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
much more to all his people in all their necessities bodily or spirituall The like are those speeches that GOD will lighten our darkenesse he will keepe the feet of his Saints hee will not forsake them nor forget their complaint that they shall not be confounded in the time of trouble Hee will hide them in his pavillion Psal. 27.4 5. And cover them with his feathers Psal. 91.1 4. His Angels shall pitch their tents about them hee will set them up on high from such as rise against them he will heale their wounds Ier. 30.17 GOD sees our affliction and knowes it well Exod. 3.7 Hee heareth our sighs and remembring his Covenant helps us Exod. 2.23 24 25. All afflictions come from him the Almighty hath afflicted mee saith Naomi Ruth 1.21 it is often called the Chastening of the LORD When we are iudged saith the Apostle we are chastened of the LORD 1 Cor. 11.32 And the same GOD which imposed the affliction takes it away Deut. 32.39 1 Sam. 2.6 7. Iob 5.18 Vna eademque manus vulnus opemque tulit GOD will be the strength of the righteous in their trouble and their salvation out of trouble David had great proofe hereof and therfore after a mighty deliverance composed that excellent Ps. 34. See 7 17 19. verses I know the thoughts that I think towards you saith the LORD thoughts of peace to give you an expected end Ier. 29.11 Reioyce not saith the Church against me O mine enemy When I fall I shall arise when I sit in darkenesse the LORD shall be a light unto mee c. Micah 7.8 9. Light is sowne for the righteous and ioy for the upright in heart Psal. 97.11 The latter part of the verse expounds the former by light is meant joy and by righteous the upright in heart Ioy is sowne for these and as sure as an harvest followes a feeding so to these comfort followes mourning If wee sow in teares we shall reape in ioy I will be content saith D. Hall with a wet spring so I may be sure of a cleare and joyfull harvest Your sorrow shall be turned into ioy Ioh. 16.20 if CHRIST had onely promised that their sorrow should be mitigated or shortly ended it had beene a great comfort but this ministreth abundant consolation Never was Gold-smith more curious and precise to watch the very first season when the gold is throughly refined and fitted for use that he may take it out of the fornace then our gracious GOD waites in such cases with an holy longing that he may have mercy upon his children and deliver them He shall deliver thee in sixe troubles yea in seaven there shall no evill touch thee Ioh. 5.19 Many of the Learned say that here by sixe and seven the Spirit of GOD alludeth unto the daies of the LORDS worke in Creating the world and his resting on the seventh day that so must his servants labour under afflictions all the daies of their life and shall rest from those labours in the perpetuall Sabbath Rather sixe or seaven are to be understood indefinitely certaine numbers for uncertaine things seaven referred to humane evills importeth many Pro. 24.16 See Psal. 91.14 15. Pro. 11.8 Psal. 50.15 Psal. 149.4 1 Cor. 10.13 2 Cor. 4.8 The meditation of these gracious promises may comfort GODS people in trouble GOD assures me hee will lay no more upon me then I shall be able to beare either my burden shall be made lighter or my faith stronger We should goe to the LORD then in our afflictions and say LORD it is part of thy Covenant to deliver me from such a crosse and calamity LORD thou hast said that the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the Righteous that thou wilt afflict but in measure according to our strength and for our good O sanctifie thy hand unto me give me faith and patience to waite upon thee wisedome to make a good use of this chastizement let it purge mee from my drosse and breed the quiet fruit of righteousnesse The end of chastizement is amendment of life whence it receiveth the name of correction which signifieth to set right or streight Therefore we must first labour to finde out the sinne for which GOD correcteth us For which purpose let us remember that place Iob 36.9 If they be tyed with the cords of affliction then will I shew them their workes and their sins When we have found it out let us be humbled for it make our peace with GOD and reforme our selves Ioh. 5.14 and then we may expect comfort from GOD. This the LORD both promised and performed to Iob and in him to all that are afflicted Zophar telleth Iob that which GOD himselfe did make good at last If iniquit be in thine hand put it farre away and let not wickednesse dwell in thy tabernacles It must be the care of the afflicted to purge his hand and house of all manner of wickednesse and sin Then it followeth verse 15. Thou shalt lift up thy face without spot yea thou shalt be stedfast and not feare that is Thou shalt enjoy the comfortable assurance of the remission of thy sinnes and shalt rest perswaded that the staine thereof is quite done away before the LORD And for his outward estate hee addeth ver 16. Thou shalt forget thy misery He shall be quite freed from all the trouble of it Thou shalt remember it as waters that are past which cause the meddowes to be more fat and fertile then they would have beene ver 17. Thine age saith he shall be clearer than the noone day thou shalt shine forth and be as the morning The comfort of a sinner reformed by corrections shall be plentifull and excellent as the brightnesse of the noone-tide sun and withall constant durable and on the growing hand as the light of the morning Faith makes us depend on GODS promises in our afflictions and patiently expect the issue that he will give and that without prefixing any time for Hee that beleeveth doth not make hast Esay 28.16 or prescribing any meanes to him as faithfull Moses when he said Stand yee still and see the salvation of the LORD Exod. 14.13 Faith doth not limit GOD for the measure of affliction Iob saith He will trust in GOD though he kill him Job 13 1â— It was a grievous affliction for David to be driven out of his kingdome by his owne Sonne yet he saith in that slight If he say I have no delight in him behold here I am let him doe unto me as seemeth good in his eyes 2 Sam. 15.26 Therefore in all our afflictions let us set faith a worke for this stirres up prayer and prayer stirres up GOD and GOD stirres up all the creatures Faith gathereth one contrary out of another life out of death assurance of sweetest deliverances out of deepest distresses For the LORD shall iudge his people and repent himselfe for his servants
me hath everlasting life the houre is comming and now is when the dead shall heare the voyce of the Sonne of GOD and they that heare shall live John 5.24 25. not such a voyce as shall call them out of their graves as in the 28. verse for he saith now is but the meaning of the place is that those which were dead in sinne should be quickned either by CHRIST in his own person or by his Word in his Ministers The titles given to the Word expresse this It is called the Word of life Acts 5.20 Phil. 2.16 John 6 68. The Word of grace Acts 20.32 The word of Salvation Acts 13. â—6 Salvation it selfe and life eâ—erlasting Heb. 2.3 Acts 28.28 John 12.50 The word is able to save our soules Jam. 1.21 1 Tim. 4.16 1 Cor. 1.21 To this purpose there are so many commendations of the Word specially in the Psâ—lmes and Proâ—erbes Psal. 19. â— The lâ—w of the LORD is perfect c. the whole 119. Psalm was written to set out the excellency of the Word The nine first Chapters of the Proverbes Take fâ—â—st hold of instruction let her not goe keepe her for she is thy life Pro. 4.13 Instruction is our life therby we attain all things pertaining to the comfort of this life and of that to come See Pro. 1.9 23. Pro. 2. from 1. to 13. Prov. 3.3 to 4. 13. ver to 24. Prov. 4.5 to 14. 20. to 23. Prov. 6.20 to 24. Pro. 7.1 to 5. and the whole eighth Chapter Sanctifie them through thy truth thy word is truth John 17.17 Doe not my words doe good to him that walketh uprightly Micah 2.7 As new born babes desire the sincere milke of the word that yee may grow thereby 1 Pet. 2.2 The comparisons which are used to set forth the profit of the Word confirme this it is resembled to The light Esay 9.2 Raine Deut. 32.2 Deaâ— there also living water Zach. 14.8 Wine and milke Esay 55.1 2. It is able 1. To inlighten with saving knowledge the simplest that shall heare and read it with an honest heart Psalme 119.130 2. To reform the heart and life of him that hath the strongest corruptions Psal. 119.9 3. To comfort and revive the heart that is most cast down either with inward or outward afflictions Esay 57.19 4. To preserve and adde knowledge and grace to them that have best profited Mar. 4.24 Whensoever we goe to the Word we should meditate on some of these precious promises to incourage us to attend unto GODS Word with expectation of his blessing on our labours Promises For the Sacraments 1. In generall They are the Seales of the righteousnesse of faith Rom. 4.11 or of the Covenant of grace The Apostle speaks of both Sacraments 1 Cor. 12.13 2. The specialâ— Sacraments Baptisme LORDS Supper 1. Baptisme Promises to it It is called The laver of regeneration Tit. 3.5 The Baptisme of repentance for remission of sinnes Mar 1.4 Act. 2.38 Our sins are said to be washed away Act. 22.16 Heb. 10.22 and Baptisme saveth 1 Pet. 3.21 all which belong to the blood of CHRIST Rev. 1.5 1 John 1.7 our Saviour saith we must be borne of water John 3.5 that is be made GODS children by receiving CHRIST as John 1.12 GOD hath promised that he will baptise us with the HOLY GHOST and with fire Mat. 3.11 2. LORDS Supper Promâ—ses to it When our LORD JESUS did ordaine it he speaking of the Bread said This is my body and of the Wine This is my blood of the New Testament Mat. â—6 26 28. that is these outward signes and seales were most sure and certain pledges of his body and blood which he did as truly give to be spirituall food as he gave the bread and wine to be bodily food to every believer 1 Cor. 10.16 There is a full meale 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 14.17 Bread and Wine comprehend entire food for humidum siccum are all that are required unto food this is promised Esay 25.6 In this mountaine shall the LORD of Hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things a feast of wines on the lees c. that is he would make for his Church compleat provision So Pro 9.5 A Lawfull Oath Promises to it God hath promised to reward it 1. In this life Jer. 12.16 If they will learne the wayes of my people to sweare the LORD liveth c. then shall they be built in the midst of my people 2. In the life to come with eternall happinesse for he that sweareth and chargeth not though it be to his owne hinderance he shall dwell in GODS holy Mountaine Psal. 15 4. Fasting Promises to it Be afflicted and mourne and weepe let your laughter be turned to mourning and your ioy to heavinesse Humble your selves in the sight of the LORD and he shall lift you up Jâ—m 4.9 10. If thou fast in secâ—â—t thy Father which seeth in secreâ— will reward thee openly Mat. 6.18 Joel 2.12 13 14 15 18 19. first a fast is prescribed then a blessing promised Praising GOD. Promises of it They shall praise the LORD that seeke him Ps. 22.26 They shall shew forth my praise Esay 43.21 Yee shall eat in plenty and be satisfied and praise the name of the LORD Joel 2.26 where GOD promiseth temporall blessings and a thankfull heart it is an evident signe of the continuance of them as there in Joel And Deuter. 8.10 Esay 62.8 9. Promises to it Them that honour me I will honour 1 Sam. 2.30 He that offereth praise glorifieth me Psal. 50.23 Praise is one of the Sacrifices with which GOD is well-pleased Heb. 13.15 16. Psal. 69.30 31. Let all the people praise thee O GOD let all the people praise thee Then shall the Earth yeeld her increase and GOD even our owne GOD shall blesse us Psal. 67.5 6. Promises To Meditation Mercy and truth shall be to them which devise good Pro 14 22. Thinke of these things which ye have both learned and received and heard and seen in me and the GOD of peace shall be with you Phil. 4.8 9. Let not the booke of the Law depart out of thy mouth but meditate therin day and night that thou maist observe to doe according to all that is written therin for then shalt thou make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have good successe Josh. 1.8 Blessed is the man that meditates on the Word day and night Psal. 1.2 Promises To Self-examination If we would iudge our selves we should not be iudged 1 Cor. 11.31 Let every man proove his owne work and then he shall have reioycing in himselfe alone and not in another Gal. 6.4 Promises To those that conscionably sanctifie the LORDS day The sanctifying of the LORDS â—ay will bring comfort and hapâ—inesse to soule and body 1. Blessings Spirituall 13. v. â—â—d Temporall 14. of 58. of Esay If thou turn away thy foot from the â—abbath from doing thy
is wont to crowne with multiplied and over-flowing refreâ—hings when he comes They that wait upâ—n the LORD shall renew their strength they â—hall mâ—unt up with wâ—ngs as Eagles they shall runne and not be weary they â—hall walke and not faint Esâ— 40.31 For since the beginning of the world wâ—â— have not heard nor perceived by the eare neiâ—her hath the eye seene O GOD besides thee what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him Esay 64.4 they shall not be ashamed or disappointed that wait for him Esay 49.23 He shall save them Pro. 20.22 They shall inherit the earth Psal. 37.9 34. and Heaven too Blessed are all they that waite for him Esay 30.18 Dan. 12.12 We must stirre up our selves to receive the promises Cant. 5.2 3. The godly sometimes walk without comfort because they put it from themselvs and GOD oftentimes causeth his children to seek long before they find comfort But the ardent desire shall at length be satisfied Remission of sinnes and peace of conscience are favours worth waiting for We have not waited so many years in the meanes of grace for comfort as GOD hath waited for our conversion Promises 1. That we shall delight in God Then shalt thou have they delight in the Almighty Job 22.26 The promise of delighting our selves in the LORD is confined to the duty of delighting in holy exercises If thou call the Sabbath a delight c. then shalt thou delight in the LORD Esa. 58.13 14. A promise To delighting in GOD. Delight thy selfe in the LORD and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart Ps. 37.4 Promises to godlines or grace exercised or to godly and gracious men which act the graces and exercise themselves in the duties above specified True Godlinesse hath the promises both of this life and of that which is to come of this life Seeke ye first the kingdome of GOD and the righteousnesse therof and al these things shall be administred unto you Matth. 6.33 and of the life to come To him that orderâ—th his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of GOD Ps. 50.23 1. The godly shall be blessed 〈◊〉 â— 13 Ps. 11â— 1 Ps. 9.8 Ps. â—11 12 13. Ps. 110.1 Ps. 1.1 Ps. 128.1 4. They whom the world account above all men most miserable are truly and only happy as our Saviour prooves Matth. 5. Blessed are the poore in spirit c. from 3. ver to 12. we shall never be truly happy till wee be sincerely holy nor fully happy till wee bee perfectly holy 2. The godly shall be a blessing to the place where they live I will blesse thee and theâ— shalt be a blessing Genesis 12.2 And I will make them a blessing Ezek. 34. â—6 Iâ—rael shall be a blessing in the midst of the land Esay 19.24 3. PROMISES ETERNALL Promises Eternall 1. Against damnation 2. For Salvation 1. Passages to it 1. Death comforts against the fear of First Death 2. Vntimely death 2 Burial 3. Resurrection 2. PerformaÌ„ces of it 1. Glorification in part of our soules 2. Last judgement 3. Glorification of the whole man both soule and body Promises 1. Of eternal life both in soul body 2. For the glory of heaven THE FOVRTH BOOKE CHAP. I. Eternall Promises 1. Against Damnation The godly shall be delivered from eternall Confusion and Damnation YEe shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end Esay 45.17 Rom. 9. 33. and 10 11. 1 Pet. 2.6 GOD will deliver the soule of the righteous from the pit Job 33.28 Ps. 86.13 There is no condemnation to them that are in CHRIST IESVS Rom. 8.1 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of GODS elect It is GOD that iustifieth ver 33. They are delivered from the wrath to come 1 Thes. 1.10 Blessed is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power Rev. 20.6 He that overcommeth shall not be hurt of the second death Rev. 2.11 CHAP. II. 2. For Salvation 1. Passages to it 1. Death 1. Comforts against the fear of death 2. Feare of untimely death 2. Buriall 3. Resurrection 1. Comforts against the fear of death HE that will beare with comfort the pangs of death must labour to die in faith that is he must lay hold of the promise of GOD touching forgivenesse of sins and life everlasting by CHRIST All these saith the HOLY GHOST Heb. 11.13 died in the Faith viz. Abel Enoch Noe Abraham and Sarah all laying hold of the promise of life by CHRIST So Iacob Gen. 49.18 by Faith rested on the mercy of GOD and by hope he waited for his salvation Thou shalt not be afraid of destruction when it commeth Job 5.21 Death be it never so bitter or painfull shall not be able to seperate us from the love of GOD Rom. 8.28 38. St. Stephens violent death was but a sweet sleepe Act. 7.60 Iohn 11.11 It is but a sleeping in JESUS 1 Thes. 4.14 The grave is called a bed of rest Esay 57.2 CHRIST hath pul'd the sting out of death for all the godly Esay 25.8 Hos. 13.14 1 Cor. 15.55 and tooke away the strength of it by his death Heb. 2.14 15. The righteous hath hope in his death Pro. 14.32 it is gaine unto him Phil. 1.21 for he is delivered by death from many and great evils 1. Sin Rom. 6.7 He shall never offend GOD more 2. Those miseries which follow sin Esay 57.1 2.3 The temptations of the Divell Rev. 12.8.4 The opposition and vexation of the world and flesh Rev. 14.13 Eccles. 4.1 2. It is to them obstetrix immortalitatis a passage to immortality 2 Cor. 5.1 4. a sturdy Porter that opens heaven gates unto him See 1 Cor. 3.22 15.26 Psalm 37.37 2. Comforts against the feare of untimely death Thou shalt come to thy grave in a ful age like as a shocke of corn commeth in in his season Job 5.26 The number of thy dayes will I fulfill Exod. 23.26 The Lord will preserve him and keepe him alive and he shall be blessed upon the earth Ps. 4. 1.2 With long life will I satisfie him and shew him my salvation Ps. 91.16 2. Buriall It is a kind of blessing promised by GOD to his Saints to be buried 1 King 14.13 2 King 22.20 3. Resurrection Promises of our Resurrection He which raised up the LORD JESUS shall raise up us alâ—o by JESUS The Covenant of GOD is of force with us as we lie in the dust of the Earth Mat. 22.31.32 He keepeth the very bones of his Saints Ps. 34.20 All that are in the grave shall come forth they that have done good unto the resurrection of life John 5.28 29. I will raise him up at the last day John 6.39 40 44 54. See 1 Thess. 4.14 16. Rom. 8.11 Dan. 12.2 Esay 26.19 CHAP. III. 2. Performances of it 1. Glorification in part for the soule 2. Last Judgement 3. Glorification of the whole man both
thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD Thou shalt see thy childrens children Ps. 128.3 4 6. See Esay 48.19 Ps. 115.14 127.3 Ps. 113.9 These promises may aboundantly suffice to settle the minds and hearts of any true beleever under this tentation of griefe for want of children that assuredly GOD will fulfill their desire if it be good for them 2. To blesse their children every way 1. With outward things 2. In their soules GOD hath made a free and gracious Covenant with the beleeving Parents and their posterity Gen. 17.7 9. Act. 2.39 Ier. 32.39 He hath promised to blesse their children every way He will blesse the fruit of thy wombe Deut. 7.13 This is intended in all those places where it is said I will be the GOD of thy seed which was said to Abraham the father of the faithfull Gen. 17. and belongeth to all beleevers The just man walketh in his integrity his children are blessed after him Pro. 20.7 1. GOD will blesse them with outward things Personall goodnesse is a good means to bring safety honour wealth and many comfortable blessings upon posterity Exod. 20.6 Their children and childrens children to many generations shall be blessed Ps. 37.25 26. Pro. 11.21 His seed shall be mighty upon the earth the generation of the upright shall be blessed Ps. 112.2 His seed shall inherit the earth Ps. 25 13. Ps. 37.29 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his childrens children Pro. 13.22 2. GOD will blesse them in their soules I will powre my Spirit upon thy seed Esa. 44.3 4. Thy children shall be taught of the LORD and great shall be the peace of thy children Esay 54.13 If we know our selves to be GODS children we may be assured saith one that some of our posterity shall be so likewise They are foederati in GODS Covenant by meanes of their Parents whom when GOD received into the Church he received them with this promise I will be thy GOD and the GOD of thy seed Good Parents though they be poore leave their children a good patrimony for they have laid up many prayers for them in heaven and they leave them GODS favour for their possession this is urged therefore as a motive by the HOLY GHOST to provoke Parents unto all righteousnesse Deut. 5.29 It is promised as a blessing that mothers shall give sucke to the children that they beare GOD shall blesse thee with the blessings of the breasts and of the wombe Gen. 49.25 Promises To Parents correcting their children The rod and reproofe give wisdome correct thy son and he shall give thee rest yea he shall give delight to thy soule Proverbs 29.15 17. Hold not correction from thy childe for if thou beatest him with the rod he shall not die Thou shalt beate him with the rod and shalt deliver his soule from Hell Pro. 23.13 â—4 Foolishnesse is bound in the heart of a childe but the rod of correction shall drive it farre from him Pro. 22.15 Promises to comfort them in the want of children To them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better then of sonnes and of daughters I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off Esa. 56.5 Promises To children obeying their Parents Honour thy Father and thy Mother that thy dayes may be long upon the Land which the LORD thy GOD giveth thee Exod 20.12 The Apostle Ephes. 6.2 saith this is the first Commandement with promise The second Commandement hath a Promise annexed unto it and a large one of shewing mercy unto thousands to them that love GOD Exod. 20.6 The Greeke word used by the Apostle properly signifieth an affirmative precept as our English word Commandement doth of the affirmative precepts it is the first with promise Secondly the promise in the second Commandement is only a generall promise made to observers of the whole Law and therfore he useth the plurall number Commandements and saith in the generall shewing mercy to thousands but this is a speciall promise made to them that keep this particular Commandement that it may be well with thee and thou mayest live this answer is given by many Learned Divines It followeth ver 3. That it may be well with thee and thou maist live long on the Earth The promise mentioned before in generall is particularly set down Whatsoever belongeth to a mans well-fare and wel-being in this life is here promised saith D. Willet All manner of blessings Spirituall and Temporall belonging to soule and body concerning this life and the life to come make to a mans well-being but temporall prosperity is here principally intended saith Doctor Gouge And Ieremiah saith unto the house of the Rechabites Thus saith the LORD of Hosts the GOD of Israel because yee have obeyed the commandement of Ionadab your father and kept all his precepts and done according unto all that he hath commanded you Therfore thus saith the LORD of Hoasts the GOD of Israel Ionadab the sonne of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever My sonne heare the instruction of thy father and forsake not the law of thy mother For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head and chains about thy neck Prov. 1.8 9. See 6.20 CHAP. VIII Promises For Company That we shall reap good by the society of the godly HE that walketh with wise men shall be wise Prov. 13.20 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another and the LORD hearkened and heard it and a booke of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD and that thought upon his name And they shall be mine saith the LORD of Hosts in that day when I make up my Iewels and I will spare them as a man spareth his owne sonne that serveth him Where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them Mat. 18.20 FINIS An Alphabeticall Table of the principall things contained in this Treatise A. ABsolute promises pag. 12. Adoption promises of it 289. 2. To it 291. Afflictions promises to prevent them 155 156. Or qualifie them if they do come 157 158. Affliction is momentary 159. GOD afflictâ— his children for their good 161 162. Afflictions are tryals 163. Afflictions purge sin 165 166. and quicken graces faith hope patience 168. GOD promiseth to help his to bear afflictions and in due time to remove them 169 170. The use of faith in respect of Gods promises concerning afflictions 173. to 176. Alms-giving promises to it 402 403. Angels guard the godly 272. Antichrist promises against him 434 435. Apostles promises to them 441. Application of the promises 30 72. Means to apply them 32 33. Rules to be observed in applying them 41. Examples of such as have applied them 35 74. The divel would hinder the faithfull from a right applying of them 37. The wicked misapply them
he is pleased the better to quicken us to obedience to annex these gracious promises to his righteous Commandements and those that truly performe the duty which he commands shall undoubtedly receive the mercy which he promiseth Secondly this Treatise of the Promises may be useful I suppose for the quickning and exercising al holy graces How doth the sound knowledge and frequent meditation of Gods sweet and precious Promises strengthen Faith quicken hope in flame zeal confirm patience and foster al the graces of Gods Spirit When we stagger through unbelif and are tempted to doubt of any thing if we would have recourse to the promises they would uphold us as for example if this cogitation should arise in me certainly if I doe not as the world doth I shall loose my credit and never come to any wealth or estate like others by by I should remâ—mber what is written touching this matter Sam. 3. â—0 Mat. 6.33 and then consider the genâ—rality â—nd certainty of these other promises and that would settle the soul. Lastly against all troubles â—nward outward painful sinfull of soul body good name state Faith in Gods promises is a soveraigne Antidote this is my comfort in my affliction saiâ—h David thy word that is thy promise made unto me in thy Word hath quickned me Ps. 119.50 He telleth not what kind of trouble he was in in any trouble whatsoever he received singular comfort by meditation in the Promises by Gods promises adversity sicknes poverty death of Friends are sweetned we are upholden by them in time of temptation and in the pangs of death receive consolation Against all Evill that may assaile us 3 thingâ— there are that we may with joy behold in the promise 1 Protection 2 Restitution 3 Deliverance Doth the Lord permit us to temptation his grace is sufficient to support us 2 Cor. 12 9. doth he suffer us to be overcome in temptation yet promiseth he restitution by a new act of grace raising us and at length to set us out of the reach of all temptations In the defects of good things and the small measures therof we may draw comfort likewise from the promises God promiseth â— Preservation 2 Growth 3 Perfection of â—â—ace and glory If we enjoy aâ—y good grace of God though â—â—never so weak measure first â—e assures us that little is a â—ledge of more 2 Cor. 1.22 â—econdly even that little he â—ill enable to get finall victoâ—y Rev. 3.8 and will perfect â—t to the day of the Lord Ieâ—us Phil. 1.6 and after this â—ife make us pure as he is â—ure perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect Thus we see what Balmeâ—her â—her is in Gilead what sweetâ—es in Gods promises they are â—he Christians aqua vitae to â—evive him when he is ready â—o swound in al or in any estate be may extract abundance of comfort from that thrice precious promise Ps. 84.11 and those three heavenly conduits of sweetest consolation Rom 8.18 28 32. and if one or a few verses afford so much comfort what cordiall sweetnesse and refreshing may a Christian sucke out of all those wells and brests of consolation and Salvation Indeed the Faithfull can never want grounds of comfort First GOD the Father is the GOD of all consolation comforting them in all their troubles 2 Cor. 3.4 Secondly CHRIST is the Fountaine of comfort ver 5 Thirdly the HOLY GHOST 〈◊〉 the Comforter of all the â—aithfull â—oh 14.16 20. 15 â—6 7 1 Fourthly al the Scripâ—ure makes for their comfort â—o 1â— 4 The whole Gospel is a plentifull Store-house of Comfort called 1 Good or gladsom tydings Esay 9.3 â—2 â— and a good word Heb. 6.5 because it cheareth the heart as good newes doth him that is in heavines 2 The Gospel of Peace RoÌ„ 10.15 Eph 6.15 because it pacifieth a troubled conscience but the very pith marrow and quintessence of all true consolation is contained in the Evangelicall promises Psal 119.92 Thus assuring my Self that your Lady ship wil often peruse this booke wishing thaâ— your Soule may daily prospeâ— by it and that the LORD woulâ— now fill you with all joy anâ— peace in beleeving these promises and hereafteâ— crowne you with all happines in the full fruition of the things promised I rest Your obliged Son and Servant EDWARD LEGH To the Christian Reader REader as I desire thy Good by this Treatise so let me crave thy favourable acceptance of â—y honest intentions This Golden Mine and Rich Treasure of the â—romises hath not yet bin fully oâ—ened and displaied unto the world Some that have written of Faith have handled some of the Divine Promises and other little Treatises there are I confesse alâ—eady extant concerning this very â—rgument Farre be it from me who have made use of them all and many other worthy Writers for the compiling of this Treatise to disparage the meanest of them who have written any thing of so excellent a Subject But I dare appeale to those who are judicious and have read the Treatises out in that kind whether any or all of them have either yet methodically ranged or fully handled all the speciall Promises both of which I have at least indeavoured to accomplish I speak not this as I said afore to derogate froâ— them nor yet to arrogate anâ— thing to my self but rather to giâ—â— satisfaction unto such who will bâ— ready to pretend that others haâ—â— written of this Subject and therefore this worke of mine is needlesse The Proverbe saith Store 〈◊〉 no sore and I thinke there is nâ— great cause to complain of satieâ—ty in this kinde Besides I handlâ— both the Covenant and Specialâ— Promises together whereas those who write professedly of the Covenant say but little of the Promises and those who expresly treaâ— of the Promises say but little or nothing of the Covenant Furthermore my method diâ—fers much from theirs that have laboured in this kind for they commonly in handling the Promises alleadge such and such Scriptures generally in the lump But I have in many of the graces and most of the duties set down Promises both of and to as Promises 1. Of the grace 2. Vnto it Promises 1. To enable to the duty 2. Also to accept and reward it and I have often particuâ—ariz'd the things promised by â—anking and marshalling them inâ—o their severall Heads and shewâ—ng distinctly the special Rewards whither Temporall Spirituall or Eternall of such or such a grace or duty My chiefest motive and inducement to publish this Worke next unto the promoting of Gods glory was the benefit of Christians which fruit of my labours I have already promised to my self having both read Exhortations in books to the performance of such a work heard complaints from Christians of the want of such a work If any should demand cui bono for what use may such a Treatise serve or what profit can redouÌ„d to ChristiaÌ„s by it I may answer with the Apostle and
there is no mention made of Esau whom he begot also But when Iacob is said to have begotten Iudah it is added and his brethren because the promise of Redemption which was to come by CHRIST was pronounced to them also But that promise belonged not to all them neither but onely to such who following the steps of their holy Fathers Abraham Isaac and Iacob applied it by a true faith to themselves as the Apostle sheweth This is a comfort to the people of GOD they can never loose Evangelicall blessings of grace and glory because CHRIST is made the Lord Treasurer and Lord Keeper of them We are not trusted with them our selves for then wee should loose them but he receives them for us and communicates them to us THE SECOND BOOK CHAP. I. Of the Covenant THE PROMISES ARE either GENERALL OR SPECIALL GENERALL THE COVENANT Which in Hebrew is called Berith from choosing because it is established on certaine conditions which both parties choose it is taken for both a Covenant and a Feast therefore some derive it from a word that signifieth to eate because the Hebrewes at their Covenant-makings usually had a Feast Gen. 31.54 Others derive it from a word that signifieth to stay It was a Religious Ceremony common to the Jewes and Gentiles that in making solemne covenant before their gods a beast was slaine by the Priest and the parts thereof laid one over against another The makers of the Covenant passed betweene those divided parts the Ceremony intended and imprecation that he might be cut in pieces as that beast was who should violate the Covenant so made And from the use of this Ceremony came the phrase of cutting a Covenant as with us striking of a bargaine from our fashion of striking hands upon a bargaine made Alexander ab Alexandro Lib. 5. c. 3. speakes of it nay This was a custome in Abrahams time and therefore GOD himselfe to confirme his Promise to Abraham vouchsafed to use that Ceremonie Gen. 15.10.17 for which it is said GOD did cut a Covenant with Abraham ver 18. See Ier. 34.18 The word Covenant doth somtimes signifie a simple promise of grace without condition Gen. 9.11 Numb 25.12 13. but ordinarily it notes a mutuall contract or agreement between the parties covenanting by stipulation and promise Psal. 50.16 25.10.14 44.17 A Covenant is a solemne Contract passing betweene some parties two at the least whereby they bind themselves each to other in certaine articles to both their contents for their mutuall peace and comfort For the forme and manner of it it must be done with some solemnity and herein stands the difference betweene a promise and a Covenant for a Covenant is a bundle of promises bound and knit up together in one tie and mutuall solemnity There is a Civill Covenant which is a league or agreement inter dimicantes betweene two or more parties being at variance Gen. 21.32 and a Religious or Sacred Covenant which is a league or agreement that GOD hath made with man for his Salvation and that is twofold 1. That which GOD made at the beginning with our first Parents in the state of Innocencie Gen. 2.17 promising perfect felicity on condition of their perfect obedience It is called Foedus naturale the Covenant of nature because it was made by GOD with man at his first Creation and because it is contained in the Law which is knowne to men by nature and Foedus Legale the Covenant of workes because workes were the condition of it it did runne thus Doe this and thou shalt live and I will be thy GOD Ezek. 20.11 Levit. 18. Rom. 10.5 Gal. 3.12 winne it and weare it obey perfectly and live everlastingly The two Sacraments of this Covenant were the Tree of knowledge respecting the Law Doe this and the tree of life respecting the promise Live GOD shadowed out this covenant also to the children of Israell in the wildernesse of Sina when he brought them out of Aegypt Moses describes it Exod. 19. 24. the blessings and curses comprehended in that Covenant are recited Levit. 26. Deut. 27. 28. It hath rationem speculi It is a glasse to manifest and discover sinne and death and so serves to humble men which are naturally proud Mat. 19.17 and to make them flie unto CHRIST for sanctuary who perfectly fulfilled the Law for the Elect in and through whom we may obtaine the Legall promises Rom. 10.4 Gal. 4.4 I will shake all nations and the desire of all nations shall come saith the LORD Hag. 2.7 to note unto us saith one that a man shall never desire CHRIST indeed till he be first shaken 2. That which GOD of his singular grace made with man fallen This is a free disposition of GOD whereby he promiseth eternall salvation by the death and mediation of his Sonne that he may magnifie the riches of his mercy This was revealed and delivered to our first Parents in the garden of Eden immediately after the fall by GOD himselfe and after was continued and renewed with Abraham Isaac and Iacob It is called Foedus Evangelicum the Covenant of the Gospell and the Gospell Rom. 1.16 A New Covenant Behold the daies come saith the LORD that I will make a new Covenant with the house of Israel Ier. 31.31 that is with the whole Church the whole Israel of GOD as appeareth Heb. 8.8 10. The Covenant of grace Rom. 4.16 because nothing else moved GOD to make and establish it it is not grounded upon our workes and worthinesse but upon the free mercies of GOD and all-sufficient merits of Christ Gal. 3.18 The Covenant of peace Ezek. 34.25 37.26 Peace Rom. 10.15 the Gospell of peace Ephes. 2.17 6.15 Reconciliation with GOD and a Testament because this reconciliation was ratified by the death of the Testator Heb. 9.16 17. It runs in these termes beleeve and repent and Thou shalt be saved Iohn 3.16 Gal. 3.11 19. Mar. 16.16 The Covenant of Grace saith D. Preston is double 1. Absolute and Peculiar onely to the Elect Ier. 31.33 Ezek. 36.26.2 Conditionall which is common to all and that is expressed in these termes CHRIST hath provided a righteousnesse and salvation now if you will beleeve and take him upon these termes that he is offered you shall be saved Mark 16.16 The Sacraments which GOD gave to man in his corrupt estate were either 1. Before CHRIST prefiguring Him 2. After Him as memorials of Him The Sacraments before Christ were of two sorts 1. Either such as belonged to all sorts of people 1. The Arke and Noahs preservation in it Gen. 6.18 Heb 11.7 1 Pet. 3.20 21. 2. The Rainebow Gen. 9.9 11 12 13 15 16 17. 2. Such as were peculiarly appointed to the Jewes some of which were 1. Extraordinary during but once or a short time and answering either To Baptisme as the red sea the cloud 1 Cor. 10.1 2 3 5.
indeavours accepted He may expect protection in dangers and distresses Psal. 80.14 15 16. Every one protects their owne I am thine saith David save mee Psal. 119.94 He may looke to have his wants supplied Psal. 23.1 4. He may boldly challenge Sin Death Hell the Divell and victoriously triumph over them all with the Apostle 1 Cor. 15.55 56 57. and say with David The LORD is my light and my salvation whom shall I feare the LORD is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid Psal. 27.1 2. We should also improve the Covenant for all holy purposes We must with boldnesse and reverence challenge the Covenant of grace There cannot be a more forcible argument in prayer then to pleade GODS Covenant and the interest wee have in him Our Saviour Matth. 6.9 teaching us to pray bids us to say Our Father as if hee should say presume not to aske any petition of GOD till thou canst so conceive and be perswaded of him Those then who are GODS children may pray with confidence unto him as a Father ipsum nomen orat pro nobis The very name makes supplication for us Thus our Saviour CHRIST prayed O my Father three severall times Matth. 26.39 42 44. and My GOD My GOD Matth. 27.64 Psal. 22.1 The Papists urge their owne merits and merits of Saints in their prayers but GODS people have still urged Covenant Gen. 32.9 Nehem. 1.6.10.11 2 Chron. 14.11 20. 6 7. Psal. 16.1 2. Psal. 18.1 2 3 6. Psal. 22.1 116.16 Ioh. 17.6.9 10. Deut. 9.27 1 Sam. 12.22 Ier. 14.21 Vnite my heart saith David to thy feare Psal. 86.11 as if he should have said LORD thou hast promised to give mee one heart behold I finde my heart divided disjoynted unite it I beseech thee so those that are within the Covenant may goe to GOD and say LORD give mee wisedome faith patience for the discharge of my duty toward thee my heart is out of order LORD mend it it is thy bargaine thine owne Covenant O doe it for thy names sake GOD takes it well if we mind him of his Covenant and presse him with his promise Wee should also aggravate our sinnes in confession by this that wee have sinned against Covenant hand and seale our sinnes in that respect are worse then the sinnes of Pagans or Heathens they sinne but against Creation wee against Covenant whoredome is worse then fornication When wee are tempted to the committing of any sinne the Covenant should be a curbe to us wee should say no I must now lye no more sweare no more breake the LORDS day no more it is against my bargaine such a LORDS day in such a Congregation before such and such witnesses I tooke the Sacrament upon it that I would doe so no more when wee are taken off from any duty the Covenant should spurre us on wee should remember that wee have taken presse money and earnest as it were from GOD in our Baptisme that wee will be for him that wee have often renewed our first Covenant in the Sacrament and therefore there should be no flinching from our bargaine 2. Temporall Promises This second Table containes the Speciall Temporall Promises Speciall promises in regard of a mans selfe Temporall 1. In regard of evill 1. In generall Afflictions dangers 1. To prevent them 2. To qualifie them if they do come by correcting 1. In greâ—t wisedome which is seene in 1. The meetnesse of correction 2. The just measure and continuâ—nce thereof 2. In love and tendernâ—s 3. For good 1. General to make them happy 2. Speciall 1. To try them 2. To purge sin 3. To quicken Graces 1. Faith 〈…〉 2. Hope 3. Patience 3. To helpe us tâ— beare them and in due time to remove them 2. Speciall 1. Sicknesse 1. To prevent it 2. To helpe mâ—â— 3. To take it awâ—y 2. Povertie 3. Famine Promises to Succour in Deliverâ—tâ—â—n 4. Warre to preserve from it 5. Captivity Promises tâ— Comfort in Deliver â—ut 6. Witchcraft or the possession of the Divellâ— 7. Oppression 2. In regard of good 1. In generall to supply any thing needfull 2. In speciall for 1. Name 1. Honâ—ur 2. A goâ—d name 2. Body 1. Lonâ—-life 2. Health 3. Safety 4. Peace 5. Sleepe 6. Poâ—dâ—râ—iment 3. Estate 1. Wealth â— Good successe and prosperity 1. To their persâ—nâ— 2. To their purpâ—sâ—s 4. Calling Promises To diligence in it 1. Abundâ—â—ce and plentâ— 2. Protectiâ—n 3. Promâ—tâ—a 4. Good fate 5. It builds thâ— hâ—usâ— 6. It make 〈…〉 CHAP. II. Of Speciall Temporall Promises 1. Temporall Promises in regard of evill things 1. In Generall Afflictions and Dangers 1. To prevent them GOD will preserve his children from Afflictions and Dangers HE is a Buckler Gen. 15.1 Pro. 2.7 30.5 to keep them from all evill to cover and compasse them round about Psal. 5.11 12. Psal. 8.2 A wall of Brasse Ier. 1.18 and A wall of Fire about his children Zach. 2.5 As the mountaines are round about Ierusalem so the LORD is round about his people Psal. 125.2 There shall no evill befall thee neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling Psal. 91.10 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evill Psal. 121.7 There shall no evill touch thee Iob 5.19 GOD hath promised to protect his children in all their waies Psal. 91.11 and to preserve them in greatest dangers by Sea or land Fire and water are two mercilesse enemies yet the fire shall not burne nor the waters overflow them as GOD hath promised Esay 43.2 They must not passe by these by the fire and by the water but through the fire and through the water neither is here water mentioned onely but flouds or rivers of water nor fire onely but a flame too Surely in the flouds of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him Psal. 52.6 An asseveration is added to confirme their hearts and to shew the truth of the promise Though the earth and the heavens be shaken yet GOD will be the hope of his people Ioel 3.16 And they shall be hid in the day of his anger Zeph. 2.3 Therefore such who are in Covenant with GOD may looke to be freed from evills and dangers if it be for their good and in the valley of the shadow of death may assure themselves of GODS mercifull omnipotent presence Psal. 23.4 Psal. 73.26 Psal. 91.15 Esay 43.2 2. To qualifie them if they doe come GOD will qualifie Afflictions to his children He will correct them 1. In great wisedome which is seene in two things 1. In the meetnesse of correction Heb. 12.9 10. Furthermore wee had fathers of our flesh which corrected us and wee gave them reverence shall wee not much rather be in subiection to the father of spirits and live For they verily for a few daies chastened us after their owne pleasure but hee for our profit that wee might be partakers of his holinesse Earthly Parents oft correct
when hee seeth that their power is gone and there is none shut up or left Deut. 32.36 2 King 14 26. Going into captivity was a signe of the Israelites returning out of Captivity Faith will teach us to say he hath chastized me according as he hath threatned therfore he wil comfort me according as he hath promised Ier. 32.42 It will extract abundance of comfort in the most desperate distresses from those places 2 Chron. 20.12 Prov. 18.10 Esay 33.9 10. For the nature of it is to beleeve GOD upon his bare word and that against sense in things invisible and against reason in things incredible Heb. 11.1 David Psal. 56.10 though sorely afflicted yet rejoyceth in GOD because of his naked promise the woman of Canaan could picke comfort out of the reproachfull name of dog Hath not GOD promised and assured me not to faile nor forsake me but to uphold me in affliction and bring me through it and comfort me by it and glorifie me after it therefore I should with Abraham hope against hope and apprehend the certaine accomplishment of these promises by faith when sense and carnall reason see nothing but the contrary CHAP. III. Temporall Promises in regard of evill things Speciall Sicknesse Poverty Famine Warre Captivity Witchcraft or possession of the Divell Oppression Promises in regard of Sicknesse 1. TO prevent Sicknesse and keepe it away If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy GOD and wilt doe that which is right in his sight and wilt give eare to his Commandements and keepe all his statutes I will put none of these diseases upon thee which I have brought upon the Aegyptians for I am the LORD that healeth thee Exod. 15.26 Deut. 7.15 GOD will preserve his children from the pestilence Psal. 91.3 6 7 10. He will certainly deliver them from the hurt of it so as it shall not hinder the good or salvation of any in the godly mans house 2. If sicknesse be amongst us to helpe in it and remove it from us The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing thou wilt make all his bed in his sicknesse Psal. 41.3 And the LORD will take away from thee all sicknesse Deut. 7.15 And I will take sicknesse away from the midst of thee Exod. 23.25 In all our bodily infirmities and sore diseases we should remember some of these promises and lay hold on them by faith that wee faint not nor murmure Promises in regard of Poverty There is a generall promise made to all that feare GOD 1 Tim. 4.8 Psal. 34.9 10. Heb. 13.5 And many other speciall promises likewise which may comfort and strengthen the godly against murmuring and impatiency in hard times I will abundantly blesse her provision I will satisfie her poore with bread Psal. 132.15 Deut. 8.16 No rich man under Heaven can be so assured that hee and his shall be preserved from beggery as every poore Christian may be For though the LORD in infinite bounty doe bestow those blessings on wicked men in great abundance yet they belong to them onely ex largitate out of a generall providence but to the faithfull ex promisso out of GODS promise David beholding how much it vexed GODS children to see the wicked prosper in this world and the godly distressed of purpose made the 37. Psalme to heartenâ— the godly against this sore tentation which in all ages much troubled GODS people and there hee sheweth that the state of the godly is far better even in this life then that of the wicked 3 4 5 11 16. verses To the same purpose was made the 73. Psalme See Psal. 16.5 6. Psal. 23. Psal. 10.14 Psal. 109.31 He raiseth up the poore out of the dust and lifteth the needie out of the dunghill Psal. 103.7 I have beene young saith David in that 37. Psalme 25. verse and now am old yet have I not seene the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread Davids saying may be taken 1. as his owne observation in his time for he saith not the righteous is never forsaken but that he never saw it and it is a rare thing 2. which Exposition Master Perkins approves the righteous man is never forsaken and his seed too GOD may make triall of godly Parents by want but their godly children shall surely be blessed 3. hee saith hee never saw the righteous and his seed forsaken begging bread that is no not forsaken when they were begging their bread Whensoever wee are pinched with any earthly necessity we should runne to one of these gracious promises for if wee rightly beleeve them they will make us cast our care on GOD that careth for us and moderate our immeasurable carking after the things of this world moving us patiently to waite for the accomplishment of our desires or contentedly to want what GOD denieth Phil. 4.5 1 Pet. 5.7 Psal. 55.22 Psal. 37.4 5. Deut. 8.3 Promises for succour in Famine Particular promises for helpe in Famine and deliverance from it In Famine he shall redeeme thee from death Iob 5.20 The LORD will not suffer the soule of the righteous to famish Prov. 10.3 Behold the eye of the LORD is upon them that feare him upon them that hope in his mercy to keepe them alive in famine Psal. 33.19 In the daies of famine they shall be satisfied Psal. 37.19 If I shut up Heaven saith the LORD thâ—t there be no raine or if I command the Locusts to devoure the land if my people shall humble themselves and pray and seeke my face and turne from their wicked waies then will I heare from heaven and will forgive their sinne and heale their land 2 Chron. 7.13 14. In that day I will heare saith the LORD I will heare the Heavens and they shall heare the Earth and the earth shall heare the corne and the wine and the oyle and they shall heare Iezreel Hosea 2.21 22. When the poore and needy seeke water and there is none and their tongue faileth for thirst I the LORD will heare them I the GOD of Israel will not forsake them I will open rivers in high places and fountaines in the midst of the valleys I will make the wildernesse a poole of water and the drie land springs of water See Ioel 2.18 19. Zach. 8.11 12. 10.1 Mal. 3.10 GODS children in time of scarcity should live by faith Mat. 4.4 feede on the promise and depend on GODS allowance when our owne provision failes us then not to distrust the provision of GOD is a noble tryall of faith Promises to preserve from Warre and deliver from the Sword The LORD will preserve his children from Warre Thou shalt not see a fierce people Esay 33.19 The enemies being astonished shall be a prey to the Church ver 23. GOD will deliver them from the Sword as he saith Ier. 39.17 18. I will deliver thee in that day and thou shalt not be given into the
So it is oft said Riches and honour are with her Pro. 3.16 and verse 35. The wise shall inherit glory So Chap. 13.18 Hee that regardeth reproofe shall be honoured This is meant by all those speeches where it is said that hearkning to instruction will adorne and bring into estimation as costly ornaments of bracelets jewels and the like will doe so it is Pro. 1.9 They shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head and chaines about thy neck See Chap. 3.22 4.9 The gracious woman receiveth honour Pro. 11.16 Righteousnesse exalteth a naâ—ion Prov. 14.34 GOD doth highly esteeme of the godly himselfe Since thou wast precious in my sight thou hast beene honourable and I have loved thee Esay 43.4 and he will make the wicked to honour them The evill bow before the good and the wicked at the gates of the righteous Pro. 14.19 Behold I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan to come and worship before thy feet and to know that I have loved thee Rev. 3.9 2. Good name A good name is better then precious ointment Eccles. 7.1 and rather to be chosen then great riches Pro. 22.1 GOD hath made many promises concerning this The memory of the Iust is blessed Pro. 10.7 I will make you a name and praise among all the people of the earth saith the LORD Zeph. 3.20 I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off Esay 56.5 The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance Psal. 112.6 Promises to GODS children in respect of the Body 1. Long life The LORD that hee may stirre up his people to obedience doth make many promises of long life and many daies as in the fift Commandement which the Apostle saith is the first Commandement with Promise Ephes. 6.2 every child is there commanded to Honour his Father and Mother upon this promise that his daies may be long in the land So Deut. 5.33 Deut. 25.15 30.20 In the Proverbes this is very oft repeated Chap. 3.1 2. My sonne forget not my law but let thine heart keepe my commandements for length of daies and long life and peace shall they add to thee And 16. and 18. verses of the same Chapter and Chap. 4. from the 5. verse to 14. Chap. 8.35 Chap. 9.11 Chap. 10.25 27. Chap. 11.19 30. 14.30 This GOD promised to Salomon 1 King 3.14 and the like is spoken more generally that the Prince that hateth covetousnesse shall prolong his daies Prov. 28.16 and also Deut. 17.19 20. Long life is promised to the observers of the whole law Deut. 6.2 and other particular branches of it Psalm 34.12 13 14. In all the perills of this life by sickenesse warre famine theeves or any wicked enemy whatsoever we may call to minde some of these promises and so rest quiet thereupon that none of these nor any thing else shall shorten our daies more then shall turne to our good 2. Health GOD hath promised bodily health and strength unto his people that they may enjoy and make use of these earthly comforts Salomon Pro. 3.7 exhorting us to feare the LORD and depart from evill adds this as a promise verse 8. It shall be health to thy navill and marrow to thy bones that is soundnesse of health to thy whole body and Chap. 4.22 He saith That the true receiving of instructions is life to those that finde them and health to all their flesh Bodily strength is often promised The LORD will give strength unto his people Psal. 29.11 See Psal. 103.5 3. Safety Then shalt thou walke in thy way safely and thy foot shall not stumble Pro. 3.23 See verse 26. 1 Sam. 2.9 The Name of the LORD is a strong tower the righteous runneth unto it and is safe Pro. 18.10 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely Pro. 10.9 Who so hearkeneth unto mee shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from feare of evill Prov. 1.33 Thou shalt be secure because there is hope yea thou shalt digge about thee and thou shalt take thy rest in safety Job 11.18 See Psal. 91.1 3 4 5 9 10. 1 Pet. 3.13 14. When a man is in Covenant with GOD he is in league with the creatures and therefore they shall never doe him hurt Gen. 9.2 Hos. 2.18 Thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with thee Job 5.23 4. Peace Peace in regard of outward troubles is a speciall blessing of GOD and hath beene in all ages promised by GOD to his Church 1 Chron. 22.9 And I will give peace in the land and yee shall lye downe and none shall make you afraid Levit. 26.6 The LORD will blesse his people with peace Psal. 29.11 The meeke shall delight themselves in abundance of peace Psal. 37.11 He maketh peace in thy borders Psal. 147.14 LORD thou wilt ordaine peace for us Esay 26.12 Thou shalt know that thy Tabernacle shall be in peace Job 5.29 See Jam. 3.18 Esay 48.18 When a mans waies please the LORD hee will make his enemies at peace with him Prov. 16.6 5. Sleepe Promises for quiet rest and safety in the night When thou liest downe thou shalt not be afraid yea thou shalt lie downe and thy sleepe shall be sweet Pro. 3.24 Also thou shalt lie downe and none shall make thee afraid Job 11.19 Zeph. 3.13 Hee giveth his beloved sleepe Psal. 127.2 6. Food and raiment GOD hath promised to give his children food unto content Yee shall eate in plenty and be satisfied and praise the Name of the LORD Joel 2.26 Trust in the LORD and doe good so shalt thou dwell in the land and verily thou shalt be fed Psal. 37.3 He giveth meate unto them that feare him Psal. 111.5 He will satisfie the poore with bread Psal. 102.15 He loveth the stranger in giving him food and raiment Deut. 10.18 To such as want meate drinke or apparell CHRIST saith Matth. 6.25 Is not the life more then meate and the body then raiment It is an argument as we say à maiori aâ—minus from the greater to the lesser The LORD which gave the life it selfe will not suffer us to want those things that appertaine to the sustaining of the same and ver 32. Your heavenly Father saith hee knoweth that yee have neede of these things that is foode and raiment A man may know our wants and yet say as it is Iames 2.16 another may desire to supply our wants and yet not know them but GOD 1. Knowes our wants 2. Will supply them for hee is a Father 3. Can supply them for he is a heavenly Father Promises to GODS children for their outward Estate 1. Wealth GOD hath promised his people such a portion of earthly goods as shall be needfull for their more comfortable living in this world Riches and honour are with mee yea durable riches and righteousnesse My fruit is better then gold yea then fine gold and my revenue then choice silver
Pro. 8.18 19. The blessing of the LORD maketh rich and hee addeth no sorrow with it Pro. 10.22 The LORD often promiseth plenty that the land shall yeeld her fruit that hee will give them raine in due season that there should be none barren but he would encrease them in all their substance both ground and cattell that they should eate old store that threshing should reach unto vintage Ezek. 36.30 Ioel 2.23 24 25. Levit. 26.4 5 10. 25.19 See Deut. 28. from 2. to 15. and Chap. 7. from 12. to 17. Psal. 23. Psal. 128. Pro. 3.9 10 16 17 18. and Chap. 8.21 1 Chron. 29.12 Those that waite upon the LORD shall inherit the earth Psal. 37.9 the like is in the 11 22 29 34. verses and Mat. 5.5 A good man leaveth an inheritance to his childrens children and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the Iust Pro. 13.22 Wealth and riches shall be in his house Psal. 112.3 In the house of the righteous is much treasure Pro. 15.6 Thou shalt lay up gold as dust and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brookes thou shalt have plenty of silver Job 22.24 25. That was a speciall promise made to the people of Israel at their returne They shall flow together to the goodnesse of the Lord for wheate and for wine and for oyle and for the young of the flocke and for the heard c. Jer. 31.12 I will open unto you the windowes of heaven and powre you out a blessing that there shall not be roome to receive it Malac 3.10 2. Good successe and prosperity GOD hath promised prosperity to his children Both to their persons and their purposes They shall prosper that love thee Psal. 122.6 Prosperity shall be within thy palaces ver 7. Good understanding giveth favour Pro. 13.15 Doe according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded thee that thou maist prosper whithersoever thou goest Josh. 1.7 Then shalt thou make they way prosperous and then thou shalt have good successe ver 8. They shall spend their daies in prosperity and their yeares in pleasures Job 36.11 And all nations shall call you blessed for yee shall be a delight some land Malac. 3.12 The LORD taketh pleasure in the prosperity of his servants Psal. 35.27 Hee that feareth the LORD is and shall be blessed every way blessed Psal. 128.1 2.3 GOD will also give good successe to their purposes and indeavours Whatsoever hee doth shall prosper Psal. 1.3 this was verified in Ioseph Gen. 39.3 23. Thou shalt also decree a thing and it shall be established unto thee and the light shall shine upon thy waies Job 22.28 Commit thy way unto the LORD trust also in him and hee shall bring it to passe Psal. 37.5 Promises to GODS children in respect of their Calling Diligence in a calling hath many a sweet promise in the Word of GOD. 1. Abundance and plenty The hand of the diligent maketh rich Pro. 10.4 The soule of the diligent shall be made fat Pro. 13.4 He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread Pro. 28.19 at least sufficiency followes it He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread Pro. 12.11 See 27. verse That which is gotten by honest labour is preserved and multiplied Prov. 13.11 2. Protection GOD hath promised to protect those that keepe themselves within the limits of their calling Hee shall give his Angels charge over thee to keepe thee in all thy waies Psal. 91.11 that is so long as thou keepest thy selfe within the waies of thy calling so long shall my Angels preserve thee 3. Promotion it exalteth to honour and authority The hanâ— of the diligent shall beare rule Pro. 12.24 Seest thou a man diligent in his businesse Hee shall stanâ— before Kings hee shall not stanâ— before meane men Prov. 22.29 4. Good successe The recompence of a mans hands shall be rendred unto him Pro. 12.14 They shall build houses and inhabit them they shall plant vineyards and eatâ— the fruit of them They shall not labour in vaine nor bring forth foâ— trouble Esay 65.21 23. There yee shall eate before the LORD your GOD and yee shall reioyce in all that you put your hand unto Yee and your housholds wherein the LORD thy GOD hath blessed thee Deut. 12.7 Deut. 28.8 12. 5. It buildeth the house Pro 24.27 6. It makes sleepe comfortable Eccles. 5.12 The sleepe of a labouring man is sweet and pleasant whether hee eate little or much if little his labour breeds him rest if much his body being strong and hardned by labour causeth easie digestion and uninterrupted sleepe CHAP. VI. GOD hath promised not onely to give these outward things but to blesse them to his children HE will make that prosperous unto the Righteous which they possesse be it little or much Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body and the fruit of thy ground and the fruit of thy cattell the increase of thy kine and the flockes of thy sheepe Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store Deut. 28.4 5. Deut. 7.13 14. The LORD also will blesse thy fruit of thy wombe and the fruit of thy land thy corne and thy wine and thine oyle the increase of thy kine the flockes of thy sheepe there shall be neither male or female barreâ— among them or among your cattell Hee shall not onely enjoy the fruit of his labours but also be blessed in his fruit Psal. 128.1 2. The godly are in a better state for these outward things then the wicked in two respects 1. They have a spirituall right to them which the wicked have not they have these outward things onely by a generall providence during GODS pleasure but the faithfull have them as rewards of their righteousnesse as testimonies of GODS love and care of them 2. They enjoy them as they are a little gives them more content then plenty others Better is a little righteousnesse then great revenues without right Prov. 16.8 more comfortable in respect of inward peace the present use of this life and continuance Better is a little with the feare of the LORD then great treasure and trouble therewith Prov. 15.16 17. The blessing of the LORD maketh rich and hee addeth no sorrow with it Prov. 10.22 GOD giveth his beloved sleepe Psal. 127.2 The righteous eateth to the satisfying of his soule Pro. 13.25 See Esay 65.13 Eccles. 5.19 3.12 13. Prov. 17.1 THE THIRD BOOK CHAP. 1. 2. SPIRITVALL PROMISES 1. In regard of evill from Temptations 1. Of Satan in generall 2. To uncleannesse Comforts against the temptations of Satan THE Faithfull have a promise to preserve them from such temptations as are incident to their lawfull callings and which they cannot avoid unlesse they would forsake their calling Psal. 91.11 12. In all thy waies seeme they never so dangerous and full of temptation they shall beare thee up The man whose heart is upright shall finde
and the word here in Matth. signifieth exceeding joy such as we use to expresse by outward signes in the body as skipping and dancing 2 Sam. 6.14 16. For great is your reward in Heaven Thou art honourable in GODS account Esay 43.4 he takes notice of all thy disgraces Psal. 69.19 and will take care for thy clearing and comfort Hee will bring forth thy righteousnesse as the light and thy iudgements as the noone day Psal. 37.6 As if hee should have said howsoever thy innocency be at sometimes covered as it were with a thick and darke mist of slander and oppression yet the LORD will in his good time scatter and dissolve the mist and so make thy innocency apparent to the world yea he shall make thy righteous cause as evident as the Sunne when it ariseth nay as noone day when it is at highest and shineth brightest Thou shalt receive double for all thy shame Esay 61.7 Though you have lien among the pots yet shall yee be as the wings of a dove covered with silver and her feathers with yellow gold Psal 68.13 that is although ye have lived in great streights and basenesse yet yee shall be freed from them and obtaine illustrious glory They shall be honoured in the day of CHRIST 1 Pet. 1.7 Their reward shall be great in Heaven Mat. 5.12 and in the meane time there is with GOD a hiding place from the strife of tongues Psal. 31.20 Iob 5.21 Psal. 13.18 How doth GOD cheare his people Esay 41. Feare not be not dismayed ver 10. I am with thee I am thy GOD I will strengthen thee yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousnesse But GOD will bring the wicked to shame for the contempt with which they have dishoâ—oured his servants as it followeth ver 11. All they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded He still incourageth his people there ver 13. He saith againe Feare not for I the LORD thy GOD will helpe thee and ver 14. Feare not thou worme that is were thy state never so weake and despicable I will helpe thee saith the LORD and thy Redeemer He begins the 43. Chap. with the same words Feare not viz. thine enemies for I have called thee and redeemed thee thou art mine Feare not little flocke saith our Saviour feare not men feare not meanes for it is your Fathers pleasure to give you a Kingdome See Ier. 46.27 28. If thou wouldest be delivered from reproches and evill report goe to the LORD and urge him upon Covenant say LORD thou hast said Thou wilt blesse the name of the righteous thou will honour them that honour thee that we shall not be ashamed when we have respect unto all thy Commandements Psal. 119.6 Sue out this promise upon all occasions as David often doth Psal. 31.1 17 and 119.116 2. Promises to those that are imprisoned for the Gospell The LORD heareth the poore and despiseth not his prisoners Psal. 69.33 Hee heareth the groanings of the prisoner Psal. 102.20 And bringeth out those that are bound with chaines Psal. 68.6 as he did Peter Acts 12.10 Feare nonâ— of those things which thou shalt suffer behold the Divell shall cast some of you into prison that yee may be tryed and yee shall have tribulation ten daies be thou faithfull unto the death and I will give thee a crowne of life Here was a bitter-sweet message Yee shall be cast into prison This was bitter feare not this was comfortable but I will give thee a crowne of life this was the comfort of comforts 3. Promises to those that loose outward things for GODS cause In losses for GODS cause We should meditate of GODS gracious promises 1. In the losse of outward things for thy love and service unto GOD remember that place 2 Chron. 25.9 The LORD is able to give thee much more then this 2. In the losse of any earthly blessing for GODS cause call to mind that promise three times set downe by the Evangelists Every one that hath forsaken houses or brethren or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands for my names sake shall receive an hundred fold and shall inherit everlasting life Mat. 19.29 Marke 10.29 30. Hath it for my sake and the Gospels Luke 18.29 30. For the kingdome of GODS sake 3. In the losse of any earthly things in every kind thinke of that speech Hab. 3.17 18. Although the fig-tree shall not blossome neither shall fruit be in the vines the labour of the olive shall faile and the fields shall yeeld no meate the flocke shall be cut off from the fold and there shall be no heard in the stalles Yet I will reioyce in the LORD I will ioy in the GOD of my salvation Consider also Iobs patient blessing of GOD upon the surprize and concurrence of an universall misery Iob 1.22 4. Promises to those that loose their life for GODS cause 4. When thou art like to loose thy life mâ—ditate on those places Mat. 10 39. He that findeth his life shall loose it and he that looseth his life for my sake shall find it Blessed is the man that endureth temptation yea though it be the fiery triall for he shall receive the crowne of life Jam. 1.12 Blessed are the dead which die in LORD and which die for the LORD he speakes of such as suffered in the quarrell of CHRIST under Antichrist they rest from their labours and their workes doe follow them Every drop of blood spilt by a true professor of the Gospell for the constant and found profession of it is precious in the sight of GOD Psal. 116.15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his Saints CHAP. III Promises against evills in the world 1. In generall WHosoever is borne of GOD overcommeth the world and this is the victory that overcommeth the world even our faith 1 Joh. 5.4 CHRIST prayed to his Father To keepe his from the evill of the world Joh. 17.15 Who gave himselfe for our sinnes that hee might deliver us from this present evill world Gal. 1.4 Our Saviour Iohn 16.33 tells his Disciples That in the world they should have tribulation but be of good cheere saith hee I have overcome the world 2. A promise to those that dislike evill company I will dwell in them and walke in them and I will be their GOD and they shall be my people Wherefore come out from among them and be yee separate saith the LORD and touch not the uncleane thing and I will receive you and I will be a Father unto you and yee shal be my sonnes and daughters saith the LORD Almighty 2 Cor. 6.16 17 18. 3. Promises against worldly cares and covetousnesse To curbe our hearts from covetousnesse we should meditate upon these places Heb. 13.5 I will never leave thee nor forsake thee Hee that gave us his owne sonne how shall hee not with him freely
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
also he iustified and whom hee iustified them also hee glorified Rom. 8.30 2. Promises to make us righteous As by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many bee made righteous Rom. 5.19 therefore we are said to be the righteousnesse of GOD in him 2 Cor. 5.21 For this cause CHRIST is called The LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESSE Ier. 23.6 33.16 CHRIST is made unto us righteousnesse 1 Cor. 1.30 He is said to be the end of the law for righteousnesse to every one that beleeveth Rom. 10.4 and the Sacraments are said to be the Seales of the righteousnesse of faith Rom. 4.11 He hath covered mee with a robe of righteousnesse Abraham beleeved GOD and it was imputed to him for righteousnesse Gal. 3.6 This imputed righteousnesse the Papists scoffe at and call it a putative righteousnesse and yet the phrase is used tenne times in one Chapter 4. Reconciliation By CHRIST wee are reconciled to GOD. GOD hath reconciled us to himselfe by JESUS CHRIST GOD was in CHRIST reconciling the world unto himselfe 2 Cor. 5.18 19. CHRIST is our peace who hath made both one that he might reconcile both unto GOD Ephes. 2.14 16. You that were sometime alienated yet now hath he reconciled Col. 1.21 5. Adoption Promises 1. of it Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sonnes of GOD 1 Joh. 3.1 2. But to as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sonnes of GOD even to them that beleeve in his name Iohn 1.12 That is a gracious promise which the Apostle citeth out of the Prophet Hosea Rom. 9.26 And it shall be in the place where it was said unto them yee are not my people that there they shall be called the children of the living GOD. So the LORD promiseth to such as shall separate themselves from the wicked 2 Cor. 6.18 Hee that overcommeth shall inherit all things and I will be his GOD and hee shall be my sonne Rev. 21.7 Blessed are the peace-makers for they shall be called the sonnes of GOD Mat. 5.9 It was GODS promise to David concerning Salomon 2 Sam. 7.14 I will be his father and hee shall be my sonne Whereupon David much affected and ravished saith verse 18. O LORD GOD what am I or my fathers house that thou shouldst vouchsafe me so great honour and happinesse as to finde my childe yea to take him for thine owne and to become his Father See that excellent place Gal. 4.4 5 6 7. Rom. 8.17 2. To it paternity promiseth all blessings Mat. 7.11 and all forbearance Psal. 103.13 Heb. 12.5 6. CHAP. VIII PROMISES 1. Of the Spirit THe giving of the Spirit is a part of GODS Covenant I will powre out my Spirit upon all flesh in those daies and your young men shall see visions c. Ioel 2.28 29. which is repeated Acts 2.17 18. The great Promise that our Saviour CHRIST made to them before he departed in the flesh was this I will baptize you with the HOLY GHOST which was fulfilled after when he powred forth his Spirit So Esay 44.3 I will powre water upon him that is thirsty and flouds upon the drie ground I will powre my spirit upon thy seed and my blessing upon thy off-spring the latter end of the verse interprets it So Ezek. 36.25 26 27. I will put my spirit within you c. I will powre upon the house of David the spirit of grace and supplications Zach. 12.10 How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Spirit to them that aske him Luke 11.13 I will powre out my spirit unto you Prov. 1.23 This is meant in that place Ioh. 4.10 Where our Saviour saith to the woman of Samaria thou wouldest have asked of him and hee would have given thee living water that is the Spirit as appeares by comparing it with Iohn 7.38 39. I will pray the Father and hee shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the Spirit of truth Iohn 14.16 17. It is said Ephes. 1.13 They were sealed with the Spirit of promise that is which was promised to all Beleevers and Gal. 3.14 we are said by faith to receive the promise of the Spirit that is the Spirit of promise or that had beene promised CHRIST had the Spirit in the fullnesse of it It pleased the Father that in him should all fullnesse dwell Col. 1.19 all fullnesse both in respect of the number of graces Esay 11.2 and in respect of the measure of them Iohn 3.34 Col. 2.3 Of his fullnesse we shall all receive and grace for grace Ioh. 1.16 grace freely and grace upon grace Zach. 14.8 A Promise to those that have the Spirit As many as are led by the Spirit of GOD they are the sonnes of GOD Rom. 8.14 CHAP. IX The operation of the Spirit 1. In Generall Sanctification 2. In Speciall 1. Spirituall graces 2. Spirituall duties 1. The kinds of them 2. The degrees of them 1. The Promises of Sanctification _â—OD promiseth in the Covenant of grace which hee hath made with his people to take away their hearts of stone and give them hearts of flesh to put his law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts to put his feare in their hearts that they shall not depart from him and to give them a new heart and to put his Spirit within them The substance of which Covenant is this that all their sins shall be forgiven and both the guilt and punishment thereof wholly remooved Their persons shall be justified and their natures sanctified the lawes of GOD and his promises shall be written in their mindes so that they shall have the knowledge of them and in their hearts so that they shall have the comfort feeling and fruition of them they shall not onely have interest in all GODS graces and blessings but according to their neede shall have the use and enjoyment thereof The LORD often promiseth to Sanctifie and make holy his people as Exod 19.6 31.13 Levit. 22.32 Esay 4.3 4 35.8 Ioel 3.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth John 17.17 and ver 19. For their sakes I sanctifie my selfe that they also might be sanctified through the truth The LORD hath sworne that his children shall serve him in holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of their life Luke 1.73 74 75. The GOD of peace sanctifie you wholly Faithfull is hee that hath called you who also will doe it 1 Thess. 5.23 24. CHRIST is made unto us Sanctification 1 Cor. 1.30 The LORD hath said that his children shall not want any needfull Grace for the leading of a godly life Psal. 84.11 There shall be a fountaine opened for sinne and for uncleanenesse Zach. 13.1 it is GODS Covenant to sprinkle cleane water upon us that we may be cleane and to cleanse us from all our filthinesse and all our Idols
Ezek. 36.25 I will turne to the people a pure language Zeph. 3.9 See ver 13. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisedome and his tongue talketh of iudgement The Law of GOD is in his heart Psal. 37.30 31. CHRIST gave himselfe for us that hee might redeeme us from all iniquity and purifie unto himselfe a peculiar people zealous of good workes the LORD will guide the meeke in iudgement and teach the humble his way Psal. 25.8 12. In the daies of the Gospell saith the Prophet Zacharie shall there be upon the bels of the horses HOLINESSE VNTO THE LORD Those Promises before quoted in the Chapter of Justification Mat. 1.21 Ioh. 1.29 1 Iohn 2.2 1 Ioh. 1.7 Rev. 1.5 may be referred to this head also for they are to be understood not onely of pardoning our sinnes but delivering us from the power of them Promises 2. To Sanctification In keeping of them there is great reward Psal. 19.11 Blessed and happy is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power Rev. 20.6 Depart from evill and doe good and dwell for evermore Psal. 37.27 To give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified Act. 20.32 See the like Act. 26.18 See Rom. 8.1 13. 1 Iohn 1.7 Esay 1.16 17 18. CHAP. X Promises of Spirituall Graces 1. The kinds of them 1. Knowledge and wisdome 2. Faith 3. Confidence 4. Hope 5. Joy 6. Love of 1. GOD. 2. CHRIST 3. Our Brethren 4. Our Enemies 7. Feare 8. Obedience 9. Repentance in which are handled 1. Confession of sin 2. Mourning for sin 3. Killing of it 4. Turning from it 10. Humility 11. Meekenesse 12. Patience 13. Righteousnesse 14. Vprightnesse 15. Peace 16. Zeale 17. Perseverance Spirituall Graces promised 1. Knowledge and Wisdome Promises 1. Of Knowledge IT is part of the Covenant Heb. 8.11 You shall know me from the least to the greatest and I will teach you and you shall no more teach one another his neighbour you shall have my law written in your hearts The Prophet speaking of the daies of CHRIST saith The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea Esay 11.9 the like we have Hab. 2.14 In the time of the Old Testament there was a vaile that covered their hearts and their eyes that they were not able to see the truth clearely but now That vaile is taken away and wee see the truth with open face as wee see an image in a glasse We know much more then they in the Old Testament and in another manner more distinctly more particularly It is oft said that The LORD will teach his people As in that famous prophesie of the daies of the Gospell that GOD would teach them his waies and they would walke in his paths Esay 2.3 Micah 4.2 So Psal. 25.8 9. Hee will teach sinners in the way and the meeke hee will teach his way The Elect shall be all taught of GOD Iohn 6.45 so much as is necessary for their salvation yea The least as well as the greatest They shall know of the Scripture to be GODS Word Esay 52.6 They shall know in that day that I am hee that doth speake behold it is I. They shall know of that doctrine which is taught them whether it be of GOD or whether their teacher speake of himselfe Iohn 7.17 CHRISTS Sheepe know his voice and will follow him John 10.4 The secret of the LORD is revealed to them that feare him and hee will shew them his Covenant Psal. 25.14 See ver 12. When the Spirit of truth is come hee will guide you into all truth Iohn 16.13 The faithfull have an unction from the holy one and know all things 1 Iohn 2.20 and ver 27. The HOLY GHOST abideth in them and they need not that any man teach them See Pro. 1.23 Hos. 14.9 Psal. 107.43 Iohn 8.32 Psal. 32.8 Marke 4.11 Esay 30.21 Prov. 2.3 4 5 6. Prov. 3.6 14.6 Promises 2. To Knowledge and wisedome It is rewarded 1. with Temporall blessings GOD will exalt such as know him I will set him on high because he hath knowne my name Psal. 91.14 Length of daies is in her right hand and in her left hand riches and honour Prov. 3.14 2. With spirituall blessings as grace and peace 2 Pet. 1.2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of GOD. 3. With eternall blessings Prov. 3.13 18. Shee is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her and happy is every one that retaineth her 2. Faith which is thus defined Faith is a supernaturall gift of GOD in the mind apprehending the saving promise with all the promises that depend upon it Phil. 1.29 Gal. 3.14 Promises 1. Of Faith GOD promiseth to give Faith to whom hee meanes to save The Apostle saith It is the gift of GOD Ephes. 2.8 and Iude 3. That it was once given to the Saints Heb. 12.2 CHRIST is said to be the Author and finisher of our Faith And Rom. 12.3 That GOD hath dealt to every man the measure of Faith All that the Father giveth mee that is by election shall come to mee that is by Faith Iohn 6.37 See verse 35. Promises 2. To Faith Many Promises are made to Beleevers 1. Beleefe in GOD brings good successe Beleeve in the LORD your GOD so shall yee be established beleeve his Prophets so shall yee prosper 2 Chron. 20.20 2. Forgivenesse of sinnes righteousnesse and justification are promised to Beleevers Acts 10.43 Rom. 10.4 4.5 5.1 Acts 13.39 3. Wee are made the sonnes of GOD by adoption when wee beleeve in CHRIST Ioh. 1.12 Gal. 3.26 29. 4. GOD will give his Spirit to them that beleeve Hee that beleeveth in mee out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water Ioh. 7.38 5. GOD hath promised to heare the prayers of such as beleeve What things soever yee desire when yee pray beleeve that yee receive them and yee shall have them Mark 11.24 Whatsoever yee shall aske in prayer if yee beleeve yee shall receive it Matth. 21.22 6. Eternall life is promised to Beleevers Iohn 3.16 Whosoever beleeveth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life It is not onely said hee shall have eternall life but already he hath it often in Iohn Chap. 3.36 Chap. 5. 24. Chap. 6.47 54. 1. In regard of right because hee is instated into it in the Covenant of grace Mat. 5.3 2. CHRIST in his Ascention hath taken full possession for us Ephes. 2.6 3. In regard of initiall fruition in this life the life of grace is an imperfect life of glory Beleevers are said to be blessed John 20.29 Every man that beleeves shall be saved Mar. 16.16 There is the gracious promise now the Faithfull man assumes the Minor but I beleeve and out of these two premises inferreth this saving Conclusion therefore I shall be saved
Bellarmine saith this particular proposition such or such a man is truly justified hath eternall life is not contained in the Word of GOD either immediatly or by consequence Some Divines say that such places as these Psal. 103.3 Rom. 10.9 Gal. 2.20 intimate and imply such a particular proposition immediatly but this is deduced by evident consequence out of the word from such generall promises and propositions as these Whosoever beleeveth in him shall receive remission of sinnes Acts 10.43 And by him all that beleeve are iustified from all things c. Acts 13.39 He that beleeveth on the Sonne hath everlasting life Iohn 3.36 follow by good consequence these particulars Paul Peter Calvin Bradford or any other particular man beleeving in him receives remission of sinnes is justified and hath eternall life as it followes directly and infallibly every man is a reasonable creature therefore Iohn Thomas c. is endued with reason For all Generalls comprehend and include their particulars otherwise how shall it be proved that GOD made Hens and Ducks c. but by this that hee made all the world and gave being to every creature One meanes to get Assurance is a serious meditation on the Promises of GOD and an humble and sound application of them to thy selfe Heb. 10.22 23. When the LORD acquaints us with his Word and Promises and causeth us by his Spirit to put our trust in them this is a sound and true Assurance Iob 33.26 The smallest measure of Faith that can be is when a man not being able to apply the promises to himselfe and to say I am perswaded my sinnes are forgiven yet out of a troubled heart doth unfainedly desire the favour of GOD above all the world To this thirsting the Promises are made Mat. 5.6 Psal. 107.9 The LORD will fulfill the desires of them that feare him Psal. 145.19 See Esay 55.1 2. Esay 44.3 4. Rev. 21.6 22.17 Iohn 7.37 Psal. 10.17 Luke 1 53. Promises of Assurance Psal. 50.23 that is I will cause him to see and know that hee shall be saved Mal. 4.2 Psal. 85.9 97.11 GOD hath first commanded the faithfull to make their calling and election sure 2 Pet. 1.1 and to beleeve his promises Mar. 1.15 1 Iohn 3.23 Secondly promised that hee will certifie and assure his people of his favour Ezek. 34.30 Thirdly GOD hath given his people in all ages experience of the truth of this his promise in themselves Rom. 8.15 16. Gal. 4.6 3. Confidence Promises 1. Of Confidence It is said of GODS people That they shall stay upon the LORD the holy one of Israel Esay 10.20 At that day shall a man looke to his Maker and his eye shall have respect to the holy one of Israel Esay 17.7 Thou shalt call mee my father and shalt not turne away from mee Jer. 3.19 They shall trust in the name of the LORD Zeph. 3.12 Many shall see it and feare and shall trust in the name of the LORD Psal. 40.3 Vnder his wings shalt thou trust Psal. 91.4 Hee is the confidence of all the ends of the earth and of them that are a farre off upon the Sea Psal 65.5 They that know thy name will put their trust in thee Psal. 9.10 In his name shall the Gentiles trust Mat. 12.21 The Iles shall waite upon mee and on mine arme shall they trust Esay 51.5 The righteous shall be glad in the LORD and shall trust in him Psal. 64.10 Promises 2. To Confidence 1. Safety GOD is a shield to them that put their trust in him Pro. 30.5 who so putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe Pro. 29.25 They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion which cannot be removed Psal. 125.1 Thy life shall be for a prey unto thee because thou hast put thy trust in mee saith the LORD Jer. 39.18 None of them that trust in him shall be desolate Psal. 34.22 The LORD shall save them because they trust in him Psal. 37.40 The faithfull have promised themselves helpe because they trusted in the LORD Psal. 57.11 143.8 9. Numb 14.9 1 King 6.16 Psal. 3.6 23.4 27.1 3. Psal. 46.1 2. 49.4 46. Psal. 4.11 118.6 Esay 12.2 2. Peace Thou wilt keepe him in perfect peace whose minde is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee Esay 26.3 3. Mercy Hee that trusteth in the LORD mercy shall compasse him about Psal. 32.10 4. Blessednesse Blessed is the man that trusteth in thee Psal. 84.12 Blessed is the man that maketh the LORD his trust Psal. 40.4 Who so trusteth in the LORD happy is he Pro. 16.20 4. Hope Calvin calleth Hope an expectation of those things which Faith beleeveth to be truly promised of GOD. M. Perkins defineth Hope thus Hope saith he is the grace o◠GOD whereby with patienc◠we waite the LORDS leisure for the performance of his promises especially touching redemption and life eternall Hope is an expectation o◠such good things to come 〈◊〉 GOD hath promised and Faith beleeved Faith is the foundation of Hope Hope is the nourishment of Faith Faith apprehendeth the promises of things to come Hope expecteth the things promised Simeon having a promise that before he died he should see CHRIST with his bodily eyes beleeved the same and looked for the performance of it Luke 2.26 29 30. Promises 1. Of Hope David often professeth that GOD was his hope and his trust even from his youth and GOD made him hope even from his mothers wombe Psal. 71.5 22.9 And that GOD is the hope of all the ends of the earth Psal. 65.5 CHRIST is in you the hope of glory Col. 1.27 The righteous hath hope in his death Proverbs 14.32 Promises 2. To Hope The LORD promiseth Psal. 91. both temporall blessings and eternall salvation to those that hope in him They are pronounced Blessed that have true hope Psal. 40.4 We are saved by hope Rom. 8.24 The hope of the righteous shal◠be gladnesse Pro. 10.28 Hope maketh us not ashamed Rom. 5.5 Psal. 25.3 To Hope in GOD and to have GOD for our Helpe ar◠linked together in Scripture Happy is he that hath the GO◠of Jacob for his helpe whose hop◠is in the LORD his GOD Psal. 146.5 See Heb. 10.35 Lam. 3.24 2◠26. Psal. 14.7 11. Hope is preserved by a 〈◊〉 consideration and full perswasion of GODS properties which make us patiently abide for the accomplishment of his promises foure speciall properties for this purpose are to be observed 1. His free grace that makes us waite on him being perswaded in our hearts by faith that the same grace which moved GOD to make any gracious promise will further moove him to accomplish it 2. His infinite power being perswaded that hee is able to do it 3. His infallible truth so faithfull is GOD that not a word which he hath said shall fall to the ground 4. His unsearchable wisedome he is most wise in
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
of GOD. David Psal. 40.3 shewes another meanes whereby GOD doth stirre up this grace in his people viz. the beholding of GODS mercy on others saying And he hath put a new song in my mouth even praise unto our GOD many shall see it and feare and shall trust in the LORD They shall feare thee as long as the Sunne and Moone endure throughout all generations Psal. 72.5 They shall feare the GOD of Israel Esay 29.23 They shall feare the LORD and his goodnesse in the latter daies Hos. 3.5 GOD hath made promises to free his people from servile feares Iob 11.15 Psal. 112.7 8. Prov. 1.33 Promises to Feare 1. Great and everlasting mercy is promised to those that feare GOD. As the heaven is high above the earth so great is his mercy toward them that feare him Psal. 103.11 The mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that feare him verse 17. O how great is thy goodnesse which thou hast laid up for them that feare thee Psal. 31.19 2. Such as feare GOD are accepted of him Act. 10.35 He taketh pleasure in them Psal. 147.11 Mal 3.16 17. The Sunne of righteousnesse shall rise up to such Mal. 4.2 GOD will teach them in the way that they should choose Psal. 25.12 13 14. Hee will fulfill their desire Psal. 145.19 3. They shall not want There is no want to them that feare the LORD Psal. 34 9 Psal. 111.5 4. The Angell of the LORD encâ—mpeth round about them and delivereth them Psal. 34.7 5. Their daies shall be prolonged Pro. 10.27 Pro. 19.23 Pro. 22.4 and they shall be rewarded Pro. 13.13 6. Those that feare the LORD are pronounced blessed Blessed is the man that feareth GOD Psal. 112.1 2. Hee will blesse them that feare the LORD both small and great Psal. 115.13 Happy is the man that feareth alway Pro. 28.14 He that feareth the LORD is and shall be every way blessed Psal. 128.1 4. The reward of eternall life shall be given them Rev. 11.18 8. Obedience Promises 1. Of Obedience GOD will make us able to obey GOD doth promise in the New Covenant to enable us to walke in his statutes and keepe his Ordinances and doe them Ezek. 11.19 20. the like is repeated Ezek. 36.27 37.24 And thou shalt returne and obey the voice of the LORD and doe all his Commandements which I command thee this day Deut. 30.8 The like promise is Hos. 14.9 The waies of the LORD are right and the iust shall walkâ— in them GOD hath sworne that wee shall serve him Luke 1.72 74. Promises 2. To Obedience The Scriptures are full of promises to Obedience True and faithfull obedience bringeth all manner of blessings for body and soule for name and estate yea and for seede and posterity also All these blessings shall come on thee and overtake thee if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy GOD Deut. 28.1 2. to 14. 1. All in generall all these blessings shall overtake thee 2. Every one in particular as is shewed in the verses following Particular promises made to Obedience 1. Holy and Christian security Levit. 25.18 19. 26.3 5 6. Pro. 1.33 Iob 11.13 15 19. 1 Chron. 28.7 2. Sufficiencie of outward things nay plenty Deut. 28. Levit 25.18 19 21. 26.3 4 5 10. GODS blessing on the creatures Exod. 23.25 3. Prosperity and a blessing also on their seed Iob 36.11 Esay 48.17 Deut. 6.17 18 24. This is often iterated almost in every Chapter in Deuteronomie and in divers verses of some one Take heede and doe according to all that I command you that it may be well with you and with your children for ever Deut. 4.40 Deut. 5.29 33. Deut. 6.2 3 18 24. Deut. 12.28 GOD will shew mercy unto thousands of them that love him and keepe his Commandements Deut. 5.10 Exod. 20.6 4. Freedome from diseases Exod. 15.26 and deliverance out of trouble Deut. 4.30 31. 5. GODS love and presence If yee will obey my voice indeed and keepe my Covenant then yee shall be a peculiar treasure unto mee above all people Exod. 19.5 And I will set my Tabernacle amongst you and I will walke among you Levit. 26.11 12. 6. Victory over enemies Deut. 6.19 Deut. 11.22 23. Deut. 28.7 Levit. 26.7 8. 7. Audience of their suites and acceptance of their persons If my words abide in you yee shall aske what yee will and it shall be done unto you Iohn 15.7 Our obedience is an acceptable sacrifice to GOD offered up in CHRIST Gen. 4.7 Levit. 26.9 Acts 10.35 8. Perseverance If you keepe my Commandements yee shall abide in my love Iohn 15.10 9. Blessednesse and eternall salvation Blessed are they that keepe iudgement and hee that doth righteousnesse at all times Psal. 106.3 See Pro. 8.32 29.18 Luke 11.28 Iohn 13.17 Rom. 2.10 Iames 1.25 Rev. 22.14 He became the Author of eternall salvation unto all them that obey him Heb. 5.9 A promise 1. To willing obedience If yee be willing and obedient yee shall eate the good of the Land Esay 1.19 2. Promisâ—s to generall obedience Then shall I not be ashamed when I have respect unto all thy Commandements Psal. 119.6 Yee are my Friends if yee doe whatsoever I command you Iohn 15.14 9. Repentance Promises 1 of it Acts 5.31.2 to it Acts 2.31 2 Cor. 3.16 Ier. 4.1 Ezek. 33.15 16. In it are handled 1. Confession of sin 2. Mourning for it 3. Killing of it 4. Turning from it 1. Confession of sinne To true Confession of sinne are promised Remitting of it purging from it and mercy If wee confesse our sinnes hee is faithfull and iust see the certainty of this promise to forgive us our sinnes and to cleanse us from all unrighteousnesse See the extent and largenesse of this promise 1 Ioh. 1.9 Cum homo agnoscit Deus ignoscit saith Austin Hee that confesseth and forsaketh his sinnes shall have mercy Pro. 28.13 If we would iudge our selves we should not be iudged 1 Cor. 11.31 Jer. 3.12 13. Hee looketh upon men and if any say I have sinned and perverted that which was right and it profited mee not He will deliver his soule from going downe into the pit and his life shall see the light Iob 33.27 28. 2. Mourning for sinne Promises 1. Of godly sorrow GOD promiseth in the New Covenant to take away the stony heart out of their flesh that is the stony hardnesse which was in their heart before and to give them a heart of flesh that is a soft and tender heart to tremble at GODS judgements beleeve his promises and obey his Commandements You shall looke on him whom you have pierced and you shall mourne for him as one mourneth for his onely Sonne and be in bitternesse for him as one that is in bitternesse for his first-borne Zach. 12.10 See Ezek. 20.43 36.31 If thou complainest of a hard heart
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
hearts discouraged by the little strength we finde to master our speciall corruptions then we may apply to our selves any of these promises wherein the LORD himselfe doth undertake this worke which is too hard for us That he will subdue our iniquities cleanse us from all unrighteousnesse Though a strong and importunate lust hang upon us an hereditary disease a lust that is naturall to us which we think wee shall never be able to conquer yet GOD hath promised to breake the dominion of every sinne That hee will crucifie the flesh with the affections thereof Hee can heale the strongest lusts CHRIST could cure those that were borne blinde and lame therefore when we grapple with a strong lust we should goe to the LORD and pleade the Covenant and say to him LORD I feele this temptation is too strong for mee such a lust I cannot overcome thou hast said Thou wilt circumcise my heart that thou wilt dissolve these lusts I beseech thee to doe it If we truly hate and detest sinne though it doe sometimes stirre in us we should not be discouraged for our Sanctification here is but in fieri it is but in doing yet Rev. 6.2 CHRIST rides about conquering and will yet goe on to conquer sinne in us He will not subdue our corrupt lusts unto us at once but as he did the Cananites to his people Israel by little and little Exod. 23.30 Deut. 7.22 That promise which GOD made to Paul in the stirrings and conflicts of his concupiscence is made unto all of his temper my grace is sufficient for thee 2 Cor. 12.9 There are two things in that promise grace to make it and sufficiency to fulfill it The LORD doth sometimes descend to particulars as that Hee will cleanse them from their Idols and that hee will take away the stony heart out of them But wee may apply the former generall promises to our particular occasions and they will be as comfortable as if the LORD had said in particular hee will kill our pride our unbeleefe our hypocrisie Promises 2. To Mortification The benefits the LORD will bestow upon us if in obedience and love to him wee can be content to cast away our sinfull lusts He that forsaketh any profit credit or comfort for CHRISTS sake shall be rewarded an hundred fold Mar. 10.29 30. Mat. 19.28 Hee shall receive not ten in the hundred but a hundred for ten If yee mortifie the deeds of the flesh by the Spirit yee shall live Rom. 8.13 Without it there is no living it is a necessary condition required to the attainement of salvation 4. Turning from sinne Promises 1. Of Turning from sinne Then thou shalt remember thy waies and be ashamed Ezek. 16.61 Yee shall remember your waies and all your doings wherein yee have beene defiled and you shall lothe your selves in your owne sight for all your evills that yee have committed Ezek. 20.43 the like is repeated 36.31 Vnto you hath GOD raised up his Sonne JESUS and sent him to blesse you in turning away every one of you from his iniquities Acts 3.26 GOD promiseth to the Gentiles in their conversion Then will I change in the people their lip that it may be pure so Iunius reads it with the which all may call upon the name of the LORD that is I will call them to repentance and then followes a promise of taking away the staine of sinne In that day shalt thou not be ashamed for all thy workes The remnant of Israel shall stay upon the LORD the holy one of Israel in truth The remnant shall returne c. Then shall shee say I will goe and returne to my first husband for then was it better with mee then now Hos. 2.7 They shall returne unto mee with their whole heart Ier. 24 7. Promises 2. To turning from sinne Turning unto GOD by repentance procureth his mercies upon us 1. Temporall Returne unto mee and I will returne unto you saith the LORD of hostes Malac 3.7 See Deut. 30.1 2 Nehem. 1.9 Iob 22.23 24 25 28. Ier. 7.3 5 7 14 15. 18.8 2. Spirituall the promises of remission to repentance are very frequent in Scripture So the Prophet Esay promiseth pardon to the penitent Wash you make you cleane put away the evill of your workes from you that is repent and then followes Though your sinnes were as crimson they shall be made as white as snow that is yee shall be pardoned If wee acknowledge our sinnes that is if wee repent hee is faithfull and iust to forgive us our sinnes Hence repentance and remission of sinnes are joyned together by our Saviour Luke 24.47 Acts 2.38 Repent and be converted that your sinnes may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come Acts 3.19 Let the wicked forsake his way and returne unto the LORD and hee will have mercy on him Esay 55.7 3. Eternall O Hierusalem wash thy heart from wickednesse that thou maist be saved Ier. 4.14 10. Humility Promises To Humility The LORD inricheth the humble with all his gifts both Temporall Spirituall and Eternall 1. He will reward them with temporall benefits By humility and the feare of the LORD are riches and honour and life Pro. 22.4 2. GOD promiseth deliverance to the humble 2 Chron. 12.7 Iob 22.29 3. Honour Before honour is humility Pro. 15.33 18.12 Iob 5.11 Iam. 4.6 10. Luke 18.14 Matth. 23 12. 2. Spirituall graces GOD giveth grace unto the humble Iam. 4.6 1 Pet. 5.5 Pro. 3.24 1. Pardon of sinne 2 Chron. 7.14 2. GOD teacheth them his waies Psal. 25.9 Mat. 11.25 He revealeth to them the secrets of his Kingdome making them thereby wise unto their salvation Pro 11.2 3. GOD blesseth them with his presence taking delight to dwell with them Esay 57.15 3. GOD will crowne the humble in the life to come with eternall glory Blessed are the poore in spirit for theirs is the kingdome of heaven Mat. 5.3 Austen and Chrysostome expound it of inward humility 11. Meekenesse Promises 1. Of Meekenesse The Wolfe shall dwell with the Lambe and the Leopard shall lie downe with the Kid and the Calfe and the young Lyon and the falling together and a little child shall leade them And the Cow and the Beare shall feed their young ones shall lie downe together c. Esay 11.6 7 8. whereby is signified that men once converted shall be so changed and altered that if they were never so fierce and cruell against the Church and one against another before yet they shall be framed to a peaceable and meeke disposition towards all men Promises 2. To Meekenesse 1. Protection The meeke are under GODS protection in a speciall manner Psal. 76.9 He will beautifie the meeke with salvation Psal. 149.4 They shall be hid in the day of the LORDS wrath Zeph. 2.3 Hee will rebuke aright for all the meeke of the earth Esay 11.4 2. Advancement The LORD lifteth up the meeke Psal.
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
soule and body Promises 1. Of the Glorification of our soules GOD promiseth to translate the soules of the godly into his heavenly kingdome when they die This is implyed in the Parable where the Angels carry up Lazarus soule into Heaven Luke 16.22 This day shalt thou be with me in Paradise Luk. 23.43 Which Paradise the Apostle Paul expoundeth to be the third heaven 2 Cor. 12.1 2 4. He that overcomes shall inherit all things See Rev. 3.21 2. Of the last Judgement The godly have boldnesse and confidence at the day of judgement When these things begin to come to passe then shall we look up and lift up our heads because our redemption draweth nigh Luk. 21.28 Vnto them that look for CHRIST shall he appeare the second time without sin unto salvation Hebr. 9.28 When CHRIST who is our life shall appeare then shall we also appeare with him in glory Colos. 3.4 He shall say to them of his right hand Come yee blessed of my Father inherit the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world Matth. 25.32 34. See ver 40. 3. Glorification of the whole man both soule and body Promises of the glorification of our bodies The LORD JESUS shall change our vile bodies and make them like his glorious body Phil. 3.21 The bodies of the Saints shall shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and as the stars Dan. 1 2.3 Yea as the Sun for ever and ever Promises Of eternall life in both soul and body after the day of judgement Then we shall be ever with the LORD 1 Thess. 4.17 Whosoever beleeveth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life Joh. 3.16 I give unto them eternall life John 10.28 He that beleeveth on the Sonne hath eternall life Joh. 3.36 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved Mark 16.16 Act. 16.31 The gift of GOD is eternall life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD Rom. 6.23 See John 6.40 and 20.31 1 Joh. 2.23 John 5.24 1 Joh. 5.11 12 13. Joh. 17.3 1 Pet. 1.3 4. Tit. 3.7 Rom. 5.10 17. Rom. 8.13 Gal. 6.8 Matth. 5.8 12. and 19.29 Matth. 25.34 35 46. 1 Tim. 6.17 18 19. The Promises of GOD assure us of everlasting happinesse and glory in the Kingdome of Heaven I know saith Job 19.25 relying upon GODS promises that my Redeemer liveth 2 Cor. 5.1 4.14 Faith apprehendeth the promise of eternall life hope expecteth it love thankfully entertaines it and all other graces are quickned and strengthned by it Promises For the glory of Heaven In thy presence is fullnesse of ioy at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore Ps. â—6 11 We shall have fullnesse of ioy everlasting pleâ—sures A swift flowing river and 〈◊〉 of pleasures Psal. 36.8 We shall 〈◊〉 no more 〈…〉 Rev. 7.16 GOD will wipe away all tears from our eyâ— Rev. 21 4. We shal sit down with Abraham Isaac and Iacob in the kingdome of heaven Mat. 8.11 as at a banquet we shall then be as the Angels of GOD Matth. 22.30 Nay like CHRIST himselfe 1 John 3.2 We shall be made confirmable to the image of his Sonne Rom. 8.29 and be With CHRIST John 14.3 and behold his glory Joh. 17.24 12.26 We shall enter into our masters ioy Matth. 25.21 he saith not it shal enter into us but we into it shewing that the joyes of heaven are so many that they cannot be contained in the soule of man GOD hath promised us a kingdome Mat. 25.34 A heavenly kingdome Mat. 7 2â— 2 Tim. 4.18 An eternall kingdom 2 Pet. 1.11 A Crown a Crown of life Iam. 1.12 Rev. 2.10 A Crown of righteousnesse 2 Tim. 4.8 An immarcessible Crown of glory 1 Pet. 5.4 The word Crowne represents unto us 1. The perpetuity of that life for a crowne hath neither beginning nor ending 2. Plenty because as the crown compasseth on every side so there is nothing wanting in this life 3. Dignity eternall life is a coronation day every Saint shall be a crowned King The use of Faith in regard of these promises is to uphold us with the expectation of that heavenly happinesse which is promised yea though we be destitute of worldly things and be in many troubles and tribulations Act. 14.22 The Table of the fifth Booke Speciall Promises in regard of Others 1. The Church in generall or particular Churches as puâ—like assemblies God hath promised to them 1. His speciall protection 2. His speciall presence 3. His speciall blessing 4. To deliver the Church out of trouble 2. Against the Seductions for the destruction of Anticâ—rist 3. For calling the Iewes 4. For bringing in the Gentiles 5. To Magistrates 6. To Ministers 1. Extraordinary the Apostles 1. To worke miracles 2. To cast out Divels 3. To lead them into all truth 2. Ordinary all the faithfull Ministers 1. For competency of outward things 2. Of pâ—otectiâ—n and deliverance from trouble 3. To take their parts against their enemies 4. To give good â—uccâ—sse to their labours 5. To reward them largely 6. That tâ—ey shall agree together and joyne force against the common adversary 7. To Masters of a Family and godly servants to blesse the habitation of the godly 8. To husband wife concerning children 1. To give them 2. To blesse them every way 1. With outward things 2. In their soules 3. That mothers shall give sucke to their children 4. To parents correcting their children 5. To comfort them in the want of children 6. To children obeying their parents 9. For company that we shall reap good by the society of the godly THE FIFTH BOOKE CHAP. I. Promises in regard of others The Church in generall or particular Churches as publike Assemblies 1. GOD will defend the Church and all the faithfull THE gates of Hell shalâ— not prevaile against it Matth. 16.18 GOD is in the midâ—â— of the Church therefore it shall not fall Ps. 46.5 I the LORD doe keepe it I will water it every moment least any hurt it I will keepe it night and day Esay 27.3 As the mountaines are round about Ierusalem so the LORD is round about his people from hence forth and for ever Ps. 125.2 See Esay 4.5 6. Psalm 46. whole 124 125. Psalmes Psal. 132.13 to 17. Psal. 89.15 16 17 18. Zach. 9.16 GOD hath made promises unto the publike assemblies of his speciall protection Looke upon Sion the city of our solemne fâ—asts thine eyes shall see Ierusalem a quiet habitation a Tabernacle that cannot be removed c. Esâ—y 33.20 21. See ver 16. This was one reason why David so esteemed of GODS Tabernacâ—es Ps. 84.11 For the LORD GOD is a sunne and shield unto us 2. GOD hath promised to be present with his Church and people in a speciall manner There are promises 1. Of the presence of CHRIST Matth. 18.20 28.20 1 Cor. 5.4 Rev. 2.1 Esay 31.9 2. Of the presence of the HOLY GHOST Esa. 59.21 GOD hath
made promises to the publike assemblies of his speciall presence In this respect the Prophet calleth Sion the habitation of GODS house and the place where his honour dwelleth Psal. 26.8 Psalm 132.14 in this respect the place of GODS publike worship is called the face of GOD. The Synagogues were called the houses of GOD Psalm 83.12 This promise is also made to our Assemblies as well as theirs Matth. 18.20 Where two or three are gathered together in my name there am I in the midst of them Rev. 2.1 CHRIST walkes in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks 3. GOD hath pâ—omised his speciall blessing to publike assemblies In all places where I record my name wâ—ll I come to thee and blesse thee Exod 20.24 GOD hath pâ—omised Temporall blessings to such as do love and frequent the Assemblies No good thing will he with-hold from them that walke uprightly Psalm 84.11 David makes this one reason of his love to GODS Tabernacles but the chiefe reason why he so esteemed them was this the LORD will give grace and glory and 133.3 For there in Sion the LORD appointed the blessing and life for ever The LORD shall blesse thee out of Sion Psalm 128.5 We shall be satisfied with the goodnesse of thy house even of thine holy Temple Ps 63 4. See Psalm 36.8 9. 92.13 14. 4. GOD will deliver the Church out of trouble Thou shalt see peace upon Israel Ps. 128.6 Thou shalt see the good of Hierusalem all the dayes of thy life verse 5. The LORD will not cast off his people nor forsake his inheritance Ps. 94.14 Thus saith the LORD after seventy yeares be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you and performe my good word towards you in causing you to returne to this place For I know the thoughts that I thinke towards you saith the LORD thoughts of peace to give you an expected end Jerem. 29.10 11. They shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig-tree and none shall make them afraid for the mouth of the LORD 〈◊〉 Hosts hath spoken it Many nations are gathered against thee but they know not the thoughts of the LORD For he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floore Micah 4.4 11 12. When thus it shall be in the middest of the Land amongst the people there shall be as the shaking of an Olive-tree and as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done Esay 24.13 See Esay 61.10 Deut. 4.29 30. Jeremy 33.6 Jeremie 31.12 Esay 27.5 7 8 9. CHAP. II. Promises 1. Against the seductions of Antichrist 1. THE faithfull are of GOD and overcome Antichristian Seducers 1 Iohn 4.4 2. The Elect cannot be seduced Mat. 24.24 Promises 2. For the dâ—struction of Antichrist The ten hornes which thou sawest upon the beast these shall haâ—e the whore and shall make her desolate and naked and shall eat hâ—â— flesh and shall burne her with fire Rev. 17.16 There is a promise that Babylon shall bee cast into the Sea as a milstone Rev. 18.21 And a mighty Angell tooke â—p a stone like a great mill-stone and cast it into the Sea saying thus with violence shall the great city Babylon be throwne downe and and shall be found no more at all Each word almost hath a gradation in that an Angell a strong Angell taketh a stone and a great stone even a mill-stone which he letteth not barely fall but casteth and with impetuous force thrusteth in the bottome of the Sea whence nothing ordinarily is recovered much lesse a mill-stone thrust from such a hand and with such force CHAP. III. Promises For calling the Jewes THere is a promise made of calling the Jewes unto CHRIST and causing them to turn from their transgressions The Redeemer shall come from Sion and unto them that returne from transgression in Jacob Esay 59.20 They shall be graffed in againe for GOD is able to graffe them in as it is written there shall come out of Sion a deliverer and shall turne away ungodlinesse from Jacob Rom. 11.23 26. Before the second comming of CHRIST the Jews shall be converted and become a most famous Church againe and they shall be the meanes of the salvation of all the Elect that shall remaine to be converted among the Gentiles as the Apostle plainly teacheth there 25 26. verses I would not Brethren that yee should be ignorant of this mystery that blindnesse in part is happened to Israel untill the fullnesse of the Gentiles be come in and so all Israel shall bee saved In Hosea there are most sweet and comfortable promises to the Jewes 1. Of delivering them out of misery and making them to flourish againe comparing their wretched estate to death and their delivery to a resurrection Hos. 13.14 2. A promise of their repentance and turning unto GOD Hos. 14.2 3. 3. Of the forgivenesse of sinnes peace reconciliation verse 4. 4. Of a glorious Church 5 6 7 8. verses These promises which GOD hath made unto that nation that he will call them and make them his people againe should provoke us to pray for them as they did for us Cant. 8.8 CHAP. IV. Promises For bringing in the Gentiles THus saith the Lord Behold I will lift up my hand to the Gentiles and set up my standard i.e. the Gospell to the people and they shall bring their sonnes in their armes and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders and Kings shall be thy nursing Fathers and Queenes thy nursing Mothers that is GOD will stirre up the Princes of the Earth to be a protection to it and to shrow'd it under the wings of their authority The Apostle Iohn speaking of the new Jerusalem saith the Kings of the earth shall bring their glory to it Rev. 21.24 Other sheepe I have saith our Saviour meaning the Gentiles not yet called which are not of this fold them also must I bring and they shall heare my voyce and there shall be one fold and one shepheard Joh. 10.16 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light and Kings to the brightnesse of thy rising The aboundance of the Sea shall be converted unâ—o thee the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee Who are these that fly as a cloud and as the doves to their windowes they are the words of the Church wondering as it were at the sight of such a propagation as a cloude and Doves it is a prophesie of the Gentiles converted they fly as a cloud that is most swiftly and shall in such fâ—ocks come into the Church as if a whole flight of Doves driven by some hawke or tempest should scoure into the Columbary and rush into the windows The Prophet Esay almost in every Chapter speaketh of the vocation of the Gentiles as the 2. 9. the 11. the 18. the 42. and 45. See 49. Chap. 12. and Chap. 54.1 And Chap. 65.1 Amos 9.11 12. Ephes. 2.12 19. John 12.32 CHAP. V. Promises To Magistrates THe LORD
hand of the men of whom thou art afraid For I will surely deliver thee and thou shalt not fall by the sword but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee because thou hast put thy trust in me saith the LORD In Warre he shall redeeme thee from the power of the sword Iob 5.20 Promises to comfort in and deliver out of Captivity Although I have cast them farre off among the heathen and although I have scattered them among the countries yet will I be to them a little Sanctuary in the countries where they shall come Ezek. 11.16 See ver 17. I will give you a reviving there Ezra 9.8 And make you to be pittied of those that shall carry you captive Psal. 106.46 Then the LORD thy GOD will turne thy captivity and have compassion upon thee and will returne and gather thee from all the nations whither the LORD thy GOD hath scattered thee If any of thine be driven out unto the utmost parts of Heaven from thence will the LORD thy GOD gather thee and from thence will hee fetch thee c. Deut. 30.3 4 5. Nehemiah sueth out this promise Nehem. 1.9 There was a promise made unto Israel to restore them out of the great captivity of Babylon and this seemed to them as incredible as for men to be raised out of their graves after so many yeares consumption therefore they said Our bones are dried and our hope is lost we are cut off for our parts we have no more reason to beleeve any promise or to rest upon any expectations of deliverance then dead bones have to revive againe Therefore the LORD acquainteth them with his power together with his promises O my people yee shall know that I am the LORD that is that my waies and thoughts are infinitely above your shallow apprehension when I shall have brought you out of your graves Ezek. 37.11 13 14. See Psal. 14.7 and 53.6 Ier. 30.6.18 A promise against Witchcraft or possession of the Divell Surely there is no inchantment against Iacob neither is there any divination against Israel Num. 23.23 This is promised conditionally so farre as it is good for GODS people they shall be freed from it Promises against Oppression It is one of the LORDS most royall titles to be the Father of the Fatherlesse and a Iudge of the widdowes Psal. 68.5 To be a Refuge for the oppressed Psal. 9.9 10 14. Esay 25.4 For the oppression of the poore for the sighing of the needy now will I arise saith the LORD I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him Psal. 12.5 He executeth iudgement for the oppressed preserveth the strangers relieveth the fatherlesse and widdow Psal. 146.7 9. In thee the fatherlesse findeth mercy Hosea 14.3 CHAP. IIII. Temporall promises in regard of good things 1. In Generall to supply any thing needfull GOD hath promised to provide things needfull for the godly All earthly blessings are intailed to godlinesse by that gracious promise 1 Tim. 4.8 Godlinesse hath the promise of the life that now is and that which is to come It is said Nothing shall be wanting Psal. 34.9 All things shall be ministred Matth. 6.33 GOD shall fulfill all your necessity Philip 4.19 As a tender Father desiring the welfare of his beloved child bids him to be a good and obedient child and he shall not want any thing so the LORD bids us as good children hearken to his voice and be ruled by him and tels us we shall not want any thing that is good Psal. 34.8 9 10. 84 11. This is that which is so oft repeated That it may goe well with thee in the land which the LORD thy GOD giveth thee Deut. 5.16 33. 6.3 18. 12.25 28. This is meant in those Scriptures which set out the goodnesse of the LORD Psal. 31.19 Psal. 145.9 and many other places where GODS goodnesse loving kindnesse and mercy and that specially in things belonging to this naturall life are commended unto us In those generall promises wherein GOD saith He will dwell with his and not forsake them that he will love and blesse his people that he will be their GOD will reioyce over them to doe them good will compasse them with favour as with a shield that he will set peace in their borders and prosper them in all they goe about that he will keepe his Covenant with them For outward riches are a part of his Covenant All things are yours we are heires of all the world In the Covenant of grace GOD promiseth not onely to write his law in our hearts and to forgive our sinne but also to conferre Temporall blessings as they shall be serviceable to us in our journey towards Heaven Ier. 31.10 11 12 14. Ezek. 34.25 26 27. 36.29 30. Hosea 2.20 21 22. He hath given us his Sonne the Fountaine of all good things what can he denie us then that may be for our good and comfort The promise of CHRIST before his incarnation was to the Jewes a seale of all temporall things promised Our Saviour saith Seeke yee first the Kingdome of GOD and his Righteousnesse and all these things shall be added unto you First in time before all other things and in degree above all other things and all these needfull things shall be cast in As when a man buyeth spice fruit or any such commodity paper and packthred is given into the bargaine It is the property of true saving faith not onely to lay hold on the mercy of GOD for the pardon of sinne and life everlasting in CHRIST but on his promises also for Temporall blessings that concerne this life As wee looke to be saved by our faith after death so we must live 〈◊〉 faith in this world if we relie upon his mercy for our soules we must depend upon his providence for our bodies How doth he trust in GOD for a Kingdome that will not trust him for a crust of bread Faith receiveth earthly blessings not as the fruit of our labour or desert but as the gifts of GODS bounty yea as gifts of the gracious Covenant proceeding from the free love of GOD. Temporall promises in regard of good things Speciall For 1. Name 1. Honour 2. A good name 2. Body 1. Long life 2. Health 3. Safetie 4. Peace 5. Sleepe 6. Foode raiment 3. Estate 1. Wealth 2. Good successe and prosperity 1. To their persons 2. To their purposes 4. Calling Promises to diligence in it 1. Abundance and plenty 2. Protection 3. Promotion 4. Good successe 5. It builds the house 6 It makes sleep comfortable GOD hath promised not only to give these outward things but to blesse them to his children CHAP. V. 2. Temporall Promises in regard of good things 1. Speciall Promises to GODS children in respect of their Name 1. Honour GOD saith Hee will honour those that honour him 1 Sam. 2.30 And Wisedome will honour those that honour her Pro. 4.7 8 9.