not, whether there be in him that faith, repentance, and holiness, which may be a proof that he is in a state of favour with God, and so entitled to the Promises; I observe, that as there is a difference between grace begun, in its first exercises, and when it is arrived to a confirmed habit; so many of the Promises are made to the first beginnings and exercises of grace, in praying and seeking after God, in the use of appointed means, in turning from sin, and coming to Christ. Thus the Promises of a new heart are made to those who inquire after God, Ezek. xxxvi. 26, 37; of wisdom to them that search for it, Prov. ii. 4, 5; of the spirit to them that ask it, Luke, xi. 13, and of rest in Christ to them that being weary and heavy laden, come to him, Matth. xi. 28. Which, therefore, every one who finds in himself those beginnings of grace, may apply to himself, as an encouragement to go on.

It is also to be observed, that the other Promises of divine influences, of the increase of grace, of preservation from sin, of grace to persevere to the end, &c. and so of everlasting life and glory; though every sincere Christian may apply them, and depend upon them, yet they all suppose the diligent use of all the means of grace, watchfulness, a constant application to, and dependence upon, the strength of Christ, and the grace of his holy Spirit, and a sincere regard to all the

other duties of the gospel; as appears from John, xv. 4, 10; and many other passages to be found in this collection, especially in the latter part.

To obtain the comfort of the Promises in the second part, every one must see that they be in a good degree possessed of the graces, and that they diligently perform the duties, to which the Promises are made; and that from a principle of faith in Christ and love to God, expressed in an habitual care and endeavour to please him. For whatever duty we do, without a real regard to God therein, de pending upon Christ for acceptance, In whom all the promises are yea and amen, we can expect no reward from him. God may justly reject such a claim, with, Did ye it all to me, even to me? And for the same reason, the observing of some duties, while we knowingly allow ourselves in acts of disobedience to other commands, will not support our claim to the Promises; because, if we acted with a sincere respect to God, we should show the same regard to all his known laws, Jam. ii. 10, 11.

As a Christian ought to be concerned, not only for himself, but for the whole church of God, and the interest of Christ's kingdom here on earth; I thought it very necessary to lay before him, what the scripture affords for the raising of his hopes, and encouraging his prayers upon those important subjects.

And this is the design of that collection of texts, in the Appendix.

I am sensible that many of the texts I have brought, which foretell the enlargement and glory of the church, have already had, in some degree, their accomplishment in the conversion of the Gentiles to the Christian faith; but upon a thorough consideration of several of the prophecies, concerning the spreading of the gospel throughout all nations, the subjection of all kings to the authority of Christ, and the glorious state of the church in the latter days, as Psal. lxxxvi. 9. Isa. lxvi. 18. Dan. vii. 27. Zech. xiv. 9, &c., it appears to me, there is still to be expected a fuller accomplishment of them than has yet been. But which have been already fulfilled, and which still remain to be so, I leave to every one's judgment, upon considering and comparing the texts.

Some of the texts I have applied to the church in general, are by some interpreters understood of the church of the Jews, when converted to Christ in the latter ages of the world: as Isa. iv. 3, and xxvii. 6, and lx, and Ixii. Nor do I deny but it is probable, that people are more immediately pointed at in those prophecies. But as the Gentile and Jewish church will then be one, there will be a communication of privileges and glory: and consequently in whatever measure the Spirit of God is poured out, and the glory of

God manifested among the Jews when con verted, the Gentile church will enjoy their share of the benefit: for, if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles, how much more their fullness? Rom. xi. 12.

Though this Collection has cost me not a little time and pains, I think it very well bestowed not only upon the account of the advantage I have myself received from the study of the Promises, and the assistance I still expect, from this book for my private thoughts and composures for the pulpit, by having it continually before me: but also in hopes it may be useful to others in several respects, for promoting the holiness and comfort of Christians. Here they have before them, in one view, the riches of the covenant of grace; here are all the strongest arguments to persuade to real religion, to recommend every duty, and to support in every afflicted and perplexed case. This book may be very use ful to assist in prayer, both for the reasons before mentioned, and also because from hence, one may be furnished with a variety of proper matter and expression upon all the cases we are concerned to represent to God. And as the study of these Promises would be to the advantage of all sorts of persons, it might be a very useful and easy exercise for children to be employed in learning some of the plainest texts under those heads which

- are most proper for them, and to question one another upon them, being instructed by their teachers in their sense and use. In this way

the directors of the education of children in the charity schools, may make this book serve good purposes, for the instruction and improvement of their children in the knowledge of the scriptures. And I know no better way of enriching the minds of children with useful and solid knowledge, than by making them well acquainted with the scriptures themselves, those pure unmixed fountains of excellence and divine wisdom, and treasuring up in their memories a great number of select scriptures most suited to their capacity and

use.

That we may have the comfort of the Promises, a steady exercise of faith is, above all things, necessary. For this purpose, we must impress upon our minds the power, goodness, and faithfulness of God, and the experience of good men in every age; and by this means, and by an attentive consideration of the Promises, suck at those breasts of consolation till we are satisfied, Isa. lxvi. 11. But at the same time our eyes must be fixed upon the Lord Jesus Christ, as the only foundation of our hopes, in and through whom alone all the Promises are made good to us; and upon the Holy Spirit the Comforter, that through his powerful influences we may rightly understand and apply, firmly believe, and clearly