shew the happinesse of the godly in all estates of life these I call priuiledges These are such comforts as are not restrained vnto some certaine time but are such as he is inriched with all at all times These we ought to know as the foundation of all the rest and wee should striue to haue them perfectly in our memories so as any time we could number them if need were Euery godly Christian hath twelue priuiledges wherein hee excels all the men of this world 1 The first is the loue and fauour of God the especiall grace of God toward him this is the foundation of all his happinesse and if hee could order his owne heart aright hee could easily see that hee could not be miserable so long as he was in fauor with his God If the fauour of great persons be so much accounted of what reckoning is to be made of Gods fauour who is Lord of Lords yea King of all Kings and the more should a Christian fill his heart with ioying in this prerogatiue if hee consider three properties in the loue of God For first it is a free loue hee stands not vpon desert he is gracious looking vpon his owne goodnesse and not on ours Hosea 14. 4. Secondly it is an eternall loue and vnchangeable God will neuer bee weary of louing him Ierem. 31. 3. His louing kindnesse is better then life for it lasts vnto all eternity without alteration The fauour of man in this world is mutable Kings may extremely loath whom they yer-while loued with their intirest affection but in God there is no shadow of changing hee loues with an euerlasting loue Thirdly it is infinitely immense and great no affection in any or in all the creatures in this world if they could be fastned vpon one man can reach to the thousand part of Gods loue to vs Ephes. 2. 47. Esay 49. 15. 16. This light of Gods countenance shining vpon vs makes vs at all times more rich then they that are encreased most in corne and wine and oyle Psal. 4. 7. 8. 2 The second is the donation of Christ Christ is his God hath giuen him Christ Rom. 8. 32. so as all Christ is his proper portion and how is Christ his euen in all dearenesse of relation He is his Prince his Priest and Redeemer his Father his Lord his Master his Friend his Brother c. All these titles are giuen to Christ to signifie he is all that which those things could shaddow out No father brother friend could so loue their childe brother or friend as Christ loues the Christian. No Lord Master Prince can so prefer prouide or care for their seruants or subiects as Christ cares for the Christian Look what the fauor or power of any of those or al those could doe Christ is wil become much more vnto the godly Christian. 3 The third priuiledge is Deliuerance the Christians deliuerāce is exceeding great if hee consider seriously how he is deliuered from the Kingdome of darkenes from this present euill world frō the dominion of sin from the handwriting of ordinances that was against him from the rigour and curse of the Law and from condemnation The fourth is free pardon of all his sins past his soule being washed in the bloud of Christ from all his sins so as now they were as white as snow though they had beene redde like scarlet 1. Ioh. 1. 7. Esay 1. 18. What rest peace would this breed in our hearts if we did daily thinke of it in our owne particulars that wee had obtained pardon and remission of all our sinnes The fift priuiledge is the inhabitation of the Holie Ghost The soule and body of a Christian is the Temple of the Holy Ghost and the Spirit of God doth verily and truly dwell within the brest of a Christian and that not in a naked presence but the holy Ghost is there to teach him to guide him into all truth to tell him when hee is ready to goe out of the way on the right hand or on the left and to comfort him in all distresses and to seale the promises to his heart and to anoint him with the oyle of true knowledge and grace and to bee as a pledge and earnest of his inheritance looked for from heauen and to teach him to pray when he knowes not how to pray for himselfe and many other excellent benefits hee reapeth from this spirit of God whom the world cannot receiue Hee hath for this respect a very spring of knowledge and ioy and grace in his belly The sixth priuiledge is the Image of God restored in him by the mighty power of Christs voyce in his first resurrection being made now a new creature to God and so partaking of the diuine nature in respect of the qualities wherin hee doth excellently resemble God The seuenth priuiledge is the freedom to Gods house and to all the feasts Diuine entertainment which God makes there Psal. 36. 9. and 65. 4. Esay 25. 8. Luk. 14. 17. Reue. 2. The Word and Sacraments are his he is Gods bidden ghest he may alwaies come and welcome The fatnesse and pleasures of Gods house Oh how sweet are they Who can tell the excellency of the Manna that is hid The eight priuiledge is entrance and accesse and audience with God in all his suites He may aske almost what he will of God hee will not deny him any thing he askes in the name of Christ. And sure he is worthily miserable that will not make himself happy when hee may haue what hee will aske of him that is able to giue what he can aske Marke 11. 24. Ephes. 2. 19. The ninth priuiledge is The seruice and attendance of the Angels The Angels doe pitch their Tents about those that feare God Psa. 34. and are ministring spirits to euery heire of saluation Heb. 1. vlt. Oh the dignity and safety of that man whom the glorious Angels doe guard and attend vpon The poorest Christian hath a better guard about him then the greatest Monarch in the world that is not a Christian. The tenth priuiledge is the Communion of Saints hee is mystically vnited in one bodie to all the worthies that are in heauen or earth and doth effectually enioy the benefit of communion of Saints too large to be heere reckoned vp If it were no more but the profit hee hath by the prayers of the godly all ouer the world were it not a great fauor Ephes. 2. 19. and 3. 6. Philip. 1. 5. Colos. 2. 29. besides al the comforts hee hath in the fellowship with the godly The eleuenth priuiledge is the inheritance of the Earth which is restored to him in Christ so as hee now passeth that which he hath of the earth by as good a Title as euer Adam held Paradise yea so as whatsoeuer in the whole earth is good for him shal not bee with-held from
him Math. 3. 7. Psal. 84. 12. Outward prosperity hee is sure of so farre as it is good for him Iob 8. 7. Psalme 37. 5. The last priuiledge is that Inheritance immortall incorruptible and that fadeth not reserued for him in heauen which for excellency passeth all that which euer the eye of man saw or the eare of man heard or the heart of man can conceiue 1 Pet. 1. 3 4. Now then to summe vp all this let a Christian tell his owne soule plainly and vpon cleere proofe by the signes of a child of God that hee is in fauour with God and that Christ is his and that he hath obtained strange deliuerāce and that all his sinnes are forgiuen and that the holy Ghost dwells in him that the image of God is restored in him and that he is free to Gods house and that hee may begge any thing of GOD and that hee hath Angels to waite vpon him and that he is neere of kinne to all the Saints in the World and that he is Lord of the earth and that hee shall certainely goe to Heauen when he dieth Let this I say bee told to his soule can hee be dismaid will not the Peace of God which passeth all vnderstanding keepe his heart and minde and that constantly for euer CHAP. IIII. Shewing how the godly may support their hearts against all outward afflictions HItherto of the Priuiledges Now it followeth that I should open those consolations that may support the hearts of men against al the distresses of this life And first I would shew how the Lord is pleased to comfort his seruants in seueral Scriptures against all the outward afflictions may befall his seruants in this world By outward afflictions I meane such as these wants losses wrongs troubles exile imprisonment sicknesse feares pouerty or any other thing wherewith the life of man is molested in any condition Now there are many excellent waies of aboundant comforts against these or any of these as 1 First if we consider but the commonnesse of them all things fall alike in these things Eccles. 9. 2 3. Euery man that is born of a woman hath but few daies and is full of trouble Iob 14. 1. Christ hath no Disciple but he is told aforehand He must take up his Crosse and that daily Luk. 9. 24. There can bee no affliction but what accompanieth or may accompany the nature of man 1. Cor. 10. 13. The same afflictions are accomplished vpon our brethren which are through the world 1. Pet. 5. 9. And we haue the Prophets greatest worthies of the Lord for an example of suffering Iam. 5. 10. And all the godly must through many tribulations enter into the Kingdome of God Acts 14. 22. 2 Secondly if we consider that God takes notice of vs and of all our trialls The Lord knowes the way of the righteous Psalm 1. 6. None of our griefes are hid from him All our desires are before him and our groning is not hid from him Psalm 38. 9. and hee knowes our soules in aduersitie Psal. 31. 7. And as hee takes notice of al our troubles so he takes notice of all that is good in vs Hee knowes them that are patient and trust in him Nahum 1. 7. 3 Thirdly if we consider the wonderfull compassion of God in the afflictions of his people hee doth not willingly afflict but regards vs with pitty and with loue thinkes of redeeming vs and sends the Angell of his presence to comfort and saue vs and in all our afflictions is afflicted with vs Isay 63. 8 9. 4 Fourthly if we consider the high estimation that God holds of his seruants notwithstanding their afflictions Crosses may make men loue vs the lesse but they doe not a iot discommend vs before God He can take notice of his seruants in their distresses as well as if they did shine in the greatest outward splendor in the world This is the consolation that God speakes to vs euen when he corrects as to his children and for that reason wee should not refuse his chastning Hebr. 12. 6. Prou. 3. 11. We may be honourable in Gods sight though wee bee in a most forlorne and despised condition in the world Wee may I say be precious in Gods sight and greatly beloued Isa. 43. 4. 56. The Apostle Peter shewes that a poore seruant when hee suffers hard words and ill vsage from his froward Master doth herein finde acceptation with GOD 1. Peter 2. 19. 20. Now this is an instance beyond exception For what condition more vile then of a seruant and what crosses were likely to be disregarded of God sooner then these domesticall indignities and yet wee see a proofe of the regard and loue of God euen in those things 5 Fiftly if we consider the victory of Christ ouer the world Our Sauiour vseth this as a consolation he tels his Disciples In the world they shall haue trouble but he wold haue them be of good cōfort he hath ouer come the world so as now they shall neuer be hurt by their trobles Their crosses may be too hard for them to master but Christ can order them so as in him they shall haue victory ouer them But of this more afterwards Iohn 16. 33. 6 Sixtly If wee consider the presence of the holy Ghost he is giuen of Christ and the Father to bee our Comforter and as our afflictions abound so shall our consolations also Ioh. 14. 16. 2. Cor. 1. 4. Now how shall a man be dismaied that hath Gods spirit within him to harten him and assist him and refresh him and make glad his heart 7 Seuenthly if we consider the issue out of all troubles Many may be the troubles of the righteous but God will deliuer them out of all Psal. 34. 19. If GOD make vs sore he will make whole if he wound he will binde vs vp againe In sixe troubles he shal deliuer them and in seuen there shall no euil touch them Iob 5. 18. 19. God will giue his people rest from the daies of aduersity till the pit be digged for the wicked Psal. 94. 13. Light is sowne for the righteous gladnesse for the vpright in heart Psal. 97. 11. It is well said It is sown For though God do not presently giue vs ease and comfort yet the Haruest will come if with patience wee rest vpon God and be truely sincere and keepe his way God will settle his people as in the former dayes and it may bee doe better vnto them then at the beginning Ezech. 36. 11. For Gods thoughts towards his people are thoughts of peace and not of euill to giue an expected end Ierem. 29. 11. so as Gods seruants shal sing for ioy of heart when wicked men howle for vexation of spirit Esay 65. 14. 8 Eightly If wee consider the wonderfull care of God about the measure of our crosses For God will not lay vpon man more then right
to professe the Gospell of Christ had beene occasion of terrible death then wee might haue had some pretence of greeuance But now in these daies when the hurt is done only with the tongue of infamous men it is a great weakenesse to bee disquieted Hebr. 12. 3. 7 Seuenthly let vs looke vpon the author and finisher of our Faith euen He was exposed to these indignities and yet for the glory set before him despised the shame endured the crosse and is now crowned in heauen Hebr. 12. 2. What should the seruant complaine of when his Lord and Master is called Beelzebub 8 Eightly Dauid easeth himselfe by considering the cause of his suffering For thy sake saith hee to God haue I borne reproch shame hath couered my face The zeale of thy house hath eaten me vp and the reproches of them that reproched thee haue fallen vpon mee when I wept and chastened my soule with fasting that was to my reproach Psalme 69. 7. 9. 10. Ninthly why should we be troubled at that which is the lot of all the Saints We haue heard of Dauid before how he was slandered by many and on euery side Psalm 31. 12. 13. Ieremy complaines that they consulted how to deuise deuices against him and how they might smite him with the tongue Ierem. 18. 18. False witnesses were suborned against Stephen and that in case of Religion Acts 6. 11. 13. 14. Many grieuous complaints were laid against Paul Act. 25. 7. Yea it was the condition of all the Apostles and the principall men of the Christian world to be made a spectacle to men and Angels and to be accounted forlorne and as the off-scowring of all things 1. Cor. 4. 9. 10. 13. And our Sauiour Christ supposeth the case of any blessed man that men may say all manner of euill sayings of them Matth. 5. 12 c. 10 Tenthly The Spirit of God and of glory doth rest vpon you 1. Pet. 4. 14. Yee haue the Spirit of God in you what need you care what the world accounts of you you haue aboundant treasure in your harts and you haue an heroycall or diuine spirit in you and therfore why are you troubled about such meane things and your patience and their rage is a signe you are in a happy condition and haue Gods spirit the spirit of God which in you is a spirit of glory and leades you to a better life And therefore seeing you are but trauelers here why turne you againe at the barking of euery dog yea these reproches signifie that wicked men doe see some glory of God shiuing in you which they striue by all meanes to vilifie despise being vext in their hearts at it 11 God will certainely take an order with all that reproch his people For first he will reckon all their reproches as cast out against himselfe and therefore will indite them of blasphemie Psal. 74. Col. 3. 8 1. Peter 4. 14 1. Corinth 4. 13. Secondly in his due time hee will put to silence those lying lips which speake grieuous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous Psalme 31. 18. Thirdly all that were incensed against the godly shall bee rewarded with shame which GOD will powre vpon them for the cōtempt with which they haue dishonoured his seruants Esay 41. 11. 14. And to conclude God will certainely bring them to iudgment for these things they must make their accounts before the Iudge of the quicke and dead that speake euill of other men because they will not runne with them into the same excesse of riot 1. Pet. 4. 4. 5. 12 Lastly God wil prouide for his own innocent seruants His thoughts are not to let his people be shamed Micah 4. 11. 12. and besides hee will bring forth their righteousnesse as the light they shall be cleered Psalm 37. 6. Iob 5. 15. and they shall receiue double for all their shame Isa. 61. 7. and their reward shall bee great in heauen Math. 5. 12. For which reason Moses accounted the reproches of Gods people to be greater riches then the treasures of Egypt Hebr. 11. 26. and in the meane time there is a hiding place with God from the strife of tongues Psalm 31. 20. CHAP. VI. Wherein many principal Obiections of the godly are answered NOW for the better establishment of mens hearts in the former comforts it will not bee amisse to take off the obiectons with which many times godly men doe aggrauate their distresse aboue the respect of the former consolations 1. Ob. If they were ordinary reproches it would not so much trouble mee but they are vile things which are obiected against mee Sol. They cannot bee viler things then haue bin obiected against Christ the godly For there haue beene obiected Grieuous things Acts 25 7. Gluttony Math 11. 18. 19. Madnesse Iohn 10. 20. Blasphemy Mat. 26. 65. Ac. 6. 11. 13. 14 Deceiuing Iohn 7. 12. Rebellion Acts 17. 6. 7. Railing Acts 23. 4. Schisme Acts 28. 22. Wickednes of life 1. Pet. 2. 12. 2. Ob. But base persons doe reuile mee the very scumme of the people doe scorne me Solu This is no strange thing The abiects gathered themselues together against Dauid they did teare and ceased not Psal. 35. 15. The drunkards sang of him Psal. 69. 13. Those that derided Iob were such whose fathers hee would haue disdained to set with the dogs of his flocke Iob 30. 1. 3. Ob. But I haue liued long vnder such disgraces Sol. Rest thy selfe and fret not at the man that prospereth in his way the Lord will finde a time to bring forth thy innocency as the light Psal. 37. 7. Zephan 3. 18. 19. God will find a time to get thee praise in euery place where thou hast beene put to shame 4. Ob. But I am almost buried with the almost infinitenesse of scorne and reproches Sol. That was no more then was in Dauids case he was so buried in disgrace that hee was as a man dead forgotten and out of minde Ps. 31. 14. he was a reproch of men Psal. 22. 12. A by-word Psal. 44. 9 c. A prouerb Psal. 69. 11. A wonder to many Psal. 7. 7. and the Apostles were a gazing stocke to men and Angels 1. Cor. 4. 9. 2. Cor. 6. 13. 5. Ob. But great men set against me Solu That was Dauids case Feare was on euery side he heard the railings of great men which consulted together against him Psalm 31. 13. 6. Ob. But I am sentenced and accused as an euill doer most vniustly and that publikely Sol. So was our Sauiour Christ that by a whole Councell of men Mat. 27. 1. Iohn 11. 47. 48. and so was Stephen Act. 6. 12. and so were the Apostles Act. 4. 6. 15. and 5. 27. and so was Paul Act. 23. 1. The most righteous may suffer as euill doers 2. Tim. 2. 9. The wicked so compasse about the righteous that many times wrong iudgment proceedeth Hebr. 2. 3. 4. but this
if wee had performed it our selues so as although we be most vnperfect in our selues yet in Christ God can finde no fault in vs nor see any transgression Though our sanctification be spotted yet our iustification hath no blemish in it 7 The helps God hath affoorded vs in his Ministers may bee some ease vnto vs though for weaknesse we be but lambs yet God hath prouided for vs he hath giuen vs shepheards to feede vs and giuen them a charge to looke to his Lambes as well as his sheepe The Church is compared to a nurse with brests and wee haue a promise to sucke out of the brests of his consolations Ierem. 23. 4. Esay 66. 11. 12. 13. Iohn 21. 19. 8 We should especially bee refreshed with the consideration of diuers particular fauours GOD hath assured vs of in his word as First that hee will not deal with vs after our sins nor reward vs after our iniquities Psal. 103. Secondly that hee will spare vs as a man spareth his sonne that serueth him No father can shew compassion like to that which God will bee bound to shew to his children Mal. 3. 17. Thirdly that the smoaking flaxe shall not bee quenched and the bruised reede shall not be broken though grace were in vs but like the heat in the week of the candle when the light is out yet God hath taken order that it shall not be extinguished Esay 42. 3. Fourthly that in all times of need we shal haue accesse vnto the Throne of Grace and obtaine a supply of all our wants so as we may go boldly to aske what we need in the name of Christ and it shall bee giuen vs Heb. 4. vlt. Fiftly that hee will accept of our desires and our will to do his seruice shall be taken for the deed so as he will reckon of so much good to be done by vs as wee desired and endeuoured to doe our workes are as good as wee desired to haue them to be The preparations of our hearts are reckned with God as great things Esay 55. 1. Ierem. 30. 2. 2. Cor. 8. 12. Sixtly that in all his dealing with vs he will vse vs in all compassion with a tender respect of our weakenesse Our weeping and supplication shall bee accepted before him and he will cause vs to walke in a straight way in which wee shall not stumble Ier. 31. 9. In all our afflictions he is afflicted In loue in care in pitty hee will redeeme vs and carry vs as in the daies of old Esay 63. 9. As he hath borne vs from the wombe so will hee bee the same still vnto old age euen vnto the gray haires Hee will carry vs in the armes of his compassion Hee hath made vs hee will beare euen hee will carry and will deliuer vs Esay 46. 3. 4. He will gather the Lambes with his armes and carry them in his bosom gently lead those that are with young Esay 40. Seuenthly that he will supply al our necessities out of the riches of his glory Phil. 4. 19. Eightly that he wil passe by our meere frailties and take no notice of the errors of our liues that arise from meer infirmities there is no God like vnto him for passing by transgressions Mic. 7. 18. Ninthly That hee will strengthen vs and make vs grow in the gifts bestowed vpon vs The Lord will be the hope of his people and the strength of the children of Israel Ioel. 3. 16. He giueth power to the faint and to them that haue no might hee increaseth strength they that wait vpon the Lord shal renew their strength Esay 40. 29. 31. He wil be as the dew to his people They shall grow as the Lilly and cast foorth their rootes as Lebanon Their branches shall spread and their beauty be as the Oliue tree and their smell as Lebanon They shall reuiue as the corne and grow as the vine Hosh. 14. 5. 6. 7. And to assure all this God would haue vs to know that he hath married vs vnto himselfe and holds himselfe tied in the couenant of marriage with all kindnesse and faithfulnes to take the care charge of vs for euer Hosh. 2. 19. 9 To conclude this first sort of promises what knowest thou what GOD may bring thee vnto notwithstanding thy weakenesse He can make thee to multiply as the bud of the field Hee can make thee increase and waxe great Hee can make thee attaine vnto excellent ornaments Ezech. 10. 7. Since thou art the branch of his planting the worke of his hand he may greatly glorifie himselfe in thee so as thy little one may be as a thousand thy small one as a strong Nation God can performe it in his due time Esay 60. 21 22. Though thou haue but a little strength God hath set before thee such an open dore as no man can shut and God can make thee stand in the loue of the trueth without denying his name when the hower of temptation comes vpon the world many of greater vnderstanding fall Reu. 3. 8. 9. 10. Hitherto of the principall consolations in the case of infirmities CHAP. XII Diuers obiections are answered IT followeth that I should answer certaine Obiections which doe vsually depresse the hearts of men and by the trouble of which they neglect the former consolations Ob. Some one may say My infirmities are the more grieuous because I find affliction of spirit ioyned with them These terrors and passions vpon my heart doe dismay me and make mee doubt those comforts doe not belong vnto me Solu God may afflict thy spirit and yet be well pleased with thee yea therefore thy case is the more comfortable because thou feelest the waight and burthen of thy sinnes as these places of Scripture following most euidently and comfortably shew namely Psalm 34. 18. The eyes of the Lord are vpon the righ teous and his eares are open vnto their cry Math. 11. 28. 29. Come vnto me al ye that are weary and laden and I will ease you Take my yoke on you and learne of me that I am meek and lowly in heart and you shall finde rest vnto your soules Ierem. 31. 25. For I haue satiate the weary soule and I haue replenished euery sorrowfull soule And their soule shal be as a watred garden and they shall haue no more sorrow the latter part of the 12. verse c. Isaiah 63. 9. In all their troubles he was troubled and the Angell of his presence saued them In his loue and in his mercy he redeemed them and he bare them and carried them alwaies continually Psal. 31. 21. 22. Blessed be the Lord for he hath shewed his maruellous kindnesse toward me in a strong City Though I sayd in my haste I am cast out of thy sight yet thou heardst the voyce of my prayer when I cried vnto thee Psal. 103. 9. He will not alwaies chide neyther keepe his anger for euer Ob. But I offend daily Solu That
is cleerely answered in Gods promise For he saith he will multiply pardon or abundantly pardon Esay 57. 7. Ob. But I finde I grow worse then I haue bin my hart is much out of order Sol. If there be a heart in thee desirous to return there is comfort also against this distresse The Lord wil heale thy back-sliding if thou take vnto thee words to confesse thy falling away Hosh. 14. 2. 3. 4. Behold saith the Lord I will bring it health and cure and I will cure them and reueale vnto them the abundance of peace and truth Ier. 33. 6. There is healing in the wings of the Sonne of righteousnesse and ye shall go forth and grow vp as the Calues of the stall Malach. 4. 2. Ob. But I am extreamly burthened with my ignorance this is a continuall grieuance vnto me Solu There are many cōforts against ignorance 1 It is a speciall promise of God in the new Couenant that hee will write his lawes in thy hart and he will make thee to know the Lord thou maist goe boldly to the throne of Grace to beg the further illumination of the Spirit of God This is one of the suites God cannot deny 2 God hath promised to leade thee by a way which thou hast not knowne Hee will preserue thee by his knowledge though thou be vnacquainted with the way thy selfe He that led his people from Babel to Sion when they scarce knew a foote of that long way will lead thee in the streight way from earth to heauen if thou seeke a way of GOD as they did Isay 42. 16. 3 Wee haue such an High Priest as knowes how to haue compassion on the ignorant Hee that required that property of the High Priest in the Law will much more expresse it himselfe Hebr. 5. 1. 3. 4 This must bee thy glory and the crowne of reioycing that though thou be ignorant of many things yet thou knowest God and Christ crucified and this is eternall life Ioh. 17. 3. 5 The Ministers of the Gospell are ours and therfore if we attend vpon the Word and continue in it wee shall know the truth their instructions shall bee daily distilled into thy heart like drops of raine 1. Cor. 3. 22. 23. 6 The anointing thou hast receiued shall teach thee all needfull things lead thee into all truth 1. Ioh. 2. 27. 7 There is a seede of heauenly doctrin cast into thy heart which shall euer remaine in thee It is indelible it cannot be blotted out 1. Ioh. 3. 9. 8 Lastly knowledge is the gift of Christ and as we know that he is come so wee beleeue that hee will giue vs vnderstanding that wee may know him that is true and we are in him that is true euen in his Sonne Iesus Christ this is the true God and eternall life 1. Ioh. 5. 20. Ob. But we want or haue lost the meanes of knowledge our teachers are taken from vs. Solu It is true Where vision faileth the people faint but yet 1 After God hath giuen you the bread of affliction the water of aduersity hee will restore teachers and no more restraine instructions Esay 30. 20. 2 Though thou see no way of helpe yet thou knowest not how God can prouide He can open Riuers on the tops of mountaines and he maketh the wildernesse a standing poole when his people thirst and cry vnto him Isaiah 41. 17 18. 3 If ordinary meanes faile and be denied God will then supply of his spirit and make that meanes which is left to suffice for thy preseruation and building vp Philip. 1. 9. Now that there may be the more aboundant support vnto our harts in this case of infirmities I will open two places of Scripture that doe meete with the most obiections of our hearts The first is Exodus 34. 6. 7. where the Lord proclaimeth the goodnesse of his nature that all men may take notice of it and giue him the praise of his rich grace where hee so describeth the Lord that in his titles hee giueth an answere to many obiections 1. Ob. If thou say thy infirmities may alienate the Lord from thee Solu He answers that hee is Iehouah alwaies the same vnchangeable Hee will not alter his loue towards thee but loue thee to the end for the more assurance hee repeated that title twice because he knowes we most doubt of that and haue most neede to be succoured with that Argument as the foundation of all our comfort 2. Ob. If thou say thou hast strong inclinations to sinne or strange temptations or great impediments or many aduersaries and discouragements Solu He answers he is God or strong to signifie that nothing shall hinder the worke of his grace toward thee but hee will keepe thee by his power and make his grace sufficient for thee 3. Ob. If thou say hee is of pure eyes and cannot but discerne thy faults and sinne is sinne in the sight of God Sol. He answers that he is mercifull 4. Ob. If thou say thou deseruest no such mercy Solu He answeres that he is gracious doth not stand vpon desert He will shew mercy not because thou art good but because he is good 5. Ob. If thou say The daily repeating renewing of thy sinnes may prouoke him though hee bee mercifull and gracious Solu Hee answeres that he is long-suffering 6. Ob. If thou say thou hast many defects and wants to be supplied Solu Hee answers that he is full of goodnesse 7. Ob. If thou saist thou art ashamed of the igno rance which is more then can be conceiued Sol. He answers that he is abundant in truth to supply thy defects to performe his promise though thou haue but a little faith 8. Ob. If thou say thou doest beleeue that God is all this vnto some men that Abraham and Dauid and others that were in great fauour with GOD haue found all this But for thy selfe thou art so vile a creature and so meane a person as it is not for thee to expectsuch great things of God Solu He answeres that hee keepes mercy for thousands Hee hath not spent all vpon Dauid or the Patriarchs or Prophets or Apostles or Martyrs or Ministers but he hath an Ocean of goodnesse still to be shewed without respect of persons to all that come vnto him for mercy 9. Ob. If thou yet say thou art guilty of diuers sorts of sinnes and that it is not one offence onely but many that lye vpon thee and some of them such as thou darest not name they are so vile Solu He answers that hee forgiues iniquity transgression and sinne that is all sorts of sinnes of nature of weakenesse or of presumption 10. Obiec If any other should say this is a doctrine of liberty and may embolden men to sinne Solu He answers to that he will by no means cleare the wicked those are fauours onely hee will declare to the penitent that are weary of their sins
against that day 2. Tim. 1. 12 Now vnto him that is able to keep you from falling saith Iude and to preserue you faultlesse before the presence of his glory with exceeding ioy To the onely wise God our Sauiour be glory and Maiesty Dominion and Power now and euer Iude 24. And for the loue of God that it is vnchangeable there is apparant proofe Whom he loueth hee loueth to the end Iohn 13. 1. so as wee may bee confident in this that hee which hath begun a good worke in vs will performe it till the day of Christ Philip. 1. 6. Fourthly wee haue the seale of God for it and he hath giuen vs earnest that wee shall certainely enioy the inheritance purchased for vs. And thus euery one that beleeueth is sealed by the holy Spirit of promise which also is our earnest Ephes. 1. 14. 15. and therefore we shall bee stablished 2. Cor. 1. 22. Now for the second If any aske how GOD will do this I answer That the Scripture shewes how this will be performed thus For 1 God will not cast off his people he will neuer forsake his inheritance Psal. 94. 14. 1. Sam. 12. 22. For the Lord loueth iudgement and for saketh not the Saints therfore they are preserued for euer Psalm 37. 28. 2 God will put his feare into their hearts that they shall not depart from him For this is his Couenant with his people that Hee will not turne away from them to doe them good and hee will put his feare into them that they shall not depart from him Ierem. 32. 40 41. 3 To make all the surer hee will put his Spirit into them which shall leade them into all truth and cause them to keep his statutes and to doe them Ioh. 14. Ezech. 36. 4 He will vphold them and order their wayes and keepe their feet that they fall not The steps of the good man are ordered by the Lord hee delighteth in his way Though he fall hee shall not vtterly bee cast downe for the Lord vpholdeth him with his hand Psal. 37. 23. 24. Hee holdeth our soule in life and suffereth not our feet to be moued Psal. 66. 9. Hee will keepe the feete of his Saints 1. Sam. 2. 9. 5. Lastly GOD will worke their workes for them continually assist them with his presence and blessings Esay 26. Eze. 36. Phil. 2. 13. And thus of the comforts that we may gather from God Now secondly in Christ there are three things may minister much establishment in our hearts against this feare 1 His Intercession he hath specially praied for vs that God would keepe vs from euill Iohn 17. and therefore is able to saue vs to the vttermost because hee euer loueth to make Intercession for vs Hebr. 7. 25. 2 The consideration of his office heerein It is his worke to be Omega as well as Alpha to be the finisher of our faith as well as the author of it He is the end as well as the beginning Reu. 21. 6. Heb. 12. 2. 3 The power of Christ None can take vs out of his hand Ioh. 10. as was said before hee is able to saue vs to the vttermost Heb. 7. 25. Thus of the consideration of Christ also Now thirdly in our selues wee may looke vpon three things as wee are in the estate of grace For first we are borne againe to a liuely hope of an immortall inheritance reserued for vs in Heauen Our new birth intitles vs to heauen and it is kept for vs and our hope is liuely 1. Pet. 1. 3. Secondly our seed abideth in vs It cannot bee blotted out Hee that is borne of God sinneth not because his seede remaineth in him 1. Iohn 3. 9. Thirdly eternall life is begun in vs Ioh. 17. 3. Now if it bee life eternall how can it end How can we fall away from it Naturall life may end but Spiritual life can neuer end CHAP. XIIII Promises that concerne Prayer HItherto of promises that concerne affliction And in asmuch as my purpose was but to fence the godly mā setled in his iustification against the grieuances which might befall him in respect of afflictions during the time of his pilgrimage heere I shall end with the discourse of those promises sauing that I will giue a taste of the last sort of promises viz. such as are encouragements to holy graces or duties I will not instance in the promises made to the loue of God to meekenesse to such as seeke God to the loue of the Word and the like But onely I will open the promises made to the prayers of the godly and the rather because Christians are most troubled about their prayers The promises that concerne prayer may be referred to three heads For eyther they are such as assure vs that God will heare the praiers of his seruants or they shew vs what in prayer hee will heare or else they describe the wonderfull goodnesse of God in the manner how he will heare For the first that the Lord will certainely heare prayer these places of Scripture do most comfortably assure vs. Esay 58. 9. Then shalt thou call and the Lord shall answere thou shalt cry and he shall say Here I am Math. 21. 22. And whatsoeuer ye shall aske in prayer if ye belieue yee shall receiue it Iohn 14. 13. And whatsoeuer yee aske in my name that will I doe that the Father may bee glorified in the Sonne 1. Iohn 3. 14. 15. And this is the assurance that wee haue in him that if wee aske any thing according to his will he heareth vs. And if we know that hee heareth vs whatsoeuer wee aske we know that wee haue the petitions that wee haue desired of him Iob. 22. 27. Thou shalt make thy prayer vnto him and hee shall heare thee and thou shalt render thy vowes Iob 33. 26. He shall pray vnto God and hee will be fauourable vnto him and hee shall see his face with ioy for he will render vnto man his righteousnesse Psal. 34. 15 17. The eyes of the Lord are vpon the righteous and his eares are open vnto their cry The righteous cry and the Lord heareth them and deliuereth them out of all their troubles Psalm 50. 15. Call vpon mee in the day of trouble so will I deliuer thee and thou shalt glorifie me Iohn 15. 16. That whatsoeuer ye shall aske of the Father in my name hee may giue it you Iohn 16. 23. And in that shall ye aske me nothing Verily verily I say vnto you whatsoeuer ye shall aske the Father in my name hee will giue it you 2 For the second it may much comfort vs if we consider that God will not onely heare our prayers in generall but our voyce Psal. 5. 3. Our very desires Psalm 10. 17. Our teares Psalm 39. 12. The very naming of Christ shal not bee done without regard 2 Tim. 2. 19. Our groaning Psalm 102. 20. When we are destitute