The Middle Things, Chapter 8
CHAP. VIII.
SECT. 1. Of the Nature of this Life of Faith.
TO live by Faith, is by Faith in Chriſt to aſſent and adhere unto, and to poſſeſs the whole Word of God, as our own in all eſtates and conditions, reſting quietly upon his gracious and faithful promiſe, and yielding our ſelves unto his good pleaſure, in ſincere, univerſal and conſtant obedience: Or, to live by Faith, is to feed upon the ſeveral promiſes of God made in his Word, and to apply them to our own ſelves, according to our needs, and ſo to uphold, comfort and incourage our ſelves againſt all temptations, and unto every good duty. This Life of Faith is a very Heaven upon earth, a ſweet Sanctuary to any hunted ſoul; hereby our hearts will be cheared, our life will be ſweet to us, God will be glorified, and the glory of his truth will be mightily advanced. O bleſſed Duty!
SECT. 2. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in general.
OUr Directions for this life of Faith are either
General.
Particular.
In general, that we may live by Faith, we muſt endeavor two things,
1. To get matter for our faith to work upon.
2. To order our faith aright in the work.
1. That we may provide matter for our faith to work upon, we muſt obſerve three things: 1. That we ſtore up all the good promiſes of God, and our own experiences ſeaſonably: It is good to lay up in a good time aforehand.
2. That we lay in promiſes of all kindes: We had better leave then lack; it is the wiſdom of a man, that he may not live feebly and poorly, but to have ſomewhat to ſpare.
3. That we ſo lay them up, that we may have them at hand: It is folly to ſay, I have good proviſion as can be, Col. 3.16.but I have it not here: Let the word of God dwell in you plenteouſly and richly in all wiſdom.
2. That we may order our Faith aright in the work, obſerve theſe Directions:
1. Take poſſeſſion of the promiſes, and value them as our own.
2. Expect nothing from the promiſe, but that which is ſuitable to the nature of it: To this purpoſe ſome promiſes are abſolute, which God hath ſimply determined to accompliſh; as the promiſe of the Meſſiah, Iſa. 7.14. and of the calling of the Gentiles, Rom. 11.26. Some promiſes are conditional, which God will accompliſh in his own order, in his own time, and in his own maner and meaſure; in a word, they are no further promiſed, then God ſeeth in wiſdom to be moſt meet for his glory, and our good; as, all temporal bleſſings, leſs principal Graces, and the meaſure of all ſanctifying Graces: now in all theſe expect nothing from them, but that which is ſuitable to the nature thereof.
3. That done, then eye that particular good in the promiſe which we ſtand in need of, and ſet Gods power, and faithfulneſs, and wiſdom awork, to bring it about; for inſtance, thou art in perſecution, and either thou wouldeſt have deliverance out of it, or comfort and refreſhment in it: In this caſe ſee all this in the promiſe (referring the order, and time, and maner to God) and then ſet Gods power and faithfulneſs awork that can do it, and his wiſdom awork to contrive it, which way he knows beſt: This is the meaning of that Text,Pſal. 37.5. 1 Pet. 5.7. Commit thy ways unto the Lord, truſt in him, and he ſhall bring it to paſs; and hurl your care upon the Lord, for he careth for you.
4. By faith wait upon God, in that way he hath appointed; it is true, God will work that good for us, yet we muſt uſe the means, and meet God in the courſe of his providence, otherwiſe we live not by Faith, but tempt God, and throw away his promiſes and all.
5. Set it down and conclude, that God will do whatſoever he hath promiſed, and we ſhall receive it in the ways of his providence: This is the very work of faith it ſelf, thus it draws ſap and vertue from the promiſe, when it concludes, That according to the good in the promiſe, it is ſure to be done.
6. But imagine the Lord delays, and doth not ſuddenly accompliſh, then muſt faith take up its ſtand, and ſtay till it come: He that believeth, Iſa. 28.16.maketh not haſte, the viſion is for an appointed time, and therefore wait for it; ſo the Pſalmiſt, As the eyes of a ſervant look to the hands of his Maſter, and the eyes of a maiden to her Miſtris, ſo our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until he have mercy upon us; Pſal. 133.2.not until we will, or until we ſee it fit, but until he will have mercy upon us.
7. Imagine the Lord not onelyonly delays, but ſeems to frown, and to ſay, He will not hear: In this caſe, labor with an holy humility to contend with our God, and by ſtrong hand to overcome him, for the Lord loves to be overcome thus. When Jacob wreſtled with God, Let me go, ſaith the Lord; I will not let thee go, Gen. 32.26.ſaith Jacob: So do we catch the Lord Jeſus, and ſtrive with him, and leave him not, till we have thoſe comforts he hath promiſed, and which we have begged: Surely this is the glory and victory,28. and triumph of faith, when the Lord is fain to lay down his weapons, and to yield himſelf as conquered; Thy name ſhall be no more called Jacob, but Iſrael, becauſe thou haſt prevailed with God.
Two cautions concerning promiſes, and the life of faith, are mainly to be obſerved in the general.
1. That not barely the promiſes, but the perſon of Chriſt, is the object of faith: We are not to wreſt on the promiſes alone, but to cloſe with Chriſt in thoſe promiſes; and therefore in receiving of, or having recourſe unto a promiſe, we are firſt to ſeek out for Chriſt in it, as being the foundation of it, and ſo to take hold of the promiſe in him: Thus Philip directs the Eunuch, Believe on the Lord Jeſus: Acts 6.31.The promiſe is but the Casket, and Chriſt the Jewel in it; the promiſe but the field, Chriſt is the Pearl hid in it, and to be chiefly look'd at: Thus it is ſaid, That promiſes of pardon, are not as pardons of a Prince, which meerly contain an expreſſion of his royal word for pardon; but Gods promiſes are made in his Son, and are as if a Prince ſhould offer to pardon a Traytor, upon marriage with his childe, whom in and with that pardon he tenders: The reaſon hereof is, becauſe Chriſt is the grand promiſe, in whom all the promiſes are Yea and Amen.2 Cor. 11.29.
2. That promiſes in things temporal and ſpiritual (not abſolutely neceſſary to ſalvation) are not univerſal, but indefinite, (i.) he makes ſuch promiſes, becauſe ſometimes (though not always) he grants accordingly. For inſtance, that promiſe of healing the ſick, cannot be univerſal,Iam. 5.15. Heb. 9.17. for it might then be ſuppoſed, that ſick men ſhould never dye, ſeeing the Elders may at all ſuch times of danger of death, ſtill come and pray with them, but we all know it is appointed for all men once to dye; the meaning thereof is, that prayer is an Ordinance to which God hath made ſuch a gracious promiſe, and he often doth reſtore the ſick at their prayers; and therefore upon every ſuch particular occaſion, we are to relye upon God for the performance of it by an act of recumbancy, though we cannot with an act of full aſſurance, the promiſe not being univerſal, but indefinite: Of like nature are all other promiſes of things temporal or things ſpiritual, not abſolutely neceſſary to ſalvation; as, long life, riches, honor, Aſſurance of Evidence to them that fear him, the tenor and purport of which promiſe, is not as if abſolutely, infallibly, and univerſally, God doth alway perform theſe to thoſe that are truly qualified, with the conditions ſpecified in thoſe promiſes; the contrary both Scripture, inſtances, and common experience ſhews, they are therefore indefinitely meant, and ſo to be underſtood by us; becauſe when ever God doth diſpence any ſuch mercies to any of his, he would do it by promiſe: And he requires anſwerably an act of faith, ſuitable to that his meaning in the promiſe; that as he intended not in ſuch promiſes, an abſolute, infallible, univerſal obligation of himſelf, to the performance of them to all that fear him, ſo the act of faith, which a man is to put forth toward this promiſe, in the application of it for his own particular, is not required to be an abſolute, infalible perſwaſion and aſſurance, that God will beſtow theſe outward things upon him, having theſe qualifications in him, but onelyonly an indefinite act (as I may call it) of recumbancy and ſubmiſſion, caſting and adventuring our ſelves upon him for the performance of it to us, not knowing but he may in his outward diſpenſations make it good to us; yet with ſubmiſſion to his good pleaſure, if otherwiſe he diſpoſe it; and if he grant, to conſider then, That whatſoever we have, it is not by a meer Providence, but by vertue of a Promiſe.
SECT. 3. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in particular, as in Temporal evils.
IN particular that we may live by faith, obſerve we,—
1. The Promiſes.
2. The exerciſe of faith concerning the Promiſes.
And both theſe are conſiderable, either in regard of
Our ſelves.
Others.
1. In regard of our ſelves; and therein we ſhall conſider matters
Temporal.
Spiritual.
Eternal.
Things Temporal are either
Evil.
Good.
We ſhall begin firſt with Temporal Evils; and concerning them, firſt give you the Promiſes; and ſecondly, the exerciſe of faith in reſpect of thoſe Promiſes.
1. The Promiſes that concern Temporal Evils, have reference to thoſe evils, either in
General.
Special.
1. Evils general, are afflictions and dangers, concerning which we have Promiſes, ſome to
Prevent,
Qualifie,
Remove thoſe Afflictions.
1. The Promiſes to prevent Afflictions, you may read in the Word, and they are theſe and the like: Pſal. 91.10. Pſal. 121.7. Job 5.19. Zech. 2.5. where the Lord promiſeth to be a wall of fire to his people; not of ſtone, or braſs, ſaith Theodoret, that it may both fray afar off, and keep off too at hand; protect them, and deſtroy their enemies.
2. The Promiſes to qualifie evils, are theſe and the like: Pſal. 103.13, 14. Iſa. 49.13, 14, 15. Hoſ. 11.8, 9. In this laſt Promiſe, God imitates Parents (ſaith Theodoret) when any miſery is upon their childe, their bowels yern more; never ſits the childe ſo much on the Mothers lap, never lies ſo much in her boſom, as when he is ſick: So the Spouſe being ſick of love (i.) in ſome miſery,Cant. 2.5, 6. Chriſt ſtayeth her with flaggons, comforts her with apples, his left hand is under her head, and his right hand doth embrace her: Pſal. 56.8. where we may read Gods compaſſion to his children in their calamities, that he narrowly obſerves every one of them; Thou telleſt my wandrings] yea, he makes ſo precious a reckoning of their griefs and ſorrows, that not a tear falls to the ground, but he keeps it, preſerves it (as precious liquor) in his bottle; Put my tears into thy bottle] yea, he keeps them in memory, he notes them and writes them his book, as if he would chronicle our tears for everlaſting remembrance; Are they not in thy book?] 2 Chron. 4.17. Is there or can there be any richer or fuller expreſſion in Tully, then there is in the Greek, where there is both an elegant Antitheſis, and double Hyperbole, beyond Engliſhing, foreign; for affliction, glory; for light affliction, heavy, maſſie, ſubſtantial glory, a weight of glory; for momentany affliction, eternal glory: nay, the Apoſtle addes degrees of compariſon, yea goes beyond all degrees, calling it more excellent, far more excellent, an Hyperbole, Hyperbole, exceeding exceſſive, eternal weight of glory.
3. The Promiſes to bear them, or in due time to remove them, are theſe and the like: Pſal. 37.24. Jer. 29.11. Micah 7.8, 9. Pſal. 97.11. as ſure as harveſt follows a ſeeding, ſo to the righteous, comfort follows mourning, John 16.20. 1 Cor. 10.13.
2. Evils ſpecial, are Sickneſs, Poverty, Famine, War, Captivity, Witchcraft, Poſſeſſion, Oppreſſion.
1. For ſickneſs, we have Promiſes, ſome to
Prevent,
Qualifie,
Remove ſickneſs.
1. The Promiſes to prevent, are theſe and the like: Exo. 15.26. Deut. 7.15. Pſal. 91.10.
2. Promiſes to qualifie ſickneſs, are theſe and the like: Pſ. 41.3. Heb. 12.6, 7, 8.
3. Promiſes to remove ſickneſs, are theſe and the like: Exo. 23.25. Deut. 7.15. Iſa. 4.31.
2. For Poverty, we may ſtore up theſe Promiſes, Pſal. 23. throughout, Pſal. 34.9, 10. Pſal. 37.25. Heb. 13.15. The wicked indeed may have more abundance then the Chriſtian, but here's the difference, the wicked hath all by a Providence, the Chriſtian hath all by a Promiſe: and this diſtinction the poor Chriſtian would not part with for a world of gold.
3. For Famine, we may ſtore up theſe Promiſes, Job 5.19, 20. Pſal. 33.18, 19. Prov. 10.2, 3. Pſal. 37.18, 19. Iſa. 41.17, 18. Some Martyrs being caſt into Priſon, and denyed neceſſary food, they had faith to return this anſwer, If men will give us no meat, we believe God will give us no ſtomack. When Chriſt was an hungred, and Satan tempts him to command ſtones to be made bread, he anſwered,Matth. 4.4. Man ſhall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God; q.d. a man may feed on a Promiſe, he muſt depend on Gods allowance, and when proviſion fails, then not to diſtruſt the proviſion of God, is a notable tryal of faith.
4. For War, we may gather up theſe Promiſes and the like, Job 5.20. Prov. 3.24, 25, 26. Jer. 39.17, 18.
5. For Captivity, gather in theſe Promiſes and the like, Deut. 30.3, 4. which very Promiſe Nehemiah ſueth out, Nehem. 1.9. Pſal. 106.46. Ezek. 11.16.
6. For Witchcraft or Poſſeſſion, conſider that Promiſe, Numb. 23.23.
7. For Oppreſſion, we have theſe Promiſes, Pſa. 12.5. Pſa. 68.5. Pſa. 146.7, 8, 9.
2. For the exerciſe of faith, concerning theſe Promiſes, that we may live by them, go to
Meditation.
Prayer.
1. For Meditation, and the matter of it, conſider theſe things, and let your faith chew on them.
Amos 3.6.1. That all affliction comes from God: Shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it? I form the light, and I create darkneſs; Iſa 45.7. Pſal. 119.75.I make peace, and I create evil: I the Lord do all theſe things. I know, O Lord, (ſaith David) that thy judgements are right, and that thou in thy faithfulneſs haſt afflicted me.
2. That as God ſends it, ſo none can deliver us out of it but God alone:… Chr. 20.12. O our God, wilt thou not judge them? We have no might againſt this great company that cometh againſt us, neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon thee. This Meditation draws the heart from carnal repoſe, in means or friends; it expels vexatious and diſtracting cares, and eſtrangeth from the uſe of unlawful means of deliverance: The horſe is prepared againſt the day of battel, but ſafety is of the Lord.
3. The cauſes of all miſeries and ſorrow, is ſin, and therefore its time for us to examine our ways, to humble our ſelves, and to ſet upon Reformation:Pſal. 119.59. I thought on my ways (ſaid David) and turned my feet unto thy teſtimonies: 2 Chro. 33.12when Manaſſes was in affliction, He beſought the Lord his God, and humbled himſelf greatly before the God of his Fathers: Surely it is meet to be ſaid unto God, I have born chaſtiſement, I will not offend any more: Iob 34.31, 32That which I ſee not teach thou me; If I have done iniquity, I will do no more: The end of chaſtiſement, is amendment of life, whence it receives the name of Correction, which ſignifieth, to ſet aright or ſtraight.
4. That now God tryeth our faith, patience, contentation, and meekneſs of Spirit, He hath ſaid unto Croſſes, Go ye to ſuch a man, not to weaken his faith, or to waſte any Grace of the Spirit, but to purge him, refine him, try him, exerciſe him, to breed the quiet fruits of Righteouſneſs, to confirm his patience, ſupport his hope, &c. — Hence Gods ſervants by their faith have been enabled to ſay, I will bear the indignation of the Lord, Micah 7.9.becauſe I have ſinned against him, until he plead my cauſe, and execute judgement for me: And if he ſay thus,2 Sam. 15.26. I have no pleaſure in thee: Behold, here am I, let him do to me as ſeemeth good to him. This Meditation makes the heart willingly, freely and conſtantly to reſign it ſelf to the good pleaſure of God in all things.
5. That 'tis Gods will, after we have gone to the promiſe, to uſe all lawful means of help which God in his providence affords; but in point of dependance, that we ſolely reſt on Gods promiſes: Faith coupleth the means and the end, but looketh to the Promiſer (whoſe truth, and wiſdom, and power, and mercy, never fails) and not to the probability of the thing promiſed: Abraham againſt hope, believed in hope, —That what God had promiſed, Rom. 4 18, 21he was able to perform.
6. That the promiſes are in Chriſt, Yea and Amen, and therefore ſet it down and conclude, that God will do whatſoever he hath promiſed, and we ſhall receive it in the ways of his providence;Iſa. 28.16. it may be not yet, what then? He that believes will not make haſte: Daniel waited Seventy years for deliverance out of captivity in Babylon, and may not we wait Seventy weeks, Seventy days?
2. For prayer, and the parts and maner of it, obſerve this method:
1. Lay open our ſorrows before the Lord, pour out our complaints into his boſom:Lam 3.22. I am the man that have ſeen affliction by the rod of thine anger, thou haſt brought me into darkneſs but not into light: Pſal. 3.1.—Lord, how am I beſet with miſeries? how do my ſorrows increaſe daily? Pſal. 38.18.how are they encreaſed that trouble me?
2. Confeſs our ſins with hatred and godly ſorrow: I will declare my iniquity, Hoſ. 5.15.I will be ſorry for my ſins: For want of this, God threatned the Iſraelites, I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offences, and ſeek my face, in their affliction they will ſeek me early.
3. Importune the Lord, and direct we our ſupplications to our God: Lord, how long wilt thou look on? O reſcue my ſoul from their deſtruction, Pſal 35 17.my darling from the Lyons; look upon mine affliction and my tears, for I am brought very low.
Pſal. 125.3.4. Then preſs we the Lord with his promiſes: Lord, thou haſt ſaid, The rod of the wicked ſhall not reſt upon the lot of the Righteous: Iſa. 10.25.Thou haſt ſaid, Yet a little while and the indignation ſhall ceaſe: Iſa. 54.8.Thou haſt ſaid, In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlaſting kindeneſs will I have mercy on thee, ſaith the Lord thy Redeemer: O theſe are thy promiſes, Lord, make them effectual to my poor ſoul.
5. For concluſion, tell we the Lord, whatever becomes of us we will truſt in him:Iob 13.15. Pſa 56.3. Though thou ſhouldſt ſlay me, yet will I truſt in thee:—For what time I am afraid, I will will truſt in thee.
Theſe are the acts of faith by which it puts forth, and exerciſeth it ſelf in time of afflictions.
SECT. 4. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in temporal bleſsings.
COncerning temporal bleſſings, or good things, conſider we
1. The promiſes.
2. The exerciſe of faith in thoſe promiſes.
1. Promiſes that concern temporal bleſſings, have reference to thoſe bleſſings, Either in
General.
Special.
1. The general promiſes are theſe, and the like, 1 Tim. 4.8. Pſal. 34.8, 9. Pſal. 84.11. Phil. 4, 19. 1 Cor. 3.21. all things are yours, we are heirs of all the world.
2. The ſpecial promiſes have a relation, ſome to our name, ſome to our bodies, ſome to our eſtates, ſome to our callings.
1. Thoſe promiſes that have a relation to our good name, are ſuch as theſe, 1 Sam. 2.30. Prov. 3.16. Prov. 4.8. Prov. 14.19. Iſa. 56.3, 4, 5.
2. Thoſe promiſes that have a relation to our bodies, are either for long life, concerning which, Deut. 5.16, 33. Prov. 3.1, 2. or for health, concerning which, Prov. 3.8. Pſal, 103.3, 4, 5. or for ſafety, concerning which, Prov. 1.33. Job 11.18. Hoſea 2.18. Job 5.23. or for peace, concerning which, Levit. 26.6. Pſal. 29.11. Pſal. 37.11. Prov. 16.16. or for ſleep, concerning which, Job 11.19. Prov, 3.24. or for food, concerning which, Pſal. 37.3. Pſal. 111.5. Joel 2.26. or for raiment, concerning which, Deut. 10.18. Matth. 6.25, 30, 32. or for poſterity, the fruit of the body, concerning which, Deut. 7.12, 13, 14.
3. Thoſe promiſes that have relation to our eſtates, are theſe, Job 22.24, 25. Prov. 8.18, 19. Pſal. 37.5.
4. Thoſe promiſes that have a relation to our calling, are either for plenty, concerning which, Prov. 10.4. and 12.11. and 13.4. and 28.19.—or for protection, concerning which, Pſal. 91.11.— or for promotion, concerning which, Prov. 12.24. and 22.29. — or for good ſucceſs, concerning which, Prov. 12.14. Iſa. 65.21, 23. I deny not but the wicked may enjoy all theſe Temporal bleſſings by a general Providence, but onelyonly the juſt have a Spiritunl right to them; they onelyonly have them as rewards of their righteouſneſs, as teſtimonies of Gods love and care over them, and by vertue of a Promiſe.
2. For the exerciſe of faith concerning theſe Promiſes, obſerve that we may live by them, either in the
want
enjoyment
of theſe Temporal mercies.
1. Of the want of them, go we to
Meditation.
Prayer.
1. For Meditation, and the matter of it, conſider theſe things:
1. That faith in this caſe doth ranſack, and fan the ſoul narrowly to finde out and remove whatſoever doth offend: If thou return to the Almighty thou ſhalt be built up, Iob 22.23, 24thou ſhalt put iniquity far from thy tabernacles: then ſhalt thou lay up gold as duſt, and the gold of Ophir as the ſtones of the brooks. This advice faith digeſts, and labors the reformation of what is amiſs, and whatſoever hinders the Promiſe.
2. That faith is painful, provident and frugal; it ſhakes off idleneſs, takes the opportunity, husbands thriftily, and obſerves Gods providence in all affairs, otherwiſe we live not by faith, but tempt God, and throw away his Promiſes and all.
3. That faith preſerves from the uſe of all unlawful means: The believer conſults ever what is juſt, not what is gainful; or what may be compaſſed by honeſt courſes, not what may be gained by fraud, deceit, cozenage, or the like carnal dealings: Better is a little with righteouſneſs, Prov 16.8.then great revenues without right.
4. That faith leans upon the providence of God, who will keep back nothing from us, but what is hurtful and pernicious: Here's a ſweet act of faith, it ſubmits to Gods wiſdom, and reſts on his providence, after the uſe of all lawful means; and this maintains a Chriſtian in ſome meaſure of contentment.
2. For Prayer, and the parts or maner of it, obſerve this method:
1. Confeſs our ſins, eſpecially thoſe ſins which upon ſearch we are perſwaded hinders proſperity: O Lord, I have thought on my ways, and I finde (this or that) ſin in my boſom, this or that corruption hath gotten head, and hinders thy bleſſings: O Lord, how ſhould I expect needful things? What have I to do with thy Promiſes, that have committed ſuch and ſuch ſins?
2. Importune the Lord for his Temporal bleſſings, at leaſt ſo far as he ſeeth them to be for our good, and for the glory of his great name: Thus Bildad tells Job, Iob 8.5, 6, 7.If thou wouldst ſeek unto God betimes, and make thy ſupplication to the Almighty, ſurely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteouſnes prosperous: Though thy beginning was ſmall, yet thy latter end ſhould greatly encreaſe. Thus Jabez prayed,1 Chro. 4.10. O that thou wouldst bleſs me indeed, and inlarge my coaſts, &c. and God granted him that which he requeſted. In like maner was Jacobs prayer, If God wil be with me, and wil keep me in this way that I go, Gen. 28.20, 21.and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, ſo that I come again to my fathers houſe in peace, Then ſhall the Lord be my God: And thus may we importune the Lord, and make our ſupplication to the Almighty.
3. Then preſs the Lord with his Promiſes, as with ſo many Arguments: Lord, thou haſt ſaid, Godlineſs hath the promiſe of the life that now is, as well as that which is to come: Thou haſt ſaid, Fear the Lord, ye his ſaints, for there is no want to them that fear him, &c. O theſe are thy Promiſes, make them good to us as it ſtands beſt with thy wiſdom.
2. In the enjoyment of theſe Temporal bleſſings, go we to—
Meditation.
Prayer.
1. For Meditation, and the matter of it, conſider theſe things:
1. Faith in proſperity, keeps the heart in a holy temper and diſpoſition (i.) in humility, meekneſs, tenderneſs and compaſſion towards others, in thankfulneſs, obedience, and in the fear of the Lord: Satan himſelf could reply to the Lord,Iob 1.10. Doth Job fear God for nought? haſt thou not made a hedge about him? in this caſe faith will remember man of his duty, and perſwade him to be ſo much the more ſerviceable, as Gods mercies are more plentiful upon him.
2. That faith makes a man heavenly-minded in the uſe and poſſeſſion of a proſperous eſtate; as it receives all earthly bleſſings from God, ſo it windes and pulls up the ſoul to God again: and if it be rightly conſidered, proſperity is the fitteſt ſeaſon for heavenly contemplation; the leſs trouble lies upon our eſtate, the more liberty we have to think of heavenly things: howſoever, faith conſiders theſe things as pledges of Gods love, as parts of our childes-portion, and ſo it makes us look at the better part, thoſe never-fading riches which God hath reſerved in heaven for all that fear him.
3. That faith breeds a godly jealouſie and ſuſpition, leſt the heart ſhould be drawn away with the pleaſing delights of things tranſitory, for by grace it is that we are made conſcious of our own weakneſs, and of the ſnare that is in every creature, to take and intangle us: Proſperity is pleaſing, but dangerous; a man may quickly ſurfet of ſweet meats. This makes the waking believer circumſpect and watchful, and jealous, and ſuſpitious of his own heart, leſt he miſcarry in proſperity, conſidering there is a ſnare in it.
4. That faith mindes a change, even when our mountain ſeems ſtrongeſt:Iob 3.25. The thing I greatly feared (ſaith Job) is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of, is come unto me; by this it appears, that Job always thought upon a change: There is no wind (ſaith the Proverb) which may not blow rain, if God ſo pleaſe. Riches have their wings, Prov. 23.5. Prov. 27.12.and take their flight like an Eagle: now faith mindes this, and prepares for this; The prudent man foreſeeth evil, and hideth himſelf.
2. For Prayer, and the maner of it, obſerve this method:
1. Confeſs and acknowledge Gods mercy both in his Promiſes and performances: ſay, Lord, thou haſt promiſed, That no good thing wilt thou withhold from them that walk uprightly; and ſurely thou art true in thy ſayings, I believe by vertue of thy promiſe I enjoy this land, and thoſe goods, &c. I have nothing, Lord, but meerly of Free-grace, and by vertue of a promiſe.
2. Pray, importune the Lord for ſanctification of proſperity, and for Gods bleſſings upon the means: the more we proſper, the more earneſt ſhould the prayers of faith be; for of our ſelves we have no power to wield a good eſtate well, no ability to preſerve or keep it: in greateſt wealth we lie open to many temptations, and if we pray not earneſtly that God may ſanctifie all his Temporal bleſſings to us, we ſhall cool in grace.
3. Praiſe God for his mercies, and devote our ſelves unto him from whom we have received all: What ſhall I render unto the Lord (ſaith David) for all his mercies towards me? Pſa. 116.12, 13.I will take the cup of ſalvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. Men look for thanks, for a ſmall kindeneſs, and ſhall not we magnifie God for all his favors and loving kindeneſs towards us? O praiſe the Lord, bleſs the Lord, O my ſoul!Pſa. 103.1.
SECT 5. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in Spiritual evils.
THings Spiritual are either
Evil.
Good.
We ſhall begin with Spiritual evils: and concerning them, firſt give you the promiſes, and ſecondly the exerciſe of faith in reſpect of thoſe promiſes.
Evils Spiritual ariſe either from the Devil, or the Fleſh, or the World, or from Man, or God, or from our own ſelves.
1. Thoſe evils that ariſe from the Devil, are temptations of ſeveral ſorts; and the man whoſe heart is upright, ſhall finde ſtrength enough againſt every temptation: To that purpoſe conſider theſe Promiſes, Matth. 16.18. 1 Cor. 10.13. 1 John 5.18.
2. Thoſe evils that ariſe from the fleſh, are luſts or temptations of Uncleanneſs; and for ſtrength and ability againſt ſuch a temptation, conſider theſe Promiſes, Prov. 2.10, 11, 16. Eccleſ. 7.26. 1 Theſſ. 5, 23, 24.
3. Thoſe evils that ariſe from the World, are covetouſneſs, cares, evil company, &c. and for ſtrength againſt ſuch, conſider theſe Promiſes, 2 Cor. 6.17, 18. Gal. 1.4. 1 John 5.4. Heb. 13.5. foreign, there are five Negatives together in the Original that ſtrongly affirm; q.d. I tell thee, I will never, never, never, never, never forſake thee.
4. Thoſe evils that ariſe from men, are either oppoſitions againſt truth, concerning which, Mat. 10.19. Acts 18.9, 10. or oppoſitions againſt goodneſs, concerning which, Mat. 5.10. 1 Pet. 3.14. — or oppoſitions againſt both, and ſo they fall either on our good name, concerning which, Pſal. 37.6. where howſoever thy innocency be at ſome times covered (as it were) with a thick and dark miſt of ſlander and oppreſſion, yet the Lord will in his good time ſcatter and diſſolve the miſt, and ſo make thy innocency apparent to the world; yea, he will make thy righteouſneſs as evident as the Sun when it ariſeth, yea, as noon day, when it is at higheſt, and ſhines brighteſt, Pſal. 68.13. Mat. 5.11, 12. 1 Pet. 4.14, &c.—or they may fall on us in reſpect of our liberty, and concerning which, Pſal. 69.32, 33, and 102.19, 20. Rev. 2.10.— or they may deprive us of our goods, concerning which, 2 Chro. 25.9. Mat. 19.29. Habak. 3.17, 18.—or they may take away life, concerning which, Matth. 10.39. John 12.25. Revel. 14.13.
5. Thoſe evils which ariſe from God, are deſertions; and for comforts againſt them, conſider theſe promiſes, Iſa. 49.14, 15, 16. and 54.7, 8. and 50.10.
6. Thoſe evils that ariſe from our ſelves are ſins and infirmities, and they are either ſpiritual blindeneſs, concerning which, Luke 4.18. 1 John 2.27. Iſa. 35.4, 5.—or ſpiritual lameneſs, concerning which, Iſa. 35.6. and 40.31.—or heavineſs of minde, concerning which, Iſa. 35.1, 2. Jer. 66.12, 13, 14.—or weakneſs of memory, concerning which, John 14.26. or fears of loſing Gods love, concerning which, Iſa. 49.15. and 54.10. Jer. 33.20. Pſal. 89.33, 34, 35. Joh. 13.1. Rom. 11.29.—or fear of falling away from God, concerning which, ſee the impoſſibility in regard of God, 2 Tim. 2.19. in regard of Chriſt, Luke 22.32. in regard of the Holy Ghoſt, John 14.16. Ephe. 4.30. in regard of the promiſes, Pſal. 94.14. 1 Cor. 1.8, 9.—or indiſpoſition, diſtraction, defects in our beſt performances, concerning which, Numb. 23.21. Cant. 2.14.—or particular falls, daily frailties and infirmities, concerning which, Iſa. 55.7. Jer. 3.1. Pſal. 37.24. and 145.14. Hoſea 14.4. 1 John 1.9.
2. For the exerciſing of faith, concerning theſe promiſes that we may live by them, go we to
Meditation.
Prayer.
1. For Meditation, and the matter of it, conſider we theſe things,
1. That of our ſelves we cannot reſiſt theſe ſpiritual evils; all our comfort is, that neither the Devil, nor the world, nor the fleſh, nor ſin, can oppoſe any further then God will give them leave; not the Devil himſelf can tempt who he will, nor when he will, nor how he will, nor how long he will, but in all theſe he is confined by the providence of God. A legion of Devils could not enter into a Gaderene Hog, till Chriſt had given them leave: Satan could not touch one bleat pertaining to Job, till he had obtained liberty; nor after lay a finger on his body, till his liberty was renewed: O meditate on God and his power, who hath all our enemies in a chain; as for our ſelves, we have no ability to reſiſt any of theſe evils.
2. That faith fortifies the ſoul againſt all oppoſitions, the more they rage, the more faith heartens the ſoul to believe, and to keep cloſe under the ſhadow of the Lords wings: as the childe affrighted, clings faſter to the mother; ſo the poor ſoul purſued by the Devil, or World, or Fleſh, or Man, or God, or our own Corruptions, it runs to Chriſt, the everlaſting Rock, and in his name reſiſts all theſe evils, and in his name gets the victory.
3. That in the moſt forcible tempeſts, which God, Devil or Man raiſeth againſt us (when to preſent ſenſe and feeling all ſight and hope of the grace and goodneſs in Chriſt Jeſus is loſt) then faith tells the heart, that a calm is at hand. The laſt temptation wherewith Satan ſet upon Chriſt, was the moſt furious, and when he could not prevail thereby, he departed for a ſeaſon: The Lord will not ſuffer us to be tempted above meaſure. This faith aſſures of, and perſwades us quietly to wait for the iſſue.
2. For prayer, and the maner of it, obſerve this method:
1. Confeſs our ſins of former ignorance, vanity of minde, ſelf-confidence, ſolitary muſings on the temptations of Satan, miſinterpreting of the Lords doings, &c. which ſet open the ſoul to all other ſpiritual evils:—O my God, I have diſeſteemed thy mercy, diſtruſted thy promiſes, harbored thoughts of unbelief, &c. and ſo hav… expoſed my ſoul to the moſt violent, horrible and fiery temptations of the world, fleſh, Devil, and my own luſts: my ſoul, which ſhould have been raviſhed with the joys of Heaven, and with the kiſſes of Chriſt, is continually peſtered and aſſailed with the black and helliſh thoughts of Atheiſm, Blaſphemy, and ſoul-vexing fears; my heart trembleth, my ſtrength faileth, my life is spent with grief, my ſpirit within me is overwhelmed, and prevailing fears ſo tyrannize over me, that I cannot ſpeak, I am ſore wounded and broken, I go mourning and deſolate all the day long.
2. Importune the Lord for pardon of ſin, and for help againſt all oppoſitions: Pardon, O Lord, my yielding to the temptations of the Devil, or Fleſh, or World, or Man, or Sin: Pardon, O Lord, the infidelity, doubtings, dejectedneſs, infirmities, and carnal exceſſive fears of thy poor ſervant; and for the future, deliver my ſoul from the ſnares, ſtrengthen me in the combate againſt all my enemies: Ariſe, O Lord, diſappoint Satan, caſt him down, deliver my ſoul from the wicked one; O be thou my ſtrength in my trouble, for I fly unto thee for help and for ſuccor.
3. Then preſs the Lord with his Promiſes, as with ſo many arguments: Lord, thou haſt ſaid, That the gates of hell ſhall not prevail againſt us: That whoſo pleaſeth God, ſhall eſcape the ſtrange woman: That whoſoever is born of God overcometh the world: That if we ſuffer for righteouſneſs ſake, happy are we: That in a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlaſting kindeneſs will I have mercy upon thee: That a good man though he fall, he ſhall not be utterly caſt down, for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. O theſe are thy golden ſweet precious Promiſes; now Lord make them good to my ſoul, let me draw the ſweet, and juy…, and vertue from every of theſe Promiſes; let not a word of theſe Promiſes fall to the ground, let me have my ſhare, and part, and portion in theſe comfortable Promiſes, through the Lord Jeſus.
§. An Appendix of the maner of this Life of Faith, in oppoſitions againſt truth and goodneſs, and more particularly againſt our good Name, whereby an unworthy ſervant of Chriſt ſometimes found abundance of Spiritual comfort.
HIs innocency being ſometimes overſhadowed with a thick and dark miſt of Slanders, Reproaches and Defamations, he endeavored firſt to review the Promiſes, and ſecondly to act his faith on them.
1. The Promiſes were theſe: Pſal. 37.5, 6. Mat. 5.10, 11, 12. 1 Pet. 3.14. 1 Pet. 4.14. Pſal. 68.13. Though you have lyen among the pots, yet ſhall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with ſilver, and her feathers with yellow gold; q.d. though hitherto you have been as ſo many abjects, caſt into the ends of the earth, as thrown amongſt black and ſmoaky pots, oppreſſed with mighty calamities, yet the time is at hand that ye ſhall be made white as doves; your innocency and happineſs ſhall appear, and your white ſhall be intermixt with the colour of pure and yellow gold; (i.) you ſhall come to the top of the higheſt felicity, and ye ſhall be freed from ſlanders, and obtain illuſtrious glory.
2. In the acting of his faith, he endeavored 1. To Meditate: 2. To pray.
1. His Meditations were theſe:—
1. That we know not how to prevent it. Men may ſlander, and men will ſlander, ſo long as the world laſts; onelyonly we have theſe Promiſes for comforts, and it is the Lord who promiſeth, and if he pleaſe, he can hide us from the ſcourge of tongues;Iob 5.21. Iſa. 61.7. or if he pleaſe, he is able to reſtore us double to our ſhame.
2. That true faith will fortifie the ſoul againſt all Reproaches: There is an encouraging voyce of the Lord to this end;Iſa. 51.7. Hearken unto me, ye that know righteouſneſs; the people in whoſe heart is my law: fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.
3. That if the wicked reproach more and more, yet it is the duty of Chriſtians to exerciſe patience. Experience of their vanities, and Gods gracious dealings with us, will fortifie our hearts: Fear not thou worm (thou poor deſpicable thing) I will help thee, Iſa. 41.14.ſaith the Lord thy Redeemer; and as for thy reproachers, their doom is before, Behold, all they that are incenſed againſt thee, 11.ſhall be aſhamed and confounded; they ſhall be as nothing, and they that ſtrive with thee ſhall periſh.
4. That faith makes the ſoul circumſpect, and in this caſe doth ranſack and fan the ſoul narrowly, to finde out what is the matter and riſe of thoſe ſlanders & reproaches:1 Pet. 3.14. If ye ſuffer for righteouſneſs ſake, happy are ye; it muſt be for righteouſneſs ſake, or there is no bleſſing upon it: and ſo the Apoſtle addes,16. You muſt have a good conſcience, that whereas they ſpeak evil of you as of evil doers, they may be aſhamed that falſly accuſe your good converſation in Chriſt: for it is better, if the will of God be ſo, 17.that ye ſuffer for well-doing, then for evil-doing. We are ordinarily more impatient at undeſerved, then deſerved ſufferings; but it is better (ſaith the Apoſtle) ſo to ſuffer,1 Pet. 4.15, 16 then otherwiſe. Let none of you ſuffer as a murtherer, a thief, an evil door, but if any man ſuffer as a Chriſtian, let him not be aſhamed, but let him glorifie God on this behalf.
5. That true faith eſteems all ſuch ſlanders as the moſt honorable badges of innocency that poſſibly can be. If mine adverſary ſhould write a b…ok against me, Iob 31.35, 36ſurely I would take it upon my ſhoulder, and binde it as a crown to me. I rejoyce (ſaid Luther) that Satan ſo rages and blaſphemes, it is likely that I do him and his Kingdom the more miſchief. And they that reproach me (ſaid Auſtin) do againſt their wills increaſe mine honor both with God and good men. The more the dirty feet of men tread and rub on the figure graven in gold, the more luſtre they give it: ſo the more cauſleſs aſperſions the wicked caſt on the godly, the more bright do they rub their glory. And hence was that choyce of Moſes, rather to ſuffer affliction with the people of God, Heb. 11.25, 26.then to enjoy the pleaſures of ſin for a ſeaſon: eſteeming the reproach of Chriſt greater riches then the treaſures of Egypt.
2. For Prayer, his method was,—
1. To complain to the Lord, as ſometimes David did, Thou, O Lord, Pſal. 69.19.20.haſt known my reproach, and my ſhame, and my diſhonor: mine adverſaries are all before thee. Reproach hath broken my heart, and I am full of heavineſs: and I looked for ſome to take pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none.
2. To petition to the Lord, as otherwhiles David did, Let me not be aſhamed, Pſal. 31.17.18.19.O Lord, for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be aſhamed, and let them be ſilent in the grave: let the lying lips be put to ſilence, which ſpeak grievous things proudly and contemptuouſly againſt the righteous. O how great is thy goodneſs, which thou haſt layed up for them that truſt in thee before the ſons of men? Thou ſhalt hide them in the ſecret of thy preſence from the pride of men, 20.thou ſhalt keep them ſecretly in a pavilion from the ſtrife of tongues. Thus Lord I beg at thy hands, or if otherwiſe,2 Sam. 16.11, 12. thou knoweſt it beſt in thy wiſdom: Let them alone, and let them curſe, it may be the Lord will look on my affliction, and thou Lord wilt requite good for their curſing this day.
3. To preſs the Lord with his gracious Promiſes: as thus, Thou haſt ſaid,Matth. 5.11. Bleſſed are ye when men ſhall revile you, and perſecute you, 1 Pet. 3.14. & 4.14.and ſhall ſay all maner of evil againſt you falſly for my names ſake: And if ye ſuffer for Righteouſneſs ſake, happy are ye: And if ye be reproached for the name of Chriſt, happy are ye: Theſe are thy golden promiſes, now Lord make them good to my ſoul, let me draw the juyce, and ſweet, and vertue from every of theſe promiſes; let not a word of theſe promiſes fall to the ground, but let me have my part, and ſhare, and portion in them.
4. To pray to the Lord to forgive all his Enemies that treſpaſſed againſt him, as ſometimes Chriſt did, Father, forgive them, Matth. 6.12. Luke 23.34.for they know not what they do: Surely in theſe two things there is much matter of comfort: 1. That our hearts are well, and not ill-affected to any man. 2. That going alone we can humble our ſelves, and pray for the authors of all the reproaches and ſlanders that are unjuſtly caſt on us.
SECT. 6. Of the maner of this life of faith in ſpiritual bleſsings, as derived to us from God and Chriſt, and the Spirit of Chriſt.
COncerning ſpiritual bleſſings, or good things, conſider we
1. The promiſes.
2. The exerciſe of faith in reſpect of thoſe promiſes.
1. The Promiſes are of ſuch bleſſings as ariſe either from
God.
Chriſt.
The Spirit of Chriſt.
1. From God proceeds his
Love of us.
Preſence with us.
Providence over us.
1. Concerning his love of us, we have theſe promiſes, Deut. 7.7, 8, 13. Iſa. 54.8. Jer. 31.3. Hoſea 2.19. and 14.4. John 3.16. Ephe. 2.4. 1 John 4.19.
2. Concerning his preſence with us, we have theſe promiſes, Gen. 26.24. and 28.15. Exod. 3.12. Joſhua 1.5. Jer. 1.8. 1 Chron. 28.20. Iſaiah 41.10. Math. 28.20. Rev. 2.1.
3. Concerning his providence over us, we have theſe promiſes, Pſal. 34.7. and 91.11, 12. Job 36.7. Zech. 2.8. whence (He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye) obſerve, That the Lord to expreſs the tenderneſs of his love, names the tendereſt part of the body, nay the tendereſt piece of the tendereſt part, The Chriſtal humor, as the Philoſophers call it.
2. From Chriſt we have promiſes
1. Of the perſon of Chriſt.
2. Of the benefits that flow from Chriſt.
1. Of the perſon of Chriſt, in Geneſis 3.15. where was the firſt promiſe, and the foundation of all other promiſes, becauſe God intended to make good every promiſe in Chriſt.
2. Of the benefits that flow from Chriſt, whether
Redemption.
Vocation.
Juſtification.
Reconciliation.
Adoption.
1. Concerning Redemption, we have theſe promiſes, Tit. 2.14. Ephe. 1.7. Gal. 3.13. Heb. 9.12.
2. Concerning Vocation, we have theſe promiſes, Acts 2.39. Rom. 8.30.
3. Concerning Juſtification, we have theſe promiſes, Iſaiah 53.11. Acts 13.39. Rom. 8.33.
Now this Juſtification conſiſts of two parts, in
1. Not imputing ſin.
2. Imputing righteouſneſs.
1. For not imputing (or forgiving) ſin, we have theſe promiſes, Pſal. 32.2. Jer. 31.34. Iſaiah 55.7. Jer. 33.8. hither tend all thoſe Metaphors, Iſa. 43.25. and 44.22. and 38.17. Micah 7.19.
2. For imputing Righteouſneſs, we have theſe promiſes, Rom. 5.19. 1 Cor. 1.30. Rom. 10.4. Iſaiah 61.10. Gal. 3.6. this phraſe is uſed ten times in one Chapter, Rom. 4.3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 23, 24.
4. Concerning Reconciliation, we have theſe promiſes, 2 Cor. 5.18, 19. Ephe. 2.14, 16. Col. 1.21, 22.
5. Concerning Adoption, we have theſe promiſes, Gal. 3.26. John 1.12. Rom. 9.26. Gal. 4.4, 5, 7.
3. From the Spirit of Chriſt, we have promiſes,—
1. Of the Spirit himſelf.
2. Of the operation of the Spirit.
1. Of the Spirit himſelf, in Joel 2.28, 29. Acts 2.17, 18. John 14.16, 17. Ephe. 1.13. Gal. 3.14.
2. Of the operation of the Spirit, and that
1. In general, as Sanctification.
2. In ſpecial, as
Spiritual Graces.
Spiritual duties.
1. Concerning Sanctification, we have theſe promiſes, Micah 7.19. Jer. 31.33, 34. Heb. 8.10. and 10.16. 1 Theſſ. 5.23. 1 John 1.7. Revel. 1.5.—
Concerning Graces and Duties, we ſhall handle them anon.
2. For the exerciſe of faith concerning the promiſes, that we may live by them, go we to
Meditation.
Prayer.
1. For Meditation, and the matter of it, conſider theſe things:
1. That faith (conſidering the priviledges of Gods children) admires and adores,Pſal. 31.19. O how great is thy goodneſs which thou haſt laid up for them that fear thee, which thou haſt wrought for them that truſt in thee, before the ſons of men? Pſal. 36.7.—How excellent is thy loving kindeneſs, O Lord; therefore the children of men put their truſt under the ſhadow of thy wings.
2. That faith (in conſideration hereof) reſts upon God, and Chriſt, and the Spirit of Chriſt, to receive whatſoever may be good and profitable to the Soul: The Lord is my ſhepherd, Pſal. 23 1. Iſa. 40.11.I ſhall not want:—He ſhall lead his flock like a ſhepherd, he ſhall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his boſom, and ſhall gently lead thoſe that are with yong. What can they want, who have God for their Father, Chriſt for their Savior, the Spirit for their Sanctifier? Thou Iſrael art my ſervant, Iſa. 41.8.Jacob whom I have choſen, the ſeed of Abraham my friend: Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men therof, 9.and ſaid unto thee, Thou art my ſervant, I have choſen thee, and not caſt thee away: Fear thou not, for I am with thee; 10.be not diſmaid, for I am thy God, I will strenghthen thee, yea I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my Righteouſneſs.
3. That faith hereupon ſets an high price upon Chriſt, upon God in Chriſt, upon the Spirit of Chriſt: Theſe promiſes are more worth then Kingdoms, Empires, the whole world, which made holy David ſay,Pſal. 94 19. In the multitudes of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my ſoul; q. d. I have multitudes of thoughts, ſome running this way, ſome running that way, ſome on this pleaſure, ſome on that profit, but my ſoul is onelyonly comforted in the thoughts of thee: Pleaſures, profits, honors, all are vain and empty, and nothing is to be reſted on, to be delighted in, but Jeſus Chriſt; yea, there's a full content in Jeſus Chriſt; let the world be filled with trouble and ſorrow, even now faith carries a merry heart.
4. Faith in theſe promiſes doth greatly inlarge the heart towards God, and ſtirreth up to earneſt ſtudy of holineſs; if a Chriſtian be much in the Meditation of Gods ſingular goodneſs in Chriſt, it will even conſtrain him to yield up himſelf wholly to God,Pſal 26.2, 3. in all manner of godly converſation: Examine, O Lord, and prove me, try my reins and my heart, for thy loving kindeneſs is before mine eyes, and I have walked in thy truth.
5. Faith ever runs to theſe promiſes in all ſtraits, and here it findes comforts: Nature teacheth man and beaſt in troubles and ſtorms to make to a ſhelter; the childe runs to the arms of the mother,Prov. 30.26. the birds to their neſts, the conies to the rock, ſo muſt the ſoul have a ſanctuary, an hiding place, when danger and trouble comes; now where can it take up a ſurer and ſafer refuge, then with God and Chriſt, and the Spirit of Chriſt? indeed God it dares not look at, but in Christ; and the Spirit proceeds not but from Chriſt, to Chriſt therefore it runs immediately; it is Chriſt, who of God is made unto us wiſdom, and righteouſneſs, and ſanctification, 1 Cor. 1.30.and redemption: Come (ſaith faith) let us out to Chriſt, and if he receive us not preſently, let us ſtay a little; he is full of bowels and tenderneſs towards poor ſinners, h… keeps open houſe for all comers, he invites all, entertains all, old ſinners, yong ſinners, Iohn 7.37.great ſinners, leſs ſinners, his promiſe is ſure to: him that cometh unto me, I will in no wiſe caſt out: Thus faith takes the Believer off from ſelf, civil life, eſtate, friends, and hangs the ſoul alone upon that true friend, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who hath manifeſted the greatneſs of his love to poor ſinners,Iohn 15.13. by dying for them, and ſending his Spirit to ſanctifie and comfort them.
2. For Prayer, and the maner of it, obſerve this method:
1. Confeſs and acknowledge Gods mercies both in his promiſes and performances: Say, Lord, thou haſt ſaid,Hoſea 14.4. I will love thee freely:—And I will be with thee, Mat. 28.20.even to the end of the world:—He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye: 1 Cor. 3.22, 23. Iohn 14.16.— And all is yours, and ye are Chriſts, and Chriſt is Gods:—And I will pray the Father, and he ſhall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever, &c. Surely Lord thou art true in thy ſayings; I believe by vertue of this and that promiſe, I have the love, and promiſe, and providence of God, I am redeemed, called, juſtified, reconciled, adopted by Chriſt; I have the Spirit of Chriſt, I am ſanctified in ſome meaſure by that Spirit, I have all this of free grace, and by vertue of a promiſe.
2. Pray for this increaſe of faith, and for a further and further ſight of this belief: Give me, gracious Father, to believe as thou haſt promiſed; create in me the hand of faith, and make it ſtronger and ſtronger, that I may effectually receive, what in mercy thou reacheſt forth; and then give me the Spirit of Revelation, that I may diſcern truly what thou haſt given me, that my lips may ſing of thy praiſe all the day long.
3. Praiſe God for his mercies, and quietly reſt in the promiſes: O Lord, thou haſt freely loved, and redeemed, and ſanctified my ſoul; O how ſhould I praiſe thee, how ſhould I advance and ſet thee up on high? Salvation, and Glory, and Honor, and Praiſe be given to thy name, &c. I praiſe thee for my Election, Vocation, Juſtification, Sanctification, &c. but above all, for the fountain of all, the Lord Jeſus Christ; It is my Chriſt juſtifies, and my Chriſt ſanctifies: Lord, thou haſt given Chriſt for my Wiſdom and Sanctification, as well as for Righteouſneſs and Redemption: Lord, thou haſt appointed Chriſt to be the beginner and finiſher of my holineſs, and ſurely he will not leave that work imperfect, whereunto he is ordained of the Father; were the progreſs of this building committed to my care and overſight, there might be cauſe of fear, but ſince thou haſt laid all upon Chriſt, my onelyonly and all-ſufficient Redeemer; Lord increaſe my faith, that I may hold him faſt and be ſafe, and ſo at laſt I may ſing Hallelujahs to thee in Heaven for ever and ever.
SECT. 7. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in Spiritual Graces.
THe operation of the Spirit in general, we told you was Sanctification; now the operation of the Spirit in ſpecial, appears. in
Spiritual Graces.
Spiritual Duties.
1. Spiritual Graces we ſhall conſider in their
Kindes.
Degrees.
And of them both give
1. The Promiſes.
2. The exerciſe of Faith in reſpect of thoſe Promiſes.
1. The kindes of Graces are theſe, Knowledge, and Faith, and Hope, and Joy, and Love, and Fear, and Obedience, and Repentance, and Humility, and Meekneſs, and Patience, and Righteouſneſs, and Uprightneſs, and Peace of Conſcience, and Zeal, and Perſeverance; ſixteen Graces in number: concerning which the Lord hath made gracious Promiſes.
1. Of them, to give them.
2. To them, to reward them.
The firſt Grace is Knowledge, and we finde ſome promiſes, 1. Of it, Pſal. 25.14. Jer. 31.34. Iſa. 2.2, 3. Micah 4.1, 2. Epheſ. 3.5. Rev. 21.23. 2. To it, as Prov. 3.14. Pſal. 91.14. 2 Pet. 1.2. Prov. 3.18.
The ſecond Grace is Faith, and we finde ſome promiſes, 1. Of it, as Epheſ. 2.8. Joh: 6.37. obſerve here theſe promiſes of aſſurance, the higheſt meaſure of faith, Pſal. 50.23. Ezek. 34.30. Iſa 60.16. Pſal. 97.11. 2. To it, as 2 Chron. 10.20. Prov. 29.25. Iſa. 26.3. Acts 10.43. Rom. 18.4. Acts 13.39. John 1.12. and 7.38. and 3.16, 36. and 5.24. and 6.47.
The third Grace is Hope, and we finde ſome promiſes, 1. Of it, as Pſal. 65.5. Prov. 14.32. Job 13.15. 2. To it, as Pſal. 40.4. Rom. 4.18, 22. Rom. 8.24.
The fourth Grace is Joy, and we finde ſome promiſes, 1. Of it, Pſal. 36.8, 9. and 64.10. and 68.3. and 97.11. and 118.15. Iſa. 12.2, 3. Iſa. 35. throughout, Iſa. 56.7. and 66.13, 14. John 16.22. Rom. 14.17. 2. To it, Pſal. 89.15, 16.
The fifth Grace is Love, eſpecially of God, and we may finde ſome promiſes, 1. Of it, as Cant. 1.4. Deut. 30.6. 2. To it, as Pſal. 91.14. and 145.20. Prov. 8.21. Deut. 7.9. 1 Cor. 8.3. and 2.9, 10. James 1.12. and 2.5.
The ſixth Grace is Fear, and we finde ſome promiſes, 1. Of it, as Jer. 32.39, 40. Hoſea 3.5. 2. To it, as Pſal. 103.11. and 31.19. and 147.11. Mal. 3.16, 17.
The ſeventh Grace is Obedience, and we finde ſome promiſes, 1. Of it, as Ezek. 11.19, 20. and 36.26, 27. 2. To it, as Deut. 28.1, 2. to 14.
The eighth Grace is Repentance, and we finde ſome promiſes, 1. Of it, as Acts 5.30, 31. Exek. 11.19. and 20.43. and 36.31. 2. To it, as Mal. 3.7. Iſaiah 55.7. 2 Chron. 7.14. Iſaiah 1.16, 17, 18. Job 3.27, 28. Jer. 4.14.
The ninth Grace is Humility, and we finde ſome promiſes, 1. Of it, as 2 Cor. 10.4, 5. Gal. 5.22. 2. To it, as Prov. 15.33. and 22.4. James 4.6. 1 Peter 5.5. Iſaiah 57.15. Matthew 5.3.
The tenth Grace is Meekneſs, and we finde ſome promiſes, 1. Of it, as Iſa. 11.6, 7, 8. Gal. 5.22, 23. 2. To it, as Pſal. 37.11. and 147.6. Iſa. 29.19. Pſal. 25.9. Zeph. 2.3. Matth. 5.5. and 11.29. Pſal. 149.4.
The eleventh Grace is Patience, and we finde ſome promiſes, 1. Of it, as James 1.5. 2. To it, as Hebrews 10.36. James 5.11.
The twelfth Grace is Righteouſneſs, and we finde ſome promiſes, 1. Of it, as Rev. 19.7, 8. 2. To it, as Pſal. 11.7. Iſa. 32.17, 18. Prov. 14.32. Pſal. 112.2, 6. Mat. 25.46.
The thirteenth Grace is Ʋprightneſs, or Sincerity of heart, and we finde ſome promiſes, 1. Of it, as Jer. 31.33. Jer. 50.5. 2. To it, as Pſal. 84.11. Prov. 14.11. Pſal. 112.2. 2 Chron. 16.9. Pſal. 112.4. and 84.11. Gen. 17.1, 2. 1 Chron. 29.17. Prov. 12.22. Pſal. 37.37. Prov. 28.18. Pſal. 15.1, 2.
The fourteenth Grace is Peace of Conſcience, and we finde ſome promiſes, 1. Of it, as John 14.27. Gal. 6.16. Iſa. 57.19. Iſa. 54.10. 2. To it, as Phil. 4.7.
The fifteenth Grace is Zeal, and we finde ſome promiſes, 1. Of it, as Jeremiah 20.9. 2 Cor. 7.11. 2. To it, as Numbers 25.12, 13. Revel. 3.19, 20.
The ſixteenth Grace is Perſeverance; and we finde ſome promiſes, 1. Of it, as Pſal. 89.28. Prov. 12.3. Iſaiah 46.4. 2. To it, as Mat. 10.22. Revel. 2.26.
2. The degrees of Graces follow; and we finde ſome promiſes 1. Thereof, as Iſaiah 44.3, 4. Mal. 4.2. Pſal. 84.7. Prov. 4.18. 2. Thereto, as Rom. 13.11. 2 Pet. 1.8.
2. For the exerciſe of faith concerning theſe promiſes, that we may live by them, go we to
Meditation
Prayer.
1. For Meditation, and the matter of it, conſider theſe things:
1. That of our ſelves we have no ability to attain any of theſe Graces: Every one can ſay, I purpoſe well, but the queſtion is, whether they build not on their own ſtrength: Many a man (eſpecially in time of his ſickneſs, danger, diſgrace) will make fair promiſes of amendment, but when the rod is removed, all is forgotten: What may be the reaſon? he ſtands on his own feet, he preſumes to go alone of himſelf, and by his own ſtrength, and then no marvel if he falls and catcheth many a knock: If we will have any of theſe Graces, Pſal. 119 8.then deny we our ſelves: I will keep thy ſtatutes (ſaid David) but immediately upon his reſolution he cries, O forſake me not utterly: Purpoſes thus grounded, bring forth holy performances, but of our ſelves we can expect nothing.
2. That Gods Spirit will infuſe theſe Graces, and the increaſe of theſe Graces into them that believe: Many would fain have Knowledge, and Faith, and Hope, and Joy, &c. but they exerciſe not their Faith to believe God and his promiſes:2 Cor. 12.2. I knew a man in Chriſt (could Paul ſay) concerning his Revelation; ſo, I know a man in Christ off and on, unstayed, diſmayed at his manifold ſlips, strong corruptions, little prevailings against them, and (when all came to all) he could finde no help till he went to a promiſe, and by faith believed that God would ayd and aſſiſt, and do the whole work for him; it is good to believe that (according to his promiſe) God will ſanctifie our natures, inable us to holineſs, and beſtow all his graces on us.
3. That for the degrees of theſe Graces, it is neceſſary to improve them; graces improved, are the ready way to have them increaſed: God ever beſtows the greateſt meaſure, where he findes a care to put them forth to advantage: Whoſoever hath, Mat. 13.12.to him ſhall be given, and he ſhall have more abundance; as men increaſe their ſubſtance by labor, and learning by diligence, ſo he that improves graces, ſhall more and more abound in them.
2. For Prayer, and the parts of it, obſerve this method:
1. Confeſs and acknowledge our inabilities: O Lord, I have no grace by nature, I have no power to cleanſe my own heart: O Lord, I have defaced thine image, but I cannot repair it; Rom. 7.21.I may ſay with the Apoſtle, When I would do well, evil is preſent with me, but I finde no means to perfect what I deſire: I am not able to crawl about the doing of that which is good: O when ſhall I be ſet at liberty, that I might do the work of God, and run the race of his Commandments: O that I had Knowledge, and Faith, and Hope, and Joy, and Love!
2. Look we up to the Power, and Grace, and Truth of God, and preſs him therewith: Lord, I have heard of thy power, thou art God Almighty, who calleſt the things that are not, as if they were; thou canſt if thou wilt, work in me theſe Graces, and create them in me, as thou didſt gloriouſly create them in Adam, the firſt man: Lord, I have heard alſo of thy grace and truth, thou art as faithful to keep, as free to make theſe ſweet precious promiſes; Thy grace is unſearchable, thy word purer then ſilver ſeven times refined: O then make good thy promiſes, I preſs thee with thy Power, Grace and Truth: O repleniſh me with thy Graces, give me Knowledge, and Faith, and Hope, &c.
3. Look we on the promiſes, and pray by them, or turn them into prayers: Faith hearkeneth what the Lord ſpeaketh, and ſpeaketh back again in fervent groans and deſires to whatſoever it hearkeneth: Hence we can make no prayer in boldneſs, faith or comfort, but for things promiſed, and in that maner as they are promiſed. Thus Jacob (Gen. 32.9.Gen. 32.9.) and David (2 Sam. 7.27, 28, 29.2 Sam 7.27, 28, 29.) prayed by a promiſe; and thus ſhould we pray by a promiſe, and then we may be ſure we pray according to his will. In want of other Rhetorick and Oratory, let us urge God with this repetition: Lord, thou haſt promiſed, Lord, thou haſt promiſed, thou hast made many ſweet precious promiſes of Graces, and of degrees of Graces: Thou haſt ſaid, Pſal. 25.14. Iohn 6.37.The ſecret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and, All that the Father giveth me, ſhall come unto me; Prov. 14.32. Pſal. 84.7.and, The Righteous hath hope in his death; and, The Righteous ſhall be glad in the Lord, and ſhall truſt in him; and, They ſhall go from ſtrength every one of them in Zion, appearing before God: O make theſe promiſes effectual to me, blow on my garden, that the ſpices (theſe graces) may flow out.
SECT. 8. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in Spiritual Duties.
AS Spiritual Graces, ſo Spiritual Duties, are of the operation of Gods Spirit: Now the duties are Twenty, concerning which we ſhall give
1. The Promiſes.
2. The exerciſes of faith in reſpect of the Promiſes.
The firſt duty is Prayer, to which are affixed theſe promiſes, Pſal. 5.3. and 10.17. and 65.2. Prov. 15.29. Pſal. 50.15. and 12.17, 18, 19, 20. Zech. 13.8, 9. Rom. 18.13. James. 5.15.
The ſecond duty is Praiſes, to which are affixed theſe promiſes, 1 Sam. 2.30. Pſal. 50.23. and 67.5, 6.
The third duty is Preaching, to which Matth. 28.20. John 5.25.
The fourth duty is Reading the Word, to which Pſal. 19.8. Prov. 1.4.
The fifth duty is Loving the Word, to which Pſal. 119.165. and 112.1.
The ſixth duty is Waiting on the Word, to which Proverbs 8.34, 35.
The ſeventh duty, Hearkening to the Word, to which Iſaiah 55.2, 3. Acts 5.20.—20.32.—13.26.
The eighth duty is Sacraments of
Baptiſm, to which Acts 2.38. and 22.16. 1 Peter 3.21.
Lords Supper, to which Iſa. 25.6. Proverbs 9.5, 6. Mat. 26.26..
The ninth duty is, A lawful Oath, to which Jer. 12.16. Pſal. 15.4.
The tenth duty is Faſting, to which James 4.9, 10. Matth. 6.18.
The eleventh duty is Meditation, to which Pſal. 1.2. Prov. 14.22. Phil. 4.8, 9.
The twelveth duty is Self-examination, to which 1 Cor. 11.31. Gal. 6.4.
The thirteenth duty is Sanctification of the Lords Day, to which Iſaiah 58.13, 14. and 56. 2. Jer. 17.26.
The fourteenth duty is Watchfulneſs, to which Mat. 24.46, 47. Luke 12.37, 38, 43. Rev. 16.15.
The fifteenth duty is Conference, to which Prov. 12.14. and 16.13. Mal. 3.16. Luke 24.32.
The ſixteenth duty is Reproof, to which Proverbs 24.25. and 28.23.
The ſeventeenth duty is Almſgiving, to which Pſal. 41.1, 2, 3. Luke 14.13, 14.
The eigthteenth duty is Seeking of God, to which Pſal. 34.10. Ezra 8.22.
The nineteenth duty is Waiting on God, to which Iſa. 40.31. and 64.4. and 49.23.
The twentieth duty is Delighting in God, to which Pſalm 37.4.
2. For the exerciſe of faith concerning theſe promiſes, that we may live by them, go we to
Meditation.
Prayer.
1. For Meditation, and the matter of it, conſider theſe things:
1. That God deals graciouſly with his people, he might out of his abſolute ſoveraignty over us, command onelyonly, and we were bound then to obey in every of theſe Duties; but he is pleaſed (the better to quicken us to obedience) to annex theſe gracious promiſes.
2. That as he is gracious to us, ſo we ſhould be chearful in our Duties to him: This chearfulneſs of ſervice, is the very fruit of faith; By faith Abel brought of the firſtlings of his flock, Gen. 4.4. Pſal. 4….4.and of the fat thereof, an offering to the Lord; By faith David went with the multitude unto the houſe of God, with the voyce of joy and of praiſe: It is the voyce of faith, I will ſing and give praiſe with the beſt member I have.
3. That to make us chearful, we ſhould rowze our ſelves to awaken to the work of our God: Ariſe, O my ſoul, why ſleepeſt thou! ſtir up thy ſelf with readineſs to obey the charge of God in the duties preſcribed; look on the Saints who have gone before thee, they indured impriſonment, loſs of liberty, ſpoiling of their goods, hazard of life: Thou art not yet called to ſuffer, but to obey, why dost thou delay, or goeſt forth unwilllngly? wouldeſt thou raign with them, and not labor with them? receive the prize, and not run the race? divide the ſpoil, and not fight the battel? look on the promiſe annexed to the duty: Iſa. 45.19.I ſaid not unto the ſeed of Jacob, Seek me in vain, ſaith God: O my ſoul, ariſe, contend forward towards the mark, Heaven is worth all thy labor.
4. That to remove all remora's, the Lord hath promiſed to aſſiſt us in theſe duties by his own Spirit: Beſides the promiſes to Duties, we have promiſes of duties, God deals with us (as we do by way of commerce one with another) propounding mercy by covenant and condition; yet his Covenant of Grace is always a gracious Covenant, for he not onelyonly gives the good things, but helps us in performing the condition by his own Spirit; he works our hearts to believe and repent, &c. he gives what he requires: For inſtance, in one place he commands, Cast away from you all your tranſgreſſions, Ez…k. 18.31.and make you a new heart, and a new ſpirit; and in another place he promiſeth, I will ſprinkle clean water upon you, Ezek. 36.25, 26. Deut. 10.16.and you ſhall be clean from all your filthineſs: A new heart alſo will I give you, and a new ſpirit will I put within you: in one place he commands them, Circumciſe the foreskin of your hearts; and in another place he promiſeth, That he will circumciſe their hearts: Deut. 30.6. Eccles 12.13. Ezek. 36.27.in one place he commands us, To keep his Commandments; in another place he promiſeth to cauſe us, To walk in his ſtatutes: in one place he commands us,Eccles. 12.13. Ier. 32.40. Mat. 7.7. To fear him, and in another place he promiſeth, To put his fear into our hearts: in one place he commands us, To pray, to ask, ſeek, and knock; and in another place he promiſeth, To pour upon us the Spirit of Grace and Supplication: Zech. 12 10.Theſe promiſes of duties are the foundation of all our performances, and thoſe promiſes to duties are the rewards of his Free-Grace and good pleaſure; we do not by working cauſe him to fulfil his promiſes, but he by promiſing doth enable us to perform our works, and ſo he rewards us accordingly.
2. For prayer, and the parts of it, obſerve this method:
1. Acknowledge the goodneſs and Free-grace of God in theſe promiſes: O Lord, why ſhouldſt thou allure me to that which I am every way bound to? If I had none of theſe promiſes, I have already in hand a world of mercies, which do infinitely binde me to duty; and wilt thou yet adde this and that promiſe, to this and that duty? O miracle of mercies! O the goodneſs of God!
2. Bewail our own dulneſs and ſloath to the duty: And yet (O Lord) how dull, and remiſs, and ſlightly am I in the practice of this or that duty? thou haſt ſaid, Ier. 48.10. Mal. 1.14.Curſed is the man that doth the work of the Lord negligently; and, Curſed be the deceiver, that hath in his flock a male, and voweth and ſacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: O then what is my portion, who have ſacrificed that which is torn and ſick unto the great King and Lord of Hoſts, whoſe name is dreadful among the Heathen? no marvel if I feel no power, no ſweet in the Ordinances of Grace, whileſt I deal partially, hear perfunctorily, pray coldly, labor not to feed on the promiſe, and to ſuck vigor out of it: O Lord, thou loveſt a chearful giver, but my ſervices are maimed, and corrupt, and dead, and ſuperficial, and very unchearful.
3. Importune the Lord to revive and quicken our dead hearts to the duty; ſo prays David, Teach me to do thy will, Pſal. 143.10:thy Spirit is good, lead me in the Land of uprightneſs; ſo prays the Church, Draw me, and we will run after thee; and ſo let us pray,Cant. 1.4. Give me a chearful heart in thy ſervice, animate and enliven my heart by thy bleſſed Spirit, give me to do what thou requireſt, incline my heart to thy ſtatutes, and not to covetouſneſs.Pſal. 119.36.
4. Implore the aſſiſtance of Gods Spirit to every good duty, beg acceptance of our perſons and performances in the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, preſs him with his promiſes to ſet on duties, and to reward duties; and what ever duty we do, preſs him with that eſpecially promiſe belonging unto it: Thus if we meditate and pray, and pray and meditate, we may live by faith, in reference to Spiritual duties.
SECT. 9. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in things Eternal.
THings Eternal are either
Evil, as Damnation.
Good, as Salvation.
Concerning both we ſhall firſt give you the promiſes, and ſecondly the exerciſe of faith in reſpect of theſe promiſes.
1. Concerning Damnation, or eternal confuſion, we have theſe promiſes againſt it, Iſaiah 45.17. Rom. 8.1.
2. Concerning Salvation, we have theſe promiſes for it, Rom. 6.23. 1 Theſſ. 4.17. God hath promiſed us a Kingdom, Mat. 25.34. An heavenly Kingdom, Matth. 7.21. And eternal Kingdom, 2 Pet. 1.11. A Crown of life, James 1.12. A Crown of Righteouſneſs, 2 Tim. 4.8. An unacceſſible Crown of glory, 1 Peter 5.4.
2. For the exerciſe of faith concerning theſe promiſes, that we may live by them, go we to
Meditation.
Prayer.
1. For Meditation, and the matter of it, conſider theſe things:
1. That faith in the precious promiſes of eternal life, quiets and chears the heart in the midſt of diſcouragements: This we ſee in the lives and deaths of Gods faithful ſervants, who took joyfully the ſpoiling of their goods, Heb. 10.34.knowing in themſelves, that they had in Heaven a better and an induring ſubstance.
2. That faith ſtrives to enter into the poſſeſſion of this Kingdom by degrees: Men that purchaſe an inheritance to come in hereafter, they are glad if any part fall into their hands for the preſent: Fulneſs of glory is reſerved for the life to come, but the beginnings of glory (as peace of Conſcience, joy in the Holy Ghoſt, Sanctification of the Spirit) are vouchſafed here; grace if the beginning of glory, and glory is the perfection of grace; now as grace grows, ſo we enter upon the poſſeſſion of our inheritance: Hence lively grace covets grace more and more, that we may get Heaven by degrees, and by parcels.
3. Faith earneſtly deſires and longs after the full accompliſhment of glory:Rom. 8.23. Our ſelves alſo which have the first-fruits of the ſpirit, even we our ſelves groan within our ſelves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the Redemption of the body: Phil. 1.23.I am in a full ſtrait (ſaid Paul) betwixt two, having a deſire to depart, and to be with Chriſt, which is far better: Salvation is the end of faith, Heaven is the home of Believers: Now all would be at home, all things deſire perfection in their kinde, this makes the Believer to long after glory.
2. For prayer, and the parts of it, obſerve this method:
1. Confeſs we our former careleſneſs to enter upon this inheritance: O Lord, I have ſlighted thy promiſes, I have neglected the motions of thy Holy Spirit, I have not carefully improved the gifts received, I have not labored more and more to be ſealed with the promiſed Spirit: Ah Lord, what a dwarf am I in Holineſs and Sanctification? by reaſon of my ſloath, the powers of grace are ſo enfeebled, that I can ſcarce breath or ſigh, or crawl in the way to Heaven: O that I have not ſo earneſtly ſought (as I might) to make Heaven ſure to my ſelf, that I have not entered poſſeſſion thereof, ſo far as in this life I have given me of Grace.
2. Pray that the Lord would encreaſe our Faith, ſeal us by his Spirit, lead us in the way of peace, cauſe us to grow up in holineſs, make us wiſe to prize and value, to taſte and reliſh the very joys of heaven; and above all, that he would aſſure our conſciences of our right and title thereto: O it is God that ſealeth, and makes us to read the ſealing; it is God that promiſeth Heaven, and affects the heart with the goodneſs and worth of the thing promiſed; it is God that (by the pledges of his favor, and earneſts of his Spirit) doth teſtifie our adoption, and cauſeth us certainly to apprehend what he doth teſtifie: pray then, Who am I Lord, that thou ſhouldeſt make ſuch ample, 2 Sam. 7.25.and free promiſes to thy poor ſervant? it is of thy free mercy, and according to thine own heart: And now, O God, eſtabliſh I beſeech thee, the word that thou haſt ſpoken concerning thy ſervant: O ſeal unto me the promiſed inheritance, and make me aſſuredly know what thoſe hopes are, which thou haſt reſerved for me in Heaven: Of thy Free grace thou calledſt me to this hope, therefore is thy ſervant bold to intreat the ſenſe of thy love, the knowledge of this hope, the increaſe of Grace, the aſſurance of thy mercy.
3. Praiſe God for his Promiſes of eternal life: O Lord, thou haſt looked on my baſe eſtate, and viſited me with mercy from on high; of a ſtranger and forreigner, thou haſt made me a free denizen of the New Jeruſalem: Now I ſee, I read it in thy precious Promiſes, that my name is regiſtred in heaven; an eternal weight of glory is reſerved for me; Heaven is my home, my hope, my inheritance: O where ſhould my heart be, but where my treaſure is? where ſhould my thoughts be, but where my hope is? now all glory, and honor, and praiſe be given to my God! O the incomprehenſible love and favor of my dear Lord! What a mercy is this? What promiſes are theſe? my ſoul rejoyceth in thee my God, my spirit ſhall bleſs thy name for ever and ever.
SECT. 10. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in regard of others.
VVE have done with the Promiſes that concern our ſelves: Now follows ſuch ſpecial Promiſes as we finde in Holy Writ concerning others, and they have reference To
Our own Family.
Godly Society further inlarged.
The Church of Chriſt
Particular.
General.
1. The members of our Family are either
Huſband and Wife.
Parent and Childe.
Maſter and Servant.
1. For the Huſband and Wife, if godly, they have a promiſe from the Lord, Pſal. 128. Prov. 31.28. & 11.16. Job 5.25.
2. For Parent and Childe, God hath made a gracious Covenant with them, Gen. 17.7, 9. Acts 2.39. Jer. 32.39. Prov. 20.7. Good Parents (though poor) leave their Children a good patrimony, for they have laid up many prayers for them in heaven, and they leave Gods favor for their poſſeſſion, and his promiſes for a ſure inheritance, Pſal. 37.25, 26. Prov. 11.21. Pſal. 112.2. & 25.13. & 37.29. Prov. 13.22. Iſa. 44.3, 4. & 54.13. and Children obeying their Parents, have theſe promiſes, Exod. 20.12. Eph. 6.2. Jer. 35.18, 19. Prov. 1.8, 9. & 6.20.
3. For Maſter and Servant, they have ſweet promiſes, Pro. 3.33. Job 8.16. Prov. 14.11. eſpecially the ſervant that is truly obedient, Col. 3.23, 24. 1 Pet. 2.19. here conſider
Magiſtrates, Deut. 17.19, 20. Pſal. 132.18.
Miniſters, Pſal. 105.15. Rev. 2.1. Iſa. 49.4.
2. Godly Society (out of our own Families) hath precious promiſes, as Prov. 13.20. Mal. 3.16, 17. Mat. 18.20.
3. The Church of Chriſt, whether particular (as publike Aſſemblies) hath bleſſed promiſes, Iſa. 33.20, 21. & 59.21. Mat. 18.20. 1 Cor. 5.4. Rev. 2.1. Pſal. 26.8. & 133.3. Micah 4.4, 11, 12. or whether general and univerſal, it hath glorious promiſes, as Mat. 16.8. Iſa. 27.3. Pſal. 125.2. Zech. 9.16. here come in all the promiſes, Firſt, of calling the Jews, as Iſa. 59.20. Rom. 11.23, 26. Hoſ. 13.14. & 14.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Secondly, of bringing in the Gentiles, as Iſa. 49.22, 23. Rev. 21.24. John 10.16. Iſa. 60.3, 5, 8. Acts 10.14. Eph. 2.12, 19. Thirdly, of the deſtruction of Antichriſt, as 2 Theſſ. 2.8. Rev. 17.16. & 18.21. where each word hath almoſt a gradation, in that an Angel, a mighty Angel taketh a ſtone, and a great ſtone, even a milſtone, which he letteth not barely fall, but caſteth into the ſea, whence nothing ordinarily is recovered, muſt leſs a milſtone, thruſt from ſuch a hand, and with ſuch force.
Now for the exerciſing of faith concerning theſe promiſes, that we may live by them, go we to
Meditation.
Prayer.
1. For Meditation, and the matter of it, conſider theſe things:
1. That we have had the performance of many of theſe promiſes in hand; and this may perſwade us, that the reſidue (eſpecially of the Churches flouriſhing, and of Antichriſts downfal) is as ſure as that part already accompliſhed, which we ſee with our eyes; experience ſhould ſtrengthen faith, and breed an aſſured hope in Gods people, of the Lords moſt glorious appearing, and this hope ſhall not make us aſhamed.
2. That the time is now for the Churches reſtoring, and for bringing in more Kingdoms from Antichriſt to Chriſt; what elſe mean all the ſhakings in all the Kingdoms of the world at this time? therefore ſtudy we this time of God, and in our places and callings, work with providence, now we have a ſeaſon to help up the Church, Gods holy Mountain.
2. For Prayer, and the parts of it, obſerve this method:
1. Confeſs our former neglect in our ſeveral relations: O Lord, I have not done my duty in my own family, among Chriſtians in the Churches of Chriſt, I have not performed my vows, ſerved my generation, helped onward the building of Zion: And now Lord what ſhall I ſay, but confeſs to thy glory, and my own ſhame, my diſrespect of others good, or of the communion of Saints.
2. Pray for a bleſſing on others, as on our own ſelves, forget not our relations to others in our beſt prayers; be importunate with God more eſpecially for Zion, Iſa. 33 20.O look upon Zion, the city of our ſolemnities, let thine eyes ſee Jeruſalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that ſhall not be taken down; let not one of the ſtakes thereof be removed, nor any of the cords be broken.
3. Preſs we the Lord with all his precious Promiſes, either to our Families, or Chriſtian Societies, or to the Churches of Chriſt: We have a promiſe,Iſa. 4.5. that The Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon the aſſemblies, a cloud and ſmoke by day, and the ſhining of a flaming fire by night, for upon all the glory ſhall be a defence: Now Lord make good thy word, &c.
Conclude with, I believe, that whatſoever God hath ſaid in any of theſe respects, he will fulfil it in his own time: Heaven and earth ſhall paſs away, Mat. 5.18.but not one jot, one tittle of Gods word ſhall fail. It may be for the preſent things ſeem contrary, yet God hath ſaid it (ſhould a ſoul ſay) and that's enough for me: If I can but really acknowledge, and believe, that God is able to do it, he will then speak from heaven, Mat. 9.28, 29.as he did once on earth, According to your faith be it unto you. Thus much of The Life of Faith.