coming in a time of such weakness and when by the working of my Spleen which sent up dark and disturbing vapours clouding my imagination and made sore work within but the Lord made me see much of my own fleshly gloryings as also others in me and in my flesh which God would take down in this day of tryal when every ones work must he tryed of what sort it is even by fire and truly I was made to see to my shame much hypocrisie and formality in my converse with the Lord in one respect or other and that the Practical part of Religion I had yet arrived to little acquaintance with to what I had in dayes past but this brought me in the issue to see that I was what I was that was good only by grace and no room for flesh to glory but was brought through grace to experience this Truth that when I am weak then am I strong and that however it be yet the Lord forgetteth not his poor nor despiseth not his prisoners this is a brief account of the Way God led me in in this matter and hath so issued it that I trust through grace I shall yet come to lay down my weary head and heart in the peace of Gods speaking that will keep and carry me to the end His Friend told him here somewhat of the danger of attempting such great works under such disadvantages as these seasons and circumstances he had in these dayes past been under for such works as these minding to him That every season was not a fit season for judgement especially to be calling in question things so long and often under more clear light and leadings confirmed formerly and however that be a great Truth that every day will yet more demonstrate that we are but yet Children in Christianity far short of that manly state of things to which the present dispensation of God both publick and personal have a proper and true tendency towards which more excellent way 't is our duty to be pressing yet so to be pressing towards it as to remember both how we have heard and received and hold fast the beginning of our confidences firm unto the end that so the Tempter get not advantage against us as he doth or may do against persons ignorant of his devices But he being still weak either to speak or hear more was not said but that he his Friend was glad to see the Lord had issued the matter so well to the Preventing the Tempters design and giving his poor Servants to see how great that mercy is of all the Saints and their concerns being in Gods hand when the strength of our own hands heads and hearts fails so frequently as they do yet he remains the same for ever and in such seasons secretly succours and supports and at last brings out into a wealthy place to his own praise and encouragement of the poor and needy to trust in him at all times In the morning supposing him drawing near his end a Friend was called to him who finding him discomposed again in his head and convulsive motions renewed with shortness of breath yet soon after asking how he did He said He was a wonder unto many by reason of the rebukes of God upon him but the Lord was and he hoped would be his strong refuge to the end His Friend told him He had made know himself to him as a strong hold in this day of trouble hitherto else he had sunk under his afflictions but to â—e kept up and carried on under such great long exâ—rcises justifying God still and blessing him in giâ—ing as well as taking spake much of divine support â—iven in Yea sayes he I would not only justifie but 〈◊〉 have great reason to glorifie God as the God of my â—alvation It was answered His present posture of submission and subjection to him as the Father of Spirits was a notable way of glorifying God in the fire and giving praise to him in the Isle of the Sea And after a little pause He added He had now but a few steps more to go which he desired the Lord would also so order as he might not be left to sin against him and blessed the Lord that he had given him and yet maintained such good hope through Grace in him that he was not and hoped he should not fear to follow him through the valley of the shadow of death to which he now seemed hastning A Friend coming to him and asking him How doth this honest Watch-man Honest Watch-man saith he hath much in it to be a Watchman indeed looking out for the morn as the Watchman of Ephraim that was with his God when other watchmen are as the Prophet is said to be Hosea 9.8 A snare of a Fowler in all their wayes and hatred in the house of their God as is too evident of the Watchmen of our day by reason of deep defilements found amongst them wherefore the day of the Watchman cometh yea maketh haste now shall be their perplexity and thâ— dayes of their visitations are come the dayes of recompences are come Israel shall know it for the Lord dispensations are now very swift Being asked How he had done to Night Hâ— said I laid me down to sleep and waked again 〈◊〉 the Lord sustained me and hath not made this night night of terror by affrightning dreams and imagâ— nations as sometimes but I seem to be going on as weary traveller his way Sometimes after being asked How he did Hâ— said A poor weak creature It was answered But trust in the Lord you have strength Yea said he blessed be God everlasting strength and they that indeed trust in him shall be as Mount Zion that cannot be moved but abideth for ever for as the Mountains are round about Jerusalem so is the Lord about his People for ever A Friend telling him There was an acquaintance of his come to see him who was going to Preach amongst the poor Saints abroad He wished him prosperity in that good work saying He never found cause to repent of any of his working dayes for Christ in his life-life-time At the same time one coming from far to visit him and telling him He had dear Remembrances from many Friends of his who in a way of supplication with humble submission were looking to the Lord the God of all Consolation concerning him and his case He replyed He is indeed the God of all Consolation of strong Consolations which were sealed up to his soul And then added I am very much affected with this surprising visit of yours And soon after said to â—he same Friend He had in the two Nights past been graciously led and let into the understanding of that Word Psal 37.37 Mark the perfect man and behold â—he upright the end of that man is peace So as he â—as never let into it in like manner before A Friend saying How doth my Brother He â—eplyed I cannot say of you as he of old
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
one sort of men against another so foolish have I been and as a Beast so ready to condemn the Generation of the Righteous so unbelieving and ready to cast away the Faith and Prayer of ten thousand Saints one of whose sighs shall not be lost but such fearful effects sometimes trouble disquietment disappointment and carnal fear will produce But certain it is none of the many cryes of the people of God shall be lost nor their Faith disappointed God hath a peculiar design in hand and we are to find it out that we may be able to answer them that make enquiries If you lay not this foundation of your procedures I shall not wonder if you err in your wayes it is your Pole-Star and will be so by which your whole course is to be steered your Shield which whilst it is safe though you die yeâ— your Glory abides And the same Author further discussing what this Work and Design of the Lord was results it mainly in this That Godliness and the love of the Lord Jesus be preserved protected and secured from a return of the hand of violence upon it What then may we now expect but after a little further fluctuating upon the deep to suffer shipwrack upon some Shelves or Rocks seeing we have ceased our steerage by this Pole-Star what may we expect but slaughter and extirpation since that Mighty Shield is vilely cast away as though it had not been anointed with Oyl considering also that if the hand of violence be returned its confederated with under the sacred ties of Oaths Covenants even whilst it manifestly opposes Godliness and bends the edge of all its power against such as love the Lord Jesus in sincerity I am sure it calls for deep lamentation that a People who had the Name of the Lord upon them are left to that wonderful and horrible thing Jer. 5. last Prophets prophesying falsely and Princes bearing rule by their means and both Prophets and People through a little present fleshly ease and prosperity waxing fat and shining love to have it so the holy Spirit then assures the end will be bitter and that enquiry What will ye do in the end thereof though slightly passed over now will have its resolve by their cry to the Mountains and Rocks to fall on and hide them from the face of him that sitteth on the Throne when in the faileur of justice on Earth he will cause judgement to be heard from Heaven When he ariseth as certainly he will to judge the Cause of the Fatherless and Needy and to save all the meek of the Earth But I may not further thus proceed lest I exceed bounds nor is it needful that more be said of the Author only I am perswaded it greatly furthered him in the search after knowledge of divine mysteries that he never was entangled and disadvantaged by Academical Education which hath been over-fruitful in furnishing persons as worthy Mr. Rutherford on another occasion in his Letters expresses it with ill washen and foul distinctions to shift Christ this age hath over-plentiful testimony thereof this Servant of the Lord as by the account left of himself in the last two Pages of this Book was by his believing Parents otherwise nurtured who waiting at the foot of Christ keeping his precepts diligently became wiser than his Teachers giving occasion to many to renew that saying Whence hath this man letters for he was eloquent and mighty in the Scriptures adding much to such as conversed with him whether by word or Epistle If what is here presented prove of use to strengthen weak hands or to uphold them that are ready to fall by keeping in view the Resurrection and Blessedness prepared for those whom God guides by his Counsel they will know where to give the glory I earnestly wish and pray That those to whom in a peculiar manner he was sent amongst whom more especially he laboured who must give an account of so great a Talent and Price long trusted with them may do it with joy discovering by an obedience of Faith to the Lord Jesus under all tryals that he laboured not in vain and I hope however it may be to others what is here presented may be useful to them keeping in remembrance how holily justly and unblameably he behaved himself amongst them that following his Faith they may be saved from this Generation and be found amongst those who receive the End of their Faith the Salvation of their Soul Amen To the MEMORY of Mr. Abraham Cheare Anagram Ramah Baca here WAs there a voice in Ramah heard Jer. 31.15 Was bitter weeping there ' Cause Rachels children were not spar'd Mat. 2.18 Why should there not be Here Was Baca in time past a Well Psal 84.6 Although a place of drought Was it made so by Israel When journ'ing in the South Did th' one for Children thus lament The other for their Water Oh! how should Sion it resent Lam. 2.1 to 12. Psal 46.4 Amos 1.2 Lam 2.1 Mala. 3.17 Jonah 3.8 Ps 119.126 Mat. 9.38 Zech. 11.4 7 When God her Sons doth slaughter When he cuts off her pleasant streams Her beautious Branches wither When he shuts up her brightest Beams Doth home his Jewels gather Yea how should this increase her cry When in a time of need That Shepherds they should multiply The slaughter'd Flocks to feed That even then God should not spare To take hence in great numbers Isa 57.1 Ezek. 3.26 Job 37.23 The most laborious in their Spheare Place this among his Wonders Psal 36 6. Job 11.7 1 Cor. 2.9 Psal 32.8 Psal 73 24. Job 36.9 10 They wayes O God are in the deep To search them to perfection 'T is not for Mortals pace to keep With thee give thou direction Let 's ponder well thy wayes O Lord Give us thy hearing Ear Some teachings to us do afford Deut. 13.11 Ezek. 12.3 Mal. 3.17 Ezek. 14.16 Mala. 3.1 Jer. 12.1 Ezra 9.13 Lam 3.29 2 Sam. 24.17 Joel 2.17 Ezek. 9.4 Psal 85.10 Jer. 14.7 Job 19.21 Gen. 19.19 Jonah 3.10 Psal 11.17 Zech. 13.7 Lam. 1.15 Isa 40.11 1 Sam. 1.8 2 Cor. 12.9 By what we see let 's fear What this portends thou mak'st such haste To treasure up each Jewel Art minded Lord our Land to waste Must we for wrath be fewel If so 't should be thou wouldst be just 'T were but Sin 's recompence We must our mouths put in the dust We have giv'n great offence Yet spare O Lord spare thou our Land At least in it thy Mourners Thy Mercy will with Justice stand In pard'ning great offenders Make us the objects of thy pitty Thy Mercy magnifie Spare as of old an Heathen City Spare O spare let 's not die But if more Shepherds thou wilt smite And Mighty men must fall Feed Sheep thy self thy Battels fight Be thou in stead of all Amen Amen Another To the Memory of Mr. ABRAHAM CHEARE Anagram Ah me Rear Bacha WHo can but Mourn when men do scorn To Note
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
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
respect of the dispersing the knowledge of the Gospel of Jesus Christ but should be more ready and less afraid to suffer all things for the Elects sake that they be they converted or unconverted may also obtain the Salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal Glory 2 Tim. 2.10 Oh! strive and study to do then what you can for Christ But here it may be requisite ere we go further to remove out of the way some of these deceits of Satan whereby it is usual with him to wrap many poor souls in their self-pleasing but indeed to their detriment and undoing How frequently doth it occur to our observation That it is the pretention of many Professors who seek their ease in Sion as well as of prophane persons that though they do but little in the great momentous matters of Eternity yet they do what they can they say and if God accept the will for the deed what need so much clamour to press them further God is merciful and why should we be so over-strict will we have men do more than they can do To free the Scripture from such corrupt glosses and forewarn and deliver our selves from such insnaring temptations to ease and slumber let us consider That there are divers lusts of a very narrowing debasing tendency within the Circles of which Satan attempts to bring poor souls in such dayes as these and then shrinks and shrivels them upon all quarters that they can do no excellent thing for Christ It s a pitiful it s a dreadful thing to think to excuse our want of activity for God upon the account of the straits that such temptations and iniquities lead us into this is to cover with a covering that is not of the Spirit that they may add sin to sin which hath a woe pronounced on it Isa 30.1 chap. 28.20 1. First Satan doth endeavour what he can to debase Souls by filling them with carnal and unbelieving discouragements this exceedingly disableth them from attempting any thing that is excellent It s but little such a one can do and it s a pitiful account he can give of having done what he could besides the common discouragement that ariseth from the persecution at the hands of wicked and ungodly men the nature and tendency of which discouragement is frequently spoken unto and I shall here pass by There are sundry that are apt to arise from good men themselves in those censures and miss-judgings that forward souls meet frequently in the way and indeed they wound very deep Had it been an enemy I could have born it but it was thou a man my friend and my familiar c. this cut deep To apply only to what is in the Text it was in the opening of the Context noted that this grand work of hers that had such an eminent commendation from Christ himself as springing from more Faith and Love than ordinary fell yet under such severe judging of the Disciples themselves that it put the soul of this good woman into no small trouble Mark 14.6 Let her alone why trouble you her If we note a few of the offences they had at her and objected against her and by comparing them we shall find that they have an exact similitude to the Cavils at this day started against the zealous Saints under which it may quiet us to consider that they are no new and therefore should be no strange thing to us Cavil 1. There was no prudence used in this act this seems to lye at the bottom of their sense wise men would not have done like this foolish Woman thought they and at this they had indignation within themselves vers 4. and murmured against her they were in a very pettish and impatient fit as if they had said these unpresidential actings will make a great noise to little profit and at length spoyl all our prudential reasonings But now when they are improved without due regard to the great interest of Christ which ought to be laid and cared for in the first place they prove great offences not only to hinder such contrivers themselves but to obstruct others who were following Christ and would be induced to follow him in more faithfulness courage and simplicity 2dly A breach of the law of Charity was pretended the saving what she had for her self the providing for the Poor the supplying the Bag that Christ and his Disciples lived upon are supposed to be damnified and neglected hereby Mercy should have been preferred before zealous Sacrifice c. This is a usual Objection but there is more of Judas in it than many that are offended by it are aware of John 12.6 Charity to bodies is pretended and advanced hereby frequently above Love to Christ and Charity to poor souls they may starve and die for want of a word of Life rather than such losses must be suffered such hazzards run such cost expended 3dly The thing was let run at waste was another Objection Christ had no need of it he was sweet without it and it was early enough for his funeral her love was known without such costly characters Is not this a common way of reasoning Cannot the Gospel be preached the Cause of Christ secured the Profession of Christ upheld unless you such poor weak ones as you must make a noise and run your selves and others upon ruine you will be brought to beggary your families ruined then who must maintain you Christ is in Glory the everlasting Gospel will be preached in due time in the midst of Heaven the Elect will be called and we that are Christs shall go to Glory though you never make such a-do This is usual and apt to discourage yet ought indeed to signifie little with gracious souls who know that God doth set them for the defence of the Gospel as a pillar and ground of Truth being his witnesses against an adulterous generation before whom should they be ashamed to profess him the stones will cry out and Christ would be ashamed of them before his Father and the holy Angels but in this their faithful testimony though friends scorn them Job 16.20 yet by Prayer and Supplication committing themselves and the pleading their cause to God he will in due time plead their cause and take up the controversie as he did this poor Womans when they that have judged them shall be ashamed This then is the first caution Take heed that your hearts be not disquieted by such weakning discouragements from without or within lest you be weary and faint in your minds and thereby become disabled from doing excellent things think not that God will own and accept the result of such wind-shaken-minds and put this mark of favour on it She did what she could 2. Secondly Another sinful Circle within which Satan endeavours to conjure the spirits of many Professors and therein narroweth and straitneth them from any capacity to do what they might for Christ is because the business and spirit of the world
busieth them with Martha's lot in many things and then they think they have as good excuse for their neglects as had she that doing as much as nothing it must pass because they do what they could This is very lamentable though frequently spoken to it remains the guise of many Professors You know my business what a deal of work I have saith one What a deal of care and destraction I have saith another Just as they that were bidden to the Wedding-Supper one had bought a Farm and he must go and see it another had bought a yoke of Oxen and he must go and try them another had married a Wife and therefore he cannot come all desire Pray have me excused all begin to make excuse with one consent Luke 14.18 You may reade one word and see how badly such excuses will stand in the day of Christ when not one of those that were bidden shall taste of the Supper v. 24. Oh! when mens hands are so full of business and that most times greedily and unnecessarily sought after and pursued that they cannot come or at least their hearts so over-charged with the cares and pleasures of it that they cannot come to any purpose what doth this portend but some swift stroak at hand on such a foolish people to make up that lamentation Jer. 9. 3. Thirdly A third advantage Satan gets on many by which he incloseth them within their spiritual benumedness That they can do very little for God and yet please themselves is the old usual complaint and that not without cause though most times without sense of a bad dead cold heart when this seems to be the Religion of people and that from whence they get or would get not only excuse for their shortness but a supposition that they are very humble tender ingenious watchful experimental because they are so able and apt to tell of and mourn over bad hearts but hardly have I ever observed a people so inclinable to the deepest hypocrisie and palpable neglect of any spiritual means to make them better but as the door turns upon the hinges so do they upon such complaints till what they artificially complain of at first spring up at length as a Leprosie in their foreheads to be seen and read of all men 4. Fourthly Another sinful boundary wherein Satan wraps many and disableth them from doing any thing excellent for Christ and then they think it well enough if they do what they can within their compass is The offence of Spirit that is apt to grow either at the ways or people of Christ because of the imperfection they espie or suppose to be found in them But blessed is he that is not offended in Christ Mat. 11.6 Such distemper is dangerous especially in such a dark state of things wherein that word seems verified Mat. 26.31 This night shall ye be offended because of me When Professors are apt on all hands to stagger and fall into sin providences frown opportunities of serving God cannot be come at without apparent hazard spirits of people grow froward apt to catch at advantages glad to find excuses for departure from Relation to one another hard to be reconciled this is a bad season for souls apt to stumble at the stumbling-stone It begins with this I am not free to meet pray with hear joyn with such a one although all acts of Christian duty for removing offence are neglected and at length it appears that of whom one is overcome of him he is brought into bondage Oh! study to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace Great peace have such as love the Law of Christ and nothing shall offend them 5. Fifthly To name no more at present Satan gets hold on many by pleasing them under a slothful sinful abuse of this notion We can do nothing without we have help from the Lord The which way of reckoning as it is most commonly abused hath this signification All the idle neglects of Professors shall be as much as they durst for modesty express themselves fathered upon God As the first way of Satan to cover the mans iniquity was The Woman that thou gavest to be with me she gave me c. as if he had said Hadst thou not given me a Woman I had not sinned the evil lies at least between us but from all such excuses God will be clear when he is judged This may serve as a taste That it s not every I can do no more will serve the turn to excuse us much less obtain for us this blessed Testimony Christ gave of this Woman She hath done what she could she hath come aforehand to anoint my Body to the burial You may do more than you do all of you nay all things considered must do more than this perfuming-work of which I shall speak a little more particularly to shew its special nature when I have first offered a few Considerations shewing what engagements do lie on us to do what we can for Christ especially in this business of begetting a good savour on his things in this day when they are exposed as much as may be to stinking 1. First We are concerned to do what we can for Christ in this respect because Christ hath done what he can to put a sweet savour upon us when we stank to purpose and doth not ingenuity require that we put the question the Prophet did 2 Kings 4.13 Thou hast been careful for us with all this care what is to be done for thee Or as the Psalmist Psal 116.12 What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits especially when he looks for nothing but our returning on his Name the reflection of the sweet savour that he hath bestowed on us let 's but consider what great things of this kind he hath done for us 1 Sam. 12.24 What were we when he cast a look of Love upon us Our navel was not cut nor washed in water at all not salted at all nor swadled at all cast out in the open field in our bloud to the loathing of our person troden under in bloud c. Ezek. 16.4 5 6. The stench of a soul in such a plight may be read Psal 38.3 4 5 6 7. Well to take away this evil savour What hath Christ done in his Oblation Eph. 5.2 Gave himself an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour What doth he by constant Intercession Rev. 8.2 3. stands with much Incense to offer up the persons and services of Saints with acceptation as a cloud of perfume ascending up before God out of his hand All the offerings under the Law both on the Brazen Altar for Sacrifice and on the Golden Altar of Incense are only figurative of what Christ doth this way of all which it s so frequently signified It s an offering made by fire of a sweet savour before the Lord. What doth he by bestowing his Spirit in the work of regeneration but anoint
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