Treatise of the Divine Promises

1. General Promises are particularly, and Particulars generally appliable.

The LORD in assenting to Solomon's prayer, made a general promise to any man, or to all the people, that what prayer or supplication soever should be made towards his Temple, he would hear in heaven and forgive, &c. Jehoshaphat being after in distress, applied this general to his own present condition ; when the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Scir came to turn Israel out of their possessions. So David, Psal. 119 49. and the woman of Canaan, Matth. 15.22. applied the general promises to themselves.

The LORD made a particular promise unto Josh • a, that he would be with him to bless his enterprises against the Canaanites, and to carry him through all the difficulties and hazards of that holy war; and S. Paul applies the promise to all the faithful, in any straights or distresses of life, as the LORD himself had before applied it from Moses to Joshua, Let your conversation be without covetousness, — for as GOD was with Joshua, so will he be with thee, He will not fail thee nor forsake thee. CHRIST made a particular promise unto Peter, I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not. And the same in effect he applies to all his, I pray that thou wouldst keep them from the evil.

Thus may the children of GOD do, if they find any promise made to one godly man, and no special reason expressed why it should be peculiar to him, they may take it as a promise made to them. The ground of this is taken from GOD'S unchangeable and impartial manner of dealing: the same GOD that he is to one faithful man, the same he is to all: they all are under the same Covenant, and have interest in the same promises.

2. Promises are subordinated and performed with dependence.

Therefore we must not anticipate nor perturb the order which GOD hath put in his Promises, but wait upon him in his own way. Grace and Glory will he give, but first grace before glory: no man must snatch at this promise, till he have interest in that. Godliness hath the promises of this life and of that which is to come ; but we must note the order which our Savior puts, First seek the Kingdom and Righteousness of GOD, and then all these things shall be added unto you. The LORD promiseth to call men unto CHRIST, Nations that knew thee not shall run unto thee. The Apostle tells us whereunto he calls, GOD hath not called us unto uncleanness but unto holiness. Therefore in the next place he promiseth to sanctify and cleanse his Church; I will put my law in their hearts, and in their inward parts. The qualification of this holiness is, that it be whole and constant. The very GOD of peace sanctify you, and preserve you blameless unto the coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, is the Apostles prayer for the Thessalonians. Therefore in the next place, GOD promiseth perseverance, I will not turn away from them to do them good, but I will put my fear into their hearts, that they shall not depart from me. But this perseverance is not so certain, but that it admits of falls, slips, and miscarriages; therefore in that case, He promiseth healing and restoring: I will heal their backslidings, I will love them freely, I will bind up that which is broken, and will strengthen that which was sick. And after all this comes the promise of Glory and Salvation. Therefore we must take the Promises in that Connection and dependency which they have amongst themselves. When GOD hath called us to the knowledge of CHRIST, we must not skip over all the intermediate links, and look presently for the accomplishment of GOD'S promise of Salvation, or perseverance by GOD'S sole power, and in the mean time omit all care of Holiness in our conversation. For GOD doth not fulfill his promises in us only, but by us too ; and those things which in regard of his word are his promises, are also, in regard of his Command, our duties.

3. Experience of GOD in his Promises, confirmeth Faith and nourisheth Hope.

The faithful are confirmed in the truth of GOD'S promises, by the experience of his dealing with others of his servants, Psal. 22.4. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them: Psal. 34.5. They shall look unto him, and 〈◊〉 to him, and their faces shall not be ashamed: What made them so confident in GOD'S mercies? verse 6. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

Experience of GOD'S dealing with others, doth also nourish and uphold hope. Therefore James brings to the memories of the Christian Jews, GOD'S dealing with Job, to strengthen their hope.

But especially the experience a man hath had in himself, of the performance of GOD'S promises, will marvelously confirm him.

This encouraged David, when he was to encounter with Goli • h. The LORD (saith he) did deliver me from a Lion and a Bear, therefore he will deliver me from this Philistine, 1 Sam. 17 35, 37. Paul concluded God's favor, for the time future, by his proceedings past. The LORD (s • ith he) hath delivered me from a sentence of death, and doth deliver, therefore I trust that he will deliver, 2 Cor. 1.9, 10. See 2 Tim. 4.17, 18.

This we may see also in Solomon, 1 King. 8.24. and in other places, Deut. 1.29, 31. Deut. 3.21. Isaiah 51.9, 11. But we have a notable example for this in Jacob. Gen. 32.9. Thou saidst unto me, remove into thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will do thee good. There is GOD'S Word and promise: then followeth the experience, he had already of the performance of this promise, verse 10. I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies which thou hast shown unto thy servant: for with my staff came I over this Jordan, and now I have gotten two bands. Then follows the confirmation, he received in his faith by this experience, verse 11. I pray thee deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau.

Experience likewise bringeth forth Hope, Rom. 5.4.

Three things concur to make up experience:

1. Knowledge: the better knowledge, the better affiance, Psal. 9.10. They that know thy Name, will put their trust in thee.

2. Observation of the ways of GOD.

3. Memory, remembrance of such works of GOD, as we have known and observed.

We should observe how GOD hath made good and confirmed his promises, even in our own experience, by blessing us, while we have walked carefully and conscionably before him, how often he hath granted our requests. To this purpose is that exhortation, Psal. 34.8. O taste and see that the LORD is good. Labor to be able to say with David, Psal. 119.56. This I had because I kept thy precepts: thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy Word, 6 • . verse, or as it is 140. verse, Thy Word is proved most pure (by good experience) therefore thy servant loveth it, or as he saith elsewhere, Marvelous are thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well.

4. GOD'S Promises to us must be the ground and rule of our prayers to him.

There are two things in this rule to be observed:

1. That we can make no prayer in boldness, faith or comfort, but for things promised, and in that manner as they are promised. We must see the things we ask, made ours in some promise and engagement • before we presume to ask them. This encouraged Jacob, Gen. 32.9, 12. David, 2 Sam. 7.27, 28, 29. Daniel 9.2, 3. and Jehoshaphat, 2 Chron. 20.8, 12. to pray unto GOD, because he had made promises of the things they desired, and therefore they were certain, that they prayed according to his will. This was Nehemiah's ground in his prayer for the reparation of Ieru • alem. Remember, I beseech th • e, the word which thou comm • n • est thy servant Moses, saying if ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad: But if ye turn unto me, and keep my Commandments, and do them, though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from th • nce, &c. Now these are thy servants, and thy people whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. O LORD, beseech thee, let now thine care be attentive to the prayer of thy servants who desire to sear thy Name. An excellent example also we have of this in Jacob, Gen. 28. GOD promised to be with him, ver. 15. his vow or prayer respe • teth that, ver. 20. GOD promised to keep him in his way, ver. 15. his vow or prayer respecteth that, ver. 20. GOD promiseth not to leave him, he saith and will give me bread and raiment, GOD • romised to bring him again to 〈◊〉 land, his prayer ans ••• ed th • t, 〈◊〉 . 21.

Otherwise 〈◊〉 can have no hope to be heard, if our petitions be not fram • d according to GOD'S promises. If we will have GOD hear us, we must pray a • c • rding to h • s will, 1 John. 5.14. We must ask in faith; Both CHRIST and his Apostles require faith in GOD'S promises in prayer, Mar. 11.24. James 1.6.

No f • culty can or ought to extend it self beyond its adequate and proper object; for the object is the rule and the limit of the habit, but the promise is the object of faith, as hath been shown, therefore he that prayeth without a promise, denieth his own request.

If I pray for the salvation of another, I have no promise, how then can I pray in faith? So likewise when a man prays to be guided in such a business, to have such an enterprize to be brought to pass to have deliverance from such a trouble, such a sickness or calamity that he lies under, he finds no particular promise, and for ought he knows, it shall never be granted: How can he be said to pray in faith? For to pray in faith, is to believe that the thing shall be done.

To pray in faith, is to go as far as the promise goes. Now no particular man hath any particular promise, that he shall have such a deliverance, that he shall have such a particular mercy granted him; and therefore it is not required to believe, that that particular thing should be done, but that GOD is ready to d • e that which is best for me, in such a particular, that which shall be most for his own glory and my good. Indeed if we had a particular promise, as Elias had, that it should not rain, in that case we were bound to believe in particular; but not having that, we are not tied unto it.

David saith, Psal. 35.13. that he prayed for his enemies, but his prayer returned into his own bosom: no benefit came to them in their amendment, yet he was no looser by it, his prayer was not lost. The like may be said of others of GOD'S children: when they seek to GOD in sincerity, and pray in the behalf of others, though the particular suite be not granted, yet they discharging their duty, shall receive a reward.

The Promises also are the rule how we must pray: as things are promised, so must they be prayed for; things absolutely promised, may be absolutely asked; but where GOD hath put conditions and exceptions to his promise, there our prayers also must be conditional, and we must express or reserve in our minds some such secret limitations, as these, If GOD see it to be good, if his good pleasure be such, if it may stand with his glory.

Moses, Ex • d. 32.10, 11. woe • ld not l • t GOD done till he had spa •• d his people, but desired to be razed out of GOD'S Book, rather th • n his people should be destroyed; because GOD had made an absolute promise to bring them into Canaan, verse 13. which promise Moses plead • th unto GOD in prayer.

GOD hath made an Absolute promise of the perpetual continuance of the Church, but 〈◊〉 of a continual outward flouri • hing state thereof: for he can turn the persecution of his Church to the incre • se thereof, and so • aine honor unto himself, and bring good unto his people thereby.

In this point (because some things are controverted) I will not interpose my own judgment, it shall suffice me to declare, how the question is stated by many Divines.

1. Spiritual things, as they are necessary to salvation, ought absolutely to be asked, because they are absolutely promised to the Faithful, and those that seek them, Luke 11.13.

2. Those spiritual goods which admit degrees, cannot in every degree be absolutely beg'd, because the things themselves, not the degrees of them, are absolutely necessary, and of GOD absolutely promised, 2 Cor. 12.8, 9.

3. Yet we ought absolutely to ask that measure of grace which is necessary for us to avoid crimes or scandals, and keep a good conscience, James 1.5, 6. 1 Cor. 10.13. Psal. 19.14.

Spiritual things are promised:

1. Rather quoad essentiam, then gradum perfectionis.

2. In competency for final victory, not in perfection.

3. With power reserved to withdraw the exercise; leave to ourselves, abate the fervor.

There must be submission to GOD'S will and wisdom in our prayers for spiritual things, in regard of circumstances of time, means, measure; for these the LORD hath reserved in his own power. We must not in our prayers prescribe GOD the particular time, when he should give his blessings or help us out of misery, yet we may lawfully pray, that he would hear us speedily, Psal. 102.3. because He hath promised to do it.

All the Petitions of the LORD'S Prayer (saith D ^r . Gouge ) are absolutely promised, saving the fourth. For hallowing GOD'S Name, He himself hath said, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again, John 12.28.2. For the coming of his kingdom, CHRIST hath said, that the gates of Hell shall not prevail against his Church, Mat. 16.18.3. For doing his will, this is a branch of the new Covenant, which by CHRIST'S death is made absolute, Ier. 31.33. Ezek. 36.27.4. For pardoning sin, this is another branch of the foresaid new Covenant, 34. verse of Jeremiah. For not leading into temptation, but delivering from evil, the Apostle saith, 1 Cor. 10.13. GOD will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will with the temptation, make away to escape. For daily bread, GOD can instruct us, both to be full, and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need, Phil. 4 12.

Temporal things, are not promised absolutely, but

1. With limitation to expediency.

2. They are conveyed in the Covenant disjunctively, either the particulars or the equivalent, Mark. 10.30. by way of commutation, and compensation with spiritual; if not peace, yet patience, if not wealth, yet contentment.

3. With exception of the cross, and reservation of power to the promiser, to chasten our misdemeanor, Psal. 89.28, 31, 32.

When we crave temporal benefits, which GOD hath promised conditionally, so far forth as will stand with his glory, and our spiritual good, and everlasting salvation, we must believe that we shall obtain them, so far forth, as they will stand with these conditions.

Earthly and outward things are lawfully prayed for, but ever • um Conditione voluntatis, with Condition of GOD'S good pleasure and liking.

Things Temporal which are promised with condition, we are to pray for with condition of GOD'S will.

All outward things must be asked with this exception, if it seem good unto his Majesty; which exception is proper to the fourth Petition.

We must ask these outward things (not absolutely) no further then they may stand with GOD'S glory.

Those things which belong to the kingdom of GOD are simply and primarily to be asked, other things only secundum quid and secondarily.

GOD'S promises of temporal blessings are Hypotheticae and go with condition sometimes expressed, sometimes suppressed, which condition is as a stern of a ship, and turns the promise another way. Of the same opinion are Ursinus in his Catech. on the fourth Petition. Piscator on 8. Mat. 2. Cameron Myrothee. Evangel. in Luke 5.12. Master Harris on the Beatitudes and Covenant. Barlow on 2. of Tim. D. Preston in Saints daily Exercise and M. Goodwin in his return of Prayer.

This is an undoubted truth, that we must pray for heavenly things with a more ardent affection then for earthly, Matth. 6.33. 1. They comply with GOD'S nature and he had rather be giving them. 2. They are best for us, and will do us most good.

2. GOD will not perform promises till by prayer they be sought for from him ; till in our humble desires we declare, that we account his promises exceeding great and precious things. The LORD had promised deliverance unto Israel, yet saith the LORD, For this I will be inquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them: Thus saith the LORD, After seventy years be accomplished at Babylon, I will visit you and perform my good word towards you, in causing you to return to this place; for I know the thoughts that I think towards you, thoughts of peace, and not of evil to give to you an expected end. But how shall this excellent promise of GOD be effected? It follows, Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go, and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you, &c. Godliness hath the promises of this life and that which is to come, 1 Tim. 4.6. yet we do not forbear daily to say the LORD'S Prayer, that we may speed of both. The Lord makes a promise of forgiveness of sins, I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgression for mine own • ache, and will not remember thy sins. But for the execution of this promise▪ GOD will be so • ght unto. Put me in remembrance (s •• th he) and set us plea • e tog •• her, E • ay 43.25, 26. 〈…〉 GOD to fu • fill his 〈◊〉 , we testify f • rst, that they 〈◊〉 •• o • ises of mercy and not of • ury or d •• t: secondly, we d • clare our • eed, and by consequence 〈◊〉 of them, and de • endance upon them: As Promi •• s are the Rule of what we may pray • or in • ai • h; so Prayer is the ground of what we may expect with comfort.

1. GOD'S Promises are free and tran • ferred.

T Hey are not m • de for any 〈◊〉 that is in us, bu • proceed • rom God's free •• om and benevolence: • orking moo • ed God out of hims •••• .

• 1. Not 〈◊〉 Th • LORD did not • et h •• lov • upon you nor choose you: because we were more in number then any other people (or for any such like respects) but because the LORD loved you. That at first might seem to be Idem per idem, (as we say) a woman's reason, that the LORD should set his love on them, because he loved them: but it excellently sets forth the ground of GOD'S love to rest altogether in himself, and in his own good pleasure.
• 2. Not our beauty: we were in our blood when GOD set his love upon us, and entered into Covenant with us.
• 3. Not our righteousness, Tit. 3.5. Not by works of righteousn • sse which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us.

There is nothing at all in us to move the LORD to promise any good to us: as that first and great promise after Adam had sinned, was from GOD'S free grace, so are all other Evangelical promises.

GOD never set the promises on sale, or will ever sell his Son to any, He gives him freely, He stands not of desert, We may buy of Him freely, Esa. 55.1, 2, 3. Rev. 21.6. & 22.17. Ezek. 36.32. He loveth freely, Hos. 14.7. and pardoneth sin freely, Isaiah 43.25. 1 John 2.12. Election is of grace, Rom. 11.5. Vocation is of grace, 2 Tim. 1.9. Justification is freely by grace, Rom. 3.24. Faith is of grace, Ephes. 2.8. Eternal life and salvation is of grace, Rom. 6.23. Luke 12.32.

The Promises are ( free in ficri ) made only out of grace, but ( conditional in facto esse ) performed and accomplished with dependence upon duties in us. GOD is faithful (saith the Apostle) who shall stablish you and keep you from evil, there is the promise; and we are confident, that you will do the things that we command you ; there is the duty which the promise calls for. When we pray give us our daily bread ; by saying give us, we acknowledge that it is from GOD, but when we call it ours, we show how GOD gives it, namely in the use of the means. For bread is ours, not only in the right of the promise, I will not fail thee nor forsake thee, but service and quiet working in an orderly calling.

The freeness of GOD'S promises marvelously lifts up the head above water; as the beggar saith, the dole is free, and why may not I get it as well as another? O (may some say) but if I could pray and humble myself, there were hope of mercy.

GOD gives his mercy freely, he keeps open house, he requires nothing of thee to procure it, but he shows mercy, because he will show mercy. See what he saith, Es • y 43 24, 25. Thou hast wearied me (saith he) with thine iniquities ; and in the next verse, I, even I am he that blott • th out thy trans • ressions, for my own sake, even I ] excluding all m • anes: for my own names sake ] excluding all motive.

No unwor • hinesse then should hinder us from believing the promises: but rather they that have the most sense of their own unwor • hinesse, have most encouragement to believe; for that voice of CHRIST, Come unto me all ye that are weary, &c. serves not only for our first conversion, but in all our distresses whatsoever, throughout the whole course of our life. Jacob confesseth himself unworthy of the least of all GOD'S mercies, Gen. 32.10. yet in the 9. verse he entitleth himself unto the promises, He that cometh to me, I cast not away, John. 6.37. As if the LORD should say; fear not, though base, sinful, poor, and of no account in the eye either of thyself or others: For if thou comest to me, thou art welcome, notwithstanding these, and I never cast him away that cometh.

The wicked abuse the promises of GOD to looseness; they say GOD is gracious and merciful. CHRIST died for us, the LORD will forgive us, and so stuff themselves with promises till they have made them a pillow for sin. It is true, there is mercy with GOD, Psal. 130.4. not to make us bold to sin, but to fear him. The Apostle urgeth the promise to spurr us to obedience, and as a motive to the fear of GOD, we should take heed of sinning, because GOD is gracious, Rom. 6.1, 14. Heb. 10.29. Joel 2.13. who would spend to try a liberal friend? GOD'S mercy is regulated by his truth and justice. He hath promised no mercy to such, Deut. 29.20. they have neither part nor portion in this matter, Acts 8.21.

2. GOD'S Promises are full and of large extent, in respect of

• 1. Persons.
• 2. Things.

In respect of persons ;

They are propounded generally with such terms as these, everyone, or whosoever, John. 3.15, 16. Matth. 11.28. Revel. 22.17. Isaiah 55.1, 2. Acts 10.43. John. 7.37. John 6.37, 40. & 5.24. & 11.26. Ezek. 33.11. 1 John 2.1.

They are offered to all, none excepted: the Angel brought glad tidings for all people, Luke 2.10. no sort of men are excluded, but in CHRIST they may have their part in these promises, as the Apostle showeth, Gal. 3.27, 28, 29. He will bless them that fear the LORD, both small and great, Psal. 115.13. The LORD is rich unto all that call upon him, Rom. 10.12. In every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him, Acts 10.35.

The Promises are propounded promiscuously to all, together with the commandment of believing; but they are not performed to all, because they fail in performing the condition, but power is given to the Elect to perform the condition, Ephes. 2.8. Act. 5.31. & 11.18.

There is therefore a twofold offering of CHRIST:

1. External in the preaching and publishing of the Gospel or the promises of CHRIST, Act. 9.15.

2. Internal, a certain spiritual Illumination whereby those promises are pro • ounded to the hearts of men, as it were by an inward word.

The promises are indefinite in regard of all and every man, and to believers only they are unive • sall, John 3.16. & Mark. 16.16. R • m. 1.16. & 10.4. GOD undertakes with them, not for themselves only, but for their seed aft • r them, I am thy GOD, and the GOD of thy seed: he showeth mercy to a thousand generat •• ns of them that fear him, and keep his Commandments. He maintains not only such is serve him, but all their hou • hold▪ yea and all th •• r posterity too: for the promises are made to you, and to your seed, and to as many as GOD shall call.

2. In respect of things ;

His Promises are likewise large for things. No good thing will he withhold ; all that is in heaven, in ea • th, will GOD bestow on his.

In Deut. 28. Psal. 37. & 128. whatsoever is good for the soul, the body, the estate, the name, the posterity of m • n, is promised to them that fear GOD, and obey his Commandments.

The Promises in the Word extend themselves to all estates, to all conditions, and to all kind of distresses whatsoever, they are a Christians Catholic • n ; being a help to all duties, a quickener of all graces, and a Comfort in all Troubles.

The people of GOD straighten promises, and enlarge precepts, but the generality of the promises may comfort any gracious person: Whosoever believeth, shall be saved, none is excluded but such as exclude themselves. This is singular comfort in temptation, no matter for thy sins; whosoever believeth in CHRIST, shall be saved, though his sins be never so great. This may comfort the godly also in their mean estate in the world, whosoever believes, the heinous sinner as well as the lesser; the poor beggar as well as the mightiest Monarch, shall not perish, but have life eternal.

The indefinite promises are to be appropriated by particular application: Gal. 2.20. 1 Tim. 1.15. The Articles of the Creed concerning remission of sins and life everlasting do include, and we in them acknowledge our special faith concerning our own salvation. He that hath not this particularity of applying, hath nothing of faith more then a Devil, as two of our worthy Divines have well observed. The Devils hold generals, of CHRIST'S death; remission of sins thereby purchased unto the Church: herein only they fail, that they apply not these to themselves, nor can believe that they are sharers in these benefits; and let it be thought no presumption, for GOD'S child to out-strip the Devil one step at least, in belief of the Articles of his Creed.

The Apostles applied the promises to them whom either they did instruct or confirm in the faith, 1 Cor. 1.4, 9, 30. & Chap. 12.27. Ephes. 1.13. & Chap. 2.5. Acts 2.39. & 13.38. Col. 2.10. 1 Pet. 1.18, 19. 1 John 2.12. The faithful also apply them to themselves, 2 Cor. 3.18. & 5.1. Ephes. 1.4. & 2.5. Col. 1.12. 1 Pet. 1.3. 1 John 3.1, 2. & 3.24.

The Papists scoff at this particular assurance, and say, there must be a particular word, for a particular faith. Where is it said by name (say they) to any man; Thou Peter or John shalt be saved? We may retort this argument upon themselves: for where is it said to any by name, Sanctify the Sabbath, swear not? and yet the commandments belong to us, why not then the Promises, though not spoken to us by name? The word of promise is as particular, as the word of threatening, command, or prohibition. The Generals include their particulars; When a Prince gives a pardon to all thieves, everyone can apply the same unto himself, though his name be not set down in the pardon. To me (saith D. S • lat • r ) it sounds as particular in case of my faith and repentance, as if our Savior himself should say unto me, as to him in the Gospel, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

The wicked enlarge the promises, and straighten the precepts, they take liberty to sin, presuming on pardon from those two general main promises, He that believeth, shall be saved, Mark. 16.16. At what time soever a sinner repents him of his sins, I will have mercy on him, saith the LORD, Ezek. 18.21, 22.

Here are two sweet promises, the one annexed to Faith, the other to Repentance; but out of these fragrant flowers, the wicked suck poison.

It is an easy matter to believe (saith the worldling) though indeed it be as hard as to keep the Law, for GOD must enable to both. And true repentance (saith he) is never too late: GOD hath promised pardon to the penitent, there is no exception of sin, times, or persons, but at what time soever, what sinner soever repents him of what sin soever, he shall be forgiven.

This cannot be denied; but yet though true repentance be never too late, late repentance is seldom true: and though GOD hath promised pardon to the penitent, yet he hath not promised repentance to the sinners. Thirdly, thou knowest not whether ever thou shalt have time, for he promiseth not tomorrow to the offender, who is always 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 own hands.

3. The Promises are most firm and faithful;

GOD is true in all his promises, be they never so great or wonderful: heaven and earth shall sooner pass away, then one piece of his promise fail, Rom. 4.16. GOD cannot lie, Tit. 1.2. nor deny himself, 2 Tim. 2.13. He may as easily deny himself as his word. David often in 119. Psalm, giveth this epithet to GOD'S Word, Just 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 believed ; or, this is a faithful 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, I am. 1.18. Ephes. 1.13. Col. 1.5. The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purirified seven times, Psal. 12.6. Psal. 18.30. Psal. 119.140. Pro. 30.5. As the gold and silver that hath been often tried doth never deceive men, so the divine promises do not deceive those that trust in them, because the truth and goodness of them hath been continually tried by others, and graciously performed by GOD himself. 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. Isaiah 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. Isaiah 54.10. All the promises of GOD are Yea, and Amen, in CHRIST, 2 Cor. 1.20. Not only Yea, but Yea and Amen. Not only firm and faithful in themselves, but such as shall be made good to the souls of GOD'S people in full perfection.

We may call in experience to witness this truth: GOD hath not only made good his Covenant to his friends, but to his enemies and strangers, Deut. 2. Josh. 23.5, 10, 14, 15. He kept touch with Jehu for the kingdom, for four generations according to his promise. He is faithful to those that deal perfidiously in the Covenant, Rom. 3.3▪ 4. He makes good his promises in the circumstances of them, keeps the very hour 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. Joel 2.32. Josh. 23.5, 10.

We might instance in particulars, and show how the promises of GOD have still been 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 Ark, Gen. 6.18. fulfilled, Gen. 8. those made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But I leave this to the observation of Christians themselves.

GOD'S Love and mercy is the only 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 ye were more in number then any people; but because the LORD loved you ; that is the ground of making the promise: and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn to your fathers, that was the ground of performing his promise. For thy words sake, and according to thine own heart, saith David, hast thou done all these great things, according to thine own 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 perform saith the Prophet, The truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our father from the days of old. Why truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham? the promise after a sort began in Abraham (therefore he is called the Father of the faithful) and when GOD makes a promise, it is only out of mercy; but the promise was continued unto Jacob, who being Abraham's seed, was an heir of the Promise, and so the inheritance which was out of mercy given unto Abraham, did out of truth and fideli • y descend unto Jacob, the seed of Abraham ; and therefore we shall find Covenant, Mercy, and Oath, joined 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.

GOD'S very name JEHOVAH, declareth that he is constant and will perform 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 known 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 show himself 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 threateneth any great matter, to assure us of the most certain event of such his promise or threatening, he adds unto it his Name JEHOVAH, as Ezek. 5.17. Ier. 31.31. in which Chapter being wholly promissory concerning the New Covenant of grace and free pardon of sins, which the Church obtaineth thorough CHRIST, it is repeated 33 times,

It was the end 1. Of CHRIST'S Incarnation, to show that GOD would be mindful of his promise, Luke 1.72. 2. Of his Ministry, to assure and confirm the promises made before to the Fathers, Romans 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 believers are said to be sealed by the Spirit of promise, Ephes. 1.13. and this is GOD'S privy Seal.

GOD hath sealed to all his promises in the Sacraments, Rom. 4.11. which are given to us as GOD'S broad Seals to ratify his Covenant, and all his promises made unto his Church; they are outward pledges to confirm 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, the promise, to assure us, that it is as easy for GOD to fulfill all that goodness contained in all those Promises, as if they were but one only Promise.

We promise and many times fail, either by the mutability of our will, the imbecility of our power, or the scantness of our knowledge, not being able to foresee impediments.

But GOD is neither mutable, weak, nor ignorant. His promises are made in heaven, where there is no inconstancy nor repentance. For I the LORD change not, therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed, Mal. 3.6. as if he had said, I promised not to consume you, and you can tell I have kept promise with you, for ye are not consumed to this day, With him there is no variableness, nor shadow of turning, I am. 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 wisdom to contrive, and in power to bring about the execution of his own will. He is only 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 c • nnot be hindered by weakness, He is Almighty, Revel. 1.8. He 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 Jews unto CHRIST, and causing them to turn from transgression in Jacob, Isaiah 59.20. But he who should consider the extreme obstinacy and stubbornness of that people against the Gospel would think it impossible, that they should ever be pulled out of the snare of the Devil; therefore the Apostle makes GOD'S power the ground of certainty in this promise, Rom. 11.23, 26. The HOLY GHOST also puts us in mind of GOD'S power to strengthen our faith in these promises following.

1. The alteration of our corrupt nature, Mark 10.23.

2. All needful grace, GOD is able to make all grace abound, 2 Cor. 9.8.

3. Perseverance to the end, John. 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 evil, Isaiah 50.2.

7. The resurrection of our bodies, Ephes. 1.19, 20.

8. Eternal glorification, Phil. 3.21.

This motive taken from GOD'S Almighty power, is used often in Scripture, to stir up men and women to believe the promises of GOD. It was used to Sarah, Gen. 18.14. to the Virgin Mary, Luke 1.37. to Jeremiah, Ier. 32.27. and to the Disciples of CHRIST, Mark 10.27.

Abraham looked to GOD'S power, and thereby was moved to believe that GOD would perform his promise, though Isaac in whom the promise was made, was to be sacrificed, Rom. 4.20, 21. Heb. 11.19. Jehoshaphat also by his faith did magnify GOD'S power, 2 Chron. 20.12. This was Job's only comfort upon the dunghill, that that GOD who would (after worms 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 faithful, and therefore will perform his promises.

GOD the Father (who hath promised) is the God of truth, Psal. 31.5. the Gospel (in which his promises are made) is the word of truth, Ephes. 1.13. His Son (who hath declared and merited the promises) is a faithful and true witness, Revel. 3.14. truth it self, John. 14.6. His Spirit (which sealeth unto us the truth of the promises even in our hearts) is the Spirit of truth. John. 14.17.

GOD is just and faithful in accomplishing his promises, Rom. 3.3, 5.

David saith, LORD in thy faithfulness, or in thy Justice answer me, Psal. 143.1. that is, not in the justice of merit, but of promise or Covenant: for in his promises he maketh himself our Debtor, and what he owes by virtue of his blessed promise, we may challenge. If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. As if he should say, GOD of his infinite mercy hath promised to all true Penitents and Confessors, that he will forgive, and never remember their sins anymore; he must stand to his Promises, or else he should be unfaithful: and he is just, he doth not say he is merciful but just to forgive the sins of true believers, because they are all satisfied for, and GOD'S justice will not let him demand the same debt twice, of the surety and of the debtor.

The righteous GOD shall give unto me a Crown of righteousness, 2 Tim. 4.8. righteousness 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 faithful that promised, Heb. 10.23. Sarah judged him faithful who had promised, Heb. 11.11.

The Promise of GOD is our title to happiness, 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 peppercorn for rent; when he hath paid it, he may claim the profits and by law recover them, and his plea in the Law must be the bargain and Covenant between 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 deny it us; not because we 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 Son in the fullness of time, Gal. 4.4. in whom all the promises are Yea and Amen. What can be more Absolute? It is a main policy of the Devil, to lay siege, to the truth of GOD'S Word, Yea hath GOD, said? so he would persuade us, that GOD will forget to be merciful, and his promise will fail for evermore, Psal. 77.8, 9. Weak 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 coming? 2 Pet. 3.4. the godly fear he will change: David complaineth, Psal. 69.3. I am weary of my crying, my throat is dried, mine eyes fail, while I wait for my GOD, Psal. 119.123. Mine eyes fail 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 vain, Psal. 116.11. I said in my haste, all men are liars. 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 earth, Gen. 13.16. He and his wife being both old; he thus (as accounting GOD'S promises vain) answered, LORD GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless? Gen. 15.2. Sarah likewise hearing the promise GOD had made to her husband concerning a Son by her, laughed at it, Gen. 18.12. as if she should have said, that is a jest indeed. GOD told Adam in Paradise, That the seed of the woman should break the serpents head, Gen. 3.15. He was long, but sure; for it was fulfilled at last. He that gave us CHRIST, how shall he not with him give us all things also? Rom. 8.32. He that hath performed the promise concerning CHRIST, wherein shall he fail? He hath hitherto kept promise with nights and days, as Jeremiah saith, Ier. 33.20, 25. that one shall succeed the other, therefore much more will he keep his word with his people. He is worthy to be believed, who never failed to perform what he promised. If GOD have promised us pardon of sin, Sanctification, Patience, Faith; we should promise ourselves these things, and rest confident, that we shall receive them. Shall we believe an honest man on his word, and yet not trust GOD upon his word, who is Almighty, and therefore able, a Father, and therefore willing to perform his promises. GOD hath spoken in his holiness (saith David) I will rejoice therefore in his Word. I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth, Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine, Ephraim also is the strength of mine head, Judah is my law-giver, Moab is my washpot, Psal. 60.6, 7. Though then he had little enough, yet he was confident, he should have all that, because he had GOD'S Word for it. So we may believe what GOD hath promised, since he hath said it, and sealed it, and sworn it. One in the Covenant may lay hold on CHRIST, and say CHRIST is mine, on the Promise, and say forgiveness is mine, on the Covenant, and say grace is mine.

The LORD will not be unmindful of his Covenant with us, Psal. 111.5. nor unfaithful in performance of his promise to us, if we prove not unfaithful, but keep covenant and promise with him, Psal. 103.17, 18. 2 Chron. 15.2. for the Covenant consists of two parts: in the one GOD binds himself to be our GOD, in the other we bind ourselves to be his people, Hos. 2.23. His is a Covenant of mercy, ours of obedience; He promiseth happiness, we holiness; He glory, we duty; He hath tied himself by an oath, we have bound ourselves by the vow of baptism, He will not forget his part, let us remember ours. Let it never be said of us, as it was of a Pope and his Nephew, that the one never spake as he thought, the other never performed what he spake. The Carthaginians were infamous for covenant-breaking, and slipperiness in their promises, so that it grew a proverb, Punica fides, Poeni foedifragi semper habiti, saith Plautus ; and the Athenians were renowned for faithfulness in all their covenants, agreements, and promises; which gave occasion to those proverbs, Attica fides, and Atticus testis, used for one that still keeps touch. Fidelity in keeping promise is a fruit of the Spirit, called by the Apostle faith, Gal. 5.22. and a property of him that must rest on GOD'S holy mountain. Therefore we should imitate, the Athenians, shall I say? nay rather GOD himself, expressing faithfulness in all our words, works, and ways; we should keep our covenant with GOD, and pay our vows unto the most High, Psal. 25.10. Psal. 103.18. we should also be constant in the performance of our promises to men, for promises are due debts. And non in promissione sed in consummatione virtus est, virtue doth not consist in promise, but in performance.

The manner, how GOD performeth his promises is not always one and the selfsame: sometimes he gives the very particular thing promised, as unto the children of Israel deliverance out of Egypt, David from Saul, Jacob from Esau. He restored unto Hezekiah his health according to his promise, and removed the host of the Assyrians, which besieged Jerusalem; sometime he gives that which is equivalent or better. Thus in the 5. Commandment, obedient children are promised long life; yet Josiah, 2 Kings 23.29. and Abiah, 1 King. 14.13. were taken away in their best age; therefore for temporal life, they had eternal: so GOD promised Abraham the land of Canaan, and he had the true Canaan, the Kingdom of Heaven. GOD here breaketh not promise, but changeth in melius. So in taking away wealth from his children, he giveth them more store of grace, in restraining liberty of body, He giveth freedom of con • cience, with affliction, He giveth patience. It was promised Josiah, 2 Kings 22.20. that he should be gathered to his grave in peace ; yet he died a violent death, for he was slain by the hands of his enemies, 2 King. 23.29. the next words therefore do expound it, And thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. He died in peace comparatively with a worse state of life, for he lived not to see the misery of succeeding ages, Isaiah 57.1. Some interpret it thus, he was gathered to the Spirits of his Fathers, who enjoyed peace.

GOD doth not always perform his promises to the same parties, and yet most truly performeth them, Psal. 97.11. Light is sown for the righteous. Oftentimes the Father soweth and dieth ere the harvest, and so the Son reaps: so Abraham inherited Canaan in his posterity. So GOD promised to send his Son: this promise was made to the Fathers, and GOD fulfilled it to the children, Acts 13.32, 33.

The time of accomplishing GOD'S promises is uncertain to us, Acts 1.7, though it shall not be over-passed, The vision is for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie. All visions and words of GOD, whether of promise or of threatening, let them seem to lie lea and void never so long, yet shall be not only certainly fulfilled, but in the period of time, which the wisdom of GOD hath impropriated to them. Sometimes GOD'S promises have a limited time; as that, Gen. 17.21 & 18.14. and then they are fulfilled in that very time, expressed, as Gen. 21.1, 2. Sometimes he expresseth not the time.

GOD in the beginning made a promise to our first Parents concerning the seed of the Woman, and deferred it almost 4000. years, and yet at length accomplished it. There have passed about 5000. years since the time of the glorious coming of CHRIST unto judgment was promised, and it is not known when it shall be accomplished. Abraham was childless till he was 70. years old, and at those years the LORD promised him issue. But this promise was not accomplished till a long time after, when he was an 100. years old. David had a promise to be King of Jerusalem and Judah, but the LORD exercised him by many and grievous afflictions, before he came to the Crown; insomuch that he says of himself, Psal. 119.82. Mine eyes fail for thy Word. The promise which was made unto Simeon, was not accomplished till he was an old man ready to die, yet he continued to wait. The deliverance of Israel was promised 400. years before it was fulfilled, Gen. 15.13.

GOD many times takes day,

1. • ither his children are not ready for it.

2. Or he doth it to exercise their faith and patience, Heb. 6.15. to prove whether they can believe when they see not, Deut. 8.2.

3. Or he lets them wait, that they may more esteem the blessings when they have them, but never any could tax him for promise-breaking. GOD as he doth out-vie all for the largeness of his promises, so is he unmatchable for faithfulness in fulfilling his promises. We read of some that have promised half their kingdoms, nay the Devil promised all the kingdoms of the world to our Savior; but GOD promiseth yet more, and performeth better then any of them. First, he doth not promise by halves, but he promiseth a whole Kingdom, and such a one, as is more worth then all the kingdoms of the world, and excelleth them in four properties, as the Apostle Peter showeth. Nay one kingdom or one world is too little for him to give, he promiseth to give to all the faithful two worlds, 1 Cor. 3.22, 23. Things present, and things to come, all are yours, both worlds are yours. He performeth better also, what he hath promised, then those before mentioned. For the first of them were but men, which often promise mountains, and perform mole-hills: in this sense it may be said, Let GOD be true and every man a liar ; and for the Devils promise, that great All which he made profer on, was just nothing, but shadows and representations of things. He went about to cozen CHRIST with mere words, for the kingdoms of the world were not in his power to give; but GOD is both able and willing to perform, whatsoever he hath promised, his servants have often found him better, never any worse then his word: therefore we should wait with patience for the fulfilling of his promises, not limiting him to time, manner, or means of accomplishment.

GOD will preserve his children from Afflictions and Dangers.

H E is a Buckler, Gen. 15.1. Pro. 2.7. & 30.5. to keep them from all evil, to cover and compass them round about, Psal. 5.11, 12. Psal. 8.2. A wall of Brasse, Ier. 1.18. and A wall of Fire about his children, Zach. 2.5.

As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people, Psal. 125.2. There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling, Psal. 91.10. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil, Psal. 121.7. There shall no evil touch thee, Job 5.19.

GOD hath promised to protect his children in all their ways, Psal. 91.11. and to preserve them in greatest dangers by Sea or land.

Fire and water are two merciless enemies, yet the fire shall not burn, nor the waters overflow them, as GOD hath promised, Isaiah 43.2. They must not pass by these, by the fire and by the water, but through the fire and through the water, neither is here water mentioned only but floods or rivers of water, nor fire only but a flame too. Surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him, Psal. 52.6. An asseveration is added to confirm their hearts, and to show the truth of the promise.

Though the earth, and the heavens be shaken, yet GOD will be the hope of his people, Joel 3.16. And they shall be hid in the day of his anger, Zeph. 2.3.

Therefore such who are in Covenant with GOD may look to be freed from evils and dangers, if it be for their good; and in the valley of the shadow of death may assure themselves of GOD'S merciful omnipotent presence, Psal. 23.4. Psal. 73.26. Psal. 91.15. Isaiah 43.2.

2. To qualify them if they do come. GOD will qualify Afflictions to his children.

He will correct them.

• 1. In great wisdom, which is seen in two things:
  • 1. In the meetness of correction, Heb. 12.9, 10. Furthermore we had fathers of our flesh, which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection to the father of spirits and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Earthly Parents oft correct their children after their own pleasure to satisfy their will: but GOD our heavenly Father in great wisdom considereth, with what correction, and when to chastise his, so as may be most for their profit, yea the best profit, to repair his image of holiness in them.
  • 2. In the just measure and continuance thereof, Ier. 46.28. & 30.11. Isaiah 27.7, 8. 1 Cor. 10.13. they shall not be tempted above their strength, GOD will not lay more on man then is meet, that he should enter into judgment with God, Job 34.23 Affliction is momentary, CHRIST comforts his Disciples with the shortness of afflictions, John. 16.16. GOD will not keep his anger forever, Ier. 3.12. Ezek. 16.42. Micah 7.18. nor cast off forever, Lam. 3.31. David had great experience of this, as he often professeth, Psal. 30.5. Psal. 103.9. The rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous Psalm 125.3.
• 2. In love and tenderness, GOD compareth himself to a Father, Psal. 103.13, 14. to a Mother, Isaiah 49.15, 16. I will not execute the fierceness of mine anger, for I am GOD and not man, Hosea 11.9. and in the 8. verse he saith, His heart is turned within him, his repentings are kindled together. GOD there imitates parents (saith Theodoret ) when any misery is upon a child, their bowels yearn more. There is an excellent expression in Judge. 10.16. His soul was grieved for the misery of Israel. He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men, Lam. 3.33. Judgment is called his Strange work, Isaiah 28.21. which we enforce him unto. At{que} dolet quoties cogitur esse ferox. In all their afflictions he is afflicted, Isaiah 63.9. Affliction cannot separate from his love, Rom. 8.35, 39. He preserveth their tears (as precious liquor) in his bottle, Psal. 56.8. See Psal. 116.15. Psal. 31.7. Psal. 38.9. Psal. 145.8, 9.

3. For good. GOD afflicts his children for their good.

There are many benefits, which GOD promiseth, and his Spirit worketh by afflictions.

• 1. General: they are blessed whom the LORD correcteth, Behold happy is the man whom GOD correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty, Job 5.17. the like promise we have, I am. 1.12. Psal. 94.12. Whom the LORD loveth he correcteth, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth, Pro. 3.12. Quem unice diligit, whom he cockers above the rest of his children: so the Hebrew word signifieth. That Son in whom he is well pleased, saith Mercerus, quem approbat, whom he makes his white boy, so Theophylact interprets, Heb. 12.6. The Original there 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 chastise, is derived from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a son or child. Our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. We shall have for Affliction, Glory; For light affliction, Heavy, Massy, Substantial Glory, a weight of Glory; For Momentary affliction, eternal Glory. He addeth also degrees of comparison, yea goeth beyond all degrees, calling it More excellent, far more excellent, an exceeding, excessive, eternal weight of Glory. See Rom. 8.18. Acts 14.22. 2 Tim. 2.12. 1 Cor. 11.32. Matth. 5.10, 11. Luke 6.22. 1 Pet. 3.14. & 4.14. I am. 5.11. Psal. 119.71. Lament. 3.27.
• 2. Special.
  • 1. Afflictions are trials: the godly by them have experience of their frailties and graces, and come to know GOD and themselves, 2 Chron. 33.13. This is oft set out by this comparison of gold and silver tried by the fire, Zach. 13.9. Prov. 17.3. Psal. 66.10. 1 Pet. 4.12. James calls afflictions temptations, because they serve to try what is in us. GOD led the Israelites forty years in the wilderness, To prove them, and to know what was in their heart: that is, that they might know, saith Junius. The skill of a Pilot is unknown but in a tempest: the valor of a Captain is unseen but in a battle, and the worth of a Christian is untried but in trial and temptation.
  • 2. They shall purge sin, they are sovereign medicines to kill spiritual diseases. GOD'S children shall come out of the furnace of affliction much more refined and purified, as Job did, and lose nothing but their dross. By this the iniquity of Jacob shall be purged, and this is all the fruit to take away his sin, Isaiah 27.9. I will purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy tin, Isaiah 1.25. Many shall be purified, made white, and tried, Dan. 12.10. We know that all things work together for good to them that love GOD, to them who are the called according to his purpose, Rom. 8.28. We, that is, not only I and you, but all the faithful know, have great proof of it by daily experience, that all afflictions (for of them he specially speaketh) how many or how great soever they be, shall procure and further our chiefest good, the welfare and happiness of our souls. See John 15.2. Prov. 20.30. Psal, 119.67. Isaiah 4.4. Job 33.16, 17. & 36.8, 9, 10, 15. Hosea 2.6, 7.
  • 3. They quicken graces, they make us partakers of GOD'S holiness, and bring forth the quiet fruit of righteousness, Heb. 12.10, 11. The inward man is renewed by them, 2 Cor. 4.16.
    • 1. Faith is exercised in believing most assuredly the promises that GOD hath made of our deliverance, that the trial of your faith being much more precious then of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and glory at the appearing of JESUS CHRIST. CHRIST. Faith is as much advanced by afflictions, as gold by fire. The 11. Chapter to the Hebrews proveth this. Afflictions (saith one) cause us to seek out GOD'S promise, the promise to seek faith, faith to seek prayer, and prayer to find GOD.
    • 2. Hope in assuring her self of the reward promised to them that suffer patiently; Tribulatiō worketh patience; patience, experience, and experience hope, Rom. 5.3, 4.
    • 3. Patience is exercised in bearing quietly. Tribulation worketh patience, as was said, Account it all joy, when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trial of your faith worketh patience, I am. 1.2, 3.

3. To help us to bear them, and in due time to remove them.

GOD promiseth to help us to bear afflictions, and in due time to remove them.

Though he fall he shall not be utterly cast down, for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand, Psal. 37.24. As their afflictions abound, so shall their consolations also, 2 Cor. 1.5. They shall have the Comforter himself, John. 14.16. John. 15.26. & 16.7. GOD often promiseth to his people to be a sure and speedy help in all troubles, David had great experience thereof.

The book of Psalms is full of those speeches: GOD is my Rock, my Tower, my Refuge, my Shield and Buckler, my Health and Strength, Psal. 18.2. Psal. 31.3. Psal. 71.3. Psal. 94.22. & 73.25, 26. All which speeches show, that what help any man in any danger, may find in any earthly means whatsoever; GOD is the same and much more to all his people in all their necessities, bodily or spiritual.

The like are those speeches, that GOD will lighten our darkness, he will keep the feet of his Saints, he will not forsake them, nor forget their complaint, that they shall not be confounded in the time of trouble: He will hide them in his pavilion, Psal. 27.4, 5. And cover them with his feathers, Psal. 91.1, 4. His Angels shall pitch their tents about them, he will set them up on high from such as rise against them, he will heal their wounds, Ier. 30.17.

GOD sees our affliction and knows it well, Exod. 3.7. He heareth our sighs, and remembering his Covenant helps us, Exod. 2.23, 24, 25.

All afflictions come from him, the Almighty hath afflicted me, saith Naomi, Ruth 1.21. it is often called the Chastening of the LORD. When we are judged, saith the Apostle, we are chastened of the LORD, 1 Cor. 11.32. And the same GOD which imposed the affliction, takes it away, Deut. 32.39. 1 Sam. 2.6, 7. Job 5.18.

I know the thoughts that I think towards you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace to give you an expected end, Ier. 29.11. Rejoice not (saith the Church) against me O mine enemy. When I fall, I shall arise, when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me, &c. Micah 7.8, 9. Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart, Psal. 97.11. The latter part of the verse expounds the former; by light is meant joy, and by righteous the upright in heart. Joy is sown for these, and as sure as an harvest follows a feeding; so to these comfort follows mourning, If we sow in tears, we shall reap in joy.

I will be content (saith D. Hall ) with a wet spring, so I may be sure of a clear and joyful harvest.

Your sorrow shall be turned into joy, John. 16.20. if CHRIST had only promised that their sorrow should be mitigated or shortly ended, it had been a great comfort, but this ministereth abundant consolation. Never was Gold-smith more curious and precise to watch the very first season, when the gold is thoroughly refined and fitted for use, that he may take it out of the furnace; then our gracious GOD waits in such cases with an holy longing, that he may have mercy upon his children, and deliver them. He shall deliver thee in six troubles, yea in seven there shall no evil touch thee, John. 5.19. Many of the Learned say, that here by six and seven, the Spirit of GOD alludeth unto the days of the LORD'S work in Creating the world, and his resting on the seventh day; that so must his servants labor under afflictions all the days of their life, and shall rest from those labors in the perpetual Sabbath. Rather six or seven are to be understood indefinitely, certain numbers for uncertain things: seven referred to human evils importeth many, Pro. 24.16.

See Psal. 91.14, 15. Pro. 11.8. Psal. 50.15. Psal. 149.4. 1 Cor. 10.13. 2 Cor. 4.8.

The meditation of these gracious promises may comfort GOD'S people in trouble. GOD assures me, he will lay no more upon me, then I shall be able to bear, either my burden shall be made lighter, or my faith stronger.

We should go to the LORD then in our afflictions, and say, LORD, it is part of thy Covenant to deliver me from such a cross and calamity; LORD thou hast said, that the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the Righteous ; that thou wilt afflict, but in measure, according to our strength, and for our good. O sanctify thy hand unto me, give me faith and patience to wait upon thee, wisdom to make a good use of this chastisement; let it purge me from my dross, and breed the quiet fruit of righteousness.

The end of chastisement is amendment of life, whence it receiveth the name of correction, which signifieth to set right or straight. Therefore we must first labor to find out the sin, for which GOD correcteth us. For which purpose let us remember that place, Job 36.9. If they be tied with the cords of affliction, then will I show them their works and their sins. When we have found it out, let us be humbled for it, make our peace with GOD, and reform ourselves, John. 5.14. and then we may expect comfort from GOD. This the LORD both promised and performed to Job, and in him to all that are afflicted. Zophar telleth Job, that which GOD himself did make good at last: If iniquit be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles. It must be the care of the afflicted to purge his hand and house of all manner of wickedness and sin. Then it followeth, verse 15. Thou shalt lift up thy face without spot, yea thou shalt be steadfast and not fear, that is, Thou shalt enjoy the comfortable assurance of the remission of thy sins, and shalt rest persuaded, that the stain thereof is quite done away before the LORD. And for his outward estate he addeth, ver. 16. Thou shalt forget thy misery. He shall be quite freed from all the trouble of it, Thou shalt remember it as waters that are past: which cause the meadows to be more fat and fertile, then they would have been, ver. 17. Thine age (saith he) shall be clearer than the noon day, thou shalt shine forth and be as the morning. The comfort of a sinner reformed by corrections, shall be plentiful and excellent as the brightness of the noon-tide sun, and withal, constant, durable, and on the growing hand, as the light of the morning.

Faith makes us depend on GOD'S promises in our afflictions, and patiently expect the issue that he will give, and that without prefixing any time, for He that believeth doth not make hast, Isaiah 28.16. or prescribing any means to him, as faithful Moses when he said, Stand ye still and see the salvation of the LORD, Exod. 14.13.

Faith doth not limit GOD for the measure of affliction; Job saith, He will trust in GOD though he kill him, Job 13.1 • . It was a grievous affliction for David to be driven out of his kingdom by his own Son, yet he saith in that slight, If he say, I have no delight in him, behold here I am, let him do unto me as seemeth good in his eyes, 2 Sam. 15.26. Therefore in all our afflictions, let us set faith a work, for this stirs up prayer, and prayer stirs up GOD, and GOD stirs up all the creatures.

Faith gathereth one contrary out of another, life out of death, assurance of sweetest deliverances out of deepest distresses; For the LORD shall judge his people and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up or left, Deut. 32.36. 2 King. 14, 26. Going into captivity, was a sign of the Israelites returning out of Captivity. Faith will teach us to say, he hath chastized me according as he hath threatened, therefore he will comfort me according as he hath promised, Ier. 32.42. It will extract abundance of comfort, in the most desperate distresses, from those places, 2 Chron. 20.12. Prov. 18.10. Isaiah 33.9, 10. For the nature of it is to believe GOD upon his bare word, and that against sense in things invisible, and against reason in things incredible, Heb. 11.1. David, Psal. 56.10. though sorely afflicted, yet rejoiceth in GOD, because of his naked promise; the woman of Canaan could pick comfort out of the reproachful name of dog. Hath not GOD promised and assured me not to fail nor forsake me, but to uphold me in affliction, and bring me through it, and comfort me by it, and glorify me after it? therefore I should with Abraham hope against hope, and apprehend the certain accomplishment of these promises by faith; when sense and carnal reason see nothing but the contrary.

Promises in regard of Sickness.

1. T O prevent Sickness and keep it away.

If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy GOD, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his Commandments, and keep all his statutes; I will put none of these diseases upon thee which I have brought upon the Egyptians, for I am the LORD that healeth thee, Exod. 15.26. Deut. 7.15.

GOD will preserve his children from the pestilence, Psal. 91.3, 6, 7, 10. He will certainly deliver them from the hurt of it, so as it shall not hinder the good or salvation of any in the godly man's house.

2. If sickness be amongst us, to help in it, and remove it from us. The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing, thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness, Psal. 41.3.

And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, Deut. 7.15. And I will take sickness away from the midst of thee, Exod. 23.25.

In all our bodily infirmities and sore diseases, we should remember some of these promises, and lay hold on them by faith, that we faint not nor murmur.

Promises in regard of Poverty.

There is a general promise made to all that fear GOD, 1 Tim. 4.8. Psal. 34.9, 10. Heb. 13.5.

And many other special promises likewise, which may comfort and strengthen the godly against murmuring and impatiency in hard times: I will abundantly bless her provision, I will satisfy her poor with bread, Psal. 132.15. Deut. 8.16. No rich man under Heaven can be so assured, that he and his shall be preserved from beggary, as every poor Christian may be. For though the LORD in infinite bounty do bestow those blessings on wicked men in great abundance, yet they belong to them only ex largitate, out of a general providence; but to the faithful ex promisso, out of GOD'S promise; David beholding how much it vexed GOD'S children to see the wicked prosper in this world, and the godly distressed, of purpose made the 37. Psalm, to hearten • the godly against this sore temptation, which in all ages much troubled GOD'S people; and there he showeth that the state of the godly is far better even in this life, then that of the wicked, 3, 4, 5, 11, 16. verses. To the same purpose was made the 73. Psalm.

See Psal. 16.5, 6. Psal. 23. Psal. 10.14. Psal. 109.31. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill, Psal. 103.7.

I have been young (saith David in that 37. Psalm 25. verse) and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. David's saying may be taken 1. as his own observation in his time; for he saith not, the righteous is never forsaken; but that he never saw it, and it is a rare thing: 2. (which Exposition Master Perkins approves) the righteous man is never forsaken and his seed too; GOD may make trial of godly Parents by want, but their godly children shall surely be blessed: 3. he saith, he never saw the righteous and his seed forsaken, begging bread; that is, no not forsaken when they were begging their bread.

Whensoever we are pinched with any earthly necessity, we should run to one of these gracious promises; for if we rightly believe them, they will make us cast our care on GOD that careth for us, and moderate our immeasurable carking after the things of this world, moving us patiently to wait for the accomplishment of our desires, or contentedly to want what GOD denieth, Phil. 4.5. 1 Pet. 5.7. Psal. 55.22. Psal. 37.4, 5. Deut. 8.3.

Promises for succor in Famine

Particular promises for help in Famine, and deliverance from it.

In Famine he shall redeem thee from death, Job 5.20. The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish, Prov. 10.3. Behold the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy, to keep them alive in famine, Psal. 33.19. In the days of famine they shall be satisfied, Psal. 37.19. If I shut up Heaven (saith the LORD) th • t there be no rain, or if I command the Locusts to devour the land; if my people shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and heal their land. 2 Chron. 7.13, 14. In that day I will hear saith the LORD, I will hear the Heavens, and they shall hear the Earth, and the earth shall hear the corn, and the wine, and the oil, and they shall hear Jezreel, Hosea 2.21, 22. When the poor and needy seek water and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst; I the LORD will hear them▪ I the GOD of Israel will not forsake them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys, I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.

See Joel 2.18, 19. Zach. 8.11, 12. & 10.1. Mal. 3.10.

GOD'S children in time of scarcity should live by faith, Mat. 4.4. feed on the promise, and depend on GOD'S allowance: when our own provision fails us, then not to distrust the provision of GOD, is a noble trial of faith.

Promises to preserve from War, and deliver from the Sword.

The LORD will preserve his children from War, Thou shalt not see a fierce people, Isaiah 33.19.

The enemies being astonished shall be a prey to the Church, ver. 23.

GOD will deliver them from the Sword, as he saith Ier. 39.17, 18. I will deliver thee in that day, and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid. For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee, because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.

In War he shall redeem thee from the power of the sword, Job 5.20.

Promises to comfort in and deliver out of Captivity.

Although I have cast them far off among the heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet will I be to them a little Sanctuary in the countries where they shall come, Ezek. 11.16. See ver. 17.

I will give you a reviving there, Ezra 9.8. And make you to be pitied of those that shall carry you captive, Psal. 106.46.

Then the LORD thy GOD will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations whither the LORD thy GOD hath scattered thee. If any of thine be driven out unto the utmost parts of Heaven, from thence will the LORD thy GOD gather thee, and from thence will he fetch thee, &c. Deut. 30.3, 4, 5. Nehemiah sueth out this promise, Nehem. 1.9.

There was a promise made unto Israel to restore them out of the great captivity of Babylon; and this seemed to them as incredible, as for men to be raised out of their graves, after so many years consumption; therefore they said, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost, we are cut off for our parts: we have no more reason to believe any promise, or to rest upon any expectations of deliverance, then dead bones have to revive again. Therefore the LORD acquainteth them with his power, together with his promises; O my people, ye shall know that I am the LORD, that is, that my ways and thoughts are infinitely above your shallow apprehension, when I shall have brought you out of your graves, Ezek. 37.11, 13, 14.

See Psal. 14.7. and 53.6. Ier. 30.6.18.

A promise against Witchcraft or possession of the Devil.

Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel, Num. 23.23.

This is promised conditionally; so far as it is good for GOD'S people, they shall be freed from it.

Promises against Oppression.

It is one of the LORD'S most royal titles, to be the Father of the Fatherless, and a Judge of the widows, Psal. 68.5. To be a Refuge for the oppressed, Psal. 9.9, 10, 14. Isaiah 25.4. For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise (saith the LORD) I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him, Psal. 12.5. He executeth judgment for the oppressed, preserveth the strangers, relieveth the fatherless and widow, Psal. 146.7, 9. In thee the fatherless findeth mercy, Hosea 14.3.

1. In General, to supply anything needful.

G OD hath promised to provide things needful for the godly.

All earthly blessings are entailed to godliness by that gracious promise, 1 Tim. 4.8. Godliness hath the promise of the life that now is, and that which is to come.

It is said, Nothing shall be wanting, Psal. 34.9. All things shall be ministered, Matth. 6.33. GOD shall fulfill all your necessity, Philip. 4.19.

As a tender Father desiring the welfare of his beloved child, bids him to be a good and obedient child, and he shall not want anything; so the LORD bids us as good children, hearken to his voice, and be ruled by him, and tells us we shall not want anything that is good, Psal. 34.8, 9, 10. & 84, 11.

This is that which is so oft repeated, That it may go well with thee in the land, which the LORD thy GOD giveth thee, Deut. 5.16, 33. & 6.3, 18. & 12.25, 28.

This is meant in those Scriptures which set out the goodness of the LORD, Psal. 31.19. Psal. 145.9. and many other places, where GOD'S goodness, loving kindness and mercy, and that specially in things belonging to this natural life, are commended unto us. In those general promises, wherein GOD saith, He will dwell with his, and not forsake them, that he will love and bless his people, that he will be their GOD, will rejoice over them to do them good, will compass them with favor as with a shield, that he will set peace in their borders, and prosper them in all they go about, that he will keep his Covenant with them. For outward riches are a part of his Covenant, All things are yours, we are heirs of all the world. In the Covenant of grace, GOD promiseth not only to write his law in our hearts and to forgive our sin ; but also to confer Temporal blessings, as they shall be serviceable to us in our journey towards Heaven, Ier. 31.10, 11, 12, 14. Ezek. 34.25, 26, 27. & 36.29, 30. Hosea 2.20, 21, 22.

He hath given us his Son, the Fountain of all good things, what can he deny us then that may be for our good and comfort? The promise of CHRIST before his incarnation, was to the Jews a seal of all temporal things promised.

Our Savior saith, Seek ye first the Kingdom of GOD, and his Righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. First ] in time before all other things; and in degree above all other things, and all these needful things ] shall be cast in. As when a man buyeth spice, fruit, or any such commodity, paper and packthred is given into the bargain.

It is the property of true saving faith, not only to lay hold on the mercy of GOD for the pardon of sin, and life everlasting in CHRIST; but on his promises also for Temporal blessings that concern this life. As we look to be saved by our faith after death, so we must live 〈◊〉 faith in this world; if we rely upon his mercy for our souls, we must depend upon his providence for our bodies. How doth he trust in GOD for a Kingdom, that will not trust him for a crust of bread?

Faith receiveth earthly blessings not as the fruit of our labor or desert, but as the gifts of GOD'S bounty, yea as gifts of the gracious Covenant proceeding from the free love of GOD.

Temporal promises in regard of good things.

• Special.
  • For
    • 1. Name.
      • 1. Honor.
      • 2. A good name.
    • 2. Body.
      • 1. Long life.
      • 2. Health.
      • 3. Safety.
      • 4. Peace.
      • 5. Sleep.
      • 6. Food, raiment.
    • 3. Estate.
      • 1. Wealth.
      • 2. Good success and prosperity.
        • 1. To their persons.
        • 2. To their purposes.
    • 4. Calling.
      • Promises to diligence in it.
        • 1. Abundance and plenty.
        • 2. Protection.
        • 3. Promotion.
        • 4. Good success.
        • 5. It builds the house.
        • 6 It makes sleep comfortable.

GOD hath promised, not only to give these outward things but to bless them to his children.

Promises to GOD'S children in respect of their Name.

Promises to GOD'S children in respect of the Body.

Promises to GOD'S children for their outward Estate.

Promises to GOD'S children in respect of their Calling.

Diligence in a calling hath many a sweet promise in the Word of GOD.

1. Abundance and plenty: The hand of the diligent maketh rich, Pro. 10.4. The soul of the diligent shall be made fat, Pro. 13.4. He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread, Pro. 28.19. at least sufficiency follows it. He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread, Pro. 12.11. See 27. verse. That which is gotten by honest labor is preserved and multiplied, Prov. 13.11.

2. Protection: GOD hath promised to protect those that keep themselves within the limits of their calling; He shall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways, Psal. 91.11. that is, so long as thou keepest thyself within the ways of thy calling, so long shall my Angels preserve thee.

3. Promotion, it exalteth to honor and authority. The han • of the diligent shall bear rule, Pro. 12.24. Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stan • before Kings, he shall not stan • before mean men, Prov. 22.29.

4. Good success: The recompense of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him, Pro. 12.14. They shall build houses and inhabit them, they shall plant vineyards and eat • the fruit of them. They shall not labor in vain nor bring forth fo • trouble, Isaiah 65.21, 23.

There ye shall eat before the LORD your GOD, and ye shall rejoice in all that you put your hand unto; Ye and your households wherein the LORD thy GOD hath blessed thee, Deut. 12.7. Deut. 28.8, 12.

5. It buildeth the house, Pro 24.27.

6. It makes sleep comfortable, Eccles. 5.12. The sleep of a laboring man is sweet and pleasant, whether he eat little or much: if little, his labor breeds him rest; if much, his body being strong and hardened by labor, causeth easy digestion, and uninterrupted sleep.

Comforts against the temptations of Satan.

T HE Faithful have a promise to preserve them from such temptations as are incident to their lawful callings, and which they cannot avoid unless they would forsake their calling, Psal. 91.11, 12. In all thy ways (seem they never so dangerous and full of temptation) they shall bear thee up. The man whose heart is upright shall find strength enough against every temptation, while he is in the LORD'S way, Pro. 10.29. 2 Chron. 15.2.

There is much comfort to be drawn 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 we shall be able to bear, GOD is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able.
• 3. GOD will give a happy issue out of temptation: Who will with the temptation also make away to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Another consolation against them, may be the short continuance of our temptations, We shall suffer but a while, 1 Pet. 5.10. The GOD of pe • ce shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly, Rom. 16.20.

We should consider, 1 That CHRIST was tempted as we are, Heb. 4.15.

2. That he is our Captain in this warfare, Rev. 12 7. The Captain of our salvation was made perfect through sufferings, Heb. 2.10.

3. That he overcame the Devil 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 Devil and his Angels) He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them upon • he Cross, Coloss. 2.15. He led captivity captive, Ephes. 4.8. By captivity is meant sin and Satan, which did and do lead men captive into perdition: • . Death and the grave which held him captive for the space of three days. He leads them all captive: 1. In himself, 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 he hath made intercession and prayed for us, Luke 22.32. I have prayed that thy faith may not fail ; that is general for all believers as well as Peter, John. 17.9, 10.

6. CHRIST succors and helps those that are tempted, Heb. 2.18.

7. He assures them of strength and victory; Resist the Devil, and he will fly from you, I am. 4.7. He is like the Crocodile, whose property is, if one follow, it flieth away; if one fly, it pursueth him; cowardice encourageth the Devil, courage daunts him. See 1 John 5.18. Esa. 27.1. John 12.21. The Devil is subtle, but GOD will teach wisdom to discern 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 powerful; 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 works of the Devil, 1 John 3.8. He will tread Satan under our feet. He shall bruise his head, wherein lies all his subtlety and strength. The gates of Hell (that is, the power and policy of the Devil) shall not prevail against the Church. For the gates were the places, where both their strength was and their counsel sat, Amos 5.15.

2. Promises against Temptations to uncleanness.

He shall deliver thee from the strange woman, Prov. 2.16. Thy body shall be kept blameless until the coming of CHRIST, 1 Thess. 5.24 Who so pleaseth GOD shall escape from her, Eccles. 7.26.

It is part of GOD'S 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 Holiness and Righteousness all the d • ies of our life, Luke 1.74. When a child of GOD is to wrestle with Satan, or any temptation or lust, he may challenge the Covenant at GOD'S 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?

1. Promises for those that suffer for the profession of the truth.

F OR I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist, Luke 21.15.

When they deliver you up, take no thought how or what you shall speak, for it sh • ll be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak, Matt. 10.19.

Be not afraid (said GOD unto Paul) but speak, 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 confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in Heaven, Matth. 10.32.

2. Promises for those that suffer for the practice of good.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven, Matth. 5.10. If ye suffer for righteousness sake, happy are ye, 1 Pet. 3.14. Hereby they give their testimony to CHRIST and the Gospel, when they partake of the afflictions of the Gospel, 2 Tim. 1.8.

And as there be promises for such as suffer either for truth or goodness, so there are for such who suffer for both together, and these either

General in regard of any kind of suffering, as these following.

For if they suffer with CHRIST, they shall reign with him in another world, 2 Tim. 2.11, l2. When CHRIST appears in his glory, they shall be glad and rejoice, 1 Pet. 4.13. What shall separate us from the love of CHRIST? shall tribulation, distress, or persecution, &c▪ nay in all these things we are more then conquerors, Rom. 8.35, 36, 37.

GOD may turn the hearts of the wicked, and make them of Lions and Tigers, to become Lambes, and no more to do hurt in the mountain of the LORD, Isaiah 11.6, 7, 8, 9. Isaiah 65.25.

GOD will subdue all their enemies; I will bless them that bless 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. Isaiah 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 days shall be shortened, Matth. 24.22.

• Or Special,
  • as Loss,
    • 1. Of name, in reproaches.
    • 2. Of liberty, in imprisonment.
    • 3. Of goods, any or all.
    • 4. Of life it self.

Promises to those that suffer reproaches for both truth and goodness.

1. Reproaches and scorns from the world for thy profession, should fill thy heart with abundance of glory, blessedness 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 himself) when men shall revile, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake, rejoice and be exceeding glad, Matth. 5.11, 12. Leape for joy, so it is, Luke 6.23. and the word here in Matth. signifieth exceeding joy, such as we use to express by outward signs in the body, as skipping and dancing, 2 Sam. 6.14, 16. For great is your reward in Heaven.

Thou art honorable in GOD'S account, Isaiah 43.4. he takes notice of all thy disgraces, Psal. 69.19. and will take care for thy clearing and comfort, He will bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgments as the noon day, Psal. 37.6. As if he should have said, howsoever thy innocence be at sometimes covered as it were with a thick and dark mist of slander and oppression, yet the LORD will in his good time scatter and dissolve the mist, and so make thy innocence apparent to the world; yea he shall make thy righteous cause, as evident as the Sun when it ariseth, nay as noon day when it is at highest, and shineth brightest. Thou shalt receive double for all thy shame, Isaiah 61.7. Though you have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold, Psal 68.13. that is, although ye have lived in great straits and baseness, yet ye shall be freed from them, and obtain illustrious glory.

They shall be honored in the day of CHRIST, 1 Pet. 1.7. Their reward shall be great in Heaven, Mat. 5.12. and in the mean time there is with GOD a hiding place from the strife of tongues, Psal. 31.20. Job 5.21. Psal. 13.18. How doth GOD cheare his people, Isaiah 41. Fear not, be not dismayed, ver. 10. I am with thee, I am thy GOD, I will strengthen thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. But GOD will bring the wicked to shame for the contempt with which they have disho • oured his servants, as it followeth, ver. 11. All they that were incensed against thee, shall be ashamed and confounded. He still encourageth his people there, ver. 13. He saith again: Fear not, for I the LORD thy GOD will help thee, and ver. 14. Fear not thou worm, (that is, were thy state never so weak and despicable) I will help thee, saith the LORD and thy Redeemer. He begins the 43. Chap. with the same words; Fear not, viz. thine enemies, for I have called thee, and redeemed thee, thou art mine. Fear not little flock (saith our Savior) fear not men, fear not means, for it is your Fathers pleasure to give you a Kingdom. See Ier. 46.27, 28.

If thou wouldest be delivered from reproaches and evil report, go to the LORD and urge him upon Covenant; say, LORD thou hast said, Thou wilt bless the name of the righteous, thou will honor them that honor thee, that we shall not be ashamed when we have respect unto all thy Commandments, Psal. 119.6. Sue out this promise upon all occasions, as David often doth, Psal. 31.1, 17 and 119.116.

2. Promises to those that are imprisoned for the Gospel.

The LORD heareth the poor and despiseth not his prisoners, Psal. 69.33. He heareth the groanings of the prisoner, Psal. 102.20. And bringeth out those that are bound with chains, Psal. 68.6. as he did Peter, Acts 12.10. Fear non • of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold the Devil shall cast some of you into prison that ye may be tried, and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto the death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Here was a bittersweet message, Ye shall be cast into prison: This was bitter: fear not, this was comfortable; but I will give thee a crown of life, this was the comfort of comforts.

3. Promises to those that loose outward things for GOD'S cause.

In losses for GOD'S cause:

We should meditate of GOD'S gracious promises.

1. In the loss of outward things for thy love and service unto GOD, remember that place, 2 Chron. 25.9. The LORD is able to give thee much more then this.

2. In the loss of any earthly blessing for GOD'S cause, call to mind that promise three times set down by the Evangelists: Everyone that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my names sake, shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life, Mat. 19.29. Mark 10.29, 30. Hath it for my sake and the Gospels, Luke 18.29, 30. For the kingdom of GOD'S sake.

3. In the loss of any earthly things in every kind, think of that speech, Hab. 3.17, 18. Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines: the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat, the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no heard in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD: I will joy in the GOD of my salvation. Consider also Job's patient blessing of GOD, upon the surprise and concurrence of an universal misery, Job 1.22.

4. Promises to those that loose their life for GOD'S cause.

4. When thou art like to loose thy life, m • ditate on those places, Mat. 10 39. He that findeth his life shall loose it, and he that looseth his life for my sake shall find it. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, (yea though it be the fiery trial) for he shall receive the crown of life, Jam. 1.12. Blessed are the dead which die in LORD ; and which die for the LORD: he speaks of such as suffered in the quarrel of CHRIST under Antichrist, they rest from their labors, and their works do follow them. Every drop of blood spilled by a true professor of the Gospel, for the constant and found profession of it, is precious in the sight of GOD, Psal. 116.15. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his Saints.

1. In general.

W Hosoever is borne of GOD overcometh the world, and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith, 1 Joh. 5.4. CHRIST prayed to his Father, To keep his from the evil of the world, Joh. 17.15. Who gave himself for our sins that he might deliver us from this present evil world, Gal. 1.4. Our Savior, John 16.33. tells his Disciples, That in the world they should have tribulation, but be of good cheer (saith he) I have overcome the world.

2. A promise to those that dislike evil company.

I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and I will be their GOD, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate saith the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the LORD Almighty, 2 Cor. 6.16, 17, 18.

3. Promises against worldly cares and covetousness.

To curb our hearts from covetousness, we should meditate upon these places, Heb. 13.5. I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. He that gave us his own son, how shall he not with him freely give us all things, Rom. 8.32. See Matth. 6.25. to the end. Phil. 4.6. 1 Tim. 4.8. 1 Pet. 5.7.

4. Promises against Scandals.

GOD will secure his people and save them from being ensnared by scandals, Psal. 119.165. and nothing shall offend them, or they shall have no stumbling block. Ier. 31.9.

1. General or daily Infirmities. Comforts to those that do fall though Infirmity.

The LORD, The LORD GOD, merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin, Exod. 34.6, 7.

He is JEHOVAH] Always the same, unchangeable, he will not alter his love to thee, and for the more assurance he repeateth that title twice; then followeth his power, GOD ] Though thou be weak, he is strong. Merciful ] or compassionate towards rep • ntant and believing sinners, and though they be unworthy, yet he is Gracious. ] The Hebrew word signifieth to pour out abundance of extraordinary bounty upon a most undeserving and ill deserving party. (He will show mercy, not because thou art good, but because he is Good; not because thou canst please him, but because mercy pleaseth him, Micah 7.18.) though thou offerdest daily, yet he is Long-suffering, ] and Abundant in goodness and truth ] 1. In Goodness ] ready to bestow all benefits. 2. In Truth, ] ready to fulfill all promises, keeping kindness for thousands, ] a certain number for an uncertain; forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin ] that is, sins of all sorts, kinds and degrees whatsoever. It is neither the foulness of sin, nor the multitude of sins, nor the long continuance in sin that can prejudice his goodness.

GOD upon our prayer will cure our infirmities, Isaiah 40.29. Psal. 103.3. he pitieth his in their infirmities, as an Indulgent • ather his little ones, Mal. 3.17. CHRIST himself is affected with the sense of our infirmities, Heb. 4.15, 16. Matth. 11.28. and Isaiah 42.3. he was a Pro • itiation for such sins, and comforts us concerning them before they be committed, 1 John 2.12. Rom. 6.14. The Spirit helps our • nfirmities, Rom. 8.26. helps • ogether: the Greek word is decompound, and there is a great force in it; as two that carry a burden, one will carry over • gainst another, and put to his • and and help him; so when we begin to sink, GOD'S Spirit puts under his hand to support • s, which is said in so many words, Psal. 37.24.

O but I offend daily, I sin again and again, may some weak Christian say.

GOD promiseth likewise that he will multiply his pardons (so the word signifieth in the Original) as thou hast multiplied thy sins, for (saith he there) My thoughts are not as your thoughts, nor my ways as your ways, but my thoughts go beyond your thoughts, as much as the distance is between Heaven and earth: He is merciful and and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy, he will not reward us after our iniquities: for as the Heaven is high above the Earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him, Psal. 103.8, 10, 11. As there is a continual spring of wickedness in you, so there is a continual spring of mercy flowing from him, both to pardon, and wash away this iniquity.

Special Infirmities. 1. Ignorance or blindness. Comforts against ignorance.

It is a special promise of GOD in the new Covenant, that He will write his laws in thy heart, and he will make thee to know the LORD.

He hath promised to lead thee by a way that thou hast not known, Isaiah 42.16. we have such an High Priest as knows how to have compassion on the ignorant, Heb. 5.2, 3. The eyes of the blind shall be opened, Isaiah 35.2. He shall open the eyes of the blind, Isaiah 42.2. Luke 4.18.

The annointing thou hast received, shall teach thee all needful things, and lead thee into all truth, 1 John. 2.27.

GOD hath made many promises to teach them his way, that see their ignorance and mourn for it.

He will guide the meek in judgment and will teach the humble his way, Psal. 25.9. See 12. & 14. verses.

GOD will fill the hungry with good things, Luke 1.53.

To him that disposeth his way aright will I show the salvation of the LORD, Psal. 50.23.

He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life, Joh. 8.12. I will manifest myself to him, John 14.21. The Spirit of truth will guide them into all truth, John 16.13. A high way shall be there, and fools shall not err therein, Isaiah 35.8.

2. Spiritual deafness. Comforts against spiritual deafness.

The cares of the deaf shall be unstopped, Isaiah 35.5. Other sheep I have which are not of this fold, them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice, John. 10.16. that is, the Gentiles not yet called shall understand the voice of GOD.

3. Particular falls through frailty. Comforts in regard of slips and frailties.

1. GOD will uphold his and keep them from falling.

I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil, Joh. 17.20. The LORD is faithful, who shall stablish you and keep you from evil, 2 Thess. 3.3. That your whole soul and body may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. Faithful is he that calleth you, who • lso will do it, 1 Thess. 5.23, 24. GOD watcheth over his people to defend them from sin, 2 Tim. 4 17, 18. Rom. 7.24, 25. Psa. 73.23, 24. Ier. 32.39, 40. His mercy holdeth up the godly, when they say their foot slippeth, Psal. 94.18. He will be their confidence, and shall keep their foot from being taken, Pro. 3.26. He will keep the feet of his Saints, 1 Sam. 2.9. And guide their feet into the way of peace, Luke 1.79. And thine ear shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left, Isaiah 30.21.

The child of GOD hath a promise of preservation from the sin unpardonable, 1 John 5.18.

2. Comforts to those that do fall through infirmity.

But of this I have spoken already, when I treated of the daily and general Infirmities of Christians, therefore I will (tanquam can • s ad Nilum) run over it hastily.

GOD'S people after relapse into some old, or fall into some new sin, when their heart is smitten for it, may comfort themselves with such precious places as these, 1 John. 2.1. Luke 17.4. 1 Sam. 12.20, 22. 1 John 1.9.

From this last place, a reverend Divine collects this comfort. If we see our unworthiness, and with broken hearts acknowledge it, GOD is faithful and just to forgive it, be it never so great.

Thou hast played the harlot with many lovers, yet return again to me saith the LORD, Ier. 3.1.

3. The LORD will restore them, and raise them up again by repentance. The LORD will heal thy backsliding, if thou take unto thee words to confess thy falling away, Hosea 14.2, 3, 4. There is healing in the wings of the Son of righteousness, and you shall grow up as the calves of the stall, Mal. 4.2. The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that are bowed down, Psal. 145.14. Behold I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth, Ier. 32.6.

He speaks Ezek. 34.16. of the time of the Gospel when CHRIST should be the Shepherd, and shows the Covenant that he will make with those that are his, if anything be lost (saith he) if a Sheep lose it self, this is my Covenant, I will find it. If it be driven away by any violence of temptation, I will bring it back again. If there be a breach made into their hearts by any occasion through sin and lust, I will heal them and bind them up.

GOD'S Covenant is to make us faithful in his Covenant: the actions of faith and repentance are ours; but the power of doing them, GOD'S.

4. Spiritual Lameness. Comforts against Spiritual Lameness, or weaknesses of graces.

Then shall the lame man leap as an Hart, Isaiah 35.6. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them, Ezek. 36.27. They shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not be saint, Isaiah 40.31. See ver. 29. The LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel, Joel 3 16.

In our Spiritual infancy we may comfort ourselves by those cordi • ll refreshing promises.

I will give unto him that is a thirst of the fountain of the water of life freely, Rev. 21.6. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench, Isaiah 42.3. though grace be in us 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. He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, he shall gather the lambes with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young, Isaiah 40.11. He will use all compassion with a tender respect of our weakness. In love, in care, in pity he will redeem us, and carry us as in the days of old, Isaiah 63.9. As he hath borne us from the womb ; so will he be the same still unto old age, even unto the gray hairs, he will carry us in the arms of his compassion, he hath made us, he will bear, even he will carry and deliver us, Isaiah 46.3, 4. Since thou art a branch of his planting, he may glorify himself in thee, so as thy little one may be as a thousand, and thy small one as a strong nation, GOD can perform it in his due time, Isaiah 60.21, 22.

CHRIST graciously receiveth and tenderly cherisheth weak Christians, Zach. 13.7. Matth. 18.5. He giveth charge against the contempt of them, verse 10. and will not have the day of small things despised, Zach. 4.10.

The obedience o • the faithful is weak and imperfect, but pleasing and acceptable unto GOD. The Psalmist saith, Psal. 147.11 & 149.4.

The LORD taketh pleasure in his people, the prayers of the upright are his delight.

GOD will reckon of so much good done by us, as we desired and endeavored to do; the preparations of our hearts are reckoned with GOD as great things, Isaiah 55.1.

This is a great comfort to GOD'S children, that do their best endeavor to keep all his Commandments, for though they fail in that obedience which they ought to perform, yet GOD promiseth to show mercy to them, Exod. 26.6. so long as their heart is true, he will bear with their infirmities.

We are not under the law (saith the Apostle) but under grace, Rom. 6.14. We are delivered from the rigor of the Law: GOD hath received us to the benefit of that Covenant, in which perfection is only required in CHRIST, uprightness in us. GOD accepts of the will for the deed, 2 Cor. 8.12. and the will above the deed, as appeareth by the 10. verse, Who hath not only begun to do, but also to be forward a year ago ; making it a greater grace to be willing and desirous to do well, then it is to do a good thing.

5. Doubts and Feares of losing the love of GOD. Comforts against doubts and fears of loosing the love of GOD.

In the affliction of thy mind and loss of the feeling of GOD'S favor, acquaint thyself with those promises, John 13.1. Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end, and without end. The gifts and calling of GOD are without repentance: that is, such gifts as accompany an effectual calling, are such as GOD never repenteth of, or taketh away, I will not forsake my people, 1 King. 6.13. Heb. 13.5. Behold GOD will not cast away a perfect man, Job 8.20. The love of GOD unto his child, in respect of tenderness, is infinitely dearer then that of a most loving mother to her little one, Isaiah 49.15. stronger then the stony mountains and rocks of flint, Isaiah 54.10. as constant as the waters of Noah, ver. 9. as the ordinances of Heaven. Ier. 33.20 and ver. 25. nay as sure as GOD himself, Psal. 89.33, 34, 35.

6. Forgetfulness. A promise against forgetfulness.

But the Comforter which is the HOLY GHOST whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you, John 14.26.

7. Vncheerefullnesse. Comforts against dullness and uncheerefullnesse.

The wilderness and solitary place shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose, it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing, Isaiah 35.1, 2. Then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees. As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you, and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem. And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice and your bones shall flourish like an herb, Jer. 66.12, 13, 14. Thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, Isaiah 41.16. Thou shalt have thy delight in the Almighty, Job 22.26.

The godly have a spring of joy within them, John 4.14. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day, Psal. 89.16. See Psal. 33.21.

8. Indisposition. Comforts against it.

In the thoughts of our indisposi • ion to anything that is good, let these places quicken us.

I can do all things through CHRIST that strengtheneth me, Phil. 4.13. Ye shall be unto me a kingdom of Priests, Exod. 19.6.

We shall be able to offer unto GOD the sacrifice of prayer or praise. In every place incense shall be offered to my name, and a pure offering, Mal. 1.11. which is spoken of the believing Gentiles.

9. Distractions. Comforts against them.

GOD promiseth in the Covenant of grace, Ezek. 11.19. To give his people one heart. CHRIST prayed that we might have this one heart, John 17.21, 23. and be one with GOD. When we are troubled with distractions in prayer, hearing, or meditation, we should plead the Covenant, and pray with David, O LORD unite my heart to thee.

10. Evils of good done. Promises or comforts to the godly for evils of good done.

GOD not only accepteth and taketh in good part the poorest service we do to him notwithstanding our corruptions and frailties, but even delighteth and taketh great pleasure in them, Cant. 2.14. as a Father delights more in the stammering of his little child, then in the eloquence of the best Orator. CHRIST presenteth and perfumeth our prayers to his Father, Rev. 8.3. 1 Pet. 2.5. And it shall be upon Aaron's fore-head, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, and that they may be accepted before the LORD, Exod. 28.38. Aaron was a Type of CHRIST, who by his intercession perfumes our prayers, and doth away the blemishes that cleave to our best actions. Loving Parents do not take notice of many blemishes in their children; so GOD seeth no iniquity in Jacob, nor any transgression in Israel, Num. 23.21. But passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage: which makes the Prophet in the beginning of the verse, in admiration to cry, Who is a GOD like to thee !

11. Comforts against Feares of their falling from GOD, who labor to work out their salvation with fear and trembling.

1. In regard of GOD.

• 1. His Counsel, on which man's salvation is founded, is sure and unchangeable, and his calling without repentance, Rom. 11.29.
• 2. His Love is everlasting and inviolable, Ier. 31.3. Rom. 8.35. ult.
• 3. His Mercy (like his Lov • ) is • verlasting, Psal. 103.17. Psal. 100.5.106.1. & 107.1. Luke 1.50. It is iterated 26. times in 136. Psalm.
• 4. His Will is for such, Luke 12.32. John 6.39. His Grace, and that is all-sufficient, 2 Cor. 12.9.
• 5. His Power is for such, and that is Almighty, John 10.27, 28, 29. Jude 24.2 Tim. 1.12.
• 6. His faithfulness and truth make both for this, 2 Thess. 3.3.

2. In regard of CHRIST.

• 1. Because of our union with him: He is the Head, we the members. and he will not suffer any to perish that are engraffed into him, John. 6.39. John. 17.22, 23, 26.
• 2. From the perpetual efficacy of his intercession, Rom. 8.34. Heb. 7.21. He is a Priest forever, and always intercedes for his. What he said to Peter, I have prayed that thy faith fail not, Luke 22.32. He performeth for all. He is the Author and finish • of our faith, Heb. 12.2.

3. In regard of the HOLY GHOST.

• 1. His continual assistance, He shall abide with us forever, John 14.16. And he which hath begun a good work, will finish it, Phil. 1.6.
• 2. His Obsignation which is irrevocable: everyone that believeth, is sealed by the holy Spirit of promise, Ephes. 1.13, 14. sealed forever, 4.30. 2 Cor. 1.22. an honest man will not break his bargain, when there is earnest and evidence for it; therefore Chrysostom saith elegantly, if GOD having once given this earnest, should not also give the rest of the inheritance, He should undergo the loss of his earnest.

4. The lasting power of the Word once rooted in the good and honest heart, Luke 8.15. It is called immortal seed, 1 Pet. 1.23, 25. The engraffed Word, James 1.21. The seed remaining, 1 Joh. 3.9.

5. The certainty and sweetness of the promises to this purpose. GOD hath promised that his people shall not be moved from the state of grace, Psal. 15.5. & 16.8. Psal. 37.24, 27, 28, 31. Psal. 55.22. & 102.28. Pro. 10.30. Psal. 125.1. He will not cast off his people nor forsake his inheritance, Psal. 94.14. 1 Sam. 12.22. And he will put his fear into their hearts, that they shall not depart from him. For this is his Covenant with his people. Ier. 32.39, 40, 41. Hosea 2.19, 20. He upholdeth them with his hand, that they shall not fall away. He will confirm them unto the end, that they may be blam • less in the day of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, 1 Cor. 1.8, 9. the like is, 1 Thess. 5.23, 24 GOD hath made more promises to hold up his children, then ever he made to hold up the pillars of the world.

6. The prayers of the whole Church of GOD which are very prevalent and powerful, John. 16.23. the daily sacrifice of believers, is, ne inducas in tentationem.

7. The force and might of faith, 1 Pet. 1.2, 3, 4, 5.

8. The durable vigor of saving graces, John 4.14. our Savior hath promised, John 16.22. that he will give unto the faithful such constant and permanent joy, as no man shall be able to take from them: He hath prayed that our faith may not fail, Luke 22.32. It is a stable grace, 1 John. 5.4. 1 Pet. 2.6.

Comforts to the Godly, who are troubled with many and strong corruptions, and likewise want the means of grace,

• either
  • 1. Altogether.
  • 2. In the power of them.
  • 3. Or having them so, yet profit not by them.

1. Comforts in case of dismayednesse under many and strong corruptions.

I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean • rom all your filthiness, and from all your idols will I cleanse you, Ezek. 36.25. Though thy sins were as great as Idolatry in the first Table, or Whoredom in the second, yet GOD will forgive and sanctify thee.

He will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea, Micah. 7.19. The sea can drown mountains as well as mole-hills: Though they were as crimson and scarlet, which will take no other die, yet in CHRIST'S blood they shall be made as white as wool and snow, Isaiah 1.18. All manner of sins and blasphemies shall be forgiven unto men, Matth. 12.31. CHRIST came to save sinners, 1 Tim. 1.15. It matters not what the wound is, so CHRIST be the Physician. Where sin, that is, the knowledge and feeling of sin abounded, grace over-abounded, Rom. 5.20. have we a multitude and magnitude of sins? GOD hath a multitude and magnitude of mercies: Have mercy upon me O GOD according unto the multitude, so we translate it, (the Hebrew word Rob, signifieth also magnitude) of thy tender mercies. Two things terrify penitent sinners: 1. The multitude and exceeding great number of evils whereof they are guilty, he tells them in that 26. Ezek. that he would wash them from all their filthiness, without exception, 1 Joh. 1.9. therefore let us not put in conditions where GOD doth not, and as it were interline his Covenant. 2. That their sins have been heinous and extraordinary, Zach. 13.1. He promiseth to open a fountain of grace to wash them from all sins ; CHRIST hath discharged our pounds as well as our pence. He came to take away the sins of the world, this is spoken indefinitely.

2. Comforts to such who are troubled for want of the means of grace, either Altogether.

After GOD hath given you the bread of affliction, and the water of adversity, he will restore teachers and no more restrain instruction, Isaiah 30.20.

Though thou see no way of help, yet thou knowest not how GOD can provide, He can open rivers on the tops of mountains, and he maketh the wilderness a standing pool, when his people thirst and cry unto him, Isaiah 41.17, 18.

If ordinary means fail, GOD will then •• pply of his Spirit; I will be unto them as a little Sanctuary in the countries where they sha • l come, Ez • k. 11.16. I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will • r • ng you in Zion, Jer. 3.14. The LORD giveth the Word, great is the company of preachers, Psal. 68.11.

The rans • med of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads, they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall fly away. E • ay 35.10.

Or in the power of them.

I will give you Pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding, Ier. 3.15.

Or having them so, and not profiting by them.

I am the LORD thy GOD which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way which thou shouldst go, Isaiah 48.17.

For thy Maker is thine husband, &c. Isaiah 54.5, 6. Hosea 2.19.

In the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert, and the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land-springs of water, Isaiah 35.6, 7. that is, the most barren heart shall abound with grace, according to that promise, Out of their bellies shall flow rivers of living water, John 7.38. streaming out for the good of others. The Kingdom of GOD shall be taken from you and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof, Matth. 21.43. This is a promise, that the Gentiles shall bring forth the fruits of the Gospel, therefore every believing Gentile may apply it.

The use of Faith here is, to uphold us against our manifold de • ects, infirmities and imperfecti • ns. For first, it giveth evidence to our souls, that the graces we have are the gifts of GOD, because GOD promiseth them. Secondly, it maketh us rest on GOD for perfecting of that good work which he hath so graciously begun.

The Godly that know they fear GOD unfeignedly, and yet are often perplexed, because all sensible tokens of GOD'S favor are taken from them, should 1. Acquaint themselves with the promises, and comfort themselves with these words, they will be as flagons of wine to all distressed spirits. 2. Let them not consider too much of, nor reason too much with their temptations, Rom. 4.19. 3. Though they feel nothing, yet let them say with David, Ps • l. 56.10. In GOD will I praise his Word, in the LORD will I praise his Word.

Comforts to GOD'S people in spiritual desertions.

1. L Et them Consider, that this hath befallen the best of GOD'S servants. Job 6.4, 13.16.9. David, Psal. 6. & 77. and CHRIST himself, Mat. 27.46. CHRIST (saith Greenham ) was forsaken for a few hours, David for a few months, and Job for a few years.

2. GOD doth not forsake them, Heb. 13.5. Isaiah 49.15, 16. but seems to forsake them.

3. Desertion is but short, compared with the time of mercy, For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee, for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer, Isaiah 54.7, 8.

He will not always chide, neither will he keep his anger forever, Psal. 103.9. The LORD will not cast off forever, but though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies, Lam. 3.31, 32.

4. GOD waits for a fit season of showing his favor toward them, Isaiah 30.18.

We ought to live by faith, Hab. 2.4. waiting for GOD who hides his face, Isaiah 8.17. and to stir up ourselves to lay hold on our GOD, Isaiah 64.7. that is an excellent place, Isaiah 50.10.

1. Promises of GOD'S Love.

A Nd he will love thee, and bless thee, &c. Deut. 7.13. He crowneth his people with loving kindness, and tender mercies, Psal. 103.4.

There are three properties of GOD'S Love.

1. It is a free Love; he stands not upon desert, Hosea 14.4. Exod. 33.19. 1 John. 4.10, 19. The LORD did not set his Love upon you, nor choose you, because ye wore more in number then any other people, but because the LORD loved you. Lo he loved you, because he loved you, to show the freedom and independency of his love unto them.

2. It is an infinite & transcendent Love, Eph. 2.4.7, 18, 19. GOD so loved the world, &c. John 3.16. that is, so infinitely, so transcendently, so incomprehensibly, 1 John. 3.1.

3. It is an eternal and unchangeable Love, I have loved thee with an everlasting love, Jer. 31.3. Behold I will betroth thee unto me forever, Hosea 2.19. With everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, Isaiah 54.8.

2. Promises of GOD'S special and gracious presence.

This is the most sweet comfort, wherewith GOD anciently used to sustain his children.

Each in particular.

And the whole Church in general. Isaiah 41.10. & 43.2. Rev. 1.13. & 2.1. CHRIST left this comfort for his farewell to his Disciples and their Successors. Lo I am with you to the end of the world, Matth. 28.20. And [With you] Comprehends under it not only Pastors, but people also; For where two or three are gathered together in my name (saith CHRIST) there am I in the midst of them, Mat. 18.20.

3. Promises of GOD'S providence over his children.

They have an honorable guard.

1. GOD himself keepeth his Israel who neither slumbereth nor sleepeth. Psal. 121.4, 5. He keepeth his under the shadow of his wings, Psal. 91.14. The LORD compareth himself to an Eagle which safely carrieth her young, Deut. 1.31. & 32.11. and to a careful Shepherd, Ezek. 34.12. Psal. 23.1, 2, 3. John 16.12. Isaiah 30.21.

The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, Psal. 34.15. a man's eye is upon one that he loves, ubi amor, ibi oculus. The LORD hath a care of them, he loves, defends and protects them. He saith, Psal. 32.8. I will guide thee with mine eye. He will guide his children by his special providence in all their ways, Psal. 121.8. Isaiah 46 4. He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous, but with Kings are they on the throne, yea he doth establish them forever, and they are exalted, Job 36.7. He keepeth all his bones, not one of them is broken, Psal. 34.20.

There shall not a hair of your head perish, Luke 21 18. Matth. 10.30. Acts 27.34. He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye, Zach. 2.8. To express the tenderness of his love, he named the tenderest part of the body, saith Salvian, that he might show that he is troubled with the least contamelie offered to his Saints, as we are with the least hurt of our eye. Nay he saith not, he that toucheth you toucheth his eye, but the apple of his eye, the tenderest piece of the tenderest part, the Crystal humor as the Philosophers call it, Ishon in Hebrew of Ish, pupilla in Latin of pupa, because therein appeareth the resemblance of a little man, or because as a man is to be prized above all other creatures, so GOD esteemeth his people above all the world. David found by his own experience, Psal. 17.8. Psal. 63.7. and 41.12. that GOD preserved him as the apple of his eye: and so may all Christians. What was said to Jacob, Gen. 28.15. and to Joshua by Moses, Deut. 31.8. and by GOD himself, Josh. 1.5. Paul applieth generally to all Christians, Heb. 13.5. I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. He guides them in all their ways. He that hath mercy on them (saith the Prophet) shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them, Isaiah 49.16.

2. Christians have the guard of Angels.

He shall give his Angels charge ov • r thee, to keep thee in all thy ways, they shall bear thee up in their hands least thou dash thy foot against a stone. Psal. 91.11, 12. The Angels keep us, and that universally, in all our ways: they keep us, and that very charily and tenderly, they bear us in their hands, and they keep us very safely and surely, so that we dash not our feet against a stone.

The Angel of the LORD encampeth about them that fear him, and delivereth them, Psal. 34.7.

1. CHRIST is promised to the godly.

T He first promise made to man and the foundation of all other was th • t, Gen. 3.15. It shall bruise thy head, It or He, that is, CHRIST, shall bruise thy head, that is, break the power and dominion of Satan. The first Promise was made concerning CHRIST, because GOD intended to make good every promise in CHRIST.

In all ages the LORD renewed this promise of sending CHRIST the promised seed, as immediately after the flood, Noah by prophesy blessing his two sons, said, GOD shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem, Gen. 9.27. He meaneth that we the Gentiles should be called to be one body with the Jews in CHRIST. The same was afterwards oft renewed to Abraham: In thy Seed (that is, CHRIST) thou thyself, and all the nations of the earth (that is, the faithful in all nations) shall be blessed, Gen. 12.3. Gen. 13.14. & 15.4, 18. Gen. 17.4. & 22.

The like was after promised to Isaac, Gen. 26.4. and Jacob, Gen. 28.14. and Gen. 49.10. it is said, The Scepter shall not depart from Judah until Shiloh come, that is, the Messias come, for Shiloh signifieth the tunicle or skin that lappeth the Infant in the Mothers womb; called by Physicians the secundine, (because it grieves the woman that is with child the second time, as it were a second birth) in French arriere fais, in English the after-birth or after-burden: and by a kind of figure is put for the Son of GOD in the womb of the Virgin, made man; to note him to be of the flesh of Mary, and his birth to be like the birth of other children, sin only excepted. There shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel, Numb. 24.17.

In all succeeding ages, Moses and all the Prophets in their times foretold of CHRIST, Acts 3.24. & 10.43. The LORD thy GOD will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren like unto me, unto him shall ye hearken, Deut. 18.15. like unto me ] both in the participation of nature and office, saith Junius: a true man, and a true Mediator, CHRIST is there meant, Acts 3.22. & 7.37. That evangelical Prophet Isaiah spake of him then as already come. For unto us a child is borne, unto us a Son is given, and the Governement shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty GOD, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, Isaiah 9.6. See Isaiah 11.1.32.1, 2. & 53.2, 3, 4. Ezek 37.24. & 34.24. Ier. 33.15, 16. Ier. 23.5, 6. Micah 5.2. Zach. 3.8. & 6.12, 13. & 9.9, 10. He is called the messenger of the Covenant, Mal. 3.1. For in him GOD reconciled the world to himself, 2 Cor. 5.19.

There are multitudes of promises also concerning CHRIST, and the general benefits by him in the New Testament.

1. That he shall save us: The Evangelist Matthew gives this reason of his name JESUS, For he shall save his people from their sins, from the guiltiness, power, and punishment of them. The Son of man is come to seek and save that which was lost, Luke 19.10. GOD sent his Son into the world, that the world through him might be saved, John 3.17. The Apostle with a vehement asseveration affirmeth this. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners, 1 Tim. 1.15. Hence CHRIST is often called our Savior, Isaiah 49.26. Isaiah 60.16. Luke 2.11. 1 Tim. 1.1. 1 Tim. 2.3.

2. CHRIST is said to be A light to the Gentiles, Matth. 4.16. The light of the world, John 8.13. & 9.5. under this comparison of Light, all benefits which CHRIST brings us are contained, light of knowledge, grace, and glory.

Hitherto belong all such Scriptures as show CHRIST to be our Life, Col. 3.4. John 6.33. John. 14.6. CHRIST also calls himself The bread of life, John. 6.35, 51. Compares himself to a Vine, John 15.1. to teach, that as the branch hath his whole life from the stock, so we have all our life from him.

3. GOD is well pleased in CHRIST, Mat. 3.17. In whom, not with, by, or through whom, but a larger preposition then them all, which signifieth two things: 1. That GOD is well pleased with CHRIST: 2. In and through him with others; therefore it is said, Ephes. 1.3. GOD hath blessed us, with all spiritual blessings in CHRIST, verse 4. GOD hath chosen us in him, ver. 6. accepted us in the beloved, ver. 7. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. It is said, Acts 13.34. I will give you the sure mercies of David, that is, all those good things which were promised in CHRIST, who was of the seed of David.

2. Blessings by CHRIST to the Godly.

1. Of the Spirit.

T He giving of the Spirit is a part of GOD'S Covenant, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh in those days, and your young men shall see visions, &c. Joel 2.28, 29. which is repeated, Acts 2.17, 18. The great Promise that our Savior 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 poured forth his Spirit. So Isaiah 44.3. I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground, I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thy offspring, the latter end of the verse interprets it. So Ezek. 36.25, 26, 27. I will put my spirit within you, &c. I will pour 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 ask him, Luke 11.13. I will pour out my spirit unto you, Prov. 1.23. This is meant in that place, John. 4.10. Where our Savior saith to the woman of Samaria, thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water: that is, the Spirit, as appears by comparing it with John 7.38, 39. I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, John 14.16, 17. It is said, Ephes. 1.13. They were sealed with the Spirit of promise, that is, which was promised to all Believers, 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 been promised.

CHRIST had the Spirit in the fullness of it, It pleased the Father, that in him should all fullness dwell, Col. 1.19. all fullness both in respect of the number of graces, Isaiah 11.2. and in respect of the measure of them, John 3.34. Col. 2.3. Of his fullness we shall all receive, and grace for grace, John. 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 sons of GOD, Rom. 8.14.

1. The Promises of Sanctification.

• OD promiseth in the Covenant of grace which he 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 fear 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 removed. Their persons shall be justified, and their natures sanctified; the laws of GOD and his promises shall be written in their minds, 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 only have interest in all GOD'S graces and blessings, but according to their need, shall have the use and enjoyment thereof.

The LORD often promiseth to Sanctify and make holy his people, as Exod 19.6. & 31.13. Levite. 22.32. Isaiah 4.3, 4, 35.8. Joel 3.17.

Sanctify them through thy truth, John 17.17. and ver. 19. For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

The LORD hath sworn that his children shall serve him in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life, Luke 1.73, 74, 75. The GOD of peace sanctify you wholly. Faithful is he that hath called you, who also will do 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 needful Grace, for the leading of a godly life, Psal. 84.11. There shall be a fountain opened for sin, and for uncleanness, Zach. 13.1. it is GOD'S Covenant to sprinkle clean water upon us, that we may be clean, and to cleanse us from all our filthiness, and all our Idols, Ezek. 36.25. I will turn to the people a pure language, Zeph. 3.9. See ver. 13. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The Law of GOD is in his heart, Psal. 37.30, 31. CHRIST gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works: the LORD will guide the meek in judgment, and teach the humble his way, Psal. 25.8. & 12.

In the days of the Gospel (saith the Prophet Zechariah) shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESSE VNTO THE LORD.

Those Promises before quoted in the Chapter of Justification, Mat. 1.21. John. 1.29. 1 John 2.2. 1 John. 1.7. Rev. 1.5. may be referred to this head also, for they are to be understood not only of pardoning our sins, but, delivering us from the power of them.

Promises. 2. To Sanctification.

In keeping of them there is great reward, Psal. 19.11. Blessed and, happy is he that hath part in the first resurrection, on such the second death hath no power, Rev. 20.6. Depart from evil and do good, and dwell for evermore, Psal. 37.27. To give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified, Act. 20.32. See the like Act. 26.18.

See Rom. 8.1, 13. 1 John 1.7. Isaiah 1.16, 17, 18.

Spiritual Graces promised. 1. Knowledge, and Wisdom. Promises. 1. Of Knowledge.

I T is part of the Covenant, Heb. 8.11. You shall know me from the least to the greatest, and I will teach you, and you shall no more teach one another his neighbor, you shall have my law written in your hearts. The Prophet speaking of the days of CHRIST, saith. The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea, Isaiah 11.9. the like we have, Hab. 2.14.

In the time of the Old Testament, there was a veil that covered their hearts and their eyes, that they were not able to see the truth clearly, but now That veil is taken away and we see the truth with open face, as we see an image in a glass. We know much more then they in the Old Testament, and in another manner, more distinctly, more particularly. It is oft said, that The LORD will teach his people. As in that famous prophesy of the days of the Gospel, that GOD would teach them his ways, and they would walk in his paths, Isaiah 2.3. Micah 4.2. So Psal. 25.8, 9. He will teach sinners in the way, and the meek he will teach his way. The Elect shall be all taught of GOD, John 6.45. so much as is necessary for their salvation, yea The least as well as the greatest.

They shall know of the Scripture to be GOD'S Word, Isaiah 52.6. They shall know in that day that I am he, that doth speak, behold it is I.

They shall know of that doctrine which is taught them, whether it be of GOD, or whether their teacher speak of himself, John 7.17. CHRIST'S Sheep know his voice, and will follow him, John 10.4. The secret of the LORD is revealed to them that fear him, and he will show them his Covenant, Psal. 25.14. See ver 12. When the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth, John 16.13. The faithful have an unction from the holy one, and know all things. 1 John 2.20. and ver. 27. The HOLY GHOST abideth in them, and they need not that any man teach them.

See Pro. 1.23. Hos. 14.9. Psal. 107.43. John 8.32. Psal. 32.8. Mark 4.11. Isaiah 30.21. Prov. 2.3, 4, 5, 6. Prov. 3.6. & 14.6.

Promises. 1. Of Faith.

GOD promiseth to give Faith to whom he means to save. The Apostle saith, It is the gift of GOD, Ephes. 2.8. and Jude 3. That it was once given to the Saints. Heb. 12.2. CHRIST is said to be the Author and finisher of our Faith. And Rom. 12.3. That GOD hath dealt to every man the measure of Faith. All that the Father giveth me, that is, by election; shall come to me, that is, by Faith, John 6.37. See verse 35.

3. Confidence. Promises. 1. Of Confidence.

It is said of GOD'S people, That they shall stay upon the LORD the holy one of Israel Isaiah 10.20. At that day shall a man look to his Maker, and his eye shall have respect to the holy one of Israel, Isaiah 17.7. Thou shalt call me my father, and shalt not turn away from me, Jer. 3.19. They shall trust in the name of the LORD, Zeph. 3.12. Many shall see it and fear, and shall trust in the name of the LORD, Psal. 40.3. Under his wings shalt thou trust, Psal. 91.4. He is the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are a far off upon the Sea, Psal 65.5. They that know thy name will put their trust in thee, Psal. 9.10. In his name shall the Gentiles trust, Mat. 12.21. The Isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust, Isaiah 51.5. The righteous shall be glad in the LORD, and shall trust in him, Psal. 64.10.

4. Hope.

Calvin calleth Hope an expectation of those things which Faith believeth to be truly promised of GOD.

M. Perkins defineth Hope thus Hope (saith he) is the grace o • GOD whereby with patienc • we wait the LORD'S leisure for the performance of his promises, especially touching redemption and life eternal.

Hope is an expectation o • such good things to come 〈◊〉 GOD hath promised, and Faith believed.

Faith is the foundation of Hope, Hope is the nourishment of Faith. Faith apprehendeth the promises of things to come, Hope expecteth the things promised. Simeon having a promise, that before he died, he should see CHRIST with his bodily eyes, believed the same, and looked for the performance of it, Luke 2.26, 29, 30.

5. Joy. Promises of it.

This is notably set out unto us in the book of Psalms, Psal. 19.8. The Statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart. Psal. 23.4. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psal. 36.8, 9. Thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures; for with thee is the fountain of life, and in thy light shall we see light. Psal. 89.15, 16. Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound, they shall walk O LORD in the light of thy countenance. In thy name shall they rejoice all the day, and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted. Psal. 45.15. With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought. Psal. 64.10. The righteous shall be glad in the LORD. Psal. 68.3. Let the righteous be glad, let them rejoice before GOD, yea let them exceedingly rejoice. Psal. 97.11, 12. Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD ye righteous, Psal. 118.15. The voice of rejoicing and salvation, is in the tabernacles of the righteous. Psal. 132.16. Her Saints shall shout aloud for joy.

The books of the Prophets are full of these Promises. Notable is that sweet song of Isaiah, GOD is my Salvation, I will trust, and not be afraid; for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song, he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of Salvation or Consolation. The whole 35. Chapter of Isaiah is full of heavenly consolation to as Gentiles, verse 1. The wilderness and th • solitary place shall be glad for th • m, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose. See ver. 10. Isaiah 56.7. I will make them joyful in my house of prayer. In the 66. of Es • y are many sweet consolations, v • rse 10. to 14. our Savior likewise said to his Disciples, that their hearts should rejoice, and their joy should no man take away from them, Joh. 16.22. Paul saith, The kingdom of GOD is in righteousness, peace, and joy in the HOLY GHOST, Rom. 14.17. The HOLY GHOST works it in the heart, one of his fruits is joy, Gal. 5.22.

The LORD makes so many promises of this one thing, to make us see, 1. That there can be no holding out in a Christian course without this joy: 2. By reason of the many evils that befall us in this life, it is very hard to get, much more to keep this joy.

6. Love, of

• 1. GOD.
• 2. CHRIST.
• 3. Our Brethren.
• 4. Our Enemies.

7. Fear. Promises, of Fear. GOD promiseth to make us fear him.

He saith in his New Covenant, that he will put his fear into our hearts, as Ier. 32.39, 40. and that we shall fear him forever. The LORD doth oft repeat this promise, as Deut 4.10. where one special means whereby this fear is wrought, is set down. Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children. So Pro. 2.5. They who seek for wisdom, shall understand the fear of GOD. David, Psal. 40.3. shows another means, whereby GOD doth stir up this grace in his people, viz. the beholding of GOD'S mercy on others, saying. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our GOD: many shall see it and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. They shall fear thee as long as the Sun and Moon endure, throughout all generations, Psal. 72.5. They shall fear the GOD of Israel, Isaiah 29.23. They shall fear the LORD, and his goodness in the latter days, Hos. 3.5.

GOD hath made promises to free his people from servile fears, Job 11.15. Psal. 112.7, 8. Prov. 1.33.

8. Obedience. Promises. 1. Of Obedience.

GOD will make us able to obey.

GOD doth promise in the New Covenant to enable us to walk in his statutes, and keep his Ordinances and do them, Ezek. 11.19, 20. the like is repeated, Ezek. 36.27. & 37.24. And thou shalt return and obey the voice of the LORD, and do all his Commandments which I command thee this day, Deut. 30.8. The like promise is, Hos. 14.9. The ways of the LORD are right, and the just shall walk • in them.