virtually all evil will be raising doubts and cavils and objections in the soul so that if God does not stand by us now what can we say what can we do how can we bear up how can we stand fast What was Sampson that Judges 16. 19 20. man of strength when his hair was gone but as weak as water and what is the strongest Christian when his God is gone but as weak as weakness it self all our doing strength and all our suffering strength and all our bearing strength and all our witnessing strength lies in the special presence of God with our souls all our comforts and all our supports and all our ease and all our refreshments flow from the presence of God with our souls in our greatest troubles and deepest distresses and therefore if God should leave us in a day of trouble what would become of us and whither should we go and where should we find rest When doth a man need a Brother or Friend but in a day of adversity A Brother Prov. 17. 17. is born for adversity though at other times Brethren may jar and jangle and quarrel yet in a day of adversity in a strait in a stress birth and good blood and good nature will be working Adversity breeds love and unity Ridley and Hooper differed very much about Ceremonies in the day of their liberty but when they were both Prisoners in the Tower thâ—â— they could agree well enough and then they could be mutual comforts one to another and when does a Christian most need the strength of God the consolations of God the supports of God the teachings and quicknings of God and the signal singular presence of God but when they are in the greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers When the People of God are in a low and afflicted condition then the Lord knows that that Isa 33. 9. 10. is the season of seasons for him to grace them with his gracious presence When calamities and dangers break in upon us and when all heads and hands and hearts and counsels are set against us now is the time for God to help us for God to succour us for God to stand by us But. Fifthly the Lord will be signally present with his 5 Reason People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers because he dearly loves them God Deut. 7. 6 7 8. Amat quiâ— amat Bernard entirely loves his People and therefore he will not leave his People persons whom we entirely love we cannot leave especially when they are in a distressed condition Prov. 17 17. A friend loves at all times saith Solomon and God is such a friend God loves not by fits and starâ—â— as many do but his love is like himself sincere and stedfast because he loves them he won't forsake them when they are in the greatest troubles and most terrible dangers 1 Sam. 12. 22. For the Lord will not forsake his People for his great Namessake because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his People He chose you for his love and he still loveth you for his choice and therefore he won't forsake you Chide you he may but forsake you he won't for it will not stand with the glory of God to leave a People to forsake a People of his love Should I cast you off whom I love the Heathen Nations would say that I was mutable in my purposes or unfaithful in my promises Though David's Parents forsook him yet God did not forsake Psalm 27. 10. him but took him up into his care and keeping It is the deriding question which the enemies of the Saints put Psâ—lm 79. 10. to them in the time of their greatest troubles deep distresses and most deadly dangers Vbi Deus Where is now your God But they may safely and groundedly return this answer when they are at lowest Hic Deus Our God is here he is nigh unto us he is round about Isa 52. 12. us and he is in the midst of us Witness that golden promise that is more worth than a world I will never leave thee nor forsake thee God is a God of bowels a Heb. 13. 5 11. Hos 8. 9. Mich. 7. 19. Jer. 31. 18 19 20. God of great pity a God of tender compassion and therefore he will not leave his People in a time of distress Parents bowels do most yearn towards their Children when they are sick and weak and most in danger it goes to the very heart of a man to leave a friend in misery but what are the bowels of men to the bowels of God! or the compassions of men to the compassions of God! There is an Ocean of love in the hearts of Parents 2 Sam. 19. 6. towards their children when they are in distress and this love makes them sit by their children and sit up with their children and not stir from their children Gods love does so link his heart to his People in their deep distresses Psalm 91. 15. that he can't leave them he can't stir from them Isa 43. 4. Since thou wast precious in my sight thou hast been honourable and I have loved thee Well and what then This love so endeares unites God to his People that he can't leave them he can't stir one foot from them V. 2. When thou passest through the Waters I will be with thee and through the Rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the flame kindle upon thee The Lord dearly loves his People and he highly prizes his People and he greatly delights in his People and therefore he will be signally present with his People both in the fire and in the water both in the fire of persecution and iâ— the waters of affliction God loves the persons of his People and he loves the presence of his People and he loves the graces of his People and he loves the services of his People and he loves the fellowship of his People and therefore he will never leave his People but stand by them and be signally present with them in their greatest troubles deepest distresses Such is Gods singular love to his Covenant-People that he will neither forsake them nor forget them in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers The Jews were low yea very low in Babylon their distresses were great and their dangers many they looked upon themselves as so many dead Ezek. 37. 1. to 15. men Our bones are dry our hope is lost and we are cut off for our parts They looked upon themselves both as forsaken and forgotten by God Behold captive Sion lamentingly saith The Lord hath forsaken me and my Lord Isa 49. 13. to 18. Psalm 84. 7. Isa 1. 27. Heb. 12. 22. hath forgotten me Sion is taken several wayes in Scripture 1. For the place properly so called where they were wont to meâ—t to worship
afflict or annoy the People of God for God himself is very sensible of it and accordingly he will certainly requite it Acts. 9. 4. Saul Saul why persecutest thou me They that persecute the Servants of Christ they persecute Christ himself who liveth in them and is mystically united to them Look as there is by virtue of the natural union a mutual sympathy betwixt the head and the members the Husband and the Wife so 't is here betwixt Christ and his Saints for he is a most Heb. 4. 15. c. 5. 2. Col. 1. 24. Heb. 13 13. Isa 53. 4. sympathizing compassionate tender-hearted Saviour Those that shoot at the Saints hit Christ their sufferings are held his and their reproaches are counted his He that bore the Saints griefs when he was on Earth really and properly he â—ears them still now he is in Heaven in a way of sympathy Christ in his glorified state hath a very tender sense of all the evil that is done to his Children his members his Spouse and looks upon it as done to himself A great Lord said to another great Lord of the Council in King Henry the Eighths dayes concerning Cranmer Let him alone for the King will See the first part of my Golden Key p. 277 278. 279. more of this not suffer his finger to ake So say I to the persecutors of the day Let the People of God alone for if you do but make their finger ake God will make your heads and hearts ake for it before he has done with you But Tenthly the Lord doth manifest his favourable signal and eminent presence with his People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers by pouring out upon them a greater spirit of prayer and supplication in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers than formerly they have had Isa 26. 16. Lord in trouble have they visited Before they would say a Prayer but now they poured out a Prayer thee they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them They poured out their still prayer The Hebrew word Lachus signifieth properly a soft or low kind of muttering which can hardly be heard The Prophet hereby would intimate to us that in their great troubles and deepest distresses they sighed or groned unto God and prayed in a still and silent manner Saints never visit God more with her prayers than when he visits them most with his rod. Saints never pray with that seriousness that spiritualness that heavenlyness that humbleness that brokenness that servency that frequency as they do when they are under the mighty hand of God and all this is from that signal presence of God that is with them in their greatest troubles deepest distresses c. When it was a day of great trouble of great distress of great danger to the People of God in Germany God poured out a very great spirit of prayer upon Luther at length he comes out of his closet triumphingly saying to his Fellow-labourers and Friends Vicimus vicimus We have overcome we have overcome At which time it is obâ—â—rved that there came out a proclamation from Charles the Fift that none should be further molested for the profession of the Gospel In dayes of â—roubles and distress Luther was so warm zealous and powerful in prayer that made one of his best Friends say Iste vir potuit quod voluit That man could have of God what he pleased Being once very warm in prayer he let fall this transcendent rapture of a daring faith Fiat mea voluntas Let my will be done and then falls off sweetly Mea voluntas Domine quia tua My will Lord because thy will It is reported in the life of Luther that when he prayed it was tanta reverentia ut si Deo tanta fiducia ut si amico It was with so much reverence as if he were praying to God and with so much boldness as if he had been speaking to his Friend I have read of a fountain that at noon day is cold and at midnight it growes warm so many Christians are cold in praying in hearing c. in the day of prosperity but yet are warm and lively in praying and wrestling with God in the day of adversity Manasseh got more by 2 Chr. 33. 11 12 13. Jonah 2. Dan. 6. Ps 84 Luke 23. 42. 2 Ch. 20. 1. to the 13. Isa 37. 14. to the 12. Gen. â—2 6. to the 13. and from v. 24. to 3â— now he oyles the Keâ— of prayers with tears Hos 12. 4. prayer in his iron-chains than ever he got by his golden Crown Afflictions are like the prick at the Nightingals brest that awakes her and that puts her upon her sweet and delightful singing A sincere Christian never prayes so sweetly as when under the rod. One reports of Joachim the Father of the Virgin Mary that he would often say Cibus potus mihi erit oratio Prayer is my meat and drink When a Christian is in trouble then prayer is his meat and drink O what a spirit of prayer was upon Jonah when he was in the Whales belly and upon Daniel when he was among the Lyons and upon David in his wilderness-state and upon the Thief when he was on the Câ—oss and upon Jehoshaphat when Moab and Ammon and others came against him to battel and upon Hezekiah when Sennacherib had invaded Judah and upon Jacob when his brother Esau came to meet him with four hundred bloody cut-throates at his heels As there be two kind of antidotes against poyson viz. hot and cold so there are two kind of antidotes against all the troubles of this life viz. fervent Prayer and holy Patience the one hot the otehr cold the one quenching the other quickning When a Christian under great troubles deep distresses and most deadly dangers prayes more for the sanctification of affliction than the removal of affliction when he prayes more to get off his sins than to get off his chains when he prayes more to get good by the rod than to get free from the rod when he prayes more that his afflictions may be a refining fire than a consuming fire and that his heart may be low and his graces high and that all his troubles may wean him more from this World and ripen him the more for the glory of that upper World It is a great demonstration of the signal presence of God with him in all his troubles and deep distresses But Eleventhly the Lord doth manifest his favourable signal and eminent presence with his People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers by drawing the hearts of his People nearer and closer to himself by all the afflictions troubles distresses and dangers that do attend them in this World Psalm 119. 67. Before I was afflicted I weut astray but now have I kept thy Word God brought David nearer to Chrysostom himself by weeping cross Affliction is fire to purge
Nebuchadnezzar nor his Princely Informers nor his fiery Furnace could never bring the three Children to his bow the three Dan. 3. Champions would be Non-conformists though Court City and Country were violent for Conformity Neither Darius his Presidents nor Princes could ever bring Dan. 6. Daniel to their bow Daniel would keep off from idolatry and keep close to his God and close to his duty let all his enemies do their worst The Rulers and Elders of Israel charged the Apostles and threatned the Apostles and beat the Apostles and commanded the Apostles Acts 3. ibid. 4. and 5. that they should not speak in the Name of Jesus but they could never bring them to their bow For they Acts 5. 41. 42. departed from the presence of the Council rejoycing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his Name and daily in the Temple and in every house they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ Pharaoh by all his oppressions could never bring Israel to his bow Nor Saul by all his persecutions could never bring David to his bow Nor Haman by all his plots and designs could never bring Mordecai to his bow and Paul will rather dye upon the Acts 20. 21 22 23 24. cap. 21. 13. spot than be brought to his enemies bow The ten persecuting Emperours could never bring the primitive Christians to their bow Nor the bloody fierce and fiery Papists could never bring the Martyrs to their bow as you may see through out the Books of Martyrs Among the many hundred instances that are there I shall only refresh your memory with this one There were Endeavours to bring Hawkes to their bow but all in Fox Acts and Mon. p. 1447. vain at last some of his Christian Friends desired him for their encouragment and confirmation to give some token when he was in the flames a strange time one would think to attend upon signs by Friends whether pains were tolerable or no. He was bound to the stake fire put to the wood it burns it flames it consumes his flesh his eyes start out of his head his fingers are consumed with the fire and when every one thought him dead expecting the fall of his body lo suddenly he lifts up his stumps and thrice as a famous conquerour he claps them over his head In this he was more than a Conquerour In former times the sense of the love of God made the Martyrs esteem Tyrants as gnats and fleas and torments as the fleabitings Tertullian speaking of his times saith Accâ—satio votumest paena faeliâ—itas Tert. advers Gent. that to be accused was the wish of Christians and punishment for Christ they counted felicity A certain Woman â—unning in all hast with her child in her arms being asked the cause O saith she I hear a great sort of Christians are appointed to be martyred and I am afraid lest I and my little one come too late When the Emperour Valens banished Basil and the Tribune threatned his death I would said Basil I had any thing of worth I would bestow it on him that should cut Basil's wind-pipe and when he had that night given him to deliberate he answered That he should be the same man to morrow and wished that the Tribune would not be changed Chrysostome being in banishment by the means of Eudoxia the Empress wrote to a Bishop called Cyriacus and upon occasion tells of his resolution before he was banished I thought with my self saith he that if she will banish me the Earth is the Lords if she will saw me asunder I remembred the Prophet â—say if drown me Jonas came to my mind if stone me I thought of Stephen if behead me of John Baptist if take away my goods Naked came I out of my mothers womb By all which you may clearly see that let the wicked do their worst they can never bring the Saints to their bow But Fifthly If God be with us who can be against us I answer none so as to hinder the operation of all things for our good When men and devils have done their worst all the great troubles deep distresses and most deadly dangers that do attend the Saints shall work for their good Rom. 8. 28. And we know that all I have read of a Jewish Rabbin who would still say it was good what ever befel him when he met with a cross he would say it was good when he met with a loss he would say it is good things work together for good to them that love God to them that are called according to his purpose In this Verse there are two things observable First a proposition or a glorious priviledge All things work together for good This word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Work together is a physical expression several poysonful ingredients put together being tempered by the skilful Apothecary make a soveraign medicine and work together for the good of the Patient they work together not invicem between themselves but together with God not of their own nature for so they do not co-operate but contra-operate but being sanctified by God And therefore one takes the verb passively are wrought for indeed take away God and afflictions work for our hurt but all Gods providences â—eing divinely tempered and sanctified do work together for the best to the People of God When the worst of men have done their worst against the Saints all things shall sweetly concur yea conspire for their good 2. The proof which is double 1. From the experience of all Saints We know it is not a matter pendulous or doubtful The Apostle doth not say We think but We know Nor he doth not say We hope but We know Nor he doth not say We guess we conjecture but We know Nor he doth not say We desire that all things may work together for good but We know all things work together for good Nor he doth not say We pray that all things may work together for good but We know all Judg. 14. 12 13 14. things work together for good The wicked know not this secret as the Philistins understood not Sampsons riddles but we know that all the world shall not hinder the cross from working for our good 2. From a dâ—scription of them that love God they are called according to Gods purpose That is God hath purposed the salvation of his People he hath chosen them to salvation and called them to it and therefore it must needs be that all these afflictions that befal his People must work together for their internal and eternal good otherwise he should do that which should cross his own purpose which wise men will not do and O how much less will the most wise God act counter cross to his own purpose So Jer. 24. 5. Thus saith the Lord the God of Israel Like these good Figs so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah whom I have sent out of this
5. 1. an able friend a sure friend a faithful friend a close friend a constant friend Plutarch's reasoning is good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Friends have all things in common But God is our Friend Ergo we cannot want a most rare speech from a poor Heathen He is our Father Isa 63. 16. cap. 64 8. And we are his children Isa 63. 8. He is our Bridegroom and we are his Bride Isa 61. 10. Hosea 2. 19 20. Isa 62. 5. And therefore it is no pride nor presumption for Believers to say our fellowship is with the Father Our fellowship with Jesus Christ is set forth by the Parable of Matth. 22. 1 2 3. Luke 15. the Wedding-Feast and by the Entertainment of the Prodigal Son and by such relations or various similitudes as carry communion in their bosoms as of the head and the members root and branches foundation and building husband and wife The head hath communion with the body by sense influence motion The root with the branches by leaf sap and juice The foundation with the building by support and strength The husband with the wife by love and consent Thus it is betwixt Christ and the Believers 1 Cor. l. 9. God is faithful by whom ye are called to the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ All Believers have fellowship with Christ whether they be strong or weak rich or poor Gal. 3. 28. 1 Pet. 2. 2. John 17. 20 21 22 23. high or low ripe and well grown or new born babes and very tender The head hath conjunction with all the members and an influence into all the members even the little Toes as well as into the strongest Arms and the root in the vertue of it extends to the weakest branches as well as to the strongest limbs of the Tree Communion is as large as union all Believers are united to Christ and all Believers have communion with Christ Though one star exceeds another in magnitude yet all are alike seated in the heavenly Orb and though one member be larger in the body than another yet every one hath an equal conjunction with the head And as Believers have fellowship with the Father and the Son so they have fellowship with the Spirit also every Believers communion extends to all the Persons in the Trinity 2 Cor. 13. 14. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen Now no Men no Devils no wrath no rage no malice no enmity no afflictions no oppositions do persecutions no troubles no trials no bonds no banishment can interrupt or hinder a Believers communion with the three Persons in Trinity But Seventhly If God be with us who can be against us I answer None so as to hinder our private Trade to Heaven All the world can never hinder a sincere Christian from driving a secret Trade with Heaven as you may see by comparing the Scriptures in the Margin together Psalm 3. 2 3 4. Psalm 6. 8 9 10. Psalm 138. 3 Lan. 3. 55. to 59. A Christian â—an as well hear without ears and live without food and fight without hands and walk without feet as he is able to live without secret Prayer Secret Prayer is the life of our lives the soul the sweet the heaven of all our enjoyments of all the duties of Religion Secret Prayer is the most soul-sweetning soul-strengthning soul-nourishing soul-fatning soul-refreshing soul-satisfying and soul-encouraging duty in all the Ages of the world the Saints have kept the Trade in spite of all opposers and persecutors in prisons in dungeons in dens in bonds in banishments on racks and in the very flames the Saints have still kept up this secret Trade as you may see at large in my Treatise on closet Prayer called The privy Key of Heaven to which I refer you But Eightly If God â—e with us who can be against us I answer None so as to deprive us of the sweet Testimonie of our renewed consciences 2 Cor. 1. 12. For our rejoycing or boasting is this the testimony of our conscience 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 boasting or glorying that in simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God we have had our conversation in the world and more abundantly to you-ward They were in great and pressing troubles in Asia Verse the 8. and yet they boasted in the testimony of their consciences they were under a Sentence of death in themselves Verse 9 and yet gloried in the testimony of their consciences Joy of conscience is the greatest joy as trouble of conscience is the greatest trouble when conscience bears its testimony with us and for us how full of joy is the soul even in the midst of the deepest sorrows and greatest sufferings Conscientia pura semper secura a good conscience hath sure confidence and he that hath it sits Noah like mediis tranquillus in undis Quiet in the greatest combustions freed if not from the common destuction yet from the common distraction A good conscience is an impregnable Fort it fears no colours it will enable a man to stand against the fiercest batteries of men and divels A good conscience will fill a man with courage and comfort in the midst of all his troubles and distresses Paul had enough to say for himself when standing before the Council he could say Men and brethren I have lived in all good conscience Acts 23. 1 2. before God until this day And though as soon as he had said so Ananiâ—s commanded to smite him on the mouth yet he bears up bravely because his conscience did not smite him but acquit him That man can never want musick whose conscience speaks in consort and is harmonious with himself A good conscience is a Paradise in a wilderness it is riches in poverty and health in sickness and strength in weakness and liberty Isa 38. 3. in bonds and life in death A good conscience will enable a man to triumph over innumerable evils yea over death it self Death to such a person is not the King of terrors but the King of desires A good conscience Phil. 1. 23. will be a Christians best friend in the worst times it will be a sword to defend him a staff to support him a pillar of fire to lead him a Joseph to nourish him a Dorcas to cloath him a Canaan to refresh him and a feast to delight him He that is of a merry heart hath a Prov. 15. 15. continual feast Now there is nothing that can make a man Divinely merry below a good conscience A good conscience saith one is Thalamuâ— Dei palatium Aug. Ser. 10. ad Fratres in Eâ—em Christi habitaculum Spiritus Sancti Paradisus delitiarum The bed of God the palace of Christ the habitation of the holy Ghost the Paradise of delights and wherein every Tree yieldeth a Feast Tranquillitas conscientiae Ambros Offic. l. 2. c. 1.
15. Josh 1. 5. Heb. 13. 5. Exod. 3. 12. Genes 26. 3. Sojourn in this land and I will be with thee and will bless thee Cap. 28. 15. And behold I am with thee and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest and will bring thee again into this land for I will not leave thee c. Don't talk of thy loss of Friends for I will be with thee nor don 't talk of thy Countrey for I will give thee this Land which is the Paradise of the world nor don 't talk of thy poverty for thou shalt spread abroad to the West and to the East and to the North and to the South Verse 14. Nor don 't talk of thy solitariness and aloneness for I will not leave thee Isa 91. 10. Fear thou not for I am with thee be not dismayed for I am thy God I will strengthen thee yea I will help thee yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness Suppose a man was injuriously dealt with by this man or that would it not be a comfort to him that a just and righteous Judge stood by and was an eye witness of all the violences that were offered to him Suppose a man were in exile with David or in prison with Joseph or in a Dungeon with Jeremiah or in the stocks with Paul and Silas or in banishment for the testimony of Jesus with John yet would it not be a singular comfort to him to have the presence of a kind Father a bosom Friend a wise Counseller an able Physician with him O Christian be thou in what place thou wilt and with what Company thou wilt and in what condition thou wilt yet thy loving God thy kind Father thy bosom Friend c. will be still with thee he will never leave thee nor forsake thee and O! what a spring of comfort should this be to thee But Secondly Know for your comfort that there is alwayes some special favours and blessings annexed to this signal presence of God as I will be with thee and bless thee Genes 26. 3. I am with thee and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest Genes 28. 15. I will be with him in trouble and honour him Psalm 91. 15. I will be with him and strengthen him Isai 41. 10. I will be with thee and the flames shall not kindle upon thee Cap 43. 2. I will be with thee and there shall not a man be able to stand before thee Joshua 1. 5 I will be with thee to deliver thee Jerem. 1. 19. I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked and out of the hand of the terrible Cap. 15. 20 21. Hushai's presence with David was a burden Jobs Wifes presence was but 2 Sam. 15. 33. Job 2. 9. 10. and Matth. 8. 28. 34. a vexation unto him and Christs presence among the Gergesens was a terrour to them and the presence of talkative Friends is many times a trouble to us O but this signal this favourable presence of the Lord with his People in their greatest troubles and deepest distresses is a sweet presence a comfortable presence a delightful presence a blessed presence yea such a presence as has many singular blessings annexed to it But Thirdly Know for your comfort that you shall have mercy and kindness and what ever good you need in due season at that very instant at that very nick of time wherein you most need mercy God will time your Psalm 145. 18. Deut. 4. 7. Gen. 22. 10 11 12 13. mercies and your blessings for you he is nigh and will not fail you at a dead lift When Abraham had bound his Son and bent his sword and the knife was up then comes a voice from Heaven Abraham Abraham hold thy hand At that very nick of time when the four hundred and thirty years were expired Israel was delivered Exod. 12. 41. 51. out of their captivity and slavery Deut. 11. 14. I will give you the rain of your land in his due season the first rain and the latter rain that thou mayest gather in thy corn and thy wine and thine oyl God gives rain to all by a Providence but he gives rain to his Israel by vertue of Acts 14. 18. Job 38. 26. a promise God engages himself not only to give rain but to give it in due season he will give the first rain after the sowing of the seed that it might take rooting in the Earth and he will give the latter rain a little before Harvest that the cars might be full O my Friends it is wonderful mercy that God will time our mercies for us When Jehoshaphat was put to a hard pinch at that 2 Chron. 20. 12. 22 23 24 25 26. very nick of time God ownes him stands by him and gives him a great victory When David was at a great 1 Sam. 23. 26 27 28. Let him saith Augustinâ— chuse his own opportunity that so freely grants the mercy plunge Saul being at his very heels at that very nick of time tydings were brought to Saul that the Philistines had invaded the land and so David escapes When all humane help failed God came in and help't at a dead lift So Julian was cut of by the Persian War at that very nick of time when he had vowed at his return to make a Sacrifice of the Christians lives And so Charles the Fifth was diverted from persecuting of the Protestants by the Turks breaking into Hungary at that very nick of time when his heart was set upon a warm persecution And so Justice Gilford a violent Papist Acts and Mon. 1880. in Queen Marie's dayes going up the stairs to Mistriss Roberts her Chamber to compel her will she or will she not to go to Mass at that very nick of time he was suddenly taken with his old disease the Gout and so grievously tormented that he swore he would never trouble her more When Faux was giving fire to the match that should have given fire to the Powder that should have blown up King Lords and Commons at that very nick of time he that never slumbers nor sleeps Psal 121 3 4 5. prevented him and so turned our intended Funeral into a Festival O Christian are thy troubles many in number strange in nature heavy in measure much in burthen and long in continuance yet remember that thy God is near whose mercies are numerous whose wisdom is wonderous and whose power is miraculous The nearness or remoteness of a Friend is very material and considerable in our troubles distresses wants dangers c. I have such a Friend and he would help me but he lives so far off And I have another Friend that has a great love for me that is able to counsel me and to speak a word in season to me and that in my distress would stand close to me but he is so remote I have a special Friend
those that lie with their faces upwards that all Passengers may see who they are Is it of such a comfort to have the presence of a wise and knowing friend with us in our greatest troubles and deepest distresses what a transcâ—ndent comfort must it be to enjoy the presence of an all-seeing and an all-knowing God in all our troubles and distresses The eye of Heaven sees all and knows all and writes down all thy troubles and trials thy sorrows and sufferings Matth. 6. 32. thy losses and crosses and accordingly will an all-knowing God act for his own glory and his Peoples good Sixthly and lastly It is the presence of a God of Mercy a God of Bowels a God of compassions Jer. 31. 18 19 Exod. 33. 7. 8. 20. Hosea 11. 8 9. Lament 3. 22. His compassions fail not Mercy is as essential to God as light is to the Sun or as heat is to the fire He delights in mercy as the senses and faculties of the soul do in their Micha 7. 18 19. several actions Patience and clemency and mercy and compassion and peace are the fruits of his bowels the ofspring which the Divine Nature doth produce Gods compassions are Fatherly compassions Psalm 103. 13. They are Motherly compassions Isa 49. 15. They are Brotherly compassions Heb. 2. 12. They are Friendly compassions Cant. 5. 1 2. O how sweet must the presence of a God of mercy a God of compassion be to the Saints in a day of trouble the presence of a compassionate Friend in a day of distress is very desirable and comfortable what then is the presence of a compassionate God Thus you see that there is no presence to the Divine presence no presence to the signal presence of God with his People in their greatest troubles and deepest distresses But Seventhly and lastly If God be signally present with his People in their greatest troubles and deepest distresses then let them all know for their comfort that this presence will make up the want or loss of all outward 1 Sam. 1. 8. comforts this presence will make up the loss of a Husband a Child a Friend an Estate c. Look as all light meets in the Sun and as all water meets in the Sea so all our outward comforts meet in the God of all 2 Cor. 1. 3. comfort When Alexander asked King Porus being then his Prisoner how he would be used He answered in one word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. like a King Alexander again replying Do you desire nothing else No saith Porus all things are in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in this one word like a King so all things all comforts are to be found in this signal presence of God with his People in their greatest troubles and deepest distresses certainly the gracious presence of the Lord is infinitely better than the presence of all outward comforts as you know one Sun is more glorious and comfortable than ten thousand Stars But how may a person that has lost this gracious Quer. presence of God recover it again First Observe how you lost this presence of God and Respon labour to recover it by a contrary course did you lose it by sinful omissions then be more active in a way of duty Didst thou lose the presence of God by neglecting thy watch or by not walking with God or by an eager pursuit of the world or by closing with this or that temptation or by letting fall thy communion with God take a contrary course now keep up thy watch walk close with God keep up a daily converse with lively Christians Psal 119. 63. Col. 3. 1. â— let thy heart and affections be set upon things above keep thy ground in the face of all temptations maintain a standing communion with God After Christ had stood knocking and calling to his Spouse Open to me my Sister my Love my Dove my Vndefiled for my head is filled with dew and my locks with the drops of the night Cant. 5. 2 3 6. but found no entrance he retired and withdrew himself because she would not arise and put on her coat but when she bestirs her self she finds him whom her soul loved Cant 3. 1 2 3 4. Then Christ comes into his garden again and returns to his Spouse again and forgets all former unkindness Cap. 6. 1 2. But Secondly Enquire where when and why God has withdrawn himself as we do when dear Friends absent themselves from us O the hope of Israel the Saviour thereof in time of trouble why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the Land and as a way-faring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night Verse 9. Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied as a mighty man that cannot save Yet thou O Lord art in the midst of us and we are called by thy Name leave us not Thirdly Stand not with Christ for any thing not for a right eye or a right hand nor for an Isaac or a Benjamin don't say this work is too high and that too hard and t'other too hot and the other too dangerous in order to the recovery of Gods countenance and presence thou must not think any thing in the world too much to do for Christ or to suffer for Christ thou wilt be a happy man if thou canst recover Christs lost presence though it be upon the hardest termes imaginable But Fourthly Let your hearts lye humble and low under Psal 51. 8 9 10 11 12. 1 Pet. 5. 6. the loss of Gods gracious presence For 1. 'T is the greatest loss 2. 'T is a loss-imbittering loss it is a loss that will greatly imbitter all your worldly losses I have lost my health I have lost a hopeful Child I have lost a gracious yoke-fellow which was the delight of mine eyes and the joy of my heart I have lost a fair estate I have lost an intimate Friend I have lost a brave trade O but that which imbitters all my losses and puts a sting into them is this that I have lost the gracious presence of God that once I enjoyed 3. 'T is a loss that all outward comforts can never make up when the Sun is down nothing can make it day with us 4. 'T is an invisible loss and no losses to invisible losses as there are no mercies to invisible mercies so there are no losses to invisible losses 5. 'T is a loss that will cost a man dear before it will be made up again O the sighs the groans the strong crycs the earnest prayers the bottles of tears that the recovery of the Divine presence will cost a Christian upon all which accounts how well does it become a Christian to lye humble at the foot of God! Fifthly Lift up a mighty cry to Heaven Thus the Saints of old have done consult these Scriptures Psal 51. 6. to 13. Lam. 3. 56 57. Psal 4. 6 7. Psal 27. 9. Psal 38. 21 22. Psal 138. 3. Psal 119. 8. O forsake
Blakie Gâ—ammatica Quadrilinguis or brief instructions for the French Italian Spanish and English Tongues with Proverbs of each Language fitted for those who desire to perfect themselves therein By J. Smith M. A. The Works of Mr. James Janeway containing these six following Treatises Heaven upon Earth or the best of Friends in the worst of Times Death Vnstuâ—g a Sermon preach'd at the Funeral of Thomas Mosely an Aâ—â—theâ—ary with a Narrative of his life and death also the manner of Gods dealmâ— with him before and after his Conversion A Sermon preached at the Funeral of Thomas Savage Invisible Realities demonstrated in the holy Life and triumphant Death of Mr. John Janeway The Saints encouragment to Diligence in Christs Service with Motives and Means to Christian Activity Mr. Janeway's lâ—st Legacy to his Friends containing twenty seven famous instances of Gods Providences in and about Sea-dangers and Deliverances with the Names of several that were Eye-witnesses to many of them whereunto is added a Sermon on the same subject The Life and Death of that excellent Minister of Christ Mr. Joseph Allin Also his Christian Letters full of spiritual instructions Published by several Ministers Memorials of Gods Judgments Spiritual and Temporal or Sermons to call to remembrance By Nich. Lockier Minister of the Gospel A Plat for Mariners or the Seamans Preacher delivered in several Sermons upon Jonah's Voyage By R. Ryther Preacher of Gods Word at Wappin The Gentle-womans Companion or a guide to the Female Sex containing Directions of Behaviour in all Places Companies Relations and Conditions from their childhood down to old age with Letters and Discourses upon all occasions Whereunto is added a Guide for Cook-Maids Dairy-Maids Chamber-Maids and all others that go to service The whole being an exact Rule for the Female Sex in general The present state of Russia in a Letter to a Friend at London written by an eminent Person residing at the Great Tzars Court at Mosco for the space of nine years illustrated with many copper Plates The fulfilling of the Scriptures or an Essay shewing the exact accomplishment of the Word of God in his Works of Providence performed and to be performed for confirming the Believers and convincing the Atheâ—â—ts of these present times Containing in the end a few rare Histories of the works and Servants of God in the Church of Scotland The Morning Seeker shewing the benefit of being good betimes with Directions to make sure work about early Religion By John Rither A Discourse concerning Evangelical Love Church peace and Unity with the Occasions and Reasons of present Differences and Divisions about things Sacred and Religious By John Owen D. D. Saints Memorials or Words fitly spoken like Apples of Gold in pictures of Silver being a collection of Divine Sentences written or delivered by those late Reverend Eminent Ministers of the Gospel Mr. Edm. Calamy Mr. Joseph Caryl Mr. R. Vening Mr. James Janneway c. The interest of Reason in Religion with the import and use of Scripture Metaphors and the matter of the union betwixt Christ and Believers with Reflections on several late writings especially Mr. Sherlock's Discourse concerning the Knowledge of Christ modâ—stly enquired into and stated The true way to the Tree of Life or the Natural Man directed unto Christ by F. Roberts D. D. Pastor of the Church of Christ at Wrington in the County of Sommerset Dyers Cabinet of Jewels Christ's Voyce to the City Heaven Realized in the Life and Death of a Famous Christian Gentlewoman Small Octavo and Twelves The Life and Death of Mr. Thomas Wilson Minister of Maidstone in the County of Kent Drawn up by Mr. George Swinnock Hier agonisticon or Corahs Doom being an Answer to two Letters of Enquiry into the Grounds and Occasions of the contempt of the Clergy and Religion The Comparison of Plato and Aristotle with the Opinions of the Fathers on their Doctrine and some Christian Reflexions together with judgment on Alexander and Caesar as also on Seneca Plutarch Petronius out of the French Observations on the Poems of Homer and Virgil a Discourse representing the excellency of those Works and the perfection in general of all Heroick Actions out of the French Mysterium Pietatis or the Mystery of Godliness wherein the mysteries contained in the Incarnation Circumcision wise Men Passion Resurrection Ascension of the Son of God and coming of the Holy Ghost are unfolded and applyed By W. Annand Fellowship with God or 28. Sermons on the first Epistle of John chap. first and second By Hugh Binning late Minister in Scotland A Token for Children being an exact account of the conversation holy and exemplary lives and joyful deaths of several young Children By James Janeway The Mercury Gallant containing many true and pleasant Relations of what passed at Paris from the first of Ianuary 1672. till the Kings Departure thence An Explanation of the Assemblies shorter Catechism wherein all the Answers are taken abroad in under Questions and Answers the Truths explained and proved by Reason and Scripture several cases of Conscience resolved some chief controversies in Religion stated c. By Th. Vincent The Experience of Gods gracious declining with Mrs. Elizabeth White as they were written with her own hand and â—ound in her closet after her decease A serious Caution against Impenitency under Gods correcting providences By James Sharp The Christians great Interest or the Tryal of a saving interest in Christ with the way how to attain it By W. Gâ—thry late Minister in Scotland The History of Moderation or the life death and resurrection of moderation together with her nativity country pedigree kindred and character friends and also her enemies A Guide to the true Religion or a Discourse directing to make a wise choice of that Religion men venture their salvation upon By John Clappam A most comfortable and Christian Dialogue between the Lord and the Soul By W. Cooper Bishop of Galloway Iustification only upon a Satisfaction or the Necessity and Verity of the Satisfaction of Christ as the alone ground of Remission of sin asserted and opened against the Socinians By R. Ferguson The Canons and Institutions of the Quakers agreed upon at their general Assembly at their new Theatre in Grace Church street A Synopsis of Quakerism or a collection of the fundamental Errors of the Quakers By Th. Danson Blood for Blood being a true Narrative of that late horrid murther committed by Mary Cook upon her child By Nath. Partridge with a Sermon on the same occasion Six several Treatises By Nich. Lockier Minister of the Gospel A Discourse wriâ—ten by Sir G. Downing the King of Great Brittain's Envoy extraordinary to the States of the United Provinces vindicating his Royal Master from the Insolencies of a Scandalous Libel printed under the Title of An Extract out of the Register of the States General of the Vnited Provinces upon the Memorial of Sir George Downing Envâ—y c. And delivered by the Agent de Heyde for such to several publick Ministers Whereas no such Resolution was â—ver communicated to the said Envoy nor any answer returned at all by their Lordships to the said Memorial Whereunto is added a Relation of some former and latter Proceedings of the Hollanders By a meaner hand The Assemblies works in 12. with the large and smaller Catechisms Scotch Psalms alone or with the Bible The Weavers Pocket book or Weaving spiritualized in a Discourse wherein men employed in that occupation are instructed how to raise Heavenly meditations from the several parts of thâ—â—â— work to which also are added some few Moral and Spiritual Observations relating both to that and to other Trades By I. C. D. D. The character of a weaned Christian or the Evangelical art of Self-denial being an Essay alluding to the severities and advantages of Infant-weaning both pleasant and profitable By S. S. formerly Fellow of S. John Baptist's Colledge at Oxon now Minister of the Gospel in London The Parable of the Kingdom of Heaven expounded or an exposition of the first thirteen Verses of the 25. Chapter of Matthew By Han. Knollis A new Discovery of an excellent method of Bee-houses and Colonies to free the Owners from the great charge and trouble that attends the swarming of Bees and delivers the Bees from the evil reward of Ruine for the benefit they brought their Masters advantaging their Owners manyfold above what ever any method heretofore practiced doth experienced seven years by John Geddes Gent. Inventor and aproved by the Royal Society at Gresham Colledge A true Relation of the sad estate of the Reformed Churches in France and several Passages of the great Persecution they lye under Collected out of the several Addresses and Speeches in print made unto the King of France as also in some parts of Germany and Hungary Conversion exemplified in the Instance of a gracious Gentlewoman now in Glory written from her own mouth and appointment by her dearest Friend and published in pursuance of her desires for common Benefit but especially for her near relations in the flesh THese are to give Notice that the Psalms of David in Meter are newly Translated aâ— d Diligently Compared with the Original Text and former Translations more smooth and agreeable to the Text than that of Tho. Sternhâ—ld John Hopkins or any other Extant in English and do run with such a fluent Sweetness that the Ministers whose Names are here under Subscribed have thought fit to Recommend it to all with whom they are Concerned some of them having used it already with great Comfort and Satisfaction These Psalms are to be sold by Dorman Newâ—an at the King's Arms in the Poultry at One snilling Four pence Price Jâ—hn Owen D. D. Thomas Manton D. D. William Jâ—nkyn James Innes Thomas Watson Thomas Lye Maâ—thew Poâ—le Jo. Milward John Châ—â—ter George Coâ—kâ—yn Matthew Mâ—ade Robert Franklin Richard Mayo Henry Langley D. D. Thomas Dâ—â—little Thomas Vincent Nathanaâ—l Vincent John Ryther William Thompson Nicâ—â—lâ—s Blakey Charles Morton Edmund Calamy William Carslake Jamâ—s Janeway John Hicks John Baker FINIS