire to seare thy Name An excellent example also we have of this in Iacob Gen. 28. GOD promised to be with him ver 15. his vow or prayer respeâ—teth that ver 20. GOD promised to keepe him in his way ver 15. his vow or prayer respecteth that ver 20. GOD promiseth not to leave him he saith and will give mee bread and raiment GOD â—romised to bring him againe to 〈◊〉 land his prayer ansâ—â—â—ed thâ—t 〈◊〉 21. Otherwise 〈◊〉 can have no hope to be heard if our petitions be not framâ—d according to GODS promises If wee will have GOD heare us wee must pray aâ—câ—rding to hâ—s will 1 Ioh. 5.14 Wee must aske in faith Both CHRIST and his Apostles require faith in GODS promises in prayer Mar. 11.24 Iames 1.6 No fâ—culty can or ought to extend it selfe beyond its adequate and proper object for the object is the rule and the limit of the habit but the promise is the object of faith as hath beene shewed therefore he that prayeth without a promise denieth his owne request If I pray for the salvation of another I have no promise how then can I pray in faith So likewise when a man prayes to be guided in such a businesse to have such an enterprize to be brought to passe to have deliverance from such a trouble such a sicknesse or calamity that hee lies under he finds no particular promise and for ought hee knowes it shall never be granted How can he be said to pray in faith For to pray in faith is to beleeve that the thing shall be done To pray in faith is to goe as farre as the promise goes Now no particular man hath any particular promise that hee shall have such a deliverance that he shall have such a particular mercy granted him and therefore it is not required to beleeve that that particular thing should be done but that GOD is ready to dâ—e that which is best for mee in such a particular that which shall be most for his owne glory and my good Indeed if we had a particular promise as Elias had that it should not raine in that case we were bound to beleeve in particular but not having that we are not tyed unto it David saith Psal. 35.13 that he prayed for his enemies but his prayer returned into his owne bosome no benefit came to them in their amendment yet hee was no looser by it his prayer was not lost The like may be said of others of GODS children when they seeke to GOD in sincerity and pray in the behalfe of others though the particular suite be not granted yet they discharging their dutie shall receive a reward The Promises also are the rule how we must pray as things are promised so must they be prayed for things absolutely promised may be absolutely asked but where GOD hath put conditions and exceptions to his promise there our prayers also must be conditionall and we must expresse or reserve in our mindes some such secret limitations as these If GOD see it to be good if his good pleasure be such if it may stand with his glory Moses Exâ—d 32.10 11. woâ—ld not lâ—t GOD done till he had spaâ—â—d his people but desired to be razed out of GODS Booke rather thâ—n his people should be destroyed because GOD had made an absolute promise to bring them into Canaan verse 13. which promise Moses pleadâ—th unto GOD in prayer GOD hath made an Absolute promise of the perpetuall continuance of the Church but 〈◊〉 of a continuall outward flouriâ—hing state thereof for he can turne the persecution of his Church to the increâ—se thereof and so â—aine honour unto himselfe and bring good unto his people thereby In this point because some things are controverted I will not interpose my owne judgement it shall suffice me to declare how the question is stated by many Divines 1. Spirituall things as they are necessary to salvation ought absolutely to be asked because they are absolutely promised to the Faithfull and those that seeke them Luke 11.13 2. Those spirituall goods which admit degrees cannot in every degree be absolutely begg'd because the things themselves not the degrees of them are absolutely necessary and of GOD absolutely promised 2 Cor. 12.8 9. 3. Yet we ought absolutely to ask that measure of grace which is necessary for us to avoid crimes or scandals and keepe a good conscience Iames 1.5 6. 1 Cor. 10.13 Psal. 19.14 Spirituall things are promised 1. Rather quoad essentiam then gradum perfectionis 2. In competencie for finall victory not in perfection 3. With power reserved to withdraw the exercise leave to our selves abate the fervour There must be submission to GODS will and wisedome in our prayers for spirituall things in regard of circumstances of time meanes measure for these the LORD hath reserved in his owne power We must not in our prayers prescribe GOD the particular time when he should give his blessings or helpe us out of misery yet we may lawfully pray that he would heare us speedily Psal. 102.3 because He hath promised to doe it All the Petitions of the LORDS Prayer saith Dr. Gouge are absolutely promised saving the fourth For hallowing GODS Name He himselfe hath said I have both glorified it and will glorifie it againe Iohn 12.28.2 For the comming of his kingdome CHRIST hath said that the gates of Hell shall not prevaile against his Church Mat. 16.18.3 For doing his will this is a branch of the new Covenant which by CHRISTS death is made absolute Ier. 31.33 Ezek. 36.27.4 For pardoning sinne this is another branch of the foresaid new Covenant 34. verse of Ieremy For not leading into temptation but delivering from evill the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 10.13 GOD will not suffer you to be tempted above that yee are able but will with the temptation make away to escape For daily bread GOD can instruct us both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and to suffer need Phil. 4 12. Temporall things are not promised absolutely but 1. With limitation to expediencie 2. They are conveied in the Covenant disjunctively either the particulars or the equivalent Mark 10.30 by way of commutation and compensation with spirituall
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
made promises to the publike assemblies of his speciall presence In this respect the Prophet calleth Sion the habitation of GODS house and the place where his honour dwelleth Psal. 26.8 Psalm 132.14 in this respect the place of GODS publike worship is called the face of GOD. The Synagogues were called the houses of GOD Psalm 83.12 This promise is also made to our Assemblies as well as theirs Matth. 18.20 Where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them Rev. 2.1 CHRIST walkes in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks 3. GOD hath pâ—omised his speciall blessing to publike assemblies In all places where I record my name wâ—ll I come to thee and blesse thee Exod 20.24 GOD hath pâ—omised Temporall blessings to such as do love and frequent the Assemblies No good thing will he with-hold from them that walke uprightly Psalm 84.11 David makes this one reason of his love to GODS Tabernacles but the chiefe reason why he so esteemed them was this the LORD will give grace and glory and 133.3 For there in Sion the LORD appointed the blessing and life for ever The LORD shall blesse thee out of Sion Psalm 128.5 We shall be satisfied with the goodnesse of thy house even of thine holy Temple Ps 63 4. See Psalm 36.8 9. 92.13 14. 4. GOD will deliver the Church out of trouble Thou shalt see peace upon Israel Ps. 128.6 Thou shalt see the good of Hierusalem all the dayes of thy life verse 5. The LORD will not cast off his people nor forsake his inheritance Ps. 94.14 Thus saith the LORD after seventy yeares be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you and performe my good word towards you in causing you to returne to this place For I know the thoughts that I thinke towards you saith the LORD thoughts of peace to give you an expected end Jerem. 29.10 11. They shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig-tree and none shall make them afraid for the mouth of the LORD 〈◊〉 Hosts hath spoken it Many nations are gathered against thee but they know not the thoughts of the LORD For he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floore Micah 4.4 11 12. When thus it shall be in the middest of the Land amongst the people there shall be as the shaking of an Olive-tree and as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done Esay 24.13 See Esay 61.10 Deut. 4.29 30. Jeremy 33.6 Jeremie 31.12 Esay 27.5 7 8 9. CHAP. II. Promises 1. Against the seductions of Antichrist 1. THE faithfull are of GOD and overcome Antichristian Seducers 1 Iohn 4.4 2. The Elect cannot be seduced Mat. 24.24 Promises 2. For the dâ—struction of Antichrist The ten hornes which thou sawest upon the beast these shall haâ—e the whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat hâ—â— flesh and shall burne her with fire Rev. 17.16 There is a promise that Babylon shall bee cast into the Sea as a milstone Rev. 18.21 And a mighty Angell tooke â—p a stone like a great mill-stone and cast it into the Sea saying thus with violence shall the great city Babylon be throwne downe and and shall be found no more at all Each word almost hath a gradation in that an Angell a strong Angell taketh a stone and a great stone even a mill-stone which he letteth not barely fall but casteth and with impetuous force thrusteth in the bottome of the Sea whence nothing ordinarily is recovered much lesse a mill-stone thrust from such a hand and with such force CHAP. III. Promises For calling the Jewes THere is a promise made of calling the Jewes unto CHRIST and causing them to turn from their transgressions The Redeemer shall come from Sion and unto them that returne from transgression in Jacob Esay 59.20 They shall be graffed in againe for GOD is able to graffe them in as it is written there shall come out of Sion a deliverer and shall turne away ungodlinesse from Jacob Rom. 11.23 26. Before the second comming of CHRIST the Jews shall be converted and become a most famous Church againe and they shall be the meanes of the salvation of all the Elect that shall remaine to be converted among the Gentiles as the Apostle plainly teacheth there 25 26. verses I would not Brethren that yee should be ignorant of this mystery that blindnesse in part is happened to Israel untill the fullnesse of the Gentiles be come in and so all Israel shall bee saved In Hosea there are most sweet and comfortable promises to the Jewes 1. Of delivering them out of misery and making them to flourish againe comparing their wretched estate to death and their delivery to a resurrection Hos. 13.14 2. A promise of their repentance and turning unto GOD Hos. 14.2 3. 3. Of the forgivenesse of sinnes peace reconciliation verse 4. 4. Of a glorious Church 5 6 7 8. verses These promises which GOD hath made unto that nation that he will call them and make them his people againe should provoke us to pray for them as they did for us Cant. 8.8 CHAP. IV. Promises For bringing in the Gentiles THus saith the Lord Behold I will lift up my hand to the Gentiles and set up my standard i.e. the Gospell to the people and they shall bring their sonnes in their armes and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders and Kings shall be thy nursing Fathers and Queenes thy nursing Mothers that is GOD will stirre up the Princes of the Earth to be a protection to it and to shrow'd it under the wings of their authority The Apostle Iohn speaking of the new Jerusalem saith the Kings of the earth shall bring their glory to it Rev. 21.24 Other sheepe I have saith our Saviour meaning the Gentiles not yet called which are not of this fold them also must I bring and they shall heare my voyce and there shall be one fold and one shepheard Joh. 10.16 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light and Kings to the brightnesse of thy rising The aboundance of the Sea shall be converted unâ—o thee the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee Who are these that fly as a cloud and as the doves to their windowes they are the words of the Church wondering as it were at the sight of such a propagation as a cloude and Doves it is a prophesie of the Gentiles converted they fly as a cloud that is most swiftly and shall in such fâ—ocks come into the Church as if a whole flight of Doves driven by some hawke or tempest should scoure into the Columbary and rush into the windows The Prophet Esay almost in every Chapter speaketh of the vocation of the Gentiles as the 2. 9. the 11. the 18. the 42. and 45. See 49. Chap. 12. and Chap. 54.1 And Chap. 65.1 Amos 9.11 12. Ephes. 2.12 19. John 12.32 CHAP. V. Promises To Magistrates THe LORD
is the scope and foundation of all Gods promises partly by merit and partly by efficacie by merit because hee haâ—h procured by â—is death and passion remission of siâ—nes and life everlasting by his efficacie because hee seales up unto us in our consciences remission of sinnes and withall restores to us the image of God Perk. on Galat Gal. 3.16 Caput Corpus uniu est Christus Austen Omnia salutaria communicari nobis dicuntur in Christo ut in Capite propter Câ—ristum ut merito suo impetrameâ— per Christum ut essi caciter applicantem S. Paul Rom 9.8 opposeth the children of the promise to the children of the flesh which were borne by naturall streÌ„gth Luk 1.32 33. The active part is committed to the Messiah The promises of the Gospell are not universall but belong to the Elect onely God hath promised by Esay 8 16. that tâ—e Elect onely shall be his Disciples not all men indifferently Piscator in 1 Matth. Rom 4.12 It is our comfort thaâ— we which cannot stand of our selves may subsist in Christ. Bish. Lake Book II. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 either ab Eligendo or Comedendo from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or à caedendo from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Buxtorfe and Pagâ—in on the word Illvric Clav Scrip. Iun. Orat. de foedere The Greeke word whereby the Septuagint still rendreâ—h Berith is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 testamontum Heb. 9. â—7 foedus Mat. 26 28 Acts 3.25 from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dispoâ—â— Est enim extrenta voluntas qua quis disposit dispensit res suas or from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 paâ—â—scor Luke 〈◊〉 The Latine words whereby the Originall is expressed are Foedus Pactum Testamentum For they are used promiscuously in the Latine saith Muscula 1. Foeaâ—â— It was called Fedai in time past saith Varâ—o for in a Covenant interpâ—uitu◠〈◊〉 men give their faith saith Isiaâ—re therefore some 〈◊〉 Alâ—ieâ— had rather write it with a single â— then â—e Some derive it from the adjective soedus filâ—hy for the slaying of a â—ow when wâ—s inter ritualia foederis was filthy 〈◊〉 Viâ—gâ—â— saith caesa iungelant foedera porca Peter Martyr derives it a feriendo quod Foertales atrinque porcam mactarent Hinc ferire aut percutere foeduâ— tritu loquenti modus pro iungâ—â—e saceâ—e pangere Maâ—â—iâ—ius approveth this etymologie and it agreeth best with the Hebrew â— Pactum generis comni est saith Beza quas◠〈◊〉 pace fictum saith Isidore It is that truce saith Sico 〈◊〉 which in time of warre is concluded upon and accepted of both sides for a certaine limited space of time but Foedus was a perpetuall â—uce or league 3. Testamâ—ntum quasi testatto mâ—nâ—is saith Iustinian which etymologie Vasia derides but it may be received as an aliusien The French is Alliance ab allâ—gando The English is League a Ligando or Covenant which is the same that Conventio is with the Civilians a conventâ—â—â—io What a Covenant is in generall Disserunt non re sed modo rei promissio foedus Foedus est promissic solenni ritu foederali vestita atque firmata Pareus in Gen. Chap. 15. v. 18. Gal. 4.22 The Law requireth 1. Personall 2. Perpetuall 3. Perfect obedience 4. And from a perfect heart and that under a terrible curse Gal. 3.24 The first Covenant was of mans workes the second of Gods grace It is a compact made betweene God man touching reconciliation and life everlasting by Christ. Perk Gen. 3.15 We need a new Covenant saith Bishop Lake that â—ave broken the old by our mutability before the fall and through our imbecility since the fall Esay 54.10 The word of reconciliation 2 Cor. 5.19 God ever ordained Seales to make good his Covenant Therefore this is called Reconliation as well as Covenant Cameron opusc miscell Invat Idem qui lithet Auson God undertakes in the Covenant of grace to enable us to walke in his statutes to performe the condition hee requires He works all our works in us and for us Esay 26.12 Rom 9 7 8 A Covenant in respect of God a Testament in respect of Christ. * Divisio foedera in vetus novum non est Genero in Species sed subveti in accidentia Scarpiâ—s The two parts of the â—ovenanâ— as 〈◊〉 the 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 have 〈◊〉 beene 〈…〉 in subâ—â—â—â—â— though not alwaies in like manner dispensed S. Iohn speaking of love calleth it a new Commandement and an old 1 Ioh 27 8. Olâ— in regard of the substance Levit. 9 â—8 because it was given to Adam was a Law in Paradise and because our of request New because reâ—eâ—ed and approved by Christ Ioh. 13.34 15 12 excellent as new it makes us new it should be new fresh in our memory Novum quia renovatum Bucan The Fathers had the same Covenant which wee have they looked for immortality and had it promised They expected it by mercy not by merit they knew that Christ was their mediator to obtaine mercy as weâ—l as we Ioh. 8. â—6 Acts 13.32 Luke 1.72 1 Cor 10 â— Sanguis Châ—isti protiâ—it anteâ—uam suit Bernard CHRISTS bloud was effectuall before existent Cameron opusc miscell * As it sheweth what a man oweth unto God and how he must be punished if hee pay not the debt whence it makes â—im looke to a mediator when he sees himselfe unable either to pay the one or endure the oâ—her Polan Syntag Ephes. 2.12 13. They differ not essentially as the Covenant of works and grace but modo admirish andi in the manner of ministration Non exigit à quoquam saith Erasmus of the Gospell onus Legis Mosatcae tantum adsit vivida fides Novum Testamentum in veteri est velatâ—m vetuâ— in novo revelatum Austen Novum Testamenâ—um in veiers latet vetus in novo patet Luthâ—r The Old Testament is instar libri clausi Esa. 29.11 The New instar libri aperti Apoc 5.9 Saith our learned Whitaker Psal. 114.2 Esay 40.27 66.18 Ioel 2.28 Hag 2 8. Mat 10.5 6 Trelcaâ—iuâ— Ephes 2 14. Gal 6.15 2 Cor 3.11 Ephes. 4.13 * If the seale of the Covenant be stamped upon us we are thereby secured from all evil Ezek 9.4 Rev. 7 3. 9 4. Hence are those gracious promises that God is our portion Ier. 10.16 51.19 Lam. 3.24 that is all wee have to maintaine us in the world and wee hâ—â— portion Deut 32 9. that is the chiefest thing he makes reckoning of He becomes our God to direct protect and blesse us and we become his people to serve love and obey him God saith so unto the Gentiles Hos 2.23 which the Apostle makes use of Rom. 9.25 26. * Wing Iacobs staffe Psal. 144.12 13 â—4 Verse 15. Deut. 33.29 The immunitieâ— and priviledges of those that have God for their God * It is proâ—ised as a blessing eveÌ„ unto Gods people that there should be boyes girles playing together in