Christ All and in All, Sermon 29
Luk. 2. 25.XXX. SERM. at Mary Wolnoth. Lon… June 6. 1653.
Waiting for the conſolation of Iſrael.
I Proceed to the ſecond doctrine, which is this, viz.
Doct. 2. That true believers do wait for the accompliſhment of divine promiſes, even thoſe that are moſt unlikely to be fulfilled. No promiſe which God ever made to man had more improbabilities, and ſeeming impoſſibilities to break its way thorough, then the promiſe of Chriſt. He is called a root out of a dry ground, Eſay 53. 2. He was to be borne of a Virgin; Aw…-man ſhall compaſſe a man, Jer. 31. 22. and yet this good man having a Revelation from God, that he ſhould not depart this life till his eyes had ſeen him, did wait for the fulfilling of this promiſe. If any ſhould wonder why Simeons waiting for Chriſt ſhould be noted as an act of ſuch ſingular faith; when as now the generality of the Jewes were big with the ſame expectation, C…mnitius gives two good Reaſons of it.
1. The common bulk of the Jews did expect Chriſt onelyonly for external advantages. They expected him onelyonly as one that ſhould reſtore their outward liberties, which were now invaded and taken away; but Simeon waited for him as a ſpiritual Redeemer, that ſhould ſave their ſouls from ſin and hell.
2. Simeon expected his coming to be neer at hand, according to the predictions of the Prophets, whereas the generality of the Jews had but onelyonly a looſe uncertain expectation of him. Simeon waited for a ſpeedy coming of Chriſt, therefore doth the holy Ghoſt take ſuch ſtrict notice of it. Other examples we have in Scripture of the holy waitings of godly men for the fulfilling of Divine promiſes. Abraham waited for the promiſe of a Sonne, when his body was even dead, and his wife unlikely, according to the courſe of nature, to conceive; the Apoſtle mentions … …om. 4. chap. 20, 21. 18. 19. David waited many years for the promiſe which God made to him of ſucceeding Saul in the throne; Though upon difficulties and croſſe providences which did ariſe, he was ſometimes put to a ſtand, yet he did expect the accompliſhment of the thing promiſed. He doth often in the book of P…almes make mention of his waiting, as Pſal. 62. 1, 2 5. Daniel waited for the accompliſhment of Gods promiſe, for the reſtoring of the Church from their captivity, though there were many difficulties in the way, the Church being then as d…y bones, Ezek. 37. 3, 4, 5, 6. yet Daniel beleeved and waited for it, as appears by chap. 9. init. He did count the number of the years, and when they drew neer a period, then he ſtirs up himſelf to pray with more then ordinary faith. The whole Church waited for the fulfilling of this promiſe, Micah. 7. 7. I wi… wait for the God of my ſalvation, my God will hear me. So in that other ſad caſe, they did wait for deliverance, though God hid his face from them, Eſay 8. 17. The people were in great diſtraction becauſe of Senacherib's Army, and many waited on Rezin, and Remaliahs ſonne; yet did the true beleevers wait on God for ſalvation. This is the duty, this hath been the practice of godly men in all ages.
In the handling of this Doctrine I ſhall open two things.
1. What's meant by waiting for a promiſe.
2. Why the people of God do wait on God for the fulfilling of his promiſes.
1. For the firſt. Waiting on God for the fulfilling of his promiſes, comprehends theſe three things.
1. A firme beleeving that the thing ſhall com… to paſſe. Waiting is the acting of hope; and the foundation of hope is faith: Faith is the ſubſtance of things hoped for, H…b. 11. 1. 'Tis impoſſible the ſoul ſhould wait on God for that which it doth not firmly beleeve ſhall be made good by God. Abraham would never have waited for a ſonne of promiſe, if he had not firſt beleeved the promiſe of a Sonne. Simeon could not have expected the conſolation of Iſrael, if he had not firſt beleeved the promiſe of God for the birth of him who was the Conſolation of Iſrael. Take away the belief of the promiſe, and waiting for it ceaſeth. 'Tis not an act either of Grace or Reaſon, but of …olly and madneſs to wait for that which is not firſt beleeved. This is the firſt.
2. A patient tarrying of the Lords leiſure. Waiting on God for a promiſe, is an act of patience as well as faith. He that beleeveth makes not haſte, Eſay 28. 26. and he that waiteth, makes not haſte. He that would have a promiſe fulfilled one day before Gods time, is not a waiter, but a Commander. The holy Ghoſt deſcribes waiting on God for a promiſe, by tarrying till it be made good, Hab. 2. 3. He was a wicked man who ſaid, Why ſhould I wait on God any longer? 2 King. 6 33. True waiting doth not limit the holy One of Iſrael, either for manner, or time. R…st on the Lord, wait patiently, that's Davids counſel, Pſal. 37. 7. Daniel waited for the fulfilling of that promiſe of the Churches deliverance out of Babylon till the ſet time came, Pſal. …. 2. 13 which was pen'd by David. Waiting on God is called by David, a being ſilent to God, Pſal. 62. 1. A quick eye and a ſilent tongue becomes him that waits on God. He that waits on God may pray for the haſtening of the promiſe, but the concluſion of all might be, not when I will, but when God will. Our Saviour tells his Apoſtles what it is to wait on God. …ct. 1 4. Tarry at Jeruſalem, ſaith …e, and wait for the promi…e of the Father. He that ſets God a time to fulfil… his promiſe, doth not wait for a promiſe, but ſteale a promiſe. The Church expreſſeth well the nature of true waiting upon God, Pſalme 123. 2. Our eyes wait upon the Lord until that he have mercy upon us.
3. An earneſt deſire to have the promiſe made good. Patient waiting forbids murmuring, but it doth not forbid deſire. Waiting for a promiſe cannot be without hungring after the promiſe. The Church in Pſal. 123. 2. Was contented to ſtay Gods time, yet in the next verſe ſhe expreſſeth her deſire, Have mercy upon us O Lord, have mercy upon us. The Apoſtle expounds waiting by a word ſignifying deſire, 2 Pet. 3. 12. Looking for, and hastning …to the coming of th… day of God.
There is a two fold haſtening of a promiſed good.
The one ariſing from impatience.
The other ariſing from deſire; now though waiters muſt not haſten any good with a haſtening of impa…ience, yet they may, and muſt haſten it with a haſtening of deſire. To haſten any good which God hath promiſed, out of diſcontent, argues diſtruſt of God; but not to haſten out of ardent deſires, argues ſome ſleighting of the good promiſed. I have longed for thy ſalvation, O Lord, ſaith the Prophet, Pſ. 119. 174. Longing is the very height and extremity of deſire. A waiter may not be a limiter of God, but he may be a p…titioner unto God for the fulfilling of his promiſe. The Scripture expreſſeth waiting by a word which ſignifies heat of deſire, Rom 8. 19. The earneſt expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifeſtation of the Sonnes of God. foreign, the word ſignifies waiting, or looking with a ſtretched out neck. As a priſoner looks for an expected pardon, or as a man looks for a friend, whom he hath long expected and would gladly ſee.
This vehement deſire for the fulfilling of the promiſe is to be expreſſed,
(1) By frequent muſings and meditations. The …oul muſt have its thoughts much upon the promiſe. What David ſaith of the Precepts of God, that they are alwayes before him, ſo we muſt ſay, and ſo muſt we do with the promiſes of God, they muſt be ever before us, we muſt meditate on them all the day long.
(2) By …ervent prayer. Patience in waiting for a promiſe, and paſſionate earneſtneſſe in praying for the fulfilling of it are not inconſiſtent. We muſt daily beg of God that he would give being to his promiſes. We muſt ſay with the Church, Come away my beloved, &c. Cant. 8. ult.
(3) By careful uſe of all lawful means to make good the condition of the promiſe. We muſt be as earneſt to do what God hath commanded, as to enjoy the good which God hath promiſed. This is the firſt particular.
2. For the ſecond. Why godly men do thus wait for the good which God hath promiſed. I ſhall name a ſeven-fold Reaſon.
Firſt, They know their ſelves to be ſervants. Servants muſt wait upon their Maſters for the good they expect Pſal. 1…3. 2. The people of God know they are but ſervants, and ſervants that do depend upon the free will of God for every thing; this makes them willing to wait on God. He that will not wait on God, denies himſelf to be a ſervant, and denies God to be his Maſter… Luke 12. 35, 36. And then,
Secondly, They know God hath given the… both faith and hope for this purpoſe, that they may wait on him. Waiting is nothing elſe but the acting of hope. A childe of God would not have any grace lie idle in his ſoule. He knows God hath given every grace for exerciſe. Not to employ and act grace received, is to abuſe grace received. A childe of God would not abu…e a thing ſo exce…nt as hope is. Now he knows that hope is given to enable him to waite for the fulfilling of promiſes, Ergo. And,
Thirdly, They know in ſome meaſure what a great ſinne it is not to wait. To refuſe to wait on God for the fulfilling of his promiſe, is to ſlight God, to undervalue the promiſe as if there were nothing in it worth our waiting for. A man cannot lightly diſparage either God or his promiſes more profeſſedly then by refuſing to wait on him for his promiſes. Now a child of God would not willingly caſt any reproach either on God or his promiſes from which he receives ſo much good, Ergo. And then.
Fourthly, They are not unmindful how long, and with how much patience God waited on them for their obedience. They remember God tarried Sermon after Sermon, year after year for their converſion. The Apoſtle ſpeaks of Gods long-ſuffering in waiting on the old world, 1 Pet. 3. 20. Every one of Gods children are ſenſible of Gods patient waiting on them when they had no minde to know him. When they ſlighted grace, when they ſcorned mercy, God waited; this makes them ſo ready to waite on God, Eſay 30 18. And then.
Fifthly, Their own undeſerving of the good promiſed. The children of God know that all Gods promiſes are free as to them. Jacobs acknowledgement will be readily aſſented unto by them, Gon. 32. 10. They know how well they deſerve the heavieſt threatning, but how unworthy they are of the leaſt mercy. They do with an unfeigned heart, ſay as David did, when God had promiſed him to build his houſe, 2 Sam. 7. 18. Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my houſe that thou haſt brought me hitherto. A childe of Gods Mo…to is. L…ſſe then the least of all the mercies of God. This makes them wait. And,
Sixthly, They know how certain the promiſes of God are. They have had experience how he hath made good the promiſes that are paſt, and they know he will ſhew the ſame unchangeableneſſe in thoſe that are to come. They know his Name is Jehovah. God that hath his own being from himſelf, and that will give being to all his promiſes. This encourages them to wait. It was the Apoſtles Logick in their generation, 2 Cor. 1. 10. It is ignorance of God that cauſes the heart to diſtruſt. They that know thy Name, ſaith David, will put their trust in thee, Pſal. …. 10. Gods children know his Name, therefore they will wait. And,
Seventhly, The ſatisfaction they expect from the enjoyment of what is promiſed. They know every promiſe of God will bring …ull contentment of heart when it is fulfilled. They cannot now expect ſo much as they ſhall then finde in the promiſes of God. They know they are, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks of them in 2 Pet. 1. 4. Exceeding great and precious promiſes. They know the harveſt will make amends for all their expectation, therefore they wait for it.
The Uſes are for 1. Information. 2. Reprehenſion. 3. Exhortation.
1. For information. This teacheth us three leſſons.
1. That Godly men have a very good opinion of God. They dare take his Word for that which they love with the deareſt affection. They are willing to wait the whole time of their life for the accompliſhment of that good which he hath promiſed. As they dare follow God when they know not whether he will carry them, Heb. 11 8. ſo they dare wait on God, when they ſee no reaſon for their waiting. Did they not bear a ſingular affection to him, they could never with ſo much ſatisfaction waite upon him.
2. The excellency of grace. Grace is a choice thing in it ſelf, and its choice in its effects. This is one excellent effect of grace, that it doth enable the ſoul to wait on God for things that are moſt difficult to be brought to paſſe. Corruption teacheth the heart to wrangle with God, but grace teacheth the heart to waite on God. A gracious ſpirit is a choice ſpirit.
3. That faith doth not only look to things preſent, but to future things. Senſe onelyonly mindes things preſent, but faith mindes things that are a great way off, Heb 11. 1. It is as willing to wait on God for a future good, as it is to receive a preſent good. Faith hath an Eagles eye, and a Lions heart. It hath a Lions heart to bear preſent evils, and it hath an Eagles eye to ſee future good. It's ſaid of the Patriarchs, foreign.that they ſaw the promiſes, and embraced them afar off, Heb. 11. 13. A beleever is as able to live upon good in reverſion, as on good in preſent fruition. This is the firſt uſe of the point.
2. For reprehenſion. To thoſe that will not wait for the fulfilling of Gods promiſes. Theſe are of two ſorts.
1. Such as are over-haſty, that would have the promiſe fulfilled before its time. And then,
2. Such as never minde the promiſes of God, look no more after them then if they had never been made. Simeons practice blames both theſe.
Firſt, For thoſe that would anticipate God in his promiſes. They are ſo eager for the fulfilling of the promiſes, that they would have them accompliſhed before their time. I would deſire ſuch men to conſider theſe three things.
1. This is a very ſinful frame of heart. Whatever may be pretended as an excuſe or extenuation, it cannot be denyed but the ſinne is great to be over eager with God to give being to his promiſe before the time. Conſider five particulars.
(1) 'Tis an implicite denyal of Gods right to appoint his own time. The Scripture puts times and ſeaſons, as well as things and perſons under the juriſdiction of God. It's his right to determine times. Acts 17. 26. He that made time, hath the ſole power to appoint and ſet times. Our Saviour tells his Diſciples, Act… 1. 7. That times and ſeaſons God hath put in his own power. Now, not to be willing to ſtay Gods time, is to deveſt God, as far as we are able, and to inveſt our ſelves with this great piece of royalty and ſovereignty of appointing times. It is interpretatively to ſay that we will be the Lords of time, and not God.
(2) 'Tis a limiting of God. Moſes reproves the Jews for this, as a great preſumption, that they limited the holy one of Iſrael, Pſal. 78. 41. Men that are free, will not be limited; much more unfit is it that God ſhould be limitted. To limit God, is to exalt our ſelves above God, as if we were wiſer then he. We are not wiſe enough to improve the times which God hath ſet, much leſſe are we wiſe enough to ſet God … time. To endeavour to reduce or circumſcribe God to our time, is to take away from him his freedome and liberty in working.
(3) 'Tis a queſtioning of Gods faithfulneſſe as if we were fearful he would not be as good as his word. When we hurry men too haſtily to fulfil their promiſe before the time, we give them cauſe to think we ſuſpect their honeſty, as if their words were but winde. To be over-haſty with God, argues a ſecret ſuſpition in the heart, that God will let time ſlip. 'Tis a ſign that we do not eſteem Gods bond as good as ready payment. Abraham by wiſhing that Iſhmael might live, Gen. 17 18. did argue ſome inward doubt whether he ſhould have an Iſaac or no. Turbat… adb…c & vacillantis animi vox iſta eſt, as Calvin notes. Though he did recover himſelfe, ſo as to beleeve without ſtaggering, yet there was at preſent ſome kinde of vacillation in his heart. He that is overhaſty with God, gives occaſion to men to think that he doth not receive the promiſe without ſome diſtruſt. To ſuſpect God never, ſo little, is a great ſin.
(4) It argues much impati…nce of heart. He that would have a promiſe before Gods time, doth bewray a ſecret diſcontent of heart, becauſe the time was not ſet ſooner. It implies diſſatiſfaction with what God hath done, as if it might have been done in a better time. The ſoul that would have the promiſe brought to paſſe before its time, doth in effect ſay, God hath not choſen the beſt time. Now to diſparage Gods choice, is a great ſinne. He that ſaith any thing might have been done after a better manner, or in a better time then that wherein God hath done it, doth deny God to be God onelyonly wiſe. Thus you ſee the ſinne is great in being too haſty with God, I might adde one thing more.
(5) 'Tis a denyal of our ſelves to be beggars. We ſay beggars muſt not be chuſers. To be two haſty to have promiſes made good, is as if we ſhould ſay Gods promiſes are not acts of grace, but due debts. This is the firſt Conſideration.
2. 'Tis a weak thing as well as ſi…ful. 'Tis Chriſtian wiſdome to pray for the fulfilling of promiſes, but '…is more then brutiſh folly to be impatiently eager for the accompliſhment of promiſes. The folly of it appears in theſe foure particulars.
(1) We ſhall obtaine it never the ſooner for our impatience. No man ever did, no man ever ſhall wreſt a promiſe out of Gods hand by impetuous violence. I the Lord will haſten it in his time, Eſay 60. 22. Our willingneſſe to wait for a promiſe ſhall not keep us without it one hour longer, our impatience ſhall not produce it one moment ſooner then the ſet and appointed time. Waiting patiently is the beſt way to ripen promiſes, impatient wrangling with God is the way to ſet back the promiſes. God loves the force of faith, but he doth exceedingly loath the force of impatience.
(2) If we could through over much eagerneſſe haſten a promiſe before its time, it would prove hurtful to us. An unripe promiſe is like unripe fruit, it doth not tend to nouriſhment, but to diſeaſes. An abortive birth is neither ſo beautiful, nor ſo ſtrong as that which is brought forth in its full time. A promiſe is then ſweet, when it's brought to paſſe in its due ſeaſon. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time, Eccl. 3. 11. 'Tis as true of promiſes, as of providences. Grace hath its maturity as well as nature. Promiſes grow to perfection by tract of time. When the ſet day is come, then, and not till then it hath ful ſhape and proportion. That which is obſerved by our Saviour concerning the fruits of the earth, is true concerning the promiſes, Mark 4. 28. The earth bringeth forth fruit, firſt the blade, then the ear, after that the full co…n in the eare. God in the producing of promiſes uſeth the ſame method, firſt the blade ſprings up, then the ear ſhoots out, after that, the full corn in the eare, and ſo in proceſſe of time its fully ripe. If a man ſhould reap his field in the blade, or in the ſhooting, he might poſſibly have ſtraw, but he would have no corn. Should God permit the impatient Chriſtian to reap the promiſes when they are but in the blade, or in the eare, he would loſe all the benefit and vertue of them. It's mercy to the beleever that God gives him in the promiſed good in the juſt ſeaſon of it. If they ſhould ſtay never ſo little beyond the ſeaſon, if they ſhould be performed never ſo little before the ſeaſon, the whole benefit of them would be loſt. We ſhall when we come to heaven bleſſe God as much for the timing of his promiſes, as for the making of his promiſes. The fooliſh childe is …ager for green fruit; the father will not give it him till it be fully ripe, becauſe he knows it would then be prejudicial, when it's ripe then he gives it him. The fooliſh Chriſtian longs for a promiſe; when its green, his heavenly Father knows it would be to his diſadvantage to have it at that time; he will have him ſtay till it be ripened, then …e ſhall enjoy it. A promiſe before its time, is like bread half baked, or like meat half roſted, it doth n…ither feed nor nouriſh. Our wiſe Father loves his children too well to feed them with raw mea….
(3) Impatient …aſtening of a promiſe deprives us of much of the comfort of the promiſe. The promiſes of God lay a foundation of preſent comfort. The great comfort of the promiſe is in the fulfilling of it, but it yields ſome comfort as ſoone as ever it is made to the ſoul. Even to day do I declare, ſaith God, that I will render double unto thee, Zech. 9. 12. It's a promiſe of return to the captiv…d Jews Now aſſoon as ever the promiſe was made, they had a ground of comfort that God would p…t an end to their miſery, and reſtore to them double what they had loſt by their long bondage. Aſſoone as ever God hath made a promiſe to a ſoule, that ſoule is ſure.
1. That God will never do it hurt.
2. That God will in due time perform what he hath promiſed. The husbandman, though he do not reap preſently upon the ſowing of his …eed, yet he hath ſome ground of comfort aſſoone as the ſeed is ſowne, he hath the comfort of hope that harveſt will come, when he ſhall reap what he hath ſowne. Now a violent and impatient eagerneſſe of ſpirit drinks up all the comfort which the ſoul might receive from the promiſe. The promiſe is moſt to ſuch a ſoul as if it had never been made. His wearineſſe in tarrying breeds more torment, then the promiſe doth comfort to his ſoul.
(4) It renders the heart leſſe thankful to God for the making of the promiſe. It is the duty of the children of God to be very thankful for every promiſe of God. That God that did not owe us any thing, ſhould ſo ſtrongly binde himſelf to us by the cords of a promiſe, this is worthy our heartieſt thankfulneſſe. All the good we expect from God is by vertue of his promiſe. Grace and glory are both wrapt up in promiſes. He that is not thankful for a promiſe, deſerves juſtly the edge of the threatning. Now the heart that is too haſty to have the promiſe fulfilled, will never be ſo thankful as is meet, that the promiſe was made. The anguiſh of his Spirit in being delayed, will weaken, if not quite deſtroy the thankfulneſſe of his ſpirit. A tumultuous wrangling Chriſtian can never be a thankful Chriſtian. Diſcontentment of heart in tarrying for a promiſe, will certainly hinder that thankfulneſſe of heart which ſhould be given to God for making a promiſe. This is the ſecond.
3. 'Tis an undecent thing. 'Tis a very uncomely thing, that God ſhould be hurryed by his creatures to make good his promiſes before his own time. The undecency of it will appear theſe wayes. As.
1. God is our Superiour. He is our King, he is our Maſter, he is our Father, he is the ſupreme Lord, as far above the bigheſt of us as the Creator is above the creature. 'Tis not good manners to be too haſty with a Superiour. Woman, ſaith our Saviour to the Virgin, What have I to do with thee? my houre is not yet come, Joh. 2. 3. It is unſutable to the highneſſe of the God of glory to ſtoop ſo low as to obſerve the time of the beſt of creatures, Great men will not be haſtened by their ſervants, its incongruous that the great and mighty God ſhould have his time appointed him by the works of his own hands. The great God is willing to be petitioned by the meaneſt, but he will not be determined by the greateſt of his creatures. Greatneſſe will not be uncivilly hurryed by meanneſſe.
Luther having once been too bold with God bout a buſineſſe which he thought neceſſary, telling God, it muſt be d…ne, thought he heard this anſwer, Martine admodum ſapis, ſed ego non ſum Deus ſequax. It is not meet that God ſhould either take counſel, or be importunately hurried by his ſervants.
2. God is a free agent in whatever he doth or promiſes. All his promiſes are gracious, and all his gracious promiſes are free. Nothing b…t his meer will cauſed him to make any promiſe. They are called promiſes of grace, not only becauſe they conteine gracious things, but becauſe they are the effects of free-grace. Now it is not meet that a free agent ſhould be determined either for matter or time. When we do with impatience over-eagerly put God on to fulfil what he hath promiſed, we do forger that he doth all things according to the counſel of his own Will, which is affirmed by the Apoſtle, Epheſ. 1. 11. It's not equal to determine a free agent.
3. God hath waited patiently, and doth ſtill wait patiently on us. Before our converſion he waited long, ſtretching out his hands with unwearied patience while we did oppoſe him. Since our converſion he waits ſtill, Cant. 5. 2. Rev. 3. 20. He waits for our riſing after falls, for our obedience to duties commanded. 'Tis the moſt incongruous thing in the world, that a patient waiting God ſhould be impatiently haſtened. This is the firſt.
2. For thoſe who never look after the promiſes of God. Many men are ſo negligent and careleſs, that they never take any thought about the promiſes of God, they neither pray for them, nor wait for them. I… God will give them a …eing, they can be contented, if he never fulfil them, they can bear it.
I would have ſuch Chriſtians conſider theſe four things.
1. This is a great ſleighting of the promiſes, and of the good which is centained in them. The Apoſtle, Rom. 2. 4. ſpeaks of ſome who deſpiſe the riches of Gods goodneſſe. He that never looks after the promiſe, is guilty of this ſinne. He ſcornes the love of God the Father, the maker of the promiſe; the blood of God the Sonne, the purchaſer of the promiſe; the grace of God the holy Ghoſt, the applyer of the promiſe, God complaines of his people, that they accounted the great things of his Law as ſtrange things. Hoſ. 8. 12. He that never looks after the fulfilling of the promiſes of God, accounts the Goſpel and the great things thereof mean things.
2. It renders the promiſe leſſe comfortable when it is fulfilled. The ſouls conſolation in receiving the good of the promiſe, is according to the ſouls expectation in waiting for the promiſe. The Prophet mentions this. Eſay 25. 9. He that exerciſeth moſt ſaith and hope in waiting for a promiſe, ſhall finde moſt joy in gathering the promiſe. We know how it befel that incredulous Lord, who would not beleeve the promiſe of plenty which God made by his Prophet, 2 Kings 7. 1…. He ſaw i… with his eyes, but did not eat of it. He that mindes not the good which God hath promiſed, robs his ſoul of half of that joy which he might have from the promiſe. The promiſe will neither be ſo fat, nor ſo ſweet as it would have been, if the heart can be more confident in expecting it.
3. This makes the promiſe wholly uncomfortable till the accomp…ſhment of it. The very bloſſ…ms of Gods promiſes yield ſome comfort to the ſoul. God hath for this end revealed his promiſes, that the ſouls of his people might have ſome ref…eſhment by them before they be brought forth. The thoughts that ſuch a good ſhall certainly be ours, beare halfe as …uch comfort as if it were already ours. We rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God, ſaith the Apoſtle, Rom. 5. 2. The preſent hope of future glorification is not without ſome joy. Good in reverſion yields much joy in poſſeſſion. The promiſe made to Chriſt, that his body ſhould not ſee corruption, was a foundation of preſent comfort, Pſalme 16. 9, 10. the hope of the bodies reſurrection makes a childe of God die with comfort. All Gods promiſes lay a foundation of preſent comfort. But he that never looks after the promiſe, what joy can he have from the promiſe? 'Tis the ſouls beleeving and ſtudying of the promiſe, that draws comfort out of the promiſe. He that mindes not what God hath promiſed hath as little preſent joy from the promiſe as if it were not at all.
4. The neglecting of the promiſes is a real ſlighting of the Precepts. The ſame God which hath made the promiſe, hath commanded the ſoul to wait for the promiſe, and no man can diſ-regard the promiſe, but he doth thereby make himſelf guilty of diſobeying the Precept. This is the ſecond uſe of the point.
3. For Exhortation. Let all that profeſſe themſelves to be of Simeons religion, waite as he did for the accompliſhment of the promiſes of God. God hath made many promiſes which are of general concernment to the Church of God; the promiſe of calling the Jews, of ruining Antichriſt; of Eſtabliſhing the mountaine of the Lords houſe upon the top of the mountaines; of ſettling unity and uniformity of worſhip in his Church. God hath made many promiſes of particular good things to beleevers; the tak…ng away the ſtony heart, the giving of them victory over their ſpiritual enemies, &c. be intreated to expect the fulfilling of all theſe. I ſhall in this Uſe,
1. Urge the duty by ſome Motives.
2. Propound ſome rules to direct us in the manner of our waiting.
3. Anſwer ſome objections which the ſoule makes againſt waiting.
1. For Motives. Conſider,
1. That all the promiſes which God hath made, ſhall have their certaine accompliſhment in their time. The Apoſtle ſaith in 2 Cor. 1. 20. That all the promiſes of God in Chriſt Jeſus are Yea, and Amen. It is impoſſible that any promiſe of God ſhould …all to the ground. See what compariſons God uſeth to declare the certainty of his promiſes, Eſay 54. 10. Mountaines are the moſt fixed parts of the earth, yet the promiſes of God are …urer then they, and Jer. 33. 20, 21. The Lord compa…s his promiſes for the cer…ainty of them, to the conſtant ſucceſſion of the day and night. We have Gods …ow and oath ſuperadded to his promiſe, to ſet out t… certainty of them, Heb. 6. 17. The Lord hath …nn…xed his broad ſeal of the Sacraments to his Covenant to ſhew the certainty of his promiſes. H… b…e is ſet in th… cloud, Gen. …. 13. Yea, conſider that the Scripture ſpeaks of thing… promiſed, as if they were already acompliſhed, and all to ſhew the certainty of the promi…s, Eſay 44. 22, 23. …s deliverance was not to be accompliſhed … one …dred years after, yet becauſe it w… promiſed, God ſpeaks of it as a thing …o…e. So …m. 3. 58. O Lord, thou haſt pl…ded the reproach of my ſ…ul, &c. The Church was at th… time in the very depth of affliction, yet ſhe ſpeaks of her deliverance as a thing paſt, Thou haſt redeemed my life. Dobar in the Hebrew ſignifies both a word and a work, to teach us, that when the Word is gone out Gods mouth, the work is as good as done. To preſſe this point a little further, conſider theſe things which diſcover the certainty of the promiſes of God.
(1) The fidelity of his nature, God is the faithful God, that God that cannot lie, Tit. 1. 2. Men of low degree are vanity, men of high degree are a lie, as David found by experience, Pſal. 62. 9. But God is a God of truth. The Scripture …uilds the certainty of Gods promiſes upon the fidelity of his nature, 1 Theſ. 5. 24. So Pſal. 89. 33, 34. Sara builded her confidence on this foundation in expecting that great promiſe, Heb. 11. 11. She judged him faithful that had promiſed.
(2) The immutability of his counſel. God is unchangeable in himſelf, and in his counſels, James 1. 17. There is nothing in God like change. Mens promiſes faile, becauſe their natures are changable. They ſee ſome inconveniences or miſchiefs in their determinations afterward, which they could not foreſee before, therefore they reverſe and alter: but God foreſees from eternity every accident and difficulty which doth fall out in …very age, therefore he changeth not. Men reſolve and determine of things ſometimes very raſhly; ſecond thoughts with them are often better then the former; God reſolves on nothing raſhly, but with the deepeſt deliberation which infinite wiſdom can uſe, therefore he changes not. And becauſe his decree is unchangeable, his promiſe is certaine. The Scripture doth argue certainty of promiſes from the immutability of divine counſel, Heb. 6. 17. and Rom. 11. 28, 29. God never alters his decrees, therefore he can never change his promiſes.
3. The infiniteneſſe of his wiſdom. God knows how to bring both ends of his promiſes together. Men break their promiſes often, becau…e they want wiſdom to make them good; but God is a God of knowledge, he knows how to give being to every word of his mouth; he knows how to deliver, 2 Pet. 2. 9. he knows how to defend, how to ſupply. The fulfilling of his threatning word is builded on his wiſdome, Eſay 31. 2. He is as wiſe to fulfi… his promiſe as his threatning.
(4) His Almighty power. God hath ſtrength to remove all obſtructions and impediments which ſeeme to thwart his promiſes. We finde his power mentioned in order to the fulfiling of his promiſes, Rom. 11. 23. They ſhall be graffed in, for God is able to graff them in again. Upon this bottom did Abraham ſtrengthen his faith in the promiſe of God, Rom 4. 19, 20, 21. Men break their promiſes for want of power. The Apoſtles confeſſe they were hindred, 1 Theſ. 2. 18. But who can hinder God: Eſay 43 13. If mountaines ſtand in his way, he can leap over them, Cant. 8. He can melt them, Eſay 64. 13. If ſinnes oppoſe him, he can ſcatter them; if devils ſtand in his way, he can rout them: Nothing but his will can oppoſe his power, and he cannot Will to break his Word.
5. The riches of his goodneſſe a…d mercy. The firſt …ize of all Divine promiſes is Divine mercy. David confeſſeth it, 2 Sam. 7. 18, 21. All the promiſes of God are nothing but a fabrick of mercy, Pſal. 89. 1, 2. Now mercy and goodneſs which made the promiſe, will not fail to make it good. David bottomes his faith on this, and ſo may we, Pſal. 23. ult. Surely goodneſſe ſhall …ollow me all the dayes of my life. When mercy and goodneſſe in God fail, then may promiſes wi…her.
(6) The exactneſſe of his juſtice. Righteouſneſſe doth ſuum cuique tribuere. Not onelyonly Grace, but juſtice pleads for the fulfilling of the promiſes. If we confeſſe our ſinnes, he is just to forgive us, ſaith the Apoſtle, 1 John 1. 9. God hath in Chriſt received a valuable conſideration for all the good he hath promiſed, therefore its but juſtice to make it good. Chriſt pleads with God in point of Juſtice, John 17. 25. and the ſervants of God have expected the beſt of good things upon this account, 2 Tim. 4. 8. God gives heaven to his Elect as a merciful Father, becauſe 'tis undeſerved; and as a juſt Judge, becauſe 'tis Chriſts purchaſe. Promiſes are not onelyonly acts of grace, but bills of debt. God in juſtice wil make them good. This is the firſt Motive, promiſes are certaine; upon this ground doth God require his people to wait, Hab. 2. 3. Promiſes may ſeem to languiſh, but they cannot die. And let this be added that the difficultie of the thing doth not in the leaſt hinder the accompliſhment of the promiſe. The things which are hard to us, are eaſie to God. That which is very marvellous in the eares of men, is not at all marvellous in the eyes of God, Zech. 8. 6.
2. Conſider the good of the promiſes. The promiſes contain things that are very Excellent. The Apoſtle …lls them exceeding great and precious promiſes, 2 Pet. 1. 4. The promiſes are cabinets full of rich treaſure. Promiſes of ſpiritual things are very excellent, and promiſes of outward things have much good wrapt up in them. One promiſe of the leaſt good that is immaginable, yields more comfort then the enjoyment of greater good by common providence. Whatever a man enjoyes in a promiſe, he hath Gods love and Gods bleſſing with it. A little coming from the heart of God, is better then a great deal coming onelyonly from the hand of God. Better to be an heir of one promiſe, then the poſſeſſour of the whole world by common providence.
3. Conſider the excellency of a waiting frame of ſpirit. A waiting ſpirit is a choice ſpirit. Waiting on God is one of the great duties which God requires from his people. To wait on God continually comprehends much of our work and duty to God, Hoſ. 12. 6. A waiting frame of heart …. honours God greatly. A waiting heart, 2. hath as much benefit by good in reverſion, as by good in poſſeſſion, Heb. 11. 1. A waiting heart, 3. can live comfortably under the cr…ſſeſt prov…nces; he that can wait on God for the g…od …e …ath promiſed, will not faint becauſe … …cted, Mi…h 7. 7. He that can wait on … his promiſes, may 4. conclude hi… … to be … from the old Patriarchs, … after off, and embraced them, Heb. 11. 13. A …aiting Chriſtian hath a clear eye, and a …ong …rme. He can ſee things …t a g…eat diſtance: he can reach things that are afa… off. 5. A waiting Chriſtian is not much inferior to a comprehending Chriſtian. None but the Saints in heaven live ſo glorious a life as the Saints that can wait on earth. The ſight of faith is the next to the ſight of Viſion. Thus much for Motives.
2. For Rules to direct the ſoul in waiting for promiſes.
1. Waiting for promiſes is to be accompanied with obedience to precepts. Many talk much of their expectation about divine promiſes, who make no conſcience of the obedience of divine Precepts. Such a waiting is a groundleſſe preſumption. Precepts and promiſes muſt …e eyed both of them in their kinde. I have waited for thy ſalvation, ſaith David, and kept thy Law, P…. 119. 174. and 166. I have hoped for thy ſalvation, and have done thy Commandments. It's a bleſſed conjunction when waiting on promiſes, and doing of Commandments go together.
2. Waiting for promiſes muſt be accompanyed with prayer for the fulfilling of promiſes. He that is a true waiter, muſt be a daily petitioner. The Church puts praying and expecting together, …ſalme 123. 2, 3. The freeneſſe of promiſes exclud…s the merit of prayer, they do not exclude the meanes of prayer. I will be ſought unto by the houſe of Iſrael to do theſe things for them, Ezek. 36. 37. Prayer doth not purchaſe the promiſe, but it doth help both to ſanctifie and ripen the promiſe. He will beſt hold out waiting that holds on praying.
3. Waiting for the promiſe muſt be accompanyed with joy in the promiſe. A waiting heart muſt be accompanied with a thankſgiving heart. We rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God, Rom. 5. 2. While the ſoul waits for ſalvation, it muſt rejoyce in ſalvation. We muſt not wait with a ſowre face, nor a diſcontented heart, but … cheerfulneſſe of ſpirit. To …e admitted to wait, is a priviledge, as well as to receive what we wait for. Thus much for Rules.
3. For Objections. Mans fooliſh heart is ready to pretend many vain excuſes againſt this duty. As
Obj. 1. We have waited long, and yet God puts us off; the promiſe …s as farre off as ever it was in our thoughts.
Sol. 1. The day of the promiſe dr…ws neerer and neerer ſtill, do not faint at laſt. Heb. 10. 36, 37.
2. The longer thou … …he fuller will the crop be. Gods promiſes will bear their own charges. The longer the ſhip ſtayes out, the richer will the adventure be. The promiſe will recompence thee fully for all thy ſtay.
3. The comfort of thy waiting is more then full wages for thy waiting. God doth beſtow ſome drops on the waiting ſoul.
4. God doth but ſtay to ripen the promiſe for thee, and thee for the promiſe. It is not forgetfulneſſe, but love that makes God delay.
Obj. 2. I ſee no likelihood of the fulfilling of it, No meanes appears.
Sol. 1. He that made the promiſe can create means. That, that now ſeemes to obſtruct the promiſe, may be the midwife of the promiſe.
2. Weak means will ſerve omn…potency to work by. A broken plant is as good as a whole one, Acts 28. 27.