Great and Precious Promises, Sermon 5
SERMON V.
2 Pet. 1.4.
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promiſes, that by theſe you might be partakers of the divine nature, having eſcaped the corruption that is in the world through luſt.
THere are three cardinal and excellent Graces that are exerciſed and taken up with the precious promiſes, there is the excellent grace of Faith, that believeth the truth and the goodneſſe of the promiſe; there is the precious grace of Hope, that with patience waiteth for the accompliſhment of the promiſe, and doth ſtay untill the viſion ſpeak: and that noble grace of Love, that loveth the thing that is promiſed; and taketh exceeding much delight in the Promiſer. If we may be allowed to ſpeak ſo, we think theſe ſtrange revolutions and times we live in, are another Ecleſiaſtes, which doth fully preach forth the vanity and emptineſſe of all things that are below God: And we do indeed conceive, that it is the great deſign of God in the dark…ing of our pleaſant things, and in making every gourd to wither, under the ſhaddow … which we uſe to repoſe our ſelf, and in fa… …ifling all the gods of the earth, to bring hi… own to delight themſelves in this viſible Treaſure, the pomiſes of the everlaſting Covenant, and in him who is the ſubſtance of them; and that ſince all things elſe are declared to be vanity, we might choiſe theſe, as our own portion for ever.
At the laſt occaſion that we ſpake upon theſe words, we were ſpeaking unto the properties of the promiſes; and we told you that there were four of them holden forth. 1. The freedom of the promiſes. 2. The unchangeableneſſe of the promiſes, of which two we have ſpoken unto you; and now there remains other two to be ſpoken to, to wit, that the promiſes are exceeding great, and that they are exceeding precious, a ſweet and excellent, though a rare conjunction, greatneſſe and goodneſſe here kiſſing one another, preciouſneſſe and highneſſe linked together by the bond of Union: And we ſhall ſpeak unto theſe two properties to … ther, and ſhall clear a little this thing … what reſpects the promiſes of the Cove… may be called exceeding great and precious; And we conceive in ſhort, they may be called ſo in theſe eight reſpects. Firſt, They are exceeding great, in reſpect of the great price that was laid down to purchaſe them, there not being a promiſe of the everlaſting Covenant above the head of which this may not be engraven in great letters, Here is the price and purchaſe of bloud: And no doubt this ought highly to commend the promiſ… that they are bought at ſo infinite a race. Muſt they not be great and precious things that ſo wiſe a Merchant did lay down ſo infinit a treaſure for the purchaſing of them. 2. They may be called exceeding great and precious, in reſpect of thoſe great and precious things that are promiſed in them. Is not godlineſſe a great thing, and this is within the boſome of a promiſe; Is not heaven and eternal enjoyment of God a great and precious thing? and yet this lyeth within the boſome of a promiſe? Is not the knowing of God as he is, our perfect conformity with God, our victory over Idols, great and excellent things; and yet all theſe are treaſured up in the promiſes. 3. They may be called exceeding great and precious, in reſpect of the great advantage that redounds to a Chriſtian through the enjoyment of them: the promiſes of the everlaſting Covenant (if ſo we may ſpeak) are the Penſils that draws the draughts and lineaments of the Image of Chriſt upon the ſoul, it is the promiſes of the everlaſting Covenant by which we are changed from glory to glory, as it were by the Spirit of the Lord, and as Peter doth here ſpeak, the promiſes are ſuch things whereby we are made partakers of the divine nature. 4. They may be called exceeding precious, in reſpect of that neat relation that they have unto Jeſus Chriſt; What are all the promiſes of the Covenant of Grace? Are they not ſtreams and rivolets that flow from Jeſus Chriſt; Chriſt is the fountain out of which all theſe promiſes do ſpring; and can this fountain that is ſweet in it ſelf ſend forth any bitter waters? muſt they not …e precious things that have ſuch a noble deſcent? as to be ſtreams of love flowing out from the Father to the Son, and from Him unto us, as the pouring out of the oyntment upon the head of Aaron which ran down the beard unto the ſkirts of his garments. 5. They may be called exceeding precious promiſes, in reſpect they, or rather Chriſt in them are the object of precious faith: What is the meat upon which faith doth feed? is it not upon the promiſes of the Covenant, and Chriſt the kernill of them: What are theſe things that faith taketh ſo much delight in, and is ſupported by? Is it not the promiſes of the Covenant: 6. They may be called exceeding precious, in that they are the things that guideth and leadeth us to precious Chriſt. There is not a promiſe within the Book of the Covenant, but, as it were, it cryeth forth with a loud voice, O come to Chriſt, The promiſes are indeed the ſtar that leadeth us unto the houſe where Chriſt doth ly, and there is no acceſſe unto Jeſus Chriſt but by a promiſe, Chriſt is to be found there, for he dwells within the bounds of the everlaſting Covenant, and there he will tryſt with his people, and be found of them. And, 7. They may be called exceeding precious, in reſpect that the Saints have found ſuch ſweetneſſe, and ſuch unſpeakable delight in theſe promiſes. Did not David find a great ſweetneſſe in the promiſes when he cryed forth, The word of thy mouth are better unto me, then thouſands of gold and ſilver? Did he not find much ſweetneſſe in the promiſes, when he was conſtrained to cry out, Thy Law is ſweeter … to me, then the honey and the honey comb? D… vid in a manner was put to a nonplus, to fin… out any ſuitable ſimilitude and ſignificant reſemblance, to point out the ſweetneſſe of th… promiſes: though we may ſee the Chriſtians of this time in a ſpiritual fever, they have loſt their ſpiritual taſte, ſo that they may ſay, if we may allude unto that word, 2 Sam. 19.25. I am this day fourſcore years old, and cannot diſcern between good and evil, can thy ſervant taſte what I eat or what I drink. They know not what it is to be overcome with the ſweetneſſe that is to be found in theſe excellent ſtreams of divine conſolation. Laſtly, The promiſes may be called exceeding precious, in that the Saints have a high and matchleſſe account of them: Hence that word here rendered Precious, may likewiſe be rendered Honourable, which ſpeaketh forth that there is nothing that hath ſo much of the eſteem of a Chriſtian as the promiſes. Would ye put wiſdom, or riches, or honour, or what ye will in the ballance with the promiſes, they would cry forth, what ſhould I profit to gain all theſe, if I loſe the promiſes. We ſhall ſay no more of this, but that the promiſes are indeed that Aple, the eating of which would make us in ſome reſpect, (and in humility be it ſpoken) as God knowing good and evil: The promiſes are theſe things that doth elevate the ſoul unto a divine conformity with God. And oh that this might be the fruit of them the promiſes are as cords let down to ſoul… ſinking in the myrie clay, and in the horrible pit, do but lay hold upon them, and ye ſhall undoubtedly be drawn up, and he ſhall ſet your feet upon the rock, and order all your goings.
Now we come to ſpeak of the third thing in the words; which is the advantage and unſpeakable gain that floweth to a Chriſtian through the promiſes, holden forth in theſe words, That by them ye might be made partakers of the divine nature; which words doth not hold forth that there is any ſubſtantial chance of our natures unto the eſſence of God; but only it holds forth this, that the ſoul that is taken up in believing of the promiſes, they ariſe unto a likeneſſe and conformity to him in Holineſſe, Wiſedome and Righteouſneſſe. And as to theſe advantages that come to a Chriſtian through the promiſes: 1. We muſt lay this for a ground, that the fruit of all cometh to him through believing the promiſes, and in making application of them.
And the firſt is, That they do exceedingly help and promove that excellent and neceſſary work of mortification: This is clear from the words of the Text; As likewiſe from 2 Cor. 7.1. Having theſe promiſes, dearly beloved, let us clearſe our ſelves from all filthineſſe of the fleſh and spirit, perfecting holineſſe in the fear of the Lord. And the influence that the promiſes have upon Sanctification, may be ſhown unto you in theſe three. Firſt, They lay upon a Chriſtian a divine bond and obligation to ſtudy holineſs, that ſince Chriſt hath ſignified and teſtifi… His reſpects unto us, in ſo ample and lar… a way as to give us ſuch precious promiſe… we ought to endeavour to ſtudy holineſſe which is that great reward of love that h… ſeeketh from us for all things that he hath beſtowed, and we receive, and this is the meaning of that, 2 Corinth. 7.1. Secondly, The ſtrength and furniture of a Chriſtian for fulfilling and accompliſhing of the work of Sanctification, lyeth within the promiſes: Are not the promiſes of God unto a Chriſtian, as Samſons locks, in which their great ſtrength doth ly; and if once they cut themſelves off from the promiſes through miſbelief, their ſtrength doth decay, and they become as other men. Where muſt the Chriſtian go to for ſtrength? Is it not to the promiſe: Is it not the name of the Lord; yea, this is the ſtrength of a Chriſtian unto which he muſt reſort continually. And, thirdly, the promiſes of God they hold forth that unſpeakable reward that attendeth that Chriſtian that ſhall ſtudy holineſſe. There are ſeveral promiſes of the everlaſting Covenant that cryeth forth to the Chriſtian, to him that overcometh will this promiſe be accompliſhed, to him that overcometh ſhall this truth be fulfilled, and this doth exceedingly provoke a Chriſtian to wreſtle with all his diſcouragements he meeteth within the way, he burieth all his anxieties within the circle of his immortal Crown, which he hopeth for, and ſeeth in the promiſe, and his hope maketh him diſpence with his wants, his expectation maketh him overcome his fears, and his looked for joy maketh him to diſpence with his ſorrows.
The ſecond advantage, is, That the faith of the promiſes do help a Chriſtian to a ſpiritual and heavenly performance of the duty of prayer, and withal, mak…th him delight in the performance of it: This is clear from 2 Sam. 7.27. where David believing the promiſes, it is ſubjoyned, He found in his heart to pray that prayer unto God; and if any will look unto the words of that prayer, they will ſee them running in a heavenly and ſpiritual ſtrain, ſpeaking him one much acquainted with God, and under moſt high and majeſtick apprehenſions of his Glory, as is clear alſo, Pſal. 119 147. I prevented the dawning of the morning and cryed; and as if David had ſaid, would you know what made me thus fervent and diligent in prayer, it was that, I hoped in his word; and hence it is, that he hath ſo many prayers in that Pſalm, all were occaſioned through the faith of the promiſes: As for inſtance, when he cryed forth, Quicken me according to thy word, be merciful unto me according to thy word. And we conceive, the faith of the promiſes helpeth a Chriſtian in his prayer to theſe four Divine ingredients of that duty. 1. It maketh him pray with faith: when once he buildeth his prayer upon the promiſes, then he venteth his prayer with much confidence of hope, according to that word, Pſal. 65.3. where ye may ſee a man believing, and praying when he is believing, and expreſſing his confidence m… ſtrangely in theſe words. As for our tran… greſſions thou ſhalt purge them away; It … not ſaid thou wilt purge them away, or we deſire that thou ſhould purge them away, but thou ſhalt, which ſpeaketh forth both the confidence of Faith, and the boldneſſe of Faith: A Chriſtian that believeth the promiſes, he can take the promiſe in his hand and preſent it unto God, and ſay fulfill this promiſe ſince thou wilt not deny thy name, but art faithfull. 2. It maketh a Chriſtian pray with much humility, for when he doth underſtand that there is nothing that he hath but it is the fruit, and accompliſhment of a promiſe, he doth not boaſt as thoſe that have received, but walketh humbly under his enjoyments: this is clear, Gen. 32.10. where we may ſee Jacob ſpeaking to God with much humility, and in the ninth verſe, he is ſpeaking to God with much Faith. And 3. It maketh a Chriſtian pray with much love: Would you know the great ground that we are ſo remiſſe in the exerciſe of love in prayer, it is, becauſe we build not our prayers upon the promiſe. And, 4. It helpeth a Chriſtian to pray with much fervency; When was it that David cryed to God? Was it not when he was believing the promiſe that paſt to him of old, we would not plead with God with ſuch remiſneſſe if we did believe the promiſes that are within the Covenant.
The third advantage is, That the faith of the promiſes doth ſometimes uphold a Chriſtian under his ſpiritual diſertions and tentations. Is it not certain, that ſometimes he hath been ready to draw that concluſion, I am caſt out of his ſight, and ſhall no more behold him in the land of the living? when a promiſe hath been born in upon his ſpirit, hath ſupported him and made him to change his ſong, and to invert his concluſion. This is clear from Pſal. 94.18. when I ſaid, my foot ſlippeth, there is the concluſion of miſbelief and diſpair, yet thy mercy, O Lord, did hold me up, there is the gate at which faith doth bring in conſolation, not from by gone experiences only; but certainly from that which he found in ſome precious promiſes that was born in upon his ſpirit: Many excellent cords of love hath Chriſt let down unto a ſoul, when they have been going down into the depths, and the weeds have been wrapt upon their heads: It is clear likewiſe from Pſal. 119.81. My ſoul fainteth for thy ſalvation: as if David had ſaid, I am in hazard to give over my hope and to break my confidence: And would ye know what was it that ſupported me under ſuch an eſtate, I hoped in thy word; Hath not this oftentimes been the ſong of a Chriſtian in their darkeſt night, In the multitude of my thoughts within me, thy comforts do delight my ſoul: Faith will ſee a morning approaching in the time of the greateſt trouble; and no doubt that promiſe that upholdeth a Chriſtian in their doubting and moſt miſbelieving condition, the lively impreſſions of that promiſe will remain a long time with him; and when firſt it is born in upon their ſpirits, they will ſee no ſmall love ſhining forth in carving out ſuch a promiſe to ſuit with ſuch a providence as they are (it may be) meeting with for the time.
The fourth advantage in believing the promiſe, is, that thereby we have an excellent help to patience and divine ſubmiſſion under our ſaddeſt outward afflictions: this is clear from Pſal. 27.13. I had fainted, unleſse I had believed to ſee the goodneſſe of the Lord in the land of the living; and from Pſal. 119, 49, 50. where David telling his exerciſe in the 49. I hope, ſaith he, in thy word, Immediately he ſubjoyneth; This is my comfort in mine affliction, as if he had ſaid, if I had not had the promiſes to be my comforters, I had ſit alone and kept ſilence, and ſhould have remained without comfort in the day of my adverſity, and verſe 92. Ʋnleſſe thy law had been my delight, I ſhould have periſhed in my afflictions; and we conceive in ſhort, the influence which faith upon the promiſes hath upon the patient bearing of the croſſe, may be ſhown to you in theſe two particulars; Firſt, Faith it is an excellent Prophet, that alwayes propheſieth unto us good things: Would ye enquire at Faith at your midnight of affliction, what is its opinion of God and of your own eſtate; Faith would ſw…etly re…olve you thus, Wait on God for I ſhall yet praiſe him for the health of his …ounterance. Faith knoweth nor what it is to have wrong …o…ſtructions of God; and therefore it is the noble interpreter of a Chriſtians croſſe: If ſenſe, reaſon, and miſbelief interpret your croſſe, they will make you cry out unto God, Why art thou become unto me as an enemie, or as a liar and waters that fail? but if Faith that noble Interpreter do interpret your croſſes, it will make you cry out, I know the thoughts of his heart, that they are thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give me an expected end. Faith letteth a Chriſtian ſee a bleſſed outgate and iſſue of all the ſad diſpenſations that he meeteth with. Faith, that is its divinity, I ſow in tears, but I ſhall reap in joy, weeping may be at evening, ſaith Faith, but joy ſhall come in the morning. Secondly, It affordeth unto a Chriſtian ſuch ſoul-refreſhing conſolation in the midſt of their afflictions, that in a manner they forget their ſorrows, as waters that paſſe away; this David doth divinely aſſert in Pſal. 119.50. This is my comfort in mine affliction: The faith of the promiſes are indeed that tree which if they be caſt into our waters of Marah, they will make them immediately become ſweet.
The fifth advantage is, that the faith of the promiſes doth help a Chriſtian to a greater diſtance with the world, and to live as a pilgrime, as is clear from Heb. 11.13. where theſe two are ſweetly linked together, their imbracing of the promiſes by Faith, and confeſſing that they were ſtrangers and pilgrims here on earth. And we ſhall ſhow the influence that faith hath upon this, in theſe three. 1. It maketh a Chriſtian ſee the end of all perfection here, and that there is nothing within this Glob of the World that is not vanity and vexation of ſpirit: Faith is that proſpect through which a Chriſtian hath moſt clear diſcoveries of the vanity of all things, and this doth exceedingly help him to live as a pilgrime. 2. It letteth a Chriſtian ſee the endleſſe perfections of heaven, and bringeth it within ſight of that Immenſe and everlaſting hope, and this maketh him to live as a pilgrime, and to declare plainly that he ſeeketh a Countrey. And, 3. It doth exceedingly help him forward in that bleſſed work of weaning of affections from all things that are here; would you know where a Believers heart is? It is in Heaven; would you know where his thoughts are? They are in Heaven; Would ye know where his converſation is? It is in Heaven; Would ye know where his hope is? It is in Heaven, his treaſure is in heaven, and therefore his heart and his converſation is there, And Chriſt in him is the hope of glory: and indeed, more faith of the promiſes would conſtrain us all to ſubſcribe that Confeſſion of Faith that is in Heb. 11.13.
The ſixth advantage that attendeth the believing of the promiſes, is, That it is the mother of much ſpirituall joy and divine conſolation, and maketh a Chriſtian to be much in the exerciſe of praiſe: this is clear from Pſal. 71.14. But I will hope continually, and then immediately is ſubjoyned, And will yet praiſe him more and more; As likewiſe from Rom. 15.13. and from 1 Pet. 1.8. If a man would have his way to heaven made pleaſant, and while they are ſitting by the livers of Babel, would be admitted to ſing one of the ſongs of Zion, then ought they to believe the promiſes, and to chooſe them as their heritage for ever: and then he may ſing in hope, and praiſe in expectation, though he have but little in hand for the preſent: indeed when he looketh to his poſſeſſion, there will not be ſo much matter of rejoycing, but when he looketh upon his hopes and his expectations, he may be conſtrained to cry ſorth, Awake up O my glory, I my ſelf will awake early.
The ſeventh advantage is, That the faith of the promiſes is a notable mean to attain unto ſpiritual life: This is clear from Iſai. 38.16. By theſe things, ſaith Hezekiah, do men live, (ſpeaking of the promiſes) and in all theſe things is the life of my spirit. As likewiſe from Pſal. 119.50. Thy word, ſaith David, hath quickned me. O what ſpirituall and divine life doth attend that Chriſtian that is much in the exerciſe of Faith upon the promiſes: And what is the great occaſion that our hearts are oftentimes dying within us like a ſtone, and we are like unto thoſe that are free among the dead? Is it not becauſe we do not make uſe of the promiſes.
Eighthly, there is that advantage, that faith of the promiſes, it maketh a Chriſtian have an eſteem of the thing that is promiſed: What is the reaſon that we write this above the head of the great things of the everlaſting Covenant, this is a Zoar, a little one? Is it not becauſe we do not believe; great things ſometimes to us have no beauty, and there is no comelineſſe that appeareth in them why they ſhould be deſired: but if we had ſo much faith as a grain of muſtard ſeed, we would cry forth, How excellent are theſe things that are purchaſed to the Saints, and how eternally are they made up that have a right but to one line of the everlaſting Covenant, That is well ordered in all things and ſure.
And, ninthly, The faith of the promiſes is the door at which the accompliſhment of the promiſes doth enter in: according to that word, Luk. 1.45. Bleſſed are they that believe, for there ſhall be a performance of theſe things that are ſpoken of the Lord unto them. If we were more in waiting for the accompliſhment of his promiſes, the viſion ſhould speak, and ſhould not tarry: And no doubt, a mercy coming to us as the fruit and performance of a promiſe, will make it an exceedingly refreſhful thing; When a Chriſtian getteth leave to ſing that ſong which is in Iſa. 25.9. Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will come and ſave us: And when a mercy is the fruit and accompliſhment of the promiſe, there is a beautiful luſter and dye upon that mercy, Which no arte could ſet on, but onelyonly the finger of the love of God. The ſmalleſt mercy then becometh a matchleſſe myſterie of love, and the moſt matchleſs myſteries of love without the exerciſe of Faith, they become as things that are contemptible in our eyes, and we do not value nor praiſe them. Faith maketh our thoughts to aſcend, & miſbelief makes our thoughts to deſcend, in relation to the mercies of heaven.
Laſtly, Beſides all theſe advantages, We have theſe two mentioned in the Text: 1. That by them we are partakers of the Divine Nature, and are brought up unto that bleſſed conformity with God, which we had loſt in the fall. 2. That by them we eſcape the corruptions in the world through luſt: Lintend not particularly to open up the nature of theſe things at this time, becauſe I am only to ſpeak of the exerciſe of Faith in the promiſes. But O what excellent mercies are theſe, to get on the beauty of the Image of God, and to get off theſe ugly defilements which were the image of Satan upon our ſouls. O how ſhould this commend the promiſes unto us, that by faith in them, we do all behold with open face as in a glaſſe, the glory of the Lord, and are changed into the ſame from glory to glory, as it were by the Spirit of the Lord.
Now that which, ſecondly, we ſhall ſpeak to, ſhall be the advantages that reſults to a Chriſtian from a ſpiritual obſervation of the Lords accompliſhing his promiſes; for here ye ſee in the Text, the Apoſtle maketh an obſervation of theſe excellent things that are the fruit of theſe precious promiſes when they are accompliſhed. And the firſt advantage is, That it ſtampeth the ſoul of a Believer with moſt divine impreſſions of love: This is clear, Iſa. 38.15. where Hezekiah cryeth out, What ſhall I ſay, he hath spoken it, and himſelf hath done it, being as it were, aſtoniſhed and overcome with th… apprehenſions of the condeſcenden…y of God. He is put to a non plus, and to what ſhall … ſay, Pſal. 41.8, 9. As we have heard (ſaith David) ſo have we ſeen in the City of the Lord of hoſts, That is according to his promiſe, we have had ſuitable performance … and he ſubjoyneth, verſe 9. that which wa… both their exerciſe and their advantage, We have thought of thy loving kindneſſe, O God, in the midſt of thy Temple; as it were, the obſervation of the performance of the promiſe, made their thoughts wholly to be taken up with the love of God: and no doubt, ther… is more love in performing one promiſe, the… eternity were ſufficient to make a commeatary upon. It is one wonder of condeſcendency, that God ſhould obliege and bind himſelf to us by promiſes: and another depth… of wonderfull love, that he ſhould perform theſe bonds, and anſwer his words with performance.
The ſecond advantage is, That the obſerving of accompliſhment of promiſes doth bring in to the ſoul new diſcoveries of God… this is clear, Exod. 6.3. where God thu… ſpeaketh to Moſes: I was known (ſaith he) unto Abraham, and unto Iſaac, and unto Jacob by the name of the Almighty, but by the nam… of Jehovah was I not known unto them, the is, by the Name of giving an accompliſ… ment unto my promiſes, that Name was n… diſcovered unto them, but ſhould be ma… known unto their poſterity, in the day whe… his promiſes ſhould paſſe unto performances. And hence it is alſo, that when the Lord is ſpeaking of the accompliſhment of great promiſes, he doth ſo often in the Scripture ſubjoyn that word, Ye ſhall know that I am Jehovah, or the Lord, Iſa. 49.23, 52. and 60.16. And indeed we do daily find it ſo; for, is not every accompliſhment of a promiſe, a new diſcovery of the wiſdome of God, that ſhineth in the ſuitable tyming of the accompliſhment of a promiſe: Is not every accompliſhment of a promiſe a new diſcovery of the faithfulneſse of God, that he will not alter that which hath gone out of his mouth? And is not every performance of the promiſe a new diſcovery of the love of God, that he deſireth to magnifie his mercies above all his work, and a new diſcovery of the power and Omnipotency of God, that can bring forth the performance of his promiſe, notwithſtanding of all things that are in the way, yea, make things that are not to be, and bringeth to nought things that are.
The third advantage is, That is helpeth a Chriſtian to have high apprehenſions, and majeſtick uptakings of God: This is clear, 1 Tim. 1.15. compared with verſ. 17. where Paul cloſing with that promiſe, That Chriſt came in the world to ſave ſinners, and beholding in the accompliſhment of it, in himſelf, … heart (as it were) is elevated within …th, and he cryeth forth, Now unto the King …ernal, immortal, inviſible, the only wiſe God, …e honour and glory for ever and ever, Amen. There is an Enphaſis in that word, Now, if Paul had ſaid, I could never praiſe and … toll him till now, and I am ſo much bound Chriſt that I will not delay this exerciſe o… moment, now I will bleſſe him, and it is cl… from Mic. 7.18. where the accompliſhme… of the promiſes that are there, made t… Church cry out, Who is like unto thee, he … came matchleſſe unto them through the p… formance of the promiſes. And ſo we conce… that theſe who are much in ſpiritual obſer… tion of the performance of the promiſes, th… will ſee precious draughts of the Majeſty God engraven upon them; ſo that they … be conſtrained to cry out, that he above mighty, that his Name is Jehovah, and in … is everlaſting ſtrength, upon which we ough… to rely in our greateſt ſtraits.
The fourth advantage is, The obſervi… of the accompliſhment of the promiſes, w… help a Chriſtian when he is redacted u… new ſtraits, to be much in the exerciſe of fa… upon God; his former experience will p… duce hope in his ſoul; for there is not … diſcovery of the faithfulneſſe of God, but ha… a voice, and cryeth out, O believe him wh… able to give a clear being unto his word: T… is clear from Pſal. 56 at the cloſe. Thou … delivered my ſoul from death, ſaith David, then he ſubioyneth, Wilt thou not delive… feet from falling: that is, I am certainly … ſwaded, thou wilt likewiſe perform that w… unto me. And from Pſal. 37.2, 3. he giv… that tittle unto God, verſ. 2. that he perſo… meth all things for him, and then he doth ſ… joyn, He ſhal ſend from heaven and ſave me: and (by the way) the ſoul that can give God that tittle and ſtile, That he performeth all things for them, that ſoul muſt of neceſſity be in a choiſe and excellent ſtate: And the point is likewiſe clear from 2 Cor. 1.10. where Paul ſaith, God hath delivered me, and he doth deliver me; and from hence he draweth that concluſion of Faith, And he will yet deliver me. We confeſs ſometimes our former experiences of the faithfulneſſe of God, they do not ſupport our faith when we are redacted unto new difficulties, which is either occaſioned through the greatneſſe of the ſtrait that we are now put to, (in our apprehenſions) above that which we were put to before; ſo that though God did deliver us when we were running with footmen, yet we have no faith to believe that he ſhall deliver us when we are about to contend with horſes: or elſe it is, through the unfaithfulneſſe of our walk, in not anſwering the precious diſpenſations of Chriſt, in accompliſhment of his promiſes, for this maketh us that we cannot with boldneſſe make uſe of his Word when we are brought into a new ſtrait, a guilty conſcience is the mother of miſbelief.
The fifth advantage is. That the accompliſhment of the promiſes doth occaſion much ſpiritual joy and rejoycing unto his own. We told you, the giving of the promiſes occaſioneth joy, and when the promiſes travelleth in birth and bringeth forth, that occaſioneth much more ſpiritual joy: this is clear from Pſal. 28.7. The Lord is my ſtrength and my ſhield, my heart truſted in him, and I was help. And he draweth this excellent concluſi… from it, Therefore my heart greatly rejoycet… and with my ſoul will I praiſe him. And … conceive, that ſometimes, that God tryſte… the accompliſhment of the promiſes wi… ſome precious manifeſtation of himſelf to th… ſoul, which maketh them to rejoyce with j… unſpeakable, and full of glory; but howeve… this is the matter of a ſpiritual ſong, Th… mercy and truth have met together, and right… ouſneſſe and peace are kiſſing one another: Is not a pleaſant matter of a ſong to beho… love making promiſes, and to behold faithfulneſse accompliſhing them?
And the laſt advantage is, That the obſ… vation of the accompliſhment of promiſe… doth ſtrengthen a Chriſtians faith in his inn… reſt in God; ſo that now many diſputings a… ſilenced, and many queſtions now are out … the way, this is clear Pſal. 31.21, 22. Dav… confeſſeth his quarrelling before, but wh… once the Lord had ſhewed his marvellous lovin… kindneſſe in a ſtrong city, then all his quarr… was againſt himſelf, becauſe he had quarrelle and did ſay in his haſt, I am cut off from bef… thine eyes.
And now we ſhall only ſpeak a little … to ſome duties that we would preſſe up… you, from that which we have ſpok…. And the firſt duty is, That Chriſtians wo… be much in waiting for the accompliſhme… of the promiſes, and ſtanding upon th… watch tower untill the viſion ſhall spea… And we ſhall only give you theſe to enfor… it. 1. It is commanded that you ſhould ſo do: this is clear from Pſal. 27. at the cloſe, where David preſſeth that duty very much, Wait on the Lord, ſaith he, and if that be not enough, he will repeat that command in that ſame verſe; Wait I ſay on the Lord: and no doubt the doubling of it ſpeaketh not only advantage that is in it, but our difficulty to obey it, and the great neceſſity that we have to go about it: and that ſame word is repeated by David, Pſal. 31.24. Be of good courage, which is that ſame, to wait upon the Lord. 2. Theſe that wait patiently for the accompliſhment of the promiſes, God will ſtrengthen them to wait: this is clear from Pſal. 27. at the cloſe, Wait on the Lord, and when we are Hagar like, caſting away the childe of hope, he will open our eyes, and give us reſreſhment, by which we may be ſupported under our diſquietment, and he ſhall ſtrengthen thine heart: And there is this, 3. There ſhall be a ſpeedy accompliſhment of the promiſes: it is not long before all the mercies that eves the Lord hath promiſed, and thou haſt believed, ſhall be told down to you, as it were, in one ſum, principall and intereſt: as is clear from Hab. 2.3. where he poſitively aſſerteth, That the viſion will come, and will not tarry. There is indeed a pleaſant ſeeming contradiction in that verſe, he had ſaid before, that the viſion would tarry, and yet here he ſaith. The viſion will not tarry, but will ſurely come: in which ye may ſee the divinity both of ſenſe and faith, and that noble contradiction that is between their aſſe… ons. Senſe aſſerting that the promiſe do… tarry too long, and Faith crying out, it w… ſurely come, it will not tarry; which … ſet down, 2 Pet. 3.9. The Lord is not ſl… concerning his promiſe. 4. Promiſes th… come unto us through the moſt ſtrong … lively exerciſe of Faith, and that are e… pected and longed for by us before the come, they are moſt reliſhing and ſweet, an… theſe mercies come unto us with a bindi… tye of love: this is ſomewhat pointed … in Iſa. 25.9. where the Church cryeth forth Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him we will be glad and rejoyce in his ſalvation their waiting and expecting of the promiſ… to be accompliſhed in its time is there th… fountain of their ſong and of their ſpiritual joy. I think ſometimes a Chriſtian is lik… that miſbelieving Lord, 2 King. 7.2. th… though they meet with the accompliſhment of a promiſe, yet they do not taſte of th… ſweetneſſe that is in it, becauſe they did no… believe the Word of the Lord.
The ſecond duty that we would preſſ… from what we have ſpoken, is, That Chriſtians would cloſe with the promiſes for their everlaſting inheritance, ſince the promiſe of the Covenant are exceeding great, and exceeding precious, and the advantage that lyeth in them is unſpeakable. O! ſhould no… theſe things proclaim aloud unto us, Cloſe with the promiſes as your portion for ever. I think, one that hath a right to the promiſe… and hath entered himſelf here unto the va… inheritance; he may ſometimes rejoyce in that threefold myſtery of the Goſpel, that to a naturall man can hardly appear other then a contradiction. 1. He may ſomtimes, I have nothing, and yet I poſſeſſe all things; for when he looketh unto his being in the world, he is as poor Lazarus, having no place whereon to lay his head; but when he caſteth his eye unto his ſpiritual inheritance, then he beholdeth his treaſures, and is conſtrained to cry out, I poſseſſe all things. 2. Sometimes he may cry forth, I am rich, and yet I am exceeding poor; he may be rich in hopes and yet poor in his poſſeſſions. There is much of a Chriſtians treaſure that lyeth in hope; hope is that thing that will make the Chriſtian ſweetly quite all other in compariſon of that: that is the motto of the Chriſtian, ſpero meliora which he holdeth up in his flag, even in the greateſt ſtorm, and at length he findeth it true, that hope maketh not aſhamed. 3. Sometime the Chriſtian will cry forth, I am alwayes ſorrowing, and yet alwayes rejoycing: when he caſteth his eye upon himſelf, he will ſit down and water his couch with tears, but when with the other eye he reflecteth upon Jeſus Chriſt, He will rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory; a Chriſtian can both weep and rejoyce at one time, and again he can rejoyce and weep: No doubt, the reflecting upon the immenſe hope, and that everlaſting Crown, will make a Chriſtian rejoyce under all his diſquietments and anxieties in the world, he can look to the back of time, and behold a glorious inheritance. A Chriſti… hath the eye of an eagle that can behold … diſcern things afar of.
The third duty that we would preſſe upon you, is, To long for the day when all the pr… miſes of the Covenant of Grace ſhall receiv… their compleat accompliſhment, and when … ſhall be entered into the everlaſting fruitio… of all theſe things wherein your bleſſedneſſ… lyeth. There is a threefold come that Chri… ſpeaketh to the ſoul that is united unto hi… all which they ſweetly obey. There is that firſt come, which is in Matth. 11.28. Com… unto me all ye that are weary and heavy loaden… And there is that ſecond come, Iſa. 26. Com… my people, enter into the chambers, which is … entertain that excellent correſpondency with him in troubleſome times: And there is th… third matchleſſe come, when Chriſt ſhall ſay… to his own in the day of their ſtanding before the tribunal, Come, O bleſsed of my Father▪ Shall we ſay it, that if we had faith as a grai… of muſtard ſeed, we would cry forth, Why i… his chariot ſo long in coming; and did we reliſh… or made a high account of the matchleſs promiſes of the boundleſſe Covenant, we would cry forth, O that our time would flee away as the ſhips of deſire. I ſhall ſay no more but this, Chriſt is gone up with a ſhout unto heaven, and ſhall come again with the ſound of a trumpet, ſing praiſes to God, ſing praiſes, ſing praiſes unto our God, ſing praiſes.
The laſt thing that we would preſſe upon you, is, That ye would mark the time of the accompliſhment of the promiſes. And as … this, I ſhall ſay but theſe: 1. That ordinarily the time of the accompliſhment of the promiſes, is the time when ſenſe, reaſon, and probability doth moſt contradict them: this is clear, Ezek. 37. in the fulfilling of the promiſes that were paſt to Judah in their captivity, was it not when they were as a valley of dead bones, and their hopes were in a manner cut off for their part, from the 11. verſ. of that chapter, compared with the 12. And, 2. that the time of the accompliſhment of the promiſes, ordinarily is a praying time: this is alſo clear from Dan. 9.2, 3. and from Jer. 29.12. compared with the 11. verſ. and the 10. thus ſaith the Lord, the time when he will viſit them, and perform his good word to them, in cauſing them to return, it ſhall be a time when they ſhall call upon me, and ſhall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto them. And, 3. the time of the accompliſhment of his promiſes, it is a time when our thoughts of the promiſes are high and large, when once we begin to value our mercies, this is a ſign that our mercy is near and it is bringing forth: However, it is our duty to wait on Him who can give a being unto his Word, and ſweetly perform his promiſes. We ought not to limit infinit wiſdom, nor to ſay unto him that is infinite in ſtrength, How can ſuch a thing be? but anſwer all objections of miſbelief with this, God hath ſpoken it, and he will alſo do it, and drown all our objections of miſbelief in that glotious and myſterious Name of His, I am that I am. To Him be praiſe.