in the earth so that when a Mâ—ghty Spirit of Prayer goes forth to engage Christ to help he is not far from the help of his People Fourthly When they beleeve on him strongly when Gods servants have reacht out an hand of faith towards him he hath lifted up his hand to help them Abraham beleeved strongly and the Lord did help him greatly Jehoshaphat Asa David and others relyed on the Lord and were holpen in the time of their troubles the three servants of God mentioned Dan 3. were of great faith and Christ helped them so that the fire burnt them not neither could the flame kindle upâ—n them yea as many as ever came to Christ for help either for body or soul especially all such as were of great faith received it and surely when the People of God stagger not at the Promise of help but are strong in faith notwithstanding many difficulties and natural impossibilities before them the Performance thereof is at hand Rom. 4.20 Fifthly When they walk before him faâ—thfully nor doing their own nor others but his will When the Servants of God of old did walk in their integrity serving their Generations according to the will of God he helped them and made their wayes prosperous but when they did put forth their hands unto iniquity the LORD was not with them There is none can expect that God should meet them in a way of mercy and help but such as work righteousnesse and all such may Isa 64.5 they can confidently pray for help in time of need as David did Psal 119.173 Let thine hand help me for I have chosen thy precepts Christ promised and gave forth his help to his servants when they were working his work in the simplicity and sincerity of their souls see his promise Math. 28.19 20. Go ye teach all Nations baptâ—zing them in or unto the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you And lo I am with you alway even unto the end of the world So also Luke 21.12 13 14 15. See likewise his performance of his good word to them in their Preaching Disputing Writing Gal 2.8 Acts 6.10 Acts 11.21 2 Cor. 10.10 And certainly as many as shall be faithfull to him in the work whereunto he calls them shall receive a sufficiency of help to carry them through it Sixthly When they use appointed means dil gently doing neither more nor lesse nor any other thing than what God requireth of them When the Lord of old had a urpose to help and save his People in an eminent way he was wont to set them about doing something and sometimes that which was very unlikely as to outward appearance to further his intended work yet when they were diligent in it they were wonderfully helped as might be shewn at large so when Christ is in the way of the help and salvation of his people he requireth something that might seem a weak foolish thing for them to do which may seem in their eyes to be rather to their hurt than help yet they ought to be found using of it and therein may expect Assistance from him When there was want of wine at the Marriage in Cana of Galilee the Mother of Jesus said unto the servants Whatsoever he saith unto you do it which then they did they were helped by him John 2. When the Disciples despairing of success having toiled all the night and taken nothing had given over fishing for that time and were washing their Nets he said to Simon Lanch out into the deep and let down your Nets for a draught at his word they did so and when they had this done they inclosed a great multitude of fishes Luke 5.4 5. Seventhly When enemies speak proudly act highly and seem to bear down all before them being most secure and confident in their wayes then Christ is not far from the help of his People The Lord hath said by the mouth of his Prophet Isa 59.19 When the enemy shall come in like a flood the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a Standard against him It was so of old when Pharaoh was most proud and confident and said I will pursue I will overtake I will divide the spoil my lust shall be satisfied upon them I will draw the sword my hand shall destroy them then the Lord appeared for the help of his People against Pharaoh and all his Host Exod. 15.8 as he did in Jehoshaphats time when multitudes came against them 2 Chron 20. as also in Nehemiah's dayes when the Adversaries said They shall not know neither see till we come in the midst among them and slay them and cause the work to cease Neh 4.11 12 15. And as it was heretofore so it shall be hereafter For when Babylon saith in her heart I sit a Queen and am no widdow and shall see no sorrow Then shall Christ the King of Sion throw her down with violence like a great Milstone into the Sea never to rise again destroying her in a day Rev 18.7 8.21 and so free his Servants from all their oppressions when men and Devils are raging Christ will be helping Thus I have answered the Question by these seaven Particulars which I desire may be considered joyntly for when these things concurre when both the case and carriage of Gods People as also of their Enemies is or shall be as hath been mentioned help is at hand they may then look up and Lift up their heads for their Redemption draweth nigh as Luke 21.28 Quest. What VSE should we make of this Answ I. It is for Our INSTRVCTION in Four Things First It shews the Original and first cause of Gods Servants help namely the LORD For as their affliction so their help cometh not forth out of the dust but from above from the most High God And as it is the choice priviledge of Gods People to find help in time of need so it is their duty and great advantage to know and consider from whence it cometh And this Doctrine is an help to them therein this did David Psal 121.1 2. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help My help cometh from the Lord which made Heaven and Earth whosoever be the Instruments whatsoever be the means help is from God alone all Saviours and Salvations are from him To this agreeth part of the Levites confession of Gods goodnesse to Israel Nehem 9.27 According to thy manifold mercies thou gavest them Saviours who saved them out of the hand of their Enemies Secondly It shews a sufficient ground and reason of the faith and hope that is in the Saints for help from Christ in time of need He is mighty to help but that is not all it is the will and ordination of God that he should help He was both anointed and appointed thereunto Isa 42.1 6 7. 61.1 2 3. Not onely anointed and enabled but appointed also
and salvation is to walk contrary to their profession and that is a great evil also Vse III. From hence flow forth several streames of COMFORT to the people of the Lord in their various conditions and employments in this World It holds forth comfort to them First Against mightiest Adversaries They that hate the faithfull without a Cause are many they that would destroy them being their enemies wrongfully are mighty their persecutors are stronger than they Psal 142.6 But here is the Comfort of the Righteous they are not left alone to encounter with these Giants Christ the Captaine of salvation stands at their right hand to help them Psal 109.31 If the Devil stirre up Mighty Ones to hate and persecute Gods servants God answerable thereunto hath appointed a Mighty One yea a Mightier than they to be an help to his people When the Devil himselfe like a Roaring Lyon shall in any speciall manner seek to devoure them 1 Pet 1.8 Christ the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah is at hand to help and deliver them Zac 3.1 2. Rev 5.5 It is the high priviledge of the Church of the living God that Christ the appointed helper thereof is mightier to save than the Devil and all enemies are to destroy Isa 63.1 Yea the very weakness of their Mighty helper and Saviour is stronger than their Adversaries 1 Cor 1.25 27. They may boldly say the Lord is our Helper we will not feare what man shall do unto us Heb 13.6 With this Luther comforted and encouraged himselfe against many and Mighty Adversaries saying Ego habeo qui causam defendat etiamsi totus mundus in me solum insaniat I have one that can defend my Cause although the Whole World should be in a rage against me alone Secondly Comfort against greatest difficulties When the people of God consider what great and hard things even impossible to flesh and blood the Lord hath required at their hands as to Deny themselves to forsake all for Christs sake to confesse him before men and so to walk even as he walked in this world And also compare their great work with their own little strength they are sometimes much discouraged and ready to faint in their work and to say almost despairing Who is sâ—fficient for these things Indeed the strongest are not sufficient of themselves as of themselves to performe the least part of the Lords will as they ought yet the least and weakest of the Saints through Christ that Mighty One helping are well able to overcome all difficulties According to this the Apostle Paul speaks Phil 4.13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me Surely it must needs be matter of great joy and comfort to Gods fearing and trembling servants because of difficulties to heare of and experience such an alsufficiency of help as is in Christ for them Thirdly Comfort against deepest troubles Sometimes God shews his people hard things and make them to drinke the wine of Astonishment Psal 60.3 They are sometimes troubled on every side innumerable evils compassing them about Psal 40.12 so that they know not what to do nor how to escape But the Father of mercies will not leave his children to perish in the deep waters of Affliction but hath provided help for them in that estate a Saviour in time of trouble Jacob must have a time of trouble but he shall be saved out of it Jer 30.7 This was Davids faith in his low estate Psal 71.20 21. Thou which hast shewed me great and sore troubles shalt quicken me againe and shalt bring me up againe from the depths of the Earth thou shalt increase my greatness and comfort me on every side And let all the faithfull servants of the Lord who are this day in the deep even overwhelmed with troubles lift up their heads and rejoyce in this grace of God in laying help upon one that is Mighty to redeeme Israel out of all his Troubles Psal 130.8 Fourthly Comfort against weakest Instruments of help He giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he encreaseth strength Isa 40. at the end If the Instruments he intend to use in his work be dull he can sharpen them He can make the Worm Jacob a new sharp threshing Instrument having teeth to thresh the Mountaines and beat them small Isa 41.14 15. And if the iron be blunt and he do whet the edge he hath so much strength to put to as he can make it do execution to cut asunder what he will have cut asunder It is nothing with him to help whether with many or with few or with them that have no power 2 Chron 14.11 Therefore let the servants of Christ be comforted and encouraged in the Mightiness of their Lord to help though they see nothing but foolish weak base and despised things in his hand to make use of for their deliverance It s the manner of Christ and he gets honour thereby to help by such things he hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty and base things of the world and things which are despised yea things which are not to bring to nought things that are 1 Cor 1.27 The Mightiness of the Agent is an encouragement against the weakness of the meanes Object But many put away from themselves this breast of consolation and object against this Doctrine First Some saying they are not worthy that Châ—ist should help them And though God hath appointed him to be an help to his people yet he will not arise to the help of such obstinate and rebellious ones as they have been and are Answ Christ is a free undeserved help and none of those whose help he hath been were ever worthy of it But he hath remembred his people in their low estate and redeemed them from many enemies and evils not because of their merits but because his mercy endureth for ever The children of Israel were a rebellious and stiffnecked people and yet the Lord saved and delivered them many a time And the Lords hand is not shortned that it cannot save nor his goodness abated that he should not still help his people notwithstanding their unworthiness Secondly Some say that they are of froward discontented and peevish spirits under troubles and Afflictions and Christ will not help such Answ Such a frame and carriage of any of the servants of Christ must needs be a griefe and trouble to his soule but yet their hope of help from him in time of need is not hereby cut off The children of Israel were a froward murmuring generation and yet the most high God was their help from time to time The tender-hearted mother is as ready to succour and help her froward discontented child that cryes night and day as the rest of her children And surely Christs succour and help extends as farre as any mothers on earth Thirdly Some say That Christ hath
VI. Of Exhortation I. To Christs Enemies submit to him Page 171 There being no prevailing against him 1. Not by Wisdome 2. Nor strength Page 173 3. Nor Riches II. To Christs servants 1. Fear him Page 175. 2. Trust in him 3. Prize him highly Page 176 4. Stand by him and his interest Page 177 5. Bless God that drew you out of the world Page 178 6. Labour to get much of Christ. Page 179 II. Doctrine God hath appointed this Mighty One Christ to be a help to his people here Page 180 1. Christ is an Help to his people appeares 1. By Types of him Passeover Manna Moses David Solomon c. Page 180 2. By the Prophesies of him Ps 72. Is 11. Page 181 In a threefold Gradation Page 182 1. Christ is furnished with ability to help 1. Knowledge 2. power where 3. things Page 184 2. With what may incline him to help Page 185 As 1. Participating of our Nature 2. Participating of his peoples sufferings Page 186 3. Pity and Compassion Page 187 3. Christ is engaged to help them Page 188 1. By his interest in them 2. By his Relations to them Page 189 3. By his Promise to help them Page 190 4. The honour he Receives from helped ones Page 191 For further opening the first Branch shew I. What Manner of help Christ is Page 191 1. Sufficient help Page 192 2. A seasonable help 3. Suitable Page 193 4. Constant 5. Onely help Page 195 6. Old help 7. Free undeserved Page 196 8. A tryed experimentall help Page 197 9. Vniversal help Page 198 GODS servants need help 1. In regard of service they must do 2. In regard of sufferings Page 199 II. How is Christ an help Page 200 Ans Chiefly five wayes 1. By efficacy of his death 2. By excellency of his example Page 201 3. By powerfulnes of his Spirit Page 203 4. By the admirableness of his Rule Page 205 5. By the prevalency of his Intercession Page 207 Especially in three Cases Page 208 1. Of sin 2. Of Satans Temptings 3. Of sufferings II Branch God hath appointed Christ this Mighty One to be a help to his people Page 209 I Reasons 1. In their regard he saw there would be need of such 2. The difficulty of their work Page 210 3. The Mightiness of their Enemies 4. The promised exalting of his people Page 211 For the Honour of Christ in 1. the Saints Faith 2. Honour of their Praises Page 212 Obj. Why then are his people in so much distress Page 213 Ans I. As the Lord appointed their help so a time to suffer Page 213 2. The Lord hath several wayes of helping them Page 214 3. Yet he sees good to help sometimes but a little Page 215 4. Their salvations are oft carried on in a Mystery Page 216 5. Some things in them may delay present help Page 217 1. When they beleeve not 2. When they act without his call Page 218 3. When they act in their own strength Page 219 4. When they eye some other besides him 5. When they have sinister ends in actings 6. When they refuse to be helped by him Page 220 Qu 1. What shall they do when he helps not Ans 1. Seriously lay it to heart as a trouble Page 221 2. Search diligently the cause of it Page 222 3. Forsake those evils that so provoke him Page 223 4. Earnestly cry to him for his help Page 224 5. Patiently wait on Christ for help Page 225 Qu 2. When may Gods people expect his helping them Page 226 Ans 1. When they are afflicted greatly 2. When they are forsaken utterly Page 227 3. When they cry mightily for Gods help Page 228 4. When they beleeve on him strongly Page 229 5. When they walk before him faithfully 6. When they use appointed meanes diligently Page 230 7. When enemies speak proudly act highly most secure Page 231 Qu 3. WhatVse should we make of this Ans I. It s for our Instruction in 4. things Page 233 1. It shews the first Cause of Gods peoples help the Lord. 2. A sufficient Reason of the Saints hope of help in need Page 234 3. The righteousnesse of God in his dealings with his Page 234 4. Whence Gods People can do so great things Page 234 II. USE of Reproof 1. To profane ones that insult against Gods People as helplesse Page 235 2. To proud ones that trust to their works for salvation Page 236 3. To trusters in their strength for help in danger Page 237 4. To despairing ones 1. Of Eternal Salvation Page 238 1. Great Sinners 2. Weak Saints 2. Of deliverance or promised help Page 239 5. To seekers for other help in trouble 1. As being in vain help is not there Page 240 2. It s dangerous to the hurt of the seekers Page 241 3. It s sinfull Chiefly in three things Page 242 1. It s a despising the riches of Gods goodnesse Page 243 2. It s a slighting of Christ 3. It s a walking contrary to profession Page 244 III. USE Streams of COMFORT to Gods people Page 244 1. Against mighty adversaries Page 245 2. Against greatest difficulties Page 246 3. Against deepest troubles 4. Against weakest instruments of help Page 247 Object 1. We are not worthy Christ should help Page 248 Answ Christ is a free undeserved help Page 249 Object 2. We are froward under troubles Answ Though this provokes yet God helps such Page 249 Object 3. We have wearied Christ hee 'l help no more Page 250 Answ Though so with men he is not weary Object 4. Christ helped on earth but will not now Page 251 Answ Christ is as neer to help in Heaven 1. Not thereby disenabled to help 2. Not disaffected towards them Page 252 3. Not disengaged from helping them Page 252 4. Not disinterested in them nor they in him 5. Not disregardful of them thereby Page 253 6. Not disswaded from helping them Page 254 7. Not disadvantaged by helping them IV. USE of Exhortation Commit all to him Page 255 1. Your Souls 2. Bodyes Page 256 1. In case of service Page 256 2. In case of sicknesse Page 257 3. In case of sufferings 3. Commit your Estates to him Page 258 4. Your Names 5. His Cause Page 260 6. Your own Cause 7. Your Work Page 261 8. Your Conditions 1. Ye Sinners Page 262 1. There 's help in no other 2. Are you laden with sin 3. ignorant Page 263 2. Ye Saints 1. Your outward State Page 264 Reproach Poverty Oppressions 2. Your inward in Spirit tempted flesh lusting Page 265 USE Serve Christ Page 266 Here Helps against two Lets 1. Difficulty Page 267 2. Danger Page 268 USE of CAUTION Abuse not this Doctrine Page 270 1. Be not idle or negligent Page 271 2. Limit not Christ to your Time Page 272 3. Not to particular straits 4. Nor to particular Persons Page 272 USE of EXHORTATION 1. Seek to Christ for help in every time of need Page 273 2. Having found help in need carry it well 1. Serve him more freely Page 274 2. Cleave to him constantly 3. Praise him continually Page 275 ERRATA The Author being distant from the Presse PAge 1. Line 8. read contains Page 83. Secondly read XXI ly II ly Books printed and are to be sold by Henry Cripps at the first shop in Popes-head-Alley next Lombard-street DR Sibbs Saints Cordials being severall Sermons on divers subjects Mr. Burroughs Exposition on the three first Chapters of Hosea Mr. Cradocks Gospel-holinesse His Gospel-liberty Mr. John Goodwin his Treatise of the Divine Authority of the Scriptures Bishop Reynolds his Exposition on the 4. Chapter of Hosea Mr. Cotton on the seven Vials being an Exposition of some part of the Revelations Mr. Norton his Orthodox Evangelist Mr. Brooks his Crown of Christianity or Holinesse the way of Happinesse Mr. Lye his Sermon at the Funeral of Mris. Nichols Mr. Douglasses Mystery of Godliness in several Sermons Mr. Armitages Son of God walking in the fire with the servants of God in several Sermons on the 3. of Daniel His Tryall of Faith or the Woman of Canaan in severall Sermons Mr. Baxters three Treatises Viz 1. A Sermon of Judgement 2. Danger of slighting Christ 3. True Christianity or Christs absolute Dominion and mans necessary self-resignation to him Mr. Eaton on the God-head of Christ Mris. Sarah Wight or Grace advanced in a nothing creature Mr. Dingley's Vox Coeli or a Discourse of Thunder His Divine Opticks or a Treatise of the Eye Mr. Trenchfields Christian Chymistry or History improved Mr. Hubberts Pill to purge Formallity Mr. Brooks his Ark for all Gods Noahs in a stormy day Mr. Lyes method of using the Assemblies Catechisme Mr. Cottons Milk for Babes in Christ A Catechisme An Epitomie of History containing the lives of the Roman Emperours wherein is also contained an Epitomie of English Chronicle Mr. Wards Nature and Grace Mr. Byfields Signes of a Godly man His Touch-stone of Assurance The Mirrour of Martyrs Mr. Wells Anchor of hope Mr. Warner Gain of Loss or temporal losses spiritually improved Mr. Huits Anatomy of Conscience Dr. Sibbs Bruised Reed Mr. Sarrocolds Supplications of Saints a Book of Prayers and Praises Mr. Hookers Souls preparation for Christ Mr. Dikes right receiving Christ Mr. Sam Clarks Saints Nosegay or 741 Scripture Flowers or Meditations Mr. Powels Experiences An Answer to Fiat Lux a Popish Authour To be sold by Henry Cripps in Popes-head-Alley FINIS
the children of Israel slew Jude 10.11 Reasons why the Lord doth lay in a sufficiency of help for his people Reason 1. From that All-sufficiency and perfection of power which is in the Lord every thing as it is in Essence and Being so it is in act and operation and according to this Maxim the Psalmist sings of the Lord Psal 147.5 Great is our Lord and of great power As also Psal 86.10 Thou art great and dost wondrous things so that the Lord being Allmighty and All-sufficient in himself for him to lay in a sufficiency of help for his people is but to act according to himself Reason 2. From that height of affection which is in the Lord towards his people they being his peculiar treasure above all people his sons and daughters the people of his love this Moses mentions as the cause of that sufficiency of help which the Lord afforded to them in Egypt Deut. 7.8 Because the Lord loved you c. hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you out of the house of Bond-men from the hand of Pharoah King of Egypt This is also recorded Jer. 31.3.9 as the reason of the great things God will do for Israel I have loved thee with an everlasting love For I am a Father to Israel and Ephraim is my first-born Reason 3. From his exceeding tenderness of his own Name lest that should suffer upon this account the Lord oft spared his people Ezek. 20.9.14.22.44 I wrought for my Names sake that it should not be polluted before the Heathen So God will help sufficiently fot his Name sake lest the enemy who is alwayes ready to blaspheme should reproach him and either say God would not help his people according to their need and so the glory of his goodness should be somewhat darkned or else he could not and so the glory of his power should be eclipsed with this Argument Moses pleaded with God to help and save his people Numb 14.13 14 15 16. Deut. 9.26 27 28. I shall add no more to the confirmation of that which the Saints of the most High have so much experienced in their severall Generations And leave also the improvement of all to Gods faithful Ones in their various conditions and hasten unto a more strict and particular consideration of the words which will afford these two Observations First That Christ Jesus is a Mighty One Secondly That the Lord hath appointed this Mighty One to be for an help to his people First Christ Jesus is a Mighty One The Psalmist singing of him saith Gird thy sword upon thy thigh O most Mighty Psal 45 3. Isaiah prophecying of him saith His Name shall be called Wonderful Councellour The Mighty God Isaiah 9.6 The Angel declaring unto Mary his Mother what manner of Son he should be saith He shall be great and called the Son of the Highest and the Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his father David c. Luke 1.32 John also testifying of him according to the Revelation of him which God gave unto him calleth him Allmighty Rev 1.8 I shall forbear to add more particular places the whole Scriptures both of the Old and New Testament being a large proof of this thing Mighty is a word of large Extent and of various Acceptation Sometimes it is taken Generally for any eminent excellent One that is greater than others so it is used Gen 10.8 where it is said of Nimrod He began to be a Mighty One in the earth i. e. One great and famous excelling others and in this sense Christ is a Mighty One greater than others In all things having the preheminence as the Apostle speaketh and as shall be shewed at large Sometimes it is taken particularly and specially First For one that is rich and wealthy thus it is used Ruth 2.1 where it is said Naomi had a kinsman of her husbands a mighty man of wealth Also 2 Kings 15.20 The rich man is usually called mighty in this respect Christ is a Mighty One he is a rich wealthy One and that both in respect of 1. Spiritual and Heavenly things he is so rich That in him dwelleth all the fullnesse of the God-head bodily He hath more of the Spirit than others being full of all grace wisdome and knowledge yea full of Unsearchable Riches according to that of Paul Ephes 3.8 That I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable Riches of Christ 2. All other things for he is heir of all things Heb. 1.2 All corn wine wool and flax all the beasts of the Forrest and the Cattel upon a thousand hils all the Fowls of the mountains and every thing that moveth in the waters are his yea the earth is his and the fullnesse thereof the round world and all that dwell therein Psal 24.1 See what an inheritance his father hath given him Psal 2.8 Secondly For one that hath power and strength strong men are mighty men and in this sense Christ is a Mighty One being full of power and strength The Apostle speaking of him saith 1 Cor. 1.24 Christ the power of God Thirdly For one that is exceeding valiant that doth most vigorously put forth and act his strength such an one is said to be a mighty man of valour full of courage in this sense also Christ is a Mighty One he hath not onely strength but he doth mightily exert and put it forth so that he makes his power to be seene the very spirit of Might doth rest upon him Isa 11.2 which he doth shew forth in all his workes Fourthly For one that hath rule and Authority he is a Mighty One and thus Christ is a Mighty One First He is Mighty in regard of the extent and universality of his power and Authority as to the subject of it it is over all for God hath put All things in subjection under his feet he hath left nothing that is not put under him he hath First All in the Church under him All Ordinances all offices all gifts all Administrations all consciences under him Eph. 1.22 He hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church Secondly All in Heaven under him he said of himselfe Math. 28.18 All power is given unto me in Heaven and it is said 1 Pet. 3.22 that he is gone into Heaven and is on the right hand of God Angels and Authorities and powers being made subject to him so that all in heaven is under him the Father onely excepted who did put all things under him 1 Cor. 15.27 Thirdly All in Hell under him the Devils themselves being subject unto him Fourthly All in this world under him He hath all principality power might and Dominion under him he hath power over all the Kings and Kingdomes of the world therefore he is said to be the Prince of the Kings of the Earth and to be Lord of Lords and King of Kings Rev. 1.5 17.14 Fifthly All in
Christ did not many mighty works in his own Countrey because of their unbelief Math. 13.58 If thou dost not beleeve that he can and will help thou canst not expect he should help Secondly When they set about any work without his call The Lord hath been wont to help in those things he hath called his Servants to as might easily be made manifest in Moses Josuah Gideon David and others but when his People have run and he sent them not they have been without his help in such undertakings When the children of Israel would invade the Land of Canaan without Gods call they were smitten and discomfited Numb 14.44 45. And though Josiah was a good man yet going to fight against Pharaoh Necho contrary to the mind of God he dyed for it 2 Chron 35.20 21 22 23. They that act without Christs call are like to act without his help Thirdly When they undertake any work though never so good and excellent in at self in their own strength without engaging him to their help he helps them not as in the case of Peter it was a good work and much conducing to the honour of Christ which Peter undertook but trusting to his own strength Christ left him to miscarry in it John 13.37 38. Fourthly When the eyes of his people are upon some other besides him or when they joyn some other with him to help then he usually leaveth both him that helpeth and him that is holpen to fall together Isa 31.3 The Lord was Israels help when he was their God alone and none other with him Deut 32.12 The LORD alone did lead them and there was no strange God with him When the Spouse shall lean upon Christ her Beloved and upon other Lovers also then Christ withholdeth his help from her Fifthly When they have any sinister ends and aims in what they do for though the work be good yet if a mans end be bad Christ doth not usually further him in it as when a man in Preaching Praying or any part of Religion seeks not so much Christs honour as his own praise and profit he cannot expect neither doth he ordinarily receive such help from the Spirit of Christ therein They that seek not Christs things but their own shall not prosper Jer 10.21 Haggai 1.4 6 9. Sixthly When they refuse to be holpen by him Christs Servants are sometimes more especially in great dangers and straits and stand in need of his help and though Christ shew himself willing and ready to save and deliver them yet such is the folly and untowardnesse of their spirits that they will none of his help but rather chuse to suffer through walking in the wayes and imaginations of their own hearts than to be delivered in their hearkning to his counsel and submitting to his will and then no wonder Christ helps not this was the frame of spirit and sad condition of Jerusalem which Christ lamented over Jerusalem was in danger Christ would have holpen her but she would not Christ lets her alone and the issue is sad Matth. 23.37 38. O Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee how often would I have gathered thy children together even as an Hen gathereth her Chickens under her wings and ye would not behold your house is left unto you desolate Quest What shall Gods people do when Christ helps not First Seriously consider and lay it to heart as a matter of greatest concernment and trouble to us So did Joshua when the Lord withheld his help from Israel Joshua 7.6 8. Josuah rent his cloathes and fell to the earth upon his face before the Ark of the LORD untill the even-tide he and the Elders of Israel and put dust upon their heads and Joshua said Alas O Lord God wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to destroy us would to God Hebr O that we had been content and dwelt on the other side Jordan Oh LORD what shall I say when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies We should look upon it as that wherein both God and his People suffer God suffers in his name when he doth not help his people His and their enemies blaspheme his name Sometimes they cast dirt upon his power saying The Lord cannot help nor save sometimes upon his goodnesse and mercy The Lord will not help sometimes upon his Truth and Faithfulnesse The Lord hath forgotten his people Hence saith Joshua What wilt thou do for thy great name And his people they must needs suffer when he with-draws his hand they are endangered and trampled upon by their enemies and the suffering of Gods Name and the distresses of his Servants must not seem a light thing in our eyes Nehemiah's frame and carriage under such a dispensation is worthy of imitation When he heard that the Remnant that were left of the Captivity were in great affliction and reproach that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down and the gates thereof burnt with fire he sat down and wept and mourned certain dayes and fasted and prayed before the God of Heaven Neh 1.3 4. And this is that which Jerusalem lamented with much bitterness of spirit Lament 1.15 16. The Lord hath troden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me he hath called an Assembly against me to crush my young men the Lord hath troden the Virgin the Daughter of Judah as a Wine-presse For these things I weep mine eye mine eye runneth down with water because the Comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me It 's just matter of mourning and lamentation when the appointed helper and Saviour doth not help nor save Secondly They should diligently search out the cause and reason why Christ helps not For if the Lord cease to help his People there is some cause for such a dealing as there is for what evil soever the Lord bring upon them Ezek. 14.23 And when the Lord slacks his hand concerning the help of his Servants it s their present work and duty to look narrowly about them and in them to find out the cause thereof When the Lord denyed Israel his help against the men of Ai he told them the cause of it There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee O Israel and commanded and directed them to seek and they found it out Achan was taken and the Silver and the Garment and the wedge of Gold his Sons Daughters Asses Sheep Tent and all that he had and they stoned him and burned them with fire Joshua 7. This was part of Jobs work in his affliction to find out the cause of it and that he might know it he begs of God to shew him wherefore he contended with him Job 10.2 Thus did David also in his distresse Psa 22.1 My God my God why hast thou forsaken me why art thou so far from helping me And we find the Faithful in their
28.29 This did David Psal 74.22 saying Arise O God plead thy own cause As also Luther who was wont to say when the Cause of God was low in his hand It is Gods Cause let him look to it Sixthly Commit YOUR OWN CAUSE to him Other Mighty ones may be neglect and condemn your Righteous Cause this Mighty One the Lord Christ who is higher than the highest regardeth and pleadeth the Cause of his People yea he will throughly plead their cause In confidence of this grace of God the Church of old resolving to be quiet under the present dispensation committed her cause to the Lord as appears from those words recorded Micah 7.8 9. I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him untill he plead my Cause and execute judgement for me he will bring me forth to the light and I shall behold his righteousnesse then she that is mine enemy shall see it and shame shall cover her which said unto me Where is the Lord thy God When Davids enemies digged pits for his soul and rejoyced over him wrongfully and devised deceitfull matters against them that were quiet in the Land and opened their mouth wide against him saying Aha aha our eye hath seen it He committed his cause to the Lord Psal 35.22 23. This thou hast seen O Lord keep not silence O Lord be not far from me stir up thy selfe and awake to my judgement even unto my cause my God and my Lord. Thus did Jeremy also when his enemies devised devices against him Jeremy 11.20 20.10 11 12. Let then the upright Ones of the earth when they are oppressed and wronged by the wicked of the world be of good cheer and not faint in their minds but commit all to the Lord Jesus Christ who is Mighty to clear and justifie them and to take vengeance for them Seventhly Commit your WORK to him All your work and way especially your difficult work wherein you most need his help look for it God hath appointed him to be an help and he is free to help yea to work all your works in you and FOR you Isa 26.12 Eighthly Commit your CONDITIONS to him Yea let all both the Wicked and the Righteous both Sinners and Saints commit their conditions to him I. SINNERS Commit your Conditions to him that you may not perish in your iniquities he onely can help you First There is no other name under Heaven given among men whereby you can be saved Acts 4.12 Neither is there need of any other forasmuch as he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him Heb. 6.7 And therefore hasten away from the Devil world and your own selves and all vanities lest they be your ruine and commit your Conditions to him and you shall find help and healing of all your wounds and in the end everlasting life Acts 13.38 39. Secondly Are you laden with sin so that you cannot look up with any confidence or cheerfulnesse of spirit Psal 40.12 Despair not do not say There is hope as Jer 2.25 Christ hath both power to forgive and destroy sin his blood can cleanse from all sin Mat. 11.28 1 John 1.7 9. His Spirit can crucifie the flesh with the affections and lusts Rom. 8.11 13. Thirdly Are you ignorant of the way of salvation Do you sit in great darkness God hath given him to be a Light to the Gentiles to open the blind eyes Isa 42.6 7. and he can make you that are darknesse light in the Lord as those in Eph 5.8 him self hath said That he is the light of the world and he that followeth him shall not walk in darknesse but shall have the light of Life John 8.12 Fourthly Are you the Devils Captives and Slaves to do his will Jesus Christ can deliver you from that servitude also he can turn you as he hath others from the power of Satan unto God Acts 26.18 to be his Servants and Sons blessed for ever Yea however it is with you he can help you therefore to day while it is called to day while he tenders his help and salvation do not neglect it lest hereafter when you call and cry to him for it he refuse to hear you at all Heb 2.3 3.7 11. Prov 1.22 23 24. II. SAINTS Commit your Conditions to him also your most afflictive Conditions Cast all your burthens upon him according to that word Psal 5.22 Cast thy burthen upon the Lord and he shall sustain thee I. Commit your OVTWARD CONDITIONS to him all your bodily concernments and troubles As First Your Reproach he is mighty to roll it away Jos 5.9 And he will assuredly bring forth the righteousnesse of his people as the light and their judgement as the noon day Psal 37.6 Secondly Your Poverty and low estate as it is said Psal 10.14 The poor committeth himself to thee thou art the helper of the fatherlesse It is the work of this Mighty One to deliver the needy when he cryeth the poor also and him that hath no helper Psal 72.12 Thirdly Your oppressions and persecutions he can deliver from them he can and will burst every band and take off every yoke and also break in pieces the oppressor Psal 72.4 II. Commit your INWARD SPIRITVAL Conditions to him First All the troubles and burthens of your spirits which are most heavy and hard to bear as it is written A wounded spirit who can bear Prov 18.14 Make use of the arm of Christ which he stretcheth out for your help your souls support and salvation and come to him according to his gracious invitation all you that are weary and heavy laden and he will give you rest Mat. 11. at the end and you shall find help in every time of need Heb 4. Secondly Are you such as the Devil tempteth and thrusts sore against that you might fall Commit that condition to Christ that he may be your helper therein forasmuch as he is appointed of God and in that himself hath suffered being tempted is able to succour them that are tempted Heb 2.18 And to keep you from falling Jude 24. Thirdly Have you been overcome by the Tempter Still look unto Christ who is mighty to recover you out of the snare of the Devil to raise you up again 1 Joh. 3.8 Fourthly Are you men and women of sorrowfull spirits and full of heavinesse Lye at the feet of him whom God hath sent to comfort all that mourn to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion to give unto them beauty for ashes the oyl of joy for mourning the garment of praise for the spirit of heavinesse Isa 61.2 3. Fifthly Do you find a Combate within you the flesh lusting against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh so that you are hindred from doing the good you would Gal. 5.17 and sometimes brought into captivity to the Law of sin that you even cry out like wretched undone men Who shall deliver us from the body of this
clearing of this first Branch of the Doctrine namely Christ being a Help to his People I shall onely set before you 1. WHAT MANNER of Help Christ is 2. HOW Christ doth help his people First What manner of Help is Christ First He is a SUFFICIENT Help What ever the work strait or condition be he can carry through it Gods children of themselves are not sufficient for what they are called to according to that of Paul 2 Cor. 3.5 where he saith Not that we including himself with the Saints at Corinth are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves neither yet are others though willing and sufficient in some measure to help a sufficient help for them but it is Christs peculiar to be a sufficient help His hand is not onely sufficient for himself but also for the help of all his Servants Moses seeing and considering the vast difference between the Enemies and Israels Rock saith triumphantly in his song Deut. 32.31 Their Rock is not as our Rock even our enemies themselves being Judges And with this did Hezekiah encourage the people against the King of Assyria and all the Multitude that was with him With him is an arm of flesh but with us is the LORD our God to help us 2 Chron 32.7 8. The Unbelievers help is but an Arm of flesh which will faile in time of need but the Believers help is Christ Jesus the Mighty God that fainteth not neither can be weary who also giveth power to the faint and to them that have no might he increaseth strength Isa 40. 10 11 29. This Paul experienced in his weaknesse and gloryed in his infirmities that the power of Christ might rest upon him 2 Cor 12.9 And of this viz The sufficiency of Christs help he had such a cleer apprehension and strong perswasion as that he said I can do all things through Christ which strengthneth me Phil 4.13 Secondly He is a SEASONABLE help as he is Mighty and knows how to help so he is Wise and knows when to help He that requires that his Servants should bring forth fruit in season doth give forth strength and help to them in season also he helps in the needfull time Heb 4.16 when it makes most for his glory to help and for his peoples good to be holpen He dyed in season according to that of the Apostle Rom 5.6 In due time Christ dyed for the ungodly He comforteth them that are cast down in season 2 Cor. 7.6 He succoureth the tempted in season when the soul is ready to faint and fall by the strength of the temptation he comes in to its help He hath the tongue of the Learned and knows how to speak a word in season to him that is weary Isa 50.4 All the Miracles and wonders which he wrought were a seasonable help to them upon and for whom he wrought them and in this respect he is an excellent help every thing being beautiful and excellent in its season Eccles 3.11 Thirdly He is a SUITABLE help a meet help suitable to the several estates of those whom he is to help This appears from those famous prophecies of him Isa 32.2 3. A man shall be as an hiding place from the wind a covert from the Tempest as Rivers of waters in a dry place as the shaddow of a great Rock in a weary Land So likewise Isa 61.1 3. The LORD hath anointed me to preach good tydings unto the meek he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted to proclaim liberty to the Captives and the opening of the Prison to them that are bound to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion to give unto them beauty for ashes the oyl of joy for mourning the garment of praise for the spirit of heavinesse c. He is for a spirit of Judgement to him that sitteth in Judgement and for strength to them that turn the battel to the gate Isa 28.6 Therefore Christ is set forth under various Titles and Appellations suitable to the various conditions that his people are in and the several Relations he stands in towards them as a Father Husband Shepherd King Priest Prophet Meat Drink Wisdome Righteousnesse He gives rest to the weary Mat. 11.28 and Water Wine Milk to the thirsty Isa 55.1 Revel 22.17 Fourthly He is a CONSTANT help he doth not only help at first but at last also he helps his own to the end he will be with them and not fail them nor forsake them untill they have finished all the work and passed through all the troubles which he shall call them to He is a finishing and perfecting help as well as a beginning help he is Alpha and Omega the Beginning and the ending Rev 1.8 10. The Authour and Finisher of Faith Heb 12.2 Fifthly He is an ONELY help Christ is not a joynt help or helper an help in conjunction with others but he helps and saves alone he is the LORD and besides him there is no Saviour no helper Indeed none can help but he if we should go to the mightiest Creatures they would say help is not in us the Valiant man would say it is not in me the Wise man would say it is not in me the Rich man would say it is not in me Yea all the Creatures must say to them that come to them for help as that King of Israel to the Woman of Samaria when she cryed to him Help my Lord O King he said If the LORD do not help thee whence shall I help thee It is Christ and Christ alone that helpeth neither is there any other that can save in all the Cityes nor among all the Judges of the earth according to the words of Peter Acts 4.12 Neither is there salvation in any other there is none other name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved Sixthly He is an Antient OLD help and helper Not to consider him in respect of Gods appointing him which was from everlasting but of mans need of him which was as soon as he had sinned for he thereby became liable to the curse and wrath of God and man being a guilty weak creature could not deliver himself out of this danger neither could any of the Creatures help him nor yet God himself being just as well as merciful would free this offender from his threatned punishment any other way then Christ who was given forth in the promise became an help to him and saved him out of that deep pit into which he was fallen and thus Christ was an help of old Seventhly Christ is a FREE UNDESERVED HELP As there was nothing in the children of Israel to cause God to raise them up Saviours and Deliverers such as Moses and Joshua and others Types of Christ for they were a stubborn and rebellious people so there was nothing of good in us or done by us to move God to send Christ to be an help nor to incline Christ to be an help to us but he was