Media: the middle things, in reference to the first and last things: or, The means, duties, ordinances, both secret, private and publike, for continuance and increase of a godly life, once begun, till we come to Heaven. Wherein are discovered many blessed medium's or duties, in their right method, manner and proceedings; that so a Christian (the spirit of Christ assisting) may walk on in the holy path, which leads from his new birth to everlasting life. / Drawn, for the most part, out of the most eminently pious, and learned writings of our native practical divines: with additionals of his own, by Isaac Ambrose, minister of the Gospel at Preston in Amoundernes.

CHAP. VIII.

SECT. 1. Of the Nature of this Life of Faith.

TO live by Faith, is by Faith in Christ to assent and ad∣here unto, and to possess the whole Word of God, as our own in all estates and conditions, resting quietly upon his gracious and faithful promise, and yielding our selves unto his good pleasure, in sincere, universal and constant obedience: Or, to live by Faith, is to feed upon the several pro∣mises of God made in his Word, and to apply them to our own selves, according to our needs, and so to uphold, comfort and incourage our selves against all temptations, and unto every good duty. This Life of Faith is a very Heaven upon earth, a sweet Sanctuary to any hunted soul; hereby our hearts will be chear∣ed, our life will be sweet to us, God will be glorified, and the glory of his truth will be mightily advanced. O blessed Duty!

SECT. 2. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in general.

OUr Directions for this life of Faith are either

• General.
• Particular.

In general, that we may live by Faith, we must endeavor two things,

• 1. To get matter for our faith to work upon.
• 2. To order our faith aright in the work.

1. That we may provide matter for our faith to work upon, we must observe three things: 1. That we store up all the good promises of God, and our own experiences seasonably: It is good to lay up in a good time aforehand.

2. That we lay in promises of all kindes: We had better leave

then lack; it is the wisdom of a man, that he may not live feebly and poorly, but to have somewhat to spare.

3. That we so lay them up, that we may have them at hand: It is folly to say, I have good provision as can be, but I have it not here: Let the word of God dwell in you plenteously and richly in all wisdom.

2. That we may order our Faith aright in the work, observe these Directions:

1. Take possession of the promises, and value them as our own.

2. Expect nothing from the promise, but that which is suit∣able to the nature of it: To this purpose some promises are ab∣solute, which God hath simply determined to accomplish; as the promise of the Messiah, Isa. 7.14. and of the calling of the Gentiles, Rom. 11.26. Some promises are conditional, which God will accomplish in his own order, in his own time, and in his own maner and measure; in a word, they are no further promised, then God seeth in wisdom to be most meet for his glory, and our good; as, all temporal blessings, less princi∣pal Graces, and the measure of all sanctifying Graces: now in all these expect nothing from them, but that which is suitable to the nature thereof.

3. That done, then eye that particular good in the promise which we stand in need of, and set Gods power, and faithful∣ness, and wisdom awork, to bring it about; for instance, thou art in persecution, and either thou wouldest have deliverance out of it, or comfort and refreshment in it: In this case see all this in the promise (referring the order, and time, and maner to God) and then set Gods power and faithfulness awork that can do it, and his wisdom awork to contrive it, which way he knows best: This is the meaning of that Text, Commit thy ways unto the Lord, trust in him, and he shall bring it to pass; and hurl your care upon the Lord, for he careth for you.

4. By faith wait upon God, in that way he hath appointed; it is true, God will work that good for us, yet we must use the means, and meet God in the course of his providence, other∣wise we live not by Faith, but tempt God, and throw away his promises and all.

5. Set it down and conclude, that God will do whatsoever

he hath promised, and we shall receive it in the ways of his pro∣vidence: This is the very work of faith it self, thus it draws sap and vertue from the promise, when it concludes, That accord∣ing to the good in the promise, it is sure to be done.

6. But imagine the Lord delays, and doth not suddenly ac∣complish, then must faith take up its stand, and stay till it come: He that believeth, maketh not haste, the vision is for an appointed time, and therefore wait for it; so the Psalmist, As the eyes of a servant look to the hands of his Master, and the eyes of a maiden to her Mistris, so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until he have mercy upon us; not until we will, or until we see it fit, but until he will have mercy upon us.

7. Imagine the Lord not onely delays, but seems to frown, and to say, He will not hear: In this case, labor with an holy humi∣lity to contend with our God, and by strong hand to overcome him, for the Lord loves to be overcome thus. When Jacob wrestled with God, Let me go, saith the Lord; I will not let thee go, saith Jacob: So do we catch the Lord Jesus, and strive with him, and leave him not, till we have those comforts he hath pro∣mised, and which we have begged: Surely this is the glory and victory, and triumph of faith, when the Lord is fain to lay down his weapons, and to yield himself as conquered; Thy name shall be no more called Jacob, but Israel, because thou hast prevailed with God.

Two cautions concerning promises, and the life of faith, are mainly to be observed in the general.

1. That not barely the promises, but the person of Christ, is the object of faith: We are not to wrest on the promises alone, but to close with Christ in those promises; and therefore in re∣ceiving of, or having recourse unto a promise, we are first to seek out for Christ in it, as being the foundation of it, and so to take hold of the promise in him: Thus Philip directs the Eunuch, Believe on the Lord Jesus: The promise is but the Casket, and Christ the Jewel in it; the promise but the field, Christ is the Pearl hid in it, and to be chiefly look'd at: Thus it is said, That promises of pardon, are not as pardons of a Prince, which meerly contain an expression of his royal word for pardon; but Gods promises are made in his Son, and are as if a Prince should offer to pardon a Traytor, upon marriage with his childe, whom

in and with that pardon he tenders: The reason hereof is, be∣cause Christ is the grand promise, in whom all the promises are Yea and Amen.

2. That promises in things temporal and spiritual (not abso∣lutely necessary to salvation) are not universal, but indefinite, (i.) he makes such promises, because sometimes (though not al∣ways) he grants accordingly. For instance, that promise of healing the sick, cannot be universal, for it might then be sup∣posed, that sick men should never dye, seeing the Elders may at all such times of danger of death, still come and pray with them, but we all know it is appointed for all men once to dye; the meaning thereof is, that prayer is an Ordinance to which God hath made such a gracious promise, and he often doth restore the sick at their prayers; and therefore upon every such particular occasion, we are to relye upon God for the performance of it by an act of recumbancy, though we cannot with an act of full assurance, the promise not being universal, but indefinite: Of like nature are all other promises of things temporal or things spi∣ritual, not absolutely necessary to salvation; as, long life, riches, honor, Assurance of Evidence to them that fear him, the tenor and purport of which promise, is not as if absolutely, infallibly, and universally, God doth alway perform these to those that are truly qualified, with the conditions specified in those pro∣mises; the contrary both Scripture, instances, and common ex∣perience shews, they are therefore indefinitely meant, and so to be understood by us; because when ever God doth dispence any such mercies to any of his, he would do it by promise: And he requires answerably an act of faith, suitable to that his meaning in the promise; that as he intended not in such promises, an ab∣solute, infallible, universal obligation of himself, to the perfor∣mance of them to all that fear him, so the act of faith, which a man is to put forth toward this promise, in the application of it for his own particular, is not required to be an absolute, in∣falible perswasion and assurance, that God will bestow these outward things upon him, having these qualifications in him, but onely an indefinite act (as I may call it) of recumbancy and sub∣mission, casting and adventuring our selves upon him for the performance of it to us, not knowing but he may in his outward dispensations make it good to us; yet with submission to his

good pleasure, if otherwise he dispose it; and if he grant, to consider then, That whatsoever we have, it is not by a meer Pro∣vidence, but by vertue of a Promise.

SECT. 3. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in particular, as in Temporal evils.

IN particular that we may live by faith, observe we,—

• 1. The Promises.
• 2. The exercise of faith concerning the Promises.

And both these are considerable, either in regard of

• Our selves.
• Others.

1. In regard of our selves; and therein we shall consider matters

• ...Temporal.
• ...Spiritual.
• ...Eternal.

Things Temporal are either

• ...Evil.
• ...Good.

We shall begin first with Temporal Evils; and concerning them, first give you the Promises; and secondly, the exercise of faith in respect of those Promises.

1. The Promises that concern Temporal Evils, have reference to those evils, either in

• ...General.
• ...Special.

1. Evils general, are afflictions and dangers, concerning which we have Promises, some to

• Prevent,
• Qualifie,
• Remove those Afflictions.

1. The Promises to prevent Afflictions, you may read in the Word, and they are these and the like: Psal. 91.10. Psal. 121.7. Job 5.19. Zech. 2.5. where the Lord promiseth to be a wall of fire to his people; not of stone, or brass, saith Theodoret, that it may both fray afar off, and keep off too at hand; protect them, and destroy their enemies.

2. The Promises to qualifie evils, are these and the like: Psal.

103.13, 14. Isa. 49.13, 14, 15. Hos. 11.8, 9. In this last Promise, God imitates Parents (saith Theodoret) when any misery is upon their childe, their bowels yern more; never sits the childe so much on the Mothers lap, never lies so much in her bosom, as when he is sick: So the Spouse being sick of love (i.) in some misery, Christ stayeth her with flaggons, comforts her with apples, his left hand is under her head, and his right hand doth embrace her: Psal. 56.8. where we may read Gods compassion to his chil∣dren in their calamities, that he narrowly observes every one of them; Thou tellest my wandrings] yea, he makes so precious a reckoning of their griefs and sorrows, that not a tear falls to the ground, but he keeps it, preserves it (as precious liquor) in his bottle; Put my tears into thy bottle] yea, he keeps them in memory, he notes them and writes them his book, as if he would chronicle our tears for everlasting remembrance; Are they not in thy book?] 2 Chron. 4.17. Is there or can there be any richer or fuller expression in Tully, then there is in the Greek, where there is both an elegant Antithesis, and double Hyperbole, beyond Eng∣lishing, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; for affliction, glory; for light affliction, heavy, massie, substantial glory, a weight of glory; for momentany affliction, eternal glory: nay, the Apostle addes degrees of comparison, yea goes beyond all degrees, calling it more excellent, far more excellent, an Hyperbole, Hyperbole, ex∣ceeding excessive, eternal weight of glory.

3. The Promises to bear them, or in due time to remove them, are these and the like: Psal. 37.24. Jer. 29.11. Micah 7.8, 9. Psal. 97.11. as sure as harvest follows a seeding, so to the righte∣ous, comfort follows mourning, John 16.20. 1 Cor. 10.13.

2. Evils special, are Sickness, Poverty, Famine, War, Captivi∣ty, Witchcraft, Possession, Oppression.

1. For sickness, we have Promises, some to

• Prevent,
• Qualifie,
• Remove sickness.

1. The Promises to prevent, are these and the like: Exo. 15.26. Deut. 7.15. Psal. 91.10.

2. Promises to qualifie sickness, are these and the like: Ps. 41.3. Heb. 12.6, 7, 8.

3. Promises to remove sickness, are these and the like: Exo. 23.25. Deut. 7.15. Isa. 4.31.

2. For Poverty, we may store up these Promises, Psal. 23. throughout, Psal. 34.9, 10. Psal. 37.25. Heb. 13.15. The wicked indeed may have more abundance then the Christian, but here's the difference, the wicked hath all by a Providence, the Christian hath all by a Promise: and this distinction the poor Christian would not part with for a world of gold.

3. For Famine, we may store up these Promises, Job 5.19, 20. Psal. 33.18, 19. Prov. 10.2, 3. Psal. 37.18, 19. Isa. 41.17, 18. Some Martyrs being cast into Prison, and denyed necessary food, they had faith to return this answer, If men will give us no meat, we believe God will give us no stomack. When Christ was an hun∣gred, and Satan tempts him to command stones to be made bread, he answered, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God; q.d. a man may feed on a Promise, he must depend on Gods allowance, and when provision fails, then not to distrust the provision of God, is a notable tryal of faith.

4. For War, we may gather up these Promises and the like, Job 5.20. Prov. 3.24, 25, 26. Jer. 39.17, 18.

5. For Captivity, gather in these Promises and the like, Deut. 30.3, 4. which very Promise Nehemiah sueth out, Nehem. 1.9. Psal. 106.46. Ezek. 11.16.

6. For Witchcraft or Possession, consider that Promise, Numb. 23.23.

7. For Oppression, we have these Promises, Psa. 12.5. Psa. 68.5. Psa. 146.7, 8, 9.

2. For the exercise of faith, concerning these Promises, that we may live by them, go to

• ...Meditation.
• ...Prayer.

1. For Meditation, and the matter of it, consider these things, and let your faith chew on them.

1. That all affliction comes from God: Shall there be evil in a city, and the Lord hath not done it? I form the light, and I create darkness; I make peace, and I create evil: I the Lord do all these things. I know, O Lord, (saith David) that thy judgements are right, and that thou in thy faithfulness hast afflicted me.

2. That as God sends it, so none can deliver us out of it but God alone: O our God, wilt thou not judge them? We have no might

against this great company that cometh against us, neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon thee. This Meditation draws the heart from carnal repose, in means or friends; it expels vex∣atious and distracting cares, and estrangeth from the use of un∣lawful means of deliverance: The horse is prepared against the day of battel, but safety is of the Lord.

3. The causes of all miseries and sorrow, is sin, and therefore its time for us to examine our ways, to humble our selves, and to set upon Reformation: I thought on my ways (said David) and turned my feet unto thy testimonies: when Manasses was in af∣fliction, He besought the Lord his God, and humbled himself great∣ly before the God of his Fathers: Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have born chastisement, I will not offend any more: That which I see not teach thou me; If I have done iniquity, I will do no more: The end of chastisement, is amendment of life, whence it receives the name of Correction, which signifieth, to set aright or straight.

4. That now God tryeth our faith, patience, contentation, and meekness of Spirit, He hath said unto Crosses, Go ye to such a man, not to weaken his faith, or to waste any Grace of the Spirit, but to purge him, refine him, try him, exercise him, to breed the quiet fruits of Righteousness, to confirm his patience, sup∣port his hope, &c. — Hence Gods servants by their faith have been enabled to say, I will bear the indignation of the Lord, be∣cause I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and exe∣cute judgement for me: And if he say thus, I have no pleasure in thee: Behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good to him. This Meditation makes the heart willingly, freely and constant∣ly to resign it self to the good pleasure of God in all things.

5. That 'tis Gods will, after we have gone to the promise, to use all lawful means of help which God in his providence affords; but in point of dependance, that we solely rest on Gods promises: Faith coupleth the means and the end, but looketh to the Pro∣miser (whose truth, and wisdom, and power, and mercy, never fails) and not to the probability of the thing promised: Abra∣ham against hope, believed in hope, —That what God had promised, he was able to perform.

6. That the promises are in Christ, Yea and Amen, and there∣fore set it down and conclude, that God will do whatsoever he

hath promised, and we shall receive it in the ways of his pro∣vidence; it may be not yet, what then? He that believes will not make haste: Daniel waited Seventy years for deliverance out of captivity in Babylon, and may not we wait Seventy weeks, Seventy days?

2. For prayer, and the parts and maner of it, observe this method:

1. Lay open our sorrows before the Lord, pour out our com∣plaints into his bosom: I am the man that have seen affliction by the rod of thine anger, thou hast brought me into darkness but not into light: —Lord, how am I beset with miseries? how do my sor∣rows increase daily? how are they encreased that trouble me?

2. Confess our sins with hatred and godly sorrow: I will de∣clare my iniquity, I will be sorry for my sins: For want of this, God threatned the Israelites, I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offences, and seek my face, in their af∣fliction they will seek me early.

3. Importune the Lord, and direct we our supplications to our God: Lord, how long wilt thou look on? O rescue my soul from their destruction, my darling from the Lyons; look upon mine affliction and my tears, for I am brought very low.

4. Then press we the Lord with his promises: Lord, thou hast said, The rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the Righteous: Thou hast said, Yet a little while and the indignation shall cease: Thou hast said, In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindeness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer: O these are thy promises, Lord, make them effectual to my poor soul.

5. For conclusion, tell we the Lord, whatever becomes of us we will trust in him: Though thou shouldst slay me, yet will I trust in thee:—For what time I am afraid, I will will trust in thee.

These are the acts of faith by which it puts forth, and exerciseth it self in time of afflictions.

SECT. 4. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in tempo∣ral blessings.

COncerning temporal blessings, or good things, consider we

• 1. The promises.
• 2. The exercise of faith in those promises.

1. Promises that concern temporal blessings, have reference to those blessings, Either in

• General.
• Special.

1. The general promises are these, and the like, 1 Tim. 4.8. Psal. 34.8, 9. Psal. 84.11. Phil. 4, 19. 1 Cor. 3.21. all things are yours, we are heirs of all the world.

2. The special promises have a relation, some to our name, some to our bodies, some to our estates, some to our cal∣lings.

1. Those promises that have a relation to our good name, are such as these, 1 Sam. 2.30. Prov. 3.16. Prov. 4.8. Prov. 14.19. Isa. 56.3, 4, 5.

2. Those promises that have a relation to our bodies, are either for long life, concerning which, Deut. 5.16, 33. Prov. 3.1, 2. or for health, concerning which, Prov. 3.8. Psal, 103.3, 4, 5. or for safety, concerning which, Prov. 1.33. Job 11.18. Hosea 2.18. Job 5.23. or for peace, concerning which, Levit. 26.6. Psal. 29.11. Psal. 37.11. Prov. 16.16. or for sleep, concerning which, Job 11.19. Prov, 3.24. or for food, concerning which, Psal. 37.3. Psal. 111.5. Joel 2.26. or for raiment, concerning which, Deut. 10.18. Matth. 6.25, 30, 32. or for posterity, the fruit of the body, concerning which, Deut. 7.12, 13, 14.

3. Those promises that have relation to our estates, are these, Job 22.24, 25. Prov. 8.18, 19. Psal. 37.5.

4. Those promises that have a relation to our calling, are either for plenty, concerning which, Prov. 10.4. and 12.11. and 13.4. and 28.19.—or for protection, concerning which, Psal. 91.11.— or for promotion, concerning which, Prov. 12.24. and 22.29. — or for good success, concerning which, Prov. 12.14. Isa. 65.21, 23.

I deny not but the wicked may enjoy all these Temporal bles∣sings by a general Providence, but onely the just have a Spiritunl right to them; they onely have them as rewards of their righ∣teousness, as testimonies of Gods love and care over them, and by vertue of a Promise.

2. For the exercise of faith concerning these Promises, observe that we may live by them, either in the

• want
• enjoyment

of these Temporal mercies.

1. Of the want of them, go we to

• ...Meditation.
• ...Prayer.

1. For Meditation, and the matter of it, consider these things:

1. That faith in this case doth ransack, and fan the soul nar∣rowly to finde out and remove whatsoever doth offend: If thou return to the Almighty thou shalt be built up, thou shalt put ini∣quity far from thy tabernacles: then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks. This advice faith digests, and labors the reformation of what is amiss, and whatsoever hinders the Promise.

2. That faith is painful, provident and frugal; it shakes off idleness, takes the opportunity, husbands thriftily, and observes Gods providence in all affairs, otherwise we live not by faith, but tempt God, and throw away his Promises and all.

3. That faith preserves from the use of all unlawful means: The believer consults ever what is just, not what is gainful; or what may be compassed by honest courses, not what may be gained by fraud, deceit, cozenage, or the like carnal dealings: Better is a little with righteousness, then great revenues without right.

4. That faith leans upon the providence of God, who will keep back nothing from us, but what is hurtful and pernicious: Here's a sweet act of faith, it submits to Gods wisdom, and rests on his providence, after the use of all lawful means; and this maintains a Christian in some measure of contentment.

2. For Prayer, and the parts or maner of it, observe this method:

1. Confess our sins, especially those sins which upon search we are perswaded hinders prosperity: O Lord, I have thought on

my ways, and I finde (this or that) sin in my bosom, this or that corruption hath gotten head, and hinders thy blessings: O Lord, how should I expect needful things? What have I to do with thy Promises, that have committed such and such sins?

2. Importune the Lord for his Temporal blessings, at least so far as he seeth them to be for our good, and for the glory of his great name: Thus Bildad tells Job, If thou wouldst seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty, surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righ∣teousnes prosperous: Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly encrease. Thus Jabez prayed, O that thou wouldst bless me indeed, and inlarge my coasts, &c. and God granted him that which he requested. In like maner was Jacobs prayer, If God wil be with me, and wil keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my fathers house in peace, Then shall the Lord be my God: And thus may we importune the Lord, and make our supplica∣tion to the Almighty.

3. Then press the Lord with his Promises, as with so many Argu∣ments: Lord, thou hast said, Godliness hath the promise of the life that now is, as well as that which is to come: Thou hast said, Fear the Lord, ye his saints, for there is no want to them that fear him, &c. O these are thy Promises, make them good to us as it stands best with thy wisdom.

2. In the enjoyment of these Temporal blessings, go we to—

• ...Meditation.
• ...Prayer.

1. For Meditation, and the matter of it, consider these things:

1. Faith in prosperity, keeps the heart in a holy temper and disposition (i.) in humility, meekness, tenderness and compassion towards others, in thankfulness, obedience, and in the fear of the Lord: Satan himself could reply to the Lord, Doth Job fear God for nought? hast thou not made a hedge about him? in this case faith will remember man of his duty, and perswade him to be so much the more serviceable, as Gods mercies are more plentiful upon him.

2. That faith makes a man heavenly-minded in the use and possession of a prosperous estate; as it receives all earthly bles∣sings

from God, so it windes and pulls up the soul to God again: and if it be rightly considered, prosperity is the fittest season for heavenly contemplation; the less trouble lies upon our estate, the more liberty we have to think of heavenly things: howsoever, faith considers these things as pledges of Gods love, as parts of our childes-portion, and so it makes us look at the better part, those never-fading riches which God hath reserved in heaven for all that fear him.

3. That faith breeds a godly jealousie and suspition, lest the heart should be drawn away with the pleasing delights of things transitory, for by grace it is that we are made conscious of our own weakness, and of the snare that is in every creature, to take and intangle us: Prosperity is pleasing, but dangerous; a man may quickly surfet of sweet meats. This makes the waking be∣liever circumspect and watchful, and jealous, and suspitious of his own heart, lest he miscarry in prosperity, considering there is a snare in it.

4. That faith mindes a change, even when our mountain seems strongest: The thing I greatly feared (saith Job) is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of, is come unto me; by this it appears, that Job always thought upon a change: There is no wind (saith the Proverb) which may not blow rain, if God so please. Riches have their wings, and take their flight like an Eagle: now faith mindes this, and prepares for this; The prudent man foreseeth evil, and hideth himself.

2. For Prayer, and the maner of it, observe this method:

1. Confess and acknowledge Gods mercy both in his Promi∣ses and performances: say, Lord, thou hast promised, That no good thing wilt thou withhold from them that walk uprightly; and surely thou art true in thy sayings, I believe by vertue of thy promise I enjoy this land, and those goods, &c. I have nothing, Lord, but meerly of Free-grace, and by vertue of a promise.

2. Pray, importune the Lord for sanctification of prospe∣rity, and for Gods blessings upon the means: the more we pro∣sper, the more earnest should the prayers of faith be; for of our selves we have no power to wield a good estate well, no ability to preserve or keep it: in greatest wealth we lie open to many temptations, and if we pray not earnestly that God may san∣ctifie all his Temporal blessings to us, we shall cool in grace.

3. Praise God for his mercies, and devote our selves unto him from whom we have received all: What shall I render unto the Lord (saith David) for all his mercies towards me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. Men look for thanks, for a small kindeness, and shall not we magnifie God for all his favors and loving kindeness towards us? O praise the Lord, bless the Lord, O my soul!

SECT 5. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in Spiritual evils.

THings Spiritual are either

• ...Evil.
• ...Good.

We shall begin with Spiritual evils: and concerning them, first give you the promises, and secondly the exercise of faith in respect of those promises.

Evils Spiritual arise either from the Devil, or the Flesh, or the World, or from Man, or God, or from our own selves.

1. Those evils that arise from the Devil, are temptations of several sorts; and the man whose heart is upright, shall finde strength enough against every temptation: To that purpose consider these Promises, Matth. 16.18. 1 Cor. 10.13. 1 John 5.18.

2. Those evils that arise from the flesh, are lusts or temptations of Uncleanness; and for strength and ability against such a tem∣ptation, consider these Promises, Prov. 2.10, 11, 16. Eccles. 7.26. 1 Thess. 5, 23, 24.

3. Those evils that arise from the World, are covetousness, cares, evil company, &c. and for strength against such, consider these Promises, 2 Cor. 6.17, 18. Gal. 1.4. 1 John 5.4. Heb. 13.5. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, there are five Negatives toge∣ther in the Original that strongly affirm; q.d. I tell thee, I will never, never, never, never, never forsake thee.

4. Those evils that arise from men, are either oppositions against truth, concerning which, Mat. 10.19. Acts 18.9, 10. or op∣positions against goodness, concerning which, Mat. 5.10. 1 Pet. 3.14. — or oppositions against both, and so they fall either on our good name, concerning which, Psal. 37.6. where howsoever

thy innocency be at some times covered (as it were) with a thick and dark mist of slander and oppression, yet the Lord will in his good time scatter and dissolve the mist, and so make thy innocen∣cy apparent to the world; yea, he will make thy righteousness as evident as the Sun when it ariseth, yea, as noon day, when it is at highest, and shines brightest, Psal. 68.13. Mat. 5.11, 12. 1 Pet. 4.14, &c.—or they may fall on us in respect of our liberty, and concerning which, Psal. 69.32, 33, and 102.19, 20. Rev. 2.10.— or they may deprive us of our goods, concerning which, 2 Chro. 25.9. Mat. 19.29. Habak. 3.17, 18.—or they may take away life, concerning which, Matth. 10.39. John 12.25. Revel. 14.13.

5. Those evils which arise from God, are desertions; and for comforts against them, consider these promises, Isa. 49.14, 15, 16. and 54.7, 8. and 50.10.

6. Those evils that arise from our selves are sins and infirmities, and they are either spiritual blindeness, concerning which, Luke 4.18. 1 John 2.27. Isa. 35.4, 5.—or spiritual lameness, concern∣ing which, Isa. 35.6. and 40.31.—or heaviness of minde, con∣cerning which, Isa. 35.1, 2. Jer. 66.12, 13, 14.—or weakness of memory, concerning which, John 14.26. or fears of losing Gods love, concerning which, Isa. 49.15. and 54.10. Jer. 33.20. Psal. 89.33, 34, 35. Joh. 13.1. Rom. 11.29.—or fear of falling away from God, concerning which, see the impossibility in regard of God, 2 Tim. 2.19. in regard of Christ, Luke 22.32. in regard of the Holy Ghost, John 14.16. Ephe. 4.30. in regard of the pro∣mises, Psal. 94.14. 1 Cor. 1.8, 9.—or indisposition, distraction, defects in our best performances, concerning which, Numb. 23.21. Cant. 2.14.—or particular falls, daily frailties and infirmities, con∣cerning which, Isa. 55.7. Jer. 3.1. Psal. 37.24. and 145.14. Hosea 14.4. 1 John 1.9.

2. For the exercising of faith, concerning these promises that we may live by them, go we to

• ...Meditation.
• ...Prayer.

1. For Meditation, and the matter of it, consider we these things,

1. That of our selves we cannot resist these spiritual evils; all our comfort is, that neither the Devil, nor the world, nor the

flesh, nor sin, can oppose any further then God will give them leave; not the Devil himself can tempt who he will, nor when he will, nor how he will, nor how long he will, but in all these he is confined by the providence of God. A legion of Devils could not enter into a Gaderene Hog, till Christ had given them leave: Satan could not touch one bleat pertaining to Job, till he had obtained liberty; nor after lay a finger on his body, till his liberty was renewed: O meditate on God and his power, who hath all our enemies in a chain; as for our selves, we have no ability to resist any of these evils.

2. That faith fortifies the soul against all oppositions, the more they rage, the more faith heartens the soul to believe, and to keep close under the shadow of the Lords wings: as the childe affrighted, clings faster to the mother; so the poor soul pursued by the Devil, or World, or Flesh, or Man, or God, or our own Corruptions, it runs to Christ, the everlasting Rock, and in his name resists all these evils, and in his name gets the victory.

3. That in the most forcible tempests, which God, Devil or Man raiseth against us (when to present sense and feeling all sight and hope of the grace and goodness in Christ Jesus is lost) then faith tells the heart, that a calm is at hand. The last temptation wherewith Satan set upon Christ, was the most furious, and when he could not prevail thereby, he departed for a season: The Lord will not suffer us to be tempted above measure. This faith assures of, and perswades us quietly to wait for the issue.

2. For prayer, and the maner of it, observe this method:

1. Confess our sins of former ignorance, vanity of minde, self-confidence, solitary musings on the temptations of Satan, mis∣interpreting of the Lords doings, &c. which set open the soul to all other spiritual evils:—O my God, I have disesteemed thy mercy, distrusted thy promises, harbored thoughts of unbelief, &c. and so hav•• exposed my soul to the most violent, horrible and fiery temptations of the world, flesh, Devil, and my own lusts: my soul, which should have been ravished with the joys of Heaven, and with the kisses of Christ, is continually pestered and assailed with the black and hellish thoughts of Atheism, Blasphemy, and soul-vexing fears; my heart trembleth, my strength faileth, my life is spent with grief, my spirit within me is overwhelmed, and prevail∣ing fears so tyrannize over me, that I cannot speak, I am sore

wounded and broken, I go mourning and desolate all the day long.

2. Importune the Lord for pardon of sin, and for help against all oppositions: Pardon, O Lord, my yielding to the temptations of the Devil, or Flesh, or World, or Man, or Sin: Pardon, O Lord, the infidelity, doubtings, dejectedness, infirmities, and carnal excessive fears of thy poor servant; and for the future, deliver my soul from the snares, strengthen me in the combate against all my enemies: Arise, O Lord, disappoint Satan, cast him down, deli∣ver my soul from the wicked one; O be thou my strength in my trouble, for I fly unto thee for help and for succor.

3. Then press the Lord with his Promises, as with so many ar∣guments: Lord, thou hast said, That the gates of hell shall not prevail against us: That whoso pleaseth God, shall escape the strange woman: That whosoever is born of God overcometh the world: That if we suffer for righteousness sake, happy are we: That in a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment, but with everlasting kindeness will I have mercy upon thee: That a good man though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. O these are thy golden sweet precious Promises; now Lord make them good to my soul, let me draw the sweet, and juy••••, and vertue from every of these Pro∣mises; let not a word of these Promises fall to the ground, let me have my share, and part, and portion in these comfortable Promises, through the Lord Jesus.

§. An Appendix of the maner of this Life of Faith, in oppositions against truth and goodness, and more par∣ticularly against our good Name, whereby an un∣worthy servant of Christ sometimes found abundance of Spiritual comfort.

HIs innocency being sometimes overshadowed with a thick and dark mist of Slanders, Reproaches and Defamations, he endeavored first to review the Promises, and secondly to act his faith on them.

1. The Promises were these: Psal. 37.5, 6. Mat. 5.10, 11, 12. 1 Pet. 3.14. 1 Pet. 4.14. Psal. 68.13. Though you have lyen among

the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold; q.d. though hitherto you have been as so many abjects, cast into the ends of the earth, as thrown amongst black and smoaky pots, oppressed with mighty calami∣ties, yet the time is at hand that ye shall be made white as doves; your innocency and happiness shall appear, and your white shall be intermixt with the colour of pure and yellow gold; (i.) you shall come to the top of the highest felicity, and ye shall be freed from slanders, and obtain illustrious glory.

2. In the acting of his faith, he endeavored 1. To Meditate: 2. To pray.

1. His Meditations were these:—

1. That we know not how to prevent it. Men may slander, and men will slander, so long as the world lasts; onely we have these Promises for comforts, and it is the Lord who promiseth, and if he please, he can hide us from the scourge of tongues; or if he please, he is able to restore us double to our shame.

2. That true faith will fortifie the soul against all Reproaches: There is an encouraging voyce of the Lord to this end; Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness; the people in whose heart is my law: fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.

3. That if the wicked reproach more and more, yet it is the duty of Christians to exercise patience. Experience of their va∣nities, and Gods gracious dealings with us, will fortifie our hearts: Fear not thou worm (thou poor despicable thing) I will help thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer; and as for thy reproachers, their doom is before, Behold, all they that are incensed against thee, shall be ashamed and confounded; they shall be as nothing, and they that strive with thee shall perish.

4. That faith makes the soul circumspect, and in this case doth ransack and fan the soul narrowly, to finde out what is the mat∣ter and rise of those slanders & reproaches: If ye suffer for righte∣ousness sake, happy are ye; it must be for righteousness sake, or there is no blessing upon it: and so the Apostle addes, You must have a good conscience, that whereas they speak evil of you as of evil doers, they may be ashamed that falsly accuse your good conversation in Christ: for it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well-doing, then for evil-doing. We are ordinarily more impa∣tient

at undeserved, then deserved sufferings; but it is better (saith the Apostle) so to suffer, then otherwise. Let none of you suffer as a murtherer, a thief, an evil door, but if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorifie God on this behalf.

5. That true faith esteems all such slanders as the most honorable badges of innocency that possibly can be. If mine adversary should write a b••ok against me, surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and binde it as a crown to me. I rejoyce (said Luther) that Satan so rages and blasphemes, it is likely that I do him and his Kingdom the more mischief. And they that reproach me (said Austin) do against their wills increase mine honor both with God and good men. The more the dirty feet of men tread and rub on the figure graven in gold, the more lustre they give it: so the more causless aspersions the wicked cast on the godly, the more bright do they rub their glory. And hence was that choyce of Moses, rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season: esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches then the treasures of Egypt.

2. For Prayer, his method was,—

1. To complain to the Lord, as sometimes David did, Thou, O Lord, hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonor: mine adversaries are all before thee. Reproach hath broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none, and for comforters, but I found none.

2. To petition to the Lord, as otherwhiles David did, Let me not be ashamed, O Lord, for I have called upon thee: let the wic∣ked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave: let the lying lips be put to silence, which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous. O how great is thy goodness, which thou hast layed up for them that trust in thee before the sons of men? Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of men, thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Thus Lord I beg at thy hands, or if other∣wise, thou knowest it best in thy wisdom: Let them alone, and let them curse, it may be the Lord will look on my affliction, and thou Lord wilt requite good for their cursing this day.

3. To press the Lord with his gracious Promises: as thus, Thou hast said, Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute

you, and shall say all maner of evil against you falsly for my names sake: And if ye suffer for Righteousness sake, happy are ye: And if ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye: These are thy golden promises, now Lord make them good to my soul, let me draw the juyce, and sweet, and vertue from every of these promises; let not a word of these promises fall to the ground, but let me have my part, and share, and portion in them.

4. To pray to the Lord to forgive all his Enemies that tres∣passed against him, as sometimes Christ did, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do: Surely in these two things there is much matter of comfort: 1. That our hearts are well, and not ill-affected to any man. 2. That going alone we can humble our selves, and pray for the authors of all the reproaches and slanders that are unjustly cast on us.

SECT. 6. Of the maner of this life of faith in spiritual blessings, as derived to us from God and Christ, and the Spirit of Christ.

COncerning spiritual blessings, or good things, consider we

• 1. The promises.
• 2. The exercise of faith in respect of those promises.

1. The Promises are of such blessings as arise either from

• God.
• Christ.
• The Spirit of Christ.

1. From God proceeds his

• Love of us.
• Presence with us.
• Providence over us.

1. Concerning his love of us, we have these promises, Deut. 7.7, 8, 13. Isa. 54.8. Jer. 31.3. Hosea 2.19. and 14.4. John 3.16. Ephe. 2.4. 1 John 4.19.

2. Concerning his presence with us, we have these promises, Gen. 26.24. and 28.15. Exod. 3.12. Joshua 1.5. Jer. 1.8. 1 Chron. 28.20. Isaiah 41.10. Math. 28.20. Rev. 2.1.

3. Concerning his providence over us, we have these pro∣mises, Psal. 34.7. and 91.11, 12. Job 36.7. Zech. 2.8. whence (He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye) observe, That the Lord to express the tenderness of his love, names the tenderest part of the body, nay the tenderest piece of the ten∣derest part, The Christal humor, as the Philosophers call it.

2. From Christ we have promises

• 1. Of the person of Christ.
• 2. Of the benefits that flow from Christ.

1. Of the person of Christ, in Genesis 3.15. where was the first promise, and the foundation of all other promises, because God intended to make good every promise in Christ.

2. Of the benefits that flow from Christ, whether

• ...Redemption.
• ...Vocation.
• ...Justification.
• ...Reconciliation.
• ...Adoption.

1. Concerning Redemption, we have these promises, Tit. 2.14. Ephe. 1.7. Gal. 3.13. Heb. 9.12.

2. Concerning Vocation, we have these promises, Acts 2.39. Rom. 8.30.

3. Concerning Justification, we have these promises, Isaiah 53.11. Acts 13.39. Rom. 8.33.

Now this Justification consists of two parts, in

• 1. Not impu∣ting sin.
• 2. Imputing righteousness.

1. For not imputing (or forgiving) sin, we have these pro∣mises, Psal. 32.2. Jer. 31.34. Isaiah 55.7. Jer. 33.8. hither tend all those Metaphors, Isa. 43.25. and 44.22. and 38.17. Micah 7.19.

2. For imputing Righteousness, we have these promises, Rom. 5.19. 1 Cor. 1.30. Rom. 10.4. Isaiah 61.10. Gal. 3.6. this phrase is used ten times in one Chapter, Rom. 4.3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 23, 24.

4. Concerning Reconciliation, we have these promises, 2 Cor. 5.18, 19. Ephe. 2.14, 16. Col. 1.21, 22.

5. Concerning Adoption, we have these promises, Gal. 3.26. John 1.12. Rom. 9.26. Gal. 4.4, 5, 7.

3. From the Spirit of Christ, we have promises,—

• 1. Of the Spirit himself.
• 2. Of the operation of the Spirit.

1. Of the Spirit himself, in Joel 2.28, 29. Acts 2.17, 18. John 14.16, 17. Ephe. 1.13. Gal. 3.14.

2. Of the operation of the Spirit, and that

• 1. In general, as Sanctification.
• 2. In special, as
  • ...Spiritual Graces.
  • ...Spiritual duties.

1. Concerning Sanctification, we have these promises, Micah 7.19. Jer. 31.33, 34. Heb. 8.10. and 10.16. 1 Thess. 5.23. 1 John 1.7. Revel. 1.5.—

Concerning Graces and Duties, we shall handle them anon.

2. For the exercise of faith concerning the promises, that we may live by them, go we to

• ...Meditation.
• ...Prayer.

1. For Meditation, and the matter of it, consider these things:

1. That faith (considering the priviledges of Gods children) admires and adores, O how great is thy goodness which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee, which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee, before the sons of men?—How excellent is thy loving kindeness, O Lord; therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

2. That faith (in consideration hereof) rests upon God, and Christ, and the Spirit of Christ, to receive whatsoever may be good and profitable to the Soul: The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want:—He shall lead his flock like a shepherd, he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gent∣ly lead those that are with yong. What can they want, who have God for their Father, Christ for their Savior, the Spirit for their Sanctifier? Thou Israel art my servant, Jacob whom I have cho∣sen, the seed of Abraham my friend: Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men therof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant, I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away: Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dis∣maid, for I am thy God, I will strenghthen thee, yea I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my Righte∣ousness.

3. That faith hereupon sets an high price upon Christ, upon God in Christ, upon the Spirit of Christ: These promises are more worth then Kingdoms, Empires, the whole world, which made holy David say, In the multitudes of my thoughts within me, thy comforts delight my soul; q. d. I have multitudes of thoughts, some running this way, some running that way, some on this pleasure, some on that profit, but my soul is onely com∣forted in the thoughts of thee: Pleasures, profits, honors, all are vain and empty, and nothing is to be rested on, to be de∣lighted in, but Jesus Christ; yea, there's a full content in Jesus Christ; let the world be filled with trouble and sorrow, even now faith carries a merry heart.

4. Faith in these promises doth greatly inlarge the heart to∣wards God, and stirreth up to earnest study of holiness; if a Christian be much in the Meditation of Gods singular goodness in Christ, it will even constrain him to yield up himself wholly to God, in all manner of godly conversation: Examine, O Lord, and prove me, try my reins and my heart, for thy loving kindeness is before mine eyes, and I have walked in thy truth.

5. Faith ever runs to these promises in all straits, and here it findes comforts: Nature teacheth man and beast in troubles and storms to make to a shelter; the childe runs to the arms of the mother, the birds to their nests, the conies to the rock, so must the soul have a sanctuary, an hiding place, when danger and trouble comes; now where can it take up a surer and safer re∣fuge, then with God and Christ, and the Spirit of Christ? indeed God it dares not look at, but in Christ; and the Spirit proceeds not but from Christ, to Christ therefore it runs immediately; it is Christ, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: Come (saith faith) let us out to Christ, and if he receive us not presently, let us stay a little; he is full of bowels and tenderness towards poor sinners, h•• keeps open house for all comers, he invites all, entertains all, old sinners, yong sinners, great sinners, less sinners, his promise is sure to: him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out: Thus faith takes the Believer off from self, civil life, estate, friends, and hangs the soul alone upon that true friend, the Lord Jesus Christ, who hath manifested the greatness of his love to poor sinners, by dying for them, and sending his Spirit to sanctifie and comfort them.

2. For Prayer, and the maner of it, observe this method:

1. Confess and acknowledge Gods mercies both in his pro∣mises and performances: Say, Lord, thou hast said, I will love thee freely:—And I will be with thee, even to the end of the world:—He that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye:— And all is yours, and ye are Christs, and Christ is Gods:—And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever, &c. Surely Lord thou art true in thy sayings; I believe by vertue of this and that promise, I have the love, and promise, and providence of God, I am redeemed, called, justified, reconciled, adopted by Christ; I have the Spirit of Christ, I am sanctified in some measure by that Spirit, I have all this of free grace, and by vertue of a promise.

2. Pray for this increase of faith, and for a further and further sight of this belief: Give me, gracious Father, to believe as thou hast promised; create in me the hand of faith, and make it stronger and stronger, that I may effectually receive, what in mercy thou reach∣est forth; and then give me the Spirit of Revelation, that I may discern truly what thou hast given me, that my lips may sing of thy praise all the day long.

3. Praise God for his mercies, and quietly rest in the promises: O Lord, thou hast freely loved, and redeemed, and sanctified my soul; O how should I praise thee, how should I advance and set thee up on high? Salvation, and Glory, and Honor, and Praise be given to thy name, &c. I praise thee for my Election, Vocation, Justification, Sanctification, &c. but above all, for the fountain of all, the Lord Jesus Christ; It is my Christ justifies, and my Christ sanctifies: Lord, thou hast given Christ for my Wisdom and Sanctification, as well as for Righteousness and Redemption: Lord, thou hast appointed Christ to be the beginner and finisher of my holiness, and surely he will not leave that work imperfect, whereunto he is ordained of the Father; were the progress of this building committed to my care and oversight, there might be cause of fear, but since thou hast laid all upon Christ, my one∣ly and all-sufficient Redeemer; Lord increase my faith, that I may hold him fast and be safe, and so at last I may sing Hallelu∣jahs to thee in Heaven for ever and ever.

SECT. 7. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in Spiritual Graces.

THe operation of the Spirit in general, we told you was Sanctification; now the operation of the Spirit in special, appears. in

• Spiritual Graces.
• Spiritual Duties.

1. Spiritual Graces we shall consider in their

• Kindes.
• Degrees.

And of them both give

• 1. The Promises.
• 2. The exercise of Faith in respect of those Promises.

1. The kindes of Graces are these, Knowledge, and Faith, and Hope, and Joy, and Love, and Fear, and Obedience, and Repentance, and Humility, and Meekness, and Patience, and Righteousness, and Uprightness, and Peace of Conscience, and Zeal, and Perseverance; sixteen Graces in number: concerning which the Lord hath made gracious Promises.

• 1. Of them, to give them.
• 2. To them, to reward them.

The first Grace is Knowledge, and we finde some promises, 1. Of it, Psal. 25.14. Jer. 31.34. Isa. 2.2, 3. Micah 4.1, 2. Ephes. 3.5. Rev. 21.23. 2. To it, as Prov. 3.14. Psal. 91.14. 2 Pet. 1.2. Prov. 3.18.

The second Grace is Faith, and we finde some promises, 1. Of it, as Ephes. 2.8. Joh: 6.37. observe here these promises of assurance, the highest measure of faith, Psal. 50.23. Ezek. 34.30. Isa 60.16. Psal. 97.11. 2. To it, as 2 Chron. 10.20. Prov. 29.25. Isa. 26.3. Acts 10.43. Rom. 18.4. Acts 13.39. John 1.12. and 7.38. and 3.16, 36. and 5.24. and 6.47.

The third Grace is Hope, and we finde some promises, 1. Of it, as Psal. 65.5. Prov. 14.32. Job 13.15. 2. To it, as Psal. 40.4. Rom. 4.18, 22. Rom. 8.24.

The fourth Grace is Joy, and we finde some promises, 1. Of it, Psal. 36.8, 9. and 64.10. and 68.3. and 97.11. and 118.15. Isa. 12.2, 3. Isa. 35. throughout, Isa. 56.7. and 66.13, 14. John 16.22. Rom. 14.17. 2. To it, Psal. 89.15, 16.

The fifth Grace is Love, especially of God, and we may finde some promises, 1. Of it, as Cant. 1.4. Deut. 30.6. 2. To it, as Psal. 91.14. and 145.20. Prov. 8.21. Deut. 7.9. 1 Cor. 8.3. and 2.9, 10. James 1.12. and 2.5.

The sixth Grace is Fear, and we finde some promises, 1. Of it, as Jer. 32.39, 40. Hosea 3.5. 2. To it, as Psal. 103.11. and 31.19. and 147.11. Mal. 3.16, 17.

The seventh Grace is Obedience, and we finde some promises, 1. Of it, as Ezek. 11.19, 20. and 36.26, 27. 2. To it, as Deut. 28.1, 2. to 14.

The eighth Grace is Repentance, and we finde some promises, 1. Of it, as Acts 5.30, 31. Exek. 11.19. and 20.43. and 36.31. 2. To it, as Mal. 3.7. Isaiah 55.7. 2 Chron. 7.14. Isaiah 1.16, 17, 18. Job 3.27, 28. Jer. 4.14.

The ninth Grace is Humility, and we finde some promises, 1. Of it, as 2 Cor. 10.4, 5. Gal. 5.22. 2. To it, as Prov. 15.33. and 22.4. James 4.6. 1 Peter 5.5. Isaiah 57.15. Matthew 5.3.

The tenth Grace is Meekness, and we finde some promises, 1. Of it, as Isa. 11.6, 7, 8. Gal. 5.22, 23. 2. To it, as Psal. 37.11. and 147.6. Isa. 29.19. Psal. 25.9. Zeph. 2.3. Matth. 5.5. and 11.29. Psal. 149.4.

The eleventh Grace is Patience, and we finde some pro∣mises, 1. Of it, as James 1.5. 2. To it, as Hebrews 10.36. James 5.11.

The twelfth Grace is Righteousness, and we finde some pro∣mises, 1. Of it, as Rev. 19.7, 8. 2. To it, as Psal. 11.7. Isa. 32.17, 18. Prov. 14.32. Psal. 112.2, 6. Mat. 25.46.

The thirteenth Grace is Ʋprightness, or Sincerity of heart, and we finde some promises, 1. Of it, as Jer. 31.33. Jer. 50.5. 2. To it, as Psal. 84.11. Prov. 14.11. Psal. 112.2. 2 Chron. 16.9. Psal. 112.4. and 84.11. Gen. 17.1, 2. 1 Chron. 29.17. Prov. 12.22. Psal. 37.37. Prov. 28.18. Psal. 15.1, 2.

The fourteenth Grace is Peace of Conscience, and we finde some promises, 1. Of it, as John 14.27. Gal. 6.16. Isa. 57.19. Isa. 54.10. 2. To it, as Phil. 4.7.

The fifteenth Grace is Zeal, and we finde some promises, 1. Of it, as Jeremiah 20.9. 2 Cor. 7.11. 2. To it, as Numbers 25.12, 13. Revel. 3.19, 20.

The sixteenth Grace is Perseverance; and we finde some pro∣mises, 1. Of it, as Psal. 89.28. Prov. 12.3. Isaiah 46.4. 2. To it, as Mat. 10.22. Revel. 2.26.

2. The degrees of Graces follow; and we finde some promises 1. Thereof, as Isaiah 44.3, 4. Mal. 4.2. Psal. 84.7. Prov. 4.18. 2. Thereto, as Rom. 13.11. 2 Pet. 1.8.

2. For the exercise of faith concerning these promises, that we may live by them, go we to

• ...Meditation
• ...Prayer.

1. For Meditation, and the matter of it, consider these things:

1. That of our selves we have no ability to attain any of these Graces: Every one can say, I purpose well, but the question is, whether they build not on their own strength: Many a man (especially in time of his sickness, danger, disgrace) will make fair promises of amendment, but when the rod is removed, all is forgotten: What may be the reason? he stands on his own feet, he presumes to go alone of himself, and by his own strength, and then no marvel if he falls and catcheth many a knock: If we will have any of these Graces, then deny we our selves: I will keep thy statutes (said David) but immediately upon his resolution he cries, O forsake me not utterly: Purposes thus grounded, bring forth holy performances, but of our selves we can expect no∣thing.

2. That Gods Spirit will infuse these Graces, and the increase of these Graces into them that believe: Many would fain have Knowledge, and Faith, and Hope, and Joy, &c. but they exercise not their Faith to believe God and his promises: I knew a man in Christ (could Paul say) concerning his Revelation; so, I know a man in Christ off and on, unstayed, dismayed at his manifold slips, strong corruptions, little prevailings against them, and (when all came to all) he could finde no help till he went to a promise, and by faith believed that God would ayd and assist, and do the whole work for him; it is good to believe that (ac∣cording to his promise) God will sanctifie our natures, inable us to holiness, and bestow all his graces on us.

3. That for the degrees of these Graces, it is necessary to im∣prove them; graces improved, are the ready way to have them in∣creased:

God ever bestows the greatest measure, where he findes a care to put them forth to advantage: Whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance; as men increase their substance by labor, and learning by diligence, so he that im∣proves graces, shall more and more abound in them.

2. For Prayer, and the parts of it, observe this method:

1. Confess and acknowledge our inabilities: O Lord, I have no grace by nature, I have no power to cleanse my own heart: O Lord, I have defaced thine image, but I cannot repair it; I may say with the Apostle, When I would do well, evil is present with me, but I finde no means to perfect what I desire: I am not able to crawl about the doing of that which is good: O when shall I be set at liberty, that I might do the work of God, and run the race of his Commandments: O that I had Knowledge, and Faith, and Hope, and Joy, and Love!

2. Look we up to the Power, and Grace, and Truth of God, and press him therewith: Lord, I have heard of thy power, thou art God Almighty, who callest the things that are not, as if they were; thou canst if thou wilt, work in me these Graces, and create them in me, as thou didst gloriously create them in Adam, the first man: Lord, I have heard also of thy grace and truth, thou art as faithful to keep, as free to make these sweet precious promises; Thy grace is unsearchable, thy word purer then silver seven times refined: O then make good thy promises, I press thee with thy Power, Grace and Truth: O replenish me with thy Graces, give me Knowledge, and Faith, and Hope, &c.

3. Look we on the promises, and pray by them, or turn them into prayers: Faith hearkeneth what the Lord speaketh, and speaketh back again in fervent groans and desires to whatsoever it hearkeneth: Hence we can make no prayer in boldness, faith or comfort, but for things promised, and in that maner as they are promised. Thus Jacob (Gen. 32.9.) and David (2 Sam. 7.27, 28, 29.) prayed by a promise; and thus should we pray by a pro∣mise, and then we may be sure we pray according to his will. In want of other Rhetorick and Oratory, let us urge God with this repetition: Lord, thou hast promised, Lord, thou hast promised, thou hast made many sweet precious promises of Graces, and of de∣grees of Graces: Thou hast said, The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and, All that the Father giveth me, shall

come unto me; and, The Righteous hath hope in his death; and, The Righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and, They shall go from strength every one of them in Zion, ap∣pearing before God: O make these promises effectual to me, blow on my garden, that the spices (these graces) may flow out.

SECT. 8. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in Spi∣ritual Duties.

AS Spiritual Graces, so Spiritual Duties, are of the opera∣tion of Gods Spirit: Now the duties are Twenty, con∣cerning which we shall give

• 1. The Promises.
• 2. The exercises of faith in re∣spect of the Promises.

The first duty is Prayer, to which are affixed these promises, Psal. 5.3. and 10.17. and 65.2. Prov. 15.29. Psal. 50.15. and 12.17, 18, 19, 20. Zech. 13.8, 9. Rom. 18.13. James. 5.15.

The second duty is Praises, to which are affixed these pro∣mises, 1 Sam. 2.30. Psal. 50.23. and 67.5, 6.

The third duty is Preaching, to which Matth. 28.20. John 5.25.

The fourth duty is Reading the Word, to which Psal. 19.8. Prov. 1.4.

The fifth duty is Loving the Word, to which Psal. 119.165. and 112.1.

The sixth duty is Waiting on the Word, to which Proverbs 8.34, 35.

The seventh duty, Hearkening to the Word, to which Isaiah 55.2, 3. Acts 5.20.—20.32.—13.26.

The eighth duty is Sacraments of

• Baptism, to which Acts 2.38. and 22.16. 1 Peter 3.21.
• Lords Supper, to which Isa. 25.6. Proverbs 9.5, 6. Mat. 26.26..

The ninth duty is, A lawful Oath, to which Jer. 12.16. Psal. 15.4.

The tenth duty is Fasting, to which James 4.9, 10. Matth. 6.18.

The eleventh duty is Meditation, to which Psal. 1.2. Prov. 14.22. Phil. 4.8, 9.

The twelveth duty is Self-examination, to which 1 Cor. 11.31. Gal. 6.4.

The thirteenth duty is Sanctification of the Lords Day, to which Isaiah 58.13, 14. and 56. 2. Jer. 17.26.

The fourteenth duty is Watchfulness, to which Mat. 24.46, 47. Luke 12.37, 38, 43. Rev. 16.15.

The fifteenth duty is Conference, to which Prov. 12.14. and 16.13. Mal. 3.16. Luke 24.32.

The sixteenth duty is Reproof, to which Proverbs 24.25. and 28.23.

The seventeenth duty is Almsgiving, to which Psal. 41.1, 2, 3. Luke 14.13, 14.

The eigthteenth duty is Seeking of God, to which Psal. 34.10. Ezra 8.22.

The nineteenth duty is Waiting on God, to which Isa. 40.31. and 64.4. and 49.23.

The twentieth duty is Delighting in God, to which Psalm 37.4.

2. For the exercise of faith concerning these promises, that we may live by them, go we to

• ...Meditation.
• ...Prayer.

1. For Meditation, and the matter of it, consider these things:

1. That God deals graciously with his people, he might out of his absolute soveraignty over us, command onely, and we were bound then to obey in every of these Duties; but he is pleased (the better to quicken us to obedience) to annex these gracious promises.

2. That as he is gracious to us, so we should be chearful in our Duties to him: This chearfulness of service, is the very fruit of faith; By faith Abel brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof, an offering to the Lord; By faith David went with the multitude unto the house of God, with the voyce of joy and of

praise: It is the voyce of faith, I will sing and give praise with the best member I have.

3. That to make us chearful, we should rowze our selves to awaken to the work of our God: Arise, O my soul, why sleep∣est thou! stir up thy self with readiness to obey the charge of God in the duties prescribed; look on the Saints who have gone before thee, they indured imprisonment, loss of liberty, spoiling of their goods, hazard of life: Thou art not yet called to suffer, but to obey, why dost thou delay, or goest forth unwilllngly? wouldest thou raign with them, and not labor with them? receive the prize, and not run the race? divide the spoil, and not fight the battel? look on the promise annexed to the duty: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek me in vain, saith God: O my soul, arise, contend for∣ward towards the mark, Heaven is worth all thy labor.

4. That to remove all remora's, the Lord hath promised to assist us in these duties by his own Spirit: Besides the promises to Duties, we have promises of duties, God deals with us (as we do by way of commerce one with another) propounding mercy by covenant and condition; yet his Covenant of Grace is always a gracious Covenant, for he not onely gives the good things, but helps us in performing the condition by his own Spirit; he works our hearts to believe and repent, &c. he gives what he requires: For instance, in one place he commands, Cast away from you all your transgressions, and make you a new heart, and a new spirit; and in another place he promiseth, I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your filthiness: A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: in one place he commands them, Circum∣cise the foreskin of your hearts; and in another place he promiseth, That he will circumcise their hearts: in one place he commands us, To keep his Commandments; in another place he promiseth to cause us, To walk in his statutes: in one place he commands us, To fear him, and in another place he promiseth, To put his fear into our hearts: in one place he commands us, To pray, to ask, seek, and knock; and in another place he promiseth, To pour upon us the Spirit of Grace and Supplication: These pro∣mises of duties are the foundation of all our performances, and those promises to duties are the rewards of his Free-Grace and good pleasure; we do not by working cause him to fulfil his pro∣mises,

but he by promising doth enable us to perform our works, and so he rewards us accordingly.

2. For prayer, and the parts of it, observe this method:

1. Acknowledge the goodness and Free-grace of God in these promises: O Lord, why shouldst thou allure me to that which I am every way bound to? If I had none of these promises, I have already in hand a world of mercies, which do infinitely binde me to duty; and wilt thou yet adde this and that promise, to this and that duty? O miracle of mercies! O the goodness of God!

2. Bewail our own dulness and sloath to the duty: And yet (O Lord) how dull, and remiss, and slightly am I in the practice of this or that duty? thou hast said, Cursed is the man that doth the work of the Lord negligently; and, Cursed be the deceiver, that hath in his flock a male, and voweth and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: O then what is my portion, who have sacrificed that which is torn and sick unto the great King and Lord of Hosts, whose name is dreadful among the Heathen? no marvel if I feel no power, no sweet in the Ordinances of Grace, whilest I deal par∣tially, hear perfunctorily, pray coldly, labor not to feed on the pro∣mise, and to suck vigor out of it: O Lord, thou lovest a chearful giver, but my services are maimed, and corrupt, and dead, and superficial, and very unchearful.

3. Importune the Lord to revive and quicken our dead hearts to the duty; so prays David, Teach me to do thy will, thy Spirit is good, lead me in the Land of uprightness; so prays the Church, Draw me, and we will run after thee; and so let us pray, Give me a chearful heart in thy service, animate and enliven my heart by thy blessed Spirit, give me to do what thou requirest, incline my heart to thy statutes, and not to covetousness.

4. Implore the assistance of Gods Spirit to every good duty, beg acceptance of our persons and performances in the Lord Je∣sus Christ, press him with his promises to set on duties, and to re∣ward duties; and what ever duty we do, press him with that especially promise belonging unto it: Thus if we meditate and pray, and pray and meditate, we may live by faith, in reference to Spiritual duties.

SECT. 9. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in things Eternal.

THings Eternal are either

• Evil, as Damnation.
• Good, as Salvation.

Concerning both we shall first give you the promises, and secondly the exercise of faith in respect of these promises.

1. Concerning Damnation, or eternal confusion, we have these promises against it, Isaiah 45.17. Rom. 8.1.

2. Concerning Salvation, we have these promises for it, Rom. 6.23. 1 Thess. 4.17. God hath promised us a Kingdom, Mat. 25.34. An heavenly Kingdom, Matth. 7.21. And eternal Kingdom, 2 Pet. 1.11. A Crown of life, James 1.12. A Crown of Righte∣ousness, 2 Tim. 4.8. An unaccessible Crown of glory, 1 Peter 5.4.

2. For the exercise of faith concerning these promises, that we may live by them, go we to

• ...Meditation.
• ...Prayer.

1. For Meditation, and the matter of it, consider these things:

1. That faith in the precious promises of eternal life, quiets and chears the heart in the midst of discouragements: This we see in the lives and deaths of Gods faithful servants, who took joyfully the spoiling of their goods, knowing in themselves, that they had in Heaven a better and an induring substance.

2. That faith strives to enter into the possession of this Kingdom by degrees: Men that purchase an inheritance to come in here∣after, they are glad if any part fall into their hands for the pre∣sent: Fulness of glory is reserved for the life to come, but the beginnings of glory (as peace of Conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, Sanctification of the Spirit) are vouchsafed here; grace if the beginning of glory, and glory is the perfection of grace; now as grace grows, so we enter upon the possession of our in∣heritance: Hence lively grace covets grace more and more, that we may get Heaven by degrees, and by parcels.

3. Faith earnestly desires and longs after the full accomplish∣ment of glory: Our selves also which have the first-fruits of the spirit, even we our selves groan within our selves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the Redemption of the body: I am in a full strait (said Paul) betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better: Salvation is the end of faith, Heaven is the home of Believers: Now all would be at home, all things desire perfection in their kinde, this makes the Believer to long after glory.

2. For prayer, and the parts of it, observe this method:

1. Confess we our former carelesness to enter upon this in∣heritance: O Lord, I have slighted thy promises, I have neglected the motions of thy Holy Spirit, I have not carefully improved the gifts received, I have not labored more and more to be sealed with the promised Spirit: Ah Lord, what a dwarf am I in Holiness and Sanctification? by reason of my sloath, the powers of grace are so enfeebled, that I can scarce breath or sigh, or crawl in the way to Heaven: O that I have not so earnestly sought (as I might) to make Heaven sure to my self, that I have not entered possession thereof, so far as in this life I have given me of Grace.

2. Pray that the Lord would encrease our Faith, seal us by his Spirit, lead us in the way of peace, cause us to grow up in ho∣liness, make us wise to prize and value, to taste and relish the ve∣ry joys of heaven; and above all, that he would assure our con∣sciences of our right and title thereto: O it is God that seal∣eth, and makes us to read the sealing; it is God that pro∣miseth Heaven, and affects the heart with the goodness and worth of the thing promised; it is God that (by the pledges of his favor, and earnests of his Spirit) doth testifie our adopti∣on, and causeth us certainly to apprehend what he doth testifie: pray then, Who am I Lord, that thou shouldest make such ample, and free promises to thy poor servant? it is of thy free mercy, and according to thine own heart: And now, O God, establish I be∣seech thee, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant: O seal unto me the promised inheritance, and make me assuredly know what those hopes are, which thou hast reserved for me in Heaven: Of thy Free grace thou calledst me to this hope, there∣fore is thy servant bold to intreat the sense of thy love, the know∣ledge of this hope, the increase of Grace, the assurance of thy mercy.

3. Praise God for his Promises of eternal life: O Lord, thou hast looked on my base estate, and visited me with mercy from on high; of a stranger and forreigner, thou hast made me a free de∣nizen of the New Jerusalem: Now I see, I read it in thy pre∣cious Promises, that my name is registred in heaven; an eternal weight of glory is reserved for me; Heaven is my home, my hope, my inheritance: O where should my heart be, but where my trea∣sure is? where should my thoughts be, but where my hope is? now all glory, and honor, and praise be given to my God! O the incom∣prehensible love and favor of my dear Lord! What a mercy is this? What promises are these? my soul rejoyceth in thee my God, my spirit shall bless thy name for ever and ever.

SECT. 10. Of the maner of this Life of Faith in regard of others.

VVE have done with the Promises that concern our selves: Now follows such special Promises as we finde in Holy Writ concerning others, and they have reference To

• Our own Family.
• Godly Society further inlarged.
• The Church of Christ
  • Particular.
  • General.

1. The members of our Family are either

• ...Husband and Wife.
• ...Parent and Childe.
• ...Master and Servant.

1. For the Husband and Wife, if godly, they have a promise from the Lord, Psal. 128. Prov. 31.28. & 11.16. Job 5.25.

2. For Parent and Childe, God hath made a gracious Cove∣nant with them, Gen. 17.7, 9. Acts 2.39. Jer. 32.39. Prov. 20.7. Good Parents (though poor) leave their Children a good patri∣mony, for they have laid up many prayers for them in heaven, and they leave Gods favor for their possession, and his promises for a sure inheritance, Psal. 37.25, 26. Prov. 11.21. Psal. 112.2. & 25.13. & 37.29. Prov. 13.22. Isa. 44.3, 4. & 54.13. and Chil∣dren obeying their Parents, have these promises, Exod. 20.12. Eph. 6.2. Jer. 35.18, 19. Prov. 1.8, 9. & 6.20.

3. For Master and Servant, they have sweet promises, Pro. 3.33. Job 8.16. Prov. 14.11. especially the servant that is truly obe∣dient, Col. 3.23, 24. 1 Pet. 2.19. here consider

• Magistrates, Deut. 17.19, 20. Psal. 132.18.
• Ministers, Psal. 105.15. Rev. 2.1. Isa. 49.4.

2. Godly Society (out of our own Families) hath precious pro∣mises, as Prov. 13.20. Mal. 3.16, 17. Mat. 18.20.

3. The Church of Christ, whether particular (as publike As∣semblies) hath blessed promises, Isa. 33.20, 21. & 59.21. Mat. 18.20. 1 Cor. 5.4. Rev. 2.1. Psal. 26.8. & 133.3. Micah 4.4, 11, 12. or whether general and universal, it hath glorious promises, as Mat. 16.8. Isa. 27.3. Psal. 125.2. Zech. 9.16. here come in all the promises, First, of calling the Jews, as Isa. 59.20. Rom. 11.23, 26. Hos. 13.14. & 14.2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Secondly, of bringing in the Gentiles, as Isa. 49.22, 23. Rev. 21.24. John 10.16. Isa. 60.3, 5, 8. Acts 10.14. Eph. 2.12, 19. Thirdly, of the destruction of Antichrist, as 2 Thess. 2.8. Rev. 17.16. & 18.21. where each word hath almost a gradation, in that an Angel, a mighty An∣gel taketh a stone, and a great stone, even a milstone, which he letteth not barely fall, but casteth into the sea, whence nothing ordinarily is recovered, must less a milstone, thrust from such a hand, and with such force.

Now for the exercising of faith concerning these promises, that we may live by them, go we to

• ...Meditation.
• ...Prayer.

1. For Meditation, and the matter of it, consider these things:

1. That we have had the performance of many of these pro∣mises in hand; and this may perswade us, that the residue (espe∣cially of the Churches flourishing, and of Antichrists downfal) is as sure as that part already accomplished, which we see with our eyes; experience should strengthen faith, and breed an as∣sured hope in Gods people, of the Lords most glorious appear∣ing, and this hope shall not make us ashamed.

2. That the time is now for the Churches restoring, and for bringing in more Kingdoms from Antichrist to Christ; what else mean all the shakings in all the Kingdoms of the world at this time? therefore study we this time of God, and in our places

and callings, work with providence, now we have a season to help up the Church, Gods holy Mountain.

2. For Prayer, and the parts of it, observe this method:

1. Confess our former neglect in our several relations: O Lord, I have not done my duty in my own family, among Christi∣ans in the Churches of Christ, I have not performed my vows, served my generation, helped onward the building of Zion: And now Lord what shall I say, but confess to thy glory, and my own shame, my disrespect of others good, or of the communion of Saints.

2. Pray for a blessing on others, as on our own selves, forget not our relations to others in our best prayers; be importunate with God more especially for Zion, O look upon Zion, the city of our solemnities, let thine eyes see Jerusalem a quiet habitation, a tabernacle that shall not be taken down; let not one of the stakes thereof be removed, nor any of the cords be broken.

3. Press we the Lord with all his precious Promises, either to our Families, or Christian Societies, or to the Churches of Christ: We have a promise, that The Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon the assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night, for upon all the glory shall be a defence: Now Lord make good thy word, &c.

Conclude with, I believe, that whatsoever God hath said in any of these respects, he will fulfil it in his own time: Heaven and earth shall pass away, but not one jot, one tittle of Gods word shall fail. It may be for the present things seem contrary, yet God hath said it (should a soul say) and that's enough for me: If I can but really acknowledge, and believe, that God is able to do it, he will then speak from heaven, as he did once on earth, According to your faith be it unto you. Thus much of The Life of Faith.

Notes

• Col. 3.16.
• Psal. 37.5. 1 Pet. 5.7.
• Isa. 28.16.
• Psal. 133.2.
• Gen. 32.26.
• 28.
• Acts 6.31.
• 2 Cor. 11.29.
• Iam. 5.15. Heb. 9.17.
• Cant. 2.5, 6.
• Matth. 4.4.
• Amos 3.6.
• Isa 45.7. Psal. 119.75.
• •• Chr. 20.12.
• Psal. 119.59.
• 2 Chro. 33.12
• Iob 34.31, 32
• Micah 7.9.
• 2 Sam. 15.26.
• Rom. 4 18, 21
• Isa. 28.16.
• Lam 3.22.
• Psal. 3.1.
• Psal. 38.18.
• Hos. 5.15.
• Psal 35 17.
• Psal. 125.3.
• Isa. 10.25.
• Isa. 54.8.
• Iob 13.15. Psa 56.3.
• Iob 22.23, 24
• Prov 16.8.
• Iob 8.5, 6, 7.
• 1 Chro. 4.10.
• Gen. 28.20, 21.
• Iob 1.10.
• Iob 3.25.
• Prov. 23.5. Prov. 27.12.
• Psa. 116.12, 13.
• Psa. 103.1.
• Iob 5.21. Isa. 61.7.
• Isa. 51.7.
• Isa. 41.14.
• 11.
• 1 Pet. 3.14.
• 16.
• 17.
• 1 Pet. 4.15, 16
• Iob 31.35, 36
• Heb. 11.25, 26.
• Psal. 69.19.20.
• Psal. 31.17.18.19.
• 20.
• 2 Sam. 16.11, 12.
• Matth. 5.11.
• 1 Pet. 3.14. & 4.14.
• Matth. 6.12. Luke 23.34.
• Psal. 31.19.
• Psal. 36.7.
• Psal. 23 1. Isa. 40.11.
• Isa. 41.8.
• 9.
• 10.
• Psal. 94 19.
• Psal 26.2, 3.
• Prov. 30.26.
• 1 Cor. 1.30.
• Iohn 7.37.
• Iohn 15.13.
• Hosea 14.4.
• Mat. 28.20.
• 1 Cor. 3.22, 23. Iohn 14.16.
• Psal. 119 8.
• 2 Cor. 12.2.
• Mat. 13.12.
• Rom. 7.21.
• Gen. 32.9.
• 2 Sam 7.27, 28, 29.
• Psal. 25.14. Iohn 6.37.
• Prov. 14.32. Psal. 84.7.
• Gen. 4.4. Psal. 4••.4.
• Isa. 45.19.
• Ez••k. 18.31.
• Ezek. 36.25, 26. Deut. 10.16.
• Deut. 30.6. Eccles 12.13. Ezek. 36.27.
• Eccles. 12.13. Ier. 32.40. Mat. 7.7.
• Zech. 12 10.
• Ier. 48.10. Mal. 1.14.
• Psal. 143.10:
• Cant. 1.4.
• Psal. 119.36.
• Heb. 10.34.
• Rom. 8.23.
• Phil. 1.23.
• 2 Sam. 7.25.
• Isa. 33 20.
• Isa. 4.5.
• Mat. 5.18.
• Mat. 9.28, 29.