he hath not 2 Cor. 8.12 I will make them ioyfull in mine house of prayer their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine Altar Esay 56.7 3. GOD will reward the services of his children To him that soweth righteousnesse shall be a sure reward Pro. 11.18 Every man shall receive his owne reward according to his labour 1 Cor. 3.8 Whatsoever good thing any man doth the same shall hee receive of the LORD whether he be bond or free Ephes. 6.8 Behold his reward is with him Esay 40.10 Verily there is a reward for the Righteous Psal. 58.11 I the LORD search the heart I trie the reines even to give every man according to his waies and according to the fruit of his doings Jer. 17.10 Let us not be weary of well-doing for in due season wee shall reape if wee faint not Galat. 6.9 He shall reward every man according to his workes Mat. 16.27 CHAP. XIII The ordinances of GOD. 1. In generall 2. Particular Duties 1. Prayer 2. Preaching 3. Reading Promises 1. To the ordinances of GOD generally THere is a promise to the use of GODS ordinances James 4.8 Draw nigh to GOD and he will draw nigh to you With ioy shall yee draw water out of the wels of salvation Esay 12.3 We may apply this promise when we pray heare conferre or fast in every dutie Promises 2. To particular Duties 1. Prayer 1. GOD will give his children hearts to seeke him by Prayer He shall call upon mee and I will answer hiâ— Psal. 91.15 Then shall yee call upon mee and yee shall goe and pray unto mee and I will hearken unto you Ier. 29.12 He will prepare their hearts Psal. 10.17 For this cause shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou maist be found Psal. 32.6 See Ier. 31.9 and Hosea 3.5 2. GOD promiseth to helpe us to pray His Spirit shall indite our prayers and helpe us to draw our petitions The Spirit helpeth our infirmities and maketh intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered Rom. 8.26 27. I will powre upon the house of David and upon the Inhabitants of Ierusalem the Spirit of grace and supplications Zach. 12.10 So soone as the Spirit of Grace entreth into the heart it makes one plentifull and abundant in supplicating and suing unto GOD for grace and mercy 3. GOD hath bound himselfe by promise to heare his servants when they call upon him The LORD made a promise to Salomon after his prayer saying Mine eyes shall be open and mine eares attentive to the prayer in â—his place 2 Chron. 7.15 The LORD is rich unto all that call upon him Rom. 10. â—2 Be carefull for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thankesgiving let your request bee made knowne unto GOD. And the peace of GOD which passeth all understanding shall keepe your hearts and mindes through CHRIST JESUS Philip. 4.6 7. The prayers of the upright are his delight Pro. 15.8 Hee heareth the prayer of the righteous verse 29. GOD will not onely heare our prayers in generall but our voice Psal. 5.3 our very desires Psal. 10.17 Pro. 10.24 which are effectuall prayers with GOD. He will not despise our prayers Psal. 102.17 He will not reproch us nor upbraid us with what is past or our present frailties Iam. 1.5 It is agreeable to his nature and disposition to heare prayers Psal. 65.12 The thing that hath encouraged GODS children and given them heart in prayer hath beene this hope and assurance that they should finde audience and respect with GOD O thou that hearest prayer or because thou hearest prayer all flesh shall resort unto thee Psal. 65.2 GOD excepts no man all shall be heard For thou LORD art good and ready to forgive and plenteous in mercy to all them that call upon thee Ps. 86.5 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him to all that call upon him in truth Psal. 145.18 It shall come to passe that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered Ioel 2.32 which is repeated Acts 2.21 and Rom. 10.13 Though our prayers be weake yet let us remember that the promise is made to all We may see the proofe of this in a prayer made in much infirmity Psal. 31.22 GOD is more ready to heare then we to aske to give then we to receive 1 Pet. 3.12 His eares are open as a kinde mother or nurse which useth to be so wakefull that shee will heare the child so soone as ever it begins to cry Dan. 10.11 Feare not Daniel for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand and to humble thy selfe before GOD thy words were heard yea before they call I will answer and while they speake I will heare Esay 65.24 that is in our purpose of Prayer This the faithfull have gloried in Psal. 4.3.17.6 and 38.15 GOD hath specially bound himselfe to heare his children in those prayers that they make unto him in their afflictions the time of trouble is the very set houre of Audience The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous and his eares are open to their cry Psal. 34.15 The righteous cry and the LORD heareth and delivereth them out of all their troubles verse 17. Which is repeated foure times in the 107. Psalme 6 13 19. and 28. verses The LORD saith Psal. 50.15 Call upon mee in the day of trouble I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorifie mee Hee will regard the prayer of the destitute aâ—d not despise their prayer Psal. 102.17 to 21. their teares sâ—ghes and groanings are not hid from him Psal. 39.12 He will heare in the morning Psal. 5.3 in the very season the due time when we are in trouble Yea so as hee will in our affliction in a speciall manner let us know that hee is our GOD and that he will deliver us Zach. 13.9 The LORD heareth the prayers of his people when they thinke they are cast out of his sight Psal. 31.22 GODS people have found comfort in all their afflictions by powring out their hearts to GOD in prayer Psal. 109.3 4. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee for thou hearest mee Psal. 86.7 The LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping the LORD hath heard my supplication the Lord will receive my prayer Psal. 6.8 9. A Noble man in this Kingdome had a ring given him by the Queene Elizabeth with this promise that if hee sent that ring to her at any time when he was in distresse shee would remember him and deliver him This was a great priviledge from a Prince and yet that ring though sent might not be delivered GOD hath given his children prayer as that ring and tells them whatsoever distresse they are in let them but send this up to him and he will be sure to relieve them and when they doe send up this it is sure
services acceptable to GOD Iam. 5.16 Romanes 12.11 3. It is the way to happinesse Matth. 11.12 17. Perseverance Promises to strengthen our faith as touching Perseverance For this marke the first Promise which GOD made The seede of the woman shall breake the serpents head Gen. 3.15 there Satan is stinted to the heele of CHRIST and that promise made to Abraham Gen. 17.7 and to David concerning Salomon 2 Sam. 7.14 15. the which promise is applied to all GODS Elect Psal. 89.23 28 29. GOD hath promised to his Elect That they shall enjoy the worke of their hands and shall not labour in vaine Esay 65.22 23. Not one of them shall be lacking in the whole flocke Jer. 23.4 Hee will build them and not plucke them downe hee will plant them and not pull them up Ier. 24.6 See Esay 33.20 Deut. 31.8 2 Sam. 7.10 Amos 9.15 Psal. 92.13 14. Pro. 10.30 12.3 Judg. 5.31 Job 11.15 17. Esay 42.3 46.4 Esay 55.3 Ezek. 37.26 Heb. 13.5 20. Esay 54.9 10. Promises 2. To Perseverance The Promises of reward are limited and restrained unto those who persevere unto the end Hee that endureth unto the end shall bee saved Matth. 10.22 which is often repeated Matth. 24.13 Marke 13.13 CHRIST promiseth a reward to those seven Churches of Asia but with a proviso of overcomming To him that overcommeth will I give to eate of the tree of life which is in the paradise of GOD Rev. 2.7 Hee that overcommeth shall not be hurt of the second death verse 11. To him that overcommeth will I give to eate of the hidden Manna verse 17. To him that overcommeth and keepeth my workes unto the end to him will I give power over the nations verse 26. See 28. verse Holding fast and going on hath a crowne attending it Heb. 10.23 Luke 22.28 29 30. Be thou faithfull unto death and I will give thee a crowne of life Rev. 2.10 If yee abide in mee and my words abide in you yee shall aske what yee will and it shall be done unto you Iohn 15.7 See Iames 1.25 Heb. 3.14 Gal. 6.9 CHAP. XI 2. The Degrees of Graces Promises Of growth and increase in Grace GOD hath promised to give grace abundantly not onely to drop it but to powre it I will powre water upon him that is thirsty and floods upon the drie ground I will powre my Spirit upon thy seed c. Esay 44.3 4. Their soule shall be as a watered garden Esay 58.11 and Jer. 31.12 GOD promiseth to make his people fruitfull He is compared to a Husbandman the Church to an Orchard the faithfull to young plants whose nature is to spread and shoot out their branches and bring forth fruit Iohn 15.2 The godly man shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that bringeth forth fruit in his season Psal. 1.3 Jer. 17.8 Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our GOD. They shall bring forth fruit in old age they shall be fat and flourishing Psal. 92.13 14. An old man being once asked if hee grew in goodnesse said yea doubtlesse I beleeve it to be so for GOD hath said it The righteous shall flourish as the branch Pro. 11.28 Yee shall goe forth and grow up as the calves of the stall Mal. 4.2 The LORD likewise as a good Shepheard saith Hee will feede his people that they may be fat that is abounding in grace as Psal. 23. Ezek. 34.13 14 15. Psal. 36.8 Pro. 13.4 He saith Hee will give strength to his people to walke in the waies of the LORD Esay 45.24 Esay 40.29 31. Psal. 29.11 Esay 26.4 12. Esay 41.10 Zach. 10.12 Phil. 4.13 They go from strength to strength Psal. 84.7 The righteous shall hold on his way and he that hath cleane hands shall be stronger and stronger Job 17.9 But the path of the iust is as the shining light that shineth more and more unto the perfect day Pro. 4.18 Whosoever hath that is useth well what he hath received to him shall be given and he shall have abundance Matth. 13.12 Luke 19.26 Mar. 4 24. Nathaniel beleeved at the first yet he is promised that hee shall see greater things See Hos 14.5 6 7. Promises to severall degrees of true grace or growth in grace 2 Pet. 1.5 6 8 10 11. Growth in grace will procure growth in glory the more holinesse we have here the more happinesse wee shall have hereafter If we be rich in the worke of the LORD our labour shall not be in vaine in the LORD 1 Cor. 15.58 Hee that sowes liberally shall reape liberally wee shall receive a full reward Iohn Epist. 2.8 CHAP. XII 2. Spirituall Duties THe LORD hath promised to assist us in them by his Spirit and they being done by the operation and assistance of the Spirit shall be accepted and rewarded of the Father 1. GOD hath promised to helpe us by his Spirit in holy duties Therefore wee must not onely looke to the Commandement injoyning duty but to the promise shewing GODS mercy in helping us For GOD in the New Covenant gives what he requires In one place the LORD commandeth Cast away from you all your transgressions and make you a new heart and a new Spirit In another place hee promiseth I will sprinkle cleane water upon you and you shall be cleane from all your filthinesse A new heart also will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you So GOD commandeth them to circumcise the foreskinne of their hearts Deut. 10.16 and after he saith hee will circumcise their hearts c. Deut. 30.6 He commands us to keepe his Commandements Eccles. 12.13 and promiseth to cause us to walke in his statutes Ezek. 36 27. Hee commandeth us to feare Him Eccles. 12.13 and promiseth to put his feare into our hearts Ier. 32.40 Hee commandeth us to have a new soft heart and promiseth to make it so Ezek. 36.26 Hee commands us to pray and make knowne our wants to him and promiseth to powre upon us the Spirit of grace and Supplication Zach. 12.10 GODS promises are the foundation of all our performances For we by working doe not cause him to fulfill his promises but he by promising doth enable us to performe our workes 2. GOD promiseth to accept the services of his children All our sacrifices shall be accepted The LORD by Moses did often tell his people that their sacrifices should be accepted Levit 1.3 4. 22.21 23.11 Exod. 28.36 38. See Esay 60.7 Ezek. 43.27 20.40 41. Mal. 3 4. If thou doest well shalt not thou be accepted Gen. 4.7 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousnesse Psal. 51.19 Yee are a holy Priesthood to offer up spirituall sacrifices acceptable to GOD by JESUS CHRIST 1 Pet. 2.5 If there be first a willing minde it is â—câ—epted according to that a man hath and not according to that
difficulties and hazards of that holy warre and S. Paul applies the promise to all the faithfull in any straights or distresses of life as the LORD himselfe had before applied it from Moses to Ioshua Let your conversation be without covetousnesse for as GOD was with Ioshua so will he be with thee Hee will not faile thee nor forsake thee CHRIST made a particular promise unto Peter I have prayed for thee that thy faith faile not And the same in effect he applies to all his I pray that thou wouldst keepe them from the evill Thus may the children of GOD doe if they finde any promise made to one godly man and no speciall reason expressed why it should be peculiar to him they may take it as a promise made to them The ground of this is taken from GODS unchangeable and impartiall manner of dealing the same GOD that he is to one faithfull man the same he is to all they all are under the same Covenant and have interest in the same promises 2. Promises are subordinated and performed with dependance Therefore we must not anticipate nor perturbe the order which GOD hath put in his Promises but waite upon him in his owne way Grace and Glory will hee give but first grace before glory no man must snatch at this promise till he have interest in that Godlinesse hath the promises of this life and of that which is to come but we must note the order which our Saviour puts First seeke the Kingdome and Righteousnesse of GOD and then all these things shall be added unto you The LORD promiseth to call men unto CHRIST Nations that knew thee not shall runne unto thee The Apostle tells us whereunto he calls GOD hath not called us unto uncleannesse but unto holinesse Therefore in the next place he promiseth to sanctifie and cleanse his Church I will put my law in their hearts and in their inward parts The qualification of this holinesse is that it be whole and constant The very GOD of peace sanctifie you and preserve you blamelesse unto the comming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST is the Apostles prayer for the Thessalonians Therefore in the next place GOD promiseth perseverance I will not turne away from them to doe them good but I will put my feare into their hearts that they shall not depart from mee But this perseverance is not so certaine but that it admits of fals slips and miscarriages therefore in that case Hee promiseth healing and restoring I will heale their backeslidings I will love them freely I will binde up that which is broken and will strengthen that which was sicke And after all this comes the promise of Glory and Salvation Therefore we must take the Promises in that Connexion and dependancie which they have amongst themselves When GOD hath called us to the knowledge of CHRIST we must not skip over all the intermediate linkes and looke presently for the accomplishment of GODS promise of Salvation or perseverance by GODS sole power and in the meane time omit all care of Holinesse in our conversation For GOD doth not fulfill his promises in us onely but by us too and those things which in regard of his word are his promises are also in regard of his Command our duties 3. Experience of GOD in his Promises confirmeth Faith and nourisheth Hope The faithfull are confirmed in the truth of GODS promises by the experience of his dealing with others of his servants Psal. 22.4 Our father 's trusted in thee they trusted and thou didst deliver them Psal. 34.5 They shall looke unto him and 〈◊〉 to him and their faces shall not be ashamed What made them so confident in GODS mercies verse 6. This poore man cryed and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles Experience of GODS dealing with others doth also nourish and uphold hope Therefore Iames brings to the memories of the Christian Jewes GODS dealing with Iob to strengthen their hope But especially the experience a man hath had in himselfe of the performance of GODS promises will marvellously confirme him This incouraged David when he was to encounter with Goliâ—h The LORD saith he did deliver mee from a Lion and a Beare therefore he will deliver mee from this Philistine 1 Sam. 17 35 37. Paul concluded Gods favour for the time future by his proceedings past The LORD sâ—ith he hath delivered mee from a sentence of death and doth deliver therefore I trust that he will deliver 2 Cor. 1.9 10. See 2 Tim. 4.17 18. This we may see also in Salomon 1 King 8.24 and in other places Deut. 1.29 31. Deut. 3.21 Esay 51.9 11. But we have a notable example for this in Iacob Gen. 32.9 Thou saidst unto mee remove into thy countrey and to thy kindred and I will doe thee good There is GODS Word and promise then followeth the experience he had already of the performance of this promise verse 10. I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies which thou hast shewed unto thy servant for with my staffe came I over this Iordan and now I have gotten two bands Then followes the confirmation he received in his faith by this experience verse 11. I pray thee deliver mee from the hand of my brother from the hand of Esau. Experience likewise bringeth forth Hope Rom. 5.4 Three things concurre to make up experience 1. Knowledge the better knowledge the better affiance Psal. 9.10 They that know thy Name will put their trust in thee 2. Observation of the waies of GOD. 3. Memory remembrance of such workes of GOD as wee have knowne and observed We should observe how GOD hath made good and confirmed his promises even in our owne experience by blessing us while we have walked carefully and conscionably before him how often he hath granted our requests To this purpose is that exhortation Psal. 34.8 O tast and see that the LORD is good Labour to be able to say with David Psal. 119.56 This I had because I kept thy precepts thou hast dealt well with thy servant O LORD according unto thy Word 6â— verse or as it is 140. verse Thy Word is prooved most pure by good experience therefore thy servant loveth it or as he saith elsewhere Marvellous are thy works and that my soule knoweth right well 4. GODS Promises to us must be the ground and rule of our prayers to him There are two things in this rule to be observed 1. That we can make no prayer in boldnesse faith or comfort but for things promised and in that manner as they are promised We must see the things we aske made ours in some promise and engagementâ— before we presume to aske them This incouraged Iacob Gen. 32.9 12. David 2 Sam. 7.27 28 29. Daniel 9.2 3. and Iehosaphat 2 Chron. 20.8 12. to pray unto GOD because he had made promises of the things
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
Psal. 89.16 See Psal. 33.21 8. Indisposition Comforts against it In the thoughts of our indisposiâ—ion to any thing that is good let these places quicken us I can doe all things through CHRIST that strengthneth mee Phil. 4.13 Yee shall be unto mee a kingdome of Priests Exod. 19.6 We shall be able to offer unto GOD the sacrifice of prayer or praise In every place incense shall be offered to my name and a pure offering Mal. 1.11 which is spoken of the beleeving Gentiles 9. Distractions Comforts against them GOD promiseth in the Covenant of grace Ezek. 11.19 To give his people one heart CHRIST prayed that we might have this one heart Iohn 17.21 23. and be one with GOD. When we are troubled with distractions in prayer hearing or meditation wee should pleade the Covenant and pray with David O LORD unite my heart to thee 10. Evils of good done Promises or comforts to the godly for evils of good done GOD not onely accepteth and taketh in good part the poorest service we doe to him notwithstanding our corruptions and frailties but even delighteth and taketh great pleasure in them Cant. 2.14 as a Father delights more in the stammering of his little childe then in the eloquence of the best Orator CHRIST presenteth and perfumeth our prayers to his Father Rev. 8.3 1 Pet. 2.5 And it shall be upon Aarons fore-head that Aaron may beare the iniquity of the holy things and that they may be accepted before the LORD Exod. 28.38 Aaron was a Type of CHRIST who by his intercession perfumes our prayers and doth away the blemishes that cleave to our best actions Loving Parents doe not take notice of many blemishes in their children so GOD seeth no iniquity in Iacob nor any transgression in Israel Num. 23.21 But passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage which makes the Prophet in the beginning of the verse in admiration to cry Who is a GOD like to thee 11. Comforts against Feares of their falling from GOD who labour to work out their salvation with feare and trembling 1. In regard of GOD. 1. His Counsell on which mans salvation is founded is sure and unchangeable and his calling without repentance Rom. 11.29 2. His Love is everlasting and inviolable Ier. 31.3 Rom. 8.35 ult 3. His Mercy like his Lovâ— is â—verlasting Psal. 103.17 Psal. 100.5.106.1 107.1 Luke 1.50 It is iterated 26. times in 136. Psalme 4. His Will is for such Luke 12.32 Iohn 6.39 His Grace and that is all-sufficient 2 Cor. 12.9 5. His Power is for such and that is Almighty Ioh 10.27 28 29. Iude 24.2 Tim. 1.12 6. His faithfullnesse and truth make both for this 2 Thess. 3.3 2. In regard of CHRIST 1. Because of our union with him He is the Head we the members and he will not suffer any to perish that are ingraffed into him Ioh. 6.39 Ioh. 17.22 23 26. 2. From the perpetuall efficacie of his intercession Rom. 8.34 Heb. 7.21 Hee is a Priest for ever and alwaies intercedes for his What he said to Peter I have prayed that thy faith faile not Luke 22.32 Hee performeth for all He is the Author and finisheâ— of our faith Heb. 12.2 3. In regard of the HOLY GHOST 1. His continuall assistance Hee shall abide with us for ever John 14.16 And hee which hath begun a good work will finish it Phil. 1.6 2. His Obsignation which is irrevocable every one that beleeveth is sealed by the holy Spirit of promise Ephes. 1.13 14. sealed for ever 4.30 2 Cor. 1.22 an honest man will not break his bargaine when there is earnest and evidence for it therefore Chrysostome saith elegantly if GOD having once given this earnest should not also give the rest of the inheritance He should undergo the losse of his earnest 4. The lasting power of the Word once rooted in the good and honest heart Luke 8.15 It is called immortall seed 1 Pet. 1.23 25. The engraffed Word James 1.21 The seed remaining 1 Joh. 3.9 5. The certainty and sweetnesse of the promises to this purpose GOD hath promised that his people shall not be mooved from the state of grace Psal. 15.5 16.8 Psal. 37.24 27 28 31. Psal. 55.22 102.28 Pro. 10.30 Psal. 125.1 Hee will not cast off his people nor forsake his inheritance Psal. 94.14 1 Sam. 12.22 And hee will put his feare into their hearts that they shall not depart from him For this is his Covenant with his people Ier. 32.39 40 41. Hosea 2.19 20. Hee upholdeth them with his hand that they shall not fall away Hee will confirme them unto the end that they may be blamâ—lesse in the day of our LORD JESUS CHRIST 1 Cor. 1.8 9. the like is 1 Thess. 5.23 24 GOD hath made more promises to hold up his children then ever he made to hold up the pillars of the world 6. The prayers of the whole Church of GOD which are very prevalent and powerfull Ioh. 16.23 the daily sacrifice of beleevers is ne inducas in tentationem 7. The force and might of faith 1 Pet. 1.2 3 4 5. 8. The durable vigour of saving graces John 4.14 our Saviour hath promised Iohn 16.22 that he will give unto the faithfull such constant and permanent joy as no man shall be able to take from them He hath prayed that our faith may not faile Luke 22.32 It is a stable grace 1 Ioh. 5.4 1 Pet. 2.6 Comforts to the Godly who are troubled with many and strong corruptions and likewise want the meanes of grace either 1. Altogether 2. In the power of them 3. Or having them so yet profit not by them 1. Comforts in case of dismayednesse under many and strong corruptions I will sprinkle cleane water upon you and you shall be cleane â—rom all your filthinesse and from all your idols will I cleanse you Ezek. 36.25 Though thy sinnes were as great as Idolatry in the first Table or Whoredome in the second yet GOD will forgive and sanctifie thee He will cast all our sinnes into the depths of the sea Micah 7.19 The sea can drowne mountaines as well as mole-hills Though they were as crimson and scarlet which will take no other die yet in CHRISTS bloud they shall bee made as white as wooll and snow Esay 1.18 All manner of sinnes and blasphemies shall be forgiven unto men Matth. 12.31 CHRIST came to save sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 It matters not what the wound is so CHRIST be the Physitian Where sin that is the knowledge and feeling of sinne abounded grace over-abounded Rom. 5.20 have wee a multitude and magnitude of sinnes GOD hath a multitude and magnitude of mercies Have mercy upon mee O GOD according unto the multitude so wee translate it the Hebrew word Rob signifieth also magnitude of thy tender mercies Two things terrifie penitent sinners 1. The multitude and exceeding great number of evils whereof they are guilty he tels
appointing the fittest times and seasons for all things so as may most make for his owne glory and his childrens good Let us therefore imitate David Iob and Simeon spoken of before in waiting for the accomplishment of GODS promises and hoping in him even against hope as Abraham did though sence reason and experience should be against us yet let us cleave to the Promises and waite upon GOD who never faileth those that trust in him 1 Pet. 1.13 5. Joy Promises of it This is notably set out unto us in the booke of Psalmes Psal. 19.8 The Statutes of the LORD are right reioycing the heart Psal. 23.4 Thy rod and thy staffe they comfort mee Psal. 36.8 9. Thou shalt make them drinke of the river of thy pleasures for with thee is the fountaine of life and in thy light shall we see light Psal. 89.15 16. Blessed is the people that know the ioyfull sound they shall walke O LORD in the light of thy countenance In thy name shall they reioyce all the day and in thy righteousnesse shall they be exalted Psal. 45.15 With gladnesse and reioycing shall they be brought Psal. 64.10 The righteous shall be glad in the LORD Psal. 68.3 Let the righteous be glad let them reioyce before GOD yea let them exceedingly reioyce Psal. 97.11 12. Light is sowen for the righteous and gladnesse for the upright in heart Reioyce in the LORD yee righteous Psal. 118.15 The voice of reioycing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous Psal. 132.16 Her Saints shall shout aloud for ioy The bookes of the Prophets are full of these Promises Notable is that sweet song of Esay GOD is my Salvation I will trust and not be afraid for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song hee also is become my salvation Therefore with ioy shall yee draw water out of the wells of Salvation or Consolation The whole 35. Chapter of Esay is full of heavenly consolation to as Gentiles verse 1. The wildernesse and thâ— solitary place shall be glad for thâ—m and the desert shall reioyce and blossome as the rose See ver 10. Esay 56.7 I will make them ioyfull in my house of prayer In the 66. of Esâ—y are many sweet consolations vâ—rse 10. to 14. our Saviour likewise said to his Disciples that their hearts should reioyce and their ioy should no man take away from them Joh. 16.22 Paul saith The kingdome of GOD is in righteousnesse peace and ioy in the HOLY GHOST Rom. 14.17 The HOLY GHOST workes it in the heart one of his fruites is joy Gal. 5.22 The LORD makes so many promises of this one thing to make us see 1. That there can be no holding out in a Christian course without this joy 2. By reason of the many evills that befall us in this life it is very hard to get much more to keepe this joy 6. Love of 1. GOD. 2. CHRIST 3. Our Brethren 4. Our Enemies A Promise 1. Of the Love of GOD. And the LORD thy GOD will circumcise thine heart and the heart of thy seed to love the LORD thy GOD with all thy heart and with all thy soule that thou maist live Deut. 30.6 As if the LORD had said I will ingraft the true love of my selfe in your hearts which you will increase in and constantly proceed in the same and then I will account and accept of it for the full measure of love that my law requireth Promises 2. To the Love of GOD. Many things are promised to those that love GOD. 1. Preservation The LORD preserveth all them that love him Psal. 145.20 2. Plenty GOD will cause them to inherit substance and will fill their treasures Proverbs 8.21 3. Deliverance Because hee hath set his love upon mee therefore will I deliver him Psal. 91.14 4. Joy unspeakeable and glorious 1 Cor. 2.9 10. That Text is chiefly meant of the Gospels joy of the wine and fatlings revealed to the Beleever by the Spirit 5. GOD knowes them loves them will keepe his Covenant with them sheweth mercy to them and their posterity and hath promised them a crowne of life If any man love GOD the same is knowne of him 1 Cor. 8.3 I love them that love mee Pro. 8.17 Hee is the faithfull GOD which keepeth Covenant and mercy with them that love him Deut. 7.9 Which sentence is repeated twice in the very same words Nehem. 1.5 Dan. 9.4 He sheweth mercy to them and thousands of their generations that love him Exod. 20.6 Hee shall receive the crowne of life which the LORD hath promised to them that love him James 1.12 2.5 6. All things shall worke together for their good Rom. 8.28 Promises To the Love of CHRIST If any man serve mee him will my Father honour John 12.26 He that loveth mee shall be loved of my Father and I will love him and will manifest my selfe unto him Iohn 14.21 23. Promises to the love of our Brethren It is the cognizance of a Disciple and a signe of spirituall life By this shall all men know that ye are my Disciples if yee love one another John 13.35 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light 1 John 2.10 And is translated from death to life 1 John 3.14 If we love one another GOD dwelleth in us 1 Iohn 4.12 Promises to the love of our Enemies It is a matter of great credit to forgive for thereby we are declared to be The children of our heavenly Father Matth. 5.44 45. Love your enemies and doe good and your reward shall be great Luke 6.35 If thine enemy be hungry give him bread to eate and if he be thirsty give him water to drinke For thou shalt heape coales of fire upon his head and the LORD shall reward thee Pro. 25.21 22. Thine enemy that is hee that hates thee not hee whom thou hatest for thou must hate none give him bread that is all things necessary in time of his neede if occasion bee offered for by thy beneficence thou shalt overcome his evill and provoke him to love or if not GOD will certainely reward thee It is also matter of Comfort for us for if wee forgive so shall we also be forgiven If yee forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you Matth. 6.14 the same is Marke 11.25 and Luke 6.37 7. Feare Promises of Feare GOD promiseth to make us feare him Hee saith in his New Covenant that he will put his feare into our hearts as Ier. 32.39 40. and that wee shall feare him for ever The LORD doth oft repeate this promise as Deut 4.10 where one speciall meanes whereby this feare is wrought is set downe Gather mee the people together and I will make them heare my words that they may learne to feare mee all the daies that they shall live upon the earth and that they may teach their children So Pro. 2.5 They who seeke for wisedome shall understand the feare
challenge GOD with his promise and in a holy reverence and humble boldnesse charge him with that Covenant mentioned in Ezekiel Promises 2. To Godly sorrow 1. Comfort Blessed are they that mourne for they shall be comforted Mat 5.4 The words import an exceeding measure of griefe such as is expressed by crying and weeping therefore Luke saith Blessed are yee that now weepe Piscator and others expound it of sorrow for sinne They that so mourne are already blessed and shall be comforted You shall be sorrowfull but your sorrow shall be turned into ioy Iohn 16.20 See verse 24. Psal. 126.5.6 They that sow in teares shall reape in ioy Hee that goeth forth and weepeth shall come againe with reioycing bringing his sheaves with him GOD hath undertaken to comfort them In the prophesie of Esay every where almost wee finde it promised The ransomed of the LORD shall returne and come to Zion with songs and everlasting ioy upon their heads they shall obtaine ioy and gladnesse and sorrow and sighing shall fly away Esay 35.10 They shall have both outward and inward comfoâ—t for so some distinguish betweene ioy and gladnesse that â—oy is outward of the body and gladnesse inward of the soule Psal. 118.24 arise saith GOD â—alling on his Church and shine â—nd put on brightnesse and glory â—he LORD shall be a light unto â—hee in darkenesse CHRIST was â—ent for this very end to comfort such as mourne for their sinnes The LORD hath sent mee to binde up the broken hearted to give unto them that mourne in Zion beauty for ashes the oyle of ioy for mourning the garment of praise for the spirit of heavinesse Esay 61.1 3. Luke 4.18 I am not sent but unto the lost sheepe of the house of Israel Mat. 15.24 that is saith M. Perkins to those which in their owne sence and feeling are lost in themselves The fruit of the Spirit is ioy Gal. 5.22 The LORD who is the Father of mercies and GOD of all consolation is cald a GOD that Comforteth all those that are cast downe 2 Cor. 7.6 Comfort yee comfort yee my people saith our GOD. Speake yee comfortably to Hierusalem and cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished that her iniquity is pardoned Esay 40.1 2. Behold how freely and how fully the LORD speakes how he doubles his comforts Comfort yee comfort yee and iterates his words speake comfortably cry unto her The LORD will comfort Zion and her mourners Esay 57.18 All Sion the Church of GOD shall be comforted and all the friends of the Church that mourne in her mourning and that take to heart her sorrowes and desolation shall be comforted too GOD shall wipe away all teares from their eyes Rev. 7.17 Thus saith the High and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity whose name is holy I dwell in the high and holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones Esay 57.15 The day of humiliation when GODS people afflict their soules before him is called a day of aâ—tonement Levit 23.27 For so is GODS promise In that day there â—hall be a Fountaine opened for sinne Zach. 13.1 2. Grace This benefit is pressed as a motive unto godly sorrow 1 Pet. 5.5 6. GOD giveth grace to the humble Humble your selves therefore saith the Apostle under the mighty hand of GOD. Iam. 4.6 7 9. GOD giveth grace to the humble Submit your selves therefore to GOD Be afflicted and mourne and weepe 1. Knowledge The humble he will teach his way Psal. 25.9 2. Repentance Godly sorrow bringeth repentance to salvation 2 Cor. 7.10 3. Speciall protection assistance and mercy in the evill day Those that mourne for the sinnes of other men have a great promise of speciall protection in the daies of common calamity Goe through the midst of the City through the midst of Ierusalem and set a marke upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abhominations that be done in the midst thereof Ezek. 9.4 GOD marked them for his owne signo salutari saith Iunius with a saving marke such as that Exod. 12. Thou wilt save the afflicted people Psal. 18.27 Hee saveth such as be of a contrite spirit Psal. 34.18 When men are cast downe then thou shalt say there is a lifting up he shall save the humble person Iob 22.29 4. Audience in prayer The LORD hath promised that the prayers of such shall prevaile mightily with him both for themselves and others It is said of Iacob Hosea 12.4 Hee had power over the Angell and prevailed hee wept and made supplications unto him And of Hezekiah Esay 38.5 I have heard thy prayers I have seene thy teares behold I will add unto thy daies fifteene yeares LORD thou hast heard the desire of the humble thou wilt prepare their heart thou wilt cause thine eare to heare Psal. 10.17 When the Prophet had said Psal. 34.17 The righteous cry and the LORD heareth them he giveth this reason verse 18. The LORD is nigh to them that are of a broken heart 2 Chron. 7.14 If my people that are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray then will I heare from Heaven Yea GOD will heare them also for others Iob 42.8 My servant Job shall pray for you for him will I accept 3. Mortification or killing of sinne Promises 1. Of Mortification A Child of GOD shall be able to mortifie his corruptions and overcome his speciall sinnes which most prevaile over him For sinne shall not have dominion over you Rom. 6 14. that is shall never any more reigne as in times past it did and so have the full victory over you For yee are not under the Law but under grace that is Yee are not still under the condemnation and tyranny of the Law but by true receiving of CHRIST by faith are now delivered from that bondage and so brought into the liberty of GODS children See ver 18 22. and Rom. 7.24 25. He will subdue our iniquities Micah 7.19 Hee will tread them under our feete as it were This grace of Mortification is expressely promised Gal. 5.16 Walke in the spirit and yee shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh Tit. 2.11 14. The members of CHRIST shall be cleansed from the guiltinesse of sinne it shall not be imputed and from the filthinesse of sinne it shall not prevaile over them 1 Iohn 17.9 Mat. 1.21 Iohn 1.29 Rev. 1.5 Acts 3.26 Psal. 103.3 The Prophets foretold in their time That GOD would purge and cleanse his Church Esay 1.25 That GOD will purely purge their drosse and take away all their tinne that is their sinnes I will cleanse you or wash you that is with the imputation or sprinkling of the blood of CHRIST from all your Idols that is from all the sinnes that you have committed When wee feele our
to be conveyed wheresoever they are Prayer is profitable to obtaine every thing as is evident by the promise of CHRIST Iohn 16.23 Verily verily I say unto you whatsoever yee shall aske the Father iâ— my name hee will give it you Note the certainty of the promise in CHRISTS vehement asseveration note the generality of it whatsoever Our Saviour oft repeated such promises in those heavenly and last speeches which he uttered to his Disciples Iohn 14.13 Ioh. 15.7 16 See Mar. 11.24 Iohn 9.31 1 Iohn 3.22 5.14 15. I may say of prayer as the Apostle saith of Godlinesse it hath the promises of this life and that which is to come 1. For this life Temporall and Spirituall things are promised to prayer 1. Temporall 1. The prayer of faith shall save the sicke and the LORD shall raise him up Iam. 5.15 2. Spirituall 1. It obtaineth remission of sins and if hee have committed sinnes they shall be forgiven him the same verse of 5. of Iâ—mes 2. The Spirit How much more shall your heavenly Father give good things to them that aske him Matth. 7.11 Give the holy Spirit to them that aske him So it is Luke 11 13. 2. For the life to come Prayer obtaineth eternall life and salvation For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved Rom. 10.13 That Promise that is made to our prayers runs thus If thou prepare thine heart and stretch out thine hands towards him c. Iob 11.13 The stretching out of our hands or of our voice either is to little purpose if our heart be not prepared first Promises To fervent prayer Then yee shall call upon me and ye shall goe and pray unto me and I will hearken unto you And ye shall seeke me and find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart that is truly and fervently saith Greenham The effectuall prayer of a righteous man availeth much both for the helping of the body and healing of the soule but with this proviso if it be fervent open thy mouth wide that is earnestly confidently call upon me and I will fill it that is I will satisfie thy desire to the full Aske and it shall be given you seeke and yee shall find knocke and it shall be opened unto you Matth. 7.7 Aske seeke knocke It is not a simple repetition of the same thing but a gradation It shews instantissimam neâ—essitatem saith Austen Aske â—s a begger seeke as with a candle knocke as one that hath powâ—r with importunity One thus descants upon the place Aske with the mouth seek with the heart knock with the hand and it shall be given you that is for Temporall things and yee shall find that is for Spirituall things and it shall be opened unto you that is for Eternall things Promises 1. To Secret Prayer When thou prayest enter into thy closet and when thou hast shut thy dore pray to thy Father which is in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly 2. To Private or Family prayer Where two or three are gathered together in my name there aâ— I in the midst of them Matth 18.20 3. To publike prayer Publike for 1. Matter 2. Place 1. A promise to those that pray for the Church Remember Sion they shall prosper that love thee Psalme 122.6 7. 2. Promises to the prayers of the Congregation made in the Church Hierusalem had singular promises made unto it such as had no particular Church in the world besides Psalm 132.14 There is a speciall promise made to the prayers made in the Temple 2 Chron. 7.15 Mine eyes shall be open and mine eares attent unto the prayer tâ—at is made in this place 1 Kings 9.3 The LORD hath promised that he will cause his servants to rejoyce in the granting of their suites which they shall make unto him in his owne house Esay 56.7 upon the like promise made by GOD Salomon at the consecration of the Temple 1 King 8.30 33. groundeth his Prayer that the LORD would in speciall manner heare the suites and supplications of his servants publikely assembled in his Temple to call upon him See the 5. Book cap 1. A promise To Preaching GOD hath made a speciall promise to this that he will be with it to assist and blesse it Matth. 28.20 I am with you alwaies even unto the end of the world Promises To Reading In Reading of the Word if we understand not we should apply these Promises Prov. 1.23 I will powre out my Spirit unto you I will make knowne my Words unto you Prov. 1.4 It gives subtilty to thâ— simple to the young men knowledge and discretion The Commandement of the LORD is pure inlightningâ— the eyes Ps. 19.8 GOD hath promised to teach and instruct such by his Spirit that bring good and honest hearts to the reading and hearing of the Word Psal. 25.12 What man is he that fearth the LORD him will he teach in the way that he shall choose The promise of finding is made to those who seeke as for gold and search as for treasure Pro. 2.3 4 5. Promises to sâ—ch as love the Word of GOD. Great peace have they which love thy Law and nothing shall offend them Ps. 119.165 Blessed is the man that delighteth greatly in his commandements Ps. 112.1 A promise to those that waite for the Word There is a blessing promised to such hearers as wait for the Word Blessed is the man that heareth me watching daily at my gates waiting at the posts of my doores For who so findeth me findeth life and obtaineth favour of the LORD Promises that GODS children shall hearken to the Word The eares of them that heare shall hearken Psa. 32 3. See Esaias 50.4 Acts 16.14 Promises to such as conscionably hearken to the Word Hoe every one that thirsteth come yee to the water and he that hath no mony come yee buy and eat yea come buy wine and milke without mony and without price Hearken diligently unto me and eat ye that which is good and let your soule delight it selfe in fatnesse Encline your eare and come unto me heare and your soule shall live c. There the LORD freely offereth saving grace to such as have none and nothing whereby they might purchase it 2. He setteth out a way wherby they might injoy it viz. a diligent hearing and beleiving GODS Word 3. He makes most sweet promises that their soule shall live that is they shall be quickned in CHRIST and in him the seed of David be made partakers of those mercies which shall never decay If thou warne the righteous man that the righteous sinne not and he doth not sin he shall surely live because he is warned Ezek. 3.21 The conscionable hearing of GODS Word quickens the soule and makes it to live both the life of grace and of glory He that heareth my word and beleeveth on him that sent
pleasure on â— holy day and call the Sabbath a light the holy of the LORD honoraâ—â—â— and shalt honour him not doing 〈◊〉 owne ways nor speaking thine 〈◊〉 words then shalt thou delight thy 〈◊〉 in the LORD and I will cause 〈◊〉 to ride upon the high places of the 〈◊〉 2. Spirituall Blessed is the man that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it Esa. 56.2 See 5 6 7. verses Jer. 17.24 26. a speciall place GOD promiseth there 24 and 26. verses to reward the outward observation of the Sabbath The blessing there promised is two-fold the first concerneth the Common-wealth vers 25. The second the Church and State of Religion v. 26. Promises To Watchfullnesse Blessed is he that watcheth Matth. 24.46 47. Revel 16.15 They are three times said to be blessed Luk. 12.37 38 43. to shew that they are thrice blessed and ever perfected in blessednes which keep constantly their spirituall watch Promises Of Conference The lips of the wise disperse knowledge Pro. 15.7 They are a well of life to feed many The tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speake plainly Esay 32.4 The dumb mans tongue shall sing Esay 35.6 The mouth of the iust bringeth forth wisdome Prov. 10.31 Promises To Conference The mouth of the upright shall deliver them Pro. 12.6 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fâ—uit of his mouth Prov. 12.14 Righteous lips are the delight of Kings and they love him that speâ—keth right Prov. 16.13 See Prov. 22.11 A mans belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth Prov. 18.20 A man shall eate good by the fruit of his mouth Pro. 13.2 Promises To Reproofe He that rebuketh a man shall afterwards find more favour then he that flattereth with the tongue Pro. 28.23 To them that rebuke the wicked shall be delight and a good blessing shall come upon them Pro. 24.25 Promises To giving of Alms. Beneficence shall be rewarded 1. In this lâ—fe 1. In our selves 2. In our posterity Ps. 37.25 26. 1. In our selves with 1. Mercy Blessed are the mercifull for they shall receive mercy Mat. 5.7 Pro. 14.21 22. 2. Comfort in sicknesse 3. Deliverance out of trouble one verse proves both Blessed is he that considereth the poore and needy the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble the LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing he will make all his bed in his sicknes Psal. 41.1 3. 4. Competency He that giveth unto the poore shall not lacke Pro. 28.27 this is a means to bring us to the right use of our wealth Luk. 11.41 2. In the life to come Come yee blessed of my Father receive the Kingdom prepared for you from the begining of the world c. Mat. 25.34 Make to your selvs friends of the Mammon of unrighteousnes that when ye fail they may receive you into everlasting habitations Lu. 16.9 Receiving is not mentioned here in regard of merit as the Papists say as though a man could deserve it by giving of almes but either by way of hearty prayers made by the poore that they may be received or els because their Alms shall be unto them a pledge and earnest of their receiving into GODS Kingdome as a Father sayes sweetly if yee will be wise Merchants thrifty and happy usurers part with thaâ— which you cannot keep that you may gain the which you cannot loâ—sâ— When thou makest a feasâ— call the poore the maimeâ— the lame the blind Anâ— thou shalt be blessed 〈◊〉 thou shalt be recompenced the resurrection of the iusâ— Luk. 14.14 Promises to liberall giving The liberall soule shall be made fat and he that watereth shall be watered also himselfe Prov. 11.25 He which soweth bountifully shall reape bountifully 2 Cor. 9.6 2. To cheerfull giving GOD loveth a cheerfull giver 2 Cor. 9.7 Thou shalt surely give him and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him because that for this thing the LORD thy GOD shall blesse thee in all thy workâ—s and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto Deut. 15.10 Promises 1. To liberality to the Saints He that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous mans reward And whosoever shall give to drinke unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a Disciple he shall in no wise loose his reward Mat. 10.41 42. For a cup of cold water water the common element and cold water that cost thee not the charge of fire to warme it there is a Torrent may a very Sea of all pleasures provided for thee for all eternity For GOD is not unrighteous to forget your worke and labour of love which yee have shewed toward his name in that yee have ministred to the Saints and do minister Hebr. 6.10 See Gal. 6.9 10. Promises To bounty to GODS Ministere He that receiveth you receiveth me He that receiveth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet shall receive a Prophets reward Matth. 10.40 41. Some understand that thus they shall be partakers of the same reward which is laid up for the Prophets Calvin takes it for a reward which is fit for the worthinesse of the person upon whom the liberality shall be bestowed Honour the LORD with thy substance and with the first fruits of all thine increase So shall thy barnes be filled with plenty and thy presses shall burst out with new wine Prov. 3.9 10. And the Levite because he hath no part nor inherâ—tance with thee shall come and shall eate and be satisfied that the LORD thy GOD may blesse thee in all the worke of thine hand which thou doest Deut. 14.29 Promises to seeking of GOD. 1. They shall have their hearts filled with joy and gladnesse in the fruition of GODS favour That propheticall prayer of Davids implieth also a promise in it Ps. 40.16 Let all those that seeke thee be glad and reioyce in thee Let the heart of them reioyce that seeke the LORD Psalme 105.3 the very same is 1 Chro. 16.10 The LORD often promised to his people that if they should seeke him he would be found of them as David told Salomon his sonne 1 Chron. 28.9 and the Prophet told Asa the King 2 Chro. 15.2 See 15. Thou LORD hast not forsaken them that seeke thee Ps. 9.10 Esa 45.19 But his people then must seek him with their whole heart as Deut. 4.29 Jer. 29.13 and diligently Heb. 11.6 Seeke yea me and yee shall livâ— Amos 5.4 6. And your heart shaâ—â— live that seeke GOD Psalm 69.32 The hand of our GOD is upon all them for good that seeke him Ezra 8.22 Lam. 3.23 They that seeke the LORD shall not want any good thing Psal. 34.10 Promisâ—s To waiting on GOD. Waiting patiently for the LORDS comming to comfort us either in temporall or spirituall distresses is a right pleasing and acceptable duty and sâ—rvice unto GOD which he
of truth 221 222. Promises to those that are persecuted for practice of good and for both together 222 223. Perseverance promises of and to it 330. Plenty see wealth Ponder what it is 32. Possession of the Divell see witchcraft Poverty promises in regard of it 181 182. Practice promises to the practice of the word 388. Promises to those that suffer for the practice of good 222. Praising God promises of and to it 397. Prayer is a means to apply the promises 33 34. Prayer is to be grounded on Gods promises 49. to 60. Promises to give the godly hearts to pray 374. Promises to help them to pray and to heare their prayers especially in trouble 374. to 380. Promises to prayer 381 382. Promises to fervent secret private and publick prayer 382. to 385. Preaching promises to it 386. Presence promises of Gods gracious presence with the godly 269. Promises the nature of them 1. to 8. How distinguished from commandements and threatnings and from purposes 1 5. The explanation of the word and the acceptations of it in Scripture 1 2 3. The definition of a Promise in generall 3. The divine Promises diversly defined 5. The division of a Promise in generall and of the divine Promises 3 4 11 to 16. Promises are the grounds of our hope and objects of our Faith 6 7. The order wherin faith layes hold on the Promises 8 9. The excellency of the Promises 18 to 26. The right use of the Promises 26 27. Generall and particular rules directing us how to use them 5 28 to 62. How spirituall and temporall things are promised 15 16 56. to 59. God must be sought to for the performance of his Promises 60 61. The properties of the Promises 63 to 9â— The manner how God performeth his Promises 96. He delayeth the fullfilling of his Promises 56 98 99 100. The persons to whom the Promises belong 104. to 110. Prosperity promises of it to the godly both to their persons and purposes 207 208. Providence promises of Gods speciall Providence over his people 270 27â— R RAiment promises of it 204. Reading of the word promises to it 386 387. Reconciliation promises of it 289. Redemption promises of it 280. Repentance 331. Promises 1. of it 2. to it 18. Reproaches promises to those that are reproached for both truth and goodnesse 224 to 227. Reproofe promises to it 402. Resurrection promises of it 420. Righteousnesse promises to make us righteous 288. promises to righteousnes 353 354 355. S SAbbath promises to those that sanctifie it 399 400. Sacraments a division of all the Sacraments 119 120 121. promises to the Sacraments in generall 393. Safety promises of it â—01 Salvation by Christ 278. Sanctification promises of and to it 294 to 298. Scandales promises against them 233. Scarcity see famine Seeking of GOD promises to it 407 408. Servants promises to godly servants 4â—6 447. Sicknesse promises in regard of it 180. Sin comforts in case of dismaiednesse under many and strong corruptions 259 260. Sleep promises of quiet rest and safety in the night 203. Sorrow promises of and to godly sorrow 334. to 339. Spirit promises of the Spirit 291 292. A promise to those that have the Spirit 293. Spirituall promises 215. Spirituall graces promised 300. How spirituall things are promised 15 55 56 57. Strength promises of bodily strength 201. Successe see prosperity Suffering see persecution T TEachers comforts to those who have no teachers or such as are bad 261 262. Temporall promises in regard of evill things 155. in regard of good things 190. to 193. Temporall things how promised 16 58 59. Temptations from the Divell and flesh promises against them 215 to 220. Threatnings 2 38. Testament see Covenant Tillage promises to it 209. marg Tithes a promise to paying of them 407. Truth comforts to such as suffer for the profession of the truth 221 222. Turning from sin promises of and to it 346 347. V VNcheerfullnesse comforts against it 250 251. Vocation see effectuall calling Vprightnesse promises of and to it of all sorts 355 356. Vse of the promises 20. to 62. Vse of faith in respect of afflictions 174. to 178. W WAiting on God promises to it 409 410. A promise to such as wait for the word 388. Warre promises to preserve from it 186 187. Watchfullnesse promises to it 400. Weak comforts to weak Christians 244 to 247. Wealth promises of it 205 206. Wise promises to her 448 449. Wisdome see Knowledge Witchâ—raft a promise against it 189 Word promises that Gods children shall hearken to it and to them that doe hearken to it 388 389. World promises against evill in the world in generall 231 232. Worldly cares see covetousnesse Z ZEale promises to it 361. FINIS * As Paula Marcella were to Ierome so is your Ladyship to those iudicious persons which resort unto you a great Questionist they to whom you propound your doubts do tam proficere quam prodesse as well benefit by you as benefit you Quis virtuteÌ„ ampâ—ectitur iosam praemisi tollas Inâ—ë Sat. 10. He that beleeves not the iudâ—ements will never sticke to do any evill he that believes not the Promisâ—s wil never be forward to do any good Esa. 12.3 Esay 66.11 3 Ep of Iohn 2. Rom. â—5 1 Rom. 3.12 * Pudeat illos saith Tully qui ita in studijs se abdiderunt ut ad vitam communem nulluÌ„ fructum proferre possint Paulum sepultae distat inertiae Câ—lata virtus Hor l. 4. Carm. od 9 Trisle mortalitatis privilegiuÌ„ est c. Euphormio Book 1. Perkins on 2. Hab. 4. Faith in the Commandements saith Dike breeds obedience in the Threatnings feare in the Promises Comfort The Greek words for Promise in the New Testament are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is tendred in the English a Message 1 Ioh. 1.5 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nuncius but most Vsually a Promise Ephes. 3.6 1 Ioh 7.25 and often in the Galatians it signifieth gratuâ—â—am ultrenamque promissionem a free and williâ—g Promise as both Budeus and Beza have observed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Pet ... 4. wâ—ich properly signifieth a Publike Promise made is foro before many ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est nunciare edicere The Latine 1. Promissienâ— promissiâ— whence comes the frencâ— word promesse and the english promise à pro nutto praemittitur enim promissiorei praesiandae 2. Pollicuum or pollicitatio which also signifieth a free Promise it commeth of polliceor and that of porro liceor Pollicemâ—â— spoute promittimus rogati saith Serâ—ius on Virg. 3. Sponsiâ— from Spondere quasi sponte dicere saith Scaliger Illyric clav Script Rom. 4.16 Gal 3. â—8 As often as S. Paul compares the Law with the Promise hee makes a comparison betweene the Law and Gospell Illyric ubi Supra Promissio interdum idem vales quod res promissa Piscator Act. 1.33 18 19 7.17 26.7 See Heb. 9.15 11.9 17 3â— 39.