but it is a notable glorifying of God the glory of his truth is given him when a man doth as it were subscribe to GODS Word and set his Seale to iâ— Ioh 3.33 Rom 4 20. not to beleeve is horriâ—le preâ—umption for that we presume to give God the lie â— Ioh 5. â—0 for he that doth not in speciall apply the promise unto himselfe doth not in heart beleeve the generall promise Non enâ—m hic sensus est quem fingit Bellarminus credo in Ecclesia dari remissionem peccatorum quod Diabolus atque desperabundus quivis potest credere sed credo diri remissionem peccatorum per Christum mihi quia in illum Credo Episc Daven in Col. Generals of promise blessing or comfort delivered in Scripture are intentionally meant to particulars rightly qualified Quod omnibus promiâ—titur singulis promittitur a 1 Ioh. 1.7 Esay 1.8 Ezek. 18.22 b Ezek. 3â— 12 c Mat. 1â— 28 * Poenitentia vera nunquaÌ„ sera at poenitentia sera rarò vera Austen Qui promisit â—oenitenti veniam non promisit peccanti poenitentiam Peccanti crastinum non promisit Nemo promiâ—tat sibi quod Evangelium non promittit Nehem. 9.8 * A firme sate and uncorruptible Covenant which lasts for ever Num 18.19 Decretum ab omni corruptione tutum perpetuumque saith Iunius Every word of his mouth is exactly performed aâ— his people by experience have found and confessed Iosh. 21 45. 1 King 8.56 * 2 King 10.30 a The promise Gen 12 2 3. performance Gen. 13.26.24.1.35 the promise Gen. 15.5 fulfilled Deut. 10.22 the promise Gen. 17 16 9. fulfilled Gen. 21.1 2. b Promise to Isaac Gen 26.3 fulfiâ—led 12 13. verses c To Iacob Gen. 24.15 fulfilled Gen. â—5 3. His love moveâ— him to promise his truth binds him to performe Deut. 7 7 8. 2 Sam. 7.18 21. Micah 7 20. The promises run all upon mercy Exod 20.6 34 7. Deut. 5.10 Luk. 1 50 Psal. 103 17 18. Mat. 5 7. Psal. 62 2. Every one of Gods promises is as sure as himselfe being confirmed with his owne oath Heb. 17 18. Luk. 1 7â— Esay 54.9 D. Benefield on Amos 1.2 Psal. 119.89 152. Psal. 33.11 Num. 13.19 2 Pet. 29. It is not Gods power simply but with relation to his promise which secures our faith Luk. 1.37 Psal 1â—5 3. 135 6. In Dei pâ—omissis nulla falsit is est quia in facieâ—dis nulla omnipotentâ— est difficultas Fulgentius God having made a promise unto Israel to restore them out of that great Captivity of Babylon and it seeming to them incredible he acquainteth them with his power together with his promises Ezek. 37.11 13. Where the Holy Ghost intreats of the doctrine of repentance and faith the word create is metaphorically useâ— to assure us that God will performe his promise though it were as hard a worke as to create all things at first Thus hee hath promised to create a clean heart Ps 51. and to create the fruite of lips to be peace Esay 57.9 and to create upon every place c. Esa 4.5 and to create light and deliâ—erance out of afflictions Esa. 45 7. God performeth his promise when there is no ground nor possibility in nature for itâ— notwithstanding all the media incongruâ—i dissimilia Iob 15.25 26 â—7 All the promises are as true as truth it selfe The promises are called suâ—e Rom 4 16. Promâ—ssa tua sunt Deus qua falit timeat cum promittii veritas August Confes l. 12. c. 10. His words are as deeds his promises as performances The land which was onely promâ—sed to Abraham is said Gen. â—5 12 to be given him Promittendo se fecit debitorem Austen 1 Ioh. 1.9 Verba illa Iustâ—s fidelis referuntur ad promissionem divinam Bellar. de poenitent l. 3. c. 6. God is as just in performing the mercy which he promiseth as in executing the vengeance which he threatneth 2 Tim. 2.13 1 Thess. 5.24 Gen. 3 1. Moses bewrayed his infidelity Num. 11 1â— 14.15 Christs Disciples and otheâ—s that believed in him accounted the promises of his resurrection to be vaine Luk. 24.11 25. Psal. 105.24 Luk. 1. 18 20 The Covenant is mutuall betweene God and us 1 King 8.23 God hath said that he will be All-sufficient to us but he requires then on our part that we be Altogether his Cant. 2.16 In marriage the woman must take the may for her husband as well as he her for his wife True faiths apprehension of Christ is mutuall it laies hold on Christ as we use to do in our salutatioÌ„s when we imbrace one another there is mutuall hold on both sides Whence the act of the Patriarkes faith apprehending the promises Heb. 11.13 is elegantly set out by the metaphor of saluting They saluted the promises True faith kissing Christ is kissed of him embracing Christ is reimbraced of him Phil. 3.12 a Psal. 15.4 b When we receive this command from God keepe my covenant we should pray with Austen Da Dominc quod iubes iube quid vu or as the Church teacheth us when wee heare the 10. CommaÌ„dements Lord have mercy on us and incline our hearts to keep this law c Exod. 19 5 Deut. 5.16 Is a good exposition of this place So farre as long life may be a benefit to Gods children so far he giveth it to them Gen. 25.8 * He promised â—itam 〈◊〉 â—ongatam and gave vitam perpeuatam for it In Coelis repâ—sita est maior compensatio Calvin 1 Chron. 34.28 Acts 7.5 Tibi dabo semini tuo Gen. 13.15 Particula et videtur exegetica Pareus in locum God delayeth the fulfilling of his promises Hab. 2.3 Goodnesse makes the promise truth performes it and wisdome observes the fittest time Esay 60.22 2 King 4.16 17. Gen. 3.15 Iude 14. The Amorites countrey is by promise given to Abâ—ahams see iâ— Gen. 12 7. 13.15 and 15.18 and Abrahams seede in the posterity of Iacob possessed it Amos 2 10. but some 400 seventy yeares after the promise Luke 2. â—5 Alwaies some distance of time passeth beâ—weene promises â—erfoâ—mances Pollicitiâ— diveâ— quilibet este potest Ovid. * Matth. 4. Excelsâ— fro 〈◊〉 in excelso On a mountaine he promiseth mouÌ„taines 1 Pet. 1.4 * Like the man in Erasmus his naufragium who in a storme promised the Virgin a picture of wax as big as S. Christopher but when hee came to shâ—re would not give a tallow candle Heb. 6.12 15 Psal. 130.7 8 * He promised the câ—ildren of Israel onely the land of Canaan but hee gave them besides the whole lâ—nd of Canaan two other kingdomes which he never promised and to Zachary for his unbeleefe stricken dumbe he promised to give his speech at the birth of the child but besides he gave him also the gift of prophecy God prevents his people with his blessings Psal. 2â— 3 He is bountifull to them afore they aske ver 3. and above their requests ver 4. Christ
many of them 3. Freedome from all temptations CHRIST himselfe was tempted 4. Lesse principall graces the common gifts of the Spirit these are distributed severally 1 Cor. 12.8 5. The measure of sanctifying graces some Saints have a greater measure of grace and some a lesse Some Promises are in divers respects both Absolute and Conditionall as that Exod. 3.17 of bringing the Israelites into the land of Canaan for in respect of the people of Israel it was absolâ—te and at length really accomplished but if we consider all the particular Israelites it had an implicite condition viz. if they were obedient to GOD. Lastly the Promises are either such as pertaine unto this life or the life to come The Promises pertaining unto this life are either Spirituall concerning the soule such are the promises of GODS graces or Temporall concerning the body as health wealth The Promises appertaining unto the life to come are eternall life the crowne of glory which concerne both soule and body These I shall handle fully afterward CHAP. III. 3. The Excellency of them THe Promises of GOD are a Rich Mine of Spirituall and Heavenly treasures they are a garden of most precious flowers of medicinable herbes they are as the Poole of Bethesda for all diseases for all sorts of persons and at all times They are called the unsearchable riches of CHRIST Ephes. 3.6 8. to assure us that hee is a very rich man that hath his heart stored with the promises of GOD well applied One stiles them pabulum fidei the food of faith As â—aith is the life of the Soule so GODS promise is the life of Faith They are the inheritance of GODS people Dauid did so account of them Thy promises have I claimed as mine heritage for ever for they are the Ioy of my heart Psal. 119.111 and all the people of GOD are Heires of all his Promises Rom. 9.8 The very keeping of the Records of these Promises was a great Prerogative to the Jewes Rom. 3.2 and it is accounted a singular happinesse for the Gentiles that they may now partake of these Promises Ephes. 3.6 The Apostle Peter saith that they are Exceeding great and precious promises 2 Pet. 1.4 which GOD hath given to us They are most great and precious for quantity Great exceeding great for quality Good exceeding good Precious 1. In respect of the Author of them GOD He is said in Scripture to be the giver of them Rom. 1.2 1 Tim. 1.1 Tit. 1.2 2. The ground of them JESUS CHRIST for whose sake we obtaine them and the price he paied to purchase them for us his precious blood 1 Pet. 1.19 3. The manner how they are given freely the fountaine from which they spring is the precious loving kindnesse of GOD Psal. 36.7 4. The meanes whereby they are apprehended that precious grace of faith 2 Pet. 1.1 5. The great and inestimable profit flowing from them and the end why they are bestowed upon us that we might be partakers of the Divine nature that is of the graces of the HOLY GHOST 6. In regard of the excellencie of the things promised life and godlinesse or glory and vertue which the Apostle Peter mentioned 3. ver of that 1. Chapter The ordinary Glosse would have life eternall to be there promised There is nothing in the world so excellent so precious so sweet and so comfortable as the promises are Psal. 119.103 Cardan saith that every precious stone hath some egregious vertue and Iosephus observeth that the splendor and brightnesse of the precious stones in the High-Priests brest-plate foreshewed victory I examine not the truth of those relations but I dare say there is more soveraigne vertue in one of GODS precious promises than in all the precious stones of the world I may say of them as Salomon saith of a vertuous woman that their price is farre above rubies or as he speakes of wisdome that they are better then rubies and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to them The bright lustre also of these precious stones observed by the quick eye of faith presageth certaine victory over all our enemies If we can behold the face of GOD to shine upon us by proving our interest in his promises we shall be in all things more then Conquerors through Him that loveth us The Promises of GOD applyed by faith will put such an undaunted courage into the heart of the weakest Christian that he will not feare the rigour of the Law 1 Tim. 1.9 the rage of Satan Ephes. 6.16 the tyranny of the world 1 Ioh. 5.4 the gastly and grimme face of Death 1 Cor. 15.55 nor the torments of Hell Ioh. 3.16 Therefore a truly humbled spirit relishing Spirituall things would not exchange any one of the Promises for the riches and sweetnesse of both the Indies In many of Davids Psalmes the beginnings are full of trouble but joy and assurance is to be found in the end so that one would imagine saith Peter du Moulin that the Psalmes had beene composed by two men of a contrary humour but he assigneth this as the cause of so sudden a change Davids soule at the last raising up it selfe from under its burden and adhering to the promises he found abundance of comfort Mr. Bolton hath three excellent Stories to this purpose The first is of a woman greatly distressed in conscience who industriously sought the destruction of her selfe but being most miraculously preserved shee afterward received comfort from that promise Esay 57.15 Thus saith the High and loftie 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 And to use his phrase she went to Heaven in the yeare of our LORD 1595. Another Godly Man in his sicknesse stedfastly fixed his heart upon that sweetest Promise Esay 26.3 Thou wilt keepe him in perfect peace whose minde is stayed on thee because hee trusteth in thee and said GOD had graciously made it fully good unto his soule A Scottish Penitent also at the place of execution when he was ready to die laid hold on that Matth. 11.28 saying I challenge thee LORD by that promise which thou hast made that thou performe and make it good unto me that call for ease and mercy at thy hands S. Paul boasteth that he is an Apostle of CHRIST according to the promise 2 Tim. 1.1 The Patriarkes hugged and embraced the promises as a chiefe stay of their lives in their pilgrimage on earth Heb. 11.13 Vrsine was comforted by that place Ioh. 10.29 and Bilney was much quieted by that saying of S. Paul This is a faithfull saying and worthy of all acceptation that CHRIST JESUS came into world to save sinners of whom I am chiefe There is a commandement of the LORD
for the children of Israel Esay 66.11 That they should sucke and be satisfied with the breasts of consolation A worthy Divine observes well the Emphasis of the originall Two Metaphors are there used one is to milke consolation out of the Promises the meaning is this that the promises are full of comfort as a dugge is full of milke for he repeateth the promise presently after now if thou be ready to faint goe and milke out consolation out of the promises and that will relieve thee and stay thy heart The other Metaphore is to extort the promises as a rich man oppresseth a poore man and gets out of him all that he is worth so deale with the Promises for they are rich there is a price in them now when a man is poore and needy let him goe to the rich promises and be an extortioner to them that is consider them to the utmost see the utmost riches that is contained in them and they will make thee rich Againe draw out the utmost of the milke that is in them and it will exceedingly revive and comfort thee CHAP. IIII. 4. The right Vse of them WEe should labour to work upon our selves to be holy upon Consideration of GODS promises thus is GOD our Father is he holy And are wee his Sonnes and Daughters and professe our selves to be so and shall we be uncleane Hath GOD promised to pardon our sinnes and shall we therefore provoke and grieve him every day more and more by our sinnes shall we thus requite the bounty mercy love and goodnesse of GOD Hath he promised us a Crowne and Kingdome an immortall and eternall Inheritance that can never be shaken nor taken from us and shall not we labour to walke worthy of the sâ—ne When the LORD renewed the promise of the Land of Canaan to the children of Israel Deut. 10.11 12. He doth inferre this use upon the same And now O Israel saith hee what doth the LORD require of thee but to feare the LORD thy GOD to walke in all his waies and to love him and to serve the LORD thy GOD with all thy heart and with all thy soule As if he should say since GOD hath made thee so large promises there is somewhat required at thy hands to do So Rom. 12.1 I beseech you Brethren by the mercies of GOD since GOD hath beene so mercifull towards you both in promises and performances for so fâ—rre that may be extended that therefore you giâ—e up your bodies a living sacrifice holy acceptable unto GOD. But because the right use of the Promise is a meanes to sweeten all our afflictions confirme our faith excite us to well-doing and to breede contentation of minde in all estates and conditions whatsoever something shall be premised generally concerning the use of them and then speciall rules laid downe to direct us how to use them For the generall three things are to be observed 1. We must labour to be acquainted with them 2. Faithfully to remember them 3. Wisely and fitly to apply them 1. We are to acquaint our selves familiarly with those Promises which are most Generall Precious and Fundamentall wherein GODS power and goodnesse is principally seene Such a speech there is in Iob Acquaint thy selfe with him and be at peace thereby good shall come unto thee Receive the law from his mouth and lay up his words in thine heart If we have an herbe in our garden that would ease our griefe and we know it not what are we the nearer So if we know not the Promises though they be in the booke what are we the better 2. We should strive to remember the Promises for that which is not remembred is not knowne David hid GODS promises in his heart Psal. 119.111 and those upheld him in his trouble and he received admirable comfort by them verse 50. The Promises of GOD are the Magna Charta of a Christian his chiefe evidence for Heaven Now if men do so highly prize their Charters and Priviledges and carefully keepe the conveyances and assurances of their Lands how should we then treasure up these promises which unto the Faithfull are in stead of all assurances for his maintenance protection assistance deliverance comfort and everlasting happinesse The Apostle sheweth that the cause of the Hebrewes fainting in their troubles was this they had forgotten the consolation that is the comfortable promises of GOD made unto them for the strengthening of their faith in the fiery triall As a Lamp saith Chrysostome will soone be out if oyle be not continually supplied so faith if it be not nourished with continuall meditation of GODS promises will soone faile 3. We should beleeve the promises and apply them particularly to our selves Faith apprehends the promises not onely as true and so assents but as good and sweet and so adheres and cleaves unto them Thy loving kindnesse apprehended by faith is better then life Psal. 63.3 The apprehension of Faith is with feeling sweetnesse in CHRIST and in the Promises and therefore called The receiving of CHRIST Iohn 1.12 The eating and drinking of his flesh Iohn 6. Psal. 34.8 Taste and see that the LORD is good that is Beleeve in him as appeares by the reason added Blessed is the man that trusteth in him When the understanding hath judged aright of the promises and adjudged them to our selves that they belong to us then the will welcomes them claspes about them hugges them and as it is Heb. 11.13 kisses and embraces them and when the heart thus kindly entertaines the promises then with old Simeon we hold CHRIST in our armes GOD himselfe applieth the promises outwardly in the Word and inwardly by the testimony of his Spirit and is wont to make good his promises unto his children proportionably to their trust in them and dependance upon his truth and goodnesse for a seasonable performance of them Be it unto thee according to thy saith Matth. 9.29 All things are possible to him that beleeveth Mark 9.23 That we may apply GODS Promises we are to use two meanes 1. Fixed Meditation we should ponder well and muse upon the promise Pondering is when a man lifts any thing to see what weight it beares so ought faith to doe with the promise sound the sweetnesse of it to the bottome and that 1. By marking it wee should set a starre upon the Margin of a speciall promise and by the book that culs out promises of note in this kinde 2. Musing of it we should dwell upon it Mary pondered the Angels words in her heart 3. Making the word of promise familiar by frequency we should get it by heart till it be easie so did David make the promise his Counsellor and Companion Psal. 119.24 When we go to prayer we should chew of those promises Rom. 8.26 Iam. 1.5 When we go about our callings we should thinke seriously of that promise Psal 121.8 When any crosse befalleth us we should remember
our distresses whatsoever throughout the whole course of our life Iacob confesseth himselfe unworthy of the least of all GODS mercies Gen. 32.10 yet in the 9. verse he entitleth himselfe unto the promises He that commeth to mee I cast not away Ioh. 6.37 As if the LORD should say feare not though base sinfull poore and of no account in the eye either of thy selfe or others For if thou commest to me thou art welcome notwithstanding these and I never cast him away that commeth The wicked abuse the promises of GOD to loosenesse they say GOD is gracious and mercifull CHRIST dyed for us the LORD will forgive us and so stuffe themselves with promises till they have made them a pillow for sinne It is true there is mercy with GOD Psal. 130.4 not to make us bold to sinne but to feare him The Apostle urgeth the promise to spurre us to obedience and as a motive to the feare of GOD we should take heed of sinning because GOD is gracious Rom. 6.1 14. Heb. 10.29 Ioel 2.13 who would spend to try a liberall friend GODS mercy is regulated by his truth and justice He hath promised no mercy to such Deut. 29.20 they have neither part nor portion in this matter Acts 8.21 2. GODS Promises are full and of large extent in respect of 1. Persons 2. Things In respect of persons They are propounded generally with such termes as these every one or whosoever Ioh. 3.15 16. Matth. 11.28 Revel 22.17 Esay 55.1 2. Acts 10.43 Ioh. 7.37 Iohn 6.37 40. 5.24 11.26 Ezek. 33.11 1 Iohn 2.1 They are offered to all none excepted the Angell brought glad tidings for all people Luke 2.10 no sort of men are excluded but in CHRIST they may have their part in these promises as the Apostle sheweth Gal. 3.27 28 29. Hee will blesse them that feare the LORD both small and great Psal. 115.13 The LORD is rich unto all that call upon him Rom. 10.12 In every nation hee that feareth him and worketh righteousnesse is accepted with him Acts 10.35 The Promises are propounded promiscuously to all together with the commandement of beleeving but they are not performed to all because they faile in performing the condition but power is given to the Elect to performe the condition Ephes. 2.8 Act. 5.31 11.18 There is therefore a twofold offering of CHRIST 1. Externall in the preaching and publishing of the Gospell or the promises of CHRIST Act. 9.15 2. Internall a certaine spirituall Illumination whereby those promises are proâ—ounded to the hearts of men as it were by an inward word The promises are indefinite in regard of all and every man and to beleevers onely they are univeâ—sall Iohn 3.16 Mark 16.16 Râ—m 1.16 10.4 GOD undertakes with them not for themselves onely but for their seed aftâ—r them I am thy GOD and the GOD of thy seed hee sheweth mercy to a thousand generatâ—â—ns of them that feare him and keepe his Commandements He maintaines not onely such is serve him but all their houâ—hould yea and all thâ—â—r posterity too for the promises are made to you and to your seede and to as many as GOD shall call 2. In respect of things His Promises are likewise large for things No good thing will he withhold all that is in heaven in eaâ—th will GOD bestow on his In Deut. 28. Psal. 37. 128. whatsoever is good for the soule the body the estate the name the posterity of mâ—n is promised to them that feare GOD and obey his Commandements The Promises in the Word extend themselves to all estates to all conditions and to all kind of distresses whatsoever they are a Christians Catholicâ—n being a helpe to all duties a quickner of all graces and a Comfort in all Troubles The people of GOD streiten promises and enlarge precepts but the generality of the promises may comfort any gracious person Whosoever beleeveth shall bee saved none is excluded but such as exclude themselves This is singular comfort in temptation no matter for thy sinnes whosoever beleeveth in CHRIST shall be saved though his sinnes be never so great This may comfort the godly also in their meane estate in the world whosoever beleeves the hainous sinner as well as the lesser the poore begger as well as the mightiest Monarch shall not perish but have life eternall The indefinite promises are to be appropriated by particular application Gal. 2.20 1 Tim. 1.15 The Articles of the Creed concerning remission of sinnes and life everlasting doe include and we in them acknowledge our speciall faith concerning our owne salvation Hee that hath not this particularity of applying hath nothing of faith more then a Divell as two of our worthy Divines have well observed The Divels hold generalls of CHRISTS death remission of sinnes thereby purchased unto the Church herein only they faile that they apply not these to themselves nor can beleeve that they are sharers in these benefits and let it be thought no presumption for GODS child to out-strip the Divell one step at least in beliefe of the Articles of his Creed The Apostles applied the promises to them whom either they did instruct or confirme in the faith 1 Cor. 1.4 9 30. Chap. 12.27 Ephes. 1.13 Chap. 2.5 Acts 2.39 13.38 Col. 2.10 1 Pet. 1.18 19. 1 Iohn 2.12 The faithfull also apply them to themselves 2 Cor. 3.18 5.1 Ephes. 1.4 2.5 Col. 1.12 1 Pet. 1.3 1 Iohn 3.1 2. 3.24 The Papists scoffe at this particular assurance and say there must be a particular word for a particular faith Where is it said by name say they to any man Thou Peter or Iohn shalt be saved Wee may retort this argument upon themselves for where is it said to any by name Sanctifie the Sabbath sweare not and yet the commandements belong to us why not then the Promises though not spoken to us by name The word of promise is as particular as the word of threatning command or prohibition The Generals include their particulars When a Prince gives a pardon to all theeves every one can apply the same unto himselfe though his name be not set downe in the pardon To mee saith D. Sâ—latâ—r it sounds as particular in case of my faith and repentance as if our Saviour himselfe should say unto mee as to him in the Gospell Sonne thy sinnes be forgiven thee The wicked enlarge the promises and streighten the precepts they take liberty to sinne presuming on pardon from those two generall maine promises Hee that beleeveth shall be saved Mark 16.16 At what time soever a sinner repents him of his sinnes I will have mercy on him saith the LORD Ezek. 18.21 22. Here are two sweet promises the one annexed to Faith the other to Repentance but out of these fragrant flowers the wicked sucke poyson It is an easie matter to beleeve saith the worldling though indeed it be as hard as to
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
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.
give us all things Rom. 8.32 See Matth. 6.25 to the end Phil. 4.6 1 Tim. 4.8 1 Pet. 5.7 4. Promises against Scandales GOD will secure his people and save them from being ensnared by scandals Psal. 119.165 and nothing shall offend them or they shall have no stumbling block Ier. 31.9 CHAP. IIII. Infirmities are 1. Generall as sinfullnesse of nature that remaines though it raigne not 2. Speciall 1. IGnorance 2. Spirituall deafenesse 3. Slips and frailties Here Promises 1. To keepe them from falling 2. To comfort them being fallen and restore them againe 4. Spirituall lamenesse 5. Doubts and feares of losing the love of GOD. 6. Forgetfullnesse 7. Dullnesse and uncheerefullnesse 8. Indisposition to good 9. Distractions in good 10. Evils of good done 11. Feares of falling away from GOD. Comforts to the godly who likewise want the meanes of grace either altogether or in the power of them or having them doe not profit by them 1. Generall or daily Infirmities Comforts to those that do fall though Infirmity The LORD The LORD GOD mercifull and gracious long suffering and abundant in goodnesse and truth keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity transgression and sinne Exod. 34.6 7. Hee is JEHOVAH Alwaies the same unchangeable hee will not alter his love to thee and for the more assurance he repeateth that title twice then followeth his power GOD Though thou be weake he is strong Mercifull or compassionate towards repâ—ntant and beleeving sinners and though they be unworthy yet he is Gracious The Hebrew word signifieth to powre out abundance of extraordinary bounty upon a most undeserving and ill deserving partie He will shew mercy not because thou art good but because he is Good not because thou canst please him but because mercy pleaseth him Micah 7.18 though thou offerdest daily yet he is Long-suffering and Abundant in goodnesse and truth 1. In Goodnesse ready to bestow all benefits 2. In Truth ready to fulfill all promises keeping kindnesse for thousands a certaine number for an uncertaine forgiving iniquity transgression and sinne that is sinnes of all sorts kinds and degrees whatsoever It is neither the foulenesse of sinne nor the multitude of sinnes nor the long continuance in sinne that can prejudice his goodnesse GOD upon our prayer will cure our infirmities Esay 40.29 Psal. 103.3 hee pittieth his in their infirmities as an Indulgent â—ather his little ones Mal. 3.17 CHRIST himselfe is affected with the sence of our infirmities Heb. 4.15 16. Matth. 11.28 and Esay 42.3 he was a Proâ—itiation for such sinnes and comforts us concerning them before they be committed 1 Iohn 2.12 Rom. 6.14 The Spirit helpes our â—nfirmities Rom. 8.26 helpes â—ogether the Greeke word is decompound and there is a great force in it as two that carry a burden one will carry over â—gainst another and put to his â—and and helpe him so when we begin to sinke GODS Spirit puts under his hand to support â—s which is said in so many words Psal. 37.24 O but I offend daily I sinne againe and againe may some weake Christian say GOD promiseth likewise that he will multiply his pardons so the word signifieth in the Originall as thou hast multiplied thy sinnes for saith he there My thoughts are not as your thoughts nor my waies as your waies but my thoughts goe beyond your thoughts as much as the distance is betweene Heaven and earth He is mercifull and and gracious slow to anger and plenteous in mercy hee will not reward us after our iniquities for as the Heaven is high above the Earth so great is his mercy toward them that feare him Psal. 103.8 10 11. As there is a continuall spring of wickednesse in you so there is a continuall spring of mercy flowing from him both to pardon and wash away this iniquity Speciall Infirmities 1. Ignorance or blindnesse Comforts against ignorance It is a speciall promise of GOD in the new Covenant that Hee will write his lawes in thy heart and hee will make thee to know the LORD He hath promised to leade thee by a way that thou hast not knowne Esay 42.16 wee have such an High Priest as knowes how to have compassion on the ignorant Heb. 5.2 3. The eyes of the blinde shall be opened Esay 35.2 Hee shall open the eyes of the blind Esay 42.2 Luke 4.18 The annointing thou hast received shall teach thee all needfull things and leade thee into all truth 1 Ioh. 2.27 GOD hath made many promises to teach them his way that see their ignorance and mourne for it Hee will guide the meeke in iudgement and will teach the humble his way Psal. 25.9 See 12. 14. verses GOD will fill the hungry with good things Luke 1.53 To him that disposeth his way aright will I shew the salvation of the LORD Psal. 50.23 He that followeth mee shall not walke in darkenesse but shall have the light of life Joh. 8.12 I will manifest my selfe to him John 14.21 The Spirit of truth will guide them into all truth John 16.13 A high way shall be there and fooles shall not erre therein Esay 35.8 2. Spirituall deafenesse Comforts against spirituall deafenesse The cares of the deafe shall be unstopped Esay 35.5 Other sheepe I have which are not of this fold them also I must bring and they shall heare my voice Ioh. 10.16 that is the Gentiles not yet called shall understand the voice of GOD. 3. Particular falls through frailty Comforts in regard of slips and frailties 1. GOD will uphold his and keepe them from falling I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world but that thou shouldst keepe them from the evill Joh. 17.20 The LORD is faithfull who shall stablish you and keepe you from evill 2 Thess. 3.3 That your whole soule and body may be preserved blamelesse unto the comming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST Faithfull is hee that calleth you who â—lso will doe it 1 Thess. 5.23 24. GOD watcheth over his people to defend them from sinne 2 Tim. 4 17 18. Rom. 7.24 25. Psa. 73.23 24. Ier. 32.39 40. His mercy holdeth up the godly when they say their foot slippeth Psal. 94.18 He will be their confidence and shall keepe their foot from being taken Pro. 3.26 He will keepe the feete of his Saints 1 Sam. 2.9 And guide their feete into the way of peace Luke 1.79 And thine eare shall heare a word behind thee saying This is the way walke yee in it when yee turne to the right hand and when yee turne to the left Esay 30.21 The childe of GOD hath a promise of preservation from the sinne unpardonable 1 Iohn 5.18 2. Comforts to those that doe fall through infirmity But of this I have spoken already when I treated of the daily and generall Infirmities of Christians therefore I will tanquam canâ—s ad Nilum runne over it hastily GODS people after relapse into some old or fall into some new sinne when their heart is smitten
them in that 26. Ezek. that he would wash them from all their filthinesse without exception 1 Joh. 1.9 therefore let us not put in conditions where GOD doth not and as it were interline his Covenant 2. That their sinnes have beene hainous and extraordinary Zach. 13.1 Hee promiseth to open a fountaine of grace to wash them from all sinnes CHRIST hath discharged our pounds as well as our pence He came to take away the sinnes of the world this is spoken indefinitely 2. Comforts to such who are troubled for want of the meanes of grace either Altogether After GOD hath given you the bread of affliction and the water of adversity hee will restore teachers and no more restraine instruction Esay 30.20 Though thou see no way of helpe yet thou knowest not how GOD can provide Hee can open rivers on the tops of mountaines and he maketh the wildernesse a standing poole when his people thirst and cry unto him Esay 41.17 18. If ordinary meanes faile GOD will then â—â—pply of his Spirit I will be unto them as a little Sanctuary in the countries where they shaâ—l come Ezâ—k 11.16 I will take you one of a cittie and two of a family and I will â—râ—ng you in Sion Jer. 3.14 The LORD giveth the Word great is the company of preachers Psal. 68.11 The ransâ—med of the LORD shall returne and come to Sion with songs and everlasting ioy upon their heads they shall obtaine ioy and gladnesse and sorrow and sighing shall flie away Eâ—ay 35.10 Or in the power of them I will give you Pastors according to mine heart which shall feede you with knowledge and understanding Ier. 3.15 Or having them so and not profiting by them I am the LORD thy GOD which teacheth thee to profit which leadeth thee by the way which thou shouldst goe Esay 48.17 For thy Maker is thine husband c. Esay 54.5 6. Hosea 2.19 In the wildernesse shall waters breake out and streames in the desert and the parched ground shall become a poole and the thirsty land-springs of water Esay 35.6 7. that is the most barren heart shall abound with grace according to that promise Out of their bellies shall flow rivers of living water Iohn 7.38 streaming out for the good of others The Kingdome of GOD shall be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof Matth. 21.43 This is a promise that the Gentiles shall bring forth the fruites of the Gospell therefore every beleeving Gentile may apply it The use of Faith here is to uphold us against our manifold deâ—ects infirmities and imperfectiâ—ns For first it giveth evidence to our soules that the graces wee have are the gifts of GOD because GOD promiseth them Secondly it maketh us rest on GOD for perfecting of that good worke which hee hath so graciously begun The Godly that know they feare GOD unfainedly and yet are often perplexed because all sensible tokens of GODS favour are taken from them should 1. Acquaint themselves with the promises and comfort themselves with these words they will be as flagons of wine to all distressed spirits 2. Let them not consider too much of nor reason too much with their temptations Rom. 4.19 3. Though they feele nothing yet let them say with David Psâ—l 56.10 In GOD will I praise his Word in the LORD will I praise his Word CHAP. V. 5. In regard of GOD Desertions Comforts to GODS people in spirituall desertions 1. LEt them Consider that this hath befallen the best of GODS servants Job 6.4 13.16.9 David Psal. 6. 77. and CHRIST himselfe Mat. 27.46 CHRIST saith Greenham was forsaken for a few houres David for a few moneths and Iob for a few yeares 2. GOD doth not forsake them Heb. 13.5 Esay 49.15 16. but seemes to forsake them 3. Desertion is but short compared with the time of mercy For a small moment have I forsaken thee but with great mercies will I gather thee In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindnesse will I have mercy on thee saith the LORD thy Redeemer Esay 54.7 8. He will not alwaies chide neither will hee keepe his anger forever Psal. 103.9 The LORD will not cast off for ever but though he cause griefe yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies Lam. 3.31 32. 4. GOD waites for a fit season of shewing his favour toward them Esay 30.18 We ought to live by faith Hab. 2.4 waiting for GOD who hides his face Esay 8.17 and to stirre up our selves to lay hold on our GOD Esay 64.7 that is an excellent place Esay 50.10 CHAP. VI. SPIRITVALL PROMISES 1. In regard of Good 1. GODS 1. Love of them which hath three properties it is 1. Free 2. Infinite 3. Eternall 2. Presence with them 1. Each of the godly in particular 2. The whole Church in generall 3. Providence over them keeping them 1. Immediatly by himselfe 2. Mediatly by his Angels 1. Promises of GODS Love ANd he will love thee and blesse thee c. Deut. 7.13 Hee crowneth his people with loving kindnesse and tender mercies Psal. 103.4 There are three properties of GODS Love 1. It is a free Love he stands not upon desert Hosea 14.4 Exod 33.19 1 Ioh. 4.10 19. The LORD did not set his Love upon you nor choose you because yee wore more in number then any other people but because the LORD loved you Lo he loved you because he loved you to shew the freedome and independancy of his love unto them 2. It is an infinite transcendent Love Eph. 2.4.7 18 19. GOD so loved the world c. Iohn 3.16 that is so infinitely so transcendently so incomprehensibly 1 Ioh. 3.1 3. It is an eternall and unchangeable Love I have loved thee with an everlasting love Jer. 31.3 Behold I will betroth thee unto mee for ever Hosea 2.19 With everlasting kindnesse will I have mercy on thee Esay 54.8 2. Promises of GODS speciall and gracious presence This is the most sweete comfort wherewith GOD anciently used to sustaine his children Each in particular Isaac Gen. 26.3 24. Moses Exod. 3.12 4.12 Josh. 1.5 9. 3.7 Ezek. 3. Jer. 1.8 19. David incouraged his sonne Salomon with this 1 Chron. 28.20 And the whole Church in generall Esay 41.10 43.2 Rev. 1.13 2.1 CHRIST left this comfort for his farewell to his Disciples and their Successors Lo I am with you to the end of the world Matth. 28.20 And With you Comprehends under it not onely Pastors but people also For where two or three are gathered together in my name saith CHRIST there am I in the midst of them Mat. 18.20 3. Promises of GODS providence over his children They have an honourable guard 1. GOD himselfe keepeth his Israel who neither slumbreth nor sleepeth Psal. 121.4 5. He keepeth his under the shadow of his wings
life from the stock so we have all our life from him 3. GOD is well pleased in CHRIST Mat. 3.17 In whom not with by or through whom but a larger preposition then them all which signifieth two things 1. That GOD is well pleased with CHRIST 2. In and through him with others therefore it is said Ephes. 1.3 GOD hath blessed us with all spirituall blessings in CHRIST verse 4. GOD hath chosen us in him ver 6. accepted us in the beloved ver 7. In him wee have redemption through his blood the forgivenesse of sinnes according to the riches of his grace It is said Acts 13.34 I will give you the sure mercies of David that is all those good things which were promised in CHRIST who was of the seed of David 2. Blessings by CHRIST to the Godly 1. Redemption Who gave himselfe for us that hee might redeeme us from all iniquity Tit. 2.14 We have redemption through his blood Ephes. 1.7 And he shall redeeme Israel from all his iniquitie Psal. 130.8 He hath redeemed them from the curse of the law by being made a curse for them Gal. 3.13 CHRIST JESUS by his owne bloud entred into the holy place having obtained eternall redemption for us Heb. 9.12 CHRIST is made unto us Redemption 1 Cor. 1.30 2. Effectuall Calling our particular calling doth interest us in the promises of GOD Acts 2.39 For the promise is unto you and to your children and to all that are a farre of even to as many as the LORD our GOD shall call there is the condition 3. Justification By his knowledge shall my righteous servant iustifie many Esay 53.11 By him all that beleeve are iustified Acts 13.39 In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be iustified Esay 45.25 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of GODS Elect it is GOD that iustifieth Rom. 8.33 He iustifieth the ungodly Rom. 4.5 that is saith Beza he makes him righteous in CHRIST who is unrighteous in himselfe 1. Justification consists of two parts 1. Not imputing sinne 2 Cor. 5.19 2. Imputing righteousnes Gal. 3.6 Promises of forgivenesse of sinnes This great benefit of forgivenesse of sinne by CHRIST is plentifully proclaimed unto us miserable sinners Behold the Lambe of GOD which taketh away the sinnes of the world John 1.29 Hee shall beare their iniquities Esay 53.11 Once in the end of the world hath hee appeared to put away sinne by the sacrifice of himselfe Heb. 9.26 He was manifested to take away our sinnes 1 Joh. 3.5 The blood of JESUS CHRIST cleanseth us from all sinne 1 Joh. 1.7 He hath by himselfe purged our sins Heb. 1.3 He bare our sinnes on the tree 1 Pet. 2.24 He loved us and washed us from our sinnes in his owne blood Rev. 1.5 He is the propitiation for our sinnes 1 John 2.2 Hereunto agreeth that invitation of our Saviour Come unto mee all yee that are weary and heavie laden and I will ease you Mat. 11.28 GOD of his rich grace and mercy in JESUS CHRIST doth make offer of free and full forgivenesse of sinnes to every burdened thirstie and penitent soule Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him returne unto the LORD and hee will have mercy upon him and to our GOD for hee will abundantly pardon Esay 55.7 Returne thou backesliding Israel saith the LORD and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you for I am mercifull saith the LORD and I will not keepe mine anger for ever Jer. 3.22 I will cleanse them from all their iniquity whereby they have sinned against me and I will pardon all their iniquities whereby they have sinned and whereby they have transgressed against mee Jer. 33.8 GOD when he forgiveth us so fully acquitteth us of our sins as if we had committed no sinne at all This appeareth by many Metaphors used in the Scripture I am hee that blotteth out thy transgressions saith the LORD Esay 43.25 It is a Metaphore taken from Creditors who when they purpose never to exact a debt will blot it out of their bookes I have put away thy transgressions as a cloud and thy sinnes as a mist saith the same LORD Esay 44.22 The clouds which are driven away by the windes appeare no more nor the mist which is dried up by the Sunne so the sinnes which GOD forgiveth returne not againe thou hast cast all my sins behind thy backe saith Hezekiah to GOD Esay 38.17 that which a man would not look on or regard that he casteth behind his backe Thou wilt cast all their sinnes into the depths of the Sea saith Micah to the LORD When a man would have a thing utterly forgotten hee will cast it into the bottome of the Sea from whence there is no fetching it againe The Psalmist pronounceth him blessed whose sinne is covered Psal. 32.1 A thing covered is not seene hee hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob nor seene perversenesse in Israel Numb 23.21 The same Psalmist pronounceth him blessed to whom the LORD imputeth not sinne Psal. 32.2 a sinne not imputed is as not committed as Merchants when they will forgive a debt put it not into the reckoning and so do not impute it GOD himselfe saith I will forgive their iniquities and I will remember their sinne no more Ier. 31.34 the latter clause expounds the former to forgive is to remember no more that is never to call that to account which was once remitted Thus GOD blotteth out our sinnes that they condemne us not Putteth them away that they hurt us not Casteth them behind his backe as though he regarded them not And into the Sea that they drowne us not Covers them that they appeare not Doth not impute them as though they were not Forgetteth them so that he punisheth them not All the blessings in the new Covenant are given with remission of sinnes When GOD forgives a mans sinnes then hee gives him all other things Sanctification and whatsoever else as we see at large Ezek. 36.26 The LORD there after he had promised to forgive all their sins hee saith hee will give them a new heart hee will cause them to walke in his waies and then hee comes with outward mercies too hee promiseth them deliverance from their enemies and other good things in the rest of the Chapter but all other things come in with remission of sinnes Acts 10.43 To him give all the Prophets witnesse that through his name we have remission of sinnes The Prophets gave witnesse concerning CHRIST of many other things besides remissâ—on of sins that we have in his name which wee have by him but all other things come with this GOD was in CHRIST reconciling the world to himselfe 2 Cor. 5.19 a marvellous great mercy it consists in this that their sinnes were not imputed The priviledges of the new Covenant are chained together Whom hee hath predestinated them also hee called and whom he called them
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
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
to be conveyed wheresoever they are Prayer is profitable to obtaine every thing as is evident by the promise of CHRIST Iohn 16.23 Verily verily I say unto you whatsoever yee shall aske the Father iâ— my name hee will give it you Note the certainty of the promise in CHRISTS vehement asseveration note the generality of it whatsoever Our Saviour oft repeated such promises in those heavenly and last speeches which he uttered to his Disciples Iohn 14.13 Ioh. 15.7 16 See Mar. 11.24 Iohn 9.31 1 Iohn 3.22 5.14 15. I may say of prayer as the Apostle saith of Godlinesse it hath the promises of this life and that which is to come 1. For this life Temporall and Spirituall things are promised to prayer 1. Temporall 1. The prayer of faith shall save the sicke and the LORD shall raise him up Iam. 5.15 2. Spirituall 1. It obtaineth remission of sins and if hee have committed sinnes they shall be forgiven him the same verse of 5. of Iâ—mes 2. The Spirit How much more shall your heavenly Father give good things to them that aske him Matth. 7.11 Give the holy Spirit to them that aske him So it is Luke 11 13. 2. For the life to come Prayer obtaineth eternall life and salvation For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved Rom. 10.13 That Promise that is made to our prayers runs thus If thou prepare thine heart and stretch out thine hands towards him c. Iob 11.13 The stretching out of our hands or of our voice either is to little purpose if our heart be not prepared first Promises To fervent prayer Then yee shall call upon me and ye shall goe and pray unto me and I will hearken unto you And ye shall seeke me and find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart that is truly and fervently saith Greenham The effectuall prayer of a righteous man availeth much both for the helping of the body and healing of the soule but with this proviso if it be fervent open thy mouth wide that is earnestly confidently call upon me and I will fill it that is I will satisfie thy desire to the full Aske and it shall be given you seeke and yee shall find knocke and it shall be opened unto you Matth. 7.7 Aske seeke knocke It is not a simple repetition of the same thing but a gradation It shews instantissimam neâ—essitatem saith Austen Aske â—s a begger seeke as with a candle knocke as one that hath powâ—r with importunity One thus descants upon the place Aske with the mouth seek with the heart knock with the hand and it shall be given you that is for Temporall things and yee shall find that is for Spirituall things and it shall be opened unto you that is for Eternall things Promises 1. To Secret Prayer When thou prayest enter into thy closet and when thou hast shut thy dore pray to thy Father which is in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly 2. To Private or Family prayer Where two or three are gathered together in my name there aâ— I in the midst of them Matth 18.20 3. To publike prayer Publike for 1. Matter 2. Place 1. A promise to those that pray for the Church Remember Sion they shall prosper that love thee Psalme 122.6 7. 2. Promises to the prayers of the Congregation made in the Church Hierusalem had singular promises made unto it such as had no particular Church in the world besides Psalm 132.14 There is a speciall promise made to the prayers made in the Temple 2 Chron. 7.15 Mine eyes shall be open and mine eares attent unto the prayer tâ—at is made in this place 1 Kings 9.3 The LORD hath promised that he will cause his servants to rejoyce in the granting of their suites which they shall make unto him in his owne house Esay 56.7 upon the like promise made by GOD Salomon at the consecration of the Temple 1 King 8.30 33. groundeth his Prayer that the LORD would in speciall manner heare the suites and supplications of his servants publikely assembled in his Temple to call upon him See the 5. Book cap 1. A promise To Preaching GOD hath made a speciall promise to this that he will be with it to assist and blesse it Matth. 28.20 I am with you alwaies even unto the end of the world Promises To Reading In Reading of the Word if we understand not we should apply these Promises Prov. 1.23 I will powre out my Spirit unto you I will make knowne my Words unto you Prov. 1.4 It gives subtilty to thâ— simple to the young men knowledge and discretion The Commandement of the LORD is pure inlightningâ— the eyes Ps. 19.8 GOD hath promised to teach and instruct such by his Spirit that bring good and honest hearts to the reading and hearing of the Word Psal. 25.12 What man is he that fearth the LORD him will he teach in the way that he shall choose The promise of finding is made to those who seeke as for gold and search as for treasure Pro. 2.3 4 5. Promises to sâ—ch as love the Word of GOD. Great peace have they which love thy Law and nothing shall offend them Ps. 119.165 Blessed is the man that delighteth greatly in his commandements Ps. 112.1 A promise to those that waite for the Word There is a blessing promised to such hearers as wait for the Word Blessed is the man that heareth me watching daily at my gates waiting at the posts of my doores For who so findeth me findeth life and obtaineth favour of the LORD Promises that GODS children shall hearken to the Word The eares of them that heare shall hearken Psa. 32 3. See Esaias 50.4 Acts 16.14 Promises to such as conscionably hearken to the Word Hoe every one that thirsteth come yee to the water and he that hath no mony come yee buy and eat yea come buy wine and milke without mony and without price Hearken diligently unto me and eat ye that which is good and let your soule delight it selfe in fatnesse Encline your eare and come unto me heare and your soule shall live c. There the LORD freely offereth saving grace to such as have none and nothing whereby they might purchase it 2. He setteth out a way wherby they might injoy it viz. a diligent hearing and beleiving GODS Word 3. He makes most sweet promises that their soule shall live that is they shall be quickned in CHRIST and in him the seed of David be made partakers of those mercies which shall never decay If thou warne the righteous man that the righteous sinne not and he doth not sin he shall surely live because he is warned Ezek. 3.21 The conscionable hearing of GODS Word quickens the soule and makes it to live both the life of grace and of glory He that heareth my word and beleeveth on him that sent
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