A. It maketh us confidently to expect what God hath formerly granted: and to do for us that which he hath always done for them that have called on him, and believed in him. On this ground the Psalmist thus pleadeth, Our fathers trusted in thee: 1they trusted, and thou didst deliver them: They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. This pleading of Gods former dealings implieth faith in Gods unchangeable continuing to be the same God: the same God in our time, that he was of old in our fathers time: the same God to us, that he was to our fathers. bOn this ground it hath been usual with Saints to call to mind,3 and to make mention of Gods former dealings with others before their time,4 when they called upon GOD, to strengthen their faith; and toc call on others to remember the same. The Prophet rendereth this reason, of declaring Gods former dealings, to posterity,d That they might set their hope in God. Were not the Kingdom, Power, and Glory Gods FOR EVER, Were not God ever the same God, this argument taken from Gods former favours, and Gods former works, would be of little force to make succeeding ages to trust in him. Wherefore that all ages might in faith call upon God, and with confidence depend on him to be heard and helped: yea that they who have once been heard and helped might hold on in calling upon God and seeking help of him every day, even all the days of their life, fitly doth the Lord add this clause FOR EVER, to set out the immutable eternity of God himself, and ⟨p. 317⟩of all his properties, as of his Sovereignty, Omnipotency, and Excellency. Oft meditate hereon, that thou mayest with as strong confidence call on God as Abraham, David, the Prophets, Apostles, and other Saints have done: but with this Proviso that thou endeavour to be such as they were, and so to call on him as they did: for God for ever remaineth the same: and casteth his gracious eye upon the same kind of persons.
A. It maketh vs confidently to expect what God hath formerly granted: and to doe for vs that which hee hath alwayes done for them that haue called on him, and beleeued in him. On this ground the Psalmist thus pleadeth, Our fathers trusted in thee: 1they trusted, and thou didst deliuer them: They cryed vnto thee, and were deliuered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. This pleading of Gods former dealings implyeth faith in Gods vnchangeable continuing to bee the same God: the same God in our time, that he was of old in our fathers time: the same God to vs, that hee was to our fathers. bOn this ground it hath beene vsuall with Saints to call to minde,3 and to make mention of Gods former dealings with others before their time,4 when they called vpon GOD, to strengthen their faith; and toc call on others to remember the same. The Prophet rendereth this reason, of declaring Gods former dealings, to posteritie,d That they might set their hope in God. Were not the Kingdome, Power, and Glory Gods FOR EVER, Were not God euer the same God, this argument taken from Gods former fauours, and Gods former workes, would be of little force to make succeeding ages to trust in him. Wherefore that all ages might in faith call vpon God, and with confidence depend on him to be heard and helpt: yea that they who haue once beene heard and helpt might hold on in calling vpon God and seeking helpe of him euery day, euen all the dayes of their life, fitly doth the Lord adde this clause FOR EVER, to set out the immutable eternitie of God himselfe, and ⟨p. 317⟩of all his properties, as of his Soueraignty, Omnipotencie, and Excellencie. Oft meditate hereon, that thou maist with as strong confidence call on God as Abraham, Dauid, the Prophets, Apostles, and other Saints haue done: but with this Prouiso that thou endeuour to be such as they were, and so to call on him as they did: for God for euer remaineth the same: and casteth his gracious eye vpon the same kinde of persons.
- 1Psal. 22. 4, 5.
- bPsal. 74. 13, &c.
- 3—77. 11, 12, &c
- 42. Chro. 20. 7.
- cPsal. 105. 5.
- dPsal. 78. 7.
