all saints c. And the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the saints ascended up before God out of the Angels hand Rev. 8. 3 4. See more of Prayer in Affliction Chap. 22. See more of Common Calamities Chap. 23. See more in Duty towards all Men Chap. 19. See Prayer for Magistrates Chap. 24 To take special notice of the Acts of Gods Goodness and Mercy keep memorials thereof celebrate his praises extol him and stir up others so to do Abraham's servant when God had heard his request he bowed down his head and worshipped the Lord. And he said Blessed be the Lord God of my Master Abraham who hath not left destitute my Master of his mercy and his truth c. When he heard their words he worshipped the Lord c. Gen. 24. 26 27 52. I have seen thy face as though I had seen the face of God that thou wast pleased with me Gen. 33. 10. Then Jacob said c. Let us arise and go unto Bethel and I will make there an Altar unto God who answered me in the day of my distress and was with me in the way which I went c. And he built there an Altar and called the place El-Bethel because there God appeared unto him when he fled from the face of his brother Gen. 35. 2 3 7. Moses and Israel solemnly celebrated his praise for their deliverance at the red Sea in a song of praise Exod. 15. 2 3 to the 22. When Israel got victory over the Amalekites he built an Altar and called the name of it Jehovah Nissi that is the Lord my banner Exod. 17. 13 14 15. And Moses told unto Jethro his Father-in-law all that the Lord had done unto Pharoah and to the Egyptians for Israels sake c. and Jethro rejoyced for all the goodness which the Lord had done unto Israel c. and said Blessed be the Lord who hath delivered you c Now I know that the Lord is greater than all Gods c. Exod. 18. 8 9 10 11. When thou hast eaten and art full then thou shalt bless the Lord thy God for the good land which he hath given thee Deut. 8. 10. Moses song Deut. 32. Joshua pitched stones in Gilgal in memory of Israels passing dry thorow Jordan that all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord that it is mighty Josh. 4. 20 21 22 23 24. The song of Deborah and Barak which they sang after the victory against Sisera and his Army Judges 5. Hannah sang praise when she brought Samuel her son to the house of the Lord whom the Lord had given her upon her prayer 1 Sam. 2. 1 2 3 4 to the 11. When the Philistines were beaten Samuel set up a stone called the name thereof Eben-Ezer saying Hitherto hath the Lord helped us 1 Sam. 7. 10 11 12. When Abigail met David and prevented him in his hasty purpose concerning Nabals house he said unto Abigail Blessed be the Lord God of Israel who sent thee this day to meet me and blessed be thy advice c. And when David heard that Nabal was dead he said Blessed be the Lord who hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal and hath kept his servant from evil c. 1 Sam. 25. 32 33 39. When God had promised many things unto David he saith set thy name be magnified for ever saying the Lord of Hosts is the God over Israel c. 2 Sam. 7. 26. And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies and out of the hands of Saul And he said the Lord is my rock my fortress and my deliverer c. 2 Sam. 22. Upon the return of the Ark to the City of David he prepares a song and delivers it to be sang by way of thanksgiving unto God 1 Chron. 16. 8 9 to the 37. When the people had offered willingly towards the building of the house of the Lord David blessed the Lord before all the congregation and David said Blessed be thou Lord God of Israel our father for ever and ever c. Now therefore our God we thank thee and praise thy glorious name c. that we should be able to offer so willingly c. the congregation did so 1 Chron. 29. 9 10 11 12 13 14 to the 20. Hezekiah prayed unto the Lord and he spake unto him c. but Hezekiah rendred not again according to the benefit done unto him c. 2 Chron. 32. 24 25. Ezra takes notice of a little favour and acknowledgeth it to the praise of God Ezra 9. 8 9. Chap. 7. 27 28. Stand up bless the Lord your God for ever and ever and blessed by thy glorious name which is exalted above all blessing and praise c. Nehem. 9. 5 6 7 8 c. When Job had lost all than he said The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken blessed be the name of the Lord Job 1. 20 28. I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness and will sing to the name of the Lord most high Psal. 7. 17. O Lord our Lord how excellent is thy name in all the earth who hast fet thy glory above the heavens c. Psal. 8. 1 9. I will praise thee O Lord with my whole heart I will shew forth all thy marvellous works I will sing praise to thy name O thou most high c. Sing to the Lord who dwelleth in Sion declare among the people his doings Psal. 9. 1 2 11. I will sing unto the Lord because he hath dealt bountifully with mâ—… Psal. 13. 6. Thou art holy who inhabiteth the praises of Israel c. ye who fear the Lord praise him all ye the seed of Jacob glorifie him Psal. 22. 3 23. That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving and tell of all thy wondrous works Psal. 26. 7. The Lord is my strength c. with my song will I praise him Psal. 28. 7. Sing unto the Lord O ye Saints of his and give thanks at the remembrance or to the memorial of his holy name c. thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing c. to the end that my glory may sing praise unto thee amd not be silent O Lord my God I will give thanks unto thee for ever Psal 30. 4 11 12. Blessed be the Lord for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness Psal. 31. 21. Praise is comely for the upright Psal. 33. 1. Psal. 147. 1. I will bless the Lord at all times his praise shall continually be in my mouth c. O magnifie the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together I sought the Lord and he heard me c. O taste and see that the Lord is good c. Psal. 34. 1 3 4 6 8. My tongue shall speak of thy righteousness of thy praise all the day Psal. 35. 28. Great is the
Phil. 3. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. The law is good if a man use it lawfully knowing that the law is not made for the righteous man but for the lawless and disobedient c. 1 Tim. 1. 8 9. Not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he hath saved us Titus 3. 5. If therefore perfection were by the Levitical Priesthood c. What further need was there that another priest should rise c For the law made nothing perfect but the bringing in of a better hope Heb. 7. 11 19. chap. 8. 5 6 8. In which were offered both gifts and sacrifices which could not make him who did the service perfect as pertaining to the conscience Heb. 9. 9. For the law having a shadow of good things to come and not the very image of the things can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect For then would they not have ceased to be offered because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins But in those sacrifices a remembrance of sin again every year For it is not possible that the blood of Bulls and Goats should take away sins c. Sacrifice and offerings thou wouldest not c. In burned offerings c. Thou hadst no pleasure c. Sacrifices which can never take away sin Heb. 10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 11. chap. 13. 9 10. Whosoever shall keep the whole law and yet offend in one point he is guilty of all For he who said c. James 2. 10. We are all as an unclean thing and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags Isa. 64. 6. When ye have done all these things which are commanded you say we are unprofitable servants we have done that which was our duty to do Luk. 17. 5 6 7 8 9 10. If the ministration of death written and ingraven in stones was glorious so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance which was to be done away c. How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious For if the ministration of condemnation be glory much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory for even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect by reason of the glory which excelleth For if that which is done away was glorious much more that which remaineth is glorious 2 Cor. 3. 7 8 9 10 11. CHAP. VII Of Mans Salvation and Redemption how it came and by what means From God only and no otherwise NOne can by any means redeem his brother nor give to God a ransome for him For the redemption of their soul is Pretious c. That he should live for ever Psal. 49. 7 8. Will the Lord be pleased with Thousands of Rams or with Ten thousand rivers of Oil shall I give my first-born for my transgression the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul c. Micha 6. 7. Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver or gold c. 1 Pet. 1. 18. He saw that there was no man and wondered that there was no intercessour therefore his arm brought salvation to him c. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion c. Isa. 59. 16 20. The year of my redeemed is come And I looked and there was none to help therefore mine own arm brought salvation to me c. Isa. 63. 4 5. Then thou spakest in a vision to thy holy one and saidst I have laid help upon one who is mighty I have exalted one chosen amongst the people c. Psal. 89. 19. Thus saith the Lord behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone a tryed stone a precious corner-stone a sure foundation c. Isa. 28. 16. The glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together c. Isa. 40. 5. Luk. 3. 4 5 6. Behold my servant whom I uphold mine elect in whom my soul delighteth I have put my spirit upon him he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles c. I the Lord have called thee in righteousness c. And give thee for a covenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles to open the blind eyes to bring out the prisoners c. Isa. 42. 1 4 5 6 7. I will bring neer my righteousness it shall not be far off and my salvation shall not tarry and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel Isa. 46. 13. It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and restore the reserved of Israel I will also give thee for a light unto the Gentiles that thou maist be my salvation to the ends of the earth c. That thou maist say to the prisoners go forth c. Isa. 49. 6 9. Act. 13. 46 47. To whom is the Arm of the Lord revealed For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant and as a root out of a dry ground c. Isa. 53. 1 2. The spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good-tidings to the meek he hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted to proclaim liberty to the captives and the opening of the prison to them who are bound to proclaim the acceptable year c. To comfort them who mourn c. Isa. 61. 1 2 3. Saith the Lord I will raise unto David a righteous branch c. In his days shall Judah be saved and Israel shall dwell safely and this his name whereby he shall be called the Lord our righteousness c. Jer. 23. 5 6. Behold I will bring forth my servant the branch Zechar. 3. 8. Behold I will send my messenger c. And the Lord whom ye seek shall suddenly come to his temple even the messenger of the covenant whom ye delight in Behold he shall come saith the Lord of hosts Mal. 3. 1. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel for he hath visited and redeemed his people and hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David as he spake by the mouth of the holy prophets c. That we should be saved from our enemies c. To perform the mercy promised to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant c. To give knowledg of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins through the tender mercy of our God whereby the day-spring or sun-rising bravith from on high visited us to give light c. Luk. 1. 68 69 70 71 72 77 78 79. Mine eyes have seen thy salvation which thou hast prepared before all people a light to the Gentiles c. Luk. 2. 30 31. God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believed should not perish c. That the world through him might be saved John 3. 16 17. If
the knowledg of God I speak this to your shame 1 Cor. 15. 34. Examine your selves whether ye be in the faith prove your own selves know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be reprobates 2 Cor. 13. 5. Now if any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his Rom. 8. 9. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter Can the fig-tree my brethren bear olive-berries either a vine figs So no fountain both yeilds salt-water and fresh Who is a wise man and indued with knowledg among you let him shew out of a good conversation his work with meekness of wisdom But if ye have bitter envying c. this wisdom descendeth not from above but is earthly sensual c. James 3. 11 12 13 14. Be ready always to give an answer to every man who asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear 1 Pet. 3. 15. 2dly Of the particular fruits of the Spirit in them or good things appearing or necessary to be in such who are real Saints And Enoch walked with God c. three hundred years c. and Enoch walked with God and was not c. or walked according to God continually Gen. 5. 22 24. Noah was a just man perfect in his generation Noah walked with God Gen. 6. 9. And the Lord said unto Noah Come c. for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation c. and Noe did according to all that God commanded him Gen. 7. 1 5. Abraham went into a strange place out of his own countrey when God bid him Gen. 12. 1 2 3 4. And Abraham said unto Lot Let there be no strife I pray thee between me and thee c. for we be brethren Is not the whole land before thee c. If thou go to the left hand then will I go to the right or if thou to the right hand then I will go to the left Gen. 13. 8 9. And the Angel of the Lord said c. Abraham c. for now I know that thou fearest God seeing thou hast not with-held thy son thine only begotten son from me Gen. 22. 11 12. ch 18 19. When Josephs Mistris tempted him to sin he said How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God Gen. 39. 9. When Pharoah said to Joseph I have heard say of thee thou canst understand a dream to interpret it And Joseph answered Pharoah saying It is not in me God shall give Pharoah an answer of peace Gen. 41. 15 16. chap. 40. 8. And the Lord said unto Moses I have seen this people c. now let me alone that my wrath may wax hot against them and I will make of thee a great nation And Moses besought the Lord c. saying Wherefore should the Egyptians say For mischief did he bring them out to slay them in the mountains c. remember Abraham Isaac c. to whom thou swarest by thine own self c. Now if thou wilt forgive their sins and if not I pray thee blot me out of thy book which thou hast written Exod. 32. 9 10 11 12 31 32. When Moses was told that Eldad and Medad did prophesie in the Camp and his servant had said to him My Lord Moses forbid them Moses said unto him Enviest thou for my sake Would God that all the Lords people were prophets and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them Numb 11. 26 27 28 29. God said to Moses I will smite them c. and make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they And Moses said unto the Lord Then the Egyptians shall hear for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from amongst them and they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land they have heard that thou Lord art among this people c. Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man then the Nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak saying Because the Lord was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness c. Numb 14. 12 13 14 15 16. Deut. 9. 26 27 28. When God had told Moses that he must dye Moses prays for Israel Let the Lord the God of the spirits of all flesh set a man over the congregation who may go out before them c. that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd c. And he appointed Joshua Numb 27. 12 13 14 15 16 17 18. He exhorts Israel at large to cleave to the Lord when he was to dye Deut. 4. 22 23 c. When Israel fell before Ai c. Joshna said O Lord what shall I say when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear c. and what wilt thou do unto thy great name Joshua 7. 4 5 6 8 9. Joel 2. 17. Eli when he heard the Ark of the Lord was taken he fell backward and dyed and his daughter-in-law cryed out The glory is departed from Israel for the Ark of God is taken Yet she was not so much concerned with the news of her Husbands death and her own being near death at the same time 1 Sam. 4. 17 18 19 20 21 22. Davids heart smote him when he cut off Sauls skirt 1 Sam. 24. 5. When Davids Wife had blamed him for dancing before the Ark he told her It was before the Lord c. I will play before the Lord and I will yet be more vile than thus and will be base in mine own sight 2 Sam. 6. 20 21 22. When King David sate in his house and the Lord had given him rest round about from all his enemies that the King said to Nathan the Prophet See now I dwell in an house of Cedar but the Ark of God dwelleth within curtains c. 2 Sam. 7. 1 2 3 4 5. Uriah said unto David The Ark and Israel and Judah abide in tents and my Lord Joab and the servants are encamped in the open field shall I then go into mine house to eat and to drink and to lye with my wife c. I will not do this thing 2 Sam. 11. 11. I have kept the ways of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God for all his judgments were before me and as for his statutes I did not depart from them I was also upright before or to him I have also kept me from mine iniquity 2 Sam. 22. 22 23 24. And Davids heart smote him after that he had numbred the people And David said unto the Lord I have sinned greatly c. And the Lord sent a Pestilence upon Israel for it c. And David said Lo I have sinned I have done wickedly but these sheep what have they done let thine hand be against me and against my
Saints being compelled did blaspheme Acts. 26. 10 11. I brethren could not speak unto you as unto spiritual but as unto Carnal as unto babes in Christ I have fed you with milk and not with meat For hitherto ye were not able neither yet now are ye able for ye are yet carnal c. There is among you envying and strife and divisions or factions are ye not carnal and walk as men c. They were greatly disorderly in the Lords supper 1 Cor. 3. 1 2 3. 1 Cor. 11. Ye suffer fools gladly c. Ye suffer if a man bring you into bondage if a man devour you if a man take of you if a man exalt himself if a man smite you on the face 2 Cor. 11. 19 20. I fear lest when I come I shall not find you such as I would c. Lest there be debates envyings wraths strifes backbitings whisperings swellings tumults Lest when I come again my God will humble me among you and that I shall bewail many who have sinned already and have not repented of the â—…anness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed 2 Cor. 12. 20 21. I marvel that you are so soon removed from him who called you into the grace of Christ unto another Gospel c. And now after that ye have known God or rather are known of God how turn ye back to the weak and beggerly elements or rudiments whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage ye observe days and months and times and years c. Gal. 1. 6. Gal. 4. 9 10 11. Paul complains thus I have no man like minded who will naturally care for your state for all seek their own not the things which are Jesus Christs Phil. 2. 20 21. Ye are dull of hearing for when for the time ye ought to be teachers ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God and are become such as have need of milk c. Heb. 5. 11 12. Thou hast borne and hast patience and for my names sake hast laboured and hast not fainted nevertheless I have somewhat against thee because thou hast left thy first love c. So the Church of Pergamos c. And the Church of Thiatira c. See Rev. 2. 3 4 12 13 14 15 18 19 20. 3dly That God will punish or correct his for sinning God was angry with Moses for his sin and would not suffer him to go into the good land Deut. 3. 25 26 27. chap. 4. 21 22. God said to Moses Dye in the Mount as Aaron thy brother died in Mount Hor because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel c. Because ye sanctified me not in the middest of the children of Israel Deut. 32. 48 50 51. Psalm 106. 32 33. Aaron shall be gathered unto his people he shall not enter into the land c. Because ye rebelled against my word c. Num. 20. 24. I will be his Father and he shall be my Son If he commit iniquity I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the stripes of the children of men but my mercy shall not depart away from him 2 Sam. 7. 14 15. David said to Nathan I have sinned against the Lord and Nathan said unto David the Lord also hath put away thy sin thou shalt not dye how-be-it because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme the child c. shall surely dye 2 Sam. 12. 13 14. If his children forsake my law and walk not in my judgments c. Then will I visit their transgressions with a rod and their iniquity with stripes Psal. 89. 30 31 32. Thou wast a God who forgavest them though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions Psal. 99. 8. For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth and smote him I hid me and was wroth and he went on frowardly or turning away in the way of his heart I have seen his way and I will heal him Isa. 57. 17 18. I will correct thee in measure and will not leave thee altogether unpunished Jer. 30. 11. ch 46. 28. You only have I known of all the families in the earth Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities Amos 3. 2. When God sent Jonah to Nineveh he fled from Gods presence c. But the Lord sent out a great wind c. And Jonah was cast into the Sea for this Jonah 1. 1 4 10 11 12. Zacharias struck dumb for not believing Luk 1. 19 20. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you and many sleep c. When we are judged we are chastened of the Lord that we should not be condemned with the world 1 Cor. 11. 30 31. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten be zealous therefore c. Rev. 3. 19. Heb. 12. 6 7 8. See more of Gods Judgments for sin Chap. 16. CHAP. XIV Of the Priviledges of Saints and their excellency above others VVhat God hath done doth do and will do for and be unto them more than others and what they can do with God c. ENoch walked with God and was not for God took him Gen. 5. 24. Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord Gen. 6. 8. And the Lord said unto Noah Come thou and all thy house into the Ark for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation Gen. 7. 1. 2 Pet. 2. 5. And the Lord plagued Pharoah and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abrams wife Gen. 12. 17. The word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision saying Fear not Abram I am thy shield thy exceeding great reward Gen. 15. 1. Abram interceded with God for Sodom and God granted him as much as he asked See at large Gen. 18. 23 24 25 26 27 28 c. When God had sent his Angels to destroy Sodom they said unto Lot Hast thou any here besides son-in-law and thy sons and thy daughters and whatsoever thou hast in the city bring out of this place c. They hastened Lot saying Arise take thy wife and thy two daughters which are here lest thou be consumed c. and while he lingered the men laid hold upon his hand and upon the hand of his wife and upon the hand of his two daughters the Lord being merciful unto him and they brought him forth c. He prevailed with God to spare Zoar c. Hast thee escape thither for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither c. God remembred Abram and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow c. Gen. 19. 12 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 29. 2 Pet. 2. 6 7. And God said unto Abram c. of the son of the bond-woman will I make a nation because he is thy seed Gen. 21. 12 13. Laban said unto Jacob I have learned by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake c. Jacob said
to the wall and prayed unto the Lord saying I beseech thee O Lord c. he wept 2 Kings 20. 1 2 3. When there came an host of One thousand thousand against Judah Asa cryed unto the Lord his God and said Lord it is nothing unto thee to help c. 2 Chron. 14. 9 10 11 12. There came a great multitude against Jehosaphat c. he feared and set himself to seek the Lord and proclaimed a fast c. And Jehosaphat stood in the congregation and said O Lord God of our fathers art not thou God c 2 Chron. 20. 2 3 4 5 6 c. When Manasseh was in affliction he besought the Lord his God c. and prayed unto him and he was intreated of him 2 Chron. 33. 11 12 13. He heareth the cry of the afflicted Job 34. 23. O Lord save me from all them who persecute me and deliver me Psal. 7. 1. Our fathers c. they cryed to thee and were delivered c. He hath not despised nor abhorred the afflictions of the afflicted neither hath he hid his face from him but when he cryed unto him he heard Psal. 22. 4 5 24. Psal. 107. 6 13. I sought the Lord and he heard me and delivered me from all my fears This poor man cryed and the Lord heard and saved him out of all his troubles Psal. 34. 4 6 17. Psal. 35. The Psalmist prays for help and salvation in such a time Psal. 38. 20 21 22. Psal. 39. 10 13. For thy sake are we killed all the day long c. Awake why sleepest thou O Lord arise c. Wherefore hidest thou thy face forgettest our affliction c Psal. 44. 22 23 24 25 26. Call upon me in the day of trouble and I will deliver thee and thou shalt glorifie me Psal. 50. 15. In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord my sore ran in the night Psal. 77. 2. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee for thou wilt answer me Psal. 86. 7. I called upon the Lord in distress the Lord answered me and set me in a large place Psal. 118. 5. Psal. 130. 1. The Church in her low condition prays earnestly Look down c. Isa. 63. 15 16 17 18 19. I called upon thy name O Lord out of the low dungeon c. Lam. 3. 55 59 c. I will go and return unto my place till they acknowledg their offence and seek my face in their affliction they will seek me early Hosea 5. 15. When the mariners were in the tempest they called upon their gods and roused up Jonah to call upon his God if so be God will think upon us that we perish not Jonah 1. 4 5 6. Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fishes belly and said I try c. Jonah 2. 1 2 c. The Ninevites prayed c. who can tell if God will turn c Jonah 3. 8 9. 2 Sam. 12. 22. When Peter saw the wind boisterous he was afraid and beginning to sink he cryed saying Lord save me And immediately Jesus c. caught him Mat. 14. 30 31. When the Apostles had been imprisoned and convened before council they lift up their voice to God with one accord and said Lord thou art God c. Behold their threatnings and grant unto thy servants c. Act. 4. 24 29 30. Peter therefore was kept in prison but prayers was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him Act. 12. 5 12. Paul when he was under the buffeting of Satan saith For this thing I besought the Lord thrice that it might depart from me 2 Cor. 12. 7 8. Is any among you afflicted let him pray c. Is any sick among you let him call for the elders of the Church and let them pray over him c. And the prayer of the faithul shall save the sick James 5. 13 14 15. See more of prayer Chap. 16. See more of duties in common calamities 7thly Not to fear but believing commit their case to God and quietly wait for his salvation He hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee So that we may boldly say The Lord is my helper I will not fear what man can do unto me Heb. 13. 5 6. Israels impatiency in waiting for God made them quarrel with Moses and Moses with God although God was in his way of delivering Exod. 5. 21 22 23. The children of Israel said unto Moses Because there were no graves in Egypt hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness c. And Moses said unto the people Fear ye not stand still and see the salvation of the Lord which he shall shew to you this day c. The Lord shall fight for you Exod. 14. 10 11 12 13 14. Because of Israels unbelief and impatiency in waiting for God they were not suffered to enter Canaan only their children of whom they had said They should be a prey they did possess the land Deut. 1. 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39. As an incouragement we should remember what God hath done formerly Deut. 7. 17 18 19. And David was greatly distressed c. but David incouraged himself in the Lord his God 1 Sam. 30. 6. It may be the Lord will look on my affliction and that the Lord will requite good for his cursing this day 2 Sam. 16. 12. Elisha said when the city was invironed with enemies Fear not for they who be with us are more than they who be with them c. But when there was a famine in Samaria the king because deliverance hastened not said Behold this evil is from the Lord what should I wait for the Lord any longer 2 Kings 6. 14 15 16 33. 2 Chron. 32. 7 8. In the great famine of Samaria the great lord who would not believe the plenty the prophet had foretold was told by the prophet that he should see it but not eat thereof and so it fell out unto him c. 2 Kings 7. 1 2 17 18 19 20. Though Judah was beset by Israel yet Judah prevailed because they relied upon the Lord God c. 2 Chron. 13. 14 18. Be not afraid nor dismayed for the battel is not yours but Gods c. Stand ye and see the salvation of the Lord with you 2 Chron. 20. 15 16 17. To God I would commit my cause Job 5. 8. I waited patiently for the Lord and he inclined to me c. He brought me out of an horrible pit Psal. 40. 1 2. Why art thou cast down O my soul why art thou disquieted in me hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him Psal. 42. 5 11. Cast thy burden upon the Lord and he shall sustain thee Psal. 55. 22. Our bones are scattered at the graves mouth c. But mine eyes are unto thee O Lord Psal. 141. 7 8. If thou faint in the day of adversity thy strength is small Prov. 24. 10. The fear of man bringeth a snare
but whoso trusteth in the Lord shall be safe Prov. 29. 25. Take heed and be quiet fear not neither be faint-hearted c. because Syria Ephraim c. have taken evil counsel against thee c. I shall not stand Isa. 7. 3 4 5 6 7. And I will wait upon the Lord who hideth his face from the house of Jacob and I will look for him Isa. 8. 17. It shall be said in that day Lo this is our God we have waited for him and he will save us Isa. 25. 9. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is staid on thee Isa. 26. 3. The Egyptians shall help in vain c. therefore have I cryed c. their strength is to sit still c. Thus saith the Lord In returning and rest you shall be saved in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength c. Isa. 30. 7 15. Fear not for I am with thee be not dismayed for I am thy God c. Isa. 41. 10 13 14. Who is among you who feareth the Lord who obeyeth the voice of his servant who walketh in darkness and hath no light let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God Behold all ye who kindle a fire c. Isa. 50. 10 11. Fear ye not the reproach of men neither be ye afraid of their revilings c. I even I am he who comforteth you Who art thou that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die c. and forgettest the Lord thy maker Isa. 51. 7 12 13. It is the Lords mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not c. It s good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord Lam. 3. 22 25 26. When my Soul fainted within me I remembered the Lord Jonah 2. 7. The Son dishonoured the father c. Therefore will I look unto the Lord I will wait for the God of my salvation Micah 7. 6 7. The Lord is good a strong hold in the day of trouble and he knoweth them who trust in him Nahum 1. 7. Come unto me all ye who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Mat. 11. 28. God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able but will with the temptation also make a way to escape 1 Cor. 10. 13. We should not trust in our selves but in God c. who delivered us from so great a death and doth deliver in whom we trust that he will yet deliver 2 Cor. 1. 9 10. In nothing terrified by your adversaries Phil. 1. 28. Be careful for nothing but in every thing c. let your request be made known unto God Phil. 4. 6. We our selves glory in you c. for your patience and faith in all your persecutions 2 Thess. 1. 4. Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example c. when he suffered he threatned not but committed his cause to him who judgeth righteously 1 Pet. 2. 21 23. If ye suffer c. be not afraid of their terror c. But sanctifie the Lord c. 1 Pet. 3. 14 15. Wherefore let them who suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their soul to him in well-doing as unto a faithful Creator 1 Pet. 4. 19. See more of trust in God Chap. 16. See of waiting for God Secondly The duties of saints and how they ought to behave themselves towards enemies and persecutors in a time of persecution and suffering from them 1st To be patient quiet and sober towards them not revenge or return evil for evil or reviling for reviling but forgive them Joseph instead of revenging upon his brethren for their injuring of him speaks kindly to his brethren and said Be not grieved nor angry with your selves that ye sold me hither for God did send me before you to preserve life c. So now it was not you who sent me hither but God Gen. 45. 6 7 8 Though Saul hunted for Davids life yet would not David avenge himself upon him 1 Sam. 24 ch 26. When Shimei cursed David he bore it quietly and would not avenge himself 2 Sam. 16. 7 8 9 10 11. And afterward Abishai said to David Shall not Shimei be put to death for this because he cursed the Lords anointed c. David said to Shimei Thou shalt not die 2 Sam. 19. 21 22 23. O God to whom vengeance belong c. shew thy self Psal. 94. 1. Envy thou not the oppressor or the man of violence Prov. 3. 31. Say not thou I will recompence evil wait on the Lord and he shall save Prov. 20. 22. Say not I will do so to him as he hath done to me I will render to the man c. Prov. 24. 29. He was oppressed c. yet he opened not his mouth c. as a sheep c. so he opened not his mouth Isa. 53. 7. Jeremy said As for me behold I am in your hand do with me as seemeth good c. Jer. 26. 11 14. Resist not but whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek turn to him the other Matth. 5. 38 39. If ye forgive men their trespasses your heavenly father will also forgive you Matth. 6. 14 15. When one of Christs disciples drew his sword c. he bid him put it up c. Matth. 26. 51 52. James and John said Lord Wilt thou that we command fire down from heaven and consume them c but he turned and rebuked them and said Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of for the Son of man is not come to desttoy mens lives c. Luke 9. 53 54 55 56. Paul said to Festus when he had said He was besides himself I am not mad most noble Festus c. Acts 26. 24 25. Recompence to no man evil for evil c. Avenge not your selves but rather give place to wrath for it is written Vengeance is mine I will repay saith the Lord Rom. 12. 17 19. Being reviled we bless c. being defamed we intreat 1 Cor. 4. 12 13. See that none render evil for evil unto any man 1 Thess. 5. 15. Ye have condemned and killed the just and he doth not resist you James 5. 6. So is the will of God that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men c. Christ suffered c. leaving us an example that ye should follow his steps c. who when he was reviled reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not 1 Pet. 2. 15 21 23. Not rendring evil for evil or railing c. 1 Pet. 3. 9. 2dly Not to desire or rejoyce in the hurt of enemies and persecutors David mourned and wept when Saul was slain although he had been his deadly enemy hated and pursued him several years 2 Sam. 1. 4 5 to the end Abner his great enemy who set up Ishbosheth in opposition to him being slain David said I and
my kingdom are guiltless before the Lord for ever c. He commands all to mourn for him and himself mourned followed him to his funeral 2 Sam. 3. 27 28 29 31 32. So David instead of rejoycing that Ishbosheth was slain commandeth his young men to kill those who slew him 2 Sam. 4. 8 9 10 11 12. When Israel had conquered Judah the Prophet commanded them to let the captives go feed them and clothe them and not insult over them 2 Chron. 28. 9 10 11 c. If I rejoyce at the destruction of him who hated me or lift up my self when evil found him neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul Job 31. 28 29 30. He who is glad at calamities shall not go unpunished Prov. 17. 5. Rejoyce not when thine enemy falleth and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth lest the Lord see it and it displease him and he turn away his wrath from him Prov. 24. 17 18. 3dly To pray for and do good to Persecutors and Enemies If thou seest the asse or ox of thine enemy going astray thou shall c. bring it back c. Exod. 23. 4 5. Miriam had spoken against Moses yet he prays for her against her leprosie Numb 12. 1 10 13. Saul said to David Thou hast rewarded me good whereas I have rewarded thee evil 1 Sam. 24. 17. Israel came and fought against Judah and being overcome Judah shews them kindness 2 Chron. 28. If thine enemy hunger give him bread to eat and if he be thirsty give them water to drink c. Prov. 25. 21. Rom. 12. 20. Seek the peace of the City whither I have caused you to be carried captives and pray unto the Lord for it Jer. 29. 7. I say unto you Love your enemies bless them who curse you do good to them who hate you and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you that you may be the children of your father c. for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil c. If you love them who love you c. do not even the Publicans the same Matth. 5. 44 45 46 47 48. Christ said when upon the cross Father forgive them for they know not what they do Luke 23. 34. They stoned Stephen and he c. cryed with a loud voyce Lord lay not this sin to their charge Acts 7. 59 60. Paul prayed for Agrippa that he were not only almost but altogether as he except his bonds Acts 26. 28 29. Bless them who persecute you c. Wherefore if thine enemy hunger feed him c. be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good Rom. 12. 14 20 21. Being reviled we bless 1 Cor. 4. 12. 4thly To use lawful and honest means for avoiding and easing of and delivering themselves from afflictions and persecutions When Jacob heard of his brother Esau his coming against him he was greatly afraid and distressed and he divided the people that was with him and the flocks c. and said If Esau come to the one company and smite it then the other company which is left shall escape c. And he took of that which came to his hand a present for his brother Esau c. for he said I will appease him with the present which goeth before me c. Gen. 32. 6 7 8 13 20. chap. 33. 8 13 14. Saul sought to smite David c. but he slipt away out of Sauls presence c. and escaped that night Saul also sent messengers unto Davids house to watch him and to slay him c. His wife let him down through a window and he went and fled and escaped 1 Sam. 19. 10 11 12. David consulted with Jonathan about his safety from Saul 1 Sam. 20. Elijah being threatned by Jezebel arose and went for his life c. 1 Kings 19. 2 3. Sanballat c. conspired all of them together to come to fight against Jerusalem and to hinder the work nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God and set a watch against them day and night because of them Nehem. 4. 7 8. Sanballat sent often to Nehemiah to come unto him but he refused because he knew they thought to do him some mischief Nehem. 6. 2 3 4. Esther and Mordecai did many things to procure the Jews escape Esther 8. chap. 9. Jeremy intreated the king that he might not return to the prison lest he should die there Jer. 37. 18 20. When Herod sought Christ to kill him the Angel said to Joseph c. Arise and take the young child c. flee into Egypt and be thou there c. for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him Matth. 2. 13 14 15. Behold I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves be ye therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves c. but when they persecute you in this City flee ye into another Matth. 10. 16 23. The Pharisees c. held a council against him how they might destroy him but when Jesus knew it he withdrew himself from thence c. he charged the multitude not to make him known Matth. 12. 14 15 16. When Jesus heard that John was beheaded he departed thence into a desert-place apart Matth. 14. 12 13. Though Christ was free and ought not to be charged with tribute-money yet he said to Peter Notwithstanding lest we should offend them go c. take and give unto them for thee and me Matth. 17. 24 25 26 27. When Christ had raised the Rulers daughter from the dead he commanded that something should be given her to eat Mark 5. 41 42 43. Jesus walked in Galilee for he would not walk in Jury because the Jews sought to kill him John 7. 1. They took up stones to cast at him but Jesus hid himself and went out c. and so passed by John 8. 59. From that day forth they took counsel together to put him to death Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews but went thence into a country near the wilderness John 11. 53 54. The doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews John 20. 19. When Saul persecuted the Church at Jerusalem the brethren were scattered abroad Acts 8. 1 3 4. chap. 11. 19. The Jews laid wait to kill Paul but their laying wait was known unto Saul and they watched the gates day and night to kill him then the disciples took him by night and let him down by the wall in a basket c. The Grecians went about to slay him which when the brethren knew they brought him down to Cesaria and sent him forth to Tarsus Acts 9. 23 24 25 29 30. ch 19. 30 31. ch 17. 10 14 15. 2 Cor. 11. 32 33. Paul and Barnabas being at Iconium the Jews and Gentiles made an assault to use them despitefully and to stone them they were aware of it and fled into Listra and Derbe c. Acts
were not able to resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spake then they stirred up the people c. and came upon him and caught him and brought him to the Council and set up false witnesses Acts 6. 9 10 11 12 13. Herod the king stretched forth his hand to vex certain of the Church and he killed James the brother of John with the sword and because he saw it pleased the Jews he proceeded to take Peter and imprison him c. Acts 12. 1 2 3 4. They caught Paul and Silas and drew them into the market-place unto the rulers and brought them to the Magistrates saying These men being Jews do exceedingly trouble our City and teach customs which are not lawful for us to receive neither to observe being Romans c. they beat them put them into prison Acts 16. 19 20 21 22 23 24. ch 19. 9. The Philosophers c. say unto Paul What will this babler or base fellow say Acts 17. 18. There arose no small stir about that way for a certain man c. who made silver shrines for Diana c. complained against Paul made a great uproar laid hold of Pauls companions Acts 19. 23 24 25 26 27 28 29. We would not have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia 2 Cor. 1. 8 9. I suffer trouble unto bonds 2 Tim. 2. 9. Ye endured a great fight of afflictions partly whiles ye were made a gazing-stock both by reproaches and afflictions c. Ye took joyfully the spoiling of your goods c. Heb. 10. 32 33 34. Others were tortured c. Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings yea moreover of bonds and imprisonments c. of whom the world was not worthy Heb. 11. 35 36 37 38. Ye have condemned and killed the just and he doth not resist you James 5. 6. They speak evil of you as of evil doers c. 1 Pet. 3. 16. chap. 4. 4. Marvel not my brethren if the world hate you 1 John 3. 13. 〈◊〉 John c. was in the Isle that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the Testimony of Christ Jesus Rev. 1. 9. 2dly From hypocritical professors of the true God Jews men zealous of the law and traditions The Lord had respect unto Abel and his offering But unto Cain and his offering he had no respect c. Cain rose up against Abel his brother and slew him Gen. 4. 4 5 8. 1 Joh. 3. 12. Josephs brethren hate him and could not speak peaceably unto him c. they conspired against him to slay him c. they cast him into a pit c. they sell him to the Ishmaelites c. Gen. 37. 4 11 11 18 20 24 27 28. Saul eyed David that day and forward c. He said I will smite David c. he became his enemy continually often attempted to take away his life from him 1 Sam. 18. 8 9 11 17 29. ch 19. 1 9 10 11. Absalom conspired against his father David 2 Sam. 15. Shimei cursed David when he fled from Absalom 2 Sam. 16. 5 6 7 8 13. Ahab pursued Elijah in every nation c. he said to Elijah when he saw him Art thou he who troubleth Israel 1 Kings 18. 10 17. Jeremy saith O Lord c. revenge me of my persecutors c. for thy sake I have suffered rebuke Jer. 15. 15. Matth. 5. 12. They hate him who rebuketh in the gate and they abhor him who speaketh uprightly c. they afflict the just Amos 5. 10 12. John came neither eating nor drinking and they say he hath a devil the Son of man came eating and drinking and they say behold a man gluttonous c. Math. 11. 18 19. Behold I send unto you Prophets and wise men and Scribes and some of them ye shall kill and crucifie and some of them shall ye scourge in your Synagogues and persecute them from City to City Math. 23. 34. Some said Christ was a good man others said no but he deceiveth the people howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews Joh. 7. 12 13. The Jews had agreed already that if any man did confess that he was Christ he should be put out of the Synagogue c. They reviled the man who owned Christ to them they say Thou wast altogether born in sins and dost thou teach us and they cast him out or excommunicated him John 9. 22 28 33 34. The chief Priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away and believed on Jesus Joh. 12. 10 11. When Peter had spake unto the people the Priests and the rulers of the temple came upon them being grieved that they taught the people and preached c. the resurrection c. And they laid hands on them and put them in hold c. that it spread no further among the people let us straitly threaten them c. So when they had further threatned them c. Act. 4. 1 2 3 17 21. The high Priest rose up and all who were with him c. and were filled with indignation or envy and laid their hands on the Apostles and put them into the common Prison c. when the Apostles had spoke to them they were cut to the heart and they took counsel to slay them Acts 5. 16 17 18 33. They suborn witnesses against Stephen and said We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and against God c. That Jesus shall destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered us Act. 6. 10 11 12 13 14. They run upon Stephen with one accord and cast him out of the City and stoned him Act. 7. 57 58. There was a great persecution against the Church at Jerusalem and they were all scattered abroad c. Saul made havock of the Church entering into every house and haling men and women committing them to prison Act. 8. 1 3 ch 26. 10 11. Saul breathed out threatning and slaughter against the Disciples of the Lord Went unto the high Priest and desired of him letters c. that if he found any of this way whether they were men or women he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem c. When he was converted the Jews took counsel to kill him c. and they watched the gates day and night to kill him Act. 9. 1 2 22 23 24. Gal. 1. 13 14. 1 Tim. 1. 13. Herod having killed James and because he saw it pleased the Jews be proceeded Act. 12. 2 3. When the Jews saw the multitude they were filled with envy and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul contradicting and blaspheming c. But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women and the chief men of the City and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them out of their coasts Act. 13. 45 50. In Iconium they went both together into the Synagogue to
4. 14. As many as I love I rebuke and chasten Rev. 3. 19. Blessed are the dead who dye in the Lord or for the Lords sake Rev. 14. 13. 3dly That God well knows the design and ways of Satan and all the adversaries of believers and that they can do no more or proceed further against the Saints than what God permits he turns about their purposes Laban pursued Jacob c. and God came unto Laban the Syrian in a dream in the night and said unto him Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob from good to bad or either good or bad c. It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt but the God of your father spake unto me yester-night saying Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob Gen. 31. 8 23 24 29. When Esau was coming against Jacob with four hundred men and Jacob was afraid yet God changed Esau his heart so that when he met Jacob he embraced him c. which made Jacob say to Esau I have seen thy face as though I had seen the face of God and thou wast pleased with me Gen. 32. 6 7 8. ch 33. 3 4 10. And the terror of God was upon the cities that were round about them and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob Gen. 35. 5. Josephs brethren when they saw him c. conspired against him to slay him And they said one to another behold this dreamer cometh Come now therefore and let us slay him c. and we shall see what will become of his dreams c. All which God prevented and purposed better things Gen. 37. 18 19 20 c. ch 39. ch 50. 19 20. The King of Egypt designed the weakening of Israel and preventing their increase But the more they afflicted them the more they multiplied Exod. 1. 9 10 11 12 20. And the Lord said I have surely seen the afflictions of my people c. for I know their sorrows Exod. 3. 7. Act. 7. 34. Pharaohs design in pursuing Israel God knew atd prevented Pharaoh and overthrew him Exod. 14. The enemy said I will pursue I will overtake I will divide the spoil my lust shall be satisfied upon them I will draw my sword mine hand shall destroy or re possess them Thou didst blow with thy wind the sea did cover them they sank as lead c. who is like unto thee O Lord Exod. 15. 9 10 11. Balak his design was to have Balaam to curse Israel yet God over-ruled him so that he could not but bless Israel Numb 22. ch 24. 10 11 12 13. ch 23. Saul designed to kill David made many attempts and pursued him yet could never effect it God prevented him 1 Sam. 18. ch 19. ch 23. ch 24. ch 26. Ahitophel gave counsel against David but God brought it to nought and suffered not his enemies to bring their design to pass 2 Sam. 17. The king of Assyria came against Samaria and said The gods do so unto me and more also if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people who follow me But God prevented him 1 Kings 20. 1 2 to the 21. The enemies of Israel set themselves to hinder the building of the Temple asked who commanded them to do it wrote to the king against it but God prevented their purpose and brought forth the contrary effect Ezra 5. ch 6. When Israel were building the adversaries conspired together to come to fight against Jerusalem to hinder it c. And when our enemies heard that it was made known unto us and God had brought their counsel to nought we returned c. Neb. 4. 7 8 9 11 15. Hamans great design was to destroy Mordecai and all the Jews and it went on far but God then turned it quite about Esther 5. chap. 6. chap. 7. chap. 8. Job could not be touched by Satan any farther or otherwise than so far as God gave him leave Job 1. 9 10 11 12. ch 2. 4 5 6. He disappointeth the devices of the crafty so that their hands cannot perform their enterpise He taketh the wise in their own craftiness c. They meet with darkness in the day and grope in the noon Job 5. 12 13 14. Why do the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing the kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord c yet have I set my king upon my holy hill c. Psal. 2. 1 2 4 6. He hath ordained his arrows against the persecutors Behold he travelleth with iniquity hath conceived mischief and brought forth falshood he made a pit and digged it and is fallen into the ditch he made his mischief shall return upon his own head and his violent dealing come down upon his own pate Psal. 7. 13 14 15 16. Psal. 9. 16. They intended evil against thee they imagined a mischievous device which they are not able to perform Psal. 21. 11. Thou preparest a table for me in the fight of mine enemies Psal. 23. 5. The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought he maketh the devices of the people of none effect The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever the thoughts of his heart to all generations Psal. 33. 10 11. By this I know that thou favourest me because mine enemy doth not triumph over me Psal. 41. 11. Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee the remainder of wrath thou shalt restrain Psal. 76. 10. When Israel were but few in number c. when they went from one nation to another c. he suffered no man to do them wrong yea he reproved kings for their sake c. Psal. 105. 12 13 14 15. If it had not been the Lord who was on our side when men rose up against us then they had swallowed us up quick Psal. 124. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. There are many devices in the heart of man nevertheless the counsel of the Lord that shall stand Prov. 19. 21. There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord Prov. 21. 30. Be quiet fear not c. because Syria c. have taken evil counsel against thee saying Let us go up against Judah and vex it c. Thus saith the Lord God It shall not stand nor shall it come to pass Isa. 7. 4 5 6 7. Micah 4. 11 12 13. Associate your selves O ye people and ye shall be broken in pieces c. Gird your selves and ye shall be broken in pieces c. take counsel together and it shall come to nought speak the word and it shall not stand for God is with us Isa. 8. 9 10. O Assyrian the rod of mine anger c. I will send him against an hypocritical nation c. howbeit he meaneth not so c. It is in his heart to destroy and cut off nations not a few c. wherefore it shall come to pass when the Lord hath performed his work c. I will punish the