choicest Treasure and set a great value upon them both because of the superexcellency of the things Promised and because of the infallibility of him that promised them He that made these Promises is God and not man and there being no impotency nor inconstancy in him the Promises must needs prove certain and unfailable 2. The faithfulness of God in his promises serves to check and condemn the fears and jealousies that arise in us from the foresight of future troubles Whence spring all these distracting thoughts that croud our Souls but from Unbelief did we live by Faith upon the Promises it were not possible for us to be overwhelmed with fears Matth. 8.26 Why are ye fearful oh ye of little faith have we such precious Promises and is he faithful that hath promised then why are we so fearful our fears surely are groundless fears they proceed not from any just cause but from our distrusting the faithfulness of God in his Promises Had we more Faith we should have less fear Faith would scatter our fears by fetching in relief from the Promises if would chide out slavish fear as it did in David Psal 42. last Why are thou cast down Oh my Soul hope thou in God 3 The faithfulness of God in his Promises serves to Create in us an ardent Love to our Gracious Lord and Master Who would not Love such a kind and faithful Friend as we should fear him for his Greatness so should we love him for his Goodness How good hath God been to us in giving such a large stock of rich Promises unto us and therein intailing so large an inheritance upon us how sad and forlorn would our condition be were it not for these precious Promises what would poor persecuted reproached and despised Christians do were they not supported by these Promises and what would poor doubting Christians do but for these Promises how many under the distresses of their Souls have recived comfort from the Promises that Blessed Martyr Mr. Bilney being wounded in Conscience for renouncing the Profession of his Faith and subscribing the Popish Errors was at last comforted with that Promise Isa 26.3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee A Young maid went Triumphantly to Heaven by the refreshment she found in that Promise Matth. 11.28 Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest Many drooping Spirits have been comforted from these words 1 John 3.14 We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the Brethren I know one that hath lived comfortably many Years upon that Promise Phil. 4.19 My God shall supply all your wants according to his riches in glory by Christ Oh what comforts have many received from the Promises God expresseth his Love to his People in these Promises and they should express their Love to him in their thankfulness for the Promises 4. The Faithfulness of God in his Promises serves to confirm our Faith in the Promises Is he faithful that hath Promised why then should we doubt of the truth of the Promises Christ says one is the Vine and the Promises are a Cluster of Grapes growing upon this Vine and Faith presseth the Wine of comfort and contentment out of the cluster of the Promises Why do we not make more improvement and advantage of the Promises and live more upon them doth not the Faithfulness of God silence all our doubts and challenge from us more strenuous Acts of Faith is God true to his Word then surely we should patiently wait for and assuredly expect the accomplishment of the Promises and that when the Stream of Providence runs another way God saith Jer. 32. 42. I will bring upon them all the good that I have promised them And if we would receive the good contained in the Promises then we must act Faith in the Promises Faith takes this for granted that God will be as good as his Word and by reflecting upon Gods Faithfulness Faith is strengthened and confirmed 5. The Faithfulness of God in his Promises serves to clear the Promises from all charges of miscarrying The Promises are not alway performed to all that claim an interest in them but this is not to be charged on God as a piece of unfaithfulness For 1. Delays in performing Promises are no breaches of Promise if the time of performance be not limited in the Promise Ps 77.8 Doth his promise fail for evermore No No that cannot be it may fail for a time but not for ever God will make his word good one time or other Though he may delay the performance yet he cannot break the Promise and therefore its good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. 2. Discharges from Promises discharge from the performance and in conditional promises the non-observation of the condition discharges from the performance And many of Gods promises are conditional and such as keep not the Condition do justly miss of the Accomplishment of the promise and yet he is faithful that promised 2 Chron. 15.2 The Lord is with you whilst you are with him but if you forsake him he will forsake you 3. Doing more for a person then the promise amounts to though not the same but in another kind is no breach of Promise but a performance of it with advantage As if I promise to another 100 l. and instead thereof give him a Jewel worth 200 l. then I am as good and better then my word to him So it God promise Deliverance and do not deliver but gives Strength Comfort and spiritual Advantage to a person in his Trouble he is as good and better than his word to him When he gives eternal life instead of temporal life the promise doth not fail but still he is faithful that promised 6. The Faithfulness of God in his Promises serves to quicken us to all Diligence in looking out after an Interest in the Promises Though there are many precious promises and he is faithful that promised yet what are we the better if we be none of those to whom the promise belongs if we be in the state of Nature we are under the Law and not under Grace under the Curses of the Law and not under the Promises of the Gospel Study therefore under your Peace and Liberty your interest in the Promises that you may apply them to your selves without Presumption when you fall into Adversity If you ask how you may discover your interest in the Promises I answer 1. You must cleanse your selves from all Pollutions 2 Cor. 7. beg Having these Promises let us cleanse our selves c. He that will comfortably apply the Promises must apply himself diligently to the Conditions of the promise he must cleanse himself that he may be capable to receive the Blessings promised and live alway under the influence of the Promise and be able justly to challenge an interest in the promise Such as have filthy polluted Souls have no Interest
and Lives in danger you would be concerned and bestir you to save your selves you would cry out for help and be thankful to any one that would tell you how to escape your danger Now in your case your Souls are in Danger and in present Danger and in great Danger and will you not be perswaded to seek to save your selves 2. The Cure prescribed is a proper Cure Christ within is the Cure and this is a suitable Cure Your Disease is inward to wit the Plague of the Heart and outward Applications cannot reach it it calls for an inward Remedy Nay more Christ within is not only a suitable Cure but also a Soveraign Cure that will certainly and infallibly Cure you Yea this is the only Cure all other remedies are vain and insufficient and will you reject such a remedy It 's a remedy of Gods own prescription and cures all that make use of it and will you not use it will you chuse Death before Life Damnation before Salvation Oh then what will you do in the end thereof 3. The Cost of the Cure now offered is discharged and now freely offered It is a Costly Cure the price paid down for it is beyond Value Who can reckon up the value of the Cross of Christ Heb. 2.10 He was made Perfect through sufferings There is a twofold perfection imputed to Christ 1. Perfectio Personae His Person was perfectly qualifyed for his Offices He was perfectly Sanctified and so he was a perfect High-Priest 2. Perfectio Operis the Work of Redemption was consummated by his perfect Obedience and meritorious Sufferings He became a perfect Saviour thereby and perfected the Work of Redemption that he might be a Soveraign Redemy and save to the utmost all such as came to him He made plenary satisfaction to Divine Justice for the Sins of such as he was to Save And it cost him dear to become an infallible Cure for perishing Souls it cost him his Life he parted with his precious Blood he bore the weight of Gods Wrath and underwent the shameful and painful Death of the Cross it cost him many a dreadful Pang and will you sleight so costly a Cure do ye account the Blood of Christ a vain thing hath he been at the cost of the Cure and at so great cost and will you refuse so costly a Cure freely offered can ye put a greater Indignity upon Christ than to tell him to his Face that you account him a Physician of no Value and will have nothing to do with him nor with the Cure he offereth you is this your kindness to such a Friend 4. The Course you take is fatal and deadly You refuse to let Christ into your hearts and bolt the door against him and this will be your ruin if persisted in without Repentance You reject the remedy at your own Peril and your destruction will be of your selves and you will know hereafter what it is to reject your own Salvation Can you that refuse such rich Mercy think to escape Divine Vengance Oh how dreadful are the fore-thoughts of your Condemnation and what then will the Execution be will you not be disswaded from turning your backs upon your Blessed Saviour when he is offering and tendering Salvation to you will ye bring the Blood of Christ and the Blood of your own Souls upon your heads and wilfully run on in Rebellion against Christ 'till the Wrath of the Lord go out against you and there be no remedy then I say of all men you are most miserable It had been better for you you had never been born or had been made Moles instead of Men but I would perswade my self of better things of you and such as accompany Salvation Consider 5. The Change for the better that Christ in the heart will make in you 1 Cor. 6.11 Such were some of you but ye are washed ye are sanctified ye are justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God See here 1. The Agent in this change the Spirit in them 2. The Advantage of the change it was a change for the better that of bad made them good of unclean clean and brought them out of Danger into safety out of a State of Condemnation into a State of Justification out of a State of Sin into a State of Sanctity a blessed Change And Christ in the Heart will make such a Change in you He will change your Hearts and Lives and fit you to live and fit you to dy And let me tell you for your Encouragment that the change will be so Sweet to your selves that you will find such a strange unexpected content and satisfaction in it that you would not be what you now are for a World Little do you know the Comforts that accompany such a change Oh be perswaded to live and you will never repent thereof but enjoy such a Happiness in your self as the World cannot afford 2. You that have Christ in you Be you entreated to live as such as have Christ in you Col. 2.4 As ye have received Christ so walk in him See that your words and works favour of Christ Live not below your selves Is it for such as have Christ in them to mind earthly things and to make a God of the World is it for such as have Christ in them to maintain Pride in their Habiâ—s and Behaviours and to wear the Flags of Lucifer and the Dress of Flora is it for such as have Christ in them to muster up the Spirit of Contention and to cast Squibs one at another are ye not carnal herein and walk as Men as Paul doth Phrase it that is as meer Men that have nothing of the Spirit of Christ in them Is it for such as have Christ in them to manage Religious Exercises carnally and deceitfully To be Time-servers and Men-pleasers and to serve God no further than it will stand with Self-interest Oh Sirs What manner of Persons should you be in all holy Conversation and Godliness 2 Pet. 3.11 How should you strive to conform your selves to Christ and not to the World and to live according to the Laws of Heaven and not according to the vain Customs of wicked Men How should you let others see that Christ within hath changed you and made you Gospel proof that neither Profit Example nor Honour can turn you from the Principles and Precepts of the Gospel if Christ be in you be ye followers of Christ as Dear Children 1. And see that you live Circumspectly Eph. 5.15 See that you walk circumspectly not as Fools but as Wise It will be your Wisdom to keep up your spiritual Watch and to Watch carefully though Christ be in you yet there is much Corruption within you and the Flesh will be Lusting against the Spirit and if it prevail it will grieve the Spirit and occasion it's withdrawings as to Sense and Apprehension and cause Christ to hide his Face from you and to stand
your Wants Now consider the Apostle and High-Preist of our Profession Christ Jesus Consider what he is in himself the Son of God the great Mediator of the Covenant and Consider what he is to such as receive him he is their Apostle and High-Preist and their Advocate with the Father and so their Hope of Glory Consider 1. His fullness and all-sufficiency Though your disease is Heritary and Mortal yet his Blood hath Vertue and Efficacy enough in it to recover you Though your need is so great that the Riches of the World cannot supply it yet he is so Rich and All-sufficient that he supplies all the wants of all that come to him He is wonderful the Wonder of the World and the Wonder of Heaven not only for his greatness but for his goodness How amazing is it to consider all the rich supplies wherewith he supplies his People 2. His faithfulness As the fulness of his Person so the faithfulness of his Promises is very considerable Heb. 10.23 Faithful is he that promised He hath promised to entertain all that come to him and to cast off none that come John 6.37 But to supply all their wants and to save them from the wrath to come and great is his faithfulness and continues to all Generations that it 's beyond all doubt that all such shall be saved and may live in sure and certain hope of Glory Now you see what considerations are required from you and if you consider these things you will find that they will convince you of your Misery by nature and incline you to make use of your Remedy But then Remember what Considerations they must be they must be serious Considerations Some are inconsiderate and do not mind things of this Nature others consider them slightly and not seriously and this keeps them off from the benefit of such Considerations they do not weigh Matters nor mind the great importance of them nor consider themselves how much they themselves are concerned in the Matter and hence it is that their Considerations work no Convictions nor Conversions in them You must so Consider as that your Considerations may make deep impressions upon your Souls Your Considerations must be fiducial Considerations and frequent Considerations and affectionate Considerations dwelling upon the matters pondered and driving them home to the Conscience 'till you find your Souls much concerned about them And then from Consideration proceed to Consent and so I come to the second thing required from you viz. 2. Sincere Consent Follow on with Consideration 'till the Soul freely Consent And your Consent must be real and Religious it must be a willing voluntary Consent without constraint and compulsion given out of choice as a matter that is most eligable rational and useful It must be an upright sincere and cordial Consent without Hypocrisie synister Ends or worldly Respects as to a matter purely Religious and of a Divine Nature And it must be an Universal Impartial and Catholick Consent without Reservation Limitation or secret Exception to all the Terms of the Gospel This Consent must be given 1. To the Covenant of Grace as to the Magna Charta of all your Christian Rights and Priviledges You must consent to the matter of it as Gracious Immutable Royal Irrevocable and Fundamental And you must consent to the main end of it as it 's a standing Monument of Free-Grace and bespeaks God reconciled by Christ to all faithful Consenters And as it 's a special Pledge of his infinite Love to his Elect and the Confirmation of their Faith and their sealed Indenture for Glory 2. To Christ the great Mediator of the Covenant as to the Person from whom you expect all the blessings of the Covenant and upon whom you wholly depend for Salvation and for all the Mercies that accompany Salvation you must consent to his Offices and to the exercise of all his Offices in and over you You must consent to his Yoke of Government to submit to his Laws and to his Sovereignty You must consent to his Cross to partake with him in Suffering and pass through much Tribulation to the Kingdom of Heaven and must take him for better and worse to be true and faithful to him to the Death 3. To the Conditions of the Covenant be they never so hard to flesh and blood He consents not only to such Conditions of the Covenant as may consist with his Profits and Reputation ease and safety but with such as are inconsistent with the same as he consents 1. To part with all his Sins be they never so pleasant and profitable to him be it as his right Hand or right Eye you must be willing to part with them and consent to be divorced from them As Abraham consented to the Sacrificing of his dear Son Isaac and God accepted the Will for the Deed and his intention is accounted his Action Heb. 11.17 So you must consent to the Crucifying of your beloved Sins and willingness to part with them all will find acceptance with God though they be not wholly put to Death in you in this Life 2. To practice all the Duties of Religion at all times and under the greatest Hazzards even then when the Laws of men contradict the Laws of God and make it penal to obey them you must consent to all matters of Faith and Obedience because enjoyned by God and oblidging to Conscience though thereby you expose your selves to the Scorn and Malice of wicked and unreasonable Men you must consent to live to Christ as well as to be saved by Christ and all that you do for God must be done out of Love Thankfulness and Obedience 3. To place all your hope in Christ without respect to any Merit that is in your own good Works You must consent to the doing of good Works with all diligence as they are the Paths in which you are to walk and the evidences of your Faith and the Comforts of your Lives and the works that belong to your general Calling But as for your Faith and Hope they must be fixed on Christ and you must consent to take him for your only Saviour and to hope in his Word and to trust to his faithfulness for the supply of all your wants And from a sincere Consent you must proceed to a sacred Complyance There is required from you 3. Sacred Compliance Your sincere Consent must be seconded with a holy Compliance When you are come up to a free and full Consent do not stick there but follow it with a heavenly Compliance fall to the work that you have consented to and put good Intentions into godly Actions He that gives his Assent and Consent to what in his Conscience he disallows and in his practise he resolves not to perform is condemned in himself See that you demonstrate the sincerity of your consent by a holy compliance with Christ your Saviour In every branch of your Christian Consent make an open profession of your Consent by a
who shall deliver me from the body of this Death I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord Rom. 7.24 In all these things we are more then Conquerours through him that loved us Rom. 8.37 Joseph refused to ly with his Mistress saying how can I do this great sin and sin against God Gen. 39.8 We are bound to give thanks to God alway for you Because your faith groweth exceedingly 2 Thes 1.3 The path of the just is as the shining light that shineth more and more to the perfect day Prov. 4.18 Which Gospel is come unto you as it is in all the world and bringeth forth fruit as it doth also in you Col. 1.6 Tenthly Promises of the Presence of God and of his Spirit Fear not for I am with thee I am thy God I will strengthen thee yea I will help thee yea I will uphold thee Isa 41.10 Fear not O Israel thou art mine when thou passest through the waters I will be with thee they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest thro' the fire thou shalt not be burnt Isa 43. beg Be content with such things as ye have for he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.5 If a man love me he will keep my words and my father will love him and we will come to him and make our abode with him John 14.23 Turn you at my reproof behold I will pour out my Spirit into you Prov. 1.23 It is convenient for you that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come but if I depart I will send him to you John 16.7 If ye being evil know how to give good Gifts to to your Children how much more shall your heavenly father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him Luke 11.13 I will pray to the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you John 14.16 18. Experiences of the Presence of the Spirit of God Though I walk through the valley of the shaddow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me Psa 23.4 Joseph was sold into Egypt but the Lord was with Joseph and he shewed him mercy Gen. 39.21 Lo I see four men loose walking in the midst of the fire and they have no hurt and the form of the fourth is like the son God Dan. 3.25 Solomon was strengthened in his Kingdom and the Lord his God was with him and magnified him exceedingly 2 Chron. 1.1 Hereby we know that we dwell in him and he in us because he hath given us of his Spirit 1 John 4.3 God which knoweth the hearts bear them witness viz. the Gentiles giving them his spirit even as he did to us Acts 15.8 The Holy Ghost fell on them which heard the word Acts 10.44 Barnabas was a good man and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith Acts 11.24 The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Ghost Acts 13. last Eleventhly Promises of Perseverance I will make an Everlasting Covenant with them that I will not turn away from them to do them good but I will put my fear into their hearts that they shall not depart from me Jer. 32.40 I will give them everlasting Life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand John 10.28 One thing is needful Mary hath chosen the better part which shall never be taken from her Luke 10. last Who will confirm you to the end that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 1.8 I pray God that your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ faithful is he that hath called you who will also do it 1 Thess 5.23 24. The Gifts and calling of God are without repentance Rom. 11.29 Being confident of this thing that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ Phil. 1.6 Experiences of Perseverance The high places were not removed nevertheless Asa his heart was perfect with the Lord all his days 1 King 15.14 I have fought the good fight I have finished my course I have kept the faith Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness 2 Tim. 4.7 8. Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace for I have seen thy salvation Luke 2.29 The house built upon the rock though the rain descended and the flood came and the winds blew yet kept his standing Mat. 7. lat These all dyed in the faith Heb. 11.13 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation 1 Pet. 1.5 I have been young and now am old yet have not seen the righteous forsaken Psal 37.25 My flesh and my heart faileth me but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever Psal 73.26 Twelfthly Promises of the Possession of Heaven Fear not little flock it is your Fathers good will to give a Kingdom Luke 12.32 Eye hath not seen ear hath not heard nor hath it entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him 1 Cor. 2.9 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of Life which the Lord hath promised to them that love him James 1.12 When the chief shepherd shall appear ye shall receive a Crown of Glory that faideth not way 1 Pet. 5.4 Fear none of these things which thou shalt suffer ye shall have tribulation 10 days be faithful unto death and I will give thee a Crown of Life Rev. 2.10 You have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting Life Rom. 6.22 Of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance for ye serve the Lord Christ Col. 3.24 Experiences of the Possession of Heaven Be ye followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the Promises Heb. 6.12 Lazarus dyed and was carried by the Angels into Abraham's bosom Luke 16.2 Then talked with him two men which were Moses and Elias who appeared in glory Luke 9.30.21 The Spirits of just men made perfect Heb. 12.23 Heaven is called the inheritance of the Saints because they do inherit it Col. 1.12 A Song of Praise THe World 's a toy let me imploy My Soul in higher things Than upon those that create woes And carry cruel Stings My Fears are great Sorrow my Meat And humane Faith is gone On Pilgrimage for in this Age Amongst us there is none Thy faithfulness O God I bless And cannot but admire That Love is cold and yet behold None warm it at this Fire But O my Soul do not condole But Triumph thou in Praise Greatly rejoice with Hearts and Voice Let Joy thy Spirits raise Mind not the Rod rejoice in God That never failed thee Thou knowest this faithful he is And so will ever be Thou hast been Low and