euery man out of himselfe for happinesse seeing God iustifieth the vngodly verse 5 and to draw all that shall bee saued to looke for saluation onely in Gods free mercy forgiueing their iniquitie and couering their sinne and not imputing to them their sinne Vnder which speeches is contained the way and meanes how the righteous God who will not let one sinne and breach of his Law to escape vnpunished without deserued condemnation doth yet set free poore sinners from their sinne and punishment which is onely by the satisfaction which Christ hath made for them in bearing their punishment wherwith God being satisfied doth fully and freely forgiue all those who by Faith accept this mercie offered vnto them To this end throughout the Scripture is this great benefite of forgiuenes of sinne by Christ so plentifully proclamed vnto vs miserable sinners I wil cite a few for many When Iohn the Baptist was sent to prepare way for Christ first seeing Christ coÌ„ming vnto him Ioh. 1. 29. hee cried out Behold the Lambe of God which taketh away the sinnes of the world Our Sauiour himselfe after his resurrection appearing to two of his Disciples going to Emaus Luk 24. 45. hauing opened their vnderstanding that they might vnderstand the Scriptures 46. said vnto them Thus it is written 47. and thus it behoued Christ to suffer and to rise againe from the dead the third day and that Repentance and Remission of sinnes should bee preached in his name among all nations beginning at Ierusalem Likewise the Apostle Paul preaching at Antioch to the Iewes in their Synagogues said vnto them Be it knowne vnto you therefore men and brethren that through this man meaning Christ is preached vuto you forgiuenesse of sinnes Act. 3. 38 39. And from all things from which yee could not be iustified by the Law of Moses Rom. 4. 25. by him euery one that beleeues is Iustified Gal. 1. 4. And so all the rest of the Scriptures Tit. 2. 14. in which it is said Heb. 1. 3. that Christ was Deliuered to death for our sinnes 1. Pet. 2. 24. And gaue himselfe to redeeme vs from all iniquitie And hath by himselfe purged our sinne Reu. 1. 5. That he bare our sinnes on the tree That hee loued vs and washed vs from our sinnes And to shut vp all with that worthie saying of Saint John If any man sinne 1 Ioh. 2. 1 2. wee haue an Aduocate with the Father Christ the righteous And he is the propitiation for our sinnes and not for ours onely but for the sinnes of the whole world In all of which what can any man thinke to be Gods meaning Vse but to prouide a meanes to saue vs sinners And therefore whosoeuer feeles his sinne and feares Gods wrath may boldly come to Christ and stedfastly beleeue that God for Christs sake will forgiue him and remember his sinnes no more And so much the more may and ought euery one to whom this good newes of pardon is brought by the preaching of the Gospell lay claime to this pardon and so shall hee please God and saue his owne soule otherwise as his sin shall bee exceeding great so shall his damnation bee more grieuous I doe therefore againe exhort euery poore soule who faine would beleeue not to make his sinne greater then Gods mercy but seeing Christ hath borne the punishment of his sinne and fully appeased Gods wrath for him and doth expresly call him and proclaime this pardon vnto him therefore that hee commit himselfe to Christ and so giue glorie to God in beleeuing that through Christ his debt is discharged and he freed from condemnation so that neither God will nor the deuill nor his owne conscience shall be able to lay any thing to his charge then which what can bee more comfortable to a distressed sinner I know not This might content vs if wee were not so full of vnbeleefe but the Lord both knowing and pittying our distrustfull hearts hath said much more to perswade vs of our saluation in and by our Lord Christ Iesus And whereas wee haue learned that to the iustifying of a sinner there is required not onely that his sinne and punishment bee quite taken away but that hee haue perfect righteousnesse 2. part of Iustification without which there can be no life for although these two bee neuer parted no more then soule and body in a liuing man yet they be not both one Imputation of righteousnesse but necessarily distinguished and both required in him that is iustified in Gods sight The Lord therefore hath graciously prouided a meanes whereby we who since the fall of our first parents haue vtterly lost our originall righteousnesse and bee no way able to attaine such righteousnesse as God in iustice requires at our hands may recouer our losse be made perfectly righteous such as God will allow and for which hee will in his iustice grant eternall life As Paul in his glorious triumph before his departure did boldly professe 2 Tim. 4. 6. For I am now readie to be offered 7. and the time of my departure is at hand 8. I haue fought a good fight I haue finished my course I haue kept the Faith Henceforth is laid vp for mee the crowne of righteousnâ—sse which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall giue me at that day and not to me onely but to all that loue his appearing Which one Scripture might suffise to perswade vs to looke for this righteousnesse and eternall life which by due debt through Gods mercie and the merit of Christ is made ours But because this is not so easily seene much lesse beleeued that such as we shall euer attaine to this high dignitie the Lord hath reuealed his good will towards vs sinners in this behalfe that he hath prepared such a perfect righteousnesse for vs and made a faithfull free grant therof vnto vs that so wee may make it our owne by Faith This is most manifest in that heauenly comparison betweene the first Adam and the second Adam Christ Iesus set forth at large and in many degrees Rom. 5. 12 to the end The summe of all is this that the benefite we haue in Christ doth euery way exceede all the hurt we had in Adam as the Apostle himselfe saith verse 20. Where sinne abounded grace did much more abound v. 21. That as sinne had reigned vnto death so might grace also reigne by righteousnesse vnto eternall life through Iesus Christ our Lord. Where wee see that as sinne through Gods iustice brought death so by Gods mercy the righteousnesse of Christ brought to vs eternall life As is expresly said verse 19. For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous Wherin it is cleere that as Christ by his obedience was perfectly righteous so by it many that is all that by Faith receiue Christ are made
free and vndeserued so on the other side there is no sinne which ought to hinder any one from receiuing pardon so freely offered vnto him but rather as the greatnesse of the disease should more hasten the sick to seek to such a physitioÌ„ as can cure al diseases not keep backe such as be called to bee cured 〈◊〉 so no heinousnesse of sinne should driue any from comming to Christ which is able and willing to cure all that come vnto him but rather hasten the poore sinner more speedily to come to Christ and so much the more for that Christ shall haue greater glory in pardoning great offenders and more loue from them beeing pardoned As a Physition shall haue more credit in curing great then small diseases So then the maine thing that must mooue and draw a poore sinner to come to Christ to be eased is the free mercy of God offering Christ without exception to all that beeing laden would bee eased which euery one must apply to himselfe that seeing it hath so pleased God to send these glad tydings to him to call him command and beseech him to receiue this grace offered therefore hee neede not feare but may boldly beleeue and receiue Christ offred to him as wee shall further heare by and by For our further helpe Who promiseth wherein in the third place it shall bee highly needfull well to weigh who it is that maketh this great offer vnto vs miserable sinners euen God himselfe who is both 1. able and 2. willing and 3. as faithfull to performe what hee promiseth all which are so manifest that they need no proofe for the truth of them But wee haue neede oft to set them before vs for our vse to strengthen our faith in making vs more boldly to relye on Christ To this end are specially these testimonies of Gods power mercy and truth so often repeated in 1. Gods power the scriptures that wee might haue them euer before vs to vpholde vs against our doubtings and feares whereof our nature is full for though in generall none will deny but God is Almighty yet it may appeare in al ages not onely the wicked but euen Gods children haue doubted of Gods power as though hee were not able to helpe them as it is euident in Gods people in the wildernesse in their often murmurings through their distrust of Gods power Psal 78. 19. Can God furnish a table in the wildernesse For this cause was the Lord so often constrained to oppose his Almighty power against their distrust As for Sarahs laughing thinking it impossible she should haue a child the Lord saide to Abraham Is any thing hard or impossible to God Gen. 18. 14 And againe to Moses obiecting Whether al the fish in the sea should bee gathered for foode for Israell in the wildernes Num. 11. 23 The Lord answered Is the Lords hand waxed short thou shalt see whether my words shall come to passe or not The like many whereby it appeares to be a great cause of vnbeliefe that looking too much vpon the impossibilities which are apparent to vs and not opposing to them Gods power wee so despaire of helpe as is most sensible to bee seene in poore afflicted consciences whose chiefest feare and doubts are that their sinnes are greater then can be forgiuen and they thinke it an impossibilitie for such as they are to bee saued Who now knowing by Gods owne word that saluation in Christ is freely offered and proclaimed euen to them though neuer so vilde and vnworthy and that by God himselfe Psal 115. 3. 135. 6. who is of all power in heauen and earth to do whatsoeuer he will and to whom nothing is impossible this may bring the afflicted and despairing ner at least thus farre as to say then it may be God will be mercifull vnto mee wherein I doubt not may be found some true faith in apprehending the mercy offered though so weak as caÌ„not be discerned or felt by the beleeuer himselfe and this I should take to be the lowest degree of faith For the further strengthening whereof it shall be much auaileable for all such as yet feele not not their faith Weakest faith and for euery weake beleeuer Goodnesse and mercy of God to cast their eies vpon the wonderfull mercy and goodnesse of God which alone maketh him so loath to cast away any poore sinner and so willing to saue euen his enemies and ranke traytours against his high Maiestie Here if euer is a fitte place for all such scriptures as set out Gods mercy to poore sinners the more to perswade them to beleeue as that of Ezechiel 33 11. where the Lord sweareth by himselfe saying As I liue saith the Lord I haue no pleasure in the death of the wicked but that the wicked turne from his way and liue turne yee turne yee from your euill wayes for why will yee dye oh house of Israel 2. Pet. 3. 9. And to like effect is that of Saint Peter That God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance which scriptures and many the like are not to bee vnderstood of Gods determining will and decree but of his reuealed and approouing will which hee would haue vs to know and beleeue thar thereby wee might bee drawne to rest our selues vpon him for saluation which whosoeuer though neuer so great sinner shall doe he shall not perish but haue euerlasting life This then is that sure foundation of faith whereon all that truely beleeue doe build namely the rich and free mercy of God reuealed in the Gospell whereby all that shall be saued be drawne thankfully to accept this mercy so freely offered to them beeing yet starke dead in their sinnes and voide of all sauing grace and therefore all they who looking into themselues and finding nothing to draw them but all to driue them from hope of life are often and much to set before them this vnspeakeable and vnualuable mercy of Almighty God as in preparing such a remedy for all our misery so in making so free a grant therof in the Gospell to all sinners excepting none And now more specially in â—endring it to them so that they may boldly accept this mercy in Christ offered to them and shall not sinne but please God therin that thereby they may be drawn on in a further degree to beleeue to finde mercy at Gods hands wherunto if one thing be added I see not what can be wanting to make the sinner bold to lay hold vpon Christ with all his merits so freely offred to him by God who is so able and willing to bestow Christ euen vpon his enemies This one thing I meane Gods truth is Gods truth and faithfulnesse in performing with his hand whatsoeuer commeth out of his mouth as Dauid and Solomon oft professed which howsoeuer as before I spake of Gods power it is confessed of all that God is both faithfull and iust
be acceptable to God now by this all sufficient sacrifice of Christ all that lay hold on Christ by faith and so apply his sacrifice to themselues they shall bee accepted of God and their obedience pleasing to God in his perfect obedience Which alone is a sufficient meanes by the operation of the Holy Ghost to drawe any that heare and conceiue this to cast themselues wholy vpon Christ and to seeke for Gods fauour and all the fruits thereof onely in this sacrifice of Christ Besides these there bee many other Scriptures which in generall set out Christ and his benefits to vs but if they be well marked it will appeare they be contained vnder these As for example where Christ compares himselfe to a Vine Ioh. 15. 1. to teach that as the branch hath his whole life from the stocke so wee haue all our life from him so doth hee call himselfe the bread of life and is said to bee the head of the body Ioh. 6. 35. That he is full of grace and truth Ioh. 1. 14. Againe Hee that spared not his owne Sonne Rom. 8. 32. but deliuered him vp for vs all how shall hee not with him also Esa 55. 3. freely giue vs all things Againe I will giue you the sure mercies of Dauid Act. 13. 34. that is all those good things which were promised in Christ who was the seede of Dauid In all these and many moe Vse we see the intent of the Holy Ghost was to giue vs in one view a sight of all that good which Christ hath brought vs that heereby euery one who hears hereof may both wonder at Gods vnspeakeable mercy in prouiding so many and so great blessings in Christ for vs his enemies and hereby also bee drawne to labour by all meanes to be made partakers of them And this shall suffise to haue set out some of the generall promises and the vse of them how wee are to strengthen our faith by them Onely this I will adde concerning these When speciall want make vse of generall that if at any time in our doubts and feares for any particular distresse wee cannot readily remember some particular promise whereby wee might bee comforted then wee may safely runne to one of these generall promises which doe containe all particulars and so apply it to our present neede As for example if any poore soule should fall into great doubtings of Gods fauour by reason of some great affliction that lay heauy vpon him or some corruption which he could not master and in this perplexity could not thinke of any speciall promise whereout hee might gather some comfort then may he boldly lay hold vpon any one of these generall promises and rest thereupon for comfort in this maner O Lord thou hast said in thy holy word which is the word of truth that the Sonne of man is come to saue that which is lost Luk. 19. 10. Lord I am lost and see nothing in my selfe to helpe mee therefore I do wholly rest vpon Christ and looke for helpe only by him The same may bee said of all the generall promises the least of which contain matter enough to support vs in all our feares if we could fitly apply them Wherein I doe againe forewarne euery one who desires to beleeue in God Looke for nothing in thy selfe to cause thee to beleeue and so to liue by his faith aboue all to deny himselfe and not to looke for any thing in himselfe why he should beleeue which I haue obserued to bee a maine hinderance from true beleeuing but to cast all our thoughts vpon God First how mercifull hee is to prouide such helpe for poore sinners in Christ and freely to offer it vnto them in his word and secondly how faithfull hee is to performe all that he hath said that by this meanes the poore sinner may bee mooued to beleeue in God that he will surely succour and comfort him in due season and measure Thus would I now passe from these generall promises For the persons to whom first to all and come to the speciall but that I feare I haue not sufficiently cleared one point concerning these generals namely for the persons to whom God preacheth and proclaimeth these mercies that they may beleeue I speake not here who shall enioy these who be only beleeuers and their seed but to whom these bee offered From whence be raised the greatest doubts in many for their saluation that they know not themselues to bee of that number to whom God doth truely offer these mercies and no maruell For as it is not possible for a rebell against his Soueraigne to beleeue he shall be pardoned vnlesse he be sure that hee is contained vnder the Princes pardon so no sinner can beleeue to haue pardon till he know that he is in the number of those to whom the pardon is proclaimed by God in the Gospell for the knowledge wherof either there must be some special marke of difference wherby it may be knowne to whom the pardon is proclaimed and to whom not or els it must bee generall to all But there is no such speciall certaine difference between sinners before faith wherby one may know the pardon is granted to him and such as he is and not to any other for then might some know themselues to bee vnder Gods speciall fauour that is elected before he beleeue which is impossible by any ordinary meanes therfore of necessity the onely way whereby anie may know himselfe to be contained vnder the pardon is this that he heares that God in his Gospel doth proclaime forgiuenesse of sinne in Christ without exception to all sinners that whosoeuer heareth and beleeueth shall bee saued the rest shall bee condemned for not beleeuing and not accepting this mercy offered to them Hauing in the former part of this Treatise sufficiently prooued by many Scriptures this point that Christ and all his benefites be freely offred without exception to all mankinde as that one place Mark 16. 15. expresly sheweth I only now aduise euery one who is kept from beleeuing by this that he knowes not whether he bee contained vnder the pardon or no not to looke to Gods secret will but to attend to Gods reuealed will in his word wherein it is expresly said That God would haue no man to perish 2. Pet. 3 9. but would haue all men to come to repentance Ezek. 18. 23. 32. and so oft That he desires not tht death of a sinner that hereby hee may bee mooued to seeke and hope for that mercie which God is so willing to bestow vpon vpon him if the fault be not in his owne selfe as it was in the vnbeleeulng Iewes in Ierusalem Mat. 23. 37 of whom our Sauiour complained saying How often would I haue gathered thy children as the henne gathereth her chickens vnder her wings and yee would not A further manifestation of this willingnesse in God to saue
proclaimed vnto yea bestowed vpon sinners yea great and all vnworthy as in the last point before this was shewed yet theese poore soules doe sticke so fast in the mudde of their naturall pride of Popery as to seeke for some worthinesse in themselues for which God should make them his sonnes To conclude then this point seeing God is a free giuer of this high fauour of Adoption and no seller of it and seeing he so freelie offers it to thee in Christ beware that neither by idlenesse nor proud ignorance thou depriue thy selfe of it but thankfullie accept it so shalt thou bee saued The last speciall benefit which we receiue from Christ Hope of glory as a fruit of our iustification seruing for strengthening of our faith in the assurance of our saluation is the Hope of Glory whereby I vnderstand that God hath prepared for vs sinners this singular comfort that wee may enioy in this life such a hope and expectation of euerlasting glorie as may both inwardlie cheere our hearts and cause vs outwardlie to professe the same to the glorie of God encouragement of other faithfull people of God amazing of the wicked and strengthening of our selues to hold out to the end against al discouragements whatsouer That God hath prouided such a stay to support vs in all the changes of this life may sufficiently appeare by that which we reade Hebr. 6. 17. 18 19. a Scripture containing great force for the strengthening of our faith in the certaintie of our saluation as we shall see Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew vnto the heires of promise the immutability of his couÌ„sell confirmed it by an oath That by two immutable things in which it was not possible that God should lye wee might haue a strong consolation who haue fled for refuge to lay holde vpon the hope set before vs which hope we haue as an anker of the soule both sure and stedfast and which entreth into that which is within the vaile whither the forerunner is for vs entered euen Iesus made an high Priest after the order of Melchisedech Wherein bee these heauenly matters contained which I wil only laie open so gather out that which makes most for our presentintention to make vs more sure of this grace the hope of glorie 1. Gods decree and euerlasting counsell concerning our saluation is vnchangeable 2. It was Gods good pleasure to make this exceedinglie manifest 3. The persons to whom God would thus manifest his counsell were the heires of promise 4. The meanes whereby God would thus manifest his counsell was this That what he promised he bound with an oath 5. These two euidences of Gods counsell bee sure and vnchangeable 6. It is impossible that God should lye in these 7. By these wee may haue strong consolation 8. They who shall haue strong consolation must make hope their refuge that is holde fast on ir 9. That hope is set before them to hold fast by 10. This hope is to our soules in tentations as an Anker to a ship in stormes 11. This Anker which will holde it is sure and stedfast 12. It is entred vpward into heauen as our earthlie ankâ—â—â—e cast downewards 13. Christ our forerunner is gone to heauen for vs. 14. Christ is our euerlasting high Priest Behold what store of heauenlie matters be here contained which when I did consider so closelie folded vp and so well furthering the point in hand I was drawne thus to vnfold them Among all this is speciall for our purpose that Almighty God as a louing Father hauing prouided for his children a good estate was very carefull to make it sure vnto them and therefore hath giuen two such euidences as cannot deceiue his promise and oath that wee being perswaded heereby might in all our feares for out refuge cast our hope vpon his fidelitie so shall we bee safe and haue strong consolation Wherein we see the singular vse of this hope of eternall life that it is hope which makes vs not ashamed Rom. 5. 5. as the Apostle speaketh and the Prophet Dauid exceeding oft the same Psal 25. 3. Yea that we are saued by hope that is Rom. 8. 23. we are so assured of our saluation as if wee possessed it already and therefore doe with patience waite for it There is much in this Scripture to this end that as the whole Creation as it were groaneth and trauelleth in paine with earnest expectation waiting for the manifestation of the sonnes of God what time they shall bee deliuered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God So all true beleeuers who haue the first fruites of the spirit groane in themselues waiting for the Adoption to wit the redemption of their bodies that is for a full glorification of soule and body This is to bee seene in the liues and deaths of Gods faithfull seruants Heb. 12. 2. who for this hope endured the crosse and despised shame as is testified of our Sauiour himselfe and of Moses that hee did choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God Heb. 11. 26. then to enioy the pleasures of sinne for a season esteeming the reproch of Christ greater riches then the treasures in Egypt for hee had respect to the recompence of reward The same is to be seene in all that honourable company mentioned Hebr. 11. And so in all the holy Martyrs in all ages what was it but this hope of glory after a short suffering which made them willingly to endure so great and sore persecutions I might bee long in this for the Scripture speakes much hereof exhorting vs to reioice in hope making it th' end of our vocation and regeneration God hath called vs to his kingdome and glory 1 Thes 2. 12. God according to his mercy hath begotten vs againe to a liuely hope 1 Petr. 1. 3. by the resurrection of Iesus Christ from the dead to an inheritance incorruptible vndefiled that fadeth not away reserued in the heauens for vs c. And more to like effect as doth follow well worth our reading and carefull consideration seruing much for the comfort of Gods children Out of all which this is that I gather Vse seeing this hope of glory is so sure an Anker in all storms so strong a helmet in all our battailes that we therefore carefully prouide our selues of this grace yea rather seeing God hath so plentifully prouided it for vs and giuen vs so many promises hereof and hath called vs hereunto and so oft exhorteth vs to reioyce in this hope of glory all this should mooue vs to hold fast the profession of our hope without wauering For hee is faithfull that promised Heb. 10. 23 as the Apostle exhorteth otherwise we shal call Gods truth and faithfulnesse into question which is a high degree of tempting God and no lesse prouocation of his high displeasure whereas on the other side by casting this anker in
any storme wee shall bee sure to escape shipwracke and so in the end arriue at our desired port of euerlasting saluation Thus haue I now shewed as briefly and plainely as I could how euery one who is troubled with vnbeleefe about the cercainety of his saluation namely whether such as he so void of all grace and so full of all sinne may be bold to beleeue and thereby be assured to be saued by Christ and to this end that his sinne is quite forgiuen and hee accepted as righteous in Gods sight so reconciled to God and adopted to be Gods child that hee may reioyce in hope of the glory of God how such an one I say may get and dayly increase this assurance of faith that there is no condemnation to him belonging but that he hath euerlasting life and is passed from death to life then which what can be more welcome and comfortable to a troubled conscience I well see not And therefore as oft before I exhort all that feele this weaknes of faith concerning their saluation aboue all to obserue these and such other Scriptures whereof there bee many wherein Christ and saluation be offered to poore sinners Obserue Scriptures concerning Christ that they who haue as good right to them as any may not for any thing they see in themselues put these promises from them as not made to them But rather in admiration of Gods wonderfull goodnesse mercy and compassion vpon such vnworthy wretches to giue glory to God in beleeuing and accepting this mercy so freely offered which they must doe before they shall see such a true change of heart life in them as they earnestly desire for want wherof they thinke they ought not to beleeue which is to such if not the onely yet the chiefest lette and hinderance from faith whereas on the other side when it shal please Gods spirit by these his free promises to drawe them to beleeue and though weakely yet truely to stay themselues vpon Gods great mercy so reuealed to them then assuredly shall they see and feele this change in their hearts that they know not what to say or thinke of Gods mercy in pardoning such as they feele themselues to be This cannot but breede an vnfained loue in them to God with an earnest desire and true purpose to glorifie him which be the chiefe parts of a holy life and surest proofes of sauing faith which can no more want these then a true fire can be without heate though too many carnal Gospellers think otherwise and so miserably perish Hauing thus seene how wee are by Gods promises to get and increase our assurance by faith that we be Gods children Now it followes that wee consider what be the markes of God children Assurance by the fruits of faith whereby we may be further assured thereof Among which markes seeing faith it selfe is the first and surest proofe that we be Gods children and to this end many pretious promises bee made to such as doe already beleeue as the former promises were made to beget and increase faith It is meete that wee take some view of these not for the strengthening of our faith but that by our faith bee it small or great we may haue a sensible assurance of our saluation To which purpose may this serue that we who beleeue in Christ are so oft said to bee blessed as our Sauiour said to Thomas Blessed are they who haue not seene Ioh. 20. 29. and yet haue beleeued Mat. 13. 16. 16 17. and againe to his Disciples Blessed are your eyes for they see c and likewise to Peter Blessed art thou Simon Bar Iona for flesh and blood hath not reuealed it vnto thee but my father which is in heauen and the like many to the same end also it is said That he who beleeueth shall be saued Mr. k. 16. 16 That the Gospell is the power of God vnto saluation to euery one that beleeueth Rom. 1. 16. 10. 9. Againe If thou confesse with thy mouth the Lord Iesus and shalt beleeue in thy heart that God raised him from the dead thou shalt besaued and againe Whosoeuer beleeueth in Christ Ioh. 3. 15. 16 shall not perish but haue euerlasting life yea hath euerlasting life 5. 24. Ioh. ◠47. and is passed from death to life Againe 12. 46. 11. 26. I am come a light into the world that whosoeuer beleeueth in me shall not abide in darkenes and though he were dead yet shall hee liue and shall neuer dye The same also is intended in these Scriptures in which forgiuenesse of sinnes righteousnesse and iustification are promised to beleeuers Act. 10. 45. Rom. 10. 4. Act. 13. 30. Rom. 4. 5. 5. 1. Gal. 3. 26. So likewise it is saide Ioh. 1. 12. Wee are made the children of God by faith and as many as receiued him to them hee gaue power to be the sonnes of God euen to them that beleeue in his name Lastly to heape vp no more of this kinde to this end is that Christ shall come to bee glorified in his Saints 1. Thes 〈◊〉 10. and be made maruellous in all them that beleeue c. In all these and many the like promiises made to such as doe truely beleeue in Christ may euidently appeare that if any doe know and can prooue themselues to bee in the faith 2 Cor. 13. 5. as the Apostle speaketh by this he may be infallibly assured of his saluation Wherein seeing the greatest part of professours of Christian Religion bee deceiued saying they haue faith when in truth they haue none it highly behooues such as looke for better comfort aboue all to beware their hearts doe not beguile them herein 2. Pet. 1. 10. and to bestowe all study to make their calling and election sure that they may know that Christ dwels in them otherwise they cannot bee approued neither by themselues nor any others to bee in the state of grace Thus much for faith it selfe whereby we may certenly know that we be Gods children heires of saluation and cannot perish We are now further to see some speciall fruits of our faith which be the effects of Gods Spirit in al true beleeuers be so many marks whereby they doe know themselues and be knowne to others that they be Gods sheep so be further euidences and assurances that they be Gods children and shall be saued In which respect Assurance by the fruites of faith this gift of Gods Spirit to beleeuers is called a seale Ephesians 1. 13. Where the Apostle setting out the conuersation of the Ephesians 1. by the gift of the spirit layes downe both these euidences first of their faith secondly of this gift of the spirit saying In whō ye also haue obtained inheritance after that ye heard the word of truth the Gospell of your saluation wherein also after yee beleeued yee were sealed with the Spirit of promise which is the earnest
of the old man and weapons of vnrighteousnesse but rather yeelding themselues vnto God as those that are aliue from the dead and their members as instruments of righteousnesse vnto God And wheras this might iustly bee obiected Alasse how shall wee who by nature are so vnable to resist so mighty a Tyrant as sin is who hath ouercome all mankinde Christ onely excepted euer be able so to withstand sin For answer whereto the Apostle brings a most comfortable promise vnto all that be not vnder the Law Verse 14. but vnder grace that is who be not still vnder the condemnation and tyranny of the Lawe whereby it reignes ouer all vnregenerat but by true receiuing of Christ by faith are now deliuered from that bondage so brought into the liberty of Gods children which he saith is to be vnder grace whereof the Apostle speaks more fully Rom. 6. 1. Of these he saith That sinne shall not haue dominion ouer them meaning that although these doe still carry sinne that is corruption of nature which continually fights against the grace of God in thē yet the corruption and sinnefull nature shall neuer any more reigne as in times past it did and so haue the full victory ouer them But they by the grace of Gods Spirit reigning in them shall daily more and more ouercome this their sinnefull nature and in the end get a glorious conquest ouer it and all other their spirituall enemies This one Scripture if there were no more is sufficient if it be truelie weighed and beleeued to comfort euery childe of God ouer all his sinnes that though they bee neuer so many or neuer so great and of long continuance yet being here assured the roote of sinne shall be killed ver 18. 22. hee may then quietly rest his soule in peace that all the fruits and branches shall in time quite wither for certainety whereof this is twise repeated But the Lord knowing how hardly we be brought to be perswaded hereof especially when we be vnder captiuity of any sin as of vnbeliefe pride anger worldlinesse and the like hath much laboured in his word to comfort vs herein that though the battell be sore and our strength small yet his grace shall bee sufficient for vs and his power shall bee made perfect in weakenesse 2. Cor. 12. 7 8 9. as was said to Paul in his wrestling against some priuie corruption which he felt a pricke in his flesh to be sent as a messenger of Sathan to buffet him least he should be exalted aboue measure by the aboundance of reuelations which though spoken to him yet indeede belongs to all in his case and therefore euery poore soule who feeles his sinne too hard for him that when he would doe well euill is present with him hee is to lay holde on this promise that Gods grace shall bee sufficient for him and Gods strength shall bee made perfect in his weakenesse That so complaining with the Apostle O wretched man that I am Rom. 7. 24. who shall deliuer mee from the body of this death hee may comfortably cheere vp his heart with him saying verse 25. I thanke God through Iesus Christ our Lord that through the power of the Spirit of Christ he shall subdue that body of sin which otherwise would carry him headlong to death and destruction both of body and soule for euer This the Prophet Micah notably expresseth Mich. 7. 18 hauing highly magnified the mercy of God in pardoning iniquity and passing by the transgression of his people hee addeth this He wil turne again he will haue compassion vpon vs he wil subdue our iniquities c. The Apostle also layeth out this matter at large how the Christian souldiour being armed with the whole armour of God Eph. 6. may bee able to stand in the euill day and hauing done all to stand that is being furnished with those excellent graces of the Spirit which he afterwards names he may manfully fight the Lords battell against sinne and Sathan and so hold out to the end of the battell that he shall stand vp as conquerour when sinne and Sathan shall fall as vanquished Beholde what encouragements the Lord giues against all our fearefulnesse in our spiritual battell which if wee could remember would put more spirit into vs to fight against our sinnes like men and not to faint or flye like cowards And yet these bee not the tenth of these gracious promises which the Lord hath made to this end that wee faint not when we see the force of the enemy Of this sort be all those Scriptures which setting out the rich benefites wee receiue in Christ among the rest mention our sanctification by him whereby is meant that Christ hauing taken our humane nature and sanctified it by his holy Spirit we being made one with him doe receiue the selfe same spirit though in measure to sanctifie vs Ioh. 17. 29. that is to make vs holy Whereunto these two be necessary first the killing of all sinne in vs and secondly the quickning of vs to newnesse of life 1. Cor. 1. 30 Of the latter more in the next point of the former heere concerning which this is oft repeated that Christ shall saue his people from their sin Mat. 1. 21. which as it is true in the matter of our iustification for the forgiuenesse of our sinne so it is also true in this point of our sanctification for deliuering vs from the power of sinne And so are all those generall speeches to be vnderstood that Christ is the lambe of God Ioh. 1. 29. 39. which taketh away the sinne of the world That hee hath loued vs Reu. 1. 5. and washed vs from our sinnes in his owne blood 1 Ioh. 1. 7. That the blood of Iesus Christ cleanseth vs from all our sinne Act. 3. 26. That God hath sent his Sonne Iesus to blesse vs in turning euery one of vs from our iniquities And the like many in all which this must needes bee contained that one great benefite wee enioy by Christ is that we who bee members of him are cleansed as from the guiltinesse of sinne that it shall not bee imputed so from the filthinesse of sinne that it shall not preuaile ouer vs. For more manifest proofe whereof this grace of mortification is expresly promised in sundry places Gal. 5. 16. as Walke in the Spirit and yee shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh Likewise the Apostle Iohn ioyning together both our iustification and sanctification 1 Ioh. 1. 9 sayeth If wee confesse our sinnes he is faithfull and iust to forgiue vs our sinnes and to cleanse vs from all vnrighteousnesse so doth the Apostle Paul to Titus Tit. 2. 11. hauing shewed that the grace of God which bringeth saluation doth also teach men to deny vngodlines and worldly lusts he addeth this that Christ gaue himselfe for vs 14. that hee might redeeme vs from all iniquitie and purifie
These I doe beseech to attend to such promises as God hath made to his people in particular concerning this grace that wheras he sees that naturally there is no feare of God before mens eyes he faith he will put his feare into their hearts as Ieremy 32. 39. 40. And I will giue them one heart and one way that they may feare me for euer for the good of them and of their children after them And I will make an euerlasting couenant with them that I will not turne away from them to doe them good but I will put my feare in their hearts that they shall not depart from me Which if we could beleeue would sufficiently assure vs wee should not want this sauing grace but that God will certainely bestowe it vpon vs in that time and measure hee sees meete But for our confirmation the Lord doth oft repeate this promise as Deu. 4. 10. where one speciall meanes wherby this feare is wrought is set downe Gather me the people together and I will make them heare my words that they may learne to feare mee all the daies that they shall liue vpon the earth and that they may teach their children So Prou. ◠5. They who seeke for wisedome shall vnderstand the feare of God To like effect Deu. 6 1. 2. and 17 19 it is specially spoken of the king and more generally of all chap. 32. 12. And to this purpose speciall is that of the Prophet Dauid Psal 40. 3. where hee shewes another meanes whereby God doth stirre vp this grace in his people namely the beholding of Gods mercy on others saying And hee hath put a new song in my mouth euen praise vnto our God many shall see it and feare and shall trust in the Lord so likewise Dauid being taught of God inuiteth others saying Come yee children hearken to mē I will teach you the feare of the Lord. Psal 72. 5. They shall feare thee as long as the sun and moone endureth through all generations The like Psal 102. 16. so Esa 29. 23. They shall sanctifie my name c. and shall feare the God of Israel Jeremie also speaking of Gods singular mercies which hee promiseth to his people chap. 33. 9. And it shall bee to me a name of ioy a praise and an honour before all the nations of the earth which shall heare all the good I doe vnto them and they shall feare and tremble for all the goodnes and for all the prosperitie that I procure vnto it so Hosea 3. 5. Afterward shall the people of Israel returne and seeke the Lord their God and Dauid their king and shall feare the Lord and his goodnes in the latter daies These shall suffise it would be long to cite all The right vse we are to make of these and the like Vse is so oft as we finde our hearts condemning vs for want of this feare doubting how euer we shall attaine to it in any good measure so oft that wee must call to mind some of these promises which though deliuered in particular to some of Gods children yet in truth belonging to all of them Therefore euery child of God may and ought to apply them to himselfe and stedfastly beleeue that God will performe his word to him and so waiting with patience the Lords appointed season hee shall not bee disappointed of his hope but shall certainly enioy the fruit of his desire And thus much for this I see this third point how wee may bee sure of grace to leade a godly life so as shall be accepted growes large and no meruaile for it reacheth to all the duties required in both tables I may not therefore runne into all particulars but will make choice of some and namely such as I conceiue Christians most faile in and haue least comfort in performing them Of this sort be speciall Concerning holy exercises prayer c. all our spirituall seruices of God as our praiers and exercises in his word and sacraments In all which I haue heard many of good hope complaining that they found small comfort in these because they performed them in so weak and sinnefull manner A principall cause whereof I haue obserued in many to be this that they placed all their comfort in the good discharge of their duty wherein when they failed which they found oft then they were discomfited Which euidently shewes that they had little vse of faith in those duties for faith doth comfort in our greatest failings as well as in the least To make this more plaine which I feare is little seene of manie a poore soule who takes great paines to serue God and yet seldome findes comfort that his seruice being so full of infirmitie is pleasing to God It must be confessed that while wee liue here there is flesh and spirit mingled in all the actions of Gods children so that as their best prayers bee stained with some corruption of the flesh so I conceiue that there is some operation of the Spirit in their weakest which being offered vp in faith is assuredly acceptable to God therein may Gods childe finde sound comfort not in himselfe nor in his worke but in Gods pardoning of all his defects and accepting his obedience in the perfect satisfaction made by Christ whereas otherwise if any hauing prayed with great feruency of Spirit shall bee conceited therewith and not humbled for his failings in that his best praier and rather expecting for fauour for the goodnesse of his prayer then looking for mercy onely for the merite of Christ which though it bee too little seene yet too oft it falleth out I durst boldly say that the sleepy prayer offered vp in faith is accepted when the weeping prayer without faith is reiected In so saying Want of faith in Gods worship be it far from my thought to approoue of drowsinesse or any other grosse corruption in prayer or to disgrace any zeale or gift of Gods Spirit in prayer but that I aime at is to discouer a common and yet close and dangerous corruption in our prayers and other holy exercises that when we performe these in any sort to our liking then wee bee glad and rest quiet that God will accept them I deny not but such may then reioice in the assistance of Gods Spirit but the fault I finde is that these haue in such times little vse of their faith for not beholding the blemishes of these their best seruices of God they are not humbled for them and so not driuen out of themselues to seeke for fauour in Christ in whom alone God is well pleased and thus they staine their best duties for want of faith This will more cleerely bee seene in the contrary when these doe pray or heare reade or meditate or receiue the Sacraments with much accusation to their conscience they haue no comfort that such duties shall be accepted which must needs arise from want of faith for did they in their poorest praiers for which
seruedst not the Lord thy God with ioyfulnesse and with gladnesse of heart for the abundance of all things Therefore shalt thou serue thine enemies which the Lord shall send against thee in hunger and in thirst c. The Prophets also in their times did oft foreshew like chastisements to the peoples trespasses As Haggai and Malachy Because they were sumptuous in their owne houses and neglected the Lords house therefore the Lord sent a great dearth and scarcitie among them So for the contempt of the word God threatned to send a famine of the word Amos 8. 11. The same might we see in Gods dealings with our selues if we would obserue them When we set our affections on any thing too much whereby our hearts be stolne from God whether they bee persons or things pleasures or profits It is vsuall with the Lord either to take them from vs or to make them bitter vnto vs that wee may lesse esteeme them and haue our hearts free for better things The comfort which we are to take by this wise dealing of God with vs Application is this that as we know all afflictions to Gods children to be Physicke to cure their corruptions so knowing also they all come from so wise skilfull a Physician who cannot erre but alwaies sends such Physicke and in such season as shall surely doe vs good This must make vs not onely quietly to beare them but to be thankfull to God for them and to labour to be the better by them But this will more appeare if we shall well consider Gods wisedome in moderating all his chastisements both for the measure and continuance of them 2. In measure so as may be most fit both for the strength of the patient and qualitie of the disease both which may be shewed in all the afflictions which God layeth vpon all his children though he chastise some much more seuercly and holdeth the rod longer vpon them then vpon others who either haue not so much prouoked the Lord or be not so able to beare the hand of the Lord. This is plainely taught by the Apostle 1. Cor. 13 saying There hath no tentation taken you but such as is common to man But God is faithfull who will not suffer you to be tempted aboue that you are able but will with the tentation make way to escape that ye may be able to beare it In which one sentence we haue these speciall incouragements to beare such afflictions as God our heauenly Father shall lay vpon vs first that God deales no otherwise with vs then with others euen of his owne children whereof before secondly that God neuer ouer-loadeth his but wisely moderateth the burthen according to his strength that beares it And this he doth according to promise most faithfully nothing shall mooue him to deale otherwise yea more God will so assist vs by his Spirit to endure and beare that in due season wee shall haue a good end and deliuerance out of all which if there were no more might be sufficient to vphold vs from sinking in any triall though neuer so great But because the Lord well saw how hardly we be perswaded heereof and be euer thinking our burthen too heauy for vs to beare therefore the Lord is faine oft to beate this into our mindes and memories as Elâ—hu told Iob Iob 34. 23. That God will not lay more on man then is meete that he should enter into iudgement with God and so much the Apostle Peter intendeth when he saith that the faithfull did greatly reioyce in their saluation purchased by Christ Though for a season they were in heauinesse through manifold temptations 1. Pet. 1. 6. yet he addeth if neede be meaning that this is neuer but when God seeth needfull in all respects for this cause also doth the Prophet Esay notably set out this wise dealing of God with his people Esa 27. and with the wicked comparing these to thornes and bryers but his people to a vineyard which the Lord did keepe and water euery moment least any hurt it Verse 3. As for the bryers and thornes he would burne them together And thereupon saith Verse 7. Hath he smitten him as hee smote those that smote him or is he slaine according to the slaughter of them that are slaine by him Verse 8. In measure when it shooteth forth thou wilt debate with it c. Which I vnderstand that wheras God will stub vp as thornes by the rootes and cast into the fire the wicked aduersaries of his Church hee will but shred and prune as a vine his Church that they may bring more fruit as our Sauiour plainly speaketh Iohn 15. 2. And more plainly doth Ieremie 46. 28. and 30. 11. say Feare thou not O Iacob my seruant saith the Lord for I am with thee for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I haue driuen thee But I will not make a full end of thee but correct thee in measure yet I will not leaue thee wholy vnpunished Wherein we see great oddes betwixt Gods dealing with his children and with the wicked whom he vtterly consumeth when he most wisely moderateth the corrections of his children that they may better beare and profite by them which must needes allay the sharpnesse of them if well considered And this no doubt was that which the Prophet Dauid and Ieremie so earnestly begged of God Psal 6. 1 that he would not correct them in his anger Iere. 10. 24 neither chasten them in his hot displeasure But with iudgement that is most wisely considering what they were able to beare least otherwise they should bee consumed and brought to nothing This wisedome of God in chastening his children as it manifesteth it selfe in the measure of the burthen laid vpon them Gods wisedome in moderating the continuance so also in moderating the time of the continuance of it least it should be ouer tedious and make them faint and giue ouer Heereof the Prophet Dauid had great experience as hee oftentimes professeth Psal 30. 5. For his anger indureth but a moment in his fauour is life weeping may endure for a night but ïoy commeth in the morning Psal 103. 9. He will not alwaies chide neither will he keepe his anger for euer Psal 129. 3. For the rod of the wicked shall not rest vpon the lot of the righteous lest the righteous put forth their hands to iniquitie The Prophet Esay in the name of the Lord professeth the like Esay 10. 25 For yet a very little while and the indignation shall cease and mine anger in their destruction and Chap. 26. 20. Come my people enter into thy chambers and shut the doores about thee hide thy selfe as it were for a little moment vntill the indignation be ouer-past and 54. 7 8. For a small moment haue I forsaken thee but with great mercies will I gather thee In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for
to al his people in all their necessities bodily or spirituall Because the faiâ—hfull in all ages haue stood in need of this comfort therefore is this so oft repeated that we in our generation may looke for the like helpe in our neede To the same intent be many other like speeches That God will lighten our darkenesse hee will keepe the feete of his Saints he will not forsake them nor forget their complaint That they shall not be confounded In time of trouble he will hide them His Angels shall pitch about them He wil heale them and take all sicknesse from them They shal not feare their enemies but God will make their enemies afraid of them Be avenged of their enemies That God wil repent him of the evill pronounced against them with many other of like sort and oft more specially of removing warre pestilence c. The summe of all which is Application that into whatsoever calamitie or distresse Gods children shall fall though the Lord doe leaue them for a season as though he did not regard it yet hee will be with them by his Spirit to helpe them that they shall not vtterly perish yea rather that they shall be able with patience to hold out till God send them a happy end and issue out of all That this hath beene Gods dealing with his beloved in all ages needs no proofe it is so manifest Ioh David and Paul may be sufficient to witnesse this how wonderfully God was with them in al their tryals The other branch of this last ground of comfort is this God will deliver that the Lord will not onely assist his vnder the burthen of their afflictions with all needefull helpes that they may be able to beare them but will in due season fully deliver them out of them all which being so hardly beleeved especially in great and sore afflictions therefore the Lord hath very often renewed his promise of delivering his out of all their troubles All of which for the most part being the fame both in sense words a few may suffice for many David had great proofe hereof and therefore after a mighty deliverance and that by a hard shiftfull of infirmitie hee composed that excellent Psalme 34 where magnifying Gods mercy for so great deliverance hee riseth higher to set out the like goodnes of God to all the faithfull saying verse 7. The Angell of the Lord 〈◊〉 round about them that feare him and delivereth them and verse 17. speaking of the righteous he sayth they cry and the Lord heareth and delivereth them out of all their troubles and verse 19. many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivereth him out of all so Psalme 27. 39. 40. But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord is their strength in the time of trouble And the Lord shall helpe them and deliver them he shall deliver them from the wicked and saue them because they trust in him These shall suffice in so cleere a point for there are none that be any whit exercised in the Scriptures but may finde like testimoninies and proofs of the truth though not alwayes in the same words It is fully to the same purpose that the Apostle â— Cor. 10. 13. comforteth them with this amongst other Arguments that God will with the tentation make away to escapeâ—… 〈◊〉 ye may be able to beare it and that of Ieremy 29. 11. For I know the thoughts that I thinke towards you saith the Lord thoughts of peace to giue you an expected end By these and very many other the like it is cleere that this is Gods wonted favour towards his Children that though for sundry and those most iust causes he lead them into troubles and oft leaues them a long time vnder them yet he never finally forsakes them but when the time to haue mercy is come Psal 102. theÌ„ the Lord will surely succour all his and deliver them by one meanes or other such as shall make most for his glory and the good of all his All of which being so certaine Application that how many and great soever and of long continuance the afflictions of Gods children shal be yet the Lord will never leaue nor forsake them but will be a present helpe in time of neede ministring all needefull comforts both outward helpes and inward graces to support them and in the end will one way or other fully set them free and quite deliver them out of all their feares and troubles we may see what small cause wee haue to be discouraged by our afflictions or to fret and repine at them yea rather wee haue most iust cause to reioyce in theÌ„ to blesse God for them and to labour both to beare them and to profit by them that God may haue glory thereby our selues may reape the benefit by them and others may profit by our example And thus laying all together which hath beene sayd of afflictions we shall find that they be no lets but special helps as to godlinesse in this life so to happines in the life to come Thus much for this fourth point how to liue by faith in all afflictions of what sort soever THE FIFT GENERALL HEAD OF living by FAITH is for earthly blessings THvs haue we in these foure points handled how wel God hath provided for our spirituall life all needfull blessings that whatsoever our condition shall be yet we may comfort our selues in God who as he hath promised so will he performe that we shall not want any thing that is good And whatsoever doth befall vs though never so hurtfull in it selfe yet it shall turne to our good in the end Now we are come to the fift generall head of this Treatise of living by faith which concernes all earthly blessings how we may be provided of all things needfull for this naturall life which being so necessary as we well know that we cannot be without them we be naturally so addicted to them that nothing doth more take vp our minds and hearts Care for earthly is a hinderance to spirituall then our care labour for these neither doth any thing more hinder our spirituall life All which the Lord our God well considering hath herein most bountifully provided for vs and promised vnto vs all needfull blessings for this life in such sort that were we wise to see and imbrace this bountie of the Lord we should not onely be freed from a world of cares and troubles wherewith most men be vsually so incumbred that they can find or spare no time nor travell to seeke after the things which belong to a better life but we should be so furthered by our contentment in those outward and earthly blessings that with more chearfulnesse we should run our race of Christianitie and be every way more fit to all holy duties Let vs then heare and consider what the Lord saith vnto vs in this behalfe Generall promises for earthly blessings
And first to begin with those earthly blessings which be generall and containe all the particular blessings of this life It may appeare that this is Gods gracious intent to succour our weaknes who although we enjoy many good blessings for this present life as health and wealth food and raiment and the like many yet if we wanted but one it would much molest vs and take away our comfort and chearfulnesse in his service for this cause the Lord as a tender father desiring the welfare of his beloved child bids him be a good and obedient child and so promiseth him he shall not want any thing So I say the Lord our kind and tender father bids vs as good children hearken to his voyce and to be ruled by him and tels vs we shall not want any thing that is good as is expresly sayd Psal 34. where Dauid led by a late experience of Gods mightie delivering him out of a great danger composeth a Psalme of thankesgiuing vnto God for the same wherein he provoketh all other the faithfull servants of God as to praise God with him Psal 34. so to consider this bountie of the Lord Vers 3. saying O â—ast and see that the Lord is good 8. Blessed is the man that trusteth in him 9. And againe O feare the Lord yee his Saints for there is no want to them that feare him Yea more speaking as I vnderstand him of the mightie and cruell oppressours of the world who like devouring beasts doe eat vp as sheepe Gods poore people Vers 10. sayth The Lyons doe lacke and suffer hunger but they that seeke the Lord shall not want any good thing and to like effect much more in that Psalme as you may read Psal 84 11. The Lord God is a Sunne and shield c. and no good thing will he withhold from them that walke vprightly Againe beholding how much it vexed Gods children to see the wicked prosper in this world and the godly many wayes distressed â—e of purpose made the 37. Psalme to hearten the godly against this sore tentation which hath in all ages much troubled Gods people as may be seene by the complaints of Iob and Ieremy Iob. 21. and many others Ier. 12. In this Psalme the Prophet doth plentifully handle this point Psal 37. that the state of the godly is farre better even in this life then the wicked besides the infinite oddes in the life to come for proofe whereof as he in many words sets out the short and soone fading prosperitie of the wicked so doth he more largely lay downe the blessed condition of the godly in things belonging to this life As vers 3. Trust in the Lord and doe good so shalt thou dwell in the land and verily thou shalt be fed Vers 4. Delight thy selfe in the Lord and he will giue thee the desires of thine heart Vers 5. Commit thy way vnto the Lord trust also in him and he shall bring it to passe Vers 1â— But the meeke shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselues in the abundance of peace Vers 16. A little that a righteous man hath is better then the riches of many wicked With many other like in the same Psalme as you may see To the same purpose was made the 73. Psalme where he begins Yet God is good to Israel and to such as are of a cleane heart and doubtlesse many other Psalmes were made to comfort the faithfull in this life that God would be their portion and reliefe in all their necessities as Psal 16. 5. 6. Psal 23. is wholly to the same end which he propounds v. 1. The Lord is my Shepheard I shall not want and so proues it in the verses following I might heape vp many other scriptures to this end for God hath not beene sparing in this kinde as every one who is exercised in the Scriptures can witnesse Mat. 6. 33. But seeke yee first the kiâ—gdome of God and his righteousnesse and all these shall be added vnto you This is that which is so oft repeated Deut. 5. 16. 5 33. 6. 3. 18. 22. 25. 28. That it may goe well with thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee This also must needs be meant in those Scriptures which set out the goodnesse of the Lord as Psal 3â— 19. O how great is thy goodnes which thou hast layd vp for them that feare thee which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sonnes of men And Psal 145. 9. The Lord is good and his tender mercies are over all his workes Its needles to cite more of these which be so common wherein Gods goodnesse louing kindnes and mercy and that specially in things belonging to this naturall life are commended vnto vs For seeing godlines hath the promises of this life aswell as of the life to come It cannot be doubted but in all those generall promises wherein God sayth He will dwell with his and not forsake them That God will loue and blesse his people That he will be their God Will reioyce ouer them to doe them good Will compasse them with favour as with a shield Will keepe his covenant with them That he will see peace in their borders and prosper them in all they goe about In these I say and the like many it cannot be doubted but all needfull blessings of this life be contained And therefore this should be the Vse Vse of all these generall promises we should make of them all that whensoever we feele our selues pinched with any earthly necessitie then to runne to any one of these gracious promises that so well considering what abundant reliefe is contained in them we may quiet and content our minds therewith assuring our selues that seeing he is faithfull who hath promised we shall not want any earthly blessing at what time and in what measure it shall be good for vs. These generall promises of all good things for this life are the more to be observed in reading the Scriptures and at least some of the most principall in our conceit to be kept in memory that they may be ready for our vse in time of need both for that these be many mo and more oft repeated in Scripture then any particular and also for that we cannot alwayes haue ready the particular promises for our speciall necessities when we haue most need of them And this might be sufficient to haue spoken of this point for the strengthning of our faith in the assurance that we shall not want any earthly blessing which shall be needfull for vs. But seeing the Lord hath so far yeelded to our infirmitie Speciall promises as to apply his promises to our speciall necessities it shall be available for our comfort to take knowledge of them that so we may make our vse of them as need shall require Among all earthly blessings Long life life it selfe is the chiefe for vpon it