Page:Sermon preached on a preparation-day, before the sacrament of the Lord's-Supper, at Bruntisland, upon 2 Sam. vii. 20. Do as thou hast said.pdf/5

 in his name, that God, for the love he bears to Chriſt, would do as he hath ſaid.

6. It pleads upon the unchangeableneſs of God and of his word; that his word endureth for ever, and that he is God, and changes not, therefore the ſons of Jacob are not conſumed.

7. In a word, it pleads upon his oath, Heb vi. 17. God willing more abundantly to ſhew unto the heirs of promiſe the immutability of his counſel, hath confirmed it by an oath that by two immutable things, in which it was impoſſible for God to lie, we might have ſtrong conſolation, who have fled for refuge, to lay hold upon the hope ſet before us.

8. And laſtly, it pleads upon his name, What wilt thou do for thy great name?

V. The fifth thing propoſed, was to ſhew whence is this the buſineſs of faith to take God at his word, and to put him to his word. Why becauſe.

1. It is the end and design of God, in giving his word; "theſe things are written," and ſpoken, "that we may believe in the Son of God, and that believing, we might have life inhisin his [sic] name," John xx, 31. the goſpel is preached in vain if men do not take God, at his word, and then hang upon it.

2. Becauſe thus we glorify God; and the more we reſt upon the divine word, the more we glorify him; Abraham was ſtrong in faith giving glory to God. We give him thehonour of his truth, and other perfections this way.

3. Becauſe thus we engage the honour of God upon our ſide, when we put him to his word; his honour is engaged, he cannot deny hinſelfhimself [sic].

4. Becauſe faith hath no other way of living, but uponthe word of God; "Man liveth not by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Thy word was found of me and I did eat it. This is my comfort in my affliction, thy word bath quickned me."

VI The laſt thing propoſed was the application of theſubjectthe subject [sic], which indeed, was the principle thing intended. Here is a fit exerciſe before the ſolemn communion work, to go to God and ſay, O do as thou haſt ſaid. Conſider what he hath ſaid, and take him at his word, and put him to it, that he would do to you accordingly. Whatever your caſe be, ſurely there is ſome word relative to it.

Some may be thinking, Alas! God hath ſaid nothing to me, that I may put him to his word. Why, man, if the goſpel, that is in the Bible, be preached to you, and if there be any