2. To individual members in particular —
[Though the names of individuals are not specified, their characters are delineated, and that too in such a way, that all who study the sacred oracles may read, as it were, their names in
them. There are distinct promises made to the humble d
the weake the tempted f the backslidden5
and especially to them that trust in Godh In
that class is every rank and order of true Christians compre- hended, "Verily it shall be well with the righteous1."
These are " great," " exceeding great and precious, pro- mises k ;" and the persons who correspond with the different characters, are at full liberty to apply them to themselves.]
Having taken a short view of the promises, we may proceed to,
II. Shew the faithfulness of God in fulfilling them —
There is in the minds of all who have heard the Gospel, a general conviction of the truth and faith- fulness of God —
[It is seen that God has already fulfilled all that he has promised in reference to the Church at large. Besides what he did for the Jews1, he has sent his Son; he has poured out his Spirit ; he has maintained his Church, notwithstanding all the efforts that have been used both by men and devils to destroy it. And from hence we feel a persuasion, that his word shall be fulfilled in other respects also. We do not indeed suffer our convictions to operate as they ought ; yet we revolt at the idea that "God should liem," and we know that "he cannot deny himself11" ]
All who have ever sought after God at all, have had proofs of his veracity in their own experience —
[The Israelites " knew in all their hearts, and in all their souls," that God had fulfilled his promises to them. And are there any who have ever called upon him, or trusted in him, and not found him ready to hear their prayers, and to supply their wants? If we look back to seasons of peculiar trial, shall
d Isai. lxvi. 2. Jam. iv. 6. Isai. lvii. 15.
e Isai. xlii. 3,4. andxl. 11. and xli. 14, 15, 17, 18. 2 Cor. xii. 9. Amos ix. 9. f 1 Cor. x. 13. Heb. ii. 18.
s Jer. iii. 14, 22. Hos. xiv. 4. h Isai. xxvi, 3. Ps. cxxv. 1. Jer. xvii. 7, 8. ' Isai. iii. 10. k 2 Pet. i. 4. > Josh. xxi. 43 — 45.
m Numb, xxiii. 19. " 2 Tim. ii. 13.
259.1 god's faithfulness to his promises. 621
we not find some manifestations of his mercy, sufficient to shew, that, if we have not received more from him, it has been owing to our own backwardness to ask, rather than to any unwillingness in him to give ? ]
Nor can the whole universe produce one single instance wherein his promises have failed —
[We can make the same appeal to you, as Joshua, after sixty years' experience, did to the Israelites. Bring forth every promise from the Bible ; then search the annals of the world ; and inquire of every creature in it, to find one single instance of God's violating or forgetting a promise : and if one instance can be proved, we will consent that his word shall henceforth be called in question. Tell us then, To whom has he "been a wilderness ° ? " What penitent, believing, and obedient soul hath he ever forsaken p? He himself bids you "testify against himq." But we defy the whole world to impeach his veracity, or to contradict our assertion, when we say, that " all which he hath promised us is come to pass; not
one thing hath failed thereof" God may have delayed
the accomplishment of his promises, or fulfilled them in a way that was not expected : but not one of them has ever failed.]
Address,
1. Those who have not considered the faithfulness of God- fin spite of the general conviction of God's truth that floats upon our minds, there is a proneness in us to indulge a thought, that his mercy will in some way or other interpose to prevent the execution of his threatenings. But the veracity of God is pledged as much for the accomplishment of his threaten- ings as of his promises : and of this he labours in the most earnest manner to persuade usr. How many, alas! are now experiencing in hell what they would not believe when they were on earth! Let us learn to "tremble at God's word." Let us remember, that though the antediluvian scoffers said, as others now do, "Where is the promise of his comings?" he did come at last, though he bore with them a hundred and twenty years. And in like manner he will overwhelm us also at last with the deluge of his wrath, if we enter not into the