We see that same love in parents, which moveth them to give an inheri- tance to their sons, moveth them likewise to provide for them, and to train them up in experience of their fatherly care. So it pleaseth our first and best Father, besides the main promise of salvation, to give us many other rich and precious promises, that in taste of his goodness and truth in these, we may at length yield up our souls to him, as to our faithful Creator, 1 Pet. iv. 19, with the more assured comfort ; and the longer we live here, be more rooted in faith. ' I know whom I have trusted,' 2 Tim. i. 12, saith aged St Paul. But alas ! how little is that we know of his ways. Job xxvi. 14, because we observe him not, making good his word unto us ! ' All his ways are mercy and truth,' Ps. xxv. 10, and every ' word is a tried word,' Ps. xii. 6. For the better help of God's people, to know their portion in those good things, which their father not only layeth up for them, Ps. xxxi. 19, for times to come, but layeth out for them here as his wisdom seeth fit ; this reverend and holy man of God hath compiled this treatise, wherein he layeth open the veins of promises hidden in the Scriptures, to the view of every Christian, and digesteth them in their orders ; and withal, sheweth their several value and use, for the beautifying of a holy life ; which wits less exercised, of themselves, would not so well have discerned.
Now that we may the rather benefit ourselves by this treatise, it will not be inconvenient to know these four things.
First, that it supposeth a reader grounded in the knowledge of the nature and properties of God, of Christ and his offices, of the covenant of grace, and such like : because as in an arch, one stone settleth another, so there is such a linking together of points in divinity, that one strengtheneth another. For from whence hath faith that efficacy, but because it is that which is required in the covenant, to lay hold on the free promises ? And whence have the promises their strength, but from the constant nature of Jehovah ; who giveth a being to his word, and is at peace with us, by the all-sufficient sacrifice of the Mediator of the new covenant ? Words have their validity fi-om the authority of the speaker. Were not faith founded on the word of an infinite God, so thoroughly appeased, the soul would sink in gi'eat temptations, whereas now even mountains vanish before a believing soul. For what can stand against Christ, who is able to subdue all to himself? Hence it is, that now we are by faith, Phil. iii. 21, safer than Adam in Paradise, because we have a promise, which he wanted. Safer it is to be as low as hell with a promise, than in paradise without it, because faith wrought by the power of God, hath what strength God hath, on whom it resteth, and therefore worketh such wonders : God honouring that gi'ace, which honours him so much.
But howsoever the knowledge of these things serveth the argument in hand ; yet it must not be expected, that he should be long in these things, which are but coincident, and should be foreknown : which I speak, be- cause some of weaker judgment, not considering the just bounds of treatises, may expect larger handling of some things. ^Miereas he hath laboured especially to furnish the argument in hand, and not to load the discourse.
In the second place, it must be known, that the fruit of these things belong to such as are in Christ, in whom all promises are yea and amen, made and performed. He that by the immortal seed of the word and Spirit is born again, may claim a title to that he is bom vmto. These promises
XCil MEMOIR OF EICHAED SIBBES, D.D.
be as well his inheritance, as heaven itself is. For clearing of this, there be three degrees of promises ; one of salvation to absolute and personal obedience ; but this, by reason of weakness of the flesh, di-iveth us to a despair of ourselves, and so to the second promise of life by Christ. This requireth nothing but receiving by faith, which is wrought in those that are given to Christ, whilst grace is offered, the Spirit clothing the words with a hidden and strong power, and making them operative ; when they are commanded to believe, their hearts are opened to believe. To persons in this estate, are made a third kind of promises, of aU that is needful in this world, until all promises end in performance. Of both these promises, and the last especially, this book speaketh.
Thirdly, it must be pressed upon those that mean to profit, that they resolve to come under Christ's government, and be willing to be led by the Spirit into all revealed truth. Wisdom is easy to such as are willing ; and the victory is as good as gotten, when the will is brought from thraldom to base affections, to resolve to be guided. For such a heart lieth open to God's gracious working, and the Spmt readily closeth with such a spirit, ' as putteth not bars of obstinacy.