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saveth but a few. But here is the reason : bodily wants are more pressing, and faith is presently put in exercise. Men are careless of their souls, and content themselves with some loose hopes of ease and eternal welfare. Certainly he that dareth not venture his estate in Christ's hands, he dareth not venture his soul there. They say they find no difficulty in beheving in Chrigt for pardon of sin and eternal life, and yet cannot trust God for such maintenance and support as he giveth the young ravens : John xi. 2i, ' Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.' As if it were an easier matter to raise him up after so many years than after four days. But the reason is, faith is not put to a present trial, and men are careless of things to come, and do not mind the danger and hazard of eternity. Certainly he that dareth not in the use of means trust God for this life, doth not trust him for everlasting life. Eternal things are counted a fancy, but worldly things are desired in good earnest.
Use 2. To press us to improve these two immutable grounds, that we may grow up into a greater certainty. His saying is as immutable as his swearing ; God's word is valuable enough of itself, but only because we count an oath more sacred. God hath added it over and above. Men are slight in speech, but serious in an oath. Well, then, since you have a double holdfast on God, make use of it in prayer and in meditation ; in prayer, when you speak to God ; in meditation, when you discourse with yourselves.
1. In prayer, you may urge God with his promise and oath. We put ourselves in remembrance by pleading with God, therefore God alloweth the humble challenges of faith. ' Put me in remembrance,' saith God, Isa. xliii. 26 ; or rather, put yourselves in remembrance. By pleading with God we wrestle with him, that we may catch a heat our- selves. Tell the Lord what an holdfast you have upon him ; show him his handwriting. As Austin said of his mother, she showed him his handwriting ; or as Tamar brought out to Judah the bracelets and staff and ring, and said, Whose are these ? So you may plead. Ah ! Lord, are not these thine own promises, and is not this thy oath ? The children of God have done l^oth ; they put him in mind of his word : Ps. cxix. 49, ' Piemember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.' As if he had said, Lord, thou hast invited my hope \ I should never have had the boldness to have expected so great a mercy and privilege in Christ if thy promise was not passed. God forgetteth not, and yet he loveth that the saints should put him in remembrance ; he would have you to revive these grounds of trust and confidence. Then they put him in mind of his oath : Ps. Ixxxix. 49, ' Lord, where are thy former loving-kindnesses, which thou sweavest unto David in thy truth ? It is a great advantage in believing thus to put in a modest challenge to God.
2. Improve God's word and oath in meditation when you discourse with yourselves. And here I shall show — (1 .) How we may improve God's oath in meditation ; (2.) When, and in what seasons.
[1.] How? Thus: God, that cannot lie, hath passed his sword, he who is truth itself, the supreme truth, the original of all truth. Then say, Hath he given me his word and oath ? and why am I still upon
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terms of suspense ? The word of an honest man is wont to be enough, and an oath is the end of strife if there be a controversy. God hath passed his oath, and why doth the controversy still remain between me and God ? How is it with me ? Is the controversy ended and taken up ? Am I satisfied with God's oath ? Do I live as one to whom God hath given such a highway of assurance ? The w^orld lives by guess and devout aims, and hath good meanings and conjectures. Ay ! but christians should not rest in a may-be, or content themselves with a possible salvation, with lazy conjectures or loose hopes. Art thou still upon uncertainty, upon terms of hesitancy and suspense ? See how St James describes them, chap. i. 8, ' A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways ; ' and it is our character, we are double-minded, divided between hopes and fears, full of anxious thoughts ; and as chaff is driven in the air, or waves tossed in the sea to and fro with various and uncertain motion, so are we carried up and down. Dost thou live up to the assurance that God hath given thee, and to the preparation and provision he hath made for thy certainty and confidence ?
Briefly, that you may know what a sin it is to be upon uncertainty, consider the dishonour you do to God, and the damage you do to your- selves,