Treatise of the Divine Promises, Book 3 · Chapter 13
CHAP. XIII. The ordinances of GOD.
1. In generall.
2. Particular Duties.
1. Prayer.
2. Preaching.
3. Reading.
Promises. 1. To the ordinances of GOD generally.
THere is a promise to the use of GODS ordinances. James 4.8. Draw nigh to GOD, and he will draw nigh to you.
With ioy shall yee draw water out of the wels of salvation, Esay 12.3. We may apply this promise when we pray, heare, conferre or fast, in every dutie.
Promises. 2. To particular Duties.
1. Prayer. 1. GOD will give his children hearts to seeke him by Prayer.
Zach. 13.9.He shall call upon mee, and I will answer hi…, Psal. 91.15.
Then shall yee call upon mee, and yee shall goe and pray unto mee, and I will hearken unto you, Ier. 29.12. He will prepare their hearts, Psal. 10.17.
For this cause shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou maist be found, Psal. 32.6.
See Ier. 31.9. and Hosea 3.5.
2. GOD promiseth to helpe us to pray.
His Spirit shall indite our prayers, and helpe us to draw our petitions.
The Spirit helpeth our infirmities, and maketh intercession for us with groanings that cannot be uttered, Rom. 8.26, 27.Every one should labour for more Spirit then speech in prayer
I will powre upon the house of David, and upon the Inhabitants of Ierusalem the Spirit of grace and supplications, Zach. 12.10. So soone as the Spirit of Grace entreth into the heart; it makes one plentifull, and abundant in supplicating and suing unto GOD for grace and mercy.
3. GOD hath bound himselfe by promise to heare his servants, when they call upon him.Promises of audience in prayer. See Psal. 18.3 & 20.6. Ioh 4 10. Iob 22 27. & 33.6. Esay 58 …. David pleadeth this promise, Psal. 4.1.
The LORD made a promise to Salomon after his prayer, saying, Mine eyes shall be open and mine eares attentive to the prayer in …his place, 2 Chron. 7.15.
The LORD is rich unto all that call upon him, Rom. 10.…2
Be carefull for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thankesgiving, Generall promises to prayer, that God will heare and answer us, Esay 30.19 Iohn 16.23 particular promises; first deliverance from any trouble and affliction, Ps. 50.15. of strength and patience to beare it, Iam. 1.5. Secondly, whatsoever spirituall grace wee stand in need of, Luk. 11.13. Thirdly, inward ioy & peace of conscience, Iob 23.26. Ioh. 16.24.let your request bee made knowne unto GOD. And the peace of GOD which passeth all understanding, shall keepe your hearts and mindes through CHRIST JESUS, Philip. 4.6, 7.
The prayers of the upright are his delight, Pro. 15.8. Hee heareth the prayer of the righteous, verse 29.
GOD will not onelyonly heare our prayers in generall, but our voice, Psal. 5.3. our very desires, Psal. 10.17. Pro. 10.24. which are effectuall prayers with GOD. He will not despise our prayers, Psal. 102.17. He will not reproch us, nor upbraid us with what is past, or our present frailties, Iam. 1.5. It is agreeable to his nature and disposition to heare prayers, Psal. 65.12. The thing that hath encouraged GODS children, and given them heart in prayer, hath beene this hope and assurance that they should finde audience and respect with GOD, O thou that hearest prayer, or because thou hearest prayer, all flesh shall resort unto thee, Psal. 65.2.
GOD excepts no man, all shall be heard.
For thou LORD art good and ready to forgive, and plenteous in mercy to all them that call upon thee, Ps. 86.5.We are to be familiar…y acquainted with these promises and meditate on some of them when we goe to pray. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth, Psal. 145.18. It shall come to passe, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered, Ioel 2.32. which is repeated, Acts 2.21. and Rom. 10.13. Though our prayers be weake, yet let us remember, that the promise is made to all. We may see the proofe of this in a prayer made in much infirmity, Psal. 31.22. GOD is more ready to heare, then we to aske, to give, then we to receive, 1 Pet. 3.12. His eares are open, as a kinde mother or nurse which useth to be so wakefull, that shee will heare the child so soone as ever it begins to cry, Dan. 10.11. Feare not Daniel, for from the first day, that thou didst set thy heart to understand, and to humble thy selfe before GOD, thy words were heard, yea before they call, I will answer, and while they speake, I will heare, Esay 65.24. that is, in our purpose of Prayer. This the faithfull have gloried in, Psal. 4.3.17.6. and 38.15.
GOD hath specially bound himselfe to heare his children in those prayers, that they make unto him in their afflictions; the time of trouble is the very set houre of Audience.Exod 22 23. Psal 9.9. & 22.24.
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his eares are open to their cry, Psal. 34.15. The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth and delivereth them out of all their troubles, verse 17. Which is repeated foure times in the 107. Psalme, 6, 13, 19. and 28. verses.
The LORD saith, Psal. 50.15. Call upon mee in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorifie mee. Hee will regard the prayer of the destitute, a…d not despise their prayer, Psal. 102.17. to 21. their teares, s…ghes, and groanings are not hid from him, Psal. 39.12. He will heare in the morning, Psal. 5.3. in the very season, the due time, when we are in trouble. Yea so as hee will in our affliction in a speciall manner, let us know, that hee is our GOD, and that he will deliver us, Zach. 13.9. The LORD, heareth the prayers of his people, when they thinke they are cast out of his sight, Psal. 31.22.
GODS people have found comfort in all their afflictions, by powring out their hearts to GOD in prayer, Psal. 109.3, 4.
In the day of my trouble, I will call upon thee, for thou hearest mee, Psal. 86.7.Psal. 86.6, 7.
The LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping, the LORD hath heard my supplication, the Lord will receive my prayer, Psal. 6.8, 9.
A Noble man in this Kingdome, had a ring given him by the Queene Elizabeth, with this promise; that if hee sent that ring to her at any time when he was in distresse, shee would remember him and deliver him. This was a great priviledge from a Prince, and yet that ring though sent, might not be delivered. GOD hath given his children prayer as that ring, and tells them whatsoever distresse they are in, let them but send this up to him, and he will be sure to relieve them, and when they doe send up this, it is sure to be conveyed, wheresoever they are.
Prayer is profitable to obtaine every thing, as is evident by the promise of CHRIST, Iohn 16.23. Verily, Psal. 5.24.verily I say unto you, whatsoever yee shall aske the Father i… my name hee will give it you. Note the certainty of the promise, in CHRISTS vehement asseveration; note the generality of it [whatsoever.] Our Saviour oft repeated such promises in those heavenly and last speeches which he uttered to his Disciples, Iohn 14.13. Ioh. 15.7, 16
See Mar. 11.24. Iohn 9.31. 1 Iohn 3.22. & 5.14, 15.
I may say of prayer, as the Apostle saith of Godlinesse; it hath the promises of this life and that which is to come.
1. For this life.
Temporall and Spirituall things are promised to prayer.
1. Temporall.
1. The prayer of faith shall save the sicke, and the LORD shall raise him up, Iam. 5.15.
2. Spirituall.
1. It obtaineth remission of sins, and if hee have committed sinnes, they shall be forgiven him, the same verse of 5. of I…mes.
2. The Spirit, How much more shall your heavenly Father give good things to them that aske him, Matth. 7.11. Give the holy Spirit to them that aske him, So it is Luke 11 13.
2. For the life to come.
Prayer obtaineth eternall life and salvation.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved, Rom. 10.13.
That Promise that is made to our prayers runs thus, If thou prepare thine heart, and stretch out thine hands towards him, &c. Iob 11.13. The stretching out of our hands (or of our voice either) is to little purpose, if our heart be not prepared first.
Promises
To fervent prayer.
Then yee shall call upon me, and ye shall goe and pray unto me,Ier. 29 12, …3 and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seeke me and find me,Luke 8.7, 8 when ye shall search for me with all your heart, that is, truly and fervently, saith Greenham.
The effectuall prayer of a righteous man availeth much (both for the helping of the body, Iam 5.16.and healing of the soule) but with this proviso, if it be fervent: open thy mouth wide, that is, Psal. 81.10.earnestly, confidently, call upon me, and I will fill it, that is, I will satisfie thy desire to the full.
Aske and it shall be given you; seeke, and yee shall find; knocke and it shall be opened unto you, Matth. 7.7. Aske, seeke, knocke. It is not a simple repetition of the same thing, but a gradation. It shews instantissimam ne…essitatem, saith Austen. Aske …s a begger, seeke as with a candle, knocke as one that hath pow…r with importunity. *D. Playfer…One thus descants upon the place; Aske with the mouth, Non dicitur quid dabitur, saith Austen Christ nameth not what shall be givē to you, to let us know that that gift, is a thing suprae omne nomen, above all that can bee named Matth 6.6.seek with the heart, knock with the hand: and it shall be given you, that is, for Temporall things; and yee shall find, that is, for Spirituall things; and it shall be opened unto you, that is, for Eternall things.
Promises.
1. To Secret Prayer.
When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy dore, pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
2. To Private or Family prayer.
Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there a… I in the midst of them, Matth 18.20.
3. To publike prayer.
Publike for
1. Matter.
2. Place.
1. A promise to those, that pray for the Church.
Remember Sion, they shall prosper that love thee, Psalme 122.6, 7.
2. Promises to the prayers of the Congregation made in the Church.If every severall beleiver have a promise, Mat 7.7, 8 to bee heard in whatsoever he shall ask according to the will of God, when he praieth apart by him self, or privately in his fr…ily, or with a few, much more when hee ioyns in prayer with the Minister and …he rest of the godly i… the publi… assembly Mat 18, 20.
Hierusalem had singular promises made unto it, such as had no particular Church in the world besides, Psalm. 132.14.
There is a speciall promise made to the prayers made in the Temple, 2 Chron. 7.15. Mine eyes shall be open, and mine eares attent unto the prayer t…at is made in this place, 1 Kings 9.3.
The LORD hath promised, that he will cause his servants to rejoyce in the granting of their suites which they shall make unto him in his owne house, Esay 56.7. upon the like promise made by GOD, Salomon at the consecration of the Temple, 1 King. 8.30, 33. groundeth his Prayer, that the LORD would in speciall manner, heare the suites and supplications of his servants, publikely assembled in his Temple to call upon him. See the 5. Book, cap 1.
God hath promised to accompany this ordināce of his with the divine power & efficacy of his Holy Spirit. Esay 59.21. Iohn 5.25.A promise.
To Preaching.
GOD hath made a speciall promise to this, that he will be with it, to assist and blesse it, Matth. 28.20. I am with you alwaies, even unto the end of the world.
Promises.
To Reading.
Rev. 1.3.In Reading of the Word, if we understand not, we should apply these Promises.
Prov. 1.23. I will powre out my Spirit unto you, I will make knowne my Words unto you.
Prov. 1.4. It gives subtilty to th… simple, to the young men knowledge and discretion.
The Commandement of the LORD is pure, inlightning… the eyes, Ps. 19.8.
GOD hath promised to teach and instruct such by his Spirit, that bring good and honest hearts to the reading and hearing of the Word.
Psal. 25.12. What man is he that fearth the LORD, him will he teach in the way that he shall choose.
The promise of finding is made to those who seeke as for gold and search as for treasure, Pro. 2.3, 4, 5.
Promises, to s…ch as love the Word of GOD.
Great peace have they which love thy Law, and nothing shall offend them, Ps. 119.165.
Blessed is the man that delighteth greatly in his commandements, Ps. 112.1.
A promise to those that waite for the Word.
There is a blessing promised to such hearers as wait for the Word.
Pro 8, 34, 35. Metaphora à clientibus so res patronorū obsidentibus. sunius.Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doores. For who so findeth me, findeth life and obtaineth favour of the LORD.
Promises, that GODS children shall hearken to the Word.
The eares of them that heare shall hearken, Psa. 32 3.
See Esaias 50.4. Acts 16.14.
Promises to such as conscionably hearken to the Word.
Hoe, every one that thirsteth come yee to the water, and he that hath no mony: come yee, Esa. 5… 1, 2. Promises 1. Generall God will ever assist this ordinance and worke with it, Mat. 28.10. 2. …ee will save the souls of his people by this ordinance, Iam. 1 21. …s. 55.3. 3 By this ordinance he will beginne grace and convert the soule, Ps. 19.7. 4 By this ordinance he will increase and perfect grace where he hath begun it, Mark. 4.24 Act 20.32. God hath made also part…cular promises to them that attend on this ordinance. 1. That by it he will give them strength to overcome their strongest corruptions, Psal. 119 9 2. That hee will by it worke peace in their consciences, Esay. 57.9.buy and eat, yea, come, buy wine, and milke without mony, and without price. Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soule delight it selfe in fatnesse. Encline your eare, and come unto me: heare, and your soule shall live, &c. There the LORD freely offereth saving grace to such as have none, and nothing, whereby they might purchase it. 2. He setteth out a way wherby they might injoy it, viz. a diligent hearing and beleiving GODS Word. 3. He makes most sweet promises, that their soule shall live, that is, they shall be quickned in CHRIST, and in him the seed of David, be made partakers of those mercies which shall never decay, If thou warne the righteous man that the righteous sinne not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned, Ezek. 3.21. The conscionable hearing of GODS Word, quickens the soule, and makes it to live both the life of grace and of glory;Prov … 14. Mark 4.24. Luke 1 28. Rom. 1.16. He that heareth my word and beleeveth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life: the houre is comming and now is when the dead shall heare the voyce of the Sonne of GOD, and they that heare shall live, John 5.24, 25. not such a voyce as shall call them out of their graves, as in the 28. verse; for he saith, now is, but the meaning of the place is, that those which were dead in sinne should be quickned either by CHRIST in his own person, or by his Word in his Ministers.
The titles given to the Word expresse this.
It is called, the Word of life, Acts 5.20. Phil. 2.16. John 6 68. The Word of grace, Acts 20.32. The word of Salvation, Acts 13.…6. Salvation it selfe, and life e…erlasting, Heb. 2.3. Acts 28.28. John 12.50. The word is able to save our soules, Jam. 1.21. 1 Tim. 4.16. 1 Cor. 1.21. To this purpose there are so many commendations of the Word, specially in the Ps…lmes and Pro…erbes, Psal. 19.…. The l…w of the LORD is perfect; &c. the whole 119. Psalm was written, to set out the excellency of the Word. The nine first Chapters of the Proverbes; Take f…st hold of instruction, let her not goe, keepe her, for she is thy life, Pro. 4.13. Instruction is our life, therby we attain all things pertaining to the comfort of this life and of that to come. See Pro. 1.9, 23. Pro. 2. from 1. to 13. Prov. 3.3. to 4. & 13. ver. to 24. Prov. 4.5. to 14. & 20. to 23. Prov. 6.20. to 24. Pro. 7.1 to 5. and the whole eighth Chapter. Sanctifie them through thy truth, thy word is truth, John 17.17. Doe not my words doe good to him that walketh uprightly? Micah 2.7. As new born babes desire the sincere milke of the word, that yee may grow thereby, 1 Pet. 2.2. The comparisons which are used to set forth the profit of the Word, confirme this: it is resembled to The light, Esay 9.2. Raine, Deut. 32.2. Dea…, there also, living water, Zach. 14.8. Wine and milke, Esay 55.1, 2.
It is able, 1. To inlighten with saving knowledge the simplest that shall heare and read it with an honest heart, Psalme 119.130. 2. To reform the heart and life of him that hath the strongest corruptions, Psal. 119.9. 3. To comfort and revive the heart that is most cast down either with inward or outward afflictions, Esay 57.19. 4. To preserve and adde knowledge and grace to them that have best profited, Mar. 4.24.
Whensoever we goe to the Word, we should meditate on some of these precious promises,Wee should heare so, as to expect & hope for life by the word which the Lord promiseth, Deu. 3….47. Ioh. 5.39. to incourage us to attend unto GODS Word with expectation of his blessing on our labours.
Promises. For the Sacraments. 1. In generall.
They are the Seales of the righteousnesse of faith, Rom. 4.11. or of the Covenant of grace.
The Apostle speaks of both Sacraments, 1 Cor. 12.13.
2. The special… Sacraments.
Baptisme.
LORDS Supper.
1. Baptisme. Promises to it.
It is called,It is a usuall thing to call the principal cause & the instrument by the same name. The laver of regeneration, Tit. 3.5. The Baptisme of repentance for remission of sinnes, Mar, 1.4. Act. 2.38. Our sins are said to be washed away, Act. 22.16. Heb. 10.22. and Baptisme saveth, 1 Pet. 3.21. all which belong to the blood of CHRIST, Rev. 1.5. 1 John 1.7. our Saviour saith, we must be borne of water, John 3.5. that is, be made GODS children by receiving CHRIST,Acts 1, 4, 5. as John 1.12. GOD hath promised that he will baptise us with the HOLY GHOST and with fire, Mat. 3.11.
2. LORDS Supper. Prom…ses to it.
1 Cor 11 24, 25.When our LORD JESUS did ordaine it, he speaking of the Bread,…k. 21.19 …0 Iohne. 14.5… Mark 1, 22, …4. said, This is my body, and of the Wine, This is my blood of the New Testament, Mat. …6.26, 28. that is, these outward signes and seales were most sure and certain pledges of his body and blood, which he did as truly give to be spirituall food, as he gave the bread and wine to be bodily food to every believer, 1 Cor. 10.16.
There is a full meale, foreign, Rom. 14.17. Bread and Wine comprehend entire food; for humidum & siccum are all that are required unto food: this is promised, Esay 25.6. In this mountaine shall the LORD of Hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, &c. that is, he would make for his Church compleat provision. So Pro 9.5.
A Lawfull Oath. Promises to it. God hath promised to reward it.
1. In this life, Jer. 12.16. If they will learne the wayes of my people, to sweare the LORD liveth &c. then shall they be built in the midst of my people.
2. In the life to come with eternall happinesse, for he that sweareth and chargeth not, though it be to his owne hinderance, he shall dwell in GODS holy Mountaine, Psal. 15 4.
Fasting. Promises to it.
Be afflicted and mourne and weepe, let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your ioy to heavinesse. Humble your selves in the sight of the LORD, and he shall lift you up, J…m. 4.9, 10. If thou fast in sec…t, thy Father which seeth in secre… will reward thee openly, Mat. 6.18. Joel 2.12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 19. first a fast is prescribed, then a blessing promised.
Praising GOD. Promises of it.
They shall praise the LORD that seeke him, Ps. 22.26. They shall shew forth my praise, Esay 43.21.
Yee shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD, Joel 2.26. where GOD promiseth temporall blessings and a thankfull heart, it is an evident signe of the continuance of them, as there in Joel. And Deuter. 8.10. Esay 62.8, 9.
Promises to it.
Them that honour me I will honour 1 Sam. 2.30.The duty of Fasting is to bee performed when the accomplishment of some remarkable promise is expe…ted to be fulfilled to the Church. Dan. 9.2, 3.
He that offereth praise, glorifieth me, Psal. 50.23.
Praise is one of the Sacrifices with which GOD is well-pleased, Heb. 13.15, 16. Psal. 69.30, 31. Let all the people praise thee, O GOD, let all the people praise thee. Then shall the Earth yeeld her increase, and GOD, even our owne GOD shall blesse us. Psal. 67.5, 6.
Promises. To Meditation.
Mercy and truth shall be to them which devise good, Pro 14 22.
This promise may be also applied, to the following of good examples & presidents.Thinke of these things which ye have both learned and received, and heard and seen in me; and the GOD of peace shall be with you, Phil. 4.8, 9.
Let not the booke of the Law depart out of thy mouth, but meditate therin day and night, that thou maist observe to doe according to all that is written therin: for then shalt thou make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good successe, Josh. 1.8. Blessed is the man that meditates on the Word day and night: Psal. 1.2.
Promises. To Self-examination.
If we would iudge our selves,Lan. 3.4…, we should not be iudged, 1 Cor. 11.31.
Let every man proove his owne work, and then he shall have reioycing in himselfe alone, and not in another, Gal. 6.4.
Promises. To those that conscionably sanctifie the LORDS day.The Lord prom…seth many singular graces to all that sanctifie hi… day of what nacion, or condition soever they be …hey shall have their hearts filled full of spirituall joy. God will give them the spirit of prayer & hear their prayers, he will give …hem ability to serve him, hee will also accept & reward their service.
The sanctifying of the LORDS …ay will bring comfort and hap…inesse to soule and body.
1. Blessings, Spirituall, 13. v. …d Temporall 14. of 58. of Esay. If thou turn away thy foot from the …abbath from doing thy pleasure on … holy day, and call the Sabbath a light, the holy of the LORD, honora… and shalt honour him, not doing … owne ways, nor speaking thine … words: then shalt thou delight thy … in the LORD, and I will cause … to ride upon the high places of the ….
2. Spirituall.
Blessed is the man that keepeth the Sabbath from polluting it, Esa. 56.2. See 5, 6, 7. verses, Jer. 17.24, 26. a speciall place. GOD promiseth there, 24, and 26. verses to reward the outward observation of the Sabbath. The blessing there promised is two-fold, the first concerneth the Common-wealth, vers. 25. The second the Church and State of Religion, v. 26.
Promises. To Watchfullnesse.
Blessed is he that watcheth, Matth. 24.46, 47. Revel. 16.15.
They are three times said to be blessed,Ter que quate… que beati. Poelices ter & amp…ius Horat. Luk. 12.37, 38, 43. to shew that they are thrice blessed and ever perfected in blessednes, which keep constantly their spirituall watch.
Promises. Of Conference.
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, Pro. 15.7.
They are a well of life to feed many.
The tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speake plainly, Esay 32.4. The dumb mans tongue shall sing, Esay 35.6. The mouth of the iust bringeth forth wisdome, Prov. 10.31.
Promises. To Conference.
The mouth of the upright shall deliver them, Pro. 12.6. A man shall be satisfied with good by the f…uit of his mouth, Prov. 12.14. Righteous lips are the delight of Kings, and they love him that spe…keth right, Prov. 16.13. See Prov. 22.11. A mans belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth, Prov. 18.20. A man shall eate good by the fruit of his mouth, Pro. 13.2.
Promises. To Reproofe.
He that rebuketh a man, shall afterwards find more favour then he that flattereth with the tongue, Pro. 28.23. To them that rebuke the wicked shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them, Pro. 24.25.
Promises. To giving of Alms.
See Mat 6. Heb 13.16. Eccles. 11.…. Esay 587, 8, 10, 11. Ps. 129.Beneficence shall be rewarded.
1. In this l…fe.
1. In our selves.
2. In our posterity, Ps. 37.25, 26.
1. In our selves, with
1. Mercy, Blessed are the mercifull for they shall receive mercy, Mat. 5.7 Pro. 14.21, 22.Pro. 14.21, 22
2. Comfort in sicknesse.
3. Deliverance out of trouble: one verse proves both, Blessed is he that considereth the poore and needy: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble, the LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing, he will make all his bed in his sicknes, Psal. 41.1, 3.
4. Competency, He that giveth unto the poore shall not lacke, Pro. 28.27. this is a means to bring us to the right use of our wealth, Luk. 11.41.
2. In the life to come, Come yee blessed of my Father, receive the Kingdom prepared for you from the begining of the world, &c. Mat. 25.34. Make to your selvs friends of the Mammon of unrighteousnes, that when ye fail they may receive you into everlasting habitations, Lu. 16.9. Receiving is not mentioned here in regard of merit *Though Alms deeds merit not at Gods hands: yet they make him our debtor according to his gratious promise, said King Iames, Pro, 1….17. 1 Tim 6.18.19.(as the Papists say) as though a man could deserve it by giving of almes, but either by way of hearty prayers made by the poore, that they may be received, or els because their Alms shall be unto them a pledge and earnest of their receiving into GODS Kingdome as a Father sayes sweetly if yee will be wise Merchants, thrifty and happy usurers, part with tha… which you cannot keep that you may gain the which you cannot lo…s… When thou makest a feas… call the poore, the maime… ▪ the lame, the blind; An… thou shalt be blessed: … thou shalt be recompenced the resurrection of the ius… Luk. 14.14.
Promises, to liberall giving.
The liberall soule shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himselfe, Prov. 11.25. He which soweth bountifully, shall reape bountifully, 2 Cor. 9.6.
2. To cheerfull giving.
GOD loveth a cheerfull giver,He that hath a bountifull eve shall be blessed, for he giveth of his bread to the poor, Pro 2… 9 2 Cor. 9.7.
Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved, when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy GOD shall blesse thee in all thy work…s, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto, Deut. 15.10.
Promises. 1. To liberality to the Saints.
He that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man. shall receive a righteous mans reward.Dicit frigidae aquae, ne in calida sumptū lignorū causari quis posset, Hieron. Mark 9.4. Propecuto aquae fr…gidae torrens voluptatis. And whosoever shall give to drinke unto one of these little ones, a cup of cold water only in the name of a Disciple, he shall in no wise loose his reward, Mat. 10.41, 42. For a cup of cold water, (water the common element, and cold water that cost thee not the charge of fire to warme it) there is a Torrent, may a very Sea of all pleasures provided for thee for all eternity. For GOD is not unrighteous to forget your worke and labour of love, which yee have shewed toward his name, in that yee have ministred to the Saints, and do minister, Hebr. 6.10.
See Gal. 6.9, 10.
Promises. To bounty to GODS Ministere.
He that receiveth you, receiveth me: He that receiveth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet, shall receive a Prophets reward, Matth. 10.40, 41. Some understand that thus, they shall be partakers of the same reward, which is laid up for the Prophets. Calvin takes it for a reward which is fit for the worthinesse of the person, upon whom the liberality shall be bestowed.
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barnes be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine, Prov. 3.9, 10.See Mal. 3.10 1…. And the Levite because he hath no part nor inher…tance with thee,A promise to paying of tithes. shall come and shall eate, and be satisfied, that the LORD thy GOD may blesse thee in all the worke of thine hand which thou doest, Deut. 14.29.
Promises to seeking of GOD.Zephany 2.3
1. They shall have their hearts filled with joy and gladnesseRest on every side from enemies in the fruition of GODS favour.Book IV
2 Chro. 14.7That propheticall prayer of Davids implieth also a promise in it, Ps. 40.16. Let all those that seeke thee, be glad and reioyce in thee.
Let the heart of them reioyce that seeke the LORD, Psalme 105.3. the very same is, 1 Chro. 16.10.
The LORD often promised to his people, that if they should seeke him, Esay 55.6.he would be found of them, as David told Salomon his sonne,2 Chro 14 7 Mat. 77. 1 Chron. 28.9. and the Prophet told Asa the King, 2 Chro. 15.2. See 15.
Thou LORD hast not forsaken them that seeke thee, Ps. 9.10. Esa 45.19.
But his people then must seek him with their whole heart, 2 Chro. 31.11 Blessed are they that seeke him with their whole heart, Psalm 119.2.as Deut. 4.29. Jer. 29.13. and diligently, Heb. 11.6.
Seeke yea me, and yee shall liv… Amos 5.4, 6. And your heart sha… live that seeke GOD, Psalm 69.32.
The hand of our GOD is upon all them for good that seeke him, Book IIIEzra 8.22. Lam. 3.23.
They that seeke the LORD shall not want any good thing, Psal. 34.10.
Promis…s. To waiting on GOD.
Waiting patiently for the LORDS comming to comfort us, either in temporall or spirituall distresses, is a right pleasing and acceptable duty and s…rvice unto GOD, which he is wont to crowne with multiplied and over-flowing refre…hings when he comes. They that wait up…n the LORD shall renew their strength, they …hall m…unt up with w…ngs as Eagles; they shall runne and not be weary, they …hall walke and not faint, Es…. 40.31. For since the beginning of the world, w… have not heard nor perceived by the eare, nei…her hath the eye seene, O GOD, besides thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him, Esay 64.4. they shall not be ashamed (or disappointed) that wait for him, Esay 49.23. He shall save them, Pro. 20.22. They shall inherit the earth, Psal. 37.9, 34. and Heaven too. Blessed are all they that waite for him, Esay 30.18. Dan. 12.12.
We must stirre up our selves to receive the promises, Cant. 5.2, 3. The godly sometimes walk without comfort, because they put it from themselvs, and GOD oftentimes causeth his children to seek long before they find comfort. But the ardent desire shall at length be satisfied. Remission of sinnes, and peace of conscience, are favours worth waiting for. We have not waited so many years in the meanes of grace for comfort, as GOD hath waited for our conversion.
Promises. 1. That we shall delight in God.
Then shalt thou have they delight in the Almighty, Job 22.26. The promise of delighting our selves in the LORD, is confined to the duty of delighting in holy exercises, If thou call the Sabbath a delight, &c. then shalt thou delight in the LORD, Esa. 58.13, 14.
A promise. To delighting in GOD.
Delight thy selfe in the LORD,Psalm …9 15 16, …7, 18. and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart, Ps. 37.4.
Promises to godlines or grace exercised, or to godly and gracious men which act the graces, and exercise themselves in the duties above specified.
True Godlinesse hath the promises both of this life and of that which is to come,1 Tim 4 8. (of this life) Seeke ye first the kingdome of GOD and the righteousnesse therof,Book IV and al these things shall be administred unto you, Matth. 6.33. (and of the life to come) To him that order…th his conversation aright, will I shew the salvation of GOD, Ps. 50.23.
…r…mises in gen…rall to t…e w…ys of godlinesse.1. The godly shall be blessed.
… ….13 Ps. 11….1. Ps. 9.8. Ps. …11▪ 12, 13. Ps. 110.1. Ps. 1.1. Ps. 128.1, 4.
They whom the world account above all men most miserable, are truly and only happy, as our Saviour prooves, Matth. 5. Blessed are the poore in spirit, &c. from 3. ver. to 12. we shall never be truly happy till wee be sincerely holy, nor fully happy till wee bee perfectly holy.…, Au…in.
2. The godly shall be a blessing to the place where they live.
I will blesse thee, and the… shalt be a blessing, Genesis 12.2.
And I will make them a blessing, Ezek. 34.…6. I…rael shall be a blessing in the midst of the land, Esay 19.24.