A supplement to the several discourses upon various divine subjects

7. To this end study the Promises God hath made to his Church, and what Predictions are upon Record. 'Tis a title of the faithful, that they are such as keep the sayings of the Book of the Revelation, Rev. 22.9. The Angel that came to John, owns himself his fellow-servant; and of the Prophets, and those that keep the sayings of that Book. See God's Bond, and behold his witness; compare the promise, the prophecy, and performance: See his mercy in making them, his truth in performing them; let these be as the Hur and Aaron to support the glory of God in our Souls. This will be a matter of praise, and furnish us with Arguments to spread before God. Daniel first looked into the Book for the set time of the Jews return from Babylon, Dan. 9.2. and took his rise for pleas from thence. You may have need of this food; a Divine Promise is the best Cordial at a Stake or Gibbet, or when a Sword is at your breast.

8. When a time of straits comes, wait patiently upon God: Let not hope sink, when reason is non-plust by storms, and sees nothing but wracks. Wait upon God in the way of his Judgments, Isa. 26.8. in his storms as well as calms. God waits to be gracious, and therefore we should wait to be gratified. Not to wait, is to be partners in that sin which brought destruction upon the Churches Enemies, viz. pride. It concerns God more in point of his glory, to hasten deliverance in its due time, than us in point of security; but there is as much danger in coming too soon, as too late. By waiting we imitate the highest pattern, who waits with patience for the Reformation of his Enemies, and Christ who waits for the total Victory. The longer God keeps the Church at any time under the Enemies Chains, the sweeter will be his mercy to the one, and the severer his Justice on the other. The Israelites waited, and God followed Pharaoh with Plagues, as he followed them with burdens, and took his time to cut off their Oppressors with most glory to himself, and most comfort to them. The Vision hath its appointed time: Impatience will not make God break the Chains of his Resolves, but Patience will bring down the blessing with great success, and big with noble Births. God is not out of the way of his wisdom and grace, and we can never keep in our way but by patience in waiting: By this we give him the honour of his wisdom; by too much hastiness we check and control him, and will not let him be the Master and Conductor of his own blessings. We many times get more good by waiting, than we do by enjoying a mercy: Such a posture keeps the Soul humble and believing, whereas many times when we receive a mercy too hastily with one hand, we let go faith and humility with the other. Sincere Souls have the strongest and most heavenly raptures in a time of waiting,