guard and maintain it And this is the fear that shall be enabled to vanquish and expel all thy other fears 4. Or are you afraid what the Church shall do And what will become of the Ark of God Do you see a storm gathering the winds begin to roar the waves to swell and are you afraid what will become of that vessel the Church in which you have so great an interest It is an argument of the publickness and excellency of thy spirit to be thus touched with the feeling sense of the Churches sufferings and dangers Most men seek their own things and not the things that are of Christ Phil. 2. 21. But yet it is your sin so to fear as to sink and faint under a spirit of despondency and discouragement which yet many good men are but too apt to do I remember an excellent passage in a Letter of Luther's to Melancthon upon this very account In Private troubles saith he I am weaker and thou art stronger thou despisest thy own life but fearest the Publick cause but for the Publick I am at rest being assured that the cause is just and true yea that it is Christ's and Gods cause I am well nigh a secure spectator of things and esteem not any thing these fierce and threatning Papists I beseech thee by Christ neglect not so Divine promises and consolations where the Scripture saith Cast thy care upon the Lord wait upon the Lord be strong and he shall comfort thy heart And in another Epistle I much dislike those anxious cares which as thou writest do almost consume thee 'T is not the greatness of the danger but the greatness of thy unbelief Iohn Hus and others were under greater danger than we and if it be great he is great that orders it Why do you afflict your self If the cause be bad let us renounce it if it be good why do we make him a liar that bids us be still As if you were able to do any good by such unprofitable cares I beseech thee thou that in other things art valiant fight against thy self thine own greatest enemy that puts weapons into Satans hand You see how good men may be even overwhelmed with publick fears but certainly if we did well consider the bond of the Covenant that is betwixt God and his people we should be more quiet and composed For by reason thereof it is 1. That God is in the midst of them Psal. 46. 1 2 3 4. When any great danger threatned the Reformed Church in its tender beginnings in Luther's time he would say come let us sing the 46 Psalm and indeed it is a lovely Song for such times it bears the Title of A song upon Alamoth or a song for the hidden ones God is with them to cover them under his wings â— 2. And it is plain matter of Fact evident to all the world that no people under the Heavens have been so long and so wonderfully preserved as the Church hath been It hath overlived many bloudy Massacres terrible persecutions subtle and cruel enemies still God hath preserved and delivered it for his promises oblige him to it amongst which those two are signal and eminent ones Ier. 30. 11. Isai. 27. 3. 3. And it is obvious to all that will consider things that there are the self same motives in God and the self same grounds and reasons before him to take care of his Church and people that ever were in him or did ever lie before him from the beginning of the world For 1. The relation is still the same What though Abraham Isaac and Iacob those renowned believers be in their Graves and those that succeed be far inferiour to them in Grace and Spiritual excellency yet saith the Church Doubtless thou art our Father There is the same tie and bond betwixt the father and the youngest weakest child in the family as the eldest and strongest 2. His pity and mercy is still the same for that endures for ever His bowels yern as tenderly over his people in their present as ever they did in any past afflictions or streights 3. The rage and malice of his and his peoples enemies is still the same they will reflect as blasphemously and dishonourably upon God now should he give up his people as ever they did Moses Argument is as good now as ever it was what will the Egyptians say and so is Ioshuah's too What wilt thou do unto thy great name O if these things were more throughly studied and believed they would appease many Fears 2. Rule Work upon your hearts the consideration of the many mischiefs and miseries men draw upon themselves and others both in this world and that to come by their own sinful fears 1. The miseries and calamities that sinful Fear brings upon men in this world are unspeakable this is it that hath plunged the Consciences of so many poor wretches into such deep distresses this it is that hath put them upon the Rack and made them roar like men in Hell among the damned Some have been recovered and others have perished in these deeps of horror and despair In the year 1550. there was at Ferrara in Italy one Faninus who by reading good Books was by the grace of God converted to the knowledge of the truth wherein he found such sweetness that by constant reading meditation and prayer he grew so expert in the Scriptures that he was able to instruct others and though he durst not go out of the bounds of his calling to preach openly yet by conference and private exhortations he did good to many This coming to the knowledge of the Pope's Clients they apprehended and committed him to Prison where he renounced the truth and was thereupon released But it was not long before the Lord met with him for it So as falling into horrible torments of Conscience he was near unto utter despair nor could he be freed from those terrors before he had fully resolved to venture his life more faithfully in the service of Christ. Dreadful was that voice which poor Spira seemed to hear in his own Conscience assoon as ever his sinful fears had prevailed upon him to renounce the truth Thou wicked wretch thou hast denied me thou hast renounced the Covenant of thine obedience thou hast broken thy vow hence Apostate bear with thee the Sentence of thine eternal damnation Presently he falls into a swoon quaking and trembling and still affirmed to his death that from that time he never found any ease or peace in his mind but professed that he was captivated under the revenging hand of the Almighty God and that he continually heard the sentence of Christ the just Judge against him and that he knew he was utterly undone and could neither hope for grace or that Christ should intercede for him to the Father In our dreadful Marian days Sir Iohn Cheek who had been Tutor to King Edward the Sixth was cast into the Tower and kept close
expectations of Gods righteous judgments It is indeed below faith to expect evil days with despondency and distraction but surely it is a noble exercise of Faith so to expect them as to make due preparation for them SECT II. ANd if we enquire for what End God gives such warnings to the world and premonishes them from Heaven of the judgments that are coming on the earth know that he doth it upon a threefold account 1. To prevent their Execution 2. To leave the Careless inexcusable 3. To make them more tolerable and easie to his own people 1. Warning is given with design to prevent the execution of judgments this is plain from Amos 4. 12. Therefore will I do this unto thee there is warning given and because I will do this prepare to meet thy God O Israel There is the gracious design of preventing it by bringing them seasonably upon their knees at the foot of an angry God You see the Lord expects it from all his Children that they fall at his feet in deep humiliation and fervent intercession whenever he goes forth in the way of judgment What else was the design of God in sending Ionah to Nineveh with that dreadful message but to excite them to repentance and prevent their ruine This Ionah guessed at and therefore declined the message to secure his credit well knowing that if they took warning and repented the gracious nature of God would soon melt into compassion over them Free grace would make him appear as a liar among the people for to that sense his own words sound Ionah 4. 2. Was not this my saying when I was yet in my Countrey Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish for I knew that thou art a gracious God q. d. I thought before hand it would come to this I knew how willing thou art to be prevented by repentance therefore to secure my credit I fled to Tarshish 2. He forewarns of judgments to leave the Incorrigible wholly inexcusable that those who have neither sense of Sin nor fear of Judgment before might have no cloak for their folly nor plea for themselves afterward What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee Ier. 13. 21 22. q. d. What Plea or Apology is left thee after so many fair warnings You cannot say you were surprized before you were admonished or ruined before you were warned 3. God warns of Judgments before they come to make them the more easie to his people when they come indeed thus in Iohn 16. 4. Christ foretold his Disciples of their approaching sufferings that when they came they should not be found amazed at them or unprovided for them for unexpected miseries are astonishing to the best men and destructive to wicked men Luke 17. 26 27 28. Well then if it be so let all that are wise in heart consider the Signs of the times and seasonably hearken to Gods warnings The Lords voice crieth to the Citâ— and the man of wisdom shall see thy name hear ye the rod and who hath appointed it Mica 6. 9. 'T is our wisdom to way-lay our troubles and provide for the worst estate whilst we enjoy the best happy is he that is at once believing and praying for good days and preparing for the worst Noah's example is our advantage Heb. 11. 7. Who by faith being warned of God of things not seen as yet moved with fear prepared an Ark. Preventing mercies are the most ravishing mercies Psal. 59. 10. And preventing calamities are the sorest calamities Amos 9. 10. And let us heartily bewail the supiness and carelesness of the world in which we live who take no notice of Gods warnings but put the evil day far from them Amos 6. 3. who will admit no fear till they are past all hope they see God housing his Saints apace yet will not see the evil to come from which God takes them Isa. 57. 1 2. The righteous perisheth and no man layeth it to heart and merciful men are taken away none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come he shall enter into peace they shall rest in their beds each one walking in his uprightness They hear the cry of sin which is gone up to heaven but cry not for the abominations that are committed nor tremble at the judgments that they will procure O careless Sinners drowned in Stupidity and sleeping like Ionah under the Hatches when others are upon their knees and at their wits end do Saints tremble and are you secure Have not you more reason to be afraid than they If judgments come the greatest harm it can do them is but to hasten them to Heaven but as for you it may hurry you away to Hell They only fear tribulation in the way but you will not fear damnation in the end Believe it Reader in days of common calamity both Heaven and Hell will fill apace CHAP. VI. Demonstrating the fifth Proposition viz. That Gods Attributes Promises and Providences are prepared for the security of his people in the greatest distresses that befal them in the World SECT I. HAving more briefly dispatched the foregoing preliminary Propositions it remains that we now more fully open this fifth Proposition which contains the main subject matter of this Discourse here therefore our meditations must fix and abide and truly such is the deliciousness of the subject to Spiritual hearts that I judge it wholly needless to offer any other motive besides it self to engage your affections Let us therefore view our Chambers and see how well God hath provided for his Children in all their distresses that befal them in this world it is our fathers voice that calls to us Come my people enter thou into thy chambers And the 1. Chamber Which comes to be opened as a Refuge to distressed Believers in a stormy day is that most secure and safe Attribute of Divine Power into this let us first enter by serious and believing meditation and see how safe they are whom God hides under the protection thereof in the worst and most dangerous days In opening this Attribute we shall consider it 1. In its own Nature and Property 2. With respect to the Promises 3. As it is actuated by Providence on the behalf of distressed Saints And then give you a comfortable prospect of their safe and happy condition who take up their lodgings by Faith in this Attribute of God 1. Let us consider the Power of God in it self and we shall find it represented to us in the Scriptures in these three lovely Properties viz. Power 1. Omnipotent 2. Supreme 3. Everlasting 1. As an Omnipotent and All-sufficient Power which hath no bounds or limits but the pleasure and will of God Dan. 4. 34 35. He doth according to his will in the armies of Heaven and among the Inhabitants of the earth and none can stay his hand or say unto him What dost thou So Psalm 135. 6. Whatsoever the Lord pleased that did he in Heaven and in Earth
prohibited 2. An effectual remedy prescribed 3. A singular encouragement to apply that remedy 1. An evil practice prohibited Fear not their fear neither be afraid This is that sinful principle which was but too apt to incline them to do as others did scil to say a confederacy Sinful fears are apt to drive the best men into sinful compliances and indirect shifts to help themselves Their fear may be understood two ways 1. Subjectively 2. Effectively 1. Subjectively for the self same fear wherewith the carnal and unbelieving Iews feared a fear that enslaved them in bondage of Spirit a fear that is the fruit of sin a sin in its own nature the cause of much sin to them and a just punishment of God upon them for their other sins 2. Effectively Let not your fear produce in you such mischievous effects as their fear doth to make you forget God magnifie the creature prefer your own wits and policies to the Almighty power and unspotted faithfulness of God if you say but how shall we help it 2. Why in the next place you have An Effectual remedy prescribed But sanctifie the Lord of hosts himself and let him be your fear and your dread The fear of God will swallow up the fear of Man a reverential awe and dread of God will extinguish the slavish fear of the creature as the Sun-shine puts out fire or as one fire fetches out another so will this fear fetch out that By sanctifying the Lord of Hosts himself is meant a due ascription of the glory of his Sovereign power wisdom and faithfulness not only in verbal and professed acknowledgments thereof but especially in those internal acts of affiance resignation and intire dependence on him which as they are the choicest respects of the creature towards its God and give him the greatest glory so they are certainly the most beneficial and comfortable acts we can perform for our own peace and safety in times of danger If a man do really look to God in a day of trouble and fear as to the Lord of Hosts i. e. one that governs all the creatures and all their actions at whose beck and command all the Armies of Heaven and Earth are and then can rely upon the care and love of this God as a child in danger of trouble reposes on and commits himself with greatest confidence to the care and protection of his Father O what peace what rest must necessarily follow upon this Who would be afraid to pass through the midst of Armed Troops and Regiments whilst he knows that the General of that Army is his own Father The more power this filial fear of God obtains in your hearts the less will you dread the power of the Creature When the Dictator ruled at Rome then all other Officers ceased and so in a great measure will all other fears where the fear of God is Dictator in the heart This is the Remedy 3. And to enable us to apply this remedy in the worst and most difficult times we have a singular encouragement proposed If we will thus sanctifie the Lord of Hosts himself by such an acknowledgment of and child-like dependence on him in times of danger then he will be to us for a Sanctuary i. e. he will surely protect defend and provide for us in the worst times and cases then will the Lord Create upon every dwelling-place of mount Zion and upon her Assemblies a cloud and smoke by day and the shining of a flaming fire by night for upon all the glory shall be a defence and there shall be a Tabernacle for a shadow in the day-time from the heat and for a place of refuge and for a covert from the storm and from rain Let the winds roar the rain beat the lightnings flash you are in safety and have a good roof over your heads Hence these two points of Doctrine offer themselves 1. Doctrine That the best men are too apt to be overcome with slavish fears in times of eminent distress and danger 2. Doctrine That the fear of God is the most effectual means to extinguish the sinful fear of man and to secure us from danger These two points take in the substance and scope of the Text but because I design to treat in the following Chapters of the Kinds Nature Uses Causes Effects and Remedies of Fear I shall not distinctly prosecute them but proceed in this order in the following Chapters CHAP. II. Wherein the kinds and nature of Fear are opened and particularly the distracting slavish Fear of Creatures SECT I. THere is a threefold Fear found in men viz. Fear 1. Natural 2. Sinful 3. Religious 1. Natural Fear of which all are partakers that partake of the common nature not one excepted Natural Fear is the trouble or perturbation of mind from the apprehension of approaching evil or impending danger The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 comes from a Verb that signifies Flight this is not always sinful but it is always the fruit and consequent of sin Since sin entred into our nature there is no shaking off Fear no sooner had Adam transgressed but he feared and fled hiding himself among the Trees of the Garden Gen. 3. 8. when he had transgressed the Covenant he presently feared the execution of the Curse First he eats then he hides And this afflictive passion is from him transmitted and derived to all his children To this natural Fear it pleased our Lord Iesus Christ to subject himself in the days of his flesh he was afraid yea he was sore amazed Mark 14. 33. For though his humane nature was absolutely free from â—in yet he came in the likeness of sinful flesh Rom. 8. 3. This fear creates great trouble and perturbation in the mind 1 Iohn 4. 18. Fear hath torment in proportion to the danger is the fear and in proportion to the fear the trouble and distraction of the mind if the fear be exceeding great reason is displaced and can conduct us no farther as the Psalmist speaks of Mariners in a Storm they are at their wits end Psal. 107. 27. or as it is varied in the Margin all wisdom is swallowed up and this is the meaning of Deut. 28. 25. that they should go out against their enemies one way and flee before them seven ways i. e. so great shall be the fright and distraction that they shall attempt now one way then another striving every way but liking none for fear so far betrays the succours of reason that their counsels are always in uncertainty and at a loss and the usual voice of a man in this condition is I know not what to do I know not which way to turn Evil is the object of fear and the greater the evil is the stronger the fear must needs be and therefore the terrours of an awakened and terrified conscience must be allowed to be the greatest of terrours because in that case a man hath to do
death in this extremity it is now in The Mother answered I refer that to the will of God But said her friend if God would â—â—fer it to you what would you chuse then Why truly said she if God would refer it to me I would even refer it to God again This is the true committing of our selves and our troublesome concerns to the Lord. 4. The committing act of Faith implies our renouncing and disclaiming all confidence and trust in the arm of flesh and an expectation of relief from God only If we commit our selves to God we must cease from man Isai. 2. 22. To trust God in part and the Creature in part is to set one foot upon a Rock and the other in a Quick-sand Those acts of Faith that give the intire glory to God give real relief and comfort to us 2. Let us see what grounds and encouragements the people of God have to commit themselves and all the matters of their fear to God and so to enjoy the peace and comfort of a resigned will and there are two sorts of encouragements before you let the case be as difficult and frightful as it will you may find sufficient encouragements in God and somewhat from your selves viz. your relation to him and experiences of him 1. In God there is all that your hearts can desire to encourage you to trust him over all and commit all into his hands For 1. He is able to help and relieve you let the case be never so bad yet let Israel hope in the Lord for with the Lord is plenteous redemption Psal. 130. 7 8. Plenteous redemption i. e. all the stores of power choice of methods plenty of means abundance of ways to save his people when they can see no way out of their troubles Therefore hope Israel in Iehovah 2. As his Power is Almighty so his Wisdom is Infinite and unsearchable He is a God of judgment blessed are all they that wait for him Isa. 30. 18. When the Apostle Peter had related the wonderful preservations of Noah in the Deluge and of Lot in Sodom one in a general destruction of the world by Water and the other in the overthrow of those Cities by Fire He concludes and so should we The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation 2 Pet. 2. 9. Some men have much Power but little wisdom to manage it others are wise and prudent but want ability in God there is an infinite fulness of both 3. His love to and tenderness over his people is transcendent and unparallelled and this sets his wisdom and power both a work for their good hence it is that his eyes of providence run continually throughout the whole earth to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose hearts are perfect i. e. upright towards him 2 Chron. 16. 9. Thus you see how he is every way fitted as a proper object of your trust 2. Consider your selves and you shall find encouragements to commit all to God For 1. You are his children and to whom should children commit themselves in dangers and fears but to their own father Doubtless thou art our father saith the distressed Church Isai. 63. 15 16. Yea Christian Thy maker is thy husband Isai. 54. 5. Is not that a sufficient ground to cast thy self upon him What! a Child not trust its own Father A wife not commit her self to her own husband 2. You have trusted him with a far greater concern already than your estates liberties or lives you have committed your souls to him and your eâ—rnal interests 2 Tim. 1. 12. Shall we commit the â—ewel and dispute the Cabinet Trust him for heaven and doubt him for earth 3. You have ever found him faithful in all that you trusted him with all your experiences are so many good grounds of confidence Psal. 9. 10. Well then resolve to trust God over all and quietly leave the dispose of every thing to him he hath been with you in all former streights wants and fears hitherto he hath helped you and cannot he do so again except you tell him how O trust in his wisdom power and love and lean not to your own understandings The fruit of resignation will be peace 5. Rule If ever you well get rid of your fears and distractions get your affections mortified to the world and to the inordinate and immoderate love of every injoyment in the world The more you are mortified the less you will be terrified 't is not the dead but the living world that puts our hearts into such fears and tremblings If our hearts were once crucified they would soon be quieted 'T is the strength of our affections that puts so much strength into our afflictions It was not therefore without great reason that the Apostle compares the life of a Christian to the life of a Souldier who if he mean to follow the Camp and acquit himself bravely in fight must not intangle himself with the affairs of this life 2 Tim. 2. 4. Sure there is no following Christ's Camp but with a disintangled heart from the world for proportionable to the heat of our love will be the strength and height of our fears about these things more particularly if ever you will rid your selves of your uncomfortable and uncomely fears use all Gods means to mortifie your affections to the exorbitant esteem and love of 1. Your Estates 2. Your Liberty 3. Your Lives 1. Get mortified and cooled hearts to your Possessions and Estates in the world The poorest age afforded the richest Christians and noblest Martyrs Ships deepest laden are not best for encounters The believing Hebrews took joyfully the spoiling of their goods knowing in themselves that they had in heaven a better and induring substance Heb. 10. 34. They carried it rather like unconcerned Spectators than the true Proprietors They rejoyced when rude Souldiers carried out their goods as if so many friends had been bringing them in And whence was this But from an heart fixed upon Heaven and mortified to things on Earth Doubtless they esteemed and valued their Estates as the good providences of God for their more comfortable accommodation in this world but it seems they did and O that we could look upon them as mercies of the lowest and meanest rank and nature The substance laid up in Heaven was a better substance and as long as that was safe the loss of this did not afflict them They could bless God for these things which for a little time did minister refreshment to them but they knew them to be transitory enjoyments things that would make to themselves wings and flee away if their enemies had not toucht them but the substance laid up for them in Heaven that was an enduring substance So far as those earthly things might further them towards Heavenly things so far they prized and valued them but if Satan would turn them into snares and temptations to deprive them of their better substance in Heaven they could
these permissions of Providence prove singular advantages and blessings to you SECT III. WHat remains then seeing God is Unchangeable in his love to his People pursuing the the great ends of all his gracious promises in a steddy course of Providence wherein he will never effect or permit any thing that is really repugnant to his own glory or their good but that we enter also into this Camber of Rest shut the doors about us and comfortably improve the unchangeableness of God while we see nothing but changes and troubles here below 1. Enter into Gods Unchangeableness by Faith take up your lodgings in this sweet Attribute also and to encourage your Faith thereunto seriously consider a few particulars 1. Consider how constant firm and unchangeable God hath been to his people in all times and streights not one among the many thousands of his people that are passed on before you but by frequent and certain experience have found him so What a singular encouragement should this be to our Faith in the case before us Psal. 9. 10. They that know thy name will put their trust in thee for thou Lord hast not forsaken them that seek thee So Isa. 25. 4. Thou hast been a strength to the poor a strength to the needy in his distress a refuge from the storm a shaddow from the heat when the blast of the terrible ones is as the storm against the wall Neither is there any thing in your experience contradictory to the encouraging reports others have made of God you must acknowledge that notwithstanding your own changeableness who have hardly been able to maintain your hearts in any Spiritual frame towards God for one day together yet his mercies towards you have been new every morning and great hath been his Faithfulness You have often turned aside from the way of your duty and have not followed God in a steddy course of obedience and yet for all that his goodness and mercy have followed you all the days of your life as it is Psal. 23. 6. 2. Consider how often you have doubted and mistrusted the unchangeableness of God and been forced with shame and sorrow to retract your folly therein God hath many times convinced you that his love to you is an unchangeable love how many changes soever in the course of his Providence have passed over you consult Isa. 49. 14. and Psal. 77 78. and see how the cases parallel both in respect of Gods constancy to them and you and the inconstancy of his peoples Faith then and yours now your fears and doubts are the same with theirs though his goodness and love have been as unchangeable to you as ever it was towards them 3. Consider the Advocateship and intercession of Jesus Christ in Heaven for you by vertue whereof the favour and love of God becomes unalterable towards his people If any thing can be supposed to cool or quench the love of God towards you nothing in the world is more like to do it than your sin and this indeed is that which you fear will estrange and alienate the heart of your God from you But Reader if thou be one that sincerely mournest for all the grief and dishonour of God by thy sin appliest the bloud of sprinkling to thy Soul by Faith and makest mortification and watchfulness thy daily business comfort thy self against that fear from that singular encouragement given thee in this case 1 Iohn 2. 1 2. My little children these things write I unto you that ye sin not and if any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Iesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins Look as the death of Christ healed the great breach betwixt God and thy Soul by thy reconciliation at first so the powerful Intercession of Christ in Heaven effectually prevents all new breaches betwixt God and thy Soul afterwards so that he will never totally and finally cast thee off again 2. Shut the door behind you against all objections scruples and questionings of Gods immutability and by a resolved and steddy Faith maintain the the honour of God in this point by thy constant adherence to it and dependence upon it and especially see that thou give him the glory of his unchangeableness 1. When thou shalt see the greatest alterations and changes made by his Providence in the World What though thou shouldest live to see all things turned upside down the foundations out of course all things drawing into a Sea of confusion and trouble Yet in the midst of those publick distractions and distress of Nations Encourage thou thy self in this thy God and his love to his people is the same for ever Psal. 46. 1 2 3 4 5. God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble Therefore will we not fear though the earth be moved and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved 2. Live by Faith upon Gods unchangeableness under the greatest changes of your own condition in this world Providence may make great alterations upon all your outward conforts it may cast you down how dear soever you be to God from riches into poverty from health into sickness from honour into reproach from liberty into bondage thou mayest overlive thy comfortable relations and of a Naomi become a Marah Thou hast lifted me up and cast me down said as good a man as you Psal. 102. 10. Yet still it is your duty and will be your great priviledge in the midst of all these changes to act your faith upon the never changing God as that holy man did Hab. 3. 17. Although the Fig-tree shall not blossom neither fruit be in the vine the labour of the olive shall fail and the fields shall yield no meat the flocks shall be cut off from the fold and there shall be no herd in the stalls yet will I rejoyce in the Lord I will joy in the God of my salvation q. d. Suppose a thousand disappointments of my earthly hopes yet will I maintain my hope in God O Christian with how many yets notwithstandings and neverthelesses must thy faith bear up in times of trouble or thou 'l sink 3. See thou live upon Gods unchangeableness when age and sickness shall inform thee that thy great change is at hand though thy heart and thy flesh fail comfort thy self with this thy God will never fail thee Psal. 73. 16. O God saith David thou hast taught me from my youth and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works now also when I am old and gray headed forsake me not Psal. 71 17 18. 4. Live upon the unchangeableness of God under the greatest and saddest changes of your Spiritual condition God may cloud the light of his countenance over thy Soul he may fill thee with fears and troubles and the comforter that should relieve thee may seem to be far off yet still maintain thy faith in
the unchangeableness of his loves trust in the name of the Lord stay thy self upon the God when thou walkest in darkness and hast no light Isa. 50. 10. Thus shut thy door 3. Improve the unchangeabless of God to thy best advantage in the worst times by drawing thence such comfortable conclusions as these 1. If God be an uchangeable God in his promises and in his love to his people what should hinder but the people of God may live happily and comfortably in the saddest times and greatest troubles upon earth As sorrowful yet always rejoycing as poor yet making many rich as having nothing and yet possessing all things 2 Cor. 6. 10. Certainly nothing ought to quench a Christians mirth that is not able to separate him from the love of Christ Rom. 8. 35. 2. If God be an unchangeable God in his love to his people then it becomes all that have special interest in this God to be unchangeable and immoveable in the ways of their obedience towards him God will not cast you off see that you cast not off your duties no not when they are surrounded with difficulties he loves you though you often grieve him by sin see that you still love him though he often grieve and burden you by affliction he will own you for his people under the greatest contempts and reproaches of the World see that you own and honour his ways and truths when you are under most reproach from a vile World CHAP. X. Opening the Care of God for his people in times of trouble as the fifth Chamber of Rest to Believers SECT 1. CAre in the general Notion of it as it is applyed to the Creature imports the studiousness and solicitousness of our thoughts for the safety and welfare of our selves or those we love and highly value Now though there be no such thing properly in God at whose dispose and pleasure all events are and to whose counsels and appointments all difficulties must give way yet he is pleased to accommodate himself to our weakness and express his regard and love to his people by such things as one creature doth to another to which it is endeared by relation or affection To this purpose we find many significant Synonomous expressions in Scripture all importing the careof God over his people in a pleasant variety of notion and expression as Nah. 1. 7. The Lord is good a strong hold in the day of trouble and he knoweth them that trust in him He knoweth them i. e. he hath a special tender and careful eye upon them to see their wants supplyed and to protect them in all their dangers for in the common and general sense he knoweth them that trust not in him as well as those that do and further to clear this sence of the place it is said Ps. 40. 17. The Lord thinketh on them Importing not only simple cogitation but the immoration or abiding of his thoughts upon them as our thoughts are wont to do upon that which we highly esteem especially when any danger is near it And yet farther to clear this sense it is said Iob 36. 7. He withdraweth not his Eye from the righteous As when Moses was exposed in the Ark of Bulrushes where his Life was in eminent hazards by the waters of Nilus upon one side and the Egypan Cut-Throats on the other his Sister Miriam kept watch at a distance to see what would be done to him Her eye was never off that Ark wherein her dear Brother lay fear and care engaged her eye to keep a true watch for him Thus the Lord withdraweth not his eye from the righteous To the same purpose is that expression Deut. 33. 3. Yoa he loved the People all his Saints are in thy hand That which we dearly love and prize above ordinary we keep in our own hands for its security as not thinking it safe enough in any other hand or place And once more Isa. 49. 16. God is said to engrave them upon the Palms of his Hands alluding to what is customary among men who when they would charge their memories with something of special concernment use to change a Ring or bind a Thred about the Finger to put them in mind of it Thus is the care of our God expressed to us in Scripture notions The amount of all which is given us in that one proper and full expression of the Apostle 1 Pet. 5. 7. He careth for you To open this Chamber of Divine care as a place of sweetest rest to our anxious and perplexed minds in times of difficulty and hazard it will be necessary that you seriously ponder Of the care of God 1. The Grounds and Reasons 2. The Extent and Compass 3. The Lovely Properties 1. The grounds and reasons of Gods care for his people which are 1. The strict and dear Relations in which he is pleased to own them Believers are his children and you know how naturally children engage and draw forth the Fathers care for them This is the argument Christ uses Matth. 6. 31 32. Therefore take no thought saying what shall we eat Or what shall we drink Or wherewithal shall we be cloathed For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things Children especially when young disquiet not themselves about provions for back or belly but leave that to the care of their Parents from whom by the tye and Bonds of Nature and Love they expect provision for all those wants Every one takes care for his own much more doth God for his own Children and indeed he expects his children should live upon his care as our children in their minority do upon ours 2. Gods precious estimation and value of them engages his constant care for them Believers are his Jewels Mal. 3. 17. his peculiar people 1 Pet. 2. 6. his special portion or treasure in this world Deut. 32. 9. and as such he prizes and esteems them above all the people of the earth and accordingly exerciseth his special care in all the dangers they are here exposed to Special love engageth peculiar care 3. The dangers and fears of the people of God in this world are many and great and were it not for the Lords assiduous and tender care over them they must necessarily be ruined both in soul and body by them The Church is God's Vineyard its Enemies as so many wild Boars to root it up Upon this account he saith Isa. 27. 3. I the Lord do keep it lest any hurt it I will keep it night and day And indeed it is well for Israel that he that keepeth it never slumbereth nor sleepeth Psal. 121. 4. that our houses are in peace that we and our dear relations fall not as a prey into cruel and bloody hands skilful to destroy that we find any rest or comfort in so evil and dangerous a world it is wholly and only to be ascribed to the care of God over us and ours 4. Jesus Christ hath solemnly recommended
all the people of God to his particular care It was one of the last expressions of Christ love to them at the parting hour Ioâ— 17. 11. And now I am no more in the world but these are in the world and I come to thee Holy Father keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me q. d. While I have been personally present with them I took the same care of them as a Shepheard doth of his Flock or a tender Father of his Children But now I must leave them in the world and in the midst of a world of dangers fears and troubles against which they can make no provision or defence themselves Father remember them look after them when I shall be removed from them they are thine as well as mine and I recommend them with my last breath to thy care and protection This is a special ground also of Gods care for them 5. Believers dayly cast themselves upon the care of God and resign themselves unto it in their dayly Prayers And by their often renewed acts of Faith than which no act is found more engaging from the creature upon its God though there be nothing of merit yet there is much of engaging efficacy in it Isa. 26. 3. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee We find it so among our selves the more firmly and entirely any one trusteth to us and dependeth upon us the more he engageth us to protect or relieve him Now this is the dayly work of Christians to trust God over all and put all their concernments into his hand which very trust and dependance draws forth the care of God for them 6. In a word the many promises God hath made to his people to preserve support and supply them in all the times of need engageth the câ—re of God for them as often as such wants or dangers befal them for indeed herein he at once takes care for their necessity and for his own honour and glory They trust to his word and rely upon his promises which therefore he will be careful to make good This was the argument which the Church pleaded in the time of eminent danger to engage the care of God for them Psal. 74. 20. Havs respect unto the Covenant for the dark places of the Earth are full of the habitations of cruelty q. d. O Lord thy people are in the midst of cruel enemies take care for their protection and though there be no worth in them to which thou shouldest have respect yet have respect unto thine own Covenant let the glory of thy Name draw forth thy care to thy People SECT II. WE have seen the grounds and reasons of Gods care over his people let us next view the extent and compass of this Divine care and here methinks the Lord saith to his people as he said to Abraham Gen. 13. 14 15. Lift up now thine eyes from the place where thou art northward and southward and eastward and westward for all the land which thou seest to thee will I give it and to thy seed for ever So here poor timorous dejected Believer lift up thine eyes from the place where thou art and take a view of all the promises in the Scriptures of truth promises of supports under all burthens supplies of all wants deliverances out of all dangers assistances in all distresses to thee have I given them all as a portion for ever This care of God walks the round and encompasseth the Souls and Bodies of them that fear him day and night There is no interest or concern of either found without the line of his all-surrounding Care and every one of his children are enfolded in his Fatherly arms Deut. 33. 3. All his Saints are in thy hand All and every one of their wants and streights are observed by this Care in order to their supply Phil. 4. 19. My God shall supply all your wants 1. Great is the Care of God over the Bodies of his people and all the dangers and necessities of them as they daily grow your meat and drink are daily provided for you by your Fathers Care Psal. 111. 5. He hath given meat unto them that fear him he will ever be mindful of his Covenant It is from this Care of thy Heavenly Father that necessary provisions have been made for thee of which it may be thou hast had no foresight This is the God that hath fed thee all thy life long Gen. 48. 15. It is from the same care thy body hath been cloathed Matth. 6. 28. How much more shall he cloath you O ye of little faith It is through this Care you sleep in peace and your rest is made sweet unto you Prov. 3. 24. When thou lyest down thou shalt not be afraid yea thou shalt lie down and thy sleep shall be sweet In a word thou owest all thy recoveries from dangerous diseases and narrow escapes from the grave to this Care of thy God over thee He is the Lord that healâ—th thee Exod. 15. 26. That the incensed humours of thy body had not overflowed their banks like an inundation of the Sea when they raged in thy dangerous diseases is only because thy God took the care of thee and set them their bounds 2. Divine Care extends it self to the Souls of all that fear God and to all the concernments of their Souls and manifestly discovers it self in all the gracious provisions it hath made for them More particularly it is from this tender Fatherly care that 1. A Saviour was provided to redeem them when they were ruined and lost by sin Ioh. 3. 16. Rom. 8. 32. 2. That Spiritual cordials are provided to refresh them in all their sinking sorrows and inward distresses Psal. 94. 19. 3. That a door of deliverance is opened to them when they are sorely pressed upon by temptations and ready to be overwhelmed 1 Cor. 10. 13. 4. That a strength above their own comes in seasonably to support them when they are almost overweighed with inward troubles when great weights are upon them the everlasting arms are underneath them Psal. 138. 3. Isa. 57. 16. 5. That their ruine is prevented when they are upon the dangerous and flippery brink of temptations and their feet almost gone Psal. 73. 12. Hos. 2. 6. 2 Cor. 12. 7. 6. That they are recovered again after dangerous falls by sin and not left as a prey and Trophy to their enemy Hos. 144. 7. That they are guided and directed in the right way when they are at a loss and know not what course to take Psal. 16. 11. Psal. 73. 24. 8. That they are established and confirmed in Christ in the most shaking and overturning times of trouble and persecution so that neither their heart tâ—â—neth back nor their steps decline from his ways Ier. 32. 40. Ioh. 4. 14. 9. That they are upheld under Spiritual desertions and recovered again out of that dismal darkness into the
chearful light of Gods countenance Isa. 57. 16. 10. That they are at last brought safe to Heaven through the innumerable hazards and dangers all along their way thither Heb. 11. 16. In all these things the care of their God eminently discovers it self for their Souls 3. Once more let us consider the Care of God for his people in the lovely properties thereof As 1. It is a Fatherly care than which none is more great or tender Matth. 6. 8. Your father knoweth that you have need of all these things And indeed the greatest and tenderest care of an earthly Father is but a fâ—int shadow of that tender care which is in the heart of God over his Children for to that end we find them compared Matth. 7. 11. If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your father which is in heaven give good things to them which ask him The care of Patents is carelesness it â—elf compared with that care which God takes of his 2. The care of God is a universal care watching over all his people in all ages places and dangers 2 Chron. 16. 9. The eyes of the Lord run to and fro through the whole earth to shew himself strong in behalf of them whose heart is perfect towards him This was applyed by way of reproof to Asa who out of a sinful distrust of the care of God relyed upon the help of Syria as if there had not been a God in Heaven to take care of him and the people 3. Gods care over his is assiduous and continual his mercies are new every morning great is his faithfulness Lam. 3. 22 23. He keeps his people night and day Isa. 27. 3. Could Satan or his instruments find such an hour wherein the seven eyes of Providence should be all asleep that would be the fatal hour to our Souls and Bodies but he that keepeth Israel slumbereth not 4. Gods care over his is exceeding tender far beyond the tenderness that the most affectionate mother ever felt in her heart towards the child that hanged on her breast Isa. 49. 15. Can a mother forget her sucking child c. they may yet will not I forget thee The birds of the air are not so tender of their young in the nest as God is of his people in the world Isa. 31. 5. Mercy fills the heart of God yea tender mercy yea multitudes of tender mercies Psal. 51. 1. 5. The care of God is a seasonable care which is always sure to nick the opportunity and proper season of relieving his people in the mount of the Lord it shall be seen The beauty of Providence is much seen in this thing wherever you feel a want this care finds a supply and thus much briefly of the care of God absolutely considered in it self SECT III. IT remains that we also consider the care of God in its twofold respect viz. 1. To his Promises 2. To his Providences 1. There are multitudes of Promises found in the Scriptures exactly fitted as so many keys to open the door of this comfortable Chamber to receive and secure all that fear God whatever their wants fears or distresses are These are reducible into two Classes or ranks viz. 1. More general and comprehensive 2. More particular Promises The general and more comprehensive Promises are found in the general expressures of the Covenant as that to Abraham Gen. 17. 1. I am God Almighty walk thou before me and be perfect q. d. Let it be thy care to walk exactly in the paths of obedience before me and I will take care to supply all thy wants from the never failing fountain of my al-sufficiency and of the same tenour is that 2 Cor. 6. 18. I will be to them a Father and they shall be my sons and daughters i. e. Expect your provisions and protections from my care as children do from their father More particularly there are six sorts of Promises wherein the care of God is particularly made over to his people in the greatest hazards and difficulties in this life viz. 1. It is assigned and made over to them to supply all their needs so far as the Glory of God and advancement of their Spiritual and eternal good shall require it Ps. 34. 9. They that fear the Lord shall not want any good thing All your livelihood is in that Promise thence comes your daily bread your own and your families meat is in that cupboard 2. It is made over to the Church and people of God for their defence against all dangers Isa. 54. 17. No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper This promise wards off all the deadly blows and puts by all the mortal thrusts that are made at you here the care of God forms it self into a shield for your defence 3. The care of God is engaged by promise for the moderation and mitigation of your afflictions that they may not exceed your abilities to bear them Isa. 27. 8 9. in measure when it shooteth forth thou wilt debate with it he stayeth the rough wind in the day of the east-wind If the wind blow from a cold corner this Promise moderates it that it blow not a storm all the sparing mercies and sweetning circumstances which gracious Souls thankfully note in the sharpest trials come from this promise wherein the care of God is ingaged for that purpose 4. Divine care is put under the bond of a promise for the direction and guidance of all their troubles and trials to an happy issue Rom. 8. 28. All things shall work together for good From what quarter soever the wind bloweth God will take care that it shall be useful to drive you to your Port the very Providences that cast you down by vertue of this promise prove as serviceable and beneficial as those that lift you up 5. The care of God stands engaged in the promise for the help and aid of his people in all the extremities and exigencies of their lives Psal. 46. 1. God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble Never is the care of God more visible and conspicuous than in such times of need 6. Lastly the care of God is ingaged to carry his people safe through all the dangers of the way and bring them all home to glory at last Ioh. 10. 28. I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand This care of God thus engaged for you is your convoy to acompany and secure you till it see you safe into your harbour of eternal rest 2. You have heard how the â—are of God is engaged for you by promise now see how it actuates and exerts it self for the people of God in the various methods of Providence and here oh here is the sweetest pleasure of the Christians life a dâ—lâ—ght far transcending all the delights of this life Sit down Christian in this Chamber also and
Direction and Advice THe providence of God in these days giving us such loud warnings of approaching judgment How are all that are wise in heart and of understanding of the times now more especially concerned to clear their interest in these blessed Attributes of God which have here been opened as their only refuge in the evil day Let me therefore persuade and press you to betake your selves to God your refuge and strong hold in trouble and that more especially in these two great duties viz. 1. Of Fervent Supplication 2. Of Universal Resignation 1. Betake your selves to God by fervent Prayer and Supplication Let me say of these times as Holy Mr. Perkins did of his Non sunt ista litigandi sed orandi tempora These are no times for Christians to contend and strive one with another but with their united cryes to strive with God and among other requests strongly to enforce and follow home that of David Psal. 71. 2 3. Deliver me in thy righteousness and cause me to escape incline thine ear unto me and save me be thou my strong habitation whereunto I may continually resort That 's a true and weighty Observation of Austine Non facilè inveniuntur praesidia in adversitate quae non fuerint in pace quaesita A refuge is not to be found in trouble except it be provided before-hand in peace For this saith the Psalmist shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou maist be found surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him Psal. 32. 6. Had not Noah prepared and secured himself in the Ark before the floods of great water came he had not sate as he did Medis tranquillus in undis Sleeping quietly when others were perishing in the waters Gather your selves therefore together before the Decree bring forth seek the Lord all ye meek of the earth be more frequent and more â—ervent in Prayer now than ever you have all the encouragements in the world to incite you to this duty the nature of your God is exceeding pitiful tender and compassionate Iam. 5. 11. The endeared relations betwixt God and you gives singular encouragement of success Shall not God hear his own Elect which cry unto him day and night Luk. 18. 7. The sweet returns and answers of former Prayers are so many motives and encouragements to follow close that thriving trade Psal. 52. 1 2 3. And above all your prevalent Advocate in the heavens should encourage you to come frequently and boldly to the throne of Grace that you may obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need Heb. 4. 16. In two things I shall briefly offer a little Direction here viz. of Prayer 1. As to the matter 2. As to the manner 1. As to the matter of Prayer I mean such as the state and condition of the times now more especially suggests 1. Unite your Prayers and cry mightily to the Lord that if it be his good pleasure this cup of wrath which seems to be mingled and prepared may pass from his people Now cry to God as they are directed to do Ioel 2. 17. Spare thy people O Lord and give not thine heritage to reproach that the heathen should rule over them wherefore should they say among the people Where is their God O pray That England may not be delivered into the hands of blood-thirsty Papists that the golden Candlestick may not be removed that Idolatry may not return into those places where God hath been so sweetly Worshipped that a Land so peculiarly blessed with Gospel-Light wherein so many thousand sons and daughters have been born to God may not at last become an Aceldama a great Shambles to quarter out the Limbs of his dear Saints that the pleasant Plant of Reformation planted with his own right hand and watered with so many tears yea with so much blood may not at last be rooted up by the wild Boar out of the Forrest 2. Pray indesinently That you may be kept from the sins and temptations of the times O watch and pray that you enter not into temptation if you cannot prevail with God to turn away his anger yet be importunate with him that you may be kept from sin that if you lose your outward peace you may be able to keep inward peace that you may never sacrifice your consciences to save your flesh that you may never fall under the displeasure of God to avoid the rage of men Ah friends we little think what a fearful havock an hour of temptation will make in such a professing Nation as this is then shall many be offended Matth. 24. 10. O pray that you may never give offence to others by scandal or take offence your selves at the ways of God whatever sufferings and sharp tryals shall come 3. Pray earnestly for the sanctification of all your troubles to your eternal good an unsanctified comfort never did any man good and a sanctified trouble never did any man hurt be more earnest therefore with God rather to have your troubles sanctified than prevented to get the blessing than to avoid the smart of them if they cannot be turned away from you pray they may be turned to your salvation 2. Betake your selves to God your refuge by Faith resigning and committing all into his hands Now the just shall live by faith Heb. 10. 38. The more you can trust God the more you secure your selves from danger he that can live by Faith shall never die by Fear and be sure to inform your selves well in two things viz. 1. What it is to trust God over all 2. What grounds you have so to do 1. Be well instructed in the Nature of this duty there are six things imported in such acts of Resignation 1. An awakened sense of our dangers and hazards At what time I am afraid I will trust in thee Psal. 56. 3. Suffering times are resigning times 1 Pet. 4. 19. Let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing as unto a faithful creator And the greater and nearer our dangers are the more frequent and vigorous should the actings of our faith this way be Be not far from me for trouble is near 2. Resignation to God necessarily implies our renunciation and disclaiming of all other refuges Ashur shall not save us we will not ride upon horses neither will we say any more to the work of our hands ye are our Gods for in thee the fatherless findeth mercy Hos. 14. 3. He that relies upon God must cease from Man resignation to God excludes not the use of lawful means but it doth exclude dependence upon them 3. Resignation to God is always grounded upon an interest in God we have no warrant nor encouragement to expect protection from him in trouble except we can come to him as Children to a Father It is the filial relation that gives encouragement to this fiducial