VI. Of Exhortation I. To Christs Enemies submit to him Page 171 There being no prevailing against him 1. Not by Wisdome 2. Nor strength Page 173 3. Nor Riches II. To Christs servants 1. Fear him Page 175. 2. Trust in him 3. Prize him highly Page 176 4. Stand by him and his interest Page 177 5. Bless God that drew you out of the world Page 178 6. Labour to get much of Christ. Page 179 II. Doctrine God hath appointed this Mighty One Christ to be a help to his people here Page 180 1. Christ is an Help to his people appeares 1. By Types of him Passeover Manna Moses David Solomon c. Page 180 2. By the Prophesies of him Ps 72. Is 11. Page 181 In a threefold Gradation Page 182 1. Christ is furnished with ability to help 1. Knowledge 2. power where 3. things Page 184 2. With what may incline him to help Page 185 As 1. Participating of our Nature 2. Participating of his peoples sufferings Page 186 3. Pity and Compassion Page 187 3. Christ is engaged to help them Page 188 1. By his interest in them 2. By his Relations to them Page 189 3. By his Promise to help them Page 190 4. The honour he Receives from helped ones Page 191 For further opening the first Branch shew I. What Manner of help Christ is Page 191 1. Sufficient help Page 192 2. A seasonable help 3. Suitable Page 193 4. Constant 5. Onely help Page 195 6. Old help 7. Free undeserved Page 196 8. A tryed experimentall help Page 197 9. Vniversal help Page 198 GODS servants need help 1. In regard of service they must do 2. In regard of sufferings Page 199 II. How is Christ an help Page 200 Ans Chiefly five wayes 1. By efficacy of his death 2. By excellency of his example Page 201 3. By powerfulnes of his Spirit Page 203 4. By the admirableness of his Rule Page 205 5. By the prevalency of his Intercession Page 207 Especially in three Cases Page 208 1. Of sin 2. Of Satans Temptings 3. Of sufferings II Branch God hath appointed Christ this Mighty One to be a help to his people Page 209 I Reasons 1. In their regard he saw there would be need of such 2. The difficulty of their work Page 210 3. The Mightiness of their Enemies 4. The promised exalting of his people Page 211 For the Honour of Christ in 1. the Saints Faith 2. Honour of their Praises Page 212 Obj. Why then are his people in so much distress Page 213 Ans I. As the Lord appointed their help so a time to suffer Page 213 2. The Lord hath several wayes of helping them Page 214 3. Yet he sees good to help sometimes but a little Page 215 4. Their salvations are oft carried on in a Mystery Page 216 5. Some things in them may delay present help Page 217 1. When they beleeve not 2. When they act without his call Page 218 3. When they act in their own strength Page 219 4. When they eye some other besides him 5. When they have sinister ends in actings 6. When they refuse to be helped by him Page 220 Qu 1. What shall they do when he helps not Ans 1. Seriously lay it to heart as a trouble Page 221 2. Search diligently the cause of it Page 222 3. Forsake those evils that so provoke him Page 223 4. Earnestly cry to him for his help Page 224 5. Patiently wait on Christ for help Page 225 Qu 2. When may Gods people expect his helping them Page 226 Ans 1. When they are afflicted greatly 2. When they are forsaken utterly Page 227 3. When they cry mightily for Gods help Page 228 4. When they beleeve on him strongly Page 229 5. When they walk before him faithfully 6. When they use appointed meanes diligently Page 230 7. When enemies speak proudly act highly most secure Page 231 Qu 3. WhatVse should we make of this Ans I. It s for our Instruction in 4. things Page 233 1. It shews the first Cause of Gods peoples help the Lord. 2. A sufficient Reason of the Saints hope of help in need Page 234 3. The righteousnesse of God in his dealings with his Page 234 4. Whence Gods People can do so great things Page 234 II. USE of Reproof 1. To profane ones that insult against Gods People as helplesse Page 235 2. To proud ones that trust to their works for salvation Page 236 3. To trusters in their strength for help in danger Page 237 4. To despairing ones 1. Of Eternal Salvation Page 238 1. Great Sinners 2. Weak Saints 2. Of deliverance or promised help Page 239 5. To seekers for other help in trouble 1. As being in vain help is not there Page 240 2. It s dangerous to the hurt of the seekers Page 241 3. It s sinfull Chiefly in three things Page 242 1. It s a despising the riches of Gods goodnesse Page 243 2. It s a slighting of Christ 3. It s a walking contrary to profession Page 244 III. USE Streams of COMFORT to Gods people Page 244 1. Against mighty adversaries Page 245 2. Against greatest difficulties Page 246 3. Against deepest troubles 4. Against weakest instruments of help Page 247 Object 1. We are not worthy Christ should help Page 248 Answ Christ is a free undeserved help Page 249 Object 2. We are froward under troubles Answ Though this provokes yet God helps such Page 249 Object 3. We have wearied Christ hee 'l help no more Page 250 Answ Though so with men he is not weary Object 4. Christ helped on earth but will not now Page 251 Answ Christ is as neer to help in Heaven 1. Not thereby disenabled to help 2. Not disaffected towards them Page 252 3. Not disengaged from helping them Page 252 4. Not disinterested in them nor they in him 5. Not disregardful of them thereby Page 253 6. Not disswaded from helping them Page 254 7. Not disadvantaged by helping them IV. USE of Exhortation Commit all to him Page 255 1. Your Souls 2. Bodyes Page 256 1. In case of service Page 256 2. In case of sicknesse Page 257 3. In case of sufferings 3. Commit your Estates to him Page 258 4. Your Names 5. His Cause Page 260 6. Your own Cause 7. Your Work Page 261 8. Your Conditions 1. Ye Sinners Page 262 1. There 's help in no other 2. Are you laden with sin 3. ignorant Page 263 2. Ye Saints 1. Your outward State Page 264 Reproach Poverty Oppressions 2. Your inward in Spirit tempted flesh lusting Page 265 USE Serve Christ Page 266 Here Helps against two Lets 1. Difficulty Page 267 2. Danger Page 268 USE of CAUTION Abuse not this Doctrine Page 270 1. Be not idle or negligent Page 271 2. Limit not Christ to your Time Page 272 3. Not to particular straits 4. Nor to particular Persons Page 272 USE of EXHORTATION 1. Seek to Christ for help in every time of need Page 273 2. Having found help in need carry it well 1. Serve him more freely Page 274 2. Cleave to him constantly 3. Praise him continually Page 275 ERRATA The Author being distant from the Presse PAge 1. Line 8. read contains Page 83. Secondly read XXI ly II ly Books printed and are to be sold by Henry Cripps at the first shop in Popes-head-Alley next Lombard-street DR Sibbs Saints Cordials being severall Sermons on divers subjects Mr. Burroughs Exposition on the three first Chapters of Hosea Mr. Cradocks Gospel-holinesse His Gospel-liberty Mr. John Goodwin his Treatise of the Divine Authority of the Scriptures Bishop Reynolds his Exposition on the 4. Chapter of Hosea Mr. Cotton on the seven Vials being an Exposition of some part of the Revelations Mr. Norton his Orthodox Evangelist Mr. Brooks his Crown of Christianity or Holinesse the way of Happinesse Mr. Lye his Sermon at the Funeral of Mris. Nichols Mr. Douglasses Mystery of Godliness in several Sermons Mr. Armitages Son of God walking in the fire with the servants of God in several Sermons on the 3. of Daniel His Tryall of Faith or the Woman of Canaan in severall Sermons Mr. Baxters three Treatises Viz 1. A Sermon of Judgement 2. Danger of slighting Christ 3. True Christianity or Christs absolute Dominion and mans necessary self-resignation to him Mr. Eaton on the God-head of Christ Mris. Sarah Wight or Grace advanced in a nothing creature Mr. Dingley's Vox Coeli or a Discourse of Thunder His Divine Opticks or a Treatise of the Eye Mr. Trenchfields Christian Chymistry or History improved Mr. Hubberts Pill to purge Formallity Mr. Brooks his Ark for all Gods Noahs in a stormy day Mr. Lyes method of using the Assemblies Catechisme Mr. Cottons Milk for Babes in Christ A Catechisme An Epitomie of History containing the lives of the Roman Emperours wherein is also contained an Epitomie of English Chronicle Mr. Wards Nature and Grace Mr. Byfields Signes of a Godly man His Touch-stone of Assurance The Mirrour of Martyrs Mr. Wells Anchor of hope Mr. Warner Gain of Loss or temporal losses spiritually improved Mr. Huits Anatomy of Conscience Dr. Sibbs Bruised Reed Mr. Sarrocolds Supplications of Saints a Book of Prayers and Praises Mr. Hookers Souls preparation for Christ Mr. Dikes right receiving Christ Mr. Sam Clarks Saints Nosegay or 741 Scripture Flowers or Meditations Mr. Powels Experiences An Answer to Fiat Lux a Popish Authour To be sold by Henry Cripps in Popes-head-Alley FINIS
very account Christ loveth and nourisheth his Church Ephes 5.28 29 30. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodyes he that loveth his wife loveth himselfe For no man ever yet hated his own flesh but loveth and cherisheth it even as the Lord the Church For we are members of his body of his flesh and of his Bones The Scriptures speaking of Christ as Mediator and Helper of his people do frequently stile him Man Son of man A man shall be as an hiding place from the wind c. There is one Mediator between God and men the MAN Christ Jesus as being in the same Nature with his people 1 Tim 2.5 Secondly A Communication in the same conditions and sufferings of his people in the same Nature and this inclines him to help those that are exercised with the same afflictions which he himself endured the Apostle doth insist much upon this Heb 2.16 17 18. Verily he took not on him the Nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham wherefore in all things it behâ—ved him to be made like unto his Brethren that he might be a merciful and faithful High-Priest c. For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted he is able to succour them that are tempted Christ hath been compassed about with troubles he hath been in all conditions that his servants have been or are in except sin he hath been reproached hated persecuted tempted c. and so knows how to have Compassion on such as are so used Heb 4.15 16. Thirdly Pity and Compassion A spirit of compassion inclineth those in whom it is to help such as are in trouble It is said of the Lord concerning his People Isa 63.9 In his love and in his pity he redeemed them and bare them and carryed them all the dayes of old Gods pity inclined him to such gracious actings towards them Christs heart being full of pitty and compassion is greatly enlarged towards his suffering servants His pity towards them sets his power and wisdom a work for them It was Christs compassion towards the multitude which moved him to put forth his power and work a miracle to feed them Mat. 16.32 And according to this method the man whose son had the dumb spirit prayed Mark 9.22 If thou canst do any thing have compassion on us and help us This is very cleerly set forth by Christ himself in the Parable of the wounded man whom the Priest and Levite passed by and helped not but the Samaritane when he saw him and had compassion on him Went to him and bound up his wounds pouring in Oyle and Wine and set him on his own beast and brought him to an Inne and took care on him Luke 10.30 31 32 33 34. Compassion inclines to Action and Christ being of greatest Compassion towards afflicted ones is most inclined to help them Thirdly Christ is greatly engaged to help his Servants Several things ingage Christ to help As First The interest that Christ hath in them They are Christs portion and inheritance yea his peculiar treasure which he most loveth and prizeth therefore cannot but help them in their difficulties and straits Upon this account God promised to help Jacâ—b Isa 43.1 2. Fear not O Jacob thou art Mine God challengeth Jacob to be his and then he promiseth his helping presence saying When thou passest through the waters I will be with thee and through the Rivers they shall not overflow thee c. The Physitian peradventure will help a stranger but much more the Patient in whom he hath an interest The chosen ones are Christs own his Father hath given him them and therefore he careth for them and keepeth them John 17.6 12. Neither are they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his goods but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he hath a very neer propriety in them they are a piece of himself and thereupon he is engaged to help them The Evangelist John takes notice of the love and the continuance of the love of Christ towards those in whom he had an interest towards his own Having loved his own which were in the world he speaks not of things but of persons he loved them unto the end John 13.1 Secondly The Relations that Christ stands in towards them engage him to help He is a Friend and one Friend is engaged to help another He is a Brother and Brethren are engaged to help one another Prov 17.17 He is a Shepherd and the Shepherd is engaged to help the Flock He is an Husband and the Husband is engaged to help the Wife He is a Father and the Father is engaged to help the Child Jer 31.8 9. He is a Lord and Master and the Lord and Master stands engaged to help save his Servants The Disciples when they were in danger of being drowned they beg'd his help upon the account of that Relation he stood in towards them saying Master carest thou not that we perish and like one engaged to help by vertue of that Relation he presently arose and rebuked the wind Mark 4.38 39. Thirdly The Promise of Christ is engaging Christ to help and he hath promised to be with his people and to carry them through all services and sufferings So much he promised to his Disciples Mat. 28.19 20. as also Mat. 18.20 Where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the midst of them and Christ will not be idle in the midst of his people he will not barely behold them but graciously help and assist them in their several conditions And what a large promise of help doth Christ make to his Sheep John 10.28 I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand As if Christ should say I will stand by them and lay out my power for their help and preservation in every duty and danger which they may be called unto And though men little regard their promises yet Christ is faithfull and will perform every good thing which he hath promised unto his Servants to do for them 1 Thess 5.24 Fourthly The honour that Christ shall receive from his Servants whom he saves doth ingage him to help and save them out of their troubles for he shall deliver them and they shall glorifie him Psal 50.15 When he hath been their strength and help he shall be their Song according to that in Isaiah 12.3 The Lord Hebr JAH JEHOVAH is my strength and my song when the Lord hath holpen his people they shall praise him and rejoyce in his salvation The Church makes this an Argument to engage God to help her in her low estate Psal 85.6 7. Wilt thou not revive us again that thy people may rejoyce in thee Shew us thy mercy O LORD and grant us thy Salvation And that Christ shall be glorified in his Saints as well as they in him is a strong engagement upon Christ to help them For the further opening and
freely sent and he freely came to the help of sinners Christ himself gives this account of his Fathers giving him to help and save John 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever beleeveth in him should not perish but have everlasting life It was Gods love not the worlds not his peoples desert that prevailed with him to give his Son And the Apostle Paul gives the same account of Christs giving himself for his Church Ephes 5.25 Christ also loved the Church and gave himself for it so that Christ is both in respect of his Father and himself also a free help Eighthly He is a TRYED EXPERIMENTED HELP There hath been proof made of him and all the faithful in their several Generations have found Christ an help to them in their various conditions so that they can set to their Seal that he is an Help And Christ hath abundantly manifested himself an Helper and Saviour of his people in the time of their trouble he hath saved many a sinner he hath succoured many a tempted One he hath healed many a wounded One he hath set free many a Captive he hath comforted many a mourner he hath strengthned many a weak One he hath given rest to many a weary soul he hath carryed many through manifold temptations and preserved them unto his Heavenly Kingdom Yea all the Saints in glory can testifie and say we were weake faint and insufficient ones for the worke whereunto we were called we were tempted reproached afflicted hated persecuted but Christ helped us to do all our work and he delivered us out of all our troubles Ninthly He is a GENERAL uNIVERSAL HELP an help in all cases in cases wherein others cannot help for there is nothing too hard for Christ Jer. 32.17.27 Gods servants stand in need of help First In respect of service and work which they have to do Christ is an help in that regard he works all their works in them and for them yea He worketh in them both to will and to do Phil 2.13 John 15.5 By him it is not onely in respect of Acceptance but Assistance also that they offer up their spiritual sacrifices to God Would any pray it is not onely through his merit that they have access with confidence Eph. 2.13 18. but it is his Spirit that helpeth their infirmities when they know not what they should pray for as they ought Rom 8.26 Would any one praise the Lord that sacrifice also is to be offered up by him Heb 13.15 By him let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually Yea whatever the Saints do must be through his help and so they can do all things Phil. 4.13 Secondly In respect of trouble and sufferings For Gods Servants of themselves neither know how to suffer nor yet to free themselves from sufferings but Christ is an help in both cases for though his succouring them in Temptation his comforting them in Tribulation and supporting them in Affliction they are able to bear their Burthens and by and through him helping them they know how to be abased how to be hungry and suffer need how to be persecuted and hated of all men for his names sake 2 Cor 4.10 11. yea they can suffer as well as do All things through Christ which strengthneth them Phil 4.12 13. Neither is he an help onely in trouble but also a Deliverer out of Trouble for he takes away reproach from his people he wipes away tears from their eyes he breaks yokes from off their necks he removes burdens from off their shoulders and banisheth fears from their hearts in a word he rebukes Satan and reproves Kings for their sakes Psal 105.14 and sets them in safety from every one that puffeth at them Psal 12.5 They that write the storyes of Egypt report that there is no Country in which there are so many venemous Creatures and no Country hath so many Antidotes against poyson as are there there is no people that have so many Troubles as faithful Christians and none have so much help both in and from trouble as they have And that HELP is CHRIST Quest How is Christ an help Answ Chiefly FIVE Wayes First By the vertue and efficacy of his DEATH For though the Death of others speak forth their inability and incapacity to help any longer yet Christs death is so far from being his weakness and his ceasing to help any further that it is of wonderfull power and efficacy and a standing abiding help to his weak Servants The Apostle Paul in his Triumphant challenge to the enemies of Gods elect layes much weight upon the help of Christ in this respect Rom 8.33 34. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods Elect it is God that Justifieth who is he that condemneth it is Christ that dyed Yea the Death of Christ is of such great power and efficacy as that the Gracious soul from thence as from a Fountain of all good receiveth daily supplyes of strength and help in every time of need to the making it victorious over all evils and enemies whatsoever It is of such vertue as that it appeaseth a Rom 3.25 the wrath of God it weakneth and wasteth the body b Rom 6.6 of sin it c 2 Tim 1.10 abolisheth death and destroyeth him d Heb 2.14 that had the power of death that is the Devil Neither is the death of Christ the price onely of our Redemption from manifold deserved evils but the purchase also of our glorious heavenly inheritance For hereby he hath procured eternal life for all those who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality Rom 2.7 Hereby also he confirms the Testament and Covenant of Grace to his people For where a Testament is there must also of necessity be the death of the Testator For a Testament is of force after men are dead otherwise it is of no strength at all whilest the Testator liveth Heb 9.16 17. And thus Christ is an help by the vertue of his Death Secondly By the Excellency of his EXAMPLE An Example a Copy or a President is an help and for an help and in that Christ hath given us his Example he thereby helpeth us the more excellent also the Example is the greater is its help and there is an excellency in Christs example whereby he helpeth them much that follow him It is the Prime Chief and absolute Example not regulated by any other but all other to be conformed to it and therefore we are to be followers of others onely as they are of him The Apostle Paul would not press his own Example upon the Corinthians but with this limitation 1 Cor. 11.1 Be ye followers of me even as I also am of Christ But the Example of Christ affords a certainty to the soul what to follow and hold to and so becomes a choice help and furtherance to a Christian in his walk above the Example
the death of his Son much more being reconciled we shall be saved by his life and indeed it is now sufficient for salvation and therefore Christ is said to be able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Heb 7.25 And as the Intercession of Christ is of great use and help to a Christian in all cases so especially in these THREE CASES First In case of sin to that purpose are the words of John 1 Joh. 2.1 If any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the Righteous Secondly In case of Satans Temptations and designes against his servants so much may be gathered from the words of Christ Luke â—2 31 32. The Lord said Simon Simon behoâ—â— Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat but I have prayed for thee that thy faith faile not Thirdly In case of sufferings It is through the help of Christ by his Intercession that the Elect are made Conquerours and more 〈◊〉 Conquerours in all their afflictions Faith felcheth its chiefe matter of Triumph over Tribulation distresse persecution famine nakedness peril sword c. from the Intercession of Christ Rom 8.34 c. Who is he that condemneth it is Christ that died yea rather that is risen againe who is even at the right hand of God who also maketh Intercession for us Who shall separate us from the love of Christ shall tribulation c. And thus Christ helpes by the prevalency of his Intercession Branch 2. God hath Appointed Christ this Mighty One to be an help to his people God not man nor yet Christ He hath laid in Zion this usefull Corner Stone Isa 28.16 Behold I lay in Zion for a Foundation a Stone a tried Stone a precious corner Stone a sure foundation God hath laid him and laid him for an help so that he that beleeveth on him shall not be confounded 1 Pet. 2.6 The Lord hath given him to be an help to the people so much the Lord saith by his Prophet Isa 42.6 7. I the LORD have called thee in Righteousnesse and will hold thy hand and will keep thee 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 from the Prison and them that sit in darkness out of the Prison-house Yea he was fore-ordained before the Foundation of the world to be an help to Gods people though manifested in the last dayes for them 1 Pet. 1.21 2 Tim. 1.9 10. Reasons why God hath appointed Christ this Mighty One to be an help to his people Reas 1. Because the Lord saw there would be need of a Mighty One and that in severall regards as First The weakness of his people they being a feeble flock of a very little strength and the Lord loves to strengthen the weake hands Feare not thou Worme Jacob saith God I will help thee Isa 41.10 14. Chap. 35.3 Secondly The Difficulty of their worke It is not onely hard but impossible to flesh and blood to performe Every part of it is hard it is hard to beleeve hard to pray hard to deny a mans selfe hard to forsake father and mother wife children brethren and sisters houses and lands and a mans life too for Christs sake Luke 9.23 24. Luke 14.26 It is hard to keep the Commandements of God and the Faith of Jesus Rev 12.11 17. 14.12 And therefore God sent a Mighty One from heaven even his own Son to help his weak servants in all their difficult services Thirdly The Mightiness of their Adversaries who daily seek to hinder and trouble them in their work The Jewes that built the Temple at Jerusalem had mighty Adversaries who hindred them all that ever they could and the Lord put it into the hearts of Darius and Artaxerxes to help thâ—â— Ezra 6.1 7. Ezra 7.12 13. All the people of God may complaine with David That their persecutors are too strong for them neither do they wrestle onely against flesh and blood but against Principalities against powers against the Rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual wickedness in high places Ephe 6.12 And therefore the Lord sees it needfull to send them a Saviour and a Great one and he shall help and deliver them Fourthly Also the promised exaltation and establishment of his people For God hath promised that in the last dayes the Mountaine of the Lords house shall be established in the Top of the Mountaines and shall be exalted above the hils and all Nations shall flow unto it Isa 2.2 Mic. 4.1 That Jerusalem shall be a quiet habitation a Tabernacle that shall not be taken downe not one of the stakes thereof shall ever be removed neither shall any of the Cords thereof be broken Isa 33.20 Yea the Lord hath said of Zion I will make thee an eternal excellency a joy of many Generations Isa 60.15 But as yet the people of God are low Zion sits in the dust and is afflicted and tossed with Tempest as yet she is a Reproach and a taunt and a by-word among the Nations so that great things are yet to be done before she be clothed with her promisâ—â— glory But seeing the Lord hath loved her and purposed and promised that she shall be exalted and established for ever therefore hath he laid help upon one that is Mighty to do it for her even Christ Reas 2. For the honour and exaltation of Christ That he who hath borne so much shame and endured such contradiction of sinners against himselfe might be seene and knowne to be the Help Deliverer and Saviour of his people And therefore the Father is said to exalt him in this respect Him hath God exalted with his Right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins Acts 5.31 And by this Christ shall have First The HONOVR of the Saints faith and confidence For in him they shall trust for help in their several conditions According to what was prophesied of him Isa 11.10 To him shall the Gentiles seek or in him shall the Gentiles trust as the Apostle explaines it Rom 15.12 It s honour to Christ that the Saints are looking to him for deliverance and salvation in their straits and Troubles Secondly The HONOVR of the Saints praises When they have found him to be their strength and help they will make him their Song and exalt him in their praises Isa 2.3 4. Their soules will be joyfull in him and rejoyce iâ—â—â—s salvation All their bones shall say LORD who is like unto thee which deliverest the poore from him that is too strong for him yea the poore and the needy from him that spoileth him All Christs saved and delivered ones will cry with a loud voice Worthy is the Lamb that was slaine and hath holpen us and Redeemed us to God by his blood out of every kindred
Christ did not many mighty works in his own Countrey because of their unbelief Math. 13.58 If thou dost not beleeve that he can and will help thou canst not expect he should help Secondly When they set about any work without his call The Lord hath been wont to help in those things he hath called his Servants to as might easily be made manifest in Moses Josuah Gideon David and others but when his People have run and he sent them not they have been without his help in such undertakings When the children of Israel would invade the Land of Canaan without Gods call they were smitten and discomfited Numb 14.44 45. And though Josiah was a good man yet going to fight against Pharaoh Necho contrary to the mind of God he dyed for it 2 Chron 35.20 21 22 23. They that act without Christs call are like to act without his help Thirdly When they undertake any work though never so good and excellent in at self in their own strength without engaging him to their help he helps them not as in the case of Peter it was a good work and much conducing to the honour of Christ which Peter undertook but trusting to his own strength Christ left him to miscarry in it John 13.37 38. Fourthly When the eyes of his people are upon some other besides him or when they joyn some other with him to help then he usually leaveth both him that helpeth and him that is holpen to fall together Isa 31.3 The Lord was Israels help when he was their God alone and none other with him Deut 32.12 The LORD alone did lead them and there was no strange God with him When the Spouse shall lean upon Christ her Beloved and upon other Lovers also then Christ withholdeth his help from her Fifthly When they have any sinister ends and aims in what they do for though the work be good yet if a mans end be bad Christ doth not usually further him in it as when a man in Preaching Praying or any part of Religion seeks not so much Christs honour as his own praise and profit he cannot expect neither doth he ordinarily receive such help from the Spirit of Christ therein They that seek not Christs things but their own shall not prosper Jer 10.21 Haggai 1.4 6 9. Sixthly When they refuse to be holpen by him Christs Servants are sometimes more especially in great dangers and straits and stand in need of his help and though Christ shew himself willing and ready to save and deliver them yet such is the folly and untowardnesse of their spirits that they will none of his help but rather chuse to suffer through walking in the wayes and imaginations of their own hearts than to be delivered in their hearkning to his counsel and submitting to his will and then no wonder Christ helps not this was the frame of spirit and sad condition of Jerusalem which Christ lamented over Jerusalem was in danger Christ would have holpen her but she would not Christ lets her alone and the issue is sad Matth. 23.37 38. O Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them that are sent unto thee how often would I have gathered thy children together even as an Hen gathereth her Chickens under her wings and ye would not behold your house is left unto you desolate Quest What shall Gods people do when Christ helps not First Seriously consider and lay it to heart as a matter of greatest concernment and trouble to us So did Joshua when the Lord withheld his help from Israel Joshua 7.6 8. Josuah rent his cloathes and fell to the earth upon his face before the Ark of the LORD untill the even-tide he and the Elders of Israel and put dust upon their heads and Joshua said Alas O Lord God wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to destroy us would to God Hebr O that we had been content and dwelt on the other side Jordan Oh LORD what shall I say when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies We should look upon it as that wherein both God and his People suffer God suffers in his name when he doth not help his people His and their enemies blaspheme his name Sometimes they cast dirt upon his power saying The Lord cannot help nor save sometimes upon his goodnesse and mercy The Lord will not help sometimes upon his Truth and Faithfulnesse The Lord hath forgotten his people Hence saith Joshua What wilt thou do for thy great name And his people they must needs suffer when he with-draws his hand they are endangered and trampled upon by their enemies and the suffering of Gods Name and the distresses of his Servants must not seem a light thing in our eyes Nehemiah's frame and carriage under such a dispensation is worthy of imitation When he heard that the Remnant that were left of the Captivity were in great affliction and reproach that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down and the gates thereof burnt with fire he sat down and wept and mourned certain dayes and fasted and prayed before the God of Heaven Neh 1.3 4. And this is that which Jerusalem lamented with much bitterness of spirit Lament 1.15 16. The Lord hath troden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me he hath called an Assembly against me to crush my young men the Lord hath troden the Virgin the Daughter of Judah as a Wine-presse For these things I weep mine eye mine eye runneth down with water because the Comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me It 's just matter of mourning and lamentation when the appointed helper and Saviour doth not help nor save Secondly They should diligently search out the cause and reason why Christ helps not For if the Lord cease to help his People there is some cause for such a dealing as there is for what evil soever the Lord bring upon them Ezek. 14.23 And when the Lord slacks his hand concerning the help of his Servants it s their present work and duty to look narrowly about them and in them to find out the cause thereof When the Lord denyed Israel his help against the men of Ai he told them the cause of it There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee O Israel and commanded and directed them to seek and they found it out Achan was taken and the Silver and the Garment and the wedge of Gold his Sons Daughters Asses Sheep Tent and all that he had and they stoned him and burned them with fire Joshua 7. This was part of Jobs work in his affliction to find out the cause of it and that he might know it he begs of God to shew him wherefore he contended with him Job 10.2 Thus did David also in his distresse Psa 22.1 My God my God why hast thou forsaken me why art thou so far from helping me And we find the Faithful in their
low and helplesse estate calling upon one another to this very thing Lament 3.40 Let us search and try our wayes and turn again to the Lord. Thirdly They should humbly acknowledge and really forsake those evils wherewith they have provoked Christ to with-hold his help from them in time of need The Faithful do not onely complain of their misery and troubles but they confesse and forsake their iniquities when Nehemiah considered the afflicted condition of the People he doth not onely put them upon fasting and confession but upon reformation also Neh 13. This is that which the Lord so frequently calls for at the hands of his people Turn turn your selves from all your transgressions And they also call upon God for this Lam 5.21 Turn thou us unto thee O Lord. Fourthly They should earnestly cry to the Lord for help This hath been the course of the servants of God of old whereby they have prevailed with God to lift up his hand to their help in time of trouble The Church lifted up her voice in affliction saying Awake why sleepest thou O Lord Arise cast us not off for ever Psal 44.23 Wherefore hidest thou thy face and forgettest our affliction and oppression For our soul is bowed down to the dust our belly cleaveth to the earth arise for our help and redeem us for thy mercy sake This is a tryed means saith David This poor man cryed and the Lord heard him and saved him ouâ—â—f all his troubles Psal 34.6 When the men of Gibeon were in great distresse and danger by reason of five Kings coming against them and needed help they sent to Joshua saying Slack not thy hand from thy servants come up to us quickly and save us and help us Joshua 10.6 So should all the servants of the Lord cry to their Joshua the Lord Christ whom God hath made so strong for them to come and help and save them out of all their troubles When the Disciples were in danger on the Sea and wanted help they cryed to Christ to save them they awaked him and said unto him Master carest thou not that we perish and he arose and rebuked the wind Mark 4.38 39. O ye Saints cry to Christ and the more he seems to neglect you cry so much the more earnestly and constantly and give him no rest till he hear and help and redeem you from all evils Fifthly They should patiently wait upon Christ for help Though Christ do not help presently yet wait upon him for he will help in due time Do as Beggars that have but one doore to go to for bread if none hear nor help them presently they lay them down at the door saying within themselves we will wait here may be their compassions will move them as they passe by to help us God forbid that any of Christs Servants should say either with heart or mouth as that person 2 Kings 6.33 What should I wait for the Lord any longer but rather to follow the counsel of the man after Gods own heart mentioned Psal 37.7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for him and for his help though it tarry wait for it because it will surely come it will not tarry and in the mean time know It is a good thing that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD Lament 3.26 Such only shall say and sing in the day that the Lord arise for the help of his people Lo this is our God we have waited for him and he will save us This is the LORD we have waited for him we will be glad and rejoyce in his salvation Isa 25.9 Quest When may Gods people groundedly expect that Christ will help them Answ First When they are afflicted greatly when their burthens are so heavy that they know not how to bear them then the Lord hath been wont to help them The Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigor so that they sighed and groaned by reason of their bondage and the LORD saw the affliction of his people and delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians Exod. 1.13 2.23 3. 7 8. And at another time when God saw the affliction of the children of Israel that it was bitter he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam 2 Kings 14.26 27. This David experienced and acknowledgeth to the praise of God Psal 116.6 10. 16. saying I was brought low and he helped me I was greatly afflicted O LORD thou hast loosed my bonds And he professeth faith in God for the same towards others Psal 18.27 Psal 140.12 Thou wilt save the afflicted soul I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted and the right of the poor The Church in her complaint and prayer to God for help spreads the greatnesse of her affliction before him Lament per totum throughout the Book and concludes saying Remember O Lord what is come upon us consider and behold our reproach Lament 5.1 Secondly When they are forsaken utterly when all creature help failes and ceases The LORD will judge his people and repent himself for his servants when he seeth that their power is gone and there is none shut up nor left Deut 32.36 And according to this word did the Lord do for Israel for when there was not any shut up nor any left nor any helper for Israel he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash 2 Kings 14.26 27. And the efore God is said to be the helper of the Fatherlesse Psal 10.14 And to regard the prayer of the destitute Psal 102.17 Jehoshaphat seeking help of God urgeth him with their weak and destitute condition 2 Chron 20.12 saying O our God wilt thou not judge them for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us neither know we what to do but our eyes are upon thee And to raise Gods Servants expectation of help from Christ in their lowest estate it is prophesied of him Psal 72.4.12 13. That he shall judge the poor of the people he shall save the children of the needy he shall deliver the needy when he cryeth the poor also and him that hath no helper Thirdly When they cry mightily to the LORD for help When Israel was oppressed time after time they cryed to the Lord and he delivered them when the Lord hath a purpose to help his servants he usually poures forth a Spirit of Prayer upon them When the Decree of release from Babylon was ready to issue forth God put a mighty Spirit of Prayer upon Daniel Chap 9. And immediately before God will work deliverance and salvation for Jerusalem he will spirit his servants to cry mightily unto him to do it for them Isa 62.6 7. I have set Watchmen upon thy walls O Jerusalem which shall never hold their peace day nor night ye that make mention of the Lord keep not silence and gâ—ve him no rest till he establish and till he make Jerusalem a praise
helped us often we have wearied him he will help no more Answ It proves oft so in respect of men but in respect of Christ it is not so He is an helper that fainteth not neither can he be weary Isa 40.28 And though men think when they have done a little for their followers that they have done enough and they must not trouble them too often yet the Servants of Christ may go as often as they will to him for help and be alwayes welcome so they do not abuse his grace towards them Besides Christs former frequent helping of his People in their several straits is so far from containing any thing against his helping them for the future that it is an Argument to prove that he will continue his help to them and according to this David argued 1 Sam 17.37 The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the Lyon and out of the paw of the Bear he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistim He did not say God hath dâ—livered me several times he will deliver me no more but the contrary he will deliver me The Apostle Paul useth the same Argument 2 Cor. 1.10 2 Tim 4.17 Fourthly Some That Christ indeed did help when on earth but he is NOW IN HEAVEN HE WILL HELP NO MORE Answ Though Christ be in Heaven yet he is as neer to help his Servants as when he was on Earth there is nothing in his being in Heaven whereby they should fear he will not help For by HIS BEING in Heaven consider First He is not disenabled to help for there Angels Authorities are made subject unto him 1 Pet. 3.22 If Christ were so mighty to help when in a state of Humiliation how mighty to help and save must he needs be now he is set on the right hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens Heb 8.1 He can help them against all enemies he can rain down fire and brimstone storm and tempest upon them he can help them against all outward wants for from on high he can send down showres of blessings as rain upon his Inheritance he can help them also against all spirituall wants he can send the Comforter the Spirit of Truth which shall guide them into all Truth Secondly By his Being in Heaven He is not disaffected towards them his heart turned not from them by his going to Heaven but though he be cloathed with glory yet he is full of bowels the same Spirit that acted him here below rests upon him and abides with him for ever Though there be a great alteration in his condition being passed from Earth to Heaven from shame to glory yet there is no change in his disposition he is as pitiful and merciful to his People as ever Heb 2.17 18 4.15 with 5.2 and therefore his Servants may now as well as heretofore expect help from him in time of need Thirdly By his being in Heaven He is not disengaged from helping them The Lord God appointed him to be an help to his People now he is in Heaven as well as when he was on Earth And as Christ did on Earth what was to be done for them here so now he is in Heaven he is there to do what is yet to be done for them what he begun to work here he is to finish there John 14.2 John 16.7 15. God made him a Priest for ever and that for the help of his People and therefore it is said He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them Heb 7.25 The same Apostle tells us That he is entred into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us Heb 9.24 Fourthly He is not thereby dis-interested in them nor they in him Christs being in Heaven doth not destroy those neer Relations that are between Christ and his People he is still a Shepherd and they his sheep still an Husband and they his Spouse he is still their Head and they his Members he is still their Brother Friend Father neither are these Relations onely abiding but are in their full vigour and glory in Heaven he being a more glorious Head Husband Friend than when on earth the abiding of these Relations speak forth his helping of his People Fifthly He is not disregardful of them by his being in Heaven Some may be ready to say he is at Gods right hand he is in glory and though he be not disaffected towards us yet he being so far above us may forget and disregard us in our low estate but it is not with Christ as with corrupt man his honour and advancement doth not puff him nor make him proud but though he be in his high estate at the right hand of God Angels and Authorities and Powers being made subject unto him yet he doth regard and help his Servants in their low estate All things are delivered unto me of my Father saith Christ yet he was then mindful and careful of weak helplesse souls earnestly inviting them to himselfe saying Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest Math. 11.27 28. with 28.18 19 20. Sixthly He is not disswaded from helping them being in Heaven There is none there against his Servants that should seek to take him off from helping them the Father who hath committed all things into his hands is well pleased with it being also full of compassion towards those that are in distress The Angels also those ministring Spirits rejoyce at it and are ready at his word to go forth to minister for the Heirs of salvation Heb. 1.14 Seventhly Neither is he being in Heaven any way damnified nor disadvantaged by helping his Servants on Earth he hath not the lesse by what he giveth to them he is not the weaker by what he doth for them but he gaineth by his layings out upon them the more he soweth the more he reapeth the more he gives forth of grace and help to them the more he receives of love and honour from them Thus it appears that there is no cause why the Saints should doubt of the help of Christ because he is in Heaven but that they should the more confidently expect it because he liveth there to help them IV. Vse EXHORTATION Commit all to him When others are committing themselves and their concernments to the wise and mighty and honourable ones of the earth to be kept ordered and disposed of by them do you commit your selves and things into the hands of Christ unto whom the Father hath committed all Judgement and made mighty to help and keep whatsoever is committed to him He is in Heaven and what Treasures you lay up for your selves there are safe there neither Moth not Rust doth corrupt and there Thieves do not break through nor steal Mat. 6.20 He is the strong man stronger than all others into whose house none can enter
that are not that no flesh might glory in his presence 1 Cor 1.26 27-29 31. Secondly Limit not the Lord Jesus to time your own time Christ must help now or never say some If not now we are undone as if Christ knew not when to help or could not help at one time as well as at another Indeed there is a set and appointed time when Christ will more eminently appeare for the deliverance and salvation of Zion yet he is an help to her at all times Thirdly Limit him not to particular straits and conditions As if Christ could help in some cases and conditions onely thence saith some Christian in his heart somtimes Christ helped delivered me out of such and such a temptation but he cannot deliver me out of my present strong temptation He hath mortified such and such a lust but he cannot subdue this unruly lust he hath wiped away my reproach but he cannot break my bonds he hath provided for me in such and such a condition but he cannot furnish a Table for me in the Wilderness as those said Psal 78.19 What is this but to Eclipse the glory of this Mighty One who is an help in all cases and conditions as hath been shewed Fourthly Limit him not to particular persons to some of Israel Let none say as some even of Israel have sometimes spoken there is help in Christ for such and such but not for me I am excluded and cut off from partaking of it But soule take heed thou dost not exclude thy selfe from a participation of Christs help which extends to all Zion to the whole flock to the weak and sick as well as to the strong and sound yea especially to the weak according to that good word of the Lord Ezek 34.15 16. I will feed my flock and I will cause them to lie downe saith the Lord God I will seek that which was lost and bring againe that which was driven away and will bind up that which was broken and will strengthen that which was sick yea it is said of him He shall gather the lambs with his Arm and carry them in his bosom and shall gently lead those that are with young Isa 40.11 Therefore do not limit this holy One in any wise Use Seek to Christ for help in every time of need whilst others are looking and seeking to Creatures like to themselves for help and can finde none their eyes failing for their vaine help do you look to him who is both Mighty and ordained of God to help and then you shall be sure to finde when you seek with your whole heart Jer 29.13 Psal 20.7 8. He is the great helper and Saviour and there is none can help like him None so Authoritatively he having all power both in heaven and earth he commandeth deliverances for Jacob Psal 44.4 None so tenderly and compassionately In his love and in his pity he redeemeth and saveth his people Isa 63.9 None so seasonably he is a very present help in time of trouble Psal 46.5 None so constantly he is an help for ever Psal 12.7 therefore seek to him above all others And having found help from him in time of need be sure you carry it well towards him let your Conversation to him-ward be as becometh this grace be especially carefull First To SERVE HIM THE MORE FREELY he both deserves and expects it at your hands had you found him either unwilling or unable to ayd you you might have had some plea for your backwardness to serve him but seeing he hath been ready to assist you in every business how ought you to be ready to answer when he calls to go when he bids you go and to do what he bids you do and that with a willing and cheerfull spirit Let your experience of his help make you forward to his work so shall you finde that he that hath holpen will help and he that hath saved is still mighty to save Secondly To CLEAVE TO HIM CONSTANTLY It will be your wisdome and greatest safety to stick to him whom you know to be both mighty and faithfull oh forsake not him in any condition whom you have found an help in every condition Thirdly To PRAISE HIM CONTINVALLY make him evermore your song who hath been alwayes your strength Isa 12.3 Isa 38.20 This did David as appeares Psal 71.6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb thou art he that took me out of my mothers bowels my praise shall be continually of thee Yea give him all the glory of all your works which are indeed rather his than yours being wrought by his strength and help The Apostles carriage as in other things so in this is worthy of imitation who when they had wrought miracles by Christs power were carefull to give all the glory to his Name as Acts 3.12 13. Acts 14.13 14-18 c. The like we reade of Charles the fifth who after he had obtained a great Victory said I have Conquered in the Name of Christ Jesus I shall onely say Go you and do likewise for Worthy is the Lamb that was slaine to receive power and riches and wisdome and strength and honour and Glory and blessing for ever and ever AMEN PSAL. 35.10 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 He Jehovah quis sicut tu eripiens afflictū à forti prae ill◠APOCAL 15.3 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Contant Magna et mirabilia illa opera tui 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Domine qui Deus omnipotens justae et verae 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Illae viae tua O Rex Sanctorum 4 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 4 Quis non timebit te Domino THE END THE CONTENTS OF SERMONS On PSAL. 89.19 I. THE Scope of the Psalm and Coherence of vers 19. Page 1. 7. I. Observ from vers 19. I. In General 1. The condition of Gods people here needs help Page 8. 2. The Lord himself provides help therein Page 10. 3. He layes in sufficiency of help several wayes Three Reasons of this Page 11 12. II. In Particular Two Observations I. That Jesus Christ is a Mighty One. Page 14 I. Explaining the word Mighty Page 15. 1. In General 2. In Particular it s put for 1. Rich 2. Powerful Page 16. 3. Valiant 4. One that Ruleth Page 17. So Jesus Christ considered 1. In his Essence Page 19. II. In his Mediatorship wherein four things speak Christs Mightinesse Page 20. Demonstrations of his Mightinesse 1. In his Original 2. In the first promise of him Page 21. 3. In the Types in the multitude mightinesse Page 23. 4. In Prophesies of him Page 24. 5. In the expectation of his people Page 29. 6. In his Fore-runner Page 31. 7. Incarnation where 1. Conception 2. Birth Further in Page 32. It s 1. Subject 2. Time 3. Concomitants Page 34. As 1. Angels Message 2. Host prising 3. Homage of the Wise men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Page 35. Of whose persons pains direction Page 36. 4. The dread of