The stedfastness of promises, and the sinfulness of staggering: opened in a sermon preached at Margarets in Westminster before the Parliament Febr. 28. 1649. Being a day set apart for solemn humiliation throughout the nation. By John Owen minister of the Gospel.
         Owen, John, 1616-1683.
      
       
         This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A90291 of text R203108 in the  English Short Title Catalog (Thomason E599_9 E618_7). Textual changes  and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more  computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life.  The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with  MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish.  This text has not been fully proofread 
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             The stedfastness of promises, and the sinfulness of staggering: opened in a sermon preached at Margarets in Westminster before the Parliament Febr. 28. 1649. Being a day set apart for solemn humiliation throughout the nation. By John Owen minister of the Gospel.
             Owen, John, 1616-1683.
          
           [4], 54, [2] p.
           
             Printed by Peter Cole, and are to be sold at his shop at the sign of the Printing-Press in Cornhil, neer the Royal Exchange,
             London :
             1650.
          
           
             The final leaf bears an order to print.
             Annotation on Thomason copy E.599[9]: "Aprill 30"; annotation on E.618[7]: "[illegible] 1650".
             Reproduction of the original in the British Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
         eng
      
       
         
           Sermons, English -- 17th century.
           Fast-day sermons -- 17th century.
        
      
    
       A90291  R203108  (Thomason E599_9 E618_7).  civilwar no The stedfastness of promises, and the sinfulness of staggering::  opened in a sermon preached at Margarets in Westminster before the Parliam Owen, John 1650    18899 4 40 0 0 0 0 23 C  The  rate of 23 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the C category of texts with between 10 and 35 defects per 10,000 words. 
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             THE
          
           Stedfastness
           of
           PROMISES
           ,
           
             And
             the
          
           Sinfulness
           of
           STAGGERING
           :
           
             Opened
             in
             a
          
           SERMON
           Preached
           at
           
             Margarets
          
           in
           
             Westminster
          
           before
           the
           PARLIAMENT
           Febr.
           28.
           1649.
           
           Being
           a
           day
           set
           apart
           for
           solemn
           Humiliation
           throughout
           the
           NATION
           .
           By
           
             John
             Owen
          
           Minister
           of
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           
             LONDON
             :
          
           Printed
           by
           
             Peter
             Cole
             ,
          
           and
           are
           to
           be
           sold
           at
           his
           Shop
           at
           the
           sign
           of
           the
           
             Printing-Press
          
           in
           Cornhil
           ,
           neer
           the
           Royal
           Exchange
           .
           1650.
           
        
      
       
       
       
         
           TO
           THE
           COMMONS
           OF
           ENGLAND
           IN
           PARLIAMENT
           ASSEMBLED
           .
        
         
           
             SIRS
             ,
          
        
         
           THAT
           
             God
             in
             whose
             hand
             your
             breath
             is
             ,
             and
             whose
             are
             all
             your
             wayes
             ,
          
           having
           caused
           various
           
             Seasons
             to
             pass
             over
             you
             ,
          
           and
           in
           them
           all
           manifested
           ,
           That
           
             his
             VVorks
             are
             Truth
             ,
             and
             his
             VVayes
             Judgment
             ,
          
           calls
           earnestly
           by
           them
           for
           that
           walking
           before
           him
           ,
           which
           is
           required
           from
           them
           ,
           who
           with
           other
           distinguishing
           mercies
           ,
           are
           interested
           in
           the
           specialty
           of
           his
           protecting
           Providence
           .
           
           As
           in
           a
           view
           of
           present
           Enjoyments
           ,
           
             to
             Sacrifice
             to
             your
             Net
             ,
             and
             burn
             Incense
             to
             your
             Drag
             ;
             as
             though
             by
             them
             ,
             your
             Portion
             were
             Fat
             and
             Plenteous
             ,
          
           is
           an
           exceeding
           provocation
           to
           the
           Eyes
           of
           his
           Glory
           ,
           so
           to
           press
           to
           the
           residue
           of
           your
           Desires
           and
           Expectations
           ,
           by
           an
           
             Arm
             of
             Flesh
             ,
          
           the
           Designings
           and
           Contrivances
           of
           Carnal
           Reason
           ,
           with
           outwardly
           appearing
           
             Medium's
          
           of
           their
           Accomplishment
           ,
           is
           no
           less
           an
           Abomination
           to
           him
           .
           Though
           there
           may
           be
           a
           present
           sweetness
           to
           them
           that
           finde
           the
           
             life
             of
             the
             hand
             ,
          
           yet
           their
           latter
           End
           will
           be
           ,
           to
           lie
           down
           in
           sorrow
           .
           That
           you
           might
           be
           prevailed
           on
           
             to
             give
             Glory
             to
             God
             by
             stedfastness
             in
             believing
             ,
          
           committing
           all
           your
           wayes
           to
           him
           with
           
             Patience
             in
             wel-doing
             ;
          
           to
           the
           Contempt
           of
           the
           most
           varnished
           Appearance
           of
           Carnal
           Policy
           ,
           was
           my
           peculiar
           aim
           ,
           in
           this
           ensuing
           
             Sermon
             .
          
        
         
           That
           which
           added
           ready
           willingness
           to
           my
           Obedience
           unto
           your
           Commands
           for
           the
           Preaching
           and
           Publishing
           hereof
           ,
           being
           a
           serious
           
             Proposal
          
           for
           the
           Advancement
           and
           Propagation
           of
           the
           Gospel
           in
           another
           Nation
           ,
           is
           here
           again
           recommended
           to
           your
           Thoughts
           ,
           by
        
         
           
             Your
             most
             humble
             Servant
             ,
             in
             our
             Common
             Master
             ,
             J.
             O.
             
          
           
             March
             8th
             1649.
             
          
        
      
    
     
       
       
         
           The
           stedfastness
           of
           PROMISES
           ,
           AND
           ,
           The
           sinfulness
           of
           STAGGERING
           :
           Opened
           in
           a
           SERMON
           Preached
           at
           Margarets
           in
           Westminster
           ,
           before
           the
           Parliament
           ,
           
             Febr.
             28.
             1649.
             
          
        
         
           
             Rom.
             4.
             20.
             
          
           
             He
             staggered
             not
             at
             the
             Promise
             of
             God
             through
             unbelief
             .
          
        
         
           IN
           the
           first
           Chapters
           of
           this
           Epistle
           ,
           the
           Apostle
           from
           Scripture
           ,
           and
           the
           constant
           practice
           of
           all
           sorts
           of
           men
           ,
           of
           all
           Ages
           ,
           
             Jews
          
           and
           
             Gentiles
             ,
             Wise
          
           and
           
             Barbarians
             ,
          
           proves
           all
           the
           world
           ,
           and
           every
           individual
           therein
           ,
           to
           have
           
             sinned
             and
             come
             short
             of
             the
             glory
             of
             God
             :
          
           And
           not
           only
           so
           ,
           but
           that
           it
           was
           utterly
           impossible
           ,
           that
           by
           their
           own
           strength
           ,
           or
           by
           virtue
           of
           any
           assistance
           communicated
           ,
           or
           priviledges
           enjoyed
           ,
           they
           should
           ever
           attain
           to
           a
           
             righteousness
             of
             their
             own
             ,
          
           that
           might
           be
           acceptable
           unto
           God
           .
        
         
         
           Hereupon
           he
           concludes
           that
           Discourse
           with
           these
           two
           positive
           Assertions
           :
        
         
           1
           
             That
             for
             what
             is
             past
             ,
          
           every
           mouth
           must
           be
           stopped
           ,
           and
           all
           the
           world
           become
           guilty
           before
           God
           .
           
             Chap.
             3.
             v.
          
           19.
           
        
         
           2
           For
           the
           
             future
             ,
          
           though
           they
           should
           labour
           to
           amend
           their
           wayes
           ,
           and
           improve
           their
           Assistances
           and
           Priviledges
           to
           a
           better
           advantage
           then
           formerly
           ,
           
             yet
             by
             the
             deeds
             of
             the
             Law
             ,
             shall
             no
             flesh
             be
             justified
             in
             the
             sight
             of
             God
             .
          
           v.
           20.
           
        
         
           Now
           it
           being
           the
           main
           drift
           of
           the
           Apostle
           ,
           in
           this
           Epistle
           ,
           and
           in
           his
           whole
           Employment
           ,
           to
           manifest
           that
           God
           hath
           not
           shut
           up
           all
           the
           Sons
           of
           men
           ,
           hopeless
           and
           remediless
           under
           this
           Condition
           ;
           he
           immediatly
           ,
           discovers
           and
           opens
           the
           rich
           Supply
           ,
           which
           God
           in
           Free-grace
           hath
           made
           and
           provided
           ,
           for
           the
           delivery
           of
           his
           Own
           from
           this
           calamitous
           estate
           ,
           even
           by
           the
           
             Righteousness
             of
             Faith
             in
             Christ
             ,
          
           which
           he
           unfoldeth
           ,
           asserteth
           ,
           proves
           ,
           and
           vindicates
           from
           Objections
           to
           the
           
             end
             of
             the
          
           3d
           
             Chapter
             .
          
        
         
           This
           being
           a
           matter
           of
           so
           great
           weight
           ,
           as
           ,
           comprizing
           in
           it self
           the
           summe
           of
           the
           Gospel
           wherewith
           he
           was
           entrusted
           ;
           the
           honor
           and
           exaltation
           of
           Christ
           ,
           which
           above
           all
           he
           desired
           ;
           the
           great
           design
           of
           God
           to
           be
           glorious
           in
           his
           Saints
           ,
           and
           in
           a
           word
           ,
           the
           chief
           subject
           of
           the
           
             Ambassage
          
           from
           Christ
           ,
           to
           him
           committed
           ,
           (
           to
           wit
           ,
           That
           they
           who
           neither
           have
           ,
           nor
           by
           any
           means
           can
           attain
           a
           
             Righteousness
             of
             their
             own
             ,
          
           by
           the
           utmost
           of
           their
           workings
           ,
           may
           yet
           have
           that
           which
           is
           compleat
           and
           unrefusable
           in
           Christ
           ,
           by
           beleiving
           )
           he
           therefore
           strongly
           confirms
           it
           in
           the
           
             fourth
             Chapter
             ,
          
           by
           testimony
           and
           example
           of
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           with
           the
           Saints
           that
           were
           of
           old
           :
           Thereby
           also
           declaring
           ,
           That
           though
           the
           manifestation
           of
           this
           Mystery
           ,
           were
           now
           
           more
           fully
           opened
           by
           Christ
           
             from
             the
             bosome
             of
             the
             Father
             ,
          
           yet
           indeed
           this
           was
           the
           only
           way
           for
           any
           to
           appear
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           God
           ,
           ever
           since
           Sin
           entred
           into
           the
           world
           .
        
         
           To
           make
           his
           Demonstrations
           the
           more
           evident
           ,
           he
           singleth
           out
           
             one
          
           for
           an
           example
           ,
           who
           was
           eminently
           known
           ,
           and
           confessed
           by
           all
           to
           have
           been
           the
           
             friend
             of
             God
             ,
          
           to
           have
           been
           
             righteous
          
           and
           
             justified
          
           before
           him
           ,
           and
           thereon
           to
           have
           held
           sweet
           Communion
           with
           him
           all
           his
           dayes
           ;
           to
           wit
           ,
           
             Abraham
             ,
          
           the
           
             father
             according
             to
             the
             flesh
             ,
          
           of
           all
           those
           ,
           who
           put
           in
           the
           strongest
           of
           all
           men
           for
           a
           share
           in
           Righteousness
           ,
           by
           the
           Priviledges
           they
           did
           enjoy
           ,
           and
           the
           works
           they
           did
           perform
           .
        
         
           Now
           concerning
           him
           ,
           the
           Apostle
           proves
           abundantly
           in
           the
           beginning
           of
           the
           
             fourth
             Chapter
             ,
          
           That
           the
           Justification
           which
           he
           found
           ,
           and
           the
           Righteousness
           he
           attained
           ,
           was
           purely
           that
           ,
           and
           no
           other
           ,
           which
           he
           before
           described
           ;
           to
           wit
           ,
           a
           Righteousness
           in
           
             the
             forgiveness
             of
             Sins
             ,
             through
             Faith
             in
             the
             blood
             of
             Christ
             .
          
        
         
           Yea
           ,
           and
           that
           all
           the
           priviledges
           and
           exaltations
           of
           this
           
             Abraham
             ,
          
           which
           made
           him
           so
           signal
           and
           eminent
           among
           the
           Saints
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           to
           be
           called
           the
           
             Father
             of
             the
             faithful
             ,
          
           were
           meerly
           from
           hence
           ,
           That
           this
           Righteousnesse
           of
           Grace
           ,
           was
           freely
           discovered
           ,
           and
           fully
           established
           unto
           him
           :
           an
           Enjoyment
           being
           granted
           him
           in
           a
           peculiar
           manner
           ,
           by
           Faith
           ,
           of
           that
           promise
           ,
           wherin
           the
           Lord
           Christ
           with
           the
           whole
           spring
           of
           the
           Righteousnes
           mentioned
           ,
           was
           enwrapped
           .
        
         
           This
           the
           Apostle
           pursues
           with
           sundry
           and
           various
           Inferences
           ,
           and
           Conclusions
           ,
           to
           the
           
             end
             of
             Vers
             .
             17.
             Chap.
          
           4
        
         
           Having
           laid
           down
           this
           ,
           in
           the
           next
           place
           he
           gives
           us
           a
           Description
           of
           that
           
             Faith
             of
             Abraham
             ,
          
           whereby
           he
           became
           Inheritor
           of
           those
           excellent
           things
           ,
           from
           the
           
           
             Adjuncts
          
           of
           it
           .
           That
           as
           his
           
             Justification
          
           was
           proposed
           as
           an
           Example
           of
           Gods
           dealing
           with
           us
           by
           his
           Grace
           ,
           so
           his
           
             Faith
          
           might
           be
           laid
           down
           as
           a
           pattern
           for
           us
           ,
           in
           the
           receiving
           that
           Grace
           .
        
         
           Now
           this
           he
           doth
           ,
           from
           
             
               1
               The
               foundation
               of
               it
               ,
               whereon
               it
               rested
               .
            
             
               2
               The
               matter
               of
               it
               ,
               what
               he
               believed
               .
            
             
               3
               The
               manner
               of
               it
               ,
               or
               how
               he
               believed
               .
            
          
        
         
           1
           ,
           
             From
             the
             bottome
             and
             foundation
             on
             which
             it
             rested
             ,
          
           viz.
           The
           Omnipotency
           or
           Al-sufficiency
           of
           God
           ,
           whereby
           he
           was
           able
           to
           fulfil
           whatever
           he
           had
           engaged
           himself
           unto
           by
           promise
           ,
           and
           which
           he
           called
           him
           to
           believe
           ,
           
             vers.
             14.
             
             He
             believed
             him
             who
             quickneth
             the
             dead
             ,
             and
             calleth
             those
             things
             which
             be
             not
             ,
             as
             though
             they
             were
             .
          
        
         
           Two
           great
           Testimonies
           are
           here
           of
           the
           power
           of
           God
           :
           1
           That
           
             he
             quickneth
             the
             dead
             ,
          
           able
           he
           is
           to
           raise
           up
           those
           that
           are
           dead
           to
           life
           again
           .
           2
           
             He
             calleth
             things
             that
             are
             not
             ,
             as
             though
             they
             were
             :
          
           by
           his
           very
           
             call
          
           or
           
             word
             ,
          
           gives
           being
           to
           those
           things
           which
           before
           were
           not
           :
           as
           when
           he
           said
           ,
           
             Let
             there
             be
             light
             ,
             there
             was
             light
             ,
          
           Gen.
           1.
           3.
           by
           that
           very
           word
           ,
           
             commanding
             light
             to
             shine
             out
             of
             darkness
             ,
          
           2
           
             Cor.
          
           4.
           6.
           
        
         
           These
           Demonstrations
           of
           Gods
           Al-sufficiency
           he
           considereth
           in
           peculiar
           reference
           to
           what
           he
           was
           to
           believe
           ;
           to
           wit
           ,
           That
           
             he
             might
             be
             the
             Father
             of
             many
             Nations
             ,
          
           vers.
           11.
           of
           the
           
             Jews
          
           according
           
             to
             the
             flesh
             ,
          
           of
           
             Jews
          
           and
           
             Gentiles
             ,
          
           according
           to
           the
           
             Faith
          
           whereof
           we
           speak
           .
        
         
           1
           For
           the
           first
           ,
           his
           
             Body
             being
             now
             dead
             ,
             and
             Sarahs
             wombe
             dead
             ,
             vers.
          
           19.
           he
           rests
           on
           God
           
             as
             quickening
             the
             dead
             ,
          
           in
           believing
           that
           he
           
             shall
             be
             the
             father
             of
             many
             Nations
             .
          
        
         
           2
           For
           the
           other
           ,
           that
           he
           should
           be
           a
           Father
           of
           the
           Gentiles
           by
           Faith
           ,
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           witnesseth
           that
           they
           
             were
             not
             a
             people
             ,
          
           Hos.
           2.
           23.
           the
           implanting
           of
           them
           in
           
           his
           stock
           ,
           must
           be
           by
           a
           power
           ,
           
             that
             calleth
             things
             that
             are
             not
             ,
             as
             though
             they
             were
             :
          
           giving
           
             a
             new
             nature
             ,
          
           and
           
             being
          
           unto
           them
           ,
           which
           before
           they
           had
           not
           .
        
         
           To
           bottome
           our selves
           upon
           the
           Al-sufficiency
           of
           God
           ,
           for
           the
           accomplishment
           of
           such
           things
           ,
           as
           are
           altogether
           impossible
           to
           any
           thing
           ,
           but
           that
           Alsufficiency
           ,
           is
           faith
           indeed
           ,
           and
           worthy
           our
           immitation
           :
           
             It
             is
             also
             the
             wisdome
             of
             Faith
             ,
             to
             pitch
             peculiarly
             on
             that
             in
             God
             ,
             which
             is
             accommodated
             to
             the
             difficulties
             wherewith
             it
             is
             to
             wrestle
             :
             Is
          
           Abraham
           
             to
             believe
             ,
             That
             from
          
           his
           dead
           body
           ,
           must
           springe
           a
           whole
           Nation
           ?
           
             he
             rests
             on
             God
             ,
             as
          
           he
           that
           quickeneth
           the
           dead
           .
        
         
           2
           ,
           His
           Faith
           is
           commended
           from
           the
           
             matter
             of
             it
             ,
             or
             what
             he
             did
             believe
             :
          
           which
           is
           said
           in
           general
           to
           be
           
             the
             promise
             of
             God
             :
          
           verse
           20.
           
           
             He
             staggered
             not
             at
             the
             promise
             of
             God
             through
             unbelief
             .
          
           And
           particularly
           the
           matter
           of
           that
           promise
           is
           pointed
           at
           ,
           
             vers.
          
           11.
           18.
           that
           he
           should
           be
           
             the
             father
             of
             many
             Nations
             ;
          
           that
           was
           his
           being
           a
           
             father
             of
             many
             nations
             ,
          
           of
           having
           
             all
             nations
             blessed
             in
             his
             seed
             .
          
           A
           matter
           entangled
           with
           a
           world
           of
           difficulties
           ,
           considering
           the
           natural
           inability
           of
           his
           Body
           ,
           and
           the
           Body
           of
           
             Sarah
             ,
          
           to
           be
           Parents
           of
           Children
        
         
           When
           God
           calls
           for
           believing
           ,
           his
           Truth
           and
           Alsufficiency
           being
           ingaged
           ,
           no
           difficulty
           nor
           seeming
           impossibilities
           ,
           that
           the
           thing
           to
           be
           believed
           is
           ,
           or
           may
           be
           attended
           withal
           ,
           ought
           to
           be
           of
           any
           weight
           with
           us
           :
           he
           who
           hath
           promised
           ,
           is
           able
           .
        
         
           3
           ,
           From
           the
           
             manner
             of
             his
             believing
             ,
          
           which
           is
           expressed
           
             Four
             wayes
             .
          
        
         
           1
           
             Against
             Hope
             ,
             he
             believed
             in
             Hope
             :
          
           verse
           18.
           
           Here
           is
           a
           twofold
           
             Hope
          
           mentioned
           ,
           
             one
          
           that
           was
           
             against
          
           him
           ,
           the
           
             other
             ,
          
           that
           was
           
             for
          
           him
           .
        
         
           1
           He
           
             believed
             against
             Hope
             ,
          
           that
           is
           ,
           when
           all
           Arguments
           that
           might
           beget
           Hope
           in
           him
           ,
           were
           
             against
          
           him
           .
        
         
         
           
             against
             Hope
             ,
          
           is
           against
           all
           motives
           unto
           Hope
           whatever
           .
           All
           Reasons
           of
           natural
           hope
           were
           
             against
             him
             :
          
           What
           
             Hope
          
           could
           arise
           ,
           in
           ,
           or
           by
           Reason
           ,
           that
           
             two
             dead
             Bodies
             ,
          
           should
           be
           the
           Source
           and
           Fountain
           of
           
             many
             Nations
             ?
          
           so
           that
           against
           all
           inducements
           of
           a
           natural
           Hope
           he
           believed
           .
        
         
           2
           
             He
             believed
             in
             Hope
             :
          
           That
           is
           such
           
             Hope
          
           as
           arose
           as
           his
           Faith
           
             did
          
           from
           the
           consideration
           of
           Gods
           Alsufficiency
           ;
           this
           is
           an
           
             Adjunct
          
           of
           his
           Faith
           ,
           it
           was
           such
           a
           Faith
           as
           had
           Hope
           adjoyned
           with
           it
           :
           And
           this
           
             believing
             in
             Hope
             ,
          
           when
           all
           Reasons
           of
           Hope
           were
           away
           ,
           is
           the
           first
           thing
           that
           is
           set
           down
           ,
           of
           the
           
             manner
             of
             his
             Faith
             .
          
        
         
           In
           a
           decay
           of
           all
           Natural
           helps
           ,
           the
           deadness
           of
           all
           meanes
           ,
           an
           appearance
           of
           an
           utter
           Impossibility
           ,
           that
           ever
           the
           promise
           should
           be
           accomplished
           ,
           then
           to
           believe
           with
           unfeigned
           Hope
           ,
           is
           a
           commendable
           Faith
           .
        
         
           2
           
             He
             was
             not
             weak
             in
             faith
             :
          
           vers.
           19.
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           
             not
             weak
             ,
          
           is
           the
           2d
           thing
           .
           
             Minime
             debilis
             :
          
           Beza
           .
           He
           was
           by
           
             no
             means
             weak
             .
          
           A
           negation
           ,
           that
           by
           a
           figure
           (
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           )
           doth
           strongly
           assert
           the
           contrary
           ,
           to
           that
           which
           is
           denied
           .
           He
           was
           
             no
             way
             weak
             ;
          
           that
           is
           ,
           He
           was
           very
           
             strong
             in
             Faith
             ,
          
           as
           is
           afterwards
           expressed
           ,
           
             vers.
             20.
             
             He
             was
             strong
             in
             Faith
             giving
             glory
             to
             God
             .
          
        
         
           And
           the
           Apostle
           tells
           you
           ,
           wherein
           this
           his
           ,
           
             not
             weakness
          
           did
           appear
           :
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             He
             considered
             not
             his
             own
             body
             being
             now
             dead
             ,
             when
             he
             was
             about
             an
             hundred
             yeers
             old
             ,
             neither
             yet
             the
             deadness
             of
             Sara's
             wombe
             :
          
           verse
           19.
           
           It
           was
           seen
           in
           this
           ,
           that
           his
           Faith
           carried
           him
           above
           the
           consideration
           of
           all
           impediments
           ,
           that
           might
           lie
           in
           the
           way
           to
           the
           accomplishment
           of
           the
           promise
           .
        
         
           
             It
             is
             meer
             weakness
             of
             Faith
             ,
             that
             makes
             a
             man
             lye
             poering
             on
             the
             difficulties
             and
             seeming
             impossibilities
             that
             lye
             upon
             the
             
             promise
             .
          
           We
           think
           it
           our
           wisdome
           ,
           and
           our
           strength
           ,
           to
           consider
           ,
           weigh
           and
           look
           into
           the
           bottome
           of
           oppositions
           ,
           and
           temptations
           ,
           that
           arise
           against
           the
           Promise
           .
           Perhaps
           it
           may
           be
           the
           strength
           of
           our
           fleshly
           ,
           carnal
           Reason
           ;
           but
           certainly
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           weakness
           of
           our
           Faith
           :
           He
           that
           is
           
             strong
             in
             Faith
             ,
          
           will
           not
           so
           much
           as
           debate
           or
           consider
           the
           things
           ,
           that
           cast
           the
           greatest
           seeming
           improbability
           ,
           yea
           impossibility
           ,
           on
           the
           fulfilling
           of
           the
           promise
           .
           It
           will
           not
           afford
           them
           a
           Debate
           or
           Dispute
           of
           the
           Cause
           ,
           nor
           any
           consideration
           ,
           
             being
             not
             weak
             in
             Faith
             ,
             he
             considered
             not
             .
          
        
         
           3
           
             He
             was
             fully
             perswaded
             ,
          
           verse
           21.
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           he
           was
           
             persuasionis
             plenus
             ,
             fully
             perswaded
             :
          
           this
           is
           the
           3d
           thing
           that
           is
           observed
           in
           the
           
             manner
             of
             his
             believing
             .
          
           He
           fully
           ,
           quietly
           ,
           resolvedly
           cast
           himself
           on
           this
           ,
           That
           
             he
             who
             had
             promised
             was
             able
             to
             performe
             it
             .
          
           As
           a
           Ship
           at
           Sea
           ,
           (
           for
           so
           the
           word
           imports
           )
           looking
           about
           ,
           and
           seeing
           storms
           and
           winds
           arising
           ,
           sets
           up
           all
           her
           Sayles
           ,
           and
           with
           all
           speed
           ,
           makes
           to
           the
           Harbour
           .
           
             Abraham
          
           seeing
           the
           storms
           of
           doubts
           and
           temptations
           ,
           likely
           to
           rise
           against
           the
           Promise
           made
           unto
           him
           ,
           with
           full
           sayl
           breaks
           through
           all
           ,
           to
           lie
           down
           quietly
           in
           Gods
           Al-sufficiency
           .
           And
           this
           is
           the
           3d
           .
        
         
           4
           The
           4th
           is
           ,
           That
           
             he
             staggered
             not
             ,
          
           verse
           20.
           
           This
           is
           that
           which
           I
           have
           chosen
           to
           insist
           on
           unto
           you
           ,
           as
           a
           choice
           part
           of
           the
           commendation
           of
           
             Abraham's
          
           faith
           ,
           which
           is
           proposed
           for
           our
           imitation
           :
        
         
           He
           staggered
           not
           at
           the
           promise
           of
           God
           through
           unbelief
           .
        
         
           The
           words
           may
           be
           briefly
           resolved
           into
           this
           Doctrinal
           Proposition
           :
        
         
           
           All
           staggering
           at
           the
           promises
           of
           God
           is
           from
           unbelief
           .
        
         
           What
           is
           of
           any
           difficulty
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           will
           be
           cleered
           in
           opening
           the
           parts
           of
           the
           Observation
           .
        
         
         
           Men
           are
           apt
           to
           pretend
           sundry
           other
           Reasons
           and
           Causes
           of
           their
           staggering
           .
           The
           Promises
           do
           not
           belong
           unto
           them
           ,
           God
           intends
           not
           their
           souls
           in
           them
           ,
           they
           are
           not
           such
           ,
           and
           such
           ,
           and
           this
           makes
           them
           
             stagger
             :
          
           when
           the
           Truth
           is
           ,
           it
           is
           their
           
             unbelief
             ,
          
           and
           that
           alone
           ,
           that
           puts
           them
           into
           this
           staggering
           condition
           .
           As
           in
           other
           things
           ,
           so
           in
           this
           ,
           we
           are
           apt
           to
           have
           many
           fair
           pretences
           for
           foul
           faults
           .
           To
           lay
           the
           Burden
           on
           the
           right
           shoulders
           ,
           I
           shall
           demonstrate
           by
           Gods
           assistance
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           not
           this
           ,
           or
           that
           ,
           but
           
             unbelief
          
           alone
           ,
           that
           makes
           us
           stagger
           at
           the
           Promises
           .
        
         
           To
           make
           this
           the
           more
           plain
           ,
           I
           must
           open
           these
           two
           things
           :
           
             
               1
               What
               is
               the
               Promise
               here
               intended
               ?
            
             
               2
               What
               it
               is
               ,
               to
               stagger
               at
               the
               Promise
               ?
            
          
        
         
           The
           promise
           here
           mentioned
           is
           principally
           that
           which
           
             Abraham
          
           believing
           ,
           it
           was
           said
           eminently
           ,
           That
           it
           
             was
             accounted
             to
             him
             for
             Righteousness
             :
          
           So
           the
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             verse
             5.
             of
             this
             Chaper
             :
          
           when
           this
           was
           ,
           you
           may
           see
           
             Gen.
             15.
             vers.
          
           6.
           there
           it
           is
           affirmed
           ,
           That
           
             he
             believed
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             it
             was
             accounted
             to
             him
             for
             Righteousness
             .
          
           That
           which
           God
           had
           there
           spoken
           to
           him
           of
           ,
           was
           about
           
             the
             multiplying
             of
             his
             seed
             as
             the
             stars
             of
             heaven
             ,
             whereas
             he
             was
             yet
             childless
             .
          
        
         
           The
           
             last
             verse
             of
             Chapter
          
           14
           ,
           leaves
           
             Abraham
          
           full
           of
           earthly
           Glory
           .
           He
           had
           newly
           conquered
           five
           Kings
           with
           all
           their
           host
           :
           honoured
           by
           the
           King
           of
           
             Sodom
             ,
          
           and
           blessed
           by
           the
           King
           of
           
             Salem
             ;
          
           and
           yet
           in
           the
           
             first
             verse
             of
             Chap.
          
           15.
           
           God
           
             appearing
             to
             him
             in
             a
             vision
             ,
          
           in
           the
           very
           entrance
           bids
           him
           FEAR
           NOT
           :
           plainly
           intimating
           ,
           That
           notwithstanding
           all
           his
           outward
           successe
           and
           glory
           ,
           he
           had
           still
           many
           perplexities
           upon
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           had
           need
           of
           great
           Consolation
           and
           establishment
           :
           
           
             Abraham
          
           was
           not
           cleer
           in
           the
           accomplishment
           of
           former
           Promises
           about
           the
           
             blessed
             seed
             ,
          
           and
           so
           though
           he
           have
           all
           outward
           advancements
           ,
           yet
           he
           cannot
           rest
           in
           them
           .
           Until
           a
           child
           of
           God
           be
           cleer
           in
           the
           main
           ,
           in
           the
           matter
           of
           the
           great
           Promise
           ,
           the
           business
           of
           Christ
           ,
           the
           greatest
           outward
           Successes
           and
           Advantages
           ,
           will
           be
           so
           far
           from
           quieting
           and
           settling
           his
           mind
           ,
           that
           they
           rather
           increase
           his
           perplexities
           .
           They
           do
           but
           occasion
           him
           to
           cry
           ,
           Here
           is
           this
           ,
           and
           that
           ;
           here
           is
           victory
           ,
           and
           success
           ;
           here
           is
           wealth
           ,
           and
           peace
           ;
           but
           here
           is
           not
           Christ
           .
        
         
           That
           this
           was
           
             Abraham's
          
           condition
           ,
           appears
           from
           
             vers
             .
             2.
             of
             that
             Chapter
             ,
          
           where
           God
           having
           told
           him
           ,
           That
           
             he
             was
             his
             sheild
             ,
             and
             his
             exceeding
             great
             reward
             .
          
           He
           replyes
           ,
           
             Lord
             God
             ,
             what
             wilt
             thou
             give
             me
             ,
             seeing
             I
             go
             childless
             ?
          
           As
           if
           he
           should
           have
           said
           ,
           Lord
           God
           ,
           thou
           toldest
           me
           when
           I
           was
           in
           
             Haran
             ,
          
           now
           19.
           years
           ago
           ,
           That
           in
           me
           and
           
             my
             seed
             ,
             all
             the
             families
             of
             the
             Earth
             should
             be
             blessed
             ,
             Gen.
          
           12.
           3.
           
           That
           the
           blessed
           ,
           blessing
           seed
           ,
           should
           be
           of
           me
           :
           but
           now
           I
           wax
           old
           ,
           all
           appearances
           grow
           up
           against
           the
           direct
           accomplishment
           of
           that
           word
           ,
           and
           it
           was
           that
           ,
           which
           above
           all
           in
           following
           thee
           ,
           I
           aimed
           at
           ;
           if
           I
           am
           disappointed
           therein
           ,
           what
           shall
           I
           do
           ?
           and
           what
           will
           all
           these
           things
           avail
           me
           ?
           what
           will
           it
           benefit
           me
           ,
           to
           have
           a
           multitude
           of
           earthly
           enjoyments
           ,
           and
           leave
           them
           in
           the
           close
           to
           my
           Servant
           ?
        
         
           I
           cannot
           but
           observe
           ,
           That
           this
           sighing
           mournful
           complaint
           of
           
             Abraham
             ,
          
           hath
           much
           infirmity
           ,
           and
           something
           of
           diffidence
           ,
           mixed
           with
           it
           .
           He
           shakes
           in
           the
           very
           bottom
           of
           his
           soul
           ,
           that
           improbabilities
           were
           growing
           up
           as
           he
           thought
           to
           impossibilities
           ,
           against
           him
           ,
           in
           the
           way
           of
           the
           Promise
           :
           Yet
           hence
           also
           mark
           these
           two
           things
           :
        
         
         
           1
           That
           he
           doth
           not
           repine
           in
           himself
           ,
           and
           keep
           up
           his
           burning
           thoughts
           in
           his
           brest
           ,
           but
           sweetly
           breaths
           out
           the
           burden
           of
           his
           Soul
           ,
           into
           the
           bosome
           of
           his
           God
           :
           
             Lord
             God
             ,
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             what
             wilt
             thou
             give
             me
             seeing
             I
             go
             childless
             ?
             It
             is
             of
             sincere
             Faith
             ,
             to
             unlade
             our
             unbeleif
             ,
             in
             the
             bosome
             of
             our
             God
             .
          
        
         
           2
           That
           God
           takes
           not
           his
           Servant
           at
           the
           Advantage
           of
           his
           complaining
           and
           diffidence
           :
           but
           le
           ts
           that
           pass
           ,
           until
           having
           renewed
           the
           Promise
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           settled
           his
           Faith
           ,
           then
           he
           gives
           in
           his
           Testimony
           ,
           That
           he
           beleived
           God
           .
           
             The
             Lord
             overlooks
             the
             weakness
             ,
             and
             causless
             wailings
             of
             his
             ,
             takes
             them
             at
             the
             best
             ,
             and
             then
             gives
             his
             witnesse
             to
             them
             .
          
        
         
           This
           I
           say
           was
           the
           Promise
           whereof
           we
           spake
           ,
           That
           he
           should
           have
           
             a
             seed
             of
             his
             own
             ,
             like
             the
             stars
             that
             cannot
             be
             numbered
             ,
          
           Gen.
           15.
           
             v.
          
           4
           ,
           5.
           
           And
           herein
           are
           contained
           Three
           things
           .
        
         
           1
           The
           purely
           spiritual
           part
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           concerned
           his
           own
           soul
           in
           Christ
           .
           God
           ingaging
           about
           his
           seed
           ,
           minds
           him
           of
           his
           own
           Interest
           ,
           in
           the
           blessing
           bringing
           seed
           .
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           with
           his
           whol
           Mediation
           ,
           and
           his
           whole
           work
           of
           Redemption
           is
           in
           this
           Promise
           ,
           with
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           God
           in
           Covenant
           ,
           
             as
             a
             sheild
             ,
             and
             as
             an
             exceeding
             great
             Reward
             .
          
        
         
           2
           The
           kingdom
           of
           Christ
           in
           respect
           of
           the
           Propagation
           and
           Establishment
           of
           it
           ,
           with
           the
           multitude
           of
           his
           subjects
           ,
           that
           also
           is
           in
           this
           Promise
           .
        
         
           3
           The
           temporal
           part
           of
           it
           ,
           multitudes
           of
           Children
           to
           a
           Childless
           man
           :
           and
           an
           
             Heir
             from
             his
             own
             bowels
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           this
           Promise
           in
           these
           3
           Branches
           ,
           takes
           up
           your
           whole
           Interest
           ,
           comprizes
           all
           you
           are
           to
           beleive
           for
           :
           be
           you
           considered
           ,
           either
           as
           
             Beleivers
             ,
          
           or
           as
           
             Rulers
             .
          
        
         
           1
           As
           
             Beleivers
             :
          
           So
           your
           Interest
           lies
           in
           these
           Two
           
           things
           :
           1
           That
           your
           own
           souls
           have
           a
           share
           and
           portion
           in
           the
           Lord
           Christ
           :
           2
           That
           the
           kingdom
           of
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           be
           exalted
           and
           established
           .
        
         
           2
           As
           
             Rulers
             :
          
           That
           peace
           and
           prosperity
           may
           be
           the
           inheritance
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           is
           in
           your
           desires
           :
           look
           upon
           this
           in
           subordination
           to
           the
           kingdom
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           so
           all
           there
           are
           in
           this
           Promise
           .
        
         
           To
           make
           this
           more
           plain
           ,
           these
           being
           the
           Three
           main
           things
           that
           you
           ayme
           at
           ;
           I
           shall
           lay
           before
           you
           Three
           Promises
           ,
           suted
           to
           these
           several
           things
           ,
           which
           or
           the
           like
           ,
           you
           are
           too
           view
           in
           all
           your
           actings
           ,
           
             all
             staggering
             at
             them
             ,
             being
             from
             unbelief
             .
          
        
         
           1
           ,
           The
           first
           thing
           you
           are
           to
           beleive
           for
           ,
           is
           the
           Interest
           of
           your
           own
           souls
           in
           the
           Covenant
           of
           Grace
           ,
           by
           Christ
           :
           as
           to
           this
           I
           shall
           only
           point
           unto
           that
           Promise
           of
           the
           Covenant
           ,
           
             Heb.
             8.
             12.
             
             I
             will
             be
             merciful
             to
             their
             unrigbteousness
             ,
             and
             their
             sins
             ,
             and
             their
             iniquities
             ,
             I
             will
             remember
             no
             more
             .
          
        
         
           2
           ,
           
             The
             second
             is
             the
             establishment
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Christ
             ,
             in
             despite
             of
             all
             opposition
             :
             and
             for
             this
             amongst
             innumerable
             ,
             take
             that
             of
          
           Isa.
           60.
           11.
           
           Therefore
           thy
           Gates
           shall
           be
           open
           continually
           ,
           they
           shall
           not
           be
           shut
           day
           nor
           night
           ,
           that
           men
           may
           bring
           unto
           thee
           the
           forces
           of
           the
           Gentiles
           ,
           and
           that
           their
           Kings
           may
           be
           brought
           ;
           for
           the
           Nation
           and
           Kingdom
           that
           will
           not
           serve
           thee
           ,
           shall
           perish
           .
        
         
           3
           ,
           The
           quiet
           and
           peace
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           which
           ye
           regard
           as
           Rulers
           ,
           as
           it
           stands
           in
           subordination
           to
           the
           kingdom
           of
           Christ
           ,
           comes
           also
           under
           the
           Promise
           ,
           for
           which
           take
           that
           of
           
             Jeremiah
          
           30.
           20
           ,
           21.
           
        
         
           These
           being
           your
           three
           main
           ayms
           ,
           let
           your
           eye
           be
           fixed
           on
           these
           three
           ,
           or
           the
           like
           Promises
           ;
           for
           in
           the
           Demonstration
           and
           the
           Use
           of
           the
           Point
           ,
           I
           shall
           carry
           along
           all
           Three
           together
           :
           desiring
           that
           what
           is
           instanced
           
           in
           any
           one
           ,
           may
           be
           alwayes
           extended
           to
           both
           the
           other
           .
        
         
           2
           What
           is
           it
           to
           
             stagger
             at
             the
             Promise
             :
          
           He
           staggered
           not
           .
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           he
           disputed
           not
           ;
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           is
           properly
           to
           make
           use
           of
           our
           own
           Judgement
           and
           Reason
           ,
           in
           discerning
           of
           things
           ,
           of
           what
           sort
           they
           be
           .
           It
           is
           sometime
           rendred
           ,
           
             to
             doubt
             ;
             Matth.
             21.
             21.
             
             If
             you
             have
             faith
          
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           ,
           
             and
             doubt
             not
             ;
          
           that
           is
           ,
           not
           use
           arguings
           and
           reasonings
           in
           your selves
           concerning
           the
           Promise
           and
           things
           promised
           .
           Sometimes
           it
           simply
           denotes
           to
           discern
           a
           thing
           as
           it
           is
           :
           so
           the
           word
           is
           used
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           11.
           29.
           
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           discerning
           the
           body
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           sense
           wherein
           it
           is
           here
           used
           ,
           as
           also
           
             Matth.
          
           21.
           21.
           it
           holds
           out
           ,
           as
           I
           said
           ,
           
             a
             self-consultation
             and
             dispute
             ,
          
           concerning
           those
           contrary
           things
           that
           are
           proposed
           to
           us
           .
           So
           also
           
             Acts
             10.
             20.
             
             Peter
          
           is
           commanded
           to
           obey
           the
           Vision
           ,
           
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
             {non-Roman}
          
           
             nothing
             doubting
             :
          
           What
           is
           that
           ?
           Why
           ,
           a
           not
           continuing
           to
           do
           ,
           what
           he
           is
           said
           to
           have
           done
           ,
           
             verse
             17.
             
             He
             doubted
             in
             himself
             ,
             what
             the
             Vision
             he
             had
             seen
             should
             mean
             :
          
           He
           rolled
           ,
           and
           disputed
           it
           in
           his
           own
           thoughts
           ,
           
             he
             staggered
             at
             it
             .
          
        
         
           
             To
             stagger
             then
             at
             the
             Promise
             ,
          
           is
           to
           take
           into
           Consideration
           the
           Promise
           it self
           ,
           and
           withal
           ,
           all
           the
           difficulties
           that
           lie
           in
           the
           way
           for
           the
           accomplishment
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           to
           a
           mans
           own
           particular
           ,
           and
           there
           so
           to
           dispute
           it
           in
           his
           thoughts
           ,
           as
           not
           fully
           to
           cast
           it
           off
           ,
           nor
           fully
           to
           close
           with
           it
           .
           For
           Instance
           ,
           The
           Soul
           considers
           the
           Promise
           of
           Free-grace
           in
           the
           bloud
           of
           Jesus
           ,
           looks
           upon
           it
           ,
           weighs
           as
           well
           as
           it
           is
           able
           ,
           the
           Truth
           of
           God
           ,
           who
           makes
           the
           Promise
           ,
           with
           those
           other
           considerations
           ,
           which
           might
           lead
           the
           heart
           to
           rest
           firmly
           upon
           it
           ;
           but
           withal
           ,
           takes
           into
           his
           thoughts
           ,
           his
           own
           unworthiness
           ,
           sinfulness
           ,
           unbelief
           ,
           hypocrisie
           ,
           and
           the
           
           like
           ;
           which
           as
           he
           supposes
           ,
           powerfully
           stave
           off
           the
           Efficacy
           of
           the
           Promise
           from
           him
           .
           Hence
           he
           knows
           not
           what
           to
           conclude
           :
           if
           he
           ad
           a
           
             grain
             of
             faith
             ,
          
           the
           scale
           turns
           on
           the
           side
           of
           the
           Promise
           ;
           the
           like
           quantity
           of
           
             unbelief
             ,
          
           makes
           it
           turn
           upon
           him
           :
           &
           what
           to
           do
           he
           knows
           not
           :
           let
           go
           the
           Promise
           he
           cannot
           ,
           take
           fast
           hold
           he
           dares
           not
           ;
           but
           here
           he
           
             staggers
          
           and
           wavers
           to
           and
           fro
           .
        
         
           Thus
           the
           Soul
           becomes
           to
           be
           like
           
             Paul
             ,
          
           in
           another
           case
           ,
           
             Phil.
          
           1.
           23.
           
           He
           considered
           his
           own
           Advantage
           on
           the
           one
           side
           by
           his
           
             dissolution
             ,
          
           and
           the
           profit
           of
           the
           Churches
           by
           his
           
             abiding
             in
             the
             flesh
             ,
          
           on
           the
           other
           ;
           and
           taking
           in
           these
           various
           thoughts
           ,
           he
           cryes
           out
           ,
           He
           is
           in
           
             a
             straight
             ,
          
           he
           
             staggered
             ,
          
           he
           was
           betwixt
           two
           ,
           and
           knew
           not
           which
           to
           chuse
           :
           or
           as
           
             David
             ,
          
           2
           Sam.
           24.
           14.
           when
           he
           had
           a
           tender
           of
           several
           Corrections
           made
           to
           him
           ,
           sayes
           ,
           
             I
             am
             in
             a
             great
             straight
             ;
          
           he
           sees
           evil
           in
           every
           one
           ,
           and
           knows
           not
           which
           to
           chuse
           .
        
         
           A
           poor
           creature
           looking
           upon
           the
           Promise
           sees
           ,
           as
           he
           supposes
           ,
           in
           a
           stedfast
           closing
           with
           the
           Promise
           ,
           that
           there
           lyes
           presumption
           ;
           on
           the
           other
           hand
           ,
           certain
           destruction
           ,
           if
           he
           beleives
           not
           :
           and
           now
           he
           
             staggers
             ,
          
           he
           is
           in
           a
           great
           straight
           :
           Arguments
           arise
           on
           both
           sides
           ,
           he
           knows
           not
           how
           to
           determine
           them
           ,
           and
           so
           hanging
           in
           suspense
           ,
           he
           
             staggereth
             .
          
        
         
           Like
           a
           man
           travailing
           a
           Journey
           ,
           and
           meeting
           with
           two
           several
           paths
           ,
           that
           promise
           both
           fairly
           ,
           and
           he
           knows
           not
           which
           is
           his
           proper
           way
           ;
           he
           ghesses
           ,
           and
           ghesses
           ,
           and
           at
           length
           cryes
           ,
           Well
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           which
           of
           these
           wayes
           I
           should
           go
           ,
           but
           this
           is
           certain
           ,
           if
           I
           mistake
           ,
           I
           am
           undone
           ,
           I
           'le
           go
           in
           neither
           ,
           but
           here
           I
           'le
           sit
           down
           ,
           and
           not
           move
           one
           step
           in
           either
           of
           them
           ,
           until
           some
           one
           come
           ,
           that
           can
           give
           me
           direction
           .
           The
           Sonl
           very
           frequently
           sits
           down
           in
           this
           haesitation
           ,
           and
           refuses
           
           to
           step
           one
           step
           forwards
           ,
           till
           God
           come
           mightily
           and
           lead
           out
           the
           Spirit
           to
           the
           Promise
           ,
           or
           the
           Devil
           turn
           it
           aside
           to
           unbeleif
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           ,
           as
           a
           thing
           of
           small
           weight
           in
           the
           Air
           :
           the
           weight
           that
           it
           hath
           ,
           carries
           it
           downwards
           ;
           and
           the
           Air
           ,
           with
           some
           breath
           of
           wind
           ,
           bears
           it
           up
           again
           :
           so
           that
           it
           waves
           to
           and
           fro
           :
           sometimes
           it
           seems
           as
           though
           it
           would
           fall
           ,
           by
           it's
           own
           weight
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           again
           ,
           as
           though
           it
           would
           mount
           quite
           out
           of
           sight
           ,
           but
           poyzed
           between
           both
           ,
           it
           tosseth
           up
           and
           down
           ,
           without
           any
           great
           gaining
           either
           way
           .
        
         
           The
           Promise
           ,
           that
           draws
           the
           Soul
           upward
           ,
           and
           the
           weight
           of
           its
           unbelief
           ,
           that
           sinks
           it
           downward
           :
           sometime
           the
           Promise
           attracts
           so
           powerfully
           ,
           you
           would
           think
           the
           heart
           quite
           drawn
           up
           into
           it
           :
           and
           sometime
           again
           ,
           unbelief
           presses
           down
           ,
           that
           you
           would
           think
           it
           gon
           for
           ever
           ;
           but
           neither
           prevails
           utterly
           ,
           the
           poor
           Creatures
           swaggs
           between
           both
           ,
           this
           it
           is
           
             to
             stagger
             :
          
           like
           the
           two
           Disciples
           going
           to
           
             Emaus
             ,
          
           Luke
           24.
           
             v.
          
           14.
           
           
             They
             talked
             together
             of
             the
             things
             that
             were
             happned
             :
          
           debated
           the
           businesse
           :
           and
           
             verse
          
           22.
           they
           gave
           up
           the
           result
           of
           their
           thoughts
           ;
           
             They
             trusted
             it
             had
             been
             he
             that
             should
             have
             redemed
             Israel
             .
          
           They
           trusted
           once
           ,
           but
           now
           seeing
           him
           slain
           and
           crucified
           ,
           they
           know
           not
           what
           to
           say
           to
           it
           :
           What
           then
           ?
           do
           they
           quite
           give
           over
           all
           trusting
           in
           him
           ?
           No
           ,
           they
           cannot
           do
           so
           ,
           
             verse
          
           23
           ,
           24
           ,
           25.
           
           
             Certain
             Women
             had
             astonished
             them
             ,
             and
             affirmed
             that
             he
             was
             risen
             :
          
           yea
           ,
           and
           
             others
             also
             going
             to
             his
             grave
             found
             it
             so
             :
          
           hereupon
           they
           
             have
             communication
             within
             themselves
             ,
             and
             are
             sad
             ,
          
           verse
           17.
           that
           is
           ,
           they
           
             staggered
             ;
          
           they
           were
           in
           a
           staggering
           condition
           :
           much
           appears
           for
           them
           ,
           something
           against
           them
           ,
           they
           know
           not
           what
           to
           do
           .
        
         
           A
           poor
           soul
           that
           hath
           been
           long
           perplext
           in
           trouble
           
           and
           anxiety
           of
           mind
           ,
           finds
           a
           sweet
           promise
           ,
           Christ
           in
           a
           promise
           suted
           to
           all
           his
           wants
           ,
           coming
           with
           Mercy
           to
           pardon
           him
           ,
           with
           Love
           to
           embrace
           him
           ,
           with
           Bloud
           to
           purge
           him
           ,
           and
           is
           raised
           up
           to
           roll
           himself
           in
           some
           measure
           upon
           this
           Promise
           :
           On
           a
           suddain
           ,
           Terrors
           arise
           ,
           Temptations
           grow
           strong
           ,
           new
           Corruptions
           break
           out
           ,
           Christ
           in
           the
           Promise
           dies
           to
           him
           ,
           Christ
           in
           the
           Promise
           is
           slain
           ,
           is
           in
           the
           grave
           as
           to
           him
           ;
           so
           that
           he
           can
           only
           sigh
           and
           say
           ,
           I
           trusted
           for
           deliverance
           by
           Christ
           ,
           but
           now
           all
           is
           gone
           again
           ,
           I
           have
           little
           or
           no
           hope
           ,
           Christ
           in
           the
           Promise
           is
           slain
           to
           me
           :
           What
           then
           ?
           shall
           he
           give
           over
           ,
           never
           more
           enquire
           after
           this
           buried
           Christ
           ,
           but
           sit
           down
           in
           darknesse
           and
           sorrow
           ?
           No
           ,
           he
           cannot
           do
           so
           :
           This
           morning
           ,
           some
           new
           Arguments
           of
           Christs
           appearance
           again
           upon
           the
           Soul
           ,
           are
           made
           out
           :
           it
           may
           be
           ,
           Christ
           is
           not
           for
           ever
           lost
           to
           him
           .
           What
           does
           he
           then
           ?
           stedfastly
           believe
           he
           cannot
           ;
           totally
           give
           over
           he
           will
           not
           :
           He
           staggers
           :
           he
           is
           full
           of
           self-communications
           and
           is
           sad
           .
           This
           it
           is
           ,
           to
           
             stagger
             at
             the
             promise
             of
             God
             .
          
           I
           come
           now
           to
           prove
           ,
           That
           notwithstanding
           any
           pretences
           whatever
           ,
           
             All
             this
             staggering
             is
             from
             unbelief
             .
          
        
         
           The
           two
           Disciples
           whom
           we
           now
           mentioned
           that
           
             staggered
          
           and
           disputed
           between
           themselves
           in
           their
           Journey
           to
           
             Emaus
             ,
          
           thought
           they
           had
           a
           goodly
           Reason
           ,
           and
           a
           sufficient
           appearing
           Cause
           of
           all
           their
           doubtings
           :
           
             We
             hoped
          
           (
           say
           they
           )
           
             that
             it
             was
             he
             ,
             that
             should
             have
             delivered
             Israel
             .
          
           What
           do
           they
           now
           stand
           at
           ?
           Alass
           !
           the
           
             chief
             Priests
             and
             Rulers
             have
             condemned
             him
             to
             death
             ,
             and
             Crucified
             him
             ,
          
           Luke
           24.
           20.
           
           And
           is
           it
           possible
           that
           deliverance
           should
           arise
           from
           a
           Crucified
           man
           ?
           This
           makes
           them
           stagger
           .
           But
           when
           our
           Saviour
           himself
           draws
           nigh
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           gives
           them
           the
           ground
           of
           all
           
           this
           ,
           he
           tells
           them
           it
           is
           all
           from
           hence
           ;
           
             they
             are
             foolish
             and
             slow
             of
             heart
             to
             believe
             ,
          
           verse
           25.
           
           Here
           is
           the
           rise
           of
           all
           their
           doubtings
           ,
           even
           their
           unbelief
           .
           Whilst
           you
           are
           
             slow
             of
             heart
             to
             believe
             ,
          
           do
           not
           once
           think
           of
           establishment
           .
        
         
           
             Peter
          
           venturing
           upon
           the
           waves
           at
           the
           command
           of
           Christ
           ,
           
             Matth.
          
           14.
           seing
           the
           
             winde
             to
             grow
             boystrous
             ,
          
           v.
           29.
           he
           also
           hath
           a
           storm
           within
           ,
           and
           crys
           out
           ,
           
             Oh
             save
             me
             :
          
           What
           was
           now
           the
           Cause
           of
           
             Peter's
          
           fear
           ,
           and
           crying
           out
           ?
           why
           the
           Wind
           and
           Sea
           grew
           boysterous
           ,
           and
           he
           was
           ready
           to
           sink
           :
           no
           such
           thing
           ;
           but
           meerly
           unbelief
           ,
           want
           of
           Faith
           :
           
             verse
             31.
             
             O
             thou
             of
             little
             Faith
          
           (
           saith
           our
           Saviour
           )
           
             wherefore
             diddest
             thou
             doubt
             ?
          
           it
           was
           not
           the
           great
           winds
           ,
           but
           thy
           
             little
             Faith
          
           that
           made
           thee
           
             stagger
             .
          
           And
           in
           three
           or
           four
           other
           places
           ,
           upon
           several
           occasions
           ,
           doth
           our
           Saviour
           lay
           all
           the
           wavering
           and
           staggering
           of
           his
           followers
           ,
           as
           to
           any
           promised
           mercy
           ,
           upon
           this
           score
           ,
           as
           
             Matth.
          
           6.
           30.
           and
           8.
           26.
           
        
         
           Isa.
           7.
           
           
             Ahaz
          
           being
           afraid
           of
           the
           Combination
           of
           
             Syria
          
           and
           
             Ephraim
          
           against
           him
           ,
           received
           a
           promise
           of
           deliverance
           by
           
             Isaiah
             ,
          
           verse
           7.
           whereupon
           the
           Prophet
           tells
           him
           and
           all
           
             Judah
             ,
          
           That
           
             if
             they
             will
             not
             believe
             ,
             surely
             they
             shall
             not
             be
             established
             ,
             verse
          
           9.
           
           He
           doth
           not
           say
           ,
           If
           
             Damascus
          
           and
           
             Ephraim
          
           be
           not
           broken
           ,
           you
           shall
           not
           be
           established
           ;
           no
           ,
           the
           stick
           is
           not
           there
           :
           The
           fear
           that
           you
           will
           not
           be
           established
           ,
           ariseth
           meerly
           from
           your
           
             unbelief
             ,
          
           that
           keeps
           you
           off
           from
           closing
           with
           the
           Promise
           ,
           which
           would
           certainly
           bring
           you
           establishment
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           is
           the
           sole
           Reason
           the
           Apostle
           gives
           ,
           why
           the
           word
           of
           Promise
           being
           Preached
           ,
           becomes
           unprofitable
           ;
           even
           because
           of
           unbelief
           :
           
             It
             was
             not
             mixed
             with
             faith
             ,
          
           Heb.
           4.
           2.
           
        
         
         
           But
           these
           things
           will
           be
           more
           cleer
           under
           the
           Demonstrations
           of
           the
           Point
           ;
           which
           are
           Two
           :
        
         
           
           When
           a
           man
           doubts
           ,
           haesitates
           and
           disputes
           any
           thing
           in
           himself
           ,
           his
           Reasonings
           must
           have
           their
           Rise
           ,
           either
           from
           something
           within
           himself
           ,
           or
           from
           something
           ,
           in
           the
           things
           concerning
           which
           he
           staggereth
           :
           Either
           
             Certitudo
             mentis
             ,
          
           the
           assurance
           of
           his
           mind
           ,
           or
           
             Certitudo
             entis
             ,
          
           the
           certainty
           of
           the
           thing
           it self
           ,
           is
           wanting
           .
        
         
           He
           that
           doubteth
           whether
           his
           friend
           in
           a
           far
           country
           be
           alive
           or
           no
           ,
           his
           staggering
           ariseth
           from
           the
           uncertainty
           of
           the
           thing
           it self
           :
           when
           that
           is
           made
           out
           ,
           he
           is
           resolved
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           with
           
             Jacob
          
           in
           the
           Case
           of
           
             Joseph
             .
          
           But
           he
           that
           doubteth
           ,
           whether
           the
           Needl
           in
           the
           Compass
           ,
           being
           touched
           with
           the
           Loadstone
           ,
           will
           turn
           Northward
           ;
           all
           the
           uncertainty
           is
           in
           his
           own
           mind
           .
        
         
           When
           men
           
             stagger
             at
             the
             Promises
             ,
          
           this
           must
           arise
           either
           from
           within
           themselves
           ,
           or
           some
           occasion
           must
           be
           administred
           hereunto
           ,
           from
           the
           Promise
           .
           If
           from
           within
           themselves
           ,
           that
           can
           be
           nothing
           but
           unbelief
           ;
           an
           in-bred
           obstacle
           to
           closing
           with
           ,
           and
           resting
           on
           the
           Promise
           ,
           that
           is
           unbelief
           .
           If
           then
           we
           demonstrate
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           nothing
           in
           the
           Promise
           ,
           either
           as
           to
           the
           
             matter
             ,
          
           or
           
             manner
             ,
          
           or
           any
           
             attendency
          
           of
           it
           ,
           that
           should
           occasion
           any
           such
           
             staggering
             ,
          
           then
           we
           lay
           the
           burden
           and
           blame
           on
           the
           right
           shoulders
           ,
           
             the
             sin
             of
             staggering
             on
             unbelief
             .
          
        
         
           Now
           that
           any
           Occasion
           is
           not
           administred
           ,
           nor
           Cause
           given
           ,
           of
           this
           staggering
           ,
           from
           the
           Promise
           ,
           will
           appear
           ,
           if
           we
           consider
           seriously
           whence
           any
           such
           Occasion
           or
           Cause
           should
           arise
           .
           All
           the
           stability
           of
           a
           
           Promise
           ,
           depends
           upon
           the
           Qualifications
           of
           the
           Promiser
           ,
           to
           the
           ends
           and
           purposes
           of
           the
           promise
           .
           If
           a
           man
           make
           me
           a
           Promise
           to
           do
           such
           and
           such
           things
           for
           me
           ,
           and
           I
           question
           ,
           whether
           ever
           it
           will
           be
           so
           ,
           or
           no
           ;
           it
           must
           be
           from
           a
           doubt
           of
           the
           want
           of
           one
           of
           these
           things
           in
           him
           that
           makes
           the
           Promise
           :
           either
           1
           of
           
             Truth
             ,
          
           or
           2d
           of
           
             Ability
          
           to
           make
           good
           his
           word
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           difficulty
           of
           the
           thing
           it self
           ;
           or
           3d
           of
           
             Sincerity
          
           to
           intend
           me
           really
           ,
           what
           he
           speaks
           of
           ;
           or
           4th
           of
           
             constant
             Memory
          
           to
           take
           the
           Opportunity
           of
           doing
           the
           thing
           intended
           ;
           or
           5th
           of
           
             stableness
          
           to
           be
           still
           of
           the
           same
           mind
           .
           Now
           if
           there
           be
           no
           want
           of
           any
           of
           these
           ,
           in
           him
           whose
           Promises
           we
           speak
           of
           ,
           there
           is
           then
           certainly
           no
           ground
           of
           our
           staggering
           ,
           but
           only
           from
           our
           Own
           unbelief
           .
        
         
           Let
           us
           now
           see
           whether
           any
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           be
           wanting
           to
           the
           Promises
           of
           God
           :
           and
           begin
           we
           with
           the
           First
           :
        
         
           1
           Is
           there
           
             Truth
          
           in
           these
           Promises
           ?
           If
           there
           be
           the
           least
           Occasion
           in
           the
           world
           ,
           to
           suspect
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           promises
           ,
           or
           the
           Veracity
           of
           the
           Promiser
           ,
           then
           may
           our
           
             staggering
          
           at
           them
           ,
           arise
           from
           thence
           ,
           and
           not
           from
           our
           unbelief
           .
           On
           this
           ground
           it
           is
           ,
           That
           all
           humane
           Faith
           ,
           that
           is
           bottomed
           meerly
           on
           the
           Testimony
           of
           man
           ,
           is
           at
           best
           but
           a
           probable
           Opinion
           :
           for
           
             every
             man
             is
             a
             lyar
             ,
          
           and
           possibly
           may
           lye
           ,
           in
           that
           very
           thing
           ,
           he
           is
           ingaged
           to
           us
           in
           .
           Though
           a
           Good
           man
           will
           not
           do
           so
           ,
           to
           save
           his
           life
           ,
           yet
           it
           is
           possible
           ,
           he
           may
           be
           tempted
           ,
           he
           may
           do
           so
           :
           But
           now
           the
           Author
           of
           the
           Promises
           whereof
           we
           speak
           ,
           is
           
             Truth
             it self
             .
          
           The
           God
           of
           Truth
           .
           Who
           hath
           taken
           this
           as
           his
           special
           Attribute
           ,
           to
           distinguish
           him
           ,
           from
           all
           other
           .
           He
           is
           the
           very
           
           God
           of
           Truth
           ;
           and
           holds
           out
           this
           very
           Attribute
           in
           a
           special
           manner
           ,
           in
           this
           very
           thing
           ,
           in
           making
           of
           his
           Promise
           .
           
             He
             is
             faithful
             to
             forgive
             us
             our
             sins
             ,
          
           1
           Joh.
           1.
           9.
           whence
           his
           Word
           is
           said
           ,
           not
           only
           to
           be
           
             true
             ,
          
           but
           
             Truth
             ,
             Joh.
          
           17.
           19.
           
           Truth
           it self
           :
           
             All
             flesh
             is
             as
             grass
             ,
             but
             his
             Word
             abideth
             for
             ever
             ,
          
           Isa
           44.
           1.
           
        
         
           But
           yet
           further
           ,
           that
           it
           may
           be
           evident
           ,
           that
           from
           hence
           there
           can
           be
           no
           Occasion
           of
           
             staggering
             .
          
           This
           God
           
             of
             Truth
             ,
          
           whose
           
             Word
             is
             Truth
             ,
          
           hath
           in
           his
           infinite
           Wisdom
           ,
           condescended
           to
           our
           weakness
           ,
           and
           used
           all
           possible
           means
           ,
           to
           Cause
           us
           to
           apprehend
           the
           Truth
           of
           his
           Promises
           .
           The
           Lord
           might
           have
           left
           us
           in
           the
           dark
           ,
           to
           have
           gathered
           out
           his
           Mind
           and
           Will
           towards
           us
           ,
           from
           obscure
           Expressions
           :
           and
           knowing
           of
           what
           value
           his
           Kindness
           is
           ,
           it
           might
           justly
           be
           expected
           that
           we
           should
           do
           so
           .
           Men
           in
           misery
           ,
           are
           glad
           to
           lay
           hold
           of
           the
           least
           word
           ,
           that
           drops
           from
           him
           ,
           that
           can
           Relieve
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           take
           Courage
           and
           Advantage
           upon
           it
           :
           As
           the
           Servants
           of
           
             Benhadad
             ,
          
           watched
           diligently
           ,
           what
           would
           fall
           from
           the
           mouth
           of
           
             Ahab
             ,
          
           concerning
           their
           Master
           ,
           then
           in
           fear
           of
           death
           :
           and
           when
           he
           had
           occasionally
           called
           him
           
             his
             Brother
             ,
          
           they
           presently
           laid
           hold
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           cry
           ,
           
             Thy
             Brother
             Benhadad
             :
          
           1
           King.
           20.
           35.
           
           God
           might
           have
           left
           us
           ,
           and
           yet
           have
           manifested
           much
           Free-grace
           ,
           to
           have
           gathered
           up
           falling
           Crums
           ,
           or
           occasional
           droppings
           of
           Mercy
           ,
           and
           supply
           :
           that
           we
           should
           have
           rejoyced
           to
           have
           found
           out
           one
           word
           looking
           that
           way
           :
           But
           to
           shut
           up
           all
           Objections
           ,
           and
           to
           stop
           for
           ever
           the
           mouth
           of
           unbelief
           ;
           he
           hath
           not
           only
           spoken
           plainly
           ,
           but
           hath
           condescended
           to
           use
           all
           the
           ways
           of
           confirming
           the
           Truth
           of
           what
           he
           sayes
           and
           speaks
           ,
           that
           ever
           were
           in
           use
           ,
           among
           the
           sons
           of
           men
           .
        
         
         
           There
           be
           Four
           wayes
           ,
           whereby
           men
           seek
           to
           obtain
           credit
           to
           what
           they
           speak
           ,
           as
           an
           undoubted
           Truth
           ,
           that
           there
           may
           be
           no
           Occasion
           of
           
             staggering
             .
          
        
         
           1
           ,
           
             By
             often
             avering
             and
             affirming
             of
             the
             same
             thing
             .
          
           When
           a
           man
           sayes
           the
           same
           thing
           again
           and
           again
           ,
           it
           is
           a
           sign
           that
           he
           speaks
           the
           Truth
           ,
           or
           at
           least
           that
           he
           would
           be
           thought
           so
           to
           do
           .
           Yea
           ,
           if
           an
           honest
           man
           ,
           do
           cleerly
           ,
           fully
           ,
           plainly
           ,
           often
           ingage
           himself
           to
           us
           in
           the
           same
           thing
           ,
           we
           count
           it
           a
           vile
           jealousie
           not
           to
           believe
           the
           real
           Truth
           of
           his
           Intentions
           .
           Now
           the
           Lord
           in
           his
           Promises
           often
           speaks
           the
           same
           things
           ,
           He
           speaks
           
             once
          
           and
           
             twice
             .
          
           There
           is
           not
           any
           thing
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           Promised
           us
           ,
           but
           he
           hath
           done
           it
           ,
           again
           ,
           and
           again
           .
           For
           instance
           ;
           as
           if
           he
           should
           say
           ,
           I
           will
           be
           
             merciful
             to
             your
             sins
             ,
          
           I
           pray
           believe
           me
           ,
           for
           ,
           
             I
             will
             pardon
             your
             iniquities
             ,
          
           yea
           it
           shall
           be
           so
           ,
           
             I
             will
             blot
             cut
             your
             Transgressions
             as
             a
             cloud
             .
          
           There
           is
           not
           any
           want
           ,
           whereunto
           we
           are
           liable
           ,
           but
           thus
           he
           hath
           dealt
           concerning
           it
           .
           As
           his
           Command
           is
           
             line
             upon
             line
             ,
          
           so
           is
           his
           Promise
           .
           And
           this
           is
           one
           way
           ,
           whereby
           God
           causeth
           the
           Truth
           of
           his
           Promises
           to
           appear
           .
           To
           take
           away
           all
           colour
           of
           staggering
           ,
           he
           
             speaks
             once
             ,
             yea
             twice
             ,
          
           if
           we
           will
           hear
           .
        
         
           2
           ,
           
             The
             Second
             way
             of
             Confirming
             any
          
           Truth
           ,
           
             is
             by
             an
          
           Oath
           .
           Though
           we
           fear
           the
           Truth
           of
           some
           men
           in
           their
           Assertions
           ,
           yet
           when
           once
           they
           come
           to
           Swear
           any
           thing
           in
           
             Justice
             and
             Judgement
             ,
          
           there
           are
           very
           few
           so
           knownly
           profligate
           ,
           and
           past
           all
           sense
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           that
           their
           Asseverations
           do
           gain
           Credit
           ,
           and
           passe
           for
           Truth
           .
           Hence
           the
           Apostle
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             Heb.
             6.
             16.
             
             That
             an
             Oath
             for
             Confirmation
             ,
             is
             to
             men
             an
             end
             of
             all
             strife
             .
          
           Though
           the
           Truth
           be
           before
           ,
           ambiguous
           and
           doubtful
           ,
           yet
           
           when
           any
           interposes
           with
           an
           
             Oath
             ,
          
           there
           is
           no
           more
           Contest
           amongst
           men
           .
           That
           nothing
           may
           be
           wanting
           to
           win
           our
           Belief
           to
           the
           Promises
           of
           God
           ,
           he
           hath
           taken
           this
           Course
           also
           ,
           he
           hath
           sworn
           to
           their
           Truth
           ,
           
             Heb.
             6
             13.
             
             When
             God
             made
             Promises
             to
          
           Abraham
           ,
           
             because
             he
             could
             swear
             by
             no
             greater
             ,
             he
             sware
             by
             himself
             .
          
           He
           confirms
           his
           Promise
           by
           an
           Oath
           .
           
             O
             faelices
             nos
             ,
             quorum
             causa
             Deus
             jurat
             ,
             ô
             infaelices
             ,
             si
             nec
             juranti
             Deo
             credimus
             !
          
           When
           Christ
           came
           ,
           
             in
             whom
             all
             the
             Promises
             of
             God
             ,
             are
             ,
             Yea
             and
             Amen
             ,
          
           to
           make
           sure
           work
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           them
           ,
           he
           is
           confirmed
           in
           his
           Administrations
           ,
           by
           
             an
             Oath
             :
          
           Heb.
           7.
           21.
           
           
             He
             was
             made
             a
             Priest
             by
             an
             Oath
             ,
             by
             him
             that
             said
             ,
             The
             Lord
             sware
             ,
             and
             will
             not
             repent
             ,
             thou
             art
             a
             Priest
             for
             ever
             :
          
           Now
           I
           pray
           ,
           what
           is
           the
           cause
           of
           this
           great
           Condescention
           in
           the
           God
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           to
           confirm
           that
           word
           ,
           which
           in
           it self
           ,
           is
           Truth
           ,
           by
           an
           Oath
           ?
           The
           Apostle
           satisfies
           us
           as
           to
           the
           End
           aimed
           at
           ,
           
             Heb.
          
           6.
           17
           ,
           18.
           
           This
           was
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           the
           Aim
           of
           God
           herein
           ,
           That
           his
           People
           seeing
           him
           ingaged
           ,
           by
           
             two
             such
             immutable
             things
             ,
             as
             his
             Promise
             and
             his
             Oath
             ,
          
           may
           be
           assured
           that
           there
           is
           an
           utter
           impossibility
           ,
           That
           any
           one
           word
           of
           his
           should
           come
           short
           of
           it's
           Truth
           ;
           or
           that
           they
           firmly
           resting
           upon
           it
           ,
           should
           be
           deceived
           thereby
           .
           And
           this
           is
           a
           Second
           way
           .
        
         
           3
           ,
           Another
           Course
           wherby
           men
           Confirm
           the
           Truth
           of
           what
           they
           speak
           ,
           is
           ,
           
             by
             entring
             into
             Covenant
             ,
             to
             accomplish
             what
             they
             have
             spoken
             .
          
           A
           Covenant
           gives
           strength
           to
           the
           Truth
           of
           any
           ingagement
           .
           When
           a
           man
           hath
           but
           told
           you
           he
           will
           do
           such
           and
           such
           things
           for
           you
           ,
           you
           are
           full
           of
           doubts
           and
           fears
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           break
           with
           you
           :
           but
           when
           he
           hath
           indented
           in
           a
           Covenant
           ,
           and
           you
           can
           shew
           it
           under
           his
           Hand
           and
           Seal
           ,
           you
           look
           
           upon
           that
           ,
           consider
           that
           ,
           and
           are
           very
           secure
           .
           Even
           this
           way
           also
           hath
           the
           Lord
           taken
           to
           confirm
           and
           establish
           his
           Truths
           and
           Promises
           ,
           that
           all
           doubtings
           and
           staggerings
           may
           be
           excluded
           ,
           he
           hath
           wrapped
           them
           all
           up
           in
           a
           Covenant
           ,
           and
           brought
           himself
           into
           a
           faederal
           Ingagement
           ,
           that
           upon
           every
           Occasion
           ,
           and
           at
           every
           Temptation
           ,
           we
           may
           draw
           out
           his
           Hand
           and
           Seal
           ,
           and
           say
           to
           Satan
           and
           our
           own
           false
           hearts
           ;
           see
           here
           ,
           behold
           God
           ingaged
           in
           Covenant
           ,
           to
           make
           good
           
             the
             word
             ,
             wherein
             he
             hath
             caused
             me
             to
             put
             my
             Trust
             :
          
           and
           this
           is
           his
           property
           ,
           That
           he
           is
           
             a
             God
             keeping
             Covenant
             :
          
           So
           that
           having
           his
           Promise
           
             redoubled
             ,
          
           and
           that
           confirmed
           by
           an
           
             Oath
             ,
          
           all
           Sealed
           and
           made
           sure
           by
           an
           unchangeable
           
             Covenant
             ,
          
           what
           can
           we
           require
           more
           ,
           to
           assure
           us
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           these
           things
           :
           But
           yet
           further
           .
        
         
           4
           ,
           In
           things
           of
           very
           great
           weight
           ,
           and
           Concernment
           ,
           such
           as
           whereon
           Lives
           ,
           and
           the
           Peace
           of
           Nations
           does
           depend
           ,
           
             men
             use
             to
             give
             Hostages
             ,
             for
             the
             securing
             each
             other
             of
             the
             Faith
             and
             Truth
             of
             all
             their
             Ingagements
             ;
          
           that
           they
           may
           be
           mutual
           Pledges
           of
           their
           Truth
           and
           Fidelity
           .
           Neither
           hath
           the
           Lord
           left
           this
           way
           unused
           to
           confirm
           his
           Promise
           .
           He
           hath
           given
           us
           an
           Hostage
           to
           secure
           us
           of
           his
           Truth
           :
           one
           exceedingly
           dear
           to
           him
           ;
           one
           alwayes
           in
           his
           bosome
           ;
           of
           whose
           Honor
           ,
           he
           is
           as
           Careful
           ,
           as
           of
           his
           Own
           .
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           is
           the
           great
           Hostage
           of
           his
           Fathers
           Truth
           :
           the
           Pledge
           of
           his
           Fidelity
           in
           his
           Promises
           .
           God
           hath
           set
           him
           forth
           ,
           and
           given
           him
           to
           us
           ,
           for
           this
           end
           .
           
             Behold
             the
             Lord
             himself
             shall
             give
             you
             a
             sign
             ,
             (
             a
             sign
          
           that
           he
           will
           fulfil
           his
           word
           )
           
             A
             virgin
             shall
             conceive
             and
             bare
             a
             Son
             ,
             and
             shall
             call
             his
             name
             Immanuel
             ,
          
           Isa
           ,
           7.
           14.
           
           That
           you
           may
           be
           assured
           
           of
           my
           Truth
           ,
           
             the
             Virgins
             Son
          
           shall
           be
           a
           Hostage
           of
           it
           .
           
             In
             him
             are
             all
             the
             Promises
             of
             God
             ,
             Yea
             and
             Amen
             .
          
           Thus
           also
           to
           his
           Saints
           ,
           he
           gives
           the
           further
           Hostage
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           the
           first
           fruits
           of
           Glory
           ;
           that
           the
           full
           accomplishment
           of
           all
           his
           Promises
           ,
           may
           be
           contracted
           in
           a
           little
           ,
           and
           presented
           to
           their
           view
           :
           As
           the
           
             Israelites
          
           had
           the
           pleasures
           of
           
             Canaan
          
           in
           the
           
             Clusters
             of
             Grapes
             ,
          
           brought
           from
           thence
           .
        
         
           Now
           from
           all
           this
           it
           is
           apparent
           ,
           not
           only
           that
           there
           is
           Truth
           in
           all
           the
           Promises
           of
           God
           ,
           but
           also
           that
           Truth
           so
           confirmed
           ,
           so
           made
           out
           ,
           established
           ,
           that
           not
           the
           least
           Occasion
           imaginable
           ,
           is
           thence
           administred
           to
           
             staggering
          
           or
           doubting
           .
           He
           that
           disputes
           the
           Promise
           ,
           and
           knows
           not
           how
           to
           close
           with
           them
           ,
           must
           find
           out
           another
           Cause
           of
           his
           so
           doing
           :
           as
           to
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           Promise
           ,
           there
           is
           no
           doubt
           at
           all
           ,
           nor
           place
           for
           any
           .
        
         
           2
           But
           Secondly
           ,
           though
           there
           be
           
             Truth
          
           in
           the
           Promise
           ,
           yet
           there
           may
           want
           
             Ability
          
           in
           the
           Promiser
           to
           accomplish
           the
           thing
           Promised
           ,
           because
           of
           it's
           manifold
           difficulties
           .
           This
           may
           be
           a
           Second
           Cause
           of
           staggering
           ,
           if
           the
           thing
           it self
           ingaged
           for
           ,
           be
           not
           compassable
           ,
           by
           the
           Ability
           of
           the
           Ingager
           .
           As
           if
           a
           skilful
           Physitian
           ,
           should
           Promise
           a
           sick
           man
           a
           Recovery
           from
           his
           Disease
           ,
           though
           he
           could
           rely
           upon
           the
           Truth
           and
           Sincerity
           of
           his
           Friend
           ,
           yet
           he
           cannot
           but
           question
           his
           
             Ability
          
           as
           to
           this
           ,
           knowing
           that
           to
           cure
           the
           least
           Distemper
           ,
           is
           not
           absolutly
           in
           his
           power
           :
           but
           when
           
             he
          
           Promises
           ,
           who
           is
           
             able
             to
             performe
             ,
          
           then
           all
           doubting
           in
           this
           kind
           ,
           is
           removed
           .
           See
           then
           whether
           it
           be
           so
           ,
           in
           respect
           of
           these
           Promises
           whereof
           we
           speak
           .
           When
           God
           comes
           to
           
             Abraham
             ,
          
           to
           ingage
           himself
           
           in
           that
           Covenant
           of
           Grace
           ,
           from
           whence
           flow
           all
           the
           Promises
           whereof
           we
           Treat
           :
           He
           laies
           this
           down
           as
           the
           Bottom
           of
           all
           ,
           
             I
             am
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             God
             Almighty
             ,
             Gen.
          
           17.
           1.
           or
           ,
           
             God
             Alsufficient
             ,
          
           very
           well
           able
           to
           go
           through
           with
           what
           ever
           I
           Promise
           .
           When
           Difficulties
           ,
           Temptations
           ,
           and
           Troubles
           arise
           ,
           remember
           who
           it
           is
           that
           hath
           Promised
           ;
           not
           only
           he
           that
           is
           true
           and
           faithful
           ,
           but
           he
           that
           is
           
             God
             Almighty
             ,
          
           before
           whom
           nothing
           can
           stand
           ,
           when
           he
           will
           accomplish
           his
           Word
           .
           And
           that
           this
           was
           a
           bottom
           of
           great
           Confidence
           to
           
             Abraham
             ,
          
           the
           Apostle
           tells
           you
           ,
           
             Rom.
             4.
             21.
             
             Being
             fully
             perswaded
             that
             he
             who
             had
             Promised
             ,
             was
             able
             also
             to
             performe
             .
          
           When
           God
           is
           ingaged
           by
           his
           VVord
           ,
           his
           
             Ability
          
           is
           especially
           to
           be
           eyed
           .
           The
           Soul
           is
           apt
           to
           ask
           how
           can
           this
           be
           ?
           it
           is
           impossible
           it
           should
           be
           so
           to
           me
           :
           but
           ,
           
             he
             is
             able
             that
             hath
             Promised
             .
          
           And
           this
           ,
           
             Rom.
          
           11.
           23.
           the
           same
           Apostle
           holds
           out
           to
           us
           ,
           to
           fix
           our
           Faith
           upon
           ,
           in
           reference
           to
           that
           great
           Promise
           of
           Re-calling
           the
           Jews
           ,
           and
           Re-implanting
           them
           into
           the
           Vine
           .
           
             God
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             is
             able
             to
             graft
             them
             in
             :
          
           though
           now
           they
           seem
           as
           
             dead
             bones
             ,
          
           yet
           the
           Lord
           knows
           they
           may
           live
           ,
           
             for
             he
             is
             able
          
           to
           breath
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           make
           them
           
             terrible
             as
             an
             Army
             with
             Banners
             :
          
           Yea
           so
           excellent
           is
           this
           Alsufficiency
           ,
           this
           Ability
           of
           God
           to
           accomplish
           his
           whole
           VVord
           ,
           that
           the
           Apostle
           cautions
           us
           ,
           That
           we
           do
           not
           bound
           it
           ,
           as
           though
           it
           could
           go
           so
           far
           only
           ,
           or
           so
           far
           :
           Nay
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             Ephes.
             3.
             20.
             
             He
             is
             able
             to
             do
             exceeding
             abundantly
             ,
             above
             all
             that
             we
             can
             ask
             or
             think
             .
          
        
         
           VVhen
           men
           come
           to
           close
           with
           the
           Promise
           indeed
           ,
           to
           make
           a
           life
           upon
           it
           ,
           they
           are
           very
           ready
           to
           question
           and
           enquire
           ,
           whither
           it
           be
           possible
           that
           ever
           the
           VVord
           of
           it
           ,
           should
           be
           made
           good
           to
           them
           .
           He
           
           that
           sees
           a
           little
           Boat
           swimming
           at
           Sea
           ,
           observes
           no
           great
           difficulty
           in
           it
           ,
           looks
           upon
           it
           without
           any
           solicitousness
           of
           mind
           at
           all
           ,
           beholds
           how
           it
           tosses
           up
           and
           down
           ,
           without
           any
           fears
           of
           it
           's
           sinking
           :
           but
           now
           ,
           let
           this
           man
           commit
           his
           own
           life
           to
           Sea
           in
           that
           Bottome
           ,
           what
           inquiries
           will
           he
           make
           ?
           what
           a
           search
           into
           the
           Vessel
           ?
           Is
           it
           possible
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           this
           little
           Thing
           should
           safe-gaurd
           my
           Life
           in
           the
           Ocean
           ?
           It
           is
           so
           with
           us
           ,
           in
           our
           view
           of
           the
           Promises
           :
           whilst
           we
           consider
           them
           at
           large
           ,
           as
           they
           lye
           in
           the
           Word
           ,
           alass
           !
           they
           are
           all
           true
           ,
           
             all
             Yea
             and
             Amen
             ,
          
           shall
           be
           all
           accomplished
           :
           but
           when
           we
           go
           to
           venture
           our
           Souls
           upon
           a
           Promise
           ,
           in
           an
           Ocean
           of
           Wrath
           and
           Temptations
           ,
           then
           every
           blast
           we
           think
           will
           over-turn
           it
           :
           it
           will
           not
           bear
           us
           above
           all
           these
           Waves
           ;
           Is
           it
           possible
           we
           should
           swim
           safely
           upon
           the
           Plank
           of
           a
           Pinnace
           in
           the
           middest
           of
           the
           Ocean
           ?
        
         
           Now
           here
           we
           are
           apt
           to
           deceive
           our selves
           ,
           and
           mistake
           the
           whole
           thing
           in
           Question
           ,
           Which
           is
           the
           Bottom
           of
           many
           corrupted
           Reasonings
           and
           perplexed
           Thoughts
           .
           We
           enquire
           whether
           it
           can
           be
           so
           to
           us
           ,
           as
           the
           Word
           holds
           out
           ;
           when
           the
           Truth
           is
           ,
           The
           Question
           is
           not
           about
           the
           Nature
           of
           the
           Thing
           ;
           but
           about
           the
           Power
           of
           God
           .
           Place
           the
           Doubt
           aright
           ,
           and
           it
           is
           this
           ,
           Is
           God
           
             able
          
           to
           accomplish
           what
           he
           hath
           spoken
           ?
           Can
           he
           heal
           my
           Back-slidings
           ?
           Can
           he
           pardon
           my
           Sins
           ?
           Can
           he
           save
           my
           Soul
           ?
           Now
           that
           there
           may
           be
           no
           Occasion
           ,
           nor
           Colour
           of
           Staggering
           upon
           this
           Point
           ,
           you
           see
           God
           reveals
           himself
           as
           an
           
             Alsufficient
             God
             :
          
           as
           one
           that
           is
           able
           to
           go
           through
           with
           all
           his
           Engagements
           .
           If
           you
           will
           
             stagger
             ,
          
           you
           may
           so
           do
           ;
           this
           is
           certain
           ,
           you
           have
           no
           Cause
           to
           do
           so
           from
           hence
           ;
           
           there
           is
           not
           any
           Promise
           that
           ever
           God
           entred
           into
           ,
           but
           he
           is
           able
           to
           perform
           it
           .
        
         
           
           But
           you
           will
           say
           ,
           Though
           God
           be
           thus
           
             able
             ,
          
           thus
           
             Alsufficient
             ,
          
           yet
           may
           there
           not
           be
           Defects
           in
           the
           
             Means
          
           whereby
           he
           worketh
           ?
           As
           a
           man
           may
           have
           a
           strong
           Arm
           able
           to
           strike
           his
           Enemies
           to
           the
           ground
           ,
           but
           yet
           if
           he
           strike
           with
           a
           Feather
           ,
           or
           a
           Straw
           ,
           it
           will
           not
           be
           done
           ;
           not
           for
           want
           of
           strength
           in
           his
           Arm
           ,
           but
           of
           fitness
           and
           sutableness
           in
           the
           Instrument
           ,
           whereby
           he
           acteth
           .
           But
           ,
        
         
           
           1
           ,
           God
           using
           Instruments
           ,
           they
           do
           not
           Act
           according
           to
           their
           own
           Vertue
           ,
           but
           according
           to
           the
           Influence
           of
           Vertue
           by
           him
           to
           them
           Communicated
           .
           Look
           to
           what
           End
           soever
           God
           is
           pleased
           to
           use
           any
           Means
           ,
           his
           chusing
           of
           them
           ,
           fills
           them
           with
           Efficacy
           to
           that
           purpose
           .
           Let
           the
           Way
           and
           
             Means
          
           of
           Accomplishing
           what
           thou
           expectest
           by
           the
           Promise
           ,
           be
           in
           themselves
           never
           so
           weak
           ,
           yet
           know
           ,
           that
           from
           God's
           chusing
           of
           them
           ,
           to
           that
           End
           ,
           they
           shall
           be
           filled
           with
           Vertue
           and
           Efficacy
           to
           the
           Accomplishment
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           2
           ,
           It
           is
           expresly
           affirmed
           of
           the
           great
           
             Medium's
          
           of
           the
           Promise
           ,
           that
           they
           also
           are
           
             Able
             ,
          
           that
           there
           is
           no
           want
           of
           Power
           in
           them
           ,
           for
           the
           Accomplishment
           of
           the
           Thing
           Promised
           .
        
         
           1
           There
           is
           the
           
             Means
             procuring
             it
             ,
          
           and
           that
           is
           Jesus
           Christ
           :
           the
           Promises
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           good
           Things
           contained
           in
           them
           ,
           are
           all
           purchased
           by
           him
           :
           And
           of
           him
           ,
           the
           Apostle
           affirms
           expresly
           ,
           That
           
             he
             is
          
           ABLE
           
             to
             save
             to
             the
             uttermost
             ,
             them
             that
             come
             to
             God
             by
             him
             :
          
           Heb.
           5.
           27.
           
           No
           Want
           here
           ;
           no
           Defect
           :
           He
           is
           
             able
             to
             do
             it
             to
             the
             uttermost
             ;
             able
             to
             save
             them
             that
             are
             tempted
             :
          
           Hebrews
           .
           2.
           18.
           
        
         
         
           2
           There
           is
           the
           great
           
             Means
             of
             Manifestation
             ,
          
           and
           that
           is
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           :
           and
           of
           this
           also
           it
           is
           affirmed
           that
           it
           is
           
             able
             .
          
           It
           hath
           an
           Alsufficiency
           in
           it
           's
           kind
           .
           
             Paul
          
           tells
           the
           Elders
           of
           
             Ephesus
             ,
          
           That
           the
           
             Word
             of
             Grace
             is
             able
             to
             build
             them
             up
             ,
             and
             to
             give
             them
             an
             Inheritance
             among
             them
             that
             are
             Sanctified
             ,
          
           Act.
           20.
           32.
           
        
         
           3
           There
           is
           the
           great
           
             Means
             of
             Operation
             ,
          
           and
           that
           is
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Grace
           :
           He
           works
           the
           Mercy
           of
           the
           Promise
           upon
           the
           Soul
           :
           He
           also
           is
           
             able
             ,
          
           exceeding
           powerful
           ,
           to
           effect
           the
           End
           appointed
           .
           It
           hath
           no
           bounds
           ,
           nor
           measure
           of
           Operation
           ,
           but
           only
           it's
           own
           
             Will
             :
          
           1
           
             Cor.
          
           12.
           11.
           
        
         
           Hence
           then
           it
           is
           apparent
           in
           the
           Second
           Place
           ,
           That
           there
           is
           no
           Occasion
           for
           Doubting
           ;
           yea
           ,
           that
           all
           staggering
           is
           excluded
           ,
           from
           the
           Consideration
           of
           the
           Ability
           of
           the
           Promiser
           ,
           and
           the
           means
           whereby
           he
           worketh
           :
           If
           thou
           continuest
           to
           stagger
           ,
           thou
           must
           get
           a
           better
           Plea
           then
           this
           ,
           
             it
             cannot
             be
             ,
          
           it
           is
           impossible
           :
           I
           tell
           thee
           nay
           ,
           but
           God
           is
           
             able
          
           to
           accomplish
           the
           whole
           Word
           of
           his
           Promise
           .
           But
           ,
        
         
           3
           ,
           There
           may
           be
           want
           of
           
             Sincerity
          
           in
           Promises
           and
           Engagements
           ,
           which
           whilest
           we
           do
           but
           suspect
           ,
           we
           cannot
           chuse
           but
           
             stagger
             at
             them
             .
          
           If
           a
           man
           make
           a
           Promise
           to
           me
           ,
           and
           I
           can
           suppose
           that
           he
           intends
           not
           as
           he
           sayes
           ,
           but
           hath
           Reserves
           to
           himself
           of
           another
           purpose
           ,
           I
           must
           needs
           doubt
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Accomplishment
           of
           what
           he
           hath
           spoken
           .
           If
           the
           Soul
           may
           surmise
           ,
           that
           the
           Lord
           intends
           not
           him
           
             sincerely
          
           in
           his
           Promises
           ,
           but
           Reserves
           some
           other
           Thing
           in
           his
           Mind
           ,
           or
           that
           it
           shall
           be
           so
           to
           others
           and
           not
           to
           him
           ,
           he
           must
           needs
           dispute
           in
           himself
           ,
           stagger
           ,
           and
           keep
           off
           from
           Believing
           .
           This
           ,
           then
           must
           be
           Demonstrated
           in
           the
           
           
             Third
             Place
             ,
          
           That
           the
           Promises
           of
           God
           ;
           and
           God
           in
           all
           his
           Promises
           ,
           are
           full
           
             of
             sincerity
             ,
          
           so
           that
           none
           need
           fear
           to
           cast
           himself
           on
           them
           ,
           they
           shall
           be
           real
           unto
           him
           .
           Now
           concerning
           this
           ,
           Observe
           ,
        
         
           1
           That
           
             God's
             Promises
             are
             not
             Declarative
             of
             his
             secret
             Purposes
             and
             Intentions
             .
          
           When
           God
           holds
           out
           to
           any
           a
           Promise
           of
           the
           pardon
           of
           Sin
           ,
           this
           doth
           not
           signifie
           to
           any
           singular
           man
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           the
           
             Purpose
          
           of
           God
           ,
           that
           his
           Sin
           shall
           be
           pardoned
           .
           For
           if
           so
           ,
           Then
           either
           all
           men
           must
           be
           pardoned
           to
           whom
           the
           Word
           of
           Promise
           comes
           ,
           which
           is
           not
           :
           or
           else
           God
           fails
           of
           his
           Purposes
           ,
           and
           comes
           short
           of
           his
           Intendments
           ;
           which
           would
           render
           him
           ,
           either
           Impotent
           ,
           that
           he
           could
           not
           ;
           or
           Mutable
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           not
           establish
           them
           :
           but
           ,
           
             who
             hath
             resisted
             his
             Will
             ?
          
           Rom.
           9.
           
           
             He
             is
             the
             Lord
             ,
             and
             he
             changeth
             not
             :
          
           Mal.
           1.
           
           So
           that
           though
           every
           one
           ,
           to
           whom
           the
           Promise
           is
           held
           out
           ,
           hath
           not
           the
           fruit
           of
           the
           Promise
           ;
           yet
           this
           derogates
           not
           at
           all
           ,
           from
           the
           sincerity
           of
           God
           in
           his
           Promises
           ;
           for
           ,
           he
           doth
           not
           hold
           them
           forth
           to
           any
           such
           End
           and
           Purpose
           ,
           as
           to
           declare
           his
           Intentions
           ,
           concerning
           particular
           persons
           .
        
         
           2
           
             There
             are
             some
             absolute
             Promises
             ,
             comprehensive
             of
             the
             Covenant
             of
             Grace
             ,
          
           which
           as
           to
           all
           those
           that
           belong
           to
           that
           Covenant
           ,
           do
           hold
           out
           thus
           much
           of
           the
           Mind
           of
           God
           ,
           That
           they
           shall
           certainly
           be
           Accomplished
           ,
           in
           ,
           and
           towards
           them
           all
           .
           The
           Soul
           may
           freely
           be
           invited
           to
           venture
           on
           these
           Promises
           ,
           with
           Assurance
           of
           their
           Efficacy
           towards
           him
           .
        
         
           3
           This
           God
           principally
           declares
           in
           all
           his
           Promises
           ,
           of
           his
           Mind
           and
           Purpose
           ,
           That
           every
           Soul
           ,
           to
           whom
           they
           shall
           come
           ,
           may
           freely
           rest
           on
           ;
           to
           wit
           ,
           
             That
             Faith
             
             in
             the
             Promises
             ,
             and
             the
             Accomplishment
             of
             the
             Promises
             ,
             are
             inseparable
             .
          
           He
           that
           believeth
           ,
           shall
           enjoy
           ;
           This
           is
           most
           certain
           ,
           this
           God
           declares
           of
           his
           Mind
           ,
           his
           heart
           towards
           us
           ,
           That
           as
           for
           all
           the
           good
           Things
           ,
           he
           hath
           spoken
           of
           to
           us
           ,
           it
           shall
           be
           to
           us
           ,
           
             according
             to
             our
             Faith
             .
          
           This
           I
           say
           the
           Promises
           of
           God
           do
           signifie
           of
           his
           Purpose
           ,
           That
           
             the
             Believer
             of
             them
             ,
             shall
             be
             the
             Enjoyer
             of
             them
             :
          
           In
           them
           ,
           
             the
             Righteousness
             of
             God
             is
             revealed
             from
             Faith
             to
             Faith
             ,
          
           Rom.
           1.
           17.
           
           From
           the
           Faith
           of
           God
           Revealing
           ,
           to
           the
           Faith
           of
           Man
           Receiving
           :
           So
           that
           upon
           the
           making
           out
           of
           any
           Promise
           ,
           you
           may
           safely
           Conclude
           ,
           That
           upon
           Believing
           ,
           the
           Mercy
           ,
           the
           Christ
           ,
           the
           Deliverance
           of
           this
           Promise
           ,
           is
           mine
           .
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           if
           a
           man
           stand
           disputing
           and
           staggering
           ,
           whether
           he
           have
           any
           share
           in
           a
           Promise
           ,
           and
           close
           not
           with
           it
           by
           Faith
           ,
           he
           may
           come
           short
           of
           it
           ;
           and
           yet
           without
           the
           least
           Impeachment
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           the
           Promise
           ,
           or
           sincerity
           of
           the
           Promiser
           :
           for
           God
           hath
           not
           signified
           by
           them
           ,
           That
           men
           shall
           enjoy
           the
           good
           Things
           of
           them
           ,
           whether
           they
           believe
           ,
           or
           not
           .
           Thus
           far
           the
           Promises
           of
           Grace
           are
           General
           ,
           and
           carry
           a
           Truth
           to
           all
           ,
           that
           there
           is
           an
           inviolable
           Connexion
           between
           Believing
           ,
           and
           the
           Enjoyment
           of
           the
           Things
           in
           them
           contained
           .
           And
           in
           this
           Truth
           ,
           is
           the
           Sincerity
           of
           the
           Promiser
           ,
           which
           can
           never
           be
           questioned
           ,
           without
           Sin
           and
           Folly
           .
           And
           this
           wholly
           shuts
           up
           the
           Spirit
           from
           any
           occasion
           of
           staggering
           .
           
             O
             ye
             of
             little
             Faith
             !
             wherefore
             do
             ye
             doubt
             ?
          
           Ah!
           lest
           our
           share
           be
           not
           in
           this
           Promise
           ;
           lest
           we
           are
           not
           intended
           in
           it
           :
           Poor
           Creatures
           !
           there
           is
           but
           this
           one
           way
           of
           keeping
           you
           off
           from
           it
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           Disputing
           it
           in
           your selves
           by
           Unbelief
           .
           Here
           lyes
           the
           
             Sincerity
          
           of
           God
           towards
           thee
           ,
           That
           
             Believing
             ,
          
           thou
           shalt
           not
           come
           
           short
           of
           what
           thou
           aimest
           at
           .
           Here
           then
           is
           no
           Room
           for
           staggering
           .
           If
           Proclamation
           be
           made
           ,
           granting
           Pardon
           to
           all
           such
           Rebels
           ,
           as
           shall
           come
           in
           by
           such
           a
           season
           ,
           do
           men
           use
           to
           stand
           questioning
           whether
           the
           STATE
           bear
           them
           any
           good
           will
           ,
           or
           no
           ?
           No
           ,
           saith
           the
           poor
           Creature
           ,
           I
           will
           cast
           my self
           upon
           Their
           Faith
           &
           Truth
           engaged
           in
           Their
           Proclamation
           whatever
           I
           have
           deserved
           in
           particular
           ,
           I
           know
           They
           will
           be
           Faithful
           in
           Their
           Promises
           .
           The
           Gospel-Proclamation
           is
           of
           Pardon
           to
           all
           Comers
           in
           ,
           to
           all
           Believers
           :
           it
           is
           not
           for
           thee
           ,
           poor
           staggerer
           ,
           to
           question
           ,
           what
           is
           the
           Intendment
           towards
           thee
           in
           particular
           ,
           but
           roll
           thy self
           on
           this
           ,
           There
           is
           an
           absolute
           Sincerity
           in
           the
           ENGAGEMENT
           ,
           which
           thou
           mayest
           freely
           rest
           upon
           .
           But
           ,
        
         
           4
           ,
           Though
           all
           be
           present
           ,
           
             Truth
             ,
             Power
             ,
             Sincerity
             ;
          
           yet
           if
           he
           that
           makes
           the
           Promise
           should
           
             Forget
             ,
          
           this
           were
           a
           ground
           of
           staggering
           .
           
             Pharaoh's
          
           Butler
           ,
           without
           doubt
           ,
           made
           large
           Promises
           to
           
             Joseph
             ,
          
           and
           probably
           spake
           the
           Truth
           according
           to
           his
           present
           Intention
           :
           afterwards
           standing
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           
             Pharaoh
             ,
          
           restored
           to
           Favour
           ,
           he
           had
           doubtless
           Power
           enough
           to
           have
           procured
           the
           liberty
           of
           a
           poor
           Innocent
           Prisoner
           :
           but
           yet
           this
           would
           not
           do
           ,
           it
           did
           not
           profit
           
             Joseph
             ;
          
           because
           ,
           as
           the
           Text
           sayes
           ,
           
             he
             did
             not
             remember
          
           Joseph
           ,
           
             but
             forgat
             him
             :
          
           Gen.
           39.
           23.
           
           This
           forgetting
           made
           all
           other
           things
           useless
           .
           But
           neither
           hath
           
             this
             ,
          
           the
           least
           Colour
           in
           Divine
           Promises
           .
           It
           was
           
             Syons
          
           infirmity
           to
           say
           ,
           
             The
             Lord
             hath
             forsaken
             me
             ,
             and
             my
             God
             hath
             forgotten
             me
             :
          
           Isa.
           49.
           14.
           
           For
           ,
           saith
           the
           Lord
           ,
           
             Can
             a
             woman
             forget
             her
             sucking
             Child
             ,
             that
             she
             should
             not
             have
             compassion
             on
             the
             Son
             of
             her
             womb
             ?
             yea
             ,
             they
             may
             forget
             ,
             
             but
             I
             will
             not
             forget
             thee
             :
             behold
             ,
             I
             have
             graven
             thee
             upon
             the
             palmes
             of
             my
             hands
             ,
             and
             thy
             walls
             are
             continually
             before
             me
             :
             vers.
          
           15
           ,
           16.
           
        
         
           The
           Causes
           of
           forgetfulnes
           are
           ,
           1
           
             Want
             of
             Love
             .
          
           The
           things
           that
           men
           Love
           not
           ,
           they
           care
           not
           for
           :
           the
           matters
           of
           their
           Love
           are
           continually
           in
           their
           thoughts
           .
           Now
           says
           God
           to
           
             Syon
             ,
          
           Why
           sayest
           thou
           ,
           
             I
             have
             forgotten
             thee
             ?
          
           Is
           it
           for
           want
           of
           Love
           ?
           Alass
           !
           the
           Love
           of
           a
           most
           tender
           Mother
           to
           her
           sucking
           Child
           ,
           comes
           infinitly
           short
           of
           my
           Love
           to
           thee
           :
           My
           Love
           to
           thee
           ,
           is
           more
           fixed
           than
           so
           ,
           and
           how
           shouldest
           thou
           be
           out
           of
           my
           mind
           ?
           How
           shouldest
           thou
           be
           forgotten
           ?
           
             Infinite
             Love
             will
             have
             infinite
             Thoughtfulness
             and
             Remembrance
             .
          
        
         
           2
           
             Multiplicity
             of
             business
             :
          
           This
           with
           men
           is
           a
           Cause
           of
           forgetting
           .
           I
           had
           done
           sayes
           one
           ,
           as
           I
           Promised
           ,
           but
           multiplicity
           of
           Occasions
           thrust
           it
           out
           of
           my
           mind
           ,
           I
           pray
           excuse
           me
           :
           Alass
           !
           though
           I
           Rule
           all
           the
           World
           ,
           yet
           ,
           
             thou
             art
             graven
             upon
             the
             palms
             of
             my
             hands
             ,
             and
             therefore
             thy
             walls
             are
             continually
             before
             me
             .
          
           See
           also
           
             Psal.
          
           77.
           9.
           
           Neither
           then
           is
           there
           as
           to
           this
           ,
           the
           least
           colour
           given
           us
           ,
           to
           
             stagger
          
           at
           the
           Promise
           of
           God
           .
        
         
           5
           ,
           But
           lastly
           ,
           Where
           all
           other
           things
           concur
           ,
           yet
           if
           the
           person
           Promising
           be
           
             changable
             ,
          
           if
           he
           may
           alter
           his
           Resolution
           ,
           a
           man
           may
           justly
           doubt
           and
           debate
           in
           himself
           ,
           the
           Accomplishment
           of
           any
           Promise
           made
           to
           him
           :
           It
           is
           true
           ,
           may
           he
           say
           ,
           He
           now
           speaks
           his
           heart
           and
           mind
           ,
           but
           who
           can
           say
           he
           will
           be
           of
           this
           mind
           to
           morrow
           ?
           May
           he
           not
           be
           turned
           ,
           and
           then
           what
           becomes
           of
           the
           Golden
           Mountains
           ,
           that
           I
           Promised
           my self
           upon
           his
           Engagement
           ?
           Wherefore
           in
           the
           last
           
           place
           ,
           the
           Lord
           carefully
           rejects
           all
           sinful
           surmises
           concerning
           the
           least
           change
           or
           alteration
           in
           him
           or
           any
           of
           his
           Engagements
           .
           
             He
             is
             the
             Father
             of
             Lights
             ,
             with
             whom
             is
             no
             variableness
             ,
             nor
             shadow
             of
             turning
             ;
             Jam.
          
           1.
           18.
           no
           shadow
           ,
           no
           appearance
           of
           any
           such
           thing
           .
           
             I
             am
             the
             Lord
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             I
             change
             not
             ;
             therefore
             ye
             Sons
             of
          
           Jacob
           
             are
             not
             consumed
             .
             Mal
          
           3.
           6.
           
           The
           Lord
           knows
           ,
           that
           if
           any
           thing
           in
           us
           ,
           might
           prevail
           with
           him
           to
           alter
           the
           Word
           that
           is
           gone
           out
           of
           his
           mouth
           ,
           we
           should
           surely
           perish
           .
           We
           are
           poor
           provoking
           Creatures
           ,
           therefore
           he
           laies
           our
           ,
           
             not
             being
             consumed
             ,
          
           only
           on
           this
           ,
           even
           his
           
             Own
             unchangableness
             :
          
           This
           we
           may
           rest
           upon
           ,
           
             he
             is
             of
             one
             mind
             ,
             and
             who
             can
             turn
             him
             ?
          
        
         
           And
           in
           these
           Observations
           ,
           have
           I
           given
           you
           the
           first
           Demonstration
           of
           the
           Point
           :
           
             All
             staggering
             is
             from
             our
             own
             unbelief
             .
          
        
         
           
           The
           
             Experience
          
           which
           we
           have
           of
           the
           mighty
           Workings
           of
           God
           ,
           for
           the
           Accomplishment
           of
           all
           his
           Promises
           ,
           gives
           light
           unto
           this
           thing
           .
           We
           have
           found
           it
           true
           ,
           That
           where
           he
           is
           once
           engaged
           ,
           he
           will
           certainly
           go
           through
           unto
           the
           appointed
           Issue
           ,
           though
           it
           stand
           him
           in
           the
           laying
           out
           of
           his
           Power
           and
           Wisdom
           to
           the
           uttermost
           .
           
             Hab.
             3.
             9.
             
             Thy
             Bow
             was
             made
             quite
             naked
             according
             to
             the
             Oath
             's
             of
             the
             Tribes
             ,
             thy
             Word
             .
          
           If
           Gods
           Oath
           be
           passed
           ,
           and
           his
           Word
           engaged
           ;
           he
           will
           surely
           accomplish
           it
           ,
           though
           it
           cost
           him
           the
           
             making
             of
             his
             bow
             quite
             naked
             ,
          
           the
           manifestation
           of
           his
           power
           to
           the
           utmost
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           true
           :
           Never
           did
           any
           wait
           upon
           God
           for
           the
           Accomplishment
           and
           fulfilling
           of
           a
           Promise
           ,
           but
           he
           found
           many
           difficulties
           fall
           out
           between
           the
           Word
           and
           the
           Thing
           .
           So
           was
           it
           with
           
             Abraham
          
           in
           the
           business
           
           of
           a
           Son
           :
           and
           so
           with
           
             David
          
           in
           the
           matter
           of
           a
           Kingdom
           .
           God
           will
           have
           his
           Promised
           Mercies
           to
           fall
           ,
           as
           the
           Dews
           upon
           the
           parched
           gasping
           Earth
           ;
           or
           
             as
             the
             shadow
             of
             a
             great
             Rock
             in
             a
             weary
             Land
             ,
          
           Isa.
           32.
           2.
           very
           welcom
           unto
           the
           Traveller
           ,
           who
           hath
           had
           the
           Sun
           beat
           upon
           his
           head
           in
           his
           travel
           all
           the
           day
           .
           
             Zion
             is
             a
             Crown
             of
             Glory
             in
             the
             hand
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
             as
             a
             royal
             Diadem
             in
             the
             hand
             of
             her
             God
             :
          
           Isa.
           62.
           3.
           
           The
           precious
           Stones
           of
           a
           
             Diadem
             ,
          
           must
           be
           cut
           and
           pollished
           ,
           before
           they
           be
           set
           in
           Beauty
           and
           Glory
           .
           God
           will
           have
           oftimes
           the
           
             precious
             living
             stones
             of
             Zion
             ,
          
           to
           have
           many
           a
           sharp
           
             cutting
             ,
          
           before
           they
           come
           to
           be
           fully
           fixed
           in
           his
           Diadem
           :
           but
           yet
           in
           the
           close
           ,
           whatever
           Obstacles
           stand
           in
           the
           way
           ,
           the
           Promise
           hath
           still
           wrought
           out
           it's
           passage
           :
           As
           a
           River
           ,
           all
           the
           while
           it
           is
           stopped
           with
           a
           Damme
           ,
           is
           still
           working
           higher
           and
           higher
           ,
           still
           getting
           more
           and
           more
           strength
           ,
           until
           it
           bear
           down
           all
           before
           it
           ,
           and
           obtain
           a
           free
           course
           to
           it's
           appointed
           place
           :
           Every
           time
           Opposition
           lyes
           against
           the
           fulfilling
           of
           the
           Promise
           ,
           and
           so
           seems
           to
           impede
           it
           for
           a
           season
           ,
           it
           gets
           more
           and
           more
           Power
           ,
           until
           the
           appointed
           hour
           be
           come
           ,
           and
           then
           it
           bears
           down
           all
           before
           it
           .
        
         
           Were
           there
           any
           thing
           imaginable
           ,
           whereof
           we
           had
           not
           Experience
           ,
           that
           it
           hath
           been
           conquered
           to
           open
           a
           door
           for
           the
           fulfilling
           of
           every
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           we
           might
           possibly
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Apprehension
           of
           that
           thing
           ,
           
             stagger
          
           from
           some
           other
           Principle
           ,
           then
           that
           of
           
             Vnbelief
             .
          
        
         
           What
           is
           there
           in
           Heaven
           or
           Earth
           ,
           but
           God
           and
           his
           ministring
           Spirits
           ,
           that
           hath
           not
           at
           one
           time
           or
           other
           ,
           stood
           up
           to
           it's
           utmost
           Opposition
           ,
           for
           the
           frustrating
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           wherein
           some
           or
           other
           of
           the
           
           Saints
           of
           God
           have
           put
           their
           trust
           ?
           
             Divels
          
           in
           their
           Temptations
           ,
           Baits
           ,
           Subtilties
           ,
           Accusations
           ,
           and
           Oppositions
           :
           
             Men
          
           in
           their
           Counsels
           ,
           Reasonings
           ,
           Contrivances
           ,
           Interests
           ,
           Dominions
           ,
           Combinations
           ,
           Armies
           ,
           Multitudes
           ,
           and
           the
           utmost
           of
           their
           Endeavours
           :
           the
           whole
           
             frame
             of
             Nature
             ,
          
           in
           it
           's
           Primitive
           Instituted
           Course
           ,
           
             Fire
             ,
             Water
             ,
             Day
             ,
             Night
             ,
             Age
             ,
             Sickness
             ,
             Death
             ;
          
           all
           in
           their
           Courses
           have
           fought
           against
           the
           Accomplishment
           of
           the
           Promises
           :
           And
           what
           have
           they
           obtained
           by
           all
           their
           Contendings
           ?
           All
           disappointed
           ,
           frustrated
           ,
           turned
           back
           ,
           changed
           ,
           and
           served
           only
           to
           make
           the
           Mercy
           of
           the
           Promise
           ,
           more
           amiable
           and
           glorious
           .
        
         
           I
           would
           willingly
           Illustrate
           this
           
             Demonstration
          
           with
           an
           Instance
           ,
           that
           the
           Almighty
           ,
           al
           conquering
           Power
           that
           is
           in
           the
           Promise
           ,
           settling
           all
           
             staggering
          
           upon
           it's
           own
           
             Basis
          
           of
           
             VNBELIEF
             ,
          
           might
           be
           the
           more
           evident
           .
        
         
           I
           might
           here
           mention
           
             Abraham
             ,
          
           with
           all
           the
           difficulties
           and
           appearing
           impossibilities
           ,
           which
           the
           Promise
           unto
           him
           did
           pass
           through
           ,
           and
           cast
           to
           the
           ground
           ,
           the
           Mercy
           of
           it
           at
           length
           ,
           
             arising
             out
             of
             the
             grave
             ;
          
           for
           he
           
             received
             his
             Son
             from
             the
             dead
             in
             a
             Figure
             :
             Heb.
          
           11.
           19.
           
           Or
           I
           might
           speak
           of
           
             Joseph
             ,
             Moses
             ,
          
           or
           
             David
             :
          
           but
           I
           shall
           rather
           chuse
           a
           President
           from
           among
           the
           Works
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           the
           Dayes
           wherein
           we
           live
           :
           and
           that
           in
           a
           business
           ,
           concerning
           which
           ,
           we
           may
           set
           up
           our
           
             Eben-Ezer
             ,
          
           and
           say
           ,
           
             Thus
             far
             God
             hath
             been
             a
             helper
             .
          
        
         
           Look
           upon
           the
           Affaire
           of
           
             Ireland
             .
          
           The
           Engagement
           of
           the
           great
           
             God
             of
             Revenges
          
           against
           Murder
           and
           Treachery
           ,
           the
           Interest
           of
           the
           
             Lord
             Christ
             and
             his
             kingdom
             ,
          
           
           against
           the
           
             man
             of
             Sin
             ,
          
           furnished
           the
           undertakers
           with
           manifold
           Promises
           to
           carry
           them
           out
           to
           a
           desired
           ,
           a
           blessed
           Issue
           .
           Take
           now
           a
           brief
           view
           ,
           of
           some
           
             Mountains
             of
             Opposition
             ,
          
           that
           lay
           in
           the
           way
           against
           any
           Success
           in
           that
           Place
           ;
           and
           hear
           the
           Lord
           saying
           to
           every
           one
           of
           them
           ,
           
             Who
             art
             thou
             ,
             O
             great
             Mountain
             ?
             before
             my
             People
             thou
             shalt
             be
             made
             a
             Plain
             :
          
           Zech.
           4.
           7.
           
        
         
           Not
           to
           mention
           the
           strivings
           and
           struglings
           of
           
             two
             manner
             of
             People
             ,
          
           in
           the
           womb
           of
           this
           Nation
           ,
           totally
           obstructing
           for
           a
           long
           time
           the
           bringing
           forth
           of
           any
           Deliverance
           for
           
             Ireland
             :
          
           nor
           yet
           ,
           That
           mighty
           Mountain
           ,
           (
           which
           some
           mis-named
           
             a
             Level
             )
          
           that
           thought
           at
           once
           to
           have
           locked
           an
           everlasting
           Door
           upon
           that
           Expedition
           :
           I
           shall
           Propose
           some
           few
           (
           of
           many
           )
           that
           have
           attended
           it
           .
        
         
           1
           The
           
             silence
             that
             hath
             been
             in
             Heaven
             for
             half
             an
             hour
             as
             to
             this
             Business
             :
          
           The
           great
           Cessation
           of
           Prayers
           in
           the
           Heavens
           ,
           of
           many
           Churches
           ,
           hath
           been
           no
           small
           Mountain
           in
           the
           way
           of
           the
           Promise
           .
           When
           God
           will
           do
           good
           for
           
             Zion
             ,
          
           he
           requires
           that
           his
           
             Remembrancers
             give
             him
             no
             rest
             ,
             until
             he
             do
             it
             .
          
           Isa.
           62.
           7.
           and
           yet
           sometimes
           in
           the
           close
           of
           their
           Supplications
           ,
           gives
           them
           an
           
             Answer
             ,
             by
             terrible
             things
             ,
          
           Psal.
           65.
           5.
           
           He
           is
           sometimes
           
             Silent
             to
             the
             Prayers
             of
             his
             People
             ,
          
           Psal.
           28.
           1.
           
           Is
           not
           then
           a
           grant
           rare
           ,
           when
           his
           People
           are
           silent
           as
           to
           Prayers
           ?
           Of
           how
           many
           Congregations
           in
           this
           Nation
           ,
           may
           the
           Prayers
           ,
           Tears
           ,
           and
           Supplications
           for
           the
           carrying
           on
           of
           the
           Work
           of
           God
           in
           
             IRELAND
             ,
          
           be
           written
           with
           the
           
             lines
             of
             emptiness
             ?
          
           What
           a
           
             Silence
             hath
             been
             in
             the
             Heaven
          
           of
           many
           Churches
           ,
           
             for
             this
             last
             half
             hour
             ?
          
           How
           many
           that
           began
           with
           the
           Lord
           in
           that
           Work
           ,
           did
           never
           Sacrifice
           at
           the
           Altar
           of
           
             Jehova
             nissi
             :
          
           
           nor
           considered
           that
           the
           Lord
           hath
           
             sworn
             to
             have
             War
             with
             such
             Amalekites
          
           as
           are
           there
           ,
           
             from
             Generation
             to
             Generation
             ?
          
           Exod.
           17.
           15
           ,
           16.
           
           They
           have
           forgotten
           ,
           That
           
             Ireland
          
           was
           
             the
             first
             of
             the
             Nations
          
           that
           laid
           waite
           for
           the
           bloud
           of
           Gods
           People
           desiring
           to
           enter
           into
           his
           rest
           ;
           and
           therefore
           
             their
             latter
             end
             shall
             be
             ,
             to
             perish
             for
             ever
             :
             Numb.
          
           24.
           20.
           
           Many
           are
           as
           angry
           as
           
             Jonah
             ,
          
           not
           that
           
             Babylon
          
           is
           spared
           ,
           but
           that
           it
           is
           not
           spared
           .
           Hath
           not
           this
           been
           held
           out
           as
           a
           Mountain
           ?
           what
           will
           you
           now
           do
           ,
           when
           such
           or
           such
           ,
           these
           and
           those
           men
           ,
           of
           this
           or
           that
           Party
           ,
           look
           upon
           you
           
             as
             the
             grass
             upon
             the
             house
             tops
             ,
             which
             withereth
             afore
             it
             groweth
             up
             :
             wherewith
             the
             Mower
             filleth
             not
             his
             hand
             ,
             nor
             he
             that
             bindeth
             sheaves
             his
             bosome
             ,
          
           That
           will
           not
           so
           much
           as
           say
           ,
           
             The
             blessing
             of
             the
             Lord
             be
             upon
             you
             ,
             we
             bless
             you
             in
             the
             name
             of
             the
             Lord
             ?
          
           But
           now
           !
           shall
           the
           faithlesness
           of
           men
           ,
           make
           the
           
             Faith
             of
             God
             of
             none
             effect
             ?
          
           Shall
           the
           kingdom
           of
           Christ
           suffer
           because
           some
           of
           those
           that
           are
           his
           ,
           what
           through
           Carnal
           Wisdom
           ,
           what
           through
           Spiritual
           Folly
           ,
           refuse
           to
           come
           forth
           
             to
             his
             help
             ,
             against
             the
             mighty
             ?
          
           no
           doubtless
           !
           
             The
             Lordsees
             it
             ,
             and
             it
             displeases
             him
             ;
             he
             sees
             that
             there
             is
             no
             man
             ,
             and
             wonders
             that
             there
             is
             no
             Intercessour
             :
             (
             even
             marvels
             that
             there
             are
             no
             more
             Supplications
             on
             this
             behalf
             )
             therefore
             his
             own
             Arm
             brought
             Salvation
             to
             him
             ,
             and
             his
             own
             Righteousness
             it
             sustained
             him
             :
             He
             put
             on
             Righteousness
             as
             a
             brestplate
             ,
             and
             an
             helmet
             of
             Salvation
             upon
             his
             head
             :
             and
             he
             put
             on
             the
             garments
             of
             Vengeance
             for
             cloathing
             ,
             and
             was
             clad
             with
             Zeal
             as
             a
             Cloak
             :
             according
             to
             their
             deeds
             ,
             accordingly
             he
             will
             repay
             ,
             fury
             to
             his
             adversaries
             ,
             recompence
             to
             his
             enemies
             ,
             to
             the
             Island
             he
             will
             repay
             recompence
             :
          
           Isa.
           59.
           15
           ,
           16
           ,
           17
           ,
           18.
           
           Some
           men's
           not
           Praying
           ,
           shall
           not
           hinder
           the
           Promises
           accomplishing
           .
           They
           may
           sooner
           discover
           
           an
           Idol
           in
           themselves
           ,
           then
           disappoint
           the
           living
           God
           .
           
             This
             was
             a
             Mountain
             .
          
        
         
           2
           Our
           own
           Advises
           and
           Counsels
           have
           often
           stood
           in
           the
           way
           of
           the
           Promises
           
             bringing
             forth
             :
          
           This
           is
           not
           a
           Time
           nor
           Place
           for
           Narrations
           :
           so
           I
           shall
           only
           say
           to
           this
           in
           general
           ;
           That
           if
           the
           choycest
           and
           most
           rational
           Advises
           of
           the
           Army
           ,
           had
           not
           been
           overswayed
           by
           the
           Providence
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           all
           probabilities
           ,
           your
           Affairs
           had
           been
           more
           then
           ten
           degrees
           backward
           ,
           to
           the
           Condition
           wherein
           they
           are
           .
        
         
           3
           The
           
             visible
             Opposition
             of
             the
             combined
             Enemy
          
           in
           that
           Nation
           ,
           seemed
           as
           to
           our
           strength
           ,
           unconquerable
           .
           The
           wiseman
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             That
             a
             Threefold
             Cord
             is
             not
             easily
             broken
             :
             Ireland
          
           had
           a
           
             Fivefold
             Cord
          
           to
           make
           strong
           bands
           for
           
             Zion
             ,
          
           twisted
           together
           :
           Never
           (
           I
           think
           )
           did
           such
           different
           Interests
           
             bear
             with
             one
             another
             ,
          
           for
           the
           compassing
           of
           one
           common
           End
           .
        
         
           He
           that
           met
           the
           
             Lyon
             ,
          
           the
           
             Fox
             ,
          
           and
           the
           
             Asse
          
           traveling
           together
           ,
           wondered
           
             quo
             unâ
             iter
             facerent
             :
          
           whither
           these
           ill-matched
           Associates
           did
           bend
           their
           Course
           !
           neither
           did
           his
           marvelling
           cease
           ,
           when
           he
           heard
           they
           were
           going
           a
           Pilgrimage
           ,
           in
           a
           business
           of
           Devotion
           .
        
         
           He
           that
           should
           meet
           
             Protestants
             ,
             Covenanted
             Protestants
             ,
          
           that
           had
           sworn
           in
           the
           Presence
           of
           the
           great
           God
           ,
           to
           extirpate
           
             Popery
             and
             Prelacy
             ,
          
           as
           the
           
             Scots
             in
             Vlster
             ;
          
           Others
           ,
           that
           counted
           themselves
           under
           no
           less
           sacred
           bond
           ,
           for
           the
           maintainance
           of
           
             Prelats
             ,
             Service-Book
             ,
          
           and
           the
           like
           ;
           as
           the
           whole
           Party
           of
           
             Ormonds
          
           adherents
           :
           joyned
           with
           a
           mighty
           number
           ,
           that
           had
           for
           Eight
           yeers
           together
           ,
           sealed
           their
           Vows
           to
           the
           Romish
           Religion
           ,
           with
           our
           bloud
           and
           their
           own
           ;
           adding
           
           to
           them
           those
           that
           were
           
             profound
             to
             revolt
          
           up
           and
           down
           ,
           as
           suted
           their
           own
           Interest
           ,
           as
           some
           in
           
             Munster
             ;
          
           All
           closing
           with
           that
           Party
           ,
           which
           themselves
           had
           laboured
           to
           render
           most
           odious
           and
           execrable
           ,
           as
           most
           defiled
           with
           Innocent
           Blood
           :
           He
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           that
           should
           see
           all
           these
           ,
           after
           seven
           yeers
           mutual
           conflicting
           ,
           and
           embruing
           their
           hands
           in
           each
           others
           blood
           ,
           to
           march
           all
           one
           way
           together
           ,
           cannot
           but
           marvel
           ,
           
             quo
             unà
             iter
             facerent
             ,
          
           whither
           they
           should
           journey
           so
           friendly
           together
           :
           Neither
           surely
           ,
           would
           his
           Admiration
           be
           lessened
           ,
           when
           he
           should
           hear
           ,
           That
           the
           first
           thing
           they
           intended
           and
           agreed
           upon
           ,
           was
           ,
           To
           cover
           the
           innocent
           Bloud
           of
           41
           ;
           contrary
           to
           that
           Promise
           :
           
             Behold
             the
             Lord
             commeth
             out
             of
             his
             place
             ,
             to
             punish
             the
             Inhabitants
             of
             the
             earth
             ,
             for
             their
             iniquity
             :
             the
             earth
             also
             shall
             disclose
             her
             Bloud
             ,
             and
             shall
             no
             more
             cover
             her
             slain
             :
          
           Isa.
           26.
           21.
           
           And
           Nextly
           ,
           To
           Establish
           Catholick
           Religion
           ,
           or
           the
           
             Kingdom
             of
             Babel
             ,
          
           in
           the
           whole
           Nation
           ,
           in
           Opposition
           to
           the
           Ingaged
           Truth
           ,
           and
           in
           our
           dayes
           visibly
           manifested
           Power
           of
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           :
           with
           sundry
           such
           like
           things
           ,
           contrary
           to
           their
           Science
           and
           Conscience
           ,
           their
           Covenant
           and
           Light
           ,
           yea
           the
           Trust
           and
           Honesty
           ,
           of
           most
           of
           the
           chief
           Leaders
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           Now
           how
           can
           the
           Promise
           stand
           in
           the
           way
           of
           this
           
             Hydra
             ?
          
           What
           sayes
           it
           to
           this
           combined
           Opposition
           ?
           Why
           First
           ,
           saith
           the
           Lord
           ,
           
             Though
             hand
             joyn
             in
             hand
             ,
             the
             wicked
             shall
             not
             be
             unpunished
             :
             Prov.
          
           11.
           21.
           
           Their
           Covering
           shall
           be
           too
           short
           ,
           and
           narrow
           ,
           to
           hide
           the
           blood
           which
           God
           will
           have
           disclosed
           .
        
         
           And
           Nextly
           ,
           Though
           they
           will
           
             give
             their
             Power
             to
             the
             Beast
             ,
          
           and
           
             fight
             against
             the
             Lamb
             ,
          
           consenting
           in
           
             this
             ,
          
           
           who
           agree
           in
           nothing
           else
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           yet
           they
           shall
           be
           
             broken
             in
             pieces
             ;
             though
             they
             Associate
             themselves
             ,
             they
             shall
             be
             broken
             in
             pieces
             :
          
           If
           
             Rezin
             ,
          
           and
           the
           Son
           of
           
             Remaliah
             ,
             Syria
          
           and
           
             Ephraim
             ,
             old
          
           Adversaries
           ,
           combine
           together
           for
           a
           
             new
          
           Enmity
           against
           
             Judah
             ;
          
           If
           
             Covenant
          
           and
           
             Prelacy
             ,
             Popery
          
           and
           
             Treachery
             ,
             Bloud
          
           and
           (
           as
           to
           that
           )
           
             Innocency
             ,
          
           joyn
           hand
           in
           hand
           ,
           to
           stand
           in
           the
           way
           of
           the
           Promise
           ;
           yet
           I
           will
           not
           in
           this
           joyn
           with
           them
           sayes
           the
           Lord
           Though
           they
           were
           preserved
           all
           distinctly
           in
           their
           several
           Interests
           for
           seven
           yeers
           ,
           in
           their
           mutual
           conflicts
           ,
           That
           they
           might
           be
           scourges
           to
           one
           another
           ;
           yet
           if
           they
           close
           ,
           to
           keep
           off
           the
           Engagement
           of
           God
           in
           the
           Word
           of
           his
           Promise
           ,
           not
           much
           more
           then
           the
           4th
           part
           of
           one
           yeer
           ,
           shall
           consume
           some
           of
           them
           to
           nothing
           ,
           and
           fill
           the
           Residue
           with
           indignation
           and
           anguish
           .
        
         
           By
           what
           Means
           God
           hath
           mightily
           and
           effectually
           wrought
           ,
           by
           mixing
           Folly
           with
           their
           Counsels
           ,
           putting
           Fear
           ,
           Terror
           ,
           and
           Amazedness
           upon
           all
           their
           Undertakings
           ,
           to
           carry
           on
           his
           own
           Purpose
           ,
           I
           could
           easily
           give
           considerable
           Instances
           .
           That
           which
           hath
           been
           spoken
           in
           General
           ,
           may
           suffice
           to
           bottome
           us
           on
           
             this
             ,
          
           That
           whilest
           we
           are
           in
           the
           way
           of
           God
           ,
           all
           
             staggering
          
           at
           the
           Issue
           ,
           is
           from
           
             unbelief
             ;
          
           for
           he
           can
           ,
           he
           will
           do
           more
           such
           things
           as
           these
           .
        
         
           
             
               Vse
            
             1
          
           My
           
             First
             Vse
          
           shall
           be
           as
           unto
           Temporals
           ;
           for
           they
           also
           (
           as
           I
           told
           you
           )
           come
           under
           the
           Promise
           ,
           not
           to
           be
           staggered
           at
           ,
           with
           the
           limitations
           before
           mentioned
           .
           Learn
           hence
           then
           
             to
             live
             more
             by
             Faith
          
           in
           all
           your
           Actings
           :
           
             Believe
             ,
          
           and
           
             you
             shall
             be
             established
             :
          
           I
           have
           in
           the
           
             dayes
             of
             my
             Pilgrimage
          
           seen
           
             this
             evil
             under
             the
             Sun
             :
          
           Many
           Professors
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           called
           out
           to
           Publick
           
           Actings
           ,
           have
           made
           it
           their
           great
           Design
           to
           manage
           all
           their
           Affairs
           with
           Wisdom
           and
           Policy
           ,
           like
           the
           
             men
             of
             the
             residue
             of
             the
             Nations
             .
          
           Living
           by
           Faith
           ,
           upon
           the
           Promises
           ,
           hath
           appeared
           to
           them
           ,
           as
           too
           low
           a
           thing
           ,
           for
           the
           Condition
           and
           Employment
           wherein
           they
           now
           are
           :
           Now
           they
           must
           Plot
           ,
           and
           Contrive
           ,
           and
           Design
           ,
           lay
           down
           Principles
           of
           Carnal
           Fleshly
           Wisdome
           ,
           to
           be
           pursued
           to
           the
           uttermost
           :
           And
           what
           I
           pray
           hath
           been
           the
           Issue
           of
           such
           Undertakings
           ?
        
         
           1
           First
           ,
           The
           Power
           of
           Religion
           hath
           totally
           been
           devoured
           ,
           by
           that
           lean
           ,
           hungry
           ,
           never
           to
           be
           satisfied
           Beast
           of
           Carnal
           Policy
           :
           No
           signs
           left
           that
           it
           was
           ever
           in
           their
           bosoms
           .
           Conformity
           unto
           Christ
           in
           Gospel
           Graces
           ,
           is
           looked
           on
           as
           a
           mean
           Contemptible
           Thing
           :
           Some
           of
           them
           have
           faln
           to
           down-right
           Athiesme
           ,
           most
           of
           them
           to
           wretched
           Formality
           in
           the
           Things
           of
           God
           .
           And
           then
           ,
        
         
           2
           Secondly
           ,
           Their
           Plots
           and
           Undertakings
           ,
           have
           generally
           proved
           Tympanous
           and
           Birthless
           :
           Vexation
           and
           Disappointment
           hath
           been
           the
           Protion
           of
           the
           Residue
           of
           their
           dayes
           .
           The
           ceasing
           to
           lean
           upon
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           striving
           to
           be
           Wise
           in
           our
           Actings
           ,
           like
           the
           men
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           hath
           made
           more
           
             Rehoboams
             ,
          
           than
           any
           one
           Thing
           in
           this
           Generation
           .
        
         
           What
           now
           lyes
           at
           the
           Bottom
           of
           all
           this
           ?
           
             meerly
             staggering
             at
             the
             Promise
             ,
             through
             Vnbelief
             .
          
           What
           building
           is
           that
           like
           to
           be
           ,
           which
           hath
           a
           
             staggering
          
           Foundation
           ?
           When
           God
           Answers
           not
           
             Saul
             ,
          
           he
           goes
           to
           the
           Devil
           .
           When
           the
           Promise
           will
           not
           support
           us
           ,
           we
           go
           to
           Carnal
           Policy
           :
           neither
           can
           it
           otherwise
           be
           .
           Engagedmen
           ,
           finding
           one
           way
           to
           disappoint
           them
           ,
           presently
           
           betake
           themselves
           to
           another
           .
           If
           men
           begin
           once
           to
           
             Stagger
          
           at
           the
           Promise
           ,
           and
           to
           conclude
           in
           their
           fears
           ,
           That
           it
           will
           not
           receive
           accomplishment
           ,
           That
           the
           
             Fountain
          
           will
           be
           dry
           ,
           they
           cannot
           but
           think
           it
           high
           time
           ,
           to
           
             digge
             Cisterns
          
           for
           themselves
           .
           When
           
             David
          
           sayes
           ,
           
             He
             shall
             one
             day
             perish
             by
             the
             hand
             of
          
           Saul
           ,
           (
           whatever
           God
           had
           said
           to
           the
           contrary
           )
           His
           next
           advise
           is
           ,
           Let
           
             me
             go
             to
             the
             Philistins
             :
          
           and
           what
           succes
           he
           had
           in
           that
           Undertaking
           ,
           you
           know
           .
           
             Political
             diversions
             ,
             from
             pure
             dependance
             on
             the
             Promise
             ,
             do
             alwayes
             draw
             after
             them
             ,
             a
             long
             time
             of
             entanglements
             .
          
        
         
           Give
           me
           leave
           to
           give
           a
           VVord
           of
           Caution
           ,
           against
           One
           or
           Two
           Things
           ,
           which
           men
           
             staggering
          
           at
           the
           Promises
           through
           Unbelief
           ,
           do
           usually
           in
           their
           Carnal
           VVisdome
           run
           into
           ,
           for
           the
           Compassing
           of
           the
           Thing
           aimed
           at
           ,
           That
           they
           may
           not
           be
           found
           in
           your
           Honorable
           Assembly
           .
        
         
           1
           
             Take
             heed
             of
             a
             various
             management
             of
             Religion
             ,
             of
             the
             Things
             of
             God
             ,
             to
             the
             advantage
             of
             the
             present
             Posture
             and
             Condition
             of
             your
             Affairs
             .
          
           The
           Things
           of
           Christ
           should
           be
           as
           
             Joseph's
             Sheaf
             ,
          
           to
           which
           all
           others
           should
           
             bow
             .
          
           VVhen
           they
           are
           made
           to
           cringe
           ,
           and
           bend
           ,
           and
           put
           on
           a
           flattering
           countenance
           ,
           to
           allure
           any
           sort
           of
           men
           into
           their
           Interest
           ,
           they
           are
           no
           more
           the
           Things
           of
           Christ
           .
           I
           would
           it
           had
           not
           been
           too
           evident
           formerly
           ,
           That
           men
           entangled
           in
           their
           Affairs
           ,
           enjoying
           Authority
           ,
           have
           with
           all
           industry
           and
           diligence
           ,
           pursued
           such
           and
           such
           an
           appearance
           of
           Religion
           ;
           not
           that
           themselves
           were
           so
           passionately
           affected
           with
           it
           ,
           but
           meerly
           for
           the
           satisfaction
           of
           some
           in
           that
           ,
           whose
           Assistance
           and
           Complyance
           they
           needed
           for
           other
           
           things
           .
           Oh
           let
           not
           the
           Things
           of
           God
           ,
           be
           immixed
           any
           more
           with
           Carnal
           Reasonings
           .
           His
           Truths
           are
           all
           eternal
           and
           unchangeable
           .
           Give
           them
           at
           once
           the
           Soveraignty
           of
           your
           Souls
           ,
           and
           have
           not
           the
           least
           thought
           of
           making
           them
           bend
           ,
           to
           serve
           your
           own
           Ends
           ,
           though
           good
           and
           Righteous
           .
           Think
           not
           to
           get
           the
           Promise
           like
           
             Jacob
             ,
          
           by
           representing
           your selves
           in
           the
           Things
           of
           God
           ,
           for
           other
           then
           you
           are
           .
        
         
           2
           
             Hide
             no
             Truth
             of
             God
             ,
             as
             to
             that
             way
             of
             manifestation
             which
             to
             you
             is
             committed
             ,
             for
             fear
             it
             should
             prove
             prejudicial
             to
             your
             Affairs
             .
          
           That
           Influence
           and
           Signature
           of
           your
           Power
           ,
           which
           is
           due
           to
           any
           Truth
           of
           God
           ,
           let
           it
           not
           be
           with-held
           by
           Carnal
           Reasonings
           .
           I
           might
           further
           draw
           out
           these
           ,
           and
           such
           like
           things
           as
           these
           ;
           the
           warning
           is
           ,
           To
           live
           upon
           the
           Faith
           of
           that
           Promise
           ,
           which
           shall
           surely
           be
           established
           ,
           without
           turning
           aside
           to
           needless
           crooked
           paths
           of
           your
           own
           .
        
         
           
             
               Vse
            
             2
          
           2
           Secondly
           ,
           Be
           faithful
           in
           doing
           all
           the
           work
           of
           God
           whereunto
           you
           are
           engaged
           ,
           as
           he
           is
           faithful
           in
           
             working
             all
             your
             works
          
           whereunto
           he
           is
           engaged
           .
           Your
           work
           whereunto
           (
           whilest
           you
           are
           in
           his
           wayes
           )
           God
           is
           engaged
           ,
           is
           your
           safety
           and
           protection
           .
           Gods
           work
           whereunto
           you
           are
           engaged
           is
           the
           Propagating
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           the
           setting
           up
           of
           the
           
             Standard
             of
             the
             Gospel
             .
          
           So
           far
           as
           you
           find
           God
           going
           on
           with
           your
           work
           ,
           go
           you
           on
           with
           his
           .
           How
           is
           it
           that
           Jesus
           Christ
           ,
           is
           in
           
             Ireland
          
           only
           as
           a
           
             Lyon
             stayning
             all
             his
             garments
             with
             the
             bloud
             of
             his
             Enemies
             ?
          
           and
           none
           to
           hold
           him
           out
           as
           a
           
             Lamb
             sprinkled
             with
             his
             own
             bloud
          
           to
           his
           friends
           ?
           Is
           it
           the
           Soveraignty
           and
           Interest
           of
           
             England
          
           that
           is
           alone
           to
           be
           there
           transacted
           ?
           For
           my
           part
           ,
           
           I
           see
           no
           further
           into
           the
           MYSTERY
           of
           these
           things
           ,
           but
           that
           I
           could
           heartily
           rejoyce
           ,
           That
           Innocent
           blood
           being
           expiated
           ,
           the
           
             Irish
          
           might
           enjoy
           
             Ireland
             so
             long
             as
             the
             Moon
             endureth
             ,
          
           so
           that
           Jesus
           Christ
           might
           possesse
           the
           
             Irish
             .
          
           But
           God
           having
           suffered
           those
           sworn
           Vassals
           of
           the
           
             man
             of
             Sin
             ,
          
           to
           break
           out
           into
           such
           wayes
           of
           Villany
           ,
           as
           render
           them
           obnoxious
           unto
           Vengeance
           ,
           upon
           such
           rules
           of
           Government
           amongst
           men
           ,
           as
           he
           hath
           appointed
           :
           Is
           there
           therefore
           nothing
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           but
           to
           give
           a
           
             Cup
             of
             Blood
          
           into
           their
           hands
           ?
           Doubtless
           the
           way
           whereby
           God
           will
           bring
           the
           
             followers
             after
             the
             Beast
          
           to
           Condign
           Destruction
           ,
           for
           all
           their
           Enmity
           to
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           ,
           will
           be
           ,
           By
           suffering
           them
           to
           run
           into
           such
           practises
           against
           men
           ,
           as
           shall
           righteously
           expose
           them
           to
           vengeance
           ,
           according
           to
           acknowledged
           Principles
           among
           the
           Sons
           of
           Men
           .
           But
           is
           this
           all
           ?
           Hath
           he
           no
           further
           Aime
           ?
           Is
           not
           all
           this
           to
           make
           way
           for
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           to
           take
           Possession
           of
           his
           long
           since
           Promised
           Inheritance
           ?
           And
           shall
           we
           stop
           at
           the
           first
           Part
           ?
           Is
           this
           to
           deal
           fairly
           with
           the
           Lord
           Jesus
           ?
           Call
           him
           out
           to
           the
           Battel
           ,
           and
           then
           keep
           away
           his
           Crown
           ?
           God
           hath
           been
           faithful
           in
           doing
           great
           things
           for
           you
           ,
           be
           faithful
           in
           this
           one
           ,
           Do
           your
           utmost
           for
           the
           Preaching
           of
           the
           Gospel
           in
           
             Ireland
             .
          
        
         
           Give
           me
           leave
           to
           adde
           a
           few
           Motives
           to
           this
           Duty
           .
        
         
           1
           
             They
             want
             it
             :
          
           No
           want
           like
           theirs
           who
           want
           the
           Gospel
           .
           I
           would
           there
           were
           for
           the
           present
           ,
           one
           Gospel
           Preacher
           ,
           for
           every
           Walled
           Town
           in
           the
           English
           
           Possession
           in
           
             IRELAND
             .
          
           The
           Land
           mourneth
           ,
           and
           
             the
             People
             perish
             for
             want
             of
             knowledge
             :
             Many
             run
             to
             and
             fro
             ,
          
           but
           it
           is
           upon
           other
           designs
           ;
           
             knowledge
             is
             not
             increased
             .
          
        
         
           2
           They
           are
           sensible
           of
           their
           
             Wants
             ,
          
           and
           cry
           out
           for
           
             Supply
             .
          
           The
           Tears
           and
           Cryes
           of
           the
           Inhabitants
           of
           
             Dublin
             ,
          
           after
           the
           Manifestations
           of
           Christ
           ,
           are
           ever
           in
           my
           view
           .
           If
           they
           were
           in
           the
           dark
           ,
           
             and
             lived
             to
             have
             it
             so
             ,
          
           it
           might
           something
           close
           a
           door
           upon
           the
           bowels
           of
           our
           Compassion
           :
           but
           they
           cry
           out
           of
           their
           darkness
           ,
           and
           are
           ready
           to
           follow
           every
           one
           whosoever
           ,
           to
           have
           a
           Candle
           .
           If
           their
           being
           Gospelless
           ,
           move
           not
           our
           hearts
           ,
           it
           is
           hoped
           ,
           Their
           importunate
           Cryes
           will
           disquiet
           our
           Rest
           :
           and
           wrest
           help
           ,
           as
           a
           Beggar
           doth
           an
           Alms.
           
        
         
           3
           
             Seducers
          
           and
           
             Blasphemers
          
           will
           not
           be
           wanting
           to
           
             sow
             their
             Tares
             ,
          
           which
           those
           Fallowed
           Fields
           will
           receive
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           none
           to
           cast
           in
           the
           Seed
           of
           the
           Word
           .
           Some
           are
           come
           over
           thither
           already
           without
           Call
           ,
           without
           Employments
           ,
           to
           no
           other
           end
           ,
           but
           only
           to
           vaunt
           themselves
           to
           be
           God
           ;
           as
           they
           have
           done
           in
           the
           open
           streets
           ,
           with
           detestable
           Pride
           ,
           Athiesme
           and
           Folly
           :
           So
           that
           as
           
             IRELAND
          
           was
           heretofore
           termed
           by
           some
           in
           Civil
           things
           ,
           
             A
             Frippery
             of
             Bankrupts
             ,
          
           for
           the
           great
           number
           of
           Persons
           of
           broken
           Estates
           that
           went
           thither
           :
           So
           doubtless
           in
           Religion
           ,
           it
           will
           prove
           
             A
             Frippery
             of
             Monstrous
             ,
             Enormous
             Contradictious
             Opinions
             ,
          
           if
           the
           Work
           of
           Preaching
           the
           Word
           of
           Truth
           ,
           and
           soberness
           ,
           be
           not
           carried
           on
           .
           And
           if
           this
           be
           the
           Issue
           of
           your
           present
           Undertakings
           ,
           Will
           it
           be
           acceptable
           ,
           think
           you
           ,
           to
           the
           LORD
           JESUS
           ,
           That
           you
           have
           used
           his
           POWER
           
           and
           MIGHT
           ,
           to
           make
           way
           for
           such
           THINGS
           ,
           as
           his
           Soul
           abhors
           ?
        
         
           1
           Will
           it
           be
           for
           his
           Honour
           ,
           That
           the
           People
           whom
           he
           hath
           sought
           to
           himself
           with
           so
           
             high
             a
             hand
             ,
          
           should
           at
           the
           very
           entrance
           of
           his
           taking
           Possession
           ,
           be
           leavened
           with
           those
           high
           and
           heavenly
           Notions
           ,
           which
           have
           an
           open
           ,
           and
           experimented
           tendency
           to
           Earthly
           ,
           Fleshly
           ,
           Dunghill
           Practises
           ?
           Or
           ,
        
         
           2
           Will
           it
           be
           for
           the
           Credit
           and
           Honour
           of
           your
           Profession
           of
           the
           GOSPEL
           ,
           That
           such
           a
           
             breach
             should
             be
             under
             your
             hand
             ?
          
           That
           it
           should
           be
           (
           as
           it
           were
           )
           
             by
             your
             means
             ?
          
           Will
           it
           not
           be
           a
           
             Sword
             ,
             and
             an
             Arrow
             ,
             and
             a
             Maul
          
           in
           the
           hands
           of
           your
           Observers
           ?
           Who
           can
           bear
           the
           just
           Scandal
           that
           would
           accrew
           ?
           Scandal
           to
           the
           Magistrates
           ,
           Scandal
           to
           the
           Ministers
           of
           this
           Generation
           ,
           in
           neglecting
           such
           an
           Opportunity
           of
           advancing
           the
           GOSPEL
           ;
           sleeping
           all
           the
           day
           ,
           whilest
           others
           
             sow
             Tares
             .
          
        
         
           3
           Where
           will
           be
           the
           hoped
           ,
           the
           expected
           Consolation
           of
           this
           great
           Affaire
           ,
           when
           the
           Testimony
           and
           Pledge
           of
           the
           peculiar
           Presence
           of
           CHRIST
           amongst
           us
           ,
           upon
           such
           an
           ISSUE
           ,
           shall
           be
           wanting
           ?
        
         
           
             What
             then
             shall
             we
             do
             ?
             This
             Thing
             is
             often
             spoken
             of
             ,
             seldom
             driven
             to
             any
             close
             !
          
        
         
           1
           Pray
           ;
           Pray
           the
           Lord
           of
           the
           Harvest
           ,
           That
           he
           would
           send
           out
           ,
           That
           he
           
             would
             thrust
             forth
             Labourers
             into
             his
             Harvest
             .
          
           The
           Labourers
           are
           ready
           to
           say
           ,
           
             There
             is
             a
             Lyon
             in
             the
             way
             :
          
           Difficulties
           to
           be
           Contended
           
           withal
           :
           And
           to
           some
           men
           it
           is
           hard
           seeing
           a
           
             Call
             of
             GOD
             ,
          
           through
           Difficulties
           :
           When
           if
           it
           would
           but
           cloath
           it self
           with
           a
           few
           Carnal
           Advantages
           ,
           how
           apparent
           is
           it
           to
           them
           ?
           They
           can
           see
           it
           through
           a
           little
           Cranny
           .
           Be
           earnest
           then
           with
           the
           Master
           of
           these
           
             Labourers
             ,
          
           in
           whose
           hand
           is
           
             their
             life
             and
             breath
             ,
             and
             all
             their
             wayes
             ;
          
           That
           he
           would
           powerfully
           
             Constrain
          
           them
           ,
           to
           be
           willing
           to
           enter
           into
           the
           Fields
           ,
           that
           are
           
             White
             for
             the
             Harvest
             .
          
        
         
           2
           Make
           such
           Provision
           ,
           That
           those
           who
           will
           go
           ,
           may
           be
           fenced
           from
           outward
           Straights
           and
           Fears
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           the
           uncertainty
           of
           humane
           Affairs
           in
           General
           ,
           and
           the
           present
           tumultuating
           perturbations
           will
           admit
           .
           And
           let
           not
           I
           beseech
           you
           ,
           this
           be
           the
           business
           of
           an
           unpursued
           Order
           .
           But
           ,
        
         
           3
           Let
           some
           be
           appointed
           (
           Generals
           dye
           and
           sink
           by
           themselves
           )
           to
           Consider
           this
           thing
           ,
           and
           to
           hear
           what
           sober
           PROPOSALS
           may
           be
           made
           by
           any
           ,
           whose
           Hearts
           God
           shall
           stir
           up
           to
           so
           good
           a
           Work
           .
        
         
           This
           I
           say
           is
           a
           Work
           wherein
           God
           expecteth
           Faithfulness
           from
           you
           :
           Stagger
           not
           at
           his
           Promises
           ,
           nor
           your
           own
           Duty
           .
           However
           by
           all
           means
           possible
           ,
           in
           this
           Business
           ,
           I
           have
           strived
           to
           deliver
           my
           own
           Soul
           .
        
         
           Once
           more
           ,
           to
           this
           of
           Faith
           ,
           let
           me
           stir
           you
           up
           to
           another
           Work
           of
           Love
           :
           and
           that
           in
           the
           behalf
           of
           many
           poor
           perishing
           Creatures
           ,
           that
           want
           all
           Things
           needful
           for
           the
           sustentation
           of
           Life
           .
           Poor
           Parentless
           Children
           ,
           that
           lye
           Begging
           ,
           Starving
           ,
           Rotting
           in
           the
           Streets
           ,
           and
           find
           no
           Relief
           :
           Yea
           ,
           Persons
           of
           Quality
           ,
           that
           have
           lost
           their
           dearest
           Relations
           in
           your
           Service
           ,
           seeking
           for
           Bread
           ,
           and
           finding
           none
           .
           Oh
           that
           
           some
           thoughts
           of
           this
           also
           ,
           might
           be
           seriously
           Committed
           to
           them
           ,
           that
           shall
           take
           care
           for
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           
             
               Vse
            
             3
          
           I
           desire
           now
           to
           make
           more
           particular
           Application
           of
           the
           Doctrine
           ,
           as
           to
           things
           purely
           Spiritual
           :
           Until
           you
           know
           how
           to
           Believe
           for
           your
           own
           Souls
           ,
           You
           will
           scarcely
           know
           how
           to
           Believe
           for
           a
           Nation
           .
           Let
           this
           then
           teach
           us
           ,
           
             To
             lay
             the
             burden
             and
             trouble
             of
             our
             Lives
             upon
             the
             right
             shoulder
             .
          
           In
           our
           
             STAGGERINGS
             ,
          
           our
           Doubtings
           ,
           our
           Disputes
           ,
           we
           are
           apt
           to
           assign
           this
           and
           that
           Reason
           of
           them
           ;
           when
           the
           sole
           Reason
           indeed
           is
           our
           Unbelief
           .
           Were
           it
           not
           for
           such
           a
           Cause
           ,
           or
           such
           a
           Cause
           ,
           I
           could
           Believe
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           Were
           there
           no
           need
           of
           Faith
           .
           That
           is
           Faith
           must
           remove
           the
           
             Mountains
          
           that
           lye
           in
           the
           way
           ,
           and
           then
           all
           will
           be
           plain
           .
           It
           is
           not
           the
           greatness
           of
           Sin
           ,
           nor
           continuance
           in
           Sin
           ,
           nor
           backsliding
           into
           Sin
           ,
           that
           is
           the
           true
           Cause
           of
           thy
           Staggering
           ,
           whatever
           thou
           pretendest
           :
           The
           removal
           of
           all
           these
           is
           from
           that
           Promise
           ,
           whose
           Stability
           and
           Certainty
           ,
           I
           before
           laid
           forth
           :
           but
           solely
           from
           thy
           Unbelief
           ,
           That
           
             root
             of
             bitterness
             which
             springs
             up
             and
             troubles
             thee
             .
          
           It
           is
           not
           the
           distance
           of
           the
           Earth
           from
           the
           Sun
           ,
           nor
           the
           Sun's
           withdrawing
           it self
           ,
           that
           makes
           a
           dark
           and
           gloomy
           day
           ,
           but
           the
           Interposition
           of
           Clouds
           and
           vaparous
           Exhalations
           .
           Neither
           is
           thy
           Soul
           beyond
           the
           reach
           of
           the
           Promise
           ;
           nor
           doth
           God
           with-draw
           himself
           ,
           but
           the
           vapours
           of
           thy
           Carnal
           Unbelieving
           Heart
           ,
           do
           Cloud
           thee
           .
           It
           is
           said
           of
           one
           place
           ,
           
             Christ
             could
             do
             no
             great
             Work
             there
             :
          
           Why
           so
           ?
           For
           want
           of
           Power
           in
           him
           ?
           not
           at
           all
           :
           but
           meerly
           for
           want
           of
           Faith
           in
           them
           ;
           it
           was
           
             because
             of
             their
             Vnbelief
             .
          
           The
           Promise
           can
           do
           no
           great
           Work
           upon
           thy
           heart
           ,
           to
           humble
           thee
           ,
           to
           pardon
           
           to
           quiet
           thee
           ;
           Is
           it
           for
           want
           of
           Fulness
           and
           Truth
           therein
           ?
           not
           at
           all
           :
           but
           meerly
           for
           want
           of
           Faith
           in
           thee
           ,
           that
           keeps
           it
           off
           .
           Men
           complain
           ,
           That
           were
           it
           not
           for
           such
           things
           ,
           and
           such
           things
           ,
           they
           could
           Believe
           ;
           when
           it
           is
           their
           Uubelief
           that
           casts
           those
           rubs
           in
           the
           way
           .
           As
           if
           a
           man
           should
           cast
           Nails
           and
           sharp
           Stones
           in
           his
           own
           way
           ,
           and
           say
           ,
           Verily
           I
           could
           run
           ,
           were
           it
           not
           for
           those
           Nails
           and
           Stones
           ;
           when
           he
           continues
           himself
           to
           cast
           them
           there
           .
           You
           could
           believe
           ,
           were
           it
           not
           for
           these
           Doubts
           ,
           and
           Difficulties
           ,
           these
           staggering
           perplexities
           ,
           when
           alass
           !
           they
           are
           all
           from
           your
           Unbelief
           .
        
         
           
             
               Vse
            
             4
          
           See
           the
           
             sinfulness
             of
             all
             those
             staggering
             doubts
             and
             perplexities
             ,
          
           
             wherewith
             many
             poor
             souls
             have
             almost
             all
             their
             thoughts
             taken
             up
             :
          
           Such
           as
           is
           the
           Root
           ,
           such
           is
           the
           Fruit
           .
           If
           the
           
             Tree
             be
             evil
             ,
             so
             will
             the
             fruit
             be
             also
             .
             Men
             do
             not
             gather
             Grapes
             from
             brambles
             .
          
           What
           is
           the
           Root
           that
           bears
           this
           Fruit
           of
           Staggering
           ?
           Is
           it
           not
           the
           evil
           
             Root
             of
             Vnbelief
             ?
          
           And
           can
           any
           good
           come
           from
           thence
           ?
           Are
           not
           all
           the
           Streams
           of
           the
           same
           Nature
           with
           the
           Fountain
           ?
           If
           that
           be
           bitter
           ,
           can
           they
           be
           sweet
           ?
           If
           the
           Body
           be
           full
           of
           Poyson
           ,
           will
           not
           the
           Branches
           have
           their
           Venome
           also
           ?
           Surely
           if
           the
           Mother
           (
           Unbelief
           )
           be
           the
           Mouth
           of
           Hell
           ,
           the
           Daughters
           (
           Staggerings
           )
           are
           not
           the
           Gates
           of
           Heaven
           .
        
         
           Of
           the
           
             Sin
             of
             Vnbelief
             ,
          
           I
           shall
           not
           now
           speak
           at
           large
           :
           It
           is
           in
           Sum
           ,
           
             The
             Vniversal
             Opposition
             of
             the
             Soul
             unto
             God
             :
          
           All
           other
           Sins
           arise
           against
           some
           thing
           or
           other
           of
           his
           revealed
           Will
           :
           Only
           
             Vnbelief
          
           sets
           up
           it self
           in
           a
           direct
           Contradiction
           ,
           to
           all
           of
           him
           that
           is
           known
           .
           Hence
           the
           weight
           of
           Condemnation
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           is
           constantly
           laid
           on
           this
           Sin
           .
           
             He
             that
             believeth
             
             not
             ,
             on
             him
             the
             wrath
             of
             God
             abideth
             :
             he
             shall
             be
             damned
             .
          
           Now
           as
           every
           drop
           of
           Sea-water
           retains
           the
           brackishness
           and
           saltnesse
           of
           the
           whole
           ,
           so
           every
           staggering
           Doubt
           that
           is
           an
           issue
           of
           this
           Unbelief
           ,
           hath
           in
           it
           the
           unsavouriness
           and
           distastefulness
           unto
           God
           ,
           that
           is
           in
           the
           whole
           .
        
         
           Further
           to
           give
           you
           a
           little
           light
           into
           what
           acceptance
           our
           staggering
           thoughts
           find
           with
           the
           Lord
           ,
           according
           to
           which
           ,
           must
           be
           our
           Esteem
           of
           all
           that
           is
           in
           us
           .
        
         
           Observe
           ,
           that
           
             
               1
               They
               grieve
               him
               .
            
             
               2
               They
               provoke
               him
               .
            
             
               3
               They
               dishonor
               him
               .
            
          
        
         
           1
           
             Such
             a
             frame
             grieves
             the
             Lord
             .
          
           Nothing
           more
           presses
           true
           Love
           ,
           then
           to
           have
           any
           Appearance
           of
           Suspition
           .
           Christ
           comes
           to
           
             Peter
          
           and
           asks
           him
           ,
           
             Simon
             ,
             Son
             of
             Jonas
             ,
             lovest
             thou
             me
             ?
          
           Joh.
           21.
           15.
           
           
             Peter
          
           seems
           glad
           of
           an
           opportunity
           to
           confess
           him
           ,
           and
           his
           love
           to
           him
           ,
           whom
           not
           long
           since
           he
           had
           denyed
           ;
           and
           Answers
           readily
           ,
           
             Yea
             ,
             Lord
             ,
             thou
             knowest
             that
             I
             love
             thee
             .
          
           But
           when
           Christ
           comes
           with
           the
           same
           Question
           again
           and
           again
           ,
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             Peter
             was
             grieved
             because
             he
             said
             unto
             him
             the
          
           3d
           
             time
             ,
             Lovest
             thou
             me
             ?
          
           It
           exceedingly
           troubled
           
             Peter
             ,
          
           That
           his
           Love
           should
           come
           under
           so
           many
           Questionings
           ,
           which
           he
           knew
           to
           be
           sincere
           .
           The
           Love
           of
           Christ
           to
           his
           ,
           is
           infinitely
           beyond
           the
           Love
           of
           his
           ,
           to
           him
           .
           All
           our
           Doubtings
           are
           nothing
           but
           so
           many
           Questionings
           of
           his
           Love
           .
           We
           cry
           ,
           
             Lord
             Jesus
             ,
             Lovest
             thou
             us
             ?
          
           and
           agai●●Lord
           
             Jesus
             ,
             Lovest
             thou
             us
             ?
          
           and
           that
           with
           distrustf●●
           〈…〉
           thoughts
           ,
           That
           it
           is
           not
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           .
           〈…〉
           
           the
           
             Vnbelieving
             Jews
             ,
          
           the
           holy
           Ghost
           tells
           us
           ,
           
             Jesus
             was
             grieved
             for
             the
             hardness
             of
             their
             hearts
             :
          
           Mark
           3.
           5.
           
           And
           as
           it
           is
           bitter
           to
           him
           in
           the
           Root
           ,
           so
           also
           in
           the
           Fruit
           .
           Our
           
             Staggerings
          
           and
           Debates
           when
           we
           have
           a
           Word
           of
           Promise
           ;
           is
           a
           Grief
           to
           his
           holy
           Spirit
           ,
           as
           the
           unkindest
           return
           we
           can
           make
           unto
           his
           Love
           .
        
         
           2
           
             It
             provoks
             him
             .
             How
             can
             this
             be
             ,
          
           (
           sayes
           
             Zechariah
             )
          
           that
           I
           should
           have
           a
           Son
           ?
           This
           shall
           be
           ,
           (
           saith
           the
           Lord
           )
           and
           thou
           thy self
           for
           thy
           questioning
           shalt
           be
           a
           sign
           of
           it
           ,
           
             Thou
             shalt
             be
             dumb
             and
             not
             speak
             :
          
           Luke
           1.
           
           His
           Doubting
           was
           a
           Provocation
           :
           And
           our
           Saviour
           expresses
           no
           less
           in
           that
           bitter
           reproof
           to
           his
           Disciples
           upon
           their
           wavering
           ,
           
             Matth.
             17.
             17.
             
             O
             faithless
             and
             perverse
             Generation
             ,
             how
             long
             shall
             I
             be
             with
             you
             ?
             How
             long
             shall
             I
             suffer
             you
             ?
             How
             long
             shall
             I
             suffer
             you
             ?
          
           That
           is
           ,
           in
           this
           Unbelieving
           frame
           .
           Poor
           Souls
           are
           apt
           to
           admire
           the
           patience
           of
           God
           in
           other
           matters
           ;
           That
           he
           spared
           them
           in
           such
           and
           such
           sins
           ,
           at
           such
           and
           such
           times
           of
           Danger
           ,
           but
           his
           exceeding
           patience
           towards
           them
           in
           their
           carnal
           Reasonings
           ,
           and
           fleshly
           Objections
           against
           Believing
           ;
           this
           they
           admire
           not
           .
           Nay
           ,
           generally
           they
           think
           it
           should
           be
           so
           :
           God
           would
           not
           have
           them
           one
           step
           further
           .
           Nay
           ,
           they
           could
           be
           more
           stedfast
           in
           Believing
           as
           they
           suppose
           ,
           might
           it
           stand
           with
           the
           good
           Will
           of
           God
           :
           when
           all
           this
           while
           ,
           this
           fram
           of
           all
           others
           ,
           is
           the
           greatest
           provocation
           to
           the
           Lord
           ;
           he
           never
           exercises
           more
           forbearance
           ,
           then
           about
           this
           kind
           of
           Unbelief
           .
        
         
           When
           the
           
             Spyes
          
           had
           gone
           into
           
             Canaan
             ,
          
           had
           seen
           the
           Land
           ,
           and
           brought
           of
           the
           good
           Fruit
           of
           it
           ,
           then
           to
           repine
           ,
           then
           to
           question
           whither
           God
           would
           bring
           them
           into
           it
           or
           no
           :
           This
           caused
           the
           Lord
           
             to
             swear
             in
             his
             wrath
             ,
             
             that
             they
             should
             not
             enter
             into
             his
             rest
             .
          
           When
           God
           hath
           brought
           men
           to
           the
           Borders
           of
           Heaven
           ,
           discovered
           to
           them
           the
           Riches
           and
           Excellency
           of
           his
           Grace
           ,
           admitted
           them
           to
           enter
           as
           Spyes
           into
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Glory
           ,
           then
           to
           fall
           a staggering
           ,
           whether
           he
           intends
           them
           an
           Entrance
           or
           no
           ;
           is
           that
           which
           lyes
           heavie
           on
           him
           .
           The
           like
           may
           be
           said
           of
           all
           Promised
           Mercies
           ,
           and
           deliverances
           whatsoever
           .
        
         
           That
           this
           is
           a
           
             Provocation
             ,
          
           The
           Lord
           hath
           abundantly
           testified
           ,
           in
           as
           much
           ,
           as
           for
           it
           ,
           he
           hath
           oftentimes
           snatched
           sweet
           morsels
           from
           the
           mouths
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           turned
           aside
           the
           stream
           of
           Mercies
           ,
           when
           it
           was
           ready
           to
           flow
           in
           upon
           them
           .
           
             If
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             you
             will
             not
             believe
             ,
             you
             shall
             not
             be
             established
             :
             Isa.
          
           7.
           9.
           
           The
           very
           Mercy
           but
           now
           Promised
           ,
           concerning
           your
           deliverance
           ,
           shall
           be
           with-held
           .
           Oh
           stop
           not
           Success
           from
           
             Ireland
             ,
          
           by
           Unbelief
           .
        
         
           3
           
             It
             dishonors
             God
             .
          
           In
           the
           close
           of
           this
           Verse
           ,
           it
           is
           said
           ,
           
             Abraham
             was
             strong
             in
             Faith
          
           (
           or
           staggered
           not
           )
           
             giving
             glory
             to
             God
             .
          
           To
           be
           established
           in
           Believing
           ,
           is
           to
           
             give
             God
             the
             greatest
             glory
          
           possible
           .
           Every
           staggering
           Thought
           that
           ariseth
           from
           this
           Root
           of
           Unbelief
           ,
           robs
           God
           of
           his
           Glory
           .
        
         
           1
           It
           robs
           him
           of
           the
           
             Glory
             of
             his
             Truth
             .
             He
             that
             believeth
             not
             ,
             hath
             made
             him
             a
             Liar
             ,
             because
             he
             believeth
             not
             his
             Record
             :
          
           1
           Joh.
           5.
           10.
           
           Let
           men
           pretend
           what
           they
           please
           ,
           (
           as
           most
           an
           end
           ,
           we
           give
           in
           specious
           pretences
           for
           our
           Unbelief
           )
           the
           bottom
           of
           all
           is
           ,
           The
           questioning
           of
           the
           Truth
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           our
           false
           hearts
           .
        
         
           2
           It
           robs
           him
           of
           
             the
             glory
             of
             his
             Fidelity
             or
             Faithfulness
          
           in
           the
           discharge
           of
           his
           Promises
           :
           
             If
             we
             confess
             our
             sins
             ,
             he
             is
             faithful
             to
             forgive
             us
             our
             sins
             :
          
           1
           Joh.
           1.
           9.
           
           He
           hath
           
           engaged
           his
           faithfulness
           in
           this
           business
           of
           the
           forgiveness
           of
           
             Iniquities
             :
          
           He
           whose
           Right
           it
           is
           ,
           calling
           that
           in
           Question
           ,
           calls
           the
           faithfulness
           of
           God
           in
           Question
           .
        
         
           3
           It
           robs
           him
           of
           
             the
             Glory
             of
             his
             Grace
             :
          
           In
           a
           word
           ,
           If
           a
           man
           should
           chuse
           to
           set
           himself
           in
           an
           universal
           opposition
           unto
           God
           ,
           he
           can
           think
           of
           no
           more
           compendious
           way
           then
           this
           .
           This
           then
           is
           the
           fruit
           ,
           this
           the
           advantage
           of
           all
           our
           staggering
           ,
           we
           rob
           God
           of
           Glory
           ,
           and
           our
           own
           Souls
           of
           Mercy
           .
        
         
           
             
               Vse
            
             5
          
           Be
           ashamed
           of
           ,
           and
           humbled
           for
           ,
           all
           your
           staggerings
           at
           the
           Promises
           of
           God
           ,
           with
           all
           your
           fleshly
           Reasonings
           ,
           &
           carnal
           Contrivances
           issuing
           therefrom
           .
           For
           the
           most
           part
           ,
           we
           live
           upon
           Successes
           ,
           not
           Promises
           :
           unless
           we
           see
           and
           feel
           the
           print
           of
           Victories
           ,
           we
           will
           not
           Believe
           .
           The
           engagement
           of
           God
           ,
           is
           almost
           quite
           forgotten
           in
           our
           Affairs
           .
           We
           travel
           on
           without
           Christ
           ,
           like
           his
           Mother
           ,
           and
           suppose
           him
           only
           to
           be
           in
           the
           croud
           :
           but
           we
           must
           return
           to
           seek
           him
           where
           we
           left
           him
           ,
           or
           our
           journying
           on
           ,
           will
           be
           to
           no
           purpose
           .
        
         
           When
           
             Job
             ,
          
           after
           all
           his
           complaining
           had
           seen
           
             the
             End
             of
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           he
           cryes
           out
           ,
           
             Now
             I
             abhor
             my self
             in
             dust
             and
             ashes
             .
          
           You
           have
           seen
           
             the
             End
             of
             the
             Lord
          
           in
           many
           of
           his
           Promises
           :
           Oh
           that
           it
           might
           prevaile
           to
           make
           you
           abhor
           your selves
           in
           dust
           and
           ashes
           ,
           for
           all
           your
           Carnal
           Fears
           and
           Corrupt
           Reasonings
           ,
           upon
           your
           staggerings
           .
        
         
           When
           
             David
          
           enjoyed
           his
           Promised
           Mercy
           ,
           he
           especially
           shames
           himself
           ,
           for
           every
           thought
           of
           Unbelief
           ,
           that
           he
           had
           whilest
           he
           waited
           for
           it
           :
           
             I
             said
          
           (
           saith
           he
           )
           
             in
             my
             haste
             ,
             That
             all
             men
             were
             Liars
             .
          
           And
           now
           he
           is
           humbled
           for
           it
           .
           Is
           this
           to
           be
           thankful
           ,
           to
           forget
           our
           provoking
           Thoughts
           of
           Unbelief
           ,
           when
           the
           Mercy
           
           is
           enjoyed
           ?
           The
           Lord
           set
           it
           home
           upon
           your
           Spirits
           ,
           and
           give
           it
           to
           receive
           it
           's
           due
           manifestation
           .
        
         
           1
           If
           there
           be
           any
           Counsels
           ,
           Designs
           ,
           Contrivances
           on
           foot
           amongst
           us
           ,
           that
           are
           bottomed
           on
           our
           Staggering
           at
           the
           Promise
           under
           which
           we
           are
           ,
           Oh
           let
           them
           be
           instantly
           cast
           down
           to
           the
           ground
           .
           Let
           not
           any
           be
           so
           foolish
           ,
           as
           to
           suppose
           that
           Unbelief
           will
           be
           a
           foundation
           for
           quiet
           Habitations
           .
           You
           are
           careful
           to
           avoid
           all
           wayes
           that
           might
           dishonor
           you
           ,
           as
           the
           Rulers
           of
           so
           great
           a
           Nation
           :
           Oh
           be
           much
           more
           careful
           about
           such
           things
           as
           will
           dishonor
           you
           as
           Believers
           :
           That
           's
           your
           greatest
           Title
           ,
           That
           's
           your
           chiefest
           Priviledge
           .
           Search
           your
           own
           Thoughts
           ,
           and
           if
           any
           Contrivance
           ,
           any
           Complyance
           be
           found
           springing
           up
           ,
           whose
           seed
           was
           sown
           by
           staggering
           at
           the
           Promise
           ;
           root
           them
           up
           ,
           and
           cast
           them
           out
           ,
           before
           it
           be
           too
           late
           .
        
         
           2
           Engage
           your
           hearts
           against
           all
           such
           wayes
           for
           the
           future
           :
           Say
           unto
           God
           ,
           How
           faithful
           art
           thou
           in
           all
           thy
           wayes
           !
           How
           able
           to
           perform
           all
           thy
           Promises
           !
           How
           hast
           thou
           established
           thy
           Word
           in
           Heaven
           and
           Earth
           !
           Who
           would
           not
           put
           their
           Trust
           in
           thee
           ?
           We
           desire
           to
           be
           ashamed
           ,
           That
           ever
           we
           should
           admit
           in
           our
           hearts
           ,
           the
           least
           staggering
           at
           the
           stability
           of
           thy
           Word
           .
        
         
           3
           Act
           as
           men
           bottomed
           upon
           
             unshaken
             things
             :
          
           that
           are
           not
           at
           all
           moved
           by
           the
           greatest
           appearing
           Oppositions
           :
           
             He
             that
             believeth
             ,
             will
             not
             make
             haste
             :
          
           be
           not
           hasty
           in
           your
           Resolves
           ,
           in
           any
           distress
           .
           Waite
           for
           the
           Accomplishment
           of
           the
           
             Vision
             ,
             for
             it
             will
             come
             .
          
           So
           long
           as
           you
           are
           in
           the
           way
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           do
           the
           Work
           of
           God
           ,
           let
           not
           so
           much
           as
           your
           Desires
           be
           too
           hasty
           ,
           after
           appearing
           Strengthnings
           ,
           and
           Assistance
           .
           Whence
           
           is
           it
           that
           there
           is
           amongst
           us
           ,
           such
           bleating
           after
           the
           Complyance
           of
           this
           or
           that
           Party
           of
           the
           Sons
           of
           men
           ,
           perhaps
           priding
           themselves
           in
           our
           Actings
           upon
           Unbelief
           ;
           as
           though
           we
           proclaimed
           ,
           That
           without
           such
           and
           such
           ,
           we
           cannot
           be
           protected
           in
           the
           Things
           of
           God
           .
           Let
           us
           (
           I
           beseech
           you
           )
           live
           above
           those
           things
           ,
           that
           are
           unworthy
           of
           the
           great
           Name
           ,
           that
           is
           called
           upon
           us
           .
        
         
           Oh
           that
           by
           these
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           wayes
           ,
           we
           might
           manifest
           our self-Condemnation
           ,
           and
           Abhorrency
           ,
           for
           all
           that
           Distrust
           and
           Staggering
           at
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           arising
           from
           Unbelief
           ,
           hath
           had
           such
           deplorable
           Issues
           upon
           all
           our
           Counsels
           and
           Undertakings
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .