Treatise of the Divine Promises, Book 1

Treatise of the Divine Promises · Book 1

The Table of the first booke.

In this first booke six things concerning the promises in generall, are handled

1. The nature of the promises where

1. The wo…d i… op…ned according to the expres…ion… of it in la… guages, and acceptions of i… an Scripture.

2. T…e thing desi…ed in generall … distinguished into

… C…vill.

2. R…ligions.

…. Divine, whic… d… vine promi…e….

are

1 D…fined.

2 Diff… …enc… from a

1. Purpo… Thre…tning.

…. Comm…nd.

3. describ…d to be the

1 Groūd… ou… …

2 … out fa…

2. The kinds of them.

The Promi…es are

1. …eg…llor ev…ngelicall.

2 Generall or par…icular.

… Princi…all or lesse principall.

4 D…r…ct or by consequent.

… …bsolute o… c…nditionall,

6. Pertaining to

1 Thi… life

1 Tempor…

… Spiritu…

… The life to come.

Eternall.

3. The excellency of them.

4. The right use of them.

1. In generall, we must labour.

1. To bee acquainted with them.

… Faithfully to remember them.

…. Wisely and fitly to apply them.

by

1 Fixed medit…tion.

1 Marking the promise

2 M…sing of it

3 M…king i… familiar to …s

2 F…rvent prayer, where of l… ving by faith.

2 Speciall r…les dir…cting u… now to use them.

1 Generall promises are particularly, and particulars generally appliable.

2 P…omi…es are subordinated and performed with dependance.

3. The experience of GOD in his promises confirmeth faith and nourisheth hope.

1 Experiments God hat… given us in others.

… Experience of his merc… in our selves.

4. Gods promises to us must be the rule of our prayers to him.

1. The ground for what, and rule how w… m…st pray.

…. God will not perform promise… till by prayer they be sought fo….

5 The properties of them.

Gods promises are

1. Free.

2. Full in respect of

1. Persons.

2. Things.

3. Firm & faithfull yet

1 God give… not …hr…ie… the t…ing p…omise… but somtimes that which it equivalent or b…tter, nor to the same parties, but to them o… their posterity.

2 The time of accomplishing them is uncertaine.

6. The persons to whom the promises belong.

1. C…rist as the head.

2 His members.

p. 1A TREATISE OF THE Divine PROMISES. The first Booke.Book 1.

CHAP. 1. 1. The Nature of the Promises.

THERE are three things to be known in the Word: 1. Precepts or Commandements, because, they teach obedience. p. 22. Threatnings, because they restraine disobedience. 3. Promises, because they serve to confirme us in our Obedience.Perkins on 2. Hab. 4. Faith in the Commandements (saith Dike) breeds obedience, in the Threatnings feare, in the Promises Comfort. The Greek words for Promise in the New Testament are, foreign, which is tendred in the English a Message, 1 Ioh. 1.5 of foreign nuncius, but most Vsually a Promise, Ephes. 3.6. 1 Ioh 7.25. and often in the Galatians, it signifieth gratu…am ultrenamque promissionem, a free and willi…g Promise, as both Budeus and Beza have observed, & foreign, 2 Pet... 4. w…ich properly signifieth a Publike Promise made is foro, before many, ab foreign id est, nunciare, edicere. The Latine, 1. Promissien… & promissi… (whence comes the frenc… word promesse, and the english promise) à pro & nutto, praemittitur enim promissiorei praesiandae. 2. Pollicuum or pollicitatio, which also signifieth a free Promise it commeth of polliceor, and that of porro & liceor. Pollicem… spoute, promittimus rogati, saith Ser…ius on Virg. 3. Sponsi…, from Spondere, quasi sponte dicere, saith Scaliger. Illyric. clav. Script.1 John 1:5Eph 3:6

Promise is oftentimes used in the New Testament both in the Singul…r, and Plurall number, especially in Rom. 4.16. Gal 3.…8 As often as S. Paul compares the Law with the Promise, hee makes a comparison betweene the Law and Gospell Illyric. ubi Supra.Rom 4:16Gal 3:8S. Pauls Epistles: it signifieth by an excellencie the Gospell it selfe, or the promise of giving the Messiah, and free reconciliation with GOD by Him. It is called by a Synecdoche (saith Polanus) the Word, Psal. 56.4, 10. In GOD will I praise his p. 3Word, that is, his promise, saith Iunius; and sometimes it is taken by a Metonymie (as Beza and Piscator have observed) for the good things promised, Promissio interdum idem vales quod res promissa Piscator. Act. 1.33, 18, 19 & 7.17. & 26.7.Acts 1:33Acts 1:18Acts 1:19Acts 7:17Acts 26:7Gal. 3.14. the promise of the Spirit, for the Spirit promised, Acts 1.4. waite for the promise of the Father, that is, the good promised, viz. the HOLY GHOST. You are sealed with the Spirit of Promise, Ephes. 1.13. that is, with the Spirit promised. So Gal. 3.22. That the promise by faith of JESUS CHRIST, that is, the thing promised, remission of sinne and life everlasting. Heb. 10.36. Yee have need of patience, that yee might receive the promise, that is, eternall glory promised. Heb. 6.12. Who through faith and patience inherit the promises, that is,See Heb. 9.15. & 11.9, 17, 3…, 39.Heb 9:15Heb 11:9Heb 11:17Heb 11:3Heb 11:39 life promised by a Metonymie, 2 Tim. 1.1. It is called the Promise of Life, for life promised.

A Promise is a revelation of some such truth,The definition of a Promise in generall. as shall be beneficiall to mee in particular. The p. 4truth of such a promise consists in the certainty of performance, the goodnesse of it in the quality of the thing promised.

Promise is 1. A word, passed from man to man, for performance of some lawfull things; as in contracts, bargaines, marriages, and other aff…ires of common life. This is a civill promise: Such a one Laban made to Iacob, for giving his daughter, David to Ionathan.

2. Our word passed and given unto GOD, for some duty which we will doe unto his honour, Psal. 66.13, 14. I will pay thee my vowes which my lippes have promised Num. 30.2. He shall not breake his promise. This is a religious or holy Promise, called a vow in Scripture.

3. The Word of God given unto men, for the performance of some good, or for removing some evill, Spirituall or Bodily, Psal. 119.103. How sweet are thy promises unto my mouth? and verses 38, 49. This is a divine Promise. Of these I purpose to treat: & the divine Promises are thus defined.

p. 5The Promises are declarations of GODS favour towards Man, and of his providence over him for his good.

Or thus.

The Promises are all those declarations of GODS will,Promissio Dei est denunciatio suturorum honorum nobis dandorum, u… ex ea consolationem habeamus, & siducia nos…ra in V…um confirmetur. Polanus. wherin he signifieth in the Gospel, what good He will freely bestow. I shal define them in this manner.

The Promises are outward declarations of GODS will concerning good to be received, and evill to be removed; I call them outward declarations, to distinguish them from inward purposes, concerning good, to distinguish them from threatnings, which are also declarations of GODS will, but for evill to be inflicted, concerning good to be received, &c. to distinguish them from commands, which declare GODS will for good, but that of duty to be done to him, not of mercy to be received from him.

The Promises of the word are as so, many Legacies bequeathed p. 6us by our Heavenly Father, and by His Sonne JESUS CHRIST, in His last Will and Testament.

The Promises are the grounds of our Hope, and the obiects of our Faith.

1. The grounds of our Hope, Faith and Hope agree in their ground. both of them are grounded on Gods promises; but Fides credit promissioni divinae, spes patienter expectat praestationem promissionis, saith Polanus. Faith beleeves the truth of GODS promises: Hope waiteth till GOD manifest and accomplish His truth.Remember thy Word (i.e. the promise of mercy and grace) unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope, Psal. 119.49. & 81. verse, I hope in thy Word: Therefore Hope is termed the hope of the Gospell, Coloss. 1.23. that is, an hope which waiteth for those things which in the Gospell are promised. This was the ground of Simeons hope, Luke 2.25. We have no reason to hope for any thing which is not promised, or upon any other condition, then as promised.

The Apostle useth this argument, why we should not cast away our confidence or slacken our hope, because there is a Promise, Heb. 10.35, 36. which is a f…rme p. 7foundation for our Confidence to rest upon: So Abraham is said Rom. 4.18. to have beleeved against hope (of sence and reason) under hope (of GODS Word) for the ground of that hope is added, according to that which was spoken (to that word of promise) so shall thy seed be, and elsewhere, to Looke for a Citie that hath foundations, that is,Heb. 11.10.Heb 11:10 (as one expounds it) a Citie which was built upon the immutable stability of GODS oath and promises.

These Promises are of all needfull things in the world, both Spirituall and Temporall; of assistance under all crosses and of deliverance from them, and at length of eternall glory and happinesse in Heaven, which (because it is furthest off, and includeth in it, an accomplishment of all other promises) is the most proper object of Hope, in which respect the Scripture doth thus intitle it, hope of salvation, 1 Thess. 5.8. hope of eternall life, Tit. 3.7. hope of glory, Rom. 5.2.

p. 8At this Cape of good hope arrives every good Christian, every true Israelite. The rest are either hopelesse, being Aliens from the Covenant of promise, Praesumendo sperant, & sperando pereunt.or over-hoping, without evidence and due qualification fondly expecting the promise.

2. The Promises are the obiects of our Faith, Heb 11.11.Heb 11:11and also the foundation of it: whatsoever is promised, may and must be beleeved; and whatsoever is beleeved without a promise, is rather presumed. The Gospell is called the Word of Faith, Rom. 10.18. the Ephesians beleeved after that they heard the Gospell,Premissiones vocantur obiectum fidei per melonymiam adiu… cti. The obiect of faith is Christ, or the Gospell and the promises therof. The order wherin faith laies hold upon the promises. Ioh. 3.16.John 3:16 Ephes. 1.13.

The object of true faith is

1. Principall, the promise of salvation by CHRIST, this is the maine promise. So GOD loved the world that hee gave his onelyonly begotten Sonne, to the end, that whosoever beleeveth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

p. 92. All inferiour Promises annexed thereunto, of Temporall blessings, as food, raiment, health, peace, liberty, deliverance in temptations, safety in dangers, &c. these depend, upon the maine promise of CHRIST, so farre forth as they are for our good: for in CHRIST all the promises of GOD (whether they concerne life eternall or this temporall life) are yea and Amen, that is,… Cor. 1.20. sure and certaine to GODS children.

True Faith first of all directly and plainely fasteneth it selfe on the maine promise of GOD in CHRIST, but after and with this on all other promises that concerne soule or body. The Heart that saith by faith, GOD will pardon my sinne, and save my soule, will say also by the same faith, GOD will give me foode and raiment, and all things sufficient for this life, Rom. 4.18. Abraham by the same faith, wherby hee was justified, beleeved p. 10GODS promise, that he should have a Sonne in his old age: and Noah beleeved GODS promise of his preservation in the Arke, by the same faith whereby He was made Heire of righteousnesse. First faith apprehends mercy in CHRIST, and then providence for this life.

Obiect.Justifying Faith beleeves the Creation and all other holy truths, Heb. 11. besides the Promises; therefore the promises are not the onelyonly object of Faith.

Answ.But not imploying her selfe about them, as her speciall object, but presupposing them as necessary Antecedents.

Obiect.Justifying Faith beleeves other promises, besides that of CHRIST and salvation by Him, as concerning strength in tentations, moderation of afflictions, comforts of this life.

Answ.True, but as Appendants and Appurtenances to the maine and principall Promise: for in p. 11CHRIST, that is, the Fundamentall Promise, concerning CHRIST, All, that is, the other depending Promises, are yea and Amen. The proper and peculiar object then of Justifying faith, is the Evangelicall promise: other things are beleeved, some as necessary Antecedents, some as necessary Consequents of this. But Faith findes life and salvation, neither in the histories of the Creation, nor in the Legall Commandements, threatnings, promises, but onelyonly in the Covenant of Grace.

CHAP. 11. 2. The Kinds of them.

SOme divide them thus: The Promises are either Generall or Particular, Reall or Personall, Conditionall or Free, Temporall or Eternall.

p. 12Others thus:

They are either Spirituall or Temporall, concerning this life or the life to come, of things simply necessary to salvation, or of things good in themselves, but not alwaies good for us.

The Promises are either Legall or Evangelicall, Generall or Particular, Principall or lesse Principall, Direct or by Consequent, Absolute or Conditionall, Temporall, Spirituall, or Eternall.

There are Promises **The Promises of the Law are directed and made to the person of every man; particularly those of the Gospell are first directed and made to Christ, and then by consequent to them that are by faith ingrafted into him. PerkLegall and Evangelicall.

Legall are made on condition of workes, as the perfect keeping of the Law, which none since Adam, save CHRIST, can lay claime to, Deut. 7.12. Ier. 7.3, 23. These should be uneffectuall, if CHRIST had not for us fulfilled that righteousnesse whereupon they hang, Gal. 2.16.

Evangelicall are made on condition of beleeving and repenting,The Evangelicall Promise is called the promise of Grace; because it is freely given, and freely performed, and the Promise of the Spirit, Gal. 3.14. because the Spirit is bo…h the Author and app…ier of itGal 3:14 2 Cor. 7.10. Iohn 3.15.

These are made to the worker, p. 13not for the merit of his worke, but for CHRISTS merit, in which both his person and worke are accepted.

Legall Promises or sentences, may be found in the New Testament, as Rom. 2.8, 9. to the 13, Rom. 10.5. Gal. 3.10, 12. and Evangelicall promises of grace may be found in the Old Testament, as Psal. 32.1, 2. Ier. 31.31, 32.

Both these are either Generall or indefinite, propounded to all,Promissiones Evangelij praestantiores Legalibus dicuntur, primò quia conditio Legis est, Hoc fac & vive…, id quod simpliciter imp…ssibile est, quando lex nos invenit peccatores, nec ullum relinquit …oenitentiae locum, quod facit Evangelium. Deinde verò promissiones Evangelij habent comitem essi aciam Spiritus Sancti a…ul electo…, promissiones Legales apud neminem. Tertio promissio Evangelij complectitur donum perseverantiae. Promissio Legis minimè. Quartò promissiones Legis sum obscurae, Evangelij sole meridiano clariores. Quintò promissiones Legale… pertinent ad solos Iudaeos, promissiones Evangelij indiscriminatim ad omnes. Denique, promissio Legis est …ossessio terrae Chanaan, sen vita beata in illius possessione. Promissio Evangelij est vita beata in coelis de genda. Cameron. Exodus 20.6. Iohn 3.16, 17, 18.

Or Particular, directed to some kinde of persons, few or one, Exod. 20.12. Matth. 9.2. Numb. 25.12, 13.

p. 14There are Promises Principall, and lesse Principall.

1. Principall, as righteousnesse, remission of sins.

2. Lesse Principall, deliverance in afflictions, safety in dangers, health, wealth.

There are direct or expresse Promises, and Promises by consequent.

Direct, as that which was made to Abraham of a Sonne, Gen. 18. to Paul, that not one in the ship should lose his life, Acts 27.

What hee prom…seth to any, he promiseth to all in an equall estate.Promises are implied by consequence, either in the examples or prayers of faithfull Saints.

1. In their examples, by those blessings which they have enjoyed: GODS giving it to one, is a promising it to all. Thus doth S. Iames urge that end which GOD gave to Iobs troubles,Iam. 5.11.Jas 5:11 as a ground of our faith, to make us waite for a like deliverance in troubles, S. Paul assures us, that for this cause GOD comforted him in his tribulation, that hee might be able p. 15to comfort them which were in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith hee was comforted of GOD, 2 Cor. 1.4. Whatsoever things were written (whether precepts, promises, threatnings, or examples) are written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope, Rom. 15.4.

2. In their prayers, by those things which they prayed for in faith and obtained. The Faithfull calling upon GOD, and GODS gracious hearing of them, are as much as a promise, that GOD in such and such things will heare us calling upon him. David made this a ground of his faith, Psal. 22.4, 5.

There are Promises Absolute, and Conditionall.

1. Absolute,That there shall be no waters of a floud to destroy all flesh, Gen. 9 11, 15.Gen 9:11Gen 9:15 which GOD hath simply determined to accomplish even as they are propounded, as before CHRIST was manifested in the flesh, the promise of p. 16the Messiah, Esay 7.14. and of calling the Gentiles, Esay 42.1. since that time the promise of calling the Jewes, Rom. 11.26. and of CHRISTS second comming in glory, Matth. 24.30.

2. Conditionall, which are no further promised, then GOD in wisedome seeth to be most meete for his owne glory and his childrens aaPsal. 84.11. No goo… thing doth he wit…hold, Psal. 34.…. They shall want …othing (that is good) They are good in them…elves, not alwaies good for us.Ps 84:11Ps 34good.

Thus are promised:

1. All temporall blessings, which **Luk. 16.20Luke 16:20Lazarus wanted.

2. Freedome from all crosses and bbThe evill of troubles shal not …urt them, Iob 5.19. Psal. 23.4. Ioh. 17.15.Job 5:19Ps 23:4John 17:15troubles, Iob and other Saints had their part in many of them.

3. Freedome from all ccThe godly shall be delivered from the evill of temptation and persecution So that promise, Rev. 3 10. is to be understood. Po…an. Syntag.Rev 3:10temptations, CHRIST himselfe was tempted.

4. Lesse principall graces, the common gifts of the Spirit: these are distributed severally, 1 Cor. 12.8.

5. The measure of sanctifying graces, some Saints have a greater measure of grace, and some a lesse.

p. 17Some Promises are in divers respects both Absolute and Conditionall, as that Exod. 3.17. of bringing the Israelites into the land of Canaan: for in respect of the people of Israel, it was absol…te, and at length really accomplished; but if we consider all the particular Israelites, it had an implicite condition, viz. if they were obedient to GOD.

Lastly, the Promises are either such as pertaine unto this life, or the life to come.

The Promises pertaining unto this life, are either Spirituall concerning the soule, such are the promises of GODS graces; or Temporall, concerning the body, as health, wealth.

The Promises appertaining unto the life to come, are eternall life, the crowne of glory, which concerne both soule and body.

These I shall handle fully afterward.

p. 18CHAP. III. 3. The Excellency of them.

THe Promises of GOD are a Rich Mine of Spirituall and Heavenly treasures; they are a garden of most precious flowers, of medicinable herbes, they are as the Poole of Bethesda, for all diseases, for all sorts of persons, and at all times.

They are called the unsearchable riches of CHRIST,The Lord calleth them the bands of love, Hos. 11.4.Hos 11:4 Ephes. 3.6, 8. to assure us, that hee is a very rich man that hath his heart stored with the promises of GOD well applied. One stiles them, pabulum fidei, the food of faith. As …aith is the life of the Soule, so GODS promise is the life of Faith. They are the inheritance of GODS people. Dauid did so account of them (Thy promises have I claimed as mine heritage for ever, for they are the Ioy of my p. 19heart) Psal. 119.111. and all the people of GOD are Heires of all his Promises, Rom. 9.8. The very keeping of the Records of these Promises was a great Prerogative to the **To them pertained the promises made to the Patriarkes touching the Messias. Rom 9.4. Perkins. The promises which were of two sorts, either temporall, as touching the inheritance of the land of Canaan, or Spirituall of the Messiah, Gryneus: Both Legall promises and Evangelicall Pet Ma…t. Pareus Bo…h …f this l…fe and the next Pellicā These promises first belonged to them, and upon their reiecting they were fulfilled upon the Gentiles, …s…nder.Rom 9:4Jewes, Rom. 3.2. and it is accounted a singular happinesse for the Gentiles, that they may now partake of these Promises, Ephes. 3.6. The Apostle Peter saith, that they are Exceeding great and precious promises, 2 Pet. 1.4. which GOD hath given to us. They are most great and precious: for quantity, Great, exceeding great; for quality, Good, exceeding good. Precious:

1. In respect of the Author of them, GOD; He is said in Scripture to be the giver of them, Rom. 1.2. 1 Tim. 1.1. Tit. 1.2.

2. The ground of them, JESUS CHRIST, for whose sake we obtaine them, and the price he paied to purchase them p. 20for us, his aaFortas…is epithe…um [pretiopa] nonnullum respectū habit ad prenū sanguinis Christi, & meritorū eius. Lorinus in locum.precious blood, 1 Pet. 1.19.

3. The manner, how they are given, freely; the fountaine from which they spring is the precious loving bbQuaelibet divinae promissio est dilectionis Dei erga nos testimonium. Calv. l. 3. Iustit. c. 2.kindnesse of GOD, Psal. 36.7.

4. The meanes whereby they are apprehended, that precious grace of faith, 2 Pet. 1.1.

5. The great and inestimable profit flowing from them, and the end why they are bestowed upon us, that we might be partakers of the ccExcellentiā promissionum inde ostendit, quòd nos tandem effician… naturae Divinae consortes. Calvin on this place of S. Peter.Divine nature, that is, of the graces of the HOLY GHOST.

6. ddPiscator in locum. If the promise… be so sweet, what swee…nesse shall we find in the performance of them, 1 Cor. 2.9.1 Cor 2:9In regard of the excellencie of the things promised, life and godlinesse, or glory and vertue, which the Apostle Peter mentioned, 3. ver. of that 1. Chapter.

The ordinary Glosse, would have life eternall to be there promised.

There is nothing in the world so excellent, so precious▪ so p. 21sweet and so comfortable as the promises are, Psal. 119.103.

eeCardan subtil l. 7. Ioseph. Anti…. l. 3. c. 9.Cardan saith that every precious stone hath some egregious vertue; and Iosephus observeth, that the splendor and brightnesse of the precious stones in the High-Priests brest-plate foreshewed victory.

I examine not the truth of those relations: but I dare say, there is more soveraigne vertue in one of GODS precious promises, than in all the precious stones of the world. I may say of them, as Salomon saith of a vertuous woman,Pro. 31.10.Prov 31:10 that their price is farre above rubies, or as he speakes of wisdome,Pro. 8.11. Promises in our hearts (saith one) are better then pearles or pretious stones in our chests.Prov 8:11 that they are better then rubies; and all the things that may be desired, are not to be compared to them. The bright lustre also of these precious stones, observed by the quick eye of faith, presageth certaine victory over all our enemies. If we can behold the face of GOD to shine upon us, by proving our interest p. 22in his promises, we shall be in all things more then Conquerors through Him that loveth us. The Promises of GOD applyed by faith, will put such an undaunted courage into the heart of the weakest Christian, that he will not feare the rigour of the Law, 1 Tim. 1.9. the rage of Satan, Ephes. 6.16. the tyranny of the world, 1 Ioh. 5.4. the gastly and grimme face of Death, 1 Cor. 15.55. nor the torments of Hell, Ioh. 3.16. Therefore a truly humbled spirit, relishing Spirituall things, would not exchange any one of the Promises, for the riches and sweetnesse of both the Indies. In many of Davids **Psal. 6. Psal. 22. Psal 51. Pierre du Moulin de L' Amour Divin.Ps 6Ps 22Ps 51Psalmes, the beginnings are full of trouble, but joy and assurance is to be found in the end: so that one would imagine (saith Peter du Moulin) that the Psalmes had beene composed by two men of a contrary humour: but he assigneth this as the cause of so sudden a change. Davids soule at the p. 23last raising up it selfe, from under its burden and adhering to the promises, he found abundance of comfort. M^r. Bolton hath three excellent Stories to this purpose.Bolton his Instructions for a right comforting afflicted consciences. Page 345. The first is of a woman greatly distressed in conscience, who industriously sought the destruction of her selfe; but being most miraculously preserved, shee afterward received comfort from that promise, Esay 57.15. Thus saith the High and loftie one that inhabiteth Eternity, whose Name is Holy, I dwell in the high and holy place: with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. And (to use his phrase) she went to Heaven, in the yeare of our LORD 1595.Page 346. Another Godly Man in his sicknesse, stedfastly fixed his heart upon that sweetest Promise, Esay 26.3. Thou wilt keepe him in perfect peace whose minde is stayed on thee, because hee trusteth in thee: p. 24and said, GOD had graciously made it fully good unto his soule, A Scottish Penitent also at the place of execution,Page 397. when he was ready to die, laid hold on that, Matth. 11.28. saying, I challenge thee LORD by that promise, which thou hast made, that thou performe and make it good unto me, that call for ease and mercy at thy hands.

S. Paul boasteth that he is an Apostle of CHRIST according to the promise, 2 Tim. 1.1.

The Patriarkes hugged and embraced the promises as a chiefe stay of their lives in their pilgrimage on earth, Heb. 11.13.

Vrsine was comforted by that place, Ioh. 10.29. and Bilney was much quieted by that saying of S. Paul, 1 Tim. 1.15.1 Tim 1:15This is a faithfull saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that CHRIST JESUS came into world to save sinners, of whom I am chiefe.

There is a commandement of the LORD for the children of p. 25Israel, Esay 66.11. That they should sucke and be satisfied with the breasts of consolation. D. Preston of the New Covenant.A worthy Divine observes well the Emphasis of the originall. Two Metaphors are there used, one is to milke consolation out of the Promises:Thus saith the Lord, ver. 12. the meaning is this, that the promises are full of comfort, as a dugge is full of milke (for he repeateth the promise presently after) now if thou be ready to faint,Alludit ad infantes …ugente, quos maetres quietant & solā tur, applicando eis uberibus, ut sugen…o stere desinant Cor. a Lap. in locum. goe and milke out consolation out of the promises, and that will relieve thee, and stay thy heart. The other Metaphore is, to extort the promises, as a rich man oppresseth a poore man, and gets out of him all that he is worth; so deale with the Promises, for they are rich, there is a price in them: now when a man is poore and needy, let him goe to the rich promises, and be an extortioner to them, that is, consider them to the utmost, see the utmost riches that is contained p. 26in them, and they will make thee rich. Againe, draw out the utmost of the milke that is in them, and it will exceedingly revive and comfort thee.

CHAP. IIII. 4. The right Vse of them.

We are to praise God for his promises: 1. Tey are good things. 2. They shall be accomplished in a conve…ient season, and this duty have the Saints practised, Luke 1.46. Heb. 11.13. 2 Cor. 6.17, …8 & 7. Chap. v. 1.Luke 1:46Heb 11:132 Cor 6:172 Cor 6:82 Cor 6:7WEe should labour to work upon our selves to be holy upon Consideration of GODS promises, thus: is GOD our Father, is he holy: And are wee his Sonnes and Daughters, and professe our selves to be so, and shall we be uncleane? Hath GOD promised to pardon our sinnes? and shall we therefore provoke and grieve him every day more and more by our sinnes? shall we thus requite the bounty, mercy, love and goodnesse of GOD? Hath he promised us a Crowne p. 27and Kingdome? an immortall and eternall Inheritance, that can never be shaken nor taken from us, and shall not we labour to walke worthy of the s…ne? When the LORD renewed the promise of the Land of Canaan to the children of Israel, Deut. 10.11, 12. He doth inferre this use upon the same, And now O Israel (saith hee) what doth the LORD require of thee, but to feare the LORD thy GOD, to walke in all his waies, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy GOD with all thy heart and with all thy soule? As if he should say, since GOD hath made thee so large promises, there is somewhat required at thy hands to do. So Rom. 12.1. I beseech you Brethren by the mercies of GOD, since GOD hath beene so mercifull towards you, both in promises and performances (for so f…rre that may be extended) that therefore you gi…e up your bodies p. 28a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto GOD.

But because the right use of the Promise is a meanes to sweeten all our afflictions, confirme our faith, excite us to well-doing, and to breede contentation of minde in all estates and conditions whatsoever: something shall be premised generally, concerning the use of them, and then speciall rules laid downe to direct us how to use them.

For the generall, three things are to be observed:

1. We must labour to be acquainted with them.

2. Faithfully to remember them.

3. Wisely and fitly to apply them.

1. We are to acquaint our selves familiarly with those Promises, which are most Generall, Precious and Fundamentall, wherein GODS power and goodnesse is principally seene. Such a speech there is in Iob, p. 29Acquaint thy selfe with him and be at peace, Iob 22.21, 2….Job 22:21Job 22:2thereby good shall come unto thee. Receive the law from his mouth, and lay up his words in thine heart.

If we have an herbe in our garden that would ease our griefe, and we know it not, what are we the nearer? So if we know not the Promises, though they be in the booke, what are we the better?

2. We should strive to remember the Promises, for that which is not remembred, is not knowne. David hid GODS promises in his heart, Psal. 119.111. and those upheld him in his trouble, and he received admirable comfort by them, verse 50. The Promises of GOD are the Magna Charta of a Christian, his chiefe evidence for Heaven. Now if men do so highly prize their Charters and Priviledges, and carefully keepe the conveyances and assurances of their Lands, how should we then treasure up these promises, p. 30which unto the Faithfull are in stead of all assurances, for his maintenance, protection, assistance, deliverance, comfort, and everlasting happinesse. The Apostle sheweth, that the cause of the Hebrewes fainting in their troubles,Heb. 12, 3, 5.Heb 12:3Heb 12:5 was this; they had forgotten the consolation, that is, the comfortable promises of GOD made unto them for the strengthening of their faith in the fiery triall. As a Lamp (saith Chrysostome) will soone be out, if oyle be not continually supplied: so faith, if it be not nourished with continuall meditation of GODS promises, will soone faile.

3. We should beleeve the promises, and apply them particularly to our selves. Faith apprehends the promises not onelyonly as true, and so assents, but as good and sweet,Faith applies and app…o…riates Ch…ist in … to …nes selfe. and so adheres and cleaves unto them. Thy loving kindnesse (apprehended by faith) is better then life, Psal. p. 3163.3. The apprehension of Faith, is with feeling sweetnesse in CHRIST,He loved me and gave hims…lfe for me, Gal. 2.20 sai…h S. Paul in the person of all beleevers. When Thomas said, My Lord, and My God, Chr…st answered that he beleeved. Ioh. 20. Gal. 3.2….Gal 2:20John 20Gal 3:2 and in the Promises, and therefore called The receiving of CHRIST, Iohn 1.12. The eating and drinking of his flesh, Iohn 6. Psal. 34.8. Taste and see that the LORD is good, that is, Beleeve in him, as appeares by the reason added, Blessed is the man that trusteth in him. When the understanding hath judged aright of the promises and adjudged them to our selves, that they belong to us, then the will welcomes them, claspes about them, hugges them, and as it is Heb. 11.13. kisses and embraces them, and when the heart thus kindly entertaines the promises, then with old Simeon, we hold CHRIST in our armes.

GOD himselfe applieth the promises outwardly in the Word, and inwardly by the testimony of his Spirit, and is wont to make good his promises unto his p. 32children, proportionably to their **Promises are never beleeved, unlesse they be trusted upon, as a captive cannot be said to beleeve him that promiseth to ransome him upon a day, unles he trust and depend upon him.trust in them, and dependance upon his truth and goodnesse for a seasonable performance of them, Be it unto thee according to thy saith, Matth. 9.29. All things are possible to him that beleeveth, Mark. 9.23.

That we may apply GODS Promises, we are to use two meanes:

1. Fixed Meditation, we should ponder well and muse upon the promise. Pondering is, when a man lifts any thing to see what weight it beares, so ought faith to doe with the promise, sound the sweetnesse of it to the bottome, and that,

1. By marking it, wee should set a starre upon the Margin of a speciall promise, and by the book that culs out promises of note in this kinde.

2. Musing of it, we should dwell upon it: Mary pondered p. 33the Angels words in her heart.

3. Making the word of promise, familiar by frequency, we should get it by heart till it be easie, so did David make the promise his Counsellor and Companion, Psal. 119.24. When we go to prayer, we should chew of those promises, Rom. 8.26. Iam. 1.5. When we go about our callings, we should thinke seriously of that promise, Psal, 121.8. When any crosse befalleth us, we should remember that unvaluable promise, Rom. 8.29. and that 1 Cor. 10.13.

2. Fervent prayer, that GOD would by his Spirit both reveale unto us, what be those precious promises which he hath made unto his people in his holy Word, and also give unto us wisedome rightly to judge of them, and fitly to apply p. 34them unto our selves, in every estate we shall be in. We should beg of him to reveale this mystery of godlinesse and CHRIST to us,Ephes 1.17, 18.Eph 1:17Eph 1:18 as the Disciples said, LORD increase our faith, that phrase of David is most heavenly, Psal. 119.49. Thy promise in which thou hast caused mee to put my trust. It is the LORD that must cause the heart to put her trust in the promise.

If we would keepe faith in exercise, we must indeavour to know GODS promises, meditate on them, conferre about them,Living by Faith is a relying upon the Word of God, with full purpose to be guided by it, either by resting upon his promises, or obeying his Commandemen…s. Baynes directions. they should be continually in our mindes, memories, hearts and tongues. To live by Faith, is to feede upon the severall promises of GOD made in his Word, and to apply them to our selves, according to all our needs, and so comfort and encourage our selves against temptation, and unto every good duty. This is that which is p. 35required by GOD of his people, Hab. 2.4.These words Hab. 2.4. are interpreted two waies according to the severall readings: the first is thus, The iust by faith shall live. The words [ …y faith] being referred to the subiect of this proposition [Th… Ius… :] and then the sense is, he that is iust by faith, shall li…e and have eternall life Iuniu… in his parallels, Weemse, Willet, Fai…, and Wilson, sa… this is the r…g…t reading. The second read…ng is thus, The Iust shall live by Faith; The words [by faith] being referred to the predicate [shall li…e] then the sense is this, the just while hee lives in this world shall live by his Faith. Piscator on 1 Rom. and Perkins on Hab. 24. approve this latter construction for the best.Hab 2:4 GOD there having threatned judgement against the Jewes by the Babylonians, doth afterwards promise deliverance againe, but not suddenly: the people of GOD therefore in the meane time were to live by Faith, and depending upon GOD, to waite for the accomplishment of his gracious promises. The just shall not onelyonly live eternally by his faith, but even here also in this life, He shall live by Faith.

Abraham served GOD wheresoever he came,That wee may live by f…h wee sh…ld 1 Sto…e up good promises seasonably when our parts and …bilities are strong. 2. Abundantly of al kinds Esa. 42.…3. as if hee had said, you must not onelyonly lay in promises just for the present, but store them for afterwards 3. We must so lay them up, that we may have them at hand, Col. 3.16. Verse 12.Isa 42:3Col 3:16 and rejoyced in the promise of salvation by CHRIST, Gen. 17.17. Iohn 8.56. Now if he who saw the promises but afarre of, Heb. 11. p. 3613. was so cheared and quickned by them, what should we be to whom the grace of GOD hath shined so clearely, Tit. 2.11. Iacob when Esau met him, and his heart began to faint (for the Text saith, Gen. 32.7. he feared exceedingly) did goe and sucke consolation out of the Promises: for thus he reasons with the LORD, LORD thou hast said thou wilt doe mee good: this promise sustained him, and he got so much strength with this milke, that he was able to wrestle with the LORD all night, and would not let him goe without a blessing. So David, when the Philistines had burnt Ziklag, and the souldiers that should have beene his strength, were ready to stone him, hee remembred GODS promise that he should be King, and sit in the Throne of Saul; therefore it is said, Hee comforted himselfe in the LORD his GOD, 1 Sam. 30.6. that is, in the promise that the LORD p. 37had made to him. So Nehemiah when he heard of the misery of his people, fell to prayer,1. Chap. 5. & 10. verses. clinging to a promise that he knew was made by GOD, that he had read and markt out of Deuteronomie. Verse 8, 9.The same is to be seene in that honourable company of those Worthy Servants of GOD in all ages from the beginning of the world to that day, mentioned, Heb. 11. which are all brought in as a cloud of witnesses testifying this truth, that The Iust shall live by Faith. Thus S. Paul also lived by faith, both for Spirituall life, Rom. 7. and for Temporall life, 2 Tim. 4.17, 18. and for Eternall life, 7, & 8. verses of that Chapter.

The Divell striketh specially at our faith in the promises, and not so much at the generall faith, in beleeving the truth of them in generall, as at our speciall justifying faith, applying those promises unto our selves. Not so much to doubt at the generall p. 38voice of GOD in the Word, Every beleever shall be saved, but at the particular voice of GOD by his Spirit applying the generall to us, and saying, Thou beleevest, Thou art my Sonne. Therefore above all things we should fortifie our faith and assurance, that GOD is our Father and we his sonnes, and (as the Apostle exhorteth) Labour to make our calling and election sure: and for our better applying of GODS promises, let us observe two rules: 1. To apply all the Word of GOD indifferently, as well the Commandements for our direction, and the **The threa…nings declare the great purenesse of God, the promises do shew …is great love to righteousnesse and his wonderfull goodnesse toward men: Hee that doth these th…ngs shall live it them, is the promi…e, Levit 185. The threatning that answers it, The soule that sinneth it shall die, Ezek. 18.4, 20. The tar…nesse of t…e threatning make… us best tast the sweetnesse of the promise Sowre and swee… make the best sauce, promises and threatnings mingled, serve t… keepe the heart in the best temper.Ezek 18:4Ezek 18:20threats for our humiliation, as the promises for our comfort. 2. To examine the conditions of GODS promises, and to looke as well to the performance of the conditions p. 39required in the promises, as to enjoy the things promised. For as the Divell denies unto us the application of the promises when we are interested in them, as when we walke uprightly with GOD; so contrarily he applies them strongly and earnestly, when they belong not unto us, as he did the promise of protection by Angels unto CHRIST, though he should tempt GOD. So he ordinarily applies the promise of mercy, to notorious sinne…s, though they lie wallowing in their mire, and never wash themselves in the waters of repentance. And wicked men doe often with great confidence or rathe… **Faith receives Christ, presumption snatches at him, Dike. Faith having promise of a blessing, useth with precisest care meanes ordained to obtaine it, Act …7.25, 3… Presumption so builds on the promise, that it regards not meanes of accomplishment.Acts 7:25Acts 7:3presumption lay hold of the promises; in the meane space, neither caring to apply to themselves the commandements and threatnings, nor yet respecting the conditions, by which the promises are limited. Thus when the LORD saith, Ezek. p. 4033.11. As truly as I live, I will not the death of a sinner, they regard not what followeth, but that hee repent and live; and when they heare the Apostles speech, 1 Tim. 2.4. That GOD will have all men to be saved, they make a bolster of it, whereon they sleepe securely in their sinnes, but leave out the following condition: viz. that he would have all whom he would have saved, come first to the saving knowledge of his truth, which is never severed from the fruits of obedience, 1 Iohn 2.3, 4. So when CHRIST saith, That he came not to call the righteous but sinners, with that they comfort themselves in their sinfull courses, but observe not to what he calleth them: viz. to repentance, before they can have any part with him in glory. Some likewise sucke poyson out of that heavenly flower, Rom. 10.13. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved: p. 41not considering, that Every one that calleth upon the name of the LORD, should depart from iniquity, 2 Tim. 2.19.

Speciall Rules directing us how to use the Promises.

1. Generall Promises are particularly, and Particulars generally appliable.

The LORD in assenting to Salomons prayer,1 King. 8.37.40.1 Kgs 8:371 Kgs 8:40 made a generall promise to any man, or to all the people, that what prayer or supplication soever should be made towards his Temple, he would heare in heaven and forgive, 2 Chron. 20.8 10.2 Chr 20:8&c. Iehosaphat being after in distresse, applied this generall to his owne present condition; when the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Scir came to turne Israel out of their possessions. So David, Psal. 119 49. and the woman of Canaan, Matth. 15.22. applied the generall promises to themselves.

p. 42The LORD made a particular promise unto Iosh…a, Iosh. 1.5, 6.Josh 1:5Josh 1:6that he would be with him to blesse his enterprizes against the Cananites, and to carry him through all the difficulties and hazards of that holy warre; and S. Paul applies the promise to all the faithfull,Heb. 13.5.Heb 13:5 in any straights or distresses of life, as the LORD himselfe had before applied it from Moses to Ioshua, Let your conversation be without covetousnesse,— for as GOD was with Ioshua, so will he be with thee, Hee will not faile thee nor forsake thee. CHRIST made a particular promise unto Peter, I have prayed for thee that thy faith faile not. Luk. 2….32.Luke 2:32And the same in effect he applies to all his,Iohn 17.15 See …1. & 20. verses.John 17:15 I pray that thou wouldst keepe them from the evill.

Thus may the children of GOD doe, if they finde any promise made to one godly man, and no speciall reason expressed why it should be peculiar to him, p. 43they may take it as a promise made to them. The ground of this is taken from GODS unchangeable and impartiall manner of dealing: the same GOD that he is to one faithfull man, the same he is to all: they all are under the same Covenant, and have interest in the same promises.

2. Promises are subordinated and performed with dependance.

Therefore we must not anticipate nor perturbe the order which GOD hath put in his Promises, but waite upon him in his owne way. Grace and Glory will hee give, Psal. 84.11. Master Reynolds in his Treatise of the Sinfullnesse of SinPs 84:11but first grace before glory: no man must snatch at this promise, till he have interest in that. Godlinesse hath the promises of this life and of that which is to come; but we must note the order which our Saviour puts,Mat 6.33.Matt 6:33 First seeke the Kingdome and Righteousnesse of GOD, and then all these things p. 44shall be added unto you. The LORD promiseth to call men unto CHRIST,Esay 55.5.Isa 55:5 Nations that knew thee not shall runne unto thee. The Apostle tells us whereunto he calls, 1 Thess. 4.7.1 Thess 4:7GOD hath not called us unto uncleannesse but unto holinesse. Therefore in the next place he promiseth to sanctifie and cleanse his Church; I will put my law in their hearts, Ier. 31.33.Jer 31:33and in their inward parts. The qualification of this holinesse is, that it be whole and constant. The very GOD of peace sanctifie you, 1 Thess. 5 231 Thess 5:23and preserve you blamelesse unto the comming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, is the Apostles prayer for the Thessalonians. Therefore in the next place, GOD promiseth perseverance, I will not turne away from them to doe them good, but I will put my feare into their hearts, Ier. 32.40.Jer 32:40that they shall not depart from mee. But this perseverance is not so certaine, but that it admits of fals, slips, and miscarriages; p. 45therefore in that case, Hee promiseth healing and restoring: Hos 11.3. Hos. 14.4. Ezek. 34.16 Gods Promises signifie what he will do, his precepts what we must do, that this promises may be to us fulfilled. Hee promiseth to hi… Church to forgive thei… sinnes withall give… us command to repent & beleeve, that our sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come, Acts 3.19 His promise is to save his children, their duty yet to save the…selves, Acts ….40.Hos 11:3Hos 14:4Ezek 34:16Acts 3:19I will heale their backeslidings, I will love them freely, I will binde up that which is broken, and will strengthen that which was sicke. And after all this comes the promise of Glory and Salvation. Therefore we must take the Promises in that Connexion and dependancie which they have amongst themselves. When GOD hath called us to the knowledge of CHRIST, we must not skip over all the intermediate linkes, and looke presently for the accomplishment of GODS promise of Salvation, or perseverance by GODS sole power, and in the meane time omit all care of Holinesse in our conversation. For GOD doth not fulfill his promises in us onelyonly, but by us too; and those things which in regard of his word are his promises, are also, in regard of his Command, our duties.

p. 463. Experience of GOD in his Promises, confirmeth Faith and nourisheth Hope.

**Experiments God hath given us in others.The faithfull are confirmed in the truth of GODS promises, by the experience of his dealing with others of his servants, Psal. 22.4. Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them: Psal. 34.5. They shall looke unto him, and … to him, and their faces shall not be ashamed: What made them so confident in GODS mercies? verse 6. This poore man cryed, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

Experience of GODS dealing with others, doth also nourish and uphold hope. Therefore Iames brings to the memories of the Christian Jewes,Iam. 5.11Jas 5:11 GODS dealing with Iob, to strengthen their hope.

2 Experience …f his mercy in our selvesBut especially the experience a man hath had in himselfe, of the performance of GODS promises, p. 47will marvellously confirme him.

This incouraged David, when he was to encounter with Goli…h. See Pal. 4.1. …sal. 2▪ & 7.5 77.5.11 1.3 5. Psa. 1…9.52.Ps 1:9Ps 1:52The LORD (saith he) did deliver mee from a Lion and a Beare, therefore he will deliver mee from this Philistine, 1 Sam. 17 35, 37. Paul concluded Gods favour, for the time future, by his proceedings past. The LORD (s…ith he) hath delivered mee from a sentence of death, and doth deliver, therefore I trust that he will deliver, 2 Cor. 1.9, 10. See 2 Tim. 4.17, 18.

This we may see also in Salomon, That faith may be preserved, wee must often meditate upon the sweetnesse, Ps. 1…9 103. & 139.11. constancie, Rev. 1.5. 2 Cor. 1.20. & perpetulty of the most precious and free promises which are th… grounds of faith, Hos. 14.5 Ezek. 36.22. as a Revered Divine… observes in his Exposition of his Catechisme.Ps 1:9Rev 1:52 Cor 1:20Hos 14:5Ezek 36:221 King. 8.24. and in other places, Deut. 1.29, 31. Deut. 3.21. Esay 51.9, 11. But we have a notable example for this in Iacob. Gen. 32.9. Thou saidst unto mee, remove into thy countrey, and to thy kindred, and I will doe thee good. There is GODS Word and promise: then followeth the experience, he had already of the performance of this promise, p. 48verse 10. I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies which thou hast shewed unto thy servant: for with my staffe came I over this Iordan, and now I have gotten two bands. Then followes the confirmation, he received in his faith by this experience, verse 11. I pray thee deliver mee from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau.

Experience likewise bringeth forth Hope, Rom. 5.4.

Three things concurre to make up experience:

1. Knowledge: the better knowledge, the better affiance, Psal. 9.10. They that know thy Name, will put their trust in thee.The Philosopher saith, that experience is multiplex memoria, a multiplied memory, because of the memory of the same thing often done ariseth experience.

2. Observation of the waies of GOD.

3. Memory, remembrance of such workes of GOD, as wee have knowne and observed.

We should observe how GOD hath made good and confirmed his promises, even in our owne p. 49experience, by blessing us, while we have walked carefully and conscionably before him, how often he hath granted our requests. To this purpose is that exhortation, Psal. 34.8. O tast and see that the LORD is good. Labour to be able to say with David, Psal. 119.56. This I had because I kept thy precepts: thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy Word, 6…. verse, or as it is 140. verse, Thy Word is prooved most pure (by good experience) therefore thy servant loveth it, or as he saith elsewhere, Marvellous are thy works, Psal. 139.14.Ps 139:14and that my soule knoweth right well.

4. GODS Promises to us must be the ground and rule of our prayers to him.The ground for what, and the rule how wee must pray.

There are two things in this rule to be observed:

1. That we can make no prayer in boldnesse, faith or comfort, All our prayers are to be grounded on Gods promises.but for things promised, and in that p. 50manner as they are promised. We must see the things we aske, made ours in some promise and engagement… before we presume to aske them.David often chargeth God with his promise, Psal. 119. Q…cken me according to thy word, v. 2…. that is, thy promise in thy word. So 10…, 149, 154. Rem…mber thy Wor… … thy Wo…d, 38. still he ha…ps upon this st…ing, 28…, 1.…5, 75.Ps 119 This incouraged Iacob, Gen. 32.9, 12. David, 2 Sam. 7.27, 28, 29. Daniel 9.2, 3. and Iehosaphat, 2 Chron. 20.8, 12. to pray unto GOD, because he had made promises of the things they desired, and therefore they were certaine, that they prayed according to his will. This was **Neh. 1.8, 1… In the wa…t of other Rhetorick & Oratory, let Christians in their pray… …rge this with repetition, Lord …hou hast …romised, thou hast promised.Neh 1:8Neh 1:1Nehemiahs ground in his prayer for the reparation of Ieru…alem. Remember, I beseech th…e, the word which thou comm…n…est thy servant Moses, saying if yee transgresse, I will scatter you abroad: But if yee turne unto mee, and keepe my Commandements, and doe them, though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from th…nce, &c. Now these are thy servants, and thy people whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. O LORD, p. 51beseech thee, let now thine care be attentive to the prayer of thy servants who desire to seare thy Name. An excellent example also we have of this in Iacob, Gen. 28. GOD promised to be with him, ver. 15. his vow or prayer respe…teth that, ver. 20. GOD promised to keepe him in his way, ver. 15. his vow or prayer respecteth that, ver. 20. GOD promiseth not to leave him, he saith and will give mee bread and raiment, GOD …romised to bring him againe to … land, his prayer ans…ed th…t, …. 21.

Otherwise … can have no hope to be heard,… 2 Chron. …9 & … 15, 17. 1 King …2.2 Chr 91 Kgs 2 if our petitions be not fram…d according to GODS promises. If wee will have GOD heare us, wee must pray a…c…rding to h…s will, 1 Ioh. 5.14. Wee must aske in faith; Both CHRIST and his Apostles require faith in GODS promises in prayer, Mar. 11.24. Iames 1.6.

No f…culty can or ought to extend p. 52it selfe beyond its adequate and proper object;The thing asked must first be warranted under some precept or promise in generall, though not expresly. M. Harris. for the object is the rule and the limit of the habit, but the promise is the object of faith, as hath beene shewed, therefore he that prayeth without a promise, denieth his owne request.

If I pray for the salvation of another,Obiect. I have no promise, how then can I pray in faith?How wee may pray in faith, when we want a particular promise, that the thing we aske shall be granted. So likewise when a man prayes to be guided in such a businesse, to have such an enterprize to be brought to passe to have deliverance from such a trouble, such a sicknesse or calamity that hee lies under, he finds no particular promise, and for ought hee knowes, it shall never be granted: How can he be said to pray in faith? For to pray in faith, is to beleeve that the thing shall be done.

Sol.To pray in faith, is to goe as farre as the promise goes. Now no particular man hath any particular promise, that hee shall p. 53have such a deliverance, that he shall have such a particular mercy granted him;Gods promises of things temporall and to heare us for others, are but indefini…e not universall. The faith therefore requited toward them is but an indefinite act of recumbency and submissi…n not of assurance. M. Go…hei… in his returne of Prayers. Yet God often grants prayers made for o…her…, since promises are made to such prayers, as, that they shal be healed in their bodies, Iam 5 15. healed of their lust…, v. 16. converted to li…e, 1 Ioh 5 16. Id. ib.Jas 5:151 John 5:16 and therefore it is not required to beleeve, that that particular thing should be done, but that GOD is ready to d…e that which is best for mee, in such a particular, that which shall be most for his owne glory and my good. Indeed if we had a particular promise, as Elias had, that it should not raine, in that case we were bound to beleeve in particular; but not having that, we are not tyed unto it.

David saith, Psal. 35.13. that he prayed for his enemies, but his prayer returned into his owne bosome: no benefit came to them in their amendment, yet hee was no looser by it, his prayer was not lost. The like may be said of others of GODS children: when they seeke to GOD in sincerity, and pray in the behalfe of others, though the particular suite be not granted, p. 54yet they discharging their dutie, shall receive a reward.

The Promises also are the rule how we must pray:Eo modo cuinia sunt petenda, quo modo sunt promissa. as things are promised, so must they be prayed for; things absolutely promised, may be absolutely asked; but where GOD hath put conditions and exceptions to his promise, there our prayers also must be conditionall, and we must expresse or reserve in our mindes some such secret limitations, as these, If GOD see it to be good, if his good pleasure be such, if it may stand with his glory.

Verse 3…. We may pray agains… temptations, (as against sicknesse and poverty) … simply, bu… with submission to Gods will; only we must pray ab…olu…ely to be … from … of temptation: for those latter words in the I.P doe restraine or correct the former.Moses, Ex…d. 32.10, 11. wo…ld not l…t GOD done till he had spa…d his people, but desired to be razed out of GODS Booke, rather th…n his people should be destroyed; because GOD had made an absolute promise to bring them into Canaan, verse 13. which promise Moses plead…th unto GOD in prayer.

p. 55GOD hath made an Absolute promise of the perpetuall continuance of the Church, but … of a continuall outward flouri…hing state thereof: for he can turne the persecution of his Church to the incre…se thereof, and so …aine honour unto himselfe, and bring good unto his people thereby.

In this point (because some things are controverted) I will not interpose my owne judgement, it shall suffice me to declare, how the question is stated by many Divines.D. Am. That wee should have grace is absolutely necessary, and therefore we may pray absolutely for it. We may not absolutely pray for limited & set mea…ure… of grace, but in what measure God shall thinke good.

1. Spirituall things, as they are necessary to salvation, ought absolutely to be asked, because they are absolutely promised to the Faithfull, and those that seeke them, Luke 11.13.

2. Those spirituall goods which admit degrees, cannot in every degree be absolutely begg'd, because the things themselves, not the degrees of them, are absolutely necessary, and of GOD absolutely p. 56promised, 2 Cor. 12.8, 9.

3. Yet we ought absolutely to ask that measure of grace which is necessary for us to avoid crimes or scandals, and keepe a good conscience, Iames 1.5, 6. 1 Cor. 10.13. Psal. 19.14.

D. Sclater upon 2. to the Thess. pag. 18.210 & 233.Spirituall things are promised:

1. Rather quoad essentiam, then gradum perfectionis.

2. In competencie for finall victory, not in perfection.

3. With power reserved to withdraw the exercise;2 Chro. 32 312 Chr 32:31 leave to our selves, abate the fervour.

There must be submission to GODS will and wisedome in our prayers for spirituall things,D. S…lat. on 1. of Rom. We must referre the time, manner and measure of granting our petitions to the Lord. in regard of circumstances of time, meanes, measure; for these the LORD hath reserved in his owne power. We must not in our prayers prescribe GOD the particular time, when he should give his blessings or helpe us out p. 57of misery, yet we may lawfully pray, that he would heare us speedily, Psal. 102.3. because He hath promised to doe it.

All the Petitions of the LORDS Prayer (saith D^r. Gouge) are absolutely promised,D. Preston on the Sacrament. D. G…uge on the Lords Prayer. See page 10 saving the fourth. For hallowing GODS Name, He himselfe hath said, I have both glorified it, and will glorifie it againe, Iohn 12.28.2. For the comming of his kingdome, CHRIST hath said, that the gates of Hell shall not prevaile against his Church, Mat. 16.18.3. For doing his will, this is a branch of the new Covenant, which by CHRISTS death is made absolute, Ier. 31.33. Ezek. 36.27.4. For pardoning sinne, this is another branch of the foresaid new Covenant, 34. verse of Ieremy. For not leading into temptation,See Schudder key of heaven, last Doct. but delivering from evill, the Apostle saith, 1 Cor. 10.13. GOD will not suffer you to be tempted above that yee are able, but will p. 58with the temptation, make away to escape. For daily bread, GOD can instruct us, both to be full, and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need, Phil. 4 12.

Mat. 26.39. D. Sclat. on 2.10 Thess pages before quoted. There is no temporall thing of this life doth Cad…re in promiss…on Dei, but onelyonly so fa…re forth as it sha…l helpe and further the next life. This life is but via ad citam, and whatsoever God promise… … in the wa… is but to … us …n the end o… …he …Matt 26:39Temporall things, are not promised absolutely, but

1. With limitation to expediencie.

2. They are conveied in the Covenant disjunctively, either the particulars or the equivalent, Mark. 10.30. by way of commutation, and compensation with spirituall; if not peace, yet patience, if not wealth, yet contentment.

3. With exception of the crosse, and reservation of power to the promiser, to chasten our misdemeanour, Psal. 89.28, 31, 32.

aa… guide to godlinesse.When we crave temporall benefits, which GOD hath promised conditionally, so farre forth as will stand with his glory, and our spirituall good, and everlasting salvation, wee p. 59must beleeve that we shall obtaine them, so farre forth, as they will stand with these conditions.

bbB Babington on L.P.Earthly and outward things are lawfully prayed for, but ever …um Conditione voluntatis, with Condition of GODS good pleasure and liking.

ccA Reverend Divine on the L.P.Things Temporall which are promised with condition, we are to pray for with condition of GODS will.

ddA Worthy Writer in his Catechisme.All outward things must be asked with this exception, if it seeme good unto his Majesty; which exception is proper to the fourth Petition.

We must aske these outward things (not absolutely) no further then they may stand with GODS glory.Smith grounds of religion.

Those things which belong to the kingdome of GOD are simply and primarily to be asked, other things onelyonly secundum quid and secondarily.Tylen. Syntag.

GODS promises of temporal p. 60blessings are Hypotheticae and goe with condition sometimes expressed,Barker on the 5. Commandement. sometimes suppressed, which condition is as a sterne of a ship, and turnes the promise another way. **Illa sola sunt absolutē petenda, quae necessaria sunt ad Dei gloriam & n…stram salutem: caetera vero cum tacita subiectione ad Dei sapientissimā dispositionē. D Ames medul. To l. 2. c. 9.Of the same opinion are Vrsin in his Catech. on the fourth Petition. Piscator on 8. Mat. 2. Cameron Myrothee. Evangel. in Luke 5.12. Master Harris on the Beatitudes and Covenant. Barlow on 2. of Tim. D. Preston in Saints daily Exercise and M. Goodwin in his returne of Prayer.

This is an undoubted truth, that we must pray for heavenly things with a more ardent affection then for earthly,Therefore in the Lords Prayer there are 5. Petitions for Spirituall, and but one for Temporall things Matth. 6.33. 1. They comply with GODS nature and hee had rather be giving them. 2. They are best for us, and will doe us most good.

2. GOD will not performe promises till by prayer they be sought for from him;God must be sought to for the performāce of his promises. till in our humble desires wee declare, that wee p. 61account his promises exceeding great and precious things. The LORD had promised deliverance unto Israel, yet saith the LORD,Ezek. 36, …7.Ezek 36:7 For this I will be enquired of by the house of Israel to doe it for them: Thus saith the LORD, After seventy yeeres be accomplished at Babylon, Ier. 29 10, 13Jer 29:10Jer 29:13I will visit you and performe my good word towards you, in causing you to returne to this place; for I know the thoughts that I thinke towards you, thoughts of peace, and not of evill to give to you an expected end. But how shall this excellent promise of GOD be effected? It followes,God doth not give his promises to make us idle, but to exercise our faith in importuning him for performance. Then shall yee call upon me, and yee shall goe, and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you, &c. Godlinesse hath the promises of this life and that which is to come, 1 Tim. 4.6. yet we doe not forbeare daily to say the LORDS Prayer, that we may speede of both. The Lord makes a promise of forgivenesse of sinnes, I, even I, am hee that p. 62blotteth out thy transgression for mine owne …ake, Gods promises then are as directions in, not as dispensations from the devotion we owe unto God. Bish. Lake. …hen God promised thing… in par…icular, yet …ll …hey prayed, and prayed earnestl…, as E…th when God promise… that it should raine, 1 Ki…g 18.41, 42. and David when God promised to make him an house, 2 Sam. 7.11.2 Sam 7:11and will not remember thy sinnes. But for the execution of this promise▪ GOD will be so…ght unto. Put me in remembrance (s…th he) and set us plea…e tog…her, E…ay 43.25, 26. … GOD to fu…fill his …, we testifie f…rst, that they … …o…ises of mercy and not of …ury or d…t: secondly, wee d…clare our …eed, and by consequence … of them, and de…endance upon them: As Promi…s are the Rule of what we may pray …or in …ai…h; so Prayer is the ground of what wee may expect with comfort.

p. 63CHAP. V. 5. The properties of them. GODS Promises are

1. Free.

2. Full.

3. Firme.

1. GODS Promises are free and tran…ferred.

THey are not m…de for any … that is in us,It is called a Covenant of g…ace and the promise of grace. The very Greek and Latine w…rds for promise (s… was befor… noted) signifie a free and willing promise, so the word is taken, …it. 1. …. Deut. 7.7, 8.Deut 7:7Deut 7:8 bu… proceed …rom Gods fre…om and benevolence: …orking moo…ed God out of hims….

1. Not … Th… LORD did not …et h… lov… upon you nor choose you: because we were more in number then any other people (or for any such like respects) but because the LORD loved you. That at first might seeme to be Idem per idem, (as we say) a womans reason, that the LORD should set his love p. 64on them, because hee loved them: but it excellently sets forth the ground of GODS love to rest altogether in himselfe, and in his owne good pleasure.

Ezek. 16.6.8Ezek 16:6Ezek 16:82. Not our beauty: we were in our bloud when GOD set his love upon us, and entred into Covenant with us.

3. Not our righteousnesse, Tit. 3.5. Not by workes of righteousn…sse which we have done, but according to his mercy hee saved us.

There is nothing at all in us to move the LORD to promise any good to us: as that first and great promise after Adam had sinned, was from GODS free grace, so are all other Evangelicall promises.

GOD never set the promises on sale, or will ever sell his Sonne to any, He gives him freely, He stands not of desert, We may buy of Him aaChrist is a free gift, Esay 96. and how shall he not with him freely give us all thing. Rom. 8 31. God commendeth his love to us, in that when we were yet sinners (and enemies also) Christ died for us, Rom 5 8.10 He loved us, non existentes, imo resistentes, saith Bernard.Rom 8:31Rom 5:8Rom 5:10freely, Esa. 55.1, 2, 3. Rev. 21.6. & 22.17. Ezek. p. 6536.32. He loveth freely, Hos. 14.7. and pardoneth sin freely, Esay 43.25. 1 Iohn 2.12. Election is of grace, Rom. 11.5. Vocation is of grace, 2 Tim. 1.9. Justification is freely by grace, Rom. 3.24. Faith is of grace, Ephes. 2.8. Eternall life and salvation is of grace, Rom. 6.23. Luke 12.32.

bbThe promises are free, yet conditionall. Conditionall is not opposed to Free, but to Absolute. 2 Thess. 3.3, 42 Thess 3:32 Thess 3:4The Promises are (free in ficri) made onelyonly out of grace, but (conditionall in facto esse) performed and accomplished with dependance upon duties in us. GOD is faithfull (saith the Apostle) who shall stablish you and keepe you from evill, there is the promise; and wee are confident, that you will doe the things that wee command you; there is the duty which the promise calls for. When wee pray give us our daily bread; by saying give us, wee acknowledge that it is from GOD, but when we call it ours, we shew how GOD gives it, namely p. 66in the use of the meanes. For bread is ours, not onelyonly in the right of the promise, I will not faile thee nor forsake thee, 2 Thess. 3.11.12.2 Thess 3:112 Thess 3:12but service and quiet working in an orderly calling.

The freenesse of GODS promises marvellously lifts up the head above water; as the beggar saith, the dole is free, and why may not I get it as well as another? O (may some say) but if I could pray and humble my selfe, there were hope of mercy.

The freenes of Gods promises revives our hope.GOD gives his mercy freely, he keepes open house, he requires nothing of thee to procure it, but he shewes mercy, because hee will shew mercy. See what he saith, Es…y 43 24, 25. Thou hast wearied mee (saith he) with thine iniquities; and in the next verse, I, even I am he that blott…th out thy trans…ressions, for my owne sake, even I] excluding all m…anes: for my owne names sake] excluding all motive.

p. 67No unwor…hinesse then should hinder us from beleeving the promises: but rather they that have the most sense of their owne **It is good for a man (saith Greenham) to watch himselfe, whether in hearing the promises of God he hath a cold feare comming on him for his unworthines, which if he have, that man may hope well of himselfe, Mat. 11.28. The wicked came Gods peace into wantonnes, Iude 4.Matt 11:28Jude 1:4unwor…hinesse, have most incouragement to beleeve; for that voice of CHRIST, Come unto mee all yee that are weary, &c. serves not onelyonly for our first conversion, but in all our distresses whatsoever, throughout the whole course of our life. Iacob confesseth himselfe unworthy of the least of all GODS mercies, Gen. 32.10. yet in the 9. verse he entitleth himselfe unto the promises, He that commeth to mee, I cast not away, Ioh. 6.37. As if the LORD should say; feare not, though base, sinfull, poore, and of no account in the eye either of thy selfe or others: For if thou commest to me, thou art welcome, notwithstanding these, and I never cast him away that commeth.

The wicked abuse the promises of GOD to loosenesse; they p. 68say GOD is gracious and mercifull. CHRIST dyed for us, the LORD will forgive us, and so stuffe themselves with promises till they have made them a pillow for sinne. It is true, there is mercy with GOD, Psal. 130.4. not to make us bold to sinne, but to feare him. The Apostle urgeth the promise to spurre us to obedience,2 Cor. 7 1. Heb. 4 1.2 Cor 7:1Heb 4:1 and as a motive to the feare of GOD, we should take heed of sinning, because GOD is gracious, Rom. 6.1, 14. Heb. 10.29. Ioel 2.13. who would spend to try a liberall friend? GODS mercy is regulated by his truth and justice. He hath promised no mercy to such, Deut. 29.20. they have neither part nor portion in this matter,Esay 55.7.Isa 55:7 Acts 8.21.

2. GODS Promises are full and of large extent, in respect of

1. Persons.

2. Things.

In respect of persons;

They are propounded generally p. 69with such termes as these, every one, or whosoever, Ioh. 3.15, 16. Matth. 11.28. Revel. 22.17. Esay 55.1, 2. Acts 10.43. Ioh. 7.37. Iohn 6.37, 40. & 5.24. & 11.26. Ezek. 33.11. 1 Iohn 2.1.

They are offered to all, none excepted: the Angell brought glad tidings for all people, Luke 2.10. no sort of men are excluded, but in CHRIST they may have their part in these promises, as the Apostle sheweth, Gal. 3.27, 28, 29. Hee will blesse them that feare the LORD, both small and great, Psal. 115.13. The LORD is rich unto all that call upon him, Rom. 10.12. In every nation hee that feareth him, and worketh righteousnesse, The Covenant is actually made with beleevers onelyonly, Act 13.48 Gal. 3.…. but it is offered unto all by the Gospel, Mat. 28.1…. Acts 17.30. Col 1.23. Tit. ….11.Acts 13:48Gal 3Matt 28:1Acts 17:30Col 1:23is accepted with him, Acts 10.35.

The Promises are propounded promiscuously to all, together with the commandement of beleeving; but they are not performed to all, because they p. 70faile in performing the condition, but power is given to the Elect to performe the condition, Ephes. 2.8. Act. 5.31. & 11.18.

There is therefore a twofold offering of CHRIST:

1. Externall in the preaching and publishing of the Gospell or the promises of CHRIST, Act. 9.15.

2. Internall, a certaine spirituall Illumination whereby those promises are pro…ounded to the hearts of men,Ioh. 6, 45 7 Ephes. 1.17.John 6:45Eph 1:17 as it were by an inward word.

… in Comment. ad Rome. 3. v. 2.The promises are indefinite in regard of all and every man, and to beleevers onelyonly they are unive…sall, Iohn 3.16. & Mark. 16.16. R…m. 1.16. & 10.4. GOD undertakes with them, not for themselves onelyonly, but for their seed aft…r them, I am thy GOD, and the GOD of thy seed: hee sheweth mercy to a thousand generat…ns of them that feare him, and keepe his Commandements. p. 71He maintaines not onelyonly such is serve him, but all their hou…hould▪ yea and all th…r posterity too: for the promises are made to you, Acts 2.39.Acts 2:39and to your seede, and to as many as GOD shall call.

2. In respect of things;

His Promises are likewise large for things. No good thing will he withhold; all that is in heaven, in ea…th, will GOD bestow on his.

In Deut. 28. Psal. 37. & 128. whatsoever is good for the soule, the body, the estate, the name, the posterity of m…n, is promised to them that feare GOD, and obey his Commandements.

The Promises in the Word extend themselves to all estates, to all conditions, and to all kind of distresses whatsoever, they are a Christians Catholic…n; being a helpe to all duties, a quickner of all graces, and a p. 72Comfort in all Troubles.

The people of GOD streiten promises, and enlarge precepts,The largenesse of the Promise serveth not onelyonly to assure all beleevers of salvation, but to encourage all that heare of Christ to beleeve in him: as the brazen Serpent had a promise annexed to it, Numb. 21.8, 9. Ioh. 3.14, 15, …6. that all that look…d toward it, when they were stung with a Serpent should be he healed; that promise served not onelyonly to assure the lookers of recovery, but also to encourage and warrant every one to looke to the Serpent.Num 21:8Num 21:9John 3:14John 3:15John 3:6 but the generality of the promises may comfort any gracious person: Whosoever beleeveth, shall bee saved, none is excluded but such as exclude themselves. This is singular comfort in temptation, no matter for thy sinnes; whosoever beleeveth in CHRIST, shall be saved, though his sinnes be never so great. This may comfort the godly also in their meane estate in the world, whosoever beleeves, the hainous sinner as well as the lesser; the poore begger as well as the mightiest Monarch, shall not perish, but have life eternall.

The Sacraments particularize the generality of the promise.The indefinite promises are to be appropriated by particular application: Gal. 2.20. 1 Tim. 1.15. The Articles of the Creed p. 73**Perkins reformed Cath…like. Abbot against Bish.concerning remission of sinnes and life everlasting doe include, and we in them acknowledge our speciall faith concerning our owne salvation. Hee that hath not this particularity of applying, hath nothing of faith more then a Divell, as two of our worthy Divines **D. Prideaux Lect 7 de salutis certitudine. D Sclater on Rom 18. The Papish say it is arrogancy and presumption by a speciall faith to apply the promises to our selves; but it is a notable glorifying of God: the glory of his truth is given him, when a man doth as it were subscribe to GODS Word, and set his Seale to i…. Ioh 3.33 Rom 4 20. not to beleeve is horri…le pre…umption, for that we presume to give God the lie, … Ioh 5. …0 for he that doth not in speciall apply the promise unto himselfe, doth not in heart beleeve the generall promise. Non en…m hic sensus est quem fingit Bellarminus, credo in Ecclesia dari remissionem peccatorum; quod Diabolus at que desperabundus quivis potest credere: sed credo diri remissionem peccatorum, per Christum mihi, quia in illum Credo. Episc Daven, in Col.John 3:33Rom 4:20John 5have well observed. The Divels hold generalls, of CHRISTS death; remission of sinnes thereby purchased unto the Church: herein only they faile, that they apply not these to themselves, nor can beleeve that they are sharers in these benefits; and let it be thought no presumption, for GODS child to out-strip the Divell one step at least, in beliefe of the Articles of his Creed.

p. 74The Apostles applied the promises to them whom either they did instruct or confirme in the faith, 1 Cor. 1.4, 9, 30. & Chap. 12.27. Ephes. 1.13. & Chap. 2.5. Acts 2.39. & 13.38. Col. 2.10. 1 Pet. 1.18, 19. 1 Iohn 2.12. The faithfull also apply them to themselves, 2 Cor. 3.18. & 5.1. Ephes. 1.4. & 2.5. Col. 1.12. 1 Pet. 1.3. 1 Iohn 3.1, 2. & 3.24.

The Papists scoffe at this particular assurance, and say, there must be a particular word, for a particular faith. Where is it said by name (say they) to any man; Thou Peter or Iohn shalt be saved? Wee may retort this argument upon themselves: for where is it said to any by name, Sanctifie the Sabbath, sweare not? and yet the commandements belong to us, why not then the Promises, though not spoken to us by name? The word of promise is as particular, as the word of threatning, command, p. 75or prohibition. The Generals include their particulars;Generals of promise, blessing or comfort, delivered in Scripture, are intentionally meant, to particulars rightly qualified. Quod omnibus promi…titur, singulis promittitur. When a Prince gives a pardon to all theeves, every one can apply the same unto himselfe, though his name be not set downe in the pardon. To mee (saith D. S…lat…r) it sounds as particular in case of my faith and repentance, as if our Saviour himselfe should say unto mee, as to him in the Gospell, Sonne, thy sinnes be forgiven thee.

The wicked enlarge the promises, and streighten the precepts, they take liberty to sinne, presuming on pardon from those two generall maine promises, Hee that beleeveth, shall be saved, Mark. 16.16. At what time soever a sinner repents him of his sinnes, I will have mercy on him, saith the LORD, Ezek. 18.21, 22.

Here are two sweet promises, the one annexed to Faith, the other to Repentance; but out of these fragrant flowers, the p. 76wicked sucke poyson.

It is an easie matter to beleeve (saith the worldling) though indeed it be as hard as to keepe the Law, for GOD must inable to both. And true repentance (saith hee) is never too late: GOD hath promised pardon to the penitent, there is no exception of aa1 Ioh. 1.7. Esay 1.8. Ezek. 18.22.1 John 1:7Isa 1:8Ezek 18:22sinne, bbEzek. 3….12Ezek 3:12times, or ccMat. 1….28.Matt 1:28persons, but at what time soever, what sinner soever repents him of what sinne soever, he shall be forgiven.

This cannot be denied; but yet though true repentance be never too late, late **Poenitentia vera nunquā sera; at poenitentia sera rarò vera. Austen. Qui promisit …oenitenti veniam, non promisit peccanti poenitentiam. Peccanti crastinum non promisit. Nemo promi…tat sibi, quod Evangelium non promittit.repentance is seldome true: and though GOD hath promised pardon to the penitent, yet hee hath not promised repentance to the sinners. Thirdly, thou knowest not whether ever thou shalt have time, for hee promiseth not tomorrow to the offendour, who is alwaies ready to receive the penitent. One saith, GOD hath left man time past to repent p. 77of, and time present to repent in, but the time to come he hath reserved in his owne hands.

3. The Promises are most firme and faithfull;

GOD is true in all his promises, be they never so great or wonderfull: heaven and earth shall sooner passe away, then one piece of his promise faile, Rom. 4.16. GOD cannot lie, Tit. 1.2. nor denie himselfe, 2 Tim. 2.13. He may as easily denie himselfe as his word. David often in 119. Psalme, giveth this epithite to GODS Word,Nehem. 9.8.Neh 9:8 Iust and righteous Word, 106, 123, 137, 144, verses. Paul often useth this preface, This is a true saying, and of all men worthy to be beleeved; or, this is a faithfull saying, 1 Tim. 1.15. 1 Tim. 4.9. 2 Tim. 2.11. Tit. 3.8. Revel. 21.5. & 22.6. it is called The Word of truth, Iam. 1.18. Ephes. 1.13. Col. 1.5. The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver p. 78tried in a fornace of earth, purirified seven times, Psal. 12.6. Psal. 18.30. Psal. 119.140. Pro. 30.5. As the gold and silver that hath beene often tried doth never deceive men, so the divine promises doe not deceive those that trust in them, because the truth and goodnesse of them hath beene continually tried by others, and graciously performed by GOD himselfe. His Covenant is called a **A firme sate and uncorruptible Covenant which lasts for ever, Num 18.19 Decretum ab omni corruptione tutum perpetuum que , saith Iunius.Num 18:19Covenant of salt, 2 Chron. 13.5. that is, a stable and sure Covenant, an everlasting Covenant, Gen. 17.7. Esay 55.3. Ezek. 16.60. this phrase is frequently used in Scripture, GOD that keepeth Covenant, Deut. 7.9. Dan. 9.4. Nehem. 1.5. & 9.32. 2 Chron. 6.14, 15. Psal. 89.34.Every word of his mouth is exactly performed, a… his people by experience have found and confessed, Iosh. 21 45. 1 King 8.56.Josh 21:451 Kgs 8:56 Esay 54.10. All the promises of GOD are Yea, and Amen, in CHRIST, 2 Cor. 1.20. Not onelyonly Yea, but Yea and Amen. Not onelyonly firme and faithfull in themselves, but such as shall be made good to the soules p. 79of GODS people in full perfection.

We may call in experience to witnesse this truth: GOD hath not onelyonly made good his Covenant to his friends, but to his enemies and strangers, Deut. 2. Iosh. 23.5, 10, 14, 15. He kept touch with Iehu for the kingdome, for foure generations **2 King, 10.30.according to his promise. He is faithfull to those that deale perfidiously in the Covenant, Rom. 3.3▪ 4. He makes good his promises in the circumstances of them, keepes the very houre as it were, Gen. 15.13, 16. compared with Exod. 12.41. therefore this phrase is often used, as the LORD hath said, or as the LORD hath promised, Deut. 10.9. & 18.26. & 27.2. Ioel 2.32. Iosh. 23.5, 10.

We might instance in particulars, and shew how the promises of GOD have still beene fulfilled, as that first promise of CHRIST, Gen. 3.15. we may p. 80see fulfilled, Luke 1.68. to 73. Gal. 4.4. and that particular promise to preserve Noah in the Arke, Gen. 6.18. fulfilled, Gen. 8. those made to aaThe promise, Gen 12 2, 3. performance, Gen. 13.26.24.1.35. the promise, Gen. 15.5. fulfilled, Deut. 10.22. the promise, Gen. 17 16, 9. fulfilled, Gen. 21.1, 2.Gen 12:2Gen 12:3Gen 13:26Gen 13:24Gen 13:1Gen 13:35Gen 15:5Deut 10:22Gen 17:16Gen 17:9Gen 21:1Gen 21:2Abraham, bbPromise to Isaac, Gen 26.3 fulfi…led, 12, 13. verses.Gen 26:3Isaac, and ccTo Iacob, Gen. 24.15 fulfilled, Gen. …5 3. His love move… him to promise, his truth binds him to performe. Deut. 7 7, 8.Gen 24:15Gen 5:3Deut 7:7Deut 7:8Iacob. But I leave this to the observation of Christians themselves.

GODS Love and mercy is the onelyonly reason of making promises; but his truth, justice, fidelity, power, and glory, are the reasons of fulfilling them. The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, saith Moses to Israel; because yee were more in number then any people; but because the LORD loved you; that is the ground of making the promise: and because hee would keepe the oath which he had sworne to your fathers, that was the ground of performing his promise. For thy words sake, and according to thine owne heart, 2 Sam. 7.18, 21.2 Sam 7:182 Sam 7:21saith David, hast thou done all these great things, according to thine owne heart, that is, ex p. 81mero motu, out of pure and unexcited love thou didst give thy Word and promise, and for thy Word sake thou hast performed it. Thou wilt performe saith the Prophet, The truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworne unto our father from the daies of old. Micah 7 20.Mic 7:20Why truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham? the promise after a sort began in Abraham (therefore hee is called the Father of the faithfull) and when GOD makes a promise, it is onelyonly out of mercy; but the promise was continued unto Iacob, who being Abrahams seed, was an heire of the Promise, and so the inheritance which was out of mercy given unto Abraham, did out of truth and fideli…y descend unto Iacob, the seed of Abraham;The promises run all upon mercy, Exod 20.6. & 34 7. Deut. 5.10 Luk. 1 50 Psal. 103 17, 18. Mat. 5 7. Psal. 62 2.Exod 20:6Exod 34:7Deut 5:10Luke 1:50Ps 103:17Ps 103:18Matt 5:7Ps 62:2 and therefore we shall find Covenant, Mercy, and Oath, joyned together in the Scripture, Deut. 7.12. Luke 1.72, 73. to note unto us, both the ground of making p. 82the Covenant, Mercy, and the ground of performing the Covenant made, the Truth and Fidelity of GOD.

GODS very name JEHOVAH, declareth that he is constant and will performe his promise, because as he giveth being to all things, so he makes that to be which he hath promised.Every one of Gods promises is as sure as himselfe, being confirmed with his owne oath, Heb. 17 18. Luk. 1.7… Esay 54.9. D. Benefield on Amos 1.2Luke 1:7Isa 54:9Amos 1:2 By my Name JEHOVAH was I not knowne to them, Exod. 6.3. He meaneth, that though he made many promises to them, especially concerning their possession of Canaan, yet he did not shew himselfe to be JEHOVAH an Accomplisher of his promises, that he reserved to future generations, ver. 8. Therefore whensoever in any of the Prophets, GOD promiseth or threatneth any great matter, to assure us of the most certaine event of such his promise or threatning, he addes unto it his Name JEHOVAH, as Ezek. 5.17. Ier. 31.31. in which Chapter p. 83being wholy promissorie concerning the New Covenant of grace and free pardon of sinnes, which the Church obtaineth thorough CHRIST, it is repeated 33 times,

It was the end 1. Of CHRISTS Incarnation, to shew that GOD would be mindfull of his promise, Luke 1.72. 2. Of his Ministery, to assure and confirme the promises made before to the Fathers, Romanes 15.8. 3. They are sealed with the blood of CHRIST the Testator, Heb. 9.16. and therefore are said to be all in him Yea and Amen, 2 Cor. 1.20. that is, sure and infallible.

They are sealed in his Spirit, all beleevers are said to be sealed by the Spirit of promise, Ephes. 1.13. and this is GODS privie Seale.

GOD hath sealed to all his promises in the Sacraments, Rom. 4.11. which are given to us as GODS broad Seales to ratifie p. 84his Covenant, and all his promises made unto his Church; they are outward pledges to confirme our faith, and make the promises (though not more sure, yet) more credible to us.

The promises are in some places called in the singular number, the promise, to assure us, that it is as easie for GOD to fulfill all that goodnesse contained in all those Promises, as if they were but one onelyonly Promise.

We promise and many times faile, either by the mutability of our will, the imbecillity of our power, or the scantnesse of our knowledge, not being able to foresee impediments.

But GOD is neither mutable, weake, nor ignorant. His promises are made in heaven, where there is no inconstancie nor repentance. For I the LORD change not, Psal. 119.89 152. Psal. 33.11.Ps 119:89Ps 33:11therefore yee sonnes of Jacob are not consumed, Mal. 3.6. as if hee had p. 85said, I promised not to consume you, and you can tell I have kept promise with you, for yee are not consumed to this day, With him there is no variablenesse, nor shadow of turning, Iam. 1.17. GOD cannot lie, 1 Sam. 15.29. nor repent: Num. 13.19Num 13:19He cannot lie in making a promise, nor repent in fulfilling it.

GOD is also infinite in wisdome to contrive, and in power to bring about the execution of his owne will. Hee is onelyonly wise, Rom. 16.27. 1 Tim. 1.17. The LORD knoweth, 2 Pet. 29. It is not Gods power simply, but with relation to his promise which secures our faith. Luk. 1.37. Psal, 1…5 3. & 135▪ 6. In Dei p…omissis nulla falsit is est, quia in facie…dis nulla omnipotent… est difficultas, Fulgentius.Luke 1:37to deliver the righteous out of trouble.

GOD is able to accomplish what he hath promised, All things are possible to him, Mar. 10.27. Nothing is too hard for him, Ier. 32.27. Gen. 18 14. Num. 11.23. He c…nnot be hindered by weaknesse, Hee is Almighty, Revel. 1.8. Hee that is able of stones to raise up children unto Abraham, Matth. 3.9. is able to take away our stony heart, and give us p. 86a heart of flesh. There is a promise made of calling the Jewes unto CHRIST,God having made a promise unto Israel, to restore them out of that great Captivity of Babylon, and it seeming to them incredible, he acquainteth them with his power together with his promises, Ezek. 37.11, 13.Ezek 37:11Ezek 37:13 and causing them to turne from transgression in Iacob, Esay 59.20. But he who should consider the extreame obstinacie and stubbornenesse of that people against the Gospell would thinke it impossible, that they should ever be pul'd out of the snare of the Divell; therefore the Apostle makes GODS power the ground of certaintie in this promise, Rom. 11.23, 26. The HOLY GHOST also puts us in mind of GODS power to strengthen our faith in these promises following.Where the Holy Ghost intreats of the doctrine of repentance and faith, the word create is metaphorically use… ▪ to assure us that God will performe his promise, though it were as hard a worke as to create all things at first; Thus hee hath promised to create a clean heart, Ps 51. and to create the fruite of lips to be peace, Esay 57.9. and to create upon every place, &c. Esa 4.5 and to create light and deli…erance out of afflictions, Esa. 45 7.Ps 51Isa 57:9Isa 4:5Isa 45:7

1. The alteration of our corrupt nature, Marke 10.23.

2. All needfull grace, GOD is able to make all grace abound, 2 Cor. 9.8.

3. Perseverance to the end, Ioh. 10.28, 29.

4. Supply of all necessities, GOD that is able will supply p. 87them, Philip. 4.19.

5. Assistance in all trouble, Psal. 89.13, 21, 22.23.

6. Deliverance out of all evill, Esay 50.2.

7. The resurrection of our bodies, Ephes. 1.19, 20.

8. Eternall glorification, Phil. 3.21.

This motive taken from GODS Almighty power, is used often in Scripture, to stirre up men and women to beleeve the promises of GOD. It was used to Sarah, Gen. 18.14. to the Virgin Mary, Luke 1.37. to Ieremy, Ier. 32.27. and to the Disciples of CHRIST, Marke 10.27.

Abraham looked to GODS power,God performeth his promise when there is no ground nor possibility in nature for it… notwithstanding all the media incongru…i & dissimilia. Iob 15.25, 26, …7.Job 15:25Job 15:26Job 15:7 and thereby was moved to beleeve that GOD would performe his promise, though Isaac in whom the promise was made, was to be sacrificed, Rom. 4.20, 21. Heb. 11.19. Iehosaphat also by his faith did magnifie GODS power, 2 Chron. 20.12. p. 88This was Iobs onelyonly comfort upon the dunghill, that that GOD who would (after wormes had consumed his flesh) raise him up at the last day, and make him with those very eyes to see his Redeemer, had power enough to deliver him from that calamity into which he cast him, and to revive his strength.

All the promises are as true, as truth it selfe The promises are called su…e, Rom 4 16. Prom…ssa tua sunt Deus, & qua falit timeat, cum promittii veritas. August. Confes. l. 12. c. 10.Rom 4:16GOD is likewise true, just, and faithfull, and therefore will performe his promises.

GOD the Father (who hath promised) is the God of truth, Psal. 31.5. the Gospell (in which his promises are made) is the word of truth, Ephes. 1.13. His Sonne (who hath declared and merited the promises) is a faithfull and true witnesse, Revel. 3.14. truth it selfe, Ioh. 14.6. His Spirit (which sealeth unto us the truth of the promises even in our hearts) is the Spirit of truth. Ioh. 14.17.

His words are as deeds, his promises as performances.GOD is iust and faithfull in accomplishing his promises, Rom. 3.3, 5.

p. 89David saith, LORD in thy faithfullnesse, The land which was onelyonly prom…sed to Abraham is said Gen. …5.12. to be given him, Promittendo se fecit debitorem. Austen. 1 Ioh. 1.9.Gen 5:121 John 1:9or in thy Iustice answer me, Psal. 143.1. that is, not in the justice of merit, but of promise or Covenant: for in his promises he maketh himselfe our Debtor, and what he owes by vertue of his blessed promise, we may challenge. If wee confesse our sinnes hee is faithfull and iust to forgive us our sinnes. As if he should say,Verba illa [Iust…s & fidelis] referuntur ad promissionem divinam. Bellar. de poenitent. l. 3. c. 6. God is as just in performing the mercy which he promiseth, as in executing the vengeance which he threatneth. GOD of his infinite mercy hath promised to all true Penitents and Confessors, that hee will forgive, and never remember their sinnes any more; he must stand to his Promises, or else he should be unfaithfull: and he is iust, he doth not say he is mercifull but iust to forgive the sinnes of true beleevers, because they are all satisfied for, and GODS justice will not let him demand the same debt twice, of the surety and of the debter.

The righteous GOD shall give unto mee a Crowne of righteousnesse, p. 902 Tim. 4.8. righteousnesse as well as mercy, is the ground of salvation, not in relation or respect to merit in us, but to promise in GOD.

2 Tim. 2.13. 1 Thess. 5.24.2 Tim 2:131 Thess 5:24For he is faithfull that promised, Heb. 10.23. Sarah iudged him faithfull who had promised, Heb. 11.11.

The Promise of GOD is our title to happinesse, Gal. 3.18. If some great man out of his bounty give another an Inheritance of a hundred pounds per annum, upon his paying of a peppercorne for rent; when hee hath payd it, he may claime the profits and by law recover them, and his plea in the Law must be the bargaine and Covenant betweene them; for betwixt the rent and revenue there is no proportion: so upon our scant obedience, and scarce appearing faith, we may challenge heaven, and GOD cannot denie it us; not because wee have deserved it, but because he hath promised it.

p. 91This will uphold the faith of a Christian: GOD hath promised, nay confirmed his promise with an oath, and sent his Sonne in the fullnesse of time, Gal. 4.4. in whom all the promises are Yea and Amen. What can be more Absolute? It is a maine pollicie of the Divell, to lay siege, to the truth of GODS Word, Yea hath GOD, said? Gen. 3, 1.Gen 3:1so he would perswade us, that GOD will forget to be mercifull, and his promise will faile for evermore, Psal. 77.8, 9. Weake Christians in temptations and desertions are ready to distrust GOD, and to question the truth of his promises.Moses bewrayed his infidelity, Num. 11.1…, 14.15. Christs Disciples and othe…s that believed in him, accounted the promises of his resurrection to be vaine. Luk. 24.11, 25. Psal. 105.24.Num 11:1Num 11:14Num 11:15Luke 24:11Luke 24:25Ps 105:24 The wicked hope he will change, where is the promise of his comming? 2 Pet. 3.4. the godly feare he will change: David complaineth, Psal. 69.3. I am weary of my crying, my throat is dried, mine eyes faile, while I waite for my GOD, Psal. 119.123. Mine eyes faile for thy salvation. I shall one day die (saith p. 92he) by the hand of Saul, 1 Sam, 27.1. Psal. 73.13. Verily I have cleansed my heart in vaine, Psal. 116.11. I said in my haste, all men are lyars. Psal. 31.22. I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes. After that GOD had promised to Abraham that he would make of him a great nation, Gen. 12.2. and make his seed as the dust of the earth, Gen. 13.16. He and his wife being both old; he thus (as accounting GODS promises vaine) answered, LORD GOD, what wilt thou give mee, seeing I goe childlesse? Gen. 15.2.Luk. 1. 18, 20Luke 1:18Luke 1:20 Sarah likewise hearing the promise GOD had made to her husband concerning a Sonne by her, laughed at it, Gen. 18.12. as if she should have said, that is a jest indeed. GOD told Adam in Paradise, That the seed of the woman should breake the serpents head, Gen. 3.15. He was long, but sure; for it was fulfilled at last. He that gave us CHRIST, how shall he not with him give us all things p. 93also? Rom. 8.32. He that hath performed the promise concerning CHRIST, wherein shall he faile? He hath hitherto kept promise with nights and daies, as Ieremy saith, Ier. 33.20, 25. that one shall succeed the other, therefore much more will hee keepe his word with his people. Hee is worthy to be beleeved, who never failed to performe what he promised. If GOD have promised us pardon of sinne, Sanctification, Patience, Faith; wee should promise our selves these things, and rest confident, that we shall receive them. Shall we beleeve an honest man on his word, and yet not trust GOD upon his word, who is Almighty, and therefore able, a Father, and therefore willing to performe his promises. GOD hath spoken in his holinesse (saith David) I will reioyce therefore in his Word. I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth, p. 94Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine, Ephraim also is the strength of mine head, Iudah is my law-giver, Moab is my washpot, Psal. 60.6, 7. Though then hee had little enough, yet he was confident, hee should have all that, because he had GODS Word for it. So we may beleeve what GOD hath promised, since he hath said it, and sealed it, and sworne it. One in the Covenant may lay hold on CHRIST, and say CHRIST is mine, on the Promise, and say forgivenesse is mine,The Covenant is mutuall betweene God and us. 1 King. 8.23.1 Kgs 8:23 on the Covenant, and say grace is mine.

The LORD will not be unmindfull of his Covenant with us, Psal. 111.5. nor unfaithfull in performance of his promise to us,God hath said that he will be All-sufficient to us; but he requires then on our part that we be Altogether his, Cant. 2.16. In marriage the woman must take the may for her husband as well as he her for his wife. True faiths apprehension of Christ is mutuall, it laies hold on Christ, as we use to do in our salutatiōs when we imbrace one another, there is mutuall hold on both sides. Whence the act of the Patriarkes faith apprehending the promises, Heb. 11.13. is elegantly set out, by the metaphor of saluting; They saluted the promises. True faith kissing Christ, is kissed of him, embracing Christ, is reimbraced of him, Phil. 3.12Song 2:16Heb 11:13Phil 3:12 if wee prove not unfaithfull, but keepe covenant and promise with him, Psal. 103.17, 18. 2 Chron. 15.2. for the Covenant consists of two parts: in the one GOD bindes himselfe to be our GOD, in the p. 95other we binde ourselves to be his people, Hos. 2.23. His is a Covenant of mercy, ours of obedience; He promiseth happinesse, we holinesse; He glory, we duty; He hath tied himselfe by an oath, wee have bound our selves by the vow of baptisme, Hee will not forget his part, let us remember ours. Let it never be said of us, as it was of a Pope and his Nephew, that the one never spake as he thought, the other never performed what he spake. The Carthaginians were infamous for covenant-breaking, and slipperinesse in their promises, so that it grew a proverbe, Punica fides, Poeni foedifragi semper habiti, saith Plautus; and the Athenians were renowned for faithfullnesse in all their covenants, agreements, and promises; which gave occasion to those proverbes, Attica fides, and Atticus testis, used for one that still keepes touch. Fidelity in keeping promise is a fruit of p. 96the Spirit, called by the Apostle faith, Gal. 5.22. and a property of him that aaPsal. 15.4,Ps 15:4must rest on GODS holy mountaine. Therefore wee should imitate, the Athenians, shall I say? nay rather GOD himselfe, expressing faithfullnesse in all our words, workes, and waies; wee should bbWhen we receive this command from God, keepe my covenant, we should pray with Austen, Da Dominc, quod iubes, & iube quid vu, or as the Church teacheth us, when wee heare the 10. Commā dements, Lord have mercy on us, and incline our hearts to keep this lawkeepe our covenant with GOD, and ccExod. 19 5Exod 19:5pay our vowes unto the most High, Psal. 25.10. Psal. 103.18. we should also be constant in the performance of our promises to men, for promises are due debts. And non in promissione sed in consummatione virtus est, vertue doth not consist in promise, but in performance.

The manner, how GOD performeth his promises is not alwaies one and the selfesame: sometimes hee gives the very particular thing promised, as unto the children of Israell deliverance out of Aegypt, David from Saul, Iacob from p. 97Esau. Hee restored unto Hezekiah his health according to his promise, and removed the host of the Assyrians, which besieged Jerusalem; sometime hee gives that which is equivalent or better.Deut. 5.16. Is a good exposition of this place. So farre as long life may be a benefit to Gods children, so far he giveth it to them, Gen. 25.8.Deut 5:16Gen 25:8 Thus in the 5. Commandement, obedient children are promised long life; yet Iosiah, 2 Kings 23.29. and Abiah, 1 King. 14.13. were taken away in their best age; therefore for temporall life, they had eternall: **He promised …itam … …ongatam, and gave vitam perpeuatam for it.so GOD promised Abraham the land of Canaan, and hee had the true Canaan, the Kingdome of Heaven. GOD here breaketh not promise, but changeth in melius. In Coelis rep…sita est maior compensatio. Calvin.So in taking away wealth from his children, he giveth them more store of grace, in restraining liberty of body, He giveth freedome of con…cience, with affliction, He giveth patience. It was promised Iosiah, 2 Kings 22.20. that hee should be gathered to his grave in peace; yet hee died a p. 98violent death, for he was slaine by the hands of his enemies, 2 King. 23.29. the next words therefore doe expound it, And thine eyes shall not see all the evill which I will bring upon this place. 1 Chron. 34.28.He died in peace comparatively with a worse state of life, for hee lived not to see the misery of succeeding ages, Esay 57.1. Some interpret it thus, hee was gathered to the Spirits of his Fathers, who enjoyed peace.

GOD doth not alwaies performe his promises to the same parties, and yet most truly performeth them, Psal. 97.11. Light is sowne for the righteous. Oftentimes the Father soweth and dieth ere the harvest, and so the Sonne reapes: so Abraham inherited Canaan in his posterity.Acts 7.5. Tibi dabo & semini tuo, Gen. 13.15. Particula et videtur exegetica, Pareus in locum.Acts 7:5Gen 13:15 So GOD promised to send his Sonne: this promise was made to the Fathers, and GOD fulfilled it to the children, Acts 13.32, 33.

p. 99The time of accomplishing GODS promises is uncertaine to us, Acts 1.7,God delayeth the fulfilling of his promises, Hab. 2.3. Goodnesse makes the promise, truth performes it, and wisdome observes the fittest time.Hab 2:3 though it shall not be over-passed, The vision is for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speake and not lie. All visions and words of GOD, whether of promise or of threatning, let them seeme to lie lea and void never so long, yet shall be not onelyonly certainely fulfilled, but in the period of time,Esay 60.22.Isa 60:22 which the wisedome of GOD hath impropriated to them. Sometimes GODS promises have a limited time; as that,2 King. 4.16, 17.2 Kgs 4:162 Kgs 4:17 Gen. 17.21 & 18.14. and then they are fulfilled in that very time, exprest, as Gen. 21.1, 2. Sometimes hee expresseth not the time.

GOD in the beginning made a promise to our first Parents concerning the seed of the Woman,Gen. 3.15.Gen 3:15 and deferred it almost 4000. yeares, and yet at length accomplished it. There have passed about 5000. yeares since p. 100the time of the glorious comming of CHRIST unto judgement was promised,Iude 14.Jude 1:14 and it is not knowne when it shall be accomplished.The Amorites countrey is by promise given to Ab…ahams see i…, Gen. 12 7. & 13.15. and 15.18. and Abrahams seede in the posterity of Iacob possessed it, Amos 2, 10. but some 400 & seventy yeares after the promise.Gen 12:7Gen 13:15Gen 15:18Amos 2:10 Abraham was childlesse till he was 70. yeares old, and at those yeares the LORD promised him issue. But this promise was not accomplished till a long time after, when hee was an 100. yeares old. David had a promise to be King of Ierusalem and Iuda, but the LORD exercised him by many and grievous afflictions, before he came to the Crowne; insomuch that he saies of himselfe, Psal. 119.82. Mine eyes faile for thy Word. The promise which was made unto Simeon, Luke 2.…5.Luke 2:5was not accomplished till hee was an old man ready to die, yet he continued to waite. The deliverance of Israel was promised 400. yeares before it was fulfilled, Gen. 15.13.

GOD many times takes day,

p. 1011. …ither his children are not ready for it.Alwaies some distance of time passeth be…weene promises & …erfo…mances.

2. Or hee doth it to exercise their faith and patience, Heb. 6.15. to prove whether they can beleeve when they see not, Deut. 8.2.

3. Or hee lets them waite, that they may more esteeme the blessings when they have them, but never any could taxe him for promise-breaking. GOD as he doth out-vie all for the largenesse of his promises, so is he unmatchable for faithfullnesse in fulfilling his promises.Polliciti… dive… quilibet este potest. Ovid. We reade of some that have promised halfe their kingdomes, nay the Divell promised **Matth. 4. Excels… fro … in excelso. On a mountaine, he promiseth moū taines.Matt 4all the kingdomes of the world to our Saviour; but GOD promiseth yet more, and performeth better then any of them. First, he doth not promise by halves, but he promiseth a whole Kingdome, and such a one, as is more worth then all the kingdomes of the world, and p. 102excelleth them in foure properties, as the Apostle Peter sheweth.1 Pet. 1.4.1 Pet 1:4 Nay one kingdome or one world is too little for him to give, he promiseth to give to all the faithfull two worlds, 1 Cor. 3.22, 23. Things present, and things to come, all are yours, both worlds are yours. He performeth better also, what hee hath promised, then those before mentioned. For the first of them were but men, which often promise mountaines, and performe **Like the man in Erasmus his naufragium, who in a storme promised the Virgin a picture of wax as big as S. Christopher, but when hee came to sh…re, would not give a tallow candle. Heb. 6.12, 15 Psal. 130.7, 8Heb 6:12Heb 6:15Ps 130:7Ps 130:8mole-hills: in this sence it may be said, Let GOD be true and every man a lier; and for the Divels promise, that great All which he made profer on, was just nothing, but shadowes and representations of things. He went about to coozen CHRIST with meere words, for the kingdomes of the world were not in his power to give; but GOD is both able and willing to performe, whatsoever he hath promised, p. 103his servants have often found him better, **He promised the c…ildren of Israel onelyonly the land of Canaan, but hee gave them, besides the whole l…nd of Canaan, two other kingdomes which he never promised; and to Zachary (for his unbeleefe stricken dumbe) he promised to give his speech at the birth of the child, but besides he gave him also the gift of prophecy. God prevents his people with his blessings, Psal. 2….3. He is bountifull to them afore they aske ver. 3. and above their requests, ver. 4.Ps 2:3never any worse then his word: therefore wee should waite with patience for the fulfilling of his promises, not limiting him to time, manner, or meanes of accomplishment.

p. 104CHAP. VI. 6. The persons to whom the promises belong

1. CHRIST as the head.

2. His members.

Christ is the scope and foundation of all Gods promises, partly by merit, and partly by efficacie; by merit, because hee ha…h procured by …is death and passion, remission of si…nes and life everlasting; by his efficacie, because hee seales up unto us in our consciences remission of sinnes, and withall restores to us the image of God. Perk. on Galat.FIrst, a Covenant of Grace is made with CHRIST the Head of the Church, Hee is the Foundation of it, He was GOD and Man to reconcile both; and is therefore called The Angell of the Covenant, Mal. 3.1. The Covenant of the people, Esay 49.8. The Mediator of the New Testament, Heb. 12.24. and next in CHRIST it is made with all Christian men and women. As he was Head of the Church and Redeemer, he is the heire of all GODS Promises, In him they are Yea and Amen, that is, in him they are propounded, ratified, and accomplished. p. 105This is evident by those generall promises which are the foundation of all the rest. Hee (that is, CHRIST) shall breake thine head, Gen. 3.15.Gal. 3.16. Caput & Corpus uniu est Christus▪ Austen.Gal 3:16 In thy seed (that is, CHRIST) shall the nations of the earth be blessed, Gen. 22.18. The promises are made not to seedes, as many, but to seede: viz. CHRIST (in aggregato) with his Chu…ch, the Head and members together; for JESUS together with all the Saints, make but one mysticall body which is CHRIST, 1 Cor. 12.12. Any promise or blessing that belongs to us, belongs chiefely to CHRIST. He is the Elder Brother. That speech, Hos. 11.1. I called my sonne out of Aegypt, is meant speci…lly of the delivery of Israel by Moses out of the bondage of …, and yet it is a prophes…e of CHRIS… and applied to him, Matth. 2.15. That which is spoken Psal. 8. of mans digni…y above all other p. 106creatures, as having all things put in subjection under him, is interpreted of CHRIST,Omnia salutaria communicari nobis dicuntur in Christo, ut in Capite; propter C…ristum ut merito suo impetrame…; & per Christum, ut essi caciter applicantem. Heb. 2.6. 1 Cor. 15.27. All the good we have, comes to us by and through him. We are elected and called in him, Ephes. 1.3, 4. In him we have redemption, Ephes. 1.7. Col. 1.14. Sanctification, 1 Cor. 1.2. Adoption, Ephes. 1.5. In him GOD is well pleased with us, Matth. 3.17. He is Heire of all things, Heb. 1.2. The Faithfull are Co-heires with him, Rom. 8.17. They shall have the same substantiall (though not graduall) glory, the same crowne, the same kingdome, Ioh. 17.22, 24. GOD loves them with the same love that hee lo…ed CHRIST, verse 23. They are heires of all GODS most precious promises. They are stiled Children of the Covenant, Acts 3.25. Children of the Promise, Rom. 9.8. Gal. 4.28. because they are made children of GOD by vertue of GODS promise. Thus p. 107was Isaac the child of the promise in that he was borne to Abraham, S. Paul Rom 9.8. opposeth the children of the promise to the children of the flesh, which were borne by naturall strēgth.Rom 9:8not by the strength of nature, but by GODS promise. They are also called Heires of the Promise, Gal. 3.29. Heb. 6.12, 17. & 11.9. that is, not onelyonly such to whom the promises doe belong, but such as claime their inheritance onelyonly by adoption and promise. Amongst men the eldest childe usually is the heire, and carries away the Inheritance, and the rest have but pettie portions; but all the LORDS children are Heires, and that not alone of the promises, but of the glory promised. Pareus hath an excellent similitude to illustrate this: every one there (saith he) inherits all, even as every man injoyeth the light of the Sunne, as if it were made onelyonly for him.

The promises made to Christ, are, Thou shalt be a Priest for ever, and I will give thee the p. 108kingdome of David; thou shalt be a Prince of peace, and the governement shall be upon thy shoulders;Luk 1.32, 33. The active part is committed to the Messiah.Luke 1:32Luke 1:33 thou shalt be a Prophet to my people, shalt open the prison to the captive.

The promises made to us are passive, You shall be taught, you shall be made Prophets, you shall have your sinnes forgiven, you shall be subiect to his government, you shall be made Kings.

If onelyonly they that are CHRISTS have benefit of the promises in CHRIST,The promises of the Gospell are not universall, but belong to the Elect onelyonly. God hath promised by Esay 8 16. that t…e Elect onelyonly shall be his Disciples, & not all men indifferentlyIsa 8:16 then the wicked have no part nor portion in this businesse: the Divell sweeps all that are out of the covenant, the childrens bread shall not be given to dogges, GOD will not cast away precious things upon swine, and those that are strangers from the covenant of promise, Ephes. 2.12. GOD p…omiseth to satisfie, but it is such as hunger for righteousnesse sake; to comfort, not the carelesse, but such as mourne, p. 189forgivenesse of sinnes, but to the Penitent, eternall life, but to such as beleeve. Except the condition be wrought in us, the promise shall never be accomplished upon us: walke before me and be thou upright (and then) I am GOD All-sufficient, Gen. 17.1. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Psal. 119.1. Psal. 84.11. Ioh. 1.12. Gal. 3.7, 9. Psal. 34.9, 10. Pro. 19.16.

Therefore in the 1. of S. Matthew, Piscator in 1 Matth.when Abraham is said to have begotten Isaac, there is no mention made of Ishmael which yet he begot, and likewise when Isaac is said to have begotten Iacob, there is no mention made of Esau, whom he begot also. But when Iacob is said to have begotten Iudah it is added, and his brethren, because the promise of Redemption which was to come by CHRIST, was pronounced to them also. But that promise belonged not to all them neither, but onelyonly to such, who following p. 110the steps of their holy Fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Iacob, applied it by a true faith to themselves, as the Apostle sheweth.Rom 4.12.Rom 4:12

It is our comfort tha… we which cannot stand of our selves may subsist in Christ. Bish. Lake.This is a comfort to the people of GOD; they can never loose Evangelicall blessings of grace and glory, because CHRIST is made the Lord Treasurer and Lord Keeper of them. We are not trusted with them our selves, for then wee should loose them; but he receives them for us, and communicates them to us.