6. All temporary sufferings, in all their
aggravating circumstances, in their
most dreadful preparation, dress, and
appearance, are but light things in
comparison of the gospel and the pro-
mises thereof ..... 333

7. There is not any thing in the whole
nature of temporary sufferings, or any
circumstance of them, that we can
claim an exemption from, alter we
have undertaken the profession of

the gospel ..... ib.
0. It is reserved unto the sovereign plea-
sure of God, to measure out unto all
professors of the gospel their especial
lot and portion as unto trials and suf-



35



336



Doctrine. Pale

ferings, so as that none ought to com-
plain, none to envy one another

9. Of what sort or kind the sufferings of
any that God employs in the ministry
of the gospel shall be, is in his sove-
reign disposal alone

10. Faith, giving an experience of the ex-
cellency of the love of God in Christ,
and the grace received thereby, [with
its incomparable preference above all
outward perishing things, will give
joy and satisfaction in the loss of all
our substance, upon the account of an
interest in these better things

11. It is the glory of the gospel, that it
will on a just account, from a sense of
and interest in it, give satisfaction and
joy unto the souls of men, in the
worst of sufferings for it .

12. It is our duty to take care that we be
not surprised with outward sufferings,
when we are in the dark as unto our
interest in these things

13. Internal evidences of the beginnings
of glory in grace, a sense of God's
love, and assured pledges of our adop-
tion, will give insuperable joy to the
minds of men under the greatest out-
ward sufferings ....

14. It is our interest in this world, as
well as with respect unto eternity, to
preserve our evidences for heaven
clear and unstained

15. There is a substance in spiritual and
eternal things, whereunto faith gives a
subsistence in the souls of believers .

16. There is no rule of proportion be-
tween eternal and temporal things



339



340



ib.



b.



ib.



ib.



Verses 35, 36.



1. In the times of suffering, and in the
approaches of them, it is the duty of
believers to look on the glory of heaven,
under the notion of a refreshing, all-
sufficient reward ....

2. He that would abide faithful in diffi-
cult seasons, must fortify his soul with
an unconquerable patience

3. The glory of heaven is an abundant
recompense for all we shall undergo in
our way towards it

4. Believers ought to sustain themselves
in their sufferings with the promise of
future glory .....

5. The future blessedness is given unto us
by the promise, and is therefore free
and undeserved .

6. The consideration of eternal life, as the
free effect of the grace of God and
Christ, and as proposed in a gracious
promise, is a thousand times more full
of spiritual refreshment unto a believer,
than if he should conceive of it or look
upon it merely as a reward proposed
unto our own doings or merits



344



346



CONTENTS.



Doctrine.



Page.



Vepses 37-



1. The delay of the accomplishment of
promises is a great exercise of faith and
patience ..... 348

2. It is essential unto faith to be acted on
the promised coming of Christ, to all
that look for his appearance . . 350

3. There is a promise of the coming of
Christ, suited unto the state and condi-
tion of the church in all ages . . ib.

4. The apparent delay of the, accomplish-
ment of any of these promises, requires
an exercise of the faith and patience

of the saints . ... . . ib.

5. Every such coming of Christ hath its
appointed season, beyond which it
shall not tarry . . . . ib.

6. This divine disposition of things gives
a necessity unto the continual exercise
of faith, prayer, and patience about

the coming of Christ . . • 351

7. Although we may not know the espe-
cial dispensations and moments of time
that are passing over us, yet all be-
lievers may know the stale in general
of the church under which they are,
and what coming of Christ they are to
look for and expect . . . . ib.

8. Faith in any church satisfies the souls
of men with what is the good and de-
liverance of that state ; although a man
do know and is persuaded that person-
ally he shall not see it himself, nor
enjoy it . . . . . . ib.

9. Under despondencies as to peculiar
appearances or comings of Christ, it is
the duty of believers to fix and exer-
cise their faith on his illustrious ap-
pearance at the last day . . . ib.

10 Every particular coming of Christ,
in a way suited unto the present deliv-
erance of the church, is an infallible
pledge of his coming at the last unto
judgment . . . . . ib.

11. Every promised coming of Christ is
certain, and shall not be delayed be-
yond its appointed season, when no
difficulties shall be able to stand
before it . . . . . . ib.

12. There are especial qualifications of
grace required unto steadfastness in
profession, in times of persecution and
long continued trials . . . 352

13. Many things are required to secure
the success of our profession in times

of difficulties and trials . . . 353

14. The continuance of the spiritual life
and eternal salvation of true believers,
is secured from all oppositions what-
ever ...... ib.

15. No persons whatever ought to be on
any consideration secure against those
sins which present circumstances give

an efficacy unto .... 354

16. It is an effect of spiritual wisdom, to



Doctrine. Page.

discern what is the dangerous and pre-
vailing temptation of any season, and
vigorously to set ourselves in opposi-
tion unto it ..... 354

17. It is much to be feared, that in great
trials some will draw back from that
profession of the gospel wherein they

are engaged . . . . ib.

18. This defection is commonly durable,
continued by various pretences . ib.

19. It is our great duty to look diligently
that we are of that holy frame of mind,
and attend to that due exercise of faith,
that the soul of God may take pleasure

in us 355

20. Though there appear as yet no out-
ward tokens or evidences of the anger
and displeasure of God against our
ways, yet if we are in that state wherein
God hath no pleasure in us, we are
entering into certain ruin . . ib.

21. Backsliders from the gospel are in a
peculiar manner the abhorrence of the
soul of God . . . . . ib.

22. When the soul of God is not delighted
in any, nothing can preserve them from
utter destruction .... ib.

'23. The Scripture every where testifieth,
that in the visible church there is a
certain number of false hypocrites . 356

24. It is our duty to evidence unto our
own consciences, and give evidence
unto others, that we are not of this
sort or number .... ib.

25. Nothing can free apostates from eter-
nal ruin ...... ib,

26. Sincere faith will carry men through
all difficulties / hazards, and troubles,
unto the certain enjoyment of eternal
blessedness 357

CHAPTER XI.
Verse 1.

1. No faith will carry us through the dif-
ficulties of our profession, from oppo-
sitions within and without, giving us
constancy and perseverance therein
unto the end, but that only which gives
the good things hoped for a real sub- .
sistence in our minds and souls . 363

2. The peculiar specifical nature of faith,
whereby it is differenced from all other
powers, acts, and graces in the mind,
lies in this, that it makes a life on
things invisible .... ib.

3. The glory of our religion is, that it
depends on and is resolved into invisi-
ble things 364

4. Great objections are apt to lie against
invisible things, when they are exter-
nally revealed .... ib.

5. It is faith alone that takes believers
out of this world while they are in it,
that exalts them above it while they



CONTENT*.



Doctrine. Page.

are under its rage, and enables them
to live upon things future and invisible 365

Verse 2.

1. Instances or examples are the most
powerful confirmations of practical
truths 366

2. They who have a good testimony from
God shall never want reproaches from

the world 367

3. It is faith alone which, from the begin-
ning of the world, (or from the giving
of the first promise,) was the means

| and way of obtaining acceptance with
God . . * . . . . ib.

4. The faith of true believers, from the
beginning of the world, was fixed on
things future, hoped for, and invisible ib.

5. That faith whereby men please God,
acts itself in a fixed contemplation on
things future and invisible, from whence
it derives encouragement and strength
to endure and abide firm in profession,
against all opposition and persecutions ib.

6. However men may be despised, villi-
fied, and reproached in the world, yet,
if they have faith, if they are true be-
lievers, they are accepted with God,
and he will give them a good report . ib.

Verse 3.

1. They who firmly assent unto divine
revelation, do understand the creation
of the world, as to its truth, its 3eason,

its cause, its manner, and end . . 369

2. Faith puts forth its power in our
minds in a due manner, when it gives
us clear and distinct apprehensions of

the things we do believe . . . «7>.

3. As God's first work was perfect, so all

his works shall be perfect . . . 370

4. The aids of reason, with the due con-
sideration of the nature, use, and end
of all things, ought to be admitted of
to confirm our minds in the persuasion

of the original creation of all things . 372

Verse 4.

1. Every circumstance in suffering shall
add to the glory of the sufferer . . 374

2. We are to serve God with the best
that we have, the best that is in our
power, with the best of our spiritual
abilities ...... ib.

3. God gives no consequential approba-
tion of any duties of believers, but
where the principle, of a living faith
goes previously in their performance 375

• 4. Our persons must be first justified, be-
fore our works of obedience can be
accepted with God .... 377

5. They whom God approves must ex-
pect that the world will disapprove
them, and ruin them if it can . . 378

6. Where there is a difference within, in
the hearts of men, on the account of



Doctrine. Paoe.

faith and the want of it, there will, for
the most part, be unavoidable differen-
ces about outward worship . . 378

7. God's approbation is an abundant re-
compence for the loss of our lives . ib.

8. There is a voice in all innocent blood
shed by violence . . . . ib.

9. Whatever troubles faith may engage
U3 into in the profession of it, with
obedience according to the mind of
God, it will bring us safely off from
them all at last, (yea, though we should
die in the cause,) unto our eternal
salvation and honour . . . 379

Verse 5.

1. Whatever be the outward different
events of faith in believers in this
world, they are all alike accepted with
God, approved by him, and shall all
equally enjoy the eternal inheritance 383

2. God can and doth put a great diffe-
rence, as unto outward things, between
such as are equally accepted before
him ........ ib.

3. There is no such acceptable service
unto God, none that he hath set such
signal pledges of his favour upon, as
zealously to contend against the world
in giving witness to his ways, his wor-
ship, and his kingdom, or the rule of
Christ over all .... 384

4. It is a part of our testimony, to declare
and witness that vengeance is prepared
for ungodly persecutors, and all sorts
of impenitent sinners, however they

are and may be provoked thereby . ib.

5. The principal part of this testimony
consists in our own personal obedience,
or visible walking with God in holy
obedience, according to the tenor of

the covenant ..... ib.

6. As it is an effect of the wisdom of God
to dispose the works of his providence,
and the accomplishment of his promi-
ses, according to an ordinary established
rule declared in his word, which is the
only guide of faith ; so sometimes it
pleases him to give extraordinary in-
stances in each kind, both in a way of
judgment, and in a way of grace and
favour ...... ib.

7. Faith in God through Christ, hath an
efficacy in the procuring of such grace,
mercy, and favour in particular, as it
hath no ground in particular to believe 385

8. They must walk with God here, who
design to live with him hereafter . ib.

9. That faith which can translate a man
out of this world, can carry him through
the difficulties which he may meet
withal, in the profession of faith and
obedience in this world . . . ib.

Verse 6.

1. Where God hath put an impossibility



CONTENTS.



Doctrinf. Page.
upon any thing, it is in vain for men
to attempt it 388

2. It is of the highest importance to ex-
amine well into the sincerity of our
faith, whether it be of the true kind or

not ib.

3. God himself in his self-sufficiency, and
his all-sufficiency, meet to act towards
poor sinners in a way of bounty, is
the first motive or encouragement unto,
and the last object of faith . . 392

4. They who seek God only according to
the light of nature, do but feel after
him in the dark, and they shall never
find him as a rewarder . . . 393

5. They who seek him according to the
law of works, and by the best of their
obedience thereunto, shall never find
him as a rewarder, nor attain that
which they seek after . . . ib.

6. It is the most proper act of faith to
come and cleave to God as a rewarder
in the way of grace and bounty, as
proposing himself for our reward . 394

7. That faith is vain which doth not put
men on a diligent inquiry after God . ib.

8. The whole issue of our rinding of God
when we seek him, depends on the
way and rule which we take and use

in our so doing .... ib.

Verse 7.

1. It is a high commendation to faith to
believe things on the word of God,
that in themselves, and all second
causes, are invisible, and seem impos-
sible 397

2. No obstacle can stand in the way of
faith, when it fixeth itself on the al-
mighty power of God, and his infinite
veracity ib.

3. It is a great encouragement and
strengthening unto faith, when the
things which it believes as promised
or threatened, are suitable unto the
properties of the divine nature, his
righteousness, holiness, goodness, and

the like ...... ib.

4. The destruction of the world, when it
was filled with wickedness and vio-
lence, is a pledge of the certain accom-
plishment of all divine threatenings
against ungodly sinners, and enemies
of the church, though the time of it
may be yet far distant, and the means

of it may not be evident . . . ib.

5. A reverential fear of God, as threaten-
ing vengeance unto impenitent sinners,
is a fruit of saving faith, and accept-
able unto God 398

6 It is one thing to fear God as threaten-
ing, with a holy reverence ; another,
to be afraid of the evil threatened,
merely as it is penal and destructive . i h .

7. Faith produceth various effects in the
minds of believers, according to the



Doctrine. Page.

variety of objects that it is fixed on ;
sometimes joy and confidence, some-
times fear and reverence . . • 398

8. Then is fear a fruit of faith, when it
engageth us into diligence in our duty ib.

9. Many things tend to the commenda-
tion of the faith of Noah . . .399

10. In the destruction of the old world,
we have an eminent figure of the state
of imjienitent sinners, and of God's
dealing with them in all ages . . ib.

11. The visible professing church shall
never fall into such an apostasy, nor
be so totally destroyed, but that God
will preserve a remnant for a seed to
future generations .... 400

12. Those whom God calleth unto, fitteth
for, and employeth in any work, are
therein o-im^yoi Qiov, ' co-workers with
God' 401

13. Let those that are employed in the
declaration of God's promises and
threatenings, take heed unto themselves
to answer the will of him by whom
they are employed, whose work it is
wherein they are engaged . • ib.

14. It ought to be a motive unto dili-
gence in exemplary obedience, that
therein we bear testimony for God
against the impenitent world, which

he will judge and punish . . . ib.

15. All right unto spiritual privileges and
mercies is by gratuitous adoption . 402

16. The righteousness of faith is the best
inheritance, for thereby we become
heirs of God, and joint-heirs with
Christ ....... ib.

Verse 8.

1. It becomes the infinite greatness, and
all satisfactory goodness of God, at
the very fir*t revelation of himself unto
any of his creatures, to require of them
a renunciation of all other things, and
of their interest in them, in compli-
ance with his commands . . . 406

2. In the call of Abraham, we see the
power of sovereign grace in calling
men to God, and the mighty efficacy

of faith complying therewith . . ib.

3. It is the call of God alone that makes
a distinction amongst mankind, as un-
to faith and obedience, with all the
effects of them 407

4. The church of believers consists of
those that are called out of the world ib.

5. Self-denial in fact or resolution, is the
foundation of all sincere profession . ib.

6. There is no right, title, or possession,
that can prescribe against the righte-
ousness of God, in the disposal of all
inheritances here below at his plea-
sure 408

7. God's grant of things unto any is the



CONTENTS.



Doctrine. Page.

best of titles, and most sure against all
pretences or impeachments . . 408
3. Possession belongs unto an inheritance
enjoyed ib.

9. An inheritance may be given only for

a limited season .... ib.

10. It is faith alone that gives the soul
satisfaction in future rewards, in the
midst of present difficulties and dis-
tresses ...... 409

11. The assurance given us by divine
promises, is sufficient to encourage us
to advance in the most difficult course

of obedience . . . . . ib.

Verse 9.

1 . Where faith enables men to live unto
God, as unto their eternal concerns, it
will enable them to trust unto him in
all the difficulties, dangers, and ha-
zards of this life . . . .413

2. If we design to have an interest in the
blessing of Abraham, we must walk in

the steps of the faith of Abraham . ib.

3. Where faith is once duly fixed on the
promises, it will wait patiently under
trials, afflictions, and temptations, for
their full accomplishment . . . ib.

4. Faith discerning aright the glory of
spiritual promises, will make the soul
of a believer contented and well satis-
fied with the smallest portion of earthly
enjoyments . . . . .414

Verse 10.

1 . A certain expectation of the heavenly
reward, grounded on the promises and
covenant of God, is sufficient to sup-
port and encourage the souls of believ-
ers under all their trials, in the whole
course of their obedience . . . 415

2. Heaven is a settled quiet habitation . ib.

3. All stability, all perpetuity in every
state, here and hereafter, ariseth from
the purpose of God, and is resolved
thereinto . . . '• . • 416

4. This is that which recommends to us
the city of God, the heavenly state,
that it is, as the work of God alone,
so the principal effect of his wisdom
and power . . . • . ib.

5. A constant expectation of an eternal
reward argues a vigorous exercise of
faith, and a sedulous attendance to all
duties of obedience .... 417

Verse 1 1.

1. Faith may be sorely shaken and tossed
at the first appearance of difficulties
lying in the way of the promise, which

yet at last it shall overcome . . 419

2. Although God ordinarily worketh by
his concurring blessing on the course
of nature, yet is he not obliged there-
unto 421



Doctrine. Page.

3. It is no defect in faith not to expect
events and blessings absolutely above
the use of means, unless we have a
particular warrant for it . . .421

4. The duty and use of faith about tem-
poral mercies are to be regulated by
the general rules of the word, where
no especial providence doth make ap-
plication of a promise . . . ib,

5- The mercy, concerning a son unto
Abraham by Sarah his wife, was abso-
lutely decreed and absolutely promised,
yet God indispensably requires faith
in them for the fulfilling of that de-
cree, and the accomplishment of that
promise ...... ib.

6. The formal object of faith in the di-
vine promises is not the things pro-
mised in the first place, but God him-
self in his essential excellencies of
truth, or faithfulness, and power . 422

7. Every promise of God hath this consi-
deration tacitly annexed to it, ' Is any
thing too hard for the Lord V . . ib.

8. Although the truth, veracity, or faith-
fulness of God, be in a peculiar man-
ner the immediate object of our faith,
yet it takes in the consideration of all
other divine excellencies for its encou-
ragement and corroboration . . ib.

Verse 12.

1. When God is pleased to increase his
church in number, it is on various ac-
counts a matter of rejoicing unto all
believers 424

2. An ungodly carnal multitude, com-
bined together in secular interests for
their advantage, unto the ends of su-
perstition and sin, calling themselves
the church, like that of Rome, is set
up by the craft of Satan to evade the
truth, and debase the glory of these
promises ...... ib.

3. God oftentimes, by nature, works
things above the power of nature in its
ordinary efficacy and operations . 425

4. Whatever difficulties and oppositions
lie in the way of the accomplishment
of the promises under the New Testa-
ment, made unto Jesus Christ concern-
ing the increase and stability of his
church and kingdom, these promises
shall have an assured accomplishment ib.

Verse 13.

1. It is the glory of true faith, that it will
not leave them in whom it is, that it
will not cease its actings for their sup-
port and comfort in their dying, when

the hope of the hypocrite doth perish 427

2. The lite of faith doth eminently mani-
fest itself in death, when all other re-
liefs and supports do fail . . . H>-

.'5. That is the crowning act of faith, the



CONTENTS.



Doctrine. Page.

great trial of its vigour and wisdom,
namely, in what it doth in our dying . 427

4. Hence it is that many of the saints,
both of old and of late, have evidenced
the most triumphant actings of faith in

the approach of death . . . ib.

5. The due understanding of the whole
old testament, with the nature of the
faith and obedience of all the saints
under it, depends on this one truth,
that they believed things that were not

yet actually exhibited nor enjoyed . 428

6. God would have the church, from the
beginning of the world, to live on pro-
mises not actually accomplished . ib.

7. We may receive the promises, as to
the comfort and benefit of them, when
we do not actually receive the things
promised . . . . . . ib.

8. As our privileges in the enjoyment of
the promises are above theirs under
the old testament, so our faith, thank-
fulness, and obedience, ought to excel
theirs also ib.

9. No distance of time or place can
weaken faith, as unto the accomplish-
ment of divine promises . . . 429

10. Quiet waiting for the accomplishment
of promises at a great distance, and
which most probably will not be in our
days, is an eminent fruit of faith . ib.

11. This firm persuasion of the truth of
God in the accomplishment of his pro-
mises unto us, upon a discovery of their
worth and excellency, is the second act
of faith, wherein the life of it doth
principally consist . . . ib.

12. This avowed renunciation of all other
things besides Christ in the promise,
and the good-will of God in him, as to
the repose of any trust or confidence in
them for our rest and satisfaction, is an
eminent act of that faith whereby we
walk with God .... 431

Verse 14.

1. This is the genuine and proper way of
interpreting the Scripture, when from
the words themselves, considered with
relation unto the persons speaking of
them, and to all their circumstances,
we declare what was their determinate
mind and sense .... 432

Verse 15.

1. It is in the nature of faith to mortify
not only corrupt and sinful lusts, but
our natural affections, and their most
vehement inclinations, though in them-
selves innocent, if they are any way
uncompliant with duties of obedience

to the commands of God . . . 434

2. When the hearts and minds of be-
lievers are fixed on things spiritual and
heavenly, it will take them off from in-



Doctrine. Pace.

ordinate cleaving to things otherwise
greatly desirable . . . .435

Verse 16.

1. To avow openly in the world, by our
ways, walking, and living, with a con-
stant public profession, that our portion
and inheritance is not in it, but in
things invisible, in heaven above, is an