Christ and Moses Excellency, Part 3
THE Third PART of this BOOK, Treats upon the Promiſes which belong to the two Covenants.
Queſt.
WHat did Beleevers obtaine, and do you deſire to obtaine?
Anſw. The fulfilling and inheriting of Gods Promiſes, Heb. 11.33. & 6.12.
Q. What doe you mean by Gods promiſes?
A. All the free and conditionall Ingagements of God the Father to Chriſt, or of God and Chriſt to men, which are written in the Scriptures, and diſtinct from Commands, and Threatnings.
Q. Is the word promiſe alwayes taken in Scripture in that ſence?
A. No; Sometimes it is taken for the performance of the promiſe, or for the thing promiſed, Luk. 24.49. Act. 1.4. Heb. 10.36. and 11.39.
Q What are you to learne and to obſerve concerning the Promiſes that you may obtaine them, and partake of them?
A. Six things.
Q What are they?
A. 1 Such Rules as are in the Scriptures for the right and diſtinct underſtanding of them.
2 To whom they do belong, and with whom they are made.
3 Why the promiſes are made and performed.
4 How they are (and may be) divided.
5 How to apply them rightly; And,
6 How to finde ſuitable promiſes (both direct and indirect promiſes) readily.
The firſt thing, namely, the Rules to underſtand the Promiſes.
Q. WHat are thoſe Rules that you are to obſerve for the right underſtanding of the Promiſes?
A. 1 That all the promiſes of God are in themſelves true, faithfull,Yea, i.e. true. Amen, i.e. faithfull. and precious, and in Chriſt (or through him) fulfilled, and performed, 2 Cor. 1.20. 2 Pet. 1.4.
2 That a Promiſe is put for Promiſes, and ſo on the contrary, Gal. 3. 16, 18, 19, 29. compared together.
3 That the Promiſes were ſpoken and uttered, ſome by (a) God the Father, ſomeby (b) Jeſus Chriſt, ſome by*Judg. 13.3. & 18.22 Mat. 1.20. Luke 1.13 20. Gen. 16 10.12. Angels, & ſome by (c) men (guided in a ſpecial maner therunto by the holy Spirit) (a) Eſa. 42.1, 2, 3. Joel 2.28. with Act. 1.4. (b) Prov. 1.23. Mat. 11.28, 29. Joh. 6.27. Lu. 1.13. to 20. (c) Lam. 3.25. and 3.32, 33.
4 That ſome Promiſes are Propheſies, as well as Promiſes. As for example, Gen. 48.19. and 49.10. Num. 24.7. and 18.15.33.27. Eſa. 2.2, 3, 4, and 7.14. Pſal 66.4. and 72.2. to 18 and 146.10. Eſa. 40.4, 5. Luke 1.67.76. Deut. 33.12.38.
5 That ſome Promiſes are of the nature of Commands, and may bee taken for Commands as well as for Promiſes, as Deut. 12.7.12.18. and 13.11. and 16.15. Judg. 13.5. 1 Sam. 9 16. 2 King. 17.39. Prov. 4.21. Mat. 22.19.
6 Many Scriptures that are as Promiſes to the godly, yet are Threatnings to the wicked, as Pſal. 140.11. Eſa. 17.4.17. and 24.13. Jer. 6.3. Ezek. 6.10. Amos 3.12. Nah. 2.13. Zeph. 2.9. Mal. 3.5. and 4.3.
7 Some Scriptures (which are accounted Promiſes) are rather confident ſayings, and experimentall expreſſions of the Saints upon ſeverall occaſions (yet true and proceeding from the Spirit of God in them) theſe are very many; See a few for example, Joſh. 23.10. Jud. 5.24. 1 Sam. 2.6. to 10. and 2.22, 3. Pſal. 9.9. Eccleſ. 8.12. Eſa. 17.11.13. and 26.12. Jer. 38.20. Mic. 7.8, 9. Nah. 1.7. Rom. 6.14. and 16.20. 1 Cor. 1.8. Phil. 1.6. Eph. 4.30. Rev. 15.4.
8 Some Promiſes are made to ſome concerning others, as Gen. 16 12, and 17.16. and 18.10. Num. 11.17. Judg. 12.5. and 13.3.5. 1 Sam. 9.16. 1 King. 21.29. 1 Chro. 17.12. and 22.9.10. Luke 1.13, 14, 15, 16. Act. 9.16. Rom 9.12.
9. Some Promiſes are purely legall, and conditionall (ſuch are*See Luther on Gal. 2.18. all the Promiſes of the Law) See Lev. 18.5. Ezek 18.21 and 20.11. Deut. 5.33. Luke 11.28. Rom. 10.5.
10 Some Promiſes are free, abſolute, and without condition (and theſe are purely Evangelicall) as the Promiſes of giving Chriſt, of giving the Spirit, of giving a new heart, &c.) See Eſa. 42.6. and 49.8. Joel 2.28. Ezek. 36.26. Jer. 32.40. Heb. 8.10, 11, 12.
11 Some Promiſes are partly free, and partly conditionall, as Eſa. 55.1. Joh. 6.37. and 7.37.38.
12 Some Promiſes are free in one place, and conditionall in another, as Eſa. 6.7. Heb 8.11. compared with Lev. 26.3.12. Jer. 24.7. with 7.23.
13. Some Promiſes in the Old Teſtament, are Commands virtually in the New Teſtament, as Eſa. 42.7. and 49.6. with. Act. 13.46.
14 That Promiſes made in the Old Teſtament are cited in the New Teſtament (eſpecially when they are fulfilled) as Eſa. 43.3. with Luke 3.5. See Act. 2.39. and 3.26. and 7.37. and 13.38. and 15.15, 16 Rom 9.15.33. and 11.26. 1 Cor. 3.8. and 2.6.16.18. Gal. 3.8.
15 Some Promiſes are already perfectly fulfilled, as thoſe concerning the Incarnation, Death, and Reſurrection of Chriſt, with many others.
16 Some Promiſes are fulfilled in part, but not wholly, as Eſa. 2. Mich. 5. Heb. 8.
17 Some Promiſes are not yet fulfilled at all in any part, as the laſt calling of the Jewes, the comming of Chriſt in the Clouds, the Reſurrection, &c.
18 Some Promiſes are made onelyonly for a ſeaſon, and the time limited and expreſſed for the fulfilling of them, Judg. 20.28. Eſa. 17.7. and 19.24. Luke 23.43. 1 King. 17.14. and 2 King. 10.30. Eſa. 38.5.
19 Some Promiſes that are maade with few, may belong to many, as Matth. 16.18, 19. with 18.18. and 19.28. and 28.20.
20 Some Promiſes may be made in generall, and yet not fulfilled to every man in particular, as Mar. 16.17, 18. Pſal. 91.7.
21 Some Promiſes may be ſpoken in generall, concerning ſome in particular, as Mat. 16.28. Mark. 9.1. Rev. 17.16.
22 Some Promiſes are made upon extraordinary occaſions, and in an extraordinary manner, as Num. 20.8. Act. 18.10.
23 Some Promiſes did relate to the type, and Antitype, or unto thoſe men (as ſome Kings, Prieſts, and Prophets) and unto Chriſt himſelfe, as 1 Chro. 17.14. and 22.10. Pſal. 40.15.17. and 72.16, 17, 18. and 89.4, 5, 15, 16, 22, 23, 24. and 132 17. Luke 1.69. Eſa. 22.22, 23, 24.
24 Some Promiſes doe belong unto Chriſt, and the godly, as Pſal. 91.11, 12, 13, 16. Hag. 2.23.
25 Sometimes God and Chriſt ſpeake in way of Promiſes concerning themſelves, and not to any, Eſa. 18.4. and 33.10. and 42.8. and 43.13. and 45.7. and 55.13. and 66.19. Mat. 24.30.
26 Sometimes God maketh Promiſes concerning his Law, and concerning the irrationall creatures, as Eſa. 42.21. Matth. 10.29. Gen 8.21.
27 Some Promiſes are uttered before they are performed, as if they were already performed, Joſh. 10.8. Eſa. 21.9. Rev. 14.8. and 18.2.
28 Sometimes things that are done by God for his people (though not directly promiſed before) are noted as Promiſes, Eſa. 25.4. and 44.22. and 54.9.
29 Some Promiſes are to be underſtood both litterally and ſpiritually, as Numb. 21.8. Hag. 2.7, 9. Zach. 1.16. Mat. 9.13. Joel 2.32. with Rom. 10.13. Mar. 10.30.
30 Sometimes ſpirituall deductions and inferences drawn from naturall reaſons, are noted for Promiſes, as Matth. 7.11. Luke 18.6, 7, 8. and 2.28.
31 Some Promiſes may be applied both to Jewes and Gentiles, as Eſa. 19.23.24 25. and 25.7. and 32.1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Eſa. 35.10. and 42.7. and 44.3, 4, 5. and 49.9, 10, 11. and 51.3, 4, 5, 6.11. and 53.10, 11, 12. and 54.13. Mich. 4.1, 2, 3. Zach. 2.11.
32 Some Promiſes may be underſtood of the double reſtauration of the Jewes, or of their Redemption out of the Captivity of Babylon, and their Redemption out of their preſent Captivity, as Eſa. 52.12. and 57.13, 14, 15, and 14.5, 6, 7, 8. Zach. 2.12. and 8.3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13.
33 Some Promiſes are made by ſome men unto other men, as Ier. 38.24.
34 Sometimes generall Promiſes are applied in particular, as 1 Kings 8.37.40. with 2 Chron. 20.8.10.
35 Sometimes the ſame Promiſes that is particular in one place, is made generall in another place, as 2 Sam. 7.14. with Pſal. 89.29, 32.
36 Sometimes one and the ſame Promiſe is applied in ſeverall caſes, as 1 Cor. 10.26, and 28. and Ioſh. 1.5. compared with Heb, 13.5. that Promiſe which was made to Ioſhua againſt feare, is applied to the Hebrews againſt covetouſneſſe.
37 God doth oftentimes repeat and renew the ſame Promiſes. See Gen 12.3. and 22.18. and 26.4. and 28.14.
38. Some Promiſes are onelyonly typicall Promiſes (if I may ſo call them) or Promiſes made through the Type, yet with the relation to the Antitype, as to accept of mens offerings for to make atonement for them, and their ſins, Lev. 1.4. Num. 15.25, 26, 28.
39 Some Promiſes are made by God unto particular men, as Exod. 3.12. Deut. 31.23. Ioel 1 5, 6, 7. Iudg. 6.16. and 20.28. 1 Sam. 9 9.16. and 10.6. 2 Sam. 7.12, 13. 1 King. 3.14. and 9.5. and 11.38. and 17.14. 2 King. 20.5, 6. and 22.20. 1 Chro. 28.6, 7. 2 Chron. 5.12. and 7.18. and 34.28. Eſa. 38.5. Ier. 8.19. and 15.19, 20, 21. Luke 24 45. Ioh. 1.50. and 13.36. Act. 18.10. Matth. 10.19. Act. 1.8. Alſo to particular women, Gen. 16.10. Iudg. 13.3. Luke 1.31, 32, 33.
40 Sometimes God made Promiſes in anſwer to mens prayers. See Exod. 14.19, 20. Iudg. 20.28. 1 King. 9.3 and 2.20.5, 6.
41 Sometimes God gives Promiſes to men as reaſons to move them to doe their duties, Deut. 14.2.
42 Some Promiſes are made by good men to God (and theſe are called Vowes) Pſal. 66.13, 14. and 119.32.47, 57. Gen. 28.20, 21, 22. Judg. 11.30, 31.
43 Sometimes Promiſes are made by God, but applied by ſome men unto other men, Deut. 9.3.
44 In Goſpell dayes, Afflictions, Tribulations, and Perſecutions are in the nature of Promiſes unto the Saints. See Mark. 10.30. Matth. 5.11. Heb. 12.6.
45 As the Jewes under the Law had more temporall and fewer ſpirituall promiſes; ſo Beleevers under the Goſpel have more ſpiritual, and fewer temporall Promiſes.
The ſecond thing, viz. to whom the Promiſes do belong.
Q. TO whom doe the Promiſes belong?
A. Either unto Jeſus Chriſt, or unto men.
Q. What are thoſe Promiſes that do belong unto Jeſus Chriſt?
A. Among many others. His Father promiſed unto him, and concerning him.
1 That he ſhould be a Saviour and Redeemer, Alſo Ieſus Luk. 1.31 and the Son of God, v. 35.Hoſ. 1.7. Zach. 9.16. Matth. 1.21. Act. 5.31. and 13.23.
2 That his name ſhould be called Immanuel (or God with us) Eſay. 7.14. Mat. 1.23.
3 That hee ſhould come from the Jewes, and particularly from the Tribe of Judah, Jer. 30.21. Gen. 49.10. Eſa. 65.9. (See Heb. 7.14.)
4 That he ſhould be conceived of the Holy Ghoſt, and borne of a Virgin, Luke 1.31.35. Jer. 31.22. Eſa. 7.14.
5 That the Spirit (i.e. the Spirit of God) ſhould be upon him, Eſa. 11.2, 3. See Luke 4.18.See Act. 3 22. Heb. 7.17.
6 That he ſhould be Prophet, Prieſt, and King, Deut. 18.15.18. Pſal. 110.4. and 89.27.
7 That he (i.e. God the Father) would ſtrengthen and uphold him, (i.e. in the worke of Redemption) Pſal. 89.21. Eſa. 22.21.See Eſa. 50.7.9.
8 That the worke of Redemption (called the pleaſure of the Lord) ſhould proſper in his hand, Eſa. 53.10.
9 That he ſhould ſee his ſeed (i.e. enjoy his people) and juſtifie them. Eſa. 53.11.
10 That he ſhould be given for a Covenant unto the people (to performe all for them, to worke all in them, and to perfect all concerning them) Eſa. 42.6. and 49.7.
11 That hee ſhould build his Church, Zaeh. 6.12, 13. See Eſa. 59.20.
12 That he ſhould be exalted above all, and his Throne eſtabliſhed for ever and ever, Eſa. 52, 13. Pſal. 91.14, 15 and Pſal. 89.24, 25, 27. Luke 1.32, 33 Eſa. 32.1.
13 That hee ſhould have the Heathen for his Inheritance, and that he ſhould judge among the Nations, Pſal. 2.8. Eſa. 2.4.
14 That he ſhould ſilence, ſubject, and ſubdue all his Enemies, Eſa. 52.15 Eſa. 11.2. Pſal, 2.9. and 89.23. and 110.1.
15 That he ſhould reigne and execute juſtice on the earth, Ier. 23.6. and 33.15. Zach. 6.16. Mic. 4.7.
Q. To what manner of men, or to what kinde of men do (or did) the Promiſes belong?
A: To Jews and Gentiles.
Q. Why doe you diſtinguiſh betweene the Iewes and Gentiles?
A. Becauſe that there were and are many Promſes that were and are made to the Jews more properly and peculiarly, which did relate to them whilſt they were a Church formerly, and will concerne them hereafter at their converſion.
Q. What are the promiſes that God formerly made with the Iewes when they were a Church?
A. 1 That he would bee their God and King, ſometimes he ſpeaks it conditionally, and ſometimes abſolutely, Ier. 7.23. and 11.4.24.7. Eze. 11.20. Hoſ. 13.10.
2 That they ſhould be his peculiar and choſen people, Exo. 19.5, 6. Exo. 6.7. Lev. 26.12.
3 That they ſhould know the Lord, Ier. 24.7. Ezek. 20.42.44.
4 That he would accept of them and their ſervices, Ezek. 20.40.41. Mal. 3.4.
5 That he would dwell among them, Exod. 29, 45. Levit. 26.12. 1 King. 6.13.
6 He would provide a place for them, 2 Sam. 7.10.
7 He would multiply them, Gen. 12.7. and 15.7. and 48.16. Exod. 31.13.
8 That he would repent him of the evill pronounced againſt them, compare Ier. 26.13. and 42.10.
9 That they ſhould pray to him, and he would heare them, Ier. 29.12 13. and 33 3.
10 That they ſhould returne with all their heart and ſearch for him, Ier. 24.27. and 29.13.
11 That he would make them fruitfull in men and beaſt, Lev. 25.19. Deut. 7.13. Jer. 31.12.22.27 & 33 22. and they ſhould flouriſh in outward things, Hoſea 14.4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Joel 2.19.23, 24, 25, 26. Hag. 2.19 Mal. 3.12. be full of, &c. Zac. 8.4, 5
12 That he would give them the land of Canaan, Gen. 13.15.17-48.4. Joſh. 1.2
13 That he would bring them into the land of Canaan, Exod. 6 24.20. Exod. 3.17. called the place he prepared, Exod. 23.20. yea, Lev. 18.3. by Chriſt, Exo. 23.20. the Iſraelites little ones, Num. 14.31
14 That he would drive their enemies out of the land, Exod. 33.2 Deut. 7.22. Exod. 23.28. Deut. 11.23 Joſh. 14.6
15 They ſhould enjoy peace, and be at reſt there, Jerem. 33.6. & 46.27
16 That he would ſave and deliver them from the wicked, Jer. 42 11. Mal. 3.11. and break the power of their adverſaries, Jer. 30.8. and remove them, Exod. 23.27, 28. Joel 2.20
17 That he would reveale his truth to them, Ier. 33.6. and be called, a City of truth, Zach. 8.3
18 That he would rejoyce over them, Ier 32.41
19 That they ſhould be a bleſſing in the midſt of other lands, Iſa. 19.24
20 That they ſhould dwell and continue in Jeruſalem, Ier. 7.3.7. and be defended there, Eſa. 37.35-38.6
21 That God would leave a remnant of them, and not carry them to Babilon, Ezek. 6.8- 12.16- 15.22. Zep. 2.12, 13.
22 That he would be a ſanctuary to them in their captivity, Ezek. 11.16
23 That their enemies ſhould intreat them well in captivity, Ier. 15.11. & 42.11
24 That he would redeeme and reſtore them out of captivity, 2 Kin. 21.8. 2 Chro. 17.9 Ier. 24.6-27.22-29.10.14. and come to their releif Ier. 12.14
25 That they ſhould returne to him, and he would receive them, Eſa. 10.20. Ier. 3.12, 14
26 That they ſhould praiſe God in their captivity, Ezek. 29.21
27 That they ſhould be bleſſed above all other people, Deut. 7.14 and other Nations ſhould call them ſo, Mal. 3.12. feare them, Deut. 2.25. and ſerve them, as Noah propheſied, Gen. 9.27
28 That he would fight for them, and a few of them ſhould chaſe many of their adverſaries, Deut. 3.22. Ioſh. 23.10. Lev. 26.8. and give them into their hands, Deut. 3.2
29 Preſerve their land from ſickneſſe, and heale it, Deut. 7.15. 2 Chr. 7.14
30 That when they went up to Jeruſalem to worſhip God, &c. 2 Chro. 5.7. Exod. 24.14.
31 That they ſhould build both firſt and ſecond Temple, 2 Sam. 7.12 Hag. 2.7.9. Zac. 1.16
32 He would purge them, they ſhould caſt away all deteſtable things, Eſa. 1.25. Ezek. 20.38. Ezek. 11.18.
33 Pardon their ſinnes, 2 Chro. 7.14. Numbers 15.25, 26.28. Deut. 21.8.
Queſt. What are thoſe Promiſes that doe moſt peculiarly belong to the Jewes at their next call and converſion?
A. 1. That they ſhal ſee Ieſus Chriſt i.e. with the eyes of the minde, and the eyes of the body, Zach. 12.10. Mat. 24.30. Mark 13.26. Luke 21.27. Rev. 1.7. and be ſent to them, Iſa. 59 20. Ier. 23.5.
2 That they ſhall be ſaved by Jeſus Chriſt, Hoſ. 1.7. Zach. 9.11
3 That God will enter into Covenant with them, Eſa. 60.1. & 61.8 Jer. 31.33. Ezek. 24.25. & 37.26. Hoſ. 2.18
4 That God will be their God, and they ſhall be his people, Ier. 30.22. & 31.1.33. & 33.38. Ezek. 11.20. &. 34.24. & 37.23. Revel. 21.7
5 That Chriſt will ſeeke them, gather them, and reſtore them out of,See how Chriſt will reſtore them, Eſa. 49.12.23, 25, 26. Ier. 33.7. (and from among) all the Nations from whence they are ſcattered, Ezek. 34.11, 12, 13, 16. & 37.21. Ier. 3.18. Hoſ. 1.11. Zach. 10.8. Eſa. 11.11, 12.16. & 27.12. and bring them to their owne Land, Ezek. 34.13. & 36.24. & 37.21. Zac. 10.10. Zac. 2.12. &. 10.6. Eſa. 65.8, 9. Amos 9.14
6 That he will poure his Spirit upon them, Ezek. 36.27. Zach. 12.10.
7 That he will be preſent with them, Ezek. 34.30. & 48.35. and put up his Tabernacle amongſt them, Ezek. 37.27. Zach. 2.10. Revel. 21.3
8 That he will pardon their ſins, Ier. 31.34 & 33.8
9 That they ſhall ſeek and ſerve the Lord joyntly, Ier. 50.5. & 30.9 Hoſ. 3.5. Zeph. 3.9, 10
10 That they ſhall know the Lord, Ier. 31.34. Ezek. 20.42. & 34 30. Hoſ. 2.20. Heb. 8.10
11 That they ſhall feare the Lord for ever, Ier. 32.39
12 That they ſhall repent them of their ſins, Zach. 12.10, 11, 12, 13, 14. Rev. 1.7
13 That the enmity betweene the Tribes (or betweene Ephraim and Iudah) ſhould be taken away, Eſa. 11.13. Ier. 3.18. & 50.4. Ezek. 38.25. & 47.13, 14. & 43.7. Hoſ. 1.11. Eſa. 14.1. and they ſhould have one heart, Jer. 32.39. Ezek. 11.19
14 That they ſhould be purged from their iniquity and Idols, Ier. 33.8. Ezek. 36.25. & 37.23. Dan. 11.35. and not walke wickedly againe, Jer. 3.17
15 That they ſhould be very great, Eſa. 60.22. Dan. 7.27. and their converſion a great day, Hoſ. 1.11.
16 That they ſhould be fruitfull, Jer. 31, 12. Ezek, 34.26, 27. & 36, 37, 38. Zach. 10.10
17 That they ſhal dwell ſafely & quietly in the Land, Ier. 23.6. & 30 10. & 32.37. & 33.16. Ezek. 28.26 & 34, 25.28. Hoſ. 2.18
18 That they ſhould have great knowledge and purity, Eſa. 30.26 29, 30. & 60.10, 20. & 65.20. Zac. 12, 31. Eſa. 52.1. Zach. 14.21. and glorious, Eſa. 60.7.13. & 62.2. & 37.25
19 They ſhall be greatly eſteemed, Eſa. 61.6. & 62.3, 9
20 That the Gentiles ſhal come into them, Eſa. 60.3, 5, 7. Zach. 8.23 Ier. 3.17. & 4.2
21 That God will no more take them, but that they ſhall continue for many Generations, Eſa. 54.4. Zach. 14.11. Eſa. 62.4.12 Zach. 14.11
22 That they ſhall be a bleſſing round about, Ezek. 34.26. Zach. 8.13.
23 That they ſhall obtaine preheminence above other Nations, Mic. 4.8. Dan. 7.27. Eſa. 61.5.9. & 14.1, 2. Mic. 5 8. Zeph. 3.19, 20. Revel. 21.24
24 That God will fight againſt their enemies, Eſa. 66.15, 16
25 That the great ones of the earth, as Kings, and Nobles ſhall ſerve them, Eſa. 49.23. & 60.10 Revel. 21.24
26 That their deſolations ſhall be made up by their enemies, Eſa. 61.4. Ier. 30.17, 18. Eſa. 60.10. & 61.5. and that God wil plead with their adverſaries, Joel 3.2. Zach. 12.9
27 That they ſhall have abundance of comfort and peace, Ier. 12 13. Hoſ. 2.14. Ier. 33.9. Eſa. 65.25 & 11.16
28 That the Jewes ſhall be generally righteous, and ſo righteous that their ſtate will be ſo glorious, as that it will be called, new Heavens, and a new Earth, Eſa. 60.21. Revel. 21.1. Eſa. 64.17. & 66.22
Q. What are thoſe Promiſes that did belong (and doe belong) to the Gentiles?
A. Moſt or all of the ſpirituall promiſes made to the Jewes do belong (and may be applied) to the Gentiles: But to inſtance in a few that did more peculiarly belong to them. See Hoſ. 1.10. and 2.23. Rom. 5 26. Amos 9.11. with Acts 15.16. Mal. 1.11. Eſa. 2.3, 4. and 11.10. and 19.22.24. and 30.25.32.16. and 35.1, 2, 3.42.16. and 56, 8. Jer. 12.16. and 16 19. Ezek. 16.61. and 17.23. Matth. 4 11. Luke 13.29. Matth. 12.21. Rom. 15.12. Matth. 21.43. and 24.14.
Q. But are there not particular things promiſed unto the Gentiles as well as to the Jewes?
A. Yes, but moſt of them are ſpirituall promiſes, which you ſhall find gathered together underſeveral heads, in anſwer to the laſt queſtion.
Q. Why doth the Lord make and performe his promiſes?
A. 1 For his owne glory (which is the higheſt and chiefeſt end of all his actions) Eſa. 60.21. John 14.13. 2 Cor. 1.20.
2 For his owne names ſake (viz. *Chriſt is the maine cauſe of making & performing all the promiſes, and alſo the ſubſtance of them all, called the Covenant it ſelf, Eſa. 42.6 and 49.8.Chriſt, or his gracious Attributes) Eſa. 43.25. and 48.9.11. Ezek. 39.25. Alſo becauſe of his owne Sovereignty, Exod. 19.5. Rev. 17.14. as particularly his love, and loving kindneſſe, Eſa. 43.4. Luke 6.35. & his zeale, 2 King. 19.31. his faithfulneſſe, 1 Theſſ. 5.24.
3 Becauſe they are adopted and married to him, 1 Sam. 12.22. Jer. 31.9. and 3.14. Exod. 20.24.
4 To incourage and comfort his people, Deut. 10.8. Luke 21.17, 18. Ioh. 15.11.
5 That he himſelfe may be more feared, and the people (that ſinne againſt him) more aſhamed of themſelves, Pſal. 130.4. Ezek. 16.60, 61, 62, 63.
6 Sometimes for the ſake of the Parents (or the ſake of others) Ier. 11 5. Rom. 11.28. Gen. 21.13.
7 Sometimes God is pleaſed to give this as a reaſon that his people do and performe ſomewhat, which hee counts worthineſſe in them (though indeed none can plead worthineſſe) Ioſh. 6.17. 1 King. 21.29. Ier. 39.18. Rev. 3.4.
8 God is pleaſed to take occaſion from their very ſinnes to make and performe ſome promiſes to his people. See Gen. 8.21. Eſa. 57.18, 19. Hoſ. 2.13, 14.
Q. How are the promiſes to be applied, and to be made uſe of?
A. Firſt, Ʋnderstandingly, as the Apoſtle exhorted the Epheſians, not to be unwiſe, but underſtanding what the will of the Lord is, Eph. 5.17. Many may ſay of the promiſes, as Iob ſaid, I uttered that I underſtood not, things too wonderfull for me, which I knew not, Job 42.3.
The Diſciples of Chriſt(a)Mar. 9.32 Luk. 18.32 were, and doubtleſſe beleevers ſtill are, very ignorant in underſtanding the promiſes; therfore that you may apply the promiſes underſtandingly, conſider theſe enſuing particulars:
1 Conſider in what eſtate or condition you judge your ſelfe to be in, whether a ſinner, and unbeleever, or a Saint, and beleever? If you judge your ſelf to be a ſinner, then you muſt apply your ſelfe to thoſe promiſes that are ſuitable to ſinners. As that Chriſt dyed for the ungodly, and for ſinners; And that Chriſt came into the world to ſave ſinners, Ro. 5.6, 8.
Object. But my caſe is this, that I do not know whether I am an unbeleever, or a beleever.
Anſ. If it be ſo with you, then you muſt either put it to the worſt, and ſuppoſe your ſelf to be an unbeliever (and ſo begin the world again, as the Proverb is; I mean, go as a ſinner, to ſeek out Chriſt in ſome ſuitable promiſe as I mentioned before) or elſe you muſt looke to thoſe promiſes made for aſſurance, and there is your moſt proper legacy, and through that door you muſt expect the Lord to come out to you.
2 You are to conſider whether you come to the promiſes as one that hath no conditions, or as one that hath conditions. If you finde no conditions in you, then you muſt not goe to a conditionall promiſe; but if you finde the conditions in you, then are you to addreſſe your ſelfe to thoſe promiſes that are ſuitable for you, and may relieve you therein.
Object. I pray you cleare unto me what you meane by having the conditions in me?
Anſw. I meane thus, that ſome ſoule may ſay, I am hungry and thirſty after Chriſt, and I am heavy and weary laden, and I would lay my burden upon Jeſus Chriſt. Now ſuch a ſoule hath the conditions and qualifications, that are mentioned in ſome promiſes: As bleſſed are they that hunger and thirſt after righteouſneſſe, for they ſhall be filled. And the heavy and weary laden they ſhall finde reſt to their ſoules, Matth. 5.6. and 11.28, 29.
Object. But what if I have not thoſe conditions in me, as to feel my ſelfe, hungry, thirſty, and heavy laden?
Anſw. If you finde not theſe, or ſuch conditions in you, then you are not to apply your ſelfe to thoſe promiſes, that are made to ſuch as have thoſe conditions in them. But you are to ſeek out for other (and more ſuitable) promiſes, which are abſolute, and without condition.
Object. Are there any promiſes abſolute, and without condition?
Anſw. Yes, I have ſhewed this before in one of the Rules concerning the Promiſes. But to inſtance in a few; there is a promiſe of juſtification(b)Eſ. 43.25 I am be (ſaith God) that blotteth out thy tranſgreſſions for my owne names ſake. So alſo in another place,(c)Ez. 36.25 I will ſprinkle clean water upon you, and you ſhall be cleane. So there is a promiſe of pouring out of the Spirit, God promiſeth to (d)Joel. 2.28poure it out upon all fleſh. Many more I might inſtance in, as of giving a (e)Ez. 36.26new heart, and taking the ſtony heart out of their fleſh.
3 Underſtand this that in many of the Promiſes men are conſidered paſſively, or ſuch as can doe nothing till God doth work in them. As that in John, And they ſhall be taught of God. (f)Joh. 6.45Say you in this caſe as David (g)Pſ. 119.49ſaid, Remember thy word (unto thy ſervant) in which thou haſt cauſed me to hope.
4 Conſider in applying, and uſing the promiſes, that where God hath not excluded men, they ought not to exclude themſelves; leſt they ſinne as much in refuſing grace, as others do in abuſing it.
5 In the application of the Promiſes, look not onelyonly upon the words, but upon him that hath ſpoken them; and conſider in God,
1 His Power that he can peform them, Heb. 11.19. Rom. 4.21.
2 His Faithfulneſſe that he wil performe them, Heb. 10.23 and 11.11. 1 Theſſ. 5.24. and his oath, Luke 1.72.73.
3 His Remembrance of his Promiſe, He is ever mindfull of his Covenant, Pſal. 111.5. See Eſa. 49.15.
4 His Goodneſſe that he will performe his word, though men ſhould neglect their duty, and the condition on their part, Mich. 7.20. 2 Tim. 2.13.
6 That you may apply the Promiſes underſtandingly, conſider that the whole Story of the New Teſtament is a bundle of Promiſes, and a rich Treaſury of Jewels, and a precious Mine opened to enrich, and ſtore you with all manner of graces and bleſſings. Therefore if you cannot remember a particular promiſe for every thing you would have, or want, yet take the honycombe (I meane the Goſpel) into your hand, and you may fill your mouth with the honey that comes out thereof. I conceive that the ground of beleevers faith (eſpecially fince Chriſt revealed in the fleſh) is the hiſtory of the New Teſtament, and wee are not to hang our ſoules now, as they did before Chriſt came, upon one naile and pin, or upon one promiſe, but upon the great pillars of our Faith, viz. The death and Reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt. And ſo to conclude our juſtification and ſalvation from the whole tenor of the Goſpell and New Teſtament, as Paul did, Gal. 2.20. 1 Tim. 1.15.
7 In the right uſing of the promiſes, you are to looke upon the*Eph. 3.6. perſon of Chriſt, together with his propitiation and interceſſion, as the cauſe, medium, or means, & that doth entitle you to, and give you an intereſt in, and a vertue and bleſſing from, and through the Promiſes, 2 Cor. 1.20. Joh. 1.16. Rom. 11.36.
8 You are not to reſt upon the perſon of the Mediator Chriſt onelyonly, but you are to make the Father the object (or as ſome call him the ultimate object) of your faith and hope, and ſo by him (i.e. Chriſt) to beleeve in God, 1 Pet. 1.21.
Object. Doe you meane that we ſhould looke upon the Father as a remote object, or an object beyond Chriſt.
Anſw. No, you are not to looke upon God the Father as an object out of Chriſt, nor yet beyond Chriſt; but as a diſtinct object from Chriſt. As he ſaid to his Diſciples,Joh. 14.1 Ye beleeve in God, beleeve alſo in me; and as the Apoſtle ſpeaks diſtinctly of repentance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jeſus Chriſt: Looke upon the Father and Chriſt, as Stephen did, as being diſtinct, though yet one. This myſtery I rather admire, then undertake to reveale. Having cleared this firſt rule or meanes, for the applying of the Promiſes, I come to the ſecond.
Secondly, the Promiſes are to be applied orderly, for as God is the God of order, ſo he will have his children and people to act, and doe all orderly. For the orderly applying of the Promiſes conſider:
1 That you are to apply every promiſe according to the intent of the Promiſer, and according to the nature of the Promiſe, as the promiſe of Juſtification, when you looke to be juſtified; and the promiſe of Sanctification, when you ſeek ſanctification. Many doe very improperly and impertinently urge the Promiſes of God. Would it not be improper for a condemned Malefactor to beg an eſtate, money, or cloaths of his Prince, before he had begged his life; ſo is it for a man to beg more holineſſe and grate, before he begs pardon and forgiveneſſe. Therefore in the firſt place look for Juſtification.
2 To apply the Promiſes orderly, is to apply the promiſes of grace, before the promiſes of glory. Men are not to look upon the promiſes of ſalvation, before they look upon the promiſes of Juſtification, adoption, and Sanctification: For God ſaves none, nor will ſave none, but thoſe that are firſt juſtified, ſanctified, and adopted; *This is as if a woman ſhould lay claime to a mans eſtate, before ſhe is married to him.He firſt gives grace, and then glory, Pſal. 84.11.
Thirdly, the Promiſes are to bee applyed particularly; as Paul ſaid, Chriſt loved me, and gave himſelfe for me, and Chriſt came into the world to ſave ſinners of whom I am chiefe. The promiſes are alwayes to be particularly, and ſingularly beleeved, as(i)Joh. 11.26 Chriſt ſaid to Martha, Beleeveſt thou this? And as(k)Act. 8.37 Phillip ſpake to the Eunuch, If thou beleeveſt, &c. And the promiſes ſtill run upon a particular application; as(l)Act. 13.39 He that beleeveth is juſtified; and in(m)Joh. 3.36 another place, He that beleeveth ſhall be ſaved.
Object. But the Promiſes are made in generall, and not in particular.
Anſw. Yet generall promiſes may and ought to*1 King. 8.37.40 with 2 Chr. 20.8.10. be applyed in particular.
Fourthly, the Promiſes are to be applied ſelf-denyingly. There is no looking upon the conditions and terms of the Law, if we would look upon the Goſpel, and the promiſes thereof: And when we apply to Chriſt, we muſt apply our ſelves to him as(n)Gal. 2.17 ſinners; and if we looke towards his righteouſneſſe, we muſt look off our owne righteouſneſſe;Ro. 9.15 ſo that the ſoule muſt ſee nothing in ſelfe, nor done by ſelfe, to move God either to make, or performe his promiſes; but you muſt cry, Grace, Grace, is the ground of all.
Fifthly, the Promiſes are to bee applyed ſtrongly and undoubtingly, Eſa. 7.9.for men can never be eſtabliſhed unleſſe they beleeve confidently: And of all duties, beleevers are moſt ſlow and backward to beleeve the promiſes; therefore doth Chriſt very often(p)Mat. 14 31. & 17.20. Mar. 16 14. Lu. 24 25. Mat. 28 17. checke his Diſciples for their doubting, and unbeleeving. And this is ſpoken in commendation of Abraham (the father of the faithfull) that he (q)Ro. 4.20.ſtaggered not at the promiſe, but was ſtrong in faith, giving glory to God.
Object. But all the promiſes are not to be beleeved abſolutely and confidently, for ſome of them are conditionall promiſes.
Anſw. 1 Its true, that many of the promiſes are conditionall; as the promiſes that belong to the well-being of Chriſtians, which relate to their ſoules after they doe beleeve, and are made Chriſtians. As for inſtance, The promiſe of Chriſts manifeſtation to the ſoule; and the promiſe of ſalvation, theſe two are ſpeciall promiſes that relate to the ſoule, yet not to the being of Chriſtians, but to their well-being; and the conditions of theſe are mentioned in thoſe promiſes: As, If any man keep my Commandements (ſaith Chriſt)(r)Joh. 14.2… I will love him, and will manifeſt my ſelfe unto him; and be that beleeveth on me ſhall never (s)Ioh. 3.16 & 10.28.periſh, but have everlaſting life. Theſe are conditions of the manifeſtation of grace, and giving of glory; but not of the firſt working, and giving of grace, as I ſhewed before.
2 There be outward promiſes that concerne the bodies of men that are conditionall. As,(t)Pſal. 39.9 There is no want to them that feare the Lord. And(v)1 Tim. 4.8. Godlineſſe hath the promiſe of the life that now is. Now there bee none but thoſe that feare God, and are godly, that can lay claim to theſe promiſes.
Object. But when I ſee my ſelfe ſo vile and nought, and my heart ſo ſinfull, how can I have that confidence in Gods promiſes?
Anſw. It is not any thing that you can finde in your ſelfe that is (or ought to be) the ground of your faith and hope; but you muſt ſay as the Prophet ſaid, Though my (w)Pſ. 31.10ſtrength faileth becauſe of mine iniquity, and though my (x)Pſ. 40.12fleſh, and my heart, and my (y)Pſ 143.7.ſpirit faileth, (z)Pſal. 119 81.yet I will hope in thy word. Learne in this caſe to(a)Ro. 4.18 hope (or beleeve as Abraham did) againſt hope; and as(b)Heb. 11.11 Sarah that conſidered not the deadneſſe of her owne wembe, but reſted upon the word of promiſe. And ſay as Mary (c)Luk. 1.38ſaid, Be it unto me according to thy word. For (d)Ioh. 20.29.bleſſed are they that have not ſeene, and yet have beleeved.
Object. But God hath long promiſed, and I have a long time waited and expected, and yet he performes not his promiſe.
Anſ. Though ſome count God ſlackin performing his promiſes, yet he is ſure, and his promiſes(e)Confirmed by Gods oath Heb. 6.17. certaine, and(f)Pſal. 77.8 never faile: Therefore the children of Abraham, ſhould be like their Father, and wait patiently, that they might obtaine the promiſe; as its(g)Heb. 11.15. ſaid of him, After he had patiently endured, he obtained the promiſe.
Thus having ſhewed how the Promiſes are applied, I come now to ſhew how they are divided.
Q. How are the Promiſes divided?
A. Severall wayes.
Either,
1 Abſolute, or Conditionall.
2 Evangelicall, or Legall.
3 Generall, or Particular.
4 Reall, or Perſonall.
5 Common, or Speciall.
6 Principall, or leſſe principall.
7 Direct, or by conſequence.
8 Spirituall, temporall, or eternall, or promiſes for the life that now is, or that which is to come.
9 Informing, or Aſſuring.
Q. How ſhall I find the Promiſes readily, and according to my occaſions?
A. Here followeth a vary ready way, for I have ſet them downe Alphabetically, or according to the Letters, beginning with A but note foure things further:
1 That I doe forbeare to put downe the words of the Promiſes, becauſe you may ſearch in Gods own Book for them.
2 I doe not begin with ſpirituall promiſes, and then temporall, and eternall; but in regard this is onelyonly for the finding of them, I have put them downe rather Alphabetically, and in a Concordantial way.
3 I have put the informing Promiſes (or ſuch Promiſes as doe give light, but doe not runne abſolutely) upon the left ſide of the Page under the words Informing Promiſes, and the abſolute Promiſes upon the right ſide of the Page, under the words Aſſuring Promiſes. I was willing alſo to make a third Columne (or part) in the Page, to ſhew how the Saints did apply thoſe Promiſes, but the narrowneſſe, and littleneſſe of the Leafe would not beare that.
4 Where there are double Promiſes, as Promiſes made of ſuch a grace, and then to ſuch a grace, therein I begin with the firſt, and put the word Of in the margent on the left hand, and then the word To following, which you will quickly and eaſily diſcerne: And herein alſo I thought to begin with abſolute Promiſes, and thoſe made with ſinners at firſt, and then with conditionall Promiſes made to Saints, but this I thought would be a more dark and doubtfull way.