discover the excellency of the Promises, and so taste that the Lord is gracious.

Constantly plead the Promises with God in prayer. He has thereby bound himself to his people, as with a note under his hand. Go with it therefore to God, firmly depending upon his faithfulness; he will acknowledge his own hand-writing, and answer your de mands accordingly. Rest yourself, therefore, upon God, and wait patiently for him, being assured he will not be unmindful of his promise: but leave it to his infinite wisdom to fulfil it, in that way, and at that time he sees best.

But remember the Promises of God do not discharge from, but encourage and oblige to, the diligent use of all proper and lawful means. Christ has promised food and raiment: but the slothful and careless must not expect the benefit of that Promise. The same may be said of the spiritual blessings promised. The soul of the slothful desireth, and hath nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat, Prov. xiii. 4.

To conclude: Let the Christian live a life of faith upon the Promises. A great part of the riches of the nation at this day, consists in the credit that is given to notes, bonds, assignments, &c. I am sure the riches of the Christian lie chiefly in the assignments he has under God's hand, of the most valuable blessings both of this and a better lift Let him

then know how to value these as the trues riches, and to make use of them upon all oc casions; he will find no want of any good thing. If he has it not in hand, he has it in the promise, ready whenever he needs it. So that he may live entirely free from solicitude and anxious care, committing himself, and all his concerns, to that God who careth for him.

I. General Promises to the Pious.

PSALM XVI. 6. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.

Ps. lxxxiv. 11. The Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Eccl. viii. 12. Surely I know that it shall be well with them that fear God, which fear before him.

Isa. iii. 10. Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him, for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

Ps. lviii. 11. Verily there is a reward for the righteous.

Ps. v. 12. Thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

Ps. ii. 8. Salvation belongeth unto the Lord, thy blessing is upon thy people.

Prov. xxi. 21. He that followeth after righteousness and mercy, findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

Prov. x. 6. Blessings are upon the head of the just. Ver. 24. The desire of the righteous shall be granted. Ver. 28. The hope of the righteous shall be gladness.

Prov. xi. 18. To him to that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward. Ver. 19. Righteousness tendeth to life. Ver. 28. The righteous shall flourish as a branch.

Prov. iii. 32. His secret is with the right

eous.

Prov. xii. 2. A good man obtaineth favour of the Lord.

Prov. xiii. 9. The light of the righteous rejoiceth. Ver. 21. To the righteous good shall be repaid.

Ps. xxiii. 6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Rom. viii. 32. He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things.

1 Cor. iii. 21, 22. All things are yours, whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the

world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come, all are yours.

1 Tim. iv. 8. Godliness is profitable unto all things; having the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

II. Promises of Temporal Blessings in general.

Ps. xxiii. 1. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Ver. 5. Thou preparest a table before me, in the presence of mine enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over.

Ps. xxxiv. 9. There is no want to them that fear him. Ver. 10. They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.

Matt. vi. 33. Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.

Phil. iv. 19. My God shall supply all your need, according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

1 Tim. vi. 6. Godliness with contentment is great gain. Ver. 17. Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.

II. Of Food and Raiment.

Of Food.-Ps. xxxvii. 3. Trust in the Lord and do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Ps. cxi. 5. He hath given mcat unto them