The Best Remedies for the Worst of Maladies, Receipt 3

The Best Remedies for the Worst of Maladies · Receipt 3

p. 118The Third ſpiritual Receit.

When in the conſcionable uſe of the former means, thou findeſt that this bitter pill or potion of Repentance, hath begun to operate upon thy heart, ſo as to cauſe it to melt and mourn kindly before the Lord; then in the next place, take a good draught of Faith in the blood of Chriſt, and put therein alſo a good quantity of Beleif, in the power, faithfulneſs, and promiſes of God in Chriſt. This through the bleſſing of God, will make this bitter pill to work ſtrongly and effectually, to the expelling of all thoſe virulent, obnoxious, and malignant humours that are ſuch great enemies to a healthful and ſound conſtitution of ſoul and body, which if unexpelled, that they grow to ſome head and ſtrength, they will have a very ſtrong influence upon thy ſpirits, to contract this ſore Peſtilential diſtemper, to the endangering oftentimes of the loſs, and ruine of the whole man, ſoul, and body to all eternity.

Firſt, Then this Faith in the blood of Chriſt, rightly applyed unto thy ſoul, is and hath been always a very ſoveraign Receit, and a precious Antidote to expell,

1. All the fiery aſſaults of Satan.

2. The venome and malignity of ſin.

And therefore, among all the ſeveral choiſe peices of our ſpiritual Armory, laid down in the 6th. of the Epheſians: This is recommended, as the moſt choiſe and principal peice among them p. 119all; Above all, taking the ſheild of faith, wherewith ye ſhall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Some tranſlate it (in all) as if he had ſaid, in all things whatſoever you do, ſee that you uſe the ſheild of faith; (to all) as if he had ſaid, to all other Graces add this; (above all) which is more emphatical, for hereby all the imperfections of the reſt of the Armes are covered, and we are beſt defended againſt all the fiery darts, and aſſaults of Satan, that is, his poyſonous darts: which by their venome inflame the ſoul. The Apoſtle alludes to the cuſtome of old, in times of war, who by their darts ſhot fire; or elſe, when they dipped the heads of their arrows in poiſon, and ſhot them at their enemies, they even fired their fleſh: To prevent which, it is ſaid, that the Souldiers made them large ſheilds of raw Neatſ-leather, which might cover the whole body, ſo that when the fiery venemous darts lighted upon them, they were preſently quenched. All which agrees well with the nature of Satans temptations, which as poiſon and fire, do wound and pierce the ſoul, if they be not ſtopped and quenched by the ſheild of faith, when they hit upon it.

So in the 1 Pet. 5.8. The Apoſtle directs to the making uſe of this moſt excellent peice of a Chriſtians armour of proof, ſpeaking of our adverſary the Devil, who as a roaring Lion walketh about, ſeeking whom he may devour; This counſel he gives, That we reſiſt him ſtedfaſtly in the faith. Reſiſt the Devil (ſaith James) and he will flee from you, Jam. 4.7. Reſiſt him, when he tempteth and enticeth thee to fullfil thy fleſhly luſts, and to ſeek after the freindſhip of the world. And he will p. 120flee from thee, he will run away; if thou withſtand him, oppoſe him, and ſet thy ſelf, as it were, in battle array againſt him; thou wilt find him as very a coward, as ever any that handled a weapon; thou wilt make him run away preſently.

But that you may reſiſt him and foil him, you muſt be ſure to reſiſt him, and that ſtedfaſtly in the faith; if you make uſe of this weapon, he will never be able to encounter with you: Faith will foil him. By this weapon, the Saints always overcame him, Rev. 12.11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb. And how by the blood of the Lamb? Satan will tell thee, thou art a vile, filthy, polluted, and abominable wretch; a great and hainous ſinner: but faith in the blood of Chriſt will tell him, that Chriſt Jeſus came into the world to ſave ſinners; yea, the greateſt and cheifeſt of ſinners, 1 Tim. 1.15. And that God hath ſet him forth to be a Propitiation through faith in his blood for the remiſſion of ſins, Rom. 3.25. And though thou art naturally unclean, and haſt contracted much defilement by reaſon of ſin; yet that Chriſt hath loved thee, and waſhed thee from thy ſins in his own blood, Rev. 1.5. That in him thou haſt redemption through his blood, even the forgiveneſs of ſins, Col. 1.14.

Satan will tell thee, thou haſt broken the Law, and incurred Gods anger, wrath, hell, and eternal damnation: Faith will tell him, that Chriſt hath perfectly fulfilled the Law, ſatisfied divine juſtice; taken away the curſe, and freed thee from condemnation, Rom. 8.1. and that Jeſus Chriſt by his blood hath pacified Gods anger towards thee, Rom. 3.25. Faith will tell him, thou art not under p. 121the Law now, and ſo not under the Curſe; and that though the Law does pronounce thee accurſed for the breach of it, yet Chriſt hath redeemed thee from the curſe of the Law, being made a curſe for us, Gal. 3.10, 13. Satan will tell tell thee ſtill thou art unrighteous, and the unrighteous ſhall not inherit the Kingdom of God; but faith will tell him, that thou art waſhed, that thou art ſanctified, that thou art juſtified, in the name of the Lord Jeſus, and by the Spirit of God, 1 Cor. 6.11. And that Chriſt was made ſin for us, who knew no ſin, that we might be made the righteouſneſs of God in him, 2 Cor. 5.21. And as he was made ſin, ſo of God alſo is he made unto us Wiſdom, and Righteouſneſs, and Sanctification, and Redemption. Does Satan tempt thee …o evil? Faith will tell him, that he ſo tempted Chriſt, but Chriſt vanquiſhed him in all his tempttaions, Mat. 4. And we are more then Conquerors through Chriſt that hath loved us, Rom. 8.37. Does he yet tempt thee to be proud? tell him, that God reſiſteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble, 1 Pet. 5 5. Does he tempt thee to paſſion? tell him, that the wrath of man worketh not the righteouſneſs of God, Jam. 1.20. Does he tempt thee to uncleaneſs? tell him, thy body is the temple of the Holy Ghoſt, and thou art not thine one, but art bought with a price, and therefore thou muſt glorifie God in thy body, and in thy ſpirit which is Gods, 1 Cor. 6.19, 20.

Does he tempt thee to be a ſervant of men? tell him thou art bought with a price, and ſo freed from that ſervitude, 1 Cor. 7.23. would he have thee to pleaſe men? tell him, if yet thou ſhouldſt p. 122pleaſe men, thou ſhouldſt not be the ſervant of Chriſt, Gal. 1.10. Does he tempt thee to the love of the world? tell him, that if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him, 1 Joh. 2.15. Does he tempt thee to an indifferent, lukewarm ſpirit in the things of God? tell him, that the Lord teſtifies againſt ſuch a ſpirit, that is neither hot nor cold, that he will ſpue it out of his mouth, Rev 3.16. Does he tempt thee to fall away, draw back and renounce thy profeſſion; tell him, that ſuch as ſo fall away, ſhall not be renewed again unto repentance, Seeing they crucifie to themſelves the Son of God afreſh, and put him to an open ſhame, Heb. 6.6. And that if any man draws back, the Lord will have no pleaſure in him, Heb. 10.38. You ſee what a moſt excellent weapon this ſheild of Faith is to repel the temptations and aſſaults of Satan upon all accounts.

Secondly, And it is of like force and efficacy to expel the venome and malignity of ſin. Art thou ſtung with it at any time; look up by faith unto the brazen Serpent, there's healing, Numb. 21.9. Are thy ſins of a ſcarlet dye? Faith in his blood can make them as white as ſnow; are they red like crimſon? it will make them as wool, Iſa. 1.18. Are they many and multiplied tranſgreſſions? Faith will tell thee, that where ſin hath abounded, there grace hath much more abounded; that as ſin hath reigned unto death, even ſo might grace reign through righteouſneſs unto eternal life by Jeſus Chriſt our Lord, Rom. 5.20, 21. Haſt thou abundantly ſinned? this faith will tell thee, that God will abundantly pardon (he will multiply pardons, Iſa. 55.7.) Doſt thou fear the reigning, domineering p. 123power of ſin? This faith will aſſure thee, That ſin ſhall not have dominion over thee, for that thou art not under the law, but under grace, Rom. 6.14. Doſt thou yet fear that thy ſins ſhall ſtand on the file, and that God will remember thine iniquity? this faith in Chriſts blood will aſſure thee, that he will blot out thy tranſgreſſions for his own name ſake, and will not remember thy ſins, Iſa. 43.25.

But perhaps thou art afraid of Death, and of the power of the Grave; this Faith will aſſure thee, that death is ſwallowed up in victory, his ſting taken out, that Chriſt hath ranſomed thee from the power of the grave, and hath redeemed thee from death, that he is deaths plague, and the graves deſtruction, Iſa. 25.8. Hoſ. 13.14. 1 Cor. 15.54. So that we may triumphantly ſay, Who ſhall lay any thing to the charge of Gods elect? it is God that juſtifieth. Who is he that condemneth? it is Chriſt that died, yea rather that is riſen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who alſo maketh interceſſion for us. Who ſhall ſeparate us from the love of Chriſt? ſhall tribulation, or diſtreſs, or perſecution, or famine, or nakedneſs, or peril, or ſword? Nay the gracious beleiving ſouls may be perſwaded, that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things preſent, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature ſhall be able to ſeparate them from the love of God which is in Chriſt Jeſus their Lord, Rom. 8. and ſome of the laſt verſes thereof. Wilt thou not then fear this ſevere ſtroke of Gods viſitation. O get more of the blood of ſprinkling on thy ſoul, this ſpeaketh better things then the blood of Abet. The blood of the Paſchal Lamb was to be ſtrook p. 124on the two ſide poſts, and on the upper door poſt of the houſes of the children of Iſrael, when God did intend to ſmite the firſt-born in the land of Egypt, and execute his judgement againſt all the Egyptian gods, and ſaith the Lord, When I ſee the the blood I will paſs over you, meaning the children of Iſrael, and the Plague ſholl not be upon you to deſtroy you, when I ſmite the Land of Egypt. What did this typifie and hold forth, but Chriſt the true Paſſover or Paſchal Lamb, whoſe blood beſprinkling the conſcience, cleanſeth us from all ſin, and delivereth us from the ſtroke of the deſtroying Angel, even from wrath to come, 1 John 1.7. 1 Theſſ. 1.10.

See then that thou exerciſe thy ſelf continually in that onelyonly heaven upon earth, and ſweeteſt ſanctuary to a hunted, troubled ond afflicted ſoul, The life of Faith, in reference to thy Salvation, Sanctification and Preſervation. As to thy Salvation; Let the truly-humbled ſoul, grieved and graoning under the heavy weight and burden of ſin, throw itſelf into the meritorious and merciful arms of Jeſus Chriſt, wounded, broken and bleeding upon the Croſs, and there let it hold and hide it ſelf for ever, in full aſſurance of eternal life, by vertue of that promiſe, Joh. 3.36. He that beleiveth on the Son hath everlaſting life.

2. As to thy Sanctification; If thou keep thy Faith, the fountain, root and heart, as it were, from which all thine other Graces ſpring, in life and vigour, thou wilt pray more comfortably, be more couragiouſly patient, hear the Word more faithfully, receive Chriſts Ordinance of Breaking bread more joyfully, ſpend the Lords day more p. 125delightfully, confer more chearfully, meditate more heavenly, and walk in all the ways of new obedience, with more ſtrength and conqueſt over corruptions. For ordinarily every one ſhall find the exerciſe of other graces, to be comfortable or cold, according to the livelineſs, or languiſhing of his faith.

3. As to thy Preſervation both temporal and ſpiritual; in croſſes, afflictions, and all Gods outward angry viſitation, let thy Faith be exerciſed in the power of ſuch Promiſes as the, Pſa. 89.33: and 50.15. Heb. 12.6, 7, 8, 11. 1 Theſ. 3.3. 1 Tim. 2.11. Act. 14.22. Luk. 9.23. Iſa 63.9.

Secondly, Act Faith in the power, ability allſufficiency, and omnipotency of God. Power can do much, but omnipotency can do all, and is above all. He is able to do whatſoever he pleaſeth, Pſa. 115.3. He is wiſe in heart, and mighty in ſtrength, who hath hardened himſelf againſt him, and hath proſpered? Job 9.4. The Angels which excel in ſtrength are at his command, Pſa. 104.4. and ſubject unto Chriſt, 1 Pet. 3.22. The Devils apprehending the power of God, do tremble, Jam. 2.19. All the power that men and devils have, it is given them from above, Joh. 19.11. And for other creatures, he ſaith to the deep be dry, Iſa. 44.27. He commands the earth and it opens her mouth, Num. 16.30, 31. The conſideration of whoſe mighty power, made the Pſalmiſt thus to break forth; O Lord God of Hoſts, who is a ſtrong Lord, like unto thee, or to thy faithfulneſs round about thee? Thou ruleſt the raging of the Sea, when the waves thereof ariſe, thou ſtilleſt them; thou haſt broken Rahab in peices as one that p. 126is ſlain, thou haſt ſcattered thine enemies with thy ſtrong arm; Thou haſt a mighty arm, ſtrong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand, Pſa. 89.8, 9, 10, 13. At his wrath the earth ſhall tremble, and the Nations ſhall not be able to abide his indignation, Jer. 10.10.

Beware then how we call into queſtion the power and all-ſufficiency of God; How we ſpeak againſt God; This was the ſin of the Iſraelites, and it was highly provoking unto the Lord. Its ſaid they ſpake againſt God and ſaid, Can God furniſh a Table in the Wilderneſs? Behold he ſmote the rock, that the waters guſhed out, and the ſtreams overflowed, can he give bread alſo? can he provide fleſh for his people? therefore the Lord heard this, and was wrath, Pſa. 88.19, 20, 21. Moſes alſo, he falls expoſtulating the caſe with God. The people amongſt whom I am (ſaith he) are ſix hundred thouſand footmen, and thou haſt ſaid, I will give, them fleſh, that they may eat a whole monethmonth; Shall the Flocks and the Heards be ſlain for them, to ſuffice them? or ſhall all the Fiſh of the Sea be gathered together for them, to ſuffice them? And what Argument does the Lord uſe to convince Moſes of his carnal, if not incredulous reaſonings, But this, Is the Lords hand waxed ſhort? thou ſhalt ſee now whether my word ſhall come to paſs unto thee or not, Numb. 11.21, 22, 23. And the Lord rained fleſh upon them as duſt, and feathered Fowles like as the ſand of the Sea, though it was given as a great judgement unto them, Pſa. 88.27. The ſame Argument does the Lord make uſe of, when he falls a reaſoning with his people the Jews, upon the account of their dereliction or p. 127rejection, and that they might yet have ſound ground of hope ſtill of their reſtauration, though they had ſold themſelves for their iniquities, and could not produce any Bill of Divorcement of the Lords putting of them away, in Iſa. 50.2. Is my hand ſhortned at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? Behold, at my rebuke I dry up the Sea: I make the Rivers a Wilderneſs; their Fiſh ſtincketh becauſe there is no water, and dieth for thirſt. I cloath the Heavens with blackneſs, and I make ſack-cloth their covering: So Iſa. 59.1. Behold the Lords hand is not ſhortned, that it cannot ſave, neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear; Which may be an excellent ſupport to our faith. Let thy Faith then be exerciſed in the mighty power of God, in theſe following particular caſes and ſeaſons.

1. In times of great difficulties and ſtreights.

2. In times of ſore ſickneſſes.

3. In times of great ſinning.

4. In times of Worſhipping and Serving the Lord.

5. In times of great ſuffering for the Lord.

1. In times of great difficulties and ſtreights; Know that the ſame Almighty power, who could ſmite the Rock, and cauſe the waters to guſh out, and the ſtreams to overflow, can furniſh a table in the Wilderneſs, can give bread, and provide fleſh for his people. Take heed now of ſuch irrational, abſurd, and prepoſterous reaſonings; The Lord ſmote the Rock, and gave water in abundance, but can he now furniſh a table in the Wilderneſs? I remember the time when I was in great ſtreights, for bodily and ſoul p. 128refreſhments; and the Lord ſmote the Rock in a ſtrange, miraculous, and unexpected way, and the Waters guſhed out, and the ſtreams over-flowed; I had comfortable ſupplies for ſoul and body, and that in a plentiful manner. But can he now help me in my ſtreights, and ſupply my neceſſities? now all conduit pipes are cut off, and all viſible means of ſupplies and ſupports are taken away, Taxes are multiplied and increaſed, our Trade is gone, the Gentry gone, and ſuch as gave life and being thereunto, have laid aſide, and betook themſelves to a retired life; many gone beyond the Seas, becauſe they could not follow their callings, and be ſuffered to enjoy the freedom of their conſciences too; God hath ſmitten ſome of my dear friends or relations, who were inſtruments in his hand of my comfortable ſuſtentation and ſupportation, and now, my Wife, and Children, begin to ſtare me in the face, to ſob and ſigh, and I have not wherewith to releive them; The ſight and thoughts of theſe things do even break my heart, and wound my very bowels within me; what ſhall I do? what courſe ſhall I take for a livelihood? Methinks I hear ſuch doleful complaints among thouſands deſtreſſed Families in the City at this time. Is it not a time and ſeaſon then to be acting faith in the mighty power and providence of God? Surely it is an eaſie matter to truſt God, when we have Meal in the Barrel, and Oyl in the Cruſe, and Money in our Purſe; but wilt thou truſt God, and rely upon his power, in the want and abſence of all; As the Prophet Habakkuk, when the Fig-tree did not bloſſom, nor fruit could p. 129be found in the Vines, when the labour of the Olive did fail, and the Field did yeild no meat, when the Flocks were cut off from the fold, and there were no Herd in the ſtall, when there was an utter conſumption and deprivation of all things; then to be rejoycing in the Lord, and joying in the God of our ſalvation. Then to ſay, the Lord is my ſtrength, and he will make me to walk on my high places. Then to ſay, the Lord is my ſhepherd, I ſhall not want; as David, and though I walk through the valley of the ſhadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me, thy rod and thy ſtaff they comfort me, Pſal. 22. then to live beleivingly, truſtingly, and dependingly upon God.

This is a high Act of Faith in the Power of God. And O that I could miniſter a word of ſupport unto thy ſoul in ſuch a condition: Well, be not faithleſs, but beleiving; live ſtill in the faith of the all-ſufficiency of God: That his hand is not ſhortned, that it cannot help; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear; there's no diminution of his power, or is there any unwillingneſs in God to hear and help in a time of need: Wherefore ſhould I fear in the days of evil (ſaith the Pſalmiſt) when the iniquity of my heels ſhall compaſs me about, Pſal. 49.5.

So ſay thou, thou poor, doubting, and diſponding ſoul. Why ſhould I fear in this evil day? why ſhould I diſtruſt that God, and doubt of his power and all-ſufficiency to help me now, who hath fed me, and cloathed me, and ſuſtained me all the days of my life? Why ſhould I not be caſting my care upon him, who hath not only promiſed, p. 130but is able alſo to take care of me? 1 Pet. 5.7. Why do I not caſt my burden upon the Lord, who hath graciouſly promiſed (and he is able alſo) to ſuſtain me, and will never ſuffer the righteous to be moved? Pſal. 55.22. This was a great ſtay and ſupport to Abrahams faith, when God promiſed to make him a Father of may Nations; He conſidered not the deadneſs of his own body, being about 100. years old, nor the deadneſs of Sarai's womb. He ſtaggered not at the promiſe of God through unbeleif, but was ſtrong in faith giving glory to God; and being fully perſwaded, that what he had promiſed, he was able alſo to perform. Mark I pray you, he did not only beleive the promiſe, but the ability of God alſo, he fixt his faith in the power and all-ſufficiency of God, Rom. 4.19, 20, 21. He was aſſured, that God was as able, as he was faithful in the performance of his promiſe. God had ſaid unto him, but a little before, Abram, I am the Almighty God, walk before me, and be thou perfect; and now Abram would not queſtion it in the leaſt, he knew his grace was all-ſufficient for him, and that his ſtrength could be perfected in his weakneſs.

As the Lord told Paul in another caſe, 2 Cor. 12.9. And has left it for ever upon record, as a moſt precious cordial of comfort, to refreſh and ſupport the moſt fainty, diſtreſſed, and diſconſolate ſoul: To wit, 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; And that they may not think he wants power to perform what he hath promiſed (ſaith he) I will open rivers in high places, p. 131and fountains in the midſt of the values: I will make the wilderneſs a pool of water, and the dry land ſprings of water, Iſa. 41.17, 18, 19.

Surely, this promiſe is very applicable to poor, needy, thirſty, hungry ſouls, upon the accompt of temporal or ſpiritual refreſhment. And the Saints have beleived it: Though I walk (ſaith David) in the midſt of trouble, thou wilt revive me, thou wilt ſtretch forth thine hand againſt the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand ſhall ſave me, Pſal. 138.7. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the ſhaddow of death, (though I ſhould be in the moſt dark, diſmal and uncomfortable condition) yet I will fear no evil, thou art with me, thy preſence ſhall ſupport me, thy rod, and thy ſtaffe, they ſhall comfort me, Pſal. 23.4. Though he ſlay me (ſaith Job) yet will I truſt in him: I will maintain mine own ways before him. He alſo ſhall be my ſalvation, Job. 13.15.

So when the enemies of God are high, and the Church of Chriſt very low. O this acting of faith in the power of God is of great uſe. O God, how long ſhall the adverſary reproach, ſhall the enemy blaſpheme thy name for ever? Why withdraweſt thou thy hand, even thy right hand (and thats the hand of power and ſtrength ſurely) pluck it out of thy boſome. For God is my King of old (conſider it I pray you) working ſalvation in the midſt of the earth. Thou didſt divide the Sea by thy ſtrength: thou breakeſt the heads of the Dragons in the waters. Thou brakeſt the heads of Leviathan in peices, and gaveſt him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderneſs. Thou didſt clean the fountain and the floud: thou driedſt up mighty rivers, Pſal. 74.10, 11, 12, p. 13213, 14, 15. What cannot the Lord do, when he hath a purpoſe to ſave his people, and to deſtroy his enemies? Thy way, O God, is in the ſanctuary: who is ſo great a god as our God? Thou art the God that doſt wonders: thou haſt declared thy ſtrength among the people. Thou haſt with thine own redeemed thy people, the Sons of Jacob and Joſeph, Pſal. 77.13, 14, 15. Wilt thou not revive us again, that thy people may rejoyce in thee, Pſal. 85.6. This raiſed up the Churches hopes, in the ſtormy and tempeſtuous times of perſecution; and why? The Lord reigneth, he is cloathed with majeſty, the Lord is cloathed with ſtrength, wherewith he hath girded himſelf, &c. The flouds have lifted up, O Lord, the flouds have lifted up their voice: the flouds lift up their waves. What then? The Lord on high is mightier then the noiſe of many waters; yea, then the mighty waves of the Sea. And ſo ſaid Jethro, when Moſes had told him what the Lord had done unto Pharoah, and to the Egyptians for Iſraels ſake, and all the travel that had come upon them by the way, and how the Lord delivered them. Now I know (ſaith he) that the Lord is greater then all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly, he was above them.

This is the Churches comfort, that though their enemies are high, and proud, and imperious, yet the Lord is above them, Ezod. 18.8, 11. This was the Argument that good King Jehoſophat uſed in prayer with the Lord, when a great multitude of enemies came againſt him. O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and ruleſt not thou over all the Kingdomes of the p. 133Heathen; and in thine hand is there not power and might, ſo that none is able to withſtand thee? Art not thou our God, who didſt drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Iſrael, and gaveſt it to the ſeed of Abraham thy freind for ever? O our God, wilt not thou judge them? for we have no might againſt this great company that cometh againſt us: neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon thee. And the Lord did thereupon ſhew forth his mighty power, and that this great multitude was not able to withſtand him. For he ſet ambuſhments againſt the Children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, that came againſt Judah, and they were ſmitten, and every one afterwards helped to deſtroy another, 2 Chron. 20.

O then be acting faith, in this great and powerful Jehovah, that he would make bare his holy arm, in the eyes of all the Nations; that all the ends of the earth, may ſee the ſalvation of our God, Iſa. 52.10. Fear and tremble before him, whoſe mighty power hath limited, and bounded the proud and imperious waves of the Sea; that hitherto ſhall they come and no further, and here ſhall its proud waves be ſtayed, Jeremiah 5.22. comp. with Job 37.11. Fear him, that can caſt both body and ſoul into hell, Matth. 10.28. It is he that makes the pillars of heaven to tremble, and to be aſtoniſhed at his reproof, Job 26.11.

And learn to depend on this Almighty being for preſervation in all ſtreights and exigents whatſoever, who can preſerve without means, as Elijah, forty days and forty nights, 1 King. 19.8. by ſtrange and miraculous means, even by the help p. 133of Ravens that fed him, 1 King. 17.4. by the miniſtery of Angels, verſ. the 5. and the 6. of that 1 King. 19. Chap. By ſmall means, as the widows meal in the barrel, and her little oyle in her cruſe, 2 King. 17.14. Againſt means, as Daniel in the Lions den, Dan. 6.22. By ordinary means, wherein his powerful bleſſing is to be deſired; elſe, we may eat, and not be ſatisfied, Hag. 1.6. And let us praiſe him withal our ſtrength for his almighty power, Rev. 4.11. Worthy art thou, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power. Thine O Lord, is the greatneſs, and the power, and the glory, 1 Chron. 29.11. And let us be ſpeaking of his power, to make known to the Sons of men, his mighty acts, and the glorious Majeſty of his Kingdom. Whoſe kingdom is an everlaſting kingdom, and whoſe dominion endureth throughout all generations. And for the adverſaries of the Lord, let them know, that they ſhall be broken to peices, and that out of heaven God ſhall thunder upon them, 1 Sam. 2.10. And that his power, and his wrath is againſt all them that do evil, Ezra 8.22. And let it be matter of conſolation and encouragement in our prayers, that we call on that God, who is able to do exceedingly abundantly, above all that we ask or think, Eph. 3.20. In our perſeverance; That the everlaſting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth who fainteth not, neither is weary, will renew our ſtrength, that we ſhall run and not be, weary, and walk, and not faint, Iſa. 40.31. Becauſe he upholds us in our integrity, Pſal. 41.12. The Garriſon that keeps us, is the power of God, 1 Pet. 1.5. And none can take us out of his hand, becauſe he is greater then all, Joh. 10.29.

p. 134In times of Temptation, For our ſtrength is in the Lord, and in the power of his might, Eph. 6.10. 'tis he that ſtrengthens us in the inward man. And when God ſhall help us with a little help, Dan. 11.34. then our ſtrongeſt temptations ſhall not prevail, but we ſhall be more then conquerors, through him that loved us, Rom. 8.37.

In times of Affliction, Know that he that is Almighty orders them for the kind, whether on our ſouls or bodies, names or eſtates, Amos 3.6. For the meaſure, whether great or ſmall, Jer. 30.11. The time, ſometimes but an evening; heavineſs may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the mourning, Pſal. 30.6. Sometimes ten days, The Devil ſhall caſt ſome of you into priſon, and ye ſhall have tribulation ten days, Rev. 2.10. Sometimes our ſorrows ſhall be for years, Pſal. 90.15. Make us glad, according to the days wherein thou haſt afflicted us, and the years wherein we have ſeen evil.

He orders the Deliverance; there is an appointed time for that alſo. Joſephs feet muſt be hurt with fetters, and lye in irons, until the time that the word of the Lord came and tried him, and then the King ſends and looſeth him, and makes him Lord of his houſe, and Ruler of all his ſubſtance, Pſal. 105.19, 20, 21. There is a time when the Priſoners ſhall be looſed out of their pit, and turn to their ſtrong hold, even the Priſoners of hope, Zach. 9.10, 11.

Laſtly, what great conſolation doth this miniſter in reſpect of death; our bodies ſhall not always rot and conſume; we muſt awake and ſing, though we dwell in the duſt, Iſa. 26.19. And our p. 136vile bodies ſhall be chaanged and faſhioned like unto his glorious body (even by the mighty and abſolute power of Chriſt) according to the working whereby he is able even to ſubdue all things unto himſelf, Phil. 3.21. All created powers being derived from him, and ſubordinate unto him, 1 Chron. 29.12. and 2 Chron. 14.11.

2. Act faith in the mighty power of God, and that in times of ſickneſs, and of this ſore viſitation of the Lord. Know that this is the Lords prerogative royal, to kill and to make alive, to bring down to the grave and to bring up again, 1 Sam. 2.6. This the Lord challengeth, as his own ſovereign, peculiar right, I, even I, am he, and there is no God with me; I kill and I make alive, I wound and I heal; neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand, Deut. 32.39. In Pſal. 90.1, 2, 3 Saith the Church there, Lord thou haſt bin our dwelling place in all generations, Before the mountains were brought forth, &c. even from everlaſting to everlaſting, thou art God. And what follows? Thou turneſt man to deſtruction, and ſayſt, Return ye children of men. The conſideration of this mighty power and the Churches acting faith in the ſame, did put her upon pious thoughts of returning unto the Lord; Come, and let us return unto the Lord, for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath ſmitten, and he will bind us up. And what follows? After two days will he revive us, in the third day he will raiſe us up, and we ſhall live in his ſight, Hoſ. 6.1, 2.

Conſider then in the firſt place, whoever thou art, that art thus under the chaſtiſing hand of God, that affliction commeth not forth of the duſt, neither doth trouble ſpring out of the ground, yet man p. 137is born unto trouble, as the ſparks flye upward, Job 5.6, 7. But if ſores and ſickneſs comes not forth of the duſt, from whence come they then? Surely, from the powerful immediate overruling hand of God. So ſaid Eliphaz, Job 17. Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore deſpiſe not thou the chaſtening of the Almighty: For, he maketh ſore and bindeth up, he woundeth and his hands make whole. So Job himſelf acknowledged, ch. 19.21. Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O my friends, for the hand of God hath touched me. So David, Thine arrows ſtick faſt in me, and thy hand preſſeth me ſore, Pſal. 38.2. And conſider, that as a ſparrow falls not to the ground without Gods providence, ſo the Plagve and Peſtilence, and all other Sickneſſes and diſeaſes are guided by his own immediate hand, and he onelyonly doth ſmite when and whom he pleaſeth; and know, that the ſame Powerful hand that took away thy health, can in a moment take away thy breath, and then thou dieſt aad returneſt unto thy duſt, Pſal. 104.29. This ſhould make thee lye down patiently at the foot of God, and with all willing and chearful reſignation of ſpirit, with good old Ely, ſay, It is the Lord, let him do what ſeemeth him good, 1 Sam. 3.18. And with Job, Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and ſhall we not receive evil, Job 2.10. But whatever affliction he layeth upon thy loins, or what ſtrokes ſoever upon any of thy deareſt relations, ſee that thou murmur not, nor charge the Lord fooliſhly or unjuſtly; ſay not with the King of Iſrael, Behold, this evil is of the Lord, what ſhould I wait for the Lord any longer? 2 King. 6. ult.

2ly. Let the ſence of the mighty hand of God which is upon thee, humble thee deeply; So ſays Peter, Humble your ſelves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, 1 Pet. 5.6. This will evidence it ſelf inwardly in a ſight and ſence of thine own great unworthineſs, in an abhorring thy ſelf in duſt and aſhes, and loathing thy ſelf for all thy abominations, in a tender ſenſe of temptations either in thy ſelf or others, in a hatred of Hypocriſie, a willingneſs to ſuffer affliction, and a contentation in ſome meaſure to the will of God, in what eſtate ſoever it ſhall pleaſe God to bring thee to. Outwardly towards God, it will keep thee lowly in the uſe of means, and in a continual fear and awfulneſs of Gods preſence, not caring to be counted vile for the ſervice of God. And in carriage towards men, it is ſuch a grace as is not affected in words or geſtures, nor is it cenſorious, arrogant or contentious, but makes a man go before in giving honour, and not to think much to equal himſelf with them of the lower ſort. This is the time now to be narrowly ſearching into thine own heart and mourn under it, and bewailing now thy want of love unto the Lord, and thy abounding love to ſin; do thou cover with ſorrowing, what breach thou haſt made with ſinning; and remember, That had thy ſin never been ſo ſweet, then thy ſorrow had never been ſo bitter. And know that God is now awaking thee from all thy ſecure ſleeps, that every minutes breathing he lends thee more, may be ſpent in preparing to meet Jeſus Chriſt at the Judgement of the great Day; which that thou mayſt effectually do with all thy might, with fear and trembling, as before the p. 138Lord, remember that the next ſtep (from this life) thou takeſt is into eternity.

3ly. Thus waiting till thy change come, Be further in the exerciſe of Faith in the power of thy mighty Redeemer, as to a glorious reſurrection of thy body, when laid aſleep in the grave; Knowing that he which raiſed up the Lord Jeſus, ſhall raiſe up thee alſo by Jeſus, 2 Cor. 4.14. and then this corruptible ſhall put on incorruption, and then this mortal ſhall put on immortality, and death ſhall be ſwallowed up in victory, 1 Cor. 15.53, 54.

3. Act Faith in the mighty power of God in times of great ſinning, and prophanation of the name of God: So Jeremy ſpeaking of the cuſtoms of the people that they are vain, and of their Idol-gods, that they are altogether bruitiſh and fooliſh; and the ſtock is a doctrine of vanities; he ſets the great and mighty Jehovah againſt all their Heatheniſh gods; Foraſmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord, thou art great, and thy name is great in might. Who would not fear thee, O King of Nations? Jer. 10.6, 7. So in the 10. verſe. But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlaſting King: At his wrath the earth ſhall tremble, and the Nations ſhall not be able to abide his indignation.

So the Prophet Habakkuk, he ſets Faith on work in the mighty power of God, in a time of great ſinning, and of treacherous and cruel dealing. Art thou not from everlaſting, O Lord my God, mine Holy One? we ſhall not dye: O Lord thou haſt ordained them for judgement, and O mighty God, thou haſt eſtabliſhed them for correction, Thou art of purer eyes then to behold evil, and canſt not p. 140look on iniquity. Wherefore lookeſt thou upon them that deal treacherouſly, and holdeſt thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous then he?

Think upon the mighty power of God, when men grow bold and impudent in ſinning, do they oppreſs the poor, and cruſh the needy, Amos 4.1 Know that this mighty God can ſoon cruſh them under his feet, Lament. 3.34. and feed them that oppreſs thee with their own fleſh, and then they ſhall know the Lord to be the mighty one of Iſrael, Iſa. 49.26.

Does the horrible impieties and wickdneſs of men greive and wound thy heart; Know, that he that is thy God is the God of ſalvation, and he ſhall wound the head of his enemies; and the hairy ſcalp of ſuch a one as goeth on ſtill in his treſpaſs, Pſalm 68.20, 21, verſes. And what ſays Solomon; If thou ſeeſt the oppreſſion of the poor, and violent perverting of Judgement and Juſtice in a Province, Marvaile not at the matter: For he that is higher then the higheſt regardeth; and there be higher then they, Eccleſ. 5.8.

4. Act faith in the mighty power of God, as in times of great ſinning, ſo in times of ſerving and worſhipping of God. So did Daniel, when Nebuchadnezzar the King had made an Image of gold, and ſet it up to be worſhipped, and that whoſo fell not down and worſhipped the ſaid Image ſhould be caſt into the midſt of a burning fiery ſurnace: And who is that God (ſaith he moſt blaſphemouſly) that ſhall deliver out of my hand? What ſaid Sadrach, Meſhaoh and Abednego. O p. 141Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to anſwer thee in this matter. If it be ſo, our God whom we ſerve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O King. They ſerved God, and they knew that God was able and of power ſufficient to protect them in the ſervice of him, Dan. 3.1, 11, 16, 17. To this purpoſe, when our dear Lord would encourage his Apoſtles, and the ſubſequent Miniſters of the Goſpel, to be faithful in the execution of his commands, and the truſt committed unto them; He tells them, that all power was committed unto him in Heaven and in Earth. And therefore go teach all Nations, and Baptiſe them, &c, And teaching them to obſerve all things whatſoever I have commanded you, and loe I am with you allway, even unto the end of the World, Mat. 28.18, 19, 20. As if he had ſaid, Do you faithfully and couragiouſly execute the Commiſſion I have given you, and be aſſured, you ſhall never want my all-ſufficient power and preſence to ſupport you. I will make all the power I have in heaven and earth, concurring in a way of ſerviceableneſs unto you.

O come, let us ſing unto the Lord, ſaith the Pſalmiſt, let us make a joyful noiſe to the Rock of our ſalvation. Shall we fear to ſerve that God who is the Rock of our Salvation? Let us come before his preſence with thanksgiving, &c. Why? For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all Gods; in his hand are the deep places of the earth, the ſtrength of the hills is his alſo; the ſea is his, and he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. If the Lord whom we ſerve is ſo great a God, ſo p. 141great a King above all Gods, above all Angels, Princes, and Potentates of the World, and above all that is called God; O then with what thankfulneſs and chearfulneſs of ſpirit ſhould we come into his preſence! O come let us Worſhip and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker; Why? for he is our God, and we are the people of his paſture, and the ſheep of his hands, whom he makes to lye down in green Paſtures, and leadeth beſides the ſtill waters, Pſa. 95.1, to 7. So in Pſa. 96.6. it is ſaid, Honour and Majeſty are before him, ſtrength and beauty are in his ſanctuary; Where is the beauty of Gods face ſeen, and his power and ſtrength diſplayed, as in his Sanctuary? to wit, his Tabernacle, his Temple, the Congregations and Aſſemblies of his Saints. God is greatly to be feared in the Aſſembly of the Saints: and to be had in reverence by all them that are about him: and why? why? who in Heaven can be compared unto the Lord? Who among the Sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord? Pſa. 89.6, 7. And therefore it is, that the Lord hath ſpoken, ſaying, I will be ſanctified in them that come nigh me, Lev. 10.3. When a fire went out from the Lord, and deſtroyed Nadab and Abihu, the Sons of Aaron, for offering ſtrange fire before the Lord, Lev. 10.1, 2, 3. To which I ſuppoſe that place in the Hebrews hath a ſpecial reference, where the Saints being exhorted to ſerve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear, urges this as a ſtrong motive thereunto, for our God (ſaith he) is a conſuming fire, Heb. 12.28, 29. Thus you ſee how requiſite it is to be acting Faith in the power and ſoveraignty of God, when we p. 142draw nigh to him in the ſolemn duties of his Worſhip and ſervice; and what an encouragement it is, to be fearing the Lord, and ſerving of him in ſincerity and truth, with all our hearts, conſidering what great things he hath done for us, 1 Sam. 12.24.

5. Act faith in the mighty power of God in times of ſuffering. So the Apoſtle James, ſpeaking of the cruelties that were exerciſed againſt the Saints in thoſe days, how they had condemned and killed the juſt, and they could not reſiſt them; He exhorts them to be patient to the coming of the Lord; and why to the coming of the Lord? Becauſe when he comes, he will come with power and great glory, Mat. 24.30. When he comes, hee'l take to him his great power and reign, Rev. 11.17. When he comes, he will come with ten thouſand of his Saints; What to do? To execute Judgement upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly, of all their ungodly deeds, which they have ungodly committed, &c. Jude, verſ. 14, 15. When he comes, he will come with fire, and with his chariots, like a Whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire, Iſa. 66.15. When he comes, he will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence, he will come and ſave you, Iſa. 35.4. And then the hand of the Lord, (the power of God) ſhall be known towards his ſervants, and his indignation towards his enemies, Iſa. 66.14. So the Author to the Hebrews, when he exhorts the Saints to a patient ſuffering and undergoing of the Croſs of Chriſt; what Argument does he p. 144uſe? even this, For yet a little while, and he that ſhall come, will come, and will not tarry, Heb. 10.37. The Apoſtle would have all the ſuffering Saints to be acting faith in a powerful Redeemer, even in him who is mighty to ſave, That will tread down the people in his anger, and make them drunk in his fury, and will bring down their ſtrength to the earth, Iſa 63.6. So the Apoſtles, (when the Prieſts and Rulers of the people had laid hands on them, and put them in hold, for teaching the People, and Preaching through Jeſus the reſurrection from the dead, and had further threatned them for ſpeaking any more in the name of Jeſus, and had let them go) what Arguments in Prayer do they uſe? Lord thou art God, which haſt made Heaven and Earth, and the Sea, and all that in them is. Who by the mouth of thy ſervant David, haſt ſaid, why did the Heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The Kings of the Earth ſtood up, and the Rulers were gathered together againſt the Lord, and againſt his Chriſt. For of a truth againſt thy holy Child Jeſus, whom thou haſt annointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Iſrael, were gathered together, for to do whatſoever thy hand, and thy counſel determined before to be done. And now Lord behold their threatnings, Act. 4. Though they had to deal with great and potent Adverſaries, yet they well knew, that God was above them, and that their rage and fury was not ſo much againſt them, as againſt the Lord Jehovah himſelf, and againſt his Chriſt, whom he had anointed to be the chief Prieſt, and Prophet, and King of his Church, who could eaſily break them with p. 145his rod of Iron, and daſh them in peices like a Potters Veſſel. They knew that the Lord whom they ſerved, was able to deliver them, as Daniel out of the Lions mouths. So it is ſaid of Moſes, and laid down as a ſingular act of Faith in him, that he forſook Egypt, and feared not the wrath of the King, for he endured as ſeeing him who is inviſible, Heb. 11.27. Now this was an act of Faith in the power of God. He knew, that though he might incur the wrath of an enraged King by refuſing the honours and dignities of his Court; yet his eye being fixt upon a moſt powerful inviſible Lord God, that was ſufficient to uphold him under all the ſufferings he might undergo for his ſake. And that this Lord was able to ſtrike through Kings in the day of his wrath, Pſa. 110.5. In which ſpirit of faith and confidence David brake forth, when he ſaid, Though I walk in the midſt of trouble, thou wilt revive me, thou ſhalt ſtretch forth thine hand againſt the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand ſhall ſave me, Pſa. 138.7. So Paul that tried Apoſtle, and courageous ſufferer for Chriſt; For which cauſe (ſaith he) I alſo ſuffer theſe things, nevertheleſs I am not aſhamed, for I know whom I have beleived, and I am perſwaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him againſt that day. He acts faith in the ability and all-ſufficiency of God, to carry him through all difficulties and hardſhip for Chriſt, 2 Tim 1.12. And upon this ſcore it was, he ſo much incouraged his Son Timothy in the faith, as to a ſuffering ſtate for Chriſt. Be not therefore aſhamed of the Teſtimony of our Lord, nor of me his Priſoner, but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the p. 146Goſpel according to the power of God, as in the 8. verſ. of that Chap. Whether he meant Chriſt the power of God, 1 Cor. 1.24. Or whether he would have him bear thoſe afflictions patiently, as God afforded him power and ſtrength; yet ſurely, it cannot exclude, but take in the exerciſe of his faith in the power of God, in all his ſufferings for Chriſt, whoſe power will ever be manifeſted in weakneſs. And therefore it is, that we are exhorted to be looking up unto Jeſus the Author and Finiſher of our Faith, who for the joy that was ſet before him, endured the Croſs, deſpiſing the ſhame, and is ſet down at the right hand of the throne of God, at the right hand of Gods power. For conſider him that endured ſuch contradiction of ſinners againſt himſelf, leſt ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Now this looking up unto Jeſus, is not only a looking up unto him as a pattern and example of patience, in our ſufferings and perſecutions, for his and the Goſpels ſake; but we muſt look upon him alſo, as made perfect by ſuffering, who for the ſuffering of death is now crowned with glory and honor; as him, whom God hath highly exalted, and ſet at the right hand of the throne of God, where he muſt ſit and reign till all his enemies be made his foot-ſtool, or as the Apoſtle expreſſeth it, Till he hath put all his enemies under his feet, 1 Cor. 15.25 Thus you ſee how neceſſary it is to be Acting faith, as in the blood of Chriſt, ſo in the power of God.

And that Firſt, In times of great difficulties and ſtraights.

2. In times of ſore ſickneſſes and deaths.

p. 1473. In times of great ſinning.

4. In times of ſerving and worſhipping of God.

5. In times of ſuffering for God.

Thirdly, We are to Act Faith in the faithfulneſs of God. Know therefore (ſaith Moſes) that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy, with them that love him, and keep his commandments to a thouſand generations, Deut. 7.9. The conſideration whereof, made the Pſalmiſt break forth into this pious interrogation or expoſtulation rather, Pſal. 89.8. O Lord God of Hoſts, who is a ſtrong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulneſs round about thee?

Conſider then that this Faith in the faithfulneſs of God is to be acted upon ſeveral accounts.

Firſt, Upon the account of the unchangableneſs of Gods love, and the immutability of the Covenant of Grace, which he hath made with us in his Son, and which he hath ratified and confirmed unto us in his moſt precious blood. See the 89. Pſalm, ſpeaking of David as a Type of Chriſt, The Lord promiſeth there, That the enemy ſhall not exact upon him, nor the ſon of wickedneſs afflict him; And that he will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him. But my faithfulneſs (ſaith he) and my mercies ſhall be with him, Ver. 22, 23, 24. So in the 30, 31, 32, 33, and 34. Verſ. of that Pſalm. If his Children forſake my law, and walk not in my judgments. If they break my ſtatutes, and keep not my Commandments, then will I viſit their tranſgreſſion with the rod, and their iniquity with ſtripes. But what follows? Nevertheleſs my loving kindneſs will I not utterly take from him, nor ſuffer my faithfulneſs to fail. My Covenant will I not break, nor alter the p. 148thing that is gone out of my lips. So David in the 2 Sam. 23.5. Although my houſe be not ſo with God, yet he hath made with me an everlaſting Covenant, ordered in all things, and ſure. Now that Gods love in Chriſt is unchangable, as it is founded upon the immutability of the New-covenant of Grace, appears.

1. Becauſe it is dearer then a Mothers love to her ſweeteſt, and moſt tender Babe, Iſa. 49.15. Can a woman forget her ſucking child, that ſhe ſhould not have compaſſion on the ſon of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet I will not forget thee.

2. It is ſtronger then the Mountains, Iſa. 54.10. For the mountains ſhall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindneſs ſhall not depart from thee, neither ſhall the Covenant of my peace be removed, ſaith the Lord, that hath mercy on thee.

3. It is as conſtant as the courſes of the Sun, Moon, and Sars, of the Day, and of the Night, Jer. 31.35, 36. Thus ſaith the Lord, which giveth the ſun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon, and of the ſtars for a light by night, which divideth the ſea when the waves thereof roar, the Lord of Hoſts is his name. If thoſe ordinances depart from before me, ſaith the Lord, then the ſeed of Iſrael alſo ſhall ceaſe from being a Nation before me for ever.

4. It is as ſure as God himſelf, Pſal. 89.35. Once have I ſworn by my holineſs, that I will not lye unto David. His ſeed ſhall endure for ever, and his throne as the ſun before me. It ſhall be eſtabliſhed for ever as the Moon, and as a faithful witneſs in heaven. We give much credit to the word of an honeſt man, much more when we have his oath for it. This the Author to the Hebrews makes the ground or p. 149foundation of a Beleivers ſtrong conſolation. Wherein God willing more abundantly to ſhew unto the heirs of promiſe the immutability of his counſel, confirmed it by an oath, That by two immutable things, in which it was impoſſible for God to lye we might have a ſtrong conſolation▪ who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope ſet hefore us, which hope we have as an anchor of the ſoul both ſure and ſtedfaſt, &c. Heb. 6.17, 18, 19. And this was it without all queſtion, that made the Apoſtle break out with that holy boldneſs, and exultation of ſpirit. Who ſhall ſeperate us from the love of Chriſt, ſhall tribulation, or diſtreſs, or perſecution, or famine, or nakedneſs, or peril, or ſword? Nay, in all theſe things we are more then Conquerors through him that loved us. For I am perſwaded (ſaith he) that neither death, nor life, nor Angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things preſent, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, ſhall be able to ſeperate us from the love of God, which is in Chriſt Jeſus our Lord, Rom. 8.35. to the end. Now this ſtability, and firmneſs of Gods love, grounded upon the faithfulneſs of God, may be a great ſupport to the poor doubting ſoul, that is apt to queſtion the Love of God, and the certainty of its eternal eſtate in Chriſt.

2ly. This Faith in Gods faithfulneſs, is to be acted upon the account of our Vocation or Calling to, and confirmation or eſtabliſhment in the Grace of God. God is faithful (ſaith Paul) by whom ye were called unto the fellowſhip of his Son Jeſus Chriſt our Lord: And therefore will he confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameleſs in the day of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, 1 Cor. 1.8, 9. That God who p. 150hath called you unto the communion, or fellowſhip of his Son; not externally only, in point of Ordinances, Church-fellowſhip, and Publique-worſhip, whereby we profeſs to have communion with Chriſt, and his benefits; but internally in a ſpecial manner, whereby we are really united to him by faith, and by the ſpirit of Chriſt, and ſo are made partakers indeed of all the glorious benefits, priviledges, and advantages of his death, reſurrection, aſcenſion, interceſſion, Rom. 8.32. Eph. 3.17. 1 Joh. 1.3. This God who hath ſo called you, is the faithful God, faithful in the performance of all his promiſes he hath made, to confirm you unto the end, not to leave you, nor forſake you, Heb. 13.5. as many freinds do in time of adverſity; not to caſt you off, Rom. 11.1, 2. as many Parents do their Children; not to forget you, as many cruel and unnatural Women do their ſucking children, Iſa. 49.15.

No ſurely, he will not do it, his faithfulneſs is engaged to ſtand by you; fear not, he will be with thee: be not diſmayed, he is thy God; he will ſtrengthen thee, yea, he will help thee, yea, He will uphold thee with the right hand of his righteouſneſs, Iſa. 41.10. And make an everlaſting Covenant with thee, that he will not turn away from thee to do thee good, but will put his fear into thy heart, that thou ſhalt not depart from him, Jer. 32.40. So the Apoſtle Paul praying for the Theſſalonians, that the very God of peace migh ſanctifie them wholly, and that their whole ſpirit, and ſoul, and body, might be preſerved blameleſs unto the coming of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt: He makes this the ground of his confidence, Faithful is he that calleth p. 151you, who alſo will do it, 1 Theſſ. 5.23, 24. So 2 Theſſ. 3.3. But the Lord is faithful, who ſhall ſtabliſh you and keep you from evil. Why ſhouldſt thou then fear of falling away, or of thy perſevering in the grace of God, when Gods faithfulneſs is engaged forthy eſtabliſhment?

3ly. This faith in Gods faithfulneſs is to be acted upon the accompt of a Chriſtians temptations and conflictings with ſin and Satan, 1 Cor. 10 13. There hath no temptation taken you, but ſuch as is common to man: but God is faithful (obſerve that I pray you) who will not ſuffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation alſo make a way to eſcape, that ye may be able to bear it. Thou poor tempted ſoul, thou thinkeſt perhaps, that no temptations are like unto thine, but thou art miſtaken, thy temptations are not ſingular, but in common with others, other men have been exerciſed with the like. And thou art apt to think, thou ſhalt ſink under thy temptations, thou findeſt ſo little ſtrength to undergo them, but what ſaith the Apoſtle, God is faithful, and will not ſuffer you to be tempted above your ſtrength, but will proportion ſuitable ſtrength, according to your trials. Gods Faithfulneſs is engaged to help you and to ſupport you under all your temptations and trials. Would Satan then make thee beleive that thy ſins are of that nature and magnitude that they ſhall not be forgiven, think upon Gods faithfulneſs then who is engaged to pardon thee. So ſaith John, 1 Joh. 1.9. If we confeſt our ſins, he is faithful and juſt to forgive us our ſins, and to cleanſe us from all unrighteouſneſs. It would be an act of unfaithfulneſs and injuſtice p. 152in God, if he ſhould not pardon and forgive poor penitent ſinners who confeſs and forſake their ſins. But God is faithful and juſt, and cannot falſifie his word; If we beleive not, yet he abideth faithful, he cannot deny himſelf, 2 Tim. 2.13.

4. This acting of faith in Gods faithfulneſs is of excellent uſe in order to our ſtanding faſt in the faith, and continuing in our publique faithful teſtimony for the Lord, Heb. 10.23. Let us hold faſt the profeſſion of our faith without wavering (and why?) for he is faithful that hath promiſed, faithful in performing what he hath promiſed, Joſh. 23.14. And what hath he promiſed? Surely, as hath been declared before, to eſtabliſh and keep us from evil, and confirm us unto the end, 1 Cor. 1.8. According to that alſo in 2 Theſſ. 3.3. But the Lord is faithful, who ſhall eſtabliſh you, and keep you from evil: Stabliſh you in the faith, leſt you fall from it; and keep you from evil, to wit, the Devil, leſt he ſubvert your faith by evil men, as the inſtruments of his art; or it may be taken more generally, for any evil; as the Apoſtle declares in the 2 Tim. 4.18. And the Lord ſhall deliver me from every evil work, and will preſerve me unto his heavenly Kingdom. And therefore we may upon this conſideration be much encouraged to hold faſt our profeſſion, and not to be ſtaggaring or wavering in our honourable and faithful teſtimony for the Lord.

5. This acting of faith in Gods faithfulneſs is of excellent uſe to encourage us as to a ſuffering ſtate for Chriſt, and to Chriſtian contentation under the Croſs. It is a faithful ſaying (ſaith the p. 153Apoſtle) that if we be dead with him, we ſhall alſo live with him; If we ſuffer, we ſhall alſo reign with him, 2 Tim. 2.11, 12. Rule or reign as Kings, ſo the word it ſeems imports, if we endure all manner of tribulations with patience and ſtedfaſtneſs in the faith. And it is a faithful ſaying (ſaith he) a certain, ſure, firm, credible, irrevocable word, not to be queſtioned or doubted. Or we ſhall be glorified together with him, as the Apoſtle expreſſeth it, Rom. 8.17. and Gods faithfulneſs is engaged to make it good; whence is that exhortation of the Apoſtle, 1 Pet. 4.16, 19. In the 16. verſe he tells them, That if any man ſuffer as a Chriſtian (and not as an evil doer) let him not be aſhamed (ſaith he) but let him glorifie God on this behalf. And then in the 19. verſe. Wherefore let them that ſuffer according to the will of God, commit the keeping of their ſouls to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator. God is not onelyonly a powerful Creator, … alſo a faithful Creator, a ſure Preſerver, who will faithfully recompenſe all your hard ſervices and ſufferings you undergo for his ſake.

He is as faithful as he is able; according to that of Paul to Timothy, encouraging him to be a partaker of the afflictions of the Goſpel, and ſpeaking of his own ſufferings upon the ſame account; Nevertheleſs (ſaith he) I am not aſhamed, for I know whom I have beleived, and I am perſwaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him againſt that day, 2 Tim. 1.12. And what was that which he had committed to Gods cuſtody? His Soul, ſaith one; himſelf (which is all one) ſaith another; his works, ſaith a third; a fourth ſaith p. 154his ſufferings; a fifth his ſalvation. All which put together, he committed unto God his ſoul, himſelf, his doings, his ſufferings, his ſalvation, his all.

And he was perſwaded he was as able as faithful, and as faithful as able to keep that which he had committed unto his truſt; The Goſpel, that the Lord had committed to his keeping, and his Soul he had committed unto Gods keeping: And becauſe the Apoſtle Peter knew that God was a faithful Creator, therefore did he encourage the Saints ſuffering according to the will of God, to commit the cuſtody of their ſouls unto him; who as he had created them immortal ſouls, ſo he would not leave them as Maſons and Carpenters leave their houſes which they build, but would faithfully keep and and preſerve them. As the Lord himſelf declares, ſpeaking of his Vineyard of red wine, his Church, whether red, upon the account of the preciouſneſs of its fruits, or elſe of its bloody ſufferings, I the Lord do keep it (ſaith he) I will water it every moment, leſt any hurt it, I will keep it night and day, Iſa. 27.2, 3.

Fourthly and laſtly, We are to act faith in the Promiſes of God, whether they are ſuch as are of a temporal or of a ſpiritual and eternal concernment; and know for thine everlaſting comfort, thou beleiving Soul, that as the promiſes of God are the ground of our hope, and the object of our faith, Pſal. 119.49. Heb. 10.35.36. and chap. 11.11. So are they all firm and irrevocable in Chriſt; For all the promiſes of God in him (that is in Chriſt) are yea, and in p. 155him are Amen, unto the glory of God, &c. 2 Cor. 1.20. They are not yea and nay, but in Chriſt they are yea; that is, true in the event, and as to their performance: And Amen, that is ſtable and firm, being made and performed in and for Chriſt.

For even as Chriſt is always the ſame in Gods promiſes which are unchangeable, ſo are all Gods promiſes of our ſalvation firm and certain in Chriſt: and as certain, ſo are they general and indefinite, and made to all that ſhall beleive, excluding none but thoſe that are finally impenitent. Conſider a few of them to this purpoſe; Hee every one that thirſteth, Come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money, Come ye, buy and eat, yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price. Incline your ear, and come unto me, hear and your ſouls ſhall live; and I will make an everlaſting covenant with you, even the ſure mercies of David, Iſa. 55.1, 3. So Matth. 11.28. Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you reſt. Mark 16.16. He that beleiveth and is baptized ſhall be ſaved, but he that beleiveth not ſhall be damned. 1 Joh. 2.1. If any man ſin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jeſus Chriſt the righteous, and he is the propitiation for our ſins, and not for ours onelyonly, but alſo for the ſins of the whole world. Joh. 3.16. God ſo loved the world that he gave his onelyonly begotten Son, that whoſoever beleiveth in him, ſhould not periſh but have everlaſting life.

Joh. 5.24. Verily, verily I ſay unto you; He that heareth my word, and beleiveth on him that ſent me, hath everlaſting life, and ſhall not come into condemnation, but is paſſed from death unto life. Joh. p. 1566.37. All that the Father giveth me, ſhall come unto me, & him that cometh to me I will in no wiſe caſt out, v. 40. And this is the will of him that ſent me, that every one which ſeeth the Son, and beleiveth on him, may have everlaſting life, and I will raiſe him up at the laſt day, verſ. 47. Verily, verily, I ſay unto you, he that beleiveth on me hath everlaſting life, Act 40.43. To him (meaning Chriſt) give all the Prophets witneſs, that through his name, whoſoever beleiveth in him, ſhall receive remiſſion of ſins, 1 Tim. 1.15. This is a faithful ſaying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Chriſt Jeſus came into the World to ſave ſinners, of whom I am chief, who gave himſelf a ranſom for all, to be teſtified in due time, Iſa. 43.25. I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy tranſgreſſions for mine own ſake, and will not remember thy ſins. So Chap. 44.22. I have blotted out as a thick cloud thy tranſgreſſions, and as a cloud thy ſins: return unto me, for I have redeemed thee, Heb. 8.8. Behold the days come (ſaith the Lord) when I ſhall make a new Covenant with the houſe of Iſrael, and with the houſe of Judah, For this is the Covenant that I will make with the houſe of Iſrael, after thoſe days (ſaith the Lord) I will put my Laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts; and I will be to them a God, and they ſhall be to me a people, and in the 12. verſe, For I will be merciful to their unrighteouſneſs, and their ſins, and their iniquities will I remember no more. Theſe are ſome of thoſe ſweet ſoul-ſupporting promiſes, which are made indefinitely to all, and have their, yea, and Amen in Chriſt, excluding none, but the wilful and final impenitent, and unbeleiving ſinners. But perhaps thou wilt ſay, thou haſt relapſed and fallen into ſin again, after repentance, and p. 157thou thinkeſt thy relapſes cannot be pardoned. Remember that men who have not a drop of mercy, in compariſon of God, are obliged to forgive the repenting offender, though he offend ſeventy ſeven times; God much more, who is infinite in mercy, hath bound himſelf, by his moſt firme and faithful promiſes, 1 Joh. 1.9. and 2.1. Upon true and renewed repentance, often to forgive and forget the ſame ſin, iterated again and again, Luk. 17.3, 4. That though thy ſins were as Crimſon, they ſhall be made as white as Snow; And he calls to back ſliding Iſrael to return, and promiſes to heal their back-ſlidings, and love them freely, Jerem. 3.14. comp. with Hoſea 14.4.

So in pangs of the New-birth, ſpiritual infancy, weakneſs of Faith, Prayer, Godly ſorrow, and other graces, let ſuch cordial refreſhing Promiſes, as theſe dwell upon thy heart, Rev. 21.6. Mat. 5.6. Iſa. 42.3. and 57.15. and 40.11. which import; How God will ſatisfie the hungry ſoul, tender the weak and feeble ſoul, dwel with the humble ſoul; yea the exerciſe of faith alſo in the promiſes is of ſingular uſe in all kinds and varieties of temptations, ſpiritual deſertions, deep & almoſt deſpairing apprehenſions of thine extreme vileneſs and nothingneſs in grace, in which dark, diſmal and diſconſolate eſtate, let thy faith be exerciſed on ſuch precious ſoul-ſupporting promiſes as theſe, 1 Cor. 10.13. Jam. 1.2. Iſa. 30.18. and Iſa. 43.25. Which ſpeaks to this effect; That God is faithful, and will not ſuffer us to be tempted above our ſtrength. That we ſhould count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations. That all they are bleſſed that wait for the Lord. So that if thou eieſt p. 158in this waiting ſtate, thou ſhalt be certainly ſaved, for the holy ſpirit pronounceth thee bleſſed. And further, for the exceeding great comfort and ſupport of thy ſoul, that, it is the Lord, and he onelyonly that blotteth out thy tranſgreſſions for his own ſake, and will not remember thy ſins.

So in the Hail-ſtorms of ſlanderous Arrows, and empoyſoned Darts of diſgrace, how ſhould thy Faith be fixt upon ſuch pretious Promiſes as theſe, 1 Pet. 4.18. Mat. 5.11. Yea, in the valley of the ſhadow of death, by an aſſurance of Gods merciful omnipotent preſence, Pſa. 23.4. And in the extremity and depth of ſuch deſperate diſtreſſes and perplexities, wherein in thy preſent feeling, thou canſt ſee and find no poſſibility of help from Heaven or Earth, God or man, but art both helpleſs and hopeleſs, as the Church complains, Lam. 3.18. Let thy meditations dwell upon ſuch like precious promiſes as theſe, Iſa. 33.9, 10. 2 Chron. 20.12. Exod. 14.13. Pſal. 78.65, 66. Gen. 22.14. All which import, that in the Mount of the greateſt difficulties, God will be ſeen. Well, in every thing, or any thing that ſhall or can poſſibly befall thee, proſperity or poverty, croſs or comfort, calmneſs of conſcience, or tempeſts of terror, life or death, thou maiſt by Faith extract abundance of unconquerable patience and peace of ſoul, from thoſe three heavenly golden conduits of ſweeteſt comfort, Rom. 8.18. and 28.32, to wit, That the ſufferings of this preſent time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that ſhall be revealed in us.

2. That all things ſhall work together for good to them that love God.

p. 1593. That he that ſpared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how ſhall he not with him alſo freely give us all things?

Object. But may I act faith in the Promiſes for things temporal, as for ſpiritual? Yea, for godlineſs hath the Promiſe of the life that now is, as of that which is to come, 1 Tim. 4.8. Yet conſider withal, that temporal things are not promiſed abſolutely, but conditionally.

1. With limitation to expediency.

2. By way of commutation and compenſation with ſpiritual; If he gives thee not peace, he will give thee patience, if not wealth, yet contentment, which may be far better.

3. With exception of the Croſs, Houſes, and Brethren, and Siſters, and Lands with perſecution, Mark 10.30. So then we may believe, we ſhall have temporal bleſſings, which God hath promiſed conditionally, ſo far forth as will ſtand with theſe conditions, his own glory, our ſpiritual good, and everlaſting ſalvation. This life, is but, via advitam, the way to life, and whatſoever God promiſeth us in the way, is, but to help us to the end of our journey. There is no temporal thing of this life falls within the compaſs of Gods promiſe, but ſo far forth as it ſhall be a help and furtherance unto us, as to our eternal life. I ſhall therefore preſent unto thy view, a few of thoſe Promiſes, which are of a temporal concernment, as having reference to long Life, Children, Lands, Riches, Honour, and external Peace and Plenty; See to this purpoſe, Gen. 22.17. and 49.15. Le…. 25.18, 19, 21. and 26.4, 5, 6, &c. Deut. 5.16. and 28.4, 11, 13. Pſa. 112.3. and p. 160128.2, 3, 4. and many ſuch like, which are propounded upon the diligent and exact obſervation of Gods Law, and the fear of the Lord. So for the duties and works of thy particular calling, which if by prayer thou doſt conſcienciouſly and diligently diſcharge, thou mayeſt go on with comfort, contentment, and freedom from carking cares, and racking, torturing, thoughtfulneſs, and leave the ſucceſs, iſſue, and event of all thy labours and undertakings, unto the Lord, whatſoever it may be, reſting ſweetly, and ever relying upon this gratious promiſe, Heb. 13.5. I will not fail thee, nor forſake thee. The like in ordering and guiding the affairs of thy Family, depend by faith upon Gods bleſſing, the ſtrength and ſinew of all ſound comfort, and true contentation that way, Pſa. 127. So, in the loſs of outward things, for thy love and ſervice unto God, by beleiving that Man of God, 2 Chron. 25.9. The Lord is able to give thee much more then this; yea, in the loſs of all earthly things in every kind, by applying that promiſe in Hab. 3.17, 18. And that of Jobs patient bleſſing of God upon the ſurpriſe of all his ſubſtance, and the concurrence of an univerſal miſery, ſhould not paſs without a ſerious conſideration, if God ſhould exerciſe thee with the like condition, Job 1.21.

But I ſhall forbear to enlarge further, and recommend to thy conſideration ſome of thoſe promiſes for thy faith to be exerciſed in, which have a ſpecial relation as to the preſent viſitation of the Lord, as Exod. 23.5. Ye ſhall ſerve the Lord your God, &c. And I will take ſickneſs away from p. 161the midſt of thee; So Deut. 7.12, 15. If ye hearken to theſe judgements, and keep and do them, the Lord thy God ſhall keep unto thee the Covenant and the mercy which he ſware unto thy Fathers; And he will love thee and bleſs thee, and multiply thee. And in the 15. verſ. The Lord will take away from thee all ſickneſs, and will put none of the evil diſeaſes of Egypt upon thee, but will lay them upon all them that hate thee. So in the Prayer that Solomon made, at the Feaſt of the Dedication of the Temple, 1 King. 8.37, 38, 39. If there be in the Land Famine, if there be Peſtilence, &c. Whatſoever Plague, whatſoever ſickneſs there be, what prayer and ſupplication ſoever be made by any man, which ſhall know the plague of his own heart; Then hear thou in Heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whoſe heart thou knoweſt; And the Lord graciouſly promiſed, that he would do according to his prayer and ſupplication that he had made, 1 King 9.3. So Pſa. 41. Bleſſed is he that conſidereth the poor, the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preſerve him and keep him alive, and he ſhall be bleſſed upon the Earth, and thou wilt not deliver him into the will of his enemies. The Lord will ſtrengthen him upon the bed of languiſhing, thou wilt make all his bed in his ſickneſs; So Pſa. 91.3, 6, 7, 10. Surely, he ſhall deliver thee from the noyſom Peſtilence, Thou ſhalt not be afraid of the …eſtilence that walketh in darkneſs: nor for the deſtruction that waſteth at noonday: A thouſand ſhall fall at thy ſide, and ten thouſand at thy right hand, but it ſhall not come nigh thee. Art thou ſick then? apply; The Lord p. 162will ſtrengthen him upon the bed of languiſhing; Tbou wilt make all his bed in his ſickneſs. Art thou there where the ſick are? apply; I will take away all ſickneſs from the midſt of thee. Feareſt thou the Peſtilence? I will deliver thee, ſaith the Lord, from the noyſome Peſtilence. So that of Eliphaz to Job; He ſhall deliver thee in ſix troubles, yea, in ſeven, there ſhall no evil touch thee; in Famine he ſhall redeem thee from death, and in War from the power of the Sword. Thou ſhalt be hid from the ſcourge of the Tongue, neither ſhalt thou be afraid of deſtruction when it cometh, &c. And thou ſhalt know that thy Tabernacle ſhall be in peace, Job 5.19.20, 21, 24. So in Iſa. 43.2. The Lord promiſeth he will be with us in the fire, and in the water, the waters ſhall not overflow us, nor the fire devour us; And in Heb. 13.5. he hath promiſed likewiſe, that he will never leave thee nor forſake thee; The labour of the Olive may fail, as Habakkuk ſpeaks; our neareſt and deareſt friends and relations may fail, our eyes may fail, our tongue may fail, our ſtrength may fail, our fleſh and heart may fail, our ſpirits may fail; yet ſaith the Lord, I will be with thee, I will not fail thee nor forſake thee; When the poor and the 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, Iſa. 41.17. What can be more refreſhing and ſupporting to the poor languiſhing fainting, ſinking ſoul? Thus in any trouble of ſoul, body, good name, outward ſtate, preſent or to come, thou maiſt by the ſoveraign power of ſaith, working upon the word of his promiſe, p. 163not only draw out the ſting, and expell the poiſon of it; but alſo procure a great deal of comfort to thy truly humbled ſoul, and maintain it in deſpight of all mortal or infernal oppoſition, in a conſtant ſpiritual gladneſs. Conſidering, that all thoſe Promiſes whereupon thy heavy and diſconſolate heart in ſuch caſes may repoſe and refreſh it ſelf, have their being and confirmation from the bleſſed name Jehovah it ſelf, ſee Exod. 6.3. and therefore as ſure as God himſelf; they are ſealed with the bloody ſufferrings of his only Son, and therefore as true as Truth it ſelf; and if thou art in Chriſt, are all as certainly thine, as the heart in thy body, or blood that runs in thy veins. Nay, and a little more for thy comfort, the glory of Gods Truth is mightily advanced, and himſelf extraordinarily pleaſed, by thy more reſolute, ſtedfaſt and triumphant cleaving unto them. What a bleſſed, ſweet and heavenly life then is the Life of Faith, as it is exerciſed in the Promiſes of God?

O then be encouraged to be acting Faith in the Promiſes, and to be ſtoring up a good ſtock of Promiſes every day. They are of excellent uſe in all eſtates, in all conditions, in all kind of diſtreſſes whatſoever. By beleiving the Promiſes we ſhall proſper, by beleiving and applying of them, we ſhall come to participate of the Divine Nature, 2 Pet. 1.4. And therefore they are called exceeding great and precious promiſes, That by theſe (ſaith the Apoſtle) you might be partakers of the Divine Nature; not of the ſubſtance, but of the quality. Non transformatione naturae humanae in divinam, ſed participatione donorum, quibus conformes efficimur divinae naturae, as one diſtinguiſheth very p. 164well; not by the transformation of the humane nature into the divine, but by the participation of gifts whereby we are made conformable to the Divine Nature. And ſo it notes a fellowſhip with God in his holineſs, and a fellowſhip with God in his bleſſedneſs, that is, in the beatifical viſion and brightneſs of glory; upon which account, as to the excellent uſe and nature of them, one terms them a Chriſtians Catholicon, a general purging Medicine, a Salve for every ſore, being a help to all duties, a quickner of all graces, and a comfort in all diſtreſſes. And like a well-fill'd Apothacaries ſhop, there is contained in them, heavenly receipts of all ſorts, wholeſome phyſick of every kind, for expelling and curing all ſorts of diſeaſes and ſickneſſes incident to Saints, and for the corroborating and ſtrengthening of the new nature, and keeping the ſpiritual man in a good healthful conſtitution, luſty and ſtrong, able for Gods Service, and for working out his own ſalvation with fear and trembling.

Wouldſt thou then have thy faith like the Light in the Lords Sanctuary, never to go out? then acquaint thy ſelf with Gods Promiſes, know them well, meditate on them, confer about them: let them be continually in thy mind, memory, heart and tongue. Satan laboureth in nothing more, then to keep us in unbeleif, eſpecially of particular promiſes; for he knows, if we beleive them, we ſhall in all things have the victory: Come before God with boldneſs, carry peace in our own boſomes to our graves, and do, and ſuffer any thing for God.

Oh, the abundance of ſweet cordial comfort, p. 165which all humble beleiving ſouls draw by faith out of every promiſe. And theſe precious promiſes (our breaſts of conſolation) whereupon our comfort and happineſs ſo much depend, lye hid in the holy Scriptures, as veins of gold in the earth. How then ſhould we be ſearching into thoſe rich mines that bring to light ſuch heavenly treaſures? and how ſhould it ſtir us up to go to God in prayer, for the accompliſhment of them unto us, and waiting in the diligent uſe of all means for the gaining of them? you ſhall find God not only making you heirs of Promiſes, but you ſhall be comfortable poſſeſſors of thoſe many good things, which God hath promiſed to beleivers. And the more you meditate, and the oftner you pray upon them, the more good will you ſee in them, and find to flow from them. And this leads me to the next Spiritual Receipt and Soveraign Antidote, and that is Prayer.