For the first, David h hid Gods promises in his heart: thus it came to pass that thosei promises upheld him in his trouble,q and he received admirable comfort by them. Assuredly if the believer do call to mind Gods promise⟨p. 269⟩ of succour and redress in his distress, it will quiet him for the time, and make him rest in hope till he enjoy the accomplishment of that promise.3 While a believer well remembereth, and duly considereth what great and excellent promises are made, how mighty, faithful and merciful he is that made them, he thinketh that the world may be as soon overthrown, as his Faith. But the letting of Gods promises slip out of his memory, is that which maketh him faint. The Apostle havingk secretly intimated unto the Hebrews their fainting, declareth the cause thereof,5 by telling them they forgot the consolation: for that which is not remembered, is as not known. Now Gods promises being the ground and very life of Faith, what use of Faith can there be, if Gods promises be unknown, or (which for the time is all one,) not remembered? As a lamp will soon be out, if oil be not continually supplied: so Faith, if it be not nourished with continual meditation of Gods promises, will soon fail.
For the first, Dauid h hid Gods promises in his heart: thus it came to passe that thosei promises vpheld him in his trouble,q and he receiued admirable comfort by them. Assuredly if the beleeuer doe call to mind Gods promise⟨p. 269⟩ of succour and redresse in his distresse, it will quiet him for the time, and make him rest in hope till he enioy the accomplishment of that promise.3 While a beleeuer well remembreth, and duely considereth what great and excellent promises are made, how mighty, faithful and mercifull he is that made them, hee thinketh that the world may be as soone ouerthrowne, as his Faith. But the letting of Gods promises slip out of his memory, is that which maketh him faint. The Apostle hauingk secretly intimated vnto the Hebrewes their fainting, declareth the cause thereof,5 by telling them they forgat the consolation: for that which is not remembred, is as not knowne. Now Gods promises being the ground and very life of Faith, what vse of Faith can there be, if Gods promises be vnknowne, or (which for the time is all one,) not remembred? As a lamp wil soon be out, if oyle be not continually supplyed: so Faith, if it be not nourished with continuall meditation of Gods promises, will soone faile.
- iRemembrance of promises.Remembrance of p•omises.
- qPsal. 119. 11. ••50.
- 3It is dangerous to forget Gods promises.
- kHeb. 12. 3, 5.
- 5Sicut lucerna nisi ei subministraveris oleum extinguetur, sic fides nisi assiduis nutriatur meditationibus scripturarum. Chrys. in Mat. 25.Sicut lucerna nisi ei subministraueris oleum extinguetur, sic fides nisi assiduis nutriatur meditationibus scripturarum. Chrys. in Mat. 25.
