Selected quad for the lemma: book_n
Text snippets containing the quad
|
ID |
Title |
Author |
Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
STC |
Words |
Pages |
|
A65306
|
Paramuthion, or, A word of comfort for the church of God by Thomas Watson ...
|
Watson, Thomas, d. 1686.
|
1662
(1662)
|
Wing W1135A; ESTC R38519
|
17,807
|
46
|
ΠΑΡΑΜΥΘΙΟΠOR A WORD OF COMFORT FOR THE Church of God By THOMAS WATSON Pastor of Stephens Walbrook LONDON Isa. 40. 2. Speak ye comfortably to Hierusalem Deus ecclesiae suae judex vindex Isidor LONDON Printed for Thomas Parkhurst at the three Crowns at the lower end of Cheapside 1662. TO THE READER Christian Reader HOW infinitely happy are they who have a God to go to The Saints have that great Prince * Dan. 12. 1◠on their side by whom Princes reign They are in such a condition that nothing can make them miserable take away their money their treasure is in heaven banish them their Countrey they are Citizens of the New Jerusalem cast them into bonds their Consciences are free kill their bodies they shall rise again take away their names they are written in the book of life This calls to mind that golden aphorism Isaiah 3. 10. It shall be well with the righteous Nay at present it is well with them they are favourites of the King of heaven the Lord sets them as a seal upon his heart * Cant. 8. 6. he sympathizeth with them in all their sufferings Whē the rage of the enemy is kindled are not Gods repentings kindled too Hosea 11. 8. and while his heart is full of sympathy so long his head will befull of care This tender care of God towards his Church Militant is the Subject of this ensuing discourse Cordials are kept for fainting Out of this Vial are poured forth not chymical but spiritual drops of consolation to animate us God himself is the Churches Life-guard The Lyon of the Tribe of Judah marcheth in the head of the Saints Army This makes Jerusalem terrible as an Army with banners Cant. 6. 4. Jesus is our Emmanuel Then what need we fear though the earth tremble upon her pillars I shall not further expatiate but commending this small piece to the blessing of God I remain Walbr April 19. 1662. Thy Friend and Servant in the Gospel THOMAS WATSON A WORD OF COMFORT FOR THE Church of God PSAL. 46. 5. God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved SOlomon saith A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver Prov. 25. 11. In which regard I have made choice of this Scripture which may be a word in season to revive the desponding hearts of Gods people God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved This Psalm is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Triumphal Exultation wherein the Church with joy commemorates former deliverances and by faith depends on God for future mercies God is our refuge and strength ver 1. The Saints in all their dangers have an Asylum or Garrison to retreat to they know where to put in for Harbour the Name of the Lord is a strong Tower and this is their Refuge and Fort-Royal A very present help God is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Aristot. an help at a pinch An Army may be worsted ere their Auxiliary Forces come but God never comes too late his help is at hand his Forces are in the field he is a present help An help in trouble The Aethiopick renders it in vehement trouble God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved What is meant by this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the midst of her This looks back to the former verse where there is mention made of the City of God ver 4. There is a River the streams whereof shall make glad the City of God by this City of God is meant Jerusalem which is called the City of Jehovah Isa. 60. 14. and the holy City Isa. 52. 1. This City of Jerusalem is put by a Synecdoche for the Church of God here upon earth and of this the Text speaks God is in the midst of her The words consist of two general parts 1. The Churches priviledge God is in the midst of her 2. The Churches safety She shall not be moved That is so as to be removed Doctr. When the Church of God is beleagured and environed with Enemies God is in the midst of her * Insurgunt inimici Ecclesiam conantur pessundare sed vivit Christus eamque dextra suâ fortitèr tuetur Glass exeg Deutr. 23. 14. For the Lord thy God walketh in the midst of thy Camp to deliver thee Jer. 14. 9. Thou O Lord art in the midst of us The Church of God hath not only enemies without her to conflict with but within her such as are Hypocrites and Apostates she complains that her own sons vexed her Cant 1. 6. That is those who had been bred up in her bosom and pretended Religion these falfe Friends vexed her the Churches Enemies are of her own house But be they what they will Forrain or Intestine the Church hath ONE that will take her part when she is most assaulted she is most assisted God is in the midst of her But what Prerogative is this to have God in the midst of his Church Quest. where is he not he is an immense infinite being and his circumference is every where Psal. 139. 7 9. Whither shall I flie from thy presence If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the Sea even there shall thy hand lead me What priviledge is it to have God in the midst of his Church seeing he is in the midst of his enemies too There is a twofold presence of God Answ. 1. There is his universal presence whereby he is in all places * Deus est in loco repletivè Jer. 23. 23. Do not I fill heaven and earth saith the Lord This is no priviledge at all for this universal presence is with the damned they have the presence of his power and justice 2. There is a peculiar presence of God and this is confined to his people This presence of God is either 1. In heaven which is nothing else but his glorious presence Psal. 11. 4. The Lords Throne is in heaven Or 2. On earth and that is either 1. His favourable presence whereby he manifests the pledges of his grace and goodness towards his people and so he is present in the Assemblies of his Saints breathing forth the sweet perfume of his Spirit Exod. 20. 24. In all places where I record my Name I will come unto thee and I will bless thee This is that presence the Saints desire in the Ordinances Gods quickning sanctifying comforting presence the smiles of his face the kisses of his lips nothing is so delightful as to hold the King in the Galleries * Cant. 7. 5. and have the Banner of his love sweetly display'd Cant. 2. 4. Or 2. His providential presence wherein the Lord appears admirably for his people in his providential actings shewing himself to be a wonder-working God and this is chiefly meant in the Text God is in the midst of her to defend to deliver to bless Thus he was with