A17408:74
The promises
The promises: or, A treatise showing how a godly Christian may support his heart with comfort against all the distresses which by reason of any afflictions or temptations can befall him in this life. Containing all the most comfortable places through the whole Bible, orderly digested. By N. Bifield preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex.The promises: or, A treatise shewing how a godly Christian may support his heart with comfort against all the distresses which by reason of any afflictions or temptations can befall him in this life. Containing al the most comfortable places through the whole Bible, orderly digested. By N. Bifield preacher of Gods Word at Isleworth in Middlesex.
London: printed by G. Purslowe for Ralph Rounthwaite, 1619
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1 The first is, the love and favour of God, the especial 1grace of God toward him; this is the foundation of all his happiness: and if 2he could order his own heart aright, he could easily see that he could not be miserable, so long as he was in favour with his God. ⟨p. 33⟩If the favour of great persons be so much accounted of; what reckoning is to be made of Gods favour, who is Lord of Lords? yea King of all Kings, and the more should a Christian fill his heart with joying in this prerogative, if he consider three properties 3in the love of God. For first, it is a free love, he 4stands not upon desert: he is gracious, looking upon his own goodness, and not on ours, Hosea 14. 4. Secondly, it is an eternal 5love, and unchangeable, God will never be weary of loving him, Jerem. 31. 3. ⟨p. 34⟩His loving kindness is better then life; for it lasts unto all eternity, without alteration: The favour of man in this world is mutable; Kings may extremely loath, whom they erewhile loved with their entirest affection; but in God there is no shadow of changing, he loves with an everlasting love. Thirdly, 6it is infinitely immense, and great, no affection in any, or in all the creatures in this world, if they could be fastened upon one man, can reach to the thousand part of Gods love to us, Ephes. 2. 47. Isaiah 49. 15. 16. ⟨p. 35⟩