A fourth volume containing one hundred and fifty sermons on several texts of Scripture…

SERMON I.

TO give you the Occasion of these Words, we must look back into the Context. The Apostle proveth the firmness of the Promises, and yet the great need of Faith and Patience ere they be accomplished. He proveth both by the Instance of Abraham, who was long exercised in waiting, and had God's Promise ratified with the most solemn Assurance that can be conceived under Heaven, with an Oath, which is held sacred and inviolable among all Nations. But here some might object, That if Abraham had such a special Assurance from God, what is that to us? To this the Apostle replies, That tho God's Oath were given to Abraham, yet it concerns all the Heirs of Promise, every Believer hath the same ground of Certainty that Abraham had; so it is asserted, ver. 17. Wherein God willing more abundantly to show unto the Heirs of Promise the Immutability of his Counsel, confirmed it by an Oath. There is an Emphasis in the Phrase, more abundantly. God's Oath was not given out of Necessity, but out of Condescension. Not out of Necessity, as if his Word was not valid and authentic without an Oath, but he would give his Oath, that over and above, and by all solemn ways of Assurance, the Lord would provide for our Certainty and Assurance, that we might have strong Consolation upon solid Grounds. That by two immutable things, &c.