is the fourth day Ah said Christ to Martha said I not unto thee that if thou wouldest beleeve thou shouldest see the glory of God Joh. 11.40 Mans reason is a short measure to esteem the power and wisdome of God These are some meanes to act faith in these times of need Now put your faith to it 2 Tim. 1.6 stirre up the gift of God that is in you Wherefore should a man have riches and not have the use of them Know it is a fault and matter of reproofe in Beleevers to give way to those feares Isa 8.12 13. Feare not their feare nor be afraid sanctifie the Lord of hosts himselfe and let him be your feare and your dread why did ye doubt Mat. 8.26 O ye of little faith He is a coward who hath a sword by his side and will not use it against a theefe And he is a Miser who hath store of riches and yet wanteth necessaries in his sicknesse Apply it to thy selfe and think Who would be so clogged and turmoyled with feares when he may be rid of them Onely if ye stand to your owne Principles and remember your grounds None so merry as a true Christian if he hold his owne indeed none but he Others glory in the face not in heart 2 Cor. 5.12 Section IV. Benefits of acting thy Faith in these evill times These benefits are many and great Seven benefits of Faith well acted First what a sweet life would it be to be past these torturing fears which now lye gnawing upon your hearts Vâ—tanâ—n vitalis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Origen and drinking up your spirâ—t that your life is scarce worthy to be called a life Oh these heavy and groâ—ning passions of unbelief How doe they keep a man in boâ—dage all the dayes of his life Heb. 2.15 A man shall through these feares want what he hath aswell as what he hath not Onely because he brings not his faith into exercise Secondly the acting of faith would be great glory to God whom we serve and in whom we professe to beleeve shewing actually that the Lord is sufficient matter of joy when all other comforts faile Hab. 3.17 18. Although the Figge-tree shall not blossome yet will I reioyce in the Lord I will be glad in the God of my salvation It is honour to any Master to see his Servant cheerfull at his businesse and stick to him in great hazards a signe he is a good Master So here God is honoured while his servants wait upon him cheerfully And joy of heartes one part of our Masters allowance My servants shall reioyce Isa 65.13 Thirdly it would be a good credit to our holy profession and draw others to it as being a fountaine of comfort in the saddâ—st streights and difficulties Psal 46.4 There is a River the streames whereof shall make glad the City of God And who would not enter upon so comfortable a course of life All seeme willing to live a fine and joyfull life which is never done compleatly till faith be both gotten and exercised Fourthly if our faith were well acted we should walk as so many tall Gyants farre above all reach of the evill world our faith being our victory whereby we overcome the world 1 Joh. 5.4 We should not onely beare but contemne the contempt of ungodly men Heb. 12.2 As our Lord who despised the shame Threaten these things to your Courtiers said the Martyrs we have faith and thereby are growne hardy Or promise these rewards honours great advantages to them that care for them we have other matters in our heart and eye and cannot be wonne from the truth Fiftly it our faith were duly set on worke we should undertake great things for the Cause and in the way of God saying in great sufferings as the Apostle did 2 Tim. 1.12 2 Cor. 4.13 I know whom I have beleeved Having the spirit of faith we would speake and make a good confession in time of need We would part with our estates yea and lives too disburse fight apologize any thing so that our Lord and his Cause may be glorified Sixtly still as faith is acted we shall be able to make mighty prayers prayers that shall availe mâ—ch for furthering the worke of God being prayers of â—aâ—th Jam. 5.15 16. And we shall not be weary of praying though we seem to strive against the streame No saith Faith it will be to purpose therefore pray alwayâ— and fâ—â—m not Luke 18.1 Lastly if we act our faith we shall be kept from temptations which great afflictions use generally to bring along with them as namely to despaire or use indirect meanes for helping our selves He that beleeveth shall not make hast Isa 28.16 Our faith will be a shield to us whereby we shall be able to quench all the fiery daâ—ts of the wicked Eph. 6.16 It will be a meanes to keep God with us and keep us in the way of God which alwayes hath a sure recompence of reward Section V. Motives to act Faith in these dangerous times Motives Beside those benefits of acting thy faith there be divers other considerations which may move thee thereunto First the setting of thy faith on work setteth God on work to doe great things for his people According to thy faith be it unto thee Mat. 8.13 said our Lord in the Gospell and to Martha he said John 11 4â— Said I not unto thee that if thou wouldest beleeve thou shouldest see the glory of God Mordecai beleeved deliverance would come one way or other and it came accordingly Est 4.14 The three Jewes beleeved God would save them in the fiery furnace and they were saved Dan. 3.17 The greatest Beleevers have been the greatest Receivers Heb. 11. The old Beleevers by faith obtained wonderfull mercies All things are possible to him that beleeveth God will doe for them that give glory to his Name which is by faith Rom 4.20 such give him the glory of his power of his wisdome mercy faithfulnesse all his Attributes and they cast themselves wholly upon him as Clyents on their Counsellour therefore shall not be disappointed yea Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord and whose hope the Lord is he shall be as a Tree planted by the watters c. Jer. 17.7 8. But ah this base infidelity which puts our faith so much in our eye cals it so often from our hearts too much flesh too little faith we beleeve no longer then we see signes and wonders scarce cheerfull but while we heare of a victory or discovery or other mercy mightily cast downe at a foyle or the prevailing of enemies Shake as the Trees of the Wood when Rezâ—n and Pekah are joyned together Isa 7.1 2. And it brings little home as is said of carking care God being dishonoured by unbeliefe withdraweth his hand doth not his work or not yet seeth no vessell set to receive his precious liquor and so the oyle ceaseth Israel could not
THE ROCKE OR A setled heart in unsetled times A short Discourse minding and helping Gods People to make use of their Faith for moderating their Feares in these sad times of the sorrowes of SION Being the heads of some Sermons Preached lately and now published for that purpose By William Jemmat Pastor of Netlested in the County of Kent Psal 57.1 Be mercifull unto me O God be mercifull unto me for my soule trusteth in thee yea in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge untill these calamities be overpast London printed for Samuel Enderby and are to be sold at the Star in Popes-head-alley 1644. To the most Noble Patriot and my most worthy Patron Sir Edward Scot of Scots-hall Knight of the Bath together with the Lady Mary Scot his most worthy and religious Consort Grace Mercy and Peace be multiplyed in our Lord Jesus Christ SAd experience telleth even good Christians how weak their owne spirits are in the sore trials of these distracting times even where their peace and comforts are continued before they are put to suffer as their brethren abroad do Fears of evill threatned doe much disquiet them and too often suspend their faith from doing the due and proper office of it So that they deserve a check for their unbeliefe in the words of our Lord Why are ye fearfull O ye of little faith Mat. 8.26 And yet because they dislike and struggle with this unbeliefe they deserve pitty and to be helped against it which was the occasion of these meditations at the first and now of publishing them And for this Dedication of them to your worthy selves the cause is apparant Partly I would help forward your comfort in God after all your activity and charge in the great Cause of God now in agitation Partly I would make knowne your exemplary love to the work of God both in times of peace maintaining a Lecture at your owne cost and spending much upon the poore upon Ministers and others and in these times of warre exhausting your estate to buy Arms Horses and provisions of divers kinds for helping the Lord against the mighty beside your continuall cares and counsels for the publike and for the peace of our County which amongst other our Worthies oweth much to your worship for the safety of it and repelling of the enemy Your Martiall Family hath gained much honour hereby among all godly and understanding Christians And partly I would hereby tell the world that to me and mine you have bin a most free and loving Patron and was the like to my Predecessor and his Family The Lord returne into your bosome seven fold add to your dayes abundantly give you health take away or mittigate those paines you are sometimes subject unto strengthen you in the inner man by his Spirit fill you and yours with all heavenly graces and comforts keepe you unblamable to his Kingdome and glory and give you with us to see the peace of Sion againe established with the utter disappointment of all the enemies Which are the daily prayers of May 26. 1644. Your worships much obliged William Jemmat A setled HEART in unsetled Times PSAL. 112.7 He shall not be afraid of evill tidings his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord. Section I. Whether and how farre forth she feares of evill may be expelled from godly hearts in times of publike danger THis Question is occasioned upon reading the words of that Text thus What no feare Expos Faith and Feares 〈…〉 so fixed that you feare nothing What if there be tidings of a great Army comming against you What if tidings of great losses in your estate of Children miscarrying friend destroyed or the like Hath any such a faith as that still he will fear no evill tidings Whereto the Answer may be made in six things and the Text withall expounded I. Faith in the Essence of it casteth out all feare Essence and Existâ—nce of Faith as is said of love the daughter of faith 1 Joh. 4.18 perfect loâ—e easteth out feare But our faith is not perfect as there be frailties in our graces so in our faith We need still to say Mar. 9.24 1 Cor. 13. â— I beleeve Lord help my unbeliefe We know in part and love in part and beleeve in part and all in part till that perfect come This is faith in the existâ—nce of it in this or that Subject this or that Beleever If it were entire it would render a man altogether fearlesse Adam in innocency by faith adhering to God perfectly had nothing to feare And Christ the second Adam beleeving perfectly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mark 1. â— 33 feared no threats of the wicked nor dangers He feared indeed at his Passion but that was partly because he stood in our room who by sinne were brought into a condition of terrours partly in respect of his Fathers wrath which must now be appeased And I suppose in the day of judgement before the Saints enter into Heaven it will be by the perfection of their faith that they feare none of those terrours and amazements 1 Joh. 4.17 Herein is our love made perfect that we may have boldnesse in the day of Judgement Yea there will be great joy as in a day of refreshment a day of redemption of the restoring of all things of the Lambs Marriage of the best good that ever the godly saw II. Faith in the full and entire acts of it casteth out all feare that is so long and so farre forth as we trust in the Lord for that time we shall be unmovable and invincible as mount Sion Psal 125.1 though another while we be fearfull and conflict with sore doubtings Job 19.25 As Job now confident I know my Redeemer liveth anon very much distempered and David one while will fear nothing Psal 24.4 though he walk in the midst of the Valley of the shadow of death and another while bewrayeth great infidelity 〈◊〉 77.9 Will the Lord be no more gracious c. The proper act of faith is to cleave to the Lord without wavering or doubting This led the Martyrs through the prisons and flames and extreamest sufferings This we read of in Paul very much 2 Tim. 1.12 I know whom I have beleeved and Rom. 8.38 I am perswaded that neither death nor life shall be able to seperate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord and so it is in others where the full assurance of faith is obtained Heb. 10.22 and note the phrase here His heart is fixed trusting in the Lord or in asmuch as he trusteth in the Lord or so farre forth as he trusteth in the Lord just the same forme of speaking as in 1 Tim. 4.8 Godlinesse is profitable to all things having the promise that is in asmuch as it hath the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come Now apply this to the former instances of a great Army comming
enter because of unbeliefe Heb. 3.19 Good is comming but we are short-winded and wait not thence these delayes All the fault is not in wicked enemies or the sinners in Sion but some fault resideth in Gods owne children who beleeve not as they should doe Infidelity is an hatefull sinne too and reprovable it detracteth from God as if he were not wise able vigilant to fulfill his promises so he stayes his hand as one that will be better waited on Take notice of this as one cause why the work of Reformation and of our happinesse doth stick so long in the birth it is much desired but not attained and yet the Lord willing it should be done and that throughly There is cause enough for it in the unreformednesse of people who after all the terrours and humiliations yet tuâ—n not from their evil ways as the men of Ninive Jon. 3.10 But here is something in Gods owne people whose faith is so little and their feare so great If we beleeved more we should see his great works done the sooner Therefore resolve upon that in Mark 11.22 23 24. Have Faith in God And What things soever ye desire when ye pray beleeve that ye receive them and ye shall have them Secondly think thus with your selves why should not faith make couragious as well as vain-glory envy propriety of goods safety of the Country memory and emulation of Ancestors or the like carnall considerations which have mightily elevated the spirits of people heretofore as namely the old Romans who became Lords of the World Cicero pro aris focis was a great word with them entring into a fight Ovid. Horat. And Ingens gloria calcar habet and Dulce decâ—rum est pro patria mori and Imperti causâ c. But faith hath higher and stronger considerations the Cause of God the maintaining of the Gospell contending for the faith delivered once to the Saints the upholding and enlarging of the Kingdome of Christ the keeping of a good conscience the glory of Heaven in our eye and who would be a slave to Antichrist Bodily slavery is bad enough c. Consider Their Rock is not 〈◊〉 unto our Rock 〈◊〉 our enemâ— theâ—◠〈◊〉 being Judges Deut 12.31 And Thâ—s they doe for a coâ—â—â—ptible Crowne we for an 〈◊〉 â—apitole 1 Cor. 9.25 The higher the spring the higher the water will ascend at the Conduit A Beleever therefore going bâ— the highest Principles and notions should gâ—t highest in his resolutâ—ons and behaviours Thirdly we have still and a long time have had great meanes to be strong in faith a Ministery oâ— many yeeâ—s continuance which is growing food 1 Pet. 2.2 〈…〉 of the Wood that it 〈…〉 A tree planted in a goâ—â— place and there continuing mâ—nâ—eeâ—s is well rooted and so should the trees of righteousnesse be after so long standing The Martyrâ— had but few yeerâ— in King 〈◊〉 time yet they gathered strength enough to carry them through the flames A shame it will be to us not to be proficients according to our time when for the time we might be Teachers Heb. 5.11 Weaknesses of faith and other graces should have been outgrowne long agoe Adde the going so often to the Lords Supper which to a prepared soule is a batling Ordinance No feast yeeldeth so good juyâ— and nourishment to the body buâ— this yeeldeth as good to such â— soule Bread strengthneth man heart especially this bread thaâ— came downe from Heaven Psa 104.15 O the sweet communioâ— that hath been between Christ anâ— thy Soule upon due frequenting the Ordinance and O the frequent repast of thy soule upon prayer and the experience thou hast had of Gods love anâ— providence and doest thou yeâ— feare Hilarion Hieron in eius vita Septuaginta annos serviviâ—â— Christo mori times Finally the many good Books and Treatises which of late yeerâ— have been published M. Culveâ—well M. Rogers as it were of purpose to fence and furnisâ— Christians for these sad times wherein are choicest collection for fixing a poore beleeving heart in all occasions M. Ball M. Wilson God that foresaw what he was about to doe directed his Ministers so to make provision for his people as when he sent a sore famine upon Canaan he sent Joseph beforehand to provide for his Father and Brethren Fourthly in those present troubles and dangers the Lord hath all along opened a doore of hope Hos 2.13 for upholding our faith unto victory Seeing how weak weare in beleeving bare promises he hath given us somthing in hand for encouragement He hath still sent us some pawnes of more which he will doe for us in time an earnest of the whole bargaine And experience is a great help unto faith as in the Apostles 2 Cor 1.10 He hath deliveâ—ed us from great death and doth deliver and we trust also he will deliver When we began to quaile at any time presently a victory was given a discovery made a defeat of their Counsels or Forces the spirits of people raised up above all expectation in a Countâ— which was given for a lost Count a signe the Lord means to doe the work at last If he meant to dâ—stroy us he would not shew us such things as these Thus by what the Lord hath done already he doth even invite us to beleeve and not feare Fiftly it is but a while and yâ— shall see what now ye beleeve Yâ—â— a little while Heb. 10.37 and he that shall comâ— will come and his reward is with him In Heaven there will be nâ— acting of faith no use of it as now all there is in Fruition Union and Vision Joh. 20.29 In this life Blessed are they that beleeve though they see not In that life blessed are those that see what hitherto they beleeved If we strive a little we shall find our waiting was to purpose Yet two or three Closes and we shall be at our Fathers house And there we shall have neither unbeliefe to combat withall nor any other enemy no feare no molestation no imperfection whatsoever Sixtly if faith be not acted ye will lose the benefit of those comforts which are your owne Ye forsake your owne meâ—â—â—s Jonah 2.8 Ye live heavily when your estate gives you leave to live most cheerfully Hagâ—â— saw 〈◊〉 the Well and was out of heart as if no water were to be bad Mâ—â— saw not Christ 〈◊〉 eyeâ— being heldâ— and was still in perplexity A miserly niggard wants what he hâ—th as well as what he hath not And to look upon Paulum sepultae distat inertiae Celata viâ—tus what difference between an unbeleever and a Beleever not improving his faith when need requires One sighs as much as the other c. Now this is a disparagement to faith and the high calling of a Christian who alone in truth hath cause to be meâ—ry A discouragement to others to come on in such an uncomfortable profession An
hinderancâ— of prayer a dishonour to God aâ— if he made no good allowance to his Servants And doth the devils owne work who when he cannot hinder a Christian of the end of his way will doe his best to spoyle him of the comfort of his way Section VI. Objections for feare against Faith answered Oh say some we have so many things to feare that we know not how to make use of our faith But why so Faith hath a strength at all assayes to help at a dead lift That if a Christian hold his owne he shall wade well through all his feares and evils feared All things are possible to him that beleeveth to receive to doe to suffer to overcome Generall salves for the feares of Beleevers Know therefore in generall First that the Order of Grace is stronger then the Order of Nature We have many enemies or troubles but mo with us then against us They are great but the Lord greater Omnipotent And the Angels mightier to save then devils to hurt us Divine Ordinances full of solid strength and comfort and all the Treasures of Gods love full and inexhaust If a Beleever look upward he seeth an infinite advantage above them all The wavâ—s rage horribly but the Loâ—d is mightier Psal 93.3 4. Tyrants get on high and are mighty to oppresse but still he is mightier Eccles 5.8 They are crafty but he catcheth thâ— man their craftinesse 1 Cor. 3.19 Secondly faith â—â—n set the Christian farre above his own strength as the strength of others so his owne Out of weaknesse be shall be made strong Heb. 11.34 He can doe more in a certaine case then at another time As Martyrs they endured the flamâ—s as men they could never have enduâ—â—d them While Peters faith lâ—sted he walked upon the waters Thirdly in all particular fears saith hath something to say out of the Word which shall stay the heart and counterpâ—â—â—e all the burden of feares that would clog it The Word hath a quickning vertue first and last First for reâ—â—neration afterward for sustentation It is a plentifull Store-house out of which some comfort is still to be fetched And David saith he had perished unlesse the Word had comforted him 〈…〉 To give some instances of the fears of godly Christians in these 〈◊〉 dayes 1. About losing the Gospell Obiect 1. We feare we shall lose the Gospell the maine aime of the Antichristian generation that are risen up amongst us Answ 1. The Word saith that the Gospell is at Gods disposing and not mans whoever he be The Starres are in the right hand of Christ Rev. 1.16 It is God that takes away the Word of the Kingdom and gives it to others Mat. 21.43 And faithfull Ministers say they shall continue at their worke so long as God pleaseth let all the â—oâ—es and beasts of the world doe what they can Luke 13.31 32. Gâ—â— and tell that â—ox c. They were in ill case if they were at mans discretion Even in times of peace wicked men would have quite put downe good Ministers their malice and wickednesse hath not been wanting all this while No thankes to them that the Gospell hath continued as it doth 2. If there should be some resâ—â—â—t yet not wholly especially in respect of a good heart The word of God is not boâ—â—d 2 Tim. 2.9 The beleeving heart shall be mervailously fed with the old store it gathered There is an hidden Mannaâ— And Rev. â— 19 the Word of Gâ—d abideth in you As for the Elect that are not yet gathered the Word shall goe forth and reach the mall It shall have a free course and be glorified 2 Thes 3.1 When God hath a people to gather Act. 18.10 11. though there be many Adversaries yet Preachers shall both goe and continue there 1 Cor. 16.8 9. I have much people in this City abide here And Jeremies preaching did good to some though the most cursed him chap. 15.11 The Election obtainâ—th thâ—ugh the rest be hardned The Elect must be sâ—aled before â—â—y hurt can be done Rev. 7.3 3. The Word saith that if it should be suppressed a while yet it shall be restored againe Teachers shall not be removed into corners any more Isa 30.20 They must fall to their work againe Rev. 10.11 Thou must prophesie againe After three dayes and an half the two Witnesses revived and stood up chap. 11.11 And commonly the ruines of the Church are restored with much advantage the Ordinances purged from the corruptions that attended them The glory of the latter house greater then that of the former Hag. 2.9 All reduced to the rule and standard of the Word noting by Gods severity wherein they offended and provoked him to wrath Ashamed of their iniquities and all errours and so the Lord shewes them the form of the house Ezek. 43.10 11. 4. The Word saith that the enemies of it shall be utterly confounded and brought to an end spâ—cially Antichrist that grand friend of Traditions and humane Constitutions downe he must goâ— notwithstanding all his pillars and supporterâ— He goeth into peâ—ditâ—on Rev 17.11 Though he get breath a while and some lightning before death yet that is his end The end of these warres will be at the gates of Rome all in flames and everlasting desolation Obiect 2. About the dishonour of God Sect. 1. 2. God will be dishonoured and blasphemed if the wicked prevaile Answ 1. In this case your fear is most lawfull and best allowed because as we have seen before both God and godly men have ever so feared And I may tell you ye have cause to rejoyce that ye have such holy fears as the feare 2. The Word saith that God is a Jealous God and will look to his owne glory will not suffer the enemies or Idols to get it from him Isa 42.8 Yea he will get glory over them all as over the Egyptians and all their gods Ex. 12.12 and will turne all their fury to his owne pâ—aâ—se Ps 76 1â— being the more illustrious by their disappointment True it was a sword to Davids heart to heare the wicked say Where iâ— thy God Ps 42.10 but if the Lord be patient why should not we onely our duty is to mourne for such blasphemies and pray to the contrary 3. Above a forreigne invasion Obiect 3. I feare that forreigners will invade and they will shew no mercy Answ The Word tels first that the spirits and minds of men are in Gods hand Exodus 34.24 they shall not think of invading while his people are busie in his worship Or he can let them see where the Right goeth that they shall let all alone and not meddle Secondly that the Lord can make the earth to help the woman Rev. 12.16 Earthly men shall beare the burthen of one anothers malice and so his people escape it Moaâ—â—tes and Ammonites fell to cutting one another and so Jeâ—â—â—â—poaâ— escaped While they have work enough to doe at