without sin There is no man will prosecute a business for another so fully as he that is tenderly affected with the case The troubles and distresses which are now upon Gods people for poor Zion are upon the heart of Christ yea and much more upon his heart then theirs and therefore doubtless he will press home their SUITS in Heaven Besides that which Adonijah said to Bathsheba is most true of Christ p 1 Kin. 2.17 The Father will not say him nay q Psa 2.8 Ask of me and I shall give thee the Heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession A man will be the more willing to help another if he see himself concern'd in the thing and that it is his own good that is desired For whom doe the faithfull sigh and groan Is it not for Christ as the Prophet saith r Psa 72.15 Prayer shall be made for him continually When they pray against Babylon Tyrants Tryers Lawyers Soldiers Is not this to pray for Christ viz. That his enemies may be made his footstoole Å¿ Heb. 10.13 as he expecteth and t Rev. 11.15 all the Kingdoms of the world become his u Ezek. 21 27. whose right it is And what may we learn hence Surely Christ will look after the tears and cryes of Mourners because they are poured forth for his own righteous cause Lastly That Believers should come unto God by Christ the holy Ghost giveth this reason x Heb. 7.25 Seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them y Zech. 1.5 Your Fathers where are they and the Prophets do they live for ever How often comes it to pass that there is not a Moses to stand in the breach a Ezek. 22.30 not a man to he found Is it not now our sad complaint b Psa 74.9 We see not our Signs there is no more any Prophet neither is there among us any that knoweth how long Nevertheless Jesus Christ our great High-Priest LIVETH FOR EVER and ceaseth not to plead Zions Cause or his own Cause rather before the Throne c Isa 63.16 Doubtless thou art our Father though Abraham be ignorant of us and Israel acknowledge us not Thou O Lord art our Father our Redeemer thy Name is from everlasting And here it falls in our way to discover the great presumption of Christs Enemies d Luk. 19.27 which will not that he should reign over them But instead of exalting him seek to exalt themselves It is much they are not affraid to take Christs Name in their mouth For unto whom may they be likened To a company of Usurpers who keeping an honest man out of his lawful possession will yet go to him and entreat him to assist him against himself Surely he cannot but think they mock him most grosly I leave the application to such as will not that e Rev. 11.17 Christ should take to him his great power and reign yet say Lord Lord. Sixthly 6. Because they seek him with the groanings of the Spirit Because they seek the face of God with the groanings of the Spirit And this is to f Jude 20. pray in the Holy Ghost i. e. when the Spirit works all our sighings wrestlings and strong cries As the Master holding the Childs hand what is so written is done by him and he cannot but like it because it is his own Act Thus in our sincere Mournings before the Lord they must needs be accepted because they are g Isa 26.12 the work of his own Hand not our sighings and prayers but as David said h 1 Chron 29.14 Of thine own have we given thee When the Heavens and the Earth were finished and all the hosts of them it is said i Gen. 1.31 And God saw every thing that he had made and behold it was very good It could not but be lovely fair and excellent being his own work-manship Are our Mournings the work of the Spirit Surely then as God sees them they are very good And this is matter of singular comfort and incouragement unto all Mourners in Zion What though their sighs and cryes as lookt on by Enemies are slighted and scorn'd k Neh. 4.1 2 3. What do those feeble Jews Fifth Monarchy-men will they fortify themselves do they think by their weeping to build Zion Will they revive the stones of the heaps of the rubbish which are burnt Ah ah say they poor deceived people that which they build by their praying and fasting if a fox go up he shall even break down their stone wall It is true thus are our tears and cryes to God mockt and despis'd but let us not be discouraged for all this remember what was said they are not our groanings but the Spirit 's and in that regard l Psal 65.5 by terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us O God of our salvation m Rom. 8.26 17. The Spirit helpeth our infirmities for we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groans which cannot be uttered And he that searcheth the heart knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God That is we being weak and prayer a great work the Spirit helps us to carry the Burden with us and for us and supplyes our want of knowledge by prompting as it were our lesson unto us to ask such things and in that manner as God requireth and alloweth Parents many times hear their children sob and groan but not knowing the cause thereof cannot help them But the Lord knows the mind of the Spirit Though we doe but n Isa 38.13 Chatter like a Crane or swallow and mourn as a Dove o 1 Sam. 1.13 Speak onely in our hearts like Hannah and no voyce is heard This before the Lord p Psa 142.2 is as incense an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice Quest But how may we know the Groanings of the Spirit from our own Answ 1. Nothing will quiet the Spirit as to cease groaning but satisfaction in the thing groaned for Though Elkanah spake comfortably to his wife when he said q 1 Sam. 1 8 Am not I better to thee then ten sons yet that would not help she was in bitterness of Soul before the Lord for a childe and nothing but a childe will comfort her As Rachel said r Gen. 30.1 Give me children or else I dy Thus it is with Saints groaning in the Spirit for Zion and the Great Name of God and against the abominable Falshood and Hypocrisie of men Their Souls Å¿ Psa 77.2 refuse to be comforted until the Lord gratiously answer them here I have seen children cry and roar after a piece of mony but no sooner hath a counter or bable been put into their hand but they had done crying and all is quiet and well again
not having A Time of Finding Thirdly 3. Because they are his friends and servants Because they are the Lords People his Iewels Servants Children and Friends t Psa 119.125 I am thy Servant saith holy David give ME understanding If another mans Childe or Servant should ask something of you you might in all reason especially if Enemies bid them go to their own Father and Master why do they come to you It is very true such as as are the servants of Antichrist and do serve the base lusts of Tyrants yea and are Tyrants themselves The Lord may justly say unto them when they Call upon him as the Prophet did to the King of Israel u 2 Kin. 3.13 What have I to do with thee Get thee to the Prophets of thy Father and to the Prophets of thy Mother So may the Lord say to REVOLTERS Why come ye now to me have ye not rejected me and cast me off in my Son Zion Cause and Kingdom broken your Vowes and Covenants with me Therefore get ye unto the Head of the Last Apostacie and the Great Whore the Head of the First Apostacie whom ye have honored more then me And it seems to me David in the Spirit foretels this very thing x Psa 18.41 They cry'd out but there was none to save unto IEHOVAH but he answered them not A Prophesie to be fulfil'd in the Last Dayes as I take it upon APOSTATE PROFESSORS But howsoever the Lord will thus deal with his enemies for their Crooked ways yet with his Friends and faithful Servants who y Luk. 22.28 continued with him in his temptations Suffered banishment imprisonment spoyling of their goods c. rather then to forsake THE GOOD OLD CAVSE These a Isa 58.9 shall call and the Lord shall answer They shall cry and he shall say Here I am b Isa 49.15 Can a Mother forget her sucking child c. If a child be crying in the streets and multitudes of people should passe by without taking notice of the child yet no sooner doth the mother hear it cry but runs to it kisseth it and carrieth him home in her bosome What though prophane people and proud carnal professors that are at ease regard not the Mourners in Zion but reproach their very sighings and groanings laugh and deride their prayers yet they have a father that hears them and c Psa 57.18 puts all their tears into his bottle and in due time d Psal 30.11 will put off their sackcloth and gird them with gladness Fourthly Because in seeking him 4. Because in seeking him they seek onely his glory they seek only his Glory As a shooter hath one eye close and with the other sees nothing save the mark at which he shoots thus it is now with the Little Remnant their eyes are shut from all Self-respects they look not upon any worldly advantage neither ask any thing of God but what may be to the glory of his Great Name If they ask health Liberty food c. it is that God may be glorified in the right improvement of them if they pray against Apostates and Covenant-breakers it is that e Isa 2.17 the Lord alone may be exalted f Phil. 1.21 To me to live is Christ and to die is gain that is so Christ may be glorified I am willing to live and if glorified I am willing to dy it is all one to me whether I live or dy so Jesus Christ by it may have glory Could a father see a child at his foot crying to him with tears that he might know his will and upon no other account then to honor him in the doing of it I say could a father see all this and not be found g 1 Cor. 4.3 For mens judgment we pass it by as a very small thing the Lord knows it is true viz. That there is a Seed of God at this day in bitterness of Soul to know what is that good that acceptable and perfect will of God and for no other end then to serve the Lord and not as Turn-coats and Revolters do to serve themselves upon him The Lord was well pleased with Solomon h 1 Kin. 3.10 11. Because he asked not for himself long life nor riches nor the life of his Enemies but understanding to discern judgment that is he asked that thing whereby he might most honor God and the Lord gave him his request and more too Never had Saints more cause then now to beleeve a time of finding is nigh and that all their tears and sighings will be speedily answered seeing they go not unto the Lord as Hypocrites do i. Hos 7.14 For corn and wine and rebel against him but for this end that k Mat. 6.9 the Lords name may be hallowed But this corrupt men cannot do It is not Gods Counsel they desire to know nor his good Cause to carry on but that their own wicked devises might prosper that the Lord would give his glory to them As the rainbow never appears but is in opposition to the Sun so some men if they appear publickly or privately in fasting and prayer they are never in that side of the world where Gods Glory is but quite in opposition to it I have read of a certain Soldier having done great service for the State was bid to ask some reward for himself to which he answered For himself he would ask nothing but had a Petition for the Church and People of God I hope there is such a frame of Spirit among the Mourners every where they have layd aside their own concernments and are seeking the things of Christ and Zion if so then hold up your heads The time of finding is come Fifthly 5. Because Jesus Christ moves and intercedes for them Because the prayers of Saints are not only l Rev. 8.3 4. by Jesus Christ presented to the Father and by him made a sweet sacrifice but likewise he himself moves and intercedes in their behalf Thus Christ in Heaven is as a Favorite at Court takes our Petitions and speaks to them So saith Paul m Rom. 8.34 He is at the right hand of God making intercession for us The Text carries it that he is in Heaven with his stripes wounds blood death setting them before the eyes of his Father and all for Zion Some men after their exaltation and preferment forget their poor Brethren and old friends as Pharaohs Butler forgot Joseph but Christ doth not so we are n Son 8.6 as a seal set upon his heart there he wears us and keeps us not only for an ornament and to shew how pretious he accounts us but that we might be always in his sight and remembrance The incouragement given us to come boldly to the Throne of Grace is o Heb. 4.5 For we have not an High-Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all points tempted yet
his former doctrine turning his tale as if there were no providence at all but every thing went by hap It is too probable by some late Turnings many are turned Atheists And therefore questionlesse God will revive his work again For otherwise how can the great reproach and dishonour be taken off from his Providence and Government So 2. Is Religion the true profession of the Gospell which never will have the Credite Glory Beauty it had formerly if the interest of Christ and his People be not revived Nothing better heals the sting of Vipers than to apply their own flesh to the disease The dust of a Toad put to its venomous biting takes away the poison It is much upon my heart by some such APPLICATION the Lord will heal those fearfull wounds and bitings which are upon the truth Though men have not regarded the Credit and Honour of it yet Christ doth and will recover it and revive it again by destroying the fond glosses and covetuous practises of corrupt men and raising up faithfull ones to preach the everlasting Gospell Eusebius writes of Peregrinus the Philosopher having gotten a great estate by feigning himself a Christian that he might consume it the more freely on his lusts revolted to Gentilisme It is plain enough to see why some men have left the Lords work and this people It was that they might be at liberty to spend what they had gotten in excesse pride riot lasciviousness They well knew should they have kept close to Christ and his interest they could not have fulfilled the desires of the flesh and walked after their own lusts And therefore thought it better to turn Heathens again For so doing they knew they should have elbow-room enough might do whatsoever seemd good in their own eyes But what of all this let such know the Lord will make That Holy Profession of his Name Gospel Kingdome glorious and honourable again Though they have made it vile and contemptible in the eyes of the world m Ezek. 36.23 I will sanctifie my great Name which was prophaned among the Gentiles which ye have prophaned in the midst of them 3. Such were the wonderfull actings and appearances of God for and with this Cause as it is not possible it should come to nothing vanish away like smoak which yet will be so unlesse it be quickned and raised again n Judg. 13.23 If the Lord were pleased to kill us he would not have shewed us all these things Let no man think that he would so eminently have shewed his power justice and wrath against the late King for his Tyrany and Arbitrary Government So a-against the Bishops for their pride and humane inventions but that he means to destroy the like wickednesse in others if afterward they shall take it up o 1 Sam. 3.12 When I begin I will also make an end Though it be a judgment and to be executed upon his own people yet he will perfect the work And will he not do so and more p Lam. 3.33 willingly when it is to have mercy upon Zion 4. In reviving this work he will q Isa 57.18 Restore Comfort to his Mourners r Ps 85.6 would not thou revive us again that thy people may rejoyce in thee That is when thou shalt take that which letteth out of the way and bring us again upon thy work Our mourning will cease and thy power faithfulnes goodnes justice will be soul-refreshing unto us I know some men can take pleasure in beholding beastly and filthy things So is oppression falshood and deceit to a time-server turn-coat a most pleasant sight As Hanibal when he saw a pit full of mans blood O formosum spectaculum and the Scots Queen seeing her Subjects lie dead and stripped on the earth cryed out The goodliest Tapestry that ever she beheld The cryes and groans of the poor under their oppressions and heavy burthens what sweet musick makes this in the ears of Self-seekers Now their pay comes in their salary and their so much per annum But the joy of good men riseth otherwise Å¿ Pro. 29.2 When the wicked beareth rule they mourn t Pro. 11.10 and when wicked Rulers perish they shout for joy So that untill this work be revived Saints may expect little joy as to outward and publick Affaires 5. This Cause will surely be revived because it is not mans but the Lords For 1. Are not u Ps 110.12 Christs Enemies to be made his foot-stool and x Psal 2 6. he to sit upon the holy hill of Zion 2. Is not all oppression to cease and y Isa 60.18 Violence to be heard no more in the Land The first and second Apostasies both to be destroyed 3. Must not a Ps 85.11 Truth spring out of the earth and Righteousnesse look down from Heaven And b Dan. 7.22 the Saints possess the Kingdom But can these things be and not the work revived that is impossible When it is night and dark whence do ye expect to have light again in this visible world Is it not by the rising of the Sun So these great things which we are waiting for concerning Jesus Christ and his Kingdome the coming in and accomplishment of them will be by the Lords reviving his work and Cause again Quest But is there not something for the Lords people to do in order to the reviving of the Work Ans Yes surely For 1. Howsoever Achan was the TROVBLER and had caused the STOP yet c Jos 7.11 Israel had sinned also d Jer. 5.55 Your Iniquities saith the Prophet have turned away these things and your sins have withholden good things from you When the clouds are scattered which hide the Sun from us then we behold his shining face again So the Lord e Ps 85.1 2 he forgives the iniquity of his people f Isa 44.22 Blots out their transgressions and sins as a thick cloud and then he will be favourable to his land and bring back the Captivity of Jacob. So that it is the duty of every Saint waiting for the great Promises of the Father to be at the foot of God exceedingly bewailing his Own and his Brethrens great miscarriages And as there is hope our Deliverance is nigh so our hearts should be the more broken and in bitternesse and our tears and sighings encrease now we should rise at midnight and cry g Iâ—el 2 17. Spare thy people h Hos 14.2 Lord take away all iniquity receive us graciously so will we render the calves of our lips We must not so look upon Achans Troublers abroad without as not to see the Achans and Troublers at home in our own hearts Though some have been i Num. 3.3 55. pricks in the eyes of the Lords work and the good old Cause and k Iosh 23.13 Scourges and Thornes in the sides of his people yet must we confess the righteousnesse of