keepe the Law for GOD must inable to both And true repentance saith hee is never too late GOD hath promised pardon to the penitent there is no exception of sinne times or persons but at what time soever what sinner soever repents him of what sinne soever he shall be forgiven This cannot be denied but yet though true repentance be never too late late repentance is seldome true and though GOD hath promised pardon to the penitent yet hee hath not promised repentance to the sinners Thirdly thou knowest not whether ever thou shalt have time for hee promiseth not tomorrow to the offendour who is alwaies ready to receive the penitent One saith GOD hath left man time past to repent of and time present to repent in but the time to come he hath reserved in his owne hands 3. The Promises are most firme and faithfull GOD is true in all his promises be they never so great or wonderfull heaven and earth shall sooner passe away then one piece of his promise faile Rom. 4.16 GOD cannot lie Tit. 1.2 nor denie himselfe 2 Tim. 2.13 He may as easily denie himselfe as his word David often in 119. Psalme giveth this epithite to GODS Word Iust and righteous Word 106 123 137 144 verses Paul often useth this preface This is a true saying and of all men worthy to be beleeved or this is a faithfull saying 1 Tim. 1.15 1 Tim. 4.9 2 Tim. 2.11 Tit. 3.8 Revel 21.5 22.6 it is called The Word of truth Iam. 1.18 Ephes. 1.13 Col. 1.5 The words of the LORD are pure words as silver tried in a fornace of earth purirified seven times Psal. 12.6 Psal. 18.30 Psal. 119.140 Pro. 30.5 As the gold and silver that hath beene often tried doth never deceive men so the divine promises doe not deceive those that trust in them because the truth and goodnesse of them hath beene continually tried by others and graciously performed by GOD himselfe His Covenant is called a Covenant of salt 2 Chron. 13.5 that is a stable and sure Covenant an everlasting Covenant Gen. 17.7 Esay 55.3 Ezek. 16.60 this phrase is frequently used in Scripture GOD that keepeth Covenant Deut. 7.9 Dan. 9.4 Nehem. 1.5 9.32 2 Chron. 6.14 15. Psal. 89.34 Esay 54.10 All the promises of GOD are Yea and Amen in CHRIST 2 Cor. 1.20 Not onely Yea but Yea and Amen Not onely firme and faithfull in themselves but such as shall be made good to the soules of GODS people in full perfection We may call in experience to witnesse this truth GOD hath not onely made good his Covenant to his friends but to his enemies and strangers Deut. 2. Iosh. 23.5 10 14 15. He kept touch with Iehu for the kingdome for foure generations according to his promise He is faithfull to those that deale perfidiously in the Covenant Rom. 3.3 4. He makes good his promises in the circumstances of them keepes the very houre as it were Gen. 15.13 16. compared with Exod. 12.41 therefore this phrase is often used as the LORD hath said or as the LORD hath promised Deut. 10.9 18.26 27.2 Ioel 2.32 Iosh. 23.5 10. We might instance in particulars and shew how the promises of GOD have still beene fulfilled as that first promise of CHRIST Gen. 3.15 we may see fulfilled Luke 1.68 to 73. Gal. 4.4 and that particular promise to preserve Noah in the Arke Gen. 6.18 fulfilled Gen. 8. those made to Abraham Isaac and Iacob But I leave this to the observation of Christians themselves GODS Love and mercy is the onely reason of making promises but his truth justice fidelity power and glory are the reasons of fulfilling them The LORD did not set his love upon you nor choose you saith Moses to Israel because yee were more in number then any people but because the LORD loved you that is the ground of making the promise and because hee would keepe the oath which he had sworne to your fathers that was the ground of performing his promise For thy words sake and according to thine owne heart saith David hast thou done all these great things according to thine owne heart that is ex mero motu out of pure and unexcited love thou didst give thy Word and promise and for thy Word sake thou hast performed it Thou wilt performe saith the Prophet The truth to Jacob and the mercy to Abraham which thou hast sworne unto our father from the daies of old Why truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham the promise after a sort began in Abraham therefore hee is called the Father of the faithfull and when GOD makes a promise it is onely out of mercy but the promise was continued unto Iacob who being Abrahams seed was an heire of the Promise and so the inheritance which was out of mercy given unto Abraham did out of truth and fideliâ—y descend unto Iacob the seed of Abraham and therefore we shall find Covenant Mercy and Oath joyned together in the Scripture Deut. 7.12 Luke 1.72 73. to note unto us both the ground of making the Covenant Mercy and the ground of performing the Covenant made the Truth and Fidelity of GOD. GODS very name JEHOVAH declareth that he is constant and will performe his promise because as he giveth being to all things so he makes that to be which he hath promised By my Name JEHOVAH was I not knowne to them Exod. 6.3 He meaneth that though he made many promises to them especially concerning their possession of Canaan yet he did not shew himselfe to be JEHOVAH an Accomplisher of his promises that he reserved to future generations ver 8. Therefore whensoever in any of the Prophets GOD promiseth or threatneth any great matter to assure us of the most certaine event of such his promise or threatning he addes unto it his Name JEHOVAH as Ezek. 5.17 Ier. 31.31 in which Chapter being wholy promissorie concerning the New Covenant of grace and free pardon of sinnes which the Church obtaineth thorough CHRIST it is repeated 33 times It was the end 1. Of CHRISTS Incarnation to shew that GOD would be mindfull of his promise Luke 1.72 2. Of his Ministery to assure and confirme the promises made before to the Fathers Romanes 15.8 3. They are sealed with the blood of CHRIST the Testator Heb. 9.16 and therefore are said to be all in him Yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1.20 that is sure and infallible They are sealed in his Spirit all beleevers are said to be sealed by the Spirit of promise Ephes. 1.13 and this is GODS privie Seale GOD hath sealed to all his promises in the Sacraments Rom. 4.11 which are given to us as GODS broad Seales to ratifie his Covenant and all his promises made unto his Church they are outward pledges to confirme our faith and make the promises though not more sure yet more credible to us The promises are in some places called in the singular number
oath and promises These Promises are of all needfull things in the world both Spirituall and Temporall of assistance under all crosses and of deliverance from them and at length of eternall glory and happinesse in Heaven which because it is furthest off and includeth in it an accomplishment of all other promises is the most proper object of Hope in which respect the Scripture doth thus intitle it hope of salvation 1 Thess. 5.8 hope of eternall life Tit. 3.7 hope of glory Rom. 5.2 At this Cape of good hope arrives every good Christian every true Israelite The rest are either hopelesse being Aliens from the Covenant of promise or over-hoping without evidence and due qualification fondly expecting the promise 2. The Promises are the obiects of our Faith and also the foundation of it whatsoever is promised may and must be beleeved and whatsoever is beleeved without a promise is rather presumed The Gospell is called the Word of Faith Rom. 10.18 the Ephesians beleeved after that they heard the Gospell Ephes. 1.13 The object of true faith is 1. Principall the promise of salvation by CHRIST this is the maine promise So GOD loved the world that hee gave his onely begotten Sonne to the end that whosoever beleeveth in him should not perish but have everlasting life 2. All inferiour Promises annexed thereunto of Temporall blessings as food raiment health peace liberty deliverance in temptations safety in dangers c. these depend upon the maine promise of CHRIST so farre forth as they are for our good for in CHRIST all the promises of GOD whether they concerne life eternall or this temporall life are yea and Amen that is sure and certaine to GODS children True Faith first of all directly and plainely fasteneth it selfe on the maine promise of GOD in CHRIST but after and with this on all other promises that concerne soule or body The Heart that saith by faith GOD will pardon my sinne and save my soule will say also by the same faith GOD will give me foode and raiment and all things sufficient for this life Rom. 4.18 Abraham by the same faith wherby hee was justified beleeved GODS promise that he should have a Sonne in his old age and Noah beleeved GODS promise of his preservation in the Arke by the same faith whereby He was made Heire of righteousnesse First faith apprehends mercy in CHRIST and then providence for this life Justifying Faith beleeves the Creation and all other holy truths Heb. 11. besides the Promises therefore the promises are not the onely object of Faith But not imploying her selfe about them as her speciall object but presupposing them as necessary Antecedents Justifying Faith beleeves other promises besides that of CHRIST and salvation by Him as concerning strength in tentations moderation of afflictions comforts of this life True but as Appendants and Appurtenances to the maine and principall Promise for in CHRIST that is the Fundamentall Promise concerning CHRIST All that is the other depending Promises are yea and Amen The proper and peculiar object then of Justifying faith is the Evangelicall promise other things are beleeved some as necessary Antecedents some as necessary Consequents of this But Faith findes life and salvation neither in the histories of the Creation nor in the Legall Commandements threatnings promises but onely in the Covenant of Grace CHAP. 11. 2. The Kinds of them SOme divide them thus The Promises are either Generall or Particular Reall or Personall Conditionall or Free Temporall or Eternall Others thus They are either Spirituall or Temporall concerning this life or the life to come of things simply necessary to salvation or of things good in themselves but not alwaies good for us The Promises are either Legall or Evangelicall Generall or Particular Principall or lesse Principall Direct or by Consequent Absolute or Conditionall Temporall Spirituall or Eternall There are Promises Legall and Evangelicall Legall are made on condition of workes as the perfect keeping of the Law which none since Adam save CHRIST can lay claime to Deut. 7.12 Ier. 7.3 23. These should be uneffectuall if CHRIST had not for us fulfilled that righteousnesse whereupon they hang Gal. 2.16 Evangelicall are made on condition of beleeving and repenting 2 Cor. 7.10 Iohn 3.15 These are made to the worker not for the merit of his worke but for CHRISTS merit in which both his person and worke are accepted Legall Promises or sentences may be found in the New Testament as Rom. 2.8 9. to the 13 Rom. 10.5 Gal. 3.10 12. and Evangelicall promises of grace may be found in the Old Testament as Psal. 32.1 2. Ier. 31.31 32. Both these are either Generall or indefinite propounded to all Exodus 20.6 Iohn 3.16 17 18. Or Particular directed to some kinde of persons few or one Exod 20.12 Matth. 9.2 Numb 25.12 13. There are Promises Principall and lesse Principall 1. Principall as righteousnesse remission of sins 2. Lesse Principall deliverance in afflictions safety in dangers health wealth There are direct or expresse Promises and Promises by consequent Direct as that which was made to Abraham of a Sonne Gen. 18. to Paul that not one in the ship should lose his life Acts 27. Promises are implied by consequence either in the examples or prayers of faithfull Saints 1. In their examples by those blessings which they have enjoyed GODS giving it to one is a promising it to all Thus doth S. Iames urge that end which GOD gave to Iobs troubles as a ground of our faith to make us waite for a like deliverance in troubles S. Paul assures us that for this cause GOD comforted him in his tribulation that hee might be able to comfort them which were in any trouble by the comfort wherewith hee was comforted of GOD 2 Cor. 1.4 Whatsoever things were written whether precepts promises threatnings or examples are written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15.4 2. In their prayers by those things which they prayed for in faith and obtained The Faithfull calling upon GOD and GODS gracious hearing of them are as much as a promise that GOD in such and such things will heare us calling upon him David made this a ground of his faith Psal. 22.4 5. There are Promises Absolute and Conditionall 1. Absolute which GOD hath simply determined to accomplish even as they are propounded as before CHRIST was manifested in the flesh the promise of the Messiah Esay 7.14 and of calling the Gentiles Esay 42.1 since that time the promise of calling the Jewes Rom. 11.26 and of CHRISTS second comming in glory Matth. 24.30 2. Conditionall which are no further promised then GOD in wisedome seeth to be most meete for his owne glory and his childrens good Thus are promised 1. All temporall blessings which Lazarus wanted 2. Freedome from all crosses and troubles Iob and other Saints had their part in
the promise to assure us that it is as easie for GOD to fulfill all that goodnesse contained in all those Promises as if they were but one onely Promise We promise and many times faile either by the mutability of our will the imbecillity of our power or the scantnesse of our knowledge not being able to foresee impediments But GOD is neither mutable weake nor ignorant His promises are made in heaven where there is no inconstancie nor repentance For I the LORD change not therefore yee sonnes of Jacob are not consumed Mal. 3.6 as if hee had said I promised not to consume you and you can tell I have kept promise with you for yee are not consumed to this day With him there is no variablenesse nor shadow of turning Iam. 1.17 GOD cannot lie 1 Sam. 15.29 nor repent He cannot lie in making a promise nor repent in fulfilling it GOD is also infinite in wisdome to contrive and in power to bring about the execution of his owne will Hee is onely wise Rom. 16.27 1 Tim. 1.17 The LORD knoweth to deliver the righteous out of trouble GOD is able to accomplish what he hath promised All things are possible to him Mar. 10.27 Nothing is too hard for him Ier. 32.27 Gen. 18 14. Num. 11.23 He câ—nnot be hindered by weaknesse Hee is Almighty Revel 1.8 Hee that is able of stones to raise up children unto Abraham Matth. 3.9 is able to take away our stony heart and give us a heart of flesh There is a promise made of calling the Jewes unto CHRIST and causing them to turne from transgression in Iacob Esay 59.20 But he who should consider the extreame obstinacie and stubbornenesse of that people against the Gospell would thinke it impossible that they should ever be pul'd out of the snare of the Divell therefore the Apostle makes GODS power the ground of certaintie in this promise Rom. 11.23 26. The HOLY GHOST also puts us in mind of GODS power to strengthen our faith in these promises following 1. The alteration of our corrupt nature Marke 10.23 2. All needfull grace GOD is able to make all grace abound 2 Cor. 9.8 3. Perseverance to the end Ioh. 10.28 29. 4. Supply of all necessities GOD that is able will supply them Philip. 4.19 5. Assistance in all trouble Psal. 89.13 21 22.23 6. Deliverance out of all evill Esay 50.2 7. The resurrection of our bodies Ephes. 1.19 20. 8. Eternall glorification Phil. 3.21 This motive taken from GODS Almighty power is used often in Scripture to stirre up men and women to beleeve the promises of GOD. It was used to Sarah Gen. 18.14 to the Virgin Mary Luke 1.37 to Ieremy Ier. 32.27 and to the Disciples of CHRIST Marke 10.27 Abraham looked to GODS power and thereby was moved to beleeve that GOD would performe his promise though Isaac in whom the promise was made was to be sacrificed Rom. 4.20 21. Heb. 11.19 Iehosaphat also by his faith did magnifie GODS power 2 Chron. 20.12 This was Iobs onely comfort upon the dunghill that that GOD who would after wormes had consumed his flesh raise him up at the last day and make him with those very eyes to see his Redeemer had power enough to deliver him from that calamity into which he cast him and to revive his strength GOD is likewise true just and faithfull and therefore will performe his promises GOD the Father who hath promised is the God of truth Psal. 31.5 the Gospell in which his promises are made is the word of truth Ephes. 1.13 His Sonne who hath declared and merited the promises is a faithfull and true witnesse Revel 3.14 truth it selfe Ioh. 14.6 His Spirit which sealeth unto us the truth of the promises even in our hearts is the Spirit of truth Ioh. 14.17 GOD is iust and faithfull in accomplishing his promises Rom. 3.3 5. David saith LORD in thy faithfullnesse or in thy Iustice answer me Psal. 143.1 that is not in the justice of merit but of promise or Covenant for in his promises he maketh himselfe our Debtor and what he owes by vertue of his blessed promise we may challenge If wee confesse our sinnes hee is faithfull and iust to forgive us our sinnes As if he should say GOD of his infinite mercy hath promised to all true Penitents and Confessors that hee will forgive and never remember their sinnes any more he must stand to his Promises or else he should be unfaithfull and he is iust he doth not say he is mercifull but iust to forgive the sinnes of true beleevers because they are all satisfied for and GODS justice will not let him demand the same debt twice of the surety and of the debter The righteous GOD shall give unto mee a Crowne of righteousnesse 2 Tim. 4.8 righteousnesse as well as mercy is the ground of salvation not in relation or respect to merit in us but to promise in GOD. For he is faithfull that promised Heb. 10.23 Sarah iudged him faithfull who had promised Heb. 11.11 The Promise of GOD is our title to happinesse Gal. 3.18 If some great man out of his bounty give another an Inheritance of a hundred pounds per annum upon his paying of a pepper-corne for rent when hee hath payd it he may claime the profits and by law recover them and his plea in the Law must be the bargaine and Covenant betweene them for betwixt the rent and revenue there is no proportion so upon our scant obedience and scarce appearing faith we may challenge heaven and GOD cannot denie it us not because wee have deserved it but because he hath promised it This will uphold the faith of a Christian GOD hath promised nay confirmed his promise with an oath and sent his Sonne in the fullnesse of time Gal. 4.4 in whom all the promises are Yea and Amen What can be more Absolute It is a maine pollicie of the Divell to lay siege to the truth of GODS Word Yea hath GOD said so he would perswade us that GOD will forget to be mercifull and his promise will faile for evermore Psal. 77.8 9. Weake Christians in temptations and desertions are ready to distrust GOD and to question the truth of his promises The wicked hope he will change where is the promise of his comming 2 Pet. 3.4 the godly feare he will change David complaineth Psal. 69.3 I am weary of my crying my throat is dried mine eyes faile while I waite for my GOD Psal. 119.123 Mine eyes faile for thy salvation I shall one day die saith he by the hand of Saul 1 Sam 27.1 Psal. 73.13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vaine Psal. 116.11 I said in my haste all men are lyars Psal. 31.22 I said in my haste I am cut off from before thine eyes After that GOD had promised to Abraham that he would make of him a great nation Gen. 12.2 and make his seed as the dust of the
earth Gen. 13.16 He and his wife being both old he thus as accounting GODS promises vaine answered LORD GOD what wilt thou give mee seeing I goe childlesse Gen. 15.2 Sarah likewise hearing the promise GOD had made to her husband concerning a Sonne by her laughed at it Gen. 18.12 as if she should have said that is a jest indeed GOD told Adam in Paradise That the seed of the woman should breake the serpents head Gen. 3.15 He was long but sure for it was fulfilled at last He that gave us CHRIST how shall he not with him give us all things also Rom. 8.32 He that hath performed the promise concerning CHRIST wherein shall he faile He hath hitherto kept promise with nights and daies as Ieremy saith Ier. 33.20 25. that one shall succeed the other therefore much more will hee keepe his word with his people Hee is worthy to be beleeved who never failed to performe what he promised If GOD have promised us pardon of sinne Sanctification Patience Faith wee should promise our selves these things and rest confident that we shall receive them Shall we beleeve an honest man on his word and yet not trust GOD upon his word who is Almighty and therefore able a Father and therefore willing to performe his promises GOD hath spoken in his holinesse saith David I will reioyce therefore in his Word I will divide Shechem and mete out the valley of Succoth Gilead is mine Manasseh is mine Ephraim also is the strength of mine head Iudah is my law-giver Moab is my washpot Psal. 60.6 7. Though then hee had little enough yet he was confident hee should have all that because he had GODS Word for it So we may beleeve what GOD hath promised since he hath said it and sealed it and sworne it One in the Covenant may lay hold on CHRIST and say CHRIST is mine on the Promise and say forgivenesse is mine on the Covenant and say grace is mine The LORD will not be unmindfull of his Covenant with us Psal. 111.5 nor unfaithfull in performance of his promise to us if wee prove not unfaithfull but keepe covenant and promise with him Psal. 103.17 18. 2 Chron. 15.2 for the Covenant consists of two parts in the one GOD bindes himselfe to be our GOD in the other we binde ourselves to be his people Hos. 2.23 His is a Covenant of mercy ours of obedience He promiseth happinesse we holinesse He glory we duty He hath tied himselfe by an oath wee have bound our selves by the vow of baptisme Hee will not forget his part let us remember ours Let it never be said of us as it was of a Pope and his Nephew that the one never spake as he thought the other never performed what he spake The Carthaginians were infamous for covenant-breaking and slipperinesse in their promises so that it grew a proverbe Punica fides Poeni foedifragi semper habiti saith Plautus and the Athenians were renowned for faithfullnesse in all their covenants agreements and promises which gave occasion to those proverbes Attica fides and Atticus testis used for one that still keepes touch Fidelity in keeping promise is a fruit of the Spirit called by the Apostle faith Gal. 5.22 and a property of him that must rest on GODS holy mountaine Therefore wee should imitate the Athenians shall I say nay rather GOD himselfe expressing faithfullnesse in all our words workes and waies wee should keepe our covenant with GOD and pay our vowes unto the most High Psal. 25.10 Psal. 103.18 we should also be constant in the performance of our promises to men for promises are due debts And non in promissione sed in consummatione virtus est vertue doth not consist in promise but in performance The manner how GOD performeth his promises is not alwaies one and the selfe-same sometimes hee gives the very particular thing promised as unto the children of Israell deliverance out of Aegypt David from Saul Iacob from Esau. Hee restored unto Hezekiah his health according to his promise and removed the host of the Assyrians which besieged Jerusalem sometime hee gives that which is equivalent or better Thus in the 5. Commandement obedient children are promised long life yet Iosiah 2 Kings 23.29 and Abiah 1 King 14.13 were taken away in their best age therefore for temporall life they had eternall so GOD promised Abraham the land of Canaan and hee had the true Canaan the Kingdome of Heaven GOD here breaketh not promise but changeth in melius So in taking away wealth from his children he giveth them more store of grace in restraining liberty of body He giveth freedome of conâ—cience with affliction He giveth patience It was promised Iosiah 2 Kings 22.20 that hee should be gathered to his grave in peace yet hee died a violent death for he was slaine by the hands of his enemies 2 King 23.29 the next words therefore doe expound it And thine eyes shall not see all the evill which I will bring upon this place He died in peace comparatively with a worse state of life for hee lived not to see the misery of succeeding ages Esay 57.1 Some interpret it thus hee was gathered to the Spirits of his Fathers who enjoyed peace GOD doth not alwaies performe his promises to the same parties and yet most truly performeth them Psal. 97.11 Light is sowne for the righteous Oftentimes the Father soweth and dieth ere the harvest and so the Sonne reapes so Abraham inherited Canaan in his posterity So GOD promised to send his Sonne this promise was made to the Fathers and GOD fulfilled it to the children Acts 13.32 33. The time of accomplishing GODS promises is uncertaine to us Acts 1.7 though it shall not be over-passed The vision is for an appointed time but at the end it shall speake and not lie All visions and words of GOD whether of promise or of threatning let them seeme to lie lea and void never so long yet shall be not onely certainely fulfilled but in the period of time which the wisedome of GOD hath impropriated to them Sometimes GODS promises have a limited time as that Gen. 17.21 18.14 and then they are fulfilled in that very time exprest as Gen. 21.1 2. Sometimes hee expresseth not the time GOD in the beginning made a promise to our first Parents concerning the seed of the Woman and deferred it almost 4000. yeares and yet at length accomplished it There have passed about 5000. yeares since the time of the glorious comming of CHRIST unto judgement was promised and it is not knowne when it shall be accomplished Abraham was childlesse till he was 70. yeares old and at those yeares the LORD promised him issue But this promise was not accomplished till a long time after when hee was an 100. yeares old David had a promise to be King of Ierusalem and Iuda but the LORD exercised him by many and grievous afflictions
Or to the LORDS Supper as the Manna the water flowing out of the rock 2. Ordinary as 1. Circumcision answering to our Baptisme Gen. 17.9 11 12. Col. 2.11 12. 2. The Passeover answering to the LORDS Supper Ex. 12.13 1 Cor. The Sacraments after Christs comming to continue till the end of the world are two 1. Baptisme Iohn 1.26 Mat. 28.19 2. The Supper of the LORD Luke 22.19 20. 1 Cor. 11.25 26. These two Covenants of works and Grace doe both agree and differ in severall respects 1. They agree 1. In their Author GOD. 2. In the persons contracting GOD and Man 3. In the generall end of them both the glory of GOD. 4. In the extâ—insecall forme they both binde 5. They have both one matter also for substance on Gods part mans happinesse in both on mans part obedience in both 6. In nature because they are both inviolable on GODS part 2. They differ 1 In kind that was a Covenant of amity betweene the Creator and the creature this of Reconciliation betweene enemies for there was no breach made before as now there is betweene us and our GOD. When we were enemies CHRIST died for us 2. In the speciall end for the end of the Covenant of nature is the declaration of GODS justice of the Covenant of grace the declaration of GODS mercie 3. In the foundation for the foundation of the covenant of nature is the creation of man and the integrity of humane nature of the other the redemption of man by Christ. 4. In the quality of the persons contracting GOD the Creator in the first exacts his right from a man pure and perfect but in this offers himselfe as a mercifull Father to a sinner troubled with the sight and sence of his sins 5. In the conditions workes are required in the first faith in the other Adam was to make that good of himselfe and by his owne power In the Covenant of grace GOD giveth what he requireth and accepteth what he giveth Fides impetrat quod lex imperat August Enchir. c. 117. 6. In the forme of fanction the Covenant of nature was published as soone as promised but the Covenant of grace was first promised then a long while after proclaimed ratified with the blood of Christ. 7. In the object that is extended to all men this belongs to some certaine men by a singular reason for although it is often promiseuously propounded yet by a speciall propriety it belongs to them to which it is intended by GOD. 8. In duration that is antiquated to them who are made partakers of this new one this is perpetuall therefore called often an everlasting Covenant and admits of no end or variation for the substance 9. In effects that was deadly for a sinner the Ministery of death this is called a quickning Spirit and is the ministration of righteousnesse and life 2 Cor. 3.6 7 8 9. The Covenant of grace is called in regard of the convention and agreement betweene GOD and man a Covenant in regard of the manner of confirming it a Testament being in many things like a Testament For 1. As in a Testament or last will the Testators minde is declared so is the will of GOD in his Word 2. As in a Will so here is a Testator which is CHRIST a Legacie which is eternall life Heires which are the Elect an Instrument which are the Scriptures and Seales which are circumcision and the Passeover of the old Baptisme and the LORDS Supper of the new Thirdly and principally as a Testament is in force by the death of the Testator Heb. 9.16 17. so the Covenant of Redemption is ratified by the death of CHRIST and this death by the effusion of blood was shadowed out in the Old but consummated in the New Testament This Covenant is but one for substance yet in divers respects and circumstances it is either Old or New Old as it is a reconciliation of the old people with GOD by CHRIST to be exhibited new as it is a reconciliation of the new people with GOD by CHRIST now exhibited in the flesh in regard of the shadow it is called the Old and in regard of the substance the New Old because it is first in time and antiquity 2. Because it is abrogated in part Heb. 8.13 2 Cor. 3.14 being placed in ceremonies which in time for oldnesse vanished away New 1. In respect of the immediate Author CHRIST Luke 22.20 GOD was the Author of the other 2. Because celebrated in a new manner and new rites and is never to be abrogated or disanulled It is new in respect of GOD and us 1. In respect of GOD because the Covenant is renewed as he promised in the seed of Abraham which is with all the nations of the earth Gal. 3.8 2. In respect of us because we are renewed thereby 2 Cor. 5.17 The Old Testament is called the Law because the first and chiefe part of it is the Law of Moses the New Testament is called the Gospell because the first and chiefe part thereof is the glad tydings of our Redemption and the forme of the Covenant is in the one Legall in the other Evangelicall The Law was written in Tables of stone Exod. 31.18 2 Cor. 3.5 but the Gospell is written in the fleshie tables of the heart Ier. 31.33 Heb. 8.10 The Old Testament is the Covenant of GOD which in types and shadowes prefigured CHRIST to come and to be exhibited and by vertue thereof Life everlasting was given by faith in CHRIST that was to come The giving of Isaac of the promised Land and all these promises were but shadowes of the great promise of the maine Covenant in CHRIST The New Testament is the Covenant of GOD which since the comming of CHRIST in the flesh hath abolished those shadowes and giveth life everlasting by faith in CHRIST that is come The old Covenant agrees with the Covenant of nature 1. In both the parties contracting are GOD and Man 2. Each hath a stipulation annexed to it 3. The promise is the same in kind 4. Both lead to CHRIST They differ 1. Because the Covenant of nature was contracted with all men this with the Israelites onely 2. That of nature was made as soone as man was created and had no praeludia the old Covenant long after and had many praeludia afore it 3. That of nature onely binds to obedience due by the Law of nature the old Covenant obligeth also to ceremonies 4. Life is promised in both but it is set forth in the one by the fruition of Paradise in the other by the possession of the Land of Canaan 5. The Covenant of nature is eternall the old Temporary 6. Both Covenants bring us to CHRIST buâ— that of nature doth not this per se but per accidens this old one doth it per se for it is the true and proper scope of it 7. The Covenant of nature was written in the heart
but the old in tables of Stone 8. The Covenant of nature was made in Paradise the other in Mount Sina 9. There was no Mediator of that this had a Mediator Moses Deut. 5.26 27. 10. That was made with all mankinde when man was perfect this with a certaine people after the fall The Old and New Covenant agree 1. In the principall efficient cause for there is the same Author of both GOD Ier. 31.31 2. In causa pröegumena the inward impulsive cause the mercy of GOD in both Luke 1.54 55 72 78. 3. In the meritorious procatarcticall cause there is one and the same foundation of both Covenants CHRIST Heb. 13.8 Rev. 13 8. 4. In the matter there is the same thing promised in both Rom. 1.1 2. 5. In the essentiall forme in both Covenants there is a mutuall obligation of GOD and the faithfull although of GODS part it is free of mans due Rom. 3.22 6. In the end which in both is the glory of GOD and salvation of man Heb. 11.8 9 10. 7. In the subject for GOD made both of them with the faithfull onely Rom. 3.26 8. In the adjunct the internall obsignation for both of them are sealed by the same HOLY GHOST to the faithfull 2 Cor. 1.22 Ephes. 1.13 The Old and New Coâ—enant differ 1. In respect of the Author or Covenant-Maker which was not CHRIST but GOD the Father of the Old or he made it then mediately and not Incarnate now immediately and from his owne mouth 2. In respect of the Mediator Moses was Mediator of the Old Levit. 26.46 Deut. 5. 27 28. CHRIST of the New Heb. 8.6 9.15.12.24 3. In their quality 1. In respect of liberty of old they had circumcision and the Passeover which were painefull and chargeable Seales and they were burdened with many carnall ceremonies we have bread and wine cheape and easie seales in comparison and are freed from the Ceremoniall Law Col. 2.14 that was a hand-writing against us the new is a rest for us Matth. 11.28 2. Clarity the old was obscure Heb. 9.8 2 Cor. 3.13 14. consisting in rites and ceremonies whereby CHRIST was darkely prefigured but the new is more plaine and perspicuous Iohn 1.17 then the Spirit was distilled by drops now there is a larger effusion of the Spirit Heb. 8.10 Ioel 2. which is repeated Acts 2. Tit. 3.6 Zach. 12.8 2 Cor. 3.12 they had the blood of CHRIST but shadowed onely in the blood of bulls and goates Heb. 9.18 Exod. 24.5 8. we have the very blood of CHRIST it selfe to seale unto our covenant Mat. 26.28 Heb. 9.12 10.4 Zach. 9.11 Cuius sanguis sistit omnem sanguinem as the Fathers say 4. In their quantity the new is larger and more extensive then the Old in respect of 1. Persons the Old Testament was appropriated to a few and did belong properly to the nation of the Jewes alone Psal. 76.1 none but Israelites and Proselytes had part in the promise the New extends to the Gentiles 2. Places that was proposed as to one people so in angulo tantum mundi in one land of Canaan this to all nations throughout the whole world 3. Times that was Temporary and to endure but a while viz. till the â—â—rst comming of CHRIST this is perpetuâ—ll and shall last from CHRISTS first to his second comming Heb. 8.6 13. 10.4 9. 9.12 How hath GOD then honoured us in these daies of the Gospell who are herein beyond not Heathens onely who were without GOD and without the Covenant but even beyond Adam in his innocency and GODS Ancient people of Israel for we have a better Covenant then they had made upon better promises Heb. 8.6 upon better termes and conditions upon better evidences and assurances Since GOD hath thus abounded in love and mercy towards us we therefore should abound in knowledge faith love zeale and care to worship GOD publikely and privately with joy and singlenesse of heart I have hitherto handled the severall Covenants comparatively and that to give some light to the Covenant of Grace which I shall now speake of in a speciall manner as it is a Bundle of all the Promises The Covenant of Grace is expressed in these words I will be thy GOD and thou shalt be my people Ier. 31.33 In this Covenant GOD undertakes to free his people from all evill that mâ—y any way prove hurtfull to them and to bestow all good things upon them Temporall Spirituall and Eternall Gen. 17.1 2. Levit. 2.6.11 12. 2 Cor. 6.16 17 18. Heb. 8.10 11 12. We promise to choose GOD to be our GOD trust in him love and feare him and walke in obedience before him Exodus 15.2 20.19 24.3 7. David cals GOD his Lot and Portion Psal. 119.57 GOD is my portion for ever Psal. 16.5 6. Psal. 142.5 This was promised the faithfull in all ages that GOD would be their GOD and they should be his people Exod. 29.45 Revel 21.3.7 Zach. 13.9 Ezek. 36.28 Ierem 31.1 33. 1 Chron. 17.13 22.10 All the particular promises depend upon this maine Charter that GOD is our GOD one observes that throughout all the Scripture all the mercy promised and every promise wherein any happinesse is contained hath this Seale and I will be their GOD and they shall be my people If we could stedfastly beleeve and rest upon this promise we should finde more true comfort in it then in all the world besides This is the top of mans felicity when GOD takes him into Covenant When GOD Levit. 26. had spoken much by way of promise to his Church as That hee would give them raine in the due season c. That hee would set his Tabernacle among them c. at length he concludes all with this verse 12. I will walke among you I will even neighbour with you as it were and I will be your GOD and yee shall be my people David having prayed for many temporall blessings in the behalfe of his people That their sonnes might be as plants their garners full c. at length he windeth up all with this Epiphonema or conclusion Happie is that people that is in such a case but presently comes with an Epanorthoma or a correction of his former speech Yea rather happy is that people whose GOD is the LORD as if he had said that indeed is a happinesse in some kinde but nothing to this that is but Temporall this is Eternall The honour and happinesse of a nation and people Psal. 33.12 and also of particular persons Psal. 65.4 lyes in this that they have GOD for their GOD. He that is in speciall Covenant with GOD all that is in GOD is for him his truth for his security his love for his comfort his power for his protection his wisedome for his direction all that is in CHRIST is his his love his graces his merits He is his
Saviour Redeemer The HOLY GHOST is his Comforter dwells in him to teach him and guide him into all truth and to seale up the promises to his heart He hath the guard of Angels Heb. 1.14 Dominion over the creatures and free use of them both for necessity and delight Heb. 2.7 8. 1 Tim. 4.2 3. All things are his and he is Christs 1 Cor. 3.22 23. GOD calls such as are in Covenant with him His Treasure Psal. 135.4 His peculiar people Exod. 19.5 Deut. 14.2 His love for delights Cant. 76. The Lot of his inheritance Deut. 32.9 His hidden ones Psal. 83.3 His Iewels Mal. 3.17 Hee that toucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye Zach. 2.8 They are his beloved Psal. 108.6 127.2 As the signet upon his right hand Cant. 8.6 Esay 49.16 Hee dwelleth with them Ioh. 14.23 He followeth them whithersoever they goe Iosh. 1.9 He stands at their right hand Psal. 109.31 And holds them up by it Psal. 73.23 He covers them under his pavillion Psal. 27.5 Hee keepes their feet 1 Sam. 2.9 Their very bones Psal. 34.20 Hee counteth their wandrings Psal. 56.8 Hee numbreth their haires Matth. 10.30 Hee bottles up their teares Psal. 56.8 If they doe but sigh Hee observes it Psal. 38.9 He is the shield of their helpe the sword of their excellencie Deut. 33.29 Hee is their hope their helpe their health Psalme 71.5 Ioel 3.16 Ier. 17.7 Their Rocke their Refuge Psal. 62.2 6 7. Hee will teach them in the way that they should choose Psal. 25.12 And make them perfect in good workes Heb. 13.21 2 Thess. 2.17 Hee will give them their hearts desire Psal. 37.4 Pro. 10.24 His eye is ever upon them for good Psal. 33.18 The Prophet comprehends all in that one verse Psal. 84.11 The LORD GOD is a Sunne and shield the LORD will give grace and glory no good thing will hee withhold from them that walke uprightly A Sunne for consolation a Shield for protection A Sunne to give them life a Shield to defend life given A Sunne to make them fruitfull in all good a Shield to preserve them from all evill He will give not onely temporall blessings as it followeth there no good thing c. but he will also bestow upon them grace here and glory hereafter even that grace that shall be once glory Godlinesse is profitable to all things saith the Apostle having the promises of both lives of temporall things for this life and of spirituall and eternall things for the life to come Since then the happinesse of a Christian consists in this that GOD is his GOD every one should labour to secure this maine point and try whether he be in speciall Covenant with GOD. To this duty the Apostle exhorts us when he bids us Give diligence to make our calling and election sure 2 Pet. 1.10 2 Cor. 13.5 he saith Examine your selves whether yee be in the faith prove your owne selves And indeed there cannot be a better evidence that we are in the Covenant then this that we are in the faith or that faith is in us for so are those words to be understood For the Covenant of grace runs all upon promises I will give thee c. now faith answers the promise for the promise is to be beleeved Abraham beleeved in the LORD and therefore GOD reckoned him as a man that was righteous Gen. 15.6 and accepted him to be a partaker of the Covenant Every beleever is within the Covenant He that hath a true and saving Faith which worketh inwardly by purifying the heart Acts 15.9 and outwardly by Love Gal. 5.5 may certainely conclude that GOD is his GOD. We may know likewise that we are in Covenant with GOD by this if wee labour to keepe Covenant with him Psal. 103.18 if our greatest care be to please him and our greatest feare least we should offend him If we have chosen him it is certaine hee hath chosen us for so Cyril interprets that place Iohn 15.16 You have not chosen mee but I have chosen you that is saith he in regard of priority I have chosen you first There is a threefold Choosing of GOD. 1. In opinion to prize and esteeme him above all other delights when with Paul wee count all things as drosse and dung nay dogges-meat as the Originall hath it in comparison of CHRIST Philip. 3.8 2. In affection if we love him above all when we can say with the Spouse Cant. 1.7 O thou whom my soule loveth or with Peter LORD thou knowest that I love thee Ioh. 21.16 3. In practise when we choose his waies as David saith I have sworne and will performe it that I will keepe thy righteous iudgements Psal. 119.106 If upon a diligent scrutinie into our owne hearts and waies we finde GOD hath the chiefest command over all our thoughts affections and desires and that wee are truely ingrafted into CHRIST by faith wee should then prize the Covenant and improve it to all holy uses 1. We should highly prize the Covenant We should say with David What am I or what is my fathers house that I should be raised hitherto We should rejoyce in this that the Great and mighty GOD will enter into Covenant with us every promise should be precious unto us That noble Emperour Theodosius thought it a greater honour to be Membrum Ecclesiae then Caput Imperij a member of the true Church then Monarch of the world Salomon in the booke of his repentance preferres the title of Ecclesiastes a Preacher or reconciled Penitent before the title of the Sonne of David King of Ierusalem When Charles the fifth Emperour in a challenge to Francis the first King of France commanded his Herauld to proclaime him with all his Titles stiling him the Emperour of Germanie King of Castile Arragon Naples Sicilie c. Francis commanded his Herauld to call him so often King of France as the other had titles by all his Countries implying that France alone was more worth then all the Countries which the other had So when the wicked brag of their Honours Livings and great Lordships a child of GOD may say that GOD is his he is his portion and oppose this to all other dignities whatsoever For when a man hath GOD he hath all hee is Blessednesse it selfe when hee comes into the heart all comforts come along with him The Child of GOD may view the Heavens and say my Father made them hee may behold the workes of providence and say my Father feeds cloathes and preserves all the creatures in the world if he be in prosperity he may say GOD hath yet reserved greater goods for mee if in adversity hee may say CHRIST hath endured much more for my sake The Word and Sacraments are his Hee may goe boldly to the throne of grace Heb. 10.22 and aske almost what hee will in the name of CHRIST Marke 11.24 All his infirmities shall be borne withall all his
indeavours accepted He may expect protection in dangers and distresses Psal. 80.14 15 16. Every one protects their owne I am thine saith David save mee Psal. 119.94 He may looke to have his wants supplied Psal. 23.1 4. He may boldly challenge Sin Death Hell the Divell and victoriously triumph over them all with the Apostle 1 Cor. 15.55 56 57. and say with David The LORD is my light and my salvation whom shall I feare the LORD is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid Psal. 27.1 2. We should also improve the Covenant for all holy purposes We must with boldnesse and reverence challenge the Covenant of grace There cannot be a more forcible argument in prayer then to pleade GODS Covenant and the interest wee have in him Our Saviour Matth. 6.9 teaching us to pray bids us to say Our Father as if hee should say presume not to aske any petition of GOD till thou canst so conceive and be perswaded of him Those then who are GODS children may pray with confidence unto him as a Father ipsum nomen orat pro nobis The very name makes supplication for us Thus our Saviour CHRIST prayed O my Father three severall times Matth. 26.39 42 44. and My GOD My GOD Matth. 27.64 Psal. 22.1 The Papists urge their owne merits and merits of Saints in their prayers but GODS people have still urged Covenant Gen. 32.9 Nehem. 1.6.10.11 2 Chron. 14.11 20. 6 7. Psal. 16.1 2. Psal. 18.1 2 3 6. Psal. 22.1 116.16 Ioh. 17.6.9 10. Deut. 9.27 1 Sam. 12.22 Ier. 14.21 Vnite my heart saith David to thy feare Psal. 86.11 as if he should have said LORD thou hast promised to give mee one heart behold I finde my heart divided disjoynted unite it I beseech thee so those that are within the Covenant may goe to GOD and say LORD give mee wisedome faith patience for the discharge of my duty toward thee my heart is out of order LORD mend it it is thy bargaine thine owne Covenant O doe it for thy names sake GOD takes it well if we mind him of his Covenant and presse him with his promise Wee should also aggravate our sinnes in confession by this that wee have sinned against Covenant hand and seale our sinnes in that respect are worse then the sinnes of Pagans or Heathens they sinne but against Creation wee against Covenant whoredome is worse then fornication When wee are tempted to the committing of any sinne the Covenant should be a curbe to us wee should say no I must now lye no more sweare no more breake the LORDS day no more it is against my bargaine such a LORDS day in such a Congregation before such and such witnesses I tooke the Sacrament upon it that I would doe so no more when wee are taken off from any duty the Covenant should spurre us on wee should remember that wee have taken presse money and earnest as it were from GOD in our Baptisme that wee will be for him that wee have often renewed our first Covenant in the Sacrament and therefore there should be no flinching from our bargaine 2. Temporall Promises This second Table containes the Speciall Temporall Promises Speciall promises in regard of a mans selfe Temporall 1. In regard of evill 1. In generall Afflictions dangers 1. To prevent them 2. To qualifie them if they do come by correcting 1. In greâ—t wisedome which is seene in 1. The meetnesse of correction 2. The just measure and continuâ—nce thereof 2. In love and tendernâ—s 3. For good 1. General to make them happy 2. Speciall 1. To try them 2. To purge sin 3. To quicken Graces 1. Faith 〈…〉 2. Hope 3. Patience 3. To helpe us tâ— beare them and in due time to remove them 2. Speciall 1. Sicknesse 1. To prevent it 2. To helpe mâ—â— 3. To take it awâ—y 2. Povertie 3. Famine Promises to Succour in Deliverâ—tâ—â—n 4. Warre to preserve from it 5. Captivity Promises tâ— Comfort in Deliver â—ut 6. Witchcraft or the possession of the Divellâ— 7. Oppression 2. In regard of good 1. In generall to supply any thing needfull 2. In speciall for 1. Name 1. Honâ—ur 2. A goâ—d name 2. Body 1. Lonâ—-life 2. Health 3. Safety 4. Peace 5. Sleepe 6. Poâ—dâ—râ—iment 3. Estate 1. Wealth â— Good successe and prosperity 1. To their persâ—nâ— 2. To their purpâ—sâ—s 4. Calling Promises To diligence in it 1. Abundâ—â—ce and plentâ— 2. Protectiâ—n 3. Promâ—tâ—a 4. Good fate 5. It builds thâ— hâ—usâ— 6. It make 〈…〉 CHAP. II. Of Speciall Temporall Promises 1. Temporall Promises in regard of evill things 1. In Generall Afflictions and Dangers 1. To prevent them GOD will preserve his children from Afflictions and Dangers HE is a Buckler Gen. 15.1 Pro. 2.7 30.5 to keep them from all evill to cover and compasse them round about Psal. 5.11 12. Psal. 8.2 A wall of Brasse Ier. 1.18 and A wall of Fire about his children Zach. 2.5 As the mountaines are round about Ierusalem so the LORD is round about his people Psal. 125.2 There shall no evill befall thee neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling Psal. 91.10 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evill Psal. 121.7 There shall no evill touch thee Iob 5.19 GOD hath promised to protect his children in all their waies Psal. 91.11 and to preserve them in greatest dangers by Sea or land Fire and water are two mercilesse enemies yet the fire shall not burne nor the waters overflow them as GOD hath promised Esay 43.2 They must not passe by these by the fire and by the water but through the fire and through the water neither is here water mentioned onely but flouds or rivers of water nor fire onely but a flame too Surely in the flouds of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him Psal. 52.6 An asseveration is added to confirme their hearts and to shew the truth of the promise Though the earth and the heavens be shaken yet GOD will be the hope of his people Ioel 3.16 And they shall be hid in the day of his anger Zeph. 2.3 Therefore such who are in Covenant with GOD may looke to be freed from evills and dangers if it be for their good and in the valley of the shadow of death may assure themselves of GODS mercifull omnipotent presence Psal. 23.4 Psal. 73.26 Psal. 91.15 Esay 43.2 2. To qualifie them if they doe come GOD will qualifie Afflictions to his children He will correct them 1. In great wisedome which is seene in two things 1. In the meetnesse of correction Heb. 12.9 10. Furthermore wee had fathers of our flesh which corrected us and wee gave them reverence shall wee not much rather be in subiection to the father of spirits and live For they verily for a few daies chastened us after their owne pleasure but hee for our profit that wee might be partakers of his holinesse Earthly Parents oft correct
much more to all his people in all their necessities bodily or spirituall The like are those speeches that GOD will lighten our darkenesse he will keepe the feet of his Saints hee will not forsake them nor forget their complaint that they shall not be confounded in the time of trouble Hee will hide them in his pavillion Psal. 27.4 5. And cover them with his feathers Psal. 91.1 4. His Angels shall pitch their tents about them hee will set them up on high from such as rise against them he will heale their wounds Ier. 30.17 GOD sees our affliction and knowes it well Exod. 3.7 Hee heareth our sighs and remembring his Covenant helps us Exod. 2.23 24 25. All afflictions come from him the Almighty hath afflicted mee saith Naomi Ruth 1.21 it is often called the Chastening of the LORD When we are iudged saith the Apostle we are chastened of the LORD 1 Cor. 11.32 And the same GOD which imposed the affliction takes it away Deut. 32.39 1 Sam. 2.6 7. Iob 5.18 Vna eademque manus vulnus opemque tulit GOD will be the strength of the righteous in their trouble and their salvation out of trouble David had great proofe hereof and therfore after a mighty deliverance composed that excellent Ps. 34. See 7 17 19. verses I know the thoughts that I think towards you saith the LORD thoughts of peace to give you an expected end Ier. 29.11 Reioyce not saith the Church against me O mine enemy When I fall I shall arise when I sit in darkenesse the LORD shall be a light unto mee c. Micah 7.8 9. Light is sowne for the righteous and ioy for the upright in heart Psal. 97.11 The latter part of the verse expounds the former by light is meant joy and by righteous the upright in heart Ioy is sowne for these and as sure as an harvest followes a feeding so to these comfort followes mourning If wee sow in teares we shall reape in ioy I will be content saith D. Hall with a wet spring so I may be sure of a cleare and joyfull harvest Your sorrow shall be turned into ioy Ioh. 16.20 if CHRIST had onely promised that their sorrow should be mitigated or shortly ended it had beene a great comfort but this ministreth abundant consolation Never was Gold-smith more curious and precise to watch the very first season when the gold is throughly refined and fitted for use that he may take it out of the fornace then our gracious GOD waites in such cases with an holy longing that he may have mercy upon his children and deliver them He shall deliver thee in sixe troubles yea in seaven there shall no evill touch thee Ioh. 5.19 Many of the Learned say that here by sixe and seven the Spirit of GOD alludeth unto the daies of the LORDS worke in Creating the world and his resting on the seventh day that so must his servants labour under afflictions all the daies of their life and shall rest from those labours in the perpetuall Sabbath Rather sixe or seaven are to be understood indefinitely certaine numbers for uncertaine things seaven referred to humane evills importeth many Pro. 24.16 See Psal. 91.14 15. Pro. 11.8 Psal. 50.15 Psal. 149.4 1 Cor. 10.13 2 Cor. 4.8 The meditation of these gracious promises may comfort GODS people in trouble GOD assures me hee will lay no more upon me then I shall be able to beare either my burden shall be made lighter or my faith stronger We should goe to the LORD then in our afflictions and say LORD it is part of thy Covenant to deliver me from such a crosse and calamity LORD thou hast said that the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the Righteous that thou wilt afflict but in measure according to our strength and for our good O sanctifie thy hand unto me give me faith and patience to waite upon thee wisedome to make a good use of this chastizement let it purge mee from my drosse and breed the quiet fruit of righteousnesse The end of chastizement is amendment of life whence it receiveth the name of correction which signifieth to set right or streight Therefore we must first labour to finde out the sinne for which GOD correcteth us For which purpose let us remember that place Iob 36.9 If they be tyed with the cords of affliction then will I shew them their workes and their sins When we have found it out let us be humbled for it make our peace with GOD and reforme our selves Ioh. 5.14 and then we may expect comfort from GOD. This the LORD both promised and performed to Iob and in him to all that are afflicted Zophar telleth Iob that which GOD himselfe did make good at last If iniquit be in thine hand put it farre away and let not wickednesse dwell in thy tabernacles It must be the care of the afflicted to purge his hand and house of all manner of wickednesse and sin Then it followeth verse 15. Thou shalt lift up thy face without spot yea thou shalt be stedfast and not feare that is Thou shalt enjoy the comfortable assurance of the remission of thy sinnes and shalt rest perswaded that the staine thereof is quite done away before the LORD And for his outward estate hee addeth ver 16. Thou shalt forget thy misery He shall be quite freed from all the trouble of it Thou shalt remember it as waters that are past which cause the meddowes to be more fat and fertile then they would have beene ver 17. Thine age saith he shall be clearer than the noone day thou shalt shine forth and be as the morning The comfort of a sinner reformed by corrections shall be plentifull and excellent as the brightnesse of the noone-tide sun and withall constant durable and on the growing hand as the light of the morning Faith makes us depend on GODS promises in our afflictions and patiently expect the issue that he will give and that without prefixing any time for Hee that beleeveth doth not make hast Esay 28.16 or prescribing any meanes to him as faithfull Moses when he said Stand yee still and see the salvation of the LORD Exod. 14.13 Faith doth not limit GOD for the measure of affliction Iob saith He will trust in GOD though he kill him Job 13 1â— It was a grievous affliction for David to be driven out of his kingdome by his owne Sonne yet he saith in that slight If he say I have no delight in him behold here I am let him doe unto me as seemeth good in his eyes 2 Sam. 15.26 Therefore in all our afflictions let us set faith a worke for this stirres up prayer and prayer stirres up GOD and GOD stirres up all the creatures Faith gathereth one contrary out of another life out of death assurance of sweetest deliverances out of deepest distresses For the LORD shall iudge his people and repent himselfe for his servants
for it may comfort themselves with such precious places as these 1 Ioh. 2.1 Luke 17.4 1 Sam. 12.20 22. 1 Iohn 1.9 From this last place a reverend Divine collects this comfort If wee see our unworthinesse and with broken hearts acknowledge it GOD is faithfull and iust to forgive it be it never so great Thou hast played the harlot with many lovers yet returne againe to mee saith the LORD Ier. 3.1 3. The LORD will restore them and raise them up againe by repentance The LORD will heale thy backesliding if thou take unto thee words to confesse thy falling away Hosea 14.2 3 4. There is healing in the wings of the Sonne of righteousnesse and you shall grow up as the calves of the stall Mal. 4.2 The LORD upholdeth all that fall and raiseth up all those that are bowed downe Psal. 145.14 Behold I will bring it health and cure and I will cure them and will reveale unto them the abundance of peace and truth Ier. 32.6 Hee speakes Ezek. 34.16 of the time of the Gospell when CHRIST should bee the Shepheard and shewes the Covenant that he will make with those that are his if any thing be lost saith he if a Sheepe lose it selfe this is my Covenant I will finde it If it be driven away by any violence of temptation I will bring it backe againe If there be a breach made into their hearts by any occasion through sinne and lust I will heale them and binde them up GODS Covenant is to make us faithfull in his Covenant the actions of faith and repentance are ours but the power of doing them GODS 4. Spirituall Lamenesse Comforts against Spirituall Lamenesse or weaknesses of graces Then shall the lame man leape as an Hart Esay 35.6 And I will put my spirit within you and cause you to walke in my statutes and yee shall keepe my iudgements and doe them Ezek. 36.27 They shall runne and not be wearie they shall walke and not be saint Esay 40.31 See ver 29. The LORD will be the hope of his people and the strength of the children of Israel Joel 3 16. In our Spirituall infancie we may comfort our selves by those cordiâ—ll refreshing promises I will give unto him that is a thirst of the fountaine of the water of life freely Rev. 21.6 A bruised reede shall he not breake and the smoaking flaxe shall he not quench Esay 42.3 though grace be in us but like the heate in the weeke of the candle when the light is out yet GOD hath taken order that it shall not be extinguished Hee shall feede his flocke like a shepheard he shall gather the lambes with his arme and carry them in his bosome and shall gently leade those that are with young Esay 40.11 Hee will use all compassion with a tender respect of our weakenesse In love in care in pittie he will redeeme us and carry us as in the daies of old Esay 63.9 As he hath borne us from the wombe so will he be the same still unto old age even unto the gray haires hee will carry us in the armes of his compassion hee hath made us hee will beare even hee will carry and deliver us Esay 46.3 4. Since thou art a branch of his planting he may glorifie himselfe in thee so as thy little one may be as a thousand and thy small one as a strong nation GOD can performe it in his due time Esay 60.21 22. CHRIST graciously receiveth and tenderly cherisheth weake Christians Zach. 13.7 Matth. 18.5 Hee giveth charge against the contempt of them verse 10. and will not have the day of small things despised Zach. 4.10 The obedience oâ— the faithfull is weake and imperfect but pleasing and acceptable unto GOD. The Psalmist saith Psal. 147.11 149.4 The LORD taketh pleasure in his people the prayers of the upright are his delight GOD will reckon of so much good done by us as wee desired and endeavoured to doe the preparations of our hearts are reckoned with GOD as great things Esay 55.1 This is a great comfort to GODS children that doe their best indeavour to keepe all his Commandements for though they faile in that obedience which they ought to performe yet GOD promiseth to shew mercy to them Exod. 26.6 so long as their heart is true he will beare with their infirmities Wee are not under the law saith the Apostle but under grace Rom. 6.14 We are delivered from the rigour of the Law GOD hath received us to the benefit of that Covenant in which perfection is onely required in CHRIST uprightnesse in us GOD accepts of the will for the deed 2 Cor. 8.12 and the will above the deed as appeareth by the 10. verse Who hath not onely begunne to doe but also to be forward a yeare agoe making it a greater grace to be willing and desirous to doe well then it is to doe a good thing 5. Doubts and Feares of losing the love of GOD. Comforts against doubts and feares of loosing the love of GOD. In the affliction of thy minde and losse of the feeling of GODS favour acquaint thy selfe with those promises Iohn 13.1 Having loved his owne which were in the world he loved them unto the end and without end The gifts and calling of GOD are without repentance that is such gifts as accompany an effectuall calling are such as GOD never repenteth of or taketh away I will not forsake my people 1 King 6.13 Heb. 13.5 Behold GOD will not cast away a perfect man Iob 8.20 The love of GOD unto his childe in respect of tendernesse is infinitely dearer then that of a most loving mother to her little one Esay 49.15 stronger then the stony mountaines and rockes of flint Esay 54.10 as constant as the waters of Noah ver 9. as the ordinances of Heaven Ier. 33.20 and ver 25. nay as sure as GOD himselfe Psal. 89.33 34 35. 6. Forgetfullnesse A promise against forgetfullnesse But the Comforter which is the HOLY GHOST whom the Father will send in my name he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you Iohn 14.26 7. Vncheerefullnesse Comforts against dullnesse and uncheerefullnesse The wildernesse and solitary place shall be glad for them and the desart shall reioyce and blossome as the rose it shall blossome abundantly and reioyce even with ioy and singing Esay 35.1 2. Then shall yee sucke yee shall be borne upon her sides and be dandled upon her knees As one whom his mother comforteth so will I comfort you and yee shall be comforted in Ierusalem And when yee see this your heart shall reioyce and your bones shall flourish like an herbe Jer. 66.12 13 14. Thou shalt reioyce in the LORD Esay 41.16 Thou shalt have thy delight in the Almighty Iob 22.26 The godly have a spring of joy within them Iohn 4.14 In thy name shall they reioyce all the day
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
accomplishment 1 King 8.37.40 2 Chron. 20.8 10. Iosh. 1.5 6. Heb. 13.5 Luk. 2â— 32 Iohn 17.15 See â—1 20. verses Psal. 84.11 Master Reynolds in his Treatise of the Sinfullnesse of Sin Mat 6.33 Esay 55.5 1 Thess. 4.7 Ier. 31.33 1 Thess. 5 23 Ier. 32.40 Hos 11.3 Hos. 14.4 Ezek. 34.16 Gods Promises signifie what he will do his precepts what we must do that this promises may be to us fulfilled Hee promiseth to hiâ— Church to forgive theiâ— sinnes withall giveâ— us command to repent beleeve that our sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come Acts 3.19 His promise is to save his children their duty yet to save theâ—selves Acts â— 40 * Experiments God hath given us in others Iam. 5.11 2 Experience â—f his mercy in our selves See Pal. 4.1 â—sal 2 7.5 77.5.11 1.3 5. Psa. 1â—9 52 That faith may be preserved wee must often meditate upon the sweetnesse Ps. 1â—9 103. 139.11 constancie Rev. 1.5 2 Cor. 1.20 perpetulty of the most precious and free promises which are thâ— grounds of faith Hos. 14.5 Ezek. 36.22 as a Revered Divineâ— observes in his Exposition of his Catechisme The Philosopher saith that experience is multiplex memoria a multiplied memory because of the memory of the same thing often done ariseth experience Psal. 139.14 The ground for what and the rule how wee must pray All our prayers are to be grounded on Gods promises David often chargeth God with his promise Psal. 119. Qâ—â—cken me according to thy word v. 2â— that is thy promise in thy word So 10â— 149 154. Remâ—mber thy Wor◠〈…〉 thy Woâ—d 38. still he haâ—ps upon this stâ—ing 28â— 1. â—5 75. * Neh. 1.8 1â— In the waâ—t of other Rhetorick Oratory let Christians in their prayâ—â—â—â—rge this with repetition Lord â—hou hast â—romised thou hast promised 〈…〉 2 Chron. â—9 â—â— 15 17. 1 King â—2 The thing asked must first be warranted under some precept or promise in generall though not expresly M. Harris Obiect How wee may pray in faith when we want a particular promise that the thing we aske shall be granted Sol. Gods promises of things temporall and to heare us for others are but indefiniâ—e not universall The faith therefore requited toward them is but an indefinite act of recumbency and submissiâ—n not of assurance M. Goâ—heiâ— in his returne of Prayers Yet God often grants prayers made for oâ—herâ— since promises are made to such prayers as that they shal be healed in their bodies Iam 5 15. healed of their lustâ— v. 16. converted to liâ—e 1 Ioh 5 16. Id. ib. Eo modo cuinia sunt petenda quo modo sunt promissa Verse 3â— We may pray againsâ— temptations as against sicknesse and poverty 〈◊〉 simply buâ— with submission to Gods will only we must pray abâ—oluâ—ely to be 〈◊〉 from 〈…〉 of temptation for those latter words in the I. P doe restraine or correct the former D. Am. That wee should have grace is absolutely necessary and therefore we may pray absolutely for it We may not absolutely pray for limited set meaâ—ureâ— of grace but in what measure God shall thinke good D. Sclater upon 2. to the Thess. pag. 18.210 233. 2 Chro. 32 31 D. Sâ—lat on 1. of Rom. We must referre the time manner and measure of granting our petitions to the Lord. D. Preston on the Sacrament D. Gâ—uge on the Lords Prayer See page 10 See Schudder key of heaven last Doct. Mat. 26.39 D. Sclat on 2.10 Thess pages before quoted There is no temporall thing of this life doth Cadâ—re in promissâ—on Dei but onely so faâ—re forth as it shaâ—l helpe and further the next life This life is but via ad citam and whatsoever God promise◠〈◊〉 in the waâ— is but to 〈◊〉 us â—n the end oâ—â—he 〈◊〉 a 〈…〉 guide to godlinesse b B Babington on L.P. c A Reverend Divine on the L.P. d A Worthy Writer in his Catechisme Smith grounds of religion Tylen Syntag Barker on the 5. Commandement * Illa sola sunt absoluteÌ„ petenda quae necessaria sunt ad Dei gloriam nâ—stram salutem caetera vero cum tacita subiectione ad Dei sapientissimaÌ„ dispositioneÌ„ D Ames medul To l. 2. c. 9. Therefore in the Lords Prayer there are 5. Petitions for Spirituall and but one for Temporall things God must be sought to for the performaÌ„ce of his promises Ezek. 36 â—7 Ier. 29 10 13 God doth not give his promises to make us idle but to exercise our faith in importuning him for performance Gods promises then are as directions in not as dispensations from the devotion we owe unto God Bish. Lake â—hen God promised thingâ— in parâ—icular yet â—â—ll â—hey prayed and prayed earnestlâ— as Eâ—â—th when God promiseâ— that it should raine 1 Kiâ—g 18.41 42. and David when God promised to make him an house 2 Sam. 7.11 It is called a Covenant of gâ—ace and the promise of grace The very Greek and Latine wâ—rds for promise sâ— was beforâ— noted signifie a free and willing promise so the word is taken â—it 1. â— Deut. 7.7 8. Ezek. 16.6.8 a Christ is a free gift Esay 96. and how shall he not with him freely give us all thing Rom. 8 31. God commendeth his love to us in that when we were yet sinners and enemies also Christ died for us Rom 5 8.10 He loved us non existentes imo resistentes saith Bernard b The promises are free yet conditionall Conditionall is not opposed to Free but to Absolute 2 Thess. 3.3 4 2 Thess. 3.11.12 The freenes of Gods promises revives our hope * It is good for a man saith Greenham to watch himselfe whether in hearing the promises of God he hath a cold feare comming on him for his unworthines which if he have that man may hope well of himselfe Mat. 11.28 The wicked came Gods peace into wantonnes Iude 4. 2 Cor. 7 1. Heb. 4 1. Esay 55.7 The Covenant is actually made with beleevers onely Act 13.48 Gal. 3. â— but it is offered unto all by the Gospel Mat. 28 1â— Acts 17.30 Col 1.23 Tit. â— 11 Ioh. 6 45 7 Ephes. 1.17 〈…〉 in Comment ad Rome 3. v. 2. Acts 2.39 The largenesse of the Promise serveth not onely to assure all beleevers of salvation but to encourage all that heare of Christ to beleeve in him as the brazen Serpent had a promise annexed to it Numb 21.8 9. Ioh. 3.14 15 â—6 that all that lookâ—d toward it when they were stung with a Serpent should be he healed that promise served not onely to assure the lookers of recovery but also to encourage and warrant every one to looke to the Serpent The Sacraments particularize the generality of the promise * Perkins reformed Cathâ—like Abbot against Bish. * D. Prideaux Lect 7 de salutis certitudine D Sclater on Rom 18. The Papish say it is arrogancy and presumption by a speciall faith to apply the promises to our selves
but it is a notable glorifying of God the glory of his truth is given him when a man doth as it were subscribe to GODS Word and set his Seale to iâ— Ioh 3.33 Rom 4 20. not to beleeve is horriâ—le preâ—umption for that we presume to give God the lie â— Ioh 5. â—0 for he that doth not in speciall apply the promise unto himselfe doth not in heart beleeve the generall promise Non enâ—m hic sensus est quem fingit Bellarminus credo in Ecclesia dari remissionem peccatorum quod Diabolus atque desperabundus quivis potest credere sed credo diri remissionem peccatorum per Christum mihi quia in illum Credo Episc Daven in Col. Generals of promise blessing or comfort delivered in Scripture are intentionally meant to particulars rightly qualified Quod omnibus promiâ—titur singulis promittitur a 1 Ioh. 1.7 Esay 1.8 Ezek. 18.22 b Ezek. 3â— 12 c Mat. 1â— 28 * Poenitentia vera nunquaÌ„ sera at poenitentia sera rarò vera Austen Qui promisit â—oenitenti veniam non promisit peccanti poenitentiam Peccanti crastinum non promisit Nemo promiâ—tat sibi quod Evangelium non promittit Nehem. 9.8 * A firme sate and uncorruptible Covenant which lasts for ever Num 18.19 Decretum ab omni corruptione tutum perpetuumque saith Iunius Every word of his mouth is exactly performed aâ— his people by experience have found and confessed Iosh. 21 45. 1 King 8.56 * 2 King 10.30 a The promise Gen 12 2 3. performance Gen. 13.26.24.1.35 the promise Gen. 15.5 fulfilled Deut. 10.22 the promise Gen. 17 16 9. fulfilled Gen. 21.1 2. b Promise to Isaac Gen 26.3 fulfiâ—led 12 13. verses c To Iacob Gen. 24.15 fulfilled Gen. â—5 3. His love moveâ— him to promise his truth binds him to performe Deut. 7 7 8. 2 Sam. 7.18 21. Micah 7 20. The promises run all upon mercy Exod 20.6 34 7. Deut. 5.10 Luk. 1 50 Psal. 103 17 18. Mat. 5 7. Psal. 62 2. Every one of Gods promises is as sure as himselfe being confirmed with his owne oath Heb. 17 18. Luk. 1 7â— Esay 54.9 D. Benefield on Amos 1.2 Psal. 119.89 152. Psal. 33.11 Num. 13.19 2 Pet. 29. It is not Gods power simply but with relation to his promise which secures our faith Luk. 1.37 Psal 1â—5 3. 135 6. In Dei pâ—omissis nulla falsit is est quia in facieâ—dis nulla omnipotentâ— est difficultas Fulgentius God having made a promise unto Israel to restore them out of that great Captivity of Babylon and it seeming to them incredible he acquainteth them with his power together with his promises Ezek. 37.11 13. Where the Holy Ghost intreats of the doctrine of repentance and faith the word create is metaphorically useâ— to assure us that God will performe his promise though it were as hard a worke as to create all things at first Thus hee hath promised to create a clean heart Ps 51. and to create the fruite of lips to be peace Esay 57.9 and to create upon every place c. Esa 4.5 and to create light and deliâ—erance out of afflictions Esa. 45 7. God performeth his promise when there is no ground nor possibility in nature for itâ— notwithstanding all the media incongruâ—i dissimilia Iob 15.25 26 â—7 All the promises are as true as truth it selfe The promises are called suâ—e Rom 4 16. Promâ—ssa tua sunt Deus qua falit timeat cum promittii veritas August Confes l. 12. c. 10. His words are as deeds his promises as performances The land which was onely promâ—sed to Abraham is said Gen. â—5 12 to be given him Promittendo se fecit debitorem Austen 1 Ioh. 1.9 Verba illa Iustâ—s fidelis referuntur ad promissionem divinam Bellar. de poenitent l. 3. c. 6. God is as just in performing the mercy which he promiseth as in executing the vengeance which he threatneth 2 Tim. 2.13 1 Thess. 5.24 Gen. 3 1. Moses bewrayed his infidelity Num. 11 1â— 14.15 Christs Disciples and otheâ—s that believed in him accounted the promises of his resurrection to be vaine Luk. 24.11 25. Psal. 105.24 Luk. 1. 18 20 The Covenant is mutuall betweene God and us 1 King 8.23 God hath said that he will be All-sufficient to us but he requires then on our part that we be Altogether his Cant. 2.16 In marriage the woman must take the may for her husband as well as he her for his wife True faiths apprehension of Christ is mutuall it laies hold on Christ as we use to do in our salutatioÌ„s when we imbrace one another there is mutuall hold on both sides Whence the act of the Patriarkes faith apprehending the promises Heb. 11.13 is elegantly set out by the metaphor of saluting They saluted the promises True faith kissing Christ is kissed of him embracing Christ is reimbraced of him Phil. 3.12 a Psal. 15.4 b When we receive this command from God keepe my covenant we should pray with Austen Da Dominc quod iubes iube quid vu or as the Church teacheth us when wee heare the 10. CommaÌ„dements Lord have mercy on us and incline our hearts to keep this law c Exod. 19 5 Deut. 5.16 Is a good exposition of this place So farre as long life may be a benefit to Gods children so far he giveth it to them Gen. 25.8 * He promised â—itam 〈◊〉 â—ongatam and gave vitam perpeuatam for it In Coelis repâ—sita est maior compensatio Calvin 1 Chron. 34.28 Acts 7.5 Tibi dabo semini tuo Gen. 13.15 Particula et videtur exegetica Pareus in locum God delayeth the fulfilling of his promises Hab. 2.3 Goodnesse makes the promise truth performes it and wisdome observes the fittest time Esay 60.22 2 King 4.16 17. Gen. 3.15 Iude 14. The Amorites countrey is by promise given to Abâ—ahams see iâ— Gen. 12 7. 13.15 and 15.18 and Abrahams seede in the posterity of Iacob possessed it Amos 2 10. but some 400 seventy yeares after the promise Luke 2. â—5 Alwaies some distance of time passeth beâ—weene promises â—erfoâ—mances Pollicitiâ— diveâ— quilibet este potest Ovid. * Matth. 4. Excelsâ— fro 〈◊〉 in excelso On a mountaine he promiseth mouÌ„taines 1 Pet. 1.4 * Like the man in Erasmus his naufragium who in a storme promised the Virgin a picture of wax as big as S. Christopher but when hee came to shâ—re would not give a tallow candle Heb. 6.12 15 Psal. 130.7 8 * He promised the câ—ildren of Israel onely the land of Canaan but hee gave them besides the whole lâ—nd of Canaan two other kingdomes which he never promised and to Zachary for his unbeleefe stricken dumbe he promised to give his speech at the birth of the child but besides he gave him also the gift of prophecy God prevents his people with his blessings Psal. 2â— 3 He is bountifull to them afore they aske ver 3. and above their requests ver 4. Christ