Christ making full satisfaction to the justice of God for all those whom he is made sinne for as Christ came in the flesh to take up the debt of sinne for his people and to lye under the wages of sinne which is death so in the flesh and in his death hee giveth such full satisfaction to Almighty God that God doth acknowledge himselfe fully pleased in the travell of his soule Isa 53.11 Hee shall see of the travell of his soule and shall be satisfied That is God doth behold that satisfaction which Christ hath made to his justice for the sinnes of his people and in it doth acknowledge himselfe fully satisfied and for ever well pleased with his Elect in him that whole Chapter is a proving of Christ in the flesh being made by God an offering for sinne verse 10. to be wounded for the transgression of his people and bruised for our iniquities having the chastisement of our peace put upon him so that by his stripes we are healed it having pleased the Lord to lay on him the iniquities of us all 5 6. verses So that here is not onely Christ in the flesh but Christ made sinne for his people that is hath all the iniquities of his people layd on him by God with all the wounds bruises and chastisements due to them that is all the punishment due to sinne from Gods justice and this Christ undergoeth to the utmost so that by his stripes we are heoled that is by his suffering and satisfaction his Elect are in the justice of God wholy acquitted and discharged for God chose Christ to fatisfie his justice for sinne and having laide the debt with all the weight of it upon him and Christ having discharged this debt to the full Gods justice cannot but discharge it where ever it was due otherwise as one Text speaks Christ had dyed in vaine and the designe of Gods free grace to poore sioners could never be accomplished So the Apostle in the 3. Gal. 13. telleth us that Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law being made a curse for us Christ as our suerty and publique Redeemer tooke sinne with all its weight and curse upon himselfe and what he hath taken from us he hath fully delivered us from so that in his satisfaction he doth fully acquit his elect body the first debtor from the whole debt and danger of sin either in curse or punishment And the Apostle Paul argueth out his tryumph in the 8. Rom. latter end upon this very consideration Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect it is God that justifieth who is bee that condemneth it is Christ that dyed yea rather that is risen againe As if the Apostle had saide God doth justifie his elect body as he is a just God For Christ hath dyed and is risen againe That is Christ is risen as the satisfier of Gods justice in his death for had not Christs death satisfied Gods justice when as the sinnes curse and punishment of sinne for all his Elect body was layd on him he could never have risen again but now his is risen and risen as the justifier of his people and the satisfier of Gods justice Now if any shall charge the Elect of God with what Christ hath borne and satisfied for them Even the justice of God or the just God will acquit them and if God acquit who can condemne and therefore hee glorieth So the same Apostle in the 4. Rom. 25 speaking of Christ as being risen from the dead sayes thus Who was delivered for our offences and was raised againe for our justification That is it was the sinnes of his Elect that crucifyed him and it is the justification of his Elect for whom he dyed that he is risen and as nothing could have crucified him but our sins so now nothing can condemne those for whom he dyed he being risen his resurrection pleades to all justice satisfaction in his death And Christ was therefore delivered up to death for our offences that in his resurrection we might be justified from all offences Gods great aime and designe of grace Run thorough the former to the latter of these Rom. 10.4 the holy Ghost telleth us there That Christ is the end of the Law for righteousnesse to every one that beleeveth As if he had said The beleeving soule shall finde that Christ hath fulfilled and doth fully keepe the whole Law for him and so is an end to it for righteousnesse that is Christ is now the soules righteousnesse not the Law the Law is kept and fulfilled by Christ for a beleever so that it cannot charge any soule in Christ to condemnation but the righteousnesse and justification of the soule in the sight of God is Christ not the Law if any soule could keepe the whole Law in it selfe the Law might have been for righteousnesse to that soule but all having sinned and come short now the Law is an accuser not a justifier but Christ for his people hee fully satisfies and keepes the Law so that Christ is the righteousnesse of his people and an end to the Law for righteousnesse This is a faithfull saying 1 Thâ— X. 15 and worthy of all acceptation that Christ came into the World to save sinners 1 Tim. 1.15 It was the end of Gods giving Christ and of Christ comming to save sinners from sinne Law death Hell and what ever would destroy them and this end is effected for Christ did not onely dye but is risen did not onely take sin but hath satisfyed for sinne and all this is the worke of grace which appeares in this it is the worke of God in Christ the Apostle Paul doth acknowledge and confirme this truth in Rom. 3.24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ The Apostle here sayes it is redemption through Christ but that doth not hinder our being justified by free grace in God though God workes through Christ yet it is all the worke of his free grace it is through Christ and Christ is through grace there is not any tittle of redemption or justification through selfe it is all through Christ and by grace which is no more but grace working through Christ the great gift of Gods free grace what ever God doth in Christ can no wayes deminish his free grace for Christ is the Mediator or middle person betweene God and Man in whom God magnifies his grace to Man and giveth to his people the riches and greatnesse of his love wherewith he loveth them through him This indeed doth manifest the wisedome and justice of God to redeeme his people through Christ but it no wayes lesseneth the freenesse of his grace nay it makes it more glorious grace for that justice is fully satisfied makes mercy the greater mercy and the justified is nothing in himselfe all this while but a sinner now that God should make Christ his way to satisfie his Divine justice by and to
God doe prove him to be the faithfull God for unfaithfulnesse and God are inconfistant they can no more be together then light and darknesse in truth there is no comparison to be made of the vastnesse of their disagreement God and truth are one for God is the God of truth hee is a faithfull God There is exceedingly more of the glorious Attributes of God which would abundantly take up the Meditation of a spiritual soul but I intended only a short touch of some of them which might leade to and carry on the designe I drive at which is the establishment of soules by beleeving in God in this God assisting you may have some small helpe to the understanding of what God is in himselfe the improvement of it for establishment I intend in the conclusion this for the opening part of it shall bee all to the first of the three things I proposed in the beginning of the Booke namely To beleeve in God in what hee is in himselfe For the other two To beleeve in what God doth and in what God saith as the word and workes of God wraps up the salvation of his people in them I shall here put them both together under this consideration Namely a briefe collection with its proofes of the whole designe and worke of God in the salvation of his people And it is this To manifest the glory of his free-grace in the full redemption of his people through Christ and in their receiving and applying it to themselves by believing First The great designe of God in his saving worke to his people is to glorifie or to manifest and declare the glory of his owne eternall originall free-grace and rich love The free-grace and rich love of God is God himselfe that God which is an incomprehensible and inexpressible Essence the true and perfect God who is first without all cause of being an immutable God and of infinite great Majesty an Eternall Omnipotent and Almighty God This is the God of Free-grace now the designe of this God in the salvation of sinners which is the worst and most miserablest piece of the whole creation in it selfe to all eternity is to glorifie or to manifest the glory of his owne free-grace For this take the testimony of the holy Ghost by the Apostle Paul in Rom. 3.23 That hee might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mereie The holy Ghost in the former part of that Chapter pleadeth the soveraignty of God not any piece of clay could finde fault with the Potter what ever hee made it nor any creature with God Now in this verse hee telleth us if any be made vessels of honour and heires of glory it is that God might make knowne the riches of his glory it s his mercy and free-grace As if the holy Ghost had said God accounts of his grace and mercy to be the riches and excellency of his glory Now to make it knowne that this is his great designe God silleth heaven and earth with this his glory the redeemed in Heaven and the redeemed in Earth shall be one in Heaven at last and therein ages to come even to all eternity be swallowed up into the exceeding riches and glory of his grace Ephes 2.7 And the holy Ghost in this and the verse before it telleth us that is Gods end and designe in raising us up together and making us to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus That in the Ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindnesse towards us through Christ Jesus If wee observe this Scripture it holds forth this that all the kindnesse wee receive from God it is his grace in Christ and Gods designe in the manifesting of this his free-grace in Christ is to shew forth the exceeding riches and glory of it the whole worke of salvation will cleare up this truth for if we consider all the subjects of salvation we shall finde no object for any thing of God but his free grace and rich love the pollution of faine man in his naturall condition could not be an object of preservation to the holy just and pure eyes of an omnipotent God nothing but free-grace and rich love in God could looke the lookes of life to souls dead in sinnes and trespasses And if thus then it plainely appeares that Gods great design in the salvation of sinners is namely to glorifie or to manifest the glory of his owne eternall rich love and free-grace God will have soules live by his grace that hee might manifest the life and glory of his grace that grace which giveth life appeares in the life it giveth so that every saved soule is a monument of the riches and glory of the love and grace of God and the wise God layde his designe sure when hee made choise of the salvation of sinners to manifest the glory of his free-grace by In the next place I shall hold forth how God doth accomplish this great end and design of his Namely by making the whole frame and worke of salvation to flow from and to depend upon his owne free-grace so as there is nothing in the whole worke of salvation from first to last but the free-grace of God Ephes 2.5.8 Even when we were dead in sinnes bath quickened us together with Christ. By grace are yee saved The time speaks grace when dead in sinnes this is a season only for grace and that the grace of God too appearing when not only in sinne but dead in sin past all recovery as from selfe if doing could prevaile yet here is no life to doe withall this is onely a time for a living love in God to act free-grace in If ever salvation comes to soules dead in sinne it must be by grace the grace of God saves of it selfe without any cause out of it selfe and this is the true salvation of soules dead in sin by grace yee are saved to be saved by grace that is to be saved in the salvation of God the whole worke to be of his free-grace not any tittle of it of our salves Rom. 3.23 24. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God Being justified freely by his grace Marke it there is all selfe under sin but saved justified and acquitted soules from sin are the fruits of Gods free-grace though selfe come short of the glory of God yet free-grace makes perfection that justifies this is the salvation of God to justifie freely by his grace Rom. 5.21 That as sinne hath reigned unto death even so might grace reigne through righteousnesse unto eternall life by Jesus Christ Here sinne and selfe hath its reign but it is to death but all the parts of salvation is the work of Gods free-grace grace reignes through righteousnesse in Jesus Christ The righteousnesse of Christ to saved soules or Christ made righteousness to such souls what is it but the reign of Gods free-grace that is grace is supreame the grace
faith these profess Christ for the gaine of an outward reputation but do not live in Christ by faith and in times of suffering the beauty of Christ is lost to such an eye and for want of an eye of faith by which the fulnesse glory and excellency of Christ is discerned these unbeleeving professors deny their profession and their Master too if it comes to suffering with Christ if on him they will sweare with Peter they never knew him and though they sweare yet they doe not lye for such as leave their profession of Christ and holinesse through unbeliefe and become unholy they may truely say they never knew him for whom ever truly knows Christ in the spirit will never leave him an eye of faith sees so much beauty faithfulnesse power grace and goodnesse in God and Christ that though sufferings comes as waves of the Sea yet will not leave God and Christ but cleave closer to him beleeving in his grace and goodnesse for support and deliverance but that soule which beleeves not in God and doth not by an eye of faith see fulnesse in him of power grace and goodnesse to support and deliver will never trust in him but with Deâ—â—â— imbrace the present World such as follow Christ onely for the Loaves will leave him at the appearance of his Crosse That forward Professor in the 18. of Luke 18. so on which justified himselfe in keeping all the Commandements from his youth yet could not part with his worldly riches and make Christ his portion much lesse take up sufferings because of unbeliefe he would leave his good Master as he called Christ rather then his goods which were indeed his Master through the unbeliefe of his heart all his faire profession and offers after Christ comes to nothing because of unbeliefe this Christ knew therefore makes discovery of the man by trying his faith or by manifesting his unbeliefe it is the beleeving soule that followes the Lamb wheresoever he goes it is onely faith by which the soule is able to take up the Crosse of Christ and follow him but unbeliefe leaveth Christ and his Crosse together though it have professed not to leave Christ though it should dye with him yet in the appearance of such a tryall the unbeleever denies his profession to save his outside from suffering this is the constant associate of unbeliefe and therefore God is pleased in his wisedome to let sufferings be the attendance to the profession of his name in truth that thereby he might discover even to the World the precious from the vile who live in him by faith and whom onely by profession thus doth God discover the evill of unbeliefe of which argument this present age hath not been wanting A third evill of unbeliefe Third evill of â—beliefe is this unbeliefe it questions with distrust the very power of God it doubts whether God be God or his power Almighty and Omnipotent can God give bread in the Wildernesse and can God bring water out of the Rock is there fulnesse enough in God to make a barren Wildrnesse fruitfull and to give food where there is no appearance of food nay can God make a hard dry and stony Rock to bring forth water can God worke both without meanes and against meanes is this power in God thus doth unbeliefe question and distrust the power of God So that proude unbeleeving wrâ—tch King Nebuchadnezzar in the 3. Dan. 15. Who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands As if he had said is there any God hath power greater then I is there any God or any power in God that can deliver out of my hands when I have heat the Furance seven times hotter then before what power can preserve you from the fire of my fury and my Furnace We may finde unbeliefe in Sarah putting this very question in Gen. 18.12 Therefore Sarah laughed within her selfe saying After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure my Lord being old also If we observe the Scripture it amounts to this What now I and my Lord am old now all hopes in nature is gone can God now make good his word to me in giving me a Childe now we are both old this is the true question that unbelief makes can God doe this great thing Shee laughed in way of sleighting the tydings through unbeliefe concerning the power which should effect it So when Elisha the Prophet did Prophesie of that suddaine and great plenty in Samaria when they were at that time strongly besieged and in great wants 2 Kings 7.1 2. the Text sayes That a Lord on whose hands the King leaned answered the man of God and sayd Behold if the Lord would make windowes in Heaven might this thing be This is the proper language of unbeliefe thou talkest of too great things for God to doe are not we straitly besieged and all our provisions gone and doest thou speake of so great a plenty in so short a time which way should God doe this what shall he make windowes in Heaven and raine downe this plenty it can come no other way thus we see the great evill of unbeliefe how it questions the power of God and as it were ungods him for to make his deficient is to make him no God A fourth evill is this Unbeliefe is the seale of damnation he that beleeveth not is condemned in himselfe we have a full Scripture to this purpose in John 3.18 But hee that beleeveth not is condemned already because hee hath not believed in the Name of the onely begotten Sonne of God Unbeliefe it seales up to condemnation because it casts off the salvation of Gods free grace now that which denies the one seales up the other not to beleeve in Christ is to put from us all possibility of salvation and to seale the soule up to a certainty of damnation reade the last verse of that third of John He that beleeveth on the Bon hath everlasting life and hee that beleeveth not the Sonne shall not see life but the wrath of God abideth in him Whom ever beleeveth not in Christ the salvation of God shall never see life shall never live in the beholding of God reconciled to him but hath the wrath of God the seale of damnation abiding on him Heb. 11.6 Without faith it is impossible to please God As unbeliefe keeps the soule from God so it makes the soule unpleasing to God that there is no intercourse betweene God and an unbeleeving soule now what can be a more visible seale of damnation then this Separation of the soule from God which unbeliefe makes unbeliefe biddeth defiance to God and his salvation and so seales up the soule unto condemnation unbeliefe is so truly the seale of damnation that no sinne nor sinnes can damne any soule without for where faith in Christ liveth there Christ is the death of all sinne satisfaction for all sinne and the life of soules though all sinne be damnable yet no sinne nor sinnes can
way would destroy the grace of God in the gift Now this God is exceeding tender of therefore he keeps all hands but the hand of faith off from laying hold on Christ his righteousnesse whom is the great gift of free grace but as all other hands are excluded from medling with the righteousnesse of God so this hand of faith that never failes when ever Gods puts forth this hand of the soule he puts his owne righteousnesse into it faith in the soule doth certainely attaine the righteousnesse of God it is such a hand as will preserve the free grace of Gods righteousnesse pure in the heart Christ the righteousnesse of God in the heart doth preserve and keep up intire the glory of free grace in God that made him righteousnesse to the soule and the hand of faith doth not slubber this glory but keeps it pure upon the grace of God and doth acknowledge that it selfe as well as the righteousnesse it hath attained is all the gift of Gods free grace Now faith as it thus attaines the righteousnesse of God must needs be an exceeding greâ—t benefit to the soule because the righteousnesse is of so great a value the feet of them which brings glad tydings is welcome so must needs be that glorious hand which receives Christ in into the soule none can tell but them that have it what a mercy it is to have a hand and a heart for Christ this is the benefit of faith in the soule it is such a hand as receives whole Christ and delivers up the whole soule back againe to Christ it takes in Christ as its righteousnesse and giveth up the soule to Christ to be made righteous in him that soule which attained Gods righteousnesse can at all times goe to God in his owne righteousnesse this is the benefit of faith in the soule it can goe with holy boldnesse to the throne of grace and to the throne of justice too because it can come before God in his owne righteousnesse and can plead that to God which by faith it hath attained of God even the righteousnesse of God by faith A third benefit of faith in the soule is this True faith in the soule quenches the firy darts of Satan the Devill is a very skilfull fire-master he makes his firy darts so exact that none but God can quench them in the soule and he is very free of his worke he will be alwayes casting into the soul for his businesse is to keep the soule in a flame that is the proper Element he lives in these firy darts are his temptations with which he goes about the Earth seeking whom he may devour with these he sought to winnow Paul like Wheate and he is not onely fitted for Pauls temper but he hath temptations to suite all tempers and all times he hath baites to please the various pallats of all flesh he answers the proud the peevish the covetous the envious the selfish and worldly wise man in all their desires he makes all sweet to the taste how bitter soever it proves in the belley he is properly the tempter it is his course of life which he hath used ever since our first Parents were in Paradice this is his worke to fit temptations to persons and conditions and to shute these firy darts continually into the soules of men and women Now the onely shield to keep of these firy darts is faith and the onely hand to put out and to quench these temptations in the soule Ephes 6.16 is faith Ephes 6.16 Above all taking the shield of faith wherewith yee shall be able to quench all the firy darts of the wicked The scope of the holy Ghost there is to shew the soule its proper armour of defence against the Devill and all his instruments the wicked and the wicked one and in this above all things he commends faith faith sayes he that is able to quench all the firy darts all the temptations of the Devill and his instruments and there is an exceeding full reason to be given of this For it is the true property of faith to lead the soul to God the believing soule will go to God for his allowance and approbation before he doth any thing now this is a sure way to quench all the temptations of Satan to carry them to God and not to doe any thing till God have written his name and his will upon it the believing soule tels Satan when he tempts him to any thing I am not at my owne disposing I am Gods servant I will goe to him and tell him your demand if God give me leave then and not till then will I obey you O no sayes the Devill God is light and if you goe to him he will discover to you my darknes I cannot abide the brightnesse of his presence if you will not obey without Gods leave I must bâ— gone thus faith quenches the firy darts of Satan Now under this consideration how great a benefit and advantage is faith in the soule it contends with and destroyes Satan in his temptations it is the great trouble of Saintsion earth that they have so busie and so watchfull a Devill for their enemy Now the shield of faith is a sure defence against this enemy the believing soule lives in God and hath God to be a hiding place to it from the tempter the life of such a soule is by the faith of the Sonne of God it lives in God by faith through Christ and the Tempter cannot goe through Christ to God to destroy such soule but the soul can go through Christ to God to destroy the Tempter in his temptations thus faith in God is the life of God and the death of sinne and Satan in his temptations in the soules of believers and sure I am all such soules as have experimented this benefit of faith in themselves will say it is properly named a glorious advantage and benefit which the soule hath in believing A fourth benefit and advantage of faith in the soules of beleevers is this By faith Saints goe to God in all their wants as to a Father In the patterne of prayer which our Saviour left he holde forth thus much That the soule which prayes in faith goes to God as to a Father though in Heaven yet a Father our heavenly Father faith is that seed of God in the soule by which the soule is assured that it is begotten of Gods free grace the new creature is a childe of Gods free grace now faith it carrys the soule to its originall in all streights and wants it telleth the soule it is outly of grace that it is what it is and what ever yet is wanting thâ— same fountaine must supply nay sayes faith to the soule God is your Father he hath begotten you in his owne free grace to a lively hope in himselfe you have therefore the greatest and nearest relation to plead with God of any other could you suppose any other so able
be no want and thou art our Father therefore wee pray thee answer all our wants according to thy wisdome and thy glory these are the breathings and motions of true and lively faith in the soule it carryes Saints thus to God as to a Father in all their wants and makes them much with God in the opening their wants to him because God is their Father Now what ever keeps the soul much with God must needs be a great benefit to the soule and this is faith that which carries the soule in all its wants to God and keepes the eye of the soule steady on God as a Father therefore a great benefit to the soule A fifth benefit of faith in the soule is this By faith Saints doe chearfully undergoe sufferings for Christ and choose them though grievous to the flesh rather then finne This is so truly the benefit of faith in the soule that none but such soules as believe in God can doe thus Saints doe this by a strength out of themselves even in God which they have in God by believing By faith in God Shadrach Meshach and Abednego Dan. 3. chose Nebuchadnezar's firy furnace rather then to worship his golden Image which hee had set up Faith made it easier to them to suffer for God then to sinne against him though the Furnace was heat seven times hotter then before Nebuchadnezzar gave them their choise saith taught them what to choose These believing soules counts the flames of sin to be more dreadfull and fuller of smart then any flames which the Tyrant could cast them into they had faith to trust in God and that carryed them above the commands of sinne or the feare of punishment in the disobeying of man The same effect of faith we find in Daniel in the sixth Chapter of his Booke vers 10. Dan. 6.10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed he went into his Chamber and prayed three times a day Hee knew what snare was laid to catch him in yet he omitted not his duty he chose rather to be cast into the Lyons mouths then to keepe his mouth shut from making Petitions to God Thus faith in God kept him close to his duty though it led him into the snares of death Faith leept up the Apostle Paul's soule to this pitch in Acts 21.13 Acts 21.13 when â—s fleshly relations would by teares have perswaded him to omit duty that hee might wave bonds hee answers their solicitations thus What meane yee to weepe and to breake my heart for I am ready not to be bound only but also to dye at Hierusalem for the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ As if he had said your weeping is my greatest burthen you break my heart with that as for bonds and death for the Name of Christ faith in God will carry me through all that and I had father choose to dye at Hierusalem then to omit my duty and not to goe for feare of bonds Thus we see the choise of soules believing in God when sinne and sufferings are before them one to be chosen and the other left now none but a believing soule can doe thus for it is faith in God which keeps the soule close to God the pleasure of sinne though but for a season will leave such soules as have not their pleasure in God Now none can live in God with delight that doth not believe in God so that it is only the believing soule that chooses God for its delight and will rather choose sufferings then leave Godâ— Christ hath many which professe to follow him and to be in him but when hee tryes them by sufferings for his Name and his Truths they leave him and with Demas embrace the present world by which hee discovers them that they were onely of him by bare profession not truly in him by faith for then they would abide with him and accounted of Christ to be as worthy and as lovely with his Crosse as with his Crowne and would have chosen in all conditions to abide with Christ I as Moses to choose afflictions with the children of God rather then the pleasures and honours of Pharoah's Court to a believing eye Christ puts a beauty upon sufferings and a blackenesse upon sin so that the soule for beauty-sake chooseth sufferings rather then sinnes this is a precious advantage in the soule but the truth of it speaks this that there is very little true faith in the world this faith is accompanied with much love to God and Christ and that makes it the more rare and scarce to be sound but where iâ— is it makes a glorious soule and conversation Wee may finde many that doe choose sinne in love to sinne though sufferings be visible to the eye and shame at the heels of such courses but it is only the believing soule that to shun sin will choose sufferings and that out of love to God and faith in him This is a rare advantage for it makes the soule a rare soule such a one as is no where to be found but amongst Gods Jewels his little flock and peculiar ones this faith is always leading the soul of sin to take in Christ though sufferings comes with him nay chooseth to embarque in a storm with Christ rather then to goe with sinne in the most pleasantest calme that the world affords It feares not to be with Christ in troubled Seas because it believes he can rebuke them at his pleasure so that both wind and Seas shal obey him Faith knows nothing can bound God but God can bound the creature when he pleaseth Faith knowes if God say the word though the ship be split in the midst of raging Seas yet not the life of one man shall perish whom God hath promised to bring safe to shore and hereby faith perswades the soule to choose sufferings in communion with God thereby to avoid sinne which leades the soule from God the believing soule can see no happinesse out of God therefore refuseth to embrace any seeming pleasure which leads from God and this soule sees such full happinesse in God that it believes what ever sufferings it meets withall in communion with God that God in such communion will swallow up the soule in himselfe above all sufferings and in this saith doth the soule cheerfully undergoe sufferings for God and choose them rather then sin which is a greater advantage to a child of God in this world then if all the world were at his disposing A sixth benefit and advantage of true Faith in the soule is this Faith makes the soule steady in its worship and service of God when as a soule believes that it doth worship God according to his owne mind and will then it in not easily removed or shaken in its worship and service of God therefore sayes the Apostle let every one be fully perswaded in his owne minde that is what ever men doe in the service and worship of God let him fully believe
soule is the life of faith and the effect of faith in the soule is a weaning of it from the World by a gathering of it into God The last benefit of faith in God which I shall mention is this True faith in God doth truly fixe and establish the soules of Beleevere in the redemption of Gods free grace from all our enemies from sinne death Hell Law grave men and Devils none of these can hurt or destroy such soules as lives in the free grace of God by faith free grace it freely pardons finne and so plucks out the sting of death delivers from the jawes of Hell satisfies and fulfils the Law gathers from the grave that which in sowne in corruption and cloathes it with incorruption chains up the power and malice of men and Devils against his people this free grace doth and by faith the soule lives thus on God by which it becomes a fixed and established soule beleeving soules are not like the restlesse waves of the Sea that rowle from shore to shore and soame up their owne mire but they are soules fixed in God and Christ God by faith did answer the Prophets prayer which deâ—â—red to be led to that Rock which was higher then himselfe that is the work of faith it leads the soul to God and Chirst and then it is an established soule it is then built upon 〈◊〉 Rock higher then it selfe so that windes cannot shake it nor 〈◊〉 undermine it as if it had built upon a sandy soundation faith builds upon a Rock and that the Rock of Ages i◠〈◊〉 in the free grace of God the redemption and the righteousnesse of Christ so that neither life nor death nor any thing no not finne shall ever be able to separate such soules from God and Christ and hence it is that soules beleeving thus in God through Christ by his spirit are fixed and established soules the Prophet David in Psal 125.1 gives in testimony to this benefit of faith in the soule he telleth us there They that trâ—st in the Lord shall be as mount Zion which cannot be moved but abideth for ever Faith in God fixeth the soule in everlasting safety and keepes it upon a Rock of establishment even when Earth and Heaven is shaking Now I shall gather up what I aime at in all this in reference to my owne soule and others and it is singly this to eye God with a single eye and to rest upon him with a steady undoubting heart by a single eye I meane a single heart fixed upon what God is does and sayes concerning his people and then by faith to apply and appropriate that to our selves resting steadily and undoubtingly upon him assuring our soules that what hee sayes concerning us he will fully make good unto us God cannot lye when he speakes he speakes his heart and what is in his heart to doe no power or powers can hinder his hand from doing such soules then as thus see God and rest upon him are sure to be established so as the counsell of good King Jeboshaphat is worthy to be received by all soules Beleave in the Lord your God so shall you be established Then first give me leave to advise to a serions and constant inquiry after God if establishment in the soule come by believing in God then knowing of God aright is of absolute necessity 〈◊〉 such a believing now soules sleight or inconstant in their inquities after God in what he is doth and saith are very unlikely soules to come to such a knowledge of him as will bring forth beliefe to establishment It was the saying of an established soule in God I know whom I have trusted and doubtlesse there had not been trust to establishment but that knowledge was in the very foundation the argument seemeth to me to runne thus I know God and therefore I have trusted in him and 〈◊〉 I know him I am assured I shall not be deceived by him so that from this knowledge I am established through believing darknesse is the proper wombe of feare there in nothing else foturely begotten there so is light of faith and establishment thiâ— I say and speake by experience in which I shall appeale to the â—â—perience of all Saints that the more any soule truely knows God the more that soule will trust him therefore give mee leave againe to say Be serious and constant in the inquiries after God study him as he is in himselfe in his Christ and our Saviour iâ— his Covenant of free grace in all his promises and performances in his word and workes in our owne and other Saints experiences of him And this I dare boldly affirme the more God is thus spiritually knowne of his people the more he will be admired loved and trusted by them and such soules the more truly established Secondly This seemes to be suitable advice to be exceeding watchfull over Satan and our owne hearts in all the temptations to or movings of unbeliefe in our soules there is nothing so great a friend to the Kingdome of Satan and so great an eneny to the Kingdome of Gods free grace as unbeliefe is nor can any sinne so certainely destroy the soule as unbeliefe nay all other sinnes without this can never destroy any soule doubtlesse these reasons have weight enough in them to make Christian soules stand upon their guard against this enemy of unbeliefe it is the Generall of the Host of evill it commands all other sinnes and where it enters it comes with great attendants of evils subservant to is selfe unbeliefe is the supreame Agient in the World for the Prince of darknesse in what ever God is distrusted and not believed Satan shall surely be served Faith is that Anchor that keeps the soule close to God if that be plucked up Satan sils the Sailes I meane the heart with the World and so carryes the Vessell where he pleaseth Faith is Gods interest and unbeliefe the Devile interest in the soule and at the last day when Christ shall give the Devill his due I mean his share of men in the world iâ— will be onely unbelievers for he hath interest in nor can lay claime to none else therefore unbeliefe should be dreaded as the Devils brand that by which he markes his owne distrust God and honour Satan for they cannot be parted he that doth the former cannot avoyd the latter A soule watchfull in this thing iâ— so for Gods glory its owne peace and eternall saivation for these two can never be parted what preserves the one preserves the other but unbeliefe looseth both consider free grace is the originall the first cause of all Gods promises to and his dealings with his people Now a distrust in these how doth it dishonour God and not onely unestablish but undoe our owne soules therefore no enemy so dangerous as unbeliefe and should with most watchfulnesse be prevented unbeliefe it opposeth Gods ends in his Covenant of free grace and in all his gracious promises
make so which hast in their owne wayes that they breake their necks destroy themselses and their designes because they have not faith to waite on God it is the property of faith to keepe the souls close to God as neare God as can be that the beleeving soule presseth after now this nearnesse is to waite on him to follow him 〈◊〉 noâ— to goâ— before him this is a true and great benefit of sake in the soules of belâ—â—vâ—â—â— The Ninth benefit of faith in the soule is this By faith all Mountaines of difficulties are removed from the soule if thou beleevest sayes the Text all things are possiblâ— there is nothing too heavy for faith to remove because faith in the strength of God in the soule for it is the soule going out of it selfe into God out of its owne strength into Gods therefore to him that beleeveth all things are possible consider this operation of faith in Queen Esther Esther 4 16. Esther 4.16 There shee directs Mordechai and all the Jewes to seek God and her selfe and her Maidens doth the same shee had a great businesse in hand in which very great difficulties to the flesh lay before her shee seeks God to be with her and then shee castern her selfe and businesse on God by faith shee gets above all the Mountaines of opposition into this resolution to doe her duty and leave the issue to God and in to the King shee goes with this resolution If Iperish I perish Shee was upon the wings of faith carryed above all those Mountaines which did threaten perishing shee now did not feare to perish faith in God carryed her above those feares removed those Mountains and made her way plaine faith wrought to this height in Shadrach Meshach and Abedingo Dan. 3.17 Dan. 3.17 If it be so our God whom wee serve is able to deliver us from the burning firy Furnace and he will deliver us out of thy hands O King How bravely doth faith here mount them above all Mountaines of opposition our God is able to deliver us and wee will trust him heate thy Furnace as hot as thou wilâ— it shall be no Mountaine in our way for our trust is in our God and thâ—â— faith carryes us above all that thou canst either say or doe but for the clearing up of this truth take that one Scripture for all in Marke 11.22 23. 〈◊〉 11.22 23 they are the words of our Saviour to his Disciples by way of exhortation to stedfastnesse of faith And Jesus saith unto them have faith in God for verily I say unto you that whosoever shall say unto this Mountaine be thou removed and bee thou cast into the Sea and shall not double in his heart hâ—â— shall beleeve that those things which hee hath said shall come to passe he shall have whatsoever hee faith This is an exceeding full Scripture to the thing in hand which is the efficacy of faith in the soule to remove Mountaines it comes with the authority of Christ himselfe Verily I say unto you Well what is it that Christ sayes why this that whomsoever in faith stedfastly believing shall say to any Mountaine be thou removed and cast into the Sea it shall bee done I conceive none understandingly can lay up our Saviours meaning here by that tearm Mountain to a Mountain or heape of earth for that would be little advantage to faith or incouragement to lay out faith upon but that by Mountaine our Saviour largely meanes all Mountaines of difficulties that are in our way to Heaven and by Sea is meant a place of devouring of obscurity to what is cast into it so that our Saviours meaning is this steady faith the soule that doubts not removes all Mountaines that it meets withal in its way to Heaven so that they are devoured in obscurity that the soule shall never see them more our Saviours exhortation is this Have faith in God doubt not in thy heart but beleeve in God and Verily I say it take my word for it this faith shall remove all Mountaines That is the soule which thus undoubtingly liveth in God shall in that life be above all Mountaines of opposition that are below God and shall be able to nihilate them through faith in God as though they never had been Have faith in God doubt not What doth this meane but an undoubted beliefe that God can and will destroy all Mountaines in our way to Heaven thus it was with Shadrach Meshach and Abednego they undoubtingly beleeved our God can and our God will deliver us and verily God did destroy those mountaines that were in their way God is the same in every soule that hath faith in him and beleeves undoubtingly he throwes downe all Mountaines into the Sea of destruction and mounts up such souls into himself above all that might hinder them in their way to Heaven unbeliefe is that great Mountaine in the soule which brings forth all those lesser Mountaines of feare which the soule meets withall in its way to Heaven Now faith in God it lives in the death of unbeliefe and so destroyes that teeming Mountaine which brings forth all other reall or imaginary Mountaines of feare in the soule thus faith in God plucks up the Mountaines of feare which flowes from on beliefe by the roots and in this is a very great benefit to the soules of beleevers A tenth benefit of faith in the soules of Beleevers is this Faith soules up the soule to the redemption of Gods free grace faith is that worke of God in the soule which in man is the soule to Gods Covenant of free grace He that beleeves in God puts to his seale that God is true That soule which doth beleeve in God and in his Covenant of free grace so as to cast it selfe for salvation and all good upon God and his grace doth therein put to his seale that God is a God of grace and will make good his Covenant of grace to his soule otherwise he would never venture his soule upon it and our Saviour speaking of faith in the soul in John 6.47 sayes Verily verily I say unto you John 6.47 he that beleeveth on me hath everlasting life Christ delivers it as a most emminent truth with a Verily verily I say it And what is it that Christ sayes but this that faith is the seale of life to the soule He that beleeveth he hath everlasting life That is by faith the soule hath the seale of salvation in it selfe all the elect have salvation in God and Christ according to the eternall purpose of God in himselfe but when God makes soules to beleeve then they have the salvation of God sealed in their owne bosomes so sayes the Apostle Paul in Rom. 5.1 Rom. 5.1 Therefore being justified by faith wee have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ That is faith in Gods grace doth seale up the soule to a justified state through Christ Jesus and the soule having this seale
where faith liveth Faith in God assures the soule that all the Nations of the Earth are but as the drop of a bucket compared 〈◊〉 God and therefore where faith lives the soule cannot feare the stroak of all the empty powers of the world to be against it when as God is for it Psal 91.1 2 3. and it hath put its trust in God Psal 91.1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of his wings Whom ever lives in the bosome of God by faith knowes it selfe to be safe in the protection of God and so is above feare as it is in God God is the refuge fortresse and deliverer of such as trust in him therefore as he is all this and my God in him will I put my trust and surely he will deliver me sayes the believing soule therefore whom should I feare and of whom should I be affraid By faith soules live satisfied in God and above feare though all creatures faile as the Prophet Zephaniab in Chap. 3. vers last Though the Fig-tree and all other creatures and fruits of the earth should fail yet sayes he I will rejoyce in God joy in the God of my salvation for the Lord he is my strength Here is living upon God above and without the creatures and this life is a life of joy which must needs be above feare Faith is a life in God as a God of salvation so a life of joy and this purely in God not because of any creature enjoyment that might goe along with God but in God when all these faile and yet this a life of joy a life above feare this is the life of faith in the soule and the benefit of such a life So the Church of God in Psalm 46. liveth by faith above feare as it liveth in God this is the Churches faith God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble Now the next verse telleth us what is the effects of this faith in them 〈…〉 Therefore will not we feare though the earth he removed and so forth This is the benefit of faith in God it quenches and destroyes fleshly and carnall feare iâ— empties the soule of all but God so as it makes God all to the soule and to live only upon what God is Faith in its growth destroyes feare in its very being for as faith growes higher and higher so is the soule carryed more and more into God by which it liveth more on God and God in the sould destroyes that fleshly carnall feare that is the seed of nature in all flesh Faith at this pitch in the soule is an exceeding great advantage in times of tryall for where fleshly feare liveth as supreame there fleshly power commands the whole Now in times of tryall such soules will sayle amisse that have this power at the sterne If in stormes faith be not the Pilot soules will split on rockes but never arrive at God nay every calme will endanger the soule if faith guide it not to God so that as faith doth destroy carnall feare and keepe the soule close to God so it is a very great benefit and advantage in the soules of beleevers Againe Faith in GOD doth advantage the Soule in this Faith makes soules faithfull true to their trust and promises trusting in the true God to protect and carry them through all difficulties It was thus with Queene Esther Est 6.16 Shee promises Mordeeai and the Jewes that shee would first seek God to goe with her and then she would go in to the King the story telleth us that there was great difficulties in the way yet this beleeving soule was true and faithfull to her engagements and the trust that was reposed in her She sought God to goe with her and in God doth faithfully discharge her duty and trust though death and danger was in every step of the way Faith iâ— a vigorous grace in the soule it filleth with spirits and carryes soules in the wayes of the faithfull God though Lyons and Beareâ— lye in the way Thus faith wrought in this Heroick piece of the wâ—â—ker Sex depths of dangers could not make her unfaithfull to her God and Nation Faithfull Joseph is another proofe to this truth in Gen. 39. Gen. 39. his lew'd Mistresses temptations could not make him false to his Master and he giveth this for his reason hee could not be false to that trust his Master had committed to him nor durst he some against God faith kept him true both to God and man and that is the true nature of faith to be faithfull therefore faith James in his Epistle shew me thy faith by thy workes If thou hast faith it will keepe thee faithfull both to God and man what ever soule is false to God and man in that trust which God man hath committed to it I dare affirm it is the effects of unbeliefe men in trust prove false to trust as they thinke for fleshly advantages or upon some outward necessity but the true cause is unbeliefe for had they faith in God they would be faithfull to God and the trust committed to them Did they believe in God to owne them they would in that faith keepe true to God and owne him did they beleeve God to be the owner the author and preserver of all truth and faithfulnesse they would in this beliefe be faithfull to God true to their trust and trust the God of truth to preserve them for this is the effect of faith in the soule and I know no truer a demonstration of an unbelieving soule then to be false to God and man in the trust that is committed to it upon any pretended grounds whatsoever nor is any thing a truer effect of faith nor a clearer image of God in the soule then faithfulnesse to God and man In trust committed and in engagements given forth this effect of faith I confesse doth declare the present generation to be exceeding faithlesse but yet let God be true though all men be lyers for such a soule as lives by faith lives in God so in truth and cannot be false to God or his people to trust or their owne promises This is a precious benefit of faith it is not only a benefit to such soules in whom it is but also to that Land and people where such soules do dwell A further effect and benefit of faith in God is this It makes men deny themselves to lift up Gods glory and will not by any meanes take Gods glory to themselves though they have fair advantages for it See this fully proved in Peter John Acts 3.12 Acts 3.12 Acts 4.10 so on Acts 4.10 so on when as by faith in God they had to the wonderment amazement of the people been instruments to make the lame man walke so that all the people ran about him to see what was done Then Peter being affraid lest they should ascribe Gods glory to
there is nothing too little for God to make enough that is plain in this experience this little oyle God makes it enough to pay all her debts and answer all her wants God is all himselfe therefore it is no streight to him to make the lesse to be enough his own experience doth the worke because he is all in himselfe what God appoints to give out satisfaction to his people by shall never cease to give forth till his people confesse they have enough This fountaine of life giveth living streames which alwayes flow and refresh the City of God this is God upon experience Our Saviour Christ in Matth. 8.26 shewes his power as hee was God in rebuking the windes and the Sea when there was a great tempest so that his Disciples in the ship with him were greatly affraid Christ there checkes their unbeliefe and giveth them an experience of his power by stilling the winds and Sea at his rebuke so that the Text sayes there was a great calme The calme was an act of Christs power as the feare was of the Disciples flesh so that in this they had double experience of their owne fleshly feare and Christs almighty power The Apostle Paul both when he was Saul and Paul had great experiences of God as first in his conversion when hee was Saul and breathed out threatnings and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord Acts 9. beg How wonderfull was his conversion what glorious experiences of Gods free grace and his power is there in that worke they were so great that the Apostle doth acknowledge them all his life following when hee is brought before Judges Councels for preaching of Christ crucified and salvation by free grace through Christ hee telleth them of Gods wonderfull worke in his conversion what experience he had of his grace and power and mayes his experiences of God as a grouâ—d of resting oâ— him for strength to carry on the worke of his Apostleship which God so in raculously had called him too We may finde all the wâ—iâ—ings of this holy man spread with his experiences of God as in his voyage where the ship was cast away and yet nâ—t the life of one man lost in that venomous beast upon his hand which did him no hurt in his often bonds and stripes and his comfortable going tâ—rough all conditions with joy and establishment in God 1 Cor. 6. as having nothing and yet possessing all things Here was very great experience of God what ever he had God was the all of that and what ever he wanted of the creature yet God was all to him to that he wanted nothing but in God possessed full satisfaction God was strength to him in all his sufferings through Christ that strengthned him he could doe all things God was safety to him from all perils and upon this experience hee was true to the service of God not fearing any danger that should befall him So in Acts 5. There we may read of the same experiences that Peter and the rest of the Apostles had of God when as they were brought before the Councell and imprisoned for preaching in the name of Christ how they were delivered out of prison and yet the prison doores all fast shut they had a man set over them to keepe them and an Angel sent to deliver them they had full experience of the power of God that no power on earth or watchfulnes of men could imprison them that God would set free There is another experience of this nature of the power and glory of God Acts 16. lat end in Acts 16. latt end where by an earth-quake God opened all the doores of the prison with the bonds that were upon Paul and the rest of the prisoners yea and the hard heart of the Jaylor too for he comes trembling now to enquire after salvation This Earth-quake God useth to shake the Jaylor and his Family out of their earthly condition into a heavenly he and his Family were hereby taught to believe in God then followeth the kinde usage of the Apostles and their deliverance out of prison this affords great experience of the powerfull and glorious workings of God God doth not onely shake the earth and the heavens also but by shaking the earth he shakes into heaven he shakes the earth of unbeliefe out of this family and filleth them with heaven through believing doubtlesse it is glorious power that shakes earth out of soules and those soules into heaven this is the work of God upon experience I shall now in some few particulars mention the experiences of Gods power and justice in his righteous judgements I shall mind you of Gods judgements upon Pharoah and all his host in the red Sea but no more then mention it because I have used that Scripture already But in the next place consider Gods dealing with Herod Acts 2.22 23 24. in Act. 12.22 23 24. The proud wretch tooke Gods glory to himselfe Now see how God doth vindicate his owne glory he is immediately smitten by the Angel of God eaten up with wormâ— God is zealous of his glory he will not give that to any other nor suffer him to live long that takes it to himselfe the people made a god of this proud man and he was content to be accounted so but God will let him and them know that he is but sinfull man for he dyeth immediately like man and under a fearfull judgement as the just recompence of that pride which would have been taken for God Here is a glorious experience of Gods power and his zeale for his owne glory which should make all flesh tremble and be carefull that they cloath not their pride with that glory which is only due to God We have another experience of God in his righteous judgement upon the Sodomites being strucke with blindnesse in their bodies when in the blindnesse and wickednesse of their souls Gen. 19.11 they would have abused the Angel of God that came to Lots house according to the lust of their owne hearts the Scripture sayes Verse 4. there came all the men of the City olde and young and all the people from every quarter A tumult of wretches full fraught with the sinne of Sodome and yet behold the experimented power of God that preserves his few faithfull ones from this multitude of Sodomites and judgeth their first kindnesse with a second so that they were weary in their pursuite after wickednesse I should be glad if this example might teach all blind wretches to be carefull how they meddle with the servants of the most high God for hee is upon experience a God that revengeth the wrongs done or intended to his people Lastly Gods fearfull judgement upon Korah and all his company you may read the story in Numbers 16. and in vers 31. how the ground opened and swallowed them up alive they lived in death and were buried alive they murmured against Moses and believed not God
these were dead souls in living bodies and God throws in his displeasure their living bodies into the graves of death Thus we see the Scripture is ful of proof in this that God is an experimented God these are the experiments that Saints of old have had of God and left them upon record for the use of after ages It is a great mercy that wee have these experiments of God but I doe believe no age that ever lived were without particuler experiences of God I am sure this present age is not without wonderful many and great experiences of God in his goodnesse faithfulnesse power mercy and grace to his poore hated and despised people I shall not here mention any particulers I trust providence hath a faithfull store-house for them and a time to bring them forth entire to the glory of God who is the living and eternall fountaine of all mercy Yet let me desire Saints for their establishment in God to look backe upon the foote-steps of his power and providence his faithfulnesse and righteousnesse in ordering of battles and disposing of victories even amongst the sonnes of men If you cannot looke many yeares yet looke but some moneâ—◠〈…〉 which you may see such glorious experiences of God that if you understand them they will fill your hearts with admiring God and the language of your lips will be as the servants of God in former ages to be telling forth the experiences of God whereever you come God giveth to his children some more and to some lesse experiences of himselfe but in these latter dayes God hath given such great experience of himselfe to the whole body of Saints that I trust he wil thereby establish his people through believing in himselfe as an experimented God this is the thingâ— drive at in my selfe and other Saints and therefore have I made so large a recitall of these experiences of God to the sanctified reason of precious soules And give me leave now to argue the case a little with sanctified Reason and to tell you that God is no new-found fancy or appearance which may prove good or evill to the soule upon tryall but God is the ancient of dayes from everlasting and a tryed God such a one whom Saints in all ages have tryed and found to be a faithfull gracious just righteous glorious and omnipotent God Now tell me the best of reason that which is most sanctified if God be not the best nay the only foundation to build our saith upon and if one so much experiment doth not captivate thy reason to himselfe I know it is a principle of right reason to trust that most which hath been most tryed and always found faithfull therefore have I been the more large to hold out God to sanctified reason as a faithfull God upon experience Now reason must either deny it selfe in its owne right principles or else choose God as the only object of faith If so then I may cease to argue for I have my end if otherwise it cannot be argued with as reason for it ceases so to be in denying its owne right and true principle But if any soule full of sanctified reason shall speake like it selfe and say I will trust my selfe where I find by experience there is most grace and goodnesse faithfulnesse and righteousnesse most power to preserve me and most fulnesse to supply all my wants then I say to such a soule all this is God and none of this is any where else but in God and that God is an experimented God in all this if thou knewest his dealings with thy own soule thou wils confesse him to be so his Saintâ— of olde have recorded some of those many and great experiences which they had of him Now here is that thou lookest for experimented goodnesse and faithfulnesse in God and that which God lookes for is that Now thou shouldst trust him upon all that experience which thy owne soule and other of his Saints have had of him If thou hast any thing to object make thy objection there is fulnesse enough in God to answer all that thou canst desire if all be answered then trust him that is all and doth satisfie all that trust in him with his owne fulnesse The fifth argument that I shall offer to sanctified Reason why to believe in God is this That God counts his faithfulnesse his glory and was never stained in it nor can ever be because he is the faithfull God a God that never failed any that trusted in him so sayes the Prophet David Psal 18.30 Psal 18.30 As for God his way is perfect his word is tryed bee is a buckler to all those that trust in him God is perfectly faithfull in all his words his workes and his wayes hee cannot deny himselfe to be God therefore can never be unfaithfull From hence the Psalmist in Psalm 33.21 Psal 33.21 saith that the righteous doe reigne in the Lord when he makes them to trust in him For they then joy in their desires as fulfilled for if God make them trust in him for it he will certainely accomplish it he will never be stained in his faithfulnesse Mal. 37.40 So in Psalm 37.40 God will save his people from the wicked because they trust in him That is God will preserve his owne faithfulnesse not any soule shall trust on him in vaine much lesse be deceived by relying on him So Psalm 48.10 This it the praise of God unto the ends of the earth that he is faithfull and righteous according to his Name he will never loose nor staine the name of a faithfull God So he sayes himselfe in Psalm 89.34 35. My Covenant will I not breake nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips Psal 89.34 35. Once have I sworn by my holinesse that I will not lye unto David That is I will make good what ever I have said my Covenant and promises shall all be performed for I have sworn by my holinesse I have engaged that which is most deare to me and I will not forâ—eiâ—it And in Psalm 105.8 Psal 105.8 His Saintâ— beare witnesse to him that thee remembreth his Covenant for ever So in Psalm 119.89 For ever O Lord thy word is setled in beaven It is as sure as heaven thou 〈◊〉 so faithfull a God And in vers 90. Thy faithfulnesse is unto all Generations It never weares out or becomes unfaithfull it is the faithfulnesse of God that is eternall like himselfe Psal 119.160 Psal 119.160 Thy word is true from the beginning and every one of thy righteous judgements endureth for ever That is God is true to his word from everlasting and his truth and righteousnesse abideth for ever not any that can challenge him with unfaithfulnesse his robe of righteousnesse is spotlesse this is his glory and so he values it And the Prophet Isaiah bears witnesse to it in Isa 34.16 Seeke yet out of the book of the Lord Isa 34.16 and