Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer
Which he repeats with more fervency and earnestness, there being
so much reason for it:
for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told
me:
true faith lays hold and, settles upon the word and promises of
God; and the true believer, knowing his power and faithfulness,
firmly persuaded that there shall be a performance of what is
said by him, with respect to matter, manner, and circumstances.
Whatever God has told his people of, or has promised unto them,
shall be performed, whether with respect to things temporal; that
they shall not want any good thing; that all their afflictions
shall be for their good; that they shall be supported under them,
and at last brought out of them: or whether with respect to
spiritual things; whatever he has said concerning himself, that
he will be their God, will continue to love them, will not leave
them, nor forsake them, will guide and protect them, will supply
all their need, and give them grace here, and glory hereafter;
and whatever he has said concerning his Son, that he is their
Saviour and Redeemer, that they are justified by his
righteousness, pardoned through his blood, and shall be saved in
him with an everlasting salvation; and whatever he has said
concerning his Spirit, that he shall enlighten them more and
more, carry on his good work in them, and finish it, shall be
their comforter and their guide, shall strengthen them in their
inward man, and work them up for that selfsame thing, eternal
glory: and likewise, whatever he has said concerning the
prosperity and happiness of the churches in the latter day; even
all those glorious things spoken of the city of God; and which
relate both to the spiritual and personal reign of Christ. Faith
takes all this at his word, and firmly believes it shall be as he
has said: and it has good grounds and reasons for acting in this
manner; from the veracity, faithfulness, and power of God, who
has promised; and from the nature of the promises themselves,
which are unconditional, immutable, all in Christ, and yea and
amen in him, and not one of them has ever failed: and such a
believing frame of soul greatly encourages cheerfulness of
spirit, and produces it: a believer is cheerful himself, as he
has reason to be; he is filled with joy and peace in believing,
yea, with a joy unspeakable, and full of glory; and he makes all
about him cheerful; he comforts others with the same comforts he
has been comforted of God; and however, he exhorts, after his own
example, to believe, and be of good cheer; see ( 2
Chronicles 20:20 ) .
