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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A60992	A sermon preached before His Grace George Earl of Melvil Their Majesties high commissioner, and the nobility, barons, and burrows, members of the high court of Parliament. In the Parliament-House, upon Sunday, May 11, 1690. By John Spalding, minister at Kirkcudbright.	Spalding, John, 1633?-1699.	1690 (1690)	Wing S4796; ESTC R221641	18,386	25

the Lord are set to wait on it and no foul fingers to touch it 1 Chron. 16. 37 c. And then and not till then cometh peace and all the people return to their houses and David returned to bless his house v. 43. There are many other things in times that ye ought to understand but least I exceed the bounds of a Sermon I forbear to mention them and comes to the last thing I proposed in the method of this Doctrine III. What way may People best come to understand the Times Answ. 1. By Consulting the Word of God which is the best Key to unlock Providences and Times to the law and to the testimony Isa. 8. 20. and as Asaph when he was puzled with a singular Providence Psal. 73. 16 17. he went into the Sanctuary to be resolved and there was cleared as to the Times and Providences he was trysted with The Lords voice cryeth unto the city Mic. 6. 9. and the man of wisdom shall know thy name 2. Labour to have the work of Grace and Renovation thorow and clear without Clouds for the Image of God in a man is of such a nature that it hath something in it answering as Face to Face in a Glass to all the revealed Will of God and to its great and best Interpreter Times and Providences and the more powerful and lively Grace be in its Actings the more infight you will have both in his Word and Works Psal. 25. 14. the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him c. 3. Compare former Times and Providences in their Nature and Circumstances with present Times and Dispensations and that will give more Light in what seems hid and obscure to you Psal. 77. 5. Consider the days of old and the years of antient times and bring them home to the present Case and it may help you to know the Vision Mic. 6. 5. Remember from Shittim to Gilgal that ye may know the righteousness of the Lord. 4. Imploy by Prayer Christ Jesus to open the Book of Times and Providences to you for he is worthy to do it Rev. 5. 2. When ye go forward and he is not there and backward but cannot perceive him on the left hand where he doth work but cannot behold him and on the right hand but ye cannot see him then ply the Duty of Prayer for the right management of that Duty hath given great Light to the Saints in dark and difficult times Psal. 77. 19. when the Lords way is in the sea and his paths in the deep waters yet Prayer will be a mean to discover his Goings and lay open his Mind in them 5. If ye would rightly understand Times beware of Prejudices at and rash Censuring of Times and Providences as if ye were wiser than God or could amend what he hath done who art thou O man that chargeth God foolishly and findeth fault with the Almighty the wise Counseller and excellent Worker Ye ought to submit your Will to His and neither to censure nor quarrel His Ways but say as Psalm 18. 23. This is the doing of the Lord and marvellous in our Eyes I remember what is recorded that Luther said to Melanchton when he was ready to censure the Times as seeming to threaten the ruine of the Church Monendus est iste Philippus ut desinat esse mundi gubernator Let Melanchton cease says he to govern the World Men when they overlook a supreme over ruling Hand at the Helm of Providences are ready to censure them It was a severe Construction that Porphyry put upon the Israelites passing through the Red-Sea and the Egyptians being drowned That they took the advantage of a low Water as if the Ebb there had ever been so great or better known to Strangers than Natives And Neh. 4. 2. What do these feeble Iews And 6. If ye would understand the Times ye must not take a light overly view of them but ye must look attentively upon them and pry into them Psal. 107. 23. ye must look and look again on them His Works are sought out Psal. 111. 2. of them that take pleasure in them Ye must look both sides to speak so of this Book and ye will find what is dark on the one side of the Leaf is clear on the other on the one side ye may perceive nothing but Wrath Trouble Confusion Hell Death c. but if ye will turn over ye may see Love Peace Order Heaven Glory yea ye must wait upon the time of bringing forth and patiently expect the result for what ye see not now ye shall see hereafter Times are with Child of many Truths and Dispensations and there is a Month of bringing forth and here is the Faith and Patience of the Saints Doct. 2. That the right understanding of Times is very contributive to the clear discovery and seasonable performance of the proper duties which are called for in these times That I may render this Truth useful to you I shall 1. Give you some things in the general for Explication 2. Show you what are the proper Duties of this time and juncture we are fallen under 3. What Motives may perswade to the diligent and serious performance of these Duties And 4. How the right discerning of our times do contribute to the discovery and practice of these Duties And if your time will allow I shall make some Application of all I. In the general for Explication let these things be considered 1. Every time casteth up its proper and seasonable Duties and not only the lustre and beauty of Duty by imbracing the right season of it is made to shine as an Apple of Gold in a Picture of Silver but much of the success or disappointment of it depends upon the right timeing of it Every thing saith Solomon Eccl. 3. 11. is beautiful in its season mis-timed Duties as they are uneasie to others and unacceptable to God so are they of dangerous consequence both to the Church and the Persons themselves 2. As every time so every Person in the Church and State have proper Duties incumbent to them according to their several Capacities Stations and Talents for advancing the glory of God and securing their own Happiness and in order thereto particularly for preservation and transmitting of the Gospel and its Ordinances to Posterity that through your care the Children that are yet unborn may praise his Name 3. The Lord doth ordinarily Spirit some men for the Duties of their time and in a more than ordinary way furnish them with Gifts and Endowments for their Generation work elevating them above what they are in ordinary and raising their Spirits Dan. 11. 32. to do exploits making the feeble as David and the weak as an angel of God ● It s rare to find Acting and Duties of Times single and pure without the woful mixture of Self-Interest a sour Leaven that hath spoiled many glorious Actings and heavy Sufferings But of this more hereafter and therefore

A SERMON Preached before His Grace GEORGE EARL of MELVIL Their Majesties High Commissioner AND The Nobility Barons and Burrows Members of the High Court of Parliament In the Parliament-House upon Sunday May 11. 1690. By Iohn Spalding Minister at Kirkcudbright EDINBURGH Printed by the Heir of Andrew Anderson by Order Anno DOM. 1690. 1 CHRON. 12. 32. And the Children of Issachar which were men that had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do THis Text bears an excellent Character of a Party who came with others in a very Critical Juncture to Hebron to assist in making David King Saul now being out of the way and the time of fulfilling the promise to David being now at hand wherein you have 1. a description of the Party thus Characterized 1. From their Tribe they were Children of Issachar a Tribe whose Motto was a strong Ass couching down between two burdens as Gen. 49. 14. discovering their Disposition Strength and Employment about worldly concerns The Lord will bring off people from their vvorldly affairs vvhen he hath service for them 2. From their Number they were 200 that came to assist in the work Tho people be at some disadvantages yet ought they not to vvithdravv their hand from the Lord's vvork And 3. From their Station all of them had command over their Brethren either in a Civil or Military capacity Strong obligations lyes upon those in places of Trust and Command to put their hand to the Lord's work 2. You have the Character it self which beyond many others they did bear they had understanding of the times Where we are 1. to consider what is meant by times By times here is not meant properly that which Philosophers call the measure of Motion by first and last But Figuratively the state and condition of times or these Providences Affairs Changes and Vicissitudes that fall out in time Esth. 1. 13. And 2. What this understanding of the times is It were too narrow a sense to astrict it either to that Physical and Astrological knowledge which they had of the Stars and motions of the Heavens teaching them the fit Seasons they being for most part Husband-men of Sowing and Reaping c. Or to that Historical and Chronological understanding which they had of the times that were past or of right computing and ordering the times of celebrating their solemn Feasts or to that Military knowledge which they were endowed with of the fit seasons of going forth to and right management of their Wars and Battels But it hath reference 1. To that Moral Prudence and Policy whereby they knew the nature tendency and duties with their fittest seasons of the present posture of affairs And 2. To that spiritual wisdom and understanding whereby they were directed to the discovery and right improvement of the intricat providences of their time which seemed to be greatly perplexed with singular intricacies and rotations and particularly of the present dispensation of making David King And 3. In the Text you have the effect and result of this gift of their understanding of the times It was contributive to the discovery and practice of their own and all Israels present duty to know what Israel ought to do whether as a Body Politick or Ecclesiastick The words that I have chosen for the Subject of this Sermon are these which were men that had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do Wherein you have 1. a supposition of two truths the handling of which is not my present intendment 1. That there are some special times and providences which may pass over a Church or Kingdom Eccl. 3. 17. 2. That these signal times and providences are oft-times very intricat difficult to understand Ez●● 1. 16. 2. A position of other two Doctrines As 1. That it is a necessary duty and commendable qualification to understand the times that a Church or Kingdom may pass under 2. That the right discerning of these times contribute much to discover unto and direct people in the right timing and management of their present duty The prosecution of these two truths is my present work Doct 1. That it is a necessary duty and commendable qualification to understand the singular times or providences that may pass over a Church or Kingdom Eccl. 8. 5. A wise mans heart discerneth both time and judgment Method requires that in the prosecution of this truth I should first give you the grounds of it 2. What are these things which in times we are to study mainly to understand And 3. What way we may best come to the understanding of times I. The grounds of this Doctrine are 1. God hath expresly commanded that ye make serious reflections upon his singular providences whether of mercy or of judgment Psal. 66. 5. Come and see the works of God he is terrible in his doings to the children of men And when the seven Seals are opened Rev. 6. 1. A thundering voice is heard crying come and see and how many Beholds are prefixed in the Scripture to his signal steps and goings amongst a people Exod. 3. 2. Behold the bush burned with fire and the bush was not consumed And Iob is in a special way called to this duty Iob 37. 14. Hearken unto this O Job stand still and consider the wondrous works of God 2. The Lord is sore displeased with and uttereth severe threatnings against a people that are not in this duty Psal. 28. 5. Because they regard not the works of the Lord not the operations of his hands he shall destroy them and not build them up It is an high contempt of God when he travelleth amongst a people in signal and singular steps of providence not to observe or take notice of his goings and lays them open to that sad challenge whereby the Lord ranks them below Bruits Isai. 1. 3. The ox knoweth his owner and the ass his masters crib but my people do not know and Israel doth not consider 3. Without this knowledge of the times the Lord loses his due praises at our hands for how can we praise him when we cannot discern his loving kindness why will ye be so foolish and unjust as to rob God of the Glory due to him of all his Works by not studying to understand them Psal. 107. contains a record of his wondrous Works and at the close of every Section there is an Exclamation O that men would praise the Lord c. And the last verse concludes Whoso is wise and will observe these things even they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord. 4. As the Lord by neglect of this Duty loses his Praises so we lose the benefit of Times and Providences if we do not understand them for by his Works as well as by his Word he causes his people to profit And without this discerning of the Times we want a great part of the Food of our Faith the exercise of Patience and occasion of serious Comtemplation

measure of desirable harmony and Union in a State or Church and every one as one stick of Bands in the hand of the Lord and with one consent Zeph. 3. 9. And with one shoulder Amos 9. 11. Help up with the fallen tabernacle And ye are to understand this sign so as 1 Though people may be of different and imperfect Light and Sentiments in some things 1 Cor. ●3 9. Yet in the main Truths and Concerns of the Church and Nation they may and ought to be as one man 1 Thes. 5. 13. Not striving who shall hold the Candle least by their strugling they put it out 2. That the wisdom of God may out-wit the Devil and his Instruments in making the differences among his people not only prove the mean of Discovery of the hearts and principles of many Luke 2. 35. But to be the occasion of their more closs uniting among themselves and this fire of Division to separat Heterogenials and congregat Homogenials And 3. That this Union and Concord as it is the Ornament and Beauty of a Society set in Majesty Ezek. 7. 20. and makes them comely as Ierusalem and as it is the strength and safety of a Corporation a shaft of Arrows not being broken so easily as single ones so is it a Terror unto Enemies and makes them terrible as any Army with banners and occasions Enemies to saint in their opposition saying as in the primitive times Behold how they love one another And 3. It 's a good sign of a time when there are some hopeful beginnings of Good breaking up resembling the voice upon the top of the Mulberry-trees 2 Sam. 5. 24. And the little cloud like a mans hand seen upon the top of mount Carmel 1 King 18 44. which sign is so to be understood as 1. We are not to despise the day of small things Zech. 4 10. But 2. To look upon them as arles of and so many steps towards his Work his strange Work his Act his strange Act which shall make us all cry with shouting grace grace unto it And 3. As God mercifully engaging some in a good Cause and Course to the saving of their Souls building of their Houses and comfort at Death he hath by these beginnings wherein ye have been instrumental happily brought you over to his side and I desire to be perswaded that he will never suffer you to retreat which if ye do he hath a witness against you in these things in your own Consciences that ye condemn your selves in these things that now ye allow 4. Ye are to observe and understand the dark Providences of the times with reference both to Mercy and Judgment Eccl. 8. 5. A wise mans heart discerneth both time and judgment And 1. With respect unto mercy observe and understand 1. How the Lord doth great works by small means Deborah Iudges 5. A weak woman the worm Iacob Isai. 41. 14. Threshing mountains Rams Horns Iosh. 6. 4. bringing down high walls a Straw in the hand of Omnipotency will do great things By unexpected means bringing Instruments from afar not thought upon to do service to his Church Exod. 3. 10. From their common and ordinary Employments as Gideon Iudges 6. 11. from the Threshing-floor and from his enemies as Cyrus Isai. 45. 1. To loose the loins of kings and break the gates of brass and elevating them above their ordinary sphere and ability to do exploits making the feeble among them as David Zech. 12. 8 And the weak as an Angel of God By no visible means Zech. 4. 6. Not by power or by might but by my Spirit saith the Lord Yea from the furnace of Affliction Ioseph brought out of Prison to Rule and as many of you are lately come from your Bonds to the Bensh By contrary means that would seem to destroy Clay and Spittle that of themselves tend to mar the sight yet applyed by Christ Ioh. 9. 6. heal blind eyes by affliction to bring about the Deliverance of his Church by darkness to bring light and by scattering to gather Yea by means that have no rational or probable connexion with the effect what rational connexion can be imagined betwixt the King 's not getting sleep calling for a Book to divert him c. Esther 6. 1 2. and the Deliverance of the Church yet the Lord brings forth their Deliverance that way a Drummer in his Drunkenness Ringing the Town Bell in Beziers in France giving the Besieged Protestants the alarm just when their enemies were assaulting them was an observable Providence 2. How the Lord by very impressions and apprehensions upon the Spirits of enemies makes them fly when none pursueth and one to chase a thousand and two to put ten thousand to flight a famous instance whereof ye have in Iudges 7. 13. A Dream of a fellow that a barley cake was tumbled into the Host of the Midianites makes them all run crying this is no other but the sword of the Lord and of Gideon the Sun shining upon the Waters put an impression upon the Moabites to their ruin 2 Kin. 3. 22. c. which makes the overthrow of enemies so easie whereof we in our time have had pregnant proof that as Nahum 3. 12. Their strong Cities fall as ripe figgs into the mouth of the eater and their valiant captains melt as grashoppers in a Sunny day 3. How the Lord makes things fall out contrary to what his enemies design and in all humane appearance may expect The Lord as Isa. 24. 25. turning wise men backward and evidencing that the deceived Ioh 12. 16. and deceiver are his and turning the Counsels of Achitophels to foolishness As for instance the People of Israel would have a King to put them in a happy condition like other Nations 1 Sam 8. 5. But that King destroyed their Nation and David behoved to bear up the Pillars thereof The Church banished from Ierusalem on purpose to destroy it Acts 11. 19 20. And was a very probable mean to effectuat the design but that banishment of the Church proved the preservation of the Church when Ierusalem was destroyed And Paul bound that he might not Preach Phil. 1. 12. But his Bonds do Preach and tend to the furtherance of the Gospel 4. How the Lord brings down his Enemies when their strength is greatest their Combinations strongest and their Confidences highest Nah. 1. 10. When they were drunken as the drunkard with success and folded together as thorns by combinations confederacies and strength then shall they be devoured as stubble fully dry Yea 5. How the Lord brings the darkest hour upon a Church immediately before her delivery and makes her Furnace hotter in the very carrying on of her deliverance As faired with the Church in Esthers time and in Babylon And that is a strange word in Mic. 4. 10. Be in pain and labour to bring forth for ye shall go to Babylon and there be delivered making their light to shine out of obscurity And I may

suffer one Jewel of it to be los'd or rob'd not only your Estates and Lives but your Souls may go for it for he will not give his Glory to another nor suffer any to wear a Pearl of his Diadem without evidences of his Anger and Displeasure against them 2. Remember that though ye be as Gods Psal. 82. 6. yet ye must dy as men your Breath is in your Nosthrils as other mens and therefore carry so in the Trust ye have among your hands as that ye may be desired when ye live and lamented when ye die A Heathen could say Si bonam famam servavero sat ero Felix and there was not any thing more reckoned a plague among the Heathens than to die unlamented and their memorial to be buried in obscurity or remain in Infamy And I believe there is not a man in this House who would not think himself extreamly miserable to be with Iehoiakim Ier. 22. 19. buried with the burial of an Ass Think but seriously what Epitaph may be Written on your Tomb and what Discourses may be of you when ye are gone Here lies a man that was never a Friend to Christ or his Interest now he is dead but he was an opposer and persecuter of Christ his Truth and People I have read of Lewis the II. King of France that he counterfeited himself to die to see if his Court would lament him and honour his Death with their Tears or if they would rejoyce that they were freed of such a Governour It certainly concerns you to acquit your selves faithfully in your Trust that ye may live desired and die lamented and to have the Generation following you to the Grave with such a Lamentation 2 King 2. 12. Ah my father the Chariots of Israel and the Horse-men thereof and to remember what that great Cardinal Wolsey said when dying That if he had served God as faithfully as he had done the King he had not been in that misery And dying is not all but ye must give an account of your Stewardship and Talent and Duties belonging to this present station in which ye are placed and the opportunities of doing service to God now put in your hands and what will ye say when ye shall be sisted at the general Assize before the Tribunal of Christ to that question what Justice and Vote gave ye to me and my afflicted Church in the first Parliament of King William and Queen Mary in Scotland was ye for me or against me 3. Though ye should live the course of Nature yet ye may never have so fair an opportunity to do good in your time as ye have this day for it 's rare for a Man to be twice high Commissioner and but few are twice chosen to be Members of Parliament of these who come in by choice and to whom it is not Hereditary and this calls you that while there is a price in your hand Prov. 17. 16. to do good labour to have a heart to it that is seriousness diligence affection courage and resolution for the work that God hath put in your hands and carry so as ye may be free of sad Reflections and after-Challenges and late-Repentings for stultum est dicere non putabam And 4 To perswade you to these Duties of the time consider that the Lord is aloft and mounted on his Conquering Horse Rev. 6. 2. to do for you do ye not perceive him discovering the Plots defeating the Councils of and giving you Victory over your enemies breaking them on their high places and making them fall in the pits they digged for you Higgaion Selah And since he is so visibly and graciously doing for you will ye not do for him I shall only add in the 5 and last place That as the eyes of the Lord his holy Angels and all his people in this Land 〈…〉 fall the Protestant Churches are upon you So ye are upon the 〈…〉 of the Prayers of the flower of the godly in Scotland and we for a return and in hopes of it we will sing Salvation to our 〈…〉 and to the Lamb. FINIS