Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachi the…Religion our true interest, or, Practical notes upon the third chapter of Malachy the…

CHAP. XIV. Showing the second Good Effect of the Saints Piety,

CHAP. XIV. Shewing the second Good Effect of the Saints Piety,

2. THE Second Good effect of the Saints Piety, was, God recorded it. A Book of Remembrance was written before him: The word in the ⟨p. 139⟩Original for Book of Remembrance ^*Signifies a Book of Memorials or Monuments. The words immediately foregoing recite Gods hearkening and hearing; but lest any should say, though God doth at the present hear the Holy Speeches and Thoughts of his Children, yet may they not in time slip out of his Mind? therefore these words are added, a Book of Remembrance was written before him. The Lord did not only hear the Good speeches of the Saints, but Recorded them, and Wrote them down; a Book of Remembrance was written. This is spoken [Greek or Hebrew] after the manner of men. Not that God hath any book of Records by him, he needs not write down any thing for the help of his Memory, he is not Subject to oblivion. Things done a thousand years ago are as fresh to him, as if they were done but Yesterday, Psalm. 90.4. A thousand years in thy sight are but as Yesterday when it is past. This book of Remembrance therefore, is a borrowed speech, taken from Kings, who have their Chronicles wherein they note Memorable things^*. King Ahasuerus ⟨p. 140⟩had his book of Records, wherein were written the worthy deeds of Mordecai, Esther 6.1, 2. So God bears in Mind all the Good speeches and pious actions of his Children. Gods curious and Critical observation is a Book of Records, where nothing can be lost or torn out.