CHAP. V. Directions how to live by Faith upon Gods Promises.
THis part of the work of Faith is the more noble, because the eminent part of the Gospel is the Promises, or Covenant of Grace; and it is the more necessary, because our lapsed mi∣serable state hath made the Promises so necessary to our use: The helps to be used herein are these:
Direct. 1. Consider that every Promise of God, is the expression of his immutable will and counsel.
It is a great dispute among the Schoolmen, whether God be properly obliged to us by his Promises: When the word [obli∣gation] it self is but a metaphor, which must be cast away or explained, before the question can be answered: God cannot be bound as man is, who transferreth a propriety to another from himself: or maketh himself a proper debter in point of communicative Justice; or may be sued at Law, and made to perform against his will. But it is a higher obligation than all this which lyeth upon God. His Power, Wisdom and Goodness, which are himself, do constitute his Veracity: And his very Nature is immutable, and just; and therefore his Nature and Being, is the infallible cause of the fulfilling of his Promises: