A Treatise of Faith, Part 5
THE FIFT GENERALL HEAD, OF living by FAITH, is for earthly bleſſings.
THvs hauehave we in theſe foure points handled how wel God, hath provided for our ſpirituall life all needfull bleſſings, that whatſoever our condition ſhall be, yet we may comfort our ſelues in God, who as he hath promiſed, ſo will he performe, that we ſhall not want any thing that is good: And whatſoever doth befall vsus, (though never ſo hurtfull in it ſelfe) yet it ſhall turne to our good in the end.
Now we are come to the fift generall head of this Treatiſe of living by faith, which concernes all earthly bleſſings, how we may be provided of all things needfull for this naturall life; which being ſo neceſſary (as we well know) that we cannot be without them, we be naturally ſo addicted to them, that nothing doth more take vp our minds and hearts,Care for earthly is a hinderance to ſpirituall. then our care & labour for theſe, neither doth any thing more hinder our ſpirituall life.
All which the Lord our God well conſidering, hath herein moſt bountifully provided for vsus, and promiſed vntounto vsus all needfull bleſſings for this life, in ſuch ſort, that were we wiſe to ſee and imbrace this bountie of the Lord, we ſhould not onelyonly be freed from a world of cares and troubles, (wherewith moſt men be vſually ſo incumbred, that they can find or ſpare no time nor travell to ſeeke after the things which belong to a better life) but we ſhould be ſo furthered by our contentment in thoſe outward and earthly bleſſings, that with more chearfulneſſe we ſhould run our race of Chriſtianitie, and be every way more fit to all holy duties.
Let vsus then heare and conſider what the Lord ſaith vntounto vsus in this behalfe.Generall promiſes for earthly bleſſings. And firſt to begin with thoſe earthly bleſſings, which be generall, and containe all the particular bleſſings of this life. It may appeare, that this is Gods gracious intent to ſuccour our weaknes, who although we enjoy many good bleſſings for this preſent life, as health and wealth, food and raiment, and the like many, yet if we wanted but one, it would much moleſt vsus, and take away our comfort and chearfulneſſe in his ſervice, for this cauſe, the Lord as a tender father deſiring the welfare of his beloved child, bids him be a good and obedient child, and ſo promiſeth him he ſhall not want any thing; So, I ſay, the Lord our kind and tender father bids vsus, as good children hearken to his voyce, and to be ruled by him, and tels vsus we ſhall not want any thing that is good, as is expreſly ſayd Pſal. 34. where Dauid led by a late experience of Gods mightie delivering him out of a great danger, compoſeth a Pſalme of thankeſgiuing vntounto God for the ſame, wherein he provoketh all other the faithfull ſervants of God as to praiſe God with him,Pſal. 34. ſo to conſider this bountie of the Lord,Verſ. 3. ſaying; O …aſt and ſee that the Lord is good. 8.Bleſſed is the man that truſteth in him. 9.And againe; O feare the Lord yee his Saints, for there is no want to them that feare him. Yea, more ſpeaking (as I vnderſtand him) of the mightie and cruell oppreſſours of the world, who like devouring beaſts doe eat vp as ſheepe Gods poore people,Verſ. 10. ſayth; The Lyons doe lacke and ſuffer hunger, but they that ſeeke the Lord ſhall not want any good thing: and to like effect much more in that Pſalme, as you may read.Pſal 84 11. The Lord God is a Sunne and ſhield &c. and no good thing will he withhold from them that walke vprightly.
Againe, beholding how much it vexed Gods children to ſee the wicked proſper in this world and the godly many wayes diſtreſſed, …e of purpoſe made the 37. Pſalme to hearten the godly againſt this ſore tentation, which hath in all ages much troubled Gods people, as may be ſeene by the complaints of Iob and Ieremy, Iob. 21.and many others.Ier. 12.
In this Pſalme the Prophet doth plentifully handle this point,Pſal. 37. that the ſtate of the godly is farre better▪ even in this life, then the wicked (beſides the infinite oddes in the life to come) for proofe whereof as he in many words ſets out the ſhort and ſoone fading proſperitie of the wicked, ſo doth he more largely lay downe the bleſſed condition of the godly in things belonging to this life. As verſ. 3. Truſt in the Lord and doe good, ſo ſhalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou ſhalt be fed. Verſ. 4. Delight thy ſelfe in the Lord, and he will giuegive thee the deſires of thine heart. Verſ. 5. Commit thy way vntounto the Lord, truſt alſo in him and he ſhall bring it to paſſe. Verſ. 1…. But the meeke ſhall inherit the earth, and ſhall delight themſelues in the abundance of peace. Verſ. 16. A little that a righteous man hath is better then the riches of many wicked. With many other like in the ſame Pſalme, as you may ſee.
To the ſame purpoſe was made the 73. Pſalme, where he begins, Yet God is good to Iſrael, and to ſuch as are of a cleane heart; and doubtleſſe many other Pſalmes were made to comfort the faithfull in this life, that God would be their portion and reliefe in all their neceſſities, as Pſal. 16. 5. 6. Pſal. 23. is wholly to the ſame end, which he propounds, v. 1. The Lord is my Shepheard, I ſhall not want; and ſo proues it in the verſes following. I might heape vp many other ſcriptures to this end, for God hath not beene ſparing in this kinde, as every one who is exerciſed in the Scriptures can witneſſe.Mat. 6. 33. But ſeeke yee firſt the ki…gdome of God and his righteouſneſſe, and all theſe ſhall be added vntounto you. This is that which is ſo oft repeated,Deut. 5. 16. 5 33. 6. 3. 18. 22. 25. 28. That it may goe well with thee in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
This alſo muſt needs be meant in thoſe Scriptures which ſet out the goodneſſe of the Lord; as Pſal. 3…. 19. O how great is thy goodnes which thou haſt layd vp for them that feare thee, which thou haſt wrought for them that truſt in thee before the ſonnes of men. And Pſal. 145. 9. The Lord is good, and his tender mercies are over all his workes. Its needles to cite more of theſe, which be ſo common, wherein Gods goodneſſe, louing kindnes, and mercy, and that ſpecially in things belonging to this naturall life, are commended vntounto vsus; For ſeeing godlines hath the promiſes of this life aſwell as of the life to come. It cannot be doubted▪ but in all thoſe generall promiſes wherein God ſayth, He will dwell with his and not forſake them; That God will louelove and bleſſe his people; That he will be their God; Will reioyce ouer them to doe them good; Will compaſſe them with favour as with a ſhield; Will keepe his covenant with them; That he will ſee peace in their borders, and proſper them in all they goe about. In theſe, I ſay, and the like many, it cannot be doubted, but all needfull bleſſings of this life be contained.
And therefore this ſhould be the Vſe▪ Vſe of all theſe generall promiſes.we ſhould make of them all, that whenſoever we feele our ſelues pinched with any earthly neceſſitie, then to runne to any one of theſe gracious promiſes, that ſo, well conſidering what abundant reliefe is contained in them, we may quiet and content our minds therewith, aſſuring our ſelues, that ſeeing he is faithfull who hath promiſed▪ we ſhall not want any earthly bleſſing, at what time, and in what meaſure it ſhall be good for vsus. Theſe generall promiſes of all good things for this life, are the more to be obſerved in reading the Scriptures, and (at leaſt ſome of the moſt principall in our conceit) to be kept in memory, that they may be ready▪ for our vſe in time of need, both for that theſe be many mo, and more oft repeated in Scripture then any particular; and alſo for that we cannot alwayes hauehave ready the particular promiſes for our ſpeciall neceſſities, when we hauehave moſt need of them.
And this might be ſufficient to hauehave ſpoken of this point for the ſtrengthning of our faith, in the aſſurance that we ſhall not want any earthly bleſſing which ſhall be needfull for vsus.
But ſeeing the Lord hath ſo far yeelded to our infirmitie,Speciall promiſes. as to apply his promiſes to our ſpeciall neceſſities, it ſhall be available for our comfort to take knowledge of them, that ſo we may make our vſe of them as need ſhall require.
Among all earthly bleſſings,Long life. life it ſelfe is the chiefe; for vponupon it all other depend. And the Devill himſelfe who is ſo well acquainted with our diſpoſition, could ſay; All that a man hath will he giuegive for his life: for this cauſe the Lord the more to hearten vsus to all obedience, doth make ſo many promiſes of long life, and many dayes; as in the fift Commandement, which the Apoſtle ſayth, is the firſt Commandement with promiſe.Exod. 20. 22. Every child is there commanded to honour his father and mother, vponupon this promiſe, That his daies may be long in the land. So Deut. 5. 3. You ſhall walke in all the wayes which the Lord your God hath commanded you, that ye may liue, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your dayes in the land which ye ſhall poſſeſſe. The like Deut. 25. 15. & 30. 20. In the booke of the Proverbs, this is very oft repeated. chap. 3. 1. 2. Salomon in the name of God as a father exhorting his ſonne, ſayth; My ſonne forget not my law, but let thy heart keepe my commandements, addeth this promiſe, verſ. 2. For length of dayes, and long life, and peace ſhall they adde to thee. More to like effect in the ſame Chapter, where ſetting out exceedingly the great gaine of wiſedome, (that is of ſaving knowledge) among the reſt, he addes this verſ. 16. Length of dayes is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honour. And verſ. 18. Shee is a tree of life to them that lay hold vponupon her, and happy is every one that retaineth her. Chap. 4. from verſ. 5. to verſ. 14. you ſhall read both this promiſe of life, and many other bleſſings belonging to this life repeated, which I will ſpare to ſet downe (finding writing to me now more tedious then formerly) read the place, with theſe following, 8. 35. 9. 11. 10. 25. 27. 11. 19. 30. 11. 14. 30. 21. 21. 22. 24. This God promiſed to Salomon, 1 Kings 3. 14. and the like is ſpoken more generally, that the Prince that hateth covetouſneſſePro. 28. 16. ſhall prolong his dayes.
Thus we ſee how plentifully the Lord hath promiſed long life to thoſe that will be ruled by him:Vſe of long life. whereas on the other ſide,Pſal. 55. 23. the wicked ſhall not liue out halfe their dayes, but ſhall ſoone and ſuddainly be cut off. Which as it was intended by God to be a ſtrong reaſon to perſwade vsus to obedience: ſo we are to be moved by all theſe promiſes, to beleeue them, and thereby to be ſtirred to a more carefull walking before God.
But ſeeing that which I chiefly intend, is to ſtrengthen our faith, that we ſhall not want any of theſe earthly bleſſings,Vſe. this muſt be the vſe we are to make of all theſe promiſes concerning long life, that in all the perills of this life, by ſicknes, war, famine, theeues, witches, or any wicked enemy whatſoever, we might call to mind ſome of theſe promiſes, and ſo reſt our ſelues quietly therevpon, that none of theſe, nor any thing els ſhould ſhorten the dayes of our life, more then ſhould turne to our greater good. Yea, further ſeeing the Lord hath made it ſo great an encouragement to feare and ſerue him, as if he had not a greater reward in matters of this life, to beſtow vponupon his faithfull ſervants, (and ſo the faithfull hauehave in all ages eſteemed it, and deſired it,Eſa. 39. 19. as Hezekiah and Dauid oftentimes:Pſal. 6. 4. yea, and many of them did enjoy it, as the holy Story records for a bleſſing of God vponupon them). The conſideration of theſe ſhould moue vsus ſo to priſe this bleſſing, and deſire it as they did (which I the rather mention, for that▪ I hauehave heard preached, and read in the writings of ſome both godly and learned Divines, many perſwaſions to be weary of life, and to be deſirous of death: which (to ſay no more) quite croſſeth this wiſedome and goodnes of God, in promiſing life to his beſt ſervants, as a chiefe reward of their good ſervice) let vsus then ſo account of long life as a rich bleſſing, which makes all other bleſſings of this life the more excellent, and vſefull, both to God and man, to our ſelues and others: and the want hereof the quite contrary, as may be eaſily ſhewed in all particulars: how doth it abate the vſe and comfort of health, wealth, ſtrength, and valour, of learning and generally of all excellent gifts of the mind, or body: if theſe be nipt off in the bud, and not ſuffered to come to full ripenes, & ſo to continue to their full terme and end. Let vsus then (I ſay) ſo accept theſe promiſes, that in all time of need we may ſtay our ſelues vponupon them, and that we may find comfort in all tentations to the contrary.
This being the firſt and chiefe bleſſing of this life, Long life, I meane, if this ſhould not be accompanied with health, wealth, peace, and other like bleſſings: it would make long life more weariſome then welcome vntounto our frayle nature.
For this cauſe God is not ſparing in making promiſes of theſe and all other comforts for this naturall life; As namely, of bodily health,Health. and ſtrength, whereby▪ we may better enjoy and make vſe of theſe earthly comforts.
This is that which the Lord promiſed to his people of Iſrael, immediatly after they came out of the red Sea, where it is ſayd, the Lord proved them, and ſaid; If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God; Exod. 15. 26.and wilt doe that which is right in his ſight, and wilt giuegive cure to his commandements, Deut. 7. 15.and keepe all his ſtatutes▪ I will put none of theſe diſeaſes vponupon thee, which I put vponupon the Aegyptians for I am the Lord that healeth thee. And Exod. 23. 25. I will take ſickneſſe from the middeſt of thee. So Iob. 5. 18. its ſayd of God, For he maketh ſore and bindeth vp, he woundeth and his hands make whole. And ſo goes forward to the end of that chapter in ſetting forth Gods goodnes in preſerving his in all eſtates from all manner of troubles, and ſupplying them with all needful bleſſings for this life, as there further may be ſeene. Pſal. 41. 1. &c. David ſetting out Gods goodnes to thoſe that ſhew mercy to the poore in their diſtreſſe; among many other bleſſings addes this, verſ. 3. The Lord will ſtrengthen him vponupon the bed of languiſhing, thou wilt make all his bed in his ſicknes. Salomon Pro. 3. 7. exhorting vsus to feare the Lord and to depart from … vill, adds this as a promiſe, ver. … It ſhall be health to thy navill, and …arrow to thy bones; meaning thereby, ſoundneſſe of health to the whole body. And to like effect, chap. 4. 22. he ſayth, that the true receiuing of inſtructions is life to thoſe that find them, and health to all their fleſh. So the Prophet Eſay in many wordes ſetting forth the manifold bleſſings of this life,Eſa. 33. 15. &c. which God promiſeth to thoſe that walke vprightly &c. ſayth verſ. 24. And the inhabitant thereof ſhall not ſay, I am ſicke: the people that dwell therein ſhall be forgiven their iniquitie. The place is worth the reading.
To the ſame intent is bodily ſtrength ſo oft promiſed, as Iob▪ 17. 9. The righteous alſo ſhall hold on his way, and he that hath cleane hands▪ ſhall be ſtronger and ſtronger. So Pſal. 29. 11. The Lord will giuegive ſtrength vntounto his people; the Lord will bleſſe his people with peace. Pſal. 103. 5. This is numbred among Gods mercies, for which the Prophet prayſeth God, who ſatisfieth thy mouth with good things ſo that thy youth is renued like the Eagle. And Elihu Iob, 33. ſhewing Gods mercy to a ſinner truly converted, adds this, verſ. 25. His fleſh ſhall be freſher then a childes, he ſhall returne to the dayes of his youth. Pſal. 84, 7. They goe from ſtrength to ſtrength, every one of them appeares before God in Sion.
Theſe and many moe be the promiſes which God hath made vsus concerning bodily health,Application. & ſtrength, whereby we may be able to performe the duties▪ of our places and callings, and more comfortably enjoy all other the good bleſſings of this life, which doth ſufficiently commend the great and moſt needfull vſe we hauehave of theſe, as, our daily experience ſheweth. And therefore theſe are ſo much eſteemed, and by great coſt ſought for, even by meere naturall men (though oft in vaine) all which not onelyonly commends Gods fatherly, affection to his children, in providing and promiſing theſe vntounto them: but ought in ſpeciall manner to comfort vsus in all our bodily infirmities, and ſore diſeaſes: that how, or whenſoever the Lord ſhall viſite vsus with ſickneſſe and weakneſſe, whereby we be hindered from many duties, both toward God and man, (which he never doth, but when need requires, and then alſo for our greater good) then we may remember ſome of theſe promiſes, and ſo lay hold vponupon them by faith, that we faint not, nor murmur (as men without hope) but comfortably quiet our ſelues, that the Lord will in due ſeaſon rayſe vsus vp to our former health, and ſtrengthen vsus that we may with more watchfulnes and chearfulnes ſerue him.
Such as never or ſeldome hauehave felt the want of this bleſſing of health, cannot ſo priſe it, or be thankfull for it as they ought, but they whom God hath much exerciſed with long and tedious paines, and bodily infirmities, will make no common reckoning of health, but prefer it before wealth and honour, (which be ſo much ſet by) and they be they who will priſe theſe promiſes, and who beleeving them, ſhall patiently waite for the accompliſhment of them. They ſhall reape the fruit of them, both more comfort and conſcience to hold out their holy profeſſion vntounto the end.
Among whom ſeeing it is well knowne to all that hauehave liued with me for theſe laſt ten yeares (at leaſt) that I hauehave had my part in much bodily infirmitie ſo much as my experience may be vſefull to others in like caſe, I do acknowledge to Gods praiſe, that I hauehave had good proofe of the truth of this which I hauehave written, and doe daily expect more, both for my comfort and ſtrengthning to hold out to the end. And ſo much for this bleſſing of health, which God hath promiſed to his obedient children.
The next is wealth,Wealth. that is abundence of earthly goods, ſuch as be needefull for our more comfortable living in this world which ſeeing they be many wher of we ſtand in neede, and which our nature doth exceedingly deſire, therefore the Lord is moſt plentifull in promiſing theſe; that hereby hee might win our hearts to more chearefull obedience, for this purpoſe that might ſuffice which is written Levit. 26. from verſe 3. to 14 & Deut. 28. from verſe 2. to 15. 7. 12. to 17. I leaue ſvch as deſire to ſee theſe, to reade the places, ſo likewiſe the 128. & 23. pſalms in which is as much ſaid as may be deſired, and more then is wel beleeved.
For did wee beleeue that in hearkning to the voyce of the Lord, to obſerue and doe all his commandements, we ſhould be every way ſo abundantly bleſſed, it could not but make vsus much more afraid to offend ſo bountifull a Father, and as carefull to pleaſe him in all things.
But to cite ſome of many, Prov. 3. 9. Honour the Lord with thy ſubſtance, and with the firſt fruites of all … increaſe. verſ. 10. ſo ſhall thy bar…es bee filled with plenty, and thy preſſes …urſt with new wine. verſe 16. ſetting out the incomparable commodities of wiſedome he adds this, Length of dayes is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and honour. v. 17. Her wayes are wayes of pleaſantneſſe, and all her pathes are peace. verſe 18. Shee is a tree of … to them that lay hold vponupon her, and happy is every one that retaynath her, Againe Chap. 8. 18. 19. … and …onour are with me yea durable riches and righteouſneſſe. My fruit is better then gold, yea then fine gold, and my revenue then choice ſilver. Prov. 10. 22. The bleſſing of the Lord maketh rich, and hee addeth no ſorrow with it. Chap. 15. 6. In the houſe of the righteous is much treaſure, &c. Iob 22. 23. If thou reiurne to the Almighty, &c. verſe 24. Then ſhalt thou lay vp gold as duſt, and the gold of Ophir as the ſtones of the brooke.
Notable is that promiſe concerning theſe earthly bleſſings made to the people of Iſrael at their returne, Iere. 31. 12. Therfore they ſhall come and ſing in the height of Sion, and ſhall flow together to the goodnes of the Lord, for wheate, and for wine, and for oyle, and for the young of the flocke, and of the heard, and their ſoule ſhalbe as a watred garden, and they ſhall not ſorrow any more at all, &c. The like Mala. 3. 10. Bring ye all the tithes into the ſtore-houſe, &c. If I will not open vntounto you the windowes of heaven, and poure you a bleſſing that there ſhall not bee romme enough to receiue, ſo the Apoſtle exhorting to liberalitie to the poore Saints, ſayth, 2. Cor. 9 verſe 6. He that ſoweth bountifully ſhall reape bountifully, verſe 8. And God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that yee alwayes having all ſufficien…y in all things, …y abound to every good worke, &c.
I finde my ſelfe wearior in writing out theſe promiſes, & I feare many will be more weario… in reading them over, then any of vsus would be weary of receiving and enioying theſe things ſo promiſed; And yet I may boldly affirme I hauehave not ſee downe one quarter of thoſe, which I hauehave gathered out of the Scriptures, for how often doth the Lord promiſe plenty? that the land ſhall yeel… her fruit, that he will giuegive them … in d… ſeaſon, that there ſhould bee none barren but he would increaſe them in all their ſubſtance both ground and cattle, Ezek. 36. 30.that they ſhould eate old ſtore, Levit 26. 50.that threſhing ſhould reach vntounto vintage, and the like many, as they who be exerciſed in the Scriptures can tell.
What ſhould the Lord meane,Application. in multiplying theſe promiſes ſo oft, but in mercy to meet with our weakenes, who are ſo impatient of the want of theſe, and thereby ſo diſcouraged and hindered in all our duties, wee are therefore as with all thankefulnes to acknowledge this bounty of the Lord: ſo by true faith to make theſe promiſes our owne, that in all time of ſcarcity of any of theſe (which oft ſore pincheth) we may run to ſome of theſe promiſes, and ſo reſt our ſelues quietly and comfortably that wee ſhall ſurely find releefe in ſuch time and meaſure as God ſhal ſee fit and ſhal be moſt for our good.
I hauehave hitherto ſayd nothing of that louelove and favour with God and man, peace, rejoycing good ſucceſſe, and proſperitie, ſafety, freedome from all evils by adverſaries or other judgements which light vponupon the wicked. All which with other the like be contained vnderunder this our welfare, and be no leſſe promiſed then the former, take but one or two places in each for a patterne.
For the firſt of LoueLove and Favour. Favour.Prov. 34. So ſhalt thou find favour and good vnderſtanding in the ſight of God and man.
For Peace, Peace.Levit. 26. 6. And I will giuegive peace in the land, and ye ſhall lie downe, and none ſhall make you afraid, &c.
For ioy and reioycing Eſa. 65. 13. 14. Behold my ſervants ſhall reioyce,Reioycing but yee ſhall be aſhamed. Behold my ſervants ſhall ſing for ioy of heart: but yee ſhall cry for ſorrow of heart.
For good ſucceſſe and proſperitie, Good ſucceſſe.Pſal. 122. 6. 7. Pray for the peace of Ieruſalem, they ſhall proſper that louelove thee. Peace be within thy walls, and proſperitie within thy palaces.
For ſafetie, Safetie.Prov. 3. 23. Then ſhal… thou walke in thy way ſafely, and thy foot ſhall not ſtumble. Pro. 18. 10. The name of the Lord is a ſtrong towre, the righteous runneth vntounto it and is ſafe.
For preſervation from evill, Free from evill.Pro. 1. 33. But who ſo hearkneth vntounto me, ſhall dwell ſafely, and be quiet from the feare of evill. Iob. 5. 19. He ſhall deliver thee in ſix troubles, yea in ſeven there ſhall no evill touch thee. Verſ. 20. In famine he ſhall redeeme thee from death, and in warre from the power of the ſword. Verſ. 21. Thou ſhalt be hid from the ſecourge of the tongue, neither ſhal… thou be afraid of deſtruction when it commeth, &c.
How welcome theſe,Application. or any of them would be vntounto vsus when we feele the want of them, cannot be doubted: but pittie it is, that ſo few reape the fruit of theſe promiſes, to vphold them in their greateſt need, which comes eſpecially through want of faith; for all deſire theſe, and many know that ſuch things are promiſed in the Scripture▪ but either they doubt they doe not belong vntounto them, as being none of Gods children (who be the onelyonly heires of all the promiſes) or if they be of this number, yet either forget the conſolation offred, or through miſtruſt do not apply them to their preſent neceſſities, & ſo languiſh in their extremities without comfort.
By this may well appeare, what need there is to liue by faith for theſe earthly bleſſings, which if we did, we ſhould not onelyonly be free from many ſore vexations, which torment many vngodly in their diſtreſſes: but hauehave quiet mindes in greateſt ſtormes, and in due ſeaſon find ſuch reliefe, as ſhall be moſt expedient. This if it were cōſidered, would moue many to labour more for this precious gift of faith, which will ſo abundantly ſupply all our earthly wants, whereof we be ſo ſenſible, and thereby ſo diſtracted.
There remaine ſundry other earthly bleſſings, which as they be much deſired, ſo are they abundantly provided, promiſed, and beſtowed as need requires vponupon the faithfull.
I will mention but two moe, Good name.viz: a good name, and poſteritie for the former; Eccleſ. 7. 1.whereas a good name is better then a precious ointment, and rather to be choſen then great riches God hath made many promiſes concerning this, that he will honour thoſe that honour him,Pro. 22. 1. and bring forth their righteouſnes as the light,1 Sam. 2. 30 and their iundgement as the moone day,Pſal. 37. 6. that though they be falſly accuſed by the vngodly, yet God will cleare their innocencie, and free them from the reproch of ſuch as defame them. To like effect is that Pro. 4. 18. But the path of the iuſt is as the ſhining light, that ſhineth more and more vntounto the perfect day. This is that which Salomon ſo oft repeateth; That wiſedome will honour thoſe that honour her, as Pro. 4. 8. Exalt her and ſhee ſhall promote thee, ſhee ſhall bring thee to honour when thou doeſt imbrace her: So its oft ſayd, Riches and honour are with her. Pro. 9. 18. 3. 16. & verſ. 35. The wiſe ſhall inherite glory. So chap. 13. 18. He that regardeth reproofe ſhall be honoured. Deut. 28. 1. Eſa. 58. 14. Pſal. 132. 18. the like.
This alſo is meant by all thoſe ſpeeches where it is ſayd, that hearkning to inſtruction will adorne and bring into eſtimation, as coſtly ornaments of bracelets, jewels, and the like will doe; ſo it is Pro. 1. 19. They ſhall be an ornament of grace vntounto thy head, and chaines about thy necke. Chap. 3. 22. So ſhall they be life to thy ſoule, and grace to thy necke. Chap. 4. 9. Shee ſhall giuegive to thy head an ornament of grace, a crowne of glory ſhall ſhee deliver to thee.
In all which we ſee that howſoever the godly be hated, and baſely eſteemed of the wicked, yet the Lord doth not onelyonly highly eſteeme of them himſelfe, but will make them honoured in the world, even of them who hauehave no ſaving grace themſelues, as it is ſaid Act. 5. 13. And of the reſt durſt no man ioyne himſelfe to them: but the people magnified them. Rev. 3. 9. Behold I will make them to come and worſhip before thy feete &c.
Seeing then,Application. that to be well eſteemed, eſpecially of the better ſort, is ſo ſweet and comfortable a bleſſing; and the contrary of ill fame is ſo bitter, as ſcarce any thing makes many a one more weary of their liues, we are to behold Gods tender care over his children, in preſerving their good name, yea in making them honourable, that is, of good eſteeme, not onelyonly among the Saints, but among meere naturall men, who beholding their good workes, may glorifie God in the day of viſitation, as the Apoſtle Peter ſpeaketh:1 Pet. 2. 12. And not onelyonly be carefull our ſelues, by well doing to put to ſilence the ignorance of the fooliſh: 15.but when we ſhall be wrongfully defamed and that many times by our brethren, then ſet vsus comfort our ſelues with theſe promiſes; which will vphold vsus from ſinking in the greateſt ſtormes that may this way befall vsus.
A worthy patterne herein to follow; we hauehave the Prophet David, who being much exerciſed wit… … …courge of the tongue, as … many of his Pſal…es he complaines, yet he by this ſhield of faith, defended himſelfe, and by the anchor of hope ſtayed himſelfe, that he ſunke not, as Pſal. 3. … ▪ from v. 11. to the end; and Pſal. 69. ſeemes ſpecially to be made to this end, yea, almoſt in every part of Pſal. 119. as the complimeth hereof, ſo he comforts himſelfe in his God. I…b alſo being exceedingly wronged this way, even by his friends, doth worthily vphold himſelfe, ſaying in one place; If my …ſary had written a booke, ſurely (ſayth he) I would take it vponupon my ſhoulder, and bind it as a crowne vntounto me; I might alledge many moe examples … ſhall ſuffice for this point.
Thus hauehave wee ſeene what excellent bleſſings, pertaining to this bodily life, God hath provided for his children, all which doe belong to themſelues.
Now in the laſt place,Poſteritie. that nothing may be wanting, God hath made promiſes to them concerning their poſteritie.
1. That he will abundantly increaſe them.
2. That he will every way bleſſe them.
Both which be ſo deſired, that many hauehave little comfort in their liues through want of theſe. Let vsus therefore take knowledge of theſe for our comfort.
Firſt, whereas barrennes was eſteemed a heavie puniſhment, and full of reproch, as many Scriptures teſtifie. Gen. 30. 23. Rachel ſayd, when ſhe conceived and bare a ſonne; God hath taken away my reproach. Luc. 1. 25. the like is ſayd of Elizabeth; ſo of H…h▪ 1 Sam. 1. 10. it is ſayd; And ſhe was in bitterneſſe of ſoule, and prayed vntounto the Lord, and wept ſore. This being ſo, the contrary to be fruitfull in bearing of many children was accounted a great bleſſing, therefore the Lord in all ages promiſed this to his people as a token of his great favour.
I will rehearſe but a few for many, whereof the Bookes of Moſes and the Prophe…s are full. … 619. For I will … reſpect vntounto you, and make you fruitfull, and …ply you, … eſtabliſh my covenant with you. Deut. 7. 1…. And he will … and bleſſe thee, and multiply thee▪ … will alſo bleſſe the fruit of thy wombe▪ and the fruit of thy land, thy corne and thy …, & thine …, the increaſe of thy …, and the flockes of thy ſheepe; &c. The like Deut. 6. 3. …. Iob 5. 25. this is reckoned among many other bleſſings; Thou ſhalt know that thy ſeed ſhall be great, and thy of-ſpring a… the graſſe of the earth, Eſ…. 48. 19. … to this Iob 8. 7. Pſal. 115. 14. The Lord ſhall increaſe you more and more▪ you and your children▪ Pſal. …27. 3. … of the Lord, and the … is his reward. Pſal. 127. …3: Thy wife ſhall be as a fruitfull vine by the ſides of thy …. Notable is … 14. 5. 6. 7. which ſerues … in this point intended Read the place.
Theſe may abandantly ſuffice to ſettle the minds & hearts of any … beleever vnderunder this … of griefe for want of children, that aſſuredly God wil fulfill their deſire, if it be good for them.Application. If this will not … thy man, let him goe further and … worfer.
The other promiſes concerning poſteritie, … that God … vnderunder which all good things belonging to them are contained, This is to be found in ſundry of the former Scriptures alledged, but to adde a few more▪ Gen. 17. 7. This is intended in all thoſe places where its ſayd; I will be the God of thy ſeed. Pſal. 112. is notably ſet out the happie condition of every one that truly feareth God, among all, this is not the leaſt, His ſeed ſhall be mightie on earth, the generation of the vpright ſhall be bleſſed. Pſal. 37. 25. David tels vsus what his experience was, ſaying; I hauehave beene young, and now am old, yet hauehave I not ſeene the righteous forſaken, nor his ſeed begging bread. Verſ. 26. He is ever mercifull and lendeth, and his ſeed is bleſſed. Pro. 20. 7. The iuſt man walketh in his integritie, his children are bleſſed after him. Eſa. 44. 3. I will powre my ſpirit vponupon thy ſeed, and my bleſſing vponupon thy ofſpring. Ver. 4. And they ſhall ſpring vp among the graſſe as Willowes by the water courſes. Eſa. 61. 9. And their ſeed ſhall be knowne among the Gentiles, and their ofſpring among the people: All that ſee them ſhall acknowledge them, that they are the ſeed which the Lord hath bleſſed. Eſa. 65. 23. the like. Iere. 32. 39. is the ſame in effect; I will giuegive them one heart, and one way, that they may feare me for ever for the good of them & of their children. Beſides theſe generall, promiſes of bleſſing the poſteritie of the faithfull; there be ſome more ſpeciall, as Pſal▪ 102. 28. The children of thy ſervants ſhall continue, and their ſeed ſhall be eſtabliſhed before thee. Pro. 11. 21. Though hand ioyne in hand, the wicked ſhall not be vnpuniſhed, but the ſeed of the righteous ſhall be deli…ered; So chap. 14. 26. In the feare of the Lord is ſtrong confidence, and his children ſhall hauehave a place of refuge. Eſa. 54. 13. All thy children ſhall be taught of the Lord, a…d great ſhall be the peace of thy children. Pro. 13. 22. A good man leaueth an inheritance to his childrens children, and the wealth of the ſinner is laid vp for the iuſt. And many the like.
Behold ye parents,Applicatiō ▪ what good things God hath laid vp in ſtore for your children after you, that as all they who feare the Lord, ſhall be bleſſed in themſelues with all needfull bleſſings, ſo they ſhall ſee all Gods bleſſings …pon their children after them, yea, vponupon their childrens children to many generatiōs; which is plainly promiſed in the ſecond Commandement, that God will ſhew mercy to thouſands of them that louelove him and keepe his Commandements; vnderunder which be all needfull bleſſings contained.
The vſe then to be made of all theſe bleſſings promiſed to the poſteritie of the faithfull,Vſe. is this; That whereas godly parents having comfort in themſelues, and oft full of feares for their poſteritie, what ſhall become of them, eſpecially, in pe…illous times, this may and muſt quiet their minds that God will be the God of their ſeed after them, and … ſhall not want any thing that is good.
If any want this comfort, the fault is in themſelues, that either they know not, or at leaſt … not the ſweet promiſes made to the poſteritie of the faithfull. The onelyonly remedie then of this feare is, acquaint our ſelues with theſe promiſes, that in all temptations of this kind, we may ſet them before vsus, and ſo by prayer and meditation vponupon Gods merciemercy in making theſe promiſes, and truth in performing what he promiſeth, we may come to beleeue them, and ſo … vponupon Gods mercy for his bleſſing on our children…, as well as vponupon our ſelues: which if we doe I cannot well ſee, what ſhall be wanting to the full content… of all Gods children, even in earthly bleſſings, which are ſo much deſired, and the want whereof is ſo diſtaſtfull, and vnwelcome to our nature.
And thus to conclude this fift point, I hauehave ſhewed how we may liue by faith, that we ſhall not want any earthly bleſſing, neither for our ſelues, nor for our poſteritie, which being added to all the former, will proue there is no life comparable to the life by faith, and therefore this about all is to be laboured for, by all that deſire true comfort in this life, and thereby hope of a farre better to come.