will best be manifest by Gods reward In this life his blessings shall follow thee so that men shall say surely this man fears God though condemned by us for the Lord rewards him or else after this life And it reproves this vice so rife in all states whose own tongues must be the Trumpets of their own Praises but saith Solomon Let another mans mouth praise thee and not thine own Hast thou been bountifull to the poore Let their Lips bless thee and let thy works praise thee Prov. 31. and let it be thy desire to approve thy heart unto God to be upright Take heed of vainglorious ostentations they are the brand of hypocrisie A second property of an Hypocrite is this devoutest in pretence slenderest in performance Here they say they are tyred with bringing so heavy a sacrifice when alas So slender that they might blow it away read Isa 58. and the Pharisees Mat. 23. Emptiest Vessels sound loudest and the veriest Hypocrite pretends most devotion See this at this day in Church of Rome Vse none in pretence fuller none in truth emptier of sound devotion How many prayers have their Monks creep at midnight to their devotions to their Mass c. as if they were the devoutest men in the world And what are all their prayers but meer Lip-labour it being their rule that Prayers never so barbarous though without understanding are acceptable unto God And how many alas in the Church of God that would seem Pillars on whose shoulders the whole building of the Church rested indeed doing nothing either by Doctrine or life that tends to building like antique faces that ye shall see in Churches at the bottome of pillars that seem to bear all on their shoulders being nothing else indeed but the meer complements of building And amongst our people ignorant whose lips move faster in their private devotion Or whose prayers more idle and abominable Having neither knowledg of the Word to direct nor faith to assure them nor sence of wants to enflame their desires of obteining Well Beloved Let this ever be noted in a Child of God his performances most his pretences least and this the brand of an Hypocrite to pretend greatest and practice the least devotion If we take our common reading that varies from the originall Text though it be consonant to the Analogy of faith Two other notes of unsound people in the worship of God are here propounded 1. Wearisomness in the worship of God 2. Impatience and murmuring at divine impositions Wearisomness in the worship of God Observ A note of an unsound heart Amos 8.5 When will the new Moon be gone Reasons of this are 1. That their minds are setled on earthly things and they are their Treasure and thence it commeth that every thing is irkesome that deteyneth from them 2. Lack of love to the Majesty of God for surely to such as love God his Commandements are not grievous 1 Joh. 5.3 As it is said of Jacob that his seven years service seemed unto him a short time because he loved Rachel So c. 3. That they feele no sweetness in the service of God as Peter 1 Pet. 2.3 If they had ever tasted how sweet the Lord is they would long after the sincere milk of the Word Now see whether this note of an unsound heart shew it self in our People in hearing prayer c. See but the behaviour of carnall men At an idle Stage-play men can sit half days and nights at their Cards and Dice whole nights drudge after the world all their life long and never weary but when we come to a Sermon every minute beyond the houre seems tedious unto them their devotion spent and ever in Preaching and Prayer that is commended short and sweet Now this I dare say A man thus alwaies calling for shortness for that the service is wearisome gives evidence he never tasted of the sweetness of the Word of God A Child of God is of an indefatigable desire and unwearied endeavour Isa 58.13 They call the Sabbath a delight Psal 110.3 They came willingly at the days of assembling Psal 1.2 Their delight is in the Law of God and therein they meditate day and night And David again When shall I be satisfied with the pleasures of thine House Psal 42.2 And though it be true that upon the best of us sometimes such irkesomness creeps yet this I know is true it is bewailed of Gods Children and earnestly striven against by all means VER 14. But Cursed be the deceiver which hath in his flock a male and voweth and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing For I am a great King saith the Lord of Hosts and my name is dreadfull among the heathen HEre followeth the second part of the Chapter A Curse denounced wherein these Particulars 1. The Curse 2. The Reasons First From description of Hypocrites Secondly Of Gods Majesty In the description of the Hypocrite we see 1. His Title A Deceiver Machinator a plotter and deviser how to deceive to wit with shews of devotion Deceivers they are 1. Of God in intention dealing cunningly with him in his worship vowing many things in extremities performance none or slender 2. Of men It shall not be amiss a little to note how First one cunning they have that they may seem holy and devout they are commonly first and sharpest in censuring and condemning others Mat. 7. In the mean time dissolute in their own lives and the least moats they can espy in another their own beams in the mean time dissembled our Saviour carped at for conversing with sinners and oppressors themselves notorious for rapines and extreme oppression A cunning sleight and rife at this day among many That they Censoriously judg of others take liberty over-enough in their own lives Whereas true love covers 1 Pet. 4.8 and is compassionate Gal. 6.2 A second cunning they have in deceiving men withall is externall conformity to the parts of the Worship of God when as in private life none more negligent or careless then they If a man had seen the devotion of Pharisees in their Prayers would he not presently have said behold a devout man yet in private life who more abominable measure thy self then by private carriage But their worst deceit is That by all this they beguile their own souls as Jam 1.26 failing of all their intentions And voweth Their second property is that they are forward to vow the best in their extremities when Gods hand is upon them nothing too dear for him but when Gods hand is removed as if they repented their forwardness they serve him with the corrupt This ye may see in Pharaoh when Gods hand was upon him Moses and Aaron sent for sin confessed great mind to let Gods people go when Gods hand removed then to limit and distinguish they might but their children must stay then they might go but their Cattle must stay behind See we whether this be not in our people when
best religion with them that brings greatest advantage in the things of this life See Iob. 21.15 Ier. 44.17 18. 1 Tim. 6.5 The reason whereof is nothing but earthly mindedness Phil. 3.19 Their belly is their God they minde earthly things Let me apply it to the times Vse And let us but hear the common censure that worldlings pass of religion Look say they and see what kinde of men they are that are the forwardest in religion poor raskal people beggars in comparison right as the Pharisees Ioh. 7.48 Now brethren though that be not generally true for it pleaseth God to shew his power and though not many rich and mighty 1 Cor. 1.26 Yet some and see how rich these others are in faith Iam. 2.5 And here let us a little see why it pleaseth the Lord to keep his children so low in this life Reasons are 1. To mortifie and abate their sins Thou blessest thy self in the multitude of thy riches Oh how blessed were it for thee if thou hadst less wealth and more grace And what happiness should the Lord do thee if he would deprive thee of that abundance that steals away thine heart from God! 2. To justifie their sincerity that it may be seen they serve not God for commodity Iob 1.9 3. To teach them and us all that the hope of a Christian is not in this life 1 Cor. 15.19 4. To magnifie the power of his grace in their weakness and infirmity Secondly how many are there that even for this refuse to embrace religion because they see religion allows them not their benefits They could be content to be religious as the young man in the Gospel but they love not the conditions such strictness that a penny must not be gotten but with good conscience Now mark my brethren Mar. 10.30 that Christ hath promised all that may be expedient and wouldest thou have wealth that should hinder thy salvation 2. Consider that if thou lose all yet God gives contentment and that is a benefit which no worldling can attain If thou see but the carking and toyl that such earth-worms are put unto me-thinks thou shouldst never envy them their plenty with such conditions 3. Observe what a company of noysome lusts they pierce themselves through withal 4. With the Lord are durable riches Prov. 8.18 Lastly such also as for the exchange of things in these dayes of the Gospel run back in their affections to Popery As the Israelites when they came to the wilderness and were but a little pinch'd with hunger cry out it had been better for them to have sitten by the flesh-pots and garlicke and onyons of Egypt And how many such that wish for Popery for no other end then that they might again enjoy the old plenty and happiness of all things And now we call the proud happy That is they thought those that walked in the stubbornness of their hearts against God more happy than they Reason because they were delivered and freed from afflictions Shall I need to say This is the state and opinion of our people How do they applaud the state of ungodly men in respect of their outward prosperity And how happy think they such as abound with things of this life though wholly destitute of the graces of Gods Spirit yet look but upon such a professour you shall see him less friended less honoured and living at less hearts ease Now that we fall not into this blasphemy let us see a little the reason why it pleaseth God thus to deal with ungodly men And ye shall finde he doth it for this end First to fat them against the day of slaughter as we are wont to put our cattel destin'd to the slaughter into the fattest and fairest pastures Prov. 1.32 Ease slayeth the foolish see also Psal 37. and 73. Secondly to teach his own children not too much to admire the things of this life which they see the very wicked themselves may be and are partakers of Who would dote upon those things which when a man hath make him never a whit the more happy yea perhaps further through abuse his condemnation Thirdly to aggravate their judgment when as by so many blessings of God they have been allured to obedience and have had so plentiful means of doing good and yet have done none Fourthly therefore doth the Lord put such power into their hands that he may by them exercise and chasten the disobedience of his children Isa 10.5 They are Gods hangmen and executioners Now for the second part that in all these things they are not happy what need I stand long to prove Presupposing supposing them to be such as are here described First of all it is an argument that the Lord hath utterly rejected them from his love for a man to prosper and to be delivered continuing his sin Hosh 4.14 Among many curses this is one of the most grievous when the Lord gives a sinner prosperity in his sin this hardens the heart and makes them please themselves in their wickedness Therefore see the contrary promised unto Gods children Psal 89.31 22. Therefore saith David blessed is the man whom thou chastenest alwaies and teachest in thy way Psal 94.12 1 Cor. 11.32 We are chastened of the Lord that we might not be condemned with the world and a thousand times better is this state then his whose sins the Lord-winks at without chastisement And therefore envy them not in this whilest their hearts are fleshed in their sins 2. Consider what Iob hath the rejoycing of the hypocrite is but short Iob 21. 3. The feares wherewith they are perplexed Dan. 5. 4. Have no assurance of pardon of sins wherein notwithstanding blessedness indeed consisteth Psal 32.1 5. Have their portion in this life and only here Mat. 6.5 Yea they that tempt God are even delivered Let us a little see what it is It is generally to make needless experiment of the truth power mercy justice of God Some try his clemency some his patience Psal 78. Some his justice by presumptuous sins some his power in needless dangers some his wisdome whether God will assist on the sudden Each of these a step to or a degree of this sin And in some in this place it s nothing else but when a man presumptuously sins as it were daring the Lord to take vengeance See Num. 15. The law of God and execution of it Even they are delivered Men of extreamest impiety are Observ sometimes prospered See Psal 37. 73. Ier. 12.1 c. But Vse marvell not a this nor be discouraged when thou seest it It hath indeed for lack of due consideration of the reasons thereof much disquieted Gods Children But yet secondly let none bless himself in this courses for that he hath outward prosperity very godless men sometimes partake it VER 16. Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another and the Lord hearkned and heard it and a book of remembrance was written before him for
of God especially to the Lords Prophets and his Annointed and for which we have just cause to feare an heavy judgment And our own Congregation is not free How many lewd miscreants tollerated in the height of iniquity If any man make shew of Religion he only denyed common courtesie and happy he that is first in his Affliction and how triumph they in such a mans calamity Let such feare They become not a By-word Ver. 5. And your eyes shall see and ye shall say The Lord will be magnified from the border of Israel We have here the use of this judgment amongst the people of God namely The celebrating and praising of the great power and might of the Lord in the destruction of the Enemies of his people Hence learn we To have our eyes open upon the judgments of God Observ That no judgment whether generall or personall may pass our observation The Reason is because they serve excellently to make our hearts stand in awe of the Majesty of God and to admonish us of our own danger in case of like misdemeanour See 1 Cor. 20. And here the blindness or negligence of our people must be blamed Vse Many are the judgments that we have seen and heard to be executed upon particular places That fearefull inundation those overthrows by thundring and lightning the beggary of Drunkards hardness of heart in Persecutors Our eyes should be open to take notice of this judgment partly for our own admonition partly for the praise of Gods mercy for exempting us And lastly To celebrate the praise of the power and justice of God in the desolation of his Adversaries Object May we then rejoyce in the overthrow of Gods Enemies Answ Not simply as their destruction but as manifestations of his glory See Exod. 15. Judg. 5. VER 6,7 A Son honoureth his Father and a Servant his Master If then I be a Father where is mine honour And if I be a Master where is my feare Saith the Lord of Hosts unto you O Priests that despise my Name ye offer polluted bread upon mine Altar c. THe second sin here taxed is The despising of Gods Name that is sleight regard of the worship of God Where first is proved that greater regard is due unto the Lord by a reason drawn from the double power of God Fatherly and of a Master If a Father I should be honoured but a Father The proposition is proved for A Son honoureth his Father 2. The sin and the parties to whose charge it is laid despising of Gods Name to the Priests 3. Their exception and deniall 4. The Lords reply by an instance ver 7. uncleane Bread 5. The doubling of the exception by the Priests 6. A second reply of the Lord likewise by instance Observ 1 The first Note we have here is this That Civill and Domesticall subjection is approved by God The authority of Masters and Fathers c. this is apparent For Masters Authority read Gen. 16.9 To Hagar Go and humble thy self to thy Mistris Mat. 8.9 The speech of the Centurion approved by our Saviour a clear point 1 Cor. 7.21 Eph. 6.5 Col. 3.22 That ancient error in the Appostles dayes reproved and their Reason from the quality of Masters If good then equall If evill what dominion I answer If good the rather to be obeyed 2 Tim. 6.2 And though there be equality of right to Gods Kingdom yet disparity of power in respect of externall state If evill yet to be obeyed 1 Pet. 2.18 1 Tim. 6.1 though not in evill the Reason it hinders not faith 1 Cor. 7.21 Contrary causeth blasphemy of Gods truth Observ 2 The next thing here observable is How God must be acknowledged not only as a Father but as a Master also and duties to him performed mingledly of feare and love As a Father we love as a Master we must feare therefore thus propounded 1 Pet. 1.17 Father which judgeth The Reason is because If without love or respect thereto it is slavish if without respect to Majesty sleightly Best duties done when both are mingled Rom. 11.22 both bounty and severity one causeth chearefulness the other reverence Now then Beloved Learn we to acknowledge the Lord to be such unto us Vse that in all duties performed those two vertues Love and Feare may meet together And what ever duty thou performest consider God not only as a Father to wink at imperfections but also as a Master to correct severely contempt But these ye shall see disjoyned in most mens practice Some talk of Gods love and mercy and he will spare as a Father but will you see what this naked consideration of the Love of God and his mercy breeds either absolute neglect or sleight performance of holy duties Some apprehend God as a severe and strict Master and that meditation wrings from them some services but slavishly performed and therefore not acceptable unto God He best doth duties that mingleth both thus heare beholding Gods love that makes thee cheerefull considering his Majesty that makes thee reverend Thus pray thus live 1 Pet. 1.17 That despise my Name How if any aske They offered uncleane bread that is profaned the worship of God Bread put Synechdochically for any Sacrifice For the understanding whereof know that there were certaine Beasts by Gods ordinance uncleane some cleane the distinction we have Gen. 6.7 some that God had sanctifyed to be offered in sacrifice some otherwise This their first sin That they offered such things as God had forbidden to be offered There cannot be a greater contempt offered to the Name of God than to offer unto him things prohibited Observ The Gentiles and Israelites condemned for this though full of Devotion they spared not their own Sons Daughters from offering them in sacrifice In 1 Sam. 15. Saul had reserved the Amalekites Cattell yea the fat of them for sacrifice yet is deprived of his Kingdom because the Lord had cursed them with a Curse And therefore Let this teach us to take heed how we Vse in the substance of Gods worship offer him any thing that he hath either forbidden or not enjoined Will-worship it is the common sin of our People Fasting in Lent the highest point of Devotion outward gestures a great part of their Religion their eye should be to what the Lord enjoineth and labour for a right understanding of the manner and ends of enjoyning And ye say wherein have we despised thy Name Note here the nature of an Hypocrite ready to justifie himself when the Lord himself reproves Observ and layeth sin to his charge gladly would they seem righteous in the sight of God and put off from them the Accusations laid to their charge Our Saviour layeth this sin to the charge of Pharisees Luk. 16.15 Ye are they that justifie your selves before men This was Eves fault Gen. 3. shifting her fault off to the Serpent Adam to the woman Saul I have obeyed the voice of the Lord 1 Sam. 15. The Reasons
wrath for they call not when the Lord binds them Iob 36.13 5. Bitter complaint under that sad condition as Psal 42. 84. and Psal 74.9.10 Bewailing also and bemoaning themselves to every one that they think may do them ease 6. The means to recover it by diligence in Gods service are never slacked but rather encreased by it In those times above all most diligent to seek God Hos 5.15 With a wicked man not so but presently slacks he his devotion as those wretches Mal. 3.14 Cry presently it s in vain to serve God and what profit is it c. 7. A Child of God resolves even in the middest of feeling Gods displeasure still to continue his service what ever becomes of him Iob 13.15 16. Though he kill me I will trust in him and never forsake him he shall be my salvation With an Hypocrite and wicked man it s not so if the Lord be not presently mercifull again and at their beck presently they renounce him as 1 Sam. 28.6.7 When the Lord answered not Saul by dreames c. presently he flies off to a witch And would God this were not too evident amongst our people So long as any thing can be gained by Religion and the current of the times ruâ—â— that way who but they But if the Lord justly be displeased for hypocrisie so that they feel him not so gracious as in times past or perceive that he answers not presently to their call they then forsake and renounce him 8. A wicked mans at the loss of Gods favour it works envy and hatred against those to whom the Lord shewes most tokens of his love as Gen. 4. compared with 1 Ioh. 3.12 so in Saul 1 Sam. 18.6 7 12 28 29. With a childe of God it s not so That love of a childe of God is a permanent grace 1 Ioh. 3.14 And though they could wish to themselves the happiness of other of Gods children yet envy they not thereat but ever magnifie the grace of God to them shewen Vse 2 Is this so Is this a thing that even wicked men grieve at That the Lord rejects their services Then learn thou for ever to acknowledg Gods favour to thee in this when he shall give thee testimonies and evidences thereof And beloved this grace of prizing aright the favour of God and the tokens thereof is an excellent grace and the lack of it causeth so much misery to the dear children of God Doth God hear thy prayers Rejoyce in it as in the greatest happiness in the world doth he bless thy hearing and art thou bettered in knowledg and obedience Bless God for it and forget not this loving kindness of the Lord unto thy soul And for this end gather as many testimonies of them as possibly thou canst What are the signs of it False signs outward prosperity with the common appendices thereof but against this see Eccles 91. because they come not into misfortune as others therefore they applaud themselves in their evil Notes of Gods respecting our services are 1. Extraordinary such was that same sending down of fire from heaven 1 King 18. and 2 Chron 7.1 but thus the Lord deals not at this day Yet its true there are certain sensible tokens of Gods accepting us and our services at this day which Gods children may take and esteem as pledges of his love 1. Success in all things that thou puttest thine hand unto but here lest I be mistaken understand by success not that which the world so esteems a flourishing and prosperous estate but this call thou success when all things work to thy good Rom. 8.28 To thy true good furthering thee in the salvation of thy soul or when outward prosperity makes the full of good works and fearfull is the estate of those to whom these things work evill when prosperity puffs up the heart or when afflictions amend not when hearing betters not c. Fear then lest the Lord be angry with thee 2. When the Lord shall bless thee in spirituall things in Christ Jesus Eph. 1.3 That is when thou shalt feel this fruit of the service of God that thereby the graces of God be obtained and encreased that a token that God accepts thy service 3. Thou shalt perceive it by that inward testimony and certificate that Gods Spirit gives to thee in thy conscience God deals not now with us as he did with Cornelius Act. 10.3 To send an Angell from Heaven to tell us that our prayers and almes-deeds are accepted with God but this he doth he sends his Spirit into our hearts that assures us by the word of God that our courses please him these if thou feel bless God for them and thus think they are such as even wicked men sometimes would redeem with the loss of all that they enjoy Vse 3 Is this so Then mark what a miserable case such men live in as when the Lord gives many testimonies that he rejects both them and their services yet are no whit moved therewith Surely they come not so neer Heaven as Cain and Esau for they grieved at this which these wretches never do As how many are there that can say and saying deride all Religion that they could never perceive themselves to be any whit better for their prayers c. What nothing the better And findest thou no feeling of Gods love therein Wretched man that thou art what comfort then canst thou have in thy wealth pleasure honour c. Yea if thou had'st all the world what could it comfort thee But how much more miserable their condition that are the worse for it For example when God gives wealth they are the worse when he sends afflictions they are the more heardened when he gives preaching and they are the more blinded as Isa 6.10 What a wretched case live such men in except they should go down Observ presently to hell they could not be more miserable Insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more or receiveth it with good will at your hand Hence note we that during state of impenitency no sacrifice or service is accepted with God though performed with never so great devotion See Isa 1.12 Sabbaths and new-moons commanded yet in these people during impenitency most odious and abominable See also Prov. 15.8 Impenitency is of two sorts 1. Generall 2. Particular Generall impenitency is when a man lives in a continuall course of sinning without any conversion at all unto God as before calling and turning by the Spirit of God Particular is that which after the first conversion Gods children fall into as they sometimes go astray so for a time perhaps they lye unhumbled in their sins as David 2 Sam. 12. till Nathan comes to him Will you hear Reasons of it One is that extream hatred the Lord holds all sins in especially when they are thus lived in Hab. 1.13 It s true that the Lord bears many sins in his people so long as they are bewailed and striven against
profession is that they hire not servants for Gods service but for their own And therefore for matter of Religion and the worwip of God let them do as they will all which argues an earthly minde and by the presence of such servants what blessings can be expected Surely as the Lord many times blesseth a whole family for the presence of one religious servant Gen. 30.27 39.5 So for one graceless profane servant the whole family tasts of the Lords wrath A second neglect is herein perhaps more tolerable but yet as dangerous and that is this that you may observe even in some of Gods own Children some care of civility they have which restrains them from gross breaches of the second table drunkenness whoredome c. Perhaps look also to externall conformity but for matter of judgment in religion altogether careless These things ought not so to be but Instruction and Correction must this way go together To every one of us also may this duty be pressed for even we also are Temples for the Lord to dwell in 1 Cor. 6.19 And therefore must we also be carefull this way to keep our selves from pollutions in the worship of God and if any have crept upon us labour to purge them See Deut. 4.12 13. And for this cause positive duties this way tending are 1. Continuall attendance unto the word of God as the only comfortable rule of the worship of God Mat. 15. 2. Beware of Philosophy and vain deceit Col. 2.8 3. Relying too-much upon the authority and judgments of men or of their writings Augustine prayed for his mother Monica And this one cause of Romish Idolatry whilest the word of God was laid aside and writings of men advanced into their room Not that I condemn judicious reading of them but yet bring all to the touch yea even commands and prescripts of Princes Hos 5.11 Ephraim afflicted and broken in judgment because he willingly followed the Commandement The messenger or Angel of the covenant He speaks here of the covenant of grace made betwixt God and the seed of Abraham touching life and salvation to be obtained by faith in Christs blould Now Christ is called the Angel of this covenant in two respects 1. In respect of revelation 2. In respect of mediation and procurement In respect of revelation so Divines teach that the Lord before incarnation pleased by Christ to reveal his covenant unto man so Christ that first talked with Adam that renewed covenant with Abraham that led the Israelites c. And of himself Ioh. 1. He only reveales the Father unto us he means as making this covenant of grace for otherwise God known to the wicked from the beginning as creatour governour preserver but as a Saviour and Redemer known only in Christ In respect of mediation because that in him and for his sake this covenant was made see 1 Tim. 2.5 The mediatour between God and man and in and by him it hath accomplishment 2. Cor. 1.20 Now whereas Christ is the revealer of his covenant me thinks it will follow that those to whom Christ was not known they never knew this covenant and therefore could not be partakers of salvation I mean the Gentiles to whom it pleased not God to reveal himself by Christ And therefore that error though compassionate yet foul of some that taught that even the Gentiles before Christ that knew not Christ were saved I say not but some Gentiles were saved but that any was saved that knew not God in Christ the scripture no where sheweth Act. 4.12 No other name Isa 53.11 The knowledg of my righteous servant Hence we are taught to pray to Christ the interpreter to manifest it unto thee and with all take heed how we despise the word and tenour of this covenant Heb. 2.3 the reasons are there given Again whereas Christ alone is made the mediatour of the covenant mark how fouly Papists delude themselves and rob Christ of his honour and set up saints and Angels for mediatours They have coyned a distinction of intercession and redemption severing those things that God hath combined in the person of Christ the high Priest a type of both and Rev. 8.3 Christ the Angel that stands to perfume our prayers And this the unspeakable comfort of a childe of God it 's true that God hath been gracious unto us in entring covenant but this our misery that we keep not the condition yet this again our comfort that the promises of God have not their ratification in us but in Christ Jesus Alas what would become of us if salvation depended upon the merit of our own obedience how full of unbeliefe how weak in obedience How presumptuous in disobedience Yet this the comfort that in Christ the promises of God are yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1.20 Followeth the ratification saith the Lord of Hostes So you shall see that the Lord tyes his children to no other evidence but his word for the accomplishment of all his Promises and predictions Thus saith the Lord and The mouth of the Lord hath spoken and this indeed is faith torest in the assurance of Gods promises because he hath promised Other sciences have their demonstrations and we have liberty to enquire a reason of them and not bound to rest in any mans ipse dixit But for matter of faith the Lords word must be our only warrant Now as the Lord propounds this as the only thing wherein he would have his servants rest Vse so let us labour and learn to rest and relye only upon the word of God for accomplishment of all his promises This is notable in Abraham Rom. 4.18 though no likelihood to obtain feed yet having Gods promise he believes and Heb. 11.19 When the Lord commands him to take his son Isaac in whom was the only apparent hope of the blessing promised yet spares not him being assured that he who had promised was able also to perform Beloved in Christ many excellent promises are given unto us in Christ life eternal and glory unspeakable promised to all believers yet as Paul speaks Col. 3.3 This life is hid with Christ in God and 1 Joh. 3.2 It doth not yet appear what we shall be And look to the outward State of Gods children in this life nothing more miserable Well yet we have the Lords word The Lord of Hosts hath said it and though we had no other evidence me thinks this should suffice us God hath promised to dwell with a contrite heart and to revive him that is of an humble spirit Isa 57.15 Beloved perhaps at present we see nothing less than reviving perhaps even killing Iob. 13.15 Here now is the power of faith then to expect life when we feel our selves in death Godliness hath also the promises of this life 1 Tim. 4.8 Food in famine Psal 37. Perhaps we see no means but now the Lord will prove our faith And indeed thou canst never assure thy self that thou hast any sound faith till thou are