also he iustified and whom hee iustified them also hee glorified Rom. 8.30 2. Promises to make us righteous As by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of one shall many bee made righteous Rom. 5.19 therefore we are said to be the righteousnesse of GOD in him 2 Cor. 5.21 For this cause CHRIST is called The LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESSE Ier. 23.6 33.16 CHRIST is made unto us righteousnesse 1 Cor. 1.30 He is said to be the end of the law for righteousnesse to every one that beleeveth Rom. 10.4 and the Sacraments are said to be the Seales of the righteousnesse of faith Rom. 4.11 He hath covered mee with a robe of righteousnesse Abraham beleeved GOD and it was imputed to him for righteousnesse Gal. 3.6 This imputed righteousnesse the Papists scoffe at and call it a putative righteousnesse and yet the phrase is used tenne times in one Chapter 4. Reconciliation By CHRIST wee are reconciled to GOD. GOD hath reconciled us to himselfe by JESUS CHRIST GOD was in CHRIST reconciling the world unto himselfe 2 Cor. 5.18 19. CHRIST is our peace who hath made both one that he might reconcile both unto GOD Ephes. 2.14 16. You that were sometime alienated yet now hath he reconciled Col. 1.21 5. Adoption Promises 1. of it Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us that we should be called the sonnes of GOD 1 Joh. 3.1 2. But to as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sonnes of GOD even to them that beleeve in his name Iohn 1.12 That is a gracious promise which the Apostle citeth out of the Prophet Hosea Rom. 9.26 And it shall be in the place where it was said unto them yee are not my people that there they shall be called the children of the living GOD. So the LORD promiseth to such as shall separate themselves from the wicked 2 Cor. 6.18 Hee that overcommeth shall inherit all things and I will be his GOD and hee shall be my sonne Rev. 21.7 Blessed are the peace-makers for they shall be called the sonnes of GOD Mat. 5.9 It was GODS promise to David concerning Salomon 2 Sam. 7.14 I will be his father and hee shall be my sonne Whereupon David much affected and ravished saith verse 18. O LORD GOD what am I or my fathers house that thou shouldst vouchsafe me so great honour and happinesse as to finde my childe yea to take him for thine owne and to become his Father See that excellent place Gal. 4.4 5 6 7. Rom. 8.17 2. To it paternity promiseth all blessings Mat. 7.11 and all forbearance Psal. 103.13 Heb. 12.5 6. CHAP. VIII PROMISES 1. Of the Spirit THe giving of the Spirit is a part of GODS Covenant I will powre out my Spirit upon all flesh in those daies and your young men shall see visions c. Ioel 2.28 29. which is repeated Acts 2.17 18. The great Promise that our Saviour CHRIST made to them before he departed in the flesh was this I will baptize you with the HOLY GHOST which was fulfilled after when he powred forth his Spirit So Esay 44.3 I will powre water upon him that is thirsty and flouds upon the drie ground I will powre my spirit upon thy seed and my blessing upon thy off-spring the latter end of the verse interprets it So Ezek. 36.25 26 27. I will put my spirit within you c. I will powre upon the house of David the spirit of grace and supplications Zach. 12.10 How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Spirit to them that aske him Luke 11.13 I will powre out my spirit unto you Prov. 1.23 This is meant in that place Ioh. 4.10 Where our Saviour saith to the woman of Samaria thou wouldest have asked of him and hee would have given thee living water that is the Spirit as appeares by comparing it with Iohn 7.38 39. I will pray the Father and hee shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the Spirit of truth Iohn 14.16 17. It is said Ephes. 1.13 They were sealed with the Spirit of promise that is which was promised to all Beleevers and Gal. 3.14 we are said by faith to receive the promise of the Spirit that is the Spirit of promise or that had beene promised CHRIST had the Spirit in the fullnesse of it It pleased the Father that in him should all fullnesse dwell Col. 1.19 all fullnesse both in respect of the number of graces Esay 11.2 and in respect of the measure of them Iohn 3.34 Col. 2.3 Of his fullnesse we shall all receive and grace for grace Ioh. 1.16 grace freely and grace upon grace Zach. 14.8 A Promise to those that have the Spirit As many as are led by the Spirit of GOD they are the sonnes of GOD Rom. 8.14 CHAP. IX The operation of the Spirit 1. In Generall Sanctification 2. In Speciall 1. Spirituall graces 2. Spirituall duties 1. The kinds of them 2. The degrees of them 1. The Promises of Sanctification _â—OD promiseth in the Covenant of grace which hee hath made with his people to take away their hearts of stone and give them hearts of flesh to put his law in their inward parts and write it in their hearts to put his feare in their hearts that they shall not depart from him and to give them a new heart and to put his Spirit within them The substance of which Covenant is this that all their sins shall be forgiven and both the guilt and punishment thereof wholly remooved Their persons shall be justified and their natures sanctified the lawes of GOD and his promises shall be written in their mindes so that they shall have the knowledge of them and in their hearts so that they shall have the comfort feeling and fruition of them they shall not onely have interest in all GODS graces and blessings but according to their neede shall have the use and enjoyment thereof The LORD often promiseth to Sanctifie and make holy his people as Exod 19.6 31.13 Levit. 22.32 Esay 4.3 4 35.8 Ioel 3.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth John 17.17 and ver 19. For their sakes I sanctifie my selfe that they also might be sanctified through the truth The LORD hath sworne that his children shall serve him in holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of their life Luke 1.73 74 75. The GOD of peace sanctifie you wholly Faithfull is hee that hath called you who also will doe it 1 Thess. 5.23 24. CHRIST is made unto us Sanctification 1 Cor. 1.30 The LORD hath said that his children shall not want any needfull Grace for the leading of a godly life Psal. 84.11 There shall be a fountaine opened for sinne and for uncleanenesse Zach. 13.1 it is GODS Covenant to sprinkle cleane water upon us that we may be cleane and to cleanse us from all our filthinesse and all our Idols
the promise to assure us that it is as easie for GOD to fulfill all that goodnesse contained in all those Promises as if they were but one onely Promise We promise and many times faile either by the mutability of our will the imbecillity of our power or the scantnesse of our knowledge not being able to foresee impediments But GOD is neither mutable weake nor ignorant His promises are made in heaven where there is no inconstancie nor repentance For I the LORD change not therefore yee sonnes of Jacob are not consumed Mal. 3.6 as if hee had said I promised not to consume you and you can tell I have kept promise with you for yee are not consumed to this day With him there is no variablenesse nor shadow of turning Iam. 1.17 GOD cannot lie 1 Sam. 15.29 nor repent He cannot lie in making a promise nor repent in fulfilling it GOD is also infinite in wisdome to contrive and in power to bring about the execution of his owne will Hee is onely wise Rom. 16.27 1 Tim. 1.17 The LORD knoweth to deliver the righteous out of trouble GOD is able to accomplish what he hath promised All things are possible to him Mar. 10.27 Nothing is too hard for him Ier. 32.27 Gen. 18 14. Num. 11.23 He câ—nnot be hindered by weaknesse Hee is Almighty Revel 1.8 Hee that is able of stones to raise up children unto Abraham Matth. 3.9 is able to take away our stony heart and give us a heart of flesh There is a promise made of calling the Jewes unto CHRIST and causing them to turne from transgression in Iacob Esay 59.20 But he who should consider the extreame obstinacie and stubbornenesse of that people against the Gospell would thinke it impossible that they should ever be pul'd out of the snare of the Divell therefore the Apostle makes GODS power the ground of certaintie in this promise Rom. 11.23 26. The HOLY GHOST also puts us in mind of GODS power to strengthen our faith in these promises following 1. The alteration of our corrupt nature Marke 10.23 2. All needfull grace GOD is able to make all grace abound 2 Cor. 9.8 3. Perseverance to the end Ioh. 10.28 29. 4. Supply of all necessities GOD that is able will supply them Philip. 4.19 5. Assistance in all trouble Psal. 89.13 21 22.23 6. Deliverance out of all evill Esay 50.2 7. The resurrection of our bodies Ephes. 1.19 20. 8. Eternall glorification Phil. 3.21 This motive taken from GODS Almighty power is used often in Scripture to stirre up men and women to beleeve the promises of GOD. It was used to Sarah Gen. 18.14 to the Virgin Mary Luke 1.37 to Ieremy Ier. 32.27 and to the Disciples of CHRIST Marke 10.27 Abraham looked to GODS power and thereby was moved to beleeve that GOD would performe his promise though Isaac in whom the promise was made was to be sacrificed Rom. 4.20 21. Heb. 11.19 Iehosaphat also by his faith did magnifie GODS power 2 Chron. 20.12 This was Iobs onely comfort upon the dunghill that that GOD who would after wormes had consumed his flesh raise him up at the last day and make him with those very eyes to see his Redeemer had power enough to deliver him from that calamity into which he cast him and to revive his strength GOD is likewise true just and faithfull and therefore will performe his promises GOD the Father who hath promised is the God of truth Psal. 31.5 the Gospell in which his promises are made is the word of truth Ephes. 1.13 His Sonne who hath declared and merited the promises is a faithfull and true witnesse Revel 3.14 truth it selfe Ioh. 14.6 His Spirit which sealeth unto us the truth of the promises even in our hearts is the Spirit of truth Ioh. 14.17 GOD is iust and faithfull in accomplishing his promises Rom. 3.3 5. David saith LORD in thy faithfullnesse or in thy Iustice answer me Psal. 143.1 that is not in the justice of merit but of promise or Covenant for in his promises he maketh himselfe our Debtor and what he owes by vertue of his blessed promise we may challenge If wee confesse our sinnes hee is faithfull and iust to forgive us our sinnes As if he should say GOD of his infinite mercy hath promised to all true Penitents and Confessors that hee will forgive and never remember their sinnes any more he must stand to his Promises or else he should be unfaithfull and he is iust he doth not say he is mercifull but iust to forgive the sinnes of true beleevers because they are all satisfied for and GODS justice will not let him demand the same debt twice of the surety and of the debter The righteous GOD shall give unto mee a Crowne of righteousnesse 2 Tim. 4.8 righteousnesse as well as mercy is the ground of salvation not in relation or respect to merit in us but to promise in GOD. For he is faithfull that promised Heb. 10.23 Sarah iudged him faithfull who had promised Heb. 11.11 The Promise of GOD is our title to happinesse Gal. 3.18 If some great man out of his bounty give another an Inheritance of a hundred pounds per annum upon his paying of a pepper-corne for rent when hee hath payd it he may claime the profits and by law recover them and his plea in the Law must be the bargaine and Covenant betweene them for betwixt the rent and revenue there is no proportion so upon our scant obedience and scarce appearing faith we may challenge heaven and GOD cannot denie it us not because wee have deserved it but because he hath promised it This will uphold the faith of a Christian GOD hath promised nay confirmed his promise with an oath and sent his Sonne in the fullnesse of time Gal. 4.4 in whom all the promises are Yea and Amen What can be more Absolute It is a maine pollicie of the Divell to lay siege to the truth of GODS Word Yea hath GOD said so he would perswade us that GOD will forget to be mercifull and his promise will faile for evermore Psal. 77.8 9. Weake Christians in temptations and desertions are ready to distrust GOD and to question the truth of his promises The wicked hope he will change where is the promise of his comming 2 Pet. 3.4 the godly feare he will change David complaineth Psal. 69.3 I am weary of my crying my throat is dried mine eyes faile while I waite for my GOD Psal. 119.123 Mine eyes faile for thy salvation I shall one day die saith he by the hand of Saul 1 Sam 27.1 Psal. 73.13 Verily I have cleansed my heart in vaine Psal. 116.11 I said in my haste all men are lyars Psal. 31.22 I said in my haste I am cut off from before thine eyes After that GOD had promised to Abraham that he would make of him a great nation Gen. 12.2 and make his seed as the dust of the
that unvaluable promise Rom. 8.29 and that 1 Cor. 10.13 2. Fervent prayer that GOD would by his Spirit both reveale unto us what be those precious promises which he hath made unto his people in his holy Word and also give unto us wisedome rightly to judge of them and fitly to apply them unto our selves in every estate we shall be in We should beg of him to reveale this mystery of godlinesse and CHRIST to us as the Disciples said LORD increase our faith that phrase of David is most heavenly Psal. 119.49 Thy promise in which thou hast caused mee to put my trust It is the LORD that must cause the heart to put her trust in the promise If we would keepe faith in exercise we must indeavour to know GODS promises meditate on them conferre about them they should be continually in our mindes memories hearts and tongues To live by Faith is to feede upon the severall promises of GOD made in his Word and to apply them to our selves according to all our needs and so comfort and encourage our selves against temptation and unto every good duty This is that which is required by GOD of his people Hab. 2.4 GOD there having threatned judgement against the Jewes by the Babylonians doth afterwards promise deliverance againe but not suddenly the people of GOD therefore in the meane time were to live by Faith and depending upon GOD to waite for the accomplishment of his gracious promises The just shall not onely live eternally by his faith but even here also in this life He shall live by Faith Abraham served GOD wheresoever he came and rejoyced in the promise of salvation by CHRIST Gen. 17.17 Iohn 8.56 Now if he who saw the promises but afarre of Heb. 11. 13. was so cheared and quickned by them what should we be to whom the grace of GOD hath shined so clearely Tit. 2.11 Iacob when Esau met him and his heart began to faint for the Text saith Gen. 32.7 he feared exceedingly did goe and sucke consolation out of the Promises for thus he reasons with the LORD LORD thou hast said thou wilt doe mee good this promise sustained him and he got so much strength with this milke that he was able to wrestle with the LORD all night and would not let him goe without a blessing So David when the Philistines had burnt Ziklag and the souldiers that should have beene his strength were ready to stone him hee remembred GODS promise that he should be King and sit in the Throne of Saul therefore it is said Hee comforted himselfe in the LORD his GOD 1 Sam. 30.6 that is in the promise that the LORD had made to him So Nehemiah when he heard of the misery of his people fell to prayer clinging to a promise that he knew was made by GOD that he had read and markt out of Deuteronomie The same is to be seene in that honourable company of those Worthy Servants of GOD in all ages from the beginning of the world to that day mentioned Heb. 11. which are all brought in as a cloud of witnesses testifying this truth that The Iust shall live by Faith Thus S. Paul also lived by faith both for Spirituall life Rom. 7. and for Temporall life 2 Tim. 4.17 18. and for Eternall life 7 8. verses of that Chapter The Divell striketh specially at our faith in the promises and not so much at the generall faith in beleeving the truth of them in generall as at our speciall justifying faith applying those promises unto our selves Not so much to doubt at the generall voice of GOD in the Word Every beleever shall be saved but at the particular voice of GOD by his Spirit applying the generall to us and saying Thou beleevest Thou art my Sonne Therefore above all things we should fortifie our faith and assurance that GOD is our Father and we his sonnes and as the Apostle exhorteth Labour to make our calling and election sure and for our better applying of GODS promises let us observe two rules 1. To apply all the Word of GOD indifferently as well the Commandements for our direction and the threats for our humiliation as the promises for our comfort 2. To examine the conditions of GODS promises and to looke as well to the performance of the conditions required in the promises as to enjoy the things promised For as the Divell denies unto us the application of the promises when we are interested in them as when we walke uprightly with GOD so contrarily he applies them strongly and earnestly when they belong not unto us as he did the promise of protection by Angels unto CHRIST though he should tempt GOD. So he ordinarily applies the promise of mercy to notorious sinneâ—s though they lie wallowing in their mire and never wash themselves in the waters of repentance And wicked men doe often with great confidence or ratheâ— presumption lay hold of the promises in the meane space neither caring to apply to themselves the commandements and threatnings nor yet respecting the conditions by which the promises are limited Thus when the LORD saith Ezek. 33.11 As truly as I live I will not the death of a sinner they regard not what followeth but that hee repent and live and when they heare the Apostles speech 1 Tim. 2.4 That GOD will have all men to be saved they make a bolster of it whereon they sleepe securely in their sinnes but leave out the following condition viz. that he would have all whom he would have saved come first to the saving knowledge of his truth which is never severed from the fruits of obedience 1 Iohn 2.3 4. So when CHRIST saith That he came not to call the righteous but sinners with that they comfort themselves in their sinfull courses but observe not to what he calleth them viz. to repentance before they can have any part with him in glory Some likewise sucke poyson out of that heavenly flower Rom. 10.13 Whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved not considering that Every one that calleth upon the name of the LORD should depart from iniquity 2 Tim. 2.19 Speciall Rules directing us how to use the Promises 1. Generall Promises are particularly and Particulars generally appliable The LORD in assenting to Salomons prayer made a generall promise to any man or to all the people that what prayer or supplication soever should be made towards his Temple he would heare in heaven and forgive c. Iehosaphat being after in distresse applied this generall to his owne present condition when the children of Ammon Moab and Mount Scir came to turne Israel out of their possessions So David Psal. 119 49. and the woman of Canaan Matth. 15.22 applied the generall promises to themselves The LORD made a particular promise unto Ioshâ—a that he would be with him to blesse his enterprizes against the Cananites and to carry him through all the
keepe the Law for GOD must inable to both And true repentance saith hee is never too late GOD hath promised pardon to the penitent there is no exception of sinne times or persons but at what time soever what sinner soever repents him of what sinne soever he shall be forgiven This cannot be denied but yet though true repentance be never too late late repentance is seldome true and though GOD hath promised pardon to the penitent yet hee hath not promised repentance to the sinners Thirdly thou knowest not whether ever thou shalt have time for hee promiseth not tomorrow to the offendour who is alwaies ready to receive the penitent One saith GOD hath left man time past to repent of and time present to repent in but the time to come he hath reserved in his owne hands 3. The Promises are most firme and faithfull GOD is true in all his promises be they never so great or wonderfull heaven and earth shall sooner passe away then one piece of his promise faile Rom. 4.16 GOD cannot lie Tit. 1.2 nor denie himselfe 2 Tim. 2.13 He may as easily denie himselfe as his word David often in 119. Psalme giveth this epithite to GODS Word Iust and righteous Word 106 123 137 144 verses Paul often useth this preface This is a true saying and of all men worthy to be beleeved or this is a faithfull saying 1 Tim. 1.15 1 Tim. 4.9 2 Tim. 2.11 Tit. 3.8 Revel 21.5 22.6 it is called The Word of truth Iam. 1.18 Ephes. 1.13 Col. 1.5 The words of the LORD are pure words as silver tried in a fornace of earth purirified seven times Psal. 12.6 Psal. 18.30 Psal. 119.140 Pro. 30.5 As the gold and silver that hath beene often tried doth never deceive men so the divine promises doe not deceive those that trust in them because the truth and goodnesse of them hath beene continually tried by others and graciously performed by GOD himselfe His Covenant is called a Covenant of salt 2 Chron. 13.5 that is a stable and sure Covenant an everlasting Covenant Gen. 17.7 Esay 55.3 Ezek. 16.60 this phrase is frequently used in Scripture GOD that keepeth Covenant Deut. 7.9 Dan. 9.4 Nehem. 1.5 9.32 2 Chron. 6.14 15. Psal. 89.34 Esay 54.10 All the promises of GOD are Yea and Amen in CHRIST 2 Cor. 1.20 Not onely Yea but Yea and Amen Not onely firme and faithfull in themselves but such as shall be made good to the soules of GODS people in full perfection We may call in experience to witnesse this truth GOD hath not onely made good his Covenant to his friends but to his enemies and strangers Deut. 2. Iosh. 23.5 10 14 15. He kept touch with Iehu for the kingdome for foure generations according to his promise He is faithfull to those that deale perfidiously in the Covenant Rom. 3.3 4. He makes good his promises in the circumstances of them keepes the very houre as it were Gen. 15.13 16. compared with Exod. 12.41 therefore this phrase is often used as the LORD hath said or as the LORD hath promised Deut. 10.9 18.26 27.2 Ioel 2.32 Iosh. 23.5 10. We might instance in particulars and shew how the promises of GOD have still beene fulfilled as that first promise of CHRIST Gen. 3.15 we may see fulfilled Luke 1.68 to 73. Gal. 4.4 and that particular promise to preserve Noah in the Arke Gen. 6.18 fulfilled Gen. 8. those made to Abraham Isaac and Iacob But I leave this to the observation of Christians themselves GODS Love and mercy is the onely reason of making promises but his truth justice fidelity power and glory are the reasons of fulfilling them The LORD did not set his love upon you nor choose you saith Moses to Israel because yee were more in number then any people but because the LORD loved you that is the ground of making the promise and because hee would keepe the oath which he had sworne to your fathers that was the ground of performing his promise For thy words sake and according to thine owne heart saith David hast thou done all these great things according to thine owne heart that is ex mero motu out of pure and unexcited love thou didst give thy Word and promise and for thy Word sake thou hast performed it Thou wilt performe saith the Prophet The truth to Jacob and the mercy to Abraham which thou hast sworne unto our father from the daies of old Why truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham the promise after a sort began in Abraham therefore hee is called the Father of the faithfull and when GOD makes a promise it is onely out of mercy but the promise was continued unto Iacob who being Abrahams seed was an heire of the Promise and so the inheritance which was out of mercy given unto Abraham did out of truth and fideliâ—y descend unto Iacob the seed of Abraham and therefore we shall find Covenant Mercy and Oath joyned together in the Scripture Deut. 7.12 Luke 1.72 73. to note unto us both the ground of making the Covenant Mercy and the ground of performing the Covenant made the Truth and Fidelity of GOD. GODS very name JEHOVAH declareth that he is constant and will performe his promise because as he giveth being to all things so he makes that to be which he hath promised By my Name JEHOVAH was I not knowne to them Exod. 6.3 He meaneth that though he made many promises to them especially concerning their possession of Canaan yet he did not shew himselfe to be JEHOVAH an Accomplisher of his promises that he reserved to future generations ver 8. Therefore whensoever in any of the Prophets GOD promiseth or threatneth any great matter to assure us of the most certaine event of such his promise or threatning he addes unto it his Name JEHOVAH as Ezek. 5.17 Ier. 31.31 in which Chapter being wholy promissorie concerning the New Covenant of grace and free pardon of sinnes which the Church obtaineth thorough CHRIST it is repeated 33 times It was the end 1. Of CHRISTS Incarnation to shew that GOD would be mindfull of his promise Luke 1.72 2. Of his Ministery to assure and confirme the promises made before to the Fathers Romanes 15.8 3. They are sealed with the blood of CHRIST the Testator Heb. 9.16 and therefore are said to be all in him Yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1.20 that is sure and infallible They are sealed in his Spirit all beleevers are said to be sealed by the Spirit of promise Ephes. 1.13 and this is GODS privie Seale GOD hath sealed to all his promises in the Sacraments Rom. 4.11 which are given to us as GODS broad Seales to ratifie his Covenant and all his promises made unto his Church they are outward pledges to confirme our faith and make the promises though not more sure yet more credible to us The promises are in some places called in the singular number
strength enough against every temptation while he is in the LORDS way Pro. 10.29 2 Chron. 15.2 There is much comfort to be drawne out of that one verse 1 Cor. 10.13 1. It is the common condition of all the godly to be tempted There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man 2. GOD will lay no more upon us then wee shall be able to beare GOD is faithfull who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able 3. GOD will give a happie issue out of temptation Who will with the temptation also make away to escape that yee may be able to beare it Another consolation against them may be the short continuance of our temptations Wee shall suffer but a while 1 Pet. 5.10 The GOD of peâ—ce shall bruise Satan under your feete shortly Rom. 16.20 We should consider 1 That CHRIST was tempted as we are Heb. 4.15 2. That he is our Captaine in this warfare Rev. 12 7. The Captaine of our salvation was made perfect through sufferings Heb. 2.10 3. That he overcame the Divell for all his members so it was promised to Adam and prophesied of him Gen. 3.15 so it was fulfilled by him Mat. 4.1 And having spoiled principalities and powers that is the Divell and his Angels He made a shew of them openly triumphing over them upon â—he Crosse Coloss. 2.15 He led captivity captive Ephes. 4.8 By captivity is meant sinne and Satan which did and doe leade men captive into perdition â— Death and the grave which held him captive for the space of three daies He leads them all captive 1. In himselfe triumphing over them 2. In his members subduing and weakening their power 4. That CHRIST is touched with the feeling of our infirmities Heb. 4.15 5. That hee hath made intercession and prayed for us Luke 22.32 I have prayed that thy faith may not faile that is generall for all beleevers as well as Peter Ioh. 17.9 10. 6. CHRIST succours and helpes those that are tempted Heb. 2.18 7. He assures them of strength and victory Resist the Divell and he will flie from you Iam. 4.7 He is like the Crocodile whose property is if one follow it flieth away if one flie it pursueth him cowardise incourageth the Divell courage daunts him See 1 Iohn 5.18 Esa. 27.1 Iohn 12.21 The Divell is subtill but GOD will teach wisdome to discerne and disappoint his stratagems 2 Pet. 2.9 He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler Psal. 91.3 He is strong and powerfull But GOD shall cover thee under his wings thou shalt be safe under his feathers his strength shall be thy Buckler ver 4. He dissolveth the workes of the Divell 1 Iohn 3.8 He will tread Satan under our feet Hee shall bruise his head wherein lies all his subtilty and strength The gates of Hell that is the power and pollicie of the Divell shall not prevaile against the Church For the gates were the places where both their strength was and their counsell sate Amos 5.15 2. Promises against Temptations to uncleannesse He shall deliver thee from the strange woman Prov. 2.16 Thy body shall be kept blamelesse untill the comming of CHRIST 1 Thess. 5.24 Who so pleaseth GOD shall escape from her Eccles. 7.26 It is part of GODS Covenant to give us victory over all our enemies this is the great promise that GOD hath made That being delivered from the hands of all our enemies we might serve him in Holinesse and Righteousnesse all the dâ—ies of our life Luke 1.74 When a child of GOD is to wrestle with Satan or any temptation or lust hee may challenge the Covenant at GODS hands and say LORD hast not thou said that Thou wilt deliver me out of the hands of all mine enemies Is it not a part of thy Covenant CHAP. II. 2. Promises against opposition for truth and goodnesse from persons which are either 1. Ill minded and oppose truth 2. Ill livers and oppose goodnesse 1. Promises for those that suffer for the profession of the truth FOR I will give you a mouth and wisedome which all your adversaries shall not bee able to gainesay nor resist Luke 21.15 When they deliver you up take no thought how or what you shall speake for it shâ—ll be given you in that same houre what yee shall speake Matt. 10.19 Be not afraid said GOD unto Paul but speake and hold not thy peace for I am with thee and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee Acts 18.9 10. Whosoever shall confesse me before men him will I confesse also before my Father which is in Heaven Matth. 10.32 2. Promises for those that suffer for the practise of good Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousnesse sake for theirs is the kingdome of Heaven Matth. 5.10 If yee suffer for righteousnesse sake happy are ye 1 Pet. 3.14 Hereby they give their testimony to CHRIST and the Gospell when they partake of the afflictions of the Gospell 2 Tim. 1.8 And as there be promises for such as suffer either for truth or goodnesse so there are for such who suffer for both together and these either Generall in regard of any kind of suffering as these following For if they suffer with CHRIST they shall raigne with him in another world 2 Tim. 2.11 l2 When CHRIST appeares in his glory they shall be glad and reioyce 1 Pet. 4.13 What shall separate us from the love of CHRIST shall tribulation distresse or persecution c nay in all these things we are more then conquerours Rom. 8.35 36 37. GOD may turne the hearts of the wicked and make them of Lions and Tigers to become Lambes and no more to doe hurt in the mountaine of the LORD Esay 11.6 7 8 9. Esay 65.25 GOD will subdue all their enemies I will blesse them that blesse thee and curse them that curse thee Gen. 12.3 See Deut. 30.7 Jer. 12.14 Psal. 37.14 15 17. Job 8.22 Esay 41.11 12. 54.15 59.19 Pro. 22.23 21.18 Their troubles shall not be long though violent For the elects sake those daies shall be shortened Matth. 24.22 Or Speciall as Losse 1. Of name in reproaches 2. Of liberty in imprisonment 3. Of goods any or all 4. Of life it selfe Promises to those that suffer reproaches for both truth and goodnesse 1. Reproaches and scornes from the world for thy profession should fill thy heart with abundance of glory blessednesse and joy If ye be reproached for the name of CHRIST happy are ye saith S. Peter for the Spirit of glory and of GOD resteth upon you 1 Pet. 4.14 that is such a Spirit shall rest on you which shall make you glorious Blessed are you saith CHRIST himselfe when men shall revile and persecute you and shall say all manner of evill against you falsly for my sake reioyce and be exceeding glad Matth. 5.11 12. Leape for joy so it is Luke 6.23