Dfthe layerofheattett. 927 fellly that either they doenot beleeueGodspromife; or doe fobafely efleemethe china promifed, that they preferre be fore it there worldly trifles and worthleffe vanities. If an earthlyKing fhould promife to his rabic& fornegreat tree- fines andhighpreferments; on thiscondition,that he ffiew himfelfc dutifull and obedient, in performing fòme ofhis lawful! commandements; with how great care and dili- gence would bee yceld obedience? and how muchmore if he fhould pronaifc,yeaand confirme it byhis hand,feale,and oath,that beewould adopt him for his fènne,and make him ?Rite apparantofhis kingdome?But when God thuspromi- feth his heauenly benefits; and offcrethunto vshis kingdom ofglorie, and to make vs heires ofthiseternal inheritance, ifwee will bellow any paincs in feckingofit;how feware the number that regard hispromifes, orbellowany labour in attaining to this affurance ?and yet there is great diffe- rence, both in refpeól of the perfons promifing,& thethings promifed. ForaKingbeing mortal,and mutable;may either die, and fo cannot; or change his mindevpon force difplea- lure, and fo will not performe hispromife; or though nei therof thefe fall out, het may dietowhom the promife is made,l?efore himthat made it, and foneuer come to inherit the kingdome: But God is immortal! and immutable,and as he cannot die,fo he cannot be changed,and thereforewill. moll certainly performe his promife, ifwee performe tlié conditionofour dutie and obedience. And againc, there is great differencebetween the things promifed,eucn as great, as is betweene heauenandearth, a fnbfiance and afhadow,. momentanypleafure,and euerlafling ioy,betwecnea flitting and fadingkingdome,incumbred with many croffes and af- flieliot,s,andakingdome abfolutein all perfeelion, infinite, endleffe,replenifhedwith litglorie,. ioy and riches,andob- noxious to notrouble and incumbrance. But let vs,whohaue teen forceíhsallfhadow and releo,- 4.See7 ,, blance ofthisheavenly happineffe, and moll perfedlglorie, oftbemeanes auoid, andnot fafferour felucs tobe carried away, withthis whereby wee common fireame ofworldly dotage; but as farre as wee fee maybe affured the eternal) ioyesofbeauen,to exceed themom p our earren1y entanie lea_ e0 aea u. lures ioyes.
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