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Comforts to the godly, who likewise want the meanes of grace, either altogether, or in the power of them, or having them doe not profit by them.
The LORD, The LORD GOD, mercifull and gracious, long suffering, and abundant in goodnesse and truth, keeping mercy for thou∣sands, forgiving iniquity, trans∣gression and sinne, Exod. 34.6, 7.
Hee is JEHOVAH] Al∣waies the same, unchangeable, hee will not alter his love to thee, and for the more assurance he repeateth that title twice;
then followeth his power, GOD * 1.1] Though thou be weake, he is strong. Mercifull] or compassionate towards rep••n∣tant and beleeving sinners, and though they be unworthy, yet he is Gracious.] The Hebrew word signifieth to powre out abun∣dance of extraordinary bounty upon a most undeserving and ill deserving partie. (He will shew mercy, not because thou art good, but because he is Good; not be∣cause thou canst please him, but because mercy pleaseth him, Micah 7.18.) though thou offer∣dest daily, yet he is Long-suffe∣ring,] and Abundant in goodnesse and truth] 1. In Goodnesse] rea∣dy to bestow all benefits. 2. In Truth,] ready to fulfill all pro∣mises, * 1.2 keeping kindnesse for thou∣sands,] a certaine number for an uncertaine; forgiving iniquity, transgression and sinne] that is, sinnes of all sorts, kinds and de∣grees whatsoever. It is neither the foulenesse of sinne, nor the
multitude of sinnes, nor the long continuance in sinne that can prejudice his goodnesse.* 1.3
GOD upon our prayer will cure our infirmities, Esay 40.29. Psal. 103.3. hee pittieth his in their infirmities, as an Indulgent ••ather his little ones, Mal. 3.17. CHRIST himselfe is affected with the sence of our infirmi∣ties, Heb. 4.15, 16. Matth. 11.28. and Esay 42.3. he was a Pro∣••itiation for such sinnes, and com∣forts us concerning them before they be committed, 1 Iohn 2.12. Rom. 6.14. The Spirit helpes our ••nfirmities, * 1.4 Rom. 8.26. helpes ••ogether: the Greeke word is decompound, and there is a great force in it; as two that car∣ry a burden, one will carry over ••gainst another, and put to his ••and and helpe him; so when we begin to sinke, GODS Spi∣rit puts under his hand to support ••s, which is said in so many words, Psal. 37.24.
O but I offend daily, I sinne
againe and againe, may some weake Christian say.
GOD promiseth likewise that he will multiply his pardons (so the word signifieth in the Origi∣nall) as thou hast multiplied thy sinnes,* 1.5 for (saith he there) My thoughts are not as your thoughts, nor my waies as your waies, but my thoughts goe beyond your thoughts, as much as the distance is betweene Heaven and earth: He is mercifull and and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy, hee will not reward us after our iniqui∣ties: for as the Heaven is high above the Earth, so great is his mercy toward them that feare him, Psal. 103.8, 10, 11. As there is a continuall spring of wicked∣nesse in you, so there is a continu∣all spring of mercy * 1.6 flowing from him, both to pardon, and wash away this iniquity.
It is a speciall promise of GOD in the new Covenant,* 1.7 that Hee will write his lawes in thy heart, and hee will make thee to know the LORD.
He hath promised to leade thee by a way that thou hast not knowne, Esay 42.16. wee have such an High Priest as knowes how to have compassion on the ig∣norant, Heb. 5.2, 3. The eyes of the blinde shall be opened, Esay 35.2. Hee shall open the eyes of the blind, Esay 42.2. Luke 4.18.
The annointing thou hast re∣ceived, shall teach thee all needfull things, and leade thee into all truth, 1 Ioh. 2.27.
GOD hath made many pro∣mises to teach them his way, that see their ignorance and mourne for it.
Hee will guide the meeke in iudgement and will teach the hum∣ble his way, Psal. 25.9. See 12. & 14. verses.
GOD will fill the hungry with good things, Luke 1.53.
To him that disposeth his way aright will I shew the salvation of the LORD, Psal. 50.23.
He that followeth mee shall not walke in darkenesse, but shall have the light of life, Joh. 8.12. I will manifest my selfe to him, John 14.21. The Spirit of truth will guide them into all truth, John 16.13. A high way shall be there, and fooles shall not erre therein, Esay 35.8.
The cares of the deafe shall be unstopped, Esay 35.5. Other sheepe I have which are not of this fold, them also I must bring, and they shall heare my voice, Ioh. 10.16. that is, the Gentiles not yet cal∣led shall understand the voice of GOD.
1. GOD will uphold his and keepe them from falling.
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keepe them from the evill, Joh. 17.20. The LORD is faithfull, who shall stablish you and keepe you from evill, 2 Thess. 3.3. That your whole soule and body may be preserved blamelesse unto the comming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST. Faith∣full is hee that calleth you, who ••lso will doe it, 1 Thess. 5.23, 24. GOD watcheth over his peo∣ple to defend them from sinne, 2 Tim. 4 17, 18. Rom. 7.24, 25. Psa. 73.23, 24. Ier. 32.39, 40. His mercy holdeth up the godly, when they say their foot slippeth, Psal. 94.18. He will be their confidence, and shall keepe their foot from being taken, Pro. 3.26. He will keepe the feete of his Saints, 1 Sam. 2.9. And guide their feete into the way of peace,
Luke 1.79. And thine eare shall heare a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walke yee in it, when yee turne to the right hand and when yee turne to the left, Esay 30.21.
The childe of GOD hath a promise of preservation from the sinne unpardonable, 1 Iohn 5.18.
2. Comforts to those that doe fall through infirmity.
But of this I have spoken al∣ready, when I treated of the dai∣ly and generall Infirmities of Christians, therefore I will (tan∣quam can••s ad Nilum) runne over it hastily.
GODS people after re∣lapse into some old, or fall into some new sinne, when their heart is smitten for it, may comfort themselves with such precious places as these, 1 Ioh. 2.1. Luke 17.4. 1 Sam. 12.20, 22. 1 Iohn 1.9.
From this last place, a reverend
Divine collects this comfort. If wee see our unworthinesse, and with broken hearts acknowledge it, GOD is faithfull and iust to forgive it, be it never so great.
Thou hast played the harlot with many lovers, yet returne againe to mee saith the LORD, Ier. 3.1.
3. The LORD will restore them, and raise them up againe by repentance.* 1.8 The LORD will heale thy backesliding, if thou take unto thee words to confesse thy falling away, Hosea 14.2, 3, 4. There is healing in the wings of the Sonne of righteousnesse, and you shall grow up as the calves of the stall, Mal. 4.2. The LORD up∣holdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that are bowed downe, Psal. 145.14. Behold I will bring it health and cure,* 1.9 and I will cure them, and will reveale unto them the abundance of peace and truth, Ier. 32.6.
Hee speakes Ezek. 34.16. of the time of the Gospell when
CHRIST should bee the Shepheard, and shewes the Co∣venant that he will make with those that are his, if any thing be lost (saith he) if a Sheepe lose it selfe, this is my Covenant, I will finde it. If it be driven away by any violence of temptation, I will bring it backe againe. If there be a breach made into their hearts by any occasion through sinne and lust, I will heale them and binde them up.
GODS Covenant is to make us faithfull in his Covenant: the actions of faith and repentance are ours; but the power of doing them, GODS.
Then shall the lame man leape as an Hart, Esay 35.6. And I will put my spirit within you,* 1.10 and
cause you to walke in my statutes, and yee shall keepe my iudgements and doe them, Ezek. 36.27.* 1.11 They shall runne and not be wearie, * 1.12 they shall walke and not be saint, Esay 40.31. See ver. 29. The LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the chil∣dren of Israel, Joel 3 16.
In our Spirituall infancie we may comfort our selves by those cordi••ll refreshing promises.
I will give unto him that is a thirst of the fountaine of the water of life freely, Rev. 21.6.* 1.13 A bruised reede shall he not breake, and the smoaking flaxe shall he not quench, Esay 42.3. though grace be in us but like the heate in the weeke of the candle, when the light is out; yet GOD hath taken order, that it shall not be extinguished. Hee shall feede his flocke like a shepheard, he shall gather the lambes with his arme, and carry them in his bosome, and shall gently leade those that are with young, Esay 40.11. Hee will use all com∣passion
with a tender respect of our weakenesse. In love, in care, in pittie he will redeeme us, and carry us as in the daies of old, Esay 63.9. As he hath borne us from the wombe; so will he be the same still unto old age, even unto the gray haires, hee will carry us in the armes of his compassion, hee hath made us, hee will beare, even hee will carry and deliver us, Esay 46.3, 4. Since thou art a branch of his planting,* 1.14 he may glorifie himselfe in thee, so as thy little one may be as a thousand, and thy small one as a strong nation, GOD can performe it in his due time, Esay 60.21, 22.
CHRIST graciously recei∣veth and tenderly cherisheth weake Christians, Zach. 13.7. Matth. 18.5. Hee giveth charge against the contempt of them, verse 10. and will not have the day of small things despised, Zach. 4.10.
* 1.15The obedience o•• the faith∣full
is weake and imperfect, but pleasing and acceptable unto GOD. The Psalmist saith, Psal. 147.11 & 149.4.
The LORD taketh pleasure in his people, * 1.16 the prayers of the up∣right are his delight.
GOD will reckon of so much good done by us, as wee desired and endeavoured to doe; the preparations of our hearts are reckoned with GOD as great things, Esay 55.1.
This is a great comfort to GODS children,* 1.17 that doe their best indeavour to keepe all his Commandements, for though they faile in that obedience which they ought to performe, yet GOD promiseth to shew mer∣cy to them, Exod. 26.6. so long as their heart is true, he will beare with their infirmities.
Wee are not under the law (saith the Apostle) but under grace, Rom. 6.14. We are delivered from the rigour of the Law: GOD hath received us to the benefit of
that Covenant, in which per∣fection is onely required in CHRIST, uprightnesse in us. GOD accepts of the will for the deed,* 1.18 2 Cor. 8.12. and the will above the deed, as appea∣reth by the 10. verse, Who hath not onely begunne to doe, but also to be forward a yeare agoe; making it a greater grace to be willing and desirous to doe well, then it is to doe a good thing.
In the affliction of thy minde and losse of the feeling of GODS favour,* 1.19 acquaint thy selfe with those promises, Iohn 13.1. Having loved his owne which were in the world, he loved them unto the end, and without end. The* 1.20 gifts and calling of GOD
are without repentance: that is, such gifts as accompany an effectuall calling, are such as GOD never repenteth of, or ta∣keth away, I will not forsake my people, 1 King. 6.13. Heb. 13.5. Behold GOD will not cast away a perfect man, Iob 8.20. The love of GOD unto his childe, in re∣spect of tendernesse, is infinitely dearer then that of a most loving mother to her little one, Esay 49.15. stronger then the stony mountaines and rockes of flint, Esay 54.10. as constant as the waters of Noah, ver. 9. as the ordinances of Heaven. Ier. 33.20 and ver. 25. nay as sure as GOD himselfe, Psal. 89.33, 34, 35.
But the Comforter which is the HOLY GHOST whom the Fa∣ther will send in my name, he shall
teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance what∣soever I have said unto you, Iohn 14.26.
The wildernesse and solitary place shall be glad for them, and the de∣sart shall reioyce and blossome as the rose, it shall blossome abun∣dantly, and reioyce even with ioy and singing, Esay 35.1, 2. Then shall yee sucke, yee shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees. As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you, and yee shall be comforted in Ierusalem. And when yee see this, your heart shall reioyce and your bones shall flou∣rish like an herbe, Jer. 66.12, 13, 14. Thou shalt reioyce in the LORD, Esay 41.16. Thou shalt have thy delight in the Almighty, Iob 22.26.
The godly have a spring of joy within them, Iohn 4.14. In thy name shall they reioyce all the day, Psal. 89.16. See Psal. 33.21.
In the thoughts of our indis∣posi••ion to any thing that is good, let these places quicken us.
I can doe all things through CHRIST that strengthneth mee, Phil. 4.13. Yee shall be unto mee a kingdome of Priests, Exod. 19.6.
We shall be able to offer un∣to GOD the sacrifice of prayer or praise. In every place incense shall be offered to my name, and a pure offering, Mal. 1.11. which is spoken of the beleeving Gentiles.
GOD promiseth in the Cove∣nant of grace, Ezek. 11.19. To give his people one heart. CHRIST prayed that we might have this one heart, Iohn 17.21, 23. and be one with GOD. When we are troubled with di∣stractions in prayer, hearing, or meditation, wee should pleade the Covenant, and pray with David, O LORD unite my heart to thee.
GOD not onely accepteth and taketh in good part the poo∣rest service we doe to him not∣withstanding our corruptions and frailties, but even deligh∣teth and taketh great pleasure in them, Cant. 2.14. as a Father de∣lights more in the stammering of his little childe, then in the eloquence of the best Orator.
CHRIST presenteth and perfu∣meth our prayers to his Father, Rev. 8.3. 1 Pet. 2.5. And it shall be upon Aarons fore-head, that Aaron may beare the iniquity of the holy things, and that they may be accepted before the LORD, Exod. 28.38.* 1.21 Aaron was a Type of CHRIST, who by his interces∣sion perfumes our prayers, and doth away the blemishes that cleave to our best actions. Loving Parents doe not take notice of many blemishes in their chil∣dren; so GOD seeth no iniquity in Iacob, nor any transgression in Israel, Num. 23.21. But passeth by the transgression of the rem∣nant of his heritage:* 1.22 which makes the Prophet in the be∣ginning of the verse, in admiration to cry, Who is a GOD like to thee!
1. In regard of GOD.
2. In regard of CHRIST.
3. In regard of the HOLY GHOST.
4. The lasting power of the Word once rooted in the good and honest heart, Luke 8.15. It is called immortall seed, 1 Pet. 1.23, 25. The engraffed Word, James 1.21. The seed remaining, 1 Joh. 3.9.
5. The certainty and sweetnesse of the promises to this purpose.* 1.29 GOD hath promised that his people shall not be mooved from the state of grace,* 1.30 Psal. 15.5. & 16.8. Psal. 37.24, 27, 28, 31. Psal. 55.22. & 102.28. Pro. 10.30. Psal. 125.1. Hee will not cast off his people nor forsake his inheri∣tance, Psal. 94.14. 1 Sam. 12.22. And hee will put his feare into their hearts, that they shall not de∣part from him. For this is his Covenant with his people. Ier. 32.39, 40, 41. Hosea 2.19, 20. Hee upholdeth them with his hand, that they shall not fall away. Hee will confirme them unto the end, that they may be blam••lesse in the day of our LORD JESUS CHRIST,* 1.31 1 Cor. 1.8, 9. the like
is, 1 Thess. 5.23, 24 GOD hath made more promises to hold up his children, then ever he made to hold up the pillars of the world.
6. The prayers of the whole Church of GOD which are ve∣ry prevalent and powerfull, Ioh. 16.23. the daily sacrifice of be∣leevers, is, ne inducas in tentatio∣nem.
7. The force and might of faith, 1 Pet. 1.2, 3, 4, 5.
8. The durable vigour of saving graces, John 4.14. our Saviour hath promised, Iohn 16.22. that he will give unto the faithfull such constant and permanent joy, as no man shall be able to take from them: He hath prayed that our faith may not faile, Luke 22.32. It is a stable grace, 1 Ioh. 5.4. 1 Pet. 2.6.
Comforts to the Godly, who are troubled with many and strong corruptions, and like∣wise
want the meanes of grace,
I will sprinkle cleane water up∣on you,* 1.33 and you shall be cleane ••rom all your filthinesse, and from all your idols will I cleanse you, Ezek. 36.25. Though thy sinnes were as great as Idolatry in the first Table, or Whoredome in the second, yet GOD will forgive and sanctifie thee.
He will cast all our sinnes into the depths of the sea, Micah. 7.19. The sea can drowne mountaines as well as mole-hills: Though they were as crimson and scarlet, which will take no other die, yet in CHRISTS bloud they shall bee made as white as wooll and snow, Esay 1.18. All manner of
sinnes and blasphemies shall be for∣given unto men, Matth. 12.31. CHRIST came to save sin∣ners, 1 Tim. 1.15. It matters not what the wound is, so CHRIST be the Physitian. Where sin, that is, the knowledge and feeling of sinne abounded, grace over-aboun∣ded, Rom. 5.20. have wee a mul∣titude and magnitude of sinnes? GOD hath a multitude and magnitude of mercies: Have mercy upon mee O GOD accor∣ding unto the multitude,* 1.34 so wee translate it, (the Hebrew word Rob,* 1.35 signifieth also magnitude) of thy tender mercies. Two things terrifie penitent sinners: 1. The multitude and exceeding great number of evils whereof they are guilty, he tels them in that 26. Ezek. that he would * 1.36 wash them from all their filthinesse, without exception, 1 Joh. 1.9. therefore let us not put in condi∣tions where GOD doth not, and as it were interline his Cove∣nant. 2. That their sinnes have
beene hainous and extraordina∣ry, Zach. 13.1. Hee promiseth to open a fountaine of grace to wash them from all sinnes; CHRIST hath discharged our pounds as well as our pence. He came to take away the sinnes of the world, this is spoken in∣definitely.
After GOD hath given you the bread of affliction,* 1.37 and the wa∣ter of adversity, hee will restore teachers and no more restraine in∣struction, Esay 30.20.
Though thou see no way of helpe, yet thou knowest not how GOD can provide, Hee can open rivers on the tops of mountaines, and he maketh the wil∣dernesse a standing poole, when his people thirst and cry unto him, Esay 41.17, 18.
If ordinary meanes faile, GOD will then ••••pply of his Spirit; I will be unto them as a little Sanctuary in the countries where they sha••l come, Ez••k. 11.16. I will take you one of a cittie, and two of a family, and I will ••r••ng you in Sion, Jer. 3.14. The LORD giveth the Word, great is the company of preachers, Psal. 68.11.
The rans••med of the LORD shall returne and come to Sion with songs, and everlasting ioy upon their heads, they shall obtaine ioy and gladnesse, and sorrow and sighing shall flie away. E••ay 35.10.
Or in the power of them.
I will give you Pastors accor∣ding to mine heart, which shall feede you with knowledge and un∣derstanding, Ier. 3.15.
Or having them so, and not pro∣fiting by them.* 1.38
I am the LORD thy GOD
which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way which thou shouldst goe, Esay 48.17.
For thy Maker is thine husband, &c. Esay 54.5, 6. Hosea 2.19.
In the wildernesse shall waters breake out,* 1.39 and streames in the de∣sert, and the parched ground shall become a poole, and the thirsty land-springs of water, Esay 35.6, 7. that is, the most barren heart shall abound with grace, accor∣ding to that promise, Out of their bellies shall flow rivers of living water, Iohn 7.38. streaming out for the good of others. The Kingdome of GOD shall be ta∣ken from you and given to a na∣tion bringing forth the fruits there∣of, Matth. 21.43. This is a pro∣mise, that the Gentiles shall bring forth the fruites of the Gospell, therefore every belee∣ving Gentile may apply it.
The use of Faith here is, to up∣hold us against our manifold de∣••ects, infirmities and imperfecti∣••ns. For first, it giveth evidence
to our soules, that the graces wee have are the gifts of GOD, because GOD promiseth them. Secondly, it maketh us rest on GOD for perfecting of that good worke which hee hath so graciously begun.
The Godly that know they feare GOD unfainedly, and yet are often perplexed, because all sensible tokens of GODS favour are taken from them, should 1. Acquaint themselves with the promises, and comfort themselves with these words, they will be as flagons of wine to all distres∣sed spirits. 2. Let them not con∣sider too much of, nor reason too much with their temptati∣ons, Rom. 4.19. 3. Though they feele nothing, yet let them say with David, Ps••l. 56.10. In GOD will I praise his Word, in the LORD will I praise his Word.
El the strong God, Deu•• fort••, a. Tr••melliu•• renders it.
As ••03, Psal. 8 the same He¦brew word is used, and should be so transla∣ted iniquity] that is, ori¦ginall cor∣ruption, transgressi∣on] that is, actuall re¦bellion, sin] that is, sin of custome.
God will passe by our meere frail∣ties. There is no god like unto him for passi••g by transgressi∣ons. Micah 7.18. Dan. 9.9. Psal. 1••0 3, 4. 1 Ioh. 2 1, 2.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the same word i•• used, Luk. 10 40.
Est metapho∣ra ab oneri∣bus sumpta, quae utrin∣que admotis manibus sub∣levantur. Beza.
Esay 55 7, 8, 9
Thou canst not commit more then God can re∣mit; Thy sins are but the sins of men, his mercies are the mer∣cies of an Infinite God.
In Christs Kingdome the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the eares of the deafe shall be un∣stopped, 2 Cor. 3.16 Ioh. 9 39. & 12.46.
Returne yee 〈…〉〈…〉 and I will heale you•• b••cke∣sl••din••s. Ier. 3.2•• See 12, 13, 1••. verses.
Psal. 103 3.
Ier. 31.9.
Psal. 29.11.
Mark the gradation, they shall walke, they shall run, they shall flie, yea, as an Eagle.
Esay 57 15. Mat. 5.6.
Rev. 3 8, 9, 10
God ac∣ce••••s affe∣cting for a••••e••ting, willing for working, desires for deed••, pur∣poses for performan∣ces, pence for pounds. Dyke.
Examples are many in Scripture, Ge•• 2•• 16, 17 Reb. 11.17 1 Chron. 17 10, 11, 12 Luke 21.3.
Pro 15.8.
The best gold must have his al∣lowance of such graines, so the best Christian must have some allow∣ance, im¦perfection clea••e•• to him, he can not do all perfectly, for then what need•• the Cove∣nant of grace.
Col. 3.24.
Ier 31.12, 25
Rom 11.29
Accipit su∣um, & remit∣tituum, God ac∣cepts that which is his, and for∣gives that which is thine.
Micah. 7 18
Rom. 9 11. Mat. 25 23, 24. 2 Tim 2 19.
Singula ve••ba po••du•• habem, certi¦tudo haec ni∣titur •• sun∣damento, 2 non quo∣cun{que} sed sir∣mo, 3 non ho¦minu sed Dei, 4 non vacillan••e s••d stante i••l{que} o••signa∣to, ••d{que} no∣titia Dei, non si••pl••••u sa¦tum inspe∣ction••, sed disce••nen••e sum a non sun. O. Pri∣deaux.
1 Pet. 1.5. Kept by the guard of Gods power unt•• salva∣tion, Phil. 4.7. Keepe with a guard as Kings are kept, Ps. 132.11.
Our assu∣rance is not in o••r sel••e, b••t in Chri••t; as we la•• hold of Man, so he fa•••• holde••h u••; and as he hath prayed that our faith faile not us, so neither will he let go his hold Ioh 10 27, 28, 29 Heb 7 25 Phil •• 7.
S. Austen saith, A mighty man will not loose that which hee hath bought for his mo∣ney, and will Chri•••• loose ••h••t which He hath bought with his blood?
Esay 59.21. 1 Cor 3.16.
The nature of a seale is to make things sure, Dan 6.8. Mat 27.66. a writing in firme a∣mongst men, when the seale is put to it.
Zach 10.12 Iohn 8.12. 2 Sam. 7 14 15.
The booke of Psalmes is full of ••he••e com∣fortable promises. Psal. 1, 3. & 9.10.18. Ps 112.6.19. & 73.24, ••6. Ps. 103.17. & 145.14. Ps. 8••.33.
Ioh. 6.35, 37 51, 53. & 5.24.
Act 3 26.
The faith∣full (that they may have com∣fort against their cor∣ruptions) must by be∣holding the promise••, flie unto Christ, and clea••e the fa∣ster to Him, Rom. 7 25. Phil. 3.9.
Psal. 51.1.
〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 See 2 Sam. 24.4. His mercies are greater many. Spare me O God according to the greatnes or multitude of thy mer∣cy.
Neh. 13 22.
Psal. 130 8
Comforts to those that want, or have lost the meanes of knowledge, their tea∣chers are taken from them.
In our spi∣rituall bar∣rennesse la∣men••ed,
See 1 & 2. verses.