A supplement to the several discourses upon various divine subjects

3. We have greater ground of confidence than the Church of Israel had. In the day of Israels trouble by Salmanasser, the Prophet comforts the Church in her anguish, by the consideration of the Messiah who was to assume the Government, though many years after, Isa. 8.22. Isa. 9.1, 6. Shall a promise, that was to stay so many ages for performance, be a ground of trust and confidence to a tottering Church then? And shall not the staggering Church have more ground to rest, since the Messiah is made the head of the Corner, and hath the Keys of Hell and death delivered to him? What a base thing is distrust then against so many assurances of stability, and the experience of a multitude of ages? Grasp the promise, plead it earnestly, show God his written word which he hath sent from Heaven, he never yet disowned it, nor ever will. Methinks, the voice, God is able to deliver Zion, sounds too much of distrust. If we know no more than Gods power, we know not so much as the Devil doth; he knows his power, and he knows his promise. Let us therefore first eye the promise, which God loves, and the Devil fears, and then call in his power to back his word.

3. We have greater ground of confidence than the Church of Israel had. In the day of Israels trouble by Salmanasser, the Prophet comforts the Church in her anguish, by the consideration of the Messiah who was to assume the Government, though many years after, Isa. 8.22. Isa. 9.1, 6. Shall a promise, that was to stay so many ages for performance, be a ground of trust and confidence to a tottering Church then? And shall not the staggering Church have more ground to rest, since the Messiah is made the head of the Corner, and hath the Keys of Hell and death delivered to him? What a base thing is distrust then against so many assurances of stability, and the experience of a multitude of ages? Grasp the promise, plead it earnestly, shew God his written word which he hath sent from Heaven, he never yet disowned it, nor ever will. Methinks, the voice, God is able to deliver Sion, sounds too much of distrust. If we know no more than Gods power, we know not so much as the Devil doth; he knows his power, and he knows his promise. Let us therefore first eye the promise, which God loves, and the Devil fears, and then call in his power to back his word.