The words in their original tongue signify thus much: I have waited for thy salvation. Wherein is commended unto us a special effect of faith, which must be seen in waiting1 for that which is promised. The first general truth that we must here take profit by, is, that if we will keep a good conscience, we must have a sound faith, which breedeth a good conscience, and without which it is impossible to please God. If we then will do good things, we must believe in God, as the author of all goodness, wisdom, and eternity, and that he hath made a sweet covenant with us, and believing this to be true, we must labour to keep his commandments. For without this faith, we do good or avoid ill, either for hope of reward, or for fear of ill: so that our obedience is violent, constrained, and not free. He believed not only, but also looked patiently for those promises, which is here showed by waiting. For many say, they love the word who do not in truth believe it; or if they believe it, as they will say, they do not patiently wait for it, and many think they fear God, who worship rather an Idol, and stay not themselves on God his promises. Many so persuade themselves to have faith, who will make haste that God should presently help: which if it come not, they withdraw themselves, & seek means to serve themselves. These declare themselves not to have this waiting faith. Faith (saith the holy Ghost, Heb. 11. 1.) is the ground of things which are hoped for, and the evidence of things which are not seen. So that it is a thing which bringeth us to the hope of that, which afterward we shall possess. As he that believeth shall live by faith: so he that waiteth not on the Lord, hath no true faith, because he will not tarry for the Lords appointed time, but will provide for himself. The Prophet saith, Isaiah. 30. 18. Blessed are all they that wait for the Lord. And Habac. 2. 3. Though the vision tarry, (saith the Lord) w•ite: for it shall surely come and not stay. Again, it is said Psal. 147. 11. The Lord delighteth in them that fear him, and attend upon his mercy. A doctrine worthy to be written with the Diamond of God his Spirit in our hearts. This then is one of the chiefest effects of faith, when we wait on the Lords leisure, and make a distinction of the time of making and accomplishing Gods promises unto us.
The words in their originall tongue signifie thus much: I haue waited for thy saluation. Wherein is commended vnto vs a speciall effect of faith, which must be seene in waiting1 for that which is promised. The first generall truth that we must here take profit by, is, that if we will keep a good conscience, we must haue a sound faith, which breedeth a good conscience, and without which it is impossible to please God. If we then will doe good things, we must beleeue in God, as the author of all goodnes, wisedome, and eternitie, and that he hath made a sweete couenant with vs, and beleeuing this to be true, we must labour to keepe his commandements. For without this faith, we doe good or auoide ill, either for hope of reward, or for feare of ill: so that our obedience is violent, constrained, and not free. He beleeued not onely, but also looked patiently for those promises, which is here shewed by waiting. For many say, they loue the word who doe not in truth beleeue it; or if they beleeue it, as they wil say, they doe not patiently waite for it, and many thinke they feare God, who worship rather an Idoll, and stay not themselues on God his promises. Many so perswade themselues to haue faith, who will make haste that God should presently helpe: which if it come not, they withdraw themselues, & seeke meanes to serue themselues. These declare themselues not to haue this waiting faith. Faith (saith the holy Ghost, Heb. 11. 1.) is the ground of things which are hoped for, and the euidence of things which are not seene. So that it is a thing which bringeth vs to the hope of that, which afterward we shall possesse. As he that beleeueth shall liue by faith: so he that waiteth not on the Lord, hath no true faith, because he will not tarrie for the Lords appointed time, but will prouide for himselfe. The Prophet saith, Esay. 30. 18. Blessed are all they that waite for the Lord. And Habac. 2. 3. Though the vision tarrie, (saith the Lord) w•ite: for it shall surely come and not stay. Againe, it is said Psal. 147. 11. The Lord delighteth in them that feare him, and attend vpon his mercie. A doctrine worthie to be written with the Diamond of God his Spirit in our hearts. This then is one of the chiefest effects of faith, when we waite on the Lords leisure, and make a distinction of the time of making and accomplishing Gods promises vnto vs.
- 1Waiting an effect of faith Asound faith breedeth a good conscience.Waiting an effect of faith Asoūd faith breedeth a good conscience.
