promised Awake my soule why sleepest thou arise and lay hold vpon the promises of life which God of his great mercy in Iesus Christ doth offer vnto thee in the Gospell Be not dismayed by reason of thine vnworthinesse for the promise is of grace freely offered and freely giuen to them that be most vnworthy in their owne eyes Thou art vnworthy of the least crumme of mercy but of his rich mercie God hath made promise of highest aduancement vnto thee 2. Cor. 6.18 if thou wilt embrace it I will be a Father vnto you and ye shall be my sonnes and daughters saith the Lord Almighty He that ouercommeth shall inherit all things And I will be his God he shall be my sonne Apoc. 21.7 Rom. 9.26 And it shall be in the place where it was said vnto them ye are not my people that there they shall be called the children of the liuing God Life eternall is giuen of grace not sold for works receiued by faith not purchased by desert and the more worthlesse thou art in thy owne lowly conceit the more shal the grace of God be magnified in thine exaltation Christ hath purchased righteousnesse euerlasting life belieue in him and liue for euer The Son of God debased himselfe to become the Sonne of Man Gal 4 4 5. Phil. 2.7 8. and to be made vnder the law that he might redeeme vs that were vnder the Law that wee might receiue the Adoption of sonnes Oh the bountifulnesse and loue of God to man Titus 3 4. by so great a price to purchase so high a dignity that we shold bee called the Sonnes of God and bee pertakers with Christ of all his glorie in his Fathers kingdome O my soule why art thou so dull and sluggish Wherefore dost thou not put forth thy selfe to embrace and receiue such an inestimable benefit If the worth of things may be measured by their price well then may the Sonship of true Belieuers be valued at the highest rate Who can sufficiently admire the dignitie of this estate to be the Sonne of God which could not bee procured saue only by this infinite price the making of him become nothing by whom God in the beginning made euery thing It is esteemed a matter of great honour to be the seruant of the Prince in some speciall place of eminencie in the Common-wealth How doe men seeke and sue for such Offices how do they reioyce when their desires are accomplished But there is no comparison betwixt the seruant of a Prince and the Sonne of God the fauour of a Prince and the Fatherly loue of God the dignitie of the Court and the Ioyes of Heauen a temporall office and an eternall inheritance It is better and more honourable to be the seruant of God then the Commander of men to be an heire apparant to Heauen then the possessor of the whole World There is a great opinion and not without iust cause of the estate of our first Parents Adam and Eue whilest they were in Paradise before their fall But their estate notwithstanding all their priuiledges ornaments and fauours exceeded not the condition of seruants Had they continued in obedience to their Creator they should haue beene exempted from all miserie and confirmed in perfect blessednesse But they could neuer haue attained this dignitie To bee made the Sonnes of God by Adoption of meere rich and vndeserued loue in Christ And is it not an admirable prerogatiue to bee brought by Christ into a more excellent state then that which Adam in his innocencie and glorie had iust cause to wonder at The low degree from which we are raised doth commend this and as the gratiousnesse of him who preferreth so the excellencie of that state whereunto the Belieuer is exalted Of the seruants of sinne to be made the Sonnes of God of the vassals of Satan to bee taken to raigne with Christ in glory for euermore of children of wrath dead in trespasses to be begotten againe to the hope of an inheritance immortall vndefiled that fadeth not what an vnspeakable fauour is this O my soule arise stirre vp thy selfe stedfastly to receiue the promise of life and hold it fast for Gods promises are certaine neuer lesse but rather more in accomplishment then in tender Enter possession and get the inheritance sealed vnto thee Would not a poore Beggar if he should vnderstand of some great and goodly inheritance bequeathed vnto him in a farre countrey much reioyce therein long to goe see it and take possession of it In matters of weight men loue great earnest and good assurance for great aduantage they will endure any paines hazard many difficulties Did men know the worth and glory of the kingdome of Heauen freely offered and that without all expiration of time to be possessed here in part of them that will receiue it fully hereafter when their dayes on earth be determined would they not seeke it with all earnestnesse inquire after good euidence get sound assurance and labour the possession of it more and more Men seeke earthly things and often misse of their desires but the promise of Heauen is sure and stedfast and hee that resteth vpon the Lord shall not bee confounded Euerlasting life is freely offered but men are not left at libertie whether they will receiue and seeke it or no. John 3.36 Hee that belieueth on the Sonne hath euerlasting life and he that belieueth not the Sonne shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Doe not they perish worthily who preferre the pleasures of sinne and honours of this transitorie life before life euerlasting promised of grace purchased by Christ full laden with all fruits of true life ioy peace and all choicest pleasures beyond comparison exceeding whatsoeuer can be enioyed in this world both in worth and endlesse settlednesse The labour to make Heauen sure which is full of pleasure and delight doth ease the heart of many burdensome distracting and cutting care For if thou be the childe of God Ephes 2.18 3.12 thou hast libertie to come into his presence and to make thy requests knowne vnto him with thankesgiuing Nothing that is truly euill shall betide thee The plague shall not come nigh thy Tabernacle Psal 91.10.13 Thou shalt walke vpon the Lion and Aspe and tread them vnder feet God will prouide all things necessary for soule and bodie and see that no good thing be wanting vnto thee Psal 34.10 Math. 6.33 Seeke first the kingdome of God and his righteousnesse and all these things shall be added vnto you What then should withdraw or hold me backe from belieuing the promise and seeking the possession of that inheritance It is God who hath freely pâ—omised it who can and will performe whatsoeuer hee hath spoken it is Christ who hath purchased it by the sacrifice of himselfe once for all why then should I doubt I am commanded to belieue and belieuing the possession of life is gâ—uen
all Verse 14. And I will satiâ—te the soule of the priests with fatnesse and my people shall be satisfied with goodnesse saith the Lord. Ezek 34 25 26. 27. I will make with thâ—m a couenant of peace and will cause the euill beast to cease out of the Lâ—nd and thâ—y shall dwell saf ly in the wildernesse and sleepâ— in the woods And I will mâ—ke them and the places round about my hill a blessing and I will cause the showre to come downe in his season there shall be showres of blessing And the tree of the field shall yeeld her fruite and the earth shall yeelâ— her increase and they shalâ— be safe in their land and shall know that I am the Lord I will call for corne and encrease it Ezek. 36.29 30 and 34 29. and lay no famine vpon you And I will â—ultiply the fruite of the tree and the incrâ—ase of the field that y e shall no more â—eceiue reproch of famine among the hâ—athen I will eu n â— t oth thee vnto me in faithfulnesse Hos 2.20 21 22. and thou shalt know the Lord. And it shall come to passe in that day I will â—eare saith the Lord I will heare the heauens and â—â—ey shall hearâ— the earth and the earth shall heare the â—â—rne and the wine the oyle Now seeing the Lord hath by promise and couenant againe and againe repeated for our confirmation assuâ—ed vs of all needfull blessings it is our duty by faith to make these ptomises our owne and rest quietly vpon his word to finde reliefe at such time and in such measure as he knowes to be expedient and may be for our good Thirdly And this wee may the rather be incouraged vnto considering the relation which is betwixt God and vs for he is our faithfull creatour wee the worke of his hands hee is our Sheepheard wee the flocke of his pasture he is our Father wee his children Let them that suffer according to the will of God 1. Pet. 4.19 commit the keeping of their soules to him in well-doing as vnto a faithfull Creatour 1. Pet. 5.7 Psal 23.1 Cast all your care vpon him for he he careth for you The Lord is my sheepheard I shall not want As a sheepheard seeketh out his flocke in the day that he is among his sheepe that are scattered Ezek. 34.12 13. so will I seeke out my sheepe and will deliuer them out of all places where they haue beene scattared in the cloudy and darke day And I will bring them out from the people and gather them from the countries Verse 14. and will bring them to their owne land and feede them vpon the mountaines of Israel by the riuers and in all the inhabited places of the country I will feede them in a good pasture and vpon the high mountaines of Israel shall their fold be there shall they lye in a good fold and in a fat pasture shall the feed vpon the mountaines of Israel Mat. 6.31.32 Take no thought saying What shall we eate or what shall we drinke or wherewith shall we be clothed for your heauenly Father knoweth that yee haue need of all these things God is the great Father of the family who prouideth all things necessarie for them that bee vnder his gouernment Psal 104 27. Psal 145.15 16 The eyes of all waite vpon thee and thou giuest them their meate in due season Thou openest thine hand and satisfiest the desire of euery liuing thing Psal 146.9 Iob 38.41 Mat. 6.26 Hee giueth to the beast his food and to the young rauens which crie It is his propertie who is the cheife good to communicate his blessings vnto his creatures much more to compasse them with mercie that depend vpon him Hee hath put this naturall affection into Parents nay into bruite beasts to tender their young ones and shall not hee much more prouide for them that crie vnto him day and night for reliefe and succour The Lords portion is his people Deut. 32.9 Ier. 10.16 51.19 Iacob is the lot of his inheritance and God is the portion of his people Hee hath chosen them and they haue giuen themselues to him they relie vpon him and he hath vndertaken to make plentifull prouision for them Lam. 3.24 The Lord is my portion saith my soule therefore will I hope in him The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup thou maintainest my lot Psal 16.5 6. The lines are fallen vnto me in a pleasant places yea I haue a goodly heritage The Lord by his speciall prouidence will make that prosperous vnto the righteous which they possesse be it little or much There is nothing better for a man then Eccles 2.24 that he should eate and drinke and that hee should make his soule enioy good in his labour This also I saw and it was from the hand of God And this gift the Lord freely giues to the man whom he doth approue Verse 26. To the man that is good in his sight God giueth wisdome and knowledge and Ioy to wit together vse earthly blessings with delight comfort The reuenues of the righteous are small many times but their state is comfortable Psal 37.16 for the little that the righteous man hath is better then much riches of many and mightie wicked ones who flow in wealth and excell in power Prou. 15.16 17 17.1 Better is a litle with the feare of the Lord then great treasure and trouble therewith Better is a dinner of herbs where loue is then a stalled Oxe and hatred therewith God giueth his beloued sleepe Psal 127.2 Prou. 10.22 And it is the blessing of God which maketh rich and he addeth no sorrow with it Fourthly The patient expâ—ctation of the Saints hath confirmed this that God will not bee wanting to his children in things of this life so farre as may bee for their spirituall welfare Psal 37.25 26. I haue beene young and now am old yet haue I not seene the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread Hee is euer mercifull and lendeth and his seed is blessed The children of the needie shall bee succoured in due season for God who knoweth their wants is faithfull to pe forme promise The acts of faith in respect of these promises The acts of faith in respect of these promises and blessings are First it preserueth from the vse of all vnlawfull means knowing that nothing can prosper which God approues not Esay 30.7 The Egyptians shall helpe in vaine and to no purpose therefore haue I cryed concerning this Their strength is to sit still Hosea 5.13 14. When Ephraim saw his sicknesse and Iudah saw his wound then went Ephraim to the Assyrian and sent to King Ioreb yet could he not heale you noâ— cure you of your wound If a man be soundly perswaded that the blessing of God is all in all hee will ply that fare
delight This is a true saying The charter anciently giuen by that great Lord of all at our first conuersion touching the vse of his creatures was forfeited into the hands of the Doner by Adams fall But it is restored and renewed by Christ to them who aâ—e honoured with the Adoption The heires of heauen are the right inheritors of the earth The Sonnes of God by Adoption are Brethren and Coheires with Christ whom the Father hath appointed heire of all things Rom. 8.17 and hence ariseth vnto them the holy vse of â—he creatures Heb. 1.2 and ministerie of the Angells Are chastisements needfull or behooffull for them Iere. 46.28 Esay 54.8 Heb. 12.10 11. Ier. 24.5 Esay 27.9 Psal 89.31.32 1. Pet 4.14 Rom. 8.28 Acts of Faith that arise from the priuiledges of the godly He will correct them in measure for a moment fâ—r good to take away sinne but his louing kindnesse he will not take from them nor suffer his faithfulnesse to faile Are they loaded with reproaches for righteousnesse sake The Spirit of glorie and of God shall rest vpon them In a word whatsoeuer may happen All things shall worke together for the best vnto them And seeing God hath prepared and promised such excellent priuiledges vnto his children in this life hence it is that faith resteth vpon his grace to receiue from him whatsoeuer may be good and profitable for them O how great is the goodnesse which thou hast laid vp for them that feare thee Psal 31.19 which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sonnes of men Verse 20. Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man thou shalt keepe them secretly in a pauilion Psal 36.7 from the strife of tongues How excellent is thy louing kindnesse O Lord therefore the children of men put their trust vnder the shadow of thy wings verse 8. They shall bee abundantly satisfied with the fulnesse of thy house and thou shalt make them drinke of the riuer of thy pleasures The Lord is my shepheard Psal 23.1 I shall not want He shall leade his flocke like a shepheard he shall gather the lambes with his arme Esay 40 11. and cary them in this bosome and shall gently lead those that are with young What can they want Psal 146.5 6 7 8 9. Leuit. 26.12 2. Cor. 6.16 Prou. 10.24 Esay 49.15 16. Deut. 14.2 who haue god to be their Father to prouide for them and protect them to blesse them and dwell with them to succour them and supply them with all needfull blessings spirituall and bodily in fittest season whose eare is open to their desires whose compassions exceed the tendernes of a mother to her sucking babe who hath chosen them to be his owne proper good which he loueth and keepeth in store for himselfe and for speciall vse Thou Israel art my seruant Iacob whom I haue chosen the seed of Abraham my friend Esay 41 8 9. Thou whom I haue taken from the ends of the earth and called thee from the chiefe men thereof and said vnto thee Thou art my seruant I haue chosen thâ—e and not cast thee away Feare thou not for I am with thee Verse 10. bee not dismayed for I am thy God I will strengthen thee yea I will help thee yea I will vphold thee with the right hand of my righteousnesse Verse 17. When the poore and needie seeke water and there is none and their tongue faileth for thirst I the Lord will heare them I the Lord of Israel will not forsake them Verse 18. I will open riuers in the high places and fountaines in the midst of the valleyâ—s I will make the wildernesse a poole of water and the dry land springs of water Secondly It petitioneth instantly for succour For it seeth in God whatsoeuer it needeth or desireth and will neuer cease to seeke reliefe The more confident it is to obtaine the more importunate it will bee in suing Oile put to the fire causeth the flame to ascend and the promises of helpe and succour receiued by faith put life and vigour into the petitions of faith Heare O Lord Psal 27.7 8. Verse 9. when I cry with my voice haue mercy also vpon mee and answere me Hide not thy face farre from me put not thy seruant away in anger thou hast beene my helpe leaue me not neither forsake me O God of my saluation Vnto thee wiâ—l I cry Psal 28.1 2. O Lord my rocke be not silent to me lest if thou be silent to me I become like them that goe downe into the pit Heare the voice of my supplications when I cry vnto thee when I lift vp my hands towards thy holy Oracle With-hold not thou thy tender mercies from me O Lord Psal 40.11 let thy louing kindnesse and thy truth continually preserue me Thirdly It receiueth earthly blessings as gifts of the couenant and part of his childes portion God vouchsafeth outward things to wicked men of common bountie but to his children the blessings of this life bee tokens of his loue and speciall good-will and so receiued and embraced by faith For substance the gift is one both to the Iust and vniust but in respect of the cause possession and vse there is great difference which is discerned by faith though it cannot be seene with the eye Hosea 2.20 21 22. I will euen betroth thee vnto me in faithfulnesse and thou shalt know the Lord. And it shall come to passe in that day I will heare saith the Lord I will heare the Heauens and they shall heare the Earth and the Earth shall heare the Corne and the Wine and the Oile and they shall heare Iezreel Fourthly Faith in these and the foresaid promises doth greatly enlarge the heart towards God and stirreth vp to a serious and earnest studie of holinesse If a Christian be much in the meditation of Gods singular goodnesse towards him euery manner of way aboue all that he could possibly aske or thinke it will euen constraine him to yeeld vp himselfe wholy vnto God in all manner of godly conuersation Psal 26.2 3. Examine me O Lord and proue me try my reines and my heart For thy louing kindnesse is before mine eyes and I haue walked in thy truth Fiftly It doth inwardly quiet and cheere the heart in the midst of manifold outward discouragements troubles and persecutions in the world Hope of glorie in due time to be reuealed and of continuall supply of all good th ngs from God in the meane space to bee freely giuen will stâ—blish the heart with strong consolation and cause in outward pâ—ofession of Ioy to the glory of God the encouragement of other faithfull people and the amazement of the wicked Heb. 10.34 This is to bee seene in the liues and deaths of Gods faithfull seruants who tooke ioyfully the spoiling of their goods knowing in themselues that they had
there is no want to them that feare him The yong Lions do lack and suffer hunger but they that seeke the Lord shall not want any good thing Trust in the Lord and doe good Psal 37.3 4. so shalt thou dwell in the land and verily thou shalt be fed Delight thy selfe also in the Lord Verse 11. Psal 22.26 Psal 37.19 Psal 84.12 and he shall giue thee the desires of thine heart The meeke shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselues in the abundance of peace The meeke shall eate and be satisfied For the Lord God is a sunne and shield the Lord will giue grace and glory no good thing will hee with-hold from them that walke vprightly Blessed is euery one that feareth the Lord that walketh in his wayes Psal 128.1 2. For thou shalt eate the labour of thy hands happy shalt thou bee and it shall bee well with thee I will abundantly blesse her prouision Psal 132.15 I will satisfie her poore with bread Matth. 6.33 Seeke yee first the kingdome of God and his righteousnesse and all these things shall be added vnto you This is that which is so oft repeated That it may goe well with thee in the land Deut. 5.16 6.3 12.25.28 which the Lord thy God giueth thee In speciall the Lord promiseth length of dayes Health strength wealth fauour peace Ioy Pâ—ou 21.21 good sâ—ccâ—sse safetie good Name â—nd all these not only â—o the â—â—ghteoâ—s thâ—mselues but to their children â—nd pâ—steritie Deut 5.33 Exod 20.2 Dâ—ut â—5 15 You shâ—ll walke in all the wayes which the Lord your God hath commanded you that yee mâ—y liue and that it may be well with you and that yee may prolâ—ng your dayes in the land which you shall possâ—sse Psal 34.12 13. Wâ—â—t man is â—e that desireth life and loueth many d yes that he may see good Keâ—pe thy tongue from euiâ— and thy lâ—ps from speaking guile My sonne forget not my law but l t thine heart keepe my Commandements Prou. 3.1 2. For lâ—ngth of dayâ—s and long life and peace shall they addâ— to thee Vâ—rse 16. Prou. 14.10 Prou. 9.11 10 27. Psal â—1 16 1. Kings 3.14 Length of dayâ—s is in her right hand and in her left hand riches and honour By mee thy dayes shall be muâ—tiplied and the yeares of thy life shall be increased With long life will I satisfiâ— him and shew him my saluation If thou wilt diligâ—ntly hâ—arken vnto the voice of the Lord thy God and wilt doe that which is right in his sigâ—t and wilt giue eare to his Commandements Exod. 15.26 13. â—5 Deut. â— 15 Psal 103.3 and kâ—â—pe all his statutes I will put none of these disâ—asâ—s vpon thee which I haue brought vpon the Egyptians fâ—r I am the Lord that healeth thee Feare the Lord and depart from euill It shall b health to thy nauill Prou. 3.7 8. 4.22 Esay 33.15.16 and marrow to thy bones He that waâ—keth righteâ—usly and speak th vprightly he that deâ—â—iseth the gaine of opprâ—ssions that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes that stoppeth his eares from hearing of bloud and shutteth his eyes from seeing euill Hee shall dwell on high his place of defence shall be the munitions of rockâ—s bread shall be giuen him his waters shall be sure Verse 14. And the inhabitant shall not sâ—y I am â—â—â—ke Iob 17.9 The righteous shall hold on his way and hee that hath cl ane hands shall bee stronger and stronger Psâ—l 29.11 Deut 8.18 Psal 103.5 The Lord will giue strength vnto his people â—he Lord will blâ—sse his people with peace It is the Lord thy God tâ—at giueth thee power to gâ—t wealth that hee may estâ—blish his couenant which he sware vnto â—â—y â—â—th r. Hâ—nour the Lord with thy ubstance Pro. 3 9 â—0 Mal. 3.10 and with the first f uâ—ts of all thine increase So shall thy barnes be filled with pâ—â—ntie and thy presses shall burst out with new wine Riches and honour are with me Pro. 8 1â—.19 yea durable riches and righteousnesse My fruite is b tter then g ld â—nd my reuenue th n choyse â—luâ—r In the house of the rightâ—â—us is much treasure Pro. 15 6. Psal 112.1.2 Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord that delighteth greatly is hâ—s Commaundements Wâ—alth ricâ—es shâ—ll be in his house and his righteousnâ—s endurâ—th for euer If thou râ—turne to the Almightie thou shalt be built vp thou shalt put away iniquitie far from thy tâ—bernacles Then shalt thou lay vp gold as dust Job 22 23 24.25 Ier. 31.12 and the gold of Ophyr as the stones of the brookes yea the Almighty shall bee tâ—y def nce and thou shalt haue plenty of â—â—luer 2. Cor. 9.8 9. And God is able to make all grace abound towards you that y e alwayes hauing all sufficience in all things may abound to euery good worke With all thy getting gâ—t vnderstanding exâ—lt her and shee shall promote thee shee shâ—â— bring thâ—e to honour Pro. 4.8.9 when thou doest embrace â—er Shee sha giue to thine head an ornament of grace a crown of glory shall shee deliuer to thee Pro. 3.4 So shalt thou finde fauour and good vnderstanding in the sight of God and man Then shalt thou walke in the way safely Verse 23. Pro. 1.33 and thy foote shall not stumblâ— Who so hearkâ—neth vnto mee shall dwell safely and shall bee quiet from feare of euiâ—l Because thou hast made the Lord which is my refuge Psal 91.9.10 euen the most high thy habitation There shall no euiâ—l befall thee ne ther shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling Thou shalt be hid from thâ— scourge of the tongue nâ—ither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it commeth Iob. 5.21.22 At destruction famine shalt thou laugh neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth And I will giuâ— peace in the land â—nd ye shaâ— lie downe Leu. 26.6 Iob. 5.23 and none shall make you â—fraid For thou shalt be in league with the stones of the fi ld and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee When a mans wayes plea e the Lord Pro. 16.6 hee maketh euen his enemies to be at peace with him 1. Sam. 2.30 Psal 37.6 Them that honour me I will honour And he shall bring forth thy righteousnesse as the light and thy iudgement as the noone day The wise shall inherite glory Pro. 3.35 Pro. 10.7 Psal 112.6 Pro. 13.18 Pro 10.6 Psal 1.3 The memory of the Iust is blessed the righteous shall be in euerlasting remembrance Hee that regardeth reproofe shall bee honoured Blessings are vpon the head of the Iust and whatsoeuer he doth shall prosper Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord c his seed shall be mightie vpon earth the generation of the vpright shall be blessed Psal 112.1.2 What man
They are spots in the feasts of Charitie Inde verse 12. Matth. 24.38 â—9 who feed without feare Eating drinking building matter of marriage the world shall be drowned in these when Christ comes to Iudgement How many times doe the best offend in lawfull things The pleasure we take in these things Iob 1.5 how insensibly doth it steale the heart away from spiâ—ituall delights how doth it indispose the frame of the soule to heauenly exercises how doth it cherish wrath Prou. 23.1 2 3. and foster vnbridled passions Daintie meates are very dangerous and deceitfull for the sensible delight they giue whereby the appetite is inordinately moued after them doth presse downe the soule that it cannot mount aloft in spirituall contemplation These euils faith doth wisely foresee and watch to preuent Sixtly It lifteth vp the soule in thankesgiuing Our Sauiour blessed the Table as well by praising God for his mercie Deut. 8.10 1 Tim. 4 4 as by prayer for a blessing The creatures are not ours but the Lords we must not meddle with them before wee haue craued leaue and when we haue made vse of them for supply of our necessitie we must not forget to returne praise If men borrow ought of their neighbour when they bring it home they forget not to giue thankes Great is the misery of man if hee want these outward comforts and the greater our miserie without them the more â—ncomprehensible is the Lords mercie in supplying our nâ—cessitie The prouidence of God in ministr ng daily food is no lesse wonderfull then was his feedâ—ng of Israel in the wildernesse with Mâ—nna and Quailes from Heauen for as we are not fed as they were so â—re we preserued from their necessitie That the earth should yeeld her increase for our daly sustenance so as wee feele no extremitie is it not as great a blessing as to bee supplied from Heauen when we are brought into distresse who would not chuse rather neuer to be sicke then to recouer by miracle what man would noâ— rather enioy the constant benefit of eye-sight then to bee restored after long blindnesse Besides they bee not simply fauours which for the present sustaine nature but they are some small pittance of our childs portion pawnes of our heauenly inheritance which doth adde much vnto their sweetnesse If friends be absent a letter a token serues much to maintaine loue and kindnesse now these be some of those loue-tokens which our heauenly Father sendeth vnto vs that he might draw our loue vnto him Seuenthly Faith is frugall compassionate industrious After wee haue beene refreshed it suffers not the meate which remâ—ineth to be lost but reserueth it for good vse At greater feasts it is mindfuâ—l of the poore Iohn 6.12 Amos 6.6 Esay 5.12 at ordinarie meales it remembers the affliction of Ioseph regardeth the worke of the Lord and consiâ—ereth the operation of his hâ—nds For the mercies of God receiued by faith doe leaue an imp ession of his mercie vpon the soule and so our compassion towards others is increased as the mercies of God are multiplied vpon vs. Daily refreshing renueth the continuall remembrance of our infirmities and begetteh a liuely sense of the miseries oâ— them that want and stand in neede And when vigour of Mâ—nde anâ— body is repaired it setteth vs about the worke and businesse whereunto wee are â—ppointed of God God giues none food to liue idle Men looke for work from them to whom they giue meate drinke and wages and shall not wee labour in the work of God who liue daily on his allowance CHAP. IX What it is to liue by faith touching the Commandements which God hath giuen for direction of our liues according to which wee ought to walke IN the word of grace the Lord calleth for vniuersall voluntarie sincere vniforme constant obedience and promiseth both to â—nable his Children to doe what is pleasing and to accept of their willing though weake seruice The first of these branches is apparent and well knowne to them thâ—t be any whit exercised in the word the second hath beene proued at large alreadie neuerthelesse that weake Christians might haue in readinesse some grounds of faith in these particulars it will not be sâ—perfluous to point to some passages of Scripture where they may see them confirmed The Lord calls for willing chearefull vniuersall vnfained constant obedience Gen. 17.1 Exod. 19.5 That Christians are bound to serue God willingly and cheerefully without constraint vniuersally in holines and righteousnes vnfainedly as in his sight al the dayes of their life constantly in all estates vnto the end these few texts may be sufficient to pâ—oue I am the Almighty God walke before me and be thou perfect If yee will obey my voyce indeede and keepe my couenant then yee shall be a peculiar treasure vnto mee aboue all people Deut. 5.29 and 6.2 O that there were such an heart in them that they would feare me and keepe my commandements alwayes that it might bee well with them Deut. 6.17 and with their Children for euer You shall diligently keepe the Commandements of the Lord your God â—f thou shalt hearken diligently vnto the voyce of the Lord thy God Deut. 28.1 to â—bseruâ— and to doe all his Commandements which I commaund thee this day the Lord thy God will set thee on high aboue all the nations of the earth Take diligent heede to doe the commaundement and the lâ—w which Moses the seruant of the Lord charged you Josh 22.5 and 23.8 24.14 1 Chro. 28.9 to loue the Lord your God and to walke in all his wayes and to keâ—pe his Commandements and to cleaue vnto him and to serue him with all your heart and withall your soule Blessed are they that keepe iudgement Psal 106.3 and he that doth iustice at all times To this end are we deliuered out of the hâ—nds of our enemies Luk. 1.74.75 that we might serue him without feare in holinâ—sse and righteousnesse before him all the dayes our life Pro 23.17 Be thou in the feare of the Lord all the day long And looke what seruice the Lord doth expect and call for Psal 25.12 that he will enable his people in couenant to performe What man is he that feareth the Lord him will he teach in the way that he shall chuse Deut. 30.6 The Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart and the heart of thy seed to the loue Lord thy God with all thy heart and withall thy soule that thou maist liue Verse 8. Ieremi 24.7 And thou shalt returne and obey the voyce of the Lord and doe all his commandements which I commaund thee this day And I will giue them an heart to know mee that I am the Lord Ezek. 11.19 and they shall be my people and I will be their God for they shall returne vnto me with their whole heart And I will put a new Spirit within you and I will
is he that feareth the Lord him shall he teach in the way that he shall chuse His soule shall dwell at ease Psal 25. â—2 13. Pro. 11.21 and his seede shall inherite the earth Though hand ioyne in hand the wicked shall not bee vnpunished but the seede of the righteous shall bee deliuered Pro. 14 20. Pro. 20.7 In the feare of the Lord is strong confidence and his children shall haue a place of refuge The Iust man walketh in his integritie his children are blessed after him Iob. 5.25 These and such like be the promises concerning temporall blessings which God of his infinite grace and loue hath made to the faithfull and their posterity that we might liue by faith quietly submitting our selues to the good pleasure of God in these things and expecting from him in due season such reliefe as shall bee most expediâ—nt It is necessary to belieue those promised First This is necessary for faith in these promises doth kill couetous desires distrustfull and distracting eares Let your conuersation bee without couetousnesse and be content with such things as yee haue For he hath saide I will neuer leaue thee nor forsake thee Man is priuie to his want of blessings Heb. 13.5 and will neuer cease with excessiue care deligence and vexation to hunt after them till hee come to knowe that God will prouide for him When one hath great friends which they are knowne to leane vpon wee say of them Such neede take no care they know such and such will see to them On the contrarie come to one who knowes no end of toyling and caring aske him why will you thus tyre your selfe out He will answere I must needs doe it I haue none but my selfe to trust to Math. 6.30.32 So Christ followeth his Disciples carefulnesse to this doore their vnbeliefe which did not let them consider our heauenly Father cared for them No present estate though neuer so great can free the heart from distraction 1. Pet. 5.5 because it is subiect to decay and vanish wee shall neuer cast the burden of care off our owne shoulders till we learne by faith to cast it vpon the Lord whose eye is ouer vs for good Secondly Hee will neuer renounce carnall supports who makes not God the stay of his soule for outward things Hee will trust in the abundance of his riches Psal 52.7 wisdome friends or strength that makes not God his strength The heart of man being priuie to his inability to sustaine himselfe if he be not vnderset will seeke out some prop true or false sound or rotten to leane vnto They will goe downe to Aegypt for helpe Esay 31.1 and 22 10 11 12. and stay on horses and trust in Chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong who looke not to the holy one of Israel seeke not the Lord. Thirdly Beliefe in God brings good successe The Lord will be intreated to showre his blessings plentifully vpon them that put their trust in him 2. Chro. 20.20 1. Chro. 5.20 2. Chro. 16.7 8. Belieue in the Lord your God so shall yee be established belieue his prophets so shall yee prosper Men are ashamed to falsifie the trust that is reposed in them And shall the Lord frustrate the desire of them that hope in his mercy Fourthly If we cleaue not to the promises of God made concerning temporall things we shall adhere to the promises of life with lesse assurance 2. Cor. 1.20 Both promises flow from one fountaine euen Gods euerlasting loue are stablished in the same mediatour and receiued by the same faith yea the promises of life euerlasting as more spirituall and furthest remoued from sence are in themselues more difficult to bee belieued so that our assurance of them câ—nnoâ— bâ— gâ—eatâ—r 〈◊〉 our coâ—fidence in â—od â—or the other whiâ—h conce ne thiâ— lâ—fe so fâ—rrâ— as he seeth it to be for our good and the glory of his gâ—eâ—t name if we bee instructâ—d exercised and assaâ—lted in both alike Christianâ— are of asâ—â—â—l ed touching these promises â—nd many vertuoâ—s and godly men not duly consiâ—ering and embracing them by fâ—â—th are â—â—ch perplexed in themselues Psa 116.11 Psal 31.22 I said in â—y hast said Dauid when he fled from Saul anâ— hiâ— heart began to fâ—int â—ll men are lyâ—rs euen the prophâ—ts who told me I should be king haue deceiued me Distrust in the â—emporall p omiseâ— of God hath driuen the fa thfuâ—l to mâ—ny hard dangerous shifts and bâ—ene the o casion oâ— diue â—s sl pâ— and some dangerous falls The examples of Abraham Dauid â—nd many o thers together with daily experience in all places doe sâ—fficiently testifie thus much Fiftly Faith sweeteneth â—nd sanctifieth vnto vs the vse of all outward comforts vndeâ— our hands Meate apparrell riches honours â—hough lawfully coâ—passâ—d and in abundance possessed yeeld but a sowre tast in comparison are but of small profit when they bee not vsed in faith Nay blâ—ssings not receiued and vsed in faith beâ—ome Idols Marke 10 24. or occasions of Idolatrie for either we trust in them or be lifâ—eâ— vp in our selues by reason of them The rich mans weâ—lth is his strong City hee reioyceth in his riches â—ro 10. â—5 Psal 62.10 Pro. 30.8.9 and hath in his thoughts to doe great matters by them Giue mee neither pouertie nor riches feed mee with food conu nient for me Lest I be full and denie thee and say who is the Lord. The godly are allowed to liue by faith touching these temporall promises The godly are â—llowed to liue by faith as â—â—ching these promises and the sanctified vse of Gods blessings which they â—nioy First For seeing God hâ—th giuen Christ for vs as the Apostle reasoneth how shâ—ll hee not with him also freely giue vs all things Hee hath giuen his sonne the fountaine of all good things Rom. 8 3â— what is it then that hee will d â—â—e vnto vs Esay 7.19 The p omise of Christ before his incarnation was to the Iewes a seale of all temporall good â—hings p omised But we know God hâ—th giuen his sonnâ— not onely to be borâ—e bâ—t to â—ie for vs which is an vnâ—oâ—â—eâ— t ken that he will denie vs nothing that may be for our good â—nd comfo t. Secondly The Lord by couenant hath promised to furnish his people with all needfull blessings pertaining to thiâ— life He thâ—t scattered Israel will gâ—ther him Ier. 31.10.11.12 and keepe him as a sheepeheard doth his flocke For the Lord hath redeemed Iacob and ransomed him from the hand of him that was stronger thâ—n he Therefore they shall come and sing in the h ight of Zion shall slow together to the goodnesse of the Lord for wheat and fâ—r wine and for oyle and for the young of the flocke and of the herd their soule shall bee as a watered garden and they shall not sorrow any more at