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 ...

1. In Generall, to supply any thing needfull.

GOD hath promised to provide things needfull for the godly.

All earthly blessings are intai∣led to godlinesse by that graci∣ous promise, 1 Tim. 4.8. Godlinesse

hath the promise of the life that now is, and that which is to come.

It is said, Nothing shall be wan∣ting, Psal. 34.9. All things shall be ministred, Matth. 6.33. GOD shall fulfill all your necessity, Phi∣lip. 4.19.

As a tender Father desiring the welfare of his beloved child, bids him to be a good and obedient child, and he shall not want any thing; so the LORD bids us as good children, hearken to his voice, and be ruled by him, and tels us we shall not want any thing that is good, Psal. 34.8, 9, 10. & 84, 11.

This is that which is so oft repeated, That it may goe well with thee in the land, which the LORD thy GOD giveth thee, Deut. 5.16, 33. & 6.3, 18. & 12.25, 28.

This is meant in those Scrip∣tures which set out the goodnesse of the LORD,* 1.1 Psal. 31.19. Psal. 145.9. and many other places, where GODS goodnesse,

loving kindnesse and mercy, and that specially in things belon∣ging to this naturall life, are commended unto us. In those generall promises, wherein GOD saith, He will dwell with his, and not forsake them, that he will love and blesse his people, that he will be their GOD, will reioyce over them to doe them good,* 1.2 will compasse them with favour as with a shield, that he will set peace in their borders, and prosper them in all they goe about, that he will keepe his Cove∣nant with them. For outward riches are a part of his Covenant, All things are yours,* 1.3 we are heires of all the world. In the Covenant of grace, GOD promiseth not onely to write his law in our hearts and to forgive our sinne; but also to conferre Temporall blessings, as they shall be serviceable to us in our journey towards Heaven, Ier. 31.10, 11, 12, 14. Ezek. 34.25, 26, 27. & 36.29, 30. Hosea 2.20, 21, 22.

He hath given us his Sonne, the

Fountaine of all good things, what can he denie us then that may be for our good and comfort?* 1.4 The promise of CHRIST be∣fore his incarnation, was to the Jewes a seale of all temporall things promised.

Our Saviour saith, Seeke yee first the Kingdome of GOD, and his Righteousnesse, and all these things shall be added unto you.* 1.5 First] in time before all other things; and in degree above all other things, and all these needfull things] shall be cast in. As when a man buyeth spice, fruit, or any such commo∣dity, paper and packthred is given into the bargaine.

It is the property of true sa∣ving faith, not onely to lay hold on the mercy of GOD for the pardon of sinne, and life everla∣sting in CHRIST; but on his promises also for Temporall blessings that concerne this life. As wee looke to be saved by our faith after death, so we must live 〈◊〉〈◊〉 faith in this world; if we relie

upon his mercy for our soules, we must depend upon his providence for our bodies. How doth he trust in GOD for a Kingdome, that will not trust him for a crust of bread?

Faith receiveth earthly bles∣sings not as the fruit of our la∣bour or desert, but as the gifts of GODS bounty, yea as gifts of the gracious Covenant procee∣ding from the free love of GOD.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Thou ar•• good and dost good. Psal 119.68.
• * 1.2

  Ier. 32 41.
• * 1.3

  The Lord undertakes not only by single pro∣mise, but by Covenant to furnish his people with all needfull blessings pertaining to this life.
• * 1.4

  R••. good
• * 1.5

  Mat. 6.33.