Treatise of the Divine Promises, Title page – Dedication
A TREATISE Of the DIVINE PROMISES. In five Bookes.
In the first, A generall description of their nature, kinds, excellency, right, use, properties, and the persons to whom they belong.
In the foure last, A declaration of the Covenant it selfe, the bundle and Body of all the Promises, and the Speciall Promises likewise, which concerne a mans selfe, or others, both Temporall, Spirituall and Eternall.
By EDVVARD LEGH, Master of Arts of Magdalen Hall in Oxford.
Godlinesse hath the Promises of the life that now is and of that which is to come,
1 Tim. 4 8.
Whereby are given unto us exceeding Great and Precious Promises, that by these yee might be made partakers of the Divine nature,
2 Pet. 1.4.
Having therefore these Promises, let us cleanse our selves from all filthinesse of flesh and Spirit, perfecting Holin…sse in the feare of GOD,
2 Cor 7.1.
The second Impression corrected and inlarged by the Authour.
London Printed by George Miller, and are to be sold by Thomas Vnderhill at the Mayden-head in the Poultry, MDCXLI.
TO THE RELIGIOVS, VERTVOVS AND Every way Accomplisht Lady, …nd his much honoured good Mother, the Lady RU…H'… CUDAM…E.
N…le Lady, and my worthy Mother;
THERE are two chiefe reasons why I dedicated this Trea…ise of the Promises unto your Ladyship First the excellency of the subject, with which I know you are much affected, … My neare relation and engagement unto your Self. I deemed none fit to patronize such a work, but some noble Theophilus, or Elect Lady; and to have sought a remoter Friend having one so neere and proper, might have bin construed folly. I wish the Booke may give content unto your Selfe, and others of Gods people, and then I doubt not, but the dedication of it unto a Christian, and such *As Paula & Marcella were to Ierome, so is your Ladyship to those iudicious persons, which resort unto you, a great Questionist, & they to whom you propound your doubts do tam proficere quam prodesse, as well benefit by you, as benefit you.a Christian, will be approv'd. The knowledge of the Promises is necessary for Christians, who do, or ought to live by faith, and therfore this Treatise (I conceive) may be generally usefull unto them both for the right performance of holy duties, the exercise of divine graces, and likewise to uphold the soule in all manner of distresses.
1 It will be very usefull for the right performance of any good duty.
What better motive to and help for prayer, hearing,Quis virtutē amp…ectitur iosam, praemisi tollas, In…ë Sat. 10. He that beleeves not the iud…ements will never sticke to do any evill, he that believes not the Promis…s wil never be forward to do any good reading, meditation, conference, &c. then to call to mind Gods gracious promises which he hath made to assist us in those services, and to accept them rightly performed? but because I handle this point in the Treatise it self, mentioning the speciall promises made to particular duties, I will here proceed after another manner, and shew, how there are Promises in Scripture for every Commandement.
For the first Commandement
How many Promises are made to the true knowledge of God, Psalm 91.14. to the true acknowledgement of God, Pro 6.3. to the love of God, Pro. 8.17. Iohn 14.23. Cor. 8.3. Iohn 16.27. to confidence in God, Ps. 125.1. Ier. 177, 8. Ps. 55.22. Esay 40.31 Rom. 5.5. Ps. 1…0.5, 6, 7. Esay …6.3. to the Feare of God, Ps. 33.18. Ps 115.13. Ps. 111.5. Lu…. 50. …ro. 1.7. Pro. …9.10, 11. Pro. 14.27. & 15 33. Pro 22 4 Ps 111.10. Pro. 10.27.
For the second, there is a promise annexed unto it, Exo …0.6. Deut. 5.10. and others likewise made in Scripture to all holy duties, as Iam: 4.8. &. Isa: 12.3. and specially to prayer, Rom: 8.16. Iam: 1.5. Reading, Pro: 1.23. Fasting Ma… 6.18. Conference, Ma…. 3 16 17. Meditation, Ps: …. 2.
For the 3 Commandement, there are many promises made to those, who glorifie Gods name, Ps. 50.23. Mat: 10.32 & 5.11. & 12.37.
For the 4 Commandement, See, Lev: 26.2, 3, 4. Esa 56.2 3, 4 5, 6, 7. Eze: …0 12, 20. Esa 58.13, 14. Ier. 17.24, 25, 26
For the 5 Commandement, there is an expresse promise in it to that speciall duty it injoyneth, Exo: 20.12. & in other places of Scripture, there are promises to such as being elders in yeers give good example to their youngers, and are teachers of good things, Esa 65.20, 22. Iob 25.26, to good Princes, Prov: 20, 28 & 29.19. 1 King. 2, 1, 2, 3, 4. Deu: 17.19, 20. to good Ministers, 1 Pet. 5, 2, 3, 4, to the husband that is loving and kind to his wife, Pro. 3….10, 1…, 12. to the wife that is loving & reverend to her husband, and wife and carefull in the education of her children, Pro 31.28, 29, 31. 1 Tim: 2.15 to good Masters, Pro. 5.33. Deu. 5, 18, Ephes. 5.8, 9. to good Parents, Pro. 10.1. & 23 24, 25. to obedient children, Eph; 6.3. Gen: 9.27. of spiri…uall things, Col. 3.20 Ps, 117 8. Ier: 35.19. Pro: 1.9. & 6 23 24. to Subjects, Ier. 29.7. Rō. 8 13.3, 5. Pet. 2.15. to Servants Pro. 17.2. Col. 3.24. Eph. 6.8. to those which do honour the faithfull Ministers of Gods word, Iohn 13 20. Mat. 10.41 to those that honor their Elders in years, 1 Pet. 5.5. Luke 1….1.
For the 6. Commandement, there are many promises in Scripture made unto those, who shall seek to preserve the life of their neighbour, 1 Iohn 4 12. Mat. 6.14. Mat. 25.40. Pro. 25.21, 22. Mat 5▪ 7, 9. Pr. 14.29. & 16.3…. Iam. 1.4. Psalme 25.9. Proverbes 1….20. Ps. 133.1. Luke 6.35, 37 Pro. 29.7, 22. & 21.3, 21. Esa 3.….1…. Eccl. 10.4. & also to the meek Mat. 5.5. Psa. 37.11. to the gentle, and such as forgive offences, Mat. 6.14, 15 Luke 6.27. to those that are of a peaceable and quiet spirit, desirous of peace, 1 Pet 3.10, 11, 22. Pr. 20.22, to the peace-makers, Mat. 5.9. Pro 12.20 to the mercifull, Mat. 5.7, 2 34. to those that are kind to their enemies, Luke 6.35.
For the 7 Commandement,
Chastity is a fruit of the Spirit, Gal. 5.22. and there are promises to it, 1 Cor. 6.19 Eze. 18.6, 9.
For the 8 Commandement, See Heb. 13.16. Mat. 5.7. Deu. 5.10. & 24.1…, 13, 19. Esay 58.8. Eze. 18.…. Pro. 11.26. & 19.17. Pro. 21.…, 21. & 22 9. & 28.27. Ps. 14.5. Ps. 116.6 Mat. 6.4. & 10 42. Lu. 6.38 & 11.41. & 14.14. & 18.22. 2 Cor. 9.10. Pr. ….10. God promiseth a temporall and eternal benediction to those that are righteous & bountifull to the …core, Ps. 1….5. & 112.9. There are promises also to righteousnes, or just dealing, Mat. 6.33. Pro. 10. & 1… 1. Pro …8.…0. to the publik Magistrate …hat dealeth justly in judgement, Pro. 16.12. & 25.5. & 15.27. & 28.16. to the private person that dealeth justly, Deut. 25.15. to him that being just useth diligence in his calling, Pro. 10.4. & 12.24.
For the 9 Commandement, See 1 Pet. 3.10. Lu. 6.37. Gen 1….3. Pro. …3.2. & 18.20. & 20.15.22. most ample goods are promised to those that speake the truth from the heart, Ps. 15.9. Pro. 12.19 23.
For the 10 Commandement, See 2 Pet. 1.4. Mat. 5.8. Iam 4.5.6. 2 Cor. 1….9. Pro. 22.5, 11. Ps. 24.4, 5. & 3.…. Pro! 14.2….
Thus graciously doth God deale with his people, he might out of his absolute soveraignty over us, command only, and we were bound then to obey; but he is pleased (the better to quicken us to obedience) to annex these gracious promises, to his righteous Commandements, and those that truly performe the duty which he commands, shall undoubtedly receive the mercy, which he promiseth.
Secondly, this Treatise of the Promises, may be useful (I suppose) for the quickning and exercising al holy graces. How doth the sound knowledge and frequent meditation of Gods sweet and precious Promises, strengthen Faith, quicken hope, in flame zeal, confirm patience, and foster al the graces of Gods Spirit? When we stagger through unbelif, and are tempted to doubt of any thing, if we would have recourse to the promises, they would uphold us▪ as for example, if this cogitation should arise in me, certainly if I doe not as the world doth, I shall loose my credit, and never come to any wealth, or estate like others, by & by I should rem…mber what is written touching this matter, Sam. 3.…0. Mat. 6.33. and then consider the gen…rality …nd certainty of these & other promises, and that would settle the soul.
Lastly, against all troubles …nward, outward, painful, sinfull, of soul, body, good name, state, Faith in Gods promises is a soveraigne Antidote; this is my comfort in my affliction (sai…h David) thy word (that is, thy promise made unto me in thy Word) hath quickned me, Ps. 119.50. He telleth not what kind of trouble he was in; in any trouble whatsoever, he received singular comfort by meditation in the Promises: by Gods promises, adversity, sicknes, poverty & death of Friends are sweetned, we are upholden by them in time of temptation, and in the pangs of death, receive consolation: Against all Evill that may assaile us, 3 thing… there are that we may with joy behold in the promise; 1 Protection, 2 Restitution, 3 Deliverance. Doth the Lord permit us to temptation? his grace is sufficient to support us, 2 Cor. 12 9. doth he suffer us to be overcome in temptation? yet promiseth he restitution, by a new act of grace, raising us, and at length to set us out of the reach of all temptations. In the defects of good things, and the small measures therof, we may draw comfort likewise from the promises. God promiseth, … Preservation, 2 Growth, 3 Perfection, of …ace and glory. If we enjoy a…y good grace of God, though …never so weak measure; first …e assures us, that little is a …ledge of more, 2 Cor. 1.22, …econdly, even that little, he …ill enable to get finall victo…y, Rev. 3.8. and will perfect …t to the day of the Lord Ie…us, Phil. 1.6. and after this …ife make us pure as he is …ure, perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect.
Thus we see what Balme …her is in Gilead, what sweet…es in Gods promises; they are …he Christians aqua vitae, to …evive him, when he is ready …o swound; in al or in any estate be may extract abundance of duplicate page duplicate page comfort from that thrice precious promise, Ps. 84.11. and those three heavenly conduits of sweetest consolation, Rom 8.18, 28, 32. and if one or a few verses afford so much comfort, what cordiall sweetnesse and refreshing may a Christian sucke, out of all those wells and brests of consolation and Salvation? Indeed the Faithfull can never want grounds of comfort. First GOD the Father is the GOD of all consolation, Esa. 12.3.comforting them in all their troubles, Esay 66.11.2 Cor. 3.4. Secondly, CHRIST is the Fountaine of comfort, ver 5, Thirdly, the HOLY GHOST … the Comforter of all the …aithfull, …oh. 14.16, 20. & 15 …6.7, 1 Fourthly, al the Scrip…ure makes for their comfort, …o. 1….4. The whole Gospel is a plentifull Store-house of Comfort, called 1 Good or gladsom tydings Esay 9.3.…2.… and a good word, Heb. 6.5. because it cheareth the heart, as good newes doth him that is in heavines▪ 2 The Gospel of Peace, Rō. 10.15. Eph 6.15. because it pacifieth a troubled conscience: but the very pith, marrow and quintessence of all true consolation is contained in the Evangelicall promises, Psal 119.92. Thus assuring my Self, that your Lady ship wil often peruse this booke, wishing tha… your Soule may daily prospe… by it, and that the LORD woul… now fill you with all joy an… peace in beleeving these promises, 3 Ep of Iohn 2. Rom. …5.1 ▪and hereafte… crowne you with all happines in the full fruition of the things promised, I rest,
Your obliged Son and Servant, EDWARD LEGH