Solitude Improved by Divine Meditation, Chapter 9
CHAP. IX. Of Meditation of the Spirits drawing to Chriſt by the Promiſes.
AS it is the Inſtrument in the Spirits hand, and without which it would do nothing, could not awaken, humble, and convert the Soul; ſo it cannot either convert and bring in, or confirm and build up without that moſt ſignal ſweeteſt part, the precious Promiſes; and the Promiſes would do nothing out of the hand of the Holy Spirit, and his efficacious managing of them.
The Grounds and Encouragements of all our drawings near to God through Chriſt by his Spirit in his Ordinances, are the Promiſes of the Goſpel, and the Covenant of Grace.
Sinners muſt not draw nigh to God, without his Warrant and Command firſt given.
But a Command will not be yielded to, unleſs there be the encouragement of a promiſe of an acceptance and help, in both the firſt, and all other after approches to God. Pſal. 119.49. Gen. 32.9. Exod. 34.6. Num. 14.18.
And the Promiſes muſt be managed and ordered by the Holy Spirit, elſe they will have no vigour or efficacy, as to either initial application of Chriſt, or to any farther and fuller application of him. Epheſ. 1.13. The Spirit is called the Spirit of Promiſe, as given by the Word of Promiſe, Gal. 3.2. Received ye the Spirit by the, &c. 2 Cor. 3.38. The Goſpel (that is by the Promiſes of it) is call'd the Miniſtration of the Spirit; which is not only of the extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit, but the ſaving operations of it, from its inhabitation.
It is called the Spirit of Promiſe, as conveying and working all to us and in us by the Promiſe: Chriſt and his Grace is not offered by God, nor received by a Chriſtian, by any man (I mean grown up perſon) but by the offer of him in a Promiſe: there is no immediate acting upon Chriſt, for a firſt, or after and fuller receiving of him, but by the medium, the way of an intervening Promiſe. God holds forth, and Faith ſees it, and takes Chriſt offer'd in the Promiſe, Acts 10.43. To him give all the, &c. As the Spirits humbling, is by his whetting, and ſetting home by his art, the threatnings of wrath and death Eternal, ſo the comforts of the Spiritare by his ſetting home the promiſes of ſalvation: And further ſupplies of Grace are by the promiſes through the co-operating of the Holy Spirit, bringing us to receive farther of Chriſt his fulneſs by the promiſes, that are Yea and Amen in him, 2 Cor. 1.20. But all this farther operation of the Spirit, and receiving more of the Grace of Chriſt, it is by Meditation and pondering of the Promiſes.
Freſh receivings from Chriſt muſt be founded in freſh Meditation of the Promiſes.
The more intenſe and earneſt the ponderings of the Promiſes of growth and encreaſe are, the larger will your deſires, the more earneſt your endeavours be after more of Chriſt.
Chriſtians are ſometimes in great haſte to believe ſtrongly, but cannot reach it, becauſe they meditate on the Promiſes ſlenderly. They make the beſt work of it, who dwell and act moſt upon the promiſes, that ſtill Meditate from promiſe to promiſe.
By the Promiſes, we are made partakers of the Divine Nature, 2 Pet. 1.4.
Cleanſe our ſelves from all pollution of Fleſh and Spirit, perfect holineſs in the fear of God, 2 Cor. 7.1.
There be great varieties of precious promiſes for Juſtification, Sanctification, and the reſt. There is a tranſcendent Truth, Goodneſs, and Freeneſs in the Promiſes, great and rich ſupplies made over to Believers by them: But they will not give down their Milk, without our due mindings and daily Meditatings on them: Meditation muſt preſs out the Juice and ſweetneſs, gather the rare Honey that is upon theſe Flowers of precious Promiſes. If Bones be full of Marrow, it muſt be gotten out by pains and knocking: The Promiſes ſo full of marrow and ſweetneſs, muſt yield it forth by Meditation. Lay ſound weight of Meditation on them, to preſs out the Spirit and virtue in them.
If therefore a Chriſtian would daily have his recourſe to Chriſt, if he daily would touch Chriſt, ſo as to have virtue go out of him, for healing and help in any kind; bring your Eye to the hand of the Spirit, and to the Promiſe, which he muſt be expected to work your coming to Chriſt by, and freſh receivings of Grace from. Meditate well, that you may ſpeed well: Let the promiſes mellow in thy heart by Meditation, that thou mayſt find how ſweet they this way are.