and the thoughts of his heart to all Ages Psal 33.11 and his Word or Decree brings to passe whatsoever he will Depend upon that Word with the Prophet David Psal 130.5 as being in it self unchangeable Isa 45.23 as God himself is that utters it Mal. 3.6 who will not alter the Word that is gone out of his lips Psal 89.34 whether it be for good Numb 23.19 or for evil Numb 14. comparing verse 12. with 25.35 And is as effectuall in the event 2 King 10.10 much more than the word of Kings Eccles 8.4 because he is strong and faithful that utters it Trust in it then firmly it is surer than the strongest Evidences And fear it it is firmer then the Lawes of the Medes and Persians Light is the first of all the Creatures that God makes as being it self most generally useful especially to the end which God principally aimed at which was to make all the rest of his works Visible and thereby capable of observation which was the principal end wherefore he made them This Light being a Creature must needs infinitely differ in nature from that Eternal brightness which God who only hath Immortality is said to dwell in from all eternity 1 Tim. 6.16 In what body it was fixed and how spread over the face of this unformed masse it is not easie to conjecture especially seeing at present we know not the way where the Light dwelleth Job 38.19 nor needful to enquire after seeing the Holy Ghost passeth it over in silence Only because all the works following must needs be created in the Light which was created before them all We may 3. Observe God loves to do all his Works in the light Observ 3 AS he dwells in the light 1 Tim. 6.16 The manner indeed of his working is secret and not observable or visible to men but the work it self is brought forth into the light and made manifest to all He declares his strength Psal 77.14 and his righteousnesse Psal 58.11 92.2 and hath therefore published in his Word the rule by which he proceeds and the end at which he aimes in all that he doth and hath besides planted in all men a light of understanding by which they may both comprehend and judge of all his works Reason 1. Because his work is Perfect Deut. 32.4 and therefore able to endure the light John 3.21 which none hide their works from but evil doers verse 22. 2. Because one special end of all his works is that he might be known In and By them Rom. 1.20 and be honoured for them Psal 111.2 3 4. 145.10 11. for which cause he hath also left his most memorable works upon record to posterity that men beholding all his wayes might know and fear him and trust in him Psal 78.6 7. Let us then search into and heedfully observe Gods works which is the duty and practice of all those that have pleasure therein Psal 111.2 A study 1. Pleasant 2. Profitable 3. Necessary both by Gods Command and because they nearly concern our selves Unto the true understanding whereof there needs Outwardly the direction of the Word Psal 73.16 17. and besides that Inward light of the Spirit which discovers unto all the Counsels of God as far as they concern us Let us also after Gods Example Walk and Work in the light 1 Joh. 1.7 as being Children of the Light Ephes 5.8 ordained by God to shine as Lights in the world Phil. 2.15 that our works being seen of men they may glorifie our Father which is in Heaven Matth. 5.16 doing those things that may abide the light and be approved by it Joh. 3.21 and setting all that we do before the light of our own consciences and before Gods presence Psal 139.23 24. Yea if need be before the faces of all men when Gods honour and our own necessary justification and the credit of Religion thereby require it at our hands Otherwise even works of the light are to be done in secret Matth. 6.3 unlesse the encouragement of other men or the necessity of the work it self require the performance of it in a more publick manner As even modest women choose rather to uncover their breasts before others than to suffer their children to cry for hunger In this Relation although the way where the light dwelleth be not discovered unto us yet the Author who Created it is expresly mentioned Light as well as all other Creatures was the effect of Gods decree Whence 4. Observe Light as well as all others Creatures is the Work of God himself Observ 4 IN many respects resembling him that made it as being Glorious Spiritual Pure diffused in an instant searching all places and useful for Direction and Comfort Thus both the light it self and the Sun that carries it are both prepared by God Psal 74.16 Isa 45.7 How much more is God the Author of VVisdom and Understanding the Inward light of the soul seeing he is the Light that enlightens every one that comes into the world John 1.9 but more of his own children whom he enlighteneth with that true knowledge of the glory of God in the face of his Son Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 Let all men then seek the Light of VVisdom at Gods hand as we are directed Jam. 1.5 Ephes 1.17 18. and that by the meanes which he hath ordained his VVord especially which is a light Prov. 6.23 shining in a dark place 2 Pet. 1.19 enlightening the eyes Psal 19.8 and directing the steps Psal 119.105 and yet not comprehended by the darknesse John 1.5 which rests upon the hearts of all them that remain in their natural condition and that this light may be discerned the eyes of the mind must be opened by the Spirit which must be begged of God by fervent and frequent prayer as David prayes God to open his eyes Psal 119.18 Let us acknowledge the light as a speciall blessing from God without which our life were both Uncomfortable and Unprofitable and all the Creatures to us for the most part unserviceable as we see in the Egyptian darknesse which fixed men to their places that they moved not for three dayes Exod. 10.22 23. and was an immediate fore-runner of a greater plague Much more let us acknowledge the light of our minds to be his blessing who hath opened our eyes and shined into our hearts when he hath left the rest of the world to perish in their ignorance Our thankfulnesse for so great a mercy ought to be manifested by walking in that light and perswading others to walk in it with us Isa 2.5 We cannot but take notice that God brought this Light out of Darknesse for there was nothing but darknesse upon the face of the Deep when God commanded this light to shine forth as there was nothing but deformity till God brought beauty into the world Whence 5. Observe God can and often doth bring Light out of Darknesse Observ 5 AS he doth daily by renewing the light of the day after the
who know nothing as we ought to know yea let us acknowledge our approbation of Gods waies and works both by setting out their praise and by quieting and contenting our hearts in whatsoever events befall our selves or others 2. If they prove not so to us let us blame our selves and not the work of God much lesse him that wrought it we are out of order and not any Act of Gods wherefore let us leave complaining and fall to searching and trying our waies Lam. 3 39.40 Not wishing any act of Providence altered but our selves seeing the inequality is not in Gods waies but in our own Ezech. 18.25 And we must needs acknowledge as it is testified of him Psal 145.17 That he is righteous in all his waies and Holy in all his works 3. Let us labour to imitate God in our works as far as we are able Do that which is good in it self correspoudent every way and useful to others which is and will be our honour Comfort and ground of reward from God in time to come Rom. 2.6 7. The goodnesse of the Light as it is a work of God considered in Generall we have observed If we consider it apart as we find it here in particular approved by God and testified by him to be good We may 4. Observe Light is a good Creature Observ 4 GLorious in it self and therefore said to be the robe wherewith God cloaths himself Psal 104.4 exceeding comfortable and delightsome Eccl. 11.7 For which cause a prosperous and comfortable condition is every where expressed by Light of singgular use to the Creatures as discovering and making all things manifest unto them Eph. 5.13 and thereby directing and guiding them in all their waies for which cause Gods Law according to which all mens waies ought to be ordered is expressed by that name Prov. 6.23 Psal 119.20 And consequently furthering all imployments which when the Egyptians wanted they were fain to sit still every one in his place Exod. 10.23 1. Acknowledge it unto God with all thankfulnesse as a speciall though a Common blessing that we enjoy the Light comparing the comfortablenesse of the Light of the day with the shadow and darknesse of the night the manifold benefits of the sight with the uncomfortablenesse of blindnesse and the dangers unto which it makes men subject Much more let us rejoyce in that glorious Light of the Word and Gospell and the knowledge and understanding of heavenly things which we gain thereby by which God himself is in some measure discovered unto us and the things freely given us by him by which our hearts are revived our steps directed and our selves stirred up and strengthened to walk in a safe way till God bring us in peace to the Light of glory hereafter 2. Let us then use the light well This Outward light to exercise our selves by the benefit thereof in profitable imployments Psal 104.23 Not to trifle it out in idlenesse and vanity much lesse abusing it to the acting of the works of darknesse and surfeiting and drunkennesse and the like But especially the Spirituall Light of the Word and not trifling with it as the Jewes did Joh. 5.35 as children that set up a candle to play by but attending and taking heed to it 2 Pet. 1.19 and walking in it as Children of Light See Romans 13.12 Ephesi 5.8 Something may yet farther be observed in this Testimony of God concerning both the Light and other Creatures which he formes afterwards That the Holy Ghost thinks this sufficient to commend Gods Works unto us that they were approved by God himself and allowed as good VVhence 5. Observe That and that only is good which God Approves Observ 5 ROm. 2.29 2 Cor. 10.18 Whence it is that God laies a speciall charge upon his people to do Not that which is right in their own eyes Deut. 12.8 But that which is good in the eyes of the Lord their God Deut. 6.18 Reason 1. He onely hath Authority to allow and approve as Princes have to stamp Coyn and that justly seeing he hath onely wisdom to understand and discern things aright and thereby to put a true difference between good and evil and besides his will is that which makes things good 2. There could otherwise be no certainty in the world unlesse there be One and that an unchangeable and infallible Rule for men to walk by and one ballance in which all men and their actions may be equally weighed and approved thereby Let no man please himself either with his own or with the worlds censure concerning himself or his wayes against which St. Paul protests 1 Cor. 4.3 4. Considering 1. That the Creature hath no Authority to justifie or condemn Rom. 14.4 2. Neither is any Creature furnished with such a measure of wisdom as to set a right esteem on mens Actions the grounds and scope whereof they cannot reach into much lesse of their persons seeing they can look only on the outward appearance so that God reverseth their Judgments abhorring many times that which they highly esteem Luke 16.15 After the Approbation of the Light followes the distinction and separation of it from the darknesse which as they are oppositein nature and so cannot subsist together so God separated them in time appointing them to succeed one another mutually in their turns Whence 6. Observe Light and Darknesse cannot subsist together Observ 6 NEither by nature in which being Opposite they must necessarily destroy one another nor by the will of God who hath purposely severed them for avoiding Confusion See 2 Cor. 6.14 Let all those that are of the Light 1 Thess 5.5 nay Light in the Lord Ephes 5.8 abandon darknesse with all the works thereof Rom. 13.12 Ephes 5.11 together with the society of all that walk in them as being 1. Uncomely 2. Unprofitable and unfruitful 3. Dangerous as wholly opposite to the state unto which we are called and hindering our communion and fellowship with God who dwelleth in the Light 1 Tim. 6.16 nay is altogether light without any darknesse at all 1 Joh. 1.5 6. Now though God divided the light from the darknesse yet he took not the darknesse clean away but continued them both still though not confounded together yet to take their turns successively and come in one anothers room in the order that he appointed Whence 7. Observe Light and Darknesse take their turnes and succeed one another in the Order that God hath appointed Observ 7 WHether we take them Properly so we see the night and day succeeding one another by turns Of if we take them figuratiuely for Prosperity and Adversity they also have their mutual succession Psal 30.5 so that weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning and that also by Gods appointment who hath set the one against the other Eccles 7.14 to keep all upright Reason 1. They are both useful in their times the Light and Day for action and employment Psal 104.23 The Night and Darknesse for
a nearer degree of Communion with God otherwise God might have delighted in man as he doth in the rest of the works of his hands Psal 104.31 but could never have had Communion with him as he hath with all those whom he hath chosen in Christ 1 Joh. 1.3 and renewed for that purpose after his Image Let it move all those who are Created after Gods Image to carry themselves answerable thereunto in Wisdom approving and esteeming only things spiritual and heavenly God himself and the things freely given us of God and in Holinesse answering his Will in all our affections desires and endeavours This 1. is our greatest honour to be as near as we may be like unto God a dignity that the ambitious men of the world have endeavoured to arrogate unto themselves Isa 14.14 though they sought it in a false way 2. Will move God to delight in us Prov. 11.20 12.22 3. Will bring us a sure reward when by walking worthy of Him Col. 1.10 we move others to glorifie him Matth. 5.15 Let it be a means to raise up all mens hearts to the detestation of sin which not onely defaced this Image of God in us but besides hath stamped upon us the character of Satan whom all men that are born and still remain in the corruption of their nature resemble both in their disposition and in their actions Joh. 8.44 1 Joh. 3.8 Abiding Walking and Delighting in Darknesse as Satan doth whose dominion is also called the Kingdom of Darknesse and walking in perverse and crooked wayes contrary to God who therefore must of necessity walk contrary to them It cannot but be granted that this Image of God according to which he formed the most excellent Creature of all the works of his hand must needs be the greatest ornament and crown of glory that could be set upon the head of a Creature not onely because God bestowed it as a speciall and eminent favour upon the chief of all his works but besides because there cannot be conceived a greater perfection in a Creature then the nearest resemblance of the Creator Whence 9. Observe Gods Image in Man is his greatest Glory Observ 9 IT is Righteousnesse and that alone that makes a man more Excellent then his neighbour Prov. 12.26 Whence it is that the Saints have that title given them that they are called the Excellent Psal 16.3 as if holy men onely were worthy to be so called and for the other part of Gods Image which is Wisdom Solomon tells us that it excells folly as far as light excells darknesse Eccl. 2.13 We must understand by it that wisdom which consists in the knowledge of the most High without which Agur acknowledgeth himself to be altogether bruitish Prov. 30.2 3. Wherefore our glory whereunto we are reserved though we know not in Particular what we shall be is in General described to be this that we shall be like unto God because we shall see him as he is 1 Joh. 3.2 Let us then despising the vain shadowes of honour which vain men so much affect 1. Labour to gain this true honour to come as near to God as we can in Wisdom and Holinesse climbing up from one step of this dignity to another Giving all diligence to adde unto our Faith Vertue to Vertue Knowledge and the rest that follow in the Apostles direction 2 Pet. 1.5 6. And by patient continuance in well doing seeking honour Rom. 2.7 striving to adorn not our bodies but our hidden man of the heart which only God sets much by 1 Pet. 3.4 and commends Rom. 2.29 As for outward ornaments that grace the body or Titles or places of honour which advance one man above another in the eye of men without the inward and true Ornaments of Wisdom and Holiness they are but like the paintings of Sepulchres and advance not a man one step above the beasts that perish Psal 49.20 2. According to this true honour of the stamp of Gods Image upon a man let us esteem both of our selves and others which is godly mens property Psal 15.4 who judge as God judgeth After the Pattern according to which Man was made followes the estate unto which he was advanced God bestowes on him the Dominion over all his Creatures that as he was in some degree Partaker of his Nature so he might in some sort resemble him in his Soveraignty and so be as it were his Deputy here on Earth Commanding under him and in his Name all the works of his hands or at least the greatest part of them Whence 10. Observe God hath advanced Man to have the Dominion and Lordship over all the works of his hands Obser 10 To enjoy the benefit of them all even those which are not under his command the Heavens Sunne Moon Stars Clouds Winds all of them in their Courses doing us service to give us Light Influence and Rain by which they drop down fatnesse on the Earth So Deut. 28.12 Job 36.28 and to be subdued by us The Earth by habitation and Culture the Sea by Navigation and fishing But above all the rest the Cattel are most at our Command which besides the food and cloathing which they afford us in their labours do us a kind of voluntary homage in obeying our directions and submitting to our government So that all things are put under our feet Psal 8.6 So that as they are all Gods Servants so we may with all thankfulnesse acknowledge that he hath made them our Servants too Now howsoever we had by rebellion against God forfeited this Lordship of ours yet God in mercy hath restored it in some measure by Christ whom he hath given to us and with him all things Rom. 8.32 So that in him we may say All are ours 1 Cor. 3.22 And this in part God manifested in renewing this Patent to Noah and in him to all the faithful saved out of the waters in the Ark which was a Type of Christ Gen. 9.1 2. 1. Let no man doubt of a sufficient supply for the necessities of this Life seeing God hath given us all things abundantly to enjoy 1 Tim. 6.17 How can any man want food and cloathing that hath all the Creatures in Heaven and Earth to do him service Onely let us walk in Faith and Obedience to which the promise of sufficiency belong Psal 37.3 Otherwise as sin forfeited our Lordship over the Creatures in Adams Apostacie so it may and will still hinder Good things from us Jer. 5.25 2. Let us be carefull to use the Creatures well both for their good and our own ruling over them like Lords and not as Tyrants indeavour to preserve them a Righteous Man regardeth the life of his Beast Prov. 12.10 Using them as supplies for oâ—r necessities and not as Fuel to our Lusts remembring that we enjoy them onely by grant from God and not by any right of our Own and therefore are to use them within the bounds and limits which he hath set us unto whom
use thereof in which it is to be employed Let no man then repine at his own condition nor envy any other mans If it be but an handful of meal in a barrel and a little oyl in a cruse 1 King 17.16 why should we trouble our selves as long as it is sufficient If God rain down bread from heaven upon us as he did Mannah upon his people in the VVildernesse that is give us at once no more than the portion of the day which is as much as he warrants us to pray for so that we are filled to day though we know not where to dine to morrow Let it not disquiet us that we have not goods layed up in store for many years with that fool Luke 12.19 If other men fare better then we or are better clad Let us ask the question of our selves which our Saviour puts to his Disciples when they had neither purse nor scrip Do we lack any thing Luke 22.35 If we observe it well the wants whereof we complain are in our minds not in our estates our allowances may come short of our desires but shall never be found unanswerable to that condition which God in his wisdome hath thought best and most convenient for us These two Lights then are termed Great as exceeding the Stars although not in the true measure of their greatnesse yet in Outward glory and yet between these two we shall find great inequality both in their Greatnesse and in their Glory and such a difference we shall find in all the rest of the Creatures Whence 5. Observe Although all the Creatures are Perfect in their several Kinds yet they are Unequal in Degrees of Excellency Observ 5 THere is difference in degree between the brightnesse of the Firmament and of the Stars as is implyed Dan. 12.3 The Stars all of them shine yet one Star differs from another in glory 1 Cor. 15.4 and yet the most glorious amongst them shines not like the Sun in his strength Amongst the Creatures below some have a being some have life but not sense some have sense but no motion some have all these but have no understanding But amongst them all is not found a greater inequality then there is amongst men in their Outward estates in their Endowments either of body or mind and in their Uses for Employment Reasons 1. That God may shew himself Lord of all when no Creature can challenge any thing but must enjoy only that which God is pleased to bestow upon it See our Saviours Parable Matth. 20.13 2. To humble men in the sense of their own defects and make them thankful for what they enjoy above other Creatures Who and where are they that desire Parity Are we not all Creatures and consequently not to be Limited by our own wills but by the Will of Him that hath made and disposed us in our several ranks as it pleased Him And yet we see the greatest part of men are transported with that vain humour which we cannot but condemn in others To be unquiet in our own condition because we are not Matches with other men wherein if we could attain our desires we would be as much troubled because we are not their Superiours The Sun as we see being the greater light is designed by God to the more eminent office To rule the day and yet the Moon though lesser and inferiour hath an Office too although much inferiour To govern the night and is thereby made useful and serviceable to the Earth although in a lower place Whence 6. Observe Those which are of weaker abilities may notwithstanding be useful and serviceable for some kind of employment or other Observ 6 SUch as could not spin Purple or Scarlet or fine Linnen were employed notwithstanding in spinning Goats hair for the Tabernacle Exod. 35.26 Nay the very Gibeonites that could be admitted to no higher service did hew wood and draw water for it Josh 9.23 The foot may support and carry the body though it cannot direct it as the eye doth and the Creatures that cannot serve us to till our grounds or carry our burthens as Horses Oxen and Asses do yet may be made use of for some other service as dogs to keep the house or to be used for sport or the like even those that seem altogether uselesse or perhaps hurtful yet have this use at least by their variety to manifest the wonderful wisdome and goodnesse of the Creator As for men those that have not abilities for government may be made use of for servants if not in the greatest yet in the lowest offices wherefore despise none Seeing 1. we cannot comfortably subsist without the performance of the meanest offices about us 2. VVe know not to what degree of glory men of the lowest rank and meanest parts may be advanced hereafter The day as being of most use for the dispatch of mens affairs is first provided for and yet God neglects not the night but takes order that it should be governed too although by the Moon the lesser Light of the two Whence 7. Observe God takes care for the Government of the Night as well as of the Day Observ 7 INdeed both the Day and Night are Gods Psal 74.16 his Providence watcheth over both according to his promise Psal 91.5 6. 121.6 Which he manifested to his people in delivering them by night out of Egypt and afterwards in their passage through the red Sea Exod. 14.22 As he did afterwards wonderfully manifest himself in destroying Senacherib's Host by night 2 King 19.35 yea many times he appears to his servants in visions of the night as they are termed Job 4.13 giveth songs in the Night Job 35.10 and makes their reines to teach them in the night Psal 16.7 Reasons 1. He can do it seeing the Light and darknesse to him are both alike Psal 139.12 2. And it is needful for him to do it that he may keep the world in Order which otherwise would soon be out of frame if there were no care taken of the Night which we find by experience to be so fit a vail for all manner of villany Let it appale the spirits of such as make that the Covering for their lewd practices Watching for the Twilight Job 24.15 Prov. 7.9 and endeavour to hide their Robberies Adulteries and Drunkennesse under a vail of darknesse as if God had onely reserved the day to himself and abandoned the night to the Devil and his Angels let all wise men walk with God in the dark as well as in the light as those that must give account to God of all their Carriage even of the very thoughts upon their beds in the night season as well as of their works in the day The Stars Moses names only that we may take notice of them also to be Gods workmanship but because they were ordained to no special use that men might take notice of they are only named though being Creatures in themselves worthy of admiration VERSES 17 18
be a snare unto them and that which might have been for their prosperity a trap Psal 69.22 Casting justly upon them the fury of his wrath while they are about to fill their bellies Job 20.23 Secondly to such as wholly sequester holy meditations from the ordinary imployments in their outward affaires confining them to the Church and the Sabbath or to the hours of their weakly and unconstantly performed devotions as if our Particular and Generall callings were things distinct and not Subordinate whereas a Christians 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Negotiation ought to be still in heaven Phil. 3.20 even while he is busie about the things here below Now if we conceive these Trees to have been planted in the middest of the Garden which as hath been said this relation must necessarily imply we cannot but conceive that the reason why they were there placed was that they might be the more often in the view of our first parents which way soever they went either to take their food or to go about their imployment Whence 7. Observe Gods Commandements ought to be still in the view and before the face of his Children Observ 7 TO this end God appointed his Children to put blew Ribands upon the fringes of their garments that they might put them in mind of Gods Commandements Numb 15.38 39. And for the same end to write the law upon the posts of their Houses and on their Gates Deut. 6.9 That it might be unto them as a signer on their hands and a fronlet between their eyes Thus the Prophet David professeth that Gods Judgments were alwaies before him Psal 18.22 his meditation all the day long Psal 119.97 As it is a mark of a wicked man that His commandements are behind his back Psal 50 27. where he may never see nor think of them This careful observance and casting our eye upon Gods Commandements is first unto us of absolute necessity as well because they are our Counsellers to advise with upon all occasions Psalme 119.24 and our light to walk by verse 105. As also because our waies are full of turnings aside and therefore we may easily erre yea and dangerously unlesse we have that to guide us and besides our corrupt lusts are still at hand to pervert us which cannot be checked by any other bridle but the Law Secondly it much advanceth the Honour of the Law when we so carefully take heed to it and of God Himself when we make his directions our continuall care and observation Those Trees which God ordained to this Spirituall use to mind our Parents of their dutie and to strengthen their Faith were of the same Nature if not of the same kinde with the rest of the Trees of the Garden as the Sacramentall Elements with us appointed by our Saviours Institution are such Water and Bread and such Wine as we do or may employ to ordinary or common use Whence 8. Observe It is usuall with God to teach his Children by things of ordinary and common use Observ 8 THus our Saviour in teaching Nicodemus speaks unto him Earthly things John 3.12 From which in preaching he takes most of his Similitudes as from Sowing Planting Building Cloathing Food and the like And this he doth 1. In compassion of our weaknesse stooping low unto us because we cannot ascend up unto him nor easily raise up our earthly minds to comprehend and behold Spirituall things in their own nature unlesse they be shaddowed unto us by things that are Earthly 2. That by resembling those Spirituall things by Earthly he might acquaint us with the right use of those things which are subject to sense which is to raise up our hearts to the contemplation of things that are above sense 3. That we might have Monitors and Teachers in every place in every Object of sense in every imployment that we take in hand 4. To affect us the more with Spirituall things by representing them unto us by the objects of sense which are most apt to work upon our affections Let us make use then of those things which are of ordinary use to raise up our hearts to heaven by meditations and by them teach and instruct our Brethren as a way most easy both to the Speaker and Hearer and most profitable and lastly ordained by God Himself who hath not onely imprinted some resembances of Spirituall things upon those which are Naturall but hath set us this taske to study Spiritual things in the Book of Nature and to ascend up to Heaven by these things on Earth Neither is it any more disparagement to Gods Wisdom to be shaddowed out by common and ordinary things then it was to our Saviour to be cloathed with our flesh the Glory of both easily shining out through so grosse a Vaile to all that have eyes to behold it It had been enough for God to give Adam Life but He is pleased to ingage Himself by his promise to continue it unto him and to confirm his Promise by his Seal in this Sacramental Tree of Life Thus is he pleased to abase Himself to be obliged to his own Creature Whence 9. Observe God is contented not onely to do us good but besides to engage himself thereunto by his Word ratified by his own Seal Observ 9 THis Truth He hath manifested to His Church in all ages still multiplying his Promises to his People confirming his Promises by his Oath and ratifying both by the Sacraments which are his Seales This indeed God may well do seeing his Purposes Word and Seal are all alike certain and infallible in him Seeing his Will to do us good flowing from his Love and aiming at his glory bindes him as firmely as any promise can do and in respect of our weaknesse it is Convenient that by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lye we might have strong consolation Heb. 6.18 Then must mans unbelief be utterly inexcusable as being 1. Causelesse as having such infallible grounds of assurance and 2. Joyned with much contempt of God and Unthankfulnesse in sleighting His free offer of Himself and his Love unto us and manifesting his Unfained desire of our good and for that end abasing himself out of compassion to our weaknesse so low as to engage Himself to his own Creatures 3. And in effect it implyes the denying of his Truth when we refuse to give Credit to His Word The Tree of Life as hath been intimated was unto Adam the Seal of Gods Promise of the continuance of his Life both Present and Future under the Condition of Obedience to his Will in taking that for his rule in directing him what to choose and what to forbear Whence 10. Observe Both the continuance of Present and hope of future Life as they are Gods Gift so they are assured by his Promise Observ 10 THat Life as it is onely in him Originally so from him is communicated to his Creatures is unquestionable so that mens Life and Breath is truly said