Selected quad for the lemma: enemy_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
enemy_n	end_n	psal_n	verse_n	3,436	5	11.2801	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A91943	The fast friend: or A friend at mid-night. Set forth in an exposition on that parable Luke 11. 5.-11. Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at mid-night, &c. By Nehemiah Rogers, minister of the Gospel.	Rogers, Nehemiah, 1593-1660.	1658 (1658)	Wing R1822; Thomason E953_1; ESTC R203374	432,120	516

declareth and openeth to man what his will is The former is Voluntas quam Deus vult that will which he willeth us to will and with this his Power doth not alwayes concurr And of that our Saviour speaks Math. 23.37 Both these distinctions look the same way Math. 23.37 Others Answer thus Junius The will of God though it be but one as God is one yet this one will doth exercise and extend it self diversly upon divers objects and is to be considered in divers degrees The weakest and most remisse degree is to will the suffering of evill for though God to speak properly wills not sin yet he willingly suffers it which he could easily prevent and hinder if he would oppose his omnipotent Power which he alwayes doth not The next degree of Gods willing stands in commanding good approving of it where it is found And thus he wills and commands that all men should repent and would not that men should perish and these things he willeth seriously but this will which stands in commanding promising and the like is too often resisted and made ineffectuall by men The highest degree of willing in God is when he so wills a thing as that withall he employes his Omnipotent Power for the effecting of it and by this he doth whatsoever he pleaseth in the Heavens and on the Earth Psal 115.3 Psal 115.3 This Will cannot be resisted And thus he wills the salvation of the elect and workes that in them that he requires of them See then that thou provest what the good and acceptable will of God is towards thee Rom. 12.2 Rom. 12.2 Leave secret things to God enquire into that part of his Will revealed Doth any man put his Son to School to learne what his Master thinks Quis tam stulte curiosus est qui filium suum mittat in scholam ut quid Magister cogitet discat saith Austin Consider how farr God hath engaged himself unto thee by promise what qualifications and conditions he expects to be in thee and from thee and so farr as he hath made known his Will unto thee thou may'st rest upon his Power for that shall not be wanting to effect it Call upon me Psal 50.15 saith God in the time of Trouble and I will heare In all thy troubles inward or outward cry call feare not the Power of God doubt not of it Math. 8.2 but say Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me cleane so if thou wilt thou canst pardon me heare me help me Jam. 4.15 Put in if God will in all thy Resolutions make that good and thou may'st conclude what God seeth to be good for me that he will do what God will do that he can do what God will do and can do that shall be done Therefore what God seeth to be good for me shall be Get but Gods good will and all will be well and get unto Christ and feare not but thou shalt have that Luke 2.14 Luke 2.14 Thus you have heard of the discouragements that we may meet withall in our comming to God but notwithstanding all these we may not be driven off A Friend will not be discouraged saith Christ from comming to his Friend although the Dore be shut c. God is your Friend you are his therefore be not discouraged So then let us take one observation more along with us Doct. Gods Friends should not be driven off from seeking to him by Prayer notwithstanding the many discouragements which they meet withall let the Dore be shut the Children abed an unkind answer given yet nothing should stave them off from calling upon God in the day of their Distresse How was Jchosaphat put to it 2 Chron. 20.12 Psal 44.8 to the end he knew not which way to turne him his Enemyes were many people unable to resist yet his eyes were up to God still 2 Chron. 20.12 So Psal 44. from verse 8. to the end nothing could keep them from seeking unto God Nay albeit the Lord had willed his people not to trouble him and positively told them that he would deliver them no more yet that could not beat them off they would sti●l seek unto him as we read Judg. 10.13.15 Instance in David Psal 88 3-14 And in Dan. 6.10 Judg. 10.13.15 Psal 88 3-14 Dan. 6.10 Jon. 2.1 2. Math. 20.30 Mark 10.46 So Jon. 2.1 2. He was in the belly of the deep and in the belly of the Whale and had neither Sun-light nor Candle-light little hope of ever being delivered out of that Prison yet he is there praying We read in the Gospel Math. 20.30 of two blind men one was Bartimeus Mark 10.46 they were rebuked by the multitude but that would not do they hold on and cry out after Christ But amongst all examples none is more remarkeable then that we have Math. 15.22 Math. 15.12 It is set out with an Ecce and so calls upon us for speciall regard A poore Cananite comes to Christ in the behalfe of her Daughter who was possessed with a Devill she instantly beseecheth him prostrate on her knees even in the bowels of compassion to behold her Child her little Child as St. Marke hath it and dislodge that uncleane and raging spirit Mark 7.23 who had taken up her body as a Cabinet to rest in Have mercy upon me ô Lord. She saw her self beaten on her poore Childs back and acknowledgeth her own sin in her Daughters sufferings Have mercy on me thou Son of David thou that wast thy self borne of a woman pitty a woman thou that hast the bowells of a man in thee hide not thine eyes from thine own flesh my Daughter my little Daughter is vexed yea greviously vexed with a Devill and thou our blessed Jesus who cam'st to destroy the workes of the Devil have pitty therefore on this my Child c. Now who would expect any other then a present Answer to so humble and pious a suite yet see what discouragements she meets withall First not a word doth Christ give her Math. 15. verse 23. verse 23. he seemeth to neglect and slight her and a willing neglect saith one layes strong seidge to the best Fort of the soul She was well assured that he heard her for she cryed out she whispered not what might she think Math. 9.12 Is this the Physitian that came into the world to cure the sick and doth he refuse to help his Patient Is this that Fountaine that invites all to come and drink freely John 7.37 John 1.1 and doth he now with-hold water f●om the thirsty Colos 2 3. Pro. 9.3 4. Is this the Word and wisdome of the Father which sends the maydens to cry out in the Market places Come unto me and Who is simple let him come Esay 61.1 Luke 4.18 and is he now become dumb Is this he that was sent to comfort the afflicted and will he add Affliction to Affliction by a

i. e. thou wilt arise it is spoken prophetically and have mercy on Sion c. for he will regard the Prayer of the destitute and not despise their prayer vers 17. And Isa 33.10 Now will I arise saith the Lord now will I be exalted now will I lift up my self that is now that the Enemies of God's People grow so tyrannical and insolent and that my people call on me for help as they did ver 2. The truth of this I might shew you in sundry Examples but I shall not overburthen you with many Cast but your eyes upon the afflictions of God's Church under Pharaohs Tyrannie An Iron Yoak was laid upon their necks to use Moses's expression Deut. 28.48 upon a suspicion of revolting heavy burthens are imposed on them they tread in Mire and Clay Exod. 1.11 and are enforced to serve with rigour so that their lives were made bitter with hard labour ver 12.13 they proceed from burthens to bondage from bondage to bloud from vexation of their bodies to destruction of the fruit of their bodies Midwives are suborned to destroy all their Male-Children they whose Office it was to help the Birth must now murther it ver 15. If they refuse the multitude shall do it ver 22. Cruelty that before but smoaked now breaks forth into a flame and to add to their misery an insupportable task is laid upon them they could neither make straw nor find it yet they must have it and for not doing what was imposed they are made daily to feel the lash of the Whip Exod. 5.12 14. All this while God seemes to be as one asleep holds his peace lets their Persecutors alone The persecuted sigh groan cry and call on God which God heard as before Exod. 2.24 3.7 8 9. And now he ariseth comes to deliver them and being arose Now thou shalt see saith he what I will do to Pharaoh Exod. 6.1 and with a strong hand he delivers them out of the hand of their Oppressours and brings out his people with joy and his chosen with gladness Psal 105.48 Look again upon the state of God's Church in the dayes of Ahashuerosh Ester 3.5 6. Haman had obtained a decree for the slaughter of the Jews the Decree was sealed published the day set and appointed for the execution of it all this while God seems to be asleep he looks on seems to take no notice of it the Jews are greatly perplexed they fast mourn weep lye in sackcloth and ashes they cry out with a loud and bitter cry then God awaketh and ariseth for their help Chap. 5.1 2 3. and being risen awaketh the King Chap. 6.1 causeth him to send for the Chronicles of his time turns him over to the Record of Mordecai's fidelity in discovering a Treason intended against his person by two of his Eunuchs upon which Mordecai is honoured Chap. 9.22 the Decree comes to be disanull'd Haman the Conspirator and his Sons are hanged and to the Jews deliverance is granted for which days of joy and rejoycing are by the Jews celebrated Many other proofs may be brought for confirmation but I shall onely produce one more unto you Math. 23.28 In that History of Christ's Sea-Voyage with his Disciples a great Tempest arose stirred up as some are of opinion by the Devil who questionless would have drowned Christ if he could so that the ship was covered with Waves Christ he was fallen asleep in the hinder part of the ship saith St. Mark that is the stern Nark 4.3 being wearied probably with exercise of his Ministery amongst the multitude on the shore His Disciples being terrified and much afraid thinking their case desperate come to him and awake him with an Out-cry Master save us we perish Christ thus awaked reprehends them for their immoderate fear and the weakness of their Faith Why are ye fearful O ye of little Faith and then rebukes the Wind and Sea charging them even with threatning and menaces to be still upon which followed a great calm to the admiration of all beholders Besides the truth of the story there is a mystery in that passage of Scripture by the consent of all Divines Antient and Modern it sets forth unto us the state of the Church of God militant on Earth resembled unto a Ship wherein Christ and all the Faithful do pass from Earth to Heaven The Sea is the World a very unconstant Element resembled by St. John to a Sea of Glass Rev. 4.6 The great storm and tempest that ariseth is a lively Representation of the great troubles and persecutions Rev. 1.16 which are raised by the Devil and his Instruments against the Church intending the ruine of it Christ his being asleep in this storm sets forth the seeming neglect that he hath of the peace quiet of the Church for the greater manifestation of his power and our patience The crying out of the Disciples sets forth the Prayers of the Faithful who night day cry unto him for the defence of the Church Christ's arising rebuking of the winds intimates his reproving and plaguing of the enemies of the Church The great Calm that follows signifies the peace that the Church and People of God shall enjoy in the end in despight of Sathan and all his adhaerents And thus much for the Confirmation of the Point propounded The Use followes Use If this be thus let not the wicked triumph for when God doth arise his enemies shall be scattered Psal 68.1 and they that hate him shall fly before him and arise he will and not alwayes keep his bed nor close his eyes Oh! what navock do the enemies of Gods people make whilst God seems to sleep Psal 83.2 4 12 94 4 5 6. David tells us Psal 83.2 4 12. Psal 94.4 5 6. and they are encouraged to all this mischief upon a conceit that God is asleep and sees not verse 7. But understand ye bruitish amongst the people Verse 7.8 9. and ye fools when will you be wise he that planteth the ear shall not he hear and he that formed the eye shall not he see Verse 8.9 His eyes behold yea his eye-lids try the Children of men saith the Prophet in another place Psal 11.4 God hath both an eye and an eye-lid God seeth with an open eye saith a reverend Bishop when he discovers a thing at present Psal 11.4 and causeth us also to see it And he considereth with his Eye lid when he winketh at the wayes of men B. B. King Serm. at Whitehall Nov. 5. 16●8 and maketh as if he slept and taketh leisure and respite before he brings things to light God in the sufferings of his Church and people may be silent for a time as one that seeth not and heareth not but his eyes are at no time so shut but that he sees through his Eye-lids and well considereth the doings of the Sons of men on earth The Master sometimes makes as if

lose his strength Isay 17.3 and Damascus the prime City of Syria should lose his Kingdome and that the Enemy should deale with Israel and Syria who had joyned together as one against Juda as the Harvest man doth with the stalks of Corne within the compasse of his sickle verse 4 5 6. cut them off together verse 4 5. And yet as in a Harvest-field after the carefullest Reaper there will be some gleanings left some grapes after the gathering in of the Vintage remaine hid under the leaves some Olives left upon the out boughes after the tree is most shaken so shall it be saith God with Israel some few shall be reserved after the common destruction verse 6. And the fruit of this Affliction shall be that the remaining Israelites shall look up to their Maker verse 7. They shall flye to him call upon his name devote themselves to his worship and service however before they were rebellious Isay 26.16 So Isay 26.16 Lord in trouble they have visited thee and thou hast heard of them they have sought thee c. This fruit of Affliction is so generall that the Prophet speaks as if it wrought thus in all men And thus did the backsliding Jewes Jer. 2.27 Hos 5.15 6.1 Psal 78.34.107.28 Judg. 6.6.2 Chron. 33. ii as God himself testifieth of them Jer. 2.27 So Hos 5. ult and 6.1 Psal 78.34 107.28 In the time of their trouble they cryed unto the Lord. We find they did so Judg. 6.6 Bind Manasses with chaines load him with irons bow down his neck and back with bonds and then he will know himself and confesse that the Lord he is God 2 Chron. 33.11 Pull the King of Babylon from his Throne lay his honour and insolency in the dust banish him the company of men turne him to eate grasse with the Oxe of the field and he will learn at length to praise the God of Heaven Dan. 4.33 34. Let the Prodigall be brought into extreamity Dan. 4.33.34 stripped out of his gay cloaths cloathed with raggs have an empty purse and an empty belly then he will think of his Fathers house and return home as we have shewed you more largely on that Parable Luke 15.11 Luke 15.11 So the Syrophoenician being afflicted in her Daughter vexed with an uncleane Spirit runs to Christ Mark 7.25 Mark 7.25 Much more might be said of it but I hasten to the Use after we have removed a scruple which is this Obj. Many are driven off further from God 2 Chro. 28.23 33.23 Jer. 2.20 5.3 Isay 1.5 Resp and not brought nearer to him by their Afflictions as we read 2 Chron. 28.22 33.23 Jer. 2.20 5.3 Isay 1.5 And this daily experience teacheth For Answer It is true Afflictions in their own nature do not this but as they are sanctifyed The effect of Gods stroakes is like to that of his word and other Ordinances if grace be given with them they are very profitable through his blessing if they be sent without a blessing they are a savour of Death and not of Life Now to the wicked they are not sanctifyed they are part of the Curse and forerunners of future destruction they reteyne their Nature still and so long no wonder if they profit not Secondly Albeit they drive not men to God so as to be truly humbled yet they enforce the worst to some outward kind of humiliation for the present as they did Caine Pharaoh Saul Ahab and others albeit they returned to their former course and like iron out of the fire to their former hardnesse Indeed the wicked are worst in long sorrowes and best in sudden as the godly are worst in sudden but best in long Afflictions and continued calamities Use 1 As for those that are not brought neerer to God nor to amend their lives by those Afflictions which they lye under or have been under let them know that their case is sad for that usually is the last remedy if that prevaile not God gives such up as a desperate cure as appeares Isay 1.5 9.13 Now Isay 1.5 9.13 is it not thus with many of us I spare to speak of the Land in generall I come nearer home to our own particular how have those Afflictions which you have undergone wrought on you Balaam's Asse could speak when it perceived the Angell to stand in the way in a narrow passage with a drawne sword And are not many of us more brutish then that beast we speak of We all are under some affliction or other yet we confesse not pray not but murmur and repine curse sweare blaspheme and work all manner of wickednesse trespassing more and more against the Lord Luke 23. sinning with a higher hand then ever With Simon of Cyrene we have borne the Crosse it hath lyen heavy upon our shoulders but we have not been crucified in respect of our Lusts upon the Crosse We grin under the burthen as Antick Pictures seeme to do under the weight of the house side whereunto they are fastened Nay not only grin like Anticks but we wax more violent in sin like Mastives we become more feirce for being tyed up or like unto Bulls more mad with bayting Isay 8.21 Revel 16.9.11.29 as we read Isay 8.21 Revel 16.9.11.29 Wofully sad is the condition of such we leave them to Gods mercy and come to a second Use Use 2 If Afflictions be a meanes to drive us to God be we exhorted to beare them patiently The best are apt to discover much weaknesse under their wants and sufferings and discover much want of Faith Patience Humility not weighing well the Profit and Necessity of them For the profit of them heare what the Church saith Lament 3.27 It is good for a man that he beare the yoake in his youth Lament 3.27 Psal 119.71 And what David speakes from his own Experience Psal 119.71 Many wayes they are profitable First they are Pillulae lucis Pills made purposely to cleare the eye sight not so much of the body as the minde and conscience they are the eye-bright of the soul Vexatio dat Intellectum the Rod and Reproose give wisdome Pro. 29.15 Pro. 29.25 David had many Teachers yet this taught him best It was said that Mr. Ascham was a good Schoolmaster to Queene Elizabeth but affliction was a better Luther saith of himself that he never understood some of Davids Psalmes till he was in affliction Pauls blindnesse took away his blindnesse and made him see more in the way of Life then all his learning got at the feet of Gamaliel could do The Christ-Crosse as some used to terme it placed before the Alphabet is no Letter yet all the letters in the Alphabet do not teach so many good Lessons as the Crosse doth Secondly They open the Eare as well as the Eye and cause us to listen and attend to those things which before we would not lend an Eare