CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

Thirdly, We have the promising part of the Scripture. The Land of Canaan did not more richly flow with milk and honey, then the Scriptures abound with all kind of promises both for this life, and that to come. This heaven is full of such glorious stars. The Apostle 2 Pet. 1.4. calls them precious promises; precious both in respect of the things promised, and also of the certainty and truth of them. There is the grand promise of all the Charter of the Covenant of Grace, I will be their God, and they shall be my people: and this is subdivided into many particulars; so that there is not a good thing to be desired, nor an evil thing to be avoided, but we have a promise for it; and certainly, if the word and promise of a great man in place and power be able to refresh the heart of an indigent man, how much more must the promise of the Almighty and holy God revive those that depend on it? All the children of God are with Isaac called the children of the promise, Gal. 4.28. so that they are the children of the promise efficiently, as it was the mere promise of God, that gave them a supernatural being, all humane power being as impotent for that purpose, as Sarahs womb was to conceive; and further, They are the children of the promise (as I may say) objectively, because they live on that, and are nourished by it; and as they say in naturals, so it is true in spirituals, Ex eisdem constamus è quibus nutrimur, The procreating and conserving causes are of the same nature; hence we may read of the godly looking up to Gods promise in all their difficulties, Psal. 77.8. and when God stirreth up himself to do good to his people, it's because he remembers his holy promise. Insomuch that heaven and salvation it self, is called, The hope of the promise, Act. 26.6. Though therefore the people of God have not all the good things they desire in present possession, yet they have them in promise, and Gods truth is bond and security enough. A man that hath not his estate at command, yet if he have it in sure bonds and good security, looks upon himself as a rich man: Oh then the unbelief and vile doubtings of thy heart! Are all the promises of God of no repute with thee? Are they of no credit? Should they not as much assure thee as if every thing were accomplished already?