4.67.8 Ob. This blessednesse might belong to Abraham and such as hee was but not vnto mee and such as I am A. It was not written for his sake alone that it was not imputed but vnto vs also to whom it shall not be imputed if wee beleeue on him that raised vp Iesus our Lord from the dead Rom. 4.23 1 Tim. 1.16 Ob. Many alas are the duties I might haue performed which I haue foolishly omitted A. He will not reproue thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings to haue beene continually before him Psalm 50.8 Ob. Multitudes of actuall transgressions also haue I committed some of ignorance or without obseruation many whereof are out of minde and forgotten A. Who can vnderstand hts errours Therefore say vnto God Cleanse thou mee from my secret faults Psalm 19.12 For as the high priest vnder the Law went alone once euery yeere not without blood which he offered for himselfe and for the errours of the people Hebr. 9.7 Leu. 4.2 c. 5.15 c. So CHRIST Iesus by his owne blood entred into the holy place hauing obtained eternall redemption for vs Hebr. 9.12 Acts 3.17.19 1 Tim. 1.13 Luke 7.47 Psalme 78.40.41 Acts 13.18 Psal 78 38.39 Ob. But I haue sinned also of knowledge yea presumptuously and with an high hand A. Come now let vs reason together saith the LORD though your sinnes be as scarlet they shall bee as white as snow though they bee red like crimson they shall bee as wooll Isai 1.18 For verily I say vnto you all manner of sinnes and blasphemies shall be forgiuen vnto men Math. 12.31 Leu. 5.13.6.5.6.7 Leu. 19.20 c. Luk. 7.47 2 Chro. 33.9 c. 1 Tim. 1.3 Act. 9.1.26.9 c. 1 Tim. 1.13 15 Micah 7.18.19 Deut. 9.19 Luk. 15.13 Ob. But I haue long liued in the practise of these horrible wickednesses A. As the Labourer working but one houre had his penny Mat. 20.8 And the thiefe on the Crosse his paradise Luke 23.43 So when the wicked man turneth away from his wickednesse that hee hath committed and doeth that which is lawfull and right he shall saue his soule aliue Because hee considereth and turneth away from all his transgressions that hee hath committed hee shall surely liue hee shall not dye Ezekiel 18.27.28 Ob. Whatsoeuer you can say to the contrary my owne conscience tels me that I am no better then a condemned man A. As for the wickednesse of the wicked he shall not fall thereby in the day that hee turneth from his wickednesse Ezechiel 33.12 For when God saith vnto thee Thou shalt surely dye if thou turne from thy sinne and doe that which is lawfull and right c. thou shalt surely liue thou shalt not die c. Ezek. 33 14.15.19 Q. If the Lord should pardon vs many thousands of times yet shall wee continue to prouoke him still A. My little children these things I write vnto you that you sinne not And if any man doe sinne wee haue an aduocate with the Father Iesus Christ the righteous and hee is the propitiation for all our sinnes 1 Ioh. 2.2 For whose sake the Lord is slow to anger and plentifull in mercy Psal 103.8 Long suffering abounding in goodnesse and truth keeping mercy for thousands forgiuing iniquity transgression and sinne Exod. 34 6. Yea for his names sake will he deferre his anger and for his praise will he refraine from thee that hee cut thee not off Isa 48.9 Psal 40.11 12 86 5 Neh. 9.26 c. Ob. There is no man liuing that will forgiue after this manner how then should I in the conscience of so much guiltinesse dare to looke God in the face A. Gods thoughts are not as your thougths neyther are his wayes your wayes For as the heauens are higher then the earth so are his wayes higher then your wayes and his thoughts then your thoughts Isa 55.7 8 9. For you say if a man put away his wife and she goe from him and become another mans shall he returne vnto her againe shall not the Land be greatly polluted Notwithstanding though thou hast played the harlot with many louers yet returne againe vnto mee saith the Lord Ierem. 3.1 Ob. But besides my sinne and guiltinesse my very righteousnesses are but as filthy ragges Isa 64.6 A. Christ Iesus he was holy harmelesse vndefiled separate from sinners Heb. 7.26 And is the end of the Law for righteousnesse vnto euery one that beleeueth Rom. 10.4 For which cause this is the name by which he was called The Lord our righteounesse Ier. 33.6 Math. 3.15 Cant. 1.5 Zech. 3.3 4. Ob. But the Law seemes to impose a curse vpon those that performe not as well personall as perfect obedience vnto the same Deut. 27.26 A. The Law is not made for a righteou◠man but for the Lawlesse and disobedient For the vngodly and prophane for murtherers of fathers for murtherers of mothers for man-slayers for them that defile themselues with mankind for man-stealers for lyars for periured persons and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound Doctrine 1 Tim. 1.9 Q. These things were good indeed if my heart could be drawne to beleeue them A. Christ Iesus beeing ascended vp vnto the Father will send the Comforter vnto you And when he is come he will conuince you of righteousnesse and that vpon this ground Because he goeth vnto the Father and you shalt see him no more Ioh. 16.7 Q. What is our worke wee haue to doe for the furthering and procuring of our owne iustification A. This is the worke of God that yee beleeue on him whom hee hath sent Ioh. 6.29 And the iust shall liue by faith Hab. 2.4 For what saith the Scripture Abraham beleeued GOD and it was accounted vnto him for righteousnesse Rom. 4.3 Galathians 3.6.8 Iames 2.23 Rom. 3.21.22 For the Scripture foreseeing that GOD would iustifie the Gentiles through faith preached before the Gospell vnto Abraham saying In thee shall all the Gentiles being in themselues full of all vnrighteousnesse Rom. 1.29 be blessed Gal. 3.8 Ob. But was not Abraham our Father iustified by workes when hee had offered Isaac his Sonne vpon the Altar Iames 2.21 And will you heerein so include faith as wholly to exclude workes Iames 2.24 A. By workes Abraham was manifested but not made iust Iames 2.18 Moreouer that no man is iustified by the Law it is euident for the iust shall liue by Faith Galathians 3.11 And when wee were yet of no strength CHRIST dyed for the vngodly Romanes 5.6 to declare at this time his righteousnesse that he might be iust an◠a iustifier of him which beleeueth in Iesu◠Rom. 3.26 By whom all that beleeu◠are iustified from all things from whic◠they could not bee iustified by the Law 〈◊〉 Moses Acts 13.39 And to him tha◠worketh not but beleeueth in him that iustifieth the vngodly his faith is accounte◠vnto him for righteousnesse Rom. 4.5 Moreouer the Law is weake through th◠flesh Rom. 8.3 And all hauing sinnes
GODS TREASVRIE DISPLAYED OR The promises and threatnings of Scripture c. Methodically Composed for the helpe of weake Memories And contrived into Question and Answere for the comfort of SIONS mourners and for the awakening of the Laodicean-like secure DEVT. 30.15 See I haue set before thee this day Life and Good Death and Evill LONDON Printed by B. ALSOP and T. FAVVCET for F. Clifton and are to be sold at his shop on new Fishstreet-Hill 1630. TO THE RIGHT honble ROBERT GREVILL Lord BROOKE of BEAVCHAMP-COVRT Grace and Peace RIGHT HONORABLE YOur Goodnesse as the timely Spring sprouting foorth into the buds and blossomes of pious resolutions and so Honourably atâ—ended is as a Citie set on a hill which cannot bee hid But promiseth a farre off vnto all honest passengers to bee a hiding place from the wind and a covert from the Tempest Isa 32.2 Wherefore this insuing Treatise hauing now receiued its birth being and as a Pilgrim being to passe abroad into the world to seeke entertainment doth conceiue hope of safety vnder your shadow and of good acceptation in the Church and among others of the houshold Faith and heires of Promise through your fauourable acceptance And therefore I haue made bold humly to present it vnto your Honourable protection and noble admission to doe your selfe its first service that from this hill of SION unto the valleyes of the same the streams therof running downe as a riuer of still waters may refresh and make glad the City of GOD. Which preasent as it is mine can promise no more vnto your Lordship than could the Carkeis of a dead Lyon vnto SAMPSON or than IEREMIAH his girdle which was profitable for nothing Iere. 13.7 And therefore as a thing vndesired to be buried out of your sight Yet if you shall vouchsafe to waye the contents and the matter whereof it consisteth you may be mooued to thinke the same meete to attend your most retyred presâ—nce But not to detaine your Lordship in the gate because of wisedomes voyce Prou. 8.1 Whâ—ch is as the noise of many waters Reu 1.15 Crying from within and saying Eate O friends drinke yea drinke abundantly O beloued Cant. 5.10 Yea come buy Wine and milke without money and without price Isa 55.1 Therefore humbly taking my leaue and leving your Lordship aâ— this feast of fat things which the Lord of hosts hath made vnto all people Iâ—a 25.6 there well to fare And with my vnfained and fervent desire and prayer vnto God for a daily grouth and increase of all grace in your Lordship so happily begunne I doe rest and shall for euer remaine Your Lordships most humbly devoted F. B. TO THE READER THough the Lord in Heaven of his infinite goodnes and mercy hath left vnto vs his poore people on eaâ—th his holy blessed word to be a light to our feet and a Lanthorne to our paths which is able to make vs wise to Salvation and absolute to every good worke to guide vs well and safely through this dangerous world and to bring vs home to himselfe at the last in peace And hath given vs charge to search the Scriptures as they that testifie of Châ—rist Iesus and in whâ—ch wee looke to haue Eternall life and that it should dwell plenteously in vs in all wisdome and hath given vnto vs in this Land peaceable and happy times affording vs leaue and opportunity to exercise our selues in the same yet such is the extreame folly and sinfulnesse of the heart of man that the most part of people cumber themselues about many things profits pleasures lusts or any thing and neglect that one thing that is necessary few chusing the good part that neuer shall bee taken from them that haue it but spend their time and strength of affection vpon fading vanities that will leaue them without comfort in their greatest need having a price in their hand to get wisedome which is farre beter than all pearles but haue no hart nor doe vnderstand the things that belong to their peace in this day of their visitation Wherefore as the Lord may take vp the lâ—ke complaint against vs as hee did against his Israel long agoe Hos 8.12 That hee had written vnto them the great things of his Law but they had counted them a strange thing so may he also haue a Controversy against vs as against them Hos 4.1.2 For that there is no mercy nor truth nor knowledge of God in the Land for the generality being too true with vs. And therefore he may iustly take away the Gospell of the Kingdome froÌ„ vs giue it to theÌ„ that will more highly esteeme it make better vse bring forth more fruit of the same Math. 27.43 And send vs a Famine â—ot of bread and thirst of water but of that bread of life the good word of God that Spirituall Manna so much loathed or at least so little regarded Amos 8.11.12 Yet as our gracious and good God forbeareth this sinfull and vnthankfull Nation with admirable and vnspeakable patience beyond expectation so ceaseth he not by many meanes to bring vs to a greater care and Conscience of our duty in this behalfe of exercising our selues I meane in his most blessed and good word partly sending vs of later yeares many Afflictians and Crosses and dayly threatning more that finding trouble and sorrow in the world we might be glad to seeke Comfort in God and in his blessed word He calles on vs also heereto by the daily Ministery of his Servants the Prophets together with their holy bookes and writings And that no meanes might be left vntried to doe vs good or leaue vs without excuse loe here to you which are the people of God how hee hath raised vp one from among your selues of the common order of men a priuate Christian I meane for your Conviction for your Instruction To convince you how much wisedome and vnderstanding may be obtayned euen of priuate peâ—sons by a constant and painefull Reading of the Scriptures ioyned with a diligent attendance on the publike ministery of the word as may well appeare by this worthy worke that this Author presenteth vnto you whereby the humble and wellminded Readers may be whetted on to the like diligence in the Scriptures which heere they shall see and that not without hope of attaining that which may be worthy of Iheir paines that so they may become wise and vndtrstanding Christians For want of which it proves a great fault euen among the better sort of people that they hold the points of their Religion from the mouth of their Ministers and not from the voice of God in the Scriptures and so build as if but a Foxe runne vpon it hee shall breake downe their stony wall If one of like parts and place shall teach the contrary they will bee shaken and ready to bee removed especially if hee bee backt with Authority whereas if every Truth he holds in Religion hee had it well grounded
on a plaine testimony of Scripture two or three he should not bee moued with every wind of contrary Doctrine but stand firme and vnmoueable as Mount Zion and having withall the loue of the Truth in his heart all the men and meanes in the world could nor should not remoue him from his stedfastnesse which is the honour of a Christian endeed And this wisedome skill and abâ—lâ—ty every man may see by this his worke to bee in the Author of this Booke who hath brought foorth so innumerable places of Scripture for his severall purposes with that soundnesse of Iudgement singular dexterity and great vnderstanding as is not to be expected from a private Christian But hee having beene a dayly hearer of the word and that from Zealous and fruitfull Teachers having made vse also of the same with great dâ—lâ—gence and constancy in his Famâ—ly and besides these spent very much time in private reading and study hee hath obtained a great degree in the Faith and is higher by head and shoulders as it is said of SAVL than the rest of his owne ranke For I count that Interpretation and giving the sense of Scriptures as it is a dâ—fficult so a peculiar worke to the Ministers of God ordinarily and not to be adventured vpon by Chrâ—stâ—ans in their Families or private meetings any further than they haue good bottome from that which they haue learned by the Ministery of the Word nor to write such Bookes as this wherein is occasion of the vse of so much Scripture least there should be found many mistakings therein which were both sinfull and dangerous and yet most likely But God hath very mercifully guided this Author in this his worke which may and I hope will be of much fruitfull and good vse in the Church of God For as it may helpe any ordinary Christian yea or Minister with more paralell places than may bee hee would haue at hand of himselfe so it will helpe well to the vnderstanding of many places of Scriptures seeing heere in what sense and to what purposes they are brought and applyed The paines hath beene very great no doubt to one man but if the Benefit may be much and good to many and so God be glorified the Author no doubt will thinke his labour happily bestowed and aboundantly rewarded which is my great desire and humble and earnest prayer also who is the true though weake and vnworthy Servant of the Church of God IOHN ROGERS CHRISTIAN READER IN the perusall of this Treatise thou shalt find that the Author threof hath taken very great paines and that which is more great paines to good purpose Great paines are but a small Commendation where they proue not beneficiall to a common good There are not wanting in the world that take paines more than enough in the Composing and writing of some Bookes of whâ—ch when they haue done it may bee truely said as of IEREMIES Girdle That they are Good for nothing Ier. 13 7. The curious trifles of many ill imployed wits want happily for no paines but consider whether such persons may not in another sense take vp SALOMONS words Eccles 2 11 I looked on all the workes that mine hands had wrought and on the labour that I had laboured to doe and behold all was vanity and there was no profit The a Non cernis quòd propterea animalium gloriosissima est apâ—s non quia laborat â—ed quia alijs laâ—orat Etiam aranca laborat fatigatur tenues per panetes extendit textur as omnem mulieris sapientiam excedentes sed est ignobile animal quia opus ejus est nulla ènus vâ—â—â—â— â— ales 〈◊〉 libi laborantes se defatigantes Chrysost ad Pop. Antioch Hom. 12. Spider is industrious in her kind and takes paines in making of her Web as well as the Bee in making of her Hony and Combes And yet who respects the Spiders web as the Bees worke The profit that comes of the labour of the Bee is it that makes her labour to be in more esteeme than the Spiders Now in this Treatise thou shalt find the Author to haue beene a diligent Industrious Bee that hath brought a great deale of profitable sweet Hony to this his hiue it being a Treasurie and Collection out of the Word of GODS Promises which are sweeter than the Hony and the hony Combe Thou shalt in this Authors Industry see how much is to be gotten by the diligent and observant reading of the Scriptures I wish with all mine heart that his Industry may proue exemplary and that many may hereby be provoked to the like religious diligence in acquainting themselues with the word It was good counsell that a godly old man gaue b In vita Musculi apud Melch. Ad. pâ— 370. MVSCVLVS when he first began to Preach That Si bonus velit fieri Concionator det operam vt sit bonus Biblicus That if ever he would proue a good Preacher hee must take paines to be well acquainted with the Bible And it were to be wished that all Preachers would follow that counsell Preaching would proue the more solid savourie and successefull But I will goe further than that old man and I say Si bonus velis fieri Christianus des operam vâ— sis bonus Biblicus If thou wilt proue a good Christian thou must be well skilled in the Holy Bible How happy were it if the Scriptures were more carefully read then they are It is said of c Nunquam Cyprianus absque Tertulliani lectione vnum diem praeterijt crebro dicere solirus Da Magistrum Tertullianum significans CYPRIAN that he let no day passe without reading TERTVLLIAN was wont often to say Giue me my Master meaning TERTVLLIAN Such diligence in reading the Scriptures would do well Especially they being GODS owne Epistle and letter from Heaven vnto vs that we should know his mind And if Princes letters are to be read thrice over then how much more sayes d De Principum Epistolis prouerbio dicitur ter eas legendas sed profecto Dei Epistolae sic enim Scripturam appellar Gregorius septies ter imo septuagies septies seu vt plus dicam iâ—finities legendae sunt c. Luther in Gen. 16. LVTHER should the Scriptures bee read seaven times thrice yea seaventy times 7. times thrice yea infinite times over We are commanded Prov. 2 4. To seeke for Knowledge as for Silver and to search for her as for hid treasures If it be asked where we must seeke the Prophet tels vs Isa 35 16. Seeke in the booke of the Lord and reade If it be asked where we must search our Saviour tels vs Ioh. 5.34 Search the Scriptures Those are indeed the Mines where the veines of this silver and these hid treasures are to be found And yet to see how silly men are in wearying themselues by digging in those earths which yeeld little precious treasure and in the meane while neglect
searching these golden Mines It is our shame and sinne that we bestow more time and paines in reading any Booke more than Gods What excellent and worthy monuments did e Ego odi meos libros saepe opto eos interire quòd metuo ne morentur lectores abducant à scripturae ipsius lectione quae sola omnis sapientiae fons est Luth. in Genes 19. LVTHER leaue to the world in his Writings and how well spent is time spent in reading his workes And yet out of a Zeale to the reading of the Scriptures hee stickes not to wish that his owne bookes might perish because he feared the reading of them would hinder men from reading the Scriptures What would he wish now to a number of vain idle corrupt and corrupting writings if he saw how miserably the Scriptures were neglected for the reading of these Now for this present Treatise I conceiue it such a Worke as needs not the Ivie bush of an Epistle commendatorie f Plaut in Poen Invadibili merce oportet emptorem vltro adducere Proba merx facile emptorem repperit tametsi in abstruso sita est I say no more of this Authors paines then SALOMON speakes of the vertuous Woman Giue him of the fruit of his hands and let his owne worke praise him in the gates And whether his worke will doe it or no let all preiudice be layd aside and doe but as PHILIP bids NATHANAEL Ioh. 1 46. Come and see And thou shalt soone see that what I say of this Treatise is much short of what it doth deserue Thus wishing that thy profit in the reading may bee answerable to his paines in the writing of this worke I leaue thee to the grace of GOD and rest Thine in CHRIST IESVS Ier Dyke THE AVTHORS EPISTLE TO THE READER CHRISTIAN READER THe Wise man saith that of making many Bookes there is no end and much study is a wearines of the flesh Eccl. 12.12 And therefore in so great variety of Bookes now extant it will bee thy wisedome for thy exercise to make choyse of some few of the best By which meanes thy toile in reading will be the lesse and thy gaine the more The Booke of all Bookes is the Bible which by way of Excellency is called the Scripture Of which I may say as DAVID of the Sword of GOLIATH there is none like that 1 Sam 21.9 Notwithstanding the Word of the LORD is to many a reproch and they haue no delight in it Ier. 6 10. And beeing full doe despise the Hony combe Prou. 27.7 Such are but naturall not having the Spirit Iud. 19. And therefore vnable to discerne their owne need or where to bee supplyed Reu. 3.17 Others there are of whom I am perswaded better things who having tasted of the good Word of God Heb. 6 9. And by it also how gracious the Lord is doe as new borne Babes desire the sincere milke of the word that they may grow thereby 1. Pet 2.3 But yet they finding many things hard to bee vnderstood 2. Pet. 3.16 And themselues to bee but as a Child weaned from the milke and drawne from the Breasts Isa 28 9. Not having the vnderstanding of a man in them Prou. 30.2 Are by this meanes much discouraged from the reading of it which yet in the very entrance thereinto doth giue light and vnderstanding to the simple Psal 119.130 Such must know that as when the Iron is blunt and the Wood knotty men put to the greater strength so naturall defects in the effecting of difficult things and of such consequence as is the reading of the Scripture must not make them to desist but rather set them on to be more serious humble orderly and constant in the reading of the same And for their further direction therein this must be remembred that the Booke of Scripture is as the Waters of the Sanctuary Ezek. 47. In which a Lambe might wade and an Elephant Swim Therein is contained strong â—staete as well as Milke Heb. 5.12 Such as doe discerne themselues to bee but Babes there is Milke provided for them And let them leaue the strong meat vnto such who by reason of vse haue their sences exercised in discerning good evill vntill themselues also come to a more full age in Christ Heb. 5.14 Now if uch also shall complaine of the shortnesse of memory by meanes whereof together with the prolixity of the Booke of GOD and the various matter promiscuously couched therein so as what they haue read is as water spilt on the ground 2 Sam. 14.14 Such with the reading of Scripture in the manner aforesaid must ioyne after meditation as DAVID who hid the word in his heart Psal 119.11 And MARY who pondered and thereby kept those things which were told her by the Shepheards Luk. 2.19 Moreouer if they will not bee forgetfull hearers of the Word they must bee doers of the same Isa 1.25 And withall let them pray the Comforter which is the HOLY GHOST who shall then both teach and bring all things to theyr remembrance whatsoever hee hath said vnto them Notwithstanding all which labour because many things as eares of Corne out of the Sheafe may sl p weake memories I haue therefore gleaned after and from the whole Bâ—oke of GOD as out of a large and fertile Feild gathered vp such Simples aâ— are most Cordiall to the weakest Christian and of spâ—ciall vse vnto all Among which because the Promises are both the breeders and nourishers of Sauing-Faith the Fountaine of Spirituall Life and therefore of price vnto drooping Spirits who are weary and heavy laeden Math. 11.28 I haue for their sakes more principally layd hold vpon them that with ioy they might draw Watâ—â—â—â—t of the Wells of Salvation â—sa 12.3 And because there are others also with whom the Consolations of GOD are small or of none effect Iob. 15.11 I hâ—â—â— vnto each promise annexed its contiâ—â—â— Iudgement And in fine haue summed vp all the particular Iudgements vnder the Generall and therewith also answered such Obiections as are by Carnall Men vsually made And out of all I haue also inferred such vses of Reproofe Instruction and Exhortation as the said Scripture hath brought to my hand meetly to bee applyed That if such will but reade what is written and lay hold on Instruction they may no longer forsake their owne Mercies but be moued to come vnto CHRIST and liue All which I haue as well as I could reduced to such Heads and in such order Composed them as by the helpe of my Table and Catalogue of Chapters immediatly ensuing euery Reader may readily find out such places as hee stands in need of and shall desire to bee furnished with But with this Caution to the intelligent Reader that for such Scriptures as may diuersly bee referred if in searching hee doe misse of them in one place hee may find them in another And for the better preventing or remouing of Scruples from the ignorant
or tender Conscience and of Cauils from the wilfully obstinate I haue Dialogue-wise contriued the same into Question and Answer And such things as in which the Scripture is more plenteous I haue answereâ— one Question with many Scriptures Which the ignorant Reader aduisedly comparing together that is to say the darke and obscure places with those which aâ— more plaine and easie and the Questioâ— with the answer he shall find his Iudgemenâ— also in the vnderstanding of such places something bettered thereby And if in 〈◊〉 doing hee shall find himselfe yet to seek anâ— therfore do say as the Eunuch vnto PHILIP How shall I vnderstand these things withouâ— a guide Act 8.31 Because the Priests lip are to preserue knowledge let him thereforâ— seeke the Law at their mouth Mal. 2.7 â— That by conference with some learned anâ— godly Minister the knots being vnloosed and the hard shell broken to his hand hee may through GODS blessing at thâ— last attaine vnto the sweetnesse of thâ— Kernell which is the true sence of Scripture Which worke now some yeeres past I hauing finished and at the first onset intended for my owne priuate Notwithstanding by the incouragement of somâ— learned and instigation of other Christiaâ— friends I haue yeelded the same as thoâ— seest to the Presse for the vse of many By which my labour if thou findest thy selfe any thing helped in thy ioy or some other way Christianly edyfied leauing the Instrument to vanish in his owne obscurity let thine eyes bee fixed on him who by the mouthes of Babes and Sucklings is able to make perfect his owne praise Vnto whose Grace I commend thee Thine if his owne F. B. The Author would desire the Reader to Correct such escapes of thâ— Presse as 〈◊〉 shall meet withall whicâ— for lacâ—◠〈◊〉 â—â—â—e and leisure coulâ— not bee pâ—â—◠〈◊〉 A Catalogue of Chapters CHAP. 1 THe Preface or Introduction PAGE 1 CHAP. 2 Christ promised PAGE 4 CHAP. 3 Christ exhibited PAGE 7 CHAP. 4 Vnion and Communion with Christ and his members PAGE 18 CHAP. 5 Iustification PAGE 29 CHAP. 6 Reconciliation where of Peace and Iâ—â— PAGE 51 CHAP. 7 Adopâ—â—â—n and Regeneration PAGE 57 CHAP. 8 Godâ—â—â—â—rly d sposition to his PAGE 66 CHAP. 9 God 〈◊〉 Prayers PAGE 72 CHAP. 10 God 〈◊〉 his in their services PAGE 84 CHAP. 11 Go◠〈◊〉 â—eth his in well doing PAGE 87 CHAP. 12 God 〈◊〉 â—uch his in their wayes PAGE 96 CHAP. 13 The 〈◊〉 of Angels PAGE 99 CHAP. 14 Alâ—â—â—â—ngs worke for good to the goâ—â—y PAGE 100 CHAP. 15 Comforts against Death where Of the Resurrection PAGE 102 CHAP. 16 Of the last Iudgement PAGE 112 CHAP. 17 Of eternall Life PAGE 125 CHAP. 18 Of eternall Death PAGE 140 CHAP. 19 Of Sanctification in generall PAGE 146 CHAP. 20 Of Knowledge PAGE 152 Of Faith PAGE 154 Of Trust PAGE 155 Of Hope PAGE 157 CHAP. 21 Of Leite PAGE 159 Of Feare PAGE 160 Of Sorrow PAGE 162 Of Humility PAGE 163 CHAP. 22 Of Zeale PAGE 165 CHAP. 23 Of Charity PAGE 170 Of Iustice PAGE 174 Of Content PAGE 179 CHAP. 24 Of Sincerity PAGE 181 Of Perseverance PAGE 188 CHAP. 25 Of Temptations in generall PAGE 194 Of Temptations of the Flesh PAGE 195 CHAP. 26 Of Temptations of the Deuill PAGE 203 CHAP. 27 Of Temptations of the World PAGE 210 On the left hand Afflictions in generall PAGE 211 CHAP. 28 Of Persecutions PAGE 243 On the right hand CHAP. 29 Of evill Examples PAGE 279 CHAP. 30 Of false Teachers PAGE 282 CHAP. 31 Of outward Prosperity PAGE 294 CHAP. 32 Of the Word of God PAGE 299 CHAP. 33 Of Ministers PAGE 319 CHAP. 34 Of the Sacraments PAGE 339 CHAP. 35 Of Dicipline PAGE 347 CHAP. 36 Of the continuance of these meanes of grace with Gods blessing on them PAGE 351 CHAP. 37 Of Temporall blessings PAGE 356 Long life PAGE 357 CHAP. 38 Of Preseruation from dangers PAGE 361 CHAP. 39 Of Deliuerance out of trouble PAGE 374 CHAP. 40 Of outward Prosperity PAGE 385 CHAP. 41 Of the Land for Possession PAGE 393 Much people PAGE 395 CHAP. 42 Of good Gouernment PAGE 397 CHAP. 43 Of Peace PAGE 417 Of Food PAGE 418 Of Health PAGE 425 CHAP. 44 Of Strength PAGE 42â— Of Beautie PAGE 42â— Of Wisdome PAGE 43â— CHAP. 45 Of Wealth PAGE 43â— CHAP. 46 Of Fauour of men PAGE 44â— Of a good Name PAGE 44â— Of Honour PAGE 44â— Of the vse of Earthly things PAGE 44â— CHAP. 47 Promises concerning the seed of the faithfull PAGE 44â— CHAP. 48 Of the vse of all the Promises PAGE 47â— CHAP. 49 Of the Properties of the Promises PAGE 47â— CHAP. 50 Of the obiects to whom the Promise doe belong PAGE 49â— CHAP. 51 Of the wicked and of their reward PAGE 50â— CHAP. 52 Of the wicked convinced of sinne PAGE 51â— CHAP. 53 Of the wicked convinced of Iudgment PAGE 52â— CHAP. 54 Of the sinner Converted PAGE 54â— GODS Treasurie displayed in his Promises according to their kindes extended to the Faithfull CHRIST Pag. 4. Vnion pag 18. Communion 23. All things Spirituall Iustification pag. 29. Parts Forgiuenesse of sinnes pag. 30. Imputed righteousnesse 41. Fruits Reconciliation where of Peace pag. 51. Ioy. pag. 51. Adoption and so GOD Makes sonnes in Right of adoption 87. Conformity pag. 62. Assurance pag 63. Giues prerogatiues Exercised by Loue. p. 66 The fâ—uites in regâ—rd of persons Esteeming of Pag. 66 Delighting in Pag. 67 Caring for pa. 68 actions by accepting of Prayers pag. 72 Workes pag. 84 Expressed Present doing good by himselfe to Reward p. 87 Guide p. 96 Angels to guard pag. 99 causing all things to worke for good pa. 100 Future in Time Death pag 102 Resurrection 103 Last judgement pag. 112 Eternity pag. 125 Sanctification the Grace wrought in them in Generall pag. 146. Speciall pag. 151. Knowledge Pag. 152 Faith pag. 154 Trust pag. 159 Hope pag. 157 Loue. pag. 159 Feare pag. 160 Sorrow pa. 162 Humility p. 163 Repentance Pag. 164 Zeale pag. 165 Charity p. 170 Iustice pag. 174 Content p. 179 Sincerity Pag. 181 Perseuerance pag. 188 working by them in withstanding the Flesh pag. 294. Deuill pa. 203. World p. 210 Frowning 211. Fawning 279 Meanes Word 299 Sacraments 239 Discipline 347 Temporall In Generall pag. 356 Speciall Life pag. 357 comforts of Life Freedome from euill pag. 361 Fruition of good Generall pag. 386 Speciall Land for possession pag. 393 Much people p. 395 Good gouernment pag. 397 Peace pag. 417 Food pag. 418 Health pa. 425 Strength pag. 427 Beauty pag. 429 Wisdome pag 430 Wealth pag 436 Fauour with men pag 440 A good Name Pag. 442 Honour pag 442 Seed Hauing Children pag. 449. Blessing on children p. 453. Circumstances Properties as Made True pag. 474. Free pag. 479. Generall pag. 485. Executed Speedy pag. 489. Constant pag. 490. Vnresistable pag. 495. Obiects Threatnings Propound pag. 505 Illustrated whereby the sinner is Conuinced of Sinne. pag. 513 Iudgement pag. 522. Conuerted pag. 540. GODS TREASVRY Displayed
7 15. Numb 23 20. Q. What are the reasons of this vnchangeable dealing of God towards his people A. 1. Hee himselfe changeth not Mal. 3 6. He is the first and with the last even the same Isa 41.4 2 IESVS CHRIST also the same yesterday and to day and for ever Heb. 13 8. 3 Whom he once loveth he loveth vnto the end Ioh. 13.1 Who is the LORD GOD of your Fathers the God of Abraham the God of Iâ—aac and the God of Iacob this is his name for ever and this is his memoriall vnto all Generations Exod. 3 15. Isay 49 1. 4 The gifts and callings of GOD are â—ithout repentance Rom. 11 29. Q. What would you inferre vpon this â—nchangeablenesse in GOD A. Say not thou what is the cause that the former dayes were better than these for thou dost not enquire wâ—sely concerning this Eccl 7 10. 2 Therefore my beloved brethren bee yee stedfast vnmoueable alwayes abounding in the worke of the Lord for as much as you know that your labour is not in vaine in the Lord 1 Cor. 15 58. And turne yee not aside for then shall yee goe after vaine things which cannot profit nor deliver you for they are vaine 1 Sam. 12 21. Q. Why Is God able to make his word good A Behold saith GOD I am the Lord the God of all flesh is there any thing too hard for me Ier. 32 27. The Lord of Hosts hath purposed and who shall disanull it And his hand is stretched out and who shall turne it backe Isa 14 27. The voyce of the LORD is powerfull the voyce of the Lord is full of Maiestie the voyce of the Lord breaketh the Cedars yea the Lord breaketh the Cedars of Lebanon Psal 29.4 neither by arme nor strength but by my Spirit saith the Lord of hostes Zach. 4 6. Yea whatsoever the Lord pleased that did hee in Heaven and in Earth and in all deepe places Psal 135 6. And now behold the Lords hand is not shortened that in cannot saue neither is his eare heavie that it cannot heare Isa 59 1. And though it be marveilous in the eyes of the remnant of his people in these dayes shall it also be marveilous in my eyes saith the LORD of hostes Zach. 8 6. Gen. 18 14. Isa 40 26 48 13 50 2 3 43 13. 1 Ioh. 4 4. Mark 10 27. Q. What shall wee then say to these things Rom. 8.31 A. 1 Ascribe yee strength vnto GOD his excellencie is over Israel and his strength is in the Clouds Psal 68 34. 2 Pray saying Thou O GOD who commandest our Strength strengâ—hen O God that which thou hast wrought for vs Psal 68 28. 3 Because I know whatsoever GOD doth it shall be for ever nothing can be put to it nor any thing taken from it Eccles 3 14. If GOD be for vs who can be against vs Rom. 8 13. Therefore against hope beleeue in hope not staggering at the Promise through vnbeliefe c. But bring strong in the Faith let vs giue glory to GOD being fully perswaded that what hee hath promised hee 〈◊〉 able also to performe Râ—m 4 18 20. Eccles 3 14. Psal 62 10 â—1 Gen. 17 1. CHAP. L. The objects of the Promises Q. I Know now that GOD can doe every thing Iob 42 2. What therefore is required at my hands that all things also may bee possible vnto mee A. As thou beleevest so it shall be done vnto thee Math. 8 13. And if thou canst beleeue all things are possible to him that beleeveth Mark 9 23. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning that wee through Faith and comfort of the Scriptures might haue hope Rom. 15 4. And that the blessing of ABRAHAM might come on the Gentiles through IESVS CHRIST that wee might receiue the promise of the Spirit through Faith Gal. 3 14. So then they which hee of Faith are blessed with faithfull ABRAHAM Gal. 3.9 For the Scripture hath concluded all vnder sinne that the promise by the Faith of IESVS CHRIST might be given to them that beleeue Gal. 3 22 Blessed therefore is hee that beleeveth for there shall bee a performance of those things which were told him from the LORD Luk. 1 45. Habac. 2 4. 1 Tim. 4 10. Psal 34 8. Hebr. 11 29. Ierem. 17 5. Dan. 6 23. 2 Hold the mysterie of the Faith in a pure Conscience 1 Tim. 3.9 For bodily exercise profiteth little but Godlinesse is profitable vnto all things having the Promises of the life that now is and of that which is to come 1 Tim. 4.8 Hee therefore that hath cleane hands and a pure heart who hath not lifted vp his Soule vnto vanitie nor sworne deceitfully hee shall receiue the blessing from the LORD and righteousnesse from the GOD of his Salvation Psalm 24 4. For the Lord GOD is a Sonne and a shield the LORD will giue Grace and Glory and no good thing will hee with-hold from them that walke vprightly Psal 84.11 Know therefore that the LORD thy GOD hee is God the faithfull God which keepeth Covenant and Mercy with them that loue him and keepe his Commandements to a thousand generations Deut. 7 9. For the righteous LORD loveth Righteousnesse his Countenance doth behold the vpright Psal 11 7. And therefore blessed are they which keepe Iudgement and he that doth Righteousnesse at all times Psal 106 3. 119 1. 73 1. Prou. 12 28.16 7.14 27. Isa 58 13.56 2. Deut. 7 12. 1 King 6 12. Ioh. 13 17. Exod. 39 43. Psal 4 3. Ob. I haue long liued in want notwithstanding all my care and indeauour in the study and practise of Godlinesse Iob 35 3. A. But are there not with you even with you sinnes against the Lord your God 2 Chro. 28 10 For GOD is good and doth good Psal 119 68. And withdraweth not his eyes from the Righteous Iâ—b 36 7. Psal 125 4. O thou therefore that art named the house of IACOB is the spirit of the Lord straitned Are these his doings Doe not my words doe good to him that walketh vprightly saith the Lord Micha 2 7 All the pathes of the Lord are Mercy and Truth vnto such as keepe hâ—s Commandements and his testimonies Psal 25 10. To the pure all things are pure but vnto them that are defiled is nothing pure Titus 1 15. For the hand of our GOD is vpon all them for good that seeke him but his power and his wrath is against them that forsake him Ezra 8 22. 2 Chron. 19 11. Q. What vse then are wee to make hereof A. 1 Take heed therefore brethren least there be in any of you an evill heart of vnbeliefe in departing from the living GOD Heb. 3.12 For to whom sware hee that they should not enter into his rest but to them that beleeved not So we see then that they could not enter in because of vnbeliefe Heb. 3 18. Let vs therefore feare least a promise being left vs of entring into his rest