The Godly Mans Ark, Sermon 5

The Godly Mans Ark · Sermon 5

p. 163RULES FOR THE Right Application of the Promises SERMON V.

PSAL. 119. 92.

Unlesse thy Law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine Afflictions.

NOw I come to the third and last particular. He that would make the Promises as spiritual bladders to keep him from drowning in p. 164the deep waters of affliction, must not only make a Catalogue of them, and meditate upon them, but hee must make Application of them to his own soul, as belonging to him in particular. Hee must (as it is said of the godly Patriarchs, Hebrews 11. 13.) be perswaded of them, foreignand imbrace them; hee must hugge and kisse them as his rich portion, and glorious inheritance. And this is the chief of all: For no man can receive any comfort from a Promise, who is not able to make out his interest in that Promise: As the life of a Sermon is in the Application of it unto our selves, so the life of a Promise is in the appropriation of it. Quid est Deus, si non est meus? What am I the better (saith Origen) that Christ took upon him the flesh of a Virgin, if he took not my flesh? What was the great Prince the better for the miraculous plenty in Samaria, when the Prophet told him that hee should see it with his eyes, but not eat of it? p. 165As the man, who when he was ready to be drowned, saw a Rain-bow (which was a signe that the World should never bee again drowned) said, Quid mihi proderit haec Iris, si ego peream; What am I the better for this Rain bow, if I perish? So may I say, what is a man the better for the rich Mine of treasure contained in the Promises, if hee hath no share in it.

There are three sorts of Professors of Religion.

1 Some lay claime to the Promises when they have no right to them; such are your presumptuous sinners, who take it for granted, that the Promises belong to them, who presume themselves into Hell by a false hope in the Promises, who make a Feather-bed of the Promises, upon which they sleep securely in sin: As Thrasilaus (a m…d Athenian) laid claime to every Ship that came to Athens, though hee had right to none: So a presumptuous sinner laies p. 166claime to every Promise, though hee hath right to none; he inlargeth them beyond their bounds, and maketh the conditional Promises to bee absolute, and such as belong only to those that are in Christ, to belong to him, though he be not in Christ. He sucks the poison of sin, and security, out of the sweet flower of the Promises.

2 Some have an interest in the Promises, and know their interest. These live in Heaven while they are upon earth, these rejoyce in tribulation, and are more than, Conquerours over the greatest afflictions. These are secure from perishing in the day of distresse. That man, who taking the Bible into h…s hand, can say upon right grounds, All the Promises in this Book are my portion, and I have a right and title to them, this man is happy above expression.

3 Some have an interest in the Promises, but do… not know their interest, and therefore dare not (in the hour of p. 167trouble) apply them for their supportation and consolation. Such are your broken-hearted, wounded, distressed, and deserted Christians. Such can receive no comfort from the Promises in the day of affliction. When they begin to apply them for their support, the Devil suggesteth to them, and their owne doubting hearts tell them, that they mis-apply them, and that they belong not to them. When a godly Minister (whose office is to speak a word in season to those that are weary, Isa. 50. 4.) indeavours by the Application of the Promises to comfort them, their souls refuse to bee comforted, they exclude themselves from having a right to Christ, and his Promises, though Christ would not have them excluded. They groundlesly fear that their names are written in the black Book of reprobation, and that all the Curses of the Law are their portion; hence it is that they live so uncomfortably, and disconsolately in the time p. 168of affliction. Now then for the help of such persons, who have a true title to the Promises, but know it not, who walke in darknesse, and see no light, who beleeve they are Hypocrites, when they are not, and that they are not in Christ, when they are (that I may be Gods instrument to inable such to make Application of the precious promises unto their own souls in particular, in the hour of trouble, for their everlasting supportation and consolation) I shall lay down these ensuing Rules, and Directions.

Rule 1.

1 Whosoever in a Gospel-sense doth obey the commanding word of God, The first Rule for the right Application of the Promises.hath a real interest in the Promising Word of God: Though thou canst not perfectly obey the will of God, yet if thou dost truly desire, and industriously indeavour to obey it in all things. If God hath written his Law in thy heart, and p. 169given thee a Gospel-frame, inclining thee to the obedience of all his Commandements sincerely, though not perfectly; this is an infallible evidence, that thou hast a right and portion in all the Promises. This is that which God saith, Exod. 19. 5. If you will obey my voyce indeed, then yee shall bee a peculiar treasure, &c. If yee will obey my voyce indeed, not only in word, and in shew, but in deed, and in truth. Thus Ierem. 7. 5, 7. If yee thorowly amend your wayes, if yee thorowly execute judgement, &c. then will I cause you to dwell in this place, &c. If yee thorowly amend, &c. not only in some things, but in all things; not only outwardly, but inwardly also. This Rule is expresly delivered by the Apostle, 1 Tim. 4. 8. Godlinesse hath the promise of the life that now is, and that which is to come. If thou beest a godly man in a Gospel-sense, that is, one who truly and sincerely indeavoureth to bee godly. If thou makest Gods Will, p. 170thy Rule to live by, and not thine own. Gods glory thy end, and not thy own carnal interest. Gods love thy Principle. If thy Rules, Aimes, and Principles bee godly, all the Promises of this Life, and of the Life to come, belong to thee. It is worth observing: that all the Promises of Life and Salvation are conditional. Happiness is entailed upon Holiness, Glory upon Grace. You shall read in Scripture of the blessings of the Covenant, and of the bond of the Covenant, Ezek. 2…. 37.Ezek 2:37of the blessings of the Promises, and of the condition of the Promises. If ever you would assure your selves of your interest in the blessings of the Covenant, you must try your selves by your sincere performance of the condition. Thus Christ is promised to none but such as beleeve; pardon of sin, to none but such as repent; and Heaven, to none but such as persevere in well doing. Tell mee then, Canst thou say as in Gods presence, that thou hast respect to all p. 171Gods Commandements (though thou failest in all, yet thou hast respect to all) that thou obeyest God in deed, and in truth, and that thou sincerely labourest to bee godly? This is a certaine signe, that all the Promises are thy portion; but you that are ungodly, and doe not thorowly amend your wayes, you that sleight, undervalue, and despise the commanding Word, you have no part, no portion in the promising word.

But it may bee a distressed Christian (though without just cause) will say that hee is afraid that hee doth not sincerely obey the commanding word, and therefore dares not apply to himself the promising word, wherefore I adde

Rule 2.

2 The more thou art afraid, The second Rule for the right Application of the Promises.lest thou shouldest have no right to the Promises, the more right thou hast (in all probability) p. 172to them. This I speak only to the distressed Christian; not that I commend his fear: But this I say, This fear which thou art possessed withall▪ is a probable signe that thou hast an interest in the Promises. For a presumptuous Sinner never doubts of his right to them, but takes it as a Maxime not to bee denied, that they belong to him. It is a comfortable saying of Mr. Greenhams, When thou hearest the Promises, and art in a cold sweat, and hast a fear and trembling seizing upon thee; lest they should not belong to thee, doubt not, but that they doe belong to thee; For Christ hath said;Mat. 11. 28Matt 11:28 Come unto mee all yee that are weary, and heavie laden, and I will give you rest. And the Prophet Isaiah calls upon those who are of a fearful heart,Isa. 35. 4Isa 35:4 to bee strong, and fear not, and tells us for our comfort, that God will look with an eye of favour upon him that is poor, Isa. 66. 2Isa 66:2and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at his word.

p. 173Rule 3.

3 The more sensible thou art of thine own unworthiness to lay hold upon the Promises,The third Rule for the right Application of the Promises. the more thou art fitted and qualified to lay hold upon them. For the promises are (as I have shewed) the fruit of Free-grace. Nothing moved God to enter into a Covenant with his people, and thereby to become their Debtor, but his free love. Free grace brought Christ down from Heaven,Sola misericordia deducit Deumad homines, & sola misericordia reducit homines ad Deum. and it is Free Grace must carry us up to Heaven. Christ himself is called, the gift of God, John 4. 10. Moses tells the Israelites, Deut. 7. 7, 8. The Lord did not set his love upon you, nor chuse you, because you were more in number than any people, &c. but because the Lord loved you, and because hee would keep the Oath which hee had sworn unto your Fathers, hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you, &c. God doth not love us, p. 174because wee are worthy of his love, but because hee loves us, therefore hee makes us worthy. Wee must not bring worthinesse to Christ, but fetch worthinesse from Christ. And therefore if thou beest sensible of thine owne nothingnesse, emptinesse, and unworthinesse; lay hold upon that excellent Promise, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdome of Heaven.Mat. 5. 3Matt 5:3 Blessed are those who are sensible of their spiritual wants, for to them belongs the Kingdome of Heaven, as certainly as if they were already in it.

Rule 4.

4 Study thy interest in the main and fundamental Promise, The fourth Rule for the right Application of the Promises. 2 Cor. 1. 202 Cor 1:20and that will help thee to make out thy interest in all the other; The main and fundamental Promise, is the Promise of Christ. For all Promises, whither Spiritual o… Temporal, are made to us, in and p. 175thorough him. God hath promised, never to leave us, nor forsake us, and that all things shall work together for our good; that is, if wee be in Christ, God hath said, all things are ours, whether Paul, or Apollos, whether life or death, 1 Cor. 3. 21 Cor 3:2whether things present, or things to come; but it is with this Promise, if wee bee Christs: Whosoever takes any comfort from any Temporal promise, and is not in Christ, doth but delude and cheat himself. This then is thy work; O Christian! study thy interest in Christ, make out that, and make out all. If no interest in Christ, no interest in the Promises; If an interest in Christ, an interest in the Promises; let this then be thy daily business to make it out to thy soul,Three things to be studied in order to the makeing out of our interest in Christ. that Christ is thine.

Quest. How shall I bee able to doe this?

Answ. For this purpose you must diligently study three things.

1 The Universality of the Promise of Christ.

p. 1762 The Freenesse of it.

3 The condition upon which hee is tendred.

1 The Universality of the promise of Christ. First, the universality of the Promise of ChristChrist Jesus with all his benefits is promised to every one who is willing to lay hold on him,Mark 16. 15, 16.Mark 16:15Mark 16:16 as hee is tendred in the Gospel. The Apostles are commanded to go into all the world, and to preach the Gospel to every creature; hee that beleeveth, and is baptized, shall bee saved, &c. If thou hast a heart to beleeve, bee thy sins never so great, it is for the honour of Iesus Christ to pardon them. As the Sea covers great Rocks, as well as small, so the Mercy of God in Christ will pardon great sins, as well as little. Magnus de caelo venit medici…s; quia magnus in terra jacebat a… gro…us Aug.It will cost Christ as little to wash away the guilt of great sins, as of small. Christ is a great Physitian. And David prayeth, Pardon my iniquity. for it is great, Psalm …5. 11. Though thy sins bee never so bloodily circumstantiated, though never so often reiterated, though thou p. 177beest never so loathsome, yet if thou canst beleeve; There is a Fountaine opened to the house of David, and to the inhabitants of Ierusalem, for sin, and for uncleanness; and therefore let no man exclude himselfe from a right to Christ, who is willing to take Christ upon Christs termes. Hee that excludes himself, offers the greatest injury imaginable.

First, Unto Iesus Christ, for hee makes him a lyar; Christ hath said, If any man come to nice, I will in no wise cast him out; Ioh. 6. 37.John 6:37and hee saith, Christ will cast mee out, although I do come to him.

Secondly, Unto his own soule. For hee necessitates himselfe unto damnation; For Christ hath said expresly, Hee that beleeveth not shall bee damned.

Object. But I am afraid that I am a Reprobate, and that God hath excluded mee from having any interest in Christ.

p. 178Ans. Who told thee so? It is one great sign thou art not, because the Devil would perswade thee that thou art. But howsoever, Secret things belong to God, but those things which are revealed, to us, and our children. God hath kept the black Book of Reprobation secret. Hee openeth the whole Book of Election to some of his children, but hee keeps his black Book unrevealed. It is a sin for any man to think himself a Reprobate (unlesse hee can prove that hee hath sinned the sin against the Holy Ghost) for this thought would hinder him from the use of means for his salvation, and cause him to despair, which is a sin of the first magnitude; and therefore take heed of complementing thy self into Hell by a sinfull modesty, in refusing to beleeve in Christ: Take heed of dallying or delaying in the great work of laying hold upon Christ upon Christs termes. Remember, God excludes none from Christ, but such as p. 179exclude themselves by unbeleef. And remember,Joh. 3. 36,John 3:36 Whosoever beleeveth not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.

2 You must study the Freeness of the Promise of Christ.Study the freeness of the Promise of Christ. Isa 55, 1.Isa 55:1 God promiseth Jesus Christ freely, Ho every one that thirsteth, come yee to the waters, and hee that hath no money; Come yee, buy, and eat, yea, come by VVine and Milke without mony, and without price, &c. Christ is offered in the Gospel, sine pretio, sine merito, sine motivo, without price, without merit, and without any motive inducing on our parts. Therefore the Holy Ghost saith, VVhosoever will, Rev. 22. 17.Rev 22:17let him take the water of life freely. Let not then thy undeservedness hinder thee from laying hold upon Christ, as thy portion. Say not, I am not worthy that Christ should owne mee. Christ will owne thee, not because thou art worthy, but because hee delights in mercy, Micah 7. 18. Say not, I am not humbled enough, and therefore I p. 180dare not lay hold upon Christ. For humiliation is not required to make us precious to Christ, but to make Christ precious to us, and if thou beest so far humbled, as to bee willing to take Christ upon Christs termes, thou art humbled enough, unto Divine acceptation, though not unto Divine satisfaction. Every stung Israelite, who was inabled to look up to the brazen Serpent, was healed, though hee was not stung to that proportion that another Israelite was.

3 You must study …he condition upon which Christ is promised. Study the condition upon which Christ is promised.It is certain Christ is not tendered absolutely without any condition. Christ is not offered to a proud sinner, resolving so to continue, or to a Drunkard, resolving to persevere in his drunkennesse. Those Texts which declare the Freeness of the offer of Christ, doe also mention a condition to bee performed by those that will have him, Isa. 55. 1. Revelat. 22. 15. In both places the p. 181condition of thirsting is expressed. Let him that is a thirst come. Ho every one that thirsteth.

Quest. Doth not the mentioning of a condition take away the freeness of the tender of Christ?

Answ. By no means. The reason is, because this very condition is the free gift of God. The Apostle saith, Rom. 4. 16. Therefore it is of Faith, that it might bee by grace. The condition of Faith doth not make the offer of Christ, not to bee of grace, but therefore it is of faith, that it might bee of grace, for as Christ, so also faith is the gift of God. Eph. 2. 8.Eph 2:8Wee do not preach conditions unto justification in a Popish sense (as if they merited out of congruity the pardon of sin) or in an Arminian sense (as if wee could do any thing by our free-will (without grace) to dispose our selves unto justification) but in a Scripture sense, wee say, That all those on whom God intends to bestow Christ freely, hee freely openeth their p. 182eyes to see their undone condition out of Christ, hee humbles them under the sense of their sad condition, and out of his free mercy inables them by faith to lay hold upon Christ, and to accept of him upon his own termes; Faith is not the cause for which, but the cause without which, God will not give us Christ.

Quest. But what is the condition upon which Christ is promised?

Answ. There is (if I may so speak) Conditio praeparans, & disponens, and conditio applicans, the condition required to the preparing and disposing us for an interest in Christ, and the condition applying Christ to us, and bringing him into our possession.

1 The condition required to the disposing, preparing, and fitting us for an interest in Christ. And this is the sight of our sins, the sense of them, and a real willingness to part with them. There is no man qualified according to the Gospel, to rest upon Christ for p. 183pardon of his sins, who is not really willing to part with them. And no man will bee willing to part with his sins (which hee naturally loves as himselfe) unlesse hee see the sinfulness and cursedness of them, and feels in some measure the smart of them. The woman who had the bloody issue, never thought of coming to Christ, till all her mony was spent in vaine among other Physitians. T…e Prodigal childe would never have returned to his Father, had hee not seen himselfe utterly undone by wandring from him.

2 The condition applying Christ to us, and bringing him into our possession. This is Faith, which therefore is the proper condition of the Gospel, upon which Christ is tendred. Now this Faith is not a bare receiving, and taking of Christ. For there are many who take him, and mistake him. (There is no man but is willing when hee is dying, to take Christ, as the men of the p. 184old world were willing to go into the Ark when the Flood came) but this taking and receiving of Christ (if it bee right) hath six Properties.

1 It is a receiving of Christ with all his appurtenances, Right receivi…g of Christ hath six Pr…pertiesChrist and disgrace, and reproach, and poverty. Christ and his Cross: There are many would bee glad of Christ, but they will not take up his Cross. They would take Christ down from the Cross (as Ioseph of Arimathea did) and leave the Cross behinde them. But hee that takes Christ aright, will bee as willing to wear a Crown of thorns, for his sake, as a Crown of gold.

2 It is a receiving of Christ in all his Offices, as our King, Priest, and Prophet. A true Beleever is as willing to receive Christ into his soul, as hee is that Christ should receive him into heaven, hee is as willing to have Christ reigne over him, as hee is to reign with Christ in Heaven. Hee desires not only to bee saved, but to bee healed by Christ.

p. 1853 It is a receiving of Christ into every room of the soul; for Christ will come into every room, or into never a room. A true beleever opens every door unto Christ, hee gives him the lock and key of the whole man, and desires that hee would come and reside in every room.

4 It is a receiving of Christ, and him only. For Christ must rule alone, or not at all. An Hypocrite would compound with Christ, and together with the false Mother, divide the childe, but a true beleever saith with the Prophet, O Lord our God▪ Other Lords besides thee have had dominion over us; Isa. 26. 13.Isa 26:13but now by thee onelyonly will wee make mention of thy Name. And with the true Mother hee will give the whole to God.

5 It is a receiving of Christ in health, as well as in sickness; in prosperity as well as in adversity; in youth, as well as in old age; in life, as well as in death. Most people make use of Christ, meerly as a shelter against a storme for p. 186their own ends (as the Athenians did of Themistocles) and when the storm is over, forsake him. Most people flye to Christ in their distress, as Ioab did to the horns of the Altar, and when they can serve the Devil no longer, then they begin to think of serving of God; but a true beleever will give his best dayes to God, as well as his worst, hee desires not onelyonly to dye in Christ, but to live for Christ, hee receives Christ in health, &c.

6 It is a receiving of Christ, not only for an hour, or a day, or a year, but for ever. True Faith marries the soul to Christ, never to part. Once a member of Christ, for ever a member.

Now there is no childe of God of what size soever (though hee bee but as a toe in Christs body) who cannot truly say, that hee is willing to receive Iesus Christ with all these Properties, to receive all Christ, with all his appurtenances, and to receive him only in every room, in health, and for p. 187ever. And therefore let not the Devil, or thy mis-giving heart, or thy melancolick-phancy, keep thee off from beleeving that Christ Iesus is thy portion, and that thou hast an interest in the main and fundamental Promise, and by that, in all the other. Do to Christ, as the Shunamitish woman did to the Prophet,2 King. 4. 27.2 Kgs 4:27 lay fast hold on him; and suffer not the Devil to cause thee to let go thy hold. Oh that there might bee this day a blessed and happy Marriage between Jesus Christ, and every distressed Christian.

Object. But suppose I am willing to …ake Christ upon Christs termes, can I … assured that Christ will receive …?

Ans. Yes doubtless.Ioh. 6. 37.John 6:37 For hee hath said, hee will; and hee is truth it self, … cannot lye.Isa. 55. 1.Isa 55:1 Indeed a poor wounded …nner will sometimes confess that hee is willing with all his heart to receive Christ upon his own termes;Rev. 22. 15.Rev 22:15 but hee …s afraid lest Christ should refuse to receive p. 188him. But this is a needless fear: For Christ will in no wise refuse those that come to him. To as many as receive him, to all those hee will give power to become the Sons of God, Ioh. 1. 12.John 1:12even to them that beleeve in his Name. Hee that beleeveth hath everlasting life, and shall never come into condemnation, Ioh. 5. 24.John 5:24but is passed from death to life. So much for the fourth Rule.

If these Rules and Directions already named, will not inable thee to apply the Promises, so as to keep thee from perishing in the day of distress: Let mee adde,

Rule 5.

5 If thou canst not lay hold upon the Promises made to those, The fifth Rule for the right Application of the Promises.who are in the highest form in Christs School, lay hold upon the Promises made to those who are in the lower forms. In Christs School there are divers sorts of Scholars, some are in the high form, some in the middle, p. 189some in the lowest, some are Babes in Christs School, some are grown Christians, some are as tall Cedars, some are as low shrubs. Now you must know that it is our duty to labour to bee of the highest form. Qui dixit sufficit, deficit. Non progred…, est regred….Hee that saith hee hath grace enough, hath grace little enough. Hee that stints himselfe in his endeavours after grace, never had true grace. Wee must labour to bee perfect, as God is perfect. But yet you must also …now, that hee that is a real Scholar in Christs School, is in an happy condition, though hee bee not the best Scholar. And that it is our duty so to … the eminent graces, which are in others, as to bee thereby incited to a further progress in grace, but not so as to bee thereby disheartned and dis…uraged. There are many distressed Christians like to those who gaze so long upon the brightness of the Sun, that when they come into their houses, they cannot see at all, they pore so much upon the transcendent excellencies p. 190which are in their Brethren, that they are stark blinde in their own concernments, and cannot see any grace in themselves, and hereupon are apt to conclude, that they are out of Gods favour. But this is a non sequitur. The foot must not say, that it is no part of the body, because it is not so eminent a part as the head or heart. Wee must rather say with the Martyr, Blessed bee God that I am a member in Christs body, though but the weakest and lowest. Wee must not rest satisfied with being lo… Christians; but yet wee must not therefore say, Wee are no Christians. And when wee are under great tribulations and temptations, if wee cannot apply to our selves for our comfort those Promises which are made to …minent Saints of the highest form, let us apply those which are made unto true Saints, though to such who are the lowest of the lowest form; and hereby wee shall (through Gods blessing) finde our soules marveilously supported p. 191and comforted. As for example, Christ hath said,Mat. 5. 3.Matt 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdome of Heaven. And therefore though thou art not rich in grace, yet if poor in spirit, thou art blessed. Christ saith, Blessed are they that mourn, Mat. 5 4.Matt 5:4for they shall bee comforted. Though thou canst not live without sin, yet if a mourner for thine own, and other mens sins, thou art blessed.

Christ saith, Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after Righteousness, Mat. 5. 6.Matt 5:6&c. Though thou findest an exceeding great want of righteousness in thee, yet if thou hungrest and thirsteth after it, thou art blessed.

Christ saith,Mat. 11. 28.Matt 11:28 Come unto mee all yee that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. This Text is as an Alabaster box full of precious consolation. If thy sinnes bee a burden to thee, Christ will give thee rest; if thou carriest them about thee, not as a golden chain about thy neck, but as an iron chain about thy feet; if thou p. 192beest heavy laden with them, Christ will take them off thy shoulders, and put them upon his.

Christ saith, That hee will not breake the bruised Reed,Mat. 12. 20.Matt 12:20 nor quench the smoaking flax, till hee send forth judgement unto victory. If thou hast grace but as a smoaking flax, Christ will not quench it, but assist it, till it come to a great flame.

Christ saith, Mat. 9. 12, 13.Matt 9:12Matt 9:13That the whole have no need of the Physitian, but they that are sick. And that hee came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. If thou art a sin-sick sinner, thy name is in Christs Commission, hee came to save thee.

Christ saith,Mat. 18. 11.Matt 18:11 The Son of man is come to save that which was lost. If thou apprehendest thy self to bee in a lost condition, thou art amongst the number of those whom Christ came to save.

The Apostle saith,Rom. 8. 1.Rom 8:1 There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ, p. 193who walke not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Though thou hast much flesh in thee, and art sometimes overtaken with sin, yet if thou dost not walk after the flesh, as a servant after his Master, if thou walkest after the Spirit, there is no condemnation to thee.

The Apostle saith,1 Ioh 1. 9.1 John 1:9 If wee confess our sins, God is faithful to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If wee confess our sins, out of a detestation of sin, with bleeding hearts, and a sincere purpose of forsaking them, God is bound by vertue of his promise to forgive us, else hee were unfaithfull.

The Apostle saith,Phil. 1. 6.Phil 1:6 That hee that hath begun a good work in us, will perform it untill the day of Iesus Christ: And therefore if thou hast truth of grace, though but as a grain of Mustard seed, do not doubt, but that God in the diligent use of means, will inable thee to persevere.

p. 194I might adde, Nehemiah 1. 11. where God promiseth to bee attentive to the prayers of those who desire to fear his Name. And Isaiah 26. 11. Isa. 26. 3. Isa. 65. 1. Isa. 55. 1. Rev. 22. 15. Ioh. 6. 37. But I forbear.

Rule 6.

If thou canst not apply to thy selfe for thy comfort in affliction,The sixth Rule for the …ght Application of the Promises. the conditional Promises, lay hold upon the absolute Promises. I have formerly told you that there are some Promises conditional, others absolute, some to grace, others of grace, some to those that are godly, others, to make us godly: God hath not onelyonly promised to pardon those that repent, but to give repentance; Act. 5 21.Acts 5:21not onelyonly to justifie those who beleeve, Phil. 1. 20.Phil 1:20but to give us to beleeve; D…ut. …0. 6not only to give Heaven to those that love him, Ier. 32. 40.Jer 32:40but to give us grace to love him; not only to save those that persevere, but to inable us to persevere: And p. 195therefore if thou canst not lay hold upon the Promises to those that are godly, apply those which are made to make us godly. If not those which are made to those who repent, beleeve and persevere, apply those wherein God promiseth to give us to repent, beleeve, and persevere. If not the conditional, lay hold upon the absolute.

There are these differences and agreements, between conditional and absolute promises.

1 For Conditional promises.

1 All promises of life and salvation are conditional.

2 Conditional promises, are the fruit of Free-grace, as well as absolute. It is Free-grace which inableth us to performe the conditional, and Free-grace which moved God to promise such great mercies upon such conditions.

3 They are the fruit of Rich-grace, and Rare-mercy, as well as absolute promises.

p. 1964 They are of great use to quicken a lazy Christian, and to incourage him to diligence; for no man can obtain the blessing promised, but hee that performs the condition injoyned.

5 They are rare Touchstones to try our interest in the Promises; For hee that neglects to perform the condition, cannot challenge an interest in the blessing promised upon the performing of it.

2 For Absolute Promises.

1 Though promises to grace bee conditional, yet promises of grace are absolute, and are made by God unto Christ in the behalf of his elect children, according to that of David▪ Ask of mee, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance,Psal. 2. 8.Ps 2:8 and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

2 There are no Promises so absolute, as to exclude all endeavours on our part. God will do the things promised for us, but by us. Wee work, p. 197but it is God who worketh all our works in us; and for us.

3. Absolute Promises are foundations of industry, as well as conditional. The truth of this I made out in the former Sermon.

4 Absolute Promises are demonstrative arguments of special election, and of the perseverance of the Saints. There are some peculiar ones to whom God hath promised (in the use of means) absolutely to write his Law in their hearts, to cause them to walk in his wayes, to give them infallibly, and infrustrably repentance, faith, and perseverance. The promise of the first grace, and of the crowning grace is absolute. And therefore the Doctrine of Special Election, and of Perseverance must needs bee true.

5 Absolute Promises are mighty helps to wounded consciences, and rare Cordials for fainting and despairing Christians. When thou art in the dark, and seest no light, flye from p. 198the conditional Promises, to the absolute, say, Lord, thou hast not onelyonly promised to give pardon to those who repent, but thou hast exalted Christ for to give repentance. Thou hast not onelyonly promised to justifie those who beleeve, but to give grace to beleeve. Lord fulfill thine own promise unto thy servant, &c.

Object. All my fear is that these absolute Promises, do not belong to mee.

Answ. Take heed of making desperate conclusions against thy selfe. Say as the King of Nineveh, Who knoweth but God may turn, and have mercy? Exclude not thy self; Neither man, nor Angel can say thou art excluded. No man ought to beleeve himself to bee a Reprobate (as I have shewed) these promises belong to all that can lay hold on them as they are tendred. As the brazen Serpent belonged to all those who were able to look upon it; so do these Promises to all that can by p. 199faith look up that they may bee healed.2 King. 7.2 Kgs 7 Say as the four Leapers in another case, If I go on in unbeleef, I am certainly damned. And therefore I will venture upon Christ; I will flye to this Ark, and if I perish, I will perish beleeving.

If these Directions will not suffice to comfort thee in the day of adversity, let mee adde,

Rule 7.

All Promises made in Scripture to the Saints in general, The seventh Rule for the right application of the Promises.are applicable to every Saint in particular. God promiseth to Solomon, 1 King. 8. 37. 40. And Iehoshaphat applied this to his own particular condition, 2 Chron. 20. 9. God promiseth to the Saints in general, that hee will give them grace and glory, Psal. 48. 10Ps 48:10that hee will with-hold no good thing from them, Psal. 34. 10Ps 34:10that they shall want nothing that is good, Mat. 6. 33.Matt 6:33and that all outward blessings shall bee added to them.

p. 200Now there is no Saint, but hee may as justly lay hold upon those Promises, as if his name were named in them. And the reason is, because all the Promises do meet in Christ, as all lines in a Center. And every Saint hath all Christ. And therefore Promises made to those that are in Christ, belong to all that are in Christ.

Rule 8.

All Promises made to particular Saints are applicable to all Saints in the same condition. The eight Rule for the right Application of the Promises.God promiseth to Ioshua, that hee would never leave him, Iosh 5.Josh 5nor forsake him. This is applied by the Apostle for the comfort of every Saint.Heb. 13. 5.Heb 13:5 Christ tells Peter, Luke 22. 32. I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not. This is applicable to every Saint: Christ prayeth for thee and mee, and therefore hee adds, When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. Therefore the p. 201Apostle Paul saith, That God comforted him in his tribulation, 2 Cor. 1. 4.2 Cor 1:4that hee might bee able to comfort those who are in trouble by the comfort wherewith hee was comforted. Iames 5. 10, 11.Jas 5:10Jas 5:11And the Apostle Iames propounds the example of the Prophets in general, and of Iob in particular, to perswade unto patience in affliction. And therefore when thou art in any strait, consider what God hath promised unto others, in thy condition, and what God hath done to them, hee will do to thee, for hee is unchangeable. And say not, If I were a Paul, a Peter, or a Iob, God would do to mee, as hee did to them; but I am a poor, weak, unworthy creature, not worthy to bee named that day in which these are named. But consider, If thou beest a member of Christs body (though but as the Toe) Christ will have a care of thee. If a childe of God (though but weak and sickly) thy heavenly Father will provide for thee. A Father is tender of p. 202every childe, and a man of every member of his body; so will God bee of all those who belong to him, though but Babes in Christ.

Rule 9.

The Promises of the Gospel are all concatenated. The ninth Rule for the right application of the Promises. Iam. 2. 10.Jas 2:10If thou hast a true right to any one Promise to which heaven is annexed, thou hast a right to all the other. As the Commandements of God are chained together (hee that breaks one, breaks all, and hee that sincerely labours to keep one, will labour to keep all,Q… quid proper … fit, … fit. according to that Rule. Whatsoever is done for God, is done equally.) And as the Graces of God are linked together; (and therefore heaven is sometimes promised to our grace,… 5, 3, 8 because he that hath one saving grace, hath all) so also are the Promises joyned together, hee that hath a right to one, hath a right to all: For they are all but one, p. 203and the same for substance. They are all the fruit of the same free love in God; They are all the branches of the same Covenant of grace. (And therefore if thou hast a right to the Covenant, thou hast a right to all the Promises) they all carry us to Christ, and meet in Christ, and are in him Yea, and in him Amen; And therefore if thou hast a right to Christ, thou hast a right to all.

This is a point of singular comfort in the worst of dayes and dangers. For sometimes a childe of God under great afflictions, can lay hold upon one promise, and not upon another, and some can apply those which others cannot, and others those which they cannot. Let all such know for their great comfort, That hee that hath right to one branch of the Covenant, hath right to all; Hee that hath let fall a chain of gold, consisting of divers links into the water, if hee can catch hold upon any one of the links, hee will easily get p. 204out the whole chain. The Promises are like to a golden chain with divers links, lay hold upon one aright, and this will assure thee of thy interest in all the rest.

I have known many (yea, very many) who have dyed with a great deal of comfort from the application of that one Text, 1 Ioh. 3. 14. unto their own condition. Wee know that wee have passed from death, unto life, because wee love the Brethren. When all other evidences failed them, and all other Texts of Scripture afforded them no comfort; here they anchored, here they found rest for their soules. They blessed God that they could say, that they loved the Brethren, and loved them, not for any outward respects, but because of the Image of God in them, and they loved them when poor, as well as when rich; and the more they had of God, the more they loved them; and they loved them even when they were reproved by them of p. 205their faults. And upon this one plank they swam safely, and comfortably unto the haven of eternal happiness.

Rule 10.

If thy condition bee so sad, and thy melancholy so excessive, The tenth Rule for the right Application of the Promises.that thou canst not lay hold upon any promise, yet notwithstanding look towards it. Say as Ionah, when hee was in the Whales belly, Jonah 2. 4. Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight, yet I will look again toward thy holy Temple. The Temple was a type of Christ. Though thou canst not apply Christ to thy soul for thy comfort, yet look towards him; and if thou canst not come to him, hee will come to thee; if thou canst not apprehend him, Phil. 3. 12.Phil 3:12hee will apprehend thee: As the Loadstone will draw the Iron, though the Iron cannot draw the Loadstone, so will Christ (thy heavenly Loadstone) draw thee to the Promise, though thou canst not draw thy p. 206selfe to it. No man can come to mee (saith Christ) except the Father draw him: Ioh. 6. 44.John 6:44Pray therefore with the Church, Cant. 1. 4. Draw mee, and wee will run after thee.

Rule 11.

Pray unto God to give thee Spiritual eyes, The eleventh Rule for the right Application of the Promises.to behold thy interest in the Promises: For as it is God who makes them, so it is he only who can irraditate them, and open thy eyes to see thy right in them. It is with Promises (as I have said) as with Chapters and Sermons. A man may read a Chapter, and hear a Sermon, and taste no sweetness in them at one time, and at another time taste much sweetness in them, as God is pleased to co-operate with the reading of the one, and hearing of the other. So it is with the Promises, and therefore pray unto God to lighten thine eyes, Psal 13. 3.Ps 13:3that thou sleep not the sleep of death. Rev 3. 18.Rev 3:18Pray unto Christ to anoint p. 207thine eyes with his Spiritual eye-salve. And to cause thee to hope in his word of Promise, according to that excellent prayer of David, Remember the Word unto thy Servant, P … 49.upon which thou hast caused mee to hope. It is God must cause us to hope and trust in his Promises, or else wee shall never bee able. God hath given thee eyes to see thy misery; Rev. 3. ….Rev 3O pray for eyes to see his mercy. The Church of Laodicea wanted eyes to see her misery. Shee was miserable, and naked, and knew it not. Thou hast eyes to see thy undone condition out of Christ. Pray for eyes to behold the riches of mercy that are in Christ, and his willingness to receive all that come to him.

Rule 12.

Pray unto God,The twelfth Rule for the right Application also of the Promises. not onelyonly to give thee Spiritual eyes to see thy interest in the Promises, but a Spiritual hand, to inable thee to apply them to thine own p. 208soul in particular. By this spiritual hand, I mean, A Christ-appropriating Faith. Justifying Faith is (as it were) the hand of the soul, by which wee appropriate Christ, and all the Promises, as belonging to us in particular. Now Faith is the gift of God. Pray for the Spirit of Faith. Eph. 2. 8.Eph 2:8And for your incouragement, consider, that the Spirit is called,Act. 1. 4.Acts 1:4 The Promise of the Father, and that holy Spirit of Promise: Eph. 1. 13.Eph 1:13And God hath promised to give the Spirit to those who ask for it.Luke 11. 23.Luke 11:23 If yee then being evill, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him? The office of the holy Spirit is first to seal grace, and then to seal to grace: First, the Spirit sanctifieth us, then it witnesseth to our spirits, Eph. 1. 13Eph 1:13that wee are sanctified. Pray therefore unto God that hee would not only work grace in you, but witness unto the grace which hee hath wrought. Pray for the sanctifying and p. 209sealing work of the Spirit. That hee would not onelyonly fit you to have an interest in the promises, but assure you of your interest in them.

Rule 13.

Study thy interest in the promises in the time of health, The 13. Rule for the right Application of the Promises.and outward prosperity; For I find by experience that a childe of God (under outward affliction, or divine desertion, or extream melancholy) is many times like a man in the dark. A man in the dark cannot (though never so learned) read in a book of the clearest print, or fairest character, hee cannot (though never so active) undertake any thing of weight. No more can a childe of God in the hour of distress, read his evidences for heaven, much less study to finde out evidences; hee looks upon all the promises with a black pair of spectacles, and wants light to see his interest in them. When Sion was p. 210in distress,Isa, 49. 14. shee said, God had forsaken her, Psal. 116. 11Ps 116:11and her Lord had forgotten her. When David was persecuted by Saul, hee said in his haste, All men were liars, even Samuel himselfe, who had told him that God would bestow the Kingdome on him,Psal. 31. 22.Ps 31:22 Hee said in his haste hee was cut off from before Gods eyes; Psa. 88. 13. 14…. 5, 16, 17, 18.Ps 88:13Ps 88:14Ps 88:5Ps 88:16Ps 88:17Ps 88:18Thus did Heman. Christ himselfe cryed out, when hee was upon the Cross, with a loud voyce, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken mee? As men in Ag…es and Feavers, are not fit judges of meats and drinks, (whether they bee good or bad) because their pallats are out of taste. So a distressed Christian, (when under extream melancholy, divine desertion, or some great affliction) is no fit judge, at such a time of his interest in the Promises. And therefore my advice is, Make out thy interest in time of prosperity, and live upon it in time of adversity. Make, and read over thy Evidences for Heaven in p. 211time of health, and learn then by heart, that when thou comest into a dark condition, thou mayest neither have them to make, or to read. Do as Tamar did, Gen. 38. 18. 25. When Iudah her Father in law, lay with her, shee took as a pledge, his signet, bracelets, and staffe. And afterward when shee was in great distress, and ready to bee burnt as a Harlot, shee then brought her staffe, and signet, and bracelets, and said, By the man whose these are, am I with childe, and thereby shee saved her life. So must you do. In time of health study thy interest in the promises, and in time of sickness live upon what thou hast studied, then bring forth thy staffe and bracelets, &c. then produce thy evidences, and make use of them as spiritual butteresses to keep thee from falling into despair.Mrs. Diggons dwelling with Mrs. Moor in Aldermanbury. I knew a very godly woman (not unknown to many here) who in her life time had taken a great deal of pains to compose, and write down her evidences p. 212for heaven, and who also kept a Diary of her life, and wrote down how shee spent every day; when shee lay upon her death-bed, it pleased God to with-draw himself from her for a while, and to let the Devil loose, who tempted her to despair, told her shee was an Hypocrite, a Formalist, and that shee had no true grace in her. Shee sent for mee, made her bitter complaint to mee, and sadly bewayled her condition. Then shee told mee (which before I knew not) how shee had spent her life, how carefull shee had been in searching her wayes, in observing how shee spent every day, and how exact in collecting Evidences for Heaven, the book was sent for, I read a great part of it to her, and tooke much delight and content in what I read. And it pleased God to come to her with comfort in the reading of it. Shee shewed her Staffe, and her Bracelets, and thereby quenched the fiery darts of the Devil.

p. 213Thus I have in three Sermons taught you how to make use of Scripture-promises, as Conduits of soulsupportation, and soul-consolation in the day of distress. When you hereafter read the Bible, remember the promising-word (as well as the commanding and threatning word) make a Catalogue of the Promises, meditate upon the pretiousness, freeness, usefulness, latitude, richness, and immutability of them. They are as certain as God himselfe, they have the strength of God, the comforts of God, and assistance of God in them. Above all, labour to make application of them to your own soul. For this purpose, study these thirteen Rules and Directions. Pray unto God to give thee spiritual eyes, to see thy interest in them, and spiritual hands to reach out after them. Pray to God to give thee spiritual ability, to act faith upon the promises, to draw vertue from them, as the woman who had the bloody issue, did p. 214from Christ; to suck out all the sweetness that is in them, to hang upon them, as the woman did upon the Prophet, and as a Bee doth upon a flower, and by application of them to thy soul, to live in God, and on God here, till thou comest to enjoy the blessings promised with God for ever in heaven.

There is one Objection behinde, which when I have answered, I have done. For a distressed Christian will object, and say,

Object. Though the promises are rare cordials, and shall all of them bee certainly fulfilled, yet God is oftentimes long before hee fulfills them, and while God is fulfilling of his promises, I may in the mean time perish in my affliction.

Ans. It cannot be denied, but that God is oftentimes very long in fulfilling his promises. Gen. 3. 15.Gen 3:15He promised that the seed of the woman should bruise the Serpents head; Lu. 18. 7, 8but it was Four thousand years p. 215before that promise was actually accomplished. Hee promiseth to avenge his elect of all their enemies, to do it speedily. And the souls under the Altar cry,Rev. 6. 10.Rev 6:10 How long Lord, when wilt thou avenge our blood? &c. But this is not yet fulfilled.

Nay, I must adde, That God is not onelyonly a long time performing his promises, but sometimes instead of performing them, hee seems to the eye of flesh and blood to walk contrary to them. Sometimes the Providences of God run cross to his Promises. God promised to make David King; instead of this, hee is persecuted by Saul, as a Partridge upon the mountains, hee is driven to that extremity that hee begins to doubt of Gods promise, and to say, That one day hee should dye by the hand of Saul. God promised to Ioseph, 1 Sam. 27. 1.1 Sam 27:1That the Sun, Moon, and Stars should worship him, and that his sheaf should bee lifted up above the sheaf of his brethren. But hee p. 216findes the quite contrary, his brethren seek to slay him, sell him into Egypt, and there hee is put in prison as one quite forsaken of God. But yet notwithstanding all this, you must know, That though the way of God, in performing his promises, bee very mysterious and secret, yet hee will at last perform every foreign and tittle of them. Thus David was at last made King of Israel, and Ioseph Lord of Egypt, and his brethren came all to worship him.

Quest. How must wee carry and behave our selves at such times, when Providences seem to run cross unto Gods Promises?

Answ. At such times there are three things required of us.

1 It is our duty to wait patiently, Three duties to bee practised when providences … cross to promises.and beleevingly, till Providences and Promises meet together. Hee that beleeveth maketh not haste. The Prophet there speaks of a glorious promise,Isa, 28. 1…. and adds, That a true Saint will p. 217wait Gods time, which is the fittest and best time, hee will patiently expect, till God fulfil his promise. Hee will do as the Martyr did, who might have escaped privately out of prison, and was tempted to it by his friends; But answered: Hee would not go out of prison when his enemies would have him, for they would make him tarry longer than hee should, nor yet when his friends would have him, for they would make him tarry a lesser time than hee should; but hee would come out when God would have him. Gods time is the best; and they are soon enough delivered, who are delivered in Gods way, and at Gods time. This then is thy great duty (O Christian) to wait patiently, and beleevingly, and not to seek by unlawful waies to bee rid of they miseries, as David did by going to the Philistims; and as many in Queen Maries daies did,1 Sam. 27. 1.1 Sam 27:1 by yeelding to the Popish superstitions. To help you to wait Gods leisure, holding Faith p. 218and a good conscience; you have

1 Many rare and precious Promises made to those that wait upon him, which I have formerly named.

2 You have four attributes in God to support you, his faithfulness, almightiness, infinite goodness, and wisdome. Hee is faithful, and not one tittle of his Word shall fall to the ground; hee is Almighty, and able to do whatsoever hee hath promised; hee is infinitely wise, to know the best time and season, and infinitely good and loving to his children,Lam. 3. 35.Lam 3:35 and doth not willingly afflict them, but will make haste to help them.

2 It is our duty to live upon Promises, while Providences seem to run cross to Promises. This is the meaning of Hab. 2. 4. The just shall live by Faith. They shall live by Faith, when they have nothing else to live on. When sense and reason tell them, they are undone, then shall they live by Faith in the Promises, and not only live patiently, p. 219but comfortably, and joyfully, as the same Prophet, Hab. 3. 17, 18, 19. saith, Although the Fig-tree shall not blossome, neither shall fruit bee in the Vine, and the field shall yeeld no meat, &c. yet I will rejoyce in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. This life did Paul live, when the ship in which he was,Act 27. 20, 23, 24.Acts 27:20Acts 27:23Acts 27:24 was ready to bee drowned, when there was neither Sun-light, nor Star-light, yet hee was exceedingly chearful, because God had promised to preserve him, and those with him. By living this life, God is much honoured, and our souls much quieted and refreshed.

3 It is our duty to continue praying, till providences and promises meet together: For it is prayer, and prayer only, which will at last reconcile Gods Promises, and Gods dispensations, and cause them to meet, and to kiss one another: For as the Promises are the ground and rule of our prayers; so our prayers are the divine waies and means for the p. 220obtaining of the Promises. I say, as the Promises are

1 The ground of our prayers. For wee cannot pray in Faith, unless wee have some promise to bottome our prayers upon; therefore David often chargeth God in his prayers with his promise.Psal. 119. 28, 38, 41, 65, 76, 107, 141, 149.Ps 119:28Ps 119:38Ps 119:41Ps 119:65Ps 119:76Ps 119:107Ps 119:141Ps 119:149 Hee harps eight times upon the same string in one Psalm, to teach us, that the greatest Rethorick and Oratory wee can use in our prayers, is to urge God with his promise.

2 They are not onelyonly the ground, but the rule of our prayers; As wee must pray for nothing but what God hath promised, so wee must regulate our prayers according to Gods Promises. Those thing which hee hath absolutely promised, wee must pray for absolutely, and where God hath put conditions, and exceptions, there our prayers must be conditional.

Now as the Promises are the ground and rule of our prayers, so our prayers are divine means and helps for the obtaining p. 221of the promises: Though God hath made many glorious and precious promises to his children, yet hee will perform none of them, but to those who by prayer seek them at his hands. When Nathan told David what great things God had promised to him, hee went into Gods house to pray for them, 2 Sam. 7. The Prophet Isaiah mentioneth a glorious promise, Isa. 43. 25. but hee adds, Put mee in remembrance, vers. 20. Thus Ezekiel 36. 37. I will yet for this bee inquired of by the house of Israel, and therefore when you read the Promises of the Bible, remember whatsoever God makes a promise, you must make a prayer; and that prayer will hasten the fulfilling of the promises: You must continue to pray, and faint not;Hab. 2. 2.Hab 2:2 for the vision is but for an appointed time, though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come, it will not tarry. This did Daniel when hee understood the time approached, &c. p. 222hee prayed, Dan. 9. 2, 3. Thus did David, Psal. 56. 9, 10, 57. 1, 2. Thus must you do. These are the three great Duties which the Lord requires of us at all times, but more especially in these our dayes, wherein the Providences of God seem to run quite cross unto his promises. The Lord give us grace to practise them. So much for this Text.

The End of the Fifth Sermon.