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§. 45. Of Gods fore-telling future good things.
THe word translated, said before, is a compound of a simple verbe that signifieth to (a) speake, or to say, and a preposition that signifieth, (b) before, and it implyeth (being attributed to God in reference to mans good) that God is carefull to reveale his counsell for mans good before hand. This is further manifested in this text, by expressing that which he intended to do in the future tense, thus, I will •…•…ke, I will write, I will not remember. This God did immediatly upon mans •…•…ll, Gen. 3. 15. And so hath he continued to do from time to time. Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secrets unto his servants the Prophets, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 3. 7.
This God doth, to support the faith and hope of his children in the good things which he intendeth to them, before they be accomplished. For promises of future good things are a ground of faith and hope.
This teacheth us to take notice of such promises as are afore-hand fore-told, but are not yet accomplished: and to wait and rest quietly upon the expectation of them. A Prophet thus giveth this advice, The vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speake and not lye: though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Hab. 2. 3. Yea we ought to pray from time to time for the accomplishment thereof. Daniel upon knowledge of the time which God had foretold of the re∣•…•…me of the captivity of Judah, earnestly prayed for the accomplishment thereof, D•…•…. 9. 3. Yea God himself after he had manifested an absolute promise thus, saith, I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them, Ezek. 36. 37. Promises yet to come, and to be waited and prayed for, are the recalling of the re∣jected Jewes, Rom. 11. 26. The destruction of Antichrist, 2 Thes. 2. 8. Christs comming to judgment, Rev. 16. 15.