1. Believe it, that there is such a Happiness reserved for the Children of God. Next to God's Being, we are bound to believe his Bounty, Heb. 11.6. He that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and that he is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek him. These two Principles, that God is, and that he is a Rewarder, are the Fundamental Notions that keep up all Religion. There is a Mist upon Eternity to a carnal Heart, they are led by Sense, and believe no more than they see; Heb. 11.1. Faith is the Substance of things hoped for, and the Evidence of things not seen. Fancy and Nature cannot out-see Time, and look beyond Death. Faith holdeth the Candle to Hope, and then we are able to look into the other World, and to see a happy State to come. Now because Faith is weak in most, and we waver more in the Belief of God's Bounty, than of his Being; his Godhead is manifested by ⟨p. 113⟩present sensible Effects, but we scruple his Rewards, which are wholly to come; therefore let us strengthen and help Faith as much as we can. The Word is clear in this Point. Now God hath been true in all things: Fidelis in omnibus, in ultimo non deficiet; He that hath been faithful in all things, will not fail us at last. The calling of the Gentiles, the rejection of the Jews, the sending of the Messiah, these were things as invisible, and as much to come, as Heaven is to us: new all these things have been fulfilled, and why should we not trust God to the last? Experience is wont to beget Hope, Rom. 5.4. And Patience Experience, and Experience Hope. Can God lie, or Truth it self be false? What need hath God to flatter thee, or deceive thee? If we did preach a God that needed the Creatures, then you might suspect what we tell you in his Name; but he hath no Interest to be gratified: his vehement Longings are for your Good and Profit; Deut. 5.29. O that there were such an Heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my Commandments always, that it may be well with them, and with their Children for ever! God doth not say, that it may be well with me, but with them. Again, let Reason be heard to speak how suitable it is to God's Nature. Consider, the Being of God is infinite and eternal, and so is the Reward; the Apostle calls it, 2 Cor. 4.17. a far more exceeding and eternal Weight of Glory. Ara•nah gave like a King.
1. Believe it, that there is such a Happiness reserved for the Children of God. Next to God's Being, we are bound to believe his Bounty, Heb. 11.6. He that cometh to God, must believe that he is, and that he is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek him. These two Principles, that God is, and that he is a Rewarder, are the Fundamental Notions that keep up all Religion. There is a Mist upon Eternity to a carnal Heart, they are led by Sense, and believe no more than they see; Heb. 11.1. Faith is the Substance of things hoped for, and the Evidence of things not seen. Fancy and Nature cannot out-see Time, and look beyond Death. Faith holdeth the Candle to Hope, and then we are able to look into the other World, and to see a happy State to come. Now because Faith is weak in most, and we waver more in the Belief of God's Bounty, than of his Being; his Godhead is manifested by ⟨p. 113⟩present sensible Effects, but we scruple his Rewards, which are wholly to come; therefore let us strengthen and help Faith as much as we can. The Word is clear in this Point. Now God hath been true in all things: Fidelis in omnibus, in ultimo non deficiet; He that hath been faithful in all things, will not fail us at last. The calling of the Gentiles, the rejection of the Jews, the sending of the Messiah, these were things as invisible, and as much to come, as Heaven is to us: new all these things have been fulfilled, and why should we not trust God to the last? Experience is wont to beget Hope, Rom. 5.4. And Patience Experience, and Experience Hope. Can God lie, or Truth it self be false? What need hath God to flatter thee, or deceive thee? If we did preach a God that needed the Creatures, then you might suspect what we tell you in his Name; but he hath no Interest to be gratified: his vehement Longings are for your Good and Profit; Deut. 5.29. O that there were such an Heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my Commandments always, that it may be well with them, and with their Children for ever! God doth not say, that it may be well with me, but with them. Again, let Reason be heard to speak how sutable it is to God's Nature. Consider, the Being of God is infinite and eternal, and so is the Reward; the Apostle calls it, 2 Cor. 4.17. a far more exceeding and eternal Weight of Glory. Ara•nah gave like a King.
