of Povidence and the course of Nature upon his hopes of Isaac did most visibly controul the same But let me add herewith that the most choice and experienced in the Work and Advantages of Faith hath not done with the Settlement hereof even after the greatest Confirmations for whilst he is within time he must still look out both for new Assaults and further Experiments of Assistance for this end and to attain a higher Growth But oh how dark and strange a thing is this and how disrelishing to most in this present day who count it enough to have their Religion in the Bibls but not in their Sonl and to have it in external Ordinances and a visible Form but in no inward Enjoyments of the same A Second Proposal upon this great Subject of the quieting Power of Faith amidst the Hazards and Terrors of Time is to know the Truth hereof in the sureness of its Principles and on what a clear Warrant so wonderful a Piece of our Religion does found This I must touch a little to clear the same both from any presumptive Confidence and enthusiastick Pretences on such an account and that its holding in the way of Right on the Warrant of Divine Truth is no less sure than the Enjoyment hereof is sweet when we can with such Evidence see 1. How it hath this fundamental Principle to hold by that the God of Truth hath taken the establishing of his Peoples Faith under his own Hand as his alone immediate Work and is such a Work that none but he can accomplish Thus we see 2 Cor. 1. 20. the sureness of the Grounds of our Faith held forth that all the Promises of God in Christ are Yea and Amen in him unto the Glory of God c. But though here is enough as to a Divine Warrant and Right yet will not this alone bear out without it be Gods immediate Work also when a Storm riseth therefore Verse 21. it's expresly shewed that he who establisheth us in Christ and hath anointed us is God and hath given us the earnest of his Spirit to raise the Faith of his People answerable to the Height and Measure of any present Tryal 2. Is it not on this sure Principle of Truth also that Faith in the Power and Supports hereof even in the most extraordinary case of Tryal does found That the Lord Jesus Christ hath not only given himself for us by a legal Substitution in our Room to satisfy Divine Justice but hath given himself to us to be enjoyed in the nearest Intimacy of Relation and a vital Vnion with himself so that thus he is not only the Purchaser but the Dispenser also of such potent Influences as the Faith of his People in the most extream case does need and as he knows the ways of the Righteous in their Necessities Temptations and Hazards so he hath fixed them this way in such an immediate and absolute Dependance on himself by taking off visible Refuges to give them a more special discriminating Testimony of his Respects though then in the present time it may have a very strange and dismal Appearance whilst it 's not understood in such a case how his gracious Design to accomplish the great ends of his Love to his People lyes so near him as to defer oft an answering of their natural Desires until things come to that Extremity as may make way both for the highest Tryal and Victory of their Faith 3. It is one of the most fundamental Grounds and Principles of Trust that no doctrinal Knowledge of this Mystery of Faith in its supporting Power against the greatest of Trouble can avail without the Spirit of Faith 2 Cor. 4. 13. For here does the Communion of the Holy Ghost with the Saints on the Earth most eminently lye and the Enjoyments of Faith in the saddest Hours of Temptation are experienced how the Joy and Peace of believing in such a Security of Mind does thus work when there is no natural Cause or visible Appearance for the same and how in so strange a manner a Christians Spirit hath been oft carried above the present Temptation of their day with such Quiet and Composure of Mind as even in the midst of great Waters they have not come near unto them so as to shake and stagger their Confidence and I doubt not that many humble and tender Christians have at some times been sealed with that inward Assurance by the Spirit of Faith and with such Strength and Clearness of Evidence in an oblignatory way to their Souls as the greatest Assaults and Oppositions of Satan which have been after made thereto were never able to break the same so bright and convincing hath the Conveyance of such a Seal been in that time as they could thus humbly take Instruments that it was assuredly given them of God and was Truth and no Lie 4. And is it not one of the Principles and Grounds of our Faith that the great Author thereof hath made its Security so full and with that Evidence as may fully countervail the want of ocular Demonstration by outward Sense For thus does our Blessed Lord testify Joh. 14. 17. when he hath there promised the sending of his Spirit to his Church whom the World cannot receive because they see him not and can be no Object of Humane Sense which is the only prevailing Evidence and Demonstration with a terrene Spirit but then shews his Disciples that they had a more full and sure Testimony For you know him says he and I have made you sure by a higher Evidence as can leave no room for Doubtfulness for though herein does the excellency of Faith most eminently appear in believing things not seen and contrary to all natural Sense on the Credit of Divine Revelation yet is there no Darkness this way from want of Evidence since this must be understood only quoad evidentiam rei sed non quoad evidentiam testimonii which is made as full as that which we have seen with our Eyes or have touched and handled in that Security which God hath given to us in his way of believing 5. I must yet add one Principle of our Faith for giving Light to that strong Influence and Power thereof amidst the greatest Fears and Terrors of future Events that it is sure such who are Christs have not only things present but things to come made theirs Cor. which is one of those great Assurances of Truth that seems little understood or improved by most as being not only founded on that fundamental Right of our being Christs and made thus Heirs of those Promises which are in him yea and Amen to his People but that such an entry is also on the Enjoyment of this right by the Power of believing and inward Testimony of the Spirit as can fully quiet the Soul of a Christian and make things to come in another manner There 's then the Residue of the World know It 's true there is a rational Prospect and
you if you would believe that ye should see the Glory of God Joh. 11. which was a sight that our Lord would not give until all Support in the way of Sense was taken off and that it was put beyond the possibility of Nature And it 's sure that on such rare Experiment and Tryal of God in a Christians Life and in a case where none but God can act is of such value as to be a continued matter of Admiration yea is an earnest of that kind as may bear Evidence to to their Security by a peci al Conduct of Providence in all after-times when this is enjoyed not only as it 's demonstrative of the greatness of his Power but on the account of his Promise and as a Seal thereto in the way of their Relyance on him 5. It is surely here in the powerful workings of a Christians Faith in an extraordinary Hour of Tryal that one of the great Demonstrations of the Truth and Excellency of our Religion is exhibited before the World And what a temporal Interest does thus accompany the same to support and quiet the Soul yea to bear the full Expence of the saddest afflicting Times which is not known to the residue of Men besides For it should be a sad part if any case were of that kind in a Christians Lot as did exceed a supernatural Relief by Reliance intirely on God when nothing besides in any visible way is left But here does the glory of our Religion with an eminent Brightness shine forth when such as look but at a distance can see the effects thereof to afford Quiet and Rest to the Mind where it 's sure Nature could give no Assistance when Humane Refuge hath most visibly failed when Lovers and Friends have stood afar off and when the frownings of Providence have been such as if their God was become a Party against them and their Eyes made to fail in waiting for his Appearance yea as it 's sure all natural Causes must still have their Operation and Effects congruously to their proper Nature so is this alone peculiar to that excellent Religion we enjoy in the Truth thereof to afford a supernatural Vertue and Efficacy therewith so as to give Rest and Refreshment to the most perplexed and weary Spirit and to commend its Institutions by the influential presence of the Spirit of God as that way whereby Man here on the Earth in this visible Sate is advanced and made capable of an immediate and familiar Converse with an invisible God which is one of the Wonders of Religion that might in another manner affect and work upon us if it were truly believed Oh! what a Subject is this to converse with that such a Demonstration of the Christian Faith is known and sure as a vital Intercouse and Communion betwixt our Blessed Head and these who are united to him by Faith here on the Earth so as the greatness of that local Distance which is betwixt the third Heavens and this lower World can be no Lett thereto when yet the least moral distance by any Impurity and Defilement through Sin does separate betwixt God and the Soul and obstruct this Enjoyment But since this is not conceivable at a distance in what manner a surprizing extremity may work when it 's the present Object of Sense and Mens Confidence is resolved intirely on a supernatural Relief when it 's no Theory or Light in the Judgment can express the same as in an experimental way is known yea when the actings of Faith in the Power thereof in such a Tryal is so rare and wonderful a thing above natural Comprehension Let me yet offer here some of the most choice Improvements that are called for to the attaining such an assurauce and establishment of Faith when things may come to some unusual Exigence 1. How then such whose acquaintance with God is not to begin can have this Reflection alone with their Soul that they know whom they have believed and his being able to keep that which was committed to him and give an account thereof in a day of Extremity 2 Tim. 1. 12. yea knows the God of their Trust is such who can extend his Power and Relief unto things that are unconceivable to us and past finding out who can serve himself of means visibly destructive to save in a way contrary to their proper Nature whose help tarries not for Man nor waits for the Sons of Men and is ever at work to make his Providence serve the Interest and Accomplishment of his Truth to such who have setled their Reliance thereon though the whole visible state of things would seem to conspire against the same and can then look up to that God when there may be no look downward but to cause Terror whose Kingdom and Dominion is not only over all but can immediately act on their Souls to quiet and settle the same though the Earth about them should be in a visible Disorder and Confusion 2. It is then even under the most dismal Aspect of external Providences that such can betake themselves to the Certainty of Divine Truth and cast Anchor on that ground on which they must shortly adventure for an eternal State in that greatest Tryal at Death Thus did Abraham rest his Soul when he had such a strange Tide of contrary Providences to shake him and was not staggered at the Promise knowing it was given by that God with whom it was unpossible to lie and oh what a Hell should this Earth be if the Enjoyments of a Christians Faith and Hope had another Dependance than on God alone and were in the Reverence of outward things yea if there were not such a Certainty of supernatural Evidence and Assurance as in a Mid-night Hour can bearup against the greatest Contradictions of Sense 3. There is this great Assistance to improve in the darkest Tryal what former acquaintance with the ways of God hath been attained for discerning how the Designs and Methods of Grace do lye towards them by the light of his Truth Thus when present Affliction and Distress seems most astonishing they are not in the Dark herein to understand what unusual Measures the most endeared Favourites of Heaven have had of such a Tryal whilst they were on the Earth and that they are upon no strange or unknown ground in such a case They know thus what an illustrious and essential part the most deep distresses and straits in a Christains Life hath in the great frame of divine Providence to bring forth the greatest Comforts and Mercies thereof and that according to the measure both of their Grace and Services for God they must expect his way towards them to go out of the ordinary Road of his dealing with others 4. It is likewise in the most dismal Hour when all Humane Refuges do Succumb that such can with Delight reflect on that ancient Friendship and Entercourse of Love hath sometimes been betwixt God and their Soul as being still an
did fail and could give no Support in such an Hour Thus I have offered a View in such an Example where the Support and Strength of a Christians Faith in the most astonishing Hour of Temptation does lye and of the solid judicious Actings thereof both in the way of Light and Power And there is herewith presented a special Series and Scale of these Steps whereby such a Measure of Establishment is attainable under that blessed Conduct of the Word and Spirit of God as it keeps close by the Line of Truth betwixt Hazards both on the Right and Left Hand so that we may see on what firm and sure Ground such are and have their Anchor fixed who thus know the work of Faith in an extraordinary case of Tryal But now in the last place I must yet in an applicatory way shut up this Discourse with a more special respect to the times we are now in when such great Thoughts of Heart may be both from those strange Providences that have of late gone over the Churches of Christ in those Three Nations and what my be yet expected and on a near Approach since it is sure Men does not know their day nor can take to heart Time and Judgment where there is no suitable Regard to the Voice of God in his Works as well as in his Word and what is given to be the most remarkable Talent of Observation on such an account I have spoke a little to such a strange Supposal the Psalmist makes as to what might be the Tryal of his Faith in the day wherein he then stood But let me speak a few things that may be judged more than supposable with respect to the present time wherein it seems in some singular way to be stated from other times and though with humble Sobriety I have desired to exoner my Soul on such an Account in a late Essay which hath been published yet having a rise both from this Subject and the present Aspects of Providences I must crave leave to offer some Thoughts farther 1. Is it not more than supposable that such an Appeal from the Lord as we have Isa 5 4. hath a most peculiar respect beyond former times to this Generation What could I have done more to my Vineyard than I have done by new Methods and Tryals both in the way of Grace and in the Severity of Judgments to bring the Churches of Britain again unto God Or hath there been such Precedents in the way of the Lord with any Churches else and in that manner as these 50 Years past he hath made use of And oh what must be expected to work for such an end when no instituted means does answer thereto and that it 's evident what the highest Improvements of Mens natural Power can do which is so much exalted by this Generation to shut out the Necessity of supernatural Influences of Grace with so little Fear of such a judicial Restraint thereof as is at this day For if Men do but sincerely reason their Soul unto serious Thoughts of such a cafe what can be seen now by ordinary means to beget a deep and awful Sense of God on Mens Souls if he do not in some more immediate and extraordinary way appear but such an astonishing Confidence and Contempt of all Divine Signs and Threatnings seem discernable as nothing in a monitory way does work or affect in Mens Spirits Nor is Judgment from Heaven a matter of Fear with most if it be not felt But the same Spirit which we may see Isa 5. 19. may be visible in the present times when they said Let him make speed and hasten his work that we may see it and let the Counsel of the Holy one of Israel draw near that we may know it which was in an express way to speak that neither their Faith nor their Fear did rise higher than sensible Evidence and Demonstration of what was present in their sight 2. It 's a matter of Truth also is more than supposable that the Stability of the Earth beneath us can give no Assurance and solid Quiet of Spirit to those who dwell thereon until they be at Peace with Heaven But whilst they reckon that nothing is more sure to build their Hopes on than this lower Earth and thus have their Hearts on the same Level therewith may see how amidst their greatest Confidence and Expectation their Judgment may then immediately have its Rise from the same so as in one Hour to make the alone Support of their Confidence to be the Grave thereof and whatever some have writ as to the foregoing Presages of any remarkable Earthquake before it took place yet was it never known that an Appearance of God this way either to forewarn as a Sign or as a present Judgment did occurr but with a present Surprizal when nothing hereof was feared or supected And it hath ever been one of the most immediate Signs of sudden Destruction when a Peoples Security hath come to that height as nothing could be awakning in such a case answerable to that 1 Thess 5. 3. when they said Peace Peace then was a destroying Stroak most imminent and near And I may speak this with Assurance that either these late Providences by which God hath in so remarkable a manner made himself known shall be regarded as Signs and carry Mens Spirits above any Product of natural Causes herein unto God or will at last be felt by what is signified thereby 3. I hope it can be no questionable thing with any of a serious and considering Spirit that as the standing of the World and its being secured from the Extremity of Justice is alone by a Dispensation of Grace and the Tenor of the Second Covenant with respect to the Church therein so is it in no other way but of Grace only that Britain hath this day any Claim or Charter of Right to the Blessings of Providence and for having the Hedges of Divine Protection kept up Nor could the furthest of humane Strength and Counsel avail then if once the full measure of the Long-suffering and Tenderness of God should be summed up that hath assuredly its set Bounds to the most eminent Churches where sometimes God hath most remarkably shined and oh what a thing should this World be to live in were it but fore one Day or Hour if there should be a withholding of an immediate Divine Care and Inspection over the same or for so small a time that Door could be shut up of Entercourse betwixt Heaven and the Saints here which by a Divine immutable Constitution of Grace is kept open whilst they are within time But this is a thing as to any publick and national Interest that seems to have little Credit or Regard with Men what invisible Influence such a hid Party who makes least Appearance in the Earth hath on the greatest Changes thereof and how a filling up the Measure of the Elect in a Nation and Continuance of the Candlestick
in that last state of time 6. May it not be matter of unavoidable evidence also as to the present State of the Church that there is surely some eminent period of providence to which so swift and extraordinary a courses of remarkable changes as hath in a successive way still attended these Nations have aproper tendency these being so unusual and astonishing and out of the way of the Lords ordinary working as the most judicious and deep discerners of things could not to this day have reasoned their falling out on principles of humane reason yea such as I must humbly judge will not cease until the Spirit of God be quieted in that great Design which he is to accomplish hereby answerable to that Zach. 6 8. on which he hath set his heart who leaves not his work unperfected which hath also the same sense and intent Isa 66. 9. Shall I bring to the birth and not cause to bring sorth c. nor I am perswaded will any humane counsel make civil establishments to be effectual until that great design of Providence be more understood and concurred with 7. It is now a day of great expectation how the next scene of Providence may open for a farther clearing of this design of the Lord about which I judge these who have nearest converse with God this day by his Word and Spirit see cause to give their fears the first place before their hopes as to some very extrordinary work of judgment that from all signs seems to lie nearest now to the reformed Churches in the frame of providence tho we are like to have little either of Faith or fear when it comes until it be made an object of Sense but I am sure a few of these evident prognosticks that now are in our sight would have deeply affected the Spirits of ous Fathers when we may see no Providences are so extraordinary as to have any sanctifying influence on Mens Souls for the most part or to advance the publick state of Religion as formerly when an outward Calm and a dead Lethargy herewith does so visibly still go together which hath a more mortal aspect on the present state of Britain than might be judged from the highest Paroxism of personal sufferings when the Christian interest this day for accomplishing the great designs of Grace under a reformed profession thereof is as a low thing in Mens eyes in respect of what is more extrinsick and foreign thereto when also the long decrease of that tide of power and influences of Religion on Mens Souls hath at last come to such an ebb by these judicial removes of the Spirit of God that without some very immediate appearance from Heaven we might fear lest Truth should quickly perish from the Earth yea when it 's so evident that God is yet calling for some to stand in the gap and make up the hedge before Judgment go forth butt almost none sound to answer it's voice so intently are Mens Spirits now even of such who outgo others in a profession set upon designs about their own things and it hath surely ever been a dismal sign to a Nation when it becomes rare to find any suitable Instruments and Tools to answer a restoring work therein or to see that raisedness of Spirit for such an end as hath been formerly which may be feared speaks the long shadows of the Evening before some horror of great Darkness are too visibly stretched out But if Men do count these things small and remote from their eyes and will raise a confidence that it shall be Peace until there be another Appearance for God and the Interest of his Kingdom than hath yet been It may make the Disappointment Sad and Dreadful in the Issue One thing I have thought strange how there can be a National Love and Respect to its Interest in another way than to have God Interested both in their Case and Cause in the first Room or how Solemn and Publick Thaksgivings in a stated external Form for the most eminent Appearances of God whether as to a Nation or to a City or to Persons is so visibly divided from such an essential part thereof which is by Thankofferings and some Returns to him in a promissory way by Deeds and Performances as well as by Words suitable to the Weight of such Engagements But this is a rare Practice now to be found on the Earth to design some special Consecration of the Gain of any eminent National Mercies unto God this way 8. Yet whatever may be too evident in the matter of our Fear it 's sure that the just Grounds of our Hopes in behalf of the Church does far exceed the same And though there be many extraordinary Signs to cause Terror and Consternation of Spirit there is one Sign of another kind that will compense all which is that Sign of the Son of Man Mat. 24. 30. as it is to be understood in a promissory Sense and how that great Mourning of the Tribes of the Earth which is there spoke to attend such a Sign hath the same Sense with that Zach. 12. 10. and is clearly expository of the same They shall look on me whom they have Pierced and Mourn c. as also that evident Parallel Rev. 1. 6. since these do so jointly bear evidence to the Nature and Intent of such a Sign as will then have an eminent Appearance with the first entry and returning of the Jews unto him whom their Fathers did pierce I know some of the greatest Writers of this Age such as Vsher Twiss and Mead and of late that Worthy Man Mr. Mather of New-England take this in the same Sense only seem to reckon this Sign to be the thing signified of Christ himself in a visible Appearance then to the World But this will be e're long in another manner understood in the Event Yet I have found it so sweet a Subject of Thoughts in these dismal and sad Times when other Signs are so tremendous that in some things which are most clear herein and suitable to humble Sobriety I must speak a few things 1. How it is unquestionable this is that one Sign by way of Singularity which our Blessed Head and Redeemer does appropriate to himself as his and to be the Sign 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Son of Man such as hath never been given to the World like thereto nor will ever be until he come himself to Judgment 2. It is surely a Sign which must be Publick and Conspicuous to the World in some extraordinary Vision to humane Sense for therein is the Intent of that Prediction made express and clear But as to the Nature hereof or its Duration I judge it suitable not to enquire where the Holy Ghost hath not more particularly cleared the same and reserved a further Discovery thereof to the Event 3. It is sure also when this great Appearance shall be to the World it will be with that demonstrative and undubitable Evidence as