Jabesh-Gilead for the Funeral-love they had shewed to one who had been the Lords Anointed 2 Sam. 2.5 6. Blessed be ye of the Lord that you have shewed this kindness to your Lord even unto Saul and have buried him and now the Lord shew kindness and truth unto you and I also will requite your kindness because ye have done this thing The blessing he gives them shews his acceptance to the uttermost the occasion thus There was a day when the men of Jabesh-Gilead were in unspeakable distress by means of the hard terms offered them by Nahash the Ammonite 1 Sam. 11. 1 2. they could have their peace upon no other terms than by espousing an irreparable mark of reproach and infamy on themselves and all Israel and in this nick of extremity Saul puts his life in his hand and rescues them seasonably and wrought a very great deliverance This kindness of Saul to them they were never in a capacity to requite till the day that the body of their Lord and instrumental Saviour was hanged on the Wall of a Garison of the Philistines as a mark of like reproach and ignominy on the whole Interest of God In such a day of death and danger when the body of their Lord and his dear Children is hung a stinking in the face of the Sun now is a time to prove and improve the kindness and ingenuity of their spirits toward their Lord and Israel by putting their lives in their hands and doing what they could to fetch him off from and give a check to that reproach of the enemies of the Lord on his Name and Interest They attempt it they succeed and bring off these dead bodies and mark it they came to Jabesh and burnt them there and took their bones and buried them and fasted seven dayes 1 Sam. 31.11 12 13. They not only buried but burnt them there which was the manner of Royal Funerals compare it with 2 Chron. 16.14 They laid Asa in a bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kind of spices prepared by the Apothecaries art and they made a very great burning for him See Jer. 34.5 With the burnings of thy Fathers the former Kings which were before thee so shall they burn odours for thee This perfumed Royal Funeral you see hath acceptance and recompence with David And shall Jesus Christ who laid down his life to take away the curse and reproach from us and hath set us free from wrath to come which we can never requite now call for a proof of our kindness and thankfulness by doing what we can to rescue the honour of his Name and Interest that is now exposed to contempt and to bestow a more perfuming funeral on it and lamentation over it than without danger we durst do and shall we stand upon the hazard and cost of it and in so doing shall not we lose the blessing of David The Lord shew kindness and truth unto you Nay shall not the men of Jabesh-Gilead rise up in judgement who did what they could to cover the shame and recover the honour of a wicked Prince who fell for his iniquity as if he had never been anointed and shall we refuse or come short of perfuming this service to the King of Glory who is put to an open shame in his Name and People God forbid This honourable act will find acceptable resentment and recompence from Christ as that did from David and as kindness to the dead hath alwayes done on ingenious spirits Ruth 1.8 2.20 Blessed be he of the Lord who hath not left off his kindness to the living and the dead But let us see how Christ doth manifest this his acceptance of such attempts 1. Christ is ready to shew forth his acceptance of this kindness by his being so willingly ingaged to plead the cause and vindicate the innocency and integrity of such a People as do what they can for him many are the ill instructions at home and the ignominies abroad that will be raised upon such an account But of this we may have assurance he stands ingaged to make good that word 1 Sam. 2.30 Them that honour me I will honour and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed As Christ stood not upon his own vindication when his Father's honour was in his eye but he committed his cause to him who effectually hath brought it about So should not we stand upon our own vindication when the Name of Christ lies at the stake See Psal 35.5 6. Commit thy way to the Lord c. And he shall bring forth thy Righteousness as the light and thy Judgement as the noon-day We see how effectual he doth it in the Text concerning this poor Woman in all her ignominies and hard speeches that she met withal and no less will he shew it at this day to be the high title of his honour Thus saith thy Lord the Lord and thy God who pleadeth the cause of his people Isa 51.22 He will thorowly plead their cause Jer. 50.34 and execute Judgement for them bring them forth to the light and their eyes shall behold thy Righteousness Micah 7.9 Marvellous have been the Lord's wayes and methods of asserting the integrity of his people from the midst of the clouds of ignominy 2. Christ sheweth his acceptance by ordering the issues of all the provision that a people makes for his Name and Glory that it proves the directest provision they can possible make for themselves and their best interest The liberal man deviseth liberal things and by liberal things shall he stand Isa 32.8 That course which the generality of people conclude according to rules of Providence is the way to ruine them proves the most effectual means to establish them of this Psal 112. gives a full testimony The good man is there brought in gracious full of compassion shewing favour and lending dispersing giving to the Poor and yet in all respects making the fullest provision for his own best blessedness in so doing That of Christ is the Paradox to prudent Professors in perilous times which they can by no means resolve He that will save his life shall lose it and he that will lose his life shall save it How evidently is this made good in the good Name of persons Men have generally reasoned that to cleave to such a Profession or Testimony or People hath been the high-way to be disgraced for ever whereas the Lord hath manifestly built up the Houses of such as it s said of the Midwives Houses in Egypt We reade in the first and last verses save one of Heb. 11. concerning the Worthies That by Faith they obtained a good report though they received not the Promise It was matter of reproach to them that they should imbrace and cleave to certain Promises from generation to generation owning them as their Interest which yet brought not forth in their day the great things they testified of and professed that as Pilgrimes and Strangers they
the Righteous Death Isa 57.1 Psal 84.6 Who can but Rear a Bacha here When such drop off the Earth When Circumstance shall Evidence In Judgement it may be Slight it who can make me the man O Lord may cry Ah me Amen To the Memory of Mr. ABRAHAM CHEARE An Acrostick Art gone Dear Soul Art fled Hast left the Earth Below thee 't was it answered not thy Birth Rare was thy Life choice was thy latter end At last for God and Truth thou didst contend Hast Overcome Hast got the Victory Ah! then let others say Why may not I Mercy Begate him Led him Fed him Kept Chear'd him did all until the time he slept Hath now enthron'd him enter'd him in Rest Each Soul that walks with God shall thus be blest Awake then Rouze faint hearts shake off distrust Rampant be Faith greatest of men are dust E'relasting's God and Worship him we must ANAGRAM Abraham Cheare Ah Arme a Breach TO Saints and Sinners God this day doth call To hear consider and to lay to heart What he hath done is doing and yet shall Be done amongst us ere this Cup depart Blessed are they whom Chast'ning he doth teach To hear and fear when he makes such a Breach O hasten Saints how is the Sun now setting The Light which on you sometimes brightly shone Away from you apace seems to be getting As if God's work amongst you now were done By treble stroaks God heretofore did Preach To you not hearing comes this fearful Breach And is there not a Cause Consider try What mean those bleatings everywhere so rise A worldly Spirit Pride Formality Bent to back-sliding as if 't were your life First-Love first-Works alas you do not reach No wonder then the Lord makes such a Breach Sayes to his chiefest Children Come away Remove the Candle and put out the Light These People eat and drink rise up to play Are not the Children of the Day but Night They hear indeed but do not what I Teach Wherefore in fury I will make a Breach Poor Church in Plymouth whom methinks I spy As men astonied stand and thus they speak The Lord hath dealt with us most bitterly Dear Cheare 's gone from us O behold a Breach 'T is so indeed a breach full sore and wide That is upon the choicest Mercies made And each of you are like now to be try'd Whether Religion be your chiefest Trade That you are driving Heaven for to reach Or fixt on Earth if so a sorer Breach Will yet attend you fully to discover Upon what ground you stand what ends you have Before this over-flowing Scourge pass over Look well about you Cheare 's gone to his Grave The Shepherd's smitten he no more must Preach Watch Warn nor Water Oh! this is a Breach Ah! Plymouth thou thy Shepherds that hast turn'd Out of thy Gates the men who sought thy good Against them cruelly thy wrath hath burn'd Thou suckst in poyson loathest wholsome food Hughs Martin Cheare all thy hand could reach Thou castest out wherefore behold a Breach And you poor Sinners living in that place Where God set up this burning shining Light And did display the Glory of his Grace Thereby your Souls to Christ for to invite Your Day is gone your Night its shadows reach Instead of Building now behold a Breach A sound of Gospel-Grace you may not hear Again till God have made your Souls to say Blest are those feet on Mountains that appear Bringing glad tydings of the joyful day Who coming in the Name of Christ shall Preach And thereby shall repair this woful Breach Poor outward inward Prisoners and Exiles Have lost a worthy sympathizing Friend So hath whole Sion within many miles She hath not any so able to extend Help every way Compassions he did reach And laboured till he died in Sion's Breach The day before he di'd when speech seem'd failing His Soul did travel groan and cry to God Most bitterly lamenting and bewayling Causes in Sion calling for the Rod The deep Apâ—stasies his Soul did reach And while hâ—â—v'd made on him many a Breach But Ah! the day is great 'mong Jacob's Seed Horsemen and Chariots swiftly flee away And none are rais'd to stand up in their stead When each choice piece goes to its House of Clay By whom shall Jacob rise Lord thou us teach And send Supplies sufficient to the Breach Which cannot be but by thy holy Spirit Giv'n forth amongst the Remnant that remain Who till then Places desolate inherit As men to be made free among the slain Without this who can Suffer Do or Preach Or stand this day in such a widened Breach Look up then Sion's Friends from things below To Jesus who was dead and is alive And hath in heart and hand for to bestow All that we need to make poor Sion thrive Though men of Might be gone Hee 's all to each Yea more than all to repair such a Breach He shall not be discouraged nor fail Till all in purpose purchase Promise true Be brought to pass also both head and tayl Of Beast and Whore receive their final due And Kings and Kingdoms out their hands shall reach Submissively to Him that heals the Breach ERRATA PAg. 8. line 24. for manifect r. manifest p. 20. l. 4. for or r. of p. 37. l. 18. for promises r. premâ—ses p. 59. l. 29. for salutations r. salvations p. 73. l. 27. for â—nd r. as p. 82. l. 31. for came r. come p. 93. l. 1. for promises r. premises p. 112. l. 26. for promises r. prophesies p. 114. l. 1. r. largeness p. 120. l. 1. for affait r. affaire p. 125 l. 1. for do ingage r. to p. 203. l. 32 for Admo r. Admi. p. 228. l. 13. f. you r. your p. 245. l. 33. r. lifegiving p. 279. l. 30. f. to r. too There are also several mis-pointings which the Judicious Reader will of himself amend FAITHS CONQUEST OVER THE TORTURES TENDERS OF An Hour of Temptation Heb. 11.35 latter part By Faith And others were tortured not accepting deliverance that they might obtain a better resurrection THis Chapter in the main scope of it is designed to set forth the Incomparable Excellency of Faith commending it self in the Example and Instance of many Worthies as answering to that description the Lord himself gives of it Mark 9.23 All things are possible to him that believeth the which Catalogue and Register of their Acts and Monuments is not intended meerly to preserve the memory of such men though their remeâ—brance is blessed Prov. 10.7 Psal 112.6 but mainly to recommend to the Saints and Ages to come the mighty Power of that Principle by vertue of which they believed things incredible attempted things impossible sustained things insufferable in the eye of sence and reason nothing therefore low or mean is attributed in this place nor should our aims or expectation be flat and indifferent in the contemplation thereof It 's most true this History of the famous
tryals Use 3. If from the Spirit that is in poor fallen man there be such ill fruits as those mentioned against the image people and heritage of the Lord let us not only prize that grace which hath delivered us from that power principle and interest to which all the former fierce Characters do naturally and necessarily agree But on the other hand be very conversant with the Lord for subduing in us the remains of that spirit that lusteth unto envy even in us and that towards them that persecute us there may be shewed forth our Dove-like innocency in pressing toward that Gospel-qualification of praying for them Mat. 5.44 45. Rom. 12.17 to the end 1 Pet. 3.9 and doing them good for all the evil they do to us that we may shew our selves to be the Children of another Father living in another principle and referring our selves in all the injuries done unto us to another judgment and if the Lord will bless it to that end we may hereby leave a powerful conviction that they hate and persecute us as they did our Lord before us without a cause I proceed to take some other Observations from the words Others were tortured Some were tryed otherwayes others this way some were tortured not all all are exercised some way or other every man's work must be tryed Whosoever will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution 2 Tim. 3.12 He chasteneth every son whom he receiveth Heb. 12.6 Whomsoever he loves he rebukes and chasteneth Rev. 3.19 But though every man must be tryed it is not appointed that they must all be this way tryed tryed by fire and water tryed by tortures Some were tortured where I note Doct. 2. That though the Lord hath provided tryals for all his Children yet he hath designed tortures but to some of them Thus Christ expresseth himself to his Disciples Some of you they shall put to death Luk. 21.16 The Devil shall cast some of you into prison Rev. 2.10 All Saints are some way tryed they be but some Saints are alwayes tryed All men are born to sorrows Job 5.7 yet but of some it is properly said they are men of sorrows Isa 53.3 Lam. 3.1 Psal 88.15 This is a plain case and obvious to frequent experience Yet because it may be seasonable and useful we may consider it by inquiring into these Two Things 1. Why some are Tortured 2. Why but some are Tortured For the former We now respect tortures as they are more immediately under the disposal and ordering of the Lord appointing more or less in point or measure to more or fewer subjects as it pleaseth him they being such bitter things as afore is described it is enquired Why the Father appoints it to any of his Children To this is answered 1. Negatively not from any love God hath to the Torments or from any lack or abatement of love to his Children he doth not take pleasure to see his precious believing People lie scattered up and down as they are described Psal 141.7 79.2 3. Lam. 4.1 2. as so many marks and monuments of the cruelty and butchery of the sons of men no saith the Psalmist Psal 116.15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his Saints he esteems them precious in their lives and puts a value on them in their death It goes as we may speak with reverence near the heart of the Lord to see his Jewels thus dealt withal In all their Afflictions he is afflicted and the Angel of his Presence is with them Isa 63.9 He that toucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye Zech. 2.8 He doth not afflict willingly or grieve the children of men Lam. 3.33 much less the Children of God but rather like as a father pitieth his children so the Lord pittieth them that fear him for he knoweth our frame and considereth that we are but dust Psal 103.13 14. nay he hath testified the greatest displeasure against such as have bin executioners of his rebukes when they have not performed them with pity Zech. 1.15 Isa 47.6 Psal 69.26 27. His Anointed Ones must be very tenderly handled and have no harm done against them Psal 105.14 15. wheresoever they wander Moab hath a charge to do so Isa 16.3 4. and in defect thereof his controversie is dreadful with the Nations Ezek. 25 throughout so chap. 26.2 3. c. 2. But positively and in general thus Though the Lord doth not assign these Tortures these fiery Tryals to his Children for want of love to his or from any delight he hath in such Tortures considered in themselves Yet many times the Lord hath higher and better ends to promote then their deliverance ends that have more of good in them than these Tortures can possibly have of evil and when it is so these dispensations are not only excusable but are to be justified Good is the Word of the Lord. As namely 1. Sometimes in giving his darlings thus to the power of the Dog he designs to bring to light the worth and excellency of some Truths of his which otherwayes would be much obscured if not quite excluded from among the children of men namely such Truths in the vindication of which his children are called and brought forth thus to suffer being wrought to a contentedness rather to endure torments than to let them go When a soul or people having obtained help from God continue witnessing to such Truths whatever it costs them There is reflected this honour upon Truth as was said of it of old Great is Truth and it shall prevail whereas if it should be as it is with the generality of Professors at this day when a Truth comes to be spoken for there is such a shrinking twisting shifting to evade the dint of the Tryal how would the World have too just cause to say What is there in your beloved Truth more than in our beloved Error What is your Profession more than ours your Religion more than ours If there were any excellent thing in it you would do and suffer somewhat excellent and extraordinary for it to take off this stumbling block and occasion therefore from them who seek or desire occasion the Lord is pleased to steel a people to this height We can do nothing against the truth but for the truth 2 Cor. 13.8 And then to shew a proof of Truth in them and the power and goodness thereof he puts them on a tryal proportioned to this design he hath some truth of the Gospel to shew in Paul and then must he be troubled on every side 2 Cor. 4.8 9 10. chap. 6.4 10 11. chap. 11.23 to 29. If the truth of Christ be in him no man shall stop him of his boasting none of these things move him or separate him from the love of God Truth shall be tryed in those vessels of earth though it be by fire seven times and the furnace seven times hotter than aforetime 2. Sometimes the Lord doth by these Tortures assert and
am treating as Christ saith in patience â—ossesseth the soul A man is said to possess his soul when he hath the command and disposal of all his â—houghts and faculties according to the best reason This in the case in hand is only the off-spring of â—xed Faith and admirably advantagious in sustainâ—ng torments 2. Faith contributes influentially not only as it begets peace but also as it brings the soul up to a certain resignedness unto God to a willingness to be â—t Gods dispose here am I let him do with me what seemeth good in his sight That which makes torments to be tortures indeed is when the members draw one way and the mind another but when the soul comes to be fully yielded up to divine pleasure this makes tortures become no tortures or at least to become less tortures You see this eminently set forth in the Captain of our Salvation himself while he was crucifying in weakness and tempted as are we while the humane nature would have made choise of that request Father save me from this hour Joh. 12.27 then was his Soul troubled all was dark and intollerable But when he fixeth in that resignedness For this cause came I to this hour Father glorifie thy Name then are there not only Oracles of approbation giving aid from the most excellent Glory but the Baptism he hath before him how is he pained ere it be accomplished And so in the very offering its self we see how his resignation expedited his tortures he was dead sooner than the rest for when the Souldiers came to break the bones of the thieves they brake not his bones why because he was dead already How so Why he said It was finished bowed his head gave up the Ghost and said Father into thy hands I commend my Spirit Luke 23.46 Whereas the others abode in a contest till the last gasp 'twixt spirit and members loth to part much work left undone had no certainty one at least of rest for his soul This makes sore conflicts in times of torment whereas on the contrary how sweet is that yielding up all to God mentioned Isa 50.5 6. I was not rebellious neither turned away back but gave my back to the smiters c. So chap. 53.7 He opened not his mouth but is brought as a Lamb to the slaughter c. This subduedness to the will of God by the dominion of Faith then is of exceeding moment to strengthen us to the induring these torments 3. Faith doth influence the soul to bear torments notably by bringing and encreasing a certain greatness and nobility a largness and publickness of spirit on it more than formerly Shall such a man as I flee Neh. 6.11 It begets a largeness of heart in some degree answering that of Solomon 1 Kings 4.24 unto which a base shrinking is exceeding contrary and loathsome especially considering by and for whom and to the interest of whose Name it is engaged It s marvelous to consider what many have endured to gratifie the lust of a great man 2 Sam. 2.14 15 16. to provide for their families to assert the liberties of their Country and the like and is not the will pleasure honour of Jesus Christ of far greater moment to be witnessed unto to the highest It was a gallant spirit in Joab which encouraged the people 2 Sam. 10.12 Be of good courage let us play the men for our people and for the Cities of our God and the Lord do that which seemeth him good The like reasonings will Faith suggest to beget resolutions I have now an opportunity which I may never have again to play the man the Christian the Believer for my God my Christ for his Gospel his Institutions his Cause and Interest What can be too hot or heavy to be done or suffered upon this accompt 4. Faith influenceth notably in this matter by giving the soul a prospect into and a fore-taste of that better Resurrection realizing and rendring substantial the promised Glory thereof unto it It 's remarked of our Lord that for the joy that was set before him he indured the Cross and despised the shame Heb. 12.2 Moses when he was threatned indured as seeing him that is invisible and having his eye to the recompence of reward chap. 11.26 27. They took joyfully the spoiling of their Goods who know in themselves they have in Heaven a better and more induring substance chap. 10.34 Stephen looking stedfastly into Heaven was not dismayed at the frowns threats tortures of his fierce adversaries Acts 7.55 56. I shall only draw this into an Applicatory Improvement briefly and pass along upon the whole of what hath been said to this Head Use You are with a very loud voice men and Brethren exhorted and beseeched to give all diligence to the Concernments of your Faith Above all your gettings covet a true lively Gospel-faith above all your keepings strive to hold fast and contend earnestly for this Faith If ever there were dayes that called loud for the Life of the Faith of the Son of God these dayes call for it I had fainted saith the Psalmist unless I bad believed And truly you will be apt to faint in the day of adversity as if your strength were small where your Faith is not good Take heed therefore of all things that may either adulterate it from its simplicity or stop and obstruct it from its growth God hath begun to exercise your souls and to prove your profession in a way of tryals its true you have not yet resisted unto blood unto tortures as others have and you at least some of you may The grand Question your souls should pursue to a full and satisfactory resolution is What stock have you proportionable to such an expectation Here I shall propound these Two Exhortations 1. Prove your Faith 2. Improve your Faith 1. Prove your Faith or take it in the Exhortation 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves whether you are in the Faith prove your own selves Do not take up principles upon trust perswasions of a good condition upon trust in a day when you are at the point of being put upon fiery tryals Every mans work must be tryed the time is come that judgument must begin at the House of God Every one must bear his own burden Here you would be directed particularly to see 1 That your Faith be true 2 That your Faith be strong 1 That it be true feigned Faith will beget but fading Comforts nay as was said It will do greater mischief in such a day than no Faith at all Here Evidences would be needful for discovery and Arguments with Directions for exhortation that souls who upon the tryal find themselves short would not strike off through discouragements but rather strike up with so much the more diligence to make their Calling and Election sure for helps in order whereunto they must at present be referred to what hath been offered in other exercises The like might be offered to press you to
hitherto saith David 2 Sam. 7.18 It traceth out and owneth the footsteps of divine good-will in every little thing and much more when it sees such salutations Life is a mercy Liberty a mercy exemption from Tortures a great mercy Deliverance out of them a greater mercy Hence the Soul is compassed and compasseth his God about with songs of Deliverance 2. None knows how to improve a Deliverance how to use it when he hath it as a Believer If he have Life on this side Death Liberty on this side Bonds Ease on this side Torment he is taught to acknowledge and reckon he is not his own in it 1 Cor. 6.19 20. but must use it to the glorifying God in soul and body which are his None is under such obligations none hath such objects and opportunities to make an high improvement of them as he hath who by believing looks into them others bestow them on their lusts 3. None as he knows what account he must give to God for such Deliverances as he must reckon for every idle word and all the deeds done in the body so he must yield an account of all his receipts whatever they be and therefore must so receive and improve as one that must be judged by the Law of Liberty and hence durst not say of any Mercy as they Our tongues are our own who is Lord over them Psa 12.4 On these accompts and others that might be mentioned the Believer hath reason to know deliverance the worth that is in it and his duty about it more than any other Now as none can deal with deliverance as they so is it a very high duty incumbent on such to receive deliverance at the hand of God then to accept deliverance is his duty and to give it such acceptance and entertainment in Truth as he expressed in Complement and in a strain of Oratory Rhetorick Acts 24.2 3. the terms only changed the Believer may thus express himself to the Lord Seeing I enjoy great quietness great deliverance great preservation and that very worthy deeds are done to such a worm as I by thy Providence I accept it alwayes and in all places my dear Father with all thankfulness None do and can give it such acceptable entertainment as the Believer of whom we treat The matter therefore thus stated and considered he doth not he durst not refuse such deliverance For if he should not thus receive it 1. He were in this refusal a meer destroyer of himself a thing abhorrent to godliness he were I say accessary of the violence done upon himself Saul is as guilty of his own death if his Armour-bearer thrust him through as when he falls upon his own Sword If Life Liberty or any Mercy may be had in God's way the refusal of it is the destroying our selves so far as that Mercy extends Though we are required to hate Father and Mother and our own Lives in a sence yet it is far from the intendment of the Spirit we should carelesly run them upon hazard no such know their bodies are the Temples of the Holy Spirit and they ought to use them well for his sake who dwells in them He that abuseth the Temple of God him will God destroy 2. Such a refusal of Deliverance when it may be had in the Lord's way is a manifestation and an act of the highest ingratitude and unthankfulness to the Lord that can be thought on To scorn or set at nought his favours is very much beneath the ingenuity of a Believer who ought to imbrace all occasions to shew forth the high praises of the Lord which are due unto his Name Blessed are such as dwell in the Lord's House they have frequent such occasion to be praising him and it is comely for the upright 3. Should he not accept Deliverance when it may be had in the Lord's way it would be found an act of high violence and injustice towards others who may be involved and concerned equally with themselves Some have Wives and Children or other Relations in the flesh now as if he provide not for his own and especially for them of his own houshold he were worse than an Infidel 1 Tim. 5.8 So if he draw them into sufferings from whence he might have deliverence in a way honourable and acceptable to the Lord he is accessary of their misery their wrong will be upon him More of this kind might be spoken but I fear too much of it is ready to be alledged on the common principle which is fruitful in such kind of reasonings Save thy self spare thy self this harm shall not come unto thee as Mat. 17.22 I shall only draw this Consideration into sutable Improvement in a few Inferences 1. If this be so then may we take up this Instruction That Godliness and the profession of it doth not inevitably run and necessitate a Christian upon the hazard and loss of every thing he hath or induce him to cast away all Though it doth indeed require him to prepare his stuff for removing to stand crucified in his affections unto them and ready to make surrender of them whenever the Lord needs them as was said of the Colt or is pleased to call for them yet it also directs to an excellent way of receiving enjoying and using them buying as if he bought not having and using all these as not abusing them 1 Cor. 7.29 30 31. Do not therefore take up hard thoughts of Godliness because of the Doctrine of Self-denyal the Cross at entrance or the Tryals and Tribulations that are appointed to attend the Professors of it 2. Hence it will also follow That false and wrong Principles are not to be accompted good because persons do upon them run all they have upon ruine As there is a kind of respect and pity kindled in tender and ingenious hearts toward a people who suffer under the profession of principles that have an appearance of Holiness in them So doth a kind of stedfastness to those principles and resolution to run all things to ruine on them very much tend to raise admiration and applause to such a people and their profession whereas on the contrary I desire you to take this as a standing Rule ☞ That the goodness of a Principle is not to be tryed and determined by the resolution of the Sufferer but the resolution of the Sufferer by the goodness of his Principle Good-men may be very weak under good Principles and Bad-men may be very heady and resolute under bad principles and this well considered would lead off our eyes from gazing on and having mens persons in admiration upon one hand when we see them stand or being apt to judge them and their cause if we see them insident in hours of temptation to shake and totter I confess its very beautiful and desireable to see stedfastness of Soul as the off-spring of Truth fixed there in Gospel-evidence and the contrary hereunto hath given not a little advantage and
bring us together again and make amends for all the loss herein sustained Then we shall be ever with the Lord in that triumph of which the stranger cannot intermeddle with the Joy Comfort one another with these words and the God of all Consolation be with you Amen FINIS THE EMBALMING OF A Dead Cause OR Christ's kind acceptance of sincere though weak attempts to preserve a sweet savour upon his Concerns in the World under those many deaths he is pleased to draw on them until their promised Resurrection Heb. 12.22 But ye are come to Mount Sion and unto the City of the Living God the Heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable company of Angels Gen. 50.26 So Joseph died being an hundred and ten years old and they embalmed him and he was put in a Coffin in Egypt Isa 26.19 Thy dead men shall live together with my dead body shall they arise Awake and sing ye that dwell in dust for thy dew is as the dew of herbs and the Earth shall cast out the dead Job 14.14 If a man die shall he live again All the dayes of my appointed time will I wait till my change come Printed in the Year 1668. THE EMBALMING OF A DEAD CAUSE Mark 14.8 She hath done what she could she is come aforehand to anoint my Body to the burying THese words are part of Christs own Vindication of and Apology for a very acceptable work of an Holy Woman which nevertheless through their great mistake came under a very severe censure at the hands of the very Disciples of Christ themselves Mat. 26.6 who taking knowledge only of so much therein as occured to their sense and carnal reason admitted thereby not a little disquiet on their own spirits they had indignation vers 4. they murmured vers 5. and reflected much trouble upon hers vers 6. Even such high-raised and Heavenly actions of Saints as have the most choicest esteem and acceptance with the Lord may yet meet with very undue representations and procure very strange reflections from the hands of others truly dear to Christ It should therefore be no greater strange thing to us to be judged by mans judgement it s well we stand or fall to another Master But so well was the integrity of her spirit and the noble principles and springs of this action known to Christ and approved by him that himself undertakes her defence when perhaps her trouble at their hard measure might stop her own mouth and appears to plead her cause not only so far as to give a present check to their rash conclusion and a testimony to the goodness and acceptableness of her work but withal takes order by an unalterable appointment for perpetuating the praise thereof vers 9. That where ever the Gospel of Grace should be Preached throughout the world this that she had done should be declared for a Memorial of her Christians under cloudy censures lose nothing at last by leaving their censured selves and actings to be vindicated by the Lord to whom their integrity is known and their cause committed Micah 7.9 10. Where ever the Doctrine of the Grace of Christ should be proclaimed this should be produced as a lively instance pattern and example to illustrate and confirm the power and prevalency thereof in that it is of power to beget on so contemptible a weak vessel as this poor Woman was such exceeding largeness nobility and ingenuity of spirit as was beyond what the gallantest principles or endeavours of meer Man could arrive unto and yet when the memorial hereof was to be mentioned when the Gospel should be Preached either to Nations abroad or Generations to come the principal intendment was not meerly to affix a mark of honour upon this individual person or this single act for her very name is hid both here vers 3 and in Mat. 26.6 7. but to commend and advance the value of the principles and motives she went upon to the encouragement and admonition of us and others upon whom the ends of the World are come 1 Cor. 10.11 Rom. 15.4 I purpose not to mention or stay upon the profitable deductions and inferences that would commend themselves from the coherence of the words or matter round about them intending but a present brief Comment on them In the words first read we have a double Character of her noble spirit set forth First In the extent of her act She hath done what she could Secondly In the intent of it She is come aforehand to anoint my body c. She hath done what shâ— could The word doth not meerly signifie that she had stretched her self to the utmost bounds of her estate and ability that way to purchase so costly a confection as this was for the greatness of the cost manifested it self to their offence and it could no way mitigate their disquiet to tell them how much she had expended in that respect but hereby I understand Christ would have them know that a certain raisedness and greatness of spirit had acted her to the utmost beyond the ordinary sphere of Beleevers to devise and practise liberal notable things so that she was not capable of being restrained and circumscribed within a narrow compass she did what she could for she could not but do what she did She is come afore-hand to anoint By what impulse or instinct of spirit or with what distinct and evidence her understanding was assisted to receive the Doctrine of and to make provision for the Funeral of her Lord is not expresly mentioned This is evident that the Disciples generally were very dark nay averse to notions of this kind their expectations being very earthly carnal of being advanced with him to some external Pomp and Glory which his Death and Burial so suddenly was inconsistent with by reason of their weakness and readiness to be offended wherein the Lord was very tender of propounding the Doctrine and distilling the Notions of his Death among them whilst he was with them John 16.4 And what he delivered of this kind was hardly regarded or remembred till afterward John 2.22 12.16 Luke 24.8 But this good Woman had early impressions made upon her heart of this blessed Truth Shâ—â—as afore-hand not only with the dispensation it self but also with the most forward of the Disciples themselves expecting it and preparing for it To anoint my Body to the burying This was the manner of the Jewes to bury John 19.40 especially where a reverend and honourable estimation or singular affection were to be expressed What might be extraordinary in her eye will hereafter be spoken to only towards the drawing this act of hers into a way of improvement for common use it may not be amiss to consider the body of Christ not only litterally as was immediately intended in her act but in a figurative acceptation as other Scriptures may help and warrant to consider it and our concerns about it Thus sometimes by the Body of Christ is intended his Church
of the heart in that which is not corruptible 1 Pet. 3.4 In this also it is significant that the external cost and detriment that such vigorous attempts may bring upon us ought not to be drawn into the reckoning as worthy to be named or counted dear to our selves so we may bring him Honour bear up his Name serve our Generation finish our Testimony and hereby raise him a sweet savour in the midst of an adulterous age where we are brought forth The debate and resolution between two generous spirits David and Araunah about offering up a sweet savour to the Lord is very teaching 2 Sam. 24.24 I will surely buy it of thee for a price neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing Such as profess a perswasion of the necessity toward this confection of a rich access of the precious things of Heaven such as precious Bloud 1 Pet. 1.19 of a precious Christ 1 Pet. 2.7 apprehended by precious Faith 2 Pet. 1.1 through precious Promises vers 4. in a precious Word 1 Sam. 3.1 answering to those precious things of Heaven c. Deut. 33.13 to 16. Such I say as acknowledge a necessity of these are much overseen to stick at and stand upon things of a lower value such as Father Mother Wife Children Brethren Sisters own Life Luke 14.26 to 33. Mat. 10.37 38 39. Mark 10.28 29 30. as though they were too costly or precious to be laid down upon this honourable account if the Lord have need of them 3dly The Oyntment she brought is in this respect teaching to us That the Application of it was very Manifest Liberal and Diffusive She did not only open pierce and give some vent to it sparingly and gradually but brake the Box pouring it out upon his head It bespeaks the business performed with such good will so throughly and effectually as intended neither secresie nor reservation as his head and all his other parts were filled with the Oyntment answering that Scripture Psal 133.2 so was the whole house intentionally filled with odour of it John 12.3 Christ is principally honoured with our affairs of this kind when we appear most openly and communicatively in sending forth the savour and shewing forth the vertues of him that hath called us out of darkness into his marvellous Light 1 Pet. 2.9 The excellency of this composition is best discerned in its contest with and conquest over opposition then smelling most when censured crushed bruised most holding forth the Word of Life as Lights in the World Phil. 2.15 16. to make all men see what is the fellowship of the Mystery Eph. 3.9 We only then answer the ends and expectation of Christ now pressed after when though in censuring perilous dayes we do in our several places and capacities do what we can by a publick Testimony bear witness to every Truth and Vertue of his and such especially as are most eminently striven against by the wickedness of the dayes and places we live in We come now to speak to the special Ingredients of the Confection which is only competent to preserve a sweet savour to Christ's dying Interest about which for the encouragement and direction of the meanest Saint to do what they can this must be considered That all of them that are a sweet savour unto God they are the Spices and Powders of the Merchants Cant. 6.1 Mark 16.1 brought from far and to be bought at Gospel-prices Rev. 3.18 I counsel thee to buy of me c. That which is of our own growth Phil. 3.8 9. begged or borrowed Mat. 25.9 will not serve the turn This though very precious yet they that have a mind to trade in it may have great penyworths Isa 55.1 2 3. Nor is it the less acceptable to the Lord or thank-worthy that they bring it with this acknowledgement 1 Chron. 29.14 15 16. What am I and what is this people that we should be able to offer so willingly For all things come of thee and of thine own have we given thee all this store that we have prepared cometh of thy hand and all is thine own Moreover this should be an encouragement to the poorest weakest Believer That though spiritual gifts of deep knowledge and utterance may do much towards the raising and repute to a dying cause Yet have the graces of the Spirit shining in the hearts and conversation of a poor Believer an estimation of a greater price in the sight of God and a real and direct tendency to glorifie the Name of God in a standing way when the high and renowned gifts of Prophesie may fail and Tongues cease and Knowledge vanish away 1 Cor. 13. to the end The truth of which we have verified in our dayes and may yet further That the great learned famed men who would be thought the only Bulwarks and Champions for the Truth and Cause have shrunk from it and their Names rot and stunk whilest a few poor despised Saints that own themselves nothing and have no might have yet been preserved to abide with Christ in his temptations and having obtained a little strength do not deny his Name Thus hath it been in all Ages Not many Wise c. But God hath chosen the foolish things c. And I thank thee Father Lord of Heaven and Earth saith Christ that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes even so Father c. But more particularly 1. In all such Confections there is indespensibly necessary A lively Faith of the operation of God without which it is impossible to please him Heb. 11.6 Rom. 14.23 This contributes strength savour and duration to all other ingredients as they say Ambergreese doth to all Perfumes is in the front of all others 2 Pet. 1.5 And though it be precious v. 1. yet must have vertue still diligently added to it By Faith Joseph when he died made mention of the departure of the Children of Israel gave commandment concerning his bones Heb. 11.22 Many are the excellent exploits recorded by Moses performed by Joseph's Faith yet the Spirit singles this one out doubtless for its exemplary eminency to abide upon this Gospel-File that his Faith at dying though the Light of Israel were for the time seemingly put out with him had such a singular regard to the assurance of the Promise of deliverance that on the single evidence thereof he gave commandment touching his bones What Commandment namely the same he had given touching his Fathers bones Gen. 50.2 That they should be embalmed the better to comport and be in fellowship with the design of the Promise in the truth of which he had so much confidence as he was contented his bones should be kept though imbalmed above ground and not reposed to their proper rest till his people also should be brought to rest in the Land of Promise his Faith preferred a Cave in Canaan before a Pyramid in Egypt
Eye and Ear witness and the God that hath hitherto kept us alive to this day cause all those clouds to flee away and bring out your soul yet more fully not only to find pitty from him to escape the snares that others are catcht in to their hurt but grant also that you may come forth as one of those Palm-bearers cloathed in white Rev. 7.9 as having gotten the victory over all Enemies and made to sing with grace in your heart as they vers 10. Salvation to our God which sits upon the Throne and to the Lamb. And the love extended by you to me unworthy and in me to my Lord and Captain of my Salvation Oh! that streams of Salvation may come forth if it be his blessed will from him to you so also make you a blessed pattern of Piety Purity and Stability for him whom I desire to serve in the Gospel His Sister asked Will you have some Cordial He said Oh! when shall I drink of that good new Wine in my Father's Kingdom In a morning his Friend asked him What of the Night He said It hath been a long Night But saith his Friend The Morning comes Yea said he as a snare on it comes stealing upon the world but the Children of the Day and of the Light that have on the Armour of Light shall have no cause to fear He Exhorted a good Woman that watched with him with all earnestness to close walking with the Lord. His Sister said to him I hope Brother as your Tribulations abound your Consolations abound He said It was a hard question Consolations being very inward deep things She then asked how he felt his Heart He replied I feel the fleshly parts declining apace but I trust the spiritual renewing But saying further to his Sister Come are you wiling to part with me yet She answered Yes in some measure she hoped she was considering his pains on the one hand and the glory that should follow Then said he Be careful I charge you to walk close with God in your generation and take heed of departing from his wayes but walk as becomes a Christian that would be found to his praise After this through extremity of pains the exercise of his Understanding was at seasons interrupted but very sensible and spiritual in his Intervals One asked him How it was with him He said Vnder great rebukes from the Land by reason of sin Saying I have been a wretched sinner have perverted my way and my walks with God have been short and formal But Oh! that it may go well with Israel in the latter dayes though I be as reprobate silver because the Lord hath rejected me It was told him If any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous who is the Propitiation for our sins Yea saith he through Faith in his Blood he is so and thither doth my soul flee He was also cautioned to take heed of casting away any his Confidence that hath great recompence of reward and of making a judgement of things in an hour of temptation and tribulation contrary to another judgement made and confirmed by the Lord again and again to him heretofore minding him how the Tempter waited such seasons to disturbe him and drive him from the strength he had laid up for him in Grace that is in Christ Jesus when Grace in us may be but at a low ebb Yea replyed he I would leave this Exhortation with you that when God bruises breaks treads down a poor soul and it lyes before him as ashamed and confounded and not able to open its mouth Oh! then to look up to the Lord for then will the Tempter be busie at such seasons for we are not ignorant of his devises but if God give another day and more strength I hope to speak more convincingly of these things The next day being asked How it was with him Whether all were clear within He said It was very tempestuous round about but yet the Lord is instructing and answering such a poor worm from the secret place of thunder And afterward sayes It will be better and there is hope in the end for all this And then broke out with admiration saying He is ever mindful of his Covenant Holy and Reverent is his Name he is a God near to those that fear him in the needful season Sometimes after one saying to him I hope you can yet say God is good and a strong hold in the day of trouble and knows them that trust in him Yes I can say so blessed be my God but not alike at all times can I say so but I remember the counsel and advise yesterday to wait on the Lord and keep his way and my place appointed me by God which I desire to do all the dayes of my appointed time till my change come though flesh and blood suggest this is hard work and would make haste out of it In the morning following being asked How is it now He said God had been at work closely with his Spirit in the three dayes past before this though this was left him for support That the foundation of God remains sure to all his sealed ones but sayes he I have been ready to say Why should I speak of sealed ones being such a one as might for mine iniquities be sealed up to a day of Wrath and be kept in chains of Darkness to the great day I have been so foolish to think my attainments were such as if I were got to the top and needed little more but the Lord hath laid Judgement to the Line and Righteousness to the Plummet and hath not only thrown down the high raised Structure but razed the very foundations of all fleshly glory and excellency and the Lord hath delivered his glory into Captivity and his strength into the Enemies hand yet hath not left me without hope I trust good hope in mercy that all notwithstanding shall issue well in the end But Oh! the reproach that I have brought on the Name of God! might that be done away by all I feel and suffer inward and outward I shall rejoyce In the After-noon the same day it was said to him I have observed by some hints from you That you have in these few dayes past had some exercises on your Spirit I would be glad to know whence and what they were and the way of God with you in them He replyed He had indeed some such exercise occasioned by close searches made in his soul about the clear and certain right and title it had to a substantial well-founded Interest in Christ which though sayes he I have mentioned heretofore to you and others what it was and how it was the Lord had begot and carried on in me and thought it had been above questions yet had I some doubts and fears renewed of a very ancient date about if not above thirty years ago with many miscarriages since to promote the same matter and this
of it though these wayes be every where spoken against Upon a First-Day of the Week in the morning he began to speak to all in the Family with him one after another as follows Ah! Sister A. the Lord gave you a heart to own and profess him his Name and Wayes early when they were wayes every where spoken against and since you have held up and out the Profession thereof in a flourishing day and now are concerned in and with the same in this hour of temptation which I beseech you be not affrighted nor offended at You know how it fared with our Lord and Master whom the Religiou◠as well as the Prophane world persecuted and expelled their Coasts the Servant is not above his Master It is true you have had the Name of a Gentlewoman and of being descended of great Parantage and raised to great things in a worldly account but keep these al◠under-foot as you ought and let that be the song still Worthy is the Lamb to receive Power and Riches Wisdom and Strength Honour and Glory and Blessing Oh! give up all to him as Auranah of old as a King to a King so let the Offering be given up cheerfully and resignedly intirely to him I bless God I have learned something of this in conversing with you of your readiness and freeness heretofore and now to lay out for the Lord and though 〈◊〉 now go the way of all flesh yet you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that we have none of u◠cause to be sorry or repent for what we have laid ou◠for the Lord. And you for your part have heretofore entertained Saints yea it may be Angels unawars the Lord reward you for it and the God under whose wings you are come to trust be your great reward but Oh! take heed your Good be not evil spoken of and that your Table become not a trap nor what was provided for good turn to your hurt I desire the Lord Jesus may teach you to look carefully about you that you lose not the things you have wrought but receive a full reward I remember it 's said of Abel who though dead he yet speaketh and have thought that word in a bad sense looking at me and many others who while living have been but dead Speakers but I am now hastning to another kind of death where after Worms have consumed this flesh and bones yet I may be brought forth as a living speaking Witness in these words of mine against such as slight the instruction of them Then said I bless the Lord for ever that he hath kept me from Hell horror to hope of Salvation eternal Salvation by Jesus Christ and that I shall be helpt in my poor measure to shew forth his praise in this Generation as well as to every one that is to come Oh Friends you are like yet to have opportunities amongst living Saints that speak livingly and audibly Oh! take heed take heed this present dispensation that you yet are and I have been trusted with be not as the Lord's Trumpet sounding an Alarum against you on the behalf of the Lord of Hosts whose words have not been received by you Then speaks of England and sayes Oh! poor England sinful England who stonest the Prophets and choice men that are sent unto thee but wouldest not hear in this thy day the things that appertain unto thy peace but now they are hid from thine eyes Thou hast had an Iron Sinew and brow of Brass and wouldst not be gathered to the great Shepherd and Bishop of Souls Ah England England What would many Kings and Princes and Righteous men have given to have enjoyed one of those blessed dayes of the Son of God which thou hast sinned away and rendred thy self unworthy of Oh! how art thou become a place of Persecution treading and trampling down God his Name and Concerns as much as in thee lyes But Oh! there is yet a Remnant according to the Election of Grace whom the Lord hath yet seen good to winnow till he hath driven each grain of Corn from other yet be of good chear you that are wholly a right Seed abide with God and know assuredly you are more precious in his sight than Gold of Ophir and lay this Cordial by it that the World is not worthy of you yet judges you unworthy of it but there is a day coming even the day of Jezerel the seed of God shall have a day for it in which the Righteous shall flourish and abundance of Peace as long as the Moon endures That word hath been sweet to me many times Psal 72.19 And let the whole Earth be filled with his Glory Amen and Amen The Prayers of David the Son of Jesse are ended Oh! methinks here is an ending of Prayer indeed Comprising the whole Glory of the great David in this short request that is the compleat end of all Prayer calling worthily for Amen and Amen to close it up Then speaks to all in the Room saying I charge you all in the Name of the Lord Jesus and as you will ever answer it at that great day that you make Religion your business and that you make not Godliness a slight thing nor walking with God a small matter as ever you hope to stand with boldness before God in the judgement Then he said God indeed hath took strength from these Arms of mine I speak it not as if I murmured at it or by way of discouragement as if he could not if it please him raise dead bones and of stones make Children to Abraham desires that they would lift up his arms which they did and then he layes this solemne Charge upon them and desires they would by lifting and holding up his hands be witness to it as his Charge to all of them That they make it their great business the remaining part of their dayes to walk to the praise and glory of the Lord Jesus in all the paths of his pleasure His Sister being troubled to see how he spent himself in speaking He said to her Come Sister is this becoming to cry over a dead Dog when by dying he may glorifie God the more And added I am here yet among the Living though with many marks of death upon me yet nothing with infallible certainty with me that I shall die at this time but Oh! look up from me to the Lord that so that whether I live or die your Interest may be sure in the Lord Jesus and now the Lord watch between me and every one of you when we shall be apart one from the other Then speaking to his Brother A. said My dear Brother the God of Jacob the restorer of the dry scattered bones of Israel shine forth from between the Cherubims of Glory on thy dear soul dispersing and dispelling all Clouds Foggs and Feares under which thou hast been long serving God with many tears and temptations many a day of which I have been