The Balm of the Covenant, Proposition 3
Proposition III.
God hath gathered all the material… and principals of our relief into the Covenant of Grace, and expects that … betake our selves unto it, in times o… distress, as to our sure, sufficient, and only Remedy.
As all the Rivers run into the Sea, and there is the Congregation of all the Waters; so all the Promises and Comforts of the Gospel, are gathered into the Covenant of Grace, and there is the Congregation of all the sweet streams of Refreshment that are dispersed throughout the Scriptures. The Covenant is the Store-house of Promises, the Shop of Cordials and rare Elixirs, to revive us in all our Faintings; though alas most men know no more what are their Virtues, or where to find them, than an illiterate Rustick, put into an Apothecary's Shop.
What was the Cordial God prepared to revive the hearts of his poor Captives groaning under hard and grievous Bondage both in Egypt and in Babylon? Was it not his Covenant with Abraham? And why did he give it the solemn confirmation by an Oath, but that it might yield to him, and all his believing Seed,Heb. 6.17▪ 18. strong consolation, the very spirit of joy amidst all their sorrows?
And what was the relief God gave to the believing Eunuchs that kept his Sabbaths, took hold of his Covenant, and chose the things in which he delighted. To them (saith he) will I give in my house, and within my walls, Isai. 56.4.a place, and a nam… better than that of sons or of Daughters. Though they were deprived of those comforts other men have in their Posterity, yet he would not have them look upon themselves as dry Trees; a Covenant-interest would answer all, and recompence abundantly the want of Children, or any other earthly comfort.
Certainly therefore, David was at the right door of relief and comfort, when he repairs to the Covenant, as here in the Text, Yet hath he made with me an everlasting Covenant. There, or nowhere, the Relief of Gods Afflicted is to be found.
Now, to make any thing become a compleat any perfect relief to an afflicted Spirit, these three Properties must concur and meet in it, else it can never effectually relieve any man.
I. It must be able to remove all the causes and grounds of troubles.
II. It must be able to do so at all times.
III. It must be capable of a good personal security to us.
For if it only divert our troubles, (as Creature-comforts use to do) and do not remove the ground and cause of our trouble, 'tis but an Anodine, not a Cure or Remedy. And if it can remove the very ground and cause of our trouble for a time, but not for ever, then 'tis but a temporary relief; our troubles may return again, and we left in as bad case as we were before. And if it be in it self able to remove all the causes and grounds of our trouble, and that at all times, but not capable of a personal security to us, or our well-established interest in it, all signifies nothing to our relief.
But open your eyes and behold, O ye afflicted Saints, all these Properties of a compleat relief meeting together in the Covenant, as it is display'd in the Text. Here is a Covenant able to remove all the grounds and causes of your trouble; for it is ORDER'D i… all things, or aptly disposed by the wisdom and contrivance of God, to answer every cause and ground of trouble and sorrow in our hearts. It is able to do this at all times; as well in our day, as in David's or Abraham's day: for it is an Everlasting Covenant; its vertue and efficacy is not decay'd by time. And lastly, it is capable of a good personal security or assurance to all Gods afflicted people; for it is a Sure Covenant. The concurrence of these three Properties in the Covenant, makes it a complea… Relief, a perfect Remedy, to which nothing is wanting in the kind and nature of a Remedy. These three glorious Properties of the Covenant are my proper Province to open and confirm, for your support and comfort in this Day of Trouble.