but in point of happiness and felicity ; for God is a lioly and happy being. Here we resemble God more in lioliness and purity ; for many times the most eminent and exemjilary holiness may be accompanied with remarkable afflictions ; at least, sanctifying grace doth not exempt us from them. But there, as our holiness is exact, our felicity is com- plete also. First we are made holy, and then immortal, and in both like God. Well, then, this is the effect, ' partakers of a divine nature ;' so that when you come among the people of God, and you be asked what kind of men do you find them to be, as Gideon, in another case, asked Zeba and Zalmunnah concerning his brethren, who answered, ' Each one resembled the children of a king,' Judges viii. 18, — they were godly i and majestical persons, — so it will be said concerning the saints, who are really and eminently partakers of the grace of the gospel : they are all children of the most high God ; as like God as mortal men can be, — bear his image, and express resemblance of the grace of the gos])el.
II. Let us now see the means by which God doth accomplish this effect : ' To us are given great and precious promises.'
1. It is an instance of God's love, that he will deal with us in the way of promises. The world is depraved by sin, and sunk into fears and despair of any good from God, whom we have so highly provoked. Therefore God invites and allures us to himself by promises ; for pro- mises and- declarations of God's will in the gospel, whereby he signifies what good he will freely bestow us, if we will look after it. These ad- vantages we have by them : — (1.) A promise is more than a purpose ; for the purpose and intention of a man is secret and hidden in his own bosom, but a promise is open and manifest. Thereby we get the knowledge of the good intended to us. If God had only purposed to be.-<tow all his grace upon us, we could not have known his intention and purpose till it were manifested in the effect ; it would have been as a hidden treasure or sealed fountain, of no comfort and encourage- ment to us till we had found it. But now the word is gone out of his lij)s, we may know how we shall speed, if we will hearken to his counsel. God's promises are, on his part, the eruption or overflow of his love. His heart is so big with thoughts of good to us, that his love cannot stay till the accomplishment of things, but he must tell us af(jrehand : Isa. xlii. 9, ' Before they spring forth, I tell you of them.' He might have done us good, and given us no notice ; but that would not satisfy him. It is an obligation God takes upon himself, promit- iendo, se dehitorem fecit. God's piu'poses are unchangeable, but pro- mises are a security put into our hands, not only give us notice, but assurance that thus it shall be. We have the greater holdfast upon him, and may put his bond in suit: Ps. cxix. 49, 'Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.' (2.) It is more than a doctrinal declaration. It is one thing to reveal a doctrine, another to promise a benefit; that maketh a thing known, this maketh a thing sure, and upon certain terms; that gives us notice, but this gives us interest. If 'life and immortality' had been only 'brought to light in the gospel/ 2 Tim. i. 10, which was only obscurely known to tlie heathens, it were a great mercy that we were
' Qu. 'goodly' ?— Ed. 2 q^ 'are'?— Ed.
2 Pet. I. 4.] the fourth sermon. 219
not left to blind guesses and dark conjectures. That eternal life is set before us, a thing real and excellent, is a great matter. But God hath put it into a covenant form and promise, 1 John ii. 2.5, that we may- make our title and our claim. Surely that is matter of great comfort to us : Ps. cxix. Ill, ' Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever ; for they are the rejoicing of my heart.' (3.) It is more than a prophecy or simple i)rediction. Scripture prophecies will be fulfilled because of God's veracity ; but scripture promises will be fulfilled, not only because of God's veracity, but also his fidelity and justice ; for by God's promise man cometh to have a right to the thing promised. It was his mercy and goodness to make the promise, but his justice and fidelity bindeth him to make it good : 1 John i. 9, ' If we confess our sins, lie is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness ;' 2 Tim. iv. 8. Divines say, of all lies, a promissory lie is the worst; for this is not only against truth, but right, even though that right entirely accrueth from your own free promise.
2. The promises of the new covenant are of a most glorious and valuable nature. They are not about small things, or things of little moment, but about worthy and dear-bought blessings. They contain spiritual and eternal riches ; such as the healing of our nature, the pardon of our sins, a safe conduct unto eternal happiness ; the glorifying of our souls, the resurrection of our bodies, and then life everlasting, or an unchangeable state of happiness. These are the greatest things indeed, in comparison of which all the things of the world are but as a May-game, vain and empty, or the smallest matters, as the apostle calleth them, 1 Cor. vi. 2. Reconciliation with God is our privilege here ; and is it a light thing to be at peace with the living God? to enjoy his amity and love? to study and fit ourselves to do his will ? to live in constant communion with him now? to have access to him at all times? to ol)tain from him whatever in reason and righteousness we can ask ? A Christian is never upbraided with the perpetuity of addresses, never denied audience, never has cause to doubt of success, has more familiarity with God, and a surer interest in his love, than the greatest favourites have in any prince or potentate upon earth. But then the eternal enjoyment of God hereafter : Phil. iii. 14, ' I press towards the mark, for the prize of the high calling in God in Christ Jesus.' It is a higli prize that is set before us; then we shall have a larger capacity to know God, and enjoy him, and receive his benefits : Ps. xvii. 15, ' As for me, I will behold thy face in righteous- ness ; I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness.' Oh ! cry out : 1 Cor. ii. 9, ' Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.'