The Saints Legacies: OR, A COLLECTION of certaine PROMISES out of the word of God.
Collected for private use, but published for the comfort of Gods people: By ANNE PHOENIX.
Beleeve the Promises: so shall you prosper.
By beleeving and applying the Promises, we come to participate of the divine Nature. 2 Pet. 1.4. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious Promises, that by these we might be partakers of the divine Nature.
The third Edition, corrected and amended.
LONDON, Printed by M. F. for R. Roystone in Ivy-Lane. 1633.
TO THE HAPPIE SOCIETIE of all true Beleevers.
KNowing you to bee the only heires of those rich and precious promises, which it hath pleased our gracious Father freely to give unto his freely beloved Children: [Page]I have presumed without your knowledge, to bequeath unto you a fatherless childe brought forth into the world with out the parēts knowledg, hoping you will not be unwilling to let it passe under your favourable protection. For the subject matter of it, it is very beautifull, and of such use, as no child of God can passe to Heaven without it, and in that regard, it shalbe no shame unto you [Page]whom the Lord hath honoured with the grace of beleeving, to accept of this small treatise from one that desires your prospering in your soules & bodies. There is no blemish in this that I dedicate unto you, but such as came by the hands of the unskilfull bringer forth of it, which onely minded their own good in it. And weighing daily the beauty of it, and the sweet refreshing strength which [Page]flowed from it, for the overcomming of those three deadly enemies, the Devil, Sinne, and the World, they desired that God would bee pleased to move the mindes of some of his most skilful workmen, to put to their hands to frame a more perfect worke upon so perfect a subject, and to give a more comely forme, to this so beautifull a subject, and till then they intended to smother in [Page]their bosomes the beauty of this, rather then to bring it forth with the blemishes of their unskilfulnesse. But the good that may bee gained by it being unutterable, I hope grace in the hearts of Gods people will cause them, like the Bee, sucke out the sweet and nourishing vertue of these fragrant flowers, that growe here & there in the garden of Gods word, and not with discontent [Page]to cast away this pleasant posie, gathered out of the celestiall Eden of the sacred Scriptures, because an unskilfull hand, and indeed unworthie, hath bound them up together, not so orderly as might please the curious eye of man, no nor their owne, neither was it their ayme so to doe. If any gaine any good by it, the gatherer of these sweet flowers together, neither deserves nor desires [Page]thankes, for they intended it to none but to themselves, and some private friends, whose importunitie wrung some copies from thē, & now without their consent have published it. And now since it is published and cannot bee stopped, the Lord cause it to work in all his, according to that which he hath given the promises for to work in the hearts of his people, even to make them [Page]partakers of the divine nature. 2. Pet. 1.4. and as a meanes to make thē to take everie day a little posie from the rest, one of the promises gathered together, & apply it to thy self, see how thou standest in need of it, and every word in it, & then apply it to thy selfe by faith, & let it stirre thee up to goe to God in prayer for the accomplishmēt of them unto thee, then wait in the diligent use [Page]of all meanes for the gaining of them, & you shal finde God not onely making you heires of promises, but you shalbe comfortable possessours of those many good things which God hath promised to beleevers. The more you meditate and the oftner you pray upon them, the more good will you see in them, and finde flow from them. I say no more, but I doubt not, but your experiences [Page]of good by these promises wil be more then I can make known unto you I desire the God of mercies, our louing father, in our Lord Iesus Christ, in whom all the promises are Yea and Amen, to make you daily finde experimentally, the truth of al his gracious promises.
TO THE SAME Right Honourable and happie Societie of all true Beleevers militant in England: A Friend to you, and the Author, wisheth fulnesse of grace, peace, and heavenly comfort, certaine assurance; sealed evidence, and seasonable entrance into, and possession of the celestiall, promised, incorruptible, undefiled and never fading inheritance.
BEloved Beleevers, both you and I, are infinitely [Page]beholden to our everliving Father, who hath made his will and given all us his children great wealth, rich portions, and large Legacies. Now, in present possession, Graces, and comforts, in unshaken expectation and assured reversion, perfection and eternall glory. Wee are greatly beholding to Iehova, for his will damnatorie, [Page]directorie, hortatorie, correctorie, but most of all for his will consolatorie, in which, he salves all our sores, physicks all our sicknesses, medicines al our maladies,Psal. 103.4. heales all our diseases, and crownes us with loving kindnes and tender mercies? And surely wee are all of us much beholding to the holy Author of this sweet [Page](though little) booke, who hath so piously, painefully, and profitably perused the holy will of our heavenly Father, and wisely sought and found out and put into our handes, the spirituall portion, and soule-legacies, given and bequeathed unto us by our best friend, many of which, most of us scarce knew of, few sought and sued for [Page]them, and very few comfortably enjoyed and wisely and diligently used, to the donours glory and their owne good. Carelesse children, come oftentimes to be beholding unto their more carefull brethren and thriving friends, who save all they have, sue for all that is promised, and seeke for all they heare of: so is it here, we careless, negligent, [Page]poore and ill thriven Christians, must bee beholding to this carefull, diligent, rich and wellthriven author, who obeyes Pauls counsell1 Cor. 12 31.1 Cor. 12 31. Couets earnestly the best gifts and will not suffer the heavenly Father, to purse and keep a pennie that is due, to with-hold grace or comfort (which hee hath promised) in [Page]whole, or degree, but he shall heare of his promise, and if hee do not presently fulfill according to covenant, a petition is spedily drawne, to bee preferred in the court of heaven, and an advocate prepared lesus Christ the righteous.1 Ioh. 2.11 Iohn. 2.1. Suite (by prayer) begun, and in an eager pursuite continued, till the thing promised bee performed.
This little booke, & private practice of the author (who hath sued for all these Legacies, and in some good measure hath attained the same, and thereby is become spiritually rich) will sufficiently proove what I have spoken. VVee are much beholden to this author, for letting us see our portion and legacies [Page]in our fathers wil and setting us a work both by penne and practise to sue for the same.
The volume is little, but the vertue contained in the same is great. The booke is extraordinarie, being altogether for application and practise. The scope and drift of it is, to furnish beleevers with abundance of [Page]good; to free them from all sins inward, outward, secret, and open; To fill them with all graces in life, power, and exercise; To bring them comfort in, and seasonable deliverance from, all their troubles; To draw downe upon their soules & bodies abundance of blessings of all sorts and natures: to give them full assurance of certaine [Page]and seasonable entrance into glory, and to give them fast hold of heaven.
There are many, I know, that will little regard it: the prophane person wil not like it, for it is full of holinesse: the carnall protestant will not discerne of it, nor relish it, for it is spirituall: the dissembling hypocrite wil not wel approve of it, for it [Page]will rob him of his Rimmon slay his Mrs., his Delilah, his Herodias, his daling sinne, it will tell him, if he applyes promises, hee must keepe the conditions, obey praecept, and put every iniquitie though never so pleasurable or profitable far way from his Tabernacles. But the honest hearted and sinceere beleever will approve of it, prize it, [Page]use it, and profit by it.
And not to overcommend my commoditie, as one desirous to make it more vendible and sailable (for neither I, nor its author (God is witnesse) ayme at any such thing, but at the spiritual good of their soules unto whom it shall come) this little booke, like a well filled little Apothecaries [Page] [...] [Page] [...] [Page]shop, containes within it heavenly receipts of all sorts, wholsome physick of every kind for expelling and curing all sorts of diseases and sicknesses incident to Saints, and for the corroborating and strengthning of new nature, and for keeping the spirituall man in good health, lustie and strong, able for Gods service,Phil. 2.12. & for working out his [Page]owne salvation with feare and trembling. What here I speak unto one beleever, I intend for all.
Hath sin, that deadly poyson infected thee? Lo here in this little booke an Antidote, a preservative which will extract and expell this poyson. Hath this serpent so fierie stung thee?Numb. 21.8. Lo here the Brasen Serpent upon the pole. [Page]Hath it beggered and undone thee?Ioh. 3.14, 15. Behold a way in this booke, how thou maist become rich. Doth it dayly trouble thee, will it needs tyranize and dominere over thee? This little book will learne thee to depose this Tyrant,Rom. 6.14. and tell thee hee shall not haue dominion and Lordship over thee. Hath it stricken thee dead? Lo here meanes [Page]of reviving and inliving thee, to an happie life of grace. Doth it threaten thy ruine? Lo here physicke for thy feares,1 Cor. 15.35. death hath lost its sting, sinne is destroyed, death shall fully and finally free thee from it. Art thou hunted like a poore lambe by the hellish devouring Lion, Sathan, and chased before this infernal dog, like a silly Deere, in [Page]temptations? Lo here a thicket, a shelter, a shepheard, under which thou mayest repose and rest thy selfe in safetie. Art thou overcome with his wilie stratagems? Lo here wisedome. Art thou beaten down with his power? Lo here strength. Fearest thou the fierie darts of this evill one? Lo here a little housefull of targets, sheilds [Page]and buklers,(Ephes. 6.16. promises applyed by faith) which will repel and quench them.Iob. 6.4. Do Gods terrours set themselves in array against thee? are Gods arrowes in thee? doth his flaming wrath burne in thy bosome, and is likely to consume thee? Lo streames of mercy & grace from a refreshing fountaine, fluent in the pipes of the [Page]promises; by thy hand of faith turn the cock, and the coole water of Gods grace & mercy shall flow forth upon thy soule, and allay its burning heat, and scorching inflamations. Doth the wilie world endevour to intangle and inveagle thee by its lures and snares? Lo here liberty, freedome better things propoū ded, and promised, [Page]which beleevers doe for the present in some measure enjoy, and shall have a most certaine and full possession of afterwards. Wantest thou Grace, comfort, deliverance, blessing, or any good thing? Behold here thou mayest have them, to the great joy of theine heart, and content of thy Spirit.
Set faith a worke [Page]to draw out what thou wantest, & thou shalt have it. Sucke these sweet and heavenly breasts of God by the mouth of thy faith; open these pipes and veines of the promises, which run so full of mercy, grace, truth, comfort, joy & peace, for every beelever, by faith; and thou shalt be satiate with every good thing.
Lest I shold make [Page]too great a porch for this little house, and too great gates for this little citie, I will conclude, with an exhortation to all my beloved brethren and sisters, which are beleevers, to perfect their faith by application of the promises, both of these in this sweet little booke, and of all others, contained in the Old and New Testament.
Suffer not GODS promises (as I may so say) to milke themselves, doe you draw them, let not good rest with God, which you may have, by beleeving and begging, to your great comfort and inriching, but take Gods commodities off his hand, trade with that wealthy Merchant in the farre Countrey, the Lord Iesus in heaven, [Page]for his rich commodities of graces and comforts, and glorious hopes untill you be rich and wealthy, and for this purpose cause those two good factours, Faith and Prayer, founded upon and quickned & confirmed by the pretious promises, alway to trade for you in heaven, untill you come thither your selves. I would desire [Page]all beleevers to make this their pocket book that it may sollicite and wooe them to prayer, make solid & firme their faith, increase their graces, cō forts, and heavenly hopes, prepare them for induring the stormes of trouble & tempests of temptations, and may incourage them in holy weldoing and christian perseverance unto [Page]the end.Heh. 6.12 Now bretheren; my hearts desire is, that yee bee not slothfull, but followers of them, who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
That you may bee inheritours of them, it shalbe my daily prayer unto the Lord my God, to bestow upon your heartes to use all good meanes, for the attaining of [Page]the good, in these & other promises of God unto his people. That he would teach and enable you to meditate upon them diligently day and night, to beleeve thē firmly, to apply thē severally, particularly, personally, to sue for them earnestly by prayer constant and fervent, to wait for their promised accomplishment by patience, [Page]that so you may enjoy the good of them here & hereafter, which God in mercie grant unto mee, and also you. Amen.
To the Reader.
MAn which at the beginning was created happy,Gen. 1.26. Eph. 2.12. having now lost God and his image,Eph. 2.2.3. is of all earthly creatures become most miserable, no lesse then a slave of the Devill, a child of wrath, and an heire of eternall damnation.2. Cor. 4.4 This is not the estate of a few onely, but of all man-kinde out of Christ; for we are all by nature under the curse.Gal. 3.10 [Page]The best,Eph. 2.3. before their conversion, were by nature children of wrath, even as others: for every womans child did fall equally in Adam: Rom. 5.12. hence it comes to passe, that no man by nature is now in better esteem with God then other. Cain and Abel as children of the first Adam onely were equally miserable; the like may be said of us all,Rom. 3.9. for both Jewes and Gentiles are come under sin. And as the Psalmist saith,Ps. 14.3. Wee are all gone out of the way, wee are altogether become filthy, there is none righteous, no not [Page]one. Oh that men and women had their eyes enlightned, and judgements convinced of that woefull plight in which naturally they are! Oh! were their hearts thorrowly loaden therewith, surely they would not long content themselves therein. The truth is,1 Iohn. 5.19. most in the world are spiritually blinde,1 Cor. 2. and cannot discerne their owne miserie;Eph. 2.1. [...] and spiritually dead too, & cannot bee affected with it: The Holy Ghost saith thus of them;Eph. 4.1 [...] 19. They walke in the vanity of their mind, having their understanding [Page]darkned, and are strangers from the life of God, through the ignorance which is in them, because of the hardnes of their hearts: who being past feeling have given themselves unto wan tonnesse, to worke all uncleannesse with greedinesse. Such as these, are so farre from having any right to Gods promises, that for the present they are under the curse,Deut. 27. ult. Deut. 28. [...]8.63. and consequently in the dint of all the plagues and thretnings in Gods booke. Wherfore let not such as yet challenge any comfort from the Promises, but let them rather labour [Page]to the uttermost of their power, in using all good meanes to be made capable and sit subjects for mercy revealed in the Promises. Is it not pitty so many sweet promises of life should bee made, and yet thou die and be damned notwithstanding? Pray fervently to God that he would touch thy heart with griefe for all thy sinnes,Act. 2.37 Luk. 15.1 2 Cor. 1. [...] 20, 21.2 [...] & worke in thee a cleare apprehension of thine owne unworthinesse, & that hee would bestow faith on thee, that by it thou mayest be able to go wholly out of thy selfe [Page]to God, through Jesus Christ for salvation.
We having departed from him who is the God of all grace & consolation, are fallen into an estate of all basenesse desolation, and miserie; & cannot bee recovered againe into the former estate of spirituall life & happinesse, unlesse wee be brought againe to him who is the foundation of life and happines, even the living God: and brought to him wee can never bee, but by Faith,Heh. 11.6. which is nothing els but the going out of the soule to god through [Page]Christ, to fetch a new principall of spirituall life and grace, which once in Adam wee lost, and now need.Rom. 10.8, 17. The which worke of faith is not wrought but by the promises; and being wrought in our hearts gives us a most sure right and interest unto all the promises of grace. Heh. 6.12.17. Thus wee through faith & patience are said to inherit the promises, therefore we are called the heires of the promise: the promises are as well ours, who truely beleeve, as heaven it selfe is. Now by these heavenly Promises,2. Pct. 1.3. [Page]God our Father hath engaged himselfe as a debtour to us his poore children for all things needfull to life & godlinesse, untill that blessed time comes whē wee shall be put into full possession of all things which wee have now only in promise: at that time Faith shall end in fruition, and Promises in performance. As the soule is the life of the body, and faith the life of the soule, so are Gods promises the life of faith. For from whence hath faith his efficacie, but because it layes hold [Page]on the free promises? but from whence have the promises their strength?2, Cor. 1.20. even from the constant nature of Iehovah, who alwaies gives a beeing to his word. Desirest thou faith? then take notice of Gods promises: wouldest thou have thy faith like the light in the Lords Sanctuary never to go out? then acquaint thy selfe with Gods Promises, know them well, meditate on them, conferre about them: let them bee continually in thy minde, memorie, heart and tongue. Satan laboureth in nothing [Page]more then to keepe us in unbeleefe, especially of particular Promises, for he knowes if we beleeve them,1 Iohn 5. wee shall in all things have the victory,Eph 2. come before God with boldnesse,Rom. 15. Heh. 11. carry peace in our owne bosomes to our graves, and doe, and suffer any thing for God. Oh the abundance of sweet cordiall comfort which all humble beleevers draw by faith out of every promise! Now beloved,Isay 66.11 12. these precious Promises, (our breasts of consolation) whereupon our happinesse so much depends, lie hid in the [Page]holy scripture, as veynes of gold in the earth. Surely, those that search those mynes to bring to light these treasures, are worthy of great commendation. Wherfore I doubt not but the good paines of this blessed & faithfull servant of God will finde good entertainment of all the children of the promises, that hope to entertaine them, who hath with great care and good evidence of sprituall understanding discovered and compiled the variety and use of all the promises in matters temporall [Page]spirituall, & eternal. So that here is a medicine for every disease, & a salve for every sore. Read them carefully and ponder them seriously, and apply them faithfully. And I beseech the good Lord, who is the author of them, that by his holy spirit he would make them powerful, & effectuall in us.2 Tim. 2.7. Consider what is said, and the Lord give us understanding in all things.
RVLES TO BE OBSERVED IN READING THE PROMISES.
WHatsoever Promise is made in generall to al the faithfull, every one must particularly apply it to themselves; as Gen. 3.15. the Messtah is promised to al, every one must apply him to themselves.
2 Whatsoever promise is made to any one of the [Page]faithfull (if there bee not some particular reasō which tyes it to his person, as was to Abraham for a son, and his seed to inherit the land of Canaan) euery challd of God hath right to it: as you may see, Iosuah, 1.5. I will not faile thee nor forsake thee. This every one may apply to themselves, as wee know the Holy Ghost applies it, Heb. 13.5. For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Which teacheth us to doe the like in all the rest of the promises.
3. Vnder temporall promises to the Iewes, are set forth the excellent promised [Page]graces, which God will give to his people after the comming of Christ, Ezck. 34.25, 26, 27.
4. When wee reade the conditions of the promises, they are not like to the duties of the Law, made to the perfect fulfillers of them; the promises are Evangelicall made to those which endeavour to keepe them, and the maine conditions of thē are faith.
5. In all the promises for increase of grace, or meanes of grace, or for any carthly things, wee must know wee shall have them so farre parformed to us, as the Lord seeth good for us.
[Page] 6. In our weake endeavourings to keepe the Promises, wee must beleeve the performance to us, in, by, and through Christ; In whom all the promises of God are yea & Amen: that is, as I conceive, confirmed and made good to us in him, 2 Cor. 1.20, when wee can see nothing in our selves why they should be performed to us, even then wee are to claime them for Christs sake; if thou bee in Christ: for if thou be not in him, no promise belongs to thee: but that threatnings and iudgements are thy pertion, and nothing else can wee claime as our due. Sorrow [Page]weeping, & howling is that which God requireth of us, and not laying hand upon the comfortable promises, till wee hunger after Christ: which God grant we may doe more and more, till wee come to be satisfied with his image in the life to come. Psal. 17.15.
THE FIRST LEGACIE.
These promises I have observed for spirituall things.
First about Sinne.
WHen wefinde nothing in our selves, that might move the Lord to have mercy, then apply these [Page 2]promises, Isai. 43.25. I, even I am hee, that blotteth out thy transgression for mine owne sake, and will not remember thy sinnes. Isai. 44.22. I have blooted out as a thicke cloud thy transgressions, and as a cloud thy sinnes: returne unto mee, for I have redeemed thee.
Ier. 31.34. I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
Ezek. 36.25. I will sprinkle cleane water upon you, and yee shall bee cleane from all your filthinesse.
Isai. 57.18. I have seene his wayes, and will heale him, I will lead him also, [Page 3]and restore comforts unto him, and to his mourners.
These promises are free, made by the Lord, not for any thing that is in man, as you may see, in Isaiah 43. from the 22 verse, to the 25. for the Lord saith, They had not called upon him, but wearied the Lord, brought him no offering, yea wearied him with their sinnes; and yet in the 25 verse hee saith, for his owne sake hee would forgive their sinnes.
These promises wee shall have alwayes need of, as at our conversion, [Page 4]so afterwards many times wee shall in our owne feeling finde nothing in our selves to perswade us of the pardon of our sinnes, then wee must flie to these free promises. Whē thou seest nothing in thy selfe why the Lord should pardon thy sinnes, and therefore doubt'st of the pardon of them, apply, I am hee that puts away thy sinnes for mine owne sake.
When thy sinnes rise up as a cloud, that thou canst see nothing but them, apply, I have put away the sinnes as a cloud.
When thou fearest [Page 5]the multitude of thy sinnes, apply, You shall bee cleane from all your sinnes.
The 2. Legacie.
WHē we feare, God will remember our fins before commitred, to punish us for them, apply Ier. 31.34. I will remember his sinne no more. Ezek. 18.22. His transgressions which he hath committed shall not be mentioned to him, but in the righteousnesse which he hath done, shall he live.
Ezek. 33.16. None of his sins that hee hath committed shall be mentioned to him.
The 3. Promise.
WHen thine often sinning causeth thee to feare that God will not pardon thee, applie, Job. 33, 27.28.29. He look eth upon men, and if any say I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profiteth mee not: hee will deliver his soule from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light. Loe all these things worketh God, oftentimes with man. Wherefore beleeve not Satan that perswades the contrary, nor let thy corruptions make thee [Page 7]bold to presume of pardon; for though God promise pardon, yet it is to the penitent, not to the presumptuous, as verse 27.
The 4. Promise.
WHen thou art at the pits brinke of despaire, and art dryed up with sorrow, then go to some faithfull Preacher that is able to preach Christ unto thee, and apply these promises: Job. 33, 24, 25, 26. Then hee is gracious unto him, and saith, deliver him from going downe to [Page 8]the pit, I have found a ransome. His flesh shall bee fresher then a childes, hee shall returne to the dayes of his youth. Hee shall pray unto God, and hee shall bee favourable unto him, and he shall see his face with joy for hee will render unto man his righteousnesse.
Isai. 57.19. I create the fruit of the lips, peace, peace, to him that is farre off, & to him that is neare, saith the Lord, and I will heale him.
When thou commest to the uttermost extreamity for sinne, apply, I will have mercy on him, and deliver him, that he [Page 9]goe not downe to the pit.
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 be peace, to them that are farre off, and to them that are neare.
When thy sorrowes have withered thee up, apply, He shall returne as in the dayes of his youth, and his flesh shall bee as the flesh of a childe.
If in this estate thou fearest, God will not heare prayers for thee, apply, Hee shall pray to God, and hee will be favourable [Page 10]to him.
When thou fearest thou shalt not bee able to looke upon the Lord with joy, apply, Hee shall see his face with joy.
When thou seest not any thing in thy selfe, that should cause thee not to believe this, apply, He will render to man his righteousnesse; which is (I thinke) Christs righteousnesse, for whose sake he will doe it.
The 5. Promise.
WHen thou feelest sin an heavie burden, and Satan pursuing [Page 11]thee with many feares, by reason of the same, flie to Christ, and apply, Matth. 11.28, 29. Come unto me all yee that labour and are heavie laden, and I will give you rest. Matt. 1.21. He shall save his people from their sinnes.
Rom. 16.20. And the God of Peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.
Isai. 32.2. And a man shall bee as a hiding place from the winde, and a covert frrom the tempest, as rivers of waters in a drie place, as the shadow of a great rocke in a weary land. Thus doth Christ to the [Page 12]soule that flies to him.
If Satan pursue thee, apply, Hee is an hiding place.
If stormes of temptations and afflictions doe arise, apply, He is a refuge against the tempest.
If thy soule bee ready to faint through weakenesse, apply, He is a river of water in a drie place, to revive thy spirits, and as the shadow of a great rocke, under which thou maist safely repose thy selfe. When thou findest thy sinnes very heavy, apply, I will ease you.
When thou hast no rest in thy soule because [Page 13]of sinne, apply, You shall finde rest to our soules. He shall save his people from their sinnes, both from the punishment & the power.
If thou fearest length of time in temptations, apply, The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.
The 6. Legacie.
WHen thou turnest from sinne, and doubtest of the pardon of it, apply, Isai. 1.18. Though your sinnes bee as skarlet, they shall bee as white as snow; though [Page 14]they bee red like crimson, they shall be as wooll.
Isai. 55.7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him returne unto the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for hee will abundantly pardon.
Micah 7.18.19. Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? hee retaineth not his anger for ever, because hee delighteth in mercy. Hee will turne againe, hee will have compassion upon us, hee will subdue our iniquities, [Page 15]and thou wilt cast all their sinnes into the depthes of the sea. Prov. 28.13. He that confesseth and forsaketh his sinnes shall finde mercy. 1 Iohn 1.9. If wee confesse our sinnes, hee is faithfull & just to forgive us our sinnes, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousnesse.
When thou seest thy soule of a sinfull colour, apply, Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as white as wooll.
If thou fearest God will hardly be intreated, apply, Hee will have mercie, for he is ready to forgive.
If wee feare that our sinnes have taken such strong hold upon us, as wee shall never get from them, apply, He will clense us from all our unrighteousnesse. See God promiseth to be the cleanser, feare not the hardnesse of the worke.
The 7. Legacie.
WHen thou feelest many rebelliōs in thine heart and life, and would'st have them not onely pardoned, but subdued, apply, Hos. 14.5. I will heale their back-sliding. Which promise [Page 17](as I thinke) containes thus much, that God will not onely pardon, but heale us, and in stead of rebellious hearts and lives, will give us obedient hearts and lives; for as healing followeth the curing of sicknesse: so obedience doth the curing of rebellion. Micah 7.19. Hee will subdue our iniquities.
When thou feelest sinne very strong, flie to this promise, and apply the strength of him that promiseth, against the strength of sinne: it is the Lord that hath promised to subdue it; what [Page 18]though Sinne and Satan joyne their force together, yet the Lord is stronger then all their force, wee need not doubt.
The 8. Promise.
VVHen thou feelest thine heart hard, and full of corruption, apply, Ezek. 36.26. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Deut. 30.6. And the Lord thy God will circumcise [Page 19]thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soule, that thou maist live.
When thou feelest thine heart worldly carnall, apply, I will circumcise thine heart. A new heart will I give thee.
When nothing will breake thine heart, apply the power of Jehovah, that hath promised to cure thee, in taking away thy stonie heart.
The 9. Legacie.
WHen thou cāst not bridle nature, but it breakes forth into violent passions, to contention, apply, Isai. 11.6. The Wolfe also shall dwell with the Lambe, and the Leopard shall lie downe with the Kid, and the Calfe and the young Lyon, and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. Such shall bee the power of the Gospell, that those which are by nature like Wolves and devouring beasts, shall dwell very peaceably: and if wee finde our nature such, we [Page 21]must apply, the Wolfe shall dwell with the Lambe.
Micah 7.19. Hee will subdue our iniquities, and will cast all our sinnes into the depth of the sea: that which is cast into the Sea, as it appeareth not in sight, so wee cannot get it againe, though we would: so will God doe by our sinnes, cast them out of his sight, so as we shall not returne to them any more: presse him with his promise, and you shall finde more then you thinke.
The 10. Promise.
WHen thou feelest thy selfe in bondage to some sin, apply, Iohn 8.32. You shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free.
Rom. 6.14. Sinne shall not have dominion over you.
When thou feelest thy bondage that thou canst not doe good, or keepe thy selfe from evill; apply, The truth shall make you free.
If thy sins often prevaile against thee, apply, Sinne shall not have dominion over you.
Psal. 130.8. Hee shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.
The 11. Promise.
WHen thou feelest some sin so strong in thee, that thou fearest it will breake out to Gods dishonour, and the blemishing of Religion, apply, 1 Thess. 5.23, 24. That your whole spirit, soule and body may be preserved blamelesse, unto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ. Faithfull is hee that calleth you, who also will doe it. That God which hath called [Page 24]thee, will keepe thee blamelesse unto the comming of Christ: therefore use the meanes, and rest upon the Lords faithfulnesse, which never faileth them which trust in him.
2. Thess. 3.3. But the Lord is faithfull, who shall stablish you and keepe you from evill.
1 Iohn 1.9. If we confesse our sinnes, he is faithfull and just to forgive us our sinnes, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousnesse. By cleansing (as I thinke) is meant, not onely from the guilt of sinne, but the power of it, that the [Page 25]filthinesse of it shall not appeare in our lives and conversations. When sinne pursues thee hard to make thee fall, doe thou pursue the Lord with prayers, for performance of this promise, and doubt not of the issue.
Micah 7.19. Hee will subdue our iniquities. And to these adde the prayer of Christ, John 17.15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keepe them from the evill. Now what greater evill then sinne? therefore though thy prayers [Page 26]be but weake against it, yet hee hath prayed that was alway heard, therefore fight and be sure of victory.
The 12. Legacie.
WHen thou art stayed from sinne by admonition, apply, Ezek. 3.21. If thou warne the righteous man, that the righteous sinne not, and he doth not sin, hee shall surely live, because he is warned.
When any admonish thee, obey, and it shall be life to thy soule, therfore receive the admonition, and apply, Hee [Page 27]shall live, because he is admonished.
The 13. Legacie.
IF thou fearest, God will destroy thee for thy sinnes, apply, Ezek. 18.30. Turne your selves from all your transgressions, so iniquity shall not bee your ruine.
Mat. 1.21. Hee shall save his people from their sinnes.
When thou fearest the greatnesse or multitude of thy sinnes will be thy destruction, apply; Iniquity shall not bee your ruine.
When thou seest no meanes of safety, apply, Hee (that is, Christ) shall save his people from their sinnes.
The 14. Legacie.
IF thou be tempted to uncleannesse, apply, Prov. 2.16. He shall deliver thee from the strange woman.
1 Thess. 5.24. Thy bodie shall be kept blamelesse untill the comming of Christ.
The 15. Legacie.
IF thou canst not finde out thy sin, for which [Page 29]God correcteth thee, apply, Job. 36.9. If they bee tyed with the cords of affliction, then will I shew them their worke, and their sins.
A wise father will not correct his childe, but hee will shew him wherefore, how else should hee amend his fault? much more will the Lord. But wee enjoy not many promises, because wee sue not for them.
Thus farre about Sinne, the next promises are about Grace.
The 16. Legacie.
IN doubt of salvation, apply, God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Sonne, that whosoever beleeveth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life, Joh. 3.16.
John 5.24. Hee that heareth my word, and be leeveth on him that sent me hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.
John 8.51. If any man keepe my saying, he shall never see death.
John 11.25. He that beleeveth in me, though he [Page 31]were dead, yet shall hee live. And whosoever beleeveth in me shall never see death.
If thou doubt that thou shalt perish, and not be saved, apply, Hee that beleeves in Christ, shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation. Labour to beleeve these Promises, and that is all that is required of thee, for the obtaining of what is promised.
The 17. Legacie.
WHen thou findest thine heart as a wildernesse barren of [Page 32]good, apply, Esa. 35.1, 2. The wildernesse and the solitarie place shall bee glad for them: and the desart shall rejoyce, and blossome as the Rose. It shall blossome abundantly, and rejoyce even with joy and singing.
This promise is made to the Church, and every member of it may applie it to themselves: therfore when thou feelest thine heart as a desart wildernes and waste ground, void of good, full of bryers & thornes of sinne, then know, thou shalt not onely bring forth sweet smelling graces, like roses, but also [Page 33]all abundance of thē.
Pro. [...]1.28. The righteous shal flourish as a branch.
Prov. 13 4 The soule of the diligent shall be made fat.
Hos. 14.5, 6. I will be as the dew to Israel, hee shall grow as the Lilly, and cast forth his roots like Lebanon. His branches shall spread, and his beauty be as the Olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon.
When we want meanes to make us fruitfull, apply, The Lord will be a dew to Israel.
When wee desire to flourish and grow up in grace, apply, He shall grow [Page 34]as the Lilly, his branches shall spread.
If thou wouldest shine forth in the beauty of holines, apply, His beauty shal be as the Olive-tree & as the Lilies, whose glorie is greater then Salomons in all his royalty.
If thou wouldest have thy graces send sorth a sweet smell, apply, His smell shall be as Lebanon.
If thou fearest the continuance of this estate, apply, Hee shall fasten his rootes, as the trees of Lebanon.
It matters not how great our barrennes bee, when God will be a dew [Page 35]to us: it will quickly make us fruitful, we shall bring forth fruits glorious to the sight, as the Lilly, and as the Olive tree, and the sent of our graces shall bee a sweet smelling savour, as the trees of Lebanon. Therefore though thou feelest thy heart yet barren, and thou hast used meanes long, and yet art not fruitfull, still use the meanes, and beleeve, for therein did Abraham glorifie God that hee beleeved above hope, that Sarah should have a sonne, whose wombe was barren, and by yeares past [Page 36]child bearing: so though thine heart remaine barren in thine owne feeling, after long use of meanes, yet still follow seeing in the meanes, and beleeve, for wee have as sure promises, and as faithfull a performer, as Abraham had, Jesus Christ, yesterday, and to day, and the same for ever.
John 7.38. He that be leeveth on mee, out of his belly shall flow rivers of water of life.
The 18. Legacie.
WHē thou art troubled for want of holinesse, apply, Exod. 19.6. You shall bee an holy nation.
Deut.28.9. And the Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himselfe.
The Lord will make thee holy, therefore Sin, nor Satan, nor wicked men cannot hinder thy holinesse: for hee that makes thee holy is stronger then all, and doth what he will.
1 Thess. 5.23.24. The God of peace shall sanctifie you throughout, in spirit, [Page 38]soule, and body. Faithfull is hee which calleth you, which will also doe it.
The 19. Legacie.
WHen thou canst not offer up any sacrifice to God of prayer or praise, or thy selfe in sacrifice, apply, Exod. 19.6. Yee shall be unto mee a kingdome of priests. God promiseth that wee shall be priests, that is, such as shall offer up sacrifice unto him, for that was the priests office. Therefore when thou findest thy selfe unable to pray, or praise the Lord, or to [Page 39]offer up thy selfe to God, soule and body, strive in faith grounded on the promises, that hee which commanded, hath also promised to make us a-able to do it, for he hath said, Wee shall bee Priests, Malac. 1.11. In every place incense shall bee offered to my name, and a pure offering; which is spoken of the beleeving Gentiles, therefore thou being one of them, shalt be able to offer up pure offerings.
The 20. Legacie.
WHen thou feelest littlegrace, knowledge, faith, love, repentance, all very little, apply, Job. 8.7. Though thy beginning be small, yet thy latter end shall greatly increase.
Matth. 13.12. Whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and hee shall have abundance.
Therefore let not thy small beginnings discourage thee; but if thou canst prove thou hast some grace, then joyne faith and diligence together, [Page 41]& they will quickly make thee rich.
The 21. Promise.
WHen thou findest al thy graces very weake, & no strength to performe any spirituall duty, either prayer or fasting, or any other duty, then apply, Psalme 29.11. The Lord will give strength unto his people. Isa. 40.29.31. Hee giveth power to the faint, and to them which have no might he increaseth strength. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, [Page 42]they shall mount up with wings as Eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walke and not faint.
When thou feelest thy selfe faint, stay thy selfe with this promise, Hee giveth strength to him that fainteth.
When thou feelest no power, apply, to him that hath no strength he increaseth power. If thou hast lost thy power, then stay thy selfe with this, they shall renew their strength.
If thou art ready to give over through wearinesse, then gather strength from this, They shall run and not be weary, [Page 43]and walke and not be faint.
And if thou findest not these promises performed unto thee, either thou endeavorest not to keepe the conditions, or else thou art negligent in searching out the promises, or cold in suing for them: the Lord will be sought to for the performance.
Isai. 41.10. I am thy God, I will strengthen thee, yea I will helpe thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousnesse. Isa. 26.4. Trust thou in the Lord for ever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.
To know there is strength in the Lord is no comfort, unlesse wee know it shall bee for us. Therefore since it is given for a comfort, it must include this promise, Thus the Lords strength for evermore shall be imployed for our good. Therfore when we want for either soule or body, wee must fixe our confidence in him, who will-not faile us, if wee seeké unto him.
The 22. Legacie.
WHen thou feelest thine heart dryed up for want of grace, that thou canst not send forth any water of grace in thy thoughts, words, and workes, apply, Isai. 44.3. I will poure water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground.
Isai. 58.11. The Lord shall satisfie thy soule in drought, and make fat thy bones, and thou shalt be like a watred garden, and like a spring of waters, whose waters faile not.
Ier. 17.8. Hee shall bee as a tree planted by the waters, [Page 46]that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heate commeth: but her leafe shall be greene, and shall not be carefull in the yeare of drought, neither shall cease from yeelding fruit.
Jer. 31.12. Their soule shall bee as a watred garden.
Jam. 4.6. God giveth grace unto the humble.
Isa. 35.6, 7. In the wildernesse shall waters breake out, and streames in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a poole, and the thirsty land springs of waters. That is, the most barren heart [Page 47]shall abound with grace, according to that promise John 7. Out of their bellies shall flow rivers of the waters of Life.
Isa. 41.17.18.19. When the poore and needie seeke water, and there is none, and their tongues faile for thirst, I the Lord will heare them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them: I will open rivers in high places; and fountaines in the middest of the valleys: I will make the wildernesse a poole of water, and the drie land springs of water. I will plant in the wildernesse the Cedar, the Shittah tree, and the Mirtle, and [Page 48]the Oyle tree: I will set in the desert the Firre tree, and the Pine, and the Boxe tree together. So now though thou feelest thy heart barren, know that God will bee thy Gardiner to thy barren heart, to make pooles, & plant pleasant grapes of graces; therefore seeing hee taketh upon himselfe the worke, feare not the badnesse of the ground, for hee will make it good as a fruitfull garden.
The 23. Legacie.
IF thou feelest thou wantest the Spirit of God, apply, Ezek. 36.27. I will put my Spirit within you.
Luke 11.13. If yee then being evill, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that aske him.
Joel 2.28.29. I will poure out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sonnes and your daughters shall prophecie, your old men shall dreame dreames, and your young men shall see visions. [Page 50]And also upon the servants, and upon the hand maids in those dayes will I poure out my Spirit.
Joh. 6.14.16.17.18. And I will pray the Father, and hee shall give you another Comforter, that hee may abide with you for ever: even the Spirit of truth, hee dwelleth in you, and shall be in you, I will not leave you comfortlesse, I will come to you.
When thou canst not pray thy selfe, stay thy selfe on these prayers that Christ hath prayed, to the Father to give the Spirit, & he was heard in all hee prayed for, therefore [Page 51]thou mayst claime it, though thy prayers be but weake.
The 24. Legacie.
WHen thou lookest upō the great love of God unto thee, and canst not finde thine heart inlarged in loving God againe, apply this promise, Deut, 30.9. I will circumcise thine heart, that thou maist love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soule.
The 25. Legacie.
WHē thou canst not bring thine heart to delight in the Lord, apply, Isai. 41.16. Thou shalt rejoyce in the Lord, & glory in the holy One of Israel.
Psalm. 89.16. In thy name shall they rejoyce all the day: and in thy righteousnes shall they be exalted.
Job. 22.26. For then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty.
Psalm. 33.21. For our heart shall rejoyce in him: because wee have trusted in his holy name.
When thou seest cause [Page 55]of rejoycing in the Lord, and yet canst not move thine affections, apply, They shall rejoyce in him.
If through many troubles and temptations, thou findest thy joyes often interrupted, apply, they shall rejoice continually in thy name.
The 26. Legacie.
WHen we seele not the feare of God in our hearts, apply, Jer. 32.40. I will put my feare in their hearts.
If wee would have a reverent feare of God, when wee performe any [Page 54]holy duty, or at other times, as thou feelest thy need, so urge the Lord with this his promise, for he delights to be sued to, upon his promise, by his servants, Ezek. 36.37. I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel to doe it for them.
The 27 Legacie.
WHē thou canst not bring thine heart to praise the Lord, apply, Isai. 43.21. This people have I formed for my selfe, they shall shew forth my praise.
Joel 2.26. Yee shall eat [Page 55]in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God.
Psal. 22.29. They shall praise the Lord that seeke him.
When thou seest what great things God hath done for thee, and findest not thy selfe able to set forth his praise, apply, They shall set forth my praise.
When thou findest thy ingratefull heart not affected with the mercies thou enjoyest, so as they stir thee not up to praise the Lord, apply, He shall eate and bee satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord.
The 28. Legacie.
WHen thou seest thy want of wisedome makes thee not walke like a Christian, so unblameably as thou ought apply, Jam. 1.5. If any of you lacke wisedome, let him aske of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and up braideth not, and it shall be given him.
When thou findest thou want'st wisedome to improve thine afflictions to the best advantage, or for the ordering of thy actions, occasions and course of life, to Gods glory & the good [Page 57]of others, and thy selfe, then faile not to aske wisdome, and doubt not of the obtaining of it.
The 29. Legacie.
WHen thou canst not understand the voice of God in his word, or workes, not knowing what to learne by them, apply, Isa. 35.5. The eares of the deafe shall bee unstopped. That is, those that were as deafe not understanding any thing, shall be made to heare, that is, to understand.
John 10.16. Other [Page 58]sheepe I have, which are not of this fold, them also I must bring, and they shall heare my voice. Which is a promise to the Gentiles, that they shall understand the voice of God.
The 30. Legacie.
IF thou canst not see into the divine mysteries of the Gospell, apply, Isai. 35.5. The eyes of the blinde shall be opened. Isai. 42.7. Hee shall open the eyes of the blinde. Luk. 4.18. Hee hath sent mee to recover sight to the blinde.
These places are what [Page 59]Christ will doe to his people, therefore wee need not feare our disease, seeing Christ is our Physitian. If every creature doth that, for which it was ordained, then hee will surely doe that which hee was sent to doe of the Father, to give sight to the blinde.
The 31. Legacie.
WHen thou seest a good way, & hast no power to walke in it, or art to performe any duty, ordinary or extraordinary, and feelest no strength to walke [Page 60]in that way, apply, Ezek. 36.27. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walke in my statutes, and yee shall keepe my judgements, and doe them.
When thou lookest at the greatnesse of the duty which God commands, looke also at the largenesse of his promises for the keeping of them, and then thou wilt not be discouraged at it. What matters it what he commands, seeing wee haue his promise?
If thou fearest the strictnesse of thy wayes [Page 61]that thou shalt not bee able to walke in them, though thou step into them sometimes, strengthen thy faith in this promise, I will give thee my Spirit to cause thee to walke in my wayes. Can sinne or Satan then resist? Nay surely the Spirit is stronger, and greater is hee that is in us, then those that are against us. And when wee see great duties which God commands, and feare wee shall want strength to doe them, apply, Hee hath said, You shall keepe my judgements, and doe them.
Isai. 40.31. They shall runne, and not bee weary; they shall walke, and not bee faint. That is, Those which of themselves could not step one step, shall bee able to runne swiftly in the wayes of God.
The 32. Legacie.
WHen thou wantest memory to remē ber the word of God, apply, John 14.26. But the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, hee shall teach you all things, and bring all things [Page 63]to your remēbrance, whatsoever I have said unto you,
The 33. Legacie
WHen thou seest thine ignorāce, & fearest thou shalt not bee able to glorifie God as thou mightest, if thou had'st more knowledge, stirre up thy selfe to desire, and apply, Jer. 31.33.34. Thus saith the Lord, I will put my Law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, and they shall all know mee, saith the Lord, from the greatest to the least. Hosea 2.20. Thou shalt know [Page 64]the Lord, Prov. 1.23. I will poure out my Spirit unto you, I will make knowne my words unto you.
Psal. 25.9.12.14. The meeke will he guide in judgment: and the meeke will hee teach his way. What man is hee that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that hee shall chuse. The secret of the Lord is with them that feare him: and hee will shew them his covenant.
Prov. 2.4.9.11.12.13. If thou seckest her as silver and searchest for her as for treasures. Then shalt thou understand righteousnesse, [Page 65]and judgement, and equity, yea every good path. Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keope thee, to deliver thee from the way of the evill man, from the man that speaketh froward things: who leave the paths of uprightnesse, to walke in the wayes of darkenesse. Isai. 11.9. The earth shall bee full of the knowledge of the Lord. Prov. 8.17. Those that seeke me earely, shall finde mee. Isai. 35.8. The foole shall not erre. John. 7.17. if any man will doe his will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it bee of God, or whether I speake of my selfe. [Page 66] Isai. 32.3, 4. The eyes of them that see shall not bee dimme, and the eares of them that heare shall harken. The heart also of 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, & seest thine owne inability to conceive of this great God, apply, They shall all know the Lord: The heart of the foole shall understand.
When wee feare God will not reveale his will to us; apply, I will poure [Page 67]out my minde to you. Hee will teach the humble his wayes. he will teach him the way he shall chuse.
If thou fearest that though God reveale 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 judgement, righteousnesse, equity, and every good path.
If thou fearest men will draw thee away to errour, apply, Counsell shall preserve thee, and understanding shall keepe thee and deliver thee from the evill way, and from the [Page 68]man that speaketh froward things, and from them that leave the wayes of righteousnesse, to walke in the wayes of darkenesse. The fooles shall not erre. He shall know the doctrine whether it be of God.
The 34. Legacie.
IF thou desirest Grace, and thy desires are not satisfied, apply, psalm. 34.7. Delight thy selfe also in the Lord, and hee shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Psal. 145.19. Hee will fulfill the desires of them that feare him.
Psal. 81.10. Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
Matth. 5, 6. Blessed are they which doe hunger and thirst after righteousnesse, for they shall be filled.
Prov. 10.24, The desire of the righteous shall bee granted.
Doest thou desire grace? fearest thou God will not grant thy desires? apply, Hee shall give thee thy hearts desire: Hee will fulfill thy desire.
Fearest thou that if he give grace, it will bee but a little? apply, Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. Thou shalt be filled.
Isai. 30.18. Blessed are all they which wait for him. Hee will certainely have mercy upon thee at the voyce of thy crie, when he heareth hee will answer.
When thou beginnest to faint with waiting, apply, Hee will certainely have mercie upon thee.
The 35. Legacie.
VVHen thou feelest thine hart dead, that it will not stirre to God or goodnesse, apply, Ps. 22.26. Your heart shall live for ever.
Prov. 3.21.22. Keepe sound wisdome and discretion, [Page 71]so shall they be life unto thy soule.
Isai. 57.15. 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, and to revive the heart of contrite ones.
Amos. 5.4. Seeke the Lord and yee shall live.
When thou fearest thou shalt never overcome the deadnesse of thine heart, apply, Your heart shall live. Seeke the Lord, and yee shall live.
When thou hast got some life, and fearest the losing of it, apply, Your hearts shall live for ever.
The 36. Legacie.
WHen thou fearest thou shalt fall away, and beginnest to decline, apply, 1. Cor. 1.8. Christ shall also confirme you unto the end, that yee may be blamelesse in the day of our Lord Iesus Christ. Psal. 16.8. I have set the Lord alwayes before me: because hee is at my right hand I shall not bee moved. Psalm, 145.14. The Lord upholdeth all that fall: and raiseth up all those that bee bowed downe. Psalm. 92.12.14. The righteous shall flourish like the Palme-tree. He shall [Page 73]grow like a Cedar in Lebanon. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age: they shall be fat and flourishing. Psal. 1.3. And he shall be like a tree: planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season: his leafe also shall not wither, Psal. 31.24. Hee shall stablish thine heart. Job. 11.15.27. Thou shalt bee stedfast, thine age shall bee clearer then the noone day, thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning. Judg. 5.31. They that love the Lord shall bee as the Sunne, when it goeth forth in his might. Now we see that nothing can [Page 74]hinder the Sunne in his might, but it chaseth away the darkenesse and clouds before it, and ceaseth not till it hath runne his race: so shall the childe of God, for the Lord hath said it; wee need not doubt of it. If thou fearest thine owne weaknesse, and the power of temptation, with the subtilty of Satan, apply, That God whose power and wisedome over-reacheth all other, hath said, Hee will confirme you to the end. He shall stablish thine heart, thy leafe shall not fade. Art thou hard pursued [Page 75]by sinne and Satan, apply, that God whose power and wisedome over-reacheth all, he hath said, He will stablish thee. If thou bee ready to fall and faint, apply, The Lord upholdeth all them that fall, and lifteth up all them that are ready to fall: thou shalt pot slide. It thou fearest that though thou be kept frō sin, yet thy graces shall decay, apply, The righteous shall flourish as a Palme-tree, and shall grow as a Cedar in Lebanon. They shall bring forth fruit in their age, they shall be fat and flourishing: thou shalt bring forth fruit in [Page 76]season: thou shalt be stable; thine age shall appeare more cleare then noone day. Thou shalt shine as the morning.
The 37. Legacie.
WHen wee are falne and seare the Lord will leave us so, then apply, Psal. 55.22. Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and hee shall sustaine thee: hee shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
Psal. 37.24.28. Though he fall, hee shall not bee utterly cast downe, for the Lord upholdeth him with [Page 77]his hand. For the Lord loveth judgement, and forsaketh not his Saints, they are preserved for ever.
Jer. 32.40. I will put my feare in their hearts, that they shall not depart from mee. When thou art fallen, and fellest a great loade of sinne or misery upon thee, and no power to unload thy selfe, thy graces so weak, that they will not helpe thee, and therefore thou thinkest thy state desperate, apply, Though he fall, he shall not bee cast off, for the Lord putteth under his hand. Therefore though sinne and misery [Page 78]bee never so heavy to presse thee downe, yet that powerfull hand of God, when thou art at the lowest, being under thee, shall easily lift thee up, thou hast his promise he will not suffer thee to fall for ever.
The 38. Legacie.
WHē the Lord hath for saken thee in thine owne feeling, and thou searest hee will not returne againe, apply, Isai. 54, 7, 8, 9, 10. For a small moment have I forsaken thee: but with great mercies will I gather thee. [Page 79]In a little wrath I had my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindnesse will I have mercy on thee, saith thee Lord thy Redeemer. For this is as the waters of Noah unto mee; for as I have sworne that the Waters of Noah shall no more goe over the earth: so have I sworne that I would not bee wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountaines shall depart, and the hils shall bee removed: but my kindnesse shall not depart from thee; neither shall the covenant of my peace bee removed, saith the Lord that hath mercie on thee.
Gen. 17.7. I will establish my covenant betwixt thee and me, and everlasting covenant to bee a God unto thee.
Deut. 31.8. I will bee with thee, I will not faile thee, neither forsake thee, feare not, neither bee dismayed.
1 King. 6.13. I will not for sake my people.
2 Chron. 15.2. The Lord is with you while you be with him.
Job. 8.20. Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man.
Job. 36.5. Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any
Hosea 2.19.20. I will betroth thee unto mee for ever; yea I will betroth thee unto mee in righteousness, and in judgement, and in loving kindnesse, and in mercies. I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulnesse.
The 39. Legacie.
WHen thou feelest thy vilenesse, and fearest the Lord will loath thee for it, apply, Levit. 26.11. My soule shall not abhorre you.
Hosea 14.4. I will love them freely, for mine anger [Page 82]is turned away from them.
Deut. 7.13. I will love thee.
John 14.21.23. Hee that loveth mee shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest my selfe to him, my Father will love him, and wee will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Jer. 3.41. I will rejoyce over them to doe them good.
When thou seest a multitude of sinnes, so that thou seemest most loathsome, apply, My soule shall not loath you.
When thou seest nothing in thy selfe that should move him to love thee, but all to the contrary, apply, I will love them freely.
If thou fearest thy many sinnes will cause the Lord not to delight in thee, apply, I will delight in thee.
If thou fearest thy sin will cause the Lord to hide himselfe from thee, apply, I will shew mine owne selfe unto him.
The 40. Legacie.
WHen thou feelest thy spirituall poverty, [Page 84]apply, Math. 5.3. Blessed are the poore in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdome of Heaven.
Isai. 66.2. To him will I looke, saith the Lord, that is poore and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my words.
When thou feelest thy sinnes many, and thy graces very little, and therefore fearest that such a miserable creature as them art, shall not inherit heaven, apply, Blessed are the poore in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdome of heaven.
If thou fearest the Lord will not looke upō [Page 85]thee, apply To him will I looke, saith the Lord, that is of a contrite spirit.
The 41. Legacie.
WHen thou art in a strait, and knowest not what to chuse, either in some truth, or in something that is to bee done, that thou knowest not what to chuse, apply, Psalm, 25.22. Him shall hee teach in the way that he shall chuse, verse 13. His soule shall dwell at ease.
Prov. 3.6. In all thy wayes acknowledge him, [Page 86]and hee shall direct thy pathes.
Prov. 16.3. Commit thy workes unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall bee established.
Isai. 30.21. And thine eare shall heare a word behinde thee, saying, This is the way, walke yee in it, when yee turne to the right hand, and when yee turne to the left.
Isai. 58.11. The Lord shall guide thee continually.
Isai. 61.8. I will direct their worke in truth.
Jer. 31.9. I will cause them to walke by the rivers of waters, in a straight way wherein they shall not stumble.
When thou doubt'st of some truth, apply, Hee shall teach him the way that he shall chuse, his soule shall dwell at ease. Thine eares shall heare a voice behinde thee, saying, this is the way walke 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 shall be directed, hee shall direct thy wayes.
When thou fearest thy weakenesse will at sometimes carry thee astray, apply, The Lord will [Page 88]guide thee continually. The Lord will lead thee in a strait way, that thou shalt not stumble.
The 42. Legacie.
WHen thou fearest that Satan by his power and subtiltie will cause thee to fall, and art troubled with his temptations, apply, Gen. 3.15. Hee shall bruise his head. Therefore feare not, for Christ hath overthrowne all his power and subtilty, that hee cannot do us any harme. Psal. 19.3.4. Surely hee [Page 89]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 thy shield and buckler.
Rom. 16.20. The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.
Doth Sathan presse thee with strong temptations, & fearest thou his power, apply, He shall bruise his head. Hee 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, Hee shall deliver [Page 90]thee from thee snare of the fowler, and bruise his head, wherein lyes all his power and plots.
The 43. Legacie.
WHe thou canst mot profit by the Word of God, or his workes of mercy, or afflictions, apply, Isai. 48.17. I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest goe.
Mat. 21.41. The Kingdome of God shall bee taken from you, and given to a [Page 91]Nation bringing forth the fruites thereof.
This is a promise, that the Gentiles shall bring forth the fruits of the Gospell, therefore every beleeving Gentile may apply it.
The 44. Legacie.
WHen thou findest thy selfe not like the people of God, either in heart or life, apply, Jer. 32.39. I will give them one heart, and one way.
When thou seest thine heart not like the people [Page 92]of God, either in their affection of God, or his people, or ordinances, or in their forrowing for sinne, apply, I will give them one heart.
When thou seest thy life and conversation not so holy as the people of God, apply, I will give them one way.
The 45. Legacie.
IF thou wouldest have the blessing of the Lord to rest upon thee, apply, Psalme 5.12. The Lord will blesse the righteous.
Deut. 7.13. I will blesse thee.
Psalm. 3.8. Thy blessing is upon thy people.
Psal. 24.5. Hee shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousnesse from the God of his salvation.
Psal. 115.12.13. The Lord will blesse us, hee will blesse the house of Israel, he will blesse the house of Aaron. Hee will blesse them that feare the Lord, both small and great.
The 46. Legacie.
IF thou wouldest bee a blessing in thy place, apply, Gen. 12.2. I will blesse thee, and thou shalt be a blessing.
Ezek. 34.26. I will make them about my hill a blessing.
The 47. Legacie.
VVHē thou separatest thy selfe frō the wicked in their corrupt worship and manners, apply. 2 Cor. 6.16, 17, 18. I will dwell in them, and walke in them, [Page 95]and I will be their God, and they shall bee my people, Wherefore come out from among them, and be yee separate, saith the Lord; and touch not the uncleane thing, and I will receive you; and will be a father unto you, and yee shall bee my sonnes and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Thus farre of Grace; the next Promises are about the meanes of Grace, either ordinarie, or extraordinarie.
The 48. Legacie.
IN every Ordinance thou maist apply this promise, Isai. 12.3. With joy shall you draw water out of the Wels of salvation. Now in that it is said, out of the Wels of salvation, and not Well, I thinke we ought to apply it to every ordinance of God, so as wee are to use them with a comfortable perswasion, that wee shall receive abundance of grace from them. As the Lord promiseth wee shall draw waters from out of them, wee shall not onely use [Page 97]them but draw from them with joy. Therefore when we pray, meditate, heare, conferre, fast, in every duty, apply this promise, and you shall finde him faithfull which promiseth.
The 49. Legacie.
WHen thou prayest apply these promises for the strengthening of thy faith, and for thy hearing. Mat. 7.7. Aske, and it shall bee given you, seeke and you shall find, knocke and it shall bee opened unto you.
Matth. 6.6. Pray to the [Page 98]Father which seeth in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Mat. 21.22. And all things whatsoever ye shall aske in prayer, beleeving yee shall receive it.
John 14.13.14. Whatsoever yee shall aske in my name, I will doe it.
John 16.24. Aske and yee shall receive, that your joy may be full.
John 15.7. Aske what you will, and it shall be done unto you.
Isai. 65.24. Before they call I will answere, and whiles they are yet speaking, I will heare.
Job. 22.7. Thou shalt make thy prayers unto him, and he shall heare thee, and if thou seeke him he will be found.
The 50. Legacie.
WHen thou meditatest, apply these promises, Prov. 14.22. Mercy and truth shall bee to them that devise good.
Psalm. 103.17.18. The loving kindnesse of the Lord endureth for ever, to them which thinke upon his commandements to doe them.
Phil. 4.8, 9. Thinke on these things, which ye have [Page 100]both learned, and received, and heard, and seene in mee, and the God of peace shall be with you.
If thou desirest mercie, or the truth of God to bee for thy good, or the loving kindnesse of the Lord to bee for ever towards thee, and that God which brings peace with him, to bee with thee, then meditate on good things, and with such a meditation, as may stirre thee up to practise, and then all these promises shall surely be performed to thee. And because meditation is an hard duety, therefore [Page 101]encourage thy selfe to it by the benefit it brings, & it being a way of God, hee will give thee his Spirit to cause thee to walke in it.
The 51. Legacie.
IN meditating conferring, and reading of the word of God, apply, Joshua 1.8. Let not this booke of the Law depart out of thy mouth, but meditate therein day and night, that thou mayst observe to doe according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and [Page 102]then thou shalt have good successe.
The 52. Legacie.
IN reading of the Word, if wee understand not, apply these promises, Prov. 1.23. In will poure out my Spirit unto you. I will make known my words unto you.
Prov. 1.4. It gives subtilty to the simple: to the young men knowledge and discretion.
Psalm. 19.8. The Commandement of the Lord is pure, inlightning the eyes.
The 53. Legacie.
VVHen thou canst not speake in conference to edification, but feelest thine heart shut up, then apply, Joh. 7.38. Hee that beleeveth on me, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Prov. 10.31. The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisedome.
Prov. 12.14. A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth.
Isai. 32.4. The tongue of the stammerers shall be ready to speake plainely.
Isai. 35.6. The dumbe mans tongue shall sing.
When thou art with the people of God, that thou maist receive good from them, and do them good, apply, Prov. 13.20. He that walketh with wise men shall bee wise. So apply, Prov. 12.14. John 7.38. Ezek. 47.12. His fruit shall bee meat, and his leaves medicine.
If thou findest thy soule stand in need of wisedome, keepe company with the people of God which are the only wise people, & then thou hast the only sure promises of the Lord, thou shalt bee wise. If thou hungrest after good, resort to the [Page 105]righteous, and thou shalt bee satisfied with good things. If thou feele thy selfe dead, apply, out of him shall flow rivers of water of life, for thy quickning. If thy soule be faint or sicke, apply, his fruit shall be meat, & his leaves medicine. Let all this good which is gotten by their fellowship, cause thee to delight in them, and take heed of forsaking the fellowship of the Saints.
When thou goest into company, apply these promises to thy selfe, that thou mayst bee so to others, and hinder [Page 106]not thy selfe, by unbeleefe.
The 54. Legacie.
WHen thou art to goe to the assemblies, to participate in the ordinances, apply, In places where I record my name, I will come to thee and blesse thee. If thou wantest the Lord or his blessing, go to his house, and thou shalt finde him. Psal. 36.8, 9. They shall bee abundantly satisfied with the fatnesse of thine house, and thou shalt make them drinke of the river of they pleasures. For with thee [Page 107]is the fountaine of life, and in thy light shall wee see light. Psal. 65.4. Wee shall be satisfied with the goodnesse of thy house, even of then holy Temple. Psalm. 83.11. The lord God is a Sunne and shteld, the Lord will give grace and glory, and no good thing will hee withhold, Psal. 92.13, 14. Thouse that bee planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in their old age: they shall bee fat and stourishing. Psalm. 128.5. The Lord shall blesse thee out of Sion. Isai. 25.6, 7, 8. In this mountaine [Page 108]shall the Lord of Hostes make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of Wine on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees, well refined. Therefore when his ordinances are corrupted with mens inventions, then thou mayst presse him with this promise, that hee will give us wine fined and purified, even his purest ordinances, and most comfortable to our hearts, as wine is. And when there is little nourishment, because their gifts are weake, urge him with this, that hee hath [Page 109]promised to make us a feast of fat things full of marrow; for I take this promise to bee meant of the Churches after Christ, verse. 7. And he will destroy in this mountaine the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vaile that is spread over all nations. Thy sins that are too strong for thee, bring them to the Lord in his ordinances, & he will destroy them, though thou seeme to be covered with them, and they spread as a vaile upon thee, yet believe his promises, and all things shall bee possible [Page 110]unto thee. Isai. 56.7. I will make them joyfull in mine house of prayer, their burnt offering, and their sacrifices shall bee accepted upon mine altar. God will both give to them and accept from them their sacrifices, as pleasing to him. 2 Chron 20.20. Beleeve his Prophets, so shall yee prosper.
Prov. 1.5 A wise man will heare, and will increase learning, and a man of understanding shall attaine unto wise counsels. Prov. 4.10.12. Heare and receive my sayings, and the years of thy life shall bee many, when thou goest thy [Page 111]steps shall not be strait, and when thou runnest thou shalt not stumble. Marke 4.24. Vnto you that heare shall more be given. Isai. 55.3, 11, 12. Encline your eares and come unto mee, heare and your soules shall live; and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. My words shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Therefore yee shall goe forth with joy, and bee led forth with peace; the mountaines and the hils shall breake forth before you into singing, and all the [Page 112]trees of the field shall clap their hands. vers. 13. in stead of the throne shall come up the firre-tree, and in stead of the bryer shall come up the mirtle tree; this force shall the word have in thine heart for planting of Grace, and destroying of sinne.
Hos. 14.7. They that dwell under his shadow shall returne, they shall revive as the corne, and grow as the vine, the scent thereof shall be as the vine in Lebanon. If thou shouldest returne, apply this, hee shall returne. If thou beest decayed, apply this. They shall revive as [Page 113]the corne. If thou wouldest flourish in grace, apply, They shall flourish as the vine. If thou wouldest bee a sweet smelling savour in all places, apply, The scent thereof shall bee as the vine of Lebanon. Seeing all these good things come from the powerfull ordinances of the Lord, let us give him no rest, till hee bestow these blessings upon us; when the Pastour of the people pronounceth the blessing, apply this promise, Numb. 6.27. I will blesse thee.
The 55. Legacie.
WOuldest thou enjoy the ordinances of God, and a blessing upon them, apply. Jer. 31.14. I will satiate the souls of the Priests with fatnesse, and my people shall be satisfied with goodnesse.
Jer. 3.15. I will give you pastours according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Ezek. 34.26.27. And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing, and I will cause the showres to come downe [Page 115]in his season: there shall be showres of blessing. And the tree of the field shall yeeld her increase, and the earth shall yeeld her fruit.
These promises are both for Pastor & People, the Pastor shall bee able to teach with knowledge and understanding, his soule shall bee replenished with fatnes, his teaching shall bee as seasonable showers of blessing, that shall make the people fruitfull. The people must apply these promises, first that God would give them able Teachers, and that they may finde their ministry [Page 116]blessed unto them, according to these promises. That they may bee fed with knowledge and understanding, that they may bee satisfied with goodnesse, & that their teaching may bee seasonable showers of blessing to make them fruitfull, as it is promised, that the trees shall yeeld their fruit. How much are Gods ordinances to be desired, by which hee doth convay so many blessings unto his people? Let us give him no rest, till he furnish Jerusalem with all her ordinances and officers.
The 56. Legacie.
IF thou enjoyest glorious graces, or meanes of grace, and fearest the losing of them, apply, Isai. 4.5.6. Vpon all the glory shall bee a defence. And there shall be a Tabernacle for a shadow in the day time from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storme, and from raine.
Isai. 27, 3. I the Lord doe keepe it, I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keepe it night and day.
Isai. 33.16 His place of defence shall be the munition of Rockes, bread shall [Page 118]be given him, his waters shall be sure.
Hast thou any glorious grace or meanes of grace? arme thy selfe with the power of God in his promises, for the Devill will use all his forces and subtilty, to deprive thee of them; hast thou a glorious minister, and pure ordinance or glorious graces beginne to spring in thine heart, and seest no meanes to defend them, apply, Vpon all thy glory hee shall bee a defence. His defence shall be a munition of Rockes. Seest thou an heart of sinne in thy selfe, [Page 119]or the rage of the wicked, that causeth thee to seare the losse of them? apply, There shall bee a covering for a shadow in the day for the heat. Doth the devil raise up storms? outwardly, persecutions? apply, The defence and covering shall bee a place of refuge, and cover for the storme, and for the raine. Fearest thou the subtilty of thine enemies, that unawares when thou thinkest not on them, they will surprise thee, and steale thy blessing from thee? apply, I the Lord doe keepe it [Page 120]night and day. If thou fearest God will not continue thus to thee, apply, I will water it every moment; not one moment, but he will be adding & nourishing: bread shall be given him, and his waters shall bee sure.
The 57. Legacie.
WHen thou art banished from Gods ordinances, apply these promises for thy returne, Isai. 35.10. The ransomed of the Lord shall returne, & come to Sion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtaine [Page 121]joy and gladnesse, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. Jer. 3.14. I will take you two of a family, and one of a City, and will bring you to Sion. Deut. 30.4. If any of thine bee driven out unto the out most parts of heaven, frō thence will the Lord thy God gather thee, and from thence will hee fetch thee. Ezek. 34.11.12, 13, 14, 15, 16. Behold I, even I will both search my sheepe, and seeke them out. As a sheepheard seeketh out his stocke in the day that hee is among his sheepe that are scattered: so will I seeke out my sheepe, and will deliver them out [Page 122]of all places, where they have beene scattered in the cloudy and darke day. And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their owne land, and feed them upon the mountaines of Israel, by the riviers, and in all the inhabited places of the Country: I will feed them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountaines of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shal they feed upon the mountaines of Israel. I will feed my flocke, and I will cause them to lye down, saith the Lord God. I [Page 123]will seeke that which was lost, and bring againe that which was driven away, & wil binde up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sicke.
If thou now mournest for Gods ordinances, apply, Thou shalt not onely returne to Sion, but returne with joy, and sorrow shall flee away. If thou beest but one amongst many which desirest it, and fearest thou shalt be left among them, apply, I will take you one of a citie, and two of a Tribe: though thou beest but one of a City that returnest to the Lord, he will [Page 124]bring thee to Sion from all the rest. If thou art farre removed from all meanes, and that the Lord hath done it for thy sinne, apply, Though thou were cast into the outmost part of the Heaven, thence will the Lord gather thee, and from thence will hee take thee; he will deliver from all places where they have beene scattered in the cloudy and dark day, and will feed them in good pastures, and will bring them to rest.
The 58. Legacie.
WHilst thou art banished from Gods [Page 125]house, apply, Ezek. 11.16 I will be unto thē as a little Sanctuary in the countries where they shall come. Isai. 40.11. Hee shall feede his flocke like a sheepheard, hee shall gather the Lambes with his arme, and carrie them in his bosome, and shall gently lead those that are with young.
In thy banishment, at those houres when they soule was wont to be refreshed in the Sanctuary of God on the Sabbath, and at other times, when thou findest thy selfe to stand in need either of defence, or nourishment, apply, I will [Page 126]bee a Sanctuary unto you. Hee shall feed his flocke as a sheepheard. If in this time thou feelest thy selfe very weake, apply, Hee shall gather his Lambes in his armes, and carrie them in his bosome, and guide them with young: they cannot miscarie that are shut up in the bosome of God: nor feare who are guided by him. Therefore though wee be never so weake in our selves, yet here is our comfort, wee are safe in our God: O happy people, saved by the Lord.
The 59. Legacie.
WHen wicked sheepheards are over us, then apply, Ezek. 34.10. Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I am against the sheepheards, and I will require my flocke at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the flock, neither shall the sheepheards feed themselves any more: for I will deliver my flocke frō their mouth, that they may not bee meat for them. vers. 21, 22. Because yee have thrust with side, & with shoulder, and pusht all the diseased with your hornes, till yee have scattered [Page 128]them abroad: Therefore will I save my flocke, and they shall no more bee a prey, and I will cause the wilde beast to cease out of the land.
When the sheepeards feed themselves, and are ready to devoure us, apply, The sheepheards shall not feed themselves any, more. I will deliver my sheepe from their mouther; they shall no more devoure them.
When through their greatnesse & our weakenesse, they push us so with their hornes, that wee are scattered, both sheepheard from people, [Page 129]and one from another, apply, I will helpe my sheep, and they shall no more bee spoiled; I will cause the wilde beasts to cease out of the land.
The 60. Legacie.
WHen through evill shepheards we are come to great miserie, apply, Ezek. 34.16. I will seeke that which was lost, and bring againe that which was driven away, and will binde up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sicke. Isai. 30.20. Though [Page 130]the Lord give you the bread of adversitie, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers bee removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers. When through evill sheepheards thou art come to such an estate as thou feelest thy selfe to have lost God and goodnesse, and art driven away from all things that might helpe thee, apply, I will seeke that which was lost, I will bring againe that which was driven away. When thou art even broken with misery and growne very weake, apply, I will [Page 131]binde up that which was broken, and strengthen that which was weake. When they Teachers which should helpe thee in this estate, are forced to flie and hide themselves for feare of wicked sheepheards, apply, Thy teachers shall not bee removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy Teachers.
Thus farre of the ordinances of God, which are ordinary; Now for the duty of Fasting, which is extraordinary.
The 61. Legacie.
WHen thou settest thy selfe to fast, apply, Mat. 6.18. If thou fast in secret, thy father which seeth in secret will reward thee openly.
Jam. 4.8.10. Draw nigh unto God, and hee will draw nigh unto you. Humble your selves in the sight of the Lord, & he shall lift you up.
Thus farre of the meanes of Grace, the next promises are when we suffer presecution for well-doing, for all that will live godly must suffer persecution: therefore strengthen thy selfe with these promises.
The 62. Legacie.
IF thou beest railed upon for well doing, apply, 1 Peter 4.14. If yee be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are yee, for the Spirit of God, and of glory refleth upon you.
Matth. 5.11.12. Blessed are yee, when men shall revile you, and persecute you; and shall say all manner of evill against you falsly for my sake. Rejoyce and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you.
The 63. Legacie.
WHen they persecute thee any other wayes even unto death, apply, Matth. 10. 39. He that loseth his life for my sake, shall finde it. Matth. 5.10. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousnesse sake: for theirs is the Kingdome of Heaven. When wee lose any earthly blessing for Gods cause, apply, Mat. 19.24. Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my [Page 135]names sake, shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
This is the greatest (& yet lawfull) usury of all others, to part with one outward blessing, and to receive an hundreth for it, to lose a miserable life, and to enjoy eternall life, to suffer a short time, and to have a great reward in heaven, to bee disgraced, and to have the Spirit of glory rest upon us Therefore when thou art rayled upon, apply, Blessed am I, the Spirit of glory rests upon mee, therefore they cannot make me [Page 136]vile. Art thou any way persecuted? apply, theirs is the Kingdome of Heaven; great is your reward in Heaven. Take they thy life? apply, Hee that loseth his life for my sake shall finde it. Take they away any earthly blessing? thou shalt receive an hundreth fold at this present; therefore if Vsurers gladly let out their money, that hope to receive but eight in the hundreth, bee ashamed of thy selfe, that thou shouldest not give one for an hundreth, when thou hast the promise of him that never [Page 137]failed to perfome.
The 64. Legacie.
IN partaking with Gods people in suffering, that thou mayst bee partaker of their comforts, apply, 2 Corinth. 1.6. As you are partakers of the sufferings: so shall yee bee also of the consolation.
The 65. Legacie.
WHen thou art called forth to defēd the truth, apply, Matth. 10.19. When they deliver [Page 138]you up, take no thought, how, or what ye shall speake, for it shall be given you in that same houre what yee shall speake.
Luke 21.15. I will give you a mouth and wisedome which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainesay nor resist. Matth. 10.32. Whosoever confesseth mee before men, him will I confesse before my Father which is in heaven. When thou fearest thou shalt not bee able to speake in defence of the truth, apply, It shall bee given thee, though thou hast it not before, in that houre, what thou shalt say. If thou fearest [Page 139]the learning of thine adversaries, and thine owne simplenesse, apply, I will give thee not onely a mouth, but also wisedome, where-against they shall not be able to speake. If thou want courage, embolden thy selfe with this, Christ will confesse thee before his father.
The 66. Legacie.
IF thou wouldst bring forth seasonable fruit for every estate, and for every duty, apply, Psal. 1.3. Thou shalt bee as a tree which bringeth forth [Page 140]his fruit in season. Ezek. 47.12. Hee shall bring forth fruit according to his moneths. If thou art to speake or pray, or doe any duty, that thou mayst doe it seasonably, and have fitting words and thoughts, apply, thou shalt bring forth fruit in season. So in every estate, prosperity or adversity, that thou mayst bring forth the fruits of it, apply, They shall bring forth fruit in season, according to their moneths.
Thus farre about spirituall things. The next promises are about [Page 141]earthly things: and because Children are the most excellent, therefore I will beginne with them.
The 67. Legacie.
IF thou hast children, apply, Psal. 112.2. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the just shall be blessed.
Deut. 7.13. Hee will blesse the fruit of thy womb. Gen. 17.7. I will establish my covenant betweene mee and thee, and thy seed after thee, in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, [Page 142]and to thy seed after thee. Isai. 44.3, 4. I will poure my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine off spring: and they shall spring up as among the grasse, as willowes by the water-courses. If thou desirest grace and Gods blessing for thy children, apply, I will poure my Spirit and blessing upon thy seed. If thou wouldest have them grow up in it, apply, They shall grow as among the grasse, and as the willowes by the water courses. If thou wouldst have them in the covenant with thy selfe, thy God to be theirs, apply, [Page 143]I will make an everlasting covenant with thee, to bee God to thee, and to thy seed ofter thee. Desirest thou outward things for thē? apply, His seed shall bee mighty upon earth.
The 68. Legacie.
IF thou wantest children, apply, Deut 7.14. Thou shalt bee blessed above all people, there shall neither be male nor female barren among you. Deut. 28.11. The Lord shall make thee plentifull in the fruit of thy body Psalm. 128.3. Thy wife shall bee as a fruitfull vine by the [Page 144]sides of thine house, thy children like Olive plants, round about thy table. vers. 4.6. Loe thus shall the man bee blessed that feareth the Lord. Thou shalt see thy childrens children.
If thou hast conceived, apply this promise for keeping of it, Exod. 23.26. There shall none cast their young, nor bee barren in thy land. This, and all other promises of earthly things, are to bee applyed so farre as is good for us: wee are not to doubt of them.
The 69. Legacie.
IF the Lord deny thee children, apply, Isai. 56.5. To them will I give in mine house, and within my walls, a place and a name better then of Sonnes and of Daughters, I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.
The 70. Legacie.
IF thou wouldest have the comfortable and holy use of thine habitation, apply, Iob. 5.24, [Page 146]Thou shalt know that thy Tabernacle shal be in peace, and thou shalt visit thine habitation, and not sinne.
Psal. 91.10. There shall no evill befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. Prov. 14.11. The Takernacle of the upright shall flourish. Prov. 12.7. The house of the righteous shall stand.
If thou wouldest prosper in thine house, apply, Peace shall be in it. No plague shall come neare it. It shall flourish. If thou wouldest have it continne so; apply, It shall stand. That they may not bee a snare to thee, [Page 147]but thou maist use thy blessing, and not sinne, apply, Thou shalt visit thy habitation, and not sinne.
The 71. Legacie.
IF thou wouldest have thy comming in and going out blossed, apply, Deut. 28.6. Blessed shalt thou bee when thou commest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. Psalm. 121.8. The Lord shall preserve thy goin, out, and thy comming in; from this time forth, and even for evermore.
When thou goest out, if thou wouldest have [Page 148]the heavens and earth, and all creatures blessed to thee, and bee made able to make the spirituall use of them, apply, Blessed shalt thou bee when thou goest out, and when thou commest in. The Lord shal preserve thy going out, and thy comming in. If thou wouldest haue the continuance of it, apply, From this time forth for evermore.
The 72. Legacie.
WHen thou eatest or enjoyest any blessing, that it may satisfie [Page 149]thee, and thou mayest have the sanctified use of it, apply, Ioel 2.26. Ye shall eate in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God.
That thy meate and outward blessings may give thee content, and satisfie thee, apply, Thou shalt eat and be satisfied.
That thou maist have the sanctified use of it, apply, Thou shalt praise the Lord.
The 73. Legacie.
WHen thou takest thy rest at night, apply, Prov. 3.24. When thou lyest downe thou shalt not bee afraid: yea thou shalt lie downe, and thy sleepe shall be sweet.
Job. 11.19. Also thou shalt lie downe, and none shall make thee afraid.
If thou art troubled with feares of the night, apply, Thou shalt not bee afraid.
When thou takest thy rest, apply, None shall make thee afraid.
If thou art troubled [Page 151]with any thing that breakes thy rest, apply, Thy rest shall be sweet.
The 74. Legacie.
WHen thou puttest thine hand to any worke, that it may bee blessed, apply, Deut. 28.12. The Lord shall blesse all the worke of thine hand. Deut. 30.9. The Lord thy God will make thee plenteous in every worke of thine hand. The Lord will not onely blesse some of thy workes, but every one; therefore in every worke send up [Page 152]short prayers for the clayming of them, and so at our going out, and comming in, or eating, or sleeping, renew these promises upon thy selfe, by faith applying them, and by prayer suing for them.
The 75. Legacie.
IF thou wouldest have thy outward blessings blessed of God, apply, Deut. 28.4, 5. Blessed shall bee the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit [Page 153]of thy cattell, the increase of thy kind, and the flockes of thy sheepe. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. Deut. 7.13, 14 The Lord will also blesse the fruit of thy wombe, and the fruit of thy land, thy corne, and thy wine, and thine oyle, the encrease of thy Kine, and the flockes of thy sheepe. There shall bee neither male or female barren a mong you, or among your cattell. That thy goods and thine house may be blessed, apply, Blessed shall bee thy basket and thy store. If thou beest in debt, apply, Deuteron. 28.12. Thou shalt lend [Page 154]unto many, and shall not borrow.
The 76. Legacie.
IF thou desirest to enjoy the labours of thine hands, apply, Isai 65.21, 23, 23. They shall build houses and inhabit them, they shall plant vineyards and eate the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eate: for as the dayes of a tree are the dayes of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the workes of their hands. They shall [Page 155]not labour in vaine, nor bring forth for trouble. Ps. 128.2 Thou shalt cate the labour of thine hands.
The 77. Legacie.
WHen thou art diligent in thy calling, apply, Prov, 12.14.24. The recompence of a mans hands shall bee rendered unto him. The hand of the diligent shall beare rule. When thou enjoyest that thou hast laboured for, apply, Psal. 128.2. thou shalt cate the tabour of thine hands: happie shalt thou bee, andre shall be well with thee.
The 78. Legacie.
WHen thou seest the wicked to be carried with restlesse desires, hungring and thirsting after those things which satisfie them not, and thou desirest content, apply, Isaiah 65 13, 14. Thus saith the Lord, behold my servants shall cate, but yee shall be hungry: behold my servants shall drinke, but yee shall be thirsty, behold my servants shall rejoyce, but yee shall be ashamed: Behold my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and [Page 157]shall howle for vexation of spirit.
The 79. Legacie.
IF thou fearest thou shalt lose by following the Lord, apply, Psal. 37.9, 11, 18, 19, Those that waite upon the Lord shall inherit the earth, their inheritance shall be for ever: they shall not be ashamed in the evill time. They shall inherit the earth, and delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Psal. 112.3. Wealth and riches shall bee in his huse. Iob 22.23, [Page 158]24. Thou shalt bee built up, thou shalt lay up gold as dust, & the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brookes. verse 25. Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver.
Gen. 15.1. I am thy exceeding great reward, Fearest thou the losse of thy land, apply, Thou shalt inherit the earth, their inheritance shall bee for ever. Thou shalt possesse the Earth. Doe others trouble thee? apply, They shall have their delight in the multitude of peace. Art thou poore or fearest the losse of thy [Page 159]goods? apply, Riches and taeasure shal be in his house. Art thou oppressed by the wicked? apply, The Almighty shall bee thy defence.
The 80. Legacie.
WHen thou hast lost blessings by sinne, apply these promises for their recovery, Joel. 2.24, 25, 26. The floores shall bee full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oyle, and I will restore to you the yeares that the Locust hath eaten, the cankerworme, the caterpiller, [Page 160]and the palmerworme: and yee shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the Lord. Deut. 20.5. I will multiplie you above your fathers.
The 81. Legacie.
IF thou fearest the losse of thy good name, apply, Iob, 5.21. Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue. Iob. 11.15. Thou shalt lift up thy face without spot. Psal. 37.6. He shall bring forth thy righteousnesse as the light, and thy judgment as the noone day. Prov. 10.7. [Page 161]The memory of the just is blessed.
Fearest thou the wicked will take away thy good name? apply, Thou shalt bee hid from the scourge of the tongue. Cast they blots upon thee? apply, Thou shalt lift up thy face without spot. Seeke they to darken the light of thy holy life? apply, He shall bring forth thy righteousnesse as the light, and thy judgement as the noone day.
The 82. Legacie.
IF the World despise thee, comfort thy selfe [Page 162]with these promises, Ex. 19.5. Yee shall be Gods peculiar treasure above all people. 1. Sam. 3.30. Those that honor me will I honor, saith the Lord. Psal. 91.14. I will set him on high, beause he hathy knowne my name. Psalm. 112.9. His horne shall bee exalted with honour. John 12.26. If any man serve me, him will my Father honour. Prov. 4.7, 8, 9. Get wisedome, exalt her, and she shall promote thee, Shee shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her; Shee shall give to thine head an ornament of grace, a crowne of glory shall shee deliver to thee.
When the world counts thee as the offscouring of the world, vile, nought-worth: apply, Ye shall be Gods chiefe treasure above all people. Doth the world debase thee? apply. The Lord will exapt thee. The Father will honour him.
The 83. Legacie.
WHen thou art in any want for soule, or body, apply, Psal. 34.9.10. There is no want to them that feare him. The young Lions doe lacke and suffer hunger, but they that seeke the Lord shall not [Page 164]want any good thing. Psal. 84.11. No good thing will hee with hold from them that walke uprightly. Mat. 6.33. Seeke ye first the Kingdome of God and his righteousnesse, and all these things shall be added unto you. Art thou troubled with distracting cares for outward things? apply, Seeke the Kingdome of Heaven and his righteousnesse, and all other things shall be cast upon you. Fearest thou that thou shalt bee overpressed with want? apply, Those that seeke the Lord, shall want no good thing. No good thing [Page 165]will he withhold from-them that walke uprightly.
The 84. Legacie.
IN liberall giving, apply these promises, Prov. 11.25. The liberall soule shall be made fat, and he that watreth shall be watred also himselfe.
Prov. 19.17. He that hath pittie on the poore, lendeth to the Lord: and that which he hath given will he pay him againe.
Math. 6.4. Givein secret, and thy Father himselfe shall reward thee openly. 2. Cor. 9.6.10.11. Hee which soweth bountifully [Page 166]shall reape bountifully. He that ministreth seed to the sower, doth minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sowne, and increase the fruits of your righteousnesse, being inriched in every thing to all bountifulnesse.
Isai. 58.10.11. If thou draw out thy soule to the hungry, and satisfie the afflicted foule: then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkenesse bee as the noone day. And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfie thy soule in drought, and make fat thy bones, and thou shalt bee like a watred garden, and [Page 167]like aspring of waters, whose waters faile not.
When thou givest to the people of God, and entreatest them kindly, apply, Matth. 10.41, 42. He that receiveth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet, shall receive a Prophets rewards and he that receiveth a righteous man, in the name of a righteous man, shall receive a righteous mans reward. And whosocver shall give to drirke unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water onely in the name of a Disciple, verily I say unto you, hee shall in no wise lose his reward.
The 85. Legacie.
IF sicknesse be amongst us, apply, Exod. 23.52. I will take sicknesse away from the midst of thee.
Psal. 41.3. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing; thou wilt make all his bed in his sicknesse.
Deut. 7.15. And the Lord will take away from thee all sicknesse, and will put none of the evill diseases of Egypt upon thee.
If the plague bee amongst us, apply, Psalm. 91.3.6, 7. Surely he shall deliver thee from the noysome pestilence. Thou shalt [Page 169]not bee afraid of the pestilence that walketh in darknesse, nor for the destruction that wasteth at noon day. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand: but it shall not come nigh thee.
Art thou sicke? apply, The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of sorrow: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickenesse.
Art thou there where the sicke are? apply, I will take away all sicknesse from the midst of thee.
Fearest thou the pestilence? apply, I will deliver thee frrom the noysome pestilence.
The 86. Legacie.
IF thou fearest death, apply, Isai. 57.2. He shal enter into peace, they shall rest in their beds. None feares to go to bed, when they know they shal rest, being weary. This resting is more sure and lasting for ever. Rom. 8.11. Hee that raised vp Christ from the dead, shall quicken your mortall bodies. Therefore we must not thinke of it, but as a better life given by the Spirit of God.
The 87. Legacie.
IF thou fearest untimely death, apply, Iob. 5.26. thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shocke of corne commeth in, in his season. Exod. 23.26. The number of thy daies will I fulfil. Psalme 91.16. With long life will I satisfie him, and shew him my salvation Psal. 41.2. The Lord will preserue him and keepe him alive, and he shall be blessed upon the earth.
Hast thou many enemies, and fearest the losse of thy Life by them? [Page 172]apply, the number of thy daies wil I fulfill: the Lord wil preserve him & keep him alive, therefore man cannot shorten it one day.
Fearest thou that thou shalt either live too lōg, or die too soone? apply, Thou shalt goe to thy grave in a full age, as a ricke of corne commeth in due season into the barne.
The 88. Legacie.
IF thou fearest hurt by any of the creatures, apply, Gen. 9.2. The feare of you and the dread of you [Page 173]shall be vpon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowle of the ayre, upon all that moveth upō the earth, upon all the fishes of the sea, into your hand are they delivered, Job. 5.23. Thou shalt be in league with the stones of the field: and the beast of the field shall be at peace with thee.
The 89. Legacie.
WHen thine heart is troubled either for soule or body, apply, Phil. 4.7. The peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keepe your [Page 174]hearts and minder Psal. 29 11, The Lord will blesse his people with peace.
Is thine heart troubled with many temptations of Satan, or with feares of sin and misery? apply, the peace of GOD shall preserve your hearts. Hast thou many troubles outwardly? ap. the Lord shalt blesse his people with peace.
The 90. Legacie.
IF thou wouldest have thy purposes to prosper, apply, Iob. 22.28. Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the [Page 175]light shall shine upon thy wayes.
Psal. 1.3. Whatsoever he doth shall prosper. Psal. 37.5. Commit thy way unto the Lord: trust also in him, and he shal bring it to passe.
When thou often purposest to do good both for thy soule and body, and yet findest thy purposes broken, apply, Thou shalt decree A thing, and the Lord shall stablish it unto thee. He shall bring it to passe. When thou art in doing of any thing, apply, Whatsoever he doth shall prosper.
The 91. Legacie.
When thou art called to a great worke, wherein thou shalt have great opposition, apply, Deut. 31.8. The Lord he it is that doth goe before thee, he will bee with thee, he will not faile thee, neither forsake thee: feare not, neither be dismaied, 2 Chron. 16.9. The Lord will shew himselfe strong in the behalfe of thē whose heart is perfect to wards him: Psal. 91.11, 12 13. He shall give his Angels charge over thee, to keepe thee in all thy waies: They shall beare thee up in their [Page 177]hands, lest thou dash thy foote against a stone. Thou shalt treade upon the Lion and Adder: The young Lion and Dragon shalt thou trā ple under feet.
It maters not what be the lets to oppose us, when the Lord goes before us, hee will easily beat them downe: nor what strength resists such, as hee hath promised to shew his strength for: nor how many bee our dangers, when his Angels have charge over us to keepe us. Therfore go on in the worke, and feare not the issue, being strengthned by the [Page 178]promises of him, that never faileth his.
The 92. Legacie.
IN the time of danger, apply, 1 Sam. 2.9. The Lord will keepe the feet of his Saints. Pro. 1.33. Who so harkneth unto me shall dwell safely, & shall be quiet from feare of evill. Iob. 11.18, 19. Thou shalt be secure, because there is hope, yea thou shalt digge about thee, and thou shalt take thy rest in safety, also thou shalt lie downe, and none shall make thee afraid. Psal. 125 1, 2. They which trust in [Page 179]the Lord, shall bee as mount Sion which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. As the mountaines are roūd about Ierusalem: so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth, even for ever.
Psal. 121.3, 4, 5. He will not suffer thy foot to be mooved: be that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold he that keepeth Israel will neither slumber nor sleepe. The Lord is thy keeper, the Lord is thy shade vpon thy right hand. Seeing the Lord is our keeper, wee need not feare the danger.
The 93. Legacie.
WHen thou art in great trouble, apply; Isai. 43.2. When thou passest through the waters I will bee with thee, and through the Rivers, they shall not over flow thee: whē thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. vers. 20. I wil give waters in the wildernesse, and rivers in the desart, to give drinke to my people, my chose. Psal. 32.6, 7. Surely in the flood's of great waters, they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my hiding place, thou [Page 181]shalt preserve mee frō trouble; thou shalt compasse me about with songs of deliverance.
When thou seest thy selfe compassed with many troubles, and beginnest to feare? apply, I will bee with thee, they shall not over flow thee. In the fire of affliction, thou shalt not onely not be burnt, but the flame shall not kindle upon thee, the greatest troubles shall not doe thee the least harme, for God being with thee, will bring thee out, as he did Israell through the sea, [Page 182]and the three children out of the fire, with not so much as the savour of fire about them: so shall not so much as the savour of evill be upon his, but he will compasse them about with songs of deliverance.
The 94. Legacie.
WHē thou seemest to bee forgotten in affliction, apply, Psal. 9.9.18. The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed: a refuge in times of trouble. For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation [Page 183]of the poore shall not perish for ever.
Isa. 49.15. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she shold not have compassion on the sonne of her wombe? yea, they may forget, yet wil not I forget thee Psal. 103.9. He will not alwayes chide: neither will he keepe his anger for ever. Lament. 3.31, 32. The Lord will not cast off for ever. But though he cause griefe, yet will he have compassion, according to the multitude of his mercies.
The 95. Legacie.
WHen thou fearest thou shalt end thy dayes in misery, apply, Job. 36.11. They shall spend their dayes in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
The 96. Legacie.
WHen thy sorrowes grow great, apply Job. 11.16. That shalt forget thy miserie, and remember it as waters that passe away. Job. 8.20, 21. Behold, God will not cast away [Page 185]a perfect man, till hee fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoycing. Psa. 27.14. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thy heart, Psal, 112.4. Vnto the upright there ariseth light in the darkenesse. Psal. 126.5, 6. They that sow in teares shall reape in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubt lesse come againe with rejoycing, bringing his sheaves with him.
The hope of therighteous shalbe gladnesse.
Blessed are they that mourne, for they [Page 186]shall be comforted.
Yee now have sorrow: but I will see you againe, and your hearts shall rejoyce, and your joy no man taketh from you.
Hath sorrow taken deep roote in thy soule, that thou fearest thou shalt never finde hearty joy? apply, Hee shall comfort thine heart. Is such a crosse upon thee, that thou fearest thou shalt never forget it? apply, thou shalt forget thy misery, as waters that passe away.
The 97. Legacie.
WHen thou art in such an estate, as thou knowest no way out of miserie, either for soule or body, or both, apply, Ier. 33.3. Call unto mee, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not.
The 98. Legacie.
IF thou wouldest have deliverance out of trouble, apply, Psal. 149.4. [Page 188]He wil beautifie the meek with salvation: or, He wil make the meek glorious by deliverance.
Ps. 34.17.19. The righteous crie, & the Lord heareth: and delivereth them out of all their troubles. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them al. Job. 5.17, 18, 19. Happy is the man whom God correcteth for he maketh sore & bindeth up: he woundeth, & his hands make whole. Hee shall deliver thee in sixe troubles, in seaven there shall no evill touch thee. Ps. 50.15. Call upon mee in the day of trouble: I will deliver [Page 189]thee, and thou shalt glorifie mee.
When thou art in many troubles, and fearest thou shalt never get out of all, apply, The Lord will deliver thee out of al. If the Lord hath delivered thee once or twice, and thou fearest he wil not continue so still, as often as thou fallest into troubles ap. He shall deliver thee in sixe troubles, and the seaventh it shal not touch thee.
The 99. Legacie.
WHen thine enemies prevaile, apply, Ps. 125.3. The rod of the wicked shal not rest upon the lot of the righteous: lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquitie: Psal. 18.3. I will call upon the Lord: so shall I be saved from mine enemies, 1 Sam 2.10. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces: the eies of the wicked shall faile, their refuge shall perish, their hope shall be sorrow of minde. Job. 11 20. Deut. 28.7. The Lord shall cause thine enemies [Page 191]that rise up against thee, to be smitten before thy face.
Seest thou many to rise up to trouble thee? apply, thine enemies that rise against thee, shall fall before thy face. Hope they to prevaile against thed? apply, their hope shall be sorrow of minde: Have they great meanes to cause them to prosper? apply, their refuge shall perish. Have they long oppressed thee? apply, the rod of the wicked shall not alwaies rest upon the lot of the righteous. Seest thou no meanes to get [Page 192]from them? say with the Prophet David, will call upon the Lord, so shall I bee safe from mine enemies.
The 100. Legacie.
THat thou maiest be delivered, and thine enemies afflicted in thy stead, apply, Deut. 30.7. The Lord thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecute thee. Prov. 21.18. The wicked shall bee a ran some for the righteous, and the transgressour for the upright.
The 101. Legacie.
IF thou wouldest have thine enemies destroyed, apply, Job. 8.22. They that hate thee shall be cloathed with shame, and the dwelling place of the wicked shal come to naught.
Isaiah 41.11.13.15. Behold, all they which were incensed against thee shall bee 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, Feare not, I will helpe thee. Thou shalt thresh the [Page 194]mountaines and beat them small, and shalt make the hils as chaffe, by which mountaines and hils, is meant the greatest enemies. 1. Sam. 2.30. They that despise mee shall bee lightly esteemed. These promises are to be applyed by us, as they are the enemies of God and his Gospell, and ours for his sake.
The 102. Legacie.
IF the wicked plot against thee, apply, Psal. 37.12. The wicked plot against the just; their sword [Page 195]shall enter into their owne heart, their bow shall be broken. The Lord shall laugh at him. Isai. 54.15. The enemies shall surely gather themselves together against thee, but not by me; whosoever shall gather themselves together against thee shall fall.
The 103. Legacie.
IN the troubles of the Church, apply, Psalme 128.6. Thou shalt see peace upon Israel, Thou shalt see the good of Ierusalem all the dayes of thy life. Jer. 31.12. Thou [Page 196]shalt come and sing in the height of Sion: when thou hast applyed the promises, and used all the meanes, and yet findest not thy selfe filled with God, as thou desirest, then comfort thy selfe with this, Yet is little while, and when thou awakest, thou shalt be satisfied with his image. Psal. 17.15.
The 104 Legacie.
BEcause the time draweth neere of the fall of Antichrist, wee must stirre up our selves [Page 197]to hasten the Lord by earnest prayers, and for the strengthning of our faith, apply these promises, Rev. 17.16. And the ten horned which thou sawest upon the Beast, thest shall hate the Whore, and shall make here desolate and naked, and shall cate her flesh, and shall burne her with fire, Reu. 18.8.21. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death and mourning, and famine, and she shall be utterly burnt with fire, for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her. And a mighty Angell tooke up a great stone, like a great Milstone, and cast it [Page 198]into the Sea saying, Thus with violence shall that great City Babylon bee throwne downe, and shall be found no more at all, Even so down Lord Josus, and hallen this happie day.
The 105. Legacie.
SEEing the Lord hath promised many glorious things to the Jewes, with much grace and pouce, both to the Jewes so Gentiles at their conversion; when the tonne tribes shall bee reunited to the two, which never [Page 199]yet was, let us never give him rest till he set up Jerusalem the praise of the world, and for the strengthning of us in prayer, apply, these promises: Ezek. 37.21, 22. Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I will take the children of Israel, from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their owne land: and I will make them one nation, in the land upon the mountaines of Israel: and one King shall bee King to them all, and they shall be no more two Nations, neither shall they bee [Page 200]divided into two kingdoms any more at all, Jer. 3.18. In those dayes the house of Iudah shall walke with the house of Israel, and they shall come together out of the land of the North to the land that I have given for an inheritance unto your fathers: Isaiah 60.2, 3, 4, 5, 15, 16. The Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seene upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to the light, and Kings to the brightnesse of thy rising, thy sonnes shall come from farre, and thy daughters shall bee nursed at thy side, then thou shalt see and flow together, and [Page 103]thine heart shall feare and be enlarged, because the Sea shall bee converted unto thee: the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. Whereas thou hast beene forsaken and hated, so that no man went through thee, I will make thee an eternall excellencie, a joy of many generations: Thou shalt also sucke the milke of the Gentiles, and shalt sucke the breast of Kings. Isaiah 62.2, 3, 49. The Gentiles shall see thy righteousnesse, and all Kings thy glory, and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord [Page 202]shalt name, thou shalt also bee a crowne of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a roy all diadem in the hand of thy God. Isaiah 61.4, 5, 6. They shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, they shall repaire the wast Cities the desolations of many generations. And strangers shall stand and feed your flockes, and the sonnes of the alien shall be your plow-men, and your vinedressers, but yee shall bee named the priests of the Lord: men shall call you the mintsters of our God, yee shall cate the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall [Page 203]you boast your selves. Isaiah 49.22, 23. Thus saith the Lord. Behold, I will lift up my hand to the Gentiles, & set up my standard to the people, and they shall bring thy sons in their armes, and thy daughters shall be carried upon their shoulders, and Kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their Queenes thy nursing mothers, they shall bow down to thee with their face towards the earth, and licke up the dust of thy feet.
THese promises I have observed: many more there bee of most excellent use, but because they need opening for the understanding of them, I would not set them downe, lest through the shallownesse of my understanding I should wrong the precious promises: but I picked out the most plaine, and those that I found of continuall use for Soule and Body, which I have found much good by, for the promises are our Legacies bequeathed to us in the will of our Father, [Page]& wee are to claime them, as wee stand in need of any of them: and surely that God which would not have children wronged in that which is bequeathed to them in the will of their fathers, much lesse will he withhold that which his Son hath bequeathed to us in his last will, which he sealed with his blood. Therfore let us sue for them, for the saith, hee will bee sought to, to performe them to us. And when thou applyest any promise, seeke unto the condition, and labour to keepe it, and doubt not [Page]of the performance of what is promised, for he is both able and faithfull that hath promised.
A TABLE FOR THE right and ready finding out of any Promise in this Booke, for the comfortable supplie of present necessitie: the number shewes the page, where the Promise (wee would have) is to bee found.
- RVles for reading the Promises.
- If wee finde nothing in our selves that may move God. pag. 1.
- If wee feare God will remember our sinnes, to punish them pag. 5
- If often suing cause thee [Page]doubt of pardon. pag. 6
- If thou despaire. pag. 7
- If thou findest sin an heavy burden, and Satan pursuing. pag. 10
- If thou turne from sinne, and yet doubt of pardon. pag. 13
- If thou wouldest have thy many felt rebellions subdued pag. 16
- If thy heart be hard and full of corruption. pag. 18
- If unbridled nature break out into passion. pag. 20
- If thou be in bondage to some sinne. pag. 22
- If thou fearest the breaking out of strong sinnes. pag. 23
- When thou art stayed from sinne by admonition pag. 26
- [Page]If thou fearest God will destroy thee for sinne pag. 27
- If thou be tempted to uncleannesse pag. 28
- If thou caust not finde out thy sin, for which God corrects thee. pag. 29
- If thou doubt of salvation. pag. 30
- If thine heart bee as a wildernesse, barren of good, pag. 31
- If thou wantest holinesse, pag. 37
- When thou canst not offer up any sacrifice pag. 38
- When thou feelest but little grace pag. 40
- When all thy graces are weake pag. 41
- When thy heart is drie [Page]for want of grace. pag. 41
- If thou wantest the spirit pag. 45
- If looking on Gods love, thou canst not love God againe pag. 48
- If thou canst not bring thine heart to delight in the Lord ibid.
- If thou seelest not Gods feare in thine heart pag. 53
- If thine heart wil not praise the Lord pag. 54
- If thou wantest wisdome pag. 56
- If thou canst not understand Gods voyce pag. 57
- If thou canst not see into the mysteries of the Gospell pag. 58
- If thou seest a good way [Page]and hast no power to walke in it pag. 59
- If thou wantest memory. pag. 62
- When thou seest thine ignorance. pag. 68
- If thou desirest grace & art not satisfied pag. 68
- If thine heart bee dead pag. 70
- If thou fearest falling away pag. 72
- If thou art falne pag. 76
- When the Lord hath forsaken thee pag. 78
- When thou feelest thy vilenes. pag. 81
- When thou feelest thy spirituall poverty pag. 83
- When thou art in a strait pag. 85
- [Page]If thou fearest Satan wil cause thee to fall. pag. 88
- If thou canst not profit by the word of God pag. 90
- If thou findest thy selfe unlike Gods people pag. 91
- If thou wouldest have Gods blessing rest upon thee pag. 92
- If thou wouldest be a blessing in thy place. pag. 94
- If thou separatest from the wicked in their corrupt worship. ib.
- A promise to be applied in every ordinance pag. 96
- When thou prayest pag. 97
- Whē thou meditatest. pag. 99
- In meditating, conferring, reading Gods word pag. 101
- [Page]In reading of the word if thou understandest not pag. 102
- If thou canst not conferre pag. 103
- When thou art to goe to the assemblies, pag. 106
- Wouldest thou enjoy the ordinances of God, and a blessing upon them pag. 114
- If thou enjoyest grace or meanes of grace pag. 117
- When thou art banished from Gods ordinances pag. 120
- Whilst thou art banisht from Gods house pag. 124
- When wicked shepheards are over us pag. 127
- When through wicked shepheards thou art come to great miserie pag. 129
- When thou settest thy [Page]selfe to fast pag. 132
- If thou art railed upon for well doing pag. 133
- If thou art persecuted pag. 134
- In partaking with Gods people in suffering pag. 137
- When thou art called to defend the truth ib.
- If thou wouldest bring forth seasonable fruit for every estate pag. 139
- If thou hast children pag. 141
- If thou wantest children pag. 143
- If the Lord deny thee Children pag. 145
- If thou wouldest have a comfortable and holy vse of thy habitation. ibid.
- [Page]If thou wouldest have thy going out, and comming in blessed pag. 147
- When thou eatest or enjoyest any blessing that it may satisfie, and be sanctified pag. 148
- When thou takest thy rest at night &c. pag. 150
- When thou puttest thy hand to any worke pag. 151
- If thou wouldest have thine outward blessings blessed pag. 152
- If thou desirest to enjoy the labours of thine hands pag. 154
- If thou art diligent in thy calling pag. 155
- When thou seest wicked men follow unsatisfying [Page]things with restlesse desires, and thou desirest content. pag. 156
- If thou fearest thou shalt lose by following the Lord pag. 157
- When thou hast lost blessings by sinne pag. 159
- If thou fearest losse of thy good name pag. 160
- If the world despise thee &c. pag. 161
- When thou art in want for soule or body pag. 163
- In liberall giving. pag. 165
- If sicknesse be among us pag. 168
- If thou fearest death pag. 170
- If thou fearest untimely death pag. 171