Treatise of the Divine Promises, Book 3 · Chapter 7 – Chapter 9
CHAP. VII.
2. CHRIST himselfe, and many blessings by him are promised to the Godly,
1. Redemption.
2. Vocation.
3. Iustification, which hath two parts,
1. Not imputing sin.
2 Imputing righteousnes
4. Reconciliation
5. Adoption.
The world it selfe was no sooner begun, but the promise also began of sending Christ into the world, Gen 3.15 Yet this promise was in generall termes, neither shewing what seede, neither shewing what kind of woman, or of what people this seed should be. A second promise was made to Abraham, and it was a little more lightsome then this, for it shewed of what people he should be, viz of the Iewes, Gen 22.8. A third promise was more lightsome then this too, for it shewes of what Tribe he should be, viz of the Tribe of Iuda, Gen. 49 …0. A fourth promise was yet more lightsome, for it shewed of what family He should be, viz of the family of David, 2 Sam 7 16 The fifth, and six, and seventh promises were much more lightsome then this, for the fift declared the party that should bring him into the world, viz a Virgin, Esay 7 17 The sixt the place he should be borne in, viz. Bethlehem, a City of Iudah, Micah 5.2 These youth declared the time, viz. seventy weekes of yeeres from the time the Prophet Daniel lived in, that is, foure hundred foure score and ten yeeres, Dan. 9 24. Days first Sermon of our Saviours Nativity.1. CHRIST is promised to the godly.
THe first promise made to man and the foundation of all other was th…t, Gen. 3.15. It shall bruise thy head, It or He, that is, CHRIST, shall bruise thy head, that is, breake the power and dominion of Satan. The first Promise was made concerning CHRIST, because GOD intended to make good every promise in CHRIST.
In all ages the LORD renewed this promise of sending CHRIST the promised seed, as immediately after the floud, Noah by prophesie blessing his two sonnes, said, GOD shall enlarge Iaphet, and hee shall dwell in the tents of Shem, Gen. 9.27. He meaneth that we the Gentiles should be called to be one body with the Jewes in CHRIST. The same was afterwards oft renewed to Abraham: In thy Seed (that is, CHRIST) thou thy selfe, and all the nations of the earth (that is, the faithfull in all nations) shall be blessed, Gen. 12.3. Gen. 13.14. & 15.4, 18. Gen. 17.4. & 22.
The like was after promised to Isaac, Gen. 26.4. and Iacob, Gen. 28.14. and Gen. 49.10. it is said, The Scepter shall not depart from Iuda untill Shiloh come, Shilo secundae eius, id in que involvitur partus in utero existēs, Metonymia rei continent…s pro recontenta, ut inquit …remel. See Cartwright his confutation of the Rhemish Testament, on Mat. 1.23 and Perkins on the Creed.that is, the Messias come, for Shiloh signifieth the tunicle or skinne that lappeth the Infant in the Mothers wombe; called by Physitians the secundine, (because it grieves the woman that is with child the second time, as it were a second birth) in French arriere fais, in English the after-birth or after-burden: and by a kind of figure is put for the Sonne of GOD in the wombe of the Virgin, made man; to note him to be of the flesh of Mary, and his birth to be like the birth of other children, sinne onelyonly excepted. There shall come a Starre out of Jacob, and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel, Numb. 24.17.
In all succeeding ages, Moses and all the Prophets in their times foretold of CHRIST,Rom 1.2. Acts 3.24. & 10.43. The LORD thy GOD will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren like unto mee, unto him shall yee hearken, Christ was promised to come of th… seede of David, Acts 1….23. See Psal 8….35.36 & 131, 11, 12, 13 14 Esay 16.5.Deut. 18.15. like unto mee] both in the participation of nature and office, saith Iunius: a true man, and a true Mediator, CHRIST is there meant, Acts 3.22. & 7.37. That evangelicall Prophet Esay spake of him then as already come. For unto us a childe *That is, Iesus Christ, of whom he prophesied, Chap. 7 14 Behold a Virgin shall conceive, and heare a Sonne, and shall call humane Immanuel.is borne, unto us a Sonne is given, and the Governement shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called, Wonderfull, Counsellor, the mighty GOD, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, Esay 9.6. See Esay 11.1.32.1, 2. & 53.2, 3, 4. Ezek 37.24. & 34.24. Ier. 33.15, 16. Ier. 23.5, 6. Micah 5.2. Zach. 3.8. & 6.12, 13. & 9.9, 10. He is called the messenger of the Covenant, Mal. 3.1. For in him GOD reconciled the world to himselfe, 2 Cor. 5.19.
There are multitudes of promises also concerning CHRIST,Luke 1.32. and the generall benefits by him in the New Testament.
1. That he shall save us: The Evangelist Matthew gives this reason of his name JESUS,Mat. 1.21. Luke 3.6. For hee shall save his people from their sinnes, from the guiltinesse, power, and punishment of them. The Sonne of man is come to seeke and save that which was lost, Luke 19.10. GOD sent his Sonne into the world, that the world through him might be saved, Ioh. 12.4….Iohn 3.17. The Apostle with a vehement asseveration affirmeth this. This is a faithfull saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners, 1 Tim. 1.15. Hence CHRIST is often called our Saviour, Esay 49.26. Esay 60.16. Luke 2.11. 1 Tim. 1.1. 1 Tim. 2.3.
Esay 49 6. 1 Ioh. 19.2. CHRIST is said to be A light to the Gentiles, Matth. 4.16. The light of the world, John 8.13. & 9.5. under this comparison of Light, all benefits which CHRIST brings us are contained, light of knowledge, grace, and glory.
Hitherto belong all such Scriptures as shew CHRIST to be our Life, 2 Tim. 1.10Col. 3.4. Iohn 6.33. Ioh. 14.6. CHRIST also cals himselfe The bread of life, Ioh. 6.35, 51.He is said to be the Head of the body. Compares himselfe to a Vine, Iohn 15.1. to teach, that as the branch hath his whole life from the stock, so we have all our life from him.
3. GOD is well pleased in CHRIST, Mat. 3.17. In whom, not with, by, or through whom, but a larger preposition then them all, which signifieth two things: 1. That GOD is well pleased with CHRIST: 2. In and through him with others; therefore it is said, Ephes. 1.3. GOD hath blessed us, Rom. 8.32.with all spirituall blessings in CHRIST, verse 4. GOD hath chosen us in him, ver. 6. accepted us in the beloved, ver. 7.Ephes. 3.25. In him wee have redemption through his blood, the forgivenesse of sinnes, according to the riches of his grace. It is said, Acts 13.34. I will give you the sure mercies of David, that is, all those good things which were promised in CHRIST, who was of the seed of David.
2. Blessings by CHRIST to the Godly.
1. Redemption.
Who gave himselfe for us, that hee might redeeme us from all iniquity, Tit. 2.14. We have redemption through his blood.Col. 1.14 Ephes. 1.7. And he shall redeeme Israel from all his iniquitie, Psal. 130.8. He hath redeemed them from the curse of the law, by being made a curse for them, Gal. 3.13. CHRIST JESUS by his owne bloud entred into the holy place, having obtained eternall redemption for us, Heb. 9.12.
CHRIST is made unto us Redemption, 1 Cor. 1.30.
2. Effectuall Calling; our particular calling doth interest us in the promises of GOD, Acts 2.39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, Rom 8 28.30.and to all that are a farre of, even to as many as the LORD our GOD shall call, there is the condition.
3. Justification.
By his knowledge, shall my righteous servant iustifie many, Esay 53.11.
By him all that beleeve, are iustified, Acts 13.39.
In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be iustified, Esay 45.25. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of GODS Elect? it is GOD that iustifieth, Rom. 8.33.
He iustifieth the ungodly, Rom. 4.5. that is, saith Beza, he makes him righteous in CHRIST, who is unrighteous in himselfe.
1. Justification consists of two parts,
1. Not imputing sinne, 2 Cor. 5.19.
2. Imputing righteousnes, Gal. 3.6.
Promises of forgivenesse of sinnes.
This great benefit of forgivenesse of sinne by CHRIST, is plentifully proclaimed unto us miserable sinners.
See Luk. 14 47. Act 5.31.10.43. & 13.38.Behold the Lambe of GOD which taketh away the sinnes of the world, John 1.29. Hee shall beare their iniquities, Esay 53.11. Once in the end of the world hath hee appeared to put away sinne by the sacrifice of himselfe, Heb. 9.26. He was manifested to take away our sinnes, 1 Joh. 3.5. The blood of JESUS CHRIST cleanseth us from all sinne, 1 Joh. 1.7. He hath by himselfe purged our sins, Heb. 1.3. He bare our sinnes on the tree, 1 Pet. 2.24. He loved us and washed us from our sinnes in his owne blood, Rev. 1.5. He is the propitiation for our sinnes, 1 John 2.2.
Hereunto agreeth that invitation of our Saviour: Come unto mee all yee, He came to call sinners, Luk. 5 21.that are weary and heavie laden, and I will ease you, Mat. 11.28.
GOD of his rich grace and mercy in JESUS CHRIST doth make offer of free and full forgivenesse of sinnes, to every burdened, thirstie, and penitent soule.
Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him returne unto the LORD, and hee will have mercy upon him, and to our GOD, for hee will abundantly pardon, Esay 55.7. Returne thou backesliding Israel, saith the LORD, and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you, for I am mercifull, saith the LORD, and I will not keepe mine anger for ever, Jer. 3.22. I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me, and I will pardon all their iniquities whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against mee, Jer. 33.8.
GOD when he forgiveth us, so fully acquitteth us of our sins, as if we had committed no sinne at all.
This appeareth by many Metaphors used in the Scripture.
I am hee that blotteth out thy transgressions, saith the LORD, Esay 43.25. It is a Metaphore taken from Creditors, who when they purpose never to exact a debt, will blot it out of their bookes:Col. 2.14. I have put away thy transgressions as a cloud, and thy sinnes as a mist, saith the same LORD, Esay 44.22. The clouds which are driven away by the windes appeare no more, nor the mist which is dried up by the Sunne; so the sinnes which GOD forgiveth, returne not againe: thou hast cast all my sins behind thy backe, saith Hezekiah to GOD, Esay 38.17. that which a man would not look on or regard, that he casteth behind his backe.
Thou wilt cast all their sinnes into the depths of the Sea, Micah. 7.19. As if hee should say, looke as God subdued Pharaoh and all his hoast in the bottome of the Sea; so he will cast and put away the sins of his people. Psal. 85.2.saith Micah to the LORD. When a man would have a thing utterly forgotten, hee will cast it into the bottome of the Sea, from whence there is no fetching it againe.
The Psalmist pronounceth him blessed, whose sinne is covered, Psal. 32.1. A thing covered is not seene, hee hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, nor seene perversenesse in Israel, Numb. 23.21.
The same Psalmist pronounceth him blessed, to whom the LORD imputeth not sinne, Rom 4.7, 8.Psal. 32.2. a sinne not imputed, is as not committed: as Merchants when they will forgive a debt, put it not into the reckoning, and so do not impute it.
GOD himselfe saith, I will forgive their iniquities, Heb. 8, 12. & 10.17.and I will remember *That which the Heathen Orator spoke flatteringly of Iuliu… Caesar, is most true of God, nihil obli…iset so let, nisi iniurias, He forgets nothing but the sins of penitent suppliants.their sinne no more, Ier. 31.34. the latter clause expounds the former; to forgive is to remember no more, that is, never to call that to account, which was once remitted.
Thus GOD blotteth out our sinnes, that they condemne us not. Putteth them away, that they hurt us not. Casteth them behind his backe, as though he regarded them not. And into the Sea, that they drowne us not. Covers them, that they appeare not. Doth not impute them, as though they were not. Forgetteth them, so that he punisheth them not.
All the blessings in the new Covenant are given with remission of sinnes. When GOD forgives a mans sinnes, then hee gives him all other things, Sanctification, and whatsoever else, as we see at large. Ezek. 36.26. The LORD there, after he had promised to forgive all their sins, hee saith, hee will give them a new heart, hee will cause them to walke in his waies; and then hee comes with outward mercies too, hee promiseth them deliverance from their enemies, and other good things in the rest of the Chapter, but all other things come in with remission of sinnes, Acts 10.43. To him give all the Prophets witnesse, that through his name, we have remission of sinnes. The Prophets gave witnesse concerning CHRIST of many other things besides remiss…on of sins, that we have in his name, which wee have by him, but all other things come with this. GOD was in CHRIST reconciling the world to himselfe, 2 Cor. 5.19. a marvellous great mercy, it consists in this, that their sinnes were not imputed. The priviledges of the new Covenant are chained together: Whom hee hath predestinated, them also hee called, and whom he called, them also he iustified, and whom hee iustified, them also hee glorified, Rom. 8.30.
2. Promises to make us righteous.
As by one mans disobedience, many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one, shall many bee made righteous, Rom. 5.19. therefore we are said, to be the righteousnesse of GOD in him, 2 Cor. 5.21. For this cause CHRIST is called The LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESSE, Ier. 23.6. & 33.16. CHRIST is made unto us righteousnesse, 1 Cor. 1.30. He is said to be the end of the law for righteousnesse, to every one that beleeveth, Rom. 10.4. and the Sacraments are said to be the Seales of the righteousnesse of faith. Rom. 4.11.
Esay 61.10. Zach. 3.3, 4,He hath covered mee with a robe of righteousnesse, Abraham beleeved GOD, and it was imputed to him for righteousnesse, Gal. 3.6.
This imputed righteousnesse the Papists scoffe at, Rom. 4.3, 5, 6 8, 9, 10, 11, 22, 23, 24.and call it a putative righteousnesse; and yet the phrase is used tenne times in one Chapter.
4. Reconciliation.
By CHRIST wee are reconciled to GOD.
GOD hath reconciled us to himselfe by JESUS CHRIST. GOD was in CHRIST, reconciling the *That is, all beleevers thorough the whole world.world unto himselfe, 2 Cor. 5.18, 19. CHRIST is our peace, who hath made both one, that he might reconcile both unto GOD, Ephes. 2.14, 16.See Rom. 5.1.10. You that were sometime alienated, yet now hath he reconciled, Col. 1.21.
5. Adoption. Promises 1. of it.
Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us,For yee are all the children of God by faith in Christ Iesus Gal. 1 20. Ephes. 1.…. that we should be called the sonnes of GOD, 1 Joh. 3.1, 2. But to as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sonnes of GOD, even to them that beleeve in his name, Iohn 1.12. That is a gracious promise which the Apostle citeth out of the Prophet Hosea, Rom. 9.26. And it shall be in the place, where it was said unto them, yee are not my people, that there they shall be called the children of the living GOD. So the LORD promiseth to such as shall separate themselves from the wicked, 2 Cor. 6.18. Hee that overcommeth shall inherit all things, and I will be his GOD, and hee shall be my sonne, Rev. 21.7. Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the sonnes of GOD, Mat. 5.9.
It was GODS promise to David concerning Salomon, 2 Sam. 7.14. I will be his father, and hee shall be my sonne. Whereupon David much affected and ravished, saith, verse 18. O LORD GOD, what am I, or my fathers house, that thou shouldst vouchsafe me so great honour and happinesse, as to finde my childe, yea to take him for thine owne, and to become his Father?
See that excellent place, Gal. 4.4, 5, 6, 7. & Rom. 8.17.
2. To it, paternity promiseth all blessings, Mat. 7.11. and all forbearance, Psal. 103.13. Heb. 12.5, 6.
CHAP. VIII. PROMISES
1. Of the Spirit.
THe giving of the Spirit is a part of GODS Covenant, Whereas God did in the old time reveale his will unto some by vision…, and dreame; now all sorts of men, young and old, men and maides shall be instructed in the knowledge of God more plentifully and perfectly.I will powre out my Spirit upon all flesh in those daies, and your young men shall see visions, &c. Ioel 2.28, 29. which is repeated, Acts 2.17, 18. The great Promise that our Saviour CHRIST made to them, before he departed in the flesh, was this, I will baptize you with the HOLY GHOST; which was fulfilled after when he powred forth his Spirit. So Esay 44.3. I will powre water upon him that is thirsty, and flouds upon the drie ground, I will powre my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thy off-spring, the latter end of the verse interprets it. So Ezek. 36.25, 26, 27. I will put my spirit within you, &c. I will powre upon the house of David the spirit of grace and supplications, Zach. 12.10. How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Spirit to them that aske him, Luke 11.13. I will powre out my spirit unto you, Prov. 1.23. This is meant in that place, Ioh. 4.10. Where our Saviour saith to the woman of Samaria, thou wouldest have asked of him, and hee would have given thee living water: that is, the Spirit, as appeares by comparing it with Iohn 7.38, 39. I will pray the Father, and hee shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth, Iohn 14.16, 17. It is said, Ephes. 1.13. They were sealed with the Spirit of promise, that is, which was promised to all Beleevers, and Gal. 3.14. we are said, by faith to receive the promise of the Spirit, that is, the Spirit of promise, or that had beene promised.
CHRIST had the Spirit in the fullnesse of it, The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, Esay 11 2. I will put my Spirit upon him. Esay 42.1.It pleased the Father, that in him should all fullnesse dwell, Col. 1.19. all fullnesse both in respect of the number of graces, Esay 11.2. and in respect of the measure of them, Iohn 3.34. Col. 2.3. Of his fullnesse we shall all receive, and grace for grace, Ioh. 1.16. grace freely, and grace upon grace, Zach. 14.8.
A Promise to those that have the Spirit.
As many as are led by the Spirit of GOD, they are the sonnes of GOD, Rom. 8.14.
CHAP. IX. The operation of the Spirit.
1. In Generall.
Sanctification.
2. In Speciall.
1. Spirituall graces.
2. Spirituall duties.
1. The kinds of them.
2. The degrees of them.
1. The Promises of Sanctification.
Ier 31.33. & 32.4. which is twice repeat…d in the Epistle to the Heb 8.10. & 10.16. Ezek. 11.19, 20. which is repeated, Ezek. 35.27. & 37.24.… OD promiseth in the Covenant of grace which hee hath made with his people, to take away their hearts of stone, and give them hearts of flesh: to put his law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, to put his feare in their hearts, that they shall not depart from him, and to give them a new heart, and to put his Spirit within them.
The substance of which Covenant is this, that all their sins shall be forgiven, and both the guilt and punishment thereof wholly remooved. Their persons shall be justified, and their natures sanctified; the lawes of GOD and his promises shall be written in their mindes, so that they shall have the knowledge of them; and in their hearts, so that they shall have the comfort, feeling and fruition of them: they shall not onelyonly have interest in all GODS graces and blessings, but according to their neede, shall have the use and enjoyment thereof.
The LORD often promiseth to Sanctifie and make holy his people,Ezek. 37.28 Deut 28.9. as Exod 19.6. & 31.13. Levit. 22.32. Esay 4.3, 4, 35.8. Ioel 3.17.
Sanctifie them through thy truth, John 17.17. and ver. 19. For their sakes I sanctifie my selfe, Ephes. 5.25, 26.that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
The LORD hath sworne that his children shall serve him in holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of their life, Luke 1.73, 74, 75. The GOD of peace sanctifie you wholly. Faithfull is hee that hath called you, who also will doe it, 1 Thess. 5.23, 24. CHRIST is made unto us Sanctification, 1 Cor. 1.30. The LORD hath said,God will inable his children to live a holy life. that his children shall not want any needfull Grace, for the leading of a godly life, Psal. 84.11.1 Ioh. 3.3. There shall be a fountaine opened for sinne, and for uncleanenesse, Zach. 13.1. it is GODS Covenant to sprinkle cleane water upon us, that we may be cleane, and to cleanse us from all our filthinesse, and all our Idols, Ezek. 36.25. I will turne to the people a pure language, Zeph. 3.9. See ver. 13. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisedome, and his tongue talketh of iudgement. The Law of GOD is in his heart, Psal. 37.30, 31. CHRIST gave himselfe for us that hee might redeeme us from all iniquity, and purifie unto himselfe a peculiar people, zealous of good workes: Tit. 2.14.the LORD will guide the meeke in iudgement, and teach the humble his way, Psal. 25.8. & 12.
In the daies of the Gospell (saith the Prophet Zacharie) shall there be upon the bels of the horses, Zach. 14. The meanest shall have holinesse written upon his forehead as the Priests had under the Law, or they shall be holy in their iourneys, in eating and drinking.HOLINESSE VNTOUNTO THE LORD.
Those Promises before quoted in the Chapter of Justification, Mat. 1.21. Ioh. 1.29. 1 Iohn 2.2. 1 Ioh. 1.7. Rev. 1.5. may be referred to this head also, for they are to be understood not onelyonly of pardoning our sinnes, but, delivering us from the power of them.
Promises. 2. To Sanctification.
In keeping of them there is great reward,The rewards of Sanctification. The promise of walking in white hereafter is made to none but such as walk in white here, Rev. 3 4. There are promises to holinesse, 1. Of Gods presence. 2. Of his acceptance. 3. Of his father-hood, 2 Cor 6.16, 17, 18. Psal. 19.11. Blessed and, happy is he that hath part in the first resurrection, on such the second death hath no power, Rev. 20.6. Depart from evill and doe good, and dwell for evermore, Psal. 37.27. To give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified, Act. 20.32. See the like Act. 26.18.
See Rom. 8.1, 13. 1 Iohn 1.7. Esay 1.16, 17, 18.