raised in Power 3ly To those that are pinched with Hunger it s sowen a Natural Body it s raised a spiritual Body 2ly Observe that the Spirit dwelling in our Mortal Body is a pledge of this Resurrection This dwelling of the Spirit imports first Constant Residence 2ly Government 3ly His care to adorn and beautify This indwelling of the Spirit cannot but be a Pledge of the Resurrection if ye consider 1st The end why he takes up his Lodging in the Man it is to confer upon him Everlasting Comfort Isai 60.14 2ly Everlasting Life 3ly Everlasting purity 4ly Everlasting Communion Ezek. 37 26 with Rev. 20 3 and 4. 2ly If ye consider the Spirit to be the great Love-token of God to his People he is the whole of Abrahams Blessing Gal. 3. He that gives this will not deny them the Resurrection to Life 3ly The spirit has power to raise them as it 's kythed in the Resurrection of Christ and in quickening the dead Soul from the death of sin John 5.25.28 4ly Spiritual life is a fruit of the Spirit and spiritual life is a pledge of the Resurrection Use 1st Of Consolation to them that have the Spirit of God they have an assureing pledge that they shall rise to life though they be Pained Poor Persecute and Tempted with Corruption and Satan 2ly This reproves those who have the Spirit who will not entertain the lively hope of Heaven 3ly It bids us try whether this spirit dwells in us or not 4ly It bids the Godly Man strengthen his faith by this pledge by considering the Spirits power the Love of God discovered in that gift and Gods design in sending him into the Heart Observe 3ly The description of this Spirit here He is the spirit of the Father 1st Because he proceeds from the Father John 15.26 2ly Because he is promised by the Father Acts 4.33 3ly He is given of the Father Luke 11.13 And this tells us from whom we should seek the spirit and to whom we should be thankful for him and how we may know whether it be the spirit of God that dwells in us or no if it be so he will make us sensible of the Fathers Love in raising Christ for us if it be so he will raise us up to a newness of Life and conform us to a risen Saviour The giver of this Indwelling spirit is described from his great Work One that raised Christ from the dead where first Note why Christs Resurrection is ascribed to the Father 2ly To what end Christ rose And 1st It is ascribed to the Father to show that he keeped his promise to the old Fathers Acts 13 32. And if this promise made to the old Church received its accomplishment all the rest of the promises made to them will 2ly To show that he keeped his promise to Christ in the Covenant of Redemption Isai 42 6. And that says all the rest of the Promises made to him will be accomplished to reward him for his Humiliation Phil 2 9. To show that none shall lose that humble themselves for him 4ly It s ascribed to the Father because it is the Absolution of him as soverty 5ly It was a step to that delegated power that now he enjoys as Mediator and we know that Power comes from the Father He Raised him 1st That he might that was the purchasser be the dispenser of our Mercies Act 5.31 And that Christ is raised to be the dispenser of our Mercies encourages us to be bold in Prayer 1st Because he sympathises with us in our wants be will not frustrate his purchase by forbearing to dispence And 2ly If his Love made him purchase his Love will make him dispense 2ly Christ was raised by the Father to clear That he had merited full pardon and Believers may strengthen their Faith of Pardon with this Resurrection 1st Because it is an evidence of full satisfaction to Justice 2ly It is an evidence of his God-Head Rom 1 4. And so of his meriting worth 3ly it was an step to his Intercession 3ly The Father raised him to assure the People of God of their through Mortifâ—tion of Sin Rom. 6.11 And this 1st Reproves soâ—â—hat are diffident their sin shall not be Mortified â—d that 1st Because Terrour has not Mortifyed it yâ— against this see Exod 32 19. with Exod 19.20 2ly Because Communion with God does not Mortify it David's falling in Adultery after Communion with God 2 Sam 7. Answers that 3ly Because they have been at Solemn Ordinances and these have not done their turn Therefore they think it cannot be done For Answer see Luke 22.24 The Apostles unmortifyed after these And 4ly It reproves those that think they cannot be Mortifyed because Crosses have not done it already Answ Hezekiahs Ambiâ—ion was cured tho it brake out after his Sickness Vse 2d Of Exhortation is to Believers to strengthen their Faith of through Mortification by Christs Resurrection which they may do by considering It is a sufficient evidence of his Deaths meriting sufficient Grace for Mortifying of sin Rom. 6.6 4th End is That he might strengthen our Faith in our Resurrection to Life and this is done by considering that tho we be Tempted yet so was he tho we be under Desertion as to Comfort so was he My God says he Why has thou forsaken me Tho we be Mortal so was he tho we be Guilty so was he imputatively so Verse 12. Therefore Brethren we are Debitors not to the flesh to live after the flesh HEre we have a Conclusion drawn from several prejudices That these that live after the flesh have For 1st They have not the priviledge of Justification â„£ 1. 2ly They mind the things of the flesh â„£ 5. 3ly They are in the way to Death â„£ 6. 4ly They are Enemies to God â„£ 7. And 5ly They cannot please God â„£ 8. Observe 1st here That the flesh is always craving 2ly Tho it be craving yet we owe it nothing it craves we are not Debitors to it 3ly The service of the flesh is a very unprofitable service 4ly The former Grounds upon which the Apostle infers this inference are sufficiently convincing For the First That the flesh is craving appears in these six first In that it craves Love and Affection 2ly Obedience 3ly Awe 4ly Entertainment 5ly Spareing And 6ly hideing of its Nakedness First It craves Love of us That is it craves that we may have a regard to it in our Heart People should beware of this because it is inconsistent with the Enmity we ought to have at Sin it provokes God to forbear reproving of us Hosea 4.17 2ly It restrains Mortifying Grace 3ly It marrs the Love of God 4ly It hinders the Answers of Prayer Psal 66.18 2ly It craves Obedience of us Rom. 6.12 But this should not be because we are made free from Sin and Servants to Righteousness 2ly It grieves the Spirit Eph. 4.30 3ly It 's offensive to others 4ly It strengthens the flesh Rom. 6.19 5ly It fears
of the sensible presence of the Spirit that they may have his supporting encouragement at their hand under their seeing and feeling Mortality When the Text says The Spirit is Life in opposition to the Bodys Death It doth not only intimate that the Soul lives a spiritual life and likeways that it doth live that Life after Death immediatly But likeways it imports that the Holy Spirit of God as present in the Soul of a Christian is a pledge and cause of spiritual life here and immediatly after Death when it is a pledge and cause of immortal Life at the Resurrection For when the Text speaks of the Spirit being Life the word Spirit is not meant so much of a mans Soul as of the Indwelling spirit of God in Belivers which is clear by the words subjoined in the Eleventh verse Observe from these Two Verses jointly considered That the Indwelling presence of the Spirit in Believers is a sure pledge of immortal Glory and this is clear by these three 1st Consider the import and significancy of this Gift 2ly It 's Efficacy 3ly Consider it's Irrevocableness And First As to It 's significancy Consider the Names Designations and Descriptions it gets in Scripture 1st It is called the Blessing of Abraham Gal. 3.14 so it signifies that God's Covenant with Abraham belongs to them now Christ Luke 20 Evinces That God cannot be the God of the Dead but of the Living 2ly It is called a Seal Eph. â— 30. To signifie that God hath an peculiar interest â— them that have it as his peculiar Treasure and therâ—fore it is sure he cannot lose them by death Anâ—hilation and Perdition 3ly It is called the Ernest Eph. 1.13 2 Cor. 5.5 and 1 22. And therâ—fore where it is given it signifies Gods purpose anâ— Obligation to give the Inheritance 4ly It is callâ— the Unction or Anointing 2 Cor. 1.21 As 1 Joh. 2.20 To hold out that by the present of the Spirit Gods People are separate sanctâ—fied and dignified to be Gods Kings to triumph over all their spiritual Enemies whereof Death iâ— one 5ly It is called the Spirit of Promise Eph. 1 13. and the promise of the Spirit Gal. 3.14 Because the Gracious Indwelling of the Spirit in â— perfection is the primary and comprehensive goâ— promised in the Gospel and the great design of the Gospel being to possess People of the Spirit therefore the Gospel is called 2 Cor. 3. The Miâ—stration of the Spirit and therefore the presence â— the Spirit signifies that God will grant to the havâ— of it Glory to come seing when God grants tâ— primary good promised in the Gospel he will noâ— deny them any accessory good that 's promised 〈◊〉 the same Now Glory is a consequent unto thâ— presence of the Spirit see Verse 11. Next Consider the Efficacy of this Gift whiâ— kyths in these two 1st in raising us from tâ— Death of sin 2ly In raising Christ from the Deaâ— see for a proof of its Efficacy Eph. 1.19 20. And 3ly Consider it s an irrevocable Gift bâ—cause the Gifts and Callings of God are without Repentance And 2ly Because the Spirit is given to them not to be taken from them again for he is said to dwell in them by his Spirit and to make them a perpetual Sanctuary to himself Ezek. 37.26 He is to be a spring of Eternal Life to them Joh. 7.38 Joh. 4.14 The Soul that is thus possessed of the Spirit cannot miss Eternal Life for it is an Eternal habitation for God and the Spirit gives the Soul Eternal Life now the Spirit cannot give the Soul Eternal Life if the Body lay perpetually in the Grave The Use of this is since the presence of the Holy Spirit in a Believer is a sure pledge of immortal Life it reproves Believers that have it that they are not more lively in their hope of Glory A 2d Use is To Instruct us in the worth of this Gift God may give and take other Gifts from us but he gives us this Gift without Rueing and Repenting we may lose other Gifts but this is a permanent Enjoyment there is nothing in the World that has the full significancy that this Gift has nor has its Efficacy And therefore these that have it should be thankful for it and whosoever want it should be at pains to obtain it Verse 11. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you HEre the Apostle preoccupies an Objection they might have said since our Soul lives and shall our Body ly perpetually in the Grave wherefore then serves our Justification It is Answered That if the Spirit of God dwell in us that same Spirit will quicken our Mortal Body In the Words ye may take notice of the Assurance that the Apostle gives of the Resurrection of the Body upon the account of the Pledge thereof in time and that is the Spirit dwelling in us And 1st Ye may observe That the Mortal Body shall be quickened again and this appears from the priviledge of Justification seing Death is a punishment following upon sin 2ly Adoption cleaâ— it Luke 20.36 compared with Rom. 8.23 3â— Christs Resurrection clears it his Resurrection being the exemplary cause of ours 1 Cor. 15 2â— 4ly The Spirits Indwelling in the Body clears it 1 Cor. 6.19 and see the Text. 5ly The Body beinâ— a peice of Christ Mystical see 1 Cor. 6.15 1 Thes 4 and 14. 6ly Christs Engagement to the Fatheâ— clears it Joh. 6.37 7ly The Immortality of the Soul compared with the Natural Inclination of iâ— to the Body clears it because nihil violentum est de rabite and therefore Luke 20.37 Christ takes it foâ— granted since Abraham Isaac and Jacob live in theiâ— Souls their Bodies must revive again And that the self same Body shall rise again Appears 1st Becauâ— Chrâ—st had the self same Body and his Resurrection was a Patern of ours 2ly Christ says God can caâ— the Body in Hell after Death 3ly The Bodies thaâ— are raised come out of their Graves John 5.28 29 4ly Paul Prays that the Body may be kept blamelesâ— till the coming of Christ 1 Thess 5. 5ly It 's the Mortal Body see the Text 1 Cor 15. This Corruptible c. Use of Exhortation strive to believe this Article And that by considering the Scriptures are the Word of God and believing the Omnipotent Power of God Luke 20 36. 2ly It exhorts us to abound in Gods Service 1 Cor. 15. last 3ly It bids us suffer for Christ when called to it 4ly It reproves those that stain their Body by Intemperance and Lust see 1 Cor. 6. An other Use is of Comfort for those that have pained Bodies like Lazarus and Job it s sowen in Dishonour it s raised in Glory and it is of comfort to them that have weak Bodies it is sowen in weakness it s
them for though they be free of the sting of Death which is the Venome of the Curse of the Law in it yet they are not altogether free of the fears of the sting of Death 2ly The Godly tho they be free of the reigning Power of Lust yet they are not free of the solicitations of it Paul complains of this Rom. 7. 3ly Tho' the Godly be not Children of the Kingdom of Darkness and Slaves to Satan yet here-away they are subject to many vexing Temptations from him and therefore this present condition should make us more willing and desireous to dye that we may be freed from this state of Bondage And 2ly It lets us see that considering Christians that have a view of this Bondage cannot send without Faith Observe 2ly That the Children of God shall certainly get this glorious Liberty because here it is taken for granted and fully and clearly promised in the Word and therefore we should al 's firmly believe it There are three things that Christians should firmly believe as to this Liberty As 1st A total freedom from the indwelling Presence of sin 2ly A total freedom from Satans Temptations 3ly A total freedom from Death I shall give the Scripture Grounds that the Christian hath allowed to him for founding his Faith and Hope of all these three upon For the First Grounds to found the Faith of a Christian to make him believe and expect the total removal of sin are these 1st Christ designed its total removeal by his Death we cannot think that he can be frustrate of his Design see Eph. 5.25 26. 2ly His Death did merite the crucifixion and killing of the Old Man Rom. 6.6 3ly His Resurrection is a Pledge thereof see Rom. 8.11 For the Spirit that raised Christ from the dead did it to assure him and the Believing World that he could and would raise up all his Members perfectly from a Death in Sin 4ly The Spirits Presence begining this Work says he will perfect it because his great Design when he enters into the Child of God's Heart is not to make a partial but a total conformity between him and Christ 5ly The Priviledge of Justification says it must be for if all our guilt be pardoned and our Remission be compleat according to the Promise of the new Covenant Ezek. 18 and Ezek. 33. Where it is said that all Iniquity shall be forgiven and none shall be mentioned Then Corruption must be removed for a loving God and a loving Mediator will remove such an hurtful Evil from Believers since the state of Justification tells it may he done without reflection on his Justice A 6th Ground of Faith for the removal of sin is this that Baptism is the External Seal confirming the Promise for its total removal and therefore it s said we are buried as to our old Man with Christ by our Baptisme Rom. 6.4 For the Second piece of the Christians Liberty Viz. A freedom from Satans Temptations the Grounds to found our Faith of that upon Are 1st The Promise made to Eva that the Seed of the Woman should trample down the Head of the Serpent from which Paul infers Rom. 16. That God would tread Satan under their feet shortly A 2d Ground is Christ by his Death hath taken away Satans Plea against us Heb. 2.14 15 For all his â—lea was that we were Enemies to God and therefore it were but just that we should be given up to him to delude and vex us But now Christ by his Death hath destroyed him that is he hath enervate the strength of his Plea by reconcileing us to God and therefore he is said Col. 2.15 to spoil Principalities and Powers and to triumph over them on the Cross by setting at liberty their Captives A 3d Ground is Christs Personal Victory over Satans Temptations and Persecutions which Victory he attained in our Nature by making use of the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God and exercising the Graces of the Spirit and by wrestling in Prayer with the Father see Mat. 4. and Mat. 26.41 He overcame by Faith Love Patience Meekness Submission and Zeal and this Victory was given to him to be a Pledge to him and his Spiritual Seed that are incorporate in him of their total Freedom from his seduceing and vexing Temptations A 4th Ground is the strength of Christs Spirit that is stronger in Believers than the Devil that is in the World For the Third piece of the Liberty of the Christian it stands in his delivery from death and there are these following Grounds upon which the Christian may build the Faith of his Delivery from it First Ground is Gods Covenant-relation to him it was from this Relation that God had to Abraham that Christ inferred the necessity of the Resurrection Math. 22. 2d Ground is the Believers Union with Christ that necessarly draws with it a conformity of the Members with the Head in respect of Immortality these that sleep in Jesus God will bring with him 1 Thess 4.4 A 3d. Ground is thâ— the Believers Body is a consecrate Temple to the Holy Ghost and therefore it cannot be always subject to Corruption A 4th Ground is Christ haâ— power to raise the Body Phil. 3 last A 5th Grouâ— is He hath undertaken to the Father to do it he says he will raise them up at the last Day John 6 4â— A 6th Ground is Christs Death which gives assurance of Immortality 1st Because it is a full saâ—faction for sin and it is unpardoned sin that caâ— keep folk eternally under Deaths Power It wâ— by means of his Death for the Redemption of Transgressions that those that are Called receive thâ— Promise of the Eternal Inheritance see Heb. 9.15 Besides God the Father gives an Promise of Eternâ— Life in the Covenant and Christs Death is a Ratification of that Covenant he that spared not his own Soâ— will he not with him freely give us all things Roâ— 8.32 Likeways Christ gives us Eternal Life in hâ— Testament and his death is an Evidence of the unalterableness of his Purpose to Confer it 6ly Thâ— Resurrection is a Ground of Faith for it because 〈◊〉 is the absolution of our Soverty Rom. 4 last and 〈◊〉 Pledge of our Resurrection Christ is the first Fruitâ— of them that sleep 1 Cor. 15. A 7th Ground is his Ascension into Heaven if he had not obtained Eternal Redemption by his Blood and Suffering which includes immortality Justice had given him no access to Heaven he could not have entered into that holy Place by his own Blood except he had obtained immortality for us by that Blood which he as Soverty undertook to do see Heb. 9 12. The 8th Ground is his Session at the Fathers Right Hand which is given him as a Pledge of his Victory over all his Peoples Enemies whereof Death is one Psal 110.1 The 9th Ground is Christ's Intercession for Salvation to his People to the uttermost which includes in it the
did predestinate them he also called and whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified OBserve here the Apostle clearing That the Called according to purpose or the Predestinate Folks their Afflictions must tend to their Good because of this Argument that Calling Justification and Glory are the certain effects of Predestination And therefore God in his Wisdom must order Afflictions so as they must have a certain tendency to bring them to Glory at last Observe here All the predestinate Folks are effectually Called And therefore this says first That none will win to Heaven but those that are Effectually Called for Calling here goes before Glory and such as are Predestinate to Glory are Predestinate to Calling 2ly It says that the first clear discovery of Predestination is Calling A Man cannot know his Election by any other evidence then by Calling 3ly It says that this is a sure evidence thereof 4ly We see that Calling being the effect of Predestination and it being an irrevocable purpose Rom. 9.11 That Calling must as to its effect be irresistable 5ly We see that since Calling is the effect of Predestination the Foreknowledge of our Calling cannot be the cause of it and therefore our foreseen Faith cannot be the cause of our Election And 6ly Seing we see the Apostle proving that the Called according to purpose are to be conformed according to Christs Image that is they are to share of his priviledges and Glory he proves this I say by that sure Link that Predestination puts between their Calling and Glory which tells us that all Effectually Called do share of Christs Priviledges and shall after share of his Glory The Text says Whom he Calls he Justifies this says there are none Justified till they be Called and therefore the Antinomian Errour is reproveable who say the Elect are justified from Eternity Elect Paul before Conversion was a Child of Wrath even as others Eph. 2.2 2ly This says That presently upon their being Called they are Justified and therefore their Justification is not delayed till they persevere in Good Works to the end of their Life or else how should they rejoice in the hope of the Glory of God while they are in time 3ly If the Called Folks be justified then they are in a state of Friendship with God and therefore there is no Wrath in their most severe Lots Rom. 5.7 And they may with freedom use access to the Throne of Grace 4ly If the Called be justified It says their Afflictions must tend to their Good because when they know that Sin is pardoned they cannot but be sure that God will bless their Crosses to them and not make them a Curse 5ly If Called Folks be justified they should have peace in their own Conscience they may well be humbled for Sin they should not have an Tormenting fear of Hell for it 6ly If the Called be justified their Obedience should flow more from Love to God then from distrustful fears Now I clear that the Called are justified That is they are indemnified as to the punishment for Sin threatned by the Covenant of Works and they have an unquestionable Title to Life the reason is because they have a right to Christs Obedience and Suffering For the Father gives Christ to them for Righteousness 1 Cor. 1 30. 2 Cor 5. last And Christ ratifies the Gift of his own Consent and seals his own gift and the Fathers Gift by the Sacrament of the Supper Now that the Called Man is justified appears because the Called have Faith and the Gospel-Promulgation secures that all Believers are justified 2ly It appears that the Called Man is justified because God gives him of his Spirit and we know that he gives his Spirit to none but to such to whom he is reconciled 3ly The Called Man is justified because he is Just and that upon the account he has a sure interest in a perfect justifying Righteousness It is a justifying Righteousness if ye consider 1st The compleatness of his Obedience and Sufferings 2ly If ye consider That that Obedience and Suffering was for us and not for himself 3ly If ye consider that the Father appointed it to be so 2 Cor. 5. last 4ly If ye consider there were Grounds for this Appointment viz. Christs sibness to us and his consent it should be so From this we inferr that the Called since they are justified may bear the Calumnies of the World and live in the Hope of the sentential Justification of the Judge at the last Day seing they are Legally justified by Law and that Law of his own Constitution Observe All the justified shall be glorified this Glory stands as to the Body in its Clarity Immortality Spirituality and Power As to the Soul it stands in its Light in its Life in its Communion with God and in its Joy and Comfort springing from all these That Light is full and immediate we see no more through a Glass darkly but face to face It is Eternal our Sun will no more go down that Life it is a Life on from and to God it is full and abundant there is a River of Waters of Life in Heaven it is eternal as to its duration that Communion we have with God is immediate without Ordinances there is no Temple in the New Jerusalem Rev. 22. It is constant without interruption we are made Pillars of the Temple of God Rev 7 10. The Joys that follow thereon are full anâ— satisfying constant and lasting Psal 16. last Now this Glory all the Justified shall possess it as appears by the linking of Calling Justification anâ— Glory together and they are linked together by reason of Predestination Christs Merite and the Spirits Application 2ly It is sure by the nature of Justification it being a Right to Life alse well as Immunity from Wrath. 3ly It appears from Sanctification which is a Preparation for Glory and a Pledge of it Eph. 4.30 It appears from their Adoption Rom. 8.17 It appears from this that the Gospel is the Rule of Judgement the Word that Christ speaks shall judge them at the last Day John 12. It appears from the necessary Righteousness that is in the Judge And Lastly it appears from the Truth of God and the Truth of his Promise From this we infer that the Justified do share of Christ's Priviledges here such as access to God seing they are to share of his Glory hereafter and partial Conformity with Christ in this World secures our total Conformity with him in Glory in the other 2ly This says that the justified are sanctified seing Sanctification must go before Glory and it is Glory begun 2ly It says that the justified are sure of perseverance seing they that endure to the end must be saved and none but they 4ly That since Glory is connected with Justification we should hope for Heaven wait for Heaven and work out our Salvation with fear and trembling 5ly We should submit to the Cross seing this condition
was opprest with his sickness and when he undelivered he could not express the greatness of the Sense he had of it 4ly He brings his People to this pass to try if they rue their former Religion Hezekiah was tryed whether he rued his Reformation by the Assyrian Invasion 2 Chron. 32.1 5ly He does it to make them fervent in Prayer 2 Chron. 20.12 6ly To try their Integrity whether they shall take unlawful Ways for their Relief 7ly This is to make them not to trust in their own Wisdom but in Gods 2 Cor. 1 8 9 And 8ly This is done to punish their sin Isa 59.10 11 12. Observe 3ly The Saints may meet with Exile or Banishment the Word here translated Persecution may be meant of Expulsion from the Society whereof they are Members This is caseable to the Saints as witness the case of David and of the Captives in Jeconiab's days God trysts them with this 1st To awaken their longing after the Ordinances Psal 63.8 Psal 42. 2ly To punish the Wicked with the want of their Company 3ly To convert the Elect where they go Acts 11.19 Isa 66 19. 4ly To fit them for great Services by accustoming them to bear hardship as he did with Moses and David 5ly To make them to be denyed to their Relations and to be strangers on the Earth 6ly That they may have Experience of Gods Fatherly Provision of them in such a case Vse If this may be their case prepare to meet with it and for this effect use your Liberty and the Company of your Friends edifieingly that when you are in Exile you may bear off your Conscience-Challenges for abuse of Mercies 2ly Use the World as an strange Place and make Heaven your Home 3ly Labour for Communion with God that whâ— you want the Company of your Friends you 〈◊〉 have Gods Company to make it up 4ly In tâ— midst of your Prosperity acquaint your self with Life of Faith and Dependence upon God that whâ— ye come to straits that life may be the more easy â— you 5ly Acquaint your self with the comfortabâ— allowances of Gods People under Exile As 1st Hâ— supplies the want of Ordinances to them Ezek. â— 16 2ly He provides Friends to them where the go as he provided to Joseph and Daniel 3ly Hâ— supports them under that case 2 Cor. 4 9. 4ly Theâ— are sure of a Recompence Mat. 19 â—9 5ly Hâ— sanctifies that condition to them Jer. 24.7 6ly He renews the sense of their Interest in Gods Covenant-Promise Gen. 28 And discovers more of thâ— Secrets of the Covenant of Grace than at any â—ther time See his dealing with the Captives in Baâ—lon and sometimes he gives them a foresight 〈◊〉 the future State of the Church as he did to Daniel Observe 4ly That Gods People may be tryeâ— with Famine God does this 1st To punish Sensuality Lam 4.5 2ly To humble them and â— prepare them for Plenty Deut. 8 3 6. 3ly To tâ— their Faith and Integrity as it was with Christ 〈◊〉 the Wilderness 4ly To depend more upon Providence than to trust what they presently possesâ— 5ly That they may have experience of Gods blessing their little Vse Be comforted under this case when ye faâ— in it For 1st Christ was in this case that he might Sympathize with you 2ly This case mâ— prevent the Snare of Plenty 3ly It may be the occasion of some extraordinary Way of Gods providing for you for it may be an occasion of Gods giving them an experience that he blesses their little Observe 5ly They may be tryed with Nakedness 2 Cor. 11.27 Heb 11.37 And this teacheth you not to be Prodigal as to cloaths ye know not what may come 2ly The People of God may be comforted under this Lot because it 's not a singular case 2ly They have Christs Righteousness to cover their Spiritual Nakedness and may expect the Garment of Immortality Observe 6ly They may meet with Perils that may put their Life in hazard to be taken away suddenly 2 Cor. 11.26 And this reproves the vulgar who censures the state of the Godly upon the account of their meeting with thir Perils see Acts 28.4 2ly It says the state of the Saints is secure tho they should suddenly be taken away 3ly It bids them prepare for Death lest they be surprised with it 4ly It bids them be thankful for the continuance of their life seing they are lyable to so many Perils as may take it away Observe next The Saints may be tryed with the Enmity of the Powers of the World against them this is meant by the Sword and this is done for the greater Tryal of the Saints that they may suffer in their Name alse well as in their Body for when the Powers of the Earth persecute them they pretend their being guilty of Crimes that they are innocent of The Apostle insists in this Tryal by citeing the Experience of the Saints in Psal 44. The Words are as it is writen For thy sake we are killed all the day long we are counted as sheep for the slaughter In which Words we may see 1st That the recorded Persecution of the Saints in Scripture is great comfort to the Saints when they are persecute 2ly We may see that the Powers on Earth maâ— take away the life of the Saints for adhereing to the Truth The Reason is because Gods Truth wâ— not let them sin without a Witness it awakens theâ— Conscience against them These Prophets tormented them that dwelt on the Earth Rev. 11. 2ly They persecute them because they oppose their wicked political Designs as Jeroboam persecute Amos God permits this that Persecutors should kilâ— them to the End that Persecutors their Enmity should be better discovered and their Cup the sooner filled that the Saints Faith may be better tryed and their Corruptions more purged and they made more heavenly and that Hypocrites may be purgeâ— out of the Kirk by that soreness of the Persecution and that the Power of God may be more seen it enlarging of his Church under that Persecution as it was seen in Egypt and in the Primitive Times Vse Since this is caseable Gods People would be comforted under this Providence by these Grounds 1st It is an honour that they are to co-witness with Christ to the Truth 2ly Truth will receive no Damnage by this it 's more cleared and confirmed the Church receives no damnage by it it 's more purified and enlarged the Godly receive no damnage by it for they are born up Luke 21.14 15. The Lord takes this way for to chastise their sin and that tends in the hinderend for their honour and he lets them not want comfort and by this they have a great evidence of the soundness of their Grace Next From this Citation that we are killed all the day long There is imported 1st That Persecutors Malice is not soon satisfied the constancy of Saints irritates their Malice and former Acts of persecution gives the Devil access to hurry