Selected quad for the lemma: heaven_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
heaven_n	bless_v	lord_n	star_n	2,155	5	10.0592	5	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A80754	The covenant of God with Abraham, opened. Wherein I. The duty of infant-baptism is cleared. II. Something added concerning the Sabbath, and the nature and increase of the kingdome of Christ. Together with a short discourse concerning the manifestations of God unto his people in the last dayes. Wherein is shewed the manner of the spirits work therein to be in the use of ordinary gifts, not by extraordinary revelations. / By William Carter minister of the gospel in London.	Carter, William, 1605-1658.	1654 (1654)	Wing C679; Thomason E811_5; ESTC R207606	118,861	192

of their relation to it as branches of it So as this blessing upon families and kindreds and his ordering in such manner his election as hath been shewed as by this Scripture you see it was intended in the promise unto Abraham so also that it is still in being and shall be to a thousand generations to all generations so I suppose we are to understand that phrase Psal 105. even to the worlds end Which will yet be more evident if we compare this Rom. 11. with Esai 59. 20. For the Apostle cites that place to prove the conversion of the Jews to be expected in the latter days v. 26. So all Israel shall be saved as it is written There shall come out of Sion a deliverer and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob For this is my Covenant unto them namely the Jews when I shall take away their sins that is when they are called and ingraffed again into their own Olive tree from which for a long time they have been broken off Now if we look into Esai 59. we see there what this covenant is viz. in the words next following at vers 21. This is my covenant with them saith the Lord My spirit that is upon thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy seed nor out of the mouth of thy seeds seed even for ever Then mark what the Apostle affirmeth hereupon Rom. 11. 28. As concerning the Gospel they are enemies for your sake but as touching the election they are beloved for the Fathers sake for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance So as it is the purpose of God's election thus made according to his covenant with Abraham which entayleth thus his blessing upon families from generation to generation which as by this of the Prophet Esaiah compared with that of the Apostle it appeareth that it shall be verified even to the converted Jews in the latter days so by the Apostle Rom. 11. we find that this priviledge is no other then what is and hath been enjoyed by beleeving Gentiles since their being graffed into the same root and Olive tree from whence the Jews were broken off For this cause also the Apostle saith of the children of beleevers that they are holy 1 Cor. 7. 14. And the Apostle Peter exhorts the repenting Jews to be baptized because the promise was to them and to their children Acts. 2. 38. Both which places I shall open in the application namely this in the third use of the point the other in the fourth A further evidence of this truth that in the covenant of God with Abraham was promised to his people such a blessing upon posterity we have from the nature and use of circumcision and the application of it to the child as a necessary and essential part of that ordinance Gen. 17 10 14. this branch of the promise concerning the circumcision of the heart of the seed of his people being thereby signified and sealed As also from Abrahams being therefore called the father of all them that beleeve Deut. 30. 6. because of his receiving this promise of such a blessing upon families and the seal thereof in order to the increase of his spiritual seed ●am 11. to 18. Both which I shall have occasion to speak to in the first use of the point and thither I refer my Reader rather then stay upon either of them here Where we shall also see that this second branch is one maine thing which is peculiar to this covenant of God with Abraham which was therein added unto that promise which was given unto the Church of God before Obj. But it will be said that many times a godly parent hath ungodly children and sometimes the children of ungodly parents prove beleevers how then is a Beleever a blessing to his family or how is Gods election caried through the families of his people as was said To this I answer Answ First that although he maketh his people blessings yet sometimes it proveth not effectual Gods blessings do not always take effect upon the sons of men through their sin As he hath promised his blessing upon his word that is that God himself will be present with it and work in and by it for which cause it is not a common but an holy word namely so in it selfe yet is it not always effectuall to the hearers of it Secondly There is an evident reason why notwithstanding God hath promised such a blessing upon beleevers their families and children yet that sometimes this blessing should not take effect 1. Because sometimes family duties are neglected beleevers sometimes follow not Abrahams steps in faith and obedience and in close walking with God as his servants and friends as they ought to do and then no wonder if such persons and their children come short of this blessing because God who ordaineth to the end ordaineth also to the means therefore the children of such Parents by such example will be apt to grow remisse and carelesse in Religion 2. Because although his promise be to carry his election so as to cast elect children upon elect parents yet he reserveth to himselfe and also useth in this a liberty namely ever and anon to be still breaking off some and graffing in others into this holy root So he passed by Ishmael and took Isaac passed by Esau and took Jacob afterwards he brake off the Nation of the Jews and graffed in the Gentiles at last he will graff the Jews again into their owne root So now a days a beleevers child proves ungodly then is that child broken off an unbeleevers child is converted to the faith then is that child graffed into this holy root Therefore for a right understanding of this promise made to Abraham we must take in that caution or qualification to it And it was necessary as God hath so farre confined himself in his election namely to families and nations that he should withal reserve this liberty because if he had so entayled his election to beleevers families as that none of their posterity should ever be broken off very many and great inconveniences through mans corruption would ensue 3. A third thing conteined in the Lords promise unto Abraham is That by thus blessing and making beleevers blessings God would multiply his seed Gen. 22. 16. Blessing I will blesse thee and multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of Heaven c. So Gen. 17. 2. I will make my covenant between me and thee and I will multiply thee exceedingly and v. 5. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram but thy name shall be Abraham for a Father of many Nations have I made thee This also is part of the Gospel and conteined in the promise made to him and us as we may see further by that which is here expressed in the Text. When the Apostle would give instance of what God

had confirmed by oath to Abraham that he might shew the immutability of his counsel to the Heirs of promise and that we might have strong consolation he gives that for one the multiplying of his seed A further proofe we have Gen. 15. 5. Look now towards Heaven and tell the Stars if thou be able to number them and he said unto him so shall thy seed be Abraham beleeved it is said and it was counted to him for righteousness This the Apostle bringeth to prove justification by free grace through faith in Christ Rom. 4. 3. 18. 22. Therefore that multiplying of his seed promised in those words so shall thy seed be had reference not onely to the Jews but also to believing Gentiles the increase of whose number by means of Gods blessing believers so as to make them blessings as Abrahams seed was intended in that promise and as part of that Gospel which God preached unto Abraham else his beleeving it had not been imputed for righteousnesse nor the Apostle alledged it to prove justification by faith in Christ as he doth in that place Again we know that one great promise to beleevers now under the New Testament is that the kingdome of Christ that is the Church at last shall fill the world Dan. 2. The stone cut out without hands which smote the image upon the feet and brake to pieces the Iron and the Clay the Brasse the Silver and the Gold became a great mountain and filled the whole earth And the stone is interpreted of the kingdome of Christ v. 44. To this purpose is that of our Saviour Matth. 13. 31. comparing the kingdom of Heaven to a grain of mustard seed which is the least of all seeds but when it is grown is the greatest of all herbs And that it is like to leaven which a woman took and hid in three measures of meale till the whole was leavened Now the Lords making beleevers blessings and thereby multiplying Abrahams seed is that which makes his kingdome thus to be like leaven whereby the whole world at last will be seasoned with the knowledge and love of Christ Therefore this multiplying of beleevers so as to fill the world is made by the Apostle Rom. 4. 13. to be part of Abrahams promise The promise that he should be Heir of the World was not to Abraham or to his seed through the Law but through the righteousness of faith Then mark what followeth v. 16. Therefore it is of faith that it might be sure to all the seed not to that only which is of the Law but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham who is the Father of us all as it is written I have made thee the Father of many Nations Who against hope beleeved in hope that he might be the Father of many Nations according to that which was spoken so shall thy seed be namely as the stars of heaven for number From these words observe First that Abraham by the promises given unto him was made the Heir of the world Secondly that the promise of multiplying his seed in those words I will make thee a Father of many Nations and so shall thy seed be was one promise whereby he was so made the Heir of the world Thirdly that this promise of multiplying his seed and of his thereby being made the Heir of the world was not made to Abraham or his seed through the Law but through the righteousnesse of faith therefore a Gospel promise Fourthly that this promise was made sure to all beleevers as well Gentiles as Jews Fourthly A fourth thing conteined in Abrahams promise confirmed both to him and all beleevers is that his seed shall possesse the gate of his enemies Gen. 22. 16. The place here cited by the Apostle in the Text as intended also to the Heirs of promise in the New Testament By my selfe have I sworn saith the Lord that in blessing I will blesse thee and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is upon the Sea-shore and thy seed shall possesse the gate of his enemies that is their power and authority For as gates were for defence so they were places of judgement Amos 5. 15. Hate the evil and love the good and establish judgement in the gate Deut. 16. 18. Judges shalt thou make in all thy gates Dan. 2. 49. Shadrach Meshach and Abednego were set over the affairs of the provinces but Daniel sat in the gate of the King This therefore was Gods promise unto Abraham that by means of this blessing he would so multiply his seed as they should not only fill they should also subdue the world at last and raign over it Psal 47. 3. He shall subdue the people under us Rev. 11. 15. The Kingdomes of this world shall be the Kingdomes of the Lord and of his Christ Dan. 7. 18. 28. The Kingdom and Dominion and the greatnesse of the Kingdom under the whole Heaven shall be given to the people of the Saints of the most High and all Dominions shall serve and obey him All this you may observe is reduced to Abrahams promise Psal 47. which is a parallel prophecy to that of Dan. 7. O clap your hands all ye people shout unto God with the voice of triumph for the Lord most High is the King over all the earth He shall subdue the people under us and the nations under our feet God raigneth over the heathen God sitteth upon the Throne of his Holinesse Then mark what followeth The Princes of the people are gathered together even the people of the God of Abraham All this dignity and power therfore is confirmed upon them as his seed and heirs of his promise And although by what hath been said it is evident that this also is one branch of Gods promise made to Abraham Yet I shall adde one place more wherein with submission I suppose we have also a prophesie of what God wil do for his people in this kind and all reduced still to his promise unto Abraham It is Psal 105. mentioned before a Psalm made upon occasion of Davids bringing the Ark to the Tabernacle which he had prepared for it upon mount Sion as we see 1. Chron. 16. 1 7. in which accordingly we have a prophesie foreshewing what God will do when he shall set his King upon his holy hill of Sion having dashed his enemies in pieces like a Potters vessel even when the Kingdomes of the earth are become the Kingdomes of the Lord and of his Christ In which prophesie observe two things First how he putteth all that he saith therein upon Gods promise unto Abraham O give thanks unto the Lord make known his deeds among the people sing unto him talk of his wonderous works O ye seed of Abraham his servant ye children of Jacob his chosen Againe v. 8. Which covenant he made with Abraham and his oath unto Isaac and confirmed the same to Jacob saying Vnto

upon it as such and that in performance thereof his spiritual seed did enjoy not onely an earthly Canaan but withall an heavenly even in the times of the old Testament which heavenly Canaan as it is yet in being and shall be and enjoyed by the same spiritual seed still so we are to look upon that promise as intended also for us of the New Testament in all generations and for an everlasting possession In this manner hath the Lord been pleased to confirm his Gospel to believers he hath singled out Abraham as a pattern and confirmed it to him and in him to us as his seed And it hath been his usual course thus to do As for instance when he gave that great promise of conquering the enemies of the blessed seed by conquering God in prayer he gave it first to Jacob when upon occasion of his prevailing in wrestling with God he called him Israel And from him do we at this day claim the same priviledge and are called by that name the Israel of God Gal. 6. 16. Peace be on them and on the Israel of God So when he gave unto his Saints the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven he gave them to Peter and that his new Name in order thereunto Matt. 16. 18. He had his name before given Ioh. 1. 42. but there he gives him the reason of his new Name and the comfort of it and from that gift to Peter the Saints do claim their Church power each according to their place and station in the Church for they have it as Peters that is as stones in that building or if you will as confessours which makes them to be Stones in the house of God And as persons are more or lesse eminent in that work so have they more or lesse of that power therefore the Officers of the Church are intrusted with the greatest share So here also he singles out Abraham and confirmeth that to him which he intendeth to bestow upon all beleevers and gives him also his new name upon the same account The reasons why he hath done thus I shall shew anon But before we come to them for our more clear proceeding let us first consider what this promise made to Abraham was and what is the meaning of it The Apostle here reciteth that promise Gen. 22. 16. where the words are these By my self have I sworne that blessing I will bless thee and multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of Heaven and as the sand by the Sea shore and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies The Apostle here for brevity sake sets down but two things Gods blessing Abraham and his multiplying his seed his scope in this place being not so much to set out the full extent and compass of the matter of Abrahams promise but onely the manner of Gods confirming it by an oath therefore if you will have a just account of that promise you must take it as it is set down in Genesis not only in chapter 22. 16. but also in other places especially in the twelfth and seventeenth chapters for the same promise is several times repeated and by various expressions set forth And it containeth four things First in general that God would bless Abraham and with him all beleevers the heirs of his promise with all spiritual blessings in Christ as Children and Heirs of God Rom. 9. 7. Neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all Children but in Isaac shall thy seed be called that is saith the Apostle they which are the children of the flesh these are not the children of God but the children of the promise are accounted for the seed By which we see the blessing which God bestowed upon Abraham and with him upon all beleevers saying blessing I will bless thee c. Gen. 2. is the blessing of Gods children namely all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus As also we find Gal. 3. 16. that the covenant and promise made to Abraham was confirmed to us in Christ and to this promise the Law was added four hundred and thirty years after And it is called a preaching of the Gospel to Abraham v. 8. even in what was said In thee shall all the nations of the earth be blessed The Scripture saith the Apostle foreseeing that God would justifie the Heathen through faith preached the Gospel unto Abraham saying In thee shall all Nations be blessed So that they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham And you see the blessing is their being justified by Christ Again Gal. 3. 29. If ye be Christs then are ye Abrahams seed and Heirs according to the promise So as look what blessings we have in Christ they are all wrapped up in that promise made to Abraham and it was intended by the Lord to comprehend as was said before the summe of the Gospel This I say in general was intended in the promise made to Abraham Gen. 5. 15. and herein his promise did not differ from that promise made unto our first parents The seed of the woman shall break the Serpents head Secondly More particularly in Gods promise unto Abraham is contained something peculiar unto him and which beleevers are to claim particularly from his promise made to Abraham as namely in the second place that God would not onely blesse Abraham and in him all beleevers but also would make them blessings and that chiefly and in the first place to their familis and not onely so but also to Nations Gen. 12. 1 2 3. Blessing I will bless thee and thou shalt be a blessing and in thee shall all the families oj the earth be blessed So Gen. 18. 18. All the nations of the earth shall be blessed in Abraham This promise Peter alledgeth and explaineth to the Jews Acts 3. 25. Ye are the children of the Prophets and of the covenant which God made with our Fathers saying unto Abraham and in thy seed shall all the Kindreds of the earth be blessed The word is all the families of the earth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The same word we have Epes 3. 15. Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named The covenant made with Abraham therefore as by this place we see that we have it in that of Gen. 12. 1 where it was first made given so also that it respecteth families and posterity else he had said all the beleevers or all the people of the earth not all the families of the earth shall be blessed And he could not have said to the Jews ye are the children of the covenant had it not respected the children of the people of God Nor is it to be restrained only to the Jews for the promise is concerning all the families of the Earth Therefore it followeth in the next words v. 26. Vnto you first God having raised up his Son hath sent him to bless you therefore to others he was sent also afterwards to blesse them What we have as