A treatise of the divine promises in five bookes : in the first, a generall description of their nature, kinds, excellency, right use, properties, and the persons to whom they belong : in the foure last, a declaration of the covenant it selfe .../ by Edvvard Legh ...

2. Promises are subordina∣ted and performed with de∣pendance.

Therefore we must not anti∣cipate nor perturbe the order which GOD hath put in his Promises, but waite upon him in his owne way. Grace and Glory will hee give,* 1.1 but first grace before glory: no man must snatch at this promise, till he have interest in that. Godlinesse hath the promises of this life and of that which is to come; but we must note the order which our Saviour puts,* 1.2 First seeke the Kingdome and Righteousnesse of GOD, and then all these things

shall be added unto you. The LORD promiseth to call men unto CHRIST,* 1.3 Nations that knew thee not shall runne unto thee. The Apostle tells us whereunto he calls,* 1.4 GOD hath not called us unto uncleannesse but unto holi∣nesse. Therefore in the next place he promiseth to sanctifie and cleanse his Church; I will put my law in their hearts,* 1.5 and in their inward parts. The qualifica∣tion of this holinesse is, that it be whole and constant. The ve∣ry GOD of peace sanctifie you,* 1.6 and preserve you blamelesse unto the comming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, is the Apostles prayer for the Thessa∣lonians. Therefore in the next place, GOD promiseth perseve∣rance, I will not turne away from them to doe them good, but I will put my feare into their hearts,* 1.7 that they shall not depart from mee. But this perseverance is not so certaine, but that it admits of fals, slips, and miscar∣riages;

therefore in that case, Hee promiseth healing and resto∣ring:* 1.8 I will heale their backesli∣dings, I will love them freely, I will binde up that which is broken, and will strengthen that which was sicke. And after all this comes the promise of Glory and Sal∣vation. Therefore we must take the Promises in that Connexion and dependancie which they have amongst themselves. When GOD hath called us to the knowledge of CHRIST, we must not skip over all the intermediate linkes, and looke presently for the accomplishment of GODS promise of Salvation, or perseve∣rance by GODS sole power, and in the meane time omit all care of Holinesse in our conver∣sation. For GOD doth not ful∣fill his promises in us onely, but by us too; and those things which in regard of his word are his promises, are also, in regard of his Command, our du∣ties.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Psal. 84.11. Master Rey∣nolds in his Treatise of the Sinfull∣nesse of Sin
• * 1.2

  Mat 6.33.
• * 1.3

  Esay 55.5.
• * 1.4

  1 Thess. 4.7.
• * 1.5

  Ier. 31.33.
• * 1.6

  1 Thess. 5 23
• * 1.7

  Ier. 32.40.
• * 1.8

  Hos 11.3. Hos. 14.4. Ezek. 34.16 Gods Pro∣mises signifie what he will do, his pre∣cepts what we must do, that this pro∣mises may be to us ful∣filled. Hee promiseth to hi•• Church to forgive thei•• sinnes withall give•• us command to repent & beleeve, that our sins may be blot∣ted out when the times of refreshing shall come, Acts 3.19 His promise is to save his children, their duty yet to save the••selves, Acts ••.40.