an one Doct. 1. That a truly gracious Soul dare Appeal to God that he is not wicked The Child of God makes God Witness of his Integrity when Enemies scorn Satan accuseth Conscience nips and God himself keeps at a distance then the devout Soul can say as Job 16.19 Also now behold my witness is in Heaven and my Record is on high This may seem a Paradox but it 's a great Truth that the holiest Saint on Earth dare not justifie himself before God yet he dare stand before God to justifie his Integrity This must be understood in an evangelical sence not in a legal thro' Christ the Mediator not as in himself according to the Covenant of Grace not of Works A great Divine saith Journal Armour par 2 p. 88. The Gospel-Covenant relaxeth the rigor of the Law which called for compleat Obedience by resolving all that into this of Sinecrity and Truth When we go upon the Tryal for our Lives before Christ's Bar the great Inquest will be whether we have been sincere or not he means not that Sincerity is set up in Christ's Room but as it is evidential of our Interest in him Hence saith Job Let me be weighed in an even balance that God may know mine integrity Job 31.16 He means a Gospel-balance for by the works of the law shall no Flesh be justified nor doth he mean Gal. 2.10 that God must weigh him before he know him but it 's spoken after the manner of Men Hence David saith Ps 139.23 24. Search me O God and know my heart try me and know my thoughts and see if there be any wicked way in me There is Sin in me too much Wickedness in my naughty Heart God knows but I dare appeal to thee that there 's no wicked way or way of Wickedness i. e. no ordinary Road nor any uninterrupted Path of Sin in me it doth not make a Thorow fair of my Soul I give it many a turn and dare appeal to thee that I would be gladly rid of it All I shall do in this point is to propound and answer this weighty Case of Conscience Quest How may a Christian make it out in his Appeal to God that he is not wicked I confess this is a great Question and hard to be resolved but I shall follow the Scripture-line in representing the Good Soul's Case in his Appeal to God 1. Lord thou knowest I am not as I have been there 's a great change wrought in my Heart and Life a turn I have had thou knowest whether it be saving or no whether from the power of Satan to God but I can say such Acts 25 18.1 Cor. 6.11 such a one I was but I am not I a new Frame I am put into thou knowest whether it be the new Creature 2 Cor. 5.17 the Stream of my Affections runs in another Channel thou knowest whether in the Channel of Grace and Heaven-wards 2. Thou knowest I have made a solemn Covenant with thy self thou knowest the time place manner inducements ends witness of this Covenant I did study the Nature of this Covenant Psal 73.25 Isa 41.5.2 Cor. 8.5 and felt the Pulfe of my Soul whether I was cordial in it and I thought I chose thee only to be my chiefest Good and utmost End and gave up my self entirely to thee when there was no witness besides God and my own Conscience thou knowest whether I had any Reserves Distinctions Evasions in this solemn Transaction I have given thee the Keys of my Heart and am glad of such a Guest and Lord. 3. Lord Isal 66.18 thou knowest I do not regard Iniquity in my Heart I cannot look pleasantly upon it there is a secret dislike of every Sin not only as Soul-damning but as God dishonouring Psal 119.104 I hate every false way as contrary to the Law of God yea methinks I find an Antipathy to it as contrary to my new Nature tho' suited to my carnal Palate yet Grace raiseth my Stomach against it for the intrinsick Evil in it as well as Consequence of it I hate it tho' delectable profitable yea and abhor what is evil Rom. 11.9 Jude 23. â— even the garment spotted by the Flesh 4. Lord thou knowest I do daily resolve and pray against Sin Mat. 6.13 all Sin of Heart and Life thy self is privy to my earnest supplications that I may not be led into Temptation Psal 141.3 4. Gen. 39.9 or left under the power of it Lord set a watch before my mouth encline not my heart to any evil thing Psal 17.3 God forbid I should do this or that wickedness and sin against God I am purposed that my mouth hand feet shall not transgress God hath heard my Prayer and known my Vows against this and that particular Lust to which I was formerly addicted Psal 18.23 and hope I can say as David I was also up◠〈◊〉 before him and I kept my self from mine iniquity it prevails not over me 5. Lord Rom. 6. â— thou knowest I am daily seeking not only to lop off the Branches but to stub up the Roots of Sin to cut off Members that but weaken and mortifie the Body of Deam to crucifie the Flesh with the Affections and Lusts Gal. 5.24 Alas it 's not enough to cease the Acts but my Soul would weaken the Habits of Sin Oh that the Old Man were crucified with Christ that the body of Sin may be destroyed Rom. 6.6 The only Conquest is wrought by Christ's Death and Resurrection I do find it is nothing but the Law of Life in Christ Jesus that must make me free from the law of Sin and Death he only came to destroy the works of the Devil Rom. 8.2.1 John 3.8 6. Lord thou knowest I set my self against secret and spiritual Sins cleanse thou me from secret sins Psal 19.12 13 as well as keep me back from presunptuous sins I am afraid of Pride hardness of Heart lukewarmness hypocrisie vanity formality and all spiritual as well as fleshly Wickedness 2 Cor. 7 1. Now I understand by the Holy Law Rom 7 7. that the least motions of Sin in my Heart are evil and deserve Death thou knowest whether I make not conscience of those Sins which others make no reckoning of even vain thoughts Psal 119 113 risings 〈◊〉 7. Lord thou knowest the Conflicts and Combats betwixt 〈…〉 the flesh lusting against the spirit Gal 5 1. Cant. 6. â— and the 〈…〉 the flesh Methinks I find within me as it 〈…〉 â—panies of two Armies Rom 6 14. my Corruption is not on the Throne but in the Field Sin hath not dominion over me I am daily warring and tho' I am ost soiled by it yet fall on again it is not a King but a Tyrant in me I go daily armed into the Field and must militate under the Banner of my dear Lord and shall be Conqueror 8. Lord these
Sins break my Heart as they break out â—r work within they lye as an heavy load on my Conscience 〈…〉 28. 〈…〉 7.24 make me weary and heavy lan◠〈…〉 I cry O wretched man that I am who shall del◠〈…〉 from this body of death Thou knowest the 〈…〉 Groanâ— my Sin hath cost me Psal 38 9 Lord all my desire is 〈…〉 and my groaning is not hid from thee One Sin ha◠〈…〉 oft me more than all my other troubles Oh my brâ— Bones 9. Lord 〈◊〉 68 119 â—9 1â— thou knowest I love not the compâ—â— of wicked men I bid them oft depart from me not 〈◊〉 of ostentation but for fear of infection I would noâ—â— found among wicked men when my Lord calls I 'm 〈◊〉 not sate with vain persons Psal 25 4 5 yea I have hated the conâ—â—ation of evil doors I have ost got either Guilt or Grief◠〈◊〉 a needless associating with them I hope thou wiâ—â—â—ot rank me with the wicked whom I love not 10. Lord thou knowest I have loved the Society of thy Saints and Servants 〈◊〉 110 63. I am a Companion 〈◊〉 â—ll them that fear thee 〈…〉 11â— 63. Psal 〈◊〉 〈…〉 1â— these I account the Excellent 〈…〉 â—arth in whom is all my delight I am sure wicked Men love not thy Children and I am sure they are passed from Death to Life that love the brethrem I love them because they are so 〈◊〉 thee my Heavenly Father bea◠〈◊〉 image tho' â—oor in the World and differ in 〈…〉 â—om me yet my Heart is towards them and 〈…〉 â—nversing with them in God's Worship and 〈…〉 11. Lord I love 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 truly say I love my Minister better 〈…〉 â—ing and the Word of God better for its Purity 〈◊〉 maâ—e me to know my Transgressions and my Sins I love 〈◊〉 palâ—ating Job 〈◊〉 23 but would have my wound search'd to the bottom Psal â— that it may be safely cured Let the 〈…〉 â—ite me it shall be a kindness yea and Ishmael's 〈…〉 all do me good by a solemn reflecting upon my 〈…〉 12. Lord thou knowest whether my Soul 〈…〉 love thee and Jesus Christ Pet. 2 〈◊〉 thou hast said 〈…〉 â—lieve Christ is precious I have ost been feeling the Pulse 〈◊〉 my Soul and at last dare appeal to thee with Peter â—â—rd thou knowest that I love thee John 4 15. thy self shalt vouch for â—â—e and make my Affidavit Thou shalt not have this â—â—â—restation at my hand but upon thine own knowledg â—hou art the chiefest of Ten thousand yea Cart â— â— Phil 3 8 doubtless I â—unt all things but loss for the Excellency of the knowledge of â—hrist 13. Lord 1 Joh. 2.15 16 thou knowest what a poor sorry thing I â—ccount the World to be in all its Glory and Gayety â—as the Pleasures Profits Honours of the World are a â—oor Pageantry I have made Moses's choice Heb 11 24.25 to suffer â—flictions with the people of God than the pleasures of sin Honours and Offices in â—haraoh's Court. I can look thro' â—he best of the World and can turn my back upon it as â—n empty insignificant thing tho' the Men of the World â—re content with it for their Portion 14. Lord thou knowest the way that I take Job 23 20 and the â—arnest desire and design of my Soul to walk in thy ways to have respect to all thy Commandments Psal 110 6. Luke 1 6 Acts 13.22 Col. 4 12. to attend â—n all thy Ordinances I miss it in all but dare baulk â—one my aim is to fulfil all Gods wills to stand compleat â—n all the will of God there 's no Flesh-displeasing Duty â—o self-denying Act but I attempt to do it if God say â—o it I will not consult Flesh and Blood but say Gal 1 16 Ezra 10 12. Psal 26 12. As thou â—dst said so must I do my Foot standeth in an even place conditions 15. Lord thou knowest I do my best in every religious Exercise 2 Sam 21 24 Mat 22 37. Jer 48 10 Mal. 1 14. God forbid that I should offer to the Lord â—hat which costs me nothing I must love the Lord with all my soul mind strength God forbid that I should do the work of the Lord negligently or offer to the Lord a corrupt thing Oh that I could be more servent in Spirit in serving God God deserves more my best is infinitely below him Oh that I could do more but alas I am short in all 16. Lord thou knowest my design in all I do is for thâ— Glory and the enjoyment of thee I dare not look aâ— both 1 Cor. 10 30 then I lose my self in my natural civil spiritual Acts 1 Pet 4 11. Rom. 14 8. Phil 1.20 all the Lines must and shall bend this way that Gâ—â— in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ my design is to live to the Lord and to dye to the Lord thâ—â— Christ may be magnified to my Body by life or death And Oh that I could enjoy Communion with God in every Duty and Ordinance thou knowest this is my Heaven 17. Lord thou knowest all my dependance is upon thy Majesty both for assistance and acceptance I muâ—â— lean on my beloved Cant. 8.5 1 Cor. 15 10 2 Cor. 3 5 by the Grace of God I am what I am I cannot think a good thought without fresh Supplies oâ— Grace Phil 4 13 Psal 119 32 Rev. 8.3 but I am able to do all things through the strength of Christ I shall run the ways of thy commandments when thou shalt enlarge my heart and I lay all upon thy golden Altar to be accepted in the Beloved 18. Lord Phil. 3.14 thou knowest I am daily pressing towards Perfection I have not yet attained what I would fainâ—â— be at I would be mending what 's amiss soaring up to an higher pitch in Grace 2 Cor. 7.1 Col. 2.19 Eph. 4.15 perfecting Holiness in the feaâ— of God encreasing with all the encrease of God till I come to a perfect man Alas how much do I yet want of Perfectiâ—on I would still be singing the song of Degrees And gâ— from strength to strength Psal 84.7 till I appear before God in Zion 19. Lord thou knowest how much I am concern'd for the Church of God which gives some grounds to hope I am a lively Member of that mystical Body Psal 137.6 If I forget Jerusalem let my right hand forget her cunning Oh it raiseth my Heart to see the Gospel propagated Sinners converted Saints edified united But oh it runs to my Heart to see Christ's Interest laid low Psal 119.136 158. Mic. 7.1 2 3. Phil. 2 20. the preaching of the Gospel obstructed few Converts Scandals breaking out Contentions breaking in Wo is me the good man is perished out of the earth Wickedness abounds Love decays terras Astraea Reliquit I may make that Lamentation Isa 59.
Physick to work them out but bitter Pills bring sweet Health and the Almighty God supports sanctistes and at last satisfies the afflicted tempted Soul that all this was but needful It was a fine Saying of Luther's concerning Satan by whom he was so often buffered Esâ—o Diabolis magnipotens nunquam erit omnipotens The Devil is mighty never Almighty he may foil us but never our Captain the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah hath conquered the roaring Lyon We little know what shocks and batteries we may meet with from GOD Satan World our own Conscience if we be Graceless Christless wee to us How dreadful is the case of a poor Sinner when Death arrests Conscience accuseth the Devil roars Hell gapes GOD frowns and Vengeance pursues him and he hath no Burrough to flee to he never thought of such a day never made provision took no care to get furnish'd for such a Storm and now Sinners shall go into the holes of the rock Isa 2.19 21. and into the caves of the Earth for fear of the Lord and for the glory of his Majesty when He ariseth to shake terribly the earth How little will Cap and Knee from Men or many Thousands a Year or wallowing in sensual Pleasures avail in such a day Beds of Ivory numerous Attendants pompous Funerals rhetorical Panegyricks profit not the tormented Soul of poor Dives in Hell of whom it may be said as once of Aristotle Laudatur ubi non est Cruciatur ubi est He is Praised where he is not but Tormented where he is Oh that the variety of Instances of our Mortality might alarm our Souls to a preparation for that last Encounter for go we must ready or unready when God calls Heaven and Hell are before us when Breath goes out of our Bodies our Souls lanch into the vast Ocean of Eternity to be crowned or confounded No doubt but the worst of Men from a principle of Self-preservation would be happy at death Numb 23.10 a Balaam will be content to dye the death of the righteous as 't is storied of the young Gallant with his swaggering Companion when standing by dying Ambrose seeing his carriage hearing him sweetly welcome Death he said to his Companion Oh that I might live with thee and dye with Ambrose Alas vain Fools think to reap Wheat when they sowed Tares and find a Pearl that laid up Dirt Men may cheat themselves but cannot mock GOD Gal. 6.7 Heb. 12.14 Such as Men sow such shall they reap without Holiness no man shall see God Certainly God knows his own and will not take the wicked by the Hand to lead them into his glorious Mansions when they have sinned as long as they can and confronted his glorious Majesty with their Rebellions Alas how carelesly do most men live keeping vain company talking â—idly mispending precious Time neglecting God's Worship in Family in Secret heedless in their dealings with Men living at large heed not which end goes forward wondering at and censuring others for their niceness zeal and tenderness yet hope to go to Heaven as well as the best of them all Oh what a disappointment will these wretched Souls meet with when gracious and industrious Saints are saved with so much difficulty 1 Pet. 4.18 I do humbly tender this short and mean Discourse to you begging your kind acceptance of it and profit by it Vse it as you please so it may answer my Ends It 's full of good will both as a Testimony of my due resentment of the Memory of my dear deceased Friend and earnest desires of your Soul's Health and Happiness here and hereafter for whom and the rest of Relations I am bound to continue my poor Prayers That we may meet before the Throne cloathed with the Wedding-garment Mat. 22.11 that fine Linnen clean and white Rev. 19.8 which is the Righteousness of the Saints having the Blessed JESVS to speak for us as our Advocate to whose Hands I commit You and Yours whilst I am Your Cordial Well-wishing Friend O.H. Aug. 8. 1695. JOB X. 7. Thou knowest that I am not wicked And there is none that can deliver out of thine hand THIS Text contains the Sum and Marrow of the grand Controversie betwixt afflicted Job and his censuring Friends They will needs prove Job to be a wicked man The Devil and Job's Friends speak the same Language only Satan presumes upon it That if God will touch Job 's Flesh he will curse him to his Face ch 2.5 His Friends uncharitably accuse him as one that had cursed God or committed some scandalous Sin and therefore God did so severely touch his Flesh Against this Charge Job makes his Appeal to the heart-searching God and saith Thou knowest that I am not wicked The latter part of the Text speaks 1. A Concession I may for all my Integrity be in God's Hand i.e. in the correcting Hand of God 2. An Assertion None can deliver out of thine hands q d. I may continue long under it and no power in Heaven and Earth can rescue me except God himself set me at liberty A word of the former tho' the latter be the Subject assigned to me Thou knowest The words are very emphatical in the first Language 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i.e. It is upon thy knowledge that I am not wicked q. d. Thou hast not this Knowledge from without i. e. from Reports or Hearsay no thy Knowledge is from thy self it 's internal immediate and therefore perfect and infallible Obj. 1. GOD exactly knows every Man's state and frame His Knowledge is not consequent but concomitant of his Search Jer. 17.9 Acts 15.8 18. All thing 's are naked and opened unto the Eyes of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4.13 GOD's Line soundeth Man's Depth himself anatomizeth all our parts our Persons and Actions are manifest to God now 2 Cor. 5 1â— 11 and shall be laid open before Angels and Men at the great day Thou knowest that I am not wicked Haerâ—… Regeâ—…ts precâ—…tium impreâ—…i tamen dici non possunt nec debâ—…nt Merc. He saith not that I am not a Sinner alas there 's too much Sin in me Sin saith an Interpreter sticks in the Regenerate yet they cannot or ought not to be called wicked God gives the Denomination from the better part The best Saints are but Sinners the worst Saints are not wicked they are indeed Sinners by their remaining Corruption but godly by receiv'd Renovation The word here That I am not wicked is a Verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quod non imple egerim as David Ps 18.21 And have not wickedly departed from my God i. e. in a course of sinning The Phrase also imports a being condemned and cast at God's Bar as a wicked man Ps 109.7 when he is judged let him be condemned Erat improbus let him go forth as a condemned Malefactor I dare appeal to the All wise Heart-searching God that I am not such
Conviction in respect 1. of Publick 2. Personal Cases 1. As to Publick Affairs that refer to Church and State â—f God deliver us over into the hands of our Enemies tho' they be but wounded Men they shall prevail if Men reâ—use to drink of this Cup the Lord of Hosts saith Jer. 25 28. Ye shall â—ertainly drink It 's not valiant Armies numerous Forces or â—igh Fortifications that can secure us from Inundations of Divine Wrath Jer. 8.14 God puts a People to shame and silence for their Sin we may please our selves with Power and Poliâ—y they are insignificant things against Divine Vengeance There is a season when a Nations Iniquity is full Gen. 15.16 then they must be destroy'd and none can deliver Zech. 5.6 11. When the Ephah â—s full the talent of Lead is clapt on its mouth and the wings â—arry it into its proper place of irrevocable Destruction Alas Iniquity abounds Love decays there 's few Intercesâ—ors much Confidence in an Arm of Flesh great Ingratitude â—nder former Deliverances God may justly say I will deliâ—er you no more we may be very jealous Josh 10.13 2. As to particular Souls let graceless Sinners tremble O consider Psal 50.22 Heb. 10.31 poor Sinner that forgettest God lost he tear you in pieces and there be none to deliver it 's a fearful thing to fall into the hands of flaming Justice There are these ten considerations that look in the unconverted Sinner under Wrath. 1. Adam's Sin left you Prisoners in the Hand of Justice By Nature you are children of wrath 2. Every Act of Sin sinkâ— you deeper Eph. 2.3 binds you faster in this low Dungeon The pages of sin is death 3. Satan is God's Jaylor dragging you to Sin Rom 6.23.2 Tim. 2.26 Heb. 2.14 15 and executing the Sentence of Death at last 4. The righteous Law of God confirms the Sentence and Executiâ— on we are shut up and kept prisoners under the law 5. Gal. 3.22 23 Heâ— is the Goal where Sinners are kept as tormented Prisonerâ— till they have paid the utmost Farthing Mat. 5 25 26 Mat. 25.10 6. Death opens thâ— Door to Sinners admission into that woful state and shut the Door of Hope 7. Souls in that state are together with Devils reserved in chains of darkness to the judgment of thâ— great day Jude 6. 8. Sinners may be cast into this miserable Duâ—geon unâ—wares and die with a lye in their right hand 〈◊〉 Nonâ— but Christ can rescue Sinners out of the hands of Justice Isa 44.20 anâ— translatâ— us into glorious liberty 10. None are redeemed bâ— Christ Col. 1.13 but such as are sanctified and purified to himself a pâ— culiar people Tit. 2.14 zealous of good works Oh then if all this be truâ— what will become of poor graceless Christless Sinners Heaven is shut upon you Hell is gaping for you and â— once damned Luke 16.26 for ever damned for there 's a great gult â—â—ed and there 's no escaping out of that infernal Lake O thâ— stuâ—ers in Zion were afraid that fearefulness would surprize thâ— hypocrites Isa 33.14 which may prevent their falling into this devouâ—â— fire these everlasting burnings Lord open Sinners Eyeâ— and turn them from darkness to light and from the power 〈◊〉 Satan to God Acts 26.18 that they may receive forgiveness of sins and etâ—â—â—nal inheritance 3ª Use is of Instruction Exhortation a to Sinners 2. Sainâ— 1. Examin your state O consider whose hands you are iâ— you are in the hands either of God or the Devil of Merc◠〈◊〉 Justice Lord open the eyes of these men that they may see 2 Kin. 6.20 Oh that â—â—ou could see your danger and escape it the discovery of danger 〈◊〉 a step towards a Remedy Poor Sinner thou art in invisible â—hains Satan holds his black hand over thine Eyes Awake thou 〈◊〉 sleepest and Christ shall give thee light 2 Cor. 4. Eph. 5.14 2. Observe the Spirits motions operations when a light shines â— the Prison observe if whether the Angel of the Lord do not â—nite thee on the side and raise thee up oh follow him Acts 12.7 8 and thy â—hains will fall off Who can tell but if thou own the next graciâ—us motion but it may set thee a step nearer God Oh quench not â—â—e spirit comply with divine calls put your hand into God's hand 1 Thess 5.19 â—d he will lead you towards himself 3. Renounce all Sin Psal 94.20 Isal 1.16 1â— The throne of iniquity hath no fellowship 〈◊〉 Godâ—wash you make you clean put away your doings out of his sight â—en come near to God and you shall be familiar with him and be â—cured in the hollow of his hand shall a soul sin in God's hand â—e endeavours to cut down the Bough whereon he stands you â—nnot serve two Masters 4. Give up your selves to the Lord 2 Chron. 30.8 Rom. 6.19 yield your selves to the â—ord first your souls then your bodies as Instruments of Righteâ—sness you cannot expect that God should take you into his hands â—ll you have put your selves into his hands David practiseth it â—o thy hands I commend my spirit Peter requires it Psal 31.5 1 Pet. 4.19 Let them that â—â—ffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to â—m in well doing as to a faithful Creator II. A word or two to God's Children 1st such as are under â—od's Hand 2dly or delivered 1st If you be under God's Hand of Affliction and see not how â—ou can be delivered 1. Do not despond say not as David I shall one day perish put on â—atience let it have its perfect work look through the thick Cloud 1 Sam. 27.1 â—st tenebras spero lucem 2. Own God's Hand lay it not on Instruments so did Job â—he Lord hath given and taken away justifie God in all Job 1.21 it is fit it â—ould be so 3. Desire rather God's Hand may be sanctified than removed â—ay more to be fitted for deliverance than released from the â—ouble precipitate not your Mercies 4. Get faster hold of God by Faith and Prayer say as Job Job 13.15 Tho' 〈◊〉 kill me yet I will trust in him still own him as a Father and He â—ill own you as a Child Glorifie God in the fire Isa 24.16 2dly To you that are delivered I might add 1. Give God the Praise of your deliverance so did David Ps 30. 1.12 return back to give thanks 2. Love God more for himself Benefits may be inducement but God himself is the only adequate Object of your dearest Affectâ—â—ons Pâ—l 18.1 116.1 Psal 66.16 David twice professed his strong intense love after Affliction 3. Tell others what God hath done for you in a suitable Laâ—â—guage and Carriage let your Lives be walking Bibles live 〈◊〉 Persons raised from the dead 4. Long to be with God in Heaven not so much to be totalâ— freed from the Lord's Hand of Affliction as to be in his Bosom 〈◊〉 immediate communion 4th Use is of Consolation to God's Children tho' God's Hanâ— be heavy upon you and none can deliver you out of it yet 1. He 〈◊〉 a Father still tho' offended not a sin-revenging Judge in this latâ— case it 's dreadful in the former it's eligible Compare 2 Sam. 24 1â— with Heb. Psal 89.31 32 16.31 His whipping as a Father is a Branch of Gâ—spel-Covenant 2. As none can deliver you out of his correctiâ—â— Hand so none can pluck you out of his affecting Hand Our Loâ—â— Jesus testifies this both of himself and his Father who is greatâ—â— than all John 10.28 29.3 While you are in His Hand you are his Eye he never looks off you You are graven upon the palms of 〈◊〉 Hand Isa 49.16 God takes special care of you in his Providenâ— 4. If you never be delivered out of God's Hand of Affliction deaâ— will set you at liberty there 's two choice Cordials in 1 Cor. x. 〈◊〉 1st That you shall be inabled to bear your affliction 2dly That in dâ— time you shall have a way to escape To conclude then You Children of God be animated and great encourag'd in your Sufferings by God or for God tho' they 〈◊〉 sharp and long and no human help can avail to rescue you God câ— and will and you may say as the three Children Dan. 3 17. If be so our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fuâ—â— furnate and he will deliver us out of thine hand O King Yea the Loâ— will deliver you by his Hand of Mercy out of the Hand of Justicâ— yea 2 Tim. 14 18. from every evil work of sin in your souls damning Sin and sinsâ— Contrivances of Men and will preserve you unto his heavenly king doâ— Study the Promises reflect on Experiences live by Faith be much â— Prayer sanctifie God's Name and learn Obedience by what you suâ—fer under God's Hand and you will find all things working for yoâ—â— good Rom. 8.28 tho' you can't discern it at present Happy Souls who trust 〈◊〉 God and live by Faith in evil times for the Distich of honest Mâ—â—culus is verified Est Deus in Coele qui provictus omnia curat Credentes nusquam deseruisse potest There is a God in Heaven who 'll not leave Such-Souls on Earth as to him ever cleave THE END