he hath not 2 Cor. 8.12 I will make them ioyfull in mine house of prayer their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine Altar Esay 56.7 3. GOD will reward the services of his children To him that soweth righteousnesse shall be a sure reward Pro. 11.18 Every man shall receive his owne reward according to his labour 1 Cor. 3.8 Whatsoever good thing any man doth the same shall hee receive of the LORD whether he be bond or free Ephes. 6.8 Behold his reward is with him Esay 40.10 Verily there is a reward for the Righteous Psal. 58.11 I the LORD search the heart I trie the reines even to give every man according to his waies and according to the fruit of his doings Jer. 17.10 Let us not be weary of well-doing for in due season wee shall reape if wee faint not Galat. 6.9 He shall reward every man according to his workes Mat. 16.27 CHAP. XIII The ordinances of GOD. 1. In generall 2. Particular Duties 1. Prayer 2. Preaching 3. Reading Promises 1. To the ordinances of GOD generally THere is a promise to the use of GODS ordinances James 4.8 Draw nigh to GOD and he will draw nigh to you With ioy shall yee draw water out of the wels of salvation Esay 12.3 We may apply this promise when we pray heare conferre or fast in every dutie Promises 2. To particular Duties 1. Prayer 1. GOD will give his children hearts to seeke him by Prayer He shall call upon mee and I will answer hiâ— Psal. 91.15 Then shall yee call upon mee and yee shall goe and pray unto mee and I will hearken unto you Ier. 29.12 He will prepare their hearts Psal. 10.17 For this cause shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou maist be found Psal. 32.6 See Ier. 31.9 and Hosea 3.5 2. GOD promiseth to helpe us to pray His Spirit shall indite our prayers and helpe us to draw our petitions The Spirit helpeth our infirmities and maketh intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered Rom. 8.26 27. I will powre upon the house of David and upon the Inhabitants of Ierusalem the Spirit of grace and supplications Zach. 12.10 So soone as the Spirit of Grace entreth into the heart it makes one plentifull and abundant in supplicating and suing unto GOD for grace and mercy 3. GOD hath bound himselfe by promise to heare his servants when they call upon him The LORD made a promise to Salomon after his prayer saying Mine eyes shall be open and mine eares attentive to the prayer in â—his place 2 Chron. 7.15 The LORD is rich unto all that call upon him Rom. 10. â—2 Be carefull for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thankesgiving let your request bee made knowne unto GOD. And the peace of GOD which passeth all understanding shall keepe your hearts and mindes through CHRIST JESUS Philip. 4.6 7. The prayers of the upright are his delight Pro. 15.8 Hee heareth the prayer of the righteous verse 29. GOD will not onely heare our prayers in generall but our voice Psal. 5.3 our very desires Psal. 10.17 Pro. 10.24 which are effectuall prayers with GOD. He will not despise our prayers Psal. 102.17 He will not reproch us nor upbraid us with what is past or our present frailties Iam. 1.5 It is agreeable to his nature and disposition to heare prayers Psal. 65.12 The thing that hath encouraged GODS children and given them heart in prayer hath beene this hope and assurance that they should finde audience and respect with GOD O thou that hearest prayer or because thou hearest prayer all flesh shall resort unto thee Psal. 65.2 GOD excepts no man all shall be heard For thou LORD art good and ready to forgive and plenteous in mercy to all them that call upon thee Ps. 86.5 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him to all that call upon him in truth Psal. 145.18 It shall come to passe that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered Ioel 2.32 which is repeated Acts 2.21 and Rom. 10.13 Though our prayers be weake yet let us remember that the promise is made to all We may see the proofe of this in a prayer made in much infirmity Psal. 31.22 GOD is more ready to heare then we to aske to give then we to receive 1 Pet. 3.12 His eares are open as a kinde mother or nurse which useth to be so wakefull that shee will heare the child so soone as ever it begins to cry Dan. 10.11 Feare not Daniel for from the first day that thou didst set thy heart to understand and to humble thy selfe before GOD thy words were heard yea before they call I will answer and while they speake I will heare Esay 65.24 that is in our purpose of Prayer This the faithfull have gloried in Psal. 4.3.17.6 and 38.15 GOD hath specially bound himselfe to heare his children in those prayers that they make unto him in their afflictions the time of trouble is the very set houre of Audience The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous and his eares are open to their cry Psal. 34.15 The righteous cry and the LORD heareth and delivereth them out of all their troubles verse 17. Which is repeated foure times in the 107. Psalme 6 13 19. and 28. verses The LORD saith Psal. 50.15 Call upon mee in the day of trouble I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorifie mee Hee will regard the prayer of the destitute aâ—d not despise their prayer Psal. 102.17 to 21. their teares sâ—ghes and groanings are not hid from him Psal. 39.12 He will heare in the morning Psal. 5.3 in the very season the due time when we are in trouble Yea so as hee will in our affliction in a speciall manner let us know that hee is our GOD and that he will deliver us Zach. 13.9 The LORD heareth the prayers of his people when they thinke they are cast out of his sight Psal. 31.22 GODS people have found comfort in all their afflictions by powring out their hearts to GOD in prayer Psal. 109.3 4. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee for thou hearest mee Psal. 86.7 The LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping the LORD hath heard my supplication the Lord will receive my prayer Psal. 6.8 9. A Noble man in this Kingdome had a ring given him by the Queene Elizabeth with this promise that if hee sent that ring to her at any time when he was in distresse shee would remember him and deliver him This was a great priviledge from a Prince and yet that ring though sent might not be delivered GOD hath given his children prayer as that ring and tells them whatsoever distresse they are in let them but send this up to him and he will be sure to relieve them and when they doe send up this it is sure
to be conveyed wheresoever they are Prayer is profitable to obtaine every thing as is evident by the promise of CHRIST Iohn 16.23 Verily verily I say unto you whatsoever yee shall aske the Father iâ— my name hee will give it you Note the certainty of the promise in CHRISTS vehement asseveration note the generality of it whatsoever Our Saviour oft repeated such promises in those heavenly and last speeches which he uttered to his Disciples Iohn 14.13 Ioh. 15.7 16 See Mar. 11.24 Iohn 9.31 1 Iohn 3.22 5.14 15. I may say of prayer as the Apostle saith of Godlinesse it hath the promises of this life and that which is to come 1. For this life Temporall and Spirituall things are promised to prayer 1. Temporall 1. The prayer of faith shall save the sicke and the LORD shall raise him up Iam. 5.15 2. Spirituall 1. It obtaineth remission of sins and if hee have committed sinnes they shall be forgiven him the same verse of 5. of Iâ—mes 2. The Spirit How much more shall your heavenly Father give good things to them that aske him Matth. 7.11 Give the holy Spirit to them that aske him So it is Luke 11 13. 2. For the life to come Prayer obtaineth eternall life and salvation For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved Rom. 10.13 That Promise that is made to our prayers runs thus If thou prepare thine heart and stretch out thine hands towards him c. Iob 11.13 The stretching out of our hands or of our voice either is to little purpose if our heart be not prepared first Promises To fervent prayer Then yee shall call upon me and ye shall goe and pray unto me and I will hearken unto you And ye shall seeke me and find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart that is truly and fervently saith Greenham The effectuall prayer of a righteous man availeth much both for the helping of the body and healing of the soule but with this proviso if it be fervent open thy mouth wide that is earnestly confidently call upon me and I will fill it that is I will satisfie thy desire to the full Aske and it shall be given you seeke and yee shall find knocke and it shall be opened unto you Matth. 7.7 Aske seeke knocke It is not a simple repetition of the same thing but a gradation It shews instantissimam neâ—essitatem saith Austen Aske â—s a begger seeke as with a candle knocke as one that hath powâ—r with importunity One thus descants upon the place Aske with the mouth seek with the heart knock with the hand and it shall be given you that is for Temporall things and yee shall find that is for Spirituall things and it shall be opened unto you that is for Eternall things Promises 1. To Secret Prayer When thou prayest enter into thy closet and when thou hast shut thy dore pray to thy Father which is in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly 2. To Private or Family prayer Where two or three are gathered together in my name there aâ— I in the midst of them Matth 18.20 3. To publike prayer Publike for 1. Matter 2. Place 1. A promise to those that pray for the Church Remember Sion they shall prosper that love thee Psalme 122.6 7. 2. Promises to the prayers of the Congregation made in the Church Hierusalem had singular promises made unto it such as had no particular Church in the world besides Psalm 132.14 There is a speciall promise made to the prayers made in the Temple 2 Chron. 7.15 Mine eyes shall be open and mine eares attent unto the prayer tâ—at is made in this place 1 Kings 9.3 The LORD hath promised that he will cause his servants to rejoyce in the granting of their suites which they shall make unto him in his owne house Esay 56.7 upon the like promise made by GOD Salomon at the consecration of the Temple 1 King 8.30 33. groundeth his Prayer that the LORD would in speciall manner heare the suites and supplications of his servants publikely assembled in his Temple to call upon him See the 5. Book cap 1. A promise To Preaching GOD hath made a speciall promise to this that he will be with it to assist and blesse it Matth. 28.20 I am with you alwaies even unto the end of the world Promises To Reading In Reading of the Word if we understand not we should apply these Promises Prov. 1.23 I will powre out my Spirit unto you I will make knowne my Words unto you Prov. 1.4 It gives subtilty to thâ— simple to the young men knowledge and discretion The Commandement of the LORD is pure inlightningâ— the eyes Ps. 19.8 GOD hath promised to teach and instruct such by his Spirit that bring good and honest hearts to the reading and hearing of the Word Psal. 25.12 What man is he that fearth the LORD him will he teach in the way that he shall choose The promise of finding is made to those who seeke as for gold and search as for treasure Pro. 2.3 4 5. Promises to sâ—ch as love the Word of GOD. Great peace have they which love thy Law and nothing shall offend them Ps. 119.165 Blessed is the man that delighteth greatly in his commandements Ps. 112.1 A promise to those that waite for the Word There is a blessing promised to such hearers as wait for the Word Blessed is the man that heareth me watching daily at my gates waiting at the posts of my doores For who so findeth me findeth life and obtaineth favour of the LORD Promises that GODS children shall hearken to the Word The eares of them that heare shall hearken Psa. 32 3. See Esaias 50.4 Acts 16.14 Promises to such as conscionably hearken to the Word Hoe every one that thirsteth come yee to the water and he that hath no mony come yee buy and eat yea come buy wine and milke without mony and without price Hearken diligently unto me and eat ye that which is good and let your soule delight it selfe in fatnesse Encline your eare and come unto me heare and your soule shall live c. There the LORD freely offereth saving grace to such as have none and nothing whereby they might purchase it 2. He setteth out a way wherby they might injoy it viz. a diligent hearing and beleiving GODS Word 3. He makes most sweet promises that their soule shall live that is they shall be quickned in CHRIST and in him the seed of David be made partakers of those mercies which shall never decay If thou warne the righteous man that the righteous sinne not and he doth not sin he shall surely live because he is warned Ezek. 3.21 The conscionable hearing of GODS Word quickens the soule and makes it to live both the life of grace and of glory He that heareth my word and beleeveth on him that sent
say of it as he doth of Circumcision much every way But I forbeare to exemplify or instance the particulars since I have done it already in the former Epistle the work it self will sufficiently shew it O but may some say this work would well have becoÌ„e an experienced Divine furnished with rich abilities of learning and piety all that I grant and had it bin done by such a one I should both have spared my own pains made use of his most willingly But since that is rather to be desired theÌ„ yet to be expected I who abouÌ„d with leisure was willing to make this essay both that I might imploy my own Talent gratifie the desires of ChristiaÌ„s For their saks though I must expect severall censures according to the variety of mens humors am I willing conferre aliquid in publicum to cast in my mite into the common treasury If thou findest faults Errata in the book let love cover them for to erre as the Satyrist saith is the sad priviledge of mortality he of all meÌ„ erreth most who challengeth a priviledg from errour Thus praying to the Lord that thou maist reape much good from these Promises and promising to my self no little comfort from thy prayers I rest Thy true Christian Friend and hartie well-wisher EDVVARD LEGH A Table of the Promises as they are dispersed in the severall Bookes of Scripture Gen. ca. Ver. 3 15. Cap. 6. vers 18. 8 22. 9 2 9 11 13 15 16 27. 12 2 3 13 15 16 17. 16 10 12. 17 2 4 6 7 8 16 â—0 21 18 10 14 18. 21 12 13. 22 17 18. 26 3 4 24. 28 13 14 15. 31 3. 35 1â— 12. 46 3 4. 48 19 21. 49 10 25. 50. 24. Exodus Cap.  3. 12 21. 4 12. 6 6 7 8. 8 22. 12 13 23. 14 13. 15 26. 19 5 6. 20 6 â—2 24. 23 â—0 22 23 35 6 27. 28 38. 29 45 46. 30 6. 32 10 13. 33 2 14 19. 34 6 7 24. Leviticus Cap. Verse 1. 4. 18. 5. 20. 24. 25. 13 18 19 21. 26. 4. to 13 42 44 45. Numbers Chapter Verse 6. 27. 11. 17. 15. 25 26 28. 18. 5. 20. 8. 21. 8. 23. 19 21 23. 24. 7 9 17. 25. 12 13. 32. 22. 35. 34. Deuteronomy Cap. Verse 2. 25. 3. 2 21 22 28. 4. 1 10 29 30 31 40. 5. 10 29 33. 6. 2 3 18. 7. 6 9 12 13 1â— 15 16 19. â—â— 24. 8. 1. 9. 3 14. 10 9. 11 8 9 12 14 1â— 21 23 24 2â— 27 31. 12 7 12 18 2â— 28. 13 11. 14 2 29. 15 4 6 18. 16 15 20. 18 15 18. 19 13. 20 1 4. 21 8. 22 7. 23 14 20. 24 19. 25 15. 26 18 19. 28 1. to 14. 29 9. 30 3 to 10 16 20 31 6 8 23. 32 9 30. 33 11 29. Ioshua Cap. Verse 1. 5 7 8 9. 6. 17. 10 8. Iudges Cap. Verse 6 16. 7 7. 13 3 5. 20 28. 1 Samuel Chapter Verse 2 6 7 8 9 10 30. 9 16. 10 6. 12 14 22. 2 Samuel Chapter Verse 7 10 12 13 14 15 16. 22 31. 1 Kings Chap. Verse 2. 3 4. 3 14. 6 12 13. 8 23. 9 3 5. 11 38. 17 14. 20 13. 21 29. 2 Kings Chap. Verse 4. 16. 7 1. 10 30. 17 39. 19 30 31 34. 20 5 6. 21 7 8. 22 20. 1 Chronicles Cap. Ver. 17. 9 10 11 12 13 14. 22 9 10 13. 28 6 7 8 9 20. 2 Chronicles Chap. Ver. 1. 12. 7 14 15 16 18 16 9. 19 11. 20 17 20. 30 9. 34 28. Ezra Cap. Vers. 8. 22. 9 12. Nehemiah Cap. Ver. 1. 5 9. 9 29. Iob. Cap.  5. 11 15 to 27. 8 6 7. 11 15. to 20. 17 9. 22 21 23. to the end 33 25 26 28 34 1. 36 7 9 10 11. Psalmes Psal. Verse 1. 1 3 6. 2 2 8 12. 3 8. 4 3. 5. 11 12. 9 ver 8 9 18. 10 14. 11 7. 12 5 6 7. 15 2 3 4 5. 16 11. 17 7. 18 2 30. 19 7. to 12. 22 26 27 30. 23 1 4. 24 4 5. 25 3 8 9 10 12 13 14. 27 1 3 5 10 14. 28 8. 29 11. 30 5. 31 19 20 23 24 32 1 2 6 7 10. 33 12 18 19. 34 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 17. to 21. 35 10 27. 36 8 â— 37 3. to 7 9 11 16 to 20. from 22 to 30 31 33 34 37 39 40. 40 3 4 16. 41 1 2 3. 45 15. 46 1 to 5 7.11 47 3 4. 48 14. 50 15 23. 51 17. 52 6. 55 22. 56 8. 58 10. â—2 2 6 7. 64 10. 65 4. 66 4. 67 6 7. 68 3 13. 69 32 33 35 36. 70 4. 72 5. to 9 11.15 17. 73 24. 75 10. 76 9. 81 10 13. to 〈◊〉 16. 84 4 5 7 11 1â— 85 8 9 12 13. 86 5. 87 2. 89 4 15 16 2â— 24 26 2â— 29 33 34. â—â— 37. 91 1 â— to 7 1â— to 16. 92 12 to 14. 94 12. to 15. 96 13. 97 10 11. 98 9. 1â—2 15. to the 18 20. 103 3 8 to 13 17 18. 106 3. 107 9 36 38. 110 2 3. 111 5 10. 112 1 to 4 6 to 9. 113 7 8 9. 115 9 to 11 13. 116 15. 117 2. 118 5. 119 1â— 49 71 130 165 121 3 4 5 6 7 8. 122 6. 125 1 2.3 126 5 6. 127 3 5. 128 1 to the end 130 4 8. 132 11 to 19. 135 4. 137 8 â— 138 6 7. 140 12 13. 144 15. 145 8 9 13 18 19 20. 146 5 7 8.9 147 2 3 6 11 19. 149 4. Proverbs Chap. Vers. 1. 7 23 â—3 2 4 â— 7 8 9 11 12 21. 3 2 4 10 12 13 1â— to 18 22 to 26 33 to 35 4 6 8 9 13 18 22. 6 â—2 24. 7 5. 8 17 to 19.21 34 35. 9 8 9 10. 10 2 3 4 6 7 9 16 17 22 24 27 to 30. 11 3 to 6 8 9 18 to 22 26 27 â—8 30 31. 12 3 6 7 11 13 14 19 to 22 24 27 â—8 13 2 4 6 13 15 18 20 21 25. 14 11 22 26 34. 15 6 8 16 29 33. 16 3 7 8 13 â—0 17 2. 18 10 â—2 20. 19 16 17 â—3 20 7 28. 21 21. 22 4 5 9 15 â—9 23 13 14 24. 24 14 25. 27 18. â—8 10 13 14 â—8 to 10 â—3 25 to 27. 29 17 18 â—3 25. 30 5. Ecclesiastes Chapt. Verse 8. 12. 11 1. Esay Chapt. Verse 1. 18 19. 2 2 3 4. 3 10. 4 2 5 6. 6 13. 7 14. 9 3 6 7. 10 20. 11 1 2 4 6 to 10 12 13. 12 3. 14 1 2 3. 17 2 6 7 8. 19 17 22 24. 22 22 23. 24 13. 25 4 6 8 9. 26. 3 9 12. 27 3 5 6 8 9. 28 5 12. 29 â—8 19 23 24. 30 18. to the 27 9. 31 7. 32 1 2 3 4 17 â—8 33 6 16 17 19 20 21 4. 35 1 â— 4 to the end 37 31 32. 38 5 6. 40 1 to
9 10 1â— 19 20 21. 4 1. 7 16 17. 8 3 4. 13 8 14 13. 15 4. 16 15. 17 14 16. 18 8 21. 19 9. 20 6. 21 3 4 6 7 24 26. 22 4 5 7 14 17 20. FINIS The Table of the first booke In this first booke six things concerning the promises in generall are handled 1. The nature of the promises where 1. The woâ—d iâ— opâ—ned according to the expresâ—ionâ— of it in laâ—guages and acceptions of iâ— an Scripture 2. Tâ—e thing desiâ—ed in generall 〈◊〉 distinguished into â— Câ—vill 2. Râ—ligions â— Divine whicâ— dâ—vine promiâ—eâ— are 1 Dâ—fined 2 Diffâ—â—encâ—â— from a 1. Purpoâ—â— Threâ—tning â— Commâ—nd 3. describâ—d to be the 1 GrouÌ„dâ—â— ou◠〈◊〉 2 〈◊〉 out faâ—â— 2. The kinds of them The Promiâ—es are 1. â—egâ—llor evâ—ngelicall 2 Generall or parâ—icular â— Princiâ—all or lesse principall 4 Dâ—râ—ct or by consequent â—â—bsolute oâ— câ—nditionall 6. Pertaining to 1 Thiâ— life 1 Temporâ—â— â— Spirituâ— â— The life to come Eternall 3. The excellency of them 4. The right use of them 1. In generall we must labour 1. To bee acquainted with them â— Faithfully to remember them â— Wisely and fitly to apply them by 1 Fixed meditâ—tion 1 Marking the promise 2 Mâ—sing of it 3 Mâ—king iâ— familiar to â—s 2 Fâ—rvent prayer where of lâ—ving by faith 2 Speciall râ—les dirâ—cting uâ— now to use them 1 Generall promises are particularly and particulars generally appliable 2 Pâ—omiâ—es are subordinated and performed with dependance 3. The experience of GOD in his promises confirmeth faith and nourisheth hope 1 Experiments God hatâ— given us in others â— Experience of his mercâ— in our selves 4. Gods promises to us must be the rule of our prayers to him 1. The ground for what and rule how wâ— mâ—st pray â— God will not perform promiseâ— till by prayer they be sought foâ— 5 The properties of them Gods promises are 1. Free 2. Full in respect of 1. Persons 2. Things 3. Firm faithfull yet 1 God giveâ— not â—hrâ—ieâ— the tâ—ing pâ—omiseâ— but somtimes that which it equivalent or bâ—tter nor to the same parties but to them oâ— their posterity 2 The time of accomplishing them is uncertaine 6. The persons to whom the promises belong 1. Câ—rist as the head 2 His members A TREATISE OF THE Divine PROMISES The first Booke CHAP. 1. 1. The Nature of the Promises THERE are three things to be known in the Word 1. Precepts or Commandements because they teach obedience 2. Threatnings because they restraine disobedience 3. Promises because they serve to confirme us in our Obedience Promise is oftentimes used in the New Testament both in the Singulâ—r and Plurall number especially in S. Pauls Epistles it signifieth by an excellencie the Gospell it selfe or the promise of giving the Messiah and free reconciliation with GOD by Him It is called by a Synecdoche saith Polanus the Word Psal. 56.4 10. In GOD will I praise his Word that is his promise saith Iunius and sometimes it is taken by a Metonymie as Beza and Piscator have observed for the good things promised Gal. 3.14 the promise of the Spirit for the Spirit promised Acts 1.4 waite for the promise of the Father that is the good promised viz. the HOLY GHOST You are sealed with the Spirit of Promise Ephes. 1.13 that is with the Spirit promised So Gal. 3.22 That the promise by faith of JESUS CHRIST that is the thing promised remission of sinne and life everlasting Heb. 10.36 Yee have need of patience that yee might receive the promise that is eternall glory promised Heb. 6.12 Who through faith and patience inherit the promises that is life promised by a Metonymie 2 Tim. 1.1 It is called the Promise of Life for life promised A Promise is a revelation of some such truth as shall be beneficiall to mee in particular The truth of such a promise consists in the certainty of performance the goodnesse of it in the quality of the thing promised Promise is 1. A word passed from man to man for performance of some lawfull things as in contracts bargaines marriages and other affâ—ires of common life This is a civill promise Such a one Laban made to Iacob for giving his daughter David to Ionathan 2. Our word passed and given unto GOD for some duty which we will doe unto his honour Psal. 66.13 14. I will pay thee my vowes which my lippes have promised Num. 30.2 He shall not breake his promise This is a religious or holy Promise called a vow in Scripture 3. The Word of God given unto men for the performance of some good or for removing some evill Spirituall or Bodily Psal. 119.103 How sweet are thy promises unto my mouth and verses 38 49. This is a divine Promise Of these I purpose to treat the divine Promises are thus defined The Promises are declarations of GODS favour towards Man and of his providence over him for his good Or thus The Promises are all those declarations of GODS will wherin he signifieth in the Gospel what good He will freely bestow I shal define them in this manner The Promises are outward declarations of GODS will concerning good to be received and evill to be removed I call them outward declarations to distinguish them from inward purposes concerning good to distinguish them from threatnings which are also declarations of GODS will but for evill to be inflicted concerning good to be received c. to distinguish them from commands which declare GODS will for good but that of duty to be done to him not of mercy to be received from him The Promises of the word are as so many Legacies bequeathed us by our Heavenly Father and by His Sonne JESUS CHRIST in His last Will and Testament The Promises are the grounds of our Hope and the obiects of our Faith 1. The grounds of our Hope Remember thy Word i.e. the promise of mercy and grace unto thy servant upon which thou hast caused me to hope Psal. 119.49 81. verse I hope in thy Word Therefore Hope is termed the hope of the Gospell Coloss. 1.23 that is an hope which waiteth for those things which in the Gospell are promised This was the ground of Simeons hope Luke 2.25 We have no reason to hope for any thing which is not promised or upon any other condition then as promised The Apostle useth this argument why we should not cast away our confidence or slacken our hope because there is a Promise Heb. 10.35 36. which is a fâ—rme foundation for our Confidence to rest upon So Abraham is said Rom. 4.18 to have beleeved against hope of sence and reason under hope of GODS Word for the ground of that hope is added according to that which was spoken to that word of promise so shall thy seed be and elsewhere to Looke for a Citie that hath foundations that is as one expounds it a Citie which was built upon the immutable stability of GODS
that unvaluable promise Rom. 8.29 and that 1 Cor. 10.13 2. Fervent prayer that GOD would by his Spirit both reveale unto us what be those precious promises which he hath made unto his people in his holy Word and also give unto us wisedome rightly to judge of them and fitly to apply them unto our selves in every estate we shall be in We should beg of him to reveale this mystery of godlinesse and CHRIST to us as the Disciples said LORD increase our faith that phrase of David is most heavenly Psal. 119.49 Thy promise in which thou hast caused mee to put my trust It is the LORD that must cause the heart to put her trust in the promise If we would keepe faith in exercise we must indeavour to know GODS promises meditate on them conferre about them they should be continually in our mindes memories hearts and tongues To live by Faith is to feede upon the severall promises of GOD made in his Word and to apply them to our selves according to all our needs and so comfort and encourage our selves against temptation and unto every good duty This is that which is required by GOD of his people Hab. 2.4 GOD there having threatned judgement against the Jewes by the Babylonians doth afterwards promise deliverance againe but not suddenly the people of GOD therefore in the meane time were to live by Faith and depending upon GOD to waite for the accomplishment of his gracious promises The just shall not onely live eternally by his faith but even here also in this life He shall live by Faith Abraham served GOD wheresoever he came and rejoyced in the promise of salvation by CHRIST Gen. 17.17 Iohn 8.56 Now if he who saw the promises but afarre of Heb. 11. 13. was so cheared and quickned by them what should we be to whom the grace of GOD hath shined so clearely Tit. 2.11 Iacob when Esau met him and his heart began to faint for the Text saith Gen. 32.7 he feared exceedingly did goe and sucke consolation out of the Promises for thus he reasons with the LORD LORD thou hast said thou wilt doe mee good this promise sustained him and he got so much strength with this milke that he was able to wrestle with the LORD all night and would not let him goe without a blessing So David when the Philistines had burnt Ziklag and the souldiers that should have beene his strength were ready to stone him hee remembred GODS promise that he should be King and sit in the Throne of Saul therefore it is said Hee comforted himselfe in the LORD his GOD 1 Sam. 30.6 that is in the promise that the LORD had made to him So Nehemiah when he heard of the misery of his people fell to prayer clinging to a promise that he knew was made by GOD that he had read and markt out of Deuteronomie The same is to be seene in that honourable company of those Worthy Servants of GOD in all ages from the beginning of the world to that day mentioned Heb. 11. which are all brought in as a cloud of witnesses testifying this truth that The Iust shall live by Faith Thus S. Paul also lived by faith both for Spirituall life Rom. 7. and for Temporall life 2 Tim. 4.17 18. and for Eternall life 7 8. verses of that Chapter The Divell striketh specially at our faith in the promises and not so much at the generall faith in beleeving the truth of them in generall as at our speciall justifying faith applying those promises unto our selves Not so much to doubt at the generall voice of GOD in the Word Every beleever shall be saved but at the particular voice of GOD by his Spirit applying the generall to us and saying Thou beleevest Thou art my Sonne Therefore above all things we should fortifie our faith and assurance that GOD is our Father and we his sonnes and as the Apostle exhorteth Labour to make our calling and election sure and for our better applying of GODS promises let us observe two rules 1. To apply all the Word of GOD indifferently as well the Commandements for our direction and the threats for our humiliation as the promises for our comfort 2. To examine the conditions of GODS promises and to looke as well to the performance of the conditions required in the promises as to enjoy the things promised For as the Divell denies unto us the application of the promises when we are interested in them as when we walke uprightly with GOD so contrarily he applies them strongly and earnestly when they belong not unto us as he did the promise of protection by Angels unto CHRIST though he should tempt GOD. So he ordinarily applies the promise of mercy to notorious sinneâ—s though they lie wallowing in their mire and never wash themselves in the waters of repentance And wicked men doe often with great confidence or ratheâ— presumption lay hold of the promises in the meane space neither caring to apply to themselves the commandements and threatnings nor yet respecting the conditions by which the promises are limited Thus when the LORD saith Ezek. 33.11 As truly as I live I will not the death of a sinner they regard not what followeth but that hee repent and live and when they heare the Apostles speech 1 Tim. 2.4 That GOD will have all men to be saved they make a bolster of it whereon they sleepe securely in their sinnes but leave out the following condition viz. that he would have all whom he would have saved come first to the saving knowledge of his truth which is never severed from the fruits of obedience 1 Iohn 2.3 4. So when CHRIST saith That he came not to call the righteous but sinners with that they comfort themselves in their sinfull courses but observe not to what he calleth them viz. to repentance before they can have any part with him in glory Some likewise sucke poyson out of that heavenly flower Rom. 10.13 Whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved not considering that Every one that calleth upon the name of the LORD should depart from iniquity 2 Tim. 2.19 Speciall Rules directing us how to use the Promises 1. Generall Promises are particularly and Particulars generally appliable The LORD in assenting to Salomons prayer made a generall promise to any man or to all the people that what prayer or supplication soever should be made towards his Temple he would heare in heaven and forgive c. Iehosaphat being after in distresse applied this generall to his owne present condition when the children of Ammon Moab and Mount Scir came to turne Israel out of their possessions So David Psal. 119 49. and the woman of Canaan Matth. 15.22 applied the generall promises to themselves The LORD made a particular promise unto Ioshâ—a that he would be with him to blesse his enterprizes against the Cananites and to carry him through all the
difficulties and hazards of that holy warre and S. Paul applies the promise to all the faithfull in any straights or distresses of life as the LORD himselfe had before applied it from Moses to Ioshua Let your conversation be without covetousnesse for as GOD was with Ioshua so will he be with thee Hee will not faile thee nor forsake thee CHRIST made a particular promise unto Peter I have prayed for thee that thy faith faile not And the same in effect he applies to all his I pray that thou wouldst keepe them from the evill Thus may the children of GOD doe if they finde any promise made to one godly man and no speciall reason expressed why it should be peculiar to him they may take it as a promise made to them The ground of this is taken from GODS unchangeable and impartiall manner of dealing the same GOD that he is to one faithfull man the same he is to all they all are under the same Covenant and have interest in the same promises 2. Promises are subordinated and performed with dependance Therefore we must not anticipate nor perturbe the order which GOD hath put in his Promises but waite upon him in his owne way Grace and Glory will hee give but first grace before glory no man must snatch at this promise till he have interest in that Godlinesse hath the promises of this life and of that which is to come but we must note the order which our Saviour puts First seeke the Kingdome and Righteousnesse of GOD and then all these things shall be added unto you The LORD promiseth to call men unto CHRIST Nations that knew thee not shall runne unto thee The Apostle tells us whereunto he calls GOD hath not called us unto uncleannesse but unto holinesse Therefore in the next place he promiseth to sanctifie and cleanse his Church I will put my law in their hearts and in their inward parts The qualification of this holinesse is that it be whole and constant The very GOD of peace sanctifie you and preserve you blamelesse unto the comming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST is the Apostles prayer for the Thessalonians Therefore in the next place GOD promiseth perseverance I will not turne away from them to doe them good but I will put my feare into their hearts that they shall not depart from mee But this perseverance is not so certaine but that it admits of fals slips and miscarriages therefore in that case Hee promiseth healing and restoring I will heale their backeslidings I will love them freely I will binde up that which is broken and will strengthen that which was sicke And after all this comes the promise of Glory and Salvation Therefore we must take the Promises in that Connexion and dependancie which they have amongst themselves When GOD hath called us to the knowledge of CHRIST we must not skip over all the intermediate linkes and looke presently for the accomplishment of GODS promise of Salvation or perseverance by GODS sole power and in the meane time omit all care of Holinesse in our conversation For GOD doth not fulfill his promises in us onely but by us too and those things which in regard of his word are his promises are also in regard of his Command our duties 3. Experience of GOD in his Promises confirmeth Faith and nourisheth Hope The faithfull are confirmed in the truth of GODS promises by the experience of his dealing with others of his servants Psal. 22.4 Our father 's trusted in thee they trusted and thou didst deliver them Psal. 34.5 They shall looke unto him and 〈◊〉 to him and their faces shall not be ashamed What made them so confident in GODS mercies verse 6. This poore man cryed and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles Experience of GODS dealing with others doth also nourish and uphold hope Therefore Iames brings to the memories of the Christian Jewes GODS dealing with Iob to strengthen their hope But especially the experience a man hath had in himselfe of the performance of GODS promises will marvellously confirme him This incouraged David when he was to encounter with Goliâ—h The LORD saith he did deliver mee from a Lion and a Beare therefore he will deliver mee from this Philistine 1 Sam. 17 35 37. Paul concluded Gods favour for the time future by his proceedings past The LORD sâ—ith he hath delivered mee from a sentence of death and doth deliver therefore I trust that he will deliver 2 Cor. 1.9 10. See 2 Tim. 4.17 18. This we may see also in Salomon 1 King 8.24 and in other places Deut. 1.29 31. Deut. 3.21 Esay 51.9 11. But we have a notable example for this in Iacob Gen. 32.9 Thou saidst unto mee remove into thy countrey and to thy kindred and I will doe thee good There is GODS Word and promise then followeth the experience he had already of the performance of this promise verse 10. I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies which thou hast shewed unto thy servant for with my staffe came I over this Iordan and now I have gotten two bands Then followes the confirmation he received in his faith by this experience verse 11. I pray thee deliver mee from the hand of my brother from the hand of Esau. Experience likewise bringeth forth Hope Rom. 5.4 Three things concurre to make up experience 1. Knowledge the better knowledge the better affiance Psal. 9.10 They that know thy Name will put their trust in thee 2. Observation of the waies of GOD. 3. Memory remembrance of such workes of GOD as wee have knowne and observed We should observe how GOD hath made good and confirmed his promises even in our owne experience by blessing us while we have walked carefully and conscionably before him how often he hath granted our requests To this purpose is that exhortation Psal. 34.8 O tast and see that the LORD is good Labour to be able to say with David Psal. 119.56 This I had because I kept thy precepts thou hast dealt well with thy servant O LORD according unto thy Word 6â— verse or as it is 140. verse Thy Word is prooved most pure by good experience therefore thy servant loveth it or as he saith elsewhere Marvellous are thy works and that my soule knoweth right well 4. GODS Promises to us must be the ground and rule of our prayers to him There are two things in this rule to be observed 1. That we can make no prayer in boldnesse faith or comfort but for things promised and in that manner as they are promised We must see the things we aske made ours in some promise and engagementâ— before we presume to aske them This incouraged Iacob Gen. 32.9 12. David 2 Sam. 7.27 28 29. Daniel 9.2 3. and Iehosaphat 2 Chron. 20.8 12. to pray unto GOD because he had made promises of the things
they desired and therefore they were certaine that they prayed according to his will This was Nehemiahs ground in his prayer for the reparation of Ieruâ—alem Remember I beseech thâ—e the word which thou commâ—nâ—est thy servant Moses saying if yee transgresse I will scatter you abroad But if yee turne unto mee and keepe my Commandements and doe them though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven yet will I gather them from thâ—nce c. Now these are thy servants and thy people whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power and by thy strong hand O LORD beseech thee let now thine care be attentive to the prayer of thy servants who desire to seare thy Name An excellent example also we have of this in Iacob Gen. 28. GOD promised to be with him ver 15. his vow or prayer respeâ—teth that ver 20. GOD promised to keepe him in his way ver 15. his vow or prayer respecteth that ver 20. GOD promiseth not to leave him he saith and will give mee bread and raiment GOD â—romised to bring him againe to 〈◊〉 land his prayer ansâ—â—â—ed thâ—t 〈◊〉 21. Otherwise 〈◊〉 can have no hope to be heard if our petitions be not framâ—d according to GODS promises If wee will have GOD heare us wee must pray aâ—câ—rding to hâ—s will 1 Ioh. 5.14 Wee must aske in faith Both CHRIST and his Apostles require faith in GODS promises in prayer Mar. 11.24 Iames 1.6 No fâ—culty can or ought to extend it selfe beyond its adequate and proper object for the object is the rule and the limit of the habit but the promise is the object of faith as hath beene shewed therefore he that prayeth without a promise denieth his owne request If I pray for the salvation of another I have no promise how then can I pray in faith So likewise when a man prayes to be guided in such a businesse to have such an enterprize to be brought to passe to have deliverance from such a trouble such a sicknesse or calamity that hee lies under he finds no particular promise and for ought hee knowes it shall never be granted How can he be said to pray in faith For to pray in faith is to beleeve that the thing shall be done To pray in faith is to goe as farre as the promise goes Now no particular man hath any particular promise that hee shall have such a deliverance that he shall have such a particular mercy granted him and therefore it is not required to beleeve that that particular thing should be done but that GOD is ready to dâ—e that which is best for mee in such a particular that which shall be most for his owne glory and my good Indeed if we had a particular promise as Elias had that it should not raine in that case we were bound to beleeve in particular but not having that we are not tyed unto it David saith Psal. 35.13 that he prayed for his enemies but his prayer returned into his owne bosome no benefit came to them in their amendment yet hee was no looser by it his prayer was not lost The like may be said of others of GODS children when they seeke to GOD in sincerity and pray in the behalfe of others though the particular suite be not granted yet they discharging their dutie shall receive a reward The Promises also are the rule how we must pray as things are promised so must they be prayed for things absolutely promised may be absolutely asked but where GOD hath put conditions and exceptions to his promise there our prayers also must be conditionall and we must expresse or reserve in our mindes some such secret limitations as these If GOD see it to be good if his good pleasure be such if it may stand with his glory Moses Exâ—d 32.10 11. woâ—ld not lâ—t GOD done till he had spaâ—â—d his people but desired to be razed out of GODS Booke rather thâ—n his people should be destroyed because GOD had made an absolute promise to bring them into Canaan verse 13. which promise Moses pleadâ—th unto GOD in prayer GOD hath made an Absolute promise of the perpetuall continuance of the Church but 〈◊〉 of a continuall outward flouriâ—hing state thereof for he can turne the persecution of his Church to the increâ—se thereof and so â—aine honour unto himselfe and bring good unto his people thereby In this point because some things are controverted I will not interpose my owne judgement it shall suffice me to declare how the question is stated by many Divines 1. Spirituall things as they are necessary to salvation ought absolutely to be asked because they are absolutely promised to the Faithfull and those that seeke them Luke 11.13 2. Those spirituall goods which admit degrees cannot in every degree be absolutely begg'd because the things themselves not the degrees of them are absolutely necessary and of GOD absolutely promised 2 Cor. 12.8 9. 3. Yet we ought absolutely to ask that measure of grace which is necessary for us to avoid crimes or scandals and keepe a good conscience Iames 1.5 6. 1 Cor. 10.13 Psal. 19.14 Spirituall things are promised 1. Rather quoad essentiam then gradum perfectionis 2. In competencie for finall victory not in perfection 3. With power reserved to withdraw the exercise leave to our selves abate the fervour There must be submission to GODS will and wisedome in our prayers for spirituall things in regard of circumstances of time meanes measure for these the LORD hath reserved in his owne power We must not in our prayers prescribe GOD the particular time when he should give his blessings or helpe us out of misery yet we may lawfully pray that he would heare us speedily Psal. 102.3 because He hath promised to doe it All the Petitions of the LORDS Prayer saith Dr. Gouge are absolutely promised saving the fourth For hallowing GODS Name He himselfe hath said I have both glorified it and will glorifie it againe Iohn 12.28.2 For the comming of his kingdome CHRIST hath said that the gates of Hell shall not prevaile against his Church Mat. 16.18.3 For doing his will this is a branch of the new Covenant which by CHRISTS death is made absolute Ier. 31.33 Ezek. 36.27.4 For pardoning sinne this is another branch of the foresaid new Covenant 34. verse of Ieremy For not leading into temptation but delivering from evill the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 10.13 GOD will not suffer you to be tempted above that yee are able but will with the temptation make away to escape For daily bread GOD can instruct us both to be full and to be hungry both to abound and to suffer need Phil. 4 12. Temporall things are not promised absolutely but 1. With limitation to expediencie 2. They are conveied in the Covenant disjunctively either the particulars or the equivalent Mark 10.30 by way of commutation and compensation with spirituall
if not peace yet patience if not wealth yet contentment 3. With exception of the crosse and reservation of power to the promiser to chasten our misdemeanour Psal. 89.28 31 32. When we crave temporall benefits which GOD hath promised conditionally so farre forth as will stand with his glory and our spirituall good and everlasting salvation wee must beleeve that we shall obtaine them so farre forth as they will stand with these conditions Earthly and outward things are lawfully prayed for but ever â—um Conditione voluntatis with Condition of GODS good pleasure and liking Things Temporall which are promised with condition we are to pray for with condition of GODS will All outward things must be asked with this exception if it seeme good unto his Majesty which exception is proper to the fourth Petition We must aske these outward things not absolutely no further then they may stand with GODS glory Those things which belong to the kingdome of GOD are simply and primarily to be asked other things onely secundum quid and secondarily GODS promises of temporal blessings are Hypotheticae and goe with condition sometimes expressed sometimes suppressed which condition is as a sterne of a ship and turnes the promise another way Of the same opinion are Vrsin in his Catech. on the fourth Petition Piscator on 8. Mat. 2. Cameron Myrothee Evangel in Luke 5.12 Master Harris on the Beatitudes and Covenant Barlow on 2. of Tim. D. Preston in Saints daily Exercise and M. Goodwin in his returne of Prayer This is an undoubted truth that we must pray for heavenly things with a more ardent affection then for earthly Matth. 6.33 1. They comply with GODS nature and hee had rather be giving them 2. They are best for us and will doe us most good 2. GOD will not performe promises till by prayer they be sought for from him till in our humble desires wee declare that wee account his promises exceeding great and precious things The LORD had promised deliverance unto Israel yet saith the LORD For this I will be enquired of by the house of Israel to doe it for them Thus saith the LORD After seventy yeeres be accomplished at Babylon I will visit you and performe my good word towards you in causing you to returne to this place for I know the thoughts that I thinke towards you thoughts of peace and not of evill to give to you an expected end But how shall this excellent promise of GOD be effected It followes Then shall yee call upon me and yee shall goe and pray unto me and I will hearken unto you c. Godlinesse hath the promises of this life and that which is to come 1 Tim. 4.6 yet we doe not forbeare daily to say the LORDS Prayer that we may speede of both The Lord makes a promise of forgivenesse of sinnes I even I am hee that blotteth out thy transgression for mine owne â—ake and will not remember thy sinnes But for the execution of this promise GOD will be soâ—ght unto Put me in remembrance sâ—â—th he and set us pleaâ—e togâ—â—her Eâ—ay 43.25 26. 〈…〉 GOD to fuâ—fill his 〈◊〉 we testifie fâ—rst that they 〈◊〉 â—â—oâ—ises of mercy and not of â—ury or dâ—â—t secondly wee dâ—clare our â—eed and by consequence 〈◊〉 of them and deâ—endance upon them As Promiâ—â—s are the Rule of what we may pray â—or in â—aiâ—h so Prayer is the ground of what wee may expect with comfort CHAP. V. 5. The properties of them GODS Promises are 1. Free 2. Full. 3. Firme 1. GODS Promises are free and tranâ—ferred THey are not mâ—de for any 〈◊〉 that is in us buâ— proceed â—rom Gods freâ—â—om and benevolence â—orking mooâ—ed God out of himsâ—â—â—â— 1. Not 〈◊〉 Thâ— LORD did not â—et hâ—â— lovâ— upon you nor choose you because we were more in number then any other people or for any such like respects but because the LORD loved you That at first might seeme to be Idem per idem as we say a womans reason that the LORD should set his love on them because hee loved them but it excellently sets forth the ground of GODS love to rest altogether in himselfe and in his owne good pleasure 2. Not our beauty we were in our bloud when GOD set his love upon us and entred into Covenant with us 3. Not our righteousnesse Tit. 3.5 Not by workes of righteousnâ—sse which we have done but according to his mercy hee saved us There is nothing at all in us to move the LORD to promise any good to us as that first and great promise after Adam had sinned was from GODS free grace so are all other Evangelicall promises GOD never set the promises on sale or will ever sell his Sonne to any He gives him freely He stands not of desert We may buy of Him freely Esa. 55.1 2 3. Rev. 21.6 22.17 Ezek. 36.32 He loveth freely Hos. 14.7 and pardoneth sin freely Esay 43.25 1 Iohn 2.12 Election is of grace Rom. 11.5 Vocation is of grace 2 Tim. 1.9 Justification is freely by grace Rom. 3.24 Faith is of grace Ephes. 2.8 Eternall life and salvation is of grace Rom. 6.23 Luke 12.32 The Promises are free in ficri made onely out of grace but conditionall in facto esse performed and accomplished with dependance upon duties in us GOD is faithfull saith the Apostle who shall stablish you and keepe you from evill there is the promise and wee are confident that you will doe the things that wee command you there is the duty which the promise calls for When wee pray give us our daily bread by saying give us wee acknowledge that it is from GOD but when we call it ours we shew how GOD gives it namely in the use of the meanes For bread is ours not onely in the right of the promise I will not faile thee nor forsake thee but service and quiet working in an orderly calling The freenesse of GODS promises marvellously lifts up the head above water as the beggar saith the dole is free and why may not I get it as well as another O may some say but if I could pray and humble my selfe there were hope of mercy GOD gives his mercy freely he keepes open house he requires nothing of thee to procure it but he shewes mercy because hee will shew mercy See what he saith Esâ—y 43 24 25. Thou hast wearied mee saith he with thine iniquities and in the next verse I even I am he that blottâ—th out thy transâ—ressions for my owne sake even I excluding all mâ—anes for my owne names sake excluding all motive No unworâ—hinesse then should hinder us from beleeving the promises but rather they that have the most sense of their owne unworâ—hinesse have most incouragement to beleeve for that voice of CHRIST Come unto mee all yee that are weary c. serves not onely for our first conversion but in all
indeavours accepted He may expect protection in dangers and distresses Psal. 80.14 15 16. Every one protects their owne I am thine saith David save mee Psal. 119.94 He may looke to have his wants supplied Psal. 23.1 4. He may boldly challenge Sin Death Hell the Divell and victoriously triumph over them all with the Apostle 1 Cor. 15.55 56 57. and say with David The LORD is my light and my salvation whom shall I feare the LORD is the strength of my life of whom shall I be afraid Psal. 27.1 2. We should also improve the Covenant for all holy purposes We must with boldnesse and reverence challenge the Covenant of grace There cannot be a more forcible argument in prayer then to pleade GODS Covenant and the interest wee have in him Our Saviour Matth. 6.9 teaching us to pray bids us to say Our Father as if hee should say presume not to aske any petition of GOD till thou canst so conceive and be perswaded of him Those then who are GODS children may pray with confidence unto him as a Father ipsum nomen orat pro nobis The very name makes supplication for us Thus our Saviour CHRIST prayed O my Father three severall times Matth. 26.39 42 44. and My GOD My GOD Matth. 27.64 Psal. 22.1 The Papists urge their owne merits and merits of Saints in their prayers but GODS people have still urged Covenant Gen. 32.9 Nehem. 1.6.10.11 2 Chron. 14.11 20. 6 7. Psal. 16.1 2. Psal. 18.1 2 3 6. Psal. 22.1 116.16 Ioh. 17.6.9 10. Deut. 9.27 1 Sam. 12.22 Ier. 14.21 Vnite my heart saith David to thy feare Psal. 86.11 as if he should have said LORD thou hast promised to give mee one heart behold I finde my heart divided disjoynted unite it I beseech thee so those that are within the Covenant may goe to GOD and say LORD give mee wisedome faith patience for the discharge of my duty toward thee my heart is out of order LORD mend it it is thy bargaine thine owne Covenant O doe it for thy names sake GOD takes it well if we mind him of his Covenant and presse him with his promise Wee should also aggravate our sinnes in confession by this that wee have sinned against Covenant hand and seale our sinnes in that respect are worse then the sinnes of Pagans or Heathens they sinne but against Creation wee against Covenant whoredome is worse then fornication When wee are tempted to the committing of any sinne the Covenant should be a curbe to us wee should say no I must now lye no more sweare no more breake the LORDS day no more it is against my bargaine such a LORDS day in such a Congregation before such and such witnesses I tooke the Sacrament upon it that I would doe so no more when wee are taken off from any duty the Covenant should spurre us on wee should remember that wee have taken presse money and earnest as it were from GOD in our Baptisme that wee will be for him that wee have often renewed our first Covenant in the Sacrament and therefore there should be no flinching from our bargaine 2. Temporall Promises This second Table containes the Speciall Temporall Promises Speciall promises in regard of a mans selfe Temporall 1. In regard of evill 1. In generall Afflictions dangers 1. To prevent them 2. To qualifie them if they do come by correcting 1. In greâ—t wisedome which is seene in 1. The meetnesse of correction 2. The just measure and continuâ—nce thereof 2. In love and tendernâ—s 3. For good 1. General to make them happy 2. Speciall 1. To try them 2. To purge sin 3. To quicken Graces 1. Faith 〈…〉 2. Hope 3. Patience 3. To helpe us tâ— beare them and in due time to remove them 2. Speciall 1. Sicknesse 1. To prevent it 2. To helpe mâ—â— 3. To take it awâ—y 2. Povertie 3. Famine Promises to Succour in Deliverâ—tâ—â—n 4. Warre to preserve from it 5. Captivity Promises tâ— Comfort in Deliver â—ut 6. Witchcraft or the possession of the Divellâ— 7. Oppression 2. In regard of good 1. In generall to supply any thing needfull 2. In speciall for 1. Name 1. Honâ—ur 2. A goâ—d name 2. Body 1. Lonâ—-life 2. Health 3. Safety 4. Peace 5. Sleepe 6. Poâ—dâ—râ—iment 3. Estate 1. Wealth â— Good successe and prosperity 1. To their persâ—nâ— 2. To their purpâ—sâ—s 4. Calling Promises To diligence in it 1. Abundâ—â—ce and plentâ— 2. Protectiâ—n 3. Promâ—tâ—a 4. Good fate 5. It builds thâ— hâ—usâ— 6. It make 〈…〉 CHAP. II. Of Speciall Temporall Promises 1. Temporall Promises in regard of evill things 1. In Generall Afflictions and Dangers 1. To prevent them GOD will preserve his children from Afflictions and Dangers HE is a Buckler Gen. 15.1 Pro. 2.7 30.5 to keep them from all evill to cover and compasse them round about Psal. 5.11 12. Psal. 8.2 A wall of Brasse Ier. 1.18 and A wall of Fire about his children Zach. 2.5 As the mountaines are round about Ierusalem so the LORD is round about his people Psal. 125.2 There shall no evill befall thee neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling Psal. 91.10 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evill Psal. 121.7 There shall no evill touch thee Iob 5.19 GOD hath promised to protect his children in all their waies Psal. 91.11 and to preserve them in greatest dangers by Sea or land Fire and water are two mercilesse enemies yet the fire shall not burne nor the waters overflow them as GOD hath promised Esay 43.2 They must not passe by these by the fire and by the water but through the fire and through the water neither is here water mentioned onely but flouds or rivers of water nor fire onely but a flame too Surely in the flouds of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him Psal. 52.6 An asseveration is added to confirme their hearts and to shew the truth of the promise Though the earth and the heavens be shaken yet GOD will be the hope of his people Ioel 3.16 And they shall be hid in the day of his anger Zeph. 2.3 Therefore such who are in Covenant with GOD may looke to be freed from evills and dangers if it be for their good and in the valley of the shadow of death may assure themselves of GODS mercifull omnipotent presence Psal. 23.4 Psal. 73.26 Psal. 91.15 Esay 43.2 2. To qualifie them if they doe come GOD will qualifie Afflictions to his children He will correct them 1. In great wisedome which is seene in two things 1. In the meetnesse of correction Heb. 12.9 10. Furthermore wee had fathers of our flesh which corrected us and wee gave them reverence shall wee not much rather be in subiection to the father of spirits and live For they verily for a few daies chastened us after their owne pleasure but hee for our profit that wee might be partakers of his holinesse Earthly Parents oft correct
Psal. 89.16 See Psal. 33.21 8. Indisposition Comforts against it In the thoughts of our indisposiâ—ion to any thing that is good let these places quicken us I can doe all things through CHRIST that strengthneth mee Phil. 4.13 Yee shall be unto mee a kingdome of Priests Exod. 19.6 We shall be able to offer unto GOD the sacrifice of prayer or praise In every place incense shall be offered to my name and a pure offering Mal. 1.11 which is spoken of the beleeving Gentiles 9. Distractions Comforts against them GOD promiseth in the Covenant of grace Ezek. 11.19 To give his people one heart CHRIST prayed that we might have this one heart Iohn 17.21 23. and be one with GOD. When we are troubled with distractions in prayer hearing or meditation wee should pleade the Covenant and pray with David O LORD unite my heart to thee 10. Evils of good done Promises or comforts to the godly for evils of good done GOD not onely accepteth and taketh in good part the poorest service we doe to him notwithstanding our corruptions and frailties but even delighteth and taketh great pleasure in them Cant. 2.14 as a Father delights more in the stammering of his little childe then in the eloquence of the best Orator CHRIST presenteth and perfumeth our prayers to his Father Rev. 8.3 1 Pet. 2.5 And it shall be upon Aarons fore-head that Aaron may beare the iniquity of the holy things and that they may be accepted before the LORD Exod. 28.38 Aaron was a Type of CHRIST who by his intercession perfumes our prayers and doth away the blemishes that cleave to our best actions Loving Parents doe not take notice of many blemishes in their children so GOD seeth no iniquity in Iacob nor any transgression in Israel Num. 23.21 But passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage which makes the Prophet in the beginning of the verse in admiration to cry Who is a GOD like to thee 11. Comforts against Feares of their falling from GOD who labour to work out their salvation with feare and trembling 1. In regard of GOD. 1. His Counsell on which mans salvation is founded is sure and unchangeable and his calling without repentance Rom. 11.29 2. His Love is everlasting and inviolable Ier. 31.3 Rom. 8.35 ult 3. His Mercy like his Lovâ— is â—verlasting Psal. 103.17 Psal. 100.5.106.1 107.1 Luke 1.50 It is iterated 26. times in 136. Psalme 4. His Will is for such Luke 12.32 Iohn 6.39 His Grace and that is all-sufficient 2 Cor. 12.9 5. His Power is for such and that is Almighty Ioh 10.27 28 29. Iude 24.2 Tim. 1.12 6. His faithfullnesse and truth make both for this 2 Thess. 3.3 2. In regard of CHRIST 1. Because of our union with him He is the Head we the members and he will not suffer any to perish that are ingraffed into him Ioh. 6.39 Ioh. 17.22 23 26. 2. From the perpetuall efficacie of his intercession Rom. 8.34 Heb. 7.21 Hee is a Priest for ever and alwaies intercedes for his What he said to Peter I have prayed that thy faith faile not Luke 22.32 Hee performeth for all He is the Author and finisheâ— of our faith Heb. 12.2 3. In regard of the HOLY GHOST 1. His continuall assistance Hee shall abide with us for ever John 14.16 And hee which hath begun a good work will finish it Phil. 1.6 2. His Obsignation which is irrevocable every one that beleeveth is sealed by the holy Spirit of promise Ephes. 1.13 14. sealed for ever 4.30 2 Cor. 1.22 an honest man will not break his bargaine when there is earnest and evidence for it therefore Chrysostome saith elegantly if GOD having once given this earnest should not also give the rest of the inheritance He should undergo the losse of his earnest 4. The lasting power of the Word once rooted in the good and honest heart Luke 8.15 It is called immortall seed 1 Pet. 1.23 25. The engraffed Word James 1.21 The seed remaining 1 Joh. 3.9 5. The certainty and sweetnesse of the promises to this purpose GOD hath promised that his people shall not be mooved from the state of grace Psal. 15.5 16.8 Psal. 37.24 27 28 31. Psal. 55.22 102.28 Pro. 10.30 Psal. 125.1 Hee will not cast off his people nor forsake his inheritance Psal. 94.14 1 Sam. 12.22 And hee will put his feare into their hearts that they shall not depart from him For this is his Covenant with his people Ier. 32.39 40 41. Hosea 2.19 20. Hee upholdeth them with his hand that they shall not fall away Hee will confirme them unto the end that they may be blamâ—lesse in the day of our LORD JESUS CHRIST 1 Cor. 1.8 9. the like is 1 Thess. 5.23 24 GOD hath made more promises to hold up his children then ever he made to hold up the pillars of the world 6. The prayers of the whole Church of GOD which are very prevalent and powerfull Ioh. 16.23 the daily sacrifice of beleevers is ne inducas in tentationem 7. The force and might of faith 1 Pet. 1.2 3 4 5. 8. The durable vigour of saving graces John 4.14 our Saviour hath promised Iohn 16.22 that he will give unto the faithfull such constant and permanent joy as no man shall be able to take from them He hath prayed that our faith may not faile Luke 22.32 It is a stable grace 1 Ioh. 5.4 1 Pet. 2.6 Comforts to the Godly who are troubled with many and strong corruptions and likewise want the meanes of grace either 1. Altogether 2. In the power of them 3. Or having them so yet profit not by them 1. Comforts in case of dismayednesse under many and strong corruptions I will sprinkle cleane water upon you and you shall be cleane â—rom all your filthinesse and from all your idols will I cleanse you Ezek. 36.25 Though thy sinnes were as great as Idolatry in the first Table or Whoredome in the second yet GOD will forgive and sanctifie thee He will cast all our sinnes into the depths of the sea Micah 7.19 The sea can drowne mountaines as well as mole-hills Though they were as crimson and scarlet which will take no other die yet in CHRISTS bloud they shall bee made as white as wooll and snow Esay 1.18 All manner of sinnes and blasphemies shall be forgiven unto men Matth. 12.31 CHRIST came to save sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 It matters not what the wound is so CHRIST be the Physitian Where sin that is the knowledge and feeling of sinne abounded grace over-abounded Rom. 5.20 have wee a multitude and magnitude of sinnes GOD hath a multitude and magnitude of mercies Have mercy upon mee O GOD according unto the multitude so wee translate it the Hebrew word Rob signifieth also magnitude of thy tender mercies Two things terrifie penitent sinners 1. The multitude and exceeding great number of evils whereof they are guilty he tels
Ezek. 36.25 I will turne to the people a pure language Zeph. 3.9 See ver 13. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisedome and his tongue talketh of iudgement The Law of GOD is in his heart Psal. 37.30 31. CHRIST gave himselfe for us that hee might redeeme us from all iniquity and purifie unto himselfe a peculiar people zealous of good workes the LORD will guide the meeke in iudgement and teach the humble his way Psal. 25.8 12. In the daies of the Gospell saith the Prophet Zacharie shall there be upon the bels of the horses HOLINESSE VNTO THE LORD Those Promises before quoted in the Chapter of Justification Mat. 1.21 Ioh. 1.29 1 Iohn 2.2 1 Ioh. 1.7 Rev. 1.5 may be referred to this head also for they are to be understood not onely of pardoning our sinnes but delivering us from the power of them Promises 2. To Sanctification In keeping of them there is great reward Psal. 19.11 Blessed and happy is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power Rev. 20.6 Depart from evill and doe good and dwell for evermore Psal. 37.27 To give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified Act. 20.32 See the like Act. 26.18 See Rom. 8.1 13. 1 Iohn 1.7 Esay 1.16 17 18. CHAP. X Promises of Spirituall Graces 1. The kinds of them 1. Knowledge and wisdome 2. Faith 3. Confidence 4. Hope 5. Joy 6. Love of 1. GOD. 2. CHRIST 3. Our Brethren 4. Our Enemies 7. Feare 8. Obedience 9. Repentance in which are handled 1. Confession of sin 2. Mourning for sin 3. Killing of it 4. Turning from it 10. Humility 11. Meekenesse 12. Patience 13. Righteousnesse 14. Vprightnesse 15. Peace 16. Zeale 17. Perseverance Spirituall Graces promised 1. Knowledge and Wisdome Promises 1. Of Knowledge IT is part of the Covenant Heb. 8.11 You shall know me from the least to the greatest and I will teach you and you shall no more teach one another his neighbour you shall have my law written in your hearts The Prophet speaking of the daies of CHRIST saith The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea Esay 11.9 the like we have Hab. 2.14 In the time of the Old Testament there was a vaile that covered their hearts and their eyes that they were not able to see the truth clearely but now That vaile is taken away and wee see the truth with open face as wee see an image in a glasse We know much more then they in the Old Testament and in another manner more distinctly more particularly It is oft said that The LORD will teach his people As in that famous prophesie of the daies of the Gospell that GOD would teach them his waies and they would walke in his paths Esay 2.3 Micah 4.2 So Psal. 25.8 9. Hee will teach sinners in the way and the meeke hee will teach his way The Elect shall be all taught of GOD Iohn 6.45 so much as is necessary for their salvation yea The least as well as the greatest They shall know of the Scripture to be GODS Word Esay 52.6 They shall know in that day that I am hee that doth speake behold it is I. They shall know of that doctrine which is taught them whether it be of GOD or whether their teacher speake of himselfe Iohn 7.17 CHRISTS Sheepe know his voice and will follow him John 10.4 The secret of the LORD is revealed to them that feare him and hee will shew them his Covenant Psal. 25.14 See ver 12. When the Spirit of truth is come hee will guide you into all truth Iohn 16.13 The faithfull have an unction from the holy one and know all things 1 Iohn 2.20 and ver 27. The HOLY GHOST abideth in them and they need not that any man teach them See Pro. 1.23 Hos. 14.9 Psal. 107.43 Iohn 8.32 Psal. 32.8 Marke 4.11 Esay 30.21 Prov. 2.3 4 5 6. Prov. 3.6 14.6 Promises 2. To Knowledge and wisedome It is rewarded 1. with Temporall blessings GOD will exalt such as know him I will set him on high because he hath knowne my name Psal. 91.14 Length of daies is in her right hand and in her left hand riches and honour Prov. 3.14 2. With spirituall blessings as grace and peace 2 Pet. 1.2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of GOD. 3. With eternall blessings Prov. 3.13 18. Shee is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her and happy is every one that retaineth her 2. Faith which is thus defined Faith is a supernaturall gift of GOD in the mind apprehending the saving promise with all the promises that depend upon it Phil. 1.29 Gal. 3.14 Promises 1. Of Faith GOD promiseth to give Faith to whom hee meanes to save The Apostle saith It is the gift of GOD Ephes. 2.8 and Iude 3. That it was once given to the Saints Heb. 12.2 CHRIST is said to be the Author and finisher of our Faith And Rom. 12.3 That GOD hath dealt to every man the measure of Faith All that the Father giveth mee that is by election shall come to mee that is by Faith Iohn 6.37 See verse 35. Promises 2. To Faith Many Promises are made to Beleevers 1. Beleefe in GOD brings good successe Beleeve in the LORD your GOD so shall yee be established beleeve his Prophets so shall yee prosper 2 Chron. 20.20 2. Forgivenesse of sinnes righteousnesse and justification are promised to Beleevers Acts 10.43 Rom. 10.4 4.5 5.1 Acts 13.39 3. Wee are made the sonnes of GOD by adoption when wee beleeve in CHRIST Ioh. 1.12 Gal. 3.26 29. 4. GOD will give his Spirit to them that beleeve Hee that beleeveth in mee out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water Ioh. 7.38 5. GOD hath promised to heare the prayers of such as beleeve What things soever yee desire when yee pray beleeve that yee receive them and yee shall have them Mark 11.24 Whatsoever yee shall aske in prayer if yee beleeve yee shall receive it Matth. 21.22 6. Eternall life is promised to Beleevers Iohn 3.16 Whosoever beleeveth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life It is not onely said hee shall have eternall life but already he hath it often in Iohn Chap. 3.36 Chap. 5. 24. Chap. 6.47 54. 1. In regard of right because hee is instated into it in the Covenant of grace Mat. 5.3 2. CHRIST in his Ascention hath taken full possession for us Ephes. 2.6 3. In regard of initiall fruition in this life the life of grace is an imperfect life of glory Beleevers are said to be blessed John 20.29 Every man that beleeves shall be saved Mar. 16.16 There is the gracious promise now the Faithfull man assumes the Minor but I beleeve and out of these two premises inferreth this saving Conclusion therefore I shall be saved
challenge GOD with his promise and in a holy reverence and humble boldnesse charge him with that Covenant mentioned in Ezekiel Promises 2. To Godly sorrow 1. Comfort Blessed are they that mourne for they shall be comforted Mat 5.4 The words import an exceeding measure of griefe such as is expressed by crying and weeping therefore Luke saith Blessed are yee that now weepe Piscator and others expound it of sorrow for sinne They that so mourne are already blessed and shall be comforted You shall be sorrowfull but your sorrow shall be turned into ioy Iohn 16.20 See verse 24. Psal. 126.5.6 They that sow in teares shall reape in ioy Hee that goeth forth and weepeth shall come againe with reioycing bringing his sheaves with him GOD hath undertaken to comfort them In the prophesie of Esay every where almost wee finde it promised The ransomed of the LORD shall returne and come to Zion with songs and everlasting ioy upon their heads they shall obtaine ioy and gladnesse and sorrow and sighing shall fly away Esay 35.10 They shall have both outward and inward comfoâ—t for so some distinguish betweene ioy and gladnesse that â—oy is outward of the body and gladnesse inward of the soule Psal. 118.24 arise saith GOD â—alling on his Church and shine â—nd put on brightnesse and glory â—he LORD shall be a light unto â—hee in darkenesse CHRIST was â—ent for this very end to comfort such as mourne for their sinnes The LORD hath sent mee to binde up the broken hearted to give unto them that mourne in Zion beauty for ashes the oyle of ioy for mourning the garment of praise for the spirit of heavinesse Esay 61.1 3. Luke 4.18 I am not sent but unto the lost sheepe of the house of Israel Mat. 15.24 that is saith M. Perkins to those which in their owne sence and feeling are lost in themselves The fruit of the Spirit is ioy Gal. 5.22 The LORD who is the Father of mercies and GOD of all consolation is cald a GOD that Comforteth all those that are cast downe 2 Cor. 7.6 Comfort yee comfort yee my people saith our GOD. Speake yee comfortably to Hierusalem and cry unto her that her warfare is accomplished that her iniquity is pardoned Esay 40.1 2. Behold how freely and how fully the LORD speakes how he doubles his comforts Comfort yee comfort yee and iterates his words speake comfortably cry unto her The LORD will comfort Zion and her mourners Esay 57.18 All Sion the Church of GOD shall be comforted and all the friends of the Church that mourne in her mourning and that take to heart her sorrowes and desolation shall be comforted too GOD shall wipe away all teares from their eyes Rev. 7.17 Thus saith the High and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity whose name is holy I dwell in the high and holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones Esay 57.15 The day of humiliation when GODS people afflict their soules before him is called a day of aâ—tonement Levit 23.27 For so is GODS promise In that day there â—hall be a Fountaine opened for sinne Zach. 13.1 2. Grace This benefit is pressed as a motive unto godly sorrow 1 Pet. 5.5 6. GOD giveth grace to the humble Humble your selves therefore saith the Apostle under the mighty hand of GOD. Iam. 4.6 7 9. GOD giveth grace to the humble Submit your selves therefore to GOD Be afflicted and mourne and weepe 1. Knowledge The humble he will teach his way Psal. 25.9 2. Repentance Godly sorrow bringeth repentance to salvation 2 Cor. 7.10 3. Speciall protection assistance and mercy in the evill day Those that mourne for the sinnes of other men have a great promise of speciall protection in the daies of common calamity Goe through the midst of the City through the midst of Ierusalem and set a marke upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abhominations that be done in the midst thereof Ezek. 9.4 GOD marked them for his owne signo salutari saith Iunius with a saving marke such as that Exod. 12. Thou wilt save the afflicted people Psal. 18.27 Hee saveth such as be of a contrite spirit Psal. 34.18 When men are cast downe then thou shalt say there is a lifting up he shall save the humble person Iob 22.29 4. Audience in prayer The LORD hath promised that the prayers of such shall prevaile mightily with him both for themselves and others It is said of Iacob Hosea 12.4 Hee had power over the Angell and prevailed hee wept and made supplications unto him And of Hezekiah Esay 38.5 I have heard thy prayers I have seene thy teares behold I will add unto thy daies fifteene yeares LORD thou hast heard the desire of the humble thou wilt prepare their heart thou wilt cause thine eare to heare Psal. 10.17 When the Prophet had said Psal. 34.17 The righteous cry and the LORD heareth them he giveth this reason verse 18. The LORD is nigh to them that are of a broken heart 2 Chron. 7.14 If my people that are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray then will I heare from Heaven Yea GOD will heare them also for others Iob 42.8 My servant Job shall pray for you for him will I accept 3. Mortification or killing of sinne Promises 1. Of Mortification A Child of GOD shall be able to mortifie his corruptions and overcome his speciall sinnes which most prevaile over him For sinne shall not have dominion over you Rom. 6 14. that is shall never any more reigne as in times past it did and so have the full victory over you For yee are not under the Law but under grace that is Yee are not still under the condemnation and tyranny of the Law but by true receiving of CHRIST by faith are now delivered from that bondage and so brought into the liberty of GODS children See ver 18 22. and Rom. 7.24 25. He will subdue our iniquities Micah 7.19 Hee will tread them under our feete as it were This grace of Mortification is expressely promised Gal. 5.16 Walke in the spirit and yee shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh Tit. 2.11 14. The members of CHRIST shall be cleansed from the guiltinesse of sinne it shall not be imputed and from the filthinesse of sinne it shall not prevaile over them 1 Iohn 17.9 Mat. 1.21 Iohn 1.29 Rev. 1.5 Acts 3.26 Psal. 103.3 The Prophets foretold in their time That GOD would purge and cleanse his Church Esay 1.25 That GOD will purely purge their drosse and take away all their tinne that is their sinnes I will cleanse you or wash you that is with the imputation or sprinkling of the blood of CHRIST from all your Idols that is from all the sinnes that you have committed When wee feele our
of truth 221 222. Promises to those that are persecuted for practice of good and for both together 222 223. Perseverance promises of and to it 330. Plenty see wealth Ponder what it is 32. Possession of the Divell see witchcraft Poverty promises in regard of it 181 182. Practice promises to the practice of the word 388. Promises to those that suffer for the practice of good 222. Praising God promises of and to it 397. Prayer is a means to apply the promises 33 34. Prayer is to be grounded on Gods promises 49. to 60. Promises to give the godly hearts to pray 374. Promises to help them to pray and to heare their prayers especially in trouble 374. to 380. Promises to prayer 381 382. Promises to fervent secret private and publick prayer 382. to 385. Preaching promises to it 386. Presence promises of Gods gracious presence with the godly 269. Promises the nature of them 1. to 8. How distinguished from commandements and threatnings and from purposes 1 5. The explanation of the word and the acceptations of it in Scripture 1 2 3. The definition of a Promise in generall 3. The divine Promises diversly defined 5. The division of a Promise in generall and of the divine Promises 3 4 11 to 16. Promises are the grounds of our hope and objects of our Faith 6 7. The order wherin faith layes hold on the Promises 8 9. The excellency of the Promises 18 to 26. The right use of the Promises 26 27. Generall and particular rules directing us how to use them 5 28 to 62. How spirituall and temporall things are promised 15 16 56. to 59. God must be sought to for the performance of his Promises 60 61. The properties of the Promises 63 to 9â— The manner how God performeth his Promises 96. He delayeth the fullfilling of his Promises 56 98 99 100. The persons to whom the Promises belong 104. to 110. Prosperity promises of it to the godly both to their persons and purposes 207 208. Providence promises of Gods speciall Providence over his people 270 27â— R RAiment promises of it 204. Reading of the word promises to it 386 387. Reconciliation promises of it 289. Redemption promises of it 280. Repentance 331. Promises 1. of it 2. to it 18. Reproaches promises to those that are reproached for both truth and goodnesse 224 to 227. Reproofe promises to it 402. Resurrection promises of it 420. Righteousnesse promises to make us righteous 288. promises to righteousnes 353 354 355. S SAbbath promises to those that sanctifie it 399 400. Sacraments a division of all the Sacraments 119 120 121. promises to the Sacraments in generall 393. Safety promises of it â—01 Salvation by Christ 278. Sanctification promises of and to it 294 to 298. Scandales promises against them 233. Scarcity see famine Seeking of GOD promises to it 407 408. Servants promises to godly servants 4â—6 447. Sicknesse promises in regard of it 180. Sin comforts in case of dismaiednesse under many and strong corruptions 259 260. Sleep promises of quiet rest and safety in the night 203. Sorrow promises of and to godly sorrow 334. to 339. Spirit promises of the Spirit 291 292. A promise to those that have the Spirit 293. Spirituall promises 215. Spirituall graces promised 300. How spirituall things are promised 15 55 56 57. Strength promises of bodily strength 201. Successe see prosperity Suffering see persecution T TEachers comforts to those who have no teachers or such as are bad 261 262. Temporall promises in regard of evill things 155. in regard of good things 190. to 193. Temporall things how promised 16 58 59. Temptations from the Divell and flesh promises against them 215 to 220. Threatnings 2 38. Testament see Covenant Tillage promises to it 209. marg Tithes a promise to paying of them 407. Truth comforts to such as suffer for the profession of the truth 221 222. Turning from sin promises of and to it 346 347. V VNcheerfullnesse comforts against it 250 251. Vocation see effectuall calling Vprightnesse promises of and to it of all sorts 355 356. Vse of the promises 20. to 62. Vse of faith in respect of afflictions 174. to 178. W WAiting on God promises to it 409 410. A promise to such as wait for the word 388. Warre promises to preserve from it 186 187. Watchfullnesse promises to it 400. Weak comforts to weak Christians 244 to 247. Wealth promises of it 205 206. Wise promises to her 448 449. Wisdome see Knowledge Witchâ—raft a promise against it 189 Word promises that Gods children shall hearken to it and to them that doe hearken to it 388 389. World promises against evill in the world in generall 231 232. Worldly cares see covetousnesse Z ZEale promises to it 361. FINIS * As Paula Marcella were to Ierome so is your Ladyship to those iudicious persons which resort unto you a great Questionist they to whom you propound your doubts do tam proficere quam prodesse as well benefit by you as benefit you Quis virtuteÌ„ ampâ—ectitur iosam praemisi tollas Inâ—ë Sat. 10. He that beleeves not the iudâ—ements will never sticke to do any evill he that believes not the Promisâ—s wil never be forward to do any good Esa. 12.3 Esay 66.11 3 Ep of Iohn 2. Rom. â—5 1 Rom. 3.12 * Pudeat illos saith Tully qui ita in studijs se abdiderunt ut ad vitam communem nulluÌ„ fructum proferre possint Paulum sepultae distat inertiae Câ—lata virtus Hor l. 4. Carm. od 9 Trisle mortalitatis privilegiuÌ„ est c. Euphormio Book 1. Perkins on 2. Hab. 4. Faith in the Commandements saith Dike breeds obedience in the Threatnings feare in the Promises Comfort The Greek words for Promise in the New Testament are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is tendred in the English a Message 1 Ioh. 1.5 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nuncius but most Vsually a Promise Ephes. 3.6 1 Ioh 7.25 and often in the Galatians it signifieth gratuâ—â—am ultrenamque promissionem a free and williâ—g Promise as both Budeus and Beza have observed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 2 Pet ... 4. wâ—ich properly signifieth a Publike Promise made is foro before many ab 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 id est nunciare edicere The Latine 1. Promissienâ— promissiâ— whence comes the frencâ— word promesse and the english promise à pro nutto praemittitur enim promissiorei praesiandae 2. Pollicuum or pollicitatio which also signifieth a free Promise it commeth of polliceor and that of porro liceor Pollicemâ—â— spoute promittimus rogati saith Serâ—ius on Virg. 3. Sponsiâ— from Spondere quasi sponte dicere saith Scaliger Illyric clav Script Rom. 4.16 Gal 3. â—8 As often as S. Paul compares the Law with the Promise hee makes a comparison betweene the Law and Gospell Illyric ubi Supra Promissio interdum idem vales quod res promissa Piscator Act. 1.33 18 19 7.17 26.7 See Heb. 9.15 11.9 17 3â— 39.
accomplishment 1 King 8.37.40 2 Chron. 20.8 10. Iosh. 1.5 6. Heb. 13.5 Luk. 2â— 32 Iohn 17.15 See â—1 20. verses Psal. 84.11 Master Reynolds in his Treatise of the Sinfullnesse of Sin Mat 6.33 Esay 55.5 1 Thess. 4.7 Ier. 31.33 1 Thess. 5 23 Ier. 32.40 Hos 11.3 Hos. 14.4 Ezek. 34.16 Gods Promises signifie what he will do his precepts what we must do that this promises may be to us fulfilled Hee promiseth to hiâ— Church to forgive theiâ— sinnes withall giveâ— us command to repent beleeve that our sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come Acts 3.19 His promise is to save his children their duty yet to save theâ—selves Acts â— 40 * Experiments God hath given us in others Iam. 5.11 2 Experience â—f his mercy in our selves See Pal. 4.1 â—sal 2 7.5 77.5.11 1.3 5. Psa. 1â—9 52 That faith may be preserved wee must often meditate upon the sweetnesse Ps. 1â—9 103. 139.11 constancie Rev. 1.5 2 Cor. 1.20 perpetulty of the most precious and free promises which are thâ— grounds of faith Hos. 14.5 Ezek. 36.22 as a Revered Divineâ— observes in his Exposition of his Catechisme The Philosopher saith that experience is multiplex memoria a multiplied memory because of the memory of the same thing often done ariseth experience Psal. 139.14 The ground for what and the rule how wee must pray All our prayers are to be grounded on Gods promises David often chargeth God with his promise Psal. 119. Qâ—â—cken me according to thy word v. 2â— that is thy promise in thy word So 10â— 149 154. Remâ—mber thy Wor◠〈…〉 thy Woâ—d 38. still he haâ—ps upon this stâ—ing 28â— 1. â—5 75. * Neh. 1.8 1â— In the waâ—t of other Rhetorick Oratory let Christians in their prayâ—â—â—â—rge this with repetition Lord â—hou hast â—romised thou hast promised 〈…〉 2 Chron. â—9 â—â— 15 17. 1 King â—2 The thing asked must first be warranted under some precept or promise in generall though not expresly M. Harris Obiect How wee may pray in faith when we want a particular promise that the thing we aske shall be granted Sol. Gods promises of things temporall and to heare us for others are but indefiniâ—e not universall The faith therefore requited toward them is but an indefinite act of recumbency and submissiâ—n not of assurance M. Goâ—heiâ— in his returne of Prayers Yet God often grants prayers made for oâ—herâ— since promises are made to such prayers as that they shal be healed in their bodies Iam 5 15. healed of their lustâ— v. 16. converted to liâ—e 1 Ioh 5 16. Id. ib. Eo modo cuinia sunt petenda quo modo sunt promissa Verse 3â— We may pray againsâ— temptations as against sicknesse and poverty 〈◊〉 simply buâ— with submission to Gods will only we must pray abâ—oluâ—ely to be 〈◊〉 from 〈…〉 of temptation for those latter words in the I. P doe restraine or correct the former D. Am. That wee should have grace is absolutely necessary and therefore we may pray absolutely for it We may not absolutely pray for limited set meaâ—ureâ— of grace but in what measure God shall thinke good D. Sclater upon 2. to the Thess. pag. 18.210 233. 2 Chro. 32 31 D. Sâ—lat on 1. of Rom. We must referre the time manner and measure of granting our petitions to the Lord. D. Preston on the Sacrament D. Gâ—uge on the Lords Prayer See page 10 See Schudder key of heaven last Doct. Mat. 26.39 D. Sclat on 2.10 Thess pages before quoted There is no temporall thing of this life doth Cadâ—re in promissâ—on Dei but onely so faâ—re forth as it shaâ—l helpe and further the next life This life is but via ad citam and whatsoever God promise◠〈◊〉 in the waâ— is but to 〈◊〉 us â—n the end oâ—â—he 〈◊〉 a 〈…〉 guide to godlinesse b B Babington on L.P. c A Reverend Divine on the L.P. d A Worthy Writer in his Catechisme Smith grounds of religion Tylen Syntag Barker on the 5. Commandement * Illa sola sunt absoluteÌ„ petenda quae necessaria sunt ad Dei gloriam nâ—stram salutem caetera vero cum tacita subiectione ad Dei sapientissimaÌ„ dispositioneÌ„ D Ames medul To l. 2. c. 9. Therefore in the Lords Prayer there are 5. Petitions for Spirituall and but one for Temporall things God must be sought to for the performaÌ„ce of his promises Ezek. 36 â—7 Ier. 29 10 13 God doth not give his promises to make us idle but to exercise our faith in importuning him for performance Gods promises then are as directions in not as dispensations from the devotion we owe unto God Bish. Lake â—hen God promised thingâ— in parâ—icular yet â—â—ll â—hey prayed and prayed earnestlâ— as Eâ—â—th when God promiseâ— that it should raine 1 Kiâ—g 18.41 42. and David when God promised to make him an house 2 Sam. 7.11 It is called a Covenant of gâ—ace and the promise of grace The very Greek and Latine wâ—rds for promise sâ— was beforâ— noted signifie a free and willing promise so the word is taken â—it 1. â— Deut. 7.7 8. Ezek. 16.6.8 a Christ is a free gift Esay 96. and how shall he not with him freely give us all thing Rom. 8 31. God commendeth his love to us in that when we were yet sinners and enemies also Christ died for us Rom 5 8.10 He loved us non existentes imo resistentes saith Bernard b The promises are free yet conditionall Conditionall is not opposed to Free but to Absolute 2 Thess. 3.3 4 2 Thess. 3.11.12 The freenes of Gods promises revives our hope * It is good for a man saith Greenham to watch himselfe whether in hearing the promises of God he hath a cold feare comming on him for his unworthines which if he have that man may hope well of himselfe Mat. 11.28 The wicked came Gods peace into wantonnes Iude 4. 2 Cor. 7 1. Heb. 4 1. Esay 55.7 The Covenant is actually made with beleevers onely Act 13.48 Gal. 3. â— but it is offered unto all by the Gospel Mat. 28 1â— Acts 17.30 Col 1.23 Tit. â— 11 Ioh. 6 45 7 Ephes. 1.17 〈…〉 in Comment ad Rome 3. v. 2. Acts 2.39 The largenesse of the Promise serveth not onely to assure all beleevers of salvation but to encourage all that heare of Christ to beleeve in him as the brazen Serpent had a promise annexed to it Numb 21.8 9. Ioh. 3.14 15 â—6 that all that lookâ—d toward it when they were stung with a Serpent should be he healed that promise served not onely to assure the lookers of recovery but also to encourage and warrant every one to looke to the Serpent The Sacraments particularize the generality of the promise * Perkins reformed Cathâ—like Abbot against Bish. * D. Prideaux Lect 7 de salutis certitudine D Sclater on Rom 18. The Papish say it is arrogancy and presumption by a speciall faith to apply the promises to our selves
10. Iob 22 27. 33.6 Esay 58 â— David pleadeth this promise Psal. 4.1 Generall promises to prayer that God will heare and answer us Esay 30.19 Iohn 16.23 particular promises first deliverance from any trouble and affliction Ps. 50.15 of strength and patience to beare it Iam. 1.5 Secondly whatsoever spirituall grace wee stand in need of Luk. 11.13 Thirdly inward ioy peace of conscience Iob 23.26 Ioh. 16.24 We are to be familiarâ—y acquainted with these promises and meditate on some of them when we goe to pray Exod 22 23. Psal 9.9 22.24 Psal. 86.6 7. Psal. 5.24 Ier. 29 12 â—3 Luke 8.7 8 Iam 5.16 Psal. 81.10 * D. Playferâ— Non dicitur quid dabitur saith Austen Christ nameth not what shall be giveÌ„ to you to let us know that that gift is a thing suprae omne nomen above all that can bee named Matth 6.6 If every severall beleiver have a promise Mat 7.7 8 to bee heard in whatsoever he shall ask according to the will of God when he praieth apart by him self or privately in his frâ—ily or with a few much more when hee ioyns in prayer with the Minister and â—he rest of the godly iâ— the publiâ— assembly Mat 18 20. God hath promised to accompany this ordinaÌ„ce of his with the divine power efficacy of his Holy Spirit Esay 59.21 Iohn 5.25 Rev. 1.3 Pro 8 34 35. Metaphora à clientibus so res patronoruÌ„ obsidentibus sunius Esa. 5â— 1 2. Promises 1. Generall God will ever assist this ordinance and worke with it Mat. 28.10 2. â—â—ee will save the souls of his people by this ordinance Iam. 1 21. â—s 55.3 3 By this ordinance he will beginne grace and convert the soule Ps. 19.7 4 By this ordinance he will increase and perfect grace where he hath begun it Mark 4.24 Act 20.32 God hath made also partâ—cular promises to them that attend on this ordinance 1. That by it he will give them strength to overcome their strongest corruptions Psal. 119 9 2. That hee will by it worke peace in their consciences Esay 57.9 Prov â— 14. Mark 4.24 Luke 1 28. Rom. 1.16 Wee should heare so as to expect hope for life by the word which the Lord promiseth Deu. 3â— 47 Ioh. 5.39 It is a usuall thing to call the principal cause the instrument by the same name Acts 1 4 5. 1 Cor 11 24 25. â—â—k 21.19 â—0 Iohne 14 5â— Mark 1 22 â—4 The duty of Fasting is to bee performed when the accomplishment of some remarkable promise is expeâ—ted to be fulfilled to the Church Dan. 9.2 3. This promise may be also applied to the following of good examples presidents Lan. 3 4â— The Lord promâ—seth many singular graces to all that sanctifie hiâ— day of what nacion or condition soever they be â—hey shall have their hearts filled full of spirituall joy God will give them the spirit of prayer hear their prayers he will give â—hem ability to serve him hee will also accept reward their service Terque quateâ—que beati Poelices ter ampâ—ius Horat See Mat 6. Heb 13.16 Eccles. 11. â— Esay 587 8 10 11. Ps. 129. Pro. 14.21 22 * Though Alms deeds merit not at Gods hands yet they make him our debtor according to his gratious promise said King Iames Pro 1â— 17 1 Tim 6.18.19 He that hath a bountifull eve shall be blessed for he giveth of his bread to the poor Pro 2â— 9 Dicit frigidae aquae ne in calida sumptuÌ„ lignoruÌ„ causari quis posset Hieron Mark 9.4 Propecuto aquae frâ—gidae torrens voluptatis See Mal. 3.10 1â— A promise to paying of tithes Zephany 2.3 Rest on every side from enemies Book IV 2 Chro. 14.7 Esay 55.6 2 Chro 14 7 Mat. 77. 2 Chro. 31.11 Blessed are they that seeke him with their whole heart Psalm 119.2 Book III Psalmâ—9 â—9 15 16 â—7 18. 1 Tim 4 8. Book IV â—râ—mises in genâ—rall to tâ—e wâ—ys of godlinesse 〈…〉 Auâ—â—in * Some doe referre it to the day of judgement when the faithfull shall not be confounded or ashamed cum ventris in future when Christ shall come to judgemeÌ„t Glosse interlin Haymâ— But it is more generall shewing that the faithfull neither in the time present nor to come shall be ashamed Not to be confounded signâ—fieth non frustrati not to be disappointed of theâ—r hope P. Matt. And more is underâ—â—ood then said i.e. shall be confirmed comforted and establisheâ— Parus He that will kâ—epâ— my saying shall â—ot test of death Iohn 8.51 that is shall not be overwhelâ—ed by â—t Dying in the Lord. Revel â—4 13 is but a rest from labours 2 Tim. 1.10 That one happy pang which puls away the soule from the body doth also pul away sinne both from the soul and body God doth watch over the faithfull for good by his proâ—idence both in life and death Mat. 10.28 29 30 31. Psa. 72.14 2 Sam 25. In Christ shal all be made alive 1 Cor 15 â—â—punc that is shall be raised by him at the resurrection The Cermaâ—es call the Church yard Godsaker because the bodies are sowne there to bee raised again and the Grecians called their Church yards or places of sepulture 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dormitories or sleeping places wher the bodies rest expecting the resurrection The soule of tâ—e faithfull at the dissolution of the body shall go immediately to heaven Therfore there is no purgatory Christ promiseth to the Saints of God afâ—er death Life 1 Tim 4.8 Apoc. 2.10 Iohn 5.24 11.25 Rest Luke 16.25 Apoc. 14.13 Ioy Mat 3.25.23 Esay 35 10. * 1 Iohn 4 17 3.21 Acts 3 19. Heb. â— 28 There is a promise 2 Tim 4.8 to these that long for Christs secoÌ„d comming love his appearing Mat. 13.43 See 1 Cor 15 4â— 43. Heb. 9. â—5 11 16. Iam. 1 1â— 5 Iude 20 21 verse The glâ—ry of the body say the Schoole men consists first in clarity Mat â—â— 43 2 Impassibility 1 Cor. 5 53. 2 Of the soul consists in the manifest visioÌ„ of God which succeeds faith 1 Cor. 13.12 2 In the perfect fruition of God which succeeds hope Rev. 7.16 7 3 In the perfect love of God whâ—câ— succeeds of imperfect charity 1 Cor 13.8 Rev. 21.3 1 Thes 4 17. 1 Pet. 13.4 Sir Thomas Bodley gave for his arms three crowns with this posey Quarta perennu erit the fourth shal be eternall Book V. Esay â—3 20. The unvisible Church is the â—â—llar of tâ—uth Christ is made to her righteousnes sanctificaâ—io She hath all light and 〈◊〉 here in Heaven The â—ambe himself shall be hâ—r Sunne glory She shall be led into al truth Her faiâ—â— shal not faiâ—â— her enemies shal â—cke the dost of her sect come and worship before her she shall inherit the earth prevaile against tâ—e gates of her enemies Yea the promises made to Christ hiâ—self are applied to her compare Esay 49 â— with that in 2 Cor 6â— Promises unto the Church assemblies Christ hath promiâ—ed to be present in a more comfortable maÌ„ner in the assemblies of his people then in any of our houses or any other place Promises unto the Church-assemblies Publike places have a pâ—omise of Gods special presence in them 1 King 9.3 There is beauty Ps. 7 4 goodâ—eâ—se taâ—nesse in Gods houâ—e such as 〈◊〉 fill the soule of a man give him as much as hee can desire Esay 55.7 See 2 Thess. 2.8 See ver 8. Fâ—rbâ—s upon tâ—e place Magnas la pa sua molâ—â—uit cum ingeniâ— impetuâ— mato iâ—si pro ijciatuâ—r longe maximo protectus ab act quo valido â—ebusto BrightmaÌ„nu in locum Esay 42 2â— â—3 Ps. 68.29 31. 7â— 10 11 â—â— 19 Esa 62 2. Ps. 38 4. Esa. 60.3 5 8 Act. 10.45 Mâ—t. 19 2â— 28. â—0 It was promised Esa 6.13 that a tenth should returne 1 Tim. 4.16 Rev â—1 18. Dan. 12. â— Mat. 24.45 46. 2 Tim. 4 7 8 Secundum laboreÌ„ accipient non secund um proventam saith Bernard Esay 11.13 14. Ephes 6 5 8 He blesseth the habâ—tation of the Iust Pro 3.33 Exod. 34 24. a That very promise was after repeated to Abrahams posterity in all ages to be a staffe of comfort to them still therfore it is oft said that God is the God of AbrahaÌ„ Isaac Iacob Exod 36 15 â—6 Leâ—â— 42 Ps. 105 8. 〈◊〉 b Acts 3.25 Rom. 4.11.16 1 Cor 7.14 Esa. 619 65.23 Ps. 102 â—8 Pro. 14.26 * Hâ—on 4 of Iob 1 Cor 7 14. Rom. 11.16 See 1 Kin 11 34. 2 Kings 10.30 Obiect * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ambrose and Piscator say this is the first precept of the second Table with promise Answ. Boza Vâ—sin Râ—vet on 20. of Exo Zanchtuâ— on Eph 6. B Bahington B. Andrews D. Gouge and others Deut. 5 1â— Ier 35.18 19 Mal. 3.16 17.