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 ...

* 1.1Spirituall Graces promised. 1. Knowledge, and Wisdome. Promises. 1. Of Knowledge.

IT is part of the Cove∣nant, Heb. 8.11. You shall know me from the least to the greatest,* 1.2 and I will teach you, and you shall no more teach one another his neigh∣bour, you shall have my law written in your hearts. The Prophet spea∣king of the daies of CHRIST, saith. The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea, Esay 11.9. the like we have, Hab. 2.14.

* 1.3In the time of the Old Testa∣ment, there was a vaile that co∣vered their hearts and their eyes, that they were not able to see the truth clearely, but now That vaile is taken away and wee see the truth

with open face, as wee see an image in a glasse.* 1.4 We know much more then they in the Old Testament, and in another manner, more di∣stinctly, more particularly. It is oft said, that The LORD will teach his people. As in that fa∣mous prophesie of the daies of the Gospell, that GOD would teach them his waies, and they would walke in his paths, Esay 2.3. Micah 4.2. So Psal. 25.8, 9. Hee will teach sinners in the way, and the meeke hee will teach his way. The Elect shall be all taught of GOD,* 1.5 Iohn 6.45. so much as is necessary for their salvation,* 1.6 yea The least as well as the grea∣test.

They shall know of the Scripture to be GODS Word, Esay 52.6. They shall know in that day that I am hee, that doth speake, behold it is I.

They shall know of that doctrine which is taught them, whether it be of GOD, or whether their tea∣cher speake of himselfe, Iohn 7.17.

CHRISTS Sheepe know his voice, and will follow him, John 10.4.* 1.7 The secret of the LORD is revealed to them that feare him, and hee will shew them his Cove∣nant, Psal. 25.14. See ver 12. When the Spirit of truth is come, hee will guide you into all truth, Iohn 16.13. The faithfull have an unction from the holy one, and know all things. 1 Iohn 2.20. and ver. 27. The HOLY GHOST abideth in them, and they need not that any man teach them.

See Pro. 1.23. Hos. 14.9. Psal. 107.43. Iohn 8.32. Psal. 32.8. Marke 4.11. Esay 30.21. Prov. 2.3, 4, 5, 6. Prov. 3.6. & 14.6.

Promises. 2. To Knowledge and wise∣dome.

* 1.8It is rewarded 1. with Tem∣porall blessings, GOD will exalt such as know him. I will set him on high, because he hath knowne

my name, Psal. 91.14. Length of daies is in her right hand,* 1.9 and in her left hand riches and honour, Prov. 3.14.

2. With spirituall blessings, as grace * 1.10 and peace. 2 Pet. 1.2. Grace and peace be multiplied un∣to you, through the knowledge of GOD.

3. With eternall blessings, Prov. 3.13, 18. Shee is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her, and happy is every one that retaineth her.

2. Faith, which is thus defi∣ned, Faith is a supernaturall gift of GOD in the mind, appre∣hending the saving promise with all the promises that de∣pend upon it, Phil. 1.29. Gal. 3.14.

Notes

• * 1.1

  There are promises of all kind of graces; not a grace, but there is a promise of it generally, or specially
• * 1.2

  Ier. 24.7. & 31.34. ••os. 2 20.
• * 1.3

  2 Cor 3.16.18.
• * 1.4

  Ioh. 1.17, Mat. 1.16. 1 Ioh 5.10. Ephes 3.5
• * 1.5

  Esay 54.13.
• * 1.6

  Ier. 31.34.
• * 1.7

  Pro 3.32. His secret is with the righteous.
• * 1.8

  The profit of know∣ledge.

  Pro. 3 15 to 19 21. to 25. & 24.14.
• * 1.9

  Dan. 11.3••. & 11.3. The wise shall inherit glory, Pro. 3.35. See P••o. 4.5. to 10.
• * 1.10

  Ioh 17 3. By life eter¦nall is un∣derstood grace, by a metonymie of the effect, quia vitam efficit, it works life. Piscat quia radix & or••go vitae Cyril Quia gustus est vitae aeternae. Brentius. Esay 53.11. M. Perkins on the Creed.

  Faith is the gift of God, whereby we know, apprehend and apply the promi∣ses relying upon them Pa••. on the Rom.