DISTRICT OF MARYLAND, ss.

BE IT REMEMBERED, That on the twenty-second day of February, (] 828,) in the fifty-secoud year of the Inde-peudeoce of the United States of America, Armstrong and Plaskitt, of the aaid district hath deposited in this office tlie title of a book, the nglit whereof they claifli as proprietors, in the words followin$r, to wit:—

'^Alleine on the Proini6e«|containiiisr the'toice of the herald, before the* groat ktiipp,%e voice of God speaking from Alouut Gerizim; being a short view of tlie gr«at and preqious promihes of the gospel, Sec. By the Rev JoKeph AUeine, Author of an alarm to the unconverted, &c. With a sketch of bis life and writings, by James Nichols. According to this tiitie li shall be aaid of Jacob and of Israel, What hath Qod wrought! Numb, xxiii 23. First American edition, corrected and amended, with a preface, by a Friend,

In conformity to the act of the Congresji of tin United States, entitled "An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of mtps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during th«; times therein mentiotted." And also to an act, entitUid ^nn act, supplementary to aa act. entitled an act for the eucouragenient of lea: o-ing, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentionedf and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prmts.'» PHILIP WOOHE,

Clerk of the District of Jf^iryland.

•

#

;: PREFACE

> VOB THIS BSITIOX.

«<j

*ALL Scripture," we are informed, "is g^ven by inspiration of Ckxl, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that tlie man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." In corresponicience with this declaration, we find in the holy volume, the evils of the life as well as of the heart of man, specjfically designated, against which wholesome admonition and alaiming threat-enings are directed. And whilst its plain precepts point to amendment, its important doctrmes disclose the only way by which the salutar]! and indispensable reformation can be effected. Every candid individual may be confirmed in the authenticity of the sacred word, by studying its descriptions of human nature, and comparing them with what he discovers daily transpiring in his own bo* som. Thus, without recourse to laboured treatises upon the evidences of Christianity^ he may, by a short and safe route, lurive at the conclusion, that '*in old time, holy men of God spake as ^ey were moved by the Holy Ghost." Indeed, so accurate are the delineations of the heai't, so distinctly is the mystery of iniquity it contains, traced through all its subtle windings, and into its most secret recesses, that however sceptical the man may be, l\e can hardly resist the conviction, that the truths he reads must have been dictated by that spirit, '*who knowetli what is in man." But ike proceas of conviction Btop« not here* Through-

«ut all the gradations of moral' rcHQvalioTi, the^ sacred word is a "light to the feet, and a lantera to the path" of the humble inquirer. * In it he find^-tlie Holy Spirit has made provision for him at every step. His doubts, his fears, his trials, his temptations, his doings and hi» sufferings, are all foreseen by that eye whidi looks through the long^ and devious road he has to travel, andin the blessed Book he is put in possession of an accurate and intelligible map, in which his way iiS clearly marked out for him. The author of this little volume had long been a traveller in this holy way; and, no dou])t, his mind was deeply impressed by the foregoing considerations. He had realized in hi& own experience,. **the terrors of the Lord," and found that the "reproofs of instruction are the way of life." Arrived at a stage of his pilgrimage in which, in retrospection, he was prepared to behold how he had been guided^ supported, com-fort#d and defended, his confidence in the faith-, fulness and truth of God and his holy word, was" completely established, independently of abstract reasoning cr evidence. He had followed the direction of the Saviour, contained in the following declaration, **if any man will do his will, he shall know of the doetrlne, whether it be of God," and had been completely and experimentally satisfied of its validity. Remembering the temptations, and conflicts, and trials he had himself passed through, and th^ liability to discouragement and consequent danger, which those especially who are just beginning a christian coui se, are exposed to from these causes, he could not but revert to that passage of the Apostle, "there are given unto us exceeding great and precious pramises, that by these ye might be made partakers of the divine nature; having escaped the comiptlon that is in the world through lust." Out*

pious aathor, innuenced by such reflections, endeavours to turn away the attention of the penitent mourner and timid believer, from the threat-enings of the sacred word to its consohng* promises. This little Book, we are informed, was composed while the author was confined in the jail at Taunton, and suffering* the persecutions of his enemies on account of liis religious principles. No doubt his own mind derived unspeakable consolation in the execution of a work intended to strengthen the faith and promote the happiness of his beloved flock, to whom it was sent whilst he still remained isa prison. Mr. Alleine is better known as the author of the "Alarm to the Uncon-Tertei" a book, than which, excepting the Pil-■grim's Process, no treatise, perhaps in our lan-igTis^^e, has had a more extensive circulation: and It mstjr be doubted, whether its usefulness has been exceeded even by that deservedly popular production.

The little work now presented to the publiq, was highly prized by individuals of literary taste and eminent piety. "Mr. Hervey, before he died, "ssLPr this book in the original, and said it was the richest piece he ever read in his life." It was enriched with many new and appropriate scriptural references by the late Rev. David Simpson, of Macclesfield, who evinced the high estimation in which he held it by causing it to be reprinted, and circiilated in that populous town and neighbour-. hood. In this edition, these references have been corrected and verified, and greatly augmented by several additional passages. The "Address to Communicants,^' is inserted in this edition, and the "Sketch of his life and writings."

*1t is mentioned by his friend Mr. Baxter, as one of kis^^atest excellences, that 'As in all his min-istxy^ he WM extraordinarily addicted to open to

•

the fecJirers the covenant ofgrcux, and to explain re* ligion in the tfue notion of covenanting with Crody and covenanl'keepingy and greatly to urge men to deliberate well-gfrounded resolutions in this holy covenant: So God was pleased to give him a certainty an(isense of his divine faithfulness, in ftijfill-ing the promises of his covenant and a lively sense of alf the benefits of it. And his faith in God, for the performance of his part, was as strong and fixed, as was his own resolution in the strength of grace to be true to God. And as he was resolved, through grace, never to forsake Christ, so Christ did never fail or forsake him. In the valley of the shadow of death, he feared no evil. But when his iflesh and heart failed, as to natural strength, the Lord was the rock or strength of his heart, ami never failed him.' "

The gi'eater portion of this small work relates to that solemn covenant, which is virtually made, between every righteous man and hisMaker, and which is adverted to and renewed in every solemn act of devotion. No author has written on it with greater clearness and abiUty than Mr. Joseph Alleine.

The excellency of the pronuses and their great value to the Christian Believer, throughout every part of his pilgrimage, are too obvious to be insisted upon. Tliey are emphatically his treasure. For, if it be true, that we are "Saved by hope,** then, in the promises of God, is comprehended every thing that the christian hopes for, whetHep pertaining to "Life or Godliness." Besides, they are not expressed in doubtful or equivocal lan-g^ge, that on this account there should be anj hesitation about laying hold upon and appropriate ing them. On the contrary, they are set forth in the plunest ai)d strongest terms, and are reiterated Its if le obmte al| doubt and fear: voreover thKl(

#

no excuse for unbelief may be left, we have the declaration of the apostle "that God, willing" more abundantly, to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutabiUty of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath; that by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie, we mie^ht hav^ a strong consolation ^ho have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.'* -After what has been said above of the writer of this little work, it does not appear necessary to speak of the manner in which it has b^en executed. We think, however, that the pious reader, will be struck with the lively and forcible manner in which the subject.is presented to him, and whilst he is convinced that iJiie writer made the promises iiis own, by the exercise of a strong! and unshaken confidence, he himself cannot fail to realize an increase of that Faith which is "the substance of thing's hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen." We will conclude our prefatory remarks with an observation which we think all important in relation to this subject. To derive •r be entitled to any benefit from the promises, it is indispensable that we 'should first be satisfied that we are the characters whom the promises conr template; otherwise, we may be assured^ tluvt ' we hftve neither part nor lot in this matter.

Reader, are the promises of God exceeding;-ly great and precious, and are they not -delusive but "all yea, and amen in Christ Jesus ^'* seek diligently to experience their accomplishment in your own soul, that you may become an heir of the promise, and have the assurance of an incorruptible, undefiled and eternal inheritance when you shall be compelled to leave all your •earthly treasures, and depart hence to be seen no more of men. A FRI£ND.

Baltimore, March 1, HOSe

•

THE REV^JOSEPH ALLEINE.

•«IN the lives of holy men," says tlie venerable Baxter, '^e see God's image, and the beauties **of holiness, not only in precept, but in reality '*and practise, not pictured, but in substance. ''And holiness in visible realities is apt to affect <Hhe world more deeply, than in portraiture and "precept only.'*

Mr. Joseph Alleine was the son of Mr. Tobias Alleine, and was bom in the Devizes, Wiltshire, in the year 1633*

In his infancy he discovered a sing^ular sweet-hq^s of disposition, and a remarkable diligence in every thing about which he was employed. During his childhood he had deep convictions; and in

*IIia father was an understanding, affectionate, {imdent, and signally humble and ezperieoced christian, wh» died suddenly, bat sweetly, nearly two years before him. He had boon ia a» ittirm and languishing state for «4»oie lime; yet a little before his decease, be suddenly began to. recruit his strength, and was enabled to walk about his hftese- as in former days. On the morning of his death, he rase about four o-'cloek anti continued to shew i4>p«arances of returning health* Between tea and eletnn he came down out of his closet* and called Tor something to eat, which being prepared he gave thanks, ^iit eonld not eat any thing. Hia wife, perceiving a sudden change in hhn, attempted to persnaile him to retire to bed* He meek* ly answered, ^'No; but 1 wUA die in my chain "lul I am not afraid to die;** He then sat down, and only said, '^Hy U£<b in hid wiOl Christ in Ood.** Saying this, with hiaenw. hnndti he gesilj dosed hia ^^ and died iauaedlitdf«

2

f

his eleventh year was noticed by thfe family asbe«' ing very zealous for religion. He was of that age, when he began the practice of private prayer. So sincere was he, and fixed in that duty, as not to permit himself to be disturbed or moved by the accidental approach of any person- into tile places of his retirement. •

After this manner had he taken upon himfeelF t goodly prdfession, and openly begun to run the christian race, when his thoughts were powerfully directed, and his mind providentially inffiien-ced, towards the exercise of the ministrj', by the death of his elder brother, Mr, Edward Alleine, who was greatly esteemed by those who knew him, as a worthy preacher of the Gospel. While the tender heart of a father was yet suffc^ng under tlie loss of a beloved son, Joseph etWTiestiy re^^' quested permission of him to succeed his deceased brother as one of Christ's standard-bearers. He prevsuled in his importunate application; for his father sent him to a good tchool that he might be instructed in classicd erudition HiS' profiting in the course of four years' study waa very great. During that time he had acquired anb extensive and accurate acquaintance with the Latin and Greek languages; and waa declared by .his preceptor to be properly qualified ior cora-jBcncing his studies at the university. JBeing however but of the age of fijfteen, \ias father prudently detuned him at home in the oouatry anotiJ-cr year, in which time, under the instruction of « learned and excellent minister, he went with great" advantage to himself, through a course of Logic He >vgui theA entered of Lincoln College, Oxford^ a seminary of leaniing that nearj^ya century afterwards was the nursery of another of the greatest, most successful, and pious divines th^it this king-doni has produced*

Many wortliy meii, in former days and in our •own times, from a laudable attachment to the vcn-•erable haUs in which their education was com-

Ml

pleted, have lefl endawments to different col- ^ leges in our two celebrated English universities, for the assistance of those students who have but a small stipend of their own on which to depend for support. While the benevolent founders of these scholarships have cherished giuteful t*ecol-lections towards the places of their instruction, they have not been unmindful of the claims which kindsed and neighbourhood had upon their regards. It is accordinigly stuMnlated in seveml of their foundation-deeda,—onV number of young .^ntlemen presenting themselves as candidates for a scholarship, should tlierc be one of tliem who •«an establish any degree of affinity to the founder, or who comes from the same county, that, other things being equal, he shall always have a preference of benefit to the others. In some colleges, if a candidate has merely a coincidence of surname with the founder, he is entitled to this :preferenoe.

In consequence of one of these excellent regulations, Mr. Alleine, a native of Wiltshire, claiming his right, sat (as it is termed,) for a vacant Wiltslm'e scholarship in Corpus Christi college. Haviag passed an unexceptionable examination, his attainments being his sole friends, he was admitted, Nov. 8th, 1651, on the foundation. By acquitting himself so well at the election, he gave apledg-e of his future excellence. One who was a member of the same college, says of him: *Never had learning a truer drudge since she'kept house in Oxf(Mdt at her work he was, both day and night; thinking all lime too little, no pains too much, that he spent in her service, ^eldom it was tliat he could be found in bed after four in the morn-

lOg*, though \fe staid up, on the same occasion on which he then rose, till ahnost one, over night* A Certain I am, that if piety would have suffered him, and they had not been such dear friends, he vrogid have fallen out with God, for tying his soul to such a body as could not subsist without (what he would often call no better tkofi iime-amsummg thingsj) meat, and drink, and sleep. Through hia industry, with God's blessing on it, he exceed-iiigly prospered in his studies, and quickly appeared a notable proficient. All that knew hiin, knno him to be a good linguist, a smart disputant and an excellent pMosopher. Certain I am, his pregnant parts ancRarly accomplishments were so much taken notice of in the College, that so soon almost as he was but Bachelor of Arts, he was even compelled to commence a tutor, and presently entrusted (to speak wkhin compass) with as great a number of pupils as any in the house.

fie. had no advancement proportionable to his merits whilst he staid among us. But if there were any thing to be blamed for that, it was nothing else but his own self-denial: For, a chaplain's place becoming void, he chose that before a fellowship, which he knew well enough, in a little time would, of course and by right, have been certainly Jiis.

*lt was his solemn bu»ness to be religious; his main design, in all his ways, to approve himself to • his Father who saw in secret; and his daily exercise to keep a conscience void of offence, both towards God and towards men. He had always such an affection for prayer, tliat he and hu friend could hardly ever walk and discourse together, but, before they parted, at his desire they must also go and pray together. He was bountiful to the poor. He &i not thiidc the little he had sa

much his owii» as that his necesskpus brethren might not clsum a part in it; and he therefore g^ve t]^em as if he had been paying debts, and not be-stowing ahns. But of all, most admirable was his m affection to the souls of others, and his desire to * do good to them. Some there are, to my knowledge, who at this day do verily think they should never have found the way to live, or to live for ever, if he had lived unto himself. Eminent was his charity to the poor prisoners in Oxford gaol; am<Mig whom first of his own accord he beg^ to preach, and held on constantly, while he remain- ' ed in town, once a fortnight for a year and upwards, encouraging them to give attendance om his ministry by a considerable allowance of bread that week he preached, at his proper cost and charges. Frequent visits also was he used to make, at other times, to persons in the world that were but mean and low; his main design (together with the relieving of their temporal wants,) heing to assist their souls, and help them forward in their way to heaven. Whoever they were tliat came to visit, or to be acquainted with him, it was their own fault if they got not by him so much good, as to be for ever the better for him.'

In this enumeration may be perceived a small part of his qualifications for the ministry, before he left the university; fi*om which he retired in the year 1655, being then but in the one-and* twentieth year of his age, to Taunton Kagdalen '^ in Somersetshire, as assistant to the Rev. George Newton. He resided with this pious clergyman^ and« luLnng remained sometime a probationer^ . was ordained in a pubhc association meeting, after which he was permitted the full exercise of his office in the administration of all its ordinances. On the 4th of October in the same ^ear, he was^ at Mr. Newton's repeated imporUuuty, vnitedin

u

jRania^e with his coiisinj Tbeodosia Alleine, to whom he had paid his addresses upwards of twelve ^months prior to his settUng" at Taunton. He an^ A his wife continued to reside with his friend two • years, whan they took a large house in the town, and Mrs. Alleine commenced a boaixiing" schooL TJiey were •exceeding'ly prosperous in this undertaking, she having seldom iess than twenty-five boarders, and usually fifty or sixty day-scholars belonging to the town and ncig-hboui-ing places. This was a great assistance tb them, his inconoe from the church being but trifling; and with thi» addition he was enabled to be very charitable. All the scholars called i^ira'SFatherV* which ap« pellation he well deserved on aocounit of his tender affection to their souls. The Lord was pleas* ed particulai'iy to bless him in his endeavours among them; so that many who had been strangers to God before they came under Mrs. AUeine's tuition, when they beheld the gpraoe of God that was jn him, were induced under the influenoe of the Holy Spirit to forsake their evil ways, and to walk in the delightful paths of religion.

His manner of life after his marriage was, to • rise at or before four o'clock everj' morning, and sooner on the sabbath. Like the Gtrecian orator, he was much troubled if he beai'd the sound of any smiths or shoemakers at tJieir trades before he was engaged with God; often saying, "Oh how *this noise shames me! Doth not my Master deserve more than theirs."' From four to eight he spent in prayer, holy contemplation, and sin^ng of psalms. Ailer half-an-hour's refreshment he trailed his family together for the purposes of praise and prayer, when he retired to his studies till twelve. Having rested himself a little after ■dinner, he went again to prayer in secret before lus going abroad to viait the fionilies in the town)

««?.•.

whicf) he was accastomed to do, house by housc^ and street by street, and to speak separately to every person in a famiiy on their siTiritiial con- i oems live afternoons every week, ^om two % o'clock tin ftear sevem He often blessed God for the great success that he had in these exer-cisesf believing* that in- them he had been even more instrumental to the g>ood of souh than, by bis pubHc preaching. Socisd converse, family devotions, private prayer, and sometimes intense ministerial studies occupied the remaining' hours of his evenings.

Seven yeai*s he thus laid himself out to do all the good in his power, while in his public ministrations he was a pattern of diligence and faitl'i-f^dness. His work on the sabbath was to preach once .and to catechise; yet'he had frequently to supply the place of some of bis brethren on any exigency, and would at other tinves go to preach at places where the inhabitants liad no minister. Not content with this, on Tuesday evening in ©very week he repeated his sermon in the church again, and the;*e called on his young people by turns to give an account of what they could recollect of the heads of it from memory.

Having approved himself in this employment as a man of God, he was now called to exemplify in a different manner the g^ces which he had received from hift Heavenly Father. Before the passing of the M of Uniformity, he was very im-

eortunate day and night in prayer with God, that is providential way might be made pkin before him; and that he might not, from any scruples about things trifling or indifferent, desist from his appointed work of saving the souls of his hearers. Though he seemed so moderate as to mduce his wife and other intimate friends to think that he would conform} yet when be saw the

contents of the act,—>t}ie clauficg of tutent aiid

consent, and renouncing the coverumt,"-^ wa9 ful-

1 \y satisfied in bis mind, and, like his worthy rec-

m tor, threw in his lot with upwards of two thou-

^ sand of his pious brethren who then became Non-

eonfoimists.

He did not conuder his ejectment as a (Usquali-fication from preaching the gospel in places to which he might have access. He resolved, that, if he was not suffered to i^main in his native . country, he would proceed to China, and there spend himself in publishing the glad tidings of salvation. He therefore continued to exercise his ministry, by preaching in private, and visiting the families of his parishioners, in rotation, as had been his custom. A gfreat door was opened to him during the few months in which he enjoyed his liberty; for be then went and preached in many villages, and obscure places near large towns, from which many of the appointed ministers had fled, or had dastardly ceased from instructing tbeir people. Wherever he went, the Lord was pleased to give him great success; many were converted, and others encouraged to '*hold fast their profession without wavering.'* In acting tlms, he was narrowly watched and often threatened; but was preserved from danger much longer than he expected. He would sometimes say, in contemplation of his in^prisonment, *'If it please the Lord to grant me three months' liberty before I am taken to prison, I shall account myself favoured by him; and shall with greater cheerfulness go, after I have done more work for him." In this he was indulged; for he was never molested, from black Bartholomew's day till the 26th day of May following, when he was summoned from his own dwelling by a warrant, be-^fiire three juiticeB> for exanunation. They ch&i^g-

•

ed him with breaking* the Act ef Tfmformtyt which he denied, affirming, **That he had preach* cd neither in any church nor chapel, nor place of public wori^liip, since the ^4th of August^ and that what he did, was ill his own family, with others who came there to hear him." Yet the justices persisted to accuse him of having been at « riotous assembly; and afler detaining hiin till they had cracked their low jests against him, and permitted their associates, some ladies and gentlemen, to caU him "Rogue,** and to tell him, that he deserved to be hanged,—they committed him to Ilchester gaol to take his trial at the assizes. On leaving Taunton, he had a most affectionate parting with his people. Two or three fiiends had proposed to accompany him to Ilchester; and as they passed through the town, the streets were lined on botia sides with people lamenting his departure* iiumy of whom followed him on foot some miles, giving free vent to their sorrow. The sight <of their excessive grief was very afi*ecting to him, while he tried by his cheerful countenance and expressions to give them encouragement.

After delivering his mitHmus to the gaoler at Ilchester, he was put into a close and inconvenient chamber, where he had for company six ministers and ^£ty Quakers. Other ten ministers were brought in soon afterwards, who were thrust into the same room, which was so near the top of the prison that they could touch the tiles as they lay in their beds. The heat was quite stifling, till ■they took down som^^ tiles from the rpof, and pull-* ed out a few ^ahes of glass. The want of air was agceater pnvation to Mr. Alleine than to any 9t his brethren. For he was of a healtiiful con-stitutioiLf and front his first settisg out in the way^

vy

18

of God, he had accustomed himself, both at Ox-ford,and Taunton, to perform his secret devotion^ and converses with his Maker, in the fields or woods, where no human eye could obsen*e his actions.

As soon as he got into the prison, he preached and prayed in it, which he called the consecration of it. He then prevailed with the keeper for one comer of the room, which was more private tham the rest, in which to place his bed; and" he made a little partition, by means of curtsuns, around it^ for the purposes of retirement; which was a high gratification to his mind. Other indulgencies he also obtained of his keeper, which were conducive in some measure to the better preservation of his health. But it was generally believed by his friends, and asserted by the doctors, that the shock which his constitution received in prison, by his^ stupes, labours, and confinement, was irreparable.

At the end of four months he was indicted at the Assizes, August the '24th, before Judge Foif-ter; by whom, when found guilty by the juiy, he was sentenced to pay a himdred marks, and to be kept in prison till payment was made. To which he onlyrephed—^<That he was glad it had appeared before his country, that whatsoever he was charged with, he was guilty of nothing but doing his duty; and that all Vhich appeared by the evidence, was only tliat he had sung a psalm, and instructed his family, others being there, and both in his own house: And that if nothing that had been urged would satisfy, he should, with all cheerfulness and thankfulness, accept whatsoever sentence his lordship should pronounce upon hhn for so gt>od and righteous a cause.' To prison therefore was he remanded, where he was detained a whole year, within three days# Mid con-

tinued to preach, sometimes to the felons, and at other times to those who visited him and his bre* thren in bonds.

• This glorious company of imprisioned ministers Attracted the notice and sympathy even of some flonong the careless and profane in the country around; while the place of their confinement was the especial resort of all the pious. Great multitudes visited them daily, and found no difficulty in gaining admittance. In their small room, one sermon at least was delivered every day, and occasionally two, each of them occupying the homely pulpit in rotation. **Lo! 1 am with you airway UHTO THK BWU 01 THB WORLD," Siid OUr

Lord Jesus, who is ever faithful to his word: His presence shed a radiance on their (otherwise) forlorn dwelling, and converted their prison into a place of rejoicing.—But this great concourse of people, among whom were generally some of his flock, occupying much of Mr. AUeine's time in. the day, he was forced to dedicate a part of the Bight to sweet communion with his God, the performance of which duty he would never forego. He relaxed in no part of his former strict habits; but constantly rose about four in. the morning, and spent several hours in meditation and prayer. Then tailing close to his studies in some comer or •ther, he could not be easily moved from them, unless by the arrival of friends, or the appointed time of public worship; after which he would, at times, be engaged in them the whole night, and take only an hour or two for repose to his flesh. Had his bones been brass and his sinews'iron, such severe exercise and close study would have corroded their strength and have been a weariness to them.

When he recovered his liberty, he entered more curn^sdy thua ever on the work to which hfe

$0

Wd been called^ But the consequences of the hardships which he had endured, soon became ap' 'parent in the great weakness felt by him while performing his accustomed ministerial exercises. About three months afler his release, he was visited with a gfievous sickness, from whicli, beyond all the hopes of his friends, h6 partially recovered* Much additional strength he gained by Using the mineral waters near the Devizes, in Wiltshire? and was enabled on his return to enter iigain upon his beloved employment among his own people, and to visit many of the dispersed flocks of Christ that were destitute of pastors. He had also agreed with two of his brethren to accompany them into Wales, to spread the knowledge of Christ; but was prevented in his intentions by a return of his weakness. For his res-ttorsction, it was judged proper that he should visit Wiltshire agaix^ that he might derive benefit from the waters. But before he commenced his Journey, he was desirous of setting apart a day of thanksgiving to God for all his mercies. Accor-"dingly, on the 10th of July, 1665, many of his brethren in the ministry, and of his friends from Taunton, met togetlier, at his request, in the house of Mr. Msdlack, a pious merchant, who resided about a mile out of Taunton. 7%e Dive Mile Ad had been but recently passed, by which it was made an offence punishable by fine or imprisonment, for a minister who had not taken the ^aths which it required, to hold a religious assembly within five miles of any city or parliament-j^orough, or of the church in which he had been minister* Under this act, Mr. Alleine and his iriends were surprised by two justices in Mr. Maliack's house; and were convicted by them of that terrible crime—holding a conventicle. Eight laiivstenb of whom Mr. AUeine was one* and

.1

21

forty private persons, refused to pay tlieir fihef, and were on that acco'ifnt committed for six months to the prison of Ilchester. The discourse which he addressed, at the expiration of that period to his feUow-siiffcrers who were about to j be discharg-ed, is a fine specimen of sacred elo- M quence, in which he warmly inculcates the practice of the highest christian duties—thanksgiving* to God, humility in their conduct, and forgiveness to their persccutoi-s. ,

Although he was yet infirm, and suffering under a protracted illAss, yet he would always engage in the portion of work assigned to him in rotation with his brethren. They had preaching twice a day in prison; and by this means there being but eight of them, the labours of each were more frequent and oppressive than before-

By this second confinement his constitution was. broken, his strength impaired, and his distempers aggravated. So tliat when he proceeded into Wiltshire the next autumn, for the. purpose of procuring relief by the use of the mineral waters, • they appeared to be prejudicial to liis frame. For after taking them three days, he was seized with a fever, and bi^ought near unto death. But the Lord mercifully restored him: and strengthened him to reach '*the people and the place ©f his choice.'* finding in himself a great prosti-ation of strength, and an mcreasing debility in all his limbs,..he went to Dorchester to consult Doctor Lose,.an eminent and godly physician. He persuaded Mr. Alleine to remain with him two or three weeks»that he might the better prescribe for his complaints, and alter his remedies as he saw occasion. He had not been there five days, before he was suddenly deprived of the use of all his limbs: and lay immoveable in bed, for some weeks, in cold sweats,, his death being hoiirly expected. From Scptem*

wicked,, his wife Immbly intreated tbe Lord s«r far to mitigate his sufferings as to enable him to utter something' of his mind to her before he was pleased to remove him by death. And in tliis she was graciously answered; for, in a little time, he began to speak with an. audible voice,, and for sixteen horn's together expressed, in' rapturous strains, his "full assurance of Code's love t6 him, and his highest litnrns of love to Christ.

About three hours before he expired, he had, as his friends perceived, some conftict with satan; for he uttered these words;—"Away! tliou foul fiend, thou enemy of all mankind, thou subtle sophister! Art thmi come now to molest me, no,iv I am just going'' Now I am so weak, and cleatb-upon me''—Trouble me not, for 1 am none of thine! X am the Lord's! Christ is mine, .aud I aija. his; his by covenant. I have sworn.myscTf to-be the Lofd's^; and his I will be! Therefore be* gone t"'—These last words he ol^V'^it^i'cpcated; and his wife noticed that his coffcnuniing 2vit/i\ Ciod was the means which he employed to expel saty.n and his temptations.

His enemy being conquereid^. he ceased not to praise God till within a few.moment.Sv of his departure. This eminently holy man died at Batli, in November, 16ja8, iu.thetliirty sixth, year of his age; and wa».buried. in. the church of St. Magdalen, Tauuton, Ovej.' his gr?kve was a Latin epitaph, of which hi3 puny vilifier Anthony "Wood^ gives thje following translation, "Here.Mr. Joseph Alleinc lies, .To, God and you a sacnfice,"

Scaj'cely any man in the Church of Christ, has borne a higher character than Mr. Alleiae. Mr,. Baxter describing ^him,. says, " So g^eat was hi^ ministerial skilfulness,in the public explication, and application of the Holy Scrifjtuies; so wise and serious.his private di^aiybag with particular-

families a«d souls; that it is ne wender if 4od blessed him ^th that great success which is y^t vifflble among the people where he lived, and which many of his brethren wanted. He spake» as one that spake from God, in the name of Christ, for men's renovation and salvation, in a manner suitable to the weight and holiness of the matter.—^He spake not evil of dignities, nor Idndled seditious principles or passions in the people's minds, nor. disaffected them against authority, nor aggravated his own sufferings to exasperate their mmds against such as he suffered by. In all, he (Ud in patience possess his soul; and learned still more patience by the things which he suffered, and taught others what he learned him» self."

* «* The reader who is desiious of becoming better acquainted with Mr. Alleine, one of the many worthies who adorned that persecuting age, is respectfully referred to a work, of which a new edition is lately published, entitled, *'An account of the Life and Death of the Rev. Joseph Ai.-LEiiTEj A. B. Author of .in Alarm to the unconvertedf &c. and late minister of the Gospel, at Taunton, in Somersetshire. Written by the Rev. Richarb Baxter, Mrs. Alleine, his widow, and other persons. To which are added luaCHRiSTPAir Letters, full of spiritual instructions, tending to the promoting of the power of godliness in persons and fsumlies.''

jiTiTiirnffte

» ON

OeD SP£AEIN6 FROM MOUNT GERIZZIM, &c. Ati

CHAP. I

7%« Voice of the fferali, before the Great King.

O ALL je inhabitants of the world, and dwellers on the earthy come; see and hear; gather yourselves together unto the proclamation of the Great Kin$;. Hear, "you that are afar oif, and you that are near! He that hath an eai; to hear, let him hear. I am the voice of o&e crying in the wilderness," Prepare ye the way of the Lord. Let every valley J>e exalted, and every mountain be mad[e low, for the glory of the Lord is to be revealed.** Go through, go through the gatea,prepare the way: cast up^ cast up the high-way; gather out the stones^ lift up the standard^ for the people; for the Lord proclaimeth salvation to die ends «f

the earth. Tidines! tidings, 0 ye captives! Hoar, all ye thatlook for salvatioQ in Israel; behoUU I brin^ you glad tidines of great joy, which shall be unto al| people. Blessed news! Prepare your ears and hearts! The Lord hath commanded me, saying, '^Gounto ttie people^ and sanctify them; let thefm wash and be ready; for the Lortl is coming down upon mount Sion, in the sight of all nations; not in earthquakes and tire, not in clouds and darkness, not in thunder-ings or burnings, rending the mountains and breaking the rocks in pieces.." He speaks not to you out of blackness, and darkness, and tempests: you shall say no more, ^Let not God speak to us, lest we die " He com-eth peaceably; the law of kindness is in his mouth; he preacheth peace; peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near. Behold, how he cometh, leaping upon the mountains; he hath passed mount Kbal;*^-DO more wrath or cursing; he is come to mount Gerizzim, where he standeth to bless the people. As Mordecai to his nation, he writeth "the words of truth and peace, seeking the welfare of his people, and speak-ins peace to all his seed."

Behold how he cometh! clothed with flames of love, with bowels of compassion, plenteous redemption,; and multiplied pardons. J'

» Deut. xi;. 29. xx^ii. 13.13.

Hearkfln therefore, O je children, hearken to me To joa it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, that at w4iat time je hear the Joyful sound, the trump of jubilee, the hidings of peace, in the voice of the everlasting gospel, von fall down before the throne, ana worship Him that liveth for ever and ever.

Arise, and come away; prepare, prepare you; hear not with an uncircumcised ear; you are not upon a common thing. Be-* hold the throne is set; the throne of grace, where majesty and mercy dwell together* From thence will the Lord meet you; from tiience will he commune with you; from the mercy-seat, from between the cheru-bims, upon the ark of the testimony. Lo, the Lord Cometh out of his pavilion, the mighty God from Sion. Selah. His glory covereth the heavens, the earth is full of his praise. A fire f of love) goeth before him; mere J and trutn round about him; righteousness and peace are the habitation of his throne. He rideth on his horses and char-riots of salvation; the covenant of life and peace is in his mouth.

Rejoice, ye heavens; make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Let the sea roar, the floods clap their hands, and the multitudes of the isles rejoice* Stand forth, the host of heaven, prepare your harps, cast 4lowB your wrowns, be readjr with your

trumps; brmg forth your golden pdials full of oclours, for our voice will jar, our strings will break, we cannot reach the note of our Maker's praise.

Yet let them that dwell in the dust, arise and sing. Bear j^our part in this glorious service: but consider and attend. Call out jour souls, and all that is within jotl; lift up-your voices, fix your eyes, enlarge your hearts, intend all their powers; there 19 . work for them all. Be intent and serious, you cannot strain too high.

Come forth, ye graces^ beset the way; be all in readiness. Stand forth, faith* and hope. Flame, 0 love! Come, ye warm de* sires, and break with longing: Let fear, with all veneration, do its obeisance« Joy, prepare thy songs; call up all the daughters of musick, to salute the Lord as he passeth by. Let the generation of the saints appear, and spread the way with boughs and garments oi salvation, and songs oT deliverance. Ye stand this day all of you ^be-fore the Lord your God, your captains, your elders, your oflicers, with all the men of Israel, your little ones, your wives, and the stranger that is within thy camp, from the hewer of wood to the drawer of water, that thou shouldst enter into covenant with the Lord thy God,^ and into his oath, which the Lord thy God maketh with thee this day;

l> Deut scxix. 10 to 13.

si

that lie may establish thee to-day for a peo^ pie onto himself, and that he may he unto thee a God, as he hath said unto thee, and as he hath sworn.

I have done my errand. The messenger of the morning disappeareth when the orir ent sun cometh forth out of his chambers. I vanish: 1. put my mouth in the dust. The voice of the Lord! The soft and still voice! O my soul, wrap thy face in the mantle, and Ibow thyself to the ground, and put thee into the clift of the rock, while Jehovah proclaimeth his name, and maketh ail hi< goodness to pass before thee*

CHAP. II.

Introduction.-^The ProclamcAum; or, the Voice of the Lord.

HEAR, O ye ends of the earth, the mighty God, the Lord hath spoken: gather my saints unto me, those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.<^ Behold, I establish my covenant between me and you.<^ By my holiness have I sworn, that 1 will be your covenant-friend. I lift up my hand to heaven, 1 swear I live for ever: and because I live, you shall live also.® I will be yours,^ yours to all intents and pur-

^ Psalm L ly 5. <S Gen. xvii. 7. « John aiv. fd f Jer. xxzi. 38, 40.

as

poses; your refuge and ywir rest;r your patron and your portion;^ your heritage and your hope; your God ai^d your guide. > While I have, you shall never want; and what I am to myself, I will be to you; J and you shall be my people;^ a chosen genera;-tlon, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation, m peculiar treasure unto me above all people. ^ I call heaven and earth to witness this day» that I take you (or mine for ever: My name shall be upon you, and you shall be pillars in the temple of your God, and shall go n» more out.™

My livery shall you wear, and tbestamp^ of my own race shall you carry;* and I will make you my witnesses and the epistles of Christ unto the world; <^ and you shall be ohosen vessels, to bear my name before the sons of men.^ And that you may see that I am in earnest with you, lo,. I make witk you an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure;*i and do hereby solemnly deliver it to you as my act and deed, sealed with sacred blood,' and ratified with the oath of a God;" a God that cannot He, that

f Jfer. 1. 6. Piatmxc. 1. slvi. 1. ktpsalmlxsiii; 26. Isa. XXV. 4, 5. > Psalm xlviii. 14. J Psalm zxxiv. 9, 10. k£xod. xix. 5^6, U Pet. ii. 9 « Rev. iii. 12. b Ezek. xxxvi. 25, 26. Eph. iv. 24. o Isa. xliv. 8. 2 Cor. iii. 3. P Acts ix. Xp> <i 2 Sam. xxiii. 5^ r i cor. xK 25< •Hdi. vi) 17,

S3

knows no place for repentance.^ Come tcl blessed; receive the instrument of jour salvation : take writing, behold the seals; here are the conveyances of the kingdom. Fear not; the donation is free and tuU. See it is written in blood, founded on the ail-sufficient merits of jour surety," in whofn I am well pleased;v whose tfeath makes this testament unchangeable for ever;^ so that your names can never be put out, nor your inheritance be alienated,nor your legacies diminished; nothing may be altered, nothing added, nothing subtracted; no, not for ever;^ whilst you abide in me.

Tlie blessings of the covenant arty either its

GLOKIOUS LIBKUTIES Wful IMMUNITIES, or its UOYAL PKiVILCG£S Ond PREROGATIVES.

Happy art thou, 0 Israel! Who is. like unto thee, O people 1^ Only believe, and know your own blessedness. Attend, 0 my children, unto the blessing of j^our Father; and hear and know the glorious immunities, and the royal prerogatives that I hece confirmiUpon.you.

tTit. 1. 2. 1 Sam. XV. 29. i* H«l). it. 18. v Mat. m: 17, w Hfeb. ix. 12,14, 16, 26. *Gal. iii. 15^. 16. 17. yDe.ut..xxxiii. 29.

S4

SECTION I.

The IMMUNITIES and liberties of the covenant^ consisting in^ L Our general discharge from all our debts.

Here I seal you your pardons. Though your sins h^ as the sands, and as mighty as the mountains, I will drown them in the depth of my bottomless mercies;3^ I will be merciful unto your unrighteousness; I will multiply to pardon.^ W nere your sins have abounded) my grace shall superabound; though they be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though red like crimson, they shall be as wool.* Behold I declare my self satisfied, and pronounce you absolved;*' the price is paid, your debts are cleared, your bonds are cancelled .^^

Whatever the law, or conscience, or the accuser hath to charge upon you> here I exonerate you; I discnarge you. I, even I, am he that blotteth out your transgressions, for my name's sake.' *V> ho shall lay any thing to your charge, when I acquit you? Mho shall impeach or implead you, when I proclaim you guiltlessr^ Sons, daughters, ue of ^ood cheer, your sins are forgiven you;' 1 will sprinkle your consciences, and

yMic. Tii. 19. sljeb. viii. 12. Istu Iv. 7. (^Isa. i. 18. bjobxxxiii. 24. ccol. iii 13, 14. disa. xlv. 25. eHom. viii. 33, 34. '1 John ii. 12. Uat. iz» 2i

S5

put the voice of peace into your mouths; e they shall be your registers, in which I will record your pardon; and the voice of guile, and wrath, and terror, shall cease.''

//• Our releases 1 *Froni the house of bondage.

Here I sign your release from the house of bondage.! Come forth, ye captives; come forth, ye prisoners of hope, for [ have found a ransom J I proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to tnem that are bounds Behold I have broken your bonds, shaken the foundations of your prisons, and opened the iron gatesJ By the blood uf the covenant have I sent forth the prisoners out of the pit wherein there is no water. "* Arise, O redeemed of the Lord, put off the raiment of your cap-tivities;'> urise, and come away.

2. fVom the dark and noisome prison of sin.

. The dark and noisome prison of sin shall no longer detain you;® 1 will loose your fetters, an4 knock off your bolts; sin shall not have dprainion over vou.p

I will heal ^our backslidings; I will sub-

f Ezek. xxj^vi. 25. Heb. iv. 14. Isa. Ivii. 19.

hHeb. X. 22. Isa. xxvii. 4, 5. iRom. vi. 17, 18,

1 Cor. vii. 21. J Job xxxiii. 18. 24. k Isa. Ixi. 1.

xlvii. 7. I Acts xii. 6, 10. m ajech. ix. 11. oDeut

due your iniquiticisj*! I will sanctify you vbolfj,' and put my fear in your hearts Ihat you shall not depart from me«* Though your corruptions be strong and many, yet the aids of my Spirit, the cleansing virtue of my blood, and the physic of my correction, shall so work together with your prayers.and endeavours; as that they shall not prevail against you, but shall surely fall before you.*

3. Frim the gaol of the grave.

From the strong and stinking gaol of. the grave do I deliver you. 0 death, I will be thy plague; O grave, I will be thy destruction;" my beloved shall not ever see corruption. ^ I will change your rottenness into glory I and make your dust arise and praise me.^ What is sown in weakness, I will raise in power; what is sown in corruption, I will raise in incorruption; what is sown a natural body, I will raise a spiritual body,* This very flesh of yours, this corruptible flesh, shall put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on immortality ;3' death shall be swallowed up in victory, and mortality of life.' Fear not, O my children;

q Mic. ni. 19. Jer. iii. 12. r 1 Thes. v. 23, 24. » Jer. xxxii. 40. ^Ezek. xxxvi. 37. Eph. v. 29. Isa. xxvii. 9. uHos. xiii. 14. vpgalm xvi. 10. «v Dan. xxii. 2,3, Isa. xxvi. 19. < 1 Cor. xv. 42, 43, 44. y 1 Cop. xv. SZi »2 Cor. v. 4. 1 Cw. xv. 54.

^

57

\

come and I will shew jou the enemj that you dreaded: see, here liesth^ king of terrors, like Sisera in the tent, fastened to the ground, with the nails struck through his temples. Behold the grateful present, the head of your enemy in a charger: I bequeath you your conquered'adversary, and make over death as your legacy." O death, where is thy stingr \^'here now is thine armour, wherein thou trustedstr'^ Come, ray people, enter into your chambers;*^ come to your beds of dust, and lay you down in peace, and let your flesh rest in hope,** for even in this flesh shall jou see God,« O ye slain of death, your carcases, now as loathsome as the carrion in the ditch, will I redeem from the power of the grave;^ and fashion those vile bodies like unto the glorious body ot your exalted Redeemer, (r Look, if you can, on the .sun when shining in his strei^t)i; with such dazzling glory will 1 clothe you, 0 ye of little faith.**

4. From tlie dungeon of eternal darkness.

From the terrible dungeon of eternal darkness do I hereby free yoti. Fear not, you shall not be hurt of the second death. ^ You are delivered from the wrath to come, and

* I Cor. iii. 22. b l Cor. xv. S5, c isa. xxvi» 20. d Isa. lvii.2. e Psalm xvi. 9. six. 25, 26, 27. f Psalm xlix. 15. g Phil. iii. 21. h Mat. xiii. 43. iRev. ii. 11. Rom. vni. 1.

shall never come into condemnation.! The flames of Tophet shall not be able to singe the hairs of your head; no, nor the smell of the fire pass upon jou> iJtand upon the brink, and look uown into the horrible pit» the infernal prison, from whence I have freed you. See you how the smoke of their torments ascendeth for everr^ Hear you the cursings and ravings, the roarings and blasphemies?^* What think you of those hellish fiends? Would you have been^ willing to have had them K>r your companions and tormentorsr^ What think you of those chains of darkness? Or of the rivers of brimstone, of the instruments of torment for soul and body, of those weepings, and wailings, and gnashings of teeth?<» Can you think of an everlasting banishment, of a " Go ye cursed r" Coula you dwell with everlasting, could you abide with devouring firepp This is the inheritance you were born to;<i but I have cut off* the entail, and wrought for you a great salvation. I have not ordained you to wrath ;«• but my thoughts towards you, are thoughts of peace."

J1 Thes. y. 10. John v. 24. k Dan. iii. 27. 1 Rev. xiv. 11. mMat xxv. 30. n Mat xxv. 41. o Mat. viii. 12. P Isa. xxxlii. 14. 4 £ph. ii.. S. riThes.v.9. • Jer.sxix. 11.

r

89

llh Our protection from all encmiej$: 1. From the arrests of the law.

Here I deliver you your protection. From all your enemies I wili save you;* I grant you a protection from the arrests of the law; y^our surety hath fully answered it." My lustice is satisfied, my wrath is pacified, my honour is repaired.^ Behold, I am near that justify you;^ who is he that shall condemn you? •'

2. From the usurped dominion of the potn*

ers of darkness*

I will tread satan shortly under you, ' and I will set your feet in triumph upon the necks of your eoemies. Let not your hearts be troubled, though you be to wrestle with principalities and powers, and the rulers of the darkness of tnis world :3^ For stronger is He that is in you, than He that is in the world :* He may bruise your heel, but you shall bruise his head.« Behold your Redeemer,' leading captivity captive, spoiling principalities and povyers, and triumphing over them openly in his cross**» See how satan falleth like lightning from heaven ;c and the Samson of your saivati^ bear-eth away the gates of h^l* posts and all, up-

«2 Kings xvii. 39. « Gal. iii. 13. Rom. iv. 10. V Dan. ii. 24. 2 Cor. v. 19, 20. wisa. 1. 8. »Roxb. xvu20« yEph. vi. 12^ »1 John iv. 4. «Gen. ill. 15. b Col. ii. 15. c Luke x. 18.

on his shoulders, and setteth them up a» trophies of his victory! How he pulleth out the throat of the lion, and Ufteth up the heart of the traitor upon the top of his spear, and washeth his hands and dyeth his robes in the blood of those your enemies l<^

3. From the victory of the world*

Neitlier its frowns nor its flatteries shall be too hard for your- victorious^ faith.<» Though it raise up Egypt, and Amaiek and Moab,. and all its whole militia against you, yet it shall never keep you out of Canaan. Be of good comfort, your Lord hath overcome the world/ Though its temptations be very powerful, yet this upon my faithfulness will I promise you—that no such shall come upon you, but what you shall be able to bear;f But if I see suich tnals(whieh you fear) woufll be too hard for your graces,, and overthrew your souls, I will never suffer them to come upon you; nay, I will make your enemy to serve you $ and do bequeath the worlds as part of your dbwry, to you> >

4. From the curse of the cross^.

Afflictions shall prove a^ wholesome-cup< to you^^ your Lorn hath drunk the venom;

^ Isa* Ixiii. 1, 2. 3. e t John v. 4. Gal. i. 4. f J<&a: xvi.33. glCor.z.l0^ i>lCor..iii.22«. i Eaaboau 09ix».rU.

into his own body, and what remains for you is but a healthful potion, which, I will promise you, shall work for your goodJ Be not afraid to drink, nor desire the cup should pass from you; I bless the cup before I give it unto you;^ drink you all of it, and be thankful;! you shall find my blessing at the bottom of the cup to sweeten Ihe sharpest afHtctions to you.^^ I will stand by you in all conditions, and be a fast friend to you in every change:" [n the wilderness, I will speak comfortably to you;^ and ih the fire ami in the water, I will be widi you. I will be 9, strength to the poor, and a strength to the needy m his distress; a refuge from the storm, and a shadow from the heat,P when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall. Your sufferings shall not be a cup of wrath, but a grace-cup; not a curse, but a cure; not a cup of trembling, but a cup of blessing to you;*i -—they shall not hurt you, but heal you.' My blessing ^ shall attend you in every condition.* I say, not only blessed shall you be in your basket ahd blessed in your store, but blessed shall you be in your poverty,^ and blessed shall you be in your straits. Not only blessed shall you be in your cities and bless-*

J Rom. viii. 28. k Job v. 17. ^ lilat. xxvi. 26, 27. uJam. i. 12. v. 11. Psalm xclv. 12. &Isa. xllii. 2. <» H08. ii. 14. Pisa. XXV. 4. qHeb.xiL 6, 7, 8. vPsalm cxix. 67. ■Gen. xxvi.3. ^Gen. xxviii. 15.

ed sha)] jou be in your fields, but blessed shall jou be in your bonds, and blessed shall you be in your banishment;" blessed shall you be when you are persecuted, and • when you are reviled, and your name is cast out as evil; yea, then, doubly blessed.^ My choicest blessings, greatest good, and richest sweets, will 1 put into your evil things.''^ These happy immunities, these glorious LiBKirriEs of the sons of God, by this im-r mutable charter I do for ever settle upon you; and do, whilst you maintain ths^t blessed relation unalterably, irrevocably, efer-'lastingly, convey unto you, and confirn^ upon you.

SECTION II.

Tht PRIVILEGES and prerogatives of the

covenant.

Yea, I will not only free you from your miseries, but will confer upon you royal privileges and prerogatives, and instate you into higher ana greater happiness than ever you have fallen from. Lo, I give myself to you, and all things with myself.

Behold, 0 ye sons of men! Behold, and wonder! Be astonished, O heavens! Be moved,' ye strong foundations of the earth! For you shall be my witnesses. This day

«MaL xix. 29, 30. 1 Pet iii. U. ▼ Mat.v. 10,11,12. w 1 Pet. iv. 13> 14. Luke vi. 20,21. 22.

do I, by covenant, bestow myself upon mj servants.*

He gives himself to us: I. For our God.

I will be your God for ever and ever,y your own God;^ nothing in the world is so much your own as I. The houses that you have built, that you have bought, are not so much yours as I am. Here you are tenants at will; but I am your eternal inheritance:*^ these are loans for a season, but I am your dwei-Itng-place in all generations.^ You have, no where so great a propriety, so sure and unalterable a claim, as you have here. ^\ hat do you count your own? Do you count your bodies your own, your souls your own? Nav, these are not your own, they are bougfit with a price.*^ But you may boldly make your claim to me^ you may freely challenge an interest in me.<^

To be to usj instead of relations, "Q. Our

frimd.

Come near, and fear not; where should you be free, if not with your own? ^ here should you be bold, if not at Home? You were never, in all the world, so much at home, as when-you are with me. You may freely make use

'Gen. xvii. 7. yPsalm xlviii. 14. Jen xxxii. 38. Rev. xxi. 3. > Psalm Ixrii. 6. « Psalm xvi. 5. Ixxiii. 20. »» Psalm xc. 6. c i Cor. vi. 19, 20. djer. iii» 19. Isa. Ixiii. 16.

of me, or any of mj attribiites, whenever you have neecy* I will be all to jou that yoa can wish; I will be a friend to you/ Mr secrets shall be with you,' and you ^hail have all freedom and access to me,, and liberty to pour out all your hearts into mj bosom. ^

3. Our physician*

I will be a physician to you. I will heaT your backslidings, and cure all your dis* eases.* Fear not; never did soul miscarry^ that left itself in my hands, and would but follow my prescriptions.

4. Our shepherd.

I will be a shepherd to you.i Be not afraid of evil tidings, for I am with you; my rod and my staff shall comfort you. You shall not want, for I will feed you; you shall not wander (to be lost,) for 1 will restore you. 1 will cause you to lie down in green pastures, and lead you beside the still waters.^ 1 will gather you with mine arm, and carr}^ you in my boaom; and will lead on softly, as the flock and the children be able to eudure.^ If officers be careless, 1 will

• Psalm 1.15. Jer. zlix. 11. Psalm cxW. 18^ risa. xU. 8. James ii. 23. (T PssJm xxv. 14. Joha XV. 15. ^ Eph. iii. 12. Heb. iv. 16. i Hos. xiv. 4. Psalm ciii.3. J Psalm xxiii. 1. Ixxx. 1. k Psafaa xaiik 1 isa. xl. 11. Genu »xiiL 13» 14^

do the work myself. I will judge between cattle and cattle. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away; and bind np that which was broken, and strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and will feed them with judsfment.* I will watch over my flock by night.^ Behold, I have appointed mj ministers as your watchmen, and overseers that watch for your souls. Yea, mine angels shall be your watchers, and shall keep a constant guard upon my flock.*^ And if, peradventure, .the servants should sleep.*' mine own* eyes sh^l keep a perpetual watch over you, by night and by day.f The keeper of Israel neither slumber-eth nor sleepeth, f nor withdraweth his eyes from the righteous.^ [ will guide you with mine eye, I will never trust you out of mine own sight. ^

5. Our sovereign, *

. I will be a sovereign to you. The Lord is your judge, the Lord is your lawgiver, the Lord is your king.i Fear not the unrighteousness of men; I will judge your

«Ezek. xzxiv. 3, 3, 4,16, 17. ^Isa. xxvii 3. ^ Heb. xiii. 17^. Acts xx. 28. ^ Daniel iii. 28. vL 22. • Psalm xxxiv. 7 Mat xiii. 25, 27. f Psalm XXXV 15 xxxiii. 18 2 Chron xvi. 9 ff Psalm €xxii. 3, 4. h Job xxxri. 7. ^ Psalm xxxii. 8. J Ifta. *xxxii. 23.

cause, i will defend your rights.* Yovt shall not stand at man's bar, you shall not be cast at their vote^ let them curse, I will bless^ let them condemn, I will justify.

When yoU" come upon trial for your lives, to liave your eternal state decided^ you shall see your friend, your father, ^ip« on the bench.^ Into my hands shall your cause be cast, and you shall surely stand in judgment, and be found at the ri^ht hand among the sheep, and hear the king say, ^^Come, ye blessed, inhexit the kilig* dom."«

6. Our husband,

I will be a husband to you.^ In loving* kindness and in mercies will I betroth you unto me for ever.* I will espouse your interest, and will be as one with you, and yoa with me:^ You shall be for me, and not for another; and I also will be for vou.s^ Though I foQnd you as an helpless infant, exposed in its blood, all your unworthiness doth not discourage me. Lo, I have looked upon you^ and spread my skirt over you, and put liiy comeliness upon you. Moreover, I swear unto you, ana enter into covenant with you,

ft Deat. xxxii. 36. Psalm cxl 12. ix. 4. ^ Psalm 1.6. Eccl. ill. 16, 17. «lifat. zxv. 33, 34, x. 32. <l Isa. liv. 5. e Uos. ii. 19, 24. ^ John zviL 11, 22,23.1 John iv. 15,16b Rev. uL 3. f Hos. iU. X

and you shall be mine.<^ Behold, I do here solemnly, in this my marriage-covenant, make away myself to you;^ and, with myself, all thin^s;<^ For I have said and I change not. He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be my son. I will be an everlasting portion to you.* Lift up now your eyes eastward, and westward, and northward, and southward: Have ye not a worthy portion, a goodly heritage? Can you cast up your riches« or count your own happiness? Can you fathom immensity, or reach omnip-otency, or compreliend eternity? All this is yours. I will set open all my treasures to you, I will keep back nothing from you.

SECTION nx*

Se maketh over himae^ to ns in all his essential P£AF£CTIONS Ond PERSONAL R£- * LATIONS.

All the attributes in the Godhead, and all the persons in the Godhead, do I hereby nlake over to you. I will be yours in all my essential perfections^ and in ail my personal relations*

•Exek. xvi.'4 to 10. ^ Jer. xziv..7. xxx. 31, SSL UxL 33) 34^ <B Romans viii. 32. Rev. xxi. 7. ^ Etek. zUv. 28. Jer, li..l9» Psslm cziz. 57.

/. In all mint essjintial perfegtioi^s. 1. His eternity as the date of our happiness.

My eternity shall be the date of jour happiness.

I am the eternal 6od$ and while I am, I will be life and blessedness to you.* I will be a never-failing fountain of joy, and peace, and bliss unto you.^ I am tne>first and the last, that was, and is, and is to come; and mine eternal power and Godhead shall be bound to you.'^

I will be your Gk)d, your Father, your friend, while I have any being,<^ my choice of you, my children, who keep my covenant and my testimony.

Fear not, for the eternal God is your refuge; and underneath are the everlasting arms.® My durable riches and righteousness shall •be yours;^ though all should forsake you, jet will not I ft^rsake you. Whfen the world, and all that is therein, shall be burnt up, I will be a standing portion for you* W hen you are forgotten among the dead, with everlasting loving-kindness will I remember you. 8^

•Psalm xxix. 10,11. cxlvi. 10. 1 Tiro. i. 17, 1 Pet. V. 10. b Psalm xxxvi. 7, 8, 9. xvi. 11. « Isa. XXXV. 10. Jep. xxxii. 40. ^ Isa. ix.^ 6. Jer. xxxi.9. b Psalm cxxxii. 12. 14, Ho8.u.l9.'eDciit. xxxiii. 27. fPro. viii. 10. VHeb. xiii. 5. Psaln ^ixxvii. 10. Isa. lir. 10.

5. His unclumgeableness^ as the rock of

our rest.

Mine uncHangeablenes», as the rock of your rest,* When all the world is like the troubled ocean round about you, here you may ^x and settle; I am your resting-place.^

The immutability of my nature, and of ray counsel, and of my covenant, are footing for your faith, and a firm foundation for your strong and everlasting consola-1ioii.<^ When you are afflicted, tossed with tempests, and not comforted,^ put into me; I am a haven of hope, I am a harbour of rest for you; here cast your anchors, and you shall never be moved,®

3. His omnipotency for our guard*

Mine omnipotency shall be your guard. I am God Almighty, your Almighty Protector, your Almighty Benefactor.^

What! though yoiir enemies are many^g More are they that are with you, than they that are against you; for I am with you.^ What! though they are mighty? They ar^ not almighty. Your Father is greater than

a BfaL iii. 6. Psalm Ixii. 6,7. xcii. 15. b Jer. L

6. 2 Chron. xiv. 11. c2 Tim. ii. 19. Heb. vi. If, 18* d laa. liv. 11. «Jer. xvii. 13, 17. Psalm xWw 1. 2. 5. cxxv. I. f Gen. xv. 1. xvii. t, t Psalm XXV. 19. >2 CkroR. xxii. 7, 8. 2 Kings vi. 16.

6 •

all, and none shall pluck yon (pluck while they will) out of my hands.^ Who can hinder my power, or obstruct my salvation?*^ Who is like unto the God of Jeshurun, wba rideth on the heaven for your help, and in his excellency on the sky? I am tne sword of your defence, and the shield of your excellency.« I am your rock and your fortress,, your deliverer, your strength, the horn of your salvatioii, and your high tower.?* I will maintain you against all the power of the enemy: you shall never sink, iromnipotency can support you.® The gates of hell shall not prevail against you :^ your enemies shall find hard work of jt. They shall overcome, victory, or enervate omnipoteney, or corrupt fidelity; or change iramutability, or else they cannot finally prevail against you; either they shall bow or break, s Though they should exalt themselves as the eagle, though ihey should set their nest amons the stars, ei^n there will I bring them down, saitl» 4jie Lord.^

4

4. HisfaithfijilneaSyforoursecudty,

My faithfulness shall be your security.i^ My truths yea, my oath shall fail> if ever

I John X. 28. HssL. xliii. 13. Dan. iv.. 35. 2. Pik u. 9. c Deut xxxiii. 26, 29, <i Psalm xsiii. 2. e 1 Pet. i. 5. Exo<L xxviii. 12. Heh. vii. 25. ix. 2*.. f Mat xvi. 18. 8 Rev. iii.. 9. Isa. Ixvi. 4. b Qba(L 4. Jer. xlix. 16. i Psalm Ixxxix. 33^ 34^ 35.

yon come off losers by me.* I will make yoit to confess, when you see the issue and upshot of all my providences, that I was a God worthy to oe trusted, worthy to be believed, worthy to be rested in and relied upon> If jou walk not in my judgments, you must look for my threats and frowns; yea, and blows too; and you shall see that 1 am not in jest with you, nor will indulge you in your sins.'' Nevertheless, if you repent, and again turn unto me, 1 will receive you; my loving kindi^ess will I never take irom you nor suffer my faithfulness to fail,, whilst you continue in my word. My covenant ¥rill I not break, nor alter the thing, that is gon^ out of my lips.

5. ZKs mercie9, (xs our store.

My mercies shall be your store*** I am the Father of mercies; and such a Father I will be to you.<^ I am the Fountain of mercies; and this Fountain shall be ever open to you.^ My mercies are very many,, and they shall be multiplied towards you;ir very great, and they shall be magnified

»Isa. Hv 9,10. Mark JE. 29,30. l» Psalm :^xiv.. 4, 5, 6, 8 Ixxxiv, 121 cxlvi. 5. Jer. xvii. /,' 8. Psalm xxii 4, 5. c Psalm Ixxxix. 30,31, 3^^&c^ Amosiii. 2. 1 Sam. xii. 15. 1 Pet. iv. 17* ^ Isa. xlvii. 7. Ixiii. 7. Psakn cxix. 41. « 2 Cor. 1. 3.. f Psalm zxKvi. 9^ Rev. zxi. 6. fi Nelu ix» 17. Isa..

iv.r.

,52

upon ^ou;" very sure, and thej shall be for ever sure to you;^ very tender, and they shall be infinitely tender of you.« Though the fig-tree do not blossom, nor the vine bear, nor the flock bring forth; fear not, for my coropassiois fail not^ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of yonr lives.* Even to your old age I am he, and even to hoary hairs will I carry you. I have made« and I will bear; even I will carry and deliver you/ I will make an everlasting covenant with you» that I will not turn away from you to do y;OU good. K I swear that I will shew you the kindness of 6od> I can as soon forget to be God, as forget to be gracious.^ While mv name is **JKHoviVH, merciful, gracious, lon^.suffering, abundant in goodness and truth,'' I will never forget to shew mercy to you J All my ways towards you shall be mercy and truth.^ 1 have sworn that I would not be wroth with you, nor rebuke you; for the mountains shall depart, and the i^lls be moved; but my kindness shall not depart from you; neither shall the

alChron. xxi. 13» Gen. xix. 19. bisa. xxii. 23. c Psalm cxix. 156. ciii. 4. <» Hab. iii. 17.' Xam. ill. 32. «Psalm xxiii. 6. ^Isa idvL 4. ffJer. xxxii. 40. fc 1 Sam. xx. 14, 15, 17. xxv. 9, 10. i Psalm Ixvii. 9. J Psalm ciii. 17. xxziv. 6| 7. ^ Ps. xxy. 10.

as

•ovenant of mj peace be removed, sai& ihe Lord that hath mercy on you.

6. IRa omniscimcyf as our overseer.

Mine omnisctency shall be your overseer. Mine eyes shall be ever open, ob* serving your wants, to relieve them, and your wrongs, ^o avenge them.* Mine eaps shall be ever open, to hear the prayers of my poor, the cries of mine oppressed, the •lamours, the calumnies, and reproaches of your enemies.^ Surely 1 have seen your afiSiction, and known your sorrows: and shall not God avenee hid own elect? I will avenge them speedily.® 1 see the secret plots and designs of your enemies against you,' and willdi^annul their counsels;® I see your secret integrity, and the uprightness of your heart towards me, while the carnal and censorious world condemns you as hypocrites.^ Your secret prayers, fasts, and tears, which the world knoweth not of, I observe them, and 1 record them.ar Your secret care to please me, your secret pains^ with your own hearts, vour secret self-searching and self-d6nia!,;r-l8j6etb4Hn all;

• 1 Pet iii. 12. Exod. iii. 7> «> fsahuxxxiv. 1^ Exad. ii. 34, 25. Zeph. ii. 8, 9, 10. c LukfluxTi|i.. S, 7, 8. d Psalm xzxvii. 12. Ixxxiii. 3, 4. xxxiil. 10. Jer. xi 19. ^laau viii. 10. xxix. 14,15. fiv. 17. f J«b i. 8, 9, 10, 11. 2 Chron. xr, 17. f Mat. iv. ^ 18. Acto«.4«

itid your Father, which iseeth in secret, ihall reward them openly.*

7. His Wisdom^ as our counsellor*

My wisdom shall be your counsellor. If iny want wisdom, let him ask of me, and it hall be given him. *> I will be your deliver-;r. When you are in darkness, I will be a ight to you;° I will make your way plain lefore you** You are but short-si^nted» mt I will be eyes to you.® 1 will watch over rou, to bring upon you all the good I have )romi8ed,^ and to keep off all the evil you ear; or to turn it into good.fl^ You shall lave your food in its season, and your phys-c in its season; mercies, afflictions, all uitable and in their season.*^

1 will outwit your enemies, and make heir oracles to speak but folly.^ The old erpeut shall not deceive you, I will ac-[uaint you with his devices.J Ihe deceit-ul hearts you fear, shall not undo you; I i^ill discover their wiles.

I know how to deliver the godly out of emptation, and to reserve the unjust to the lay of judgment to be punished> Trust

• Mat XXV. ^, 35, 36. 2 Chron. xxxlv. 27.

James i. 5. « Micali vii. 8. ^laau xlii. 16. Ivii. 4. «Isa. xlii. 6, 7. xlix. 6. ^ Jer. xxxi. 28. xxxii. 1,42. 8 Psalm xci. 10,14. Jer. xxiv. 5. h Psalm xiii. 2,3. 1 Pet. i. 6. Isa. xxvi. 7, 8, 9. 4ia.. a^ 3 to 15. J 2 Cor. ii. 11. ^2 Pet ii. 9.

in me with all your hearts, and lean not to jour own understaDding;a I am Grod that performeth all things for you.^ I will forfeit the reputation of my wisdom, if I make you not to acknowledge, when you see the end of the Lord,c (though at present you wonder, and reach not the meaning of my proceedings,*) that all my works are in weight, and in number, and in time, and in 'Order;® if I force you not to cry out, "Manifold are thy works; in wisdom hast thou made them all.^'

^. His justice, as our avenger md rewarder.

My justice shall be your avenger and re-warcier.* Fear not to approach; fury is not in me.^ My justice is not only appeased towards you, but engaged for you.* I am so fully satisfied in the sacrifice of my Beloved, that justice itself, that was as a flaming sword drawn against you, doth now greatly befriend you; and that which was an amaxing, confounding terror, shall now become your relief and consolation J Under all your oppressions, here sliall your refuge be> Let me know your grievances,

A Pro. ill. 5. b Psalm IviL 2. c James v. 11. ^ Jer. xii. 1. .« Eccl. iii. 1, 14. ^ Psalm xxxiii. 4. c;dv. 10. civ. 24. g2 Thes. i. 6. 2 Tim. iv. 8. ^ Isa. xxvii, 4. ilssu xii. 1 JEccl. iii. 17- v. & Psalm ix. 1, 9, to 14. xcviL'l. xcir, 1. 1^ Psalm vL9«ciii«6.

my jnstice shall right your wrongs, and re* ward your aeryices.* You may conclude upon your pardon, conclude upon your crowns, conclude upon reparation for all your injuries; and all from the sweet con-sidiration of my justice;** the thought of which, to others, is as the horrors of the shadow of death. If you sin, despair not; remember, I am just to forgive you. If you pe at any pains or cost for me, do not count it lost, fur I am not unrighteous to forget Tou. I am the Righteous Judge, that have laid up for you, and will set on you, the orown of righteousness. Are you reviled^ persecuted, defamed? Forget not that I am righteous to render tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you that are troubled* vest with me. Though all your services and •ufierings deserve not the least good at my iMds, yet as I have freely passed my promise to reward them« so I will ^ justly keep it.

^i'iRs omnipreaeneej m eompany for us.

Mine omnipresence shall be company for you.<^ Surely I will be with you, to bless you.*' No bolts, no bars, nor bonds, nor banishment, shall remove you from me, nor

a Psalm clxvi. 7, Ueb. vi. 10. ^1 Jo|m L 9, n, 13. 2 Tim. iv. 8. 2 Thews, i. 4» 5. I Pet iL 23. c 1 Chran. zxii. 18. Joab. 1. 5,9. Isa. xli. 10« ^ Gen. «xvL 24

'

57

ft«ep mj presence and the infkienees of heav^ en irom Vou." [ am always with you:** in your darkest ni^ht, in jour deepest dangers, I I am at hand with you, a very present nelp in the time of trouble.<^ I am not a God afar off, or a^eep, or in a journey, when you need my counsel, mine ear, or aid. I am always nigh unto them that fear me.<^

No Patmos, no prison shall hinder the presence of my grace from you.* My presence shall perfume the noisomest wards, and lighten the darkest dungeon where you can be thrust'

10. His holiness as afourUinh of grace to ^us.

My holiness shall be a fountain of grace to you.«r I am the God of hope,^ the God of love,^ the Godof patience,J the Author and Finisher of faith. ^ the God of all erace;> and. i will give ^race to you ^^ My design is to make you partakers of my holiness.^^

I will be a constant spring ot spiritual life to<you.<> The water that I shall give jou, snail be in you as a well of water,

a Gen, xxxix. 21. 33. b Mat. xxviii. 20. cpsalm ]dvi. 1. xxziv. 18. <1 Psalm Ixxxv. 9. cxlv. 18. • Rev. L 9, 10. Acts xwu 25, 26. ' Acts xii. T. laa.lvii. 10.. rJohni. 16. 2Fet.L.4. bRom. xv. 13«. i 2.Cor. xiii. 11. i Rom.' xv. 5, ^ Ueb. xu. 2:. U.Pet V* 10. «Paalm. Ixxxiv. 11. "Heb. sL.lO. oGaL.ii* 20..Jolui^xiv.-19. viiL 1^. x. 10«.xiv..& * §

sprineiBg up into everlasting life. 1 he seed oil lii^ that I shall put into you, shall be so fed, and cherished, and maintained by my power, that it shall be immortal.* The unction that you shall receive from the Holy one, shall abide in you, and teadh you all things necessary for you; and, as^it hath taught you, you shall abide in him.** Keep but the pipes open, and ply the means which I have prescribed, and you shall flourish in the courts of your God.<^ Yea, I will satis* fy your soul in drought, and make fat your bones, and ye shall be like a watered gar-den.^i Lo, 1 will be as the dew unto you,* and you shall grow as the lily, and cast forth your roots as Xebanon; and your branches shall spread, and your beauty shall be as the olive tree;* you shall still bring forth fruit in old age, you shall be fat and nourishing/

11. Bis sovereignty^ to be, as it were, com*

manded by us.

My sovereignty shall be commanded by you.' You shall be my favourites, men of power to prevail with me.^ All mine attri« butes shall be at the command of your pray* ers.*

a John ir. 14. 1 John iii. 9. 1 Pet i. 23. CoL iL 19. b John xiv. 16, 17. 1 John ii. 20, 27. « Pro. TiiL 34. Psalm xcii. 13. ^Usl, Iviu. 11. a Hos. ziv. 5, 6. f Psalm xcii. 14. s Gen. xxxii. 26,28. Deut xi. 14. Mat. xxi. 22. h Hos. siL 4« Jji||yy ly, 18. ilta. xiv. 3,11.

1^. His aU'SiMciency. to he the lot of our

inheritance.

In sum, mine all-sufficiency shall be th^ lot of jour inheritance.^ My fulness is your treasure;^ my house is your home.<^ You may come as freely to my store* as to your own cupboard$^ you may have your hand as freely in my treasures, as in your own purses.

You cannot ask too much, you cannot look for too much, from me.® i will give you comforts, or be myself to you instead tof all comforts.'' You shall have children, or I will be better to you than ten children;? yoi| shall have riches, or I will be more to you than all riches.^

You shall have friends, if best for you; or else I will be your comforter in your solitude;' your counsellor in your distress^ If you leave fathet or mpther, or houses, or lands, for my sake, you shall have a hundred fold in me, even in this time> When your enemies shall remove your comforts, it shall be but as letting the cistern run, and opening my fountain; or putting out the can*

ft Gen. viii. 1. Psalm xvi 5, 6. b Numb, xviii. 20. Deut. X. 9. Psahn xvi. 5. 6. «Psalm xci. 1, 9. d Eph. iii. 12. e Eph. v. 20. Hat vii. 7, Q. 'Gen. XV. 1. Psalm Ixxxiv. 11. El Sam. L 8. Isa. Ivi. 5. h 2 Cor. vi. 10. > Isa. li. 5. John xiv, 18. 2Cor.i.3,4. JPsalmIxziii. 25, 26. ^Mai^-A 30.

dies, and letting in the sun. The swellit^ of the waters shall raise higher the ark of your comfort^ 1 mil be the staff of bread to you, your life and the strength of your days> 1 will be the house and home to you; you shall dwell with me; yea, dwell m me, and I in you«<^ I will stand and fall with you.<^ 1 will repair your losses, and relieve your n^eds.« Can you burn out the lamp of heaven, or lave out the Donndless ocean with i^our handsP Why, the sun shall be dark, and the sea be dry, before the Father of lights, the fountain of mercies shall be exhausted. Behold, though the world * hath been spending upon the stock of my mercy, ever since 1 created man upon the earth, yet it runs with full stream; still my sun doth diffuse its rays, and disburse its light, and yet shines as bright as ever; much more can I dispense of my .goodness, and £11 my creatures brimful and running over, aiid yet have never the less in myself: &nd till this all-sufficiency be spent, you shall never be undone. I am the Gud of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob;^ and whatever 1 waste them, 1 will be to you.

• Rom. y. 3. Heb. x. 34. Acts v. 41. bBeut. xxz. 20. Isa. xxxiii. 16. c Deut. xxxiii. 12. Joha xiv. 23. 1 John ui. 24. ^ Psalm xxxvii. If, 24. Ivi. 4.18a. xli. 10. «PbiL iv. 19. Miffk viii.35. mLjiJL.^t2^29. f£zod.m. 6.*

Arc you in vyantr You know whither to go: I am ever at home; you shall not go away empty from my door; Never distract youi^el:ves witli. cares and fears, but make known your requests by prayer and supplication unto me;^ i will help when all do fail.*» When friends fail, and heart fails,* when your eye-strings crack, and your heartstrings crack, when your acquaintance leaves you, and your soul leaves you, my bosom shall be open to you;^ I will lock up your dust, 1 will receive your souls.

13. His infiniteness, to be the extent of our

inheritance*

And mine infinitene^s shall be the extent of your inheritance. * Can yoti, by starch-ins, find out God? Can you find out the Almighty to perfection? It i« as high as heaven; what can you do? Deeper thaa hell; what can you know?® Thisheightin-eomprebensible, this deep unfathomable, ^hall be all yours, for ever yours.

I am your inheritance, which no line caA measure, no arithmetic can value, no sur« veyor can describe.^

• Phil. iv. 6. ^Psafm Ixs. iii. 26. Isa. Ixiii. S. Psalm cii. 17. «Psalm hudii. 26. <l Psahn xliz.

14. 2 Cor. V. 1 Luke xv. 22. ejob xi. r, 8. Psalm i. 7. f Ezek. xliv. 28. £ph. iii. 8. 1 Tim, vi« 16. Psalm czlv. 3.

Lift up now your eyes to the ancient mountains, and to the outmost bounds of the everlasting hills; all that you can dee is yours .A But your short sight cannot ken the moiety of what I give you; and when yott see and know most, you are no less than infinitely short of the discovery of your owa riches.''

II. In all his personal relations.

Yea, further, I will be yours in all my personal relations.

First. Crod the Father^ to he a Father to ub.

I am the everlasting Father, and I will be 2l Father to youS I take you for my sons and daughters.<^ Behold I receive you, not as servants, but as sons, to abide in my house for ever.® Whatever love or care children may look for from their father, that may you expect from me;^ and much more, as I am wiser, and greater, and better tlian any earthly parents. If earthly fathers will give good tnings to their children, much more will I give to you.s If such cannot forget their children, much less will I forget Tou.*^. What would my children have? Your father's heart, and your father's house; your father's care, and your father's ear; your

• Gen. xlix. 35, d6. b £ph. iii. 8. Rom. xL 33. John xvii. 22, 34. c jol^ xx. 17. d 3 Cor. vi. 18. « John viii. 35, ti6. f Mat vi. 3l» 33. « Luke xi. 13. hiML xlix. 15i

father's bread, and jour father's rod;—naB

these shall be yours.*

1, ffe promiseth his fatherly affection. You shall have mj fatherly afiection. My

heart I share among you, my tenderest love

I bestow upon you.*>

2. His fatherly compassion* My fatherly compassion. . As a father pi» tieth his children, so will I pity you.^^ I will consider your frame, and remember that you are but djust. For my mercy is from everlasting to everlasting upon there that fear me and that keep my covenant and remember my commandments to do them.^

S. His fatherly instruction*

My fatherly instruction. I will cause you to hear the sweet voice behind you saying **This is the way." I will tender your weakness, and inculcate mine admonitions, line upon line;* and feed you with milk, when you cannot digest stronger meat.^ I will instruct you, and guide you with mine eye.f

4. His fatherly protection.

My fatherly protection. In my fear is strong confidence^ and my children shall

* Job vii. 17, John nv. 2. 1 Pet v« 7. Mat. vii. 9. Luke xii. SO, 31, 32. Heb. xii. 7. b l John iii. 1. J«r. zxzi. 3. Isk. L 8. o Psalm ciii. 13, 17« d Psftlm Ixxviii. 39. • Isa. xzz* 21. f Isa. xxvilx. 13. 1 Cor. iii, 2. c Palm xziuU 8.

have a place of refuge.* Mynatne shall be your strong tower; to which you may at all times fly, and be safe.^ To your strong hold, ye prisoners of hope! I aman open refuge, a aear and inviolable refuge for you*^

5. Hia fatherli/ provision^

My fatherly provision. Be not afraid of want; in your lather's house there is bread enouu;h.^ I will care for your bodies. Care not for what you shall eat, drink, or put on:, let it suffice you, that your Heavenly Father knoweth that you have need: of all these things.^ I will provide for your souls;, meat for mem, mansions for them, and portion&v ibr them.*

Behold,. I have spread the table of mysos* pel for you, with privileges and coiu^rts^ that no man taketh.from you.^ I have set before you- the breadof life, and the tree of life, and the water, of life:' eat, O friends! Drink abundantly, O beloved!

But all this is but ata8teH>f what.I have

Prepared You must have but smiles aad iuts now; and.be contented, with glimpses• and glances, here:., but you^shall be shortly

•^PltMT. juvj 25; *'Pfov..xviii< 10.. c.Z«ch. ixv IZ <i Psalm xlviii, 3. Deut iv, 7. Job zi, 18, 19. • Pwlm xu:kv,.9. Luke 2v, 17. f Mat vi,.25 to^ tibieend.-Lukexii,22.to34. g John vi, 30 to 59k FsaUiLCilvi^ t54 P&ilm xvi, 5, 6. Lam. iv,, 24. ^ laa^ xiSj 6. Blat^ »:frvu> 4^ i*n>v^ iz, ^, Uobnvv, 46k.Hev. ii» 7. zxii»17«.

taken up into jour Father's bosom, and li^e fqr ever in the fullest viewaofhis glory.*

6. Hia faiherly-ptobation.

Mj fatherly probation. I will chasten you, because I ktve you; that you may not oe condemned with the world.*>

Sdly. €hdthe Son, to beahiuubandto m.

My Son I give unto you, in a marriage-covenant for ever^.^^ I make him over to you, as wisdom, for your illumination; righ-teousnes's, for your justification; sanctifica-tioD, for the curing of your corruptions; redemption, for your deliverance fro^ your enemies.<> I bestow him upon you witn all his fulness, all his merits, and all his graces.

He shall be yours in all his offices. I have anointed him for a prophet. Are you ignorant? He shall teach you; He shall be eye-salve to you.^' 1 have sent him to preach the gospel to the poor, to recover sight to the blind, and to set at liberty them that are bruised .^

I have established him, by oath, as h priest for ever.c If any sin, he shall be ^our advocate; he shall expiate your guilt, and lOake the atonement.^ Have you any sacri-

ficeand service to offer? Bring it unto him, and you shall receive an answer of peace. ^ Present jour petitions by his hand; hira. will 1 accepts Having such an high priest over'the house of Gou,« you may come and welcome; come with boldness.

Him have I set up as a king upon my ho>-]y hill of Sion. He shall rule you, he shall defend you.** He is the king of righteousness, king of peace; and such a king shall he be to you.^ I will set up his standard for you;^ I will set up his throne.in you. » He shall reign in righteousness, and rule in jud;^ment. He sliall be a hiding-place from tiie wind, and a covert from the tempest, and the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.!* He shall he^r your causes, judge your enemies, > and reign till he hatn put all under his feet;i yea, and under your feet: for thev shall be as ashes under you, and you shall tread them, saith the Lord of hosts.^ Yea, I will undo them that afflict you; and all they that despised you, shall DOW themselves down at the soles of your feet.1 And you bhall go forth, and behold the carcases of the men that have trespass^

« 1 Pet ii, 5. Heb. xiii, 15. b John xiv, 13, 14 c Heb. z, 19, 20,21, 22. d Isa. it, 6,7. Mat i, 21. « Heb. yii, 2. Jer. xxiii, 6. Eph. ii, 14. ^ Isa. zlix. 22. ^Psalrn ex, 2. Luke xvii, 21. bjsa. xxxii, 2. * Isa. XI, 3, 4, 5. J Psalm ex, 1. 1 Cor. zv« 25< k BfaL iv, 3. Iba. Iz, 14. Zepkiii, 19«

«d agaio^t tne? their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and thej shall be an abhorring to all flesh.'^

Thirdly. God the Spirit to be counsellor and

comforter to us. My Spirit do 1 give unto you, for your counsellor and comforter.^ He shall be a constant inmate with you, and shall dwell in you, and abide v ith you for ever,® I con*-secrate you as temples to his holiness.*' He shall be your guide, he shall lead you into all truth.<» He shall be your advocate, to indite your prayers and make intercession for you, and shall till your mouths with the arguments that he knows will prevail witti me.^ He shall be oil to your wheels, and strength to your ancles; wine to )our hearts, marrow to your bones, and wind to your sails. He shall witness your adoption.? He shall seal you up to the day of redemption, and be to you the earnest of your inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession.^

SECTION IV.

JSegiveth all things with Himself both pre-SKMT and to oom£. And as I give you myself, so much more

• Isa. Ixvi, 24. b John svi, 7. Rom. viii, 14» « Ezek. Mxvi,27.John xiv,16,17. <*! Cor.iii,16,17. VI, 19. « Gal. V, 18, John xiv, 26. f Rom viii, 26, 27, « Bom. viii* 16 b£ph, i, 14, iii| 14. 2 Coiy k22p

all things with myself;* earth and heayen; life and death; things present, and things to come>

L THINGS PRESENT OUfS.

Things present are yours. Lo,I giveyoa Caleb's blessing,—^the upper springs and the nether springs. I will bless you with alt spiritual blessings, in heavenly places, ia Chris t.c

First The Upper Springs^ or bkasingt spirihud: as 1. Moption^ access^ audi* ence, peace perseverance.

To you pertaineth the adoption, and the slory, the covenants, and tne service of &od, and Uie promises.^ To you will I give the white stone and the new name, • access into ,my presence,'' the acceptation of your persons,' the audience of your prayers.*^

reace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you.^ I will undertake for your perseverance, and keep you to the end; and then will crown mine own gift with eternal iife.i I have made you heirs of God, and co-heirs with vour Lord Jesus Christ: and you stiall inherit all things.^^

"Rom. Yui,32. 1 Cor. iii, 22. ^John xvi, 13. e Eph.i. 13. <iRom.iy, 4. eRey. ii, 17. <* Eph. iii. 12, gEph. i, 6. 1^ 1 John v, 14t 15, James y, 14, 15, 16. i John xiv, 27. J Jer. xszii, 40» Johft if> 28, Phil, •^ 6. k Rom. viii, 17, Rev. 31, r.-

to

2. The protection of his angels. 1 have granted you mine ansels for your guardians. The courtiers of heaven shall attend upon you^ they shall all be ministering spirits for your good.* Behold, I have fiven them charge over you, upon their delity to look after you; and> as the tender nurses, to bear you in their arms, and to keep you from coming to any hurt! *» These shall be as the careful shepherd, to vratch over my flock by night, and to encamp round about my told.<^

S. 7 Ae inspection of his ministers. My ministers I give for your guides. * Paul, Apollos, Cephas,—all are yours.* lam ^ways with them, and they shall be always with you, to the end of the world.*" You shall nave pastors after mine own heart; s and this shall by my covenant with you, that my Spirit, which is upon you, and my words, which I have put into your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, nor the mouth of your seed, nor of your seed's seed, saith the liord, from henceforth and for cver.ji

4. TAc rod of his discipline.

In short, all my officers shall be for the profiting and perfecting of you :^ all mine

•2 Hebi, 14. bpsalm xci, 11,12. cpsalmxxxir, 7 dEph.iT, 11 el Cor. iii, 22. %iat. Kviii, 20. Eph iv, 13 sJer. ui> 15, xxiii* 4. bisa Uz> 21. 2 Eph. iv« 12.

ordinances shall be for the edifying and saving of jou .* The very severities of my house, admonitions, censures, &c. and the whole discipline of my family, shall be f^r the preventing of your infection, the curing of corruption, the procuring of your salvation. ^

My word have I ordained for converting your souls, enlightening your eyes, rejojce-mg your hearts, cautioning you of dangers, cleansing your defilements, and conforming you to mine image.'^ To you I commit the oracles of God'A here you shall be fur-nished against temptations;^ hence you shall be comforted under distresses and afflictions;^ here you shall find my whole counsel.^ This shall instruct you in your way, correct you in your wanderings, direct you into the truths to be believed, detect to you the errors to be rejected.«

5. The pledges of his sacraments*

My sacraments I give you as the pledges of my love. You shall freely claim them; they are children's bread. Lo, I have given them as seals, to certify all that I have here promised you;^ and when these sacred

«2 Cor, xii, 19» Rom. i, 16 *>1 Cor v, 5^6, Tp Mat xviii, 15, James v, 20 cPsahn xix, 7, 8» 9^ 11, £ph. V, 26, 2 Cor lii, 18. <iRom. iii, 2. ^Mat iv»4, Eph vi, li, 17. fPsalmcxix, 92, 93- §Act« ,27. h2 Tim. iii, 16, Psalm czix, 105 iRomav^U.

n

signs are delivered unto you, then know and remember, and consider in your hearts^ that 1 therein plight jou my troth, and set to my hand, and do thereby ratify and confirm every article of these indentures, and do actually deliver into your own hands this glorious charter, with all its immunities and privileges, as your own for ever.»

Secondly. 77ic Nether Springs^ or mercies temporal: 1. The supply of his creatures.

And having sowed to you so largely in spiritual blessings, shall you not much more reap the temporal? Be you not of doubtful nind;—all these things shall be added unto you.^ My creatures I grant for your servants and supplies.^^ Heaven and earth shall minister to you: all the »tars in their courses shall serve you, and (if need be) shall fight for you^'^ And I will make my covenant for you with the beasts of the field, and witn the fowls of heaven; and you shall be in league with the stones of the field; and all shall be at peace with you.® 1 will undertake for ail your necessities. Do I feed the fowls, and clothe the grassland do you think that I will neglect my children?^ I hear ttie young ravens when they cryf shall 1 not much more fulfil the

*1 Cor xi, 25. Geib xvii, 10. b^uke xii, 29^ l\. c Psalm vui»3totke end. djudgpes v, 20. • Job v» 23. Hos. u» 18. ^ Mat. vi» 25 to the end*

7^

diesire of them that fear meP^ Fear not; toti shall be sure to want no good thing.** You would not jonrselves desire riches, pleasures, or preferment, to your hurt, i will give meat to them that rear me; I will be ever mindful of mjf covenant <^

2. The eo-aperation of his providences.

My providences shall co-operate te jour good.<^ The cross wind shall blow you the sooner and swifter into your harbour. You shall be preferred, when yon seem most debased; ahd then be greatest gainers, when you seem to be deepest losers; and roost effectually promote your good, when you seem most to deny it.®

//. Things to «ome ours.

Things to come are yours: the perfecting of your souls, the redemption of your bodies, the consummation of your bliss.

1. M dea$h^ in glorification initiate*

When you have glorified me for a while on earth, and finished the work I have given you to do, you shall be caught up into paradise, and rest from your labours, and your works shall follow you.^

a Psalm cxlv, 19. cxlvii, 9. bpsalm utxivy 10. ePsalmcxi, 5. 4 Rom. viu, 28- «2 Gor ix. 17. Hark x. 29 Phil, i, 29. ^Rev. xiv, 13. Luke xxiii. 43-

2. TTie convoy of angels.

1 will send of mine own lifeguard to conduct home your departing souls, 1^ and receive jou among the spirits of just men made perfect;^ and jou snalUook back upon Pharaoh, and all his host, and see joar enemies dead upon the shores

Si Redemption from oil c^Rcliorw*

Then shall be jour Fedemption from all jonr afflictions.

4. 7%c thorn m the flesh taken out.

The thorn in the flesh shall be pulled outr and the hour of temptation shall be oy«r^ and the tempter- foe ever out of woFk.

5. 7%€ sweat wiped off from our brows.

The sweat shall be wiped off from, your-hrowSy and the day of cooling and refreshing shall come; and you shall sit you dowiXi Ibr ever under my shadow. For the Lamb» thatifrin the midst of the throne^ shall feed: yottv and lead you to. the living fountainsL«£* waters.<>

6. TIU tears tvipedaway frdmjoureyes..

The teacs shall be wiped away from.your* •yes^ and there shall be no.more^sorrQW.nor*

» fiuket xvi}. 221. b Hebi. xii;,23i. <^ Acts iiij. \^

'74

cr^Dg9 neither shall there be any more pam; for the former things are passed awa^, and behold I make all tnings new.<^ I will change Marah into Naomi, and the cup of sorrow into the cup of salyation; and the bread and water of affliction, into the wine of eternal consolation, ^ You shall take down your harps from the willows, and I will turn your tears into pearls, and jour penitential psalms into songs of deliverance* You shall change your Ichabods* into ffO' sannaha, and your EjaM of sorrow into BaUelujaha of joy.«

7. TTie cross taken off from our backs*

The cross shall be taken off from your backs, and you shall come out of your great tribulations, and wash your robes, and make them white in the blood of the Lamb; and you shall be before the throne of God, and serve him night and day in his temple. And he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among you; and you shall hunger no

* Rev. xxi, 4, 5. b John xvi, 20, 22. Luke vi, 21. c Rev. xix, 1, 4, 6.

* Where i$ the Glory? or There is no GIorif—An expression used by Eli's daughteMU-law, as a name for tiit son of whom she wa« delivered a Utde before her death, wheu she had heard of Uie tidings that the ark of God was taken, and that her father-in>law and her husband were dead. 1 Sam. iV. 19—21.

t Ejdi, an cixelamation of grief.

more, nor thirst any more; neither shall the sun light upon you, nor any heat.^

8. 77ie souths admission into the chamber of presence^ and vision of God.

Thus shall you be brought to the King, all glorious, m raiment of needlework, and clothing of gold; with eladness and rejoicing shall you be brought, and enter into the King's palace ^ So shall the beloved of the Lord dwell safely by him; and you shall stand continually before him, and behold the beauty of the Lord, and hear his wisdom.^^ Then will I open in you an everlasting spring of joy, and you shall break forth into singing, and never cease more, nor rest day or night, saying, "Holy, holy, holy.''^

Thus shall the power of the tempter to distress you expire with your breatn, and the day of your death shall be the birthday 01 your glory.®

9- Jit the resurrection^ in glorification con-summatet redemption complete. There-turn of the Redeemer. The raising of the body.

Have faith in God-f Wait but a little, and sorrow shall cease, your last enemy

■ Rev. vii, 14,15,16. bPsahn xlv,9. 13,14,15. «1 Cor. xiii, 12. d Rev. iv, 8. .Psalmxvi, 11. ^2 Cop. V, 6, 8. Phil, i, 20, 23. Luke Jtxiii, 43. f Marie si. 22.

shall be destroyed, your victory comptete^^ and death shall be no inore.^ Yet a little ivhile^ and he that shall come« will come, and you also shall appear with him in glory .*> This same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven,^ shall so come as he went up into heaven; and when he cometfa^ he will receive you to himself; that where he iSy there you may be also.<^ Behold bis si^n, he cometh in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory; find every eye shall see him, and all the tribes of the earth shall mourn because of him.* But you shall lift up your heads, because the day of your redemption draweth nigh. ^ Then shall he sound his trump, ff and make you to hear his voice in your dust;i> and shall send his mighty angels to gather jiSa from, the four winds of heavenfv who shall carry you in the triumphant chariot of the clouds,, to meet yoor Lord:^and you shall be pre*^ pared for him, and presented to Uia> as a Bride adorned for her husbands

10. Fuli amfomuhfj both in body^andaotdf^l to ourghfified Saviouri I

And as you have borne the image of the.: earthly^ so shall you bear the image of the&

« Rev xz, t4. zxi, 4 ^ Heb. z, 37. ed. ill, 4.^' • Acts i» II. 'Jolm xiy» 3.. ^Rev. i, 7. MaU zxiV, 30. f Luke xxi,. 28. John v, 28. g 1 Cor^ XV, 52. itiThes. iv. 16« i Hat. xxiv» 3U i]| Thes. iv» IT. kBer^ui* z. 1

msLvevXji land you shall be fully eonform* «d» both in body and spirit, to your glorious head .a

11. PubRc approbation and absolution.

Then shall he confess you before his angels,^ and you shall receive your open absolution before all flesh; and be owned, approved and applauded in the public audience, of the general assembly.^

\SL Solemn espousals.

And you shall be, with all royal solemnities, espoused unto the King of glory, in the presence of all his shining courtiers; ^ to the envy, and gnashing, and terror of your adversaries.*

13. The coronation and enthronement oj the smnts: their sitting, in judgment upon the world.

So shall your Lord, with his own hand, crown you, f and set you in thrones;^^ and you shall judge men and angels,^ and you shall have power over the nations,* and you shall set your feet upon the necks of your enemies. J

Lo, I have set the verv day for your instalment;^ I have provided your crowns,

•FhSL ill, 31. Heb. xii, 33. bRev. iii, 5. cMat. X, 33. zzv, 33, 34,35. 'Rev. xix, 7, 8. 3 Cor. ir, 14. MatXXV, 31. «lAike xiii, 38. fRev. it* 10. f fiev. iii, 31. Hat ux, 38. i^l Cor. vi, 3, 3. ^Scf.jui, 36,37. iPsstanxMx, 14. i^Actixvii, 3^.

it have prepared the kingdom.* \^hereforft do you doubt, O ye of little faith? These are the true sayings of God ^ Are you sure that you are now on earth? So surely shall you be shortly with me in heaven. Are you sure that you shall die? So surely you shall rise again in glory. Lo, I have said it; and who shall reverse it? You shall see me, face to face« and be with me where I am, and behold my glory;<^ for I will be glorified in my saints, and admired in all uiera that believe.^' And all flesh shall know that 1 have loved yon;® for I will make you the instances of my ffrace;' in whom the whole World shall see, now unutterably the Almighty God can advance the poor worms-meat and dust of the grouncl. And the despisers shall behold, and wonder^ and pehshjfl^ for they shall be witnesses to the riches of my magnificence, and exceeding gt*eatness of my power.*> These shall go away into everlasting punishment, but you into life eternal.*

14. Our triumphant a8cen9ion into heaven*

For no sooner shall their doom be past, but the bench shall rise,i and the jtidge shall

■ 3 Tun, iv, 8. Mat zxV) 34 ^Rev. idXf 9* c 1 Cor. xiii, 13. Jokn ivii, 34. dSTiuiB. i, 10. •Rev. ui, 9. f£ph. i. 5, 6. ii, T. tAcUSm,

41. hLuketri, 33. iMat» )cxn4^ iBtttxxvt 41,46. . ^

return with all his elorious train; with . sound of trumpet, and shouts incredible, shall he ascend, and shall lead you to jour Father's house. ^ Then shall the triamphal arches lift up their heads,^ and the everlasting ^ates stand open, and the heavens shall receive jou all; and so shall jou be ever with the Lord.©

And now will I rejoice over you with singing:, and rest in my love; and heaven shall ring with joys and acclamations, because I have received you safeand sound .^

And in that day you shall know that I am a rewiirder of tnem that diligently seek me;B and that I did record your words,^ and bottle your tears, and tell your wander-ing8;ff and kept an account, even to a cup of coid water, of whatever you said or did for my name.^

15. Blessed eternity.

You shall surely find, that nothing is lost,i but you shall have full measure, pressed down and running over;i thousands of years in paradise fbr the least §ood thought, and thousands of thousands for the least good word; and then the reckoning shall ^egin i^gain, till ajl arithmetic be non*

* Psalm xlv, 14,15. Mat xxv, 43. John siv, 2. with 3 Cor. y, 1. b Psalm xxiv, 7. 2 Pet i, 11. c Jphnyu, 26. 1 Thes. iv, 17. ^IfoX^ xv. ^. « Heb. xi, 6. ^Mai. iii, 16: ff Psahnlvi, 8. ^mu x,.42. >1 Cot. :^v. ^8. iL\3);eT^39.

plust: fpr you shall be swallowed up in a blessed eternity, and the doors of heaven shall be shut upon you, and there shall be no more going out.*

16. Glorious company.

The glorious choir of mine holy angels, the goodly fellowship of my blessed prophets, the happy society of triumphant apostles, the royal hosts of victorious martyrs,—-these shall be your companions for ever.b And you shall come in white robes, with palms in your hands, every one having the harps of God, and golden vials iiill of odours; and shall cast your crowns before me, and strike in with the multitude of the heavenly hosts, glorifying God, and saying, ^^Hallelujah! the Lord God omnipotent reigneth!® Blessing, honour, glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and for ever!"<*

17« BeaHfieal vision.

In short, I will make you equal to the angels of God;^ and you shall be the everlasting trumpets of my praise.^ You shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of my house, and I will make you drink of

A Dan. zii, 2, 3. Rev. iii, 12. Luke xvi, 26. b Mot viii, 11, 12. Heb. xii, 22, 23. c Rev. vii, 9, 10,11,12, ziz, 5, 6. dRev. v, 13^ ^Luke XJ^ 36. f Bev. vii, 10^ IK ^i ^•^

the rivers of ir.y pleasures.** You shall be an eternal excellency:^ and if God*can die, and eternity run out, then, and not else, shall your joys expire. For you shall see me as I am,<^ and know me as you are kiiown;^ and shall behold my face in righteousness, and be satisfied with my likeness.® And you shall be the vessels of my glory; whose blessed use shall be, to receive Sie overflowings of my goodness, and to have mine infinite love and glory poured out into yqu, brimful and running over, for evermore.*"

And blessed is he that hath believed; for there shall be a performance of the things that have been told him.s^ The Lord hath spoken it, ^^You shall see my face, and my name shall be written in your foreheads; and you shall no more need the sun, or the moon; for the Lord God shall give you light, and you shall reign for ever and ever," ^

18. He taketh us J or his people. And as I give myself to you for your God, and all things with myseff; so I take you for my covenant people;» and you shall be mine in the day when I make up my jewels, saith the Lord of hosts; and I will spare

• Psalm xxxvi, 8. ^ Isa. Ix. 15. c l John iii, 2. ^ 1 Cor. xiii, 12. •Psalm xvii, 15. fRom. ix, 23. 2 Tim. li, 20. Rev. xxii, 1. fLuke i, 45. h Kev. xxii, 3, 4, 5. »Heb. viii, 10, Isa. xliii, 1.

yoQt as a man spareth his own son ttiafc aerveth him.<^ The Lord shalF eount when-he writeth up the people,--*sureljr tftej are mj children.**

I do not only require you to be inine,«^ if you would'have me to be for you; but I do^ promise to make you mine, and to work ia you the conditions which I require of your I will circumcise your hearts to love raej *-I will take out the heart of stone;* my htws win I write within you.^'

Yet you mu«t know that I will be sought unto for these thing8;«f and as ever you ex*-pect to partake of the mercies, I* charge-you to lie at the pod^ and wait for ray Spirit, and bediligent in the use of my means^

The teems 1 propose to you, are not rigorous: I shal^ not stand upon satis&ctibu ai^ your hands; I have received a ransom,, and' do only propose him fof your acceptance. Believe in him with a foving and' oDedientv heart, perfecting holiness in mj fear.

I require you tov accept of my Son by^be-^ lieving; but I will ^ive you a hand^ to. take faim,i and to submit to and obey him: but I must and will guide your hand to write^. after him^ and cause y^u to walk in mj

^MBl.m,l7. b psialiB Ui(xvii,, 6. «Lev. xx,^ 26. ISzek. xiLxvi, 28. <iPeat xxx. 6. e£zek» zjLvn^ 26. f Jer. xxxi^ 33» SB^ek. xxxvi, 37^. ^ Prov^ ii. 3,4, S. Luke xL 13. HPhii. k 29. Joha

iftatatea.* I will takeyou by the armg, and teach you t6 g&;*> I wiVl order your steps.« Yea, those things wiU I accept of you as the condition of life, which, viewed in the strictness of my justice, would deserve eternal death.<^ Grace! grace! Amm*

OHAP. IH.

^The Foiee of the Redeemed, after ihe TMhrnatum-

AMENl Halleli^ah! Be it to thy ser-vanf s according to thy word4 But who are we, and what is our father's house, that thou hast brought us hitherto? And now, O Lord God, wiiat shall thy servants say unto thee? For we are silenced with wonder, and must ^it down in astonishment; for we cannot utter the least tittle of thj praises What meaneth the height of thm strange love? And whence is this unto us, that the Lord of heav«n and earth should condescend td enter into covenant with dust? We are net worthy to be as the hand-maids, to wash the feet of die aervaats t>f oiir Lord; how much less to

'«£zek. zxxvi, 27.l»Hos. n, 3» 4. c Psalm sxxvii» 23» 31. ^Zph. ii% 8. 1 Thes. iu, 10. Heb. tf 9. Eedes. w. 3a

be thj sons and heirs, and to be made par« takers of all these blessed liberties and privileges which thou hast settled upon us! But for thy goodness' sak6, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things. Even so, father, because it seemed good in thy sight.

"Wherefore thou art great, O God, for there is none like thee; neither is there any God besides thee.^ And what nation on earth is like thy people, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for them great things and terrible; for thou hast confirmed them to thyself, to be a people unto thee for ever; and thou, Lord, art become their God.

Wonder, 0 heavens, and be moved, 0 earth, at this great thing I^ For behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people; aiid God himself shall be with them, and be their God. Be astonished and ravished with wonder, for the infinite breach is made up; the offender is received, and God and man reconciled^ and a covenant of peace entered, and heaven and earth are all agreed upon ihe terms, and have struck their hands, and sealed the indentures. 0 happv conclusion! O blessed conjunction! Shall the stars dwell with the dust? Or the

«2SuihVii. 18.totlieeiid. ARev.sod^ 4.

wide distant poles be brought to mutual embraces aud cohabitationP

But here the distance of the terms is infinitely greater. Rejoice, Oausels; shout^ O seraphims; O all ye friends of the bridegroom, prepare an epithalamium^* be ready ivith the marriage song. Lo, here is the \vonder of wonders; for Jehovah hath betrothed himself for ever to his hopeless captives, and owns the marriage beiore all the worlds and is become one with us, and wt with him. . He hath bequeathed to us the precious things of the heaven above, and the precious things of the earth beneath, with the fulness thereof, and hath kept back nothing fil'om us.

And now, O Lord, thou art thkt God, and thy words be true; and thou hast promised this goodness to thy servants,*^ and has left us nothing to ask at thy hands, but what thou hast already freely granted. Only the word which thou hast spoken concerning thy servants, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said; and let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, ''The Lord of hosts, he is the God ot Israel." Jlmm, HaUe-hijah*

aSSom. vii>25,28.

*A song or ode compoeed or sung in honoitf of the mari^ i<i»f«<efaoyoiie.

«6 CHAP. IV.

Jl SoUloquyy representing ihe beUeDBf^s triumph m

God's Covenant, and the various conflicts and

glorious conquests offceith over umdirf*

SEOTION I.

The Sold taketh hold oh Ood^s covenarU*

YEA, hath God said, "I will be a God unto thee?" Is it true indeed? Will the Lord be mine? Will he lay aside the con-troversy^ and conclude a peace? Will he receive the rebel to mercy^ and open his doors to his prodigal? 1 will surely go unto my Father: I will take unto me words, and bow myself before his foot stool; and say, *'0 Lord, I have heard thy words, and do here lay hold on thy covenant;* I accept the kindness of God, ahd will adventure myself upon thy fidelity, and trust my whole happiness, here and hereafter, upoH these thy promises."

Farewell, deceitful world! Get thee under my feet. Too long have I feared thy vain threats; too long have I been deluded with thy flattering promises. Canst thou promise me or deny me such things as God nath covenanted to give me? I know thou canst not; and therefore I renounce thee for ev€r from being the object of my faitb

•I«u Ivi, 4.

B7

«r fear. No longer will I lean to this rot^ ten reed, no longer mil I trust to this broken idol. Avoid,* satan with thy tempting baits* In vain dost thou dress the harlot in her paint and bravery, ^nd tell me, ♦*AI1 this will I give thee."* Canst thou shew me such a crown, such a kingdom* as God hath promised to settled upon me? or that which will balance the loss of an infinite God^ who here gives himself unto meP Away, deceitful lusts and pleasures^ get you hence! 1 have enough m Christ and his })romises, to give my soul fill I con«-tent: these have I lodged in my heart, and there is no longer room for such guests as> you* Never shall jou have quiet enters tainment more within these doors*

Thou God of truth, I here take thee^ at thy word; thou requirest but my acceptance and consent, and here thou hast it. Good is the word of the Lord which he kath spoken; and, as my Lord hath said». BC^ will thy servant do: My soul catchetk bold of thy promises; these have I takea aa my heritage for even Let others carry the preferments and possessions of this world; it shall be enough for me, to be an heir of thy promises.

She mdkefh her boast m God. .

0 happy aou)^ bow rich art thou! What

• Hat iv. 8, 9. ^^

* An old acceptation of tb» word^ sijpfyiBg^retwe*

a booty have I gotten! It is all mine own; I have the pomises of this life, and of that which is to come.^ Oh, what can I wish more? How full a character is here! Now my doubting soul may boldly and believ-ingly say, with Thomas, "My Lord and my God!" What need we any further witnesses? We have heard his words; he hath ^worn by his holiness, that his decree may , not be cnanged; and hath signed it with his own signet.

Rejoice, ye heavens; strike up, ye celestial choirs; help, heaven and eariji. Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his! Bless the Lord, O my soul! Oh, had I the tongue of men and angels, all were too little for my single turn. Had I as many tonnes as hairs, the whole choir were not sufficient to utter my Creator's praises.

My beloved is mine, and I am hisAThe grant is clear, and my claim is firm. Who durst deny it, when 6od himself doth own it? Is it a hard adventure to speak after Christ himself? Why, this is the message that he has sent me, "I ascend to my lather, and your Father; my God, and your God ° He hath put words into my mouth, and bid me to say, *'Our Father."

I believe; Lord, help mine unbelief. 0 my God and my Father, I accept thee with all humble thankfulness, and am bold to

»lTim»iv, 8. b Cant. iiy 16. cjohnxx.ir.

B9

take hold of thee* O my King and my God, I subject my soul, and all its powers, to thee. O my glory, in thee will I boast all the day. O my rock, on thee vrill I build all my confidence and my hopes. O staft* of my life and strength of inj heart, the life of my joys and joy of my lite, I will sit and sing under tliy shadow, and glory in thy holy nauie.^

O my soul, arise, and take possession: inherit thy blessedness, and cast up thy riches: thine is the kingdom, thine is the glorjr, and thine is the victory. The whole Trinity is thine: all the persons in the Godhead, all the attributes in the Godhead, are thine. And behold here is the evi* dence, and these are the writings, by which all is made sure to thee for ever.

She quelleth discontent, and reasoneth dotvn unbelief i in the foUomng.

m

And now return to thy rest^ O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. Say, if thy lines be not fallen to thee in a pleasant place, and if this be not a goodly heritage.*^ Oh blasphemous discontent! how id^surd and unreasonable an evil art thou, whom all the fulness of the Godhead cannot satisfy, because thou art denied in a petty comfort, orcrost iji thy vain expectations from the worldi

^ «CMit,ii,3. bPMOiBXvis^S^i

0 mogt unthankful soul! shall not a Trinity content thee? Shall not all sufficiency suffice thee? Silence your murmuring thoughts forever: I have enough; I abound, and am full.. Infiniteness and eternity ia mine, and what more can I ask?

SECTION It.

TTie assaults of xmbdief It questions 1. the truth of the promise.

But methinks I feel some secret damps upon my joy; and when I would soar aloft, and triumph in the riches of my portion, a secret dimdence plucks me back, as the string doth the bird; and unbelief whispers in mine ear, <^Sure this is too good to be true."

The triumph of faith in the certainty of

Go(Ps truth.

But who art thou that disputest against God? The Lord hath spoken it, ana shall not I believe him? Will he be angry, if I give my assent, and speak it confidently upon the credit of his woi*d?

Oh my Lord, suffer me to spread the writing before thee. Hast not tnou said, **Thy Maker is thy httsband,^ I will betroth thee unto me;^ thou shalt call me, Ahf Fa^ ther?^ '' I pray thee, 0 Lord, was not thi»

«lBa.nv,5. >>Ii^ivl9* <Jer. ujr^ iV.

thj Mying, "I am God, even thy God; I will be a father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters?^ Why then should I doubtr Is not uie truth of the lining God sure footing for my faith?

Silence then, O quarrelling unbelief! I know in whom I have believed:—not in friends, though numerous and potent; for they are men,and not God :^ —not in riches; for they make themselves wings:^ —^not in princes; for their breath is in their nostrils* ^ but let God be true, and every man a liar* Itf God have I put my trust, in his word do I hope. O sure word! Heaven and earth shall pass away, but not one jot or tittle of this. I have not built upon the sand of mortality: let the rain descend^ and the floods come, and the winds blow, nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure.« His everlasting counsel, and everlasting covenant, are my stay. I am built upon his promises; and let hell and earth do their worst to blow up this foundation.

Now shall my faith triumph, and my heart be glad, and my glory rejoice. 1 win shout with the exulting multitude, "The Lord^— he is the God! "f And he is not ashamed to be called my God.' He is not ashamed of my rags nor poverty, of my parentage or

■2Cor. vi, 18. ^lasu xiid, 3. oprov. zxiii, 5. d Psalm cxlvi, 3,4. • Mttt. vii^ 25. 2 Tim. ii, 19. ^1 Kings xviii, 39. CHeb.xi,16.

pedigree; and since his infinite condescen* sion will own me, will he take it ill if I own him? Though I have nothing of my own to glorj in,* (unless I should glorj in mj shame.) yet I will glory in the Lord, and bless myself in him.

For who is like unto the God of Jeshu* run?^ Bring forth your gods, O ye nations: lift up your eyes and behold: who hath created all these things? Can any do for their favourites, as the Lord can? Or» if he be angry, who is that God that shall deliver out of his hands? Will you set Da-gon before the ark? Or shall Mammon contend with the holy One! O ambitious Haman, where is now thine idol honour? O rich glutton, that madest a god of pleasure, where is now the God whom thou hast served? O sensual worldling, that knowest not where nor how to bestow thy goods,-* do riches profit thee? Could Mammon save thee? Deceived souls! Go now to the gods that you have chosen. Alas! they cannot for ever adLminister a drop of water to cool your tongues.

But the portion of Jacob is not like them* From everlasting to everlasting he is Qod.^ His power is my confidence, his goodness is my maintenance^ his truth is my shield and my buckler.^

•ICor. i,29,31. bDeut ZiJEiii» 36. eJcf^

•»

SECTION ni«

M tonfmndi the soul S. vnth the amazing greatness and difficulty, of the things.

But my clamorous unbelief hath many wiles, and afresh assaults me with the difficulty of the things promised; and labours^ to nonplus and confound me with their amazing greatness.

The triumph of faith %n God^s omnipotence.

andveracity^

But why should I stagger at the promise throuffh unbelief), robbing at once my. Master of his glory> and ray soul of her comfort? It is my great sm to doubt and dis-^ pute; and yet shall I be afraid to believe? O my souU it is the highest honour ihou canst put upon thy Lord,, to. believe against di^GUities; and tOi. look tor,, and reckon^ upon great things and wonderful, passing: ' all created power and human £iith.

Let not the-^eatness, nor the strangeness of the benefits bequeathed unto thee, put thee to a stand.. It is with a Qod thou; hast to do,^ and therefore thou must not look foe little things^ that were tOv darken the glory o£ his munificence,^ and the infi-Biteuess of his po^ec and ^odness.. Know-est thou not„ that it ia. his design to make> his name g^lorious,. and to make thee know ke i& able t& do forthee abare all that thom eanat ask or tiunk£* Surel^thej cannntbfe

any small or ordinary things that shall be done for thee, when the Lord shall shew m thee what a God can do, and shall carry thee in triumph before the world, and make

Erojlamation before thee,—-"Thus shall it e done to the man "whom the Lord de-lighteth to honouri" What wonder, if thou canst not comprehend these things, if they exceed ail thy apprehensions and conceptions? This is a good argument for thy faith: for this is that which the Lord hath said—"that it hath not entered into the heart of man, to conceive what thin^ he hath prepared for them that love him." Now, if thoii couldest conceive and comprehend them, how should this word be made good? It is enough for thee, that the Lord hath spoken it. Is not the word nigU theer Hath God said, "I will receive you; you shall be kings and priests unto God« and inherit all things; and shall sit on thrones, and judge angels, and be ever with the Lord?" And sh,all I dare to say him nay? Unreasonable unbelief! What! never satisfied? Still contradicting and blaspheming? False whisperer, no more of thy tales! I believe in God, that it shall be as he hath told me.'

And now thanks be to Gt)d, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ;^ therefore my lips shall praise thee, antl my soul

» Acts xxvii, 25. ^ 2 Cor.. ii» 14.

which thou hast redeemed.<» For thou hast made me glad through thy word, and I will triumph in the works of tby hands.^ I will praise the Lord whilst I live, I will sing praises to my God whilst I have any being.<^

O my S0UI9 if thou couldest wear out thy fingers upon the harp, and wear thy tongue to the roots, thou eouldest yet never sufiGi-ciently praise thy Redeemer.

O mine enemies, where is now your con*, fidence, and where is your armour, wherein you trusted? I will set Christ alone against all your multitudes, and all the powers, and malice, and policy, wherewith they are armed. The field is already won, and the captain of our salvation returned with the spoils of his enemies; having made a shew of them openly triumphing over them in his cross. <* And thanks be to God, who hath given us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ.*^

Of whom then shall I he afraid? Behold he is near that justifieth me; who shall plead with me?

O ye powers of hell, you are but chaiaed captives; and we have a sure word, that the gates of hell shall not prevail against us.^ 1 hough the world be in arms against us, and the devil in the head of them, as^ their champion; yet who is this uncircumcised Philis-

a Psalm Ixxi, 23. > Psalm xcii, 4. c Psalm civ, 33. d Col. ii, 15. e 1 Cor. xv, 57* f Mat xvi,. 18.

ifine, that he should defy the armies of the HviDg God? Behold I come out to thee, a» the stripling against Goliah^ not with sword and witn spear, but in the name of the Lord of hosts,.in whose strength I am more than a conqueror.^

O grave, where i« now thy victory? Christ Is risen, and hath broken up thy pnson, and rolled away the stonej so that all thy prisoners have made an escape. Rejmee not against me, O mine enemyf though I fall, I shall rise again; though I lie in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unta me> Enlarge not thy desires, O Tophet, but shut up thy flaming mouth; for there is now no condemnation to them that are ia Christ Jesus.<^

O deceitful world, thoir art already over-come,<^ and the conouered enemy is- become^ my servant;* and I am fed with; honey taken out of the carcase of the slain^lion.. I fear not thy threats, nor the enchantmeats of thy syren songs; being kept by the power of God, through a victorious fiuth, unto* salvatba.^

O my sittSi you. are alneady huriedy. never* j to hav.» any resurrection; and the remembrance of you shall be no more.s 1 see my^, sins^^ nailed ta the ccoss^ and theic dominions

•^t Sam. T^4£^4S^4r.. »• Mic;.vu».&:. ^ BXunJ yak^ t.> Joha x.vi^3Xr n Cociiite22i.t ItBelU^M Muiir4,4». c: Heb«.viii;3k2;. ^

i

is taken a\v*ay." Awake, therefore, O my glory; awake, psaltery and harp, and meet the Deliverer with triumph; for his right hand, and his holy arm, have gotten us the victory;^ and all the ends of tl^e earth have seen the salvation of our God.

J i SECTION IV.

// upbraids the trembling soul 3. with its

urmofthiness.

Yet, methinks my unworthiness flies in my face, and I hear a cavilling unbelief thus upbraiding me, and cring out, **0 proud presumption! That thou, who art conscious to thyself of thy great unworthiness shnuldest pretend a claim to God and glory! Shgill dar-mg dust think to share witn the Almighty, and say of his endless perfections. They are my right} Bold sinner, stand off, and tremble at thy presumptuous arrogance!"

Faith subscribes the charge^ and triumphs in

God^sfree gruce^

O my God, I lay my hand upon my mouth; Iiconfess the charge of/mine unworthiness. My guilt and tslmme are such a»^ I cannot cover; but thou canst and dost. Thou hast cast a mantle upon my nakedneiss; ^nd hast promised,^ myvtransgressions' shall not be mentioned,^and-tnat thoa wiU multiply pardons - And shall! take up what thou hast bi>rled»'rand affright myselt with the ghosts

Psalm xGviii, 1,'2«

9

that infidelity hath raised? Is it presumption, to take the pardon that thou dost offer, or to receive and claim thee as mine, when it is but what thou hast promised? I durst not have pretended a title, but upon thy grant. I should have thought it diabolical pride, to have pleaded an interest in thee, and claimed kindred to thee, but that thou hast shewed me the way.

And thou, my soul, art thou ignorant of God's great design? Knowest thou not, that it is his purpose to glorify free grace? And how should grace appear to be grace indeed, were there any worthiness in the subject? Thine unworthiness is but a foil, to set off* the beauty and riches of free grace and mercy.

SECTION V.

It questions the believer^a title 4. to God's gruce and interest in the promise.

But I pannot shake off these doubts? Alas! what a cavilling sophister is unbelief; and will never be answered! Now it is ready to tell me, *< What! if the promise should be a sure foundation? yet thou mayest not build upon another man's ground. What! though the grace and mercies of God are infinite? yet dogs may not catch at the children's bread; thoii hast no right nor title to the^ro-mise, therefore cease thy pretended claim."

97ie triumph offaith^ in the clearness of the believer^s evidences.

But, O my soul; wherefore shouldest thou doubt? Whose image and superscription is this? Dost thou not bear upon thee the marks of the Lord Jesus? I have given up my name to him, and taken hold of his covenant;'^ and therefore may claim an interest.

I have accepted the matter, and closed with the Meaiator, and subscribed to the conditions of the covenant; and therefore cannot question but it is mine.

The Lord hath offered to be my God, and I have taken hold of his offer; I Have taken him as God, and given him the supremacy. 0 my soul, look round about thee,in heaven and earth; is there any thou dost esteem or value in companson of God?*> Is there any thou dost love like him; or take that content or felicity in, that thf)u dost in him? Are not thy chief desires and designs to glorify and enjoy him? Thou canst not deny but it is truly thus. I am sure, nothing but God will content me. I am never so well in all the world, as in his xoinpany. My soul seeketh him above all, and rests in him alone, as my satisfactory portion. He offer-eth to take me as one of his people; and I , have resigned myself accordingly to him, as his; and have put both my inward and out-

• Isa. Iri. 4. b Psalm Ixziii, 25, 26.

/

100

ward man under his government, and hare given up all to his disposal, and am resolved to be content with him, as my all-sufficient happiness.*^

Besides, I have taken him in his own way through Christ, whom he hath tendered to me as my head and husband; and I have accordingly, solemnly and deliberately, takea-him. O my soul, dost thou not know thjr often debatesPb Hast thou not put Christ, and all the world, into the balance? Hast thou not cast up the cost, and reckoned upon the cross; and willingly put thy neck under Christ's yoke,^ and ventured thy salvation upon Christ alone;<> and trusted him^ with all thy happiness and all thy hopes? * I^st thou not, over and over, resolved to take him with what comes; and that he shall be enough though iti the loss of all things?'' Thou canst but know, that these have been the transactions between Christ and thee; and therefore He is^thine, and all the promisea YEA AND AMEN, to thee through him.

And for the terms of the covenant, I love and like them; my soul embraceth thera: neither do I desire to be saved in any other

•Phil, iii, 8. Pha. i, 26. Psahn Ixxxvi. «, Ixxxiv, 1, 2f 3. Paalm xxvii, 4, cxix, 5T, Psalm cxxiv» 8. 2 Cor. v. Acts xxiv> 16. with Rom. Ti» 19. Luke xivy 33. Psalm xvi> 5,6. John i, 12. >> Luke xiv, 26 to the end. ^Mat. xi, 29. (^PiuL iii, 9^ 02 Tim. i> 12. fPhiL3,&

lol

^ way, than by repentance towards God, and

faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ,* and

sincere obedience to his gospel.^

t I am willing to go out of my flesh, and

I do look unto Jesus for righteousness and

' strength, and trust my salvation wholly on

this bottom. I am content to deal upon

. trust; and venture all in hopes of what is to

I come J and to tarry till the next world for

my preferment; t am willing to wait till

the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and

have laid up my happiness on the other side

the grave.<^

And though my sins be many, yet I should belie my own knowledge if I should say they were not my constant trouble and burthen, and the enemies against which [ daily watch, and with whom my soul hath no peace. Mine own heart knoweth that I hate them, and desire and endeavour their utter destruction; and do resolve against them all, and am willing to use all God's n!ieans (that

1 know) to mortify them. It is too true, that I often fall, and fail; yet my conscience beareth me witness, that I confess and bewail it, and do not ordinarily aiid deliberately allow myself in any sin whatsoever aeaiBBt my knowledge. And though my wedience be miserably lame; yet O Lord,

• Acts XX, 21. bRpm. ii, 7. «PhU. iii, 3 to 10.

2 Cor. V, 7. 2 Cor. iv, 18. 1 Tbes. 1,9,10. Tit. ii, 13«Heb. x»34,andxi«35.

i

thou knawest,that I have respect unto all thjr commandments, and do strive to corae up-to what thou requirest. The Holy Ghost i» witness, and my conscience also, that I first seek the kingdom of God, and the righteousness thereof;» and that is my chief care to please God, and keep from sin. Speak,

0 my soul, is not holiness thy design? Dost thou not thirst for it, and follow after itB Dost thou not, in thy settled choice, prefer the holy ways of God before all the pleasures and delights of sin? Thou knowest it is thus, and therefore no disputing! Thou hast sincerely taken hold of God's covenant; and without controversy, itmust bethine>

O my God, I see thou hast been at work with my soul^ I find the prints, I see the footsteps. Surely this is the finger of God*

1 am thy servant, 0 Lord j truly, I am thy servant: ^ and my soul had said unto thee Lord, "Thou art my Lord.<* '^ It must be so. Wouldst thou ever set thy mark upoa another's goods? Or simll God disown his^ own workmanship? My name is written in heaven. Thou hast written thy name upon ; my heart; and therefore I cannot question : but thou hast my name on thine l^art. I I

» Ifcfat. vi, 33. bRom. vii, 24. Gal. v, 17. Paalm, xxxix, 1. xvii, 3r. Psalm cxlz, 5, 6,14, 15,16,3(\ ! 101, 104^ 111, 112,133,173. Rom. vii, 15,16. &c 1 Cor. ix, 26,27. 1 John i, 9. Rom. vi, 16. 2 Cor.. V, 9. Psalm xviii, 23. six, 13. Mat. v, 6. « Pralm o^pri, 10. d Psalm xri, 2»

&ave chosen thee, O Lord, asr my happineasr and heritage; and therefore I am sure thou hast chosen me; for I could not have loved thee, except thou hadst loved me first. O my Lord, discern, I pray thee, whose are these—the signet, the bracelets, and the staff? I know thou wilt acknowledge them. And how blessed be God, and the Father •f our Lord Jesus Christ, who, of his abundant mercy, hath begotten me again to a* lively hope..

SECTION VI.

Faith makes tia claim to ail the benefits of the covenent^ and stirs up the soul to joy and tJiankfulnesa, in thefolhuHng.

And thou, my soul, believe and wait, took through the window, and cry through the lattice, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, The vision is for an appointed time, wait for it. It will come m the end, and will not tarry.^ Behold the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruits of the earth^^ be thou also patient. He hath long patience, and wilt not ih6vL have a little patience? He for the fruits of the earth, but thou for the joys of heaven: he upon mere probabilities, but thou upon infallible certainties: He for a crop of corn, but thou

•1 John iv, 19. *>Hab. ii, 3. «James v, 7* 1,

for a cfown of glorj, *' Were he but surt that every corn would bear a crown, how plentifully would he sow, how joyfully would he wait! Why, such is thy harvest: As sure as the summer's delights do follow the winter's severities; assure as the wish-ed-for harvest doth follow the toilsome and costly seeds time, so sure shall thy Lord return, and bring thy reward with him, • Therefore, my soul, love and long for the approaching jubilee; and wait all the days of my appointed time, until my change shall come.

O blessed state that my Lord hath transla-ed me into! 0 happy change that he hath made! I was a stranger, ana he took me in, and made me an heir; and preferred me from the dunghill to the throne; and from a hewer of wood, and drawer of water, to attend his court, and know his councils, and do his pleasure. Happy am I that ever I was lH>rn to partake of this endless dignity. O my Lord, it is no little thing thou hast given me in hand. I am already come to mount Zion, and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to the innumerable company of angels, to the general Sissembly and church of the firstborn, and to God the Judge of all, and unto the spirits of just men made perfect, and unto Jesus di% Mediator of the new covenant, and

; . «B|^v. itaii, 12.

unto the blood of sprinkling.* My heart reviveth, as Jacob's, when I behoW the tokens which thott hast sent me; the Spirit of adoption,^ the pardon of my sins^ ^mj patent for heaven, the chain of thy graces, the Son of thy bosom, and the new testament , in his blood, and the letters of his love. My Lord hath said, that he will love me, and manifest himself unto me; and that the father will love me, and both will come unto me, and make their abode in me. But is it true indeed? Will the Lord dwell on earth? Or, if he Will, shall so foul a stable, 80 unclean a stye as my heart hath been,—* shall this be the place that the Lord of life will take up his lodging, and keep his court in? Will he indeed come with all his train of graces, and live .and walk in me? How can these things be? But he hath said it; and I do, and I will believe it.<i

Yet all this is but the earnest of what is to come. O how great is thy goodness, laid up for them that fear thee!^ Yet a little while and my warfare shall be accomplished, and the heavens must receive me, till the time of the restitution of all things. It is but for a short term that I shall dwell in this dirty flesh, in an earthen tabernacle.^ My Lord hath shewed me, that wher^ he is, there

aHeb. xii, 22, 23, 24. bGal. iv, 6. cLuke y, 20. d 1 Cor. xi, 25. Luke, xji, 32. Cant, i, 10. John iU, 16. John xiv, 21,23. epsalm va^ 19. ^ Pet. 1.14. 10

shall his servant be.^ Now the living i» tied to the dead; and my soul is a stage oF strife, and a field of war. But it is but a little moment, and that which is perfect shaU come;^ perfect holiness, and perfect peace;: eternal serenity, and a serene eternity,^

0 my sinSy I am going where you cannot come; where no unclean thing shall enter,<^. or any thing that defileth. Methinks I see all my afflictions and temptations, all mine infirmities and corruptions falling off me,. as Elijah's mantle at his translation.

0 my soul, dost thou not see the chariots, of fire, and the horses of fire, come to take thee up? Be tbou as poor as Lazarus,<^ yet God will not disdain to send a party of an-

Sels to conduct thee home. How canst thou oubt of ready reception, who hapt such a friend in couirt, who will lead thee with boldness into his Father's presenceE If there were joy in Pharoah's court, when it wa& said ^ ^Joseph's brethren are come;^ " sure* ]y it will be welcome news in heaven, whea it is told '^Jesus his brethren are come.'^ . My soul, fear not to enter, though the Lord be clothed with terror and majesty: for thy Redeemer will procure thee favour, and plead thy right. 1 am sure of welcome, for the Father himself lovetb me/ 1 have tasted and tried his love; and when 1 had played

•John xii, 26. bl Cor. xiii, 10. cRev. xxl 4. t iMkt xvi»22. eQen. xlv> 16. Johnxvi, 27.

the wicked prodigal* yet he despised not my rags, but fell on vaj ndck, and kissed me; and heaven itself made -merry over me. Much more will he receive me gladly, and let out his love upon me, when presented to him t>y his Son, in his perfect likeness, as a fit ■object for his everlasting delight Fear not, i) my soul, as if thou wert going to a strange place. Why, heaven is thy country, and thy home. Wilt thou doubt of leave, or fear of welcpme, when it is thine own home? Why, my soul, thou wast born from above, and theie is thy kindred, and thy Father's house; and therefore thou shalt purely be admitted. And then I shall see the glorious prepai^tions of eternal love, and the blissfal mansions of the heavenly inhabitants.

Doubtless it shall be thus. These are not sick men's dreams, or children's hopes. The living God cannot deceive me. \nd may not 1 certainly promise myself what the Lord hath promised me? I will sooner think that all my senses are deluded, and what I «ee, and feel, and taste, is but a fancy; than thinkithat the living God will deceive me, or that his unchangeable covenant will fail. Now I am a son of Gpd, but it doth not yet appear what I shall be: but this I know, I shall be like him, and see him as he is ^

I know it shall be thus. Why, what se-

lOS

curity should I ask of God? He hath given me all the assurance in the world* And though the word of God be enough; yet he, willing to show more abundantly, to the heirs of promise, the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath; that by two immutable things, in which it was iin-possibie for God to lie, I might have strong consolation.* O unreasonable unbelief! 'What! shall not the oath of a God put an end to thy strife!

O my God, I am satisfied; it is enough! Now I may be bold without presumption, and boast without pride; and will no more call my duty "arrogance," nor my faith **a fancy."

O my soul, there is but a short life betwixt thee and glory; where holy angels, and glorified saints, shall be mine associates; and love and praise mine only employment. Methinks I hear already how the morning-stars sing together, and all the sons of God shout for joy*^ O that I could come in for one! But it wajs said unto me, I should rest yet for a little season, but 1 shall stand in the lot at the end of the days.»

It is well. Lord—^thy word is enough; thy bond is as good as ready payment. Ibe Holy Ghost tells me, that life and glory abide me; that look what day I loose from the body, the sam.e day I sb^ll be landed in

* Reb. vi, 17,10. bJob. 3uczviii»Y*. «Dsm aEiJ,13.

paradise. AracnJa It is as I would have if. But this is not all: when my body hath slept a short time in the dust, Christ will call toit»—"Come up hither." Ah true yoke-fellow! it will be hard parting, but welcome meeting. I could not leave thee, but to live with Christ. But he will raise thee to a glorious temple; and when he shall appear, will bring me with himself in glory,^ and then 1 shall re-enter thee as a royal mansion, wherein I shall abide with ^e Lord for ever. For as we have served our Redeemer together, so we must be glorified together with him. And when the Lord hath married us both together again, then will he marry us both unto himself. . For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the last day upon the earth: and though, after my skin, worms destroy this hody, yet in my flesh I shall see God; whom I see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another, though my reins be consumed within me,*' My Lord haih already told me, how it shall be; he hath set down the time, and shewed me the robes of immortality, and the crown of life, that I must put on: and the throne of glory, and the seat of judgment, that 1 must set in. He hath told me the manner in which I shall be presented t^ him, and espoused by him: be nath told me where he will set me, and

« Luke zxiii, 43. bCoL iii, 4. «Job. six, 35.

what he will say to me5 and how he will ^ckno.wledge my mean services, and re* member what I have forgotten:* How he will praise the works tnat I have been ashamed of, and reward me openly, for what 1 have buried in secrecy;** and not forget the poorest alms tliat I have given for his name. Then will he confess me before his Father, and before the angels of God. Thus saith the true and faithful witness; and we know that his testimony is true.

Ah, my soul, see that thou make not God a liar.«

O, my God, I have believed thy report; and do look for all these things, according to thy promise. I know thou intendest me but a very little while in this lower region. This world is but the house my pilgrimage, and ray soul now is but like a bird in the shell; but when the shell is cracked, then shall she ta:ke wings like a dove, and soar aloft to thee, and nee away, and be at rest.

Yet I doubt not thy care for my despicable dust. I know that nothing will be lost. I know not where they will Jay me, but thy wakeful eye observeth, and will not be to seek at what door to knock; nor at what grave to call for me,^ 1 believe, and am sure, that I shall come a glorious piece out of thy hands; fair as the moon, clear as

• Mat. XXV, 35, 2Z* ^Mat. vi, 4. «John v, 10-<>iohnvi,39.

m

the sun, crowned with honour and glorj. And when my absolution is read, and sen-tence passed upoiv the world, then must I be taken up to dwell with thee.

Jjet not roy Lord be angry, that thy dust and ashes speaketh thus unto thee. Thou,. Lord, hast raised my expectations; and hast made me to look for all these great thinga from thee. In vain hast thou written all these great things unto me, if I should not believe them; and a distrustful diffidence would put a high dishonour upon thy truth.

O Lord, it repenteth me, it repenteth me of my jealousies and m^ doubtful thoughts about thee. I know thou lovet^t a humble confidence, and delightest in nathing more than to see thy children trust thee. 1 know the building of my hopes lies not a hair's breadth over the foundation of thy promises; yea, it is sure, my expectations are infinitely short of what I shall find.

O my God, my heart trusteth safely in thee; and I here set to my seat, that thou art true.* Christ is my vessel in which I venture,'^ and the corner atone on which I build j^'* and therefore my freight* is insured, and my building shall challenge the winds and noods«

And now, Q Lord,, what wait I forp My

♦ John Hi, 33. «> Eph. ii, 2a c Mat. vii, 25. *A ««rg'o or ladvn^^

hope is in thee.^ O my blessedness, let me enjoy thee: 0 my life, let me possess thee: O desire of mine eyes, let me see thy face and hear thy voice; for thy voice is sweet, and thy countenance is comely.** I ask but what thou hast promised: for thou hast told. tne, that I shall see God, and thou wilt speak to me mouth to mouth|« even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude ofGodshalllbeliold.

So shall my knowledge be perfected; ** and I shall see the inaccessible light, and my tender eye shall not water, nor my sight dazzle: but I shall, with open face, look steadfastly on the Sun of righteousness, and behold his glory. Then shall faith be turned into fruition, and hope into possession, and love shall arise like the full moon in her brightness, and never wax nor wane more.

O thou God of my hopes, T do look for a new body and a new soul, for new heavens and for a new earth, according to thy promise: when my whole soul shall be wholly taken up with thee, and all my affections strainetf to the highest pitch; and all the wheels of my raised powers set in most vigorous and perpetual motion towards thee; still letting m, and still laying out; and thus there shall be an everlasting communication

• Psalm xxxix, 7". t>Cftnt ii, 14. cjiat,, v, 8. * 1 Cor. xiii, 9, 10.

of joy and glory from thee, and of love and praise ^rom me.

O my soul, thou art rich indeed, and increased in goods. Thou hast no reason to envy the glory, nor grandeur, of the mightiest on earth; for their glory shall not descend after them: like sheep shall they be laid m their graves,^ and death shall feed upon them, and there is an eternal end of aU their pomp and excellency. But my kingdom is an everlasting kingdom: my robes shall never wear, my crown shall never totter, my throne shall never be vacant, my bread shall ntver muuld, my garland shall never wither, my house shall never moulder, ipv wine shall never sour; but everlasting joy shall be upon my bead, and sorrow and sighing shall fly away.

O my God, how happy hast thou made me! It is better than I could have wished; thoa hast done all things well: thou hast settled them for ever. The whole earth cannot shew any such heritage or tenure. The world can stake out her possessions but for years; nor can she make a good title for that, neithsr: but mine inheritance is for ever, and none can put me out of possession. The thing is established in heaven, and in the volume of the book it is written of me. My evidence cannot be lost; it is recorded in tbe court above, and enrolled in the sacred

• PMbn xliz, 14.

leaves of the word, and entered upon the book of my conscience; and herein i do and will rejoice.

Now, my soul, wipe up thine eyes; and eo away, with Hannah, ana be no more sad. what! though mine house be not so with God, so happy, so prosperous, as I could wish? What! though they be increased that trouble me, and my temptations and afflictions be like the roaring billows, riding on one another's backs for haste? Yet shallmy soul be as a rock unmoved, and sit down satisfied in the security and amplitude of my portion: for God hath made with me an* everlasting covenant, ordered in all things^ and sure; and herein is ail my salvation, and all my desire.

And now what remaineth, O Lord, but that I should spend the remainder of mj days in loving, praising, and admiring thee? But wherewith shall I come before the Lord, or bow myself to the most high God? What shall I give thee to express my thankfulness, tm)ugh not to requite thy bounty? Alas^ my poor little soul! Alas, that thou art so little! How narrow are thy capacities! How disproportionate are thy powers! Alas, that my voice can reach to no highei a notel But shall I do nothing, because 1 cannot do all?

Lord, I resign to thee. With the poor widow, I cast my two mites (my soul and

body) 4nto thy treasury. All my powers shall love and serve thee: all my members shall be weapons of righteousness for thee. Here is my good wilU Behold, my sub* stance is thy stock; mine interest is for thy service: I lay all at thy feet. There thou hast them^ they are thine. My children I enter as thy servants; my possessions I resign as thy right. I will call nothing mine but thee. All mine are thine. I can sa^y **My Lord, and my God," and that is enough; I thankfully quit my claim to all things else* I will no more say, * ^My house is mine," or '*My estate mine;" I myself am not mine own: Yet it is infinitely better for me to be thine, than if I were mine own. This is my happiness, that I can say, ^^My own God, my own Father." And 0 what a blessed exchange hast thou made with me! —to give me myself, who art an infinite sum, for myself, who am but an insignificant cypher!

And now. Lord, do thou accept and own my claim. 1 am not worthy of any thing of thine, much less of thee. But since I have a deed to shew, i bring thy word in my hand, and am bold to take possession. Dost thou not know this faandt Wilt thou not own this name? Wilt thou not confirm thine own grant? It were infidelity to doubt it. I will not disparage the faithfulness of my Lord, nor be afiVaid to aver, and stand to

\vhat he hath said and sworn. Hast thou said, thou art my God; and shall I fear thou art mine enemy? Hast thou told me, thou art ray Father; and shall I stand aloof, as if I were a stranger? 1 will believe. liOrd, silence my fears; and as thou hast given me the claim and title of a child, so give me the confidence of a child. Let my heart be daily ke^pt alive by thy promises, and with this Stan let me pass over Jordan. May these be my undivided companions and comforters; when I go, let them lead me; when i sleep, let them keep me; when awake, let them talk with me. And do thou keep these things for ever upon the imaginations of the thoughts of the hearts of tny people, ;and prepare their hearts unto thee. And let the heart of thy servant be the ark pf thy testament; wherein the sacred records of what hath passed between thee and my -soul, may forever be preserved. Amen.

CH\P. V.

A Treasure of Gospel Pfomises, left in Legacy by Jesus Christ; for the strength and encotiragement of beUevers in their jowmey to the heavenly Canaan*

TO THE READER.

\

MAN, who at the beginning was created happj,* having now lost God and his image,

» Gen. i, 26. £ph. ii. 10.

is, of all earthly creatures, become most miserable: no less than a slave of the devil, a child of vt'rath, and an heir of eternal damnation. * lliis is not the estate of a few only, but of all mankind out of Christ;^ for we are all by nature under the curse. ^ Th e best, before their conversion were, by nature, children of wrath, even as others, « for eveiy woman's child did fall equally in Adam. Hence it comes to pass, that no man, by nature, is now in better esteem with God than another. Cain and Abel, as children of the iirst Adam only, were equal* iy miserable; the like may be said of us all; tor both Jews and Gentiles are come under . sin;<> and, as the Psalmist saith, <*We are all gone out of the way, we are all together become filthy^ there is none righteous, no not .one. ^^^ 0 that men and women had their eyes enlightened» and their judgments convinced of that woful plight in which naturally they are! Oh, were their hearts thor- ' oughly loaden herewith!—surely they would not long content themselves therein.

The truth is, most in the world are spiritually blind, and cannot discern their own misery; and spiritually dead too,^ and cannot be affected with it. The Holy Ghost saith thus of them,*-*<'I'hey walk in the vanity of their mind, having their under- *

« Eph. li, 2,3. ^ 2 Cor. iv, 4. Rom. r, 19. Gal. i iii, lu. c£ph, ii, 3. Rom. \, 12. ^^Rom. iii» 9. • Faahaziv^S. 'IJohnv, 19. Eph.u,l>5*

standing darkened; and are strangers from the life of God, through the ignorance which is in them, because of the hardness of their hearts: who, being past feeling, have given themselves unto virantonness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.» " Such as these, are so far from having any right to God^s promises, that for the present they are under the curse; and consequently in the power of all the plagues and threaten-ines in God's book.**

Wherefore, let not such, as yet, challenge any comfort from the promises; but let them rather labour, to the utmost of their power in using all good means to be made 4!apable and fit subjects for mercy revealed in the promises. Is it not pity so many sweet promises of life should be macle, and yet thou die and be damned notwithstanding? Pray fervently to God, that he would touch thy heart with grief for all thy sins, and work in thee a clear apprehension of thine own unworthiness;<^ and that he would bestow faith on thee; that by it thou mayest be able to £0 wl^lly out of thyself to God, throui^h Jesus Christ, for salvation.

We having departed from him who is the God of all grace and consolation, are fallen into an estate of all baseness, desolation,

a£ph. iv, 18, 19. bDeut xxTiJi, 27« 56, ^. « Acts ii, 37. Luke xr, 19.

and mercy^ and cannot be recovered agaim into the former estate of spiritual life and happiness, uDless we be brought again to him who is the foundation of life and happiness, even the living God. And brought to him we can never be, but by faith,* which nothing else but the going out of the soul to God, tnrough Christ, to fetch a new principle of spiritual life and grace; which once in Adam we lost, and now need. The which work of faith is not wrought but bj the promises; and being wrought in our heartd, gives us a most sure right and interest unto all the promises of grace.^ Thus we, through faith and patience, are said "to inhei4t the promises;" therefore we are called *'The heirs of the promise:" the promises are as well ours who truly believe, as heaven itself is. " Now, by these heavenly promises, God our Father hath engagecl himself as a debtor to us, his poor children for all things needful to life and godliness; ^ until that blessed time comes, when we shall be put into full possession of all things which we have now only in promise. At that time, faith shall end in fruition, and promises in performance.

As the soul is the life of the body, and iaith the life of the soul, so are God's prom-

» Heb. xi, 6. bRom. x» 8, 17. Heb. ri, 12,17. e2Peti,3.

ises the life of £iith. For from whence hath faith this efl&cacj, but because it lays hold on the free promises? But from whence have the promises their strength? Even from the constant nature of Jehovah,* who always gives a being to his word. Desirest thou faith? Then take notice of God's promises. Wouldst thou have thy faith, like the light in the Lord's sanctuary,—^never to go out? Then acquaint thyself with God's promises; know them well, meditate on them, confer about them: let them be continually in thy mind, memory, heart, and tongue. Satan laboureth in nothing more than to keep us in unbelief, especially of particular promises; for he knows if we believe them, we shall in all things have the victory, come before God with boldness, carry peace in our own bosoms to our graves, and do and suffer any thing for God.*> Oh the abundance of sweet cordial comfort, which all humble believers draw by faith out of every promise!

Now, beloved, these precious promises, (our breasts of consolation,) whereupon our happiness so much depends, lie hid in the -holy scripture, as veins of gold on earth. ^ Surely those that searched tnose mines, to * bring to light these treasures, are worthy of great coramendution. Wherefbre.-1 doubt Bot, but the good pains of this blessed and i

> 2 Cor. i, 20. H John t.^ Eph^^ii*. Booi^^zv:^ Heb. zL eisa. Ixvi^ Il« 12,

faithful servant of God, will find good enter-tainment of all the children of the promises; who hope to entertain them that have, with great care and ^od evidence of spiritual understanding, discovered and compiled the variety and use of all the promises^ in matters temporal, spiritual, and eternal. So that here is a medicine for every disease, and a salve for every sore. Read them carefully, and ponder them seriously, and apply theu) faithfully. And I beseech the good Lord, who is the Author of them, that, by his Holy Spirit, he would make them powerful and effectual in us.

Consider what is said, and the Lord give us understanding in all things.*

RULES

Ih be observed m reading of Promises,

1. Whatsoever promise is made in general to all the faithful, every one must particularly apply it to themselves; as the Messiah is promised to all, every one must apply him to themselves.^

2. Whatever promise is made to ai^ one of the faithful, (if there be not some particular reason which ties it to his person; as was to Abraham for a son, and his seed to inherit the land of Canaan,) every child of

a Tim.ii,7. bG€n.iii,15.

11

God hath right to it: as» '^I will not leave thee, nor forsake thee,*" This every oac nay apply to themselves, as we know jfche Holy Grnost applies it; for he hath said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.^" Which teacheth us to do the like in all the rest of the promises.

3. Under temporal promises to the Jews, are set forth the excellent promised graces which God will give to his people after the coming of Christ.^

4. When we read the conditions of the promises^ they are not like to the duties of the law«—-made to the perfect fulfiUers of them; the promises are evangelical, made to those which endeavour to keep them; and the main conditions of them are faith.

5. In all the promises for increase of grace, or means of grace, or for any earthly wings, we must kbow we shall have them so far performed to us as the Lord seeth good for us.

6. In our weak endeavourings to keep the promises, we must believe the performance to us, is in, by, and through Christ; in whom all the promises of God are, tea and AMBir:*' that is, as I conceive,'*confirmed and made good to us in him." When we can see nothing in ourselves whv they should be performed to m^ even tnen we are to-

• Jodiua i, 5. ^Heb. zuj^ 5 c£ggek. xzxiv, 25, 36, 2r. '2Cor.i,Sa

claim their, for Christ's sake, if thou be in Christ. For if thou be not in him, no pro-mise belongs to thee; but threatenings and judgments are thy portion; and nothing else can we claim as our due. Sorrow, weeping, and howling, is that which God requireth of us; and not laying upon the comfortable promises, till we hunger after Christ: which God grant we may do more and more, till we come to be satisfied with his image in the life to come.*

CHAP. VI.

PROMISBS C0NC2RNING SPIRITUAL THINGS.

T^hete Promiaea are appUcabk to BeHeven on the foBounng occasions.

OF SIN.

If thou fndest nothing in thysdf that may move the Lord to have mercy.

^% EVBN I, am he that blotted out thr transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.^ I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and as a cloud thy sins: return unto me, for I haye redeemed thee.<^

*^I will forgive their iniquity, and remem-bjsr their sin no more^'

**I will sprinkle «lean water upon you,

and ye shall be clean from all your filthi-

Bess.*

» Psalm xvii, 15. bisa.xliii,35. ei8a.x]ir,22. A'Jer. iji9!,34. «£sek. xaivi, 25«^

^^I have seen his ways, and will heai hint;: I wilt lead him |ilso, and restore comfort unto him, and to his mourners.* "

These promises are free| made by the Lord, not for any thing that is in man; for the Lord saith,^ They had not called upon him^ but wearied the Lord; brought him na offering) yea wearied him with their sins; and yet, for his own sake, he'would forgive their sins.

These promises we shall have alwaja need of; as at our conversion, so after-' wards, many times, we shall, in our owa feeling, find nothing in ourselves to persuade us of the pardon of our sins; then we must fly to these free promises^ When thou seest nothing in thyself why the Lord should pardon thy sins, and therefore doubt* est of tne pardon of them, apply, <*I am he that puts away thy sins for my own sdke.^

When thy sins rise up as a cloud, that thou canst see nothing but them, apply» ^^I have put away thy sins as a cloud.^^

When thoii fearest the multitude of thy gins, apply, '^You shall be clean fromoS your sins.''

ff you fear God tviU remember your svns 6«-fire-committed^ to punish you for them. '

^<I will remember his sin no more.<» His • Isa. Ivii, 18. b Isa. zliii,23to 25. cJer xzxi»34.

transgressions ^vvhich he hath coniTnitted shall Dot be mentioned to him; but in the righteousness which he hath done, shall he live." "

'*Nonc of hisr sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned to hira.*» "

If often-sinning cause thee to doubt of

pardon.

He *'looketh upon men, and if anj say, / have sinned and perverfed that which was rights anditprqfiteth me not^ he will deliver his soul froih going into the pit, and his lif^ shall see the light Lo all these things worketh God oftentimes with man.*" •

Wherefore, believe not Satan that persuades the contrary: nor let thy corruptions make thee bold to presume of pardon; for though God promise pardon, yet it is to the penitent, not to the presumptuous.

ff thou despair.

When thou art at the pit's brink of despair, and art dried up with sorrow, then go to some faithful preacher that is able to preach Christ unto thee and apply, "Then ne is gracious unto him, und sfaith, deliver him from going down to the pit; I have found a ransom. His flesh shall be fresher than a child's; he shall return to the days of

• Ezek. zviii, 23. ^ Ezek. xxziii, 16. c Job xxxiiit 3r, 28, 29.

iiis TOtttli. He shall pray unto God, and he shall be favourable unto him, and he shall see his face with joj: for he will render vnto man his righteousness.*

**I create the fruit of the lins; peace, peace^to him that is afar offhand to nim that is near, saith the Lord, and I will heal him»> '*

When thou comest to the uttermost eX" tremitj for sin, apply," I will have mercy on him, and deliver him, that he go not down to thepit?^

When thou fearest that God. or his ministers will not speak peace unto thee, apply, ^ I have received a reconciliation; I create the fruit of the lips, to he peace to them that are far off, and to them that are near."

When thy sorrows have withered thee up, apply, ^^ He shall return as in the days of his yotUhi and his flesh shall be as the flesh •fa child.''

If in this estate thou fearest God will not hear prayers for thee> apply/^ He shall prar to God, and he wUl be faoourabU to him.''

When thou fearest thou shalt not be aUe to look upon the Lord with joy, apply/^ He shall see his face wUh joy.

When thou seest not any thing in thyself, that should cause thee not to believe this, apply, '*He will render to man his right-eousness:'' which is (I think) Christ's right-.eousness, (or whose sake he will do it

• Job xxziii, 34^ 35, 36. ^Iialyii,19.

If thou findest sin a heaoy burden, and

Satan pursuing.

When thou feelest sin a heavy burden, and Satan pursuing thee with many fears by reason of the same, fly to Christ, and apply/^ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest* He shall save his people from their sins.^

«'And the God of peace shall bruise satan under ygur feet shortly.® "And a man shall be as a hiding-|>lace from the wind, and a covert from me tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.^ "

Thus dothChrist to the soul thatflies to him.

It satan pursue thee, apply, ^He is a

Uding'pUtce.^^ , ^. .

If storms of temptations and afflictions do arise, apply^ '*He is a refuge against the tempest^*

If thy soul be ready to faint with weakness, apply, '*He is a river of water in a dry place," to revive thy spirits; "and as the shadow of a great rock,**—under which thou mayest safely repose thyself.

When thou findest thy sms very heavy, apply, '*I will ease you."

When ihou Rast no rest in thy soul because of sin, apply, "You shall find restixi your souls. He snail save his people from

• ICaLxi, 28, 39. ^Mat. i, 31. leRon. Xfi» :^0 4 Isa. zxxii, 3.

theinsins,''—^both from the punishment and the power.

It thou fearest length of time in temptations, apply, '*The God of peace shall bruise satan under your feet shortly.^^

If thou turn from «iw, and yet doubt ofpar*

don*

**Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they hie red like crimson, they shall be as wool.*

*/Let the wicked i^rsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy on himj and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.^

"W ho is*a God like unto thee, that par-doneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his herHager He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he deHghteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities, and will cast our sins into the deptha of the sea.^ He that con-fesseth and forsaketn his sins, shall find mercy.<^ If we confess our sin9» he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.® "

When thou seest thy soul of a sinful colour, apply, ••Though they be red like crimson, they shall be white as wool.''

ft Isa. i* 18. bisa. ly, 7, cMicah vii, 18» 19. ^ ProT. zxriii, IS. • 1 John i, 9.

, If thou fearest God will hardly be intrea-ted, apply, "He will have mercy, for he is ready toforgive.^^

If we fear that our sins have taken such strong hold upon us, as we shall never get from them, apply, "He will cleanse us from attourunrighteousnesaJ^^ Seeing God pro-miseth to be the cleanser, fear not for the hardness of the work.

jy thou wouldat have thy manifold rebellions

stibdued.

When thou feelest many rebellions in thine heart and life, and wouldst have them not only pardoned, but subdued, apply, "I will heal their backaltdinss:^ *' Which promise (as I think) contains Ais much-that God will not onl v pardon; but heal us; and, instead of rebellious hearts and lives, will give us obedient hearts and lives* For as healing followeth the curing of sickness, so obedience doth the curing of rebel lion«

"He will subdue our iniquities.^ " When thou feelest sm very strong, fly to his promise; and hpply the strength of him that promiseth, against the streo^lkof sin. It IS the Lord that hath promised to subdue it* What though sin and satan join their force together? Yet the Lord is stronger than all their force, we need not.doubt

<^Hofeaiiv,4. l>Mic. vii, 19. 12

\

^ thy heart be hard, and ftdl of corrvption.

"A new heart also will I give^ you, and a^ Bew spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh»<^

"And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed^ to love the liord thy God with all thine hearty and with all thy soul that thou roayest live.^ "

When thou feelest thine heart worldly carnaU apply* "I ^iH circumcise thy heartt a new heart will I give."

When nothing will break thine heart, ap» ply the powers of Jehovah, who hath prooiis-to cure thee, in taking away thy stony heart.

IJ tmbridkd nature break out into vioknt passion and contention.

**The wolf also shall dwell with thelaml^ and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf, and the young lion, and the fatling together; and alittle child shall lead theni.<^ "•^Such shall be the power of the gospel, tha^ those which are by nature like wolves and devouring beasts, shall dwell very peaceably. And if we find our nature sucn, we must apply, **The wolf shall dwell with the lamb.''

•Eceky zxxYiy 26. t>Deut xsz> 6. <^l3a. xi. 6,

"He will subdae our iniquities, and will cast all our sins into the depth of the sea.* " That which is cast into the sea, as it appear-eth not in sight, so we cannot get it a^in, though we would: so will God do by your sins,'—-cast them out of his sight, so as we shall not return to them any more. Press him with his promise, and you shall find more than you think.

If thou be in bandage to some sin.

*'You shall know the truths and the truth shall make you free. ^

"Sin shall not have dominion over you.''^'

When thou feelest thy bondage, that thou canst not do good, or keep thyself from evil, apply, **The truth shall make you /rcc"

If thy sins often prevail against thec» applvt "Sin shall not have dominion over you.''

'<He shall redeem Israel from all his ini-qttities.d "

i/* thou fearest the breaking out of sopie

* strong iin^ to Chd^s dishonour and the blemishing of religion.

"That your whole.spirit', soul, and body, may be preserved blameless unto the coming of our iiord Jesus Christ Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.« "

• )ficah.Tii, 19. bjohn viii. 33. c Rom« vi, 14. dPMlimcxxz,8. n The«. V, 33,24.

That God which hath called thee, will keep thee blameless unto the comiDg of Christ: therefore use the means, and rest upon the Lord's faithfulness, which never faileth them who trust in him.

"But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you and keep you from evil.* If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unnghteousnes.b " By cleansing fron^ all unrighteousness, is meant not only^de-liverance from the guilt and power of sin* but from its indwelling remains.

When sin pursues thee hard to make thee fall, do thou pursue the Lord with prayers for performance of this promise^ and doubt not of the issue.

<*He will subdue our iniquities.^ '' And to those add the prayer of Christ,—"I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.** " Now, what greater evil than sin? Therefore, though thy pray* ers be but weak against it, yet He hath prayed that was always heard; therefore fight, and be sure of victory.

When thou art stayed Jrom sin by admonition.

<'If thou warn the righteous man, that

•3 Theft, ill, 3. bi j^n i, 9. ciHetdb ia}» 1^. ^ John xv^ 15. '

the righteous sin not, and he doth not si«, he shall surely live because he is warned.* " When any admonish thee, obey, and it shall be life to thy soul; therefore receive the admonition^ and apply, ^^He shall live, because he is admonished."

If thou fearcMt Chdwill destroy thee for thy

sins. ^ **Turn yourselves from all your transgressions, so miqnity shall not be your ruin.^ He shall save his people from their sins.^^ " When thou fearest the greatness or multitude of thy sins will be thy destruction, apply, •^Iniquity shall not be yourruin.^^

\vhen thou seest no means of safety, apply, <*He (that i«, Christ) shaU save his people from tneir sins."

If thou be tempted to uncieanness.

"He shall deliver thee from the strange woman. <>

Thy body shall be kept blameless until the coming of Christ. «"

If thou canst not find out the sin for which God corrects thee^

^*If they be tied with the cords of affliction, then will I shew them their work^ and their sins.'"

A wise father will not correct his child^ but he will shew him wherefore: How else

ft£zek. ill, 2i. t»Ezek. scvHi, 30. cMat i. SI. f Prov. ii, 16. n Tbe«. n ^^ ^ Job xuvii 8, 9.

*

should he amend his faalt? Mach more will the Lord. But we enjoy not many promises, because we sue not for them.

CHAP. VIL

Hi

OF GRACE.

If thou doubt of salvation.

^*GoD so loved the worlds that he gave liis only begotten Son; that whosoever be-lieveth in him, should not perish> but have everlasting life.*

'*He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that hath sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation^ but is passed from death unto life. ^

*<If any man keep my saying, he shall never see death.<^

"He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever believeth in me, shall never see death.^ "

If thou doubt that thou shalt perish and not be savied, apply, ^*He that believeth in Christ shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life, and shall not come into con<-demnation." Labour to believe tbese promises, for that is required of thee for the obtaining of what is promised.

aJobn iii, 16. bjohn v» 24. c John viii 15. dJohi^

21,25.

/

/

If tfnne heart be as a loildemess, barren of

good.

"The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them: and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose; it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing.*''

This promise is made to the church, and every member of it may apply it to themselves* Therefore? when thou feelest thine heart as a desert wilderness and waste ground, void of good, full of briers and thorns of sin, then Know thou shalt not only bring forth sweet smelling graces, like roses, but also all abundance of*tnem.

**The righteous shall flourish as a branch.^ The soul of the diligent shall be made fat.<^

*^I will be as the dew to Israel; he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots like Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty shall be as the olive-tree, and hit) smell as Lebanon.^''

If we want means to make us fruitful, apply, *'The Lord will be as the dew to Israel.^'

When we desire to flourish and grow la grate, apply, ^^He shall grow as the lily; ^ bis brancnes shall spread."

If thou wouldest shine forth in the beauty ^ ef holiness, apply, ^^Uis beauty shall be as

( «Isa. xzxv, h 2* ^Prov. zi, 28. cPror* ziii« 4.

^ Hos. ziy, 5,6.

fhe olive-tree, and as the lilieat" whose glory is greater than Solomon's in all his royalty.

If thou wouldest have thy graces send forth a sweet smell, apply, <<His smell shall be as Lebanon." If thou fearest the continuance of this estajte, apply) ''He shall fasten his roots as the^ixees of Lebanon.'^

It matters not how great our barrenness be, when God will be a dew to us. It will auickly make us fruitful; we shall bring forth fruits dorious to the sight as the lily, and as the oTive-tree; and the scent of our graces shall be a sweet-smelling savour as-the trees of Lebanon. Therefore, thQugh thou feelest thy heart yet barren, and thou hast used means long, and yet art not fruitful, still use the means and believe; for therein did Abraham glorify God, that he believed above hope that Sarah should have a son, whose womb was barren,'and by years past child-bearing. So though thine heart remain barren in thine own feeling, after Ions use of means, yet still follow seeking in fte means, and believe; for we have as sure promises, and as faithful a performer as Abraham had, Jesus Christ, yesterday, to-day, and the same for ever. <'He that believeth on me, out of his belly shall flow nyers of water of life.4

« John vii, ^

a

Jf thou wantest holiness,

**You shall be a holy nation.*

"And the Lord shall establish thee a holy people unto himself. *>"

The Lord will make thee holy; therefore .neither sin. nor satan, nor wicked men, can hinder thy holiness. For he that maketh thee holy, is stronger than all, and doeth what he will.

"The God of peace shall 'Sanctify you throughout, in spirit, soul, and body. Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it° ** When thou canst not offer up any sacrifice.

When thou canst not oft'er up any sacrifice to God, of prayer or praise, or thyself in ^crifice, apply, "Ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests. ^'^ God promiseth that Vft shall be priests; that is, such as shall offer up sacrince unto him, for that was the priest's office. Therefore, when thou find-est thyself ijnable to pray* or praise the Lord, or to offer up thyself to God, soul and body, strive in faith, grounded on the promises. He which commanded, hath also Eromised to make us able to do it^ for he ath said, we shall be priests.

'*In every place incense shall be offered to aiy name, and a pure offering: ®" which

«&xod. ziz» 6. ^eut zxviu, 9. e l ThesB v» 2St» 24. d£xod. xiz, 6. e|faLi. U.

us

is spoken of the believiDS Gentiles; therefore thou being one of them, shall be able to offer np pure offerings.

When thou feelest but Utile grace.

When thou feelest but little grace, know-ledge, faith, love, repentance, all very little, apply, "Though thy beginning be small» yet thy latter end shall greatly increase.*''

"Whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and he shall have abundance^ " Therefore let not thy smaU beginnings discourage thee; but if thou canst prove thou hast some grace, then join faith and diligence together, and they will quickly make thee nch.

When all thy graces are weak.

,When thott findest all thy graces rery weak, and thou hast no strength to perform any spiritual duty, either prayer, or fasting, or any other duty; then apply, "The Lord will give strength unto his people.*

*^He ^veth power to the faint, and to them which have no might he increaseth strength. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not ftint.* "

When thou feelest thyself faint, stay

<9*b V]ii» r. ^Mat^ xiii, 13. oPnlm xziz» 11.

<iia. x^ 29, 3L

thyself with this promise, "He gives strength to him that fainteth."

Wnen thou feelest no power, apply, "To him that hath no strength he inereaseth pato^ er.'' If thou hast lost thy power; then stay thyself with this, "They shall renew their itrength.^^

If thou art ready to give over through weariness, then gather strength from this, "They shall run and no^ he weary, and walk and not be faint,^^

And if thou findest not these promises performed unto thee, either thou endea* ▼ourest not to keep the conditions, or else thou art negligent in searching out the promises, or cold in sueing for them. The Lord will be sought to for the performance.

"I am thy God^ I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the ri^ht hand of my righteousness. * Trust thou m the Lord for ever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.^ "

To know there is strength in the Lord, is no comfort, unless we know it shall be for us. Therefore since it is pven for a com-f(M*t, it must include this promise. Thus the Lord's strength for evermore shall be employed for our good. Therefore when we want for either soul or body, we must fix our confidence in Him who will not fail ut if we seek unto him*

•lM.sU,10.biMux9mi4.

»

fFhen thy heart is dried far want of grace.

When thou feelest thy heart dried up for want of ^race, that thou canst not send forth any water of g;race in thy thoughts, words, or works, apply, **I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, end flood* upon the dry

fround.a The Lord shall satisfy thy soul in rought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of waters, whose waters fail nol.*»

**He shall be as a tree planted by the waters, that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not sec when heat cometh: but her leaf shall be green, and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yieldlflg fruit.*^

"Their soul shall be as a watered garden.**

"God giveth grace unto the humble.*

"In the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert; and the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of waters/ ^' that is* the most barren heart sl||ll abound with grace, according to this promise, **Out of ttieir bellies shall flow rivers of the waters of life.^

•* When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongues fail for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, 1 the God

*l8ai. xliv, 3. b Isa. Iviii, 11. «Jer. xvii, 8. 4Jer. zxzi, 12. QJames ir, 6. 'Imi. xxxy, 6« 7. gjobn vi^38.

of Israel will not forsake them; I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the vallevs. I will make the wil-derness a pool of water, and the dry lantl springs of water. I will plant in the wilderness the eedar, the shittah-tree, and mjrtle, and the olive-tree; I will set in the desert the -fir-tree, and the pine, and the box-tree toeether.*" So, now though thou feeleftt thj heart barren, know that God will be the gardener to thy barren heart, to make |>ools, and plant pleasant,grapes of graces; therefore seeing he taketh upon himself the work, fear not the badness of the ground, for he will make it good as a fruitful garden.

If thou wantest the Spirit of God. .

'I will put my spirit'within you> If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your childreli; how much, more snail your Heavenly Father give. the Holy Spirit to them that ask kim!<^

**I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophecy, your old men shall dream dreams> and your young men shall see visions.^ And also u^pon the servants, and upon the handmaids, in those days will I pour out my Spirit. *

**And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may

•Imu xH, 17, 18,19. bEzek. xxxvi, 27. « Luk© zi,13. d Joel ii. 28,29»

"J

abide with you for ever; ercii tiie Spirit of truth: He dwelleth with you, and shaill be in you. I will not leaye you comfortless, I will come to you.* "

When thou canrt not pray thyself, stay thyself on these prayers, that Christ hath prayitd to the Father to give the Spirit, and he was heard in all he prajed for; therefore thou mayest claim it, though thy prayers be but weak.

Jf^ looMns^on God^s love, thou eamtnot love Crod a^ain. When thou lookestu'pon the great love of God unto thee, and canst not find thine heart enlarged in loving God a^itf, apply this promise, ''I will circutncise thine heart, that thou mayest love the Lord thy God witli all thine heart, and with all thy soul.* '*

ff thou canst not bring thine heart to delight

in the Lord*

"Thou shalt rejoice in the Lord, and glory in the Holy One of Israel.*^

*<In thy name shall they rejoice all the day; and in thy righteousness shall they be

"For then shall thou have thy delist in the Almighty.®

"For our heart shall rejoice in him, be^' cause we have trusted in Bi» holy'name.^ ^'

^ohto adv, 16,17, 18. ^Deut rtt, 6. «Isa. xi\, 16. dpsalm Izxzix, 16. •Job xxii, 26. ' Psalm xxziii,21.

When thou geest cause of rejoicing in the Lord, and yet canst not move thine af* fections, apply, "They shall rejoice in him.^^

If, through many troubles and temptations, thou findest thy-ioys often interrupted, apply, *<They shall rejoice corUirmal' ly in thy name.'*

]ff thou feeleat not the fear of God in thine

he^rt.

*•! will put my fear in their hearts.* '* If we would have a reverent fear of God when we perform any holy duty, or at other times as tnou feelest thy need, uree the Lord with this his promise, for he delights to be sued to upon nis promise, by his servants; "I will yet for this be enqtdred ^ by the house of Israel, to do it for them.^ " If thine heart will not praise the Lord*

"This people have I formed f6r myself, they shall shew forth my praise.®

"Ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied* and praise the nam^ of the Lord your God.*''

"They shall praise the Lord that seek him.* "

When thou seest what great tilings God* hath done for thee, and findest not thyself able to set fordi Ids praise^ Vf^t* '^Thej shall set forth mj praise.

Uer. xxzii,40. b£zek. xxxvi, 37. «Isa. zfiu, 21. djodlii, 26. ePManiizii>36.

AVhen fhou fiodest thj ungratefal heart' not affected with the mercies thou enjojest, and thej stir thee not ap to praise the Lord, applj, "He shall eat and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord."

^ thou waniest wisdom.

When thou seest thy want of wtsdoai makes thee not walk like a Christian, so unblaraeable as thou ouehtest, applj» '*If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally, and up-braideth not; and it shall be given him.*

When thou findest, thou w^ntest wisdom to improve thine afflictions to the best ad-vanta^, or for the ordering of* thy actions^ occasions, and^rourse of life, to 6od's glory, and the good of others and thyself, then fail not to ask wisdom^ and doubt not of the obtaining it

If thou const not understand God^s voice* ^

When thou canst not understand the voice of Grod, in his word of works, not knowing what to learn by them,apply, "i'heears or the deaf shall be- unstopped;>>" that is, those that were deaf,not understanding anything, shall be made to hear, that is, to understand. "Other sheep I have, which are not of this fold, them also I must brings and

*James i> 5. ^Isau xxxv* 5.

they shall hear my voice.« " Which is a promise to the Gentiles, that they shall understand the voice of God.

If thou canst not see into the mysteries of

the gospel,

"The eyes of the blind shall be opened.** "He shall open the eyes of the blind.® "He hath sent me to recover sight to the blind.d «

These places tell what Christ will do to his people, therefipre we need not fear our disease, seeing Cnrist is our physician. It every creaturfe do that for whicn it was ordained, then He will surely do that which he was sent to do of the Father,—"to give sight to the blind."

If thou seest a good way^ and hast no power

to walk in it.

When thou seest a good way and hast no power to walk in it, or art to perform any duty, ordinary or extraordinary, and feelest no strength to walk in that way, apply, "And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ve sfiaU keep my judgments and do them.® "

When thou lookest at the greatness of the duty which God commands, look also at

• John X, 16. ^Isa. xxxv, 5. cLuk zlii, 7. d Luke iv, 18. e £zek. xxxrif 27^

13

us

the largeness of his promises, for the keeping of them, and then thoa wilt not be discouraged at it. What matters it what h^ commands, seeing we have his promise?

If ^ou fearest the strictness of thj ways, that thou shattnotbe able to walk in them, though thou step into then^ sometimes, stenglJben thj faith in this promise, **l will give thee mJ Spirit to cause thee to walk in my ways." Can sin, or satan, th^n resist? May, surely, the Spirit is.stronger; and greater is Be that is in us, tluai those that are against us. ^

And when we see great duties which God commands, and fear we shall want strength to do them, apply. He hath said, "You saalt keep my judgments and do them*

••They shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not be faint: »'^ that is, those which of themselves could not step one step, shall be able to run swiftly in the ways of ©od.

^ thou wmUest memory 1o remember tht

word of God,

**But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name. He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance what-aoever I have said unto you, <»"

•tta. xl, SI, )> John xiv» 20}

S

PFhen thou seeai thine own ignorance^.

When thou seest thine ignorance, and fearest thou shaltnotbe able to glorify God as thou mightest if tliou hadst more knowledge, stir up thyself to desire, and appl^,. "Thus saith the Lord, I will put my law m theirinward parts,,and write it in their heartsjk and the J shall all know me, saith the Lord,, from the greatest to the least. «»^

"Thou shalt know the Lord.^ I will pour out my Spirit unto you, I wDl make knowa my words unto you.**

"The meek will he guide in judgment,. and the meek will he teach his way. What man is he that feareth the Lord? Him shalk he teach in the way that he shall choose. The secret of the Lord is with thijm that feact him^ and he will shew them \m covenant^^

"If thou seekest her as silver, and search for her as treasures, then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and. equity, yea «Yerv good path.® Discretion shall preserve thee,, unaerstanding shall^ keep tnee» to deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh fro-ward things; who leave the path of apright" ness, to walk in the ways of darkness. The eartb shall be full of tne knowledge of the. Lord.'

a Jer. xxsd,. 33, 34. ^ Hoa. 2,20. •^Prov. i^ 23. a Pb»1. xxv^ 9, 12,14L • Prov. ii, 4^9,11. X2^15, f Isa. zi, 9«

^

"These that seek me early shall find me." The fool shall not err.*» If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. The eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken.^ TK^ heart also ot the rash shall understand knowledge/ "

When thou thinkest of the great mystery of God manifest in the flesh, and of one divine essence, and three persons, and seest thy own inability to conceive of this great God, apply, **They shall all know the Lord; the heart of the fool shall understand.^^

When we fear God will not reveal his

will to us, apply, "I will joowr out my mind

to you. He will teach the humble his ways;

r he will teach him the way he shall choose."

If thou fearest that, though God reveal

I his will, yet thy ignorance is such, as thou

' shalt not be able to understand it, apply,

**I will cause you to understand. Thou shalt

understand jwd^ment, righteousness, equity,

and every good path."

If thou tearest men will draw thee away to error, apply, "Counsel shall preserve thee, and understanding shall keep theet and deliver thee from the evU way, and from the man that speaketh froward things, and from them that leave the ways of righteousness,

\ '* Prov. viii, 17. *> Isa. xxxv, 8. c John viij If.

^ Im. xzxii, 3, 4.

to walk iiv the ways of darkness. The fooi ahaU not err: he shall know the doctrine whether jit be of God,"

Jf thou desirest grace, and thy desires are

not satisfied.

''Delight thyself also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thy heart.*

"He will fulfil the desires of them that fear him.^

<<Open th J mouth wide and I will fill it.<^

''Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.^

"The desire of the righteous shall be granted."*

Dost thou desire grace? Fearest thou God will not grant thy desire? Apply, "He bhall giye thee thy hearths desire; he will fulfil thy desireJ^ v

Fearest thou, that if he give grace, it will be but a little? Apply, "Open thy mouth wide, and I wiUfiUit. Thou ahalt be filU ed." "Blessed are all they which wait for him. He will certainly have mercy upon thee, at the voice of thy cry; when he heareth, he will answer."

When thou beginnest to faint with wait* ing, applj, "He wiU certainly have tnercy upon thee."

• Psalm xxxvii, 4. ^ Psalm cxlr, 19. « Psab Ixxzi, 10. ^ Matt v, &» eProY. z> 24. f Isa» XXX, 18, 19.

If thy heart he dead, and wUl not itir to Ood

or goodness* •*Your heart shall live for ever.* ^<Reep sound wisdom and discretion; so «hall thejr be life unto thy 8oul> I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, ana to revive the heart of the contrite ones.®

"Seek the Lord, and je shall live/'** When thou fearest thou shalt never overcome the deadness of thy heart, apply, *«your hearts shall liffeJ^^

When thou hast got some life, and fearest the losing of it, apply, **Yovir Marts shall Uvefor everJ^

If thou Nearest falling away ^ and beginnest

to decline. ^ ^'Christ shall also confirm you unto the end that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.* I have set the liord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.' The Lord upholdeth all that fall; and raiseth up all those that are bowed down.v The righteous shali'fiottrish like the palm-tree; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebaopn* They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.^ ^<And he shall be like a tree planted by

•Paakaxxii, 96. ^Provwiii,31,39. cisa.lvii, 15. <i Amos V, 4. • 1 Cor. 1, 8. 'PmL xvi, 8. ff PmObi oxlvrl4b I^Psala xcii, 13,14.

the rivers of water, that biingeth forth his fruit ia his season; his leaf also shall not wither.* He shall strengthen thine heart.** Thou shalt be steadfast, thine age shall be clearer than the noon-day; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.® They that love the Lord, shall be as the sun when he goeth forth in his misht.^

Now we see that nothing; can hinder the san in nis might, but it chaseth away the darkness and clouds before it, and ceaseth not till be has run his race: So shall the child of God, for the Lord hath said it; we need not doubt of it.

If thou fearest thine own weakness, and the power of temptation, with the subtilty of satan, apply. That Ood ^hose power and wisdom OTer-reacheth all other, hath said, "He will confirm you to the end. He shall establish thine hearty thy leaf shall not fade." Art thou hard pursued by sin and satan? Apply, That GodVhose power and wisdom over-reacheth all,—-He nath said, "He will establish thee."

If thou be ready to fall and faii^, apply, <*The Lord upholdeth all them that fall, and iiftcth up all them that are ready to fall: tnou shalt not slide,^^

If thou fearest that though thou be kept from sin, yet thy graces shall decay, apply,

« Psalm i, 3. ^ PsdliU xxxi, 24. c Jobxii 15,17-

^ Judg. V, 31.

^

152

<*The righteous shall jflouriih as a palm-tree, and shall grow as a cedar in Lebanon. Thej shall bring forth fruit in their old age; they shall be fat and nourishing: thon shalt bring forth fruit in season; thou shalt be stable: thine age shall appear more clear than noon-day; thou shsAtihine as the morning."

^ thou art falten, tmd fear tlie Lord wiU , leave thee so.

*'Cast thy burden upon th^ Lora, and he shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.*

"Though he shall fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand* For the Lord loveth judgment^ and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever.^

"I will put my fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from me."^'

When thou art fallen^ and feelest a great load of sin or misery upon thee, and no power to unload thyself; thy graces so weak that they will not help thee, and therefore thou thinkest thy state desperate, APply> ''Though he fall, he shall not be ca^tojff^thr the Lord putteth under his hand." There-fore« though sin and misery be ever so heavy, to press thee down, yet the powerful hand of God, when thou art at the low-est, being under thee^ shall easily lift Uiee

•Paalm Iv, ^* ^ Psalm jxxvn, 24, 28. cJ^^

us

upc thou hast his promise, ^'He will not suffer thee to Jail for ever.

TFhen thou fearest the Lord hath forsaken^ thee, and will not return again.

''For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with fifreat mercies will I gather thee, tn a littfe wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee» saith the Lord th j Redeemer. For this is as the waters of Noah unto met for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah shall no more go over the earth; so have 1 sworn that I would nut be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, and the hills shall be moved; but my Kindness shall not depart from thee; neither shall tiie covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on the6.»

"I will establish my covenant betwixt thee and me, an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee.*>

'<I Will be with thee, I will not fail thee, neither forsake thee;, tear not, neither be dismayed.'^

'I will not forsake my people.^

The liord is with you» while you^be with

*'J

^hsu Ev. Ty 8, 9,. 10* * ©fen. xvii, T. «D«utk sxzi» 8. d 1 KinfA vi» 13» « Z Chron. xv. 2..

**Behold, God will not cast awaj a perfect man.'

^'Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any.*»

"I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving kindness, and in mercies. I will even oetroth thee unto me in faithfulness."<^

ffhen thou feelest thy vileneas, andfearesi the Lord wili loath theejor it.

"My soul shall not abhor you ^

"I will love tiiem freely, for mine anger is turned away from theni."

•*I will love thee/

"He that loveth me, shall be loved of my Father; and I will love him, and manifest myself unto him; my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him,«

^•I will rejoice over them to do them good."^

When thou seest a multitude of sins, so that thou seemest most loathsome, apply, "My soul shall not loath youJ^

Vvhen tliou seest nothing in thyself that should move him to love thee, but all to the contrary, apply, **I will love them freely.'*

«Job viii, 30. )»Job xxxyi, 5. cHos. ii, 19, 20. ^l,evit xxvi. 11. «Hos. xiv, 4. fDeut vii, 13. fjohnxiv, 21, 23^ >» Jer. xxsi), 41.

If thou fearest thy many sins will cause the Lord not to delight in thee, app]y» "1 will delight in thee.''

If thou fearest thy sin will cause the Lord to hide himself from thee, apply, ^*l will shew my own self unto him."

TFhenthoufeelest thy spiritual poverty*

''Blessed are the poor in spirit^ for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." .

<«To him will I look, saith the Lord, that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trem-bleth at my words."^

When thou feelest thy sins many^ and thy graces are few, and therefore fearest that, such a miserable creature as thou art, shall not inherit heaven, apply, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaveft."

If thou fearest the Lord will not look upon thee, apply, "To him will I look, saith the Lord, that is of a contrite spirilP

When thou art in a straits

When thou art in a strait, either in some truth, or something that is to be done, and thou knowest not what to choose, apply, "Htm shall he teach in the way that he snail ehouse; his soul shall dwell at ease.?

"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths:*' Commit thy

« Mat. T, ill. bisa. Izvi, 2. e k^aalm V^t ^$ 13*

dProv. iii, 6.

^

156

works unto the Lord, and thj thoagkts shall be established.*

^'And thine ear shall hear a word behind thee» saying, This U the way, walk ye in U, when ye turn to the right hand^ and when ye turn to the left>.

"The Lord shall ^ide thee continually.<^

•*I will direct their work in truth.*

*'l will cause them to walk by the rivers of water^ in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble«"«

When thou doubtest of some truth, apply, '<He shall teach him the way that he shall choose, his soul shall dwell at easie. Thine ears shall hear a voice behind thee, saying, Tide is the way, walk in it i will direct thy way in truth."

When thou art thinking what course to take, and fearest thou shalt not know what the Lord would have thee to do, apply, *'Thy thoughts shaU be directed, he shmdi-red thy ways.*'

When thou fearest thy weakness will at some times carry thee astray, apply,. "The Lord will euide thee continually^ the Lord will lead thee in a straight way, that thou shalt not stumble."

Jf thou fearest satan will came thee to faU, and art troubled unth his temptations. **Ue shall bruise his head:i"^—Therefore

« Prov. xn, 3. >» Isa. xxx, 31. e Uf^ iviii^ i|. <i to. Ixi, 9. • Jer. zxx]« 9. ^ Gen. iii» 15.

fear not, for Christ hath overthrown all his power and subtiltj, that he cannot do us ADj harm.

"Surelj he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler. He shall cover thee with his feathers; and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thj shield and buckler.*

*'The God of peace shall bruise satan under jour feet shortly."^

Doth satan press thee with strong temptations, and fearest thou his power? Apply, *^Ht shu\\ bruise his head. He will cover thee under his wings, and thou shalt be safe under his feathers; his strength shall be thy buckler."

Fearest thou his subtilty? Apply, "He shall deliver thee from the snare of thefowU er, and bruise his head,^^ wherein lie all his powers and plots.

If thou canst not profit by the word of God, or by his works of mercy, or afflictions.

**1 am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, who leadeth thee to the way that thou shouldest go.<^

"The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof."<i

This is a promise that the Gentiles shall

/« pMlm xci» 3, 4. i^){om. xvi. 20r «Isa; xlriii. If. <tHatxzi|43.

bring forth the fruit of the gospel; therefore every believing Gentile may apply it. If thou findest thyself unlike God^a people^ either in heart or life. '*I will give them one heart and one

wav«"*

When thou seest thine heart not like the people of God, either in liieir affection to God, or his people, or ordinances, or in their sorrowing for sin, apply, "I will give them 9ne heart?^

When thou seest thy life and conversation not so holy as the people of God, apply, "I will give them omway."^^ If thou wouidest have God^s blessing rest

upon thee.

"The Lord will bless tlie righteous.*

•'I will bless thee.«

"Thy blessing is upon thy people.**

"He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.®

"The Lord will bless us, he will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great."^ ff thou wouidest be a blessing in thy place*

H will bless thee, and thou shalt be a blessing.^' I will make them about my hill a blessing.^*

»Jer. xxxii, 39. b Psalm V, 12. c Deut vii, 13-d Psalmiii, 8. ePsalm xxiv, 5. ^Psalm cxv$ *2» 13. s Gen. xii, 2. »»Ezek. xhqv, 26.

i.

If thou separatest thyself from the tvicked in their corrupt worship and manners, '*! will dwell in them and walk in them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people: Wherefore come out from among them; and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thins; and I will receive you, and I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be mj sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.*

CHAP. VIIL

OF THE MEANS OF GRACE. .^ promise to be applied in every ordinance*

With joy shall you draw wdter out of the wells of salvation'."*»

Now in that it is said, out of the 'wells^ of salvation^ and not 'well,^ I think we ought to apply it to every ordinance of God, so as we are to use them with a comfortable persuasion that we shall receive abundance of grace from them. As the Lord promis-eth we shall draw waters from out of them* we shall not only use them, but draw from them with joy.

Therefore when we pray, meditate, hear, confer, fast, in every dutjf apply this promise, and you shall find him faithful which promiseth.

• 2 Cor. vi, 16-17,18. b isa. zii| 3.

When thou prayesL

Apply these promises for the strengthen*

ing of thy faith, and for thy hearing,—"Ask,

and it shall be given you; seek, and yo»

shall find; knock, and it shall be opened

unto you.* .

"Pray to thy Father which seeth. m secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.**

"And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.«^

"W hatsoever ye shall a»k in ray name I

will do it.*

"Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy

may be full.*

"Ask what^e will, and it shall be done

unto you.^

"Before they call, I will aiiswer; an* while they are yet speaking, I will hear.*

"Thou shalt make thy prayers unto him,, and he shall hear theef and if th»u seek him, he wiU be found ."^ -

When thou medkatest.

•^Mercy and truth shall be to theia that devise good.'

<^The loving kindness o£ the Lord en* dureth for ever, to them which think upoa his commandments to. do them.l

• Mat fii^ n *^Mat. id. 6^ «Mat. xxi,. 22-« John xiv, 13,. 14.. « Joha xvi^. 24» ^Joli» xf^ 7. flsa^lxY, 24. kJol> xxii* 2?. i'FroT.xiy^ 22. jP9alHiciii»17»ia.

*'Ttiiiik on these things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, and the God of peace shall be with jou."«

Jf thou desirest mercy, or the truth ol God, to be for thy good, or the loving-kind-ness of the Lord to be for ever towards thee, and that God which brings peace with him to be with thee; then meditate on good things^ and with such a meditation as may stir thee up to practice, and then all these promises shall surelj be performed to thee. And because meditation is a hard duty, therefore encourage thyself to it by the benefit it brings; and being a way of God, he will give thee his Spirit to cause thee to walk in it.

In meditating, confering, and reading God's

word^

^^Let not this book of the law depart out of thy mouth, but meditate therein day and night, that thou may est observe to do according to all that IS written therein; for then thou sbalt make thy way prosperous^ and then thou shall have good success."^

In reading of the word, if thou understand-

est not.

*'I will pour out my Spirit unto you, t will make known my words to you.

• Phil, iv, 8,9. b Josh* i, 8. cprpy. i, 23.

''It gives sabtiUy to the simple, to the young man knowleage and discretion.*

'^The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the ejes.'^^

If thou canst not confer•

When thou canst not speak in conference to edification, but feelest thy heart shut up, apply, "He that believeth on me, out of bis belly shall flow rivers of living waters.*^

^*^The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom.^i

^'A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth.

*^The tongue of the stammerer shall be ready to speak plainly/

''The dumb man's tongue shall 8ing."ff

When thou art with the people of Grod, that thou mayest receive gCK)d from them, and do them good, apply, "He that walketk with wise men, ahall be wise,^ His fruit shall be meat, and his leaves medicine."^

If thou findest thy soul stand in need of wisdom, keep company with the people of God, who are the only wise people, and then thou hast the only sure promises of the Lord, thou shalt be wise. If thoa hungerest after good, resort to the ri^te-

«Prov. 1,4. t>Psalm xix, 8. eJobn vii, 38.

d Prov. X, 31. •ProT. xii» 14. ^Isa. ipudi, 4

9 ISA, xxzv. 6. bProv. xiii, 20. ^Prov. zii, 14 Joba vii, 33. Ezek. xlvii, 12.

end, and thou shalt be satisfied with good things.

IF thou feel thyself dead^ ^PP^Jt **Out of hiiii shall flow rivers of water of /i/e," for thJ qaickening. If thy soul l>e faint or sick, app]y,«"His iruit shall be meat, and his leaves medicine.'' ^ Let all this good which is gotten by their ^fellowship, cause thee to denght in tnem; and take heed of forsaking the fellowship of the saints.

"When thou goest into company, apply these promises to thyself, that thou may est be so to others; and hinder not thyself by unbelief.

fThen thou art to go tothe assemhlies, to par-ticq>ate in the ordinances*

. ''In places where I record my name, I will come to thee and bless thee.»'' If thou wantest die Lord or his blessing, go to his house, ana thou shalt find him. "They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thine house, and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures; for with thee is the fountain of life, and in thy light shall we see light*» We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thine holy temple.^

*^The Lord God is a sun and shield; tho

• fixed. 21, 24. bPsalxn xxxvi, 8, 9. ePMbn

htv, 4.

Lord will gire grace and glory, and no good thing will he withhold, a

^^Those that he planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall bring forth fruit in their old age; they shall be fat ioid flourishing.^

<^The Lord shall bless thee out of Zion.« In this mountain shall the Lord of hostd make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined. <*"

Therefore when his ordinances are corrupted with men's inventions, then thou mayest press him witli this promise; that he will give us wine refined and putyied, even his purest ordinances, most comfort* able to Our hearts, as wine is.

And when there is little nourishment, because their gifts are weak, urge him with this, that he hath promised to mahe us afevat of fax things full of marrow; for I take this promise to be meant of the churches after Christ, ver. 7. *^And he will destroy' in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations."

Thy sins that are too strong for thee, —^bring them to the Lord in his ordinances, and he will destroy them; though di^ou <

• PflBlm Ixxxiv, 11. b psahn xcii, 13,14. c Pnf cxxviii, 5. d Isa. xzy, ^

. 8cem to be covered with them, and they f spread as a vail upon thee, yet believe his promises^ and all things shail be possible unto thee.

^^I will make them joyful in mine house of prayer, their sacrifices shall be accepted at mine altar. •" God will both give to them, and accept from them their sacrifices, as pleasing to him. * ^Believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.^

**A wise Tr.an will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsel".<^

Hear and receive my sayings, and the years of thy life shall be many; when thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.<i Unto you that he^ar, shall be roor& given."

^'Incline your ears and come unto me; hear, and your souls shall live; and I will make bu everlasting covenant with yoa, even the sure mercies of David. My word shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I send it. Therefore ye shall go forth with joy, and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break.forth before you into singing, and the trees of the field shall clap their hands; instead of the thorn, shall

• Yaa. Ivi, 7, »>2 Chron. xx, 20. cProv. i, 5. d Frov. iy, 10, 12. « Mark iv, 24.

come up the fir-treej and instead of th« brier, shall come up the myrtle-tree. *"— This force shall the word have in thine heart, for planting' of grace and destroying of sin.

^'They that dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine; the scent thereof shall be as the vine in Lebanon.*'**

If thou wottldest return, apply this, "He shall return." If thou art decayed, APP|j this, "They shall revive as th? porn." If thou wouldest flourish in grace, apply, '♦They shall flourish as the vine." If tnoa wouldest be a sweet-smelling savour in all places, apply, "The scent thereof shall be as the vine of Lebanon."

Seeing all these good things come from the powerful ordinances of the Lord, let us give him no rest till he bestow these blessings upon us. When the pastor of the people pronoun ceth the blessing, apply this promise, "I will bless thee,"« .

WotddtBt thou eniay the ordinances of CM^ and a bieesing tqnm them?

"I will satiate the souls of the priests with fatness, and mj people shall be satisfied with goodness.^

• Isa* Ir, 3, 11, 23,13. ^Hos. ziv, 7* ^ NoS' vi^27'« 'Jer. xzs, 14.

•*I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understatiding.^

^'And I will make them, and the places round about my hill, a blessing; and i will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing. And the tree of the field shall yield her increase, and the earth shall yield her fruit."^

These promises are both for pastor and people; the pastor shall be able to teach with knowledge and nnderstaridingj his soul shall be replenished with/a^9i^9»^* nis teaching shall be as a seasonable shower of bleas-ing, that shall make the people fruitful.

The people - must apply these promises, that God would give tneui able teachers; and that they may find their ministry blessed unto them, according to these promises; tliat they may be fed with knowledge and understanding, that they may be satisfied with goodness, and that their teaching may be seasonable showers of blessing to make theii fruitful; as it is promised that the trees shall yield their fntit. How much are God's ordinances to be desired, by which he doth convey so many blessings unto his people! Let us give him no rest^ till he lurnish Jerusalem with her ordinances and officers.

•Jer. il^lS. l^J&zek. xxxiv» 26» 27.

If thou enjoyesi gr«ce, or means of grace, and f Barest the losing of them*

*'Upon all the ^ory shajl be a defence. And there shall be a tabernacle of a shadow in the day-time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from the storm and from the rain.*

"I the Lord do keep it, I will water it every moment; lest any hurt it, 1 will keep it night and day.^

"His place of defence shall be the muni- i tion of rocks; bread shall be given him, his waters shall be sure."®

Hast thou any glorious grace, or means of grace? Arm thyself with the power of God, in his promises; for the devil will use all his forces and subtilty to deprive thee of them. Hast thou a glorious minister, and pure ordinancie? Do glorious graces begin to spring in thine heart, and thou seest no means to defend them? Apply, "Upon all thy glory he shall be a defence: his defence shall be a munition of rocksV

Seest thou a heart of sin in thyself, or the rage of the wicked, thatcauseth thee to fear the loss of them? Apply, "There shall be a covering for a shadow in the day from the heat." Doth the devil raise up storma» or outward persecutions? Apply, *'7%e defence and covering shall be a place of re-

alsa. ir. 5> 6. bisa. Xxzvii* 3. ciaa. xzxiii, 1&

fiiTe, and covert For the storm and for the raiD.*^

Fcarest thou the subtilties of thine enemies; that, unawares^ when thou thinkest not on them^ they will surprise' thee, and steal thy blessing from thee? Apply^ '*Itbe Lord will keep it night and day.^^ If thou fearest 6od will not coniimie thus to thee, applj, "I will water U every moment;^^ not one moment^ but be will be adding and nourishing; ''bread shall be givea him, and hisr waters shall be sui:^^"

^henthou' art banished from God^s ordinances and dtsirest to return.

"The ransomed, of tlie Lord shall return and come to Zion with songs, and everlast* ihg joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and- gladness^ and'Borxow and sighing »hall fly away.*'

•*A:iid^ I wiil,bring you^ to Zion.^ If any of thine be dHven out to the outmost part»^ of heaven, from, thence will the Lord thy God gather thee,-audi from, thence will h&^ fetch thee.c;

**BtjHold r^ even r^-will both search my sheep? and< seek them^ out. As a shepherd' seeketh out his flbck, in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered, so will i seel& out my sheep,, and' dbliver them^ out

■»Isa;. xxxt^ 10;- ^ Jer. iii>. 141 • <?Deut. ixx^. 4.

15^

of all places ivhere they have been seatteped in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the coantries^ and will bring them to their own land, and feed then upon the mountains of Israel, by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country, I will feed them m a good pasture, and upon the high mountains of Israel shall their lolil be: there shall thev lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saitfa the iiord God. I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away; and bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick. »"

If thou mournest for Ood*s ordinances, apply, ''Thou 3hait not only return to Zion^ but return withjay^ aiid sorrow shall fly away." If thou art but one amongst many which desire it, and fearest thou shalt be left amon^ them, apply, ^*I will take you one of a city, and two of a tribe. *»-' Though thou art but one of a city that returneth to the Lord, he will bring thee to Zion from all (he rest.

If thou art far removed from all means, and that the Lord hath done it for thy sin, apply, <*Though thou wert cast into the

• Ezefe. zxxiv, 11,13,13,14» 15, 16. b Jer. iii, 14,

outmost part of heaven, thence will the Lord gather thee, and from thence will he take thee; he will deliver them from all places where thej have been scattered in tike cloudy and dark ^av, and will feed th^m in good pastures, and mil bring them to rest.^^

When thou ait banished from God^shouse^

*<I will be unto them as a little sanctuary in the countrys where they shall come,* He shall feed 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 young>

In thy banishment, at those hours when thy soul was wont to be refreshed in the sanctuary of God on the sabbath, and at other times when thou findest thyself to stand in need either of defence or nourishment, apply, ^'/ will be a sanctuary unto you. He shall feed his flock as a. shepherd."

**If in this time thou feelest thyself very weak, apply, **He shall gather his lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom; and guide them with young:'^ they cannot mis* carry that are shut up m the bodom of God; nor fear, who iLre guided by him. Therefore, though we be ever so weak in ourselves, yet here is our comfort,—we arc safe in our God. O happy people, saved by the Lordt

tn

HHen mcked aheplurda are over ns^ <^Thtis saith the Lord God, behold, I am against £he shcphei*ds, and £ ^ill require mjr ifock at their hands and ca^se them to cease from feeding the flock. Neither shall the shepherds feed themselTes anj more; for I will deliver mj flock from their mouth, that they may not be meat for them. Because je have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till ye have scattered them a-Droad: therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a, prey; and I wilt cause the wild beasts to cease out of the land."

When the shepherds feed themselves, and are ready to devour us, apply, The shepherds ahall not feed themselves any more; / will deliver m^ sheep from their mouths, they shall no more devour them.."

When, through their greatness and our weakness, they push us^ so with their horns, that we are scattered, both shepherd from people, and one from another^ ^PP^7» ^^^ will help my sheep^ and they shall no more be spoiled; I will cause the wild beasts to cease out of the land.'^

fVhm^thwough wicked sh^herd^, thoumtt come to great misery^.

*4 Will seetthat which was^ lost, and bring «&^ nsLva 10» 21, 22> 2^.

r

irs

a^ain tot which was driven away; and will bind up that which was broken, and will dtren^then that which was sick.* Though the Lord give you the bread of adversitj^^ and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more; but thine eyes shall see thy teachers."^

When through evil shepherds thou art come to such ian estate, as thou feelest thy-^ «elf to have lost God and goodness, and art driven away from things that might help thee, apply, ♦*lw«7/5ee/: that which was loat^ I will bring again that which was drinen awayJ^

W hen thou art even broken with misery and grown very weak, apply, **I will bind up that which was broken^ and strength^ that which was weak.''

"When thy teachers, who should help thee in this estate, are forced to fly and hide thetn-selves, for the fear of the %vicked shepherd's, apply, ^^Thy teachers shall not be removed into a oomer any more, but thine eyes shall gee thy teachers."

When thou setteet thyself to fan.

••If thou fast in secret, thy Father which -seeth in secret will reward thee openly.<^

**Draw nigh unto God, and he will draw nieh unto you. Humble yourselves in the si^tof the Lord, and he snail lift you up.'^<>

» Ezek. xxxiv, 16. b Isa. xxx, ?0. e Mat vi; 18,

«iJ«ae9iv^8;iO.

CHAP. IX. , OF PERSECUTION, .

AUifuU wiUUve Bpdhfi miut aujferpa^aecuiiotL' then-fore strm^hen thyself unth these pronwea.

If thou art railed upon for wdl4oing.

•*If je be reproached for the name rf Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of Grod, and of glory, rested upon you.^,

^'Blessedi areye when men revile you> and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against yon falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven; &r so persecuted they the prophets which were before yott>

If titou art persecuted any other ways even

unto decufu

"Re that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.<^ Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake; for theirs is^ the kingdom of heaven.<^

When ye lose any earthly blessing for God's cause, apply, "Everyone that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters^ or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, tor my name's sake* shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting nfe.\

^ t Pet. iVf 14. b Mat V, 11, 12. cMat ^ 39u. dMstt. v^ ip» e Mi^ xix, 29.

This is the greatest, and yet lawful usury of all others,—^to part with one outward blessing, and to receive a hundred for it; to Ipse a miserable life, and to eutoj eternal life; to suffer a short, tiaie> and to have a great reward in heaven; to be disgraced, and to have tlie spirit of glory rest upon us. Therefore when tliou art raded upon, apply. **Bles8ed am I; the spirit of glory rests upon me« therefore they cannot make me vile.'^

Art thou any way persecuted? Apply» "Theirs ia the Kingdom of heaven; great is your reward in heaven,"

Take they thy life? Apply, "He that bsetk his lije for my sake^ smill Jind itJ^ Take they away any earthl v bles|ing? ^^Thou ahalt receive an hundred fold at this present." Therefore if usurers gladly let out ^ their money, that hope to receive but eight in the hundred; be ashamed of thyself, that thou shouldest not give one for a httn-r dred, when thou hast the promise of him that never failed topclrform*

In partaking with Ood^speofd^in sujjlirihgf that thou may est be partaker of their com*-forts.

"As you are partakers of the sufferiajgs; so shall yie be also of the consolation.^

*2Cor.i, 7.

Wkm thou art caUed forth to defend ikt

truth. *

"When they deliver you up, take no thought how or what you shall speak; for it shall be giteo you in that same nour what ye shall speak.*

**I will give you a mouth and wtsdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist ** Whosoever confesseth me before men, him will I confess before my Father which is in h^ven.''

When thou fearest thou shalt not be able to speak in defence of the truth, apply»*'It shall be ^ven thee,"though thou hast it not before, "in that hour what thou shalt say."

If thou fearest the learning of thy adversaries, and thine own simpleness, apply, "I will give thee not only a mouth, but also^ . 2£yiWom, where ^against they shall not be able to speak." If thou want courage,, embolden thyself with this,—Christ will confess th^e before his Father.^

^ thou wouldet bring forth aeaaonabkfruU for every estate, aria for every duty.

*^Thott shalt be as a tre« that ^bringeth forth bis fruit in season.^ He shall bring forth fruit according to his months.*

If thou art to speak, or pray, or do any dutyi that thou mayest do it seasonably, and

•Mat X, 19. l>Luke xxt, 15. eMat z, 33. <iPidmi,3. « fieek. zliaii» Id.

have fitting words and thoughts* appltj "Thou shalt bring forth fruit in «tffl«on/'So in every estate, prosperity or adversity, that thou mayest bring forth the fruits of it, ap-ply,"'rhey shall bring forth fruit in season^ according to their months."

CHAP. X,

FHOMISES CONOERNIKG EARTHLY THINGS.

As children are the most exeeltent^ I wiU begin Mnik

them.

If thou hast children.

"His seed &haU be mightv upon earth: the generation of the just sbail be blessed.^

*'He will bless the truitof thv womb.*»

<^I will estabiiish my covenant netween me and thee, and thy s<ed after thee in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be a God.unto thee, and to uiy seed after thee.« ,

^*\ will pour out my Spirit upon thy seed, and mine blessing upon thine offspring; ah^ they shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the water-courses.<*

If thou desirest grace and God's blessing

» Psalm cxil, 2. •» Deut. vii, 13. « Gen. x?U^ 7.

^Isa. xliv, 3,4r

16^

f-

179

for tbj chHdren, applj, <H[ wHl pour out wijr Sjpirit and hlesamg upoa thy seed,'^

If thou wouldest have them grow up in it» apply, '*The^ shallgrow as^among the grass,, aod as the Tviilows by the wiater^courses^"

If thou wouldest have theia in covenant with thyself, thy God to be theirs, apply, "I will make an everla'sting covenant with thee,, to be a God to thee, and to thy seed after • thee,-' pesirest thou outward things for them? Apply, "His seed* shaU b€^ mighty upon carth/^

If ihou waritesi children^,

^'Thou shalt be blessed above all people;:' there shall neither be male nor iemale Darren among you.*

**The liord $haW make thee plentiful ia the fruit of thy body>

"Thy wife shall be as a fruiiM viwe by the side of thine house, thy children like olive plants round about thy table.. Lo^. thus shairtbe )Enan be blessed that feareth the Lord; thou shalt see ihj children's chil-rdren.«" > If thou hast conceiyed, ^pplythis promise fir keeping of it, ^^There shall none coat thuT jfoungt nor be batren m thy land. <>'^

This, and all other promises of earthly^ things, are tp be applied so far as is good fbr us: we are not tp dpubt of them*

^ Beut vii, 14. ^Beut. xxviii, 11. <^Paa!m cxxviii, 3, 4^ 6. ^ £xod. xiuii, 26.

7f the Lord deny ikee children. **To tlietn will I give, in mine house, and within mv walls, aplace^ and a name better ihan of sons and daughters^ I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut ofl[> "

^ thou wouidesi fiave a comfortMe and holy use ef thy habUation*

^^Thou'shalt Jtnow that £hy tabernacle shall be in peace; and thoii shalt visit thjr habitation, and not sin.^

'*There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plagae come nigh thj dwelling.*^ The tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.^ The bouse of the righteous shall stand***

If thou wouldest prosper in thine house, apply, **Pettce shaa he in it$ no plague shall come near it: it shaU flourish?^ If thou wouldest have it continue so, apply* «^/r skaU stmdJ^ That they may not be a snare to thee, but that thou mayest use thy blessing, and not sin, apply, **Thou shalt visit thy habitation, and not sin."

fFhen thou wotddesthave thy going-out and coming-in blessed, ^^Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out/

«Ita. Ivi, 5. ^ Job v, 24. e Psalm xcii 10. ^ Prov. ziv, 11. e Prov. xil* 7. ^Deut. zinu, 6,

^nrhe Lord shall preserve thf g»iD2 out, and thy coming in» from this time forth, and even for evermore,»"

When thou goest ont» if thou wouldest have heaven ^ and earth, and all creatures blessed to thee, and be made able to make the spiritual use of them, apply, ^'Blessed shalt thou be when ihon goest oiit^ and when thou comeat in. The Lord shall preserve thy going but, and thy coming in.'^ If thou wouldest have the continuation of it, apply, ^^From this time forth for evermore."

When thou eateat or enjoyest any blessing^, that it may eaiisfy and be Ranct\fied.

*^Ye shall eat in plenty 4ind be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord our God. *>"

That thy meat and outward blessings may give thee content, and satisfy thee, apply, *<Thou shalt eat and be aatisJUtU^

That thou mayest have the sanctified use of it, apply. Thou shalt praiae the Lord^

When thou takest thy rest at nighty ^c

^^When thou liest Jown, thou shalt not be afraid. Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet <^

^'Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid, d't

If thou be ti^ubled with fear9 of the night;, apply, ^^Thott shalt not be afraid.^^

«Psidm cxzi,. 8. >»jQel il, 3^. «Prov. if^ 24.

4 Job »i 19«.

Wlien thim takest thy rest, apply, "JK)«« shall make thee afrMfi

If thou art troubled with any thing that breaks thy rest, apply, ^<Thy rest shall be sweet.^^

Wh^n thou puttest thy hand to any work^ that it may be blessed.

*^The Lord shall bless all the work of thine hand.» The Lord thy Grod will make thee plenteous in every work of thine haijd.»»*»

The Lord will not only bless some of thy workS) but every one* Therefore in every work send up short prayers for the claiming of them; and so at your goine put, and coming in, or sleeping, renew these prpmi* ses upon thyself; by faith applyi^g.them, and by prayer suei^g for them«

ff thou wouldest have thine outward bless-ingSf blessed of Qod,

'^Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle; the increase of thy kine^ and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store.® ,

<*The Lord will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land; thy corn, and thy wine, and thy oil; the incri^ase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

There shall be neither male nor female barren among you, or among your cattl-e.* '*

That tiiy goods and thine house may be blessed^ ^PP^J) **Ble§sed shall be thy 6iw-keisLni thy stortP If thou art in debt^ apply, ^Thou shalt /andf unto many, and shalt noi 6orroM;.*>"

If thou desirest to enjoy the labours of thin^

hands.

'*They shall build houses, and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree, are the days of my people; and mine elect shall long enjoy me works of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble.*^

<<Thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands.<> *'

ff thou art diligent in thy calHng.

'^The recompence of a man's hand shall be rendered unto him. The hand of the diligent shall bedr rnle.<» "

When thou enjoyest that thoahast labour-ed for, apply, ^'Thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands; htggay shalt thou be, and it shalt be well with thee/ "

•Beut vii, 13, 14. b Deut. xxm» 12. elmu Ixv, 21. 22,23. <lPteL cxxi!jiii,2. «Frov. xii, 14, 24. fPsal. cxxriiiy 3«

ffhm thou seest mcked men follow unmiu-■ fying things wilh reatless aesires, and thott desirest content.

•*Thus saith the Lord, Behold my ser* yants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry; behold my servants shall drink, bat ye shaH be thirsty: behold my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: behold my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall ^y for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexatioa of spirit, «'*

If thou fearest thou shaltloaehy following

the Lord.

^^Those that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the earth; thieir inheritance shall be for ever: they shall not be ashamed in the evil time; thev shall inherit the earth, and delight themselves in the abundance of peace.'* . ,,

^^Wealth and riches shall be in hi»house«e ^*Thou shall be built up; thou shall lay up^ gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooksii Yea, the Almighty ^hall be th^ defence, and thou shah have plenty of silver.* "I am thy eiceedbg great reward.* Fearest thou the loss of thy land? Appier ^^Thou shalt inherit the earth; thine inheri*

• Isa. lxv» 13,14. b Psalm xxxviii, 9,19,19,11. e Piftlm cioi, 3. d Job uii, 23», 24, 25. « Qet. XV, .1*. . .

iance shall be for ever. Thou shalt passesi the earthJ** Do others trouble thee? Apply, ^^Tbej shall have their delight in the multitude of peace.*^ Art thou poor, or fearest the loss of thv soods? Apply, *'Riches and treasures shall be in his house." Aft thou oppressed by the wicked? Apply, *'The Almighty shall be thy defence^^

When thou hast lost blessings by sin, and wishest to recover them. <'The floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil: and I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the canker-worm, the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm; and ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the Lord.^ "I will multiply you above your fathers,''*^

Jf thou fearest thelpss of thy good name,

^<Thou shalt be hid froiii the BcOurge of the tongue.<> Thou shalt lift up thy £ace without spot.^

**Ht shall brins forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday •« The memory of the just is blessed.^

Fearest thpu the wicked Will take away thy good name? Apply; ^'Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue.^^ Cast they blots upon thee? Apply^ ^'Thou shalt lift up

•Joelil 24, 35, 26. bpeut xxx, 5. ojob v, 21. <i Job zi| 15. 0 Psalm xxxB, 6. 'Pror. x, f •

1^y face withota apoV^ Seek they to darken the light of thy holy lifer Apply, «*He shall bring forth th^ fighteousness aa the lights and thy JHdgment v&thenoQn-day?^

If the world despise thee^ ^c.

Ye siutU be Ood's peculiar treasure above all people.*^ Those that honour me, will I honour* saith the Lord.** I will set him on hi^ht because he hath known my name. « H13 horn shall be exalted with honour.^

**Jf any man^ei-ve me, him will my Father honour.« Get wisdom, exalt her, and she ahaU promote thee$ she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her; she shall give to thine head an ornament of grace, a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.f

When the world counts thee as the off-scouring of the i^orld, vile,^ nought worthy apply, "Ye shall be God^s chief treasure above all people."

Doth the world debase thee? Apply, *«The Lord will exalt thee^ the Father will honour him."

When thou aft in any want for sold or body.

^^There is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger,

•£xod'. xix, 5. M Sam. ii, 30. epaalm xci, 14. d Psalm cxii, 9. • Jylm xii| 26. ^Prov. vr^ 7,8,9.

but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.*

'^No good thing will he with^-hold Arom them that walk uprightly.^ Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all things shall be added unto you/^ '

Art tnou troubled with distracting cares for outward things? Apply, «*Seek the kingdom of heaven and his righteousness, and aU other things shaU be cast uponyou.^^

Fearedt thou that thou shalt be oVerpress* ed with wanti^ Apply, "Those that seek the Lord ghaU want no good thing. No good thing will he v>ithhold h-om them that walk uprightly.''

In liberal giving.

<^The liberal soul shall be made fat, ai|d he that watereth shall be watered also hiai-^elf.^

"He that hath pity on the poor, lendeth to the Lord: and that which he hath gi^en will he pay him again.*

"Give in secret, and thy Father himself shall reward thee openly.^ He which sow-eth bountifully shall reap bountifully. He that ministereth seed to the tsower; doth minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of

•Padm ixxiv, 9^ 10. bP6aIm Ixxxiv, If. clfatvi, 33. dprov. xi. 25. «Pfov. acix, l?k If at. vi, 4.

your righteousness, l^eing enriched in ere* Tj thine to all bountifniness.^

'*If tnou draw ont thy soul to the hungry^ and satisfy the aiSicted soul; then shall thy light rise iii obscurity* and thy darkness b« as the noon-day: and the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, jand make fat thy bones; and thou shah be like a watered garden, and like a sprins; of waters whose waters fail not.**

Wnen thou givest to the people of God, and treatest them kindly, apply, **He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet, shall receive a jfrophet^s reward; and be that receivefth a righteous man, in the name of a righteous man, shall receive a righteous tnan^8 reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward,^

If sickness be among lis*

<<I will take sickness away from the midst of thee*'?*

<^The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing; thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.®

** And the Lord will take away from thee

ft 2 Cor. iz, 9, 10^ 11. ^isa. Ivfii, 10,li« c]|ati(, 4^iy42.^ d Exod. zxiii, 35* « Psalm xli, 3,

*&H «ic1cness, and will pnt none bf the evil •diseases of Egypt upon thee."»

If the plagae $e amongtis, apply; "Surdjr he shall iidiver thee from the nois(Mie pestu knee. Thou shalt not he afraid of the peati-lence^hsit walketh in darkitess, nor for the destruction that wasteth at noon-day: a thousand fthail fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it 8haU not ^omc iHgk thee."**

Art thou sick'? Apply, <*The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of sorrow; thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness."

Art *thou where the sick are? Apply* "I will take away all sickness from the midst of thee."

Fearest thon the pestilence? Apply, **I wiH deliver thee from the noisome pestik knee*'*

ff thou fearest death.

«He shall enter into peace, they shall rest in their bed8«<^ "Nobe fear to go to bed, when they know they shall rest, bein^ wea-ly: this resting is more sui^e, and lasting for ever.

**He that raised up Christ from the dead, sliaM quicken yOur mortal bodies.''<^ Therefore we must not think of it but as a better life given by the Spirit of God.

« Deut. TJiy 15. 1> Psalm xci, 3, 6» 7c «Ite. M!, 2. <1 Ron. yiii, 11.

J^ thou feanst untimely d^atfk

"Thou shalt come to thy gravje in a full age^ like as a shock of corn cometh in hi» geason.» The numbec of tfaj d^ys will I fulfil.^

•*Withlong life Willi satisfy him,, and sh6w him my salvation. The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive; and he. . shall be blessed upon tne earth..«

Hast thou many enemies,, and fearest the lo«8 of thy life by them? Apply, " The number of thy days will I fuljui the Lord will preserve fiim and keep liimalive.^^

Pearest thou- that thou shalt either live toa long, or die too soon? Apply, •^^Thou shalt go to thy grave m a JnH age$ as a rick of corn cometh in the due season"' into thii barnw

]ff thou fearest kwrt by any of the creatures^

•*The fear of you, and the dread of: you,, shall be upon every beast of the earthy and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon, the earthy upoa aiLthe fishes •f the sea; into your hana ace they deliver--ed.^ Thou shalt be in league with the stonea of the field;, and the beasts oC the field shall be at peace with thee<^^

« Jobv, 26. b£xod. zxlii*; 26;. Psalm zci, 26;. ^Paaha xli» 2. <i <2eik ]x», 2.^ • Job v» 23.

:i9o

ffhen ihoU haat a irmbkd hearty dlher for

sotd or body.

*'The peace of God, which passeth all ud-derstanding, shall keep your hearts and tnlndsJ^ The Lord will bless his people with peace,**"

Is thine heart troubled with many temptations of satan, or with fears of sin and misery? Apply, '*The peace of God shall preserve your hearts." Hast thou many troubles oi^twardly? Apply, *<The Lord shall bless his people witn peace.^^ If tkou wouldest have thy purpose to prosper,

^'Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light 'shall shine upon thy ways.*^

"Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.' Commit thy way unto the Lord: trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pa8s.<^ "

When thou often purposest to do good both for thy soul and body, and yet lindest thy purposes broken, apply, '*Thou shalt decree a thing, and the Lord shall establish it unto thee; he shall brin^ it to passJ^ When thou art in doing of any thing, apply, **Whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.*** When thou art called to a great work^ wherein thou shalt have great opposition.

<<The Lord—^he it is that doth go before thee, he will be with thee; he will not fait

• PhiL iv, r. l> Psalm zsix, 11. * Job xxii« 28. A Psalm iy 3. •Psalm xumi^ 5.

thee, neither forsake thee: fear Dot» neither be dismayed.*^ The Lord will shew him" self strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him;^

<*He shall ^ve his angels charge over tkee^ to keep thee m all thy ways: they shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread, upon the lion and the adder.; the youns lion and dragon shalt thou trample under foot."^'

It matters not what be the lets that oppose us, when the Lord goes before us; ne will easily beat them down: nor what strength resists such as he has promised to shew his strength for: nor how many be our dangers, when his angels have charge Over us to keep us. Theremre go on iri the work, and fear n6t the issue, being strengthened by the promises of Him that never faileth his.

In times of danger.

'*The Loid will keep the feet of his saint.d Whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safe-ly, and shall be quiet for fear of evil.*.

•*Thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shalt dig about thee, and thou shalt take rest in safety; also, thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid/ They which trust in the Lord shall

• Deut. xxxi, 8. ^2 Chron. zvi, 9. «Psalm zci, lU 13, 13. ^I 3am. ii, 9. eProv. i» 33. f job xi, 18,19.

tie as: ttioiint Zion, which cannot bts remorecF^ but abideth forever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his piE^ople, from henceforth^ even for ever.*

**He will not suffer thy foot to be* moved: he that Iceepe^ thee will notsluniber. Beheld, he^at keepeth Israel will not slumber n&r sleep, the Lord is thy keeper^ the Lord is thy shade upon thy right nand. *»"' Seeing the Lord is our keeper^ we need not fear the danger.

Hhmthou art in great trouble^ ^c* "When thou passeth through the watersj. I will he with thee^ and through the rivers^ thev shall not overfliow thee^ when, thou^ walkest through the fire» thou, shalt not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upoo/ thee. I will give waters in the wild)ertiesS|. and rivers inJbe desert,, to give* drink to mjr people, my chosen.

**Surely in:the floodk of great waters,, they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art: my hiding place, thou, shalt preserve me from trouble: thou shalt compass me about with son|^ of deliverance*.^''

When.thou seest thyself compassed; with, many troubles, and beginne&t to fear, agplyt. ^I will, be with; thee^ they shall not over^

'BmiiaLGSsrrlyfi:. bBBaknJcxxi,..3,.4,.5.. oifiu. zliii».2|^20.. <i £8aUQ.x£|ii,A.7:*

4 •

flow thee." In the fire of affliction, thou Shalt not only not be burnt^ but the flame shall not kindle upon thee; the greatest trouble shall do thee the least harm, for God being with thee will bring thee out, as he did Israel through the sea, and the three children out of the fire, with not so much as^^he savour of fire about them: so shall not so much as the savour of evil be upon his/> but he will compass them about with son^s of deliverance.

m thou seemest to he forgotten in (tfflic-

tion.

**TheLord will also be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. For the needy shall not always be forgotten, the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.*

**Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they might forget; yet will not I forget thee.*>

**He will not always chide, neither will he keep his anger for ever.c The Lord will not cast off for ever. But though he cause erief^ yet will he have compassion, according to the multitude of his mercies.^ ''

If^Aen thoufearest tJum shalt die in misery.

*«They shall spend their days in prosperity, and tlieir years in pleasures. • "

aPaalm ix, 9,18. bjga. xlix, 15. epsalm ciii, 9. d JjajsuvL 31,32. «jobzzzvi, 11.

\7

194 JVhm thy sorrows grow great.

*«Thou shaltforget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass awaj.^ Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, till he fill his mouth with laughing, and his lips with rejoicing.^ Be of gooa courage, and he shall strengthen thy heart-V Unto the upi;ight there iriseth light in the darkness.'^ They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepefh, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.® '

"The hope of the righteous shall be gladness.^

''Blessed are tliey that mourn, for they

shall be comforted.ff

"Ye now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your hearts shall rejoice, and your joy no wwn taketh from you."*»

Hath sorrow taken deep root in thy soul, that thou fearestthou shall never find hearty joy? Apply, *'He shall comfort thine heart.'* Is such a cross upon thee, that tliou fearest thou shaltnever forget it? Apply, '*Tho\ishaU forget thy misery, as waters that pass away.N

ffhen thou knowest no way out of miseryf for soul or body*

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee,

• Job sd, 16. bJob viii, 20, 21. cpsalm xxyii, 14. ^ Psahncxii, 4. epsalm cxxyi« 5,6. f Prov. x, 28k k Mat T, 4. bJolyi xvi« 32.

and &b€w thee great and migbtj things^ which thou know est not."^

If thou wouldest have deliverance out oftrou-

ble.

"He will beautify the meek with salvation:" or, he wiltniaht the meek glorious by . ^divercmce,^

The righteous crj, and the L*ord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.<^

*'Happy is the man whom God correct-eth; for hemakethsore, andbindeth up; he woundeth, and his hands make whole. He shall deliv-er thee in six troubles; vea, in seven there, shall no evil touch thee.«i Call upon me in the day of trouble 1 will deliver thee, and thou sbalt glorify me, «"

When thou art in many troubles, and' fearest thou shall never get out of all, apply,. "The Lord will deliver thee out of all, " iV the Lord hath delivered thee once or twice, and thou fearest thou wilt not continue so-still; as often as thou fallest into troubles^ agplj^ "He ^\M: deliver thee in six troubles; and the seventh shall not touch thee.'*

I^ thine enemies prevaiL

"The rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the rigliteous; lest the right--

a Jer. xxxiii,j3. bPaalm cxlix, 4. cPsalm^xxiv* ir, 19. djobv,!?', 18, 19. epsalml,l5.

.196

eous put forth their hand unto iDiquitj. * I will call on the TiOrd, so shall I be saved from mine enemies. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces, the eves of the wicked shall fail; their refage shall per. ish, their hope shall be sorrow of mind, b The Lord shall cause thine enemies, that rise up against thee, to be smitten before thy face. «"

Seest thou many rise up to trouble thee? Apply, "Thine enemies that rise against thee, shall /a//before thy face^" Hope they to prevail against thee? Apply, **Their hope shall be sorrow of mind.^^ Have they great means to cause them to pros|Ser? Apply, "Their refuge %\\a\\ perish/^ Have they long oppressed thee? Apply, **The rod of the wicked shall not always rest upon the lot of the righteous." Seest thou no means to get froiivthem? Say with the prophet David, **I will call upon, the Lord, so shall 1 be safe from mine enemies* "

Tliat thou may est be delivered^ and thine enemies afflicted.

"The Lord thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which prosecute thee.* The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright. ^"

Apsalm czxvy 3. ^Psalm zviii, 3. 1 Sam. ii, ijO. Job zi, 20. cDeut xxviii, 7. dDcuL xxx» T. • Prov. xxi, 18.

Jffthou wouldest have thine enemies destroyed>

"They that hate thee shall be cloathed with shame, and the dwelling-place of the wicked shall come to noadit.^

"Behold all they which were incensed against thee, shall be ashamed and confounded; they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish; for I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not, IwUlhelp thee. Thou shalt thresh the mountains and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff: >*" by which mountains and hills is meant the -greatest enevi^ies, '

"They that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. «" These promises are to be applied by us, as they are the enemies of God and of his gospel, and ours for his sake.

If the tuicked plot against thee.

"The wicked plot against the just; their sword shall enter into their own heart, their i>ow shall be broken: The Lord shall laugh at him.^i

"The enemies shall surely gather themselves together against thee, but not by me; whosoever shall gather themselves together against thee shall faiL«" .

In the troubles of the church, '^Thou shalt see peace upon Israel, thou

. "Job 1^,22. bi6a.xJi, 11,13,15. «! Sam. ii, 30. dpsalmszxvu, 12, 15,13. elaa. lir, 15.

m

'fihalt see the good of Jerusalem ftirthe8ajr« 'Of thy life.<^ Thou shalt come and sing in the height of Ziofn. *>"

When thou hast applied the promises, and used all the means, and yet find est pot thyself filled with God as thou desirest, then comfort thyself with this, '* Yet a litth while, -and when thou awakest, thou shalt be satis* £ed with his image. ^

For the fall of Antichrist.

Because the time draweth near of the fall of antichrist, we must stir qp ourselves to hasten the Lord by earnest prayers; and for the strengthening of our faith, apply these promises, ''And the ten horns which thou •sawest upon the beast,—these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh and burn her with fire.**

'^Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death and mourning, and famine, and «he shall be utterly burnt with fire, tor strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. And a mighty ang<^l took up a stone, like a great mill-stone, and cast it into the,sea, saying, 7%U3 with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down^ and shall be fourid no moreatalL o"Even so, come, Lord Jesus, and hasten this happy day.

ftPsalm czxviiy ^ 5. ^jfr. zxxi, 12^ cpsalm xvti, tl5. dfiev. xvB« 16. oRer. xviii, 8| 21.

Pot the caiiing ef the Jews,

•

Seeing the Lord hath promised many glorious things to the Jews, with much grace and peace both to the Jews and Gentiles at 'iheir conversion; when the ten tribes shall be re-united to the two, which never yet ^as, let us never give him rest till he sit up ,J«rusalem the praise of the world; and for the strengthening of us in prayer, apply thtse promises, "Thus saith tne Lord Grod, Bdiold, I will take the children of Israel fron among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: and I wiR Tsake them one nation, in the land upon the mountains of Israel: and one king shall be king to them all; and they shall b^ no more two nations, neither shall they be livided into two kingdoms anymore at all.*"

**In th>se days the house of Judah shall walk witl the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the north, to tie land that I have given for an inheritance into your fathers.**

"The Lore shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be ^een upon thee: and the Gentiles shall cone to thy light, and kings to the brightness (f thy rising; thy sons shall come from afar, and thy daughters shall be

« Ezek. xxx^Sl, 22. b jer. iii, 18.

nursed at thy side: then thou shaltsee and flow together, and thine heart shall fear and be enlarged, because the sea shall be converted unto thee: the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. Whereas thou hasf been forsaken and hated, so that no mat went through thee, 1 will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many generatiois: thou shalt also suck the milk of the 6m* tilea, and shalt suck the breasts 4of kings'

*'The Gentiles shall see thy righteois-ness^ and all kings thy glory; and thou slalt be called by a new name, which the mcuth of the Lord shall name; thou shalt al^ be a crown of glory in the hand of the lord, and a royal diadem in the hand a thy God.b

"They shall build the old waster, they shall raise up the former desolatiois^ they shall repair the waste cities, the derolations of many generations; and strans^rs shall stand and feed your flocks, and ^e sons of of the alien shall be your ploughmen, and your vine-dressers; but ye shkl be named */A« priests of the Zorrf;' men smll call you Uhe ministers of our God:^ y^ shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and ^ their glory tihallyou boast yourselves." /

"Thus saith the Lord, Behold I will lift up my hand to the Gentiles and set up my

•Isa. be, 2, 3, 4 5,15, 16. ysa. Ixii, 2, 3. ^Isa^ 1x1,4, 5> 6. /

/ '

standard to the peopU; and|they shall bring thy sons in their arros^ and thy daughters sfiall be carried upon their shoulders, and kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers; they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up Hie dust of thy feet.*

CHAP. XL

J'ronusea far the Scunt's support in Hmea of trouble

and persecution*

TTiat God hath freely loved his elect in Christ Jesus.

**\ will be gracious to whom I will be gracious: and I will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.^

•*I even I, am he that blotted out thy transgressions for mine own sake.

<'I have blotted out as a thick cloud thjf transgressions.

"I will heal their backslidings; I will love them freely*'

Tlud God hath given Christ to death for his

decL

•*I will put enmity between thee and the woman: it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.e

afaa. xKx, 22, 23. bExod. xxxiii, 19. Isa. xliii, 25. xUv, 22. Hos. xiv, 4. cQen. iii, 15. Isa. liii, i^lQ>12.

18

' 202

««But he was wounded for our transgressions.

«When he shall make his soul an offering for sin.—

"He was numbered with the transgressors, and he bear the sins of many.

"Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sin. »" TJiatwe arefredy justified by Jesus Christ

"So by the obedience of one, many shall be made righteous.**

"And are justified freely by his grace, throughthe redemption that is in Christ

Jesus.

«*By his knowledge shall my righteous

servant justify many."

Tltat' God hath made a covenant with his children to be their God.

"I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee in their generations, for an everlasting covenant; to be a God unto thee and thy seed after thee. «

"I will walkambng you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people.

"With great and eternal mercies will I gather thee.

"I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

«Dan. ix, 24. bRom. v, 19. iii, 24. Isa. Kii, 11. c Gen. xrii, 7. Lev. xxvi, 12. Isa. lir, 7,8. Jer. xxix, S3.

i

t

£03

*♦! will say unto them, Thou art my peo-pfe: and they shall say, Thou art my God,^ '^

Thai God unit call his children to the knowledge of his truth,

*'The meek will, he teach his ways.**

"I will instruct thee, and teach thee in all the way that thou shalt go.

"And thy children shall be taught of the Lord.

**For they shall all know roe, from the least of them to the greatest, saith the Lord.

"I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, and leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go'.''

Tliat God unit give his Spirit unto his chil-

drene

**I will pour out my Spirit upon you.«

<'I will pour water upon him that is thirsty.

**I will put my Spirit within you.

•'I will pour out ray Spirit upon all flesh.

"I will pour upon the house of David the fepirit.

•*I will pray unto the Father, and heshall give you even the Spirit of truth.'^

Tliat God will came his children to trust in

him by faith.

aHos^ii,23. frPsalmxxv,9. xxxii, 8. Isa. liv, 13. Jer. xxxi, 34. Isa. xlviii, 17. cprov. i 23. Isa.iliv, 3. Ezek. xxxvi, 27. Joel ii, 28. Zach, xii, lU. John xiv, 16» 17.

^'Manj shall see it and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.*^

<<Under his wings shalt thou trust.

<<0n mj arms shall they trust.

*'The just shall live bj his faith.

"They shall trust in the name of the Lord.

*<In his name shall . the Gentiles trust.''

That God will give his children a humble and

broken heart,

"I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and I will give them a heart of flesh.t*

••I will pour on them the Spirit of supplication, and they shall mourn for him as one moumeth for his only son.

"Every mountain and hill shall be brought low.

"The Lord thy God will circumcise thy heart.''

That Ood?8 children shall have power to mortify and overcome sin.

"For sin shall not have dominion oveif you ; for ye are not under the law, but un* der grace.«

"iwill sprinkle clean wiater upon you, and ye shall be cleansed from all your filth-iness.

"He will subdue our iniquities.

•Psalm zl, 3. xci, 4. Isa. li, 5. Hab. ii, 4. Zeph. u, 12. Mat xii* 2h i>£2ek. si, 19 Zach. xii, 10. Luke ill, 5. Deu^ zxz, 6. c Rom. vi» 14* Ezek. vuvif 25. Mic. viif 19, John zv, 2.;

"••Every branch that beareth fruit he ptir* geth it'*

TTuU the children of God shall live a Iwly and sanctified life.

<^He shall be like a tree that bringeth forth fruit in his season. <^

^^I will put mj law into their inward parts. ^^The scent thereof shall be as the wine of Lebanon.

*'For their sakes sanctify 1 myself, that they may be sanctified through the truth.

^<In holiness and righteousness ail the days of our lives.

^^The Lord of peace sanctify you throughout

^^Faithful is he that hath promised you^"

Thai they love God.

«I will circumcise thy hearty and the heart of thy seed^ to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, that ^thou mayest live. *»"

That God will give his children hearts to delight in aU his holy otdinances.

«With gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought; they shall enter into the king's palace.<^

•Psalm i, 3. Jer. xxxi, S3. Hos. xiv, 7. John xxiL 19. Luke i, 7S. Thes. v, 23, 24. ^Deut MX. 6. cpsalm xlv. 15. Isa. xii. 3. xxr, 6. Ivi. 7. Ixzi. 12, 13, 14. Zach. xUi» 19.

1

•^Therefore with j.oy shall they draw waters out of the wells of salvation.

"And in this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat tilings.

•*Even them will I bring to my holy moun-. tain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer.

*'Ye shall be borne upon her sides^ and be dandled upon her knees.

**So will I comfort you, and ye shall be comforted.

"And when you see this, your hearts shall rejoice.

<^The fast of the tenth montli shall be unto the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts.'*

That God unll give his children fuarts to /ear and serve him*

'^Thev shs^ll sanctify my name, and sane-tify the holiness of Jacob, and shall fear the Grod of Israel*

"They shall serve the Lord their God, and David their kin^.

^^That we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear^in holiness and rightousness beforje him. all the days of our life

»Isa. xxix. 23. Jer. xxx» 9. Luke i. 7As

7%a/ God will give his children hearts to seek him by prayer, •

^*He shall call upon me, and I will hear him.*

"Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall pray unto me, and I will hear you.

*« And ye shall seek me and find me: search forme with all your hearts.

'^I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplication."

7%at God mU hear the prayers of his children,

**Call upon me in the day of trouble, and 1 will deliver thee.*>

*^He shall call upon me, and I will answer him.

"He will hear their cry, and will save them.

^^Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer.

**Before they call, I will answer; and while the? are speaking, I will hear.

<*He shall seek me and shall find me; when you shall seek, I will be found of you.

^^Ye shall ask what ye will^ and it shall be done unto you.

"Psalm xci, 15. Jer. xxix. 12,13. Zach. xii. 10. «> Psalm 1,15. xci. 15. cxlv, 19. Isa. Iviii, d. Ixv. 24. Jer. xjdx» 13> 14. John xv, 7. Mat. xii. 7. xxi, 22.

\

<*Ask, and it shall be given yov; seek,, and ye shall find.

**VVhat8oever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive,**

That we may persevere in grace.

^They shall bnng forth fruit in their old age.**

*^His leaf shall not wither.

*'The Lord shall ^ide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones; and thou shalt be like a watered ^den, and like a spring whose waters fail not.*'

That God unU ^we unto hU children the good things of this life.

*^But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.*»

<*There is no want to them that fear hire.

<^They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thine,

**No good thing shall he withhold from them that walk uprightly." Thai God wiU guide his children by ?tis special proviaence in aU their ways,

^*I will not leave thee nor forsake thee»«

'<Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble^ for the Lord shall be tby confidence*

•Psalm xcu» t4. i. 3. ]sa» Ivw» 11. ^Fsafan zzxvii» 11. xzxiv» 9,10. buudv. 11. «Heb. ziii» 5. Prov. iii, 23, 2a. Psalmxci» 11, czxi» 8. ba.zlvu4.

«09

*'He will give hia angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

•*'i'he Lofd shall preserve thy going-out and thy coming-in.

* *And even to your old age, I am He; and even to hoary hairs will I carry you.''

T^hot God tmll bless those whO( are diligent in their calling.

*«The Lord will command the blessing upon thee in all thou settest thy hand unto^

"Thou shalt eat tbe labour of thy hand; bappy sbalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee.

**The hand of the diligent maketh rich.

"He that tilleth his land, shall be satisfied w^ith bread."

That God tvill bless those that keep his sabbaths.

"Blessed is the man that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it.^

"If thou turn away thy foot from the sab* bath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the sabbath a delight;

"Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord, and 1 will cause thee to ride upon the •high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father.

"Then this city shall remain for ever.'*

*Deut. xxviii, 8. Psalm cxxviii, 2. Prov. x, 4. xii, tl. bUa. lyi, 2. Isa. kiii. 13,14 Jer. xvii> 24,25.

That God will reward those that are JruitfiU

in good "works,

<*He hath given to the poor, his righteousness endureth for ever."

"The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth, shall be watered also him* self.

"Honour the Lord with thj substance, and with the first-fruits of thine increase:

"So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst with new wine.

He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.

"He that giveth to the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eye shall have many a curse.

"Cast thy bread upon the waters; for tliou shalt find it after many days.

^'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

"Whosoever shall give to drink* unto one of these little ones, a cup of cold water, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

"Then shall the king say to them on his right hand, Come ye blesaed of my Father^ inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.^^

aPsalm cxU, 9. Prov. xi, 25. li, 9. iii, 10» xxii, 9. xxiriu. 27. £ccle6. zi« i. Mat v. T. x, 42. xxv»S4.

TTiai we shall receive good by the society &f

the faithful.

'*Hc that walketh with wise men, shall be wise.*

••Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened and heard it; and a boc»k of remembrance was written before him, for them that feared the Lord and thought upon his name.

"Arid thej shall be mine, saith the Lord God of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels: and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am 1 in the midst of them,"

That God tmll keep afflictions from his chil-dren, as it may be for their good.

"The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil.b

"The Lord shall preserve thy going-out and thy coming-in, trom this time forth and for evermore.

•*He shall cover thee with his feathers, and ander his wings shalt thou trust; his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

**There shall no evil befal thee, neither shall any plague come near thy dwelling.

"As tlie mountains are about Jerusalem, 80 is the Lord about his people for ever.'^

»Ph)T. xiii, 20. Mai. iii, 16, 17. Mat. xviii, 20. ^ Psalm cxxi, 7, 8. xci, 4, 10. cxxv, 2.

*

That otherwise, God will be with, pre$erve, and keep his ehilirm in afflictions, that they hurt them not^

*'ln all their afflictions he wasafflictedf and the angel ot his presence saved them. In his love, and in his pity, he redeemed them; and he bare them and carried them the days of old."

^^Thej shall not be ashamed in the evil time, and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. He is their strength in the time of trouble. The Lord shall help and deliver them from the wicked, and save them be-cause they trust in him.

"Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the rieht hand of my righteousness.

''Fear not, thou worm Jacob, I will help thee, saith the Lord God, and thy Redeemer^ the Holy One of Israel.

"When thou passest through the water, I will be with thee, and through the rivers, that they shall not overflow thee. When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burnt; neither shall the flames kindle upon thee."

T^hat Ood will deliver his children out <f afflictions in his due time.

'^*He shall deliver thee from the snare of

alsa. IxiU. 9. Pgalm xsxvii. 9, 39, 40. loa. xlit 10, 14. xBj, 2.

fhe fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver 'him, and honour him.»

**Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers them out of them all.

• *Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee.

**I will restore health unto thee, I will heal thee of thy wounds, saith the Lord.

*'I will deliver thee in that day, and thou shalt not fall by the sword."

TTiat God will sanctify all afflictions for the good of his people,

**1 will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away the dross, and take away all thy tin.**

"By this therefore shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged; and this is all the fruit, to take away his sin.

**And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge and make them white.

^'Many sha)l be purified, and made white, and tried.

"And [ will bring the third part through the fire; and I will refine them as silver is refined, and I will try them as gold is tried; they shall call on my name, and I will hear them.''

« Paalm xci, 3,15. xzxlv, 19.1,15. Jer. xxx 17. Jer. zzxix. 17,18. l>Isa. i, 25. xxvii,9. Dan. 3d» 35. xii, 10. Zech. ziiii 9.

7hat God in his own tifne will siibdue alt the enemies of his church..

"I will subdue all thy enemies,."

*'I will punish the fruit of the stout heart of the king of Assyria, and the glory of his high looks,

"Therefore I will put my hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou earnest.

"For the arms of the wicked shall bebroken*

*•! am against thee^ O Gog; and I will turn thee back.

** And then shall that wicked be revealedr whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.

"And the ten horns,—these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate, and naked; and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

^*1 will smite thy bow out of thy left hand, and I will cause thy arraws to fall out of thy right hand."

That th^ children of God shall die hcqtpUy.

*'They shall come to the grave in a MX

age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season*b

"He shall go in peace, they shall rest in

«1 Chron. xvii. 10. Isa. x. 12. Isa. xxxviii, 29, Psalm xxxvii, 17. Ezek. xxxix. 1, 2. 2Thes. ii,8. Rev. xvii, 16. Ezek. xxxix, 3. »>Job v, 26. Isa. Irii, 2. Psalm xxxvii, 37.

Q15

their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.

**Mark tlie perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." That the just shall be raised unto eternal life.

•*I will ransom them from the power of the grave, I will redeem them from death; O death, 1 will be thy plague; 0 grave, I will be thy de$truction. *

** And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth, shall awake to everlasting life, and some to shame.

"All that are in the graves shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life.

**l will raise him up at the last day.

'*He that raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise us up also by Jesus.

'* When Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.'*

That God will reward the^ labours of th^ righteous in the life to come.

"Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is yaur reward in heaven.**

*« Whosoever shall forsake houses, or brethren or sisters, or father or mother, or wife or children, or lands, for my name's sake, he shall receive a hundred fold more, and shall inherit everlasting life.

*Ho9. xui, 14. Dan. xii, 2. John ▼,28, 29. vi,40. 2 Cor. iv, 14 Col. iii, 4. b Atat v, 12. xix, 29. Kv, 34, Luke xiv, 14. Rev. xxi, r.

**Come, ye blessed of my Father, ioherit the kingdom prepared for you before the foundation of the world.

''Thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.

^^He that overcometh, shall inherit all things."

Tlmt God will make good and petform all that he hath promised.

<^\nd I 'Will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father. *''

"Know therefore that the Lord thy God,— he is God, the faithful Grod^ which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him.

''Blessed be the Lord that hath given rest unto his people: there hath not failed one word of all his good promises which he promised.

*<My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.

"Thus saith the Lord, If you can break my covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, that there should not be day and night in their season^ then may also my covenant by broken*

"For all the promises of God in him are YEA, and in him aken.^

*^Give me understanding and I shall keep thy law; yea, I will observe it with my whole heart:

«Gen. xsvi,3.Deut.vii^9.1 Kings viii, 56.Psalm Ixxxiz. 34. Jer. xxxifi, 20, 21. ^2 Cor i, 20. Psalm cxiz, 34,124. csix, 103. cxvi» 12. czix, 159,10.

•♦Deal with thy servant according to thy tinercies, and teach me thy statutes.

"How sweet are thy words quto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my'mouth.

"What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits towards meP

"Consider how I love thy precepts; quicken me, O Lord, according to thy loving-kindness.

"With my whole heart have I sought thee; 0 let me not wander from thy commandments.

"For ever, O Lord, thyjword is settled in heaven; thy taithfalness is unto all generations." '

"Plead my cause and deliver me; quicken me according to thy word.

"Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven and in earth.

'^Make me to understand the way of thy precept^ so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

"Remember thy word unto thy servants upon which thou hast caused me to hope. ^

'«Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high? *

"Incline my heart unto thy testipiony, and not unto covetousness.

» PssOm cxix, 89, 90, 154. cxzxr, 6. cxix, 27, ^ Psalm cxix* 49. cziii, 5. cxix, 36. cxlii* 3. cxix/ 109 38. ^

19

-J

£18

. ^'When my spirit was overwhelmed wift-in me, thou knewest my paths.

**My soul is continually in my hand* yet * ^ do I not forget thy 1a w. ,

^'Stablish thy word unto thy servant, wha is devoted to tn; fear,'*

Y

i

THE

AUTHOR'S POSTSCRIPTS

THESE promises I have observed: inan^-m^re there are o^ most excellent use; but' because thev need opening for the under^ standing oi them, I iKrould not set them down; lest through the shallowness of my Ymder^tanding I should wrong the precious*. promises. But I picked out the most plain,. and those that were of continual use for soul and body, which I have, found much good by... The promises are our legacies bequeath'-ed to us in the will ol' our Eather^.and we are to claim them i& we stand in need of any of^ them. And as God would not have his.chiU dren wronged in that which is bequeathed -to them in the will of ^ their Father, much less will he withhold that whiqh. his Son < hath bequeathed to us in bis la^t >(rill, which he sealed with his blood... Theretbre let us-sue for them; for He saith he will be sought. to to perform them to us. And when thou ap-pliest any promise, seek untathe cpndition,. and labour to keep it, and doubt not of the

Krformance of what is promised; for he is th able and faithful who hath promised^

CHAR XIL

AN AFF£0TI0NATE '

ADDBESS TO COMMUNICANTS.

NoWt dearly beloved hnthren*

THIS holj sacrament is appointed as a sealing ordinance between Chnst and you. The covenants are made^ the terms are agreed to on both sides;-*-God is willing to be yours to all intents and purposes, your refuge^ your rest and your guide. While Christ has it, you shalljnever want; and, what God is to him, that he (in .your order^ will be to yon. You again (through grace) are willing to be his:—his in his own way, and on his own terms; willing to serve him; willing to b^ betrothed to him, and to be commanded by him, to use his remedies, to foUoVir his counsels, and to acquiesce in him as your blessedness; thus all are agreed; the articles are drawn; the covenants both on God's part and yours, are ready written; and here you may come^ to put all past controversy, and mutually to sell and subscribe. O happj and blessed meeting! Christians, do tiot forget your errand; remember where yw are, and what are you come for; and know that you are upon the most solemn transaction that ever passed between the Creator and creature^

1

It 18 .God's admirable condescension thiat he will be tied to us, and enter into bonds tous» to bless us and rewardU8;and, because our faith in weak, he hath brought his surety with him, the Lord Jesus Chnst, who is a surety on bis part, as well as ours, to un* dertake for his fulfilin^ his promises. And lie hath brought the visible signs and pledges bj which all shall be firmly passed and nt" tified before your eyes. •♦This is the new testament in my blood," (Luke xxii. 20.) written in mg bhod, ratified in my blood. Oh, Sirs, this is that which Ood doth here reach forth unto you with his own hand this day!*-~the new testament in Christ's blood! Cliristians, prepare your ears, and rouse up your faith, ana now believe and hear some of the blessed articles of that covenant that God doth here sign and seal to you. I shall mention only nine, which I advise you to lay next your hearts, while you have a day to live, and you shall find the virtue of these cordials stroQgand operative in all conditions* Art. I. Tliat he vnll fulfil to you the place of all relations, (2 Cor. vi, 18.) "I will be a Father to you, you shall be my sons and daughters.*' Whatever children may ex** pect from a f^her, that you may look for from me: I will find ye meat: be not thoughtful, I know that ye have need of all these things. {Mai. vi. 32.) You shall be clothed out of my wardrobe, (Mat. vi. 30.) and wear my livery;-uid when you have need ef correc*

•iion, 1 will remember tp do it in mefcy, and you shall find, that, as a man chastenetii his son, s,o the Lord your God chasteneth yoa* (DeiU, viii. 5»)

**I will be a husband to you, aiid will betroth you to me for ever. You shall not need to fear; your Maker is so: I will give you my choice love, I will give you ray heart.

"I will be a Lord and Sovereign to you: "The Lord is your judge^ the Lord is your lawgiver, the Lord is your kingj^^ Fear not the unrighteousness of men. I will judge . your cause, I will defend your rights; you shall not stand or fall at man's bar; you shall not be cast at their votes: Let them curse, I will bless: Let them condemn^ I will justify. Who shall accuse when I shall acquit? Who shall lay any thing to your chargCf when I do discharge your When you cdme upon your trial for your life, to have your eternal state decideci, you shall see your friend, your father, on the bench; and you shall surely stand in judgement, and be found at the right hand, among the sheep, and hear the King say, <^Come, ye blessed.'"

"I will be a shepherd to you. , Fear no evil, for I am with ye; You shall not want, for I will feed ye; i ou shall not wander to be lost, for I will restore ye; I will cause you to lie down in green pastures, and lead ye beside the still waters. If my officers be careless I will do it myself. ^'As for jou, O my flock, thus saith the Lord God,

\ I will jud|« between cattle and cattle: I will "feed my lock, saith the Lord God, and "cause uiem to lie down^ I will seek that which was lost, and brin^ again that which was driven away, and bind up that which was broken, and strengthen that which is sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and will feed them with Judgment."

I will be a physician to you, I will heal your backslidings, and cure all your diseases; fear not; never did soul miscarry that left itself in my hands, and would but follow my prescription,''

Well, tins is one of the articles that God here sealeth to,^^-that he will be to you in the place of all relations: Silence, thou quarrelling unbelief: Methinks I hear thy whispers, that this is too good to be true; that it were presumption in us to count upon aU this. <*What! shall they, that must say to corruption; Thou art my fathe^^ be able to say to the incorruptable Uod, TThou art my father? Shall they, that must say t© the worm, Thou art my mother andmy sister^he able to say to the Angels of li^ht, Fe are my fellow servants^ smd to the £.ing of glory, Thou art my brother and kinsman? Shall Majesty espouse himself to misery, and the worms-meat be married to immortality and life? How can these thin^ be?

Nay but, O heart of unbelief, what art thou tnat fepliest against God? Dost thou, underslypretencootnumility, argue with thy

Maker, and call veracity into doubt? Is not this his word, his promise, his coyenant? \nd is there not his sealP Why then dost thou doubt, O thou of little faith?

Art. II, That he will entitle you to all the divine perfections, {Gen* xvii. f.) I, will be a God to thee.' Mark, God gives away himself, and he gives his son to you, (/«a. xlii. 6.) 'I will give thee for a covenant of the people.' This is the church's triumph, {h(u ix. 6.) ^Unto us a son is given.' And he gives his spirit to you, (John xiv. 16.) ^He shall give you another cotnforter.' Ana believers acknowledge the receipt,^ (I Cor* ii. 12.) •We have received the spirit which is of God.'

Thus you see all the persons of the Godhead are made over to you, and so are all the perfections of the God head | and so the coyenant runs, (Gen. xvii. 1.) 'I am the Almighty God, ^{or the all-sufficient God,) walk berore me and be thou perfect; these are the terms between God and a believer *—<Be thou upright before me, and I will be all-sufficient to thee,' the all-sufficiency ]of God is the comprehe<;^sion of all his perfections. Truth without power, or power without wisdom, or both without goodnesSi would,not be all-sufficiency: All-sufficencr takes in all that is in God, (if we may spe^ of God's most simple essence accordinjg ip the shallow reach of our present capaCfltyy) jea, it comprehends infinitely more twn «^

S25

be said or thought. /Why^ now, this is the covenant of grace which God establishes with you this day,—that he will be a God all stttecient to you*

Christians; rouse up your f&ith, now appropriate and apply the promises, now belie\ e strongly and steadfastly; and believing will fill you with joy. unspeakable and full of ^dry. I do not wonder if your faith be put to itj in 80 ^eat and', high a mystery, to draw nigh to infinite Majesty^ and consideringly and without resistance to say, "Thou art mine and all thou-hast5^' this is no easy thing. But thou mayest not dare to doubt it. Canst thou question him who is the truth? €!an. the strength <)f Israel lie, or in his word deceive thee?-But the soul is ready to reply* Oh! the thing is too high and great for me to presume to believe! and is ready, with Peter astonished, to cry out, Depart, Lord, for J am a sinful man*

But why d6in thy hand tremble, and thy hisart fail thee, and thy- feet (with Peter's^ when walking on the water,) begin to sink?. What dost thou stick at? Is it at the truth of the promises? iVo, saith he^ trembling soul, but sure so much can never belong to me so sinful^ I an^afraid it is not mme!-^ Why,.what saith the promise?. *«Only be upriffht.'* What, \ though . thoii. hast a hundred failings? Yet thy neart is upright,*, the bent of thy heart is mainly for God and ^ hbliiieasf jthouinakestjconseience^of all sin,;.

£0/

little as well as great, secret as well as open, and dost not deliberately allow thy* self in any: Thou dost, in the settled frame of thy heart, prefer the pleasing God, and Yalue his favour- and fellowship, above all worldly good, therefore thou art,upright; these marks are infallible. What! dost tnon object thy failings? Art thou under a covenant of works? Do ye think God now stands upon perfection? Certainly not in an abso* lute sense, for that would presuppose infallibility in man. But perfection of love he does require. The covenant is plain: God contendeth for uprightness, and God hath wrought in thee that condition that he requires of thee. What can ba plainer? Wilt thou suffer the devil and unbelief to catch the bread out of thy hand, when God tells thee it is thine? Wilt thou be against thyself, and refuse thine own peade, when- God is come to seal thee up to the day of redemption? This is that which the Lord h^re seals to thee,—f that he will be a God all-sufficient to thee. O believe, and be thankful, and rejoice in thy own blessedness. 04iappy, thrice happy soul, to \^om the living God thus sig^ieth and sealeth, and assigns over all infinite perfections, as its everlasting possession.

Art. III. That be uill discharge you from oil your debti. (Beb:vn. 10.12.) This is the covenant^—*'I will ben^erciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and iniquities

win remember no more.'* (ha. i. 18.J * ^Though jour sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." Believesi thou this? Come near, beloved christian, approach be* lievingly, and here thou shalt see the Lord crossing out all thy debts, taking away^the hand-writing that is against thee, dieclaring ' ^ that he hath received a ransom, and he is \ * satisfied, contented, and paid. 0 happy i man, that shalt leave all th^ sins behind thee! Why, this is the very thing the faith-' ful God doth here seal unto thee. Thy pardon is written in his most sacred blood, which is here shed for the remission of sins; so that thou mavest triumph with the apos* tie, *^Who is he that condemneth? It is I Christ that died."

Art. IV. That htwUl save you from all your enemiea. Not from the combat, but from the conquest; the victory shall be sure, so far as God is engaged. So the covenant runs in its first discovery, that ^A« aeed o/* the woman shall break the serpents keaa, though Jie should bruise his fie J^ ^Gert.iii. 15.) By the seed of the tiwmon understand, not Christ only; but all believers. By the serpent^ understand not satan only, but all his ptirty^ the ungodly persecuting worlds which are his children and all our tyrannous lusts, which are his brood-, his works. By his bnming aur heel^ understand his molest^ fng and wourhding ofus^y but not mortally. By our breaking has Aeatf» understand the

£S8

Mai and find victory which we shall mo^ certainly obtain over him and Ha party at last.

Christians! what should we fear? "Death?" The covenant here sealed makes over death as a lesacj to yon; and behold, it brings the head of your conquered enemy in a charger. (1 Cor. ii^ 23.) <<Death is yo rs." O blessed and most; grateful present!—^*Satan?" The covenant assures you Ood will bruise him under yovr feet shortly. (Rom^ xvi. 20.) — '^The .world?'' Be of good cheer, Christiiath overcome the world. {John xvi. S3.)— ^'Hell?" There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. {Rom. viii. 1.^*-''Sin?" This is indeed to be dreaded, but with a watchful and cautious fear, not with a fainting, discouraging fear: ^*Sin shall not have dominion over youl" {Rom. vi. 13. 14.) «<Christ was manifested to take away our sins." <^For this purpose the Son pf God w^s manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil."

Christians, here now is meat for ypur faith: What! do all these holy pron^ises nothing move you, or carry little savour or relish with them? What! shall the Almighty God give it to thee, under his own hand, that thou art a free man^ and thou make little account of it? Shall he g^ve thee thy protection, and thou lav it by as an useless paper that signifieth little? Oh, Sirs! when your hearts are ready to faint, because of

'the sons 6f Anak that be in the way; when you see the black-guard gaping upon you» and the king of terrors levelling at you, ana a wicked world armed with rage against you, and full of malice, and the thieves and conspirators in thy bosom watching their opportunity to betray all to them; yet let not this discourage you. These were enough indeed to make a considering man's heart to melt and die within him; but that the cove* Dant of grace yields such ample relief against Oh be ever mindful ot the covenant ! Remember what has passed this day between the living God and your souls. Watch, 0 christian, and stand fast; acquit thee like a man. The conquest is sure: Who would not fi^ht with courage that hath assurance of the victorj?

Art. V. That he vntl bffrimd you in all conditions. He will be a fast friend to you in every change^ and turn all things to your good, and when you are ready to say unbelievingly, with Jacob, ^AU these things are against me' ("Gen. xiii. 36.J ^If he brings you into the wilderness, there he *will speak comfortably unto you. In the fire and the water he will be with you. *" He will be a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress: a refuge from the storm, and a shadow from the heat, when the blai^t of the terrible one is as a storm against the walL'

BeloYed, here the Lord is come to seal all these promises to you.. 0 go home and bless jourseWes in the sweet security of your state \ God hath promised you, that, whatever condition you be in, you shall hare succour and support from mm» and enjoy his presence witn you» and see his finger, in all your troubles, sweetlj turning all fdr the best. Go av^^Jt and live like believers; be not afraid of sufferings, but shew that y<m. believe what God hath promised,—tiiat affliction shall not hurt you. The next time any trouble comes upon you, remember what a promise €N>d hath passed upon you this day, and wait on him believingl^ for the happy issue and event of every trial that shall befal you.

Art. y I. TTial he tmll take upon him the care of all your concemmmti. 'You must be careful in nothing. . He cateth for you. Take no thought utrhat ye shall eat or drink, neither be of doubtful mind, but rather seek ye the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto yoa.^ Come ye to tins holy ot^inance in any distress or trouble? Me thinks y^u should go from it as Hannah, and your countenance be no more sad: God shall Hiuntber your hairs,^' and take care that nothing be lost^ He will take care of your names, and 'bring forth your righteousness as the li^t' He will take care of ytmr substaneef 'he will give meat to them that fear him» and be

-ever mindful of his covenant:' Of your seed, for he will be a God to them, and will entail the blessing on them. He commands that your widows and fatherless children should oe left on him. He is, by covenant, to look after their concerns: you need not be solicitous; he is tender of you. when he seems most to negVect you; as Moses's sister, that was secretly watching behind the bush, and wishingly looking on, to see what was done to the child; though to the finders, it seemed exposed to famine and death in the flags.

Art. VII. That he will give you^ or be himself to you instead of, all contort. *He will be a sun and a shield, and give grace and glory, and no good thing wiU he withhold, from them that walk uprightly?' (Psa. Ixxxiv. 11.) Oh the treasure that is in these words, / am thy shield and exceeding great reward! '\ will undertake both for thy protection and provision: When evil assails thee, I will be a shield to thee; when any good is wanting, I will be a supply; thou shalt have children, or 1 will be better to thee than ten children; thou shalt have riches, or I will be thy store; thou shalt have friends, if best for thee, or else I will be thy comforter, in the solitude, thy counsellor in thy distress. My secrets, my ears, alid my. doors, shall be ever open to thee.' (Mark x. SO.)

^He shall receive a hundredfold in this time: though he have not the things them*

selves,, yet he shall have all theses andi more than all, in me; I will be house». Mend, and father, to Mm, all in one.' If you should have a hundred candles burning m the room, and should put out every one, and open, the window,, and let in the sun,, this would be better than the hundred lights that were put out; so here, though thou< shouldest be called on to forsake all, it will: be but as letting the cistern run, and opening the fountain.

Art. VilL That he wUl maintain you att Jfour days in his sei^ice, 'He will oe your guide even unto death,' (Psa. xlvii. 14.j. Christian, whilst thou hast a day to live, God will stand by thee: he tvUl never leave thee^ nor forsake thee. (Heb. xiii. 5.) Sure^ hj, goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your lives. (Psa. xxiii. 6.X ^nd the Lord will never turn away from you to^ do you good. (Jer. xxxii. 40./^O happy covenant that the Lord sealeth to you!

Art. IXc TTiat when you come of age, lie • mil give the kingdom to you.- God saith to « the* believer here, Thine is the kingdom; , whatever is promised in the covenant is« sealed in the sacrament. .(Luke xii. 32.'^ It is your Fiither^s good pleasure to give ■ you the kingdom. (Luke xii. 29.) I appoint unto you a kingdom. Mark the promise pregnant with a kingdom; it is no less than« a crown, a kingdom, that is here delivered^ to you. (Luke xix^. l^.) JL certain nobkauoki

went ini^ afar country, to receive to Mntsdf a kingdom, and to return: This is the business jrou are come hither for, to receive to yourselves a kingdom, and so to return* Oh! methinks, you should forget the ground you go upon, as you are going home to think what you have received here. . Me-thinks you should go forth as Uaman from the banquet, joyful and with a glad heart* Sirs, do ypu know what you are doingP AVhy^ the Lord doth by these signs give you the kingdom; as a man, by delivering to you a turfor a key, gives possession of a house or land.

Brethren, have you ever read of the king* dom of joy, of the crovm of life, of the robes of righteousness, of the throne of glory? Why, all the6e God here makes over to you. I tell you. Sirs, these are not big words, nor cunningly-devised fables; God Almighty is here come to certify you of the reality of his promises. As sure as you now sit oQ your seats, you shall shortly sit on your thrones. As sure as you are now clothed with flesh, so surely shall you be clothed with glory. Are you sure you are now on earth? So surely shall you be shortly in heaven; the Lord intendeth you but for a very little while in this lower region 5 you must dwell above. Where Christ is, there must you be also* As sure as you now see a crucified Christ, so surely shall you see a glorified Christ The Lord Jestt« doth anti-

clpate hi8 sentence here, and calls to yon, his guests, "Come, ye blessed, inherit the kingdom. Take the writings, ho)d the seals, here are the conveyances of the kingdom; the donation is sure and full, unaiterai)le, irrevocable."

Christians, do you believe? If you do, me-thinks you should be ravished; methinks you should be filled with joy unspeakable, and full of glory. But do you stagger at the promise through unbelief? Do you say, •'Oh, it is too much and too great!" Why, how can this be? What! too great for God to make good! Thou darest not think so. ''But it is too great for me to count upon," Why, but man, dost thou not bear upon thee the mark of the Lord Jesus? Whose image and superscription is this? Doth not your very heart prize Christ above all the world? Hast thou not made a> deliberate choice of him, for thy head and husband? Hast thou not enterea into a solemn contract with him, to be his for all times and conditions, and to love, honour, and obey him, before all others, to thy death? And doth not thy heart stand to all its choice? Hast thou not taken him, with his yoke and with his cross? And dost thou not, in thy practice, first seek the kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof? And hast thou not chosen the way of the kingdom? Art thou not in love with holiness, and desirest grace more than gold? Dost thou not prefer

S35 • a holy, spiritual life, before all the granileui* of the world, and pleasure of the flesh? And all this, not only for a fit, or flash, but in the sett fed frame and disposition of thy heart? Surely thou must wrong God and thyself, if thou deemest it to be thus with thee. Why, these are the marks of the Lord Jesus upon thee, the sure marks. Fear not, these cannot deceive theej they evidence that thou art born of God, that thou art a son, and so an heir, and therefore nicest lay claim to the inheritance.

Come^then, beloved christian, be of sood comfort, why shoaldest thou doubt? Thou hast the mark of tlie sheep, and therefore thy portion shall be at the right hand, and thy sentence among the blessed. Well, then, receive this holy sacrament as the pledge of all this. Go home and look over all these blessed promises, and count them thine. Do not read them, (as too often heretofore,) as if they did not concern thee. Remember what God hath here promiseri under hand and seal to thee; and let not all be left behind thee, when thou goest henc^^, but let the remembrance, the sweet and fruit of them, abide upon thee while thou hast a day to live. Never forget what the Lord bath here spoken to thy soul. Make more of the promises than ^er in thy life before; bless thyself in them; remember how the Lord delivered thee the promises; kow ha sealed to the several articles: how

ke sprinkled the blood apon the book of t&e covenant, and gave it thee, and said, ''This is the new testament in my blood!? Oh! liye henceforth a life of joy and faith,, as a maa that is elevated above the world. Do not live at the old dull and slothful ratei carry it as a believer; and, in a word, walk as one that doth indeed take all for truth that the Lord Jesus hath spoken to thee this day* Let that of the Apostle be a close to all, (£• CoTm y\\. 1.) 'Having therefore, the promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness, both of flesh and spirit, per* fecting holiness in the fear of God!"

THE END.

CONTENTS*

PREFACE ^ Iti

Sketch of his Life and Writings 9

CHAP. I. The voice of the Herald, before the Great King 37

CHAP. II. The Proclamation, or the Voice of the Lord - 31 L The immunities & liberties of the covenant 33 XL Its privileges and prerogatives . - - 4^ UL God maketh over himself to us in all his essential perfections and personal relations ..-------47

IT. He giveth all things with himself both

present and to come ----- 67

CHAP. lU. The Voice of the Redeemed, after the Proclamation 83

CHAP. IV. A Soliloquy, representing the Believer's TriumTih in God's Covenant, and the various Conflicts and glorious Conquests of

Faith over Unbelief 86

I. The soul taketh hold of God's covenant 86 n. The assaults of unbelief - - - : - 90 ni. It confounds the soul with the amazing

greatness and difficulty of the things - 93 IV. It upbnuds the trembling soul with its

unworthiness - 97

y. It questions the believer^s title to God's

gfrace and interest in the promise - 98 VI. Faith makes its claim to all the benefits of the covenant, and stirs up the soul to joy and thankfulness - . . . 103 CHAP. V. A Treasure of Gospel Promises, left in Legacy by Jesus Const; for the Strength and Encouragement of Believers in their Journey to the Heavenly Canaan - - - 116 BideB to be observed in reading of Promiaea 121

CHAP. VI. PROMISES CONCERNING SPIRITUAL THINGS.

Of SIK.

If thou iindest nothing in thyself that may

move the Lord to have mercy • - - - 133 If yoQ fear God will remember your sins before-committed, to punish youforthem. If often-sinning cause thee to doubt of

pardon ..-.- 124

If thou despair -- -• 125

If thou findest sin a heavy burden, and Satan pursuing* - -- 127

If thou turn from sin & yet doubt of pardon 128 If thou wouldest have thy reibeUiens subdued 129 If thy heart be hard, & full of corruption 130 If thou fearest the breaking out of somesin &c. 131 If thou fearest God will destroy thee for thy sins 132 If thou canst not find out the sin for which God corrects thee -- 133

GHAP. VII. 0P9BJLC1-

If thy heart be as a wilderness barren of g^ood 134 If thou wantest holiness • .... - 137 When all thy graces are weak • ... - 138 When thy heart is dried for the want of grace 140 If thou wantest the Spirit of God - - - 141 If thou canst not bring thy heart to delight

in the Lord 142

If tlune heart will not praise the Lord . - 143 If thou canst not understand God's voice - 144 If theu seest a good way and hast no power %

to walk in it «.....145

If thou wantest taremen^er the wonl oft God 146 When thou seest thine own ignorance •*■ • 147 If thy desires after grace are not satisfied • 149 If thou fearest falling away, - - - - - 150 If thou art fallen, and feavest the Lord will

leave thee so - -.....- 152 When thou fearest the Lord has forsaken thee, 153 When thou feelest thy vUenessi &c,. • • 154

Whett thou feelest thy spiritual i>ovcfty . 155

If fK^ I^T^^ ?*^'' ^^^ ^^"»«^ thee to fall, 156

If thou findest thyself unlike God's people, 157 If thou separatest from the wicked in thei^

corrupt worship and manners - . 153

12? 'M*° ^^ Wlied in every ordinance. When thou prayest . . . . ica

Whenlhou meditatest - - . - 160

^readinir the word, if thou understandest not 161 firtiiou canstnot confer . . . V 1 ^9

n«^;!J'^/'? ^Z ^ **^ ^^ assemblies, to participate m the ordinances . -Wouldest thou enj<^ the ordinances of God, ,^^*W?«ingupontliem - . .

and fearest the losing- of them ^ . ' When thou art banished from God's ordi-

W?^n •*^";' banishedfromGod's house m ^^^'^^V^^^^l^^^'^^-eoverus . m

^\^^^ ^'''^^^ shepherds, thou

art come to great misery . . . 15.0

When thou settest thy self to fast . .. m

CHAP. IX.

\to! *K^' '^''^^ "P®« fo^ welWoinr. . 174

imoVw^^^^^ 'rl^ defendL truth ?5 #?^ wouldest bnng foiA seasonable fruit for every estate and foMvery duty . 176

CHAP, X.

JVT!f^^*ntest children - . ."170

When thou wouldest have thy gomr out &c 179 men thoutakestrestatnigre^"^*^^^ m «thou art diligent in thy calling. &c, &c 183

162 163 166 168 169

If thou feaf est the loss of thy g^od name, kd 184 When thou art in any want for soul or body 185 In liberal giving - . 186

If sickness be among us' - - - 187

If thou fearest death, &c. 188

If thou fearest hurt by any of the creatures, &c. 189 If thou wouldest have thy purpose to prosper 190 In times of danger , 191

When thou'art in great trouble, &c. - 192 When thou seemest to be forgotten in affliction 193 When thy sorrows g^w g^eat - - 194 If thou wouldest have deliverance, &c. - 194 If thine enemies prevail - - 195

If thou wouldest have thine enemies destroyed 196 'Forthe fall of Antichrist - - * 197 For the calling of the Jews - * * 199

CHAP- XI.

PnOMISSS l^OA THX SAINt's SUPPOliT IN TIMES OF TROUttLB AWD PSBSECUTIDir.

That God hath freely loved his elect, 8tc. • 201 That we are.freely justified, &c. - • 202 That God will, call his children, &c* - 203

That God will give his children humble hearts 204 That the children of God shall live holy 205

That God^s childrea will feir and serve him 206 That God will hear the prayers of his children 207 That we may persevere in grace, &c. ,- 208 That God will bless those who are diligent,&c. 209 That Godwin reward tApse who do good, &c. 210 We shall ^receive goodby the society of the

faithful, &c. . . 211

God win preserve his children in afflictions 213 God will subdue all the enemies of his church 214 The just shall be nused unto eternal life 315

God will perform aU that he hath promised S16 The Author's Postcript 219

CHAP. XII. An affeotioiiftte aiddrdM to communicante SSO