shall not be your ruine why will you dye O House of Israel for I have no pleasure in the Death of him that dieth saith the Lord wherefore turn your selves and live Ezek. 18.25 to 33. chap. 26. As the Lord doth exercise the Patience of his People in Spiritual Promises for Spiritual things so also to trust his Promises in reference to temporals and these may be branched out in these two First His Promises to the People of God in general without reference to particular cases of suffering and these comprehend God's complex or full purpose to his People Secondly These Promises may relate to the several cases or exigence of Gods People First For Gods Promises in general not relating to particular cases the Scriptures are so full that it 's impossible to collect them however we shall touch some of the most obvious In all their afflictions he was afflicted and the Angel of his Presence saved them in his Love and in his Pitty he remembred them and carried them all the days of old Isa 63.9 His Anger endureth but for a moment sorrow may be at Evening but Joy cometh in the morning Psal 30.5 For thou Lord wilt bless the Righteous with favour wilt thou compass him as with a Sheild Psal 5.12 The Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed a refuge in time of trouble for they that know thy name will put their trust in thee for thou hast not forsaken them that seek thee Psal 9.9 10. Though you have lyen among the Pots yet shall ye be live a Dove whose Wings are covered with Silver and their Feathers with yellow Gold Psalm 68.13 For thou Lord wilt save the afflicted People but wilt bring down high looks he is a buckler to all those that trust in him Psal 18.22 30. unto the upright there ariseth light in darkness surely he shall not be moved for ever the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance he shall not be afraid of evil tidings his Heart is fixed trusting in the Lord Psal 112.4 6 7. Alas for that day is great there is none like it it is the day of Jacobs troubles but they shall be delivered out of them all Jer. 30.7 The Prophet Isaiah sets down in many places Gods universal care over his People O Israel fear not for I have redeemed thee I have called thee by thy name thou art mine when thou passest through the Waters I will be with thee and through the Rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest thorough the Fire thou shalt not be burned neither shall the flames kindle upon thee Isa 43. all The Lord will be a Sun and a Sheild he will give Grace and Glory and no good thing will he with-hold from them that walk uprightly Psal 84.11 Psal 86.5 13 15. The holy Psalmist is full of Prophetical Promises of Gods universal good to his People he that dwelleth in the secret of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty I will say of the Lord he is my Refuge and my Fortress my God in him will I trust surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the Fowler and from the noisome Pestilence he shall cover thee with his Feathers and under his Wings shalt thou trust his truth shall be thy shield and buckler Psal 91. all And of the numerous and large Promises of God to his People and of the Halcyon days of Zion all the Prophets abound for the Law shall go forth of Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem he shall judge many people and the Nations afar off and they shall beat their Swords into Plough-shears and their Spears into pruning hooks Nation shall not lift up a Sword against Nation neither shall they learn War any more but they shall set down every man under his own Vine and under his own Fig tree and none shall make them afraid for the Mouth of the Lord of Hosts hath spoken it I will assemble her that halteth and her that is driven out and her that I have afflicted and I will make her that halted a Remnant and her that was cast far off a strong Nation And the Lord shall reign over them in Zion from henceforth and for ever thou shalt go even to Babylon and there thou shalt be delivered there the Lord shall redeem thee from the hand of thine Enemies Arise and thresh O Daughter of Zion for I will make thy Horn Iron and thy Hoofs Brass and thou shalt beat in pieces many People and I will consecrate their gain and their substance to the God of the whole Earth Mic. 4. all Awake awake stand up O Jerusalem which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the Cup of his fury thou hast drunk the dregs of the Cup of trembling and thou hast wrung them out there is none to guide her amongst all the Sons whom she hath brought forth neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the Sons whom she hath brought up these two things are come unto thee who shall be sorry for thee desolation and destruction the Famine and the Sword by whom shall I comfort thee thy Sons have fainted they lye at the head of all the Streets they are full of the fury of the Lord thy God therefore now hear this thou afflicted and drunken but not with Wine Thus saith the Lord the God and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his People behold I have taken out of thy hand the cup of trembling even the dregs of the Cup of my fury thou shalt no more drink it again but I will put it into the hands of them that afflicted thee who have said to thy Soul bow down that we may go over and thou hast laid thy body as the ground and as the street to them that went over Isa 51.17 to end Is Ephraim my dear Son is he a pleasant Child for since I spoke against him I do earnestly remember him still my bowels are troubled for him Jer. 31.20 Thus saith the Lord because the Enemy hath said against you a hah made you desolate and swallowed you up for a possession to the Heathen and ye are taken up in the lips of talkers and are in Infamy to the People and are a prey and derision I have spoken in my Jealousie and my fury because ye have born the reproach of the Heathen ye shall shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit for behold I am for you and ye shall be tilled and sown I will multiply you and settle you after your old Estates and I will do better to you than at your beginning and ye shall know that I am the Lord I will take you from among the Heathen whether I have driven you and I will bring you into your own Land then will I sprinkle you with clean Water and you shall be clean from all your filthiness and from all your Idols a new Heart also will I give you and a
with-hold the Churches lamentation How hath the Lord covered the Daughter of Sion with a Cloud in his anger and cast down from Heaven to Earth the beauty of Israel and remembred not his foot-stool in the day of his anger what thing shall I take witness for thee what shall I liken unto thee O Daughter of Jerusalem what shall I equal unto thee that I may comfort thee O Virgin Daughter of Zion for thy breach is great like the Sea who can heal it Lam. 2.1 to the end How is the Gold become dim how is the most fine Gold changed the Stones of the Sanctuary are poured out in every Street the pretious Sons of Zion comparable to fine Gold how are they esteemed as Earthern Pitchers the work of the hands of the Potter Lam. 4.1 2 all And with the Holy King and Psalmist heavily lament wo is me that I sojourn in Meseâ—â— and dwell in the Tents of Kedar Psalm 120.5 This being the universal state of Misery to all Mankind as in the place before cited Man is born unto troubles as the sparks fly upward It being no more natural to the Sparks to come out of fire and fly up then to man born in Sin to meet with sorrow and misery and therefore all Men should Copy out the Prophets methods and wish Oh that my head were Waters and mine Eyes a Fountain of Tears that I might weep day and night for the slain of my People Oh that I had in the Wilderness a lodging place of way faring Men that I might leave my People and go from them for they be all Adulterers an assembly of treacherous Men and they bend their Tongues like their bows for lies but they are not valiant for the Truth upon Earth for they proceed from Evil to Evil and know not me saith the Lord take ye heed every one to his Neighbour and trust ye not in any brother for every Brother will utterly supplant and every Neighbour will walk with Slanders they weary themselves to commit Iniquity thine habitation is in the midst of deceit through deceit they refuse to know me saith the Lord Jer. 9.1 to 7. And should also with the Church arise cry out in the night in the beginning of the Watches pour out thy Heart like Water before the Face of the Lord lift up thy Hands towards him for the Life of thy young Children that faint for hunger in the top of every Street Lam. 2.19 And with the same Prophet Jeremiah Rachel weeping for her Children and refused to be comforted because they were not Jer. 31.25 Now if the holy Prophet was thus in an Agony of grief for the Sin and Misery of one Nation and People and the Church for her private state and the holy King for his uneasiness under such Companions how much more reason hath every Son of Adam not only to mourn for and bewail his private guilt and misery but also to lye low in self abasement humiliation repentance and bitter Complaints of the universal misery of all mankind as Sons of Wrath by Nature because of Sin This being the dismal Estate and Condition of Man by Nature in which is too great matter of mourning and lamentation methinks I hear the loud sounding of bitter groaning under the subjection and bondage of the Creation Rom. 8.22 And a voice grievously putting the question Is the plant of renown of Gods Creation utterly cut off Hath the Lord forgot to be gracious will he be favourable no more are his tender Mercies clean gone for ever Psal 77.7 8 9. Psal 85.5 Psal 89.46 In answer to which I was led to that place Thus saith the Lord refrain thy voice from weeping and thine Eyes from tears for thy works shall be rewarded and they shall come again from the Land of the Enemy and there is hope in thine end and thy Children shall come again to their own Land Jer. 31.16 17. And while in deep contemplation of this consolatory voice and plunged with reflections on Mans Incapacity to reconcile himself to God and of the apparent impossibility I was led to that of the Prerogative of God With Man this is impossible but with God all things are possible Mat. 19.26 And to that pretious Truth My Thoughts are not your Thoughts nor my Ways your Ways saith the Lord for as the Heavens are higher than the Earth so are my Thoughts higher than your Thoughts and my Ways than your Ways Isa 55.8 9. And being further plunged in the deep contemplation of Mans Rebellion and of the Justice of God which requires Attonement for Sin and finding Man had nothing wherewith to come before the Lord to appease the wrath of an Omnipotent Holy and Dishonoured Majesty I was lost between the belief of his Faithfulness who had promised and the apparent impossibility I was carried to that Scripture Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and Grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the World began 2 Tim. 1.9 And to that other Scripture According as he hath chosen us in him before the Foundations of the World that we should be holy and without blame before him in love Eph. 1.4 In hope of Eternal Life which God that cannot lie promised before the World began Tit. 1.2 And to that other clear truth for as much as ye know that ye are not redeemed with corruptible things as Silver and Gold but with the pretious blood of Christ as a Lamb without blemish and without spot who verily was fore-ordained before the Foundations of the World but was manifest in these last times in you 1 Pet. 1.18 19 20. And being also carried to view that Scripture And I will put enmity between thee and the Woman and between thy Seed and her Seed It shall bruise thy Head and thou shalt bruise his Heel Gen. 3.15 by all which I was brought to understand that the same Eternal Wisdom and Council of God whereby at first Man was created in the Image of God Gen. 1.26 27. by which the Fall of Man was foreseen the Restoration of Man to the same Image of God was also decreed from all Eternity by Gods Eternal goodness and free bounty and by means above the reach of Man to contrive or his power to accomplish viz. by Jesus Christs taking upon him the Humane Nature and shedding his blood to death to expiate the guilt of Mans Sin as in that of the forecited testimony of the Apostle Peter This then being the unfolding of that great mistery of Mans Redemption and Eternal Salvation by Jesus Christ as by Gods Grace shall be more fully explained in the ensuing Discourse If the reflection upon the miserable Estate of Man in the foregoing Description justly occasioned and called for from all men deep humiliation sorrow and repentance how great Reason have all Men with all adoration humility and thankfulness to cry out with the Holy Apostle Oh
Gen. 17.7 And that Prophet promised to Moses and I will raise them up a Prophet amongst their Brethren like unto thee and I will put my words into his mouth and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him Deut. 18.18 And he is that Prophet of whom the Apostle speaketh Of this Mans Seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour Jesus Act. 13.22 And this is that rod out of the Stem of Jesse on whom the Spirit of the Lord doth rest The Spirit of Wisdom and Understanding the Spirit of Counsel and Might the Spirit of Knowledge and of the fear of the Lord he shall not judge after the sight of his Eyes nor reprove after the hearing of his Ears but with Righteousness shall he judge the Poor and Reprove with Equity for the meek of the Earth and shall smite the Earth with the Rod of his Mouth and with the breath of his Lips shall he slay the Wicked and righteousness shall be the Girdle of his Loyns and Faithfulness the Girdle of his Reins Isa 11. to 11. And this is that Prophet who hath received the Spirit in full The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath appointed me to Preach good tidings to the meek he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted to proclaim liberty to the captive and the opening of the Prison to them that are bound to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God and to comfort all that mourn to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion to give unto them Beauty for Ashes the Oil of Joy for Mourning the Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness Isa 61. to 4. He is the only true Sheepheard of the Sheep and entreth in at the Door to whom it is opened and the Sheep hear his voice and follow him he knoweth his Sheep calleth them by their Names and leads them into the true and good Pastures John 10. to 6. He is the infallible guide and teacher He is the Way the Truth the Light and Life and no Man cometh unto the Father but by him Joh. 14.6 He is the only true light that lightneth every Man that cometh into the World John 1.6 This then being the first step of Christs Mediation between God and Man to be their Teacher to instruct them their duty towards God by his infallible Spirit this should lead us again with the Apostle to cry out O the depth and infinite dimensions of the Love and Wisdom of God to sinners If we consider Mans Fall from his credulity in believing the lying suggestions of a fallen Angel in the Mouth of a Serpent and not believing of God and that to avoid mans splitting on this Rock God sends his infallible Spirit of Truth to guide them in all Truth and bring them under the Law of the Spirit by Regeneration and a new Life in Christ Jesus by putting his Spirit in them to make them walk in the Spirit and no more in the unprofitable course of this World in the Flesh and Lusts thereof and endoweth them with the Wisdom and Graces of his Spirit to perform to God new obedience as shall be shewen in examining of the Christian Duties as the conditions of this Covenant on Mans part how much should the consideration of this mystery of Love and Wisdom lead our anxious desires after attaining unto a large stock of this enriching and confirming Grace and to be endowed with the knowledge of the love of God in Christ Jesus by which poor Believers are not only retrieved from Sin and Wrath but are kept sure in Christs Hand from falling away from God as under the first Covenant John 17.6 to 13. The second branch of Christs Mediatory Office is to be a Priest and the Office of a Priest being to offer up Sacrifice for Sinners we shall consider how this agreeth to Christ and is performed by him the holy Apostle tells us That he that desireth the Office of a Bishop or Teacher desireth a good work 1 Tim. 3.1 And he also tells us that it is so honourable and sacred that no man taketh it to himself but he that is called thereunto as was Aaron Heb. 5.4 And therefore God in displeasure with Uzziah the great King of Israel for intruding into the Priests Office struck him with Leprosy to his death 2 Chron. 26.18 to end But none can claim better or so good a Title to the Priesthood as our great high Priest Jesus Christ who took not that honour to himself but it was given to him of his Father who said to him this day have I begotten thee and thou art a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisedeck Heb. 5.5 Psalm 110.4 Isa 7.13 14 15 16. And although he was Heir of all things and by whom the World was made and being the brightness of the Fathers glory and express Image of his person he was annointed with the Oil of Gladness above his Fellows Heb. 1.2 3 9. And made the High Priest by the Council of Heaven for Mans Eternal Salvation and as he had this his call immediately from Heaven so he hath it with more transcendent eminency than other Priests in many considerations First The holy Apostle Paul tells us that all Priests taken from amongst Men are compassed about with Infirmities and Sins and as in compassion to others so also for their own as well as for the sins of others they are to offer up Sacrifices Heb. 5.1 2 3. ch 7.23 28. chap. 9.7 but this our great High Priest though in Compassion to us he took our nature upon him and was subject to natural Infirmities and in the Flesh was tempted with like Infirmities to succour such as were tempted yet without sin Heb. 2.16 17 18. chap. 4.15 However he is essentially holy for such an High Priest became us who is holy harmless undefiled separate from Sinners and made higher than the Heavens who needeth not daily as these High Priests to offer up Sacrifice first for his own Sins and then for the People for this he did once when he offered up himself Heb. 7.26 27. Secondly All other Priests are made without an Oath but he with an Oath for those Priests were made without an Oath but this with an Oath by him that said to him the Lord Swore and will not Repent thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedeck and hath an unchangeable Priesthood Hebrews 7.21 24. Thirdly Other Priests are for a time his Priesthood is for ever and unchangeable as in the foregoing Scripture They were many Priests and not suffered to continue because of death but this man because he continueth ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever liveth to make Intercession for them for the Law maketh High Priests which have Infirmities but the word of the Oath
either under Spiritual or Temporal Diseases or Temptations And first a Spiritual and as the Soul is more excellent than the Body so the diseases of the Soul are more dangerous grievous and uneasy The Spirit of a Man can bear his Infirmities but a wounded Spirit who can bear as all the motions of the body are disordered by the distemper of the Spirit so greatest care should be taken to cure and remove the disorders thereof and this is the great consolation of the diseased in Spirit that their Physitian hath cures paramount to the cures of all others as being in himself omnipotent to whom alone is given the faculty of healing of Soul distempers The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek he hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted and to proclaim liberty to the Captives and the opening of the Prison to them that are bound to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of vengeance of our God to comfort all that mourn to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion to give unto them Beauty for Ashes the oil of Joy for Mourning the Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness that they might be called Trees of Righteousness the planting of the Lord that he might be glorified Isa 61.1 2 3. And see hence what great encouragement the Saints have to wait on God for the accomplishments of his Promises who is faithful and cannot fail the Church and People of God say in the same Scripture I will rejoyce in the Lord my Soul shall be joyful in my God for he hath cloathed me with the Garments of Salvation he hath covered â—e with the Robe of Righteousness as a Bridegroom decketh himself with Ornaments and as a Bride adorneth her self with her Jewels Isa 61.10 By which we see his Promises are not only large but he makes them effectual in the Christians Improvement thereof to their own comfort these Promises may be branched forth answerable to the several Spiritual Distempers in these three Heads First Under Spiritual darkness and desertion Secondly Under anguish of Spirit for heinous Sins Thirdly For the multitude of Sins or under Relapses And as to these three states or conditions of Spiritual Distempers see the manifold particular and apposite Promises of God under these Distempers The second Disease to which Gods Promises are annexed is under Temporary afflictions and trials which though he could easie and instantly remove nevertheless as a wise and just Physitian judiciously consults the Patients Distemper and finds that one single Dose or Potion is not enough but that a course of Physick is absolutely necessary to cure the Distemper and as he studies neither to gratify the Patients present distempered Palat nor his uneasy humour but minds the most suitable Medicines proper method of Cure order of Diet and Exercise under the Cure he confines him to retirement and abstinence as well from the luxuriant eating and drinking and the too great liberty of former converse as the causes and rise of his distemper so that tender Physitian of Souls the Lord Jesus Christ takes the same method of curing and relieving his afflicted under their distempers by afflictions and as he knows the humours on which the Physick is to work that it must have liberty and time for operation and that the Patient must needs be sick and anxious for a Cordial as when a Chirurgeon hath bound up a wound and applied suitable Plaisters pinching and cauthorizing which necessarily in order to cure must annoy and disquiet the patient that he will importune the Doctor for a Cordial to abate his sickness and the Chirurgeon to remove the Plaister nevertheless they wisely considering that giving a Cordial or removing the Plaisters before its time hinders cure encreaseth more and grosser humours therefore gives no other compliance but advice of Patience and assurance of cure on the due operation of the means so this great Physitian of Souls though in all their afflictions he is afflicted he will take his own time and way for their relief and affords no other Cordial for the present but that of his universal promises which are extensive to all circumstances of their several cases and conditions which may be branched out in these heads First Sickness Secondly Imprisonments Thirdly Poverty Fourthly Desertion and forsaking of friends Fifthly Under Slanders and Reproaches in all which cases the Lords promises are not only full and numerous but also peculiarly apposite and especially calculated by him to all â—nd every of the particular cases which is more expresly set down before Fourthly The fourth encouragement for the People of God to bear afflictions patiently is that the Cross of Christ is the Path way that Christ hath appointed his People to walk to Heaven for if you be without chastisement whereof all are partakers then are you Bastards and no Sons Heb. 12.5 to 12. Wo is me for my hurt my wound is grievous but I said I must bear it Jer. 10.19 24. O Lord correct me not in thine anger but in judgment least thou bring me to nothing I am with thee saith the Lord to save thee though I make a full end of all Nations whether I have scattered thee I will not make a full end of thee but correct thee in measure and not leave thee altogether unpunished Jer. 30.11 And this is Christs Legacy to his followers Brothers shall deliver up Brothers to death the Fathers shall rise against the Children and Children against their Parents and cause them to be put to Death and ye shall be hated of all men for my sake Mat. 10.6 to 40. and if any man will be my Disciple he must deny himself lay down his Life take up his Cross daily and follow me if any man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God on this behalf for the time is come that Judgment must begin at the House of God and if it first begin at us what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God if the Righteous scarcely be saved where shall the ungodly appear wherefore let them that suffer according to the Will of God commit the keeping of their Souls to him in well doing as unto a faithful Creator 1 Pet. 4.15 16 17 18. For if God spared not the natural branches take heed lest he also spair not thee behold therefore the goodness and severity of God to them that fell severity but towards thee goodness if thou continue in his goodness otherwise thou shalt be cut off Rom. 11.21 22. Is it not the foretold Lot of Gods People that through tribulation and persecution they must enter into the Kingdom of God and the Disciple cannot expect better entertainment than the master if they have called the Master Beelzebub how much more they of his house-hold Mat. 10.24 25. Fifthly The furnace of affliction is the means by which
given them that they may be one as we are one I in them and thou in me that the World may know that thou hast sent me and loved them as thou hast loved me Joh. 17.22 23. Be thou faithful unto the end and I will give thee the Crown of Life To him that overcometh I will give to sit down in my Kingdom even as I have overcome and am sat down with my Father in his Kingdom Revel 3.21 The second branch of Gods Promises are of temporal Mercies or of Temporal and Spiritual mixed together and these in Scripture are extended to all the exigencies of a Christians state or condition As First in general afflictions In all their afflictions he was afflicted and the Angel of his presence saved them in his Mercy and in his pity he redeemed them and bore them all the days of old Isa 63.9 He shall give his Angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways they shall bear thee up in their hands left thou dash thy foot against a stone Psalm 91.11 12. Secondly In all particular trials and afflictions When thou passest thorough the Waters I will be with thee and thorough the Rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest thorough the Fire thou shalt not be burned neither shall the flame come upon thee Isa 43.2 And he shall call upon me and I will answer him I will be with him in trouble I will deliver him and honour him with long life will I satisfy him and shew him my Salvation Psal 91.15 16. Thirdly His Promises in greatest extremity when left and forsaken of all Friends and Relations When my Father and my Mother forsake me then the Lord will take me up Psal 27.10 Can a Woman forsake her sucking Child and not have Compassion on the fruit of her Womb yea they may forget yet will I not forget thee behold I have graven thee upon the Palms of my hands thy Walls are continually before me Isa 49.16 17. And he saw that there was no man and wondered that there was no Intercessor therefore his own Arm brought Salvation to him and his fury upheld him Isa 63 5. All thy lovers have forgotten thee they seek thee not for I have wounded thee with the wound of an Enemy with the chastisement of a cruel one for the multitude of thine Iniquities because thy sins were increased why cryest thou for thine affliction thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine Iniquities because thy sins were increased therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured and all thy Adversaries every one of them shall go into Captivity and they that spoil thee shall be a spoil and all that prey upon thee shall be a prey for I will restore health unto thee and heal thee of thy wounds saith the Lord because they have called thee an out-cast saying this is Zion whom no Man looketh after Jer. 30.14 15 16 17. Having thus viewed the manifold Promises of God to his People Let us now consider the methods to be taken by repenting sinners under their afflictions which may be in this threefold Consideration First Consider Sin as the cause of all Evil and of Afflictions Secondly That all Afflictions are from God Thirdly Consider Gods Intention and Purpose towards his People by afflicting of them The first Consideration is that sin as it 's the cause of all evil is also the cause of affliction no man is so insensible but he finds the burthen of affliction or should be so irrational as not to enquire into the causes thereof so that if we do inquire into the first Chastisement which hapned to Man to wit his being shut out from Paradise we will find the cause thereof to be his Rebellion and Disobedience to God in eating of the forbidden Fruit and as we must acknowledge the Justice on Gods part so all the Scriptures all along shew Sin to be the cause of Affliction Hear O Heavens and hearken O Earth for the Lord hath spoken I have nourished and brought forth Children and they have rebelled against me the Ox knoweth his owner and the Ass his Masters Crib but Israel doth not know my people do nor consider O sinful Nation a People loaden with Iniquity a seed of evil doers Children that are corrupters they have forsaken the Lord they have provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger they are gone away backward why should ye be stricken any more ye will revolt more and more the whole head is sick the whole Heart is faint from the sole of the foot to the top of the Head there is no soundness in it but wounds and bruises and putrifying sores they have not been closed nor mollified with ointment your Country is desolate your Cities are burned with Fire your Land Strangers devour in your presence and it is desolate as overthrown by strangers Isa 1.2 to 8. O Lord the hope of Israel all that forsake thee shall be ashamed and they that depart from thee shall be written in the dust because they have forsaken thee the fountain of living Waters Jer. 17.13 Where is the Bill of your Mothers Divorce whom I have put away behold for your Iniquities have you sold your selves and for your transgressions is your Mother put away Isa 50.1 In the second place We ought to consider that Affliction ariseth not out of the Dust but directly or indirectly they are from God is there any evil in the City that the Lord hath not done Job 5.6 You only have I known of all the Families of the Earth therefore will I punish you for all your Iniquities Amos 3.2 3 to 7. Who gave Jacob to the spoil or Israel to the Robbers did not the Lord he against whom we have sinned for they would not walk in his ways neither were they obedient to his Laws Isa 24.24 I form Light and create Darkness I make Peace and create War I the Lord do all these things Isa 45.7 All thy lovers have forsaken thee they seek thee not for I have wounded thee with the wound of an Enemy with the Chastisement of a cruel one for the multitude of thy Iniquities because thy sins were increased I have done these things unto thee Jer. 30.14 The third consideration is what may be Gods purpose or intention in chastising his own People which may be resolved and comprehended in these five First To purge away their sins Secondly To invite his People to Repentance by with-holding his Face by afflictions Thirdly To distinguish between his Children and Bastards Fourthly To fix on their Hearts the sense of the emptiness of humane enjoyments Fifthly To possess them of the true opinion of Christs excellency above all things else First It is to purify his People from sin wash you make you clean cease to do evil learn to do well if ye be willing and obedient ye shall eat the good of the Land but if ye refuse and rebel ye shall be devoured by Fire thy Silver
nothing and vanity He is Lord of Lords and King of Kings And his dominion is without end or limitation of time he is glorious in holiness fearful in praises doing wonders Isa 40.12 to 18. Psalm 68.17 Revelation 17.14 Exod. 15.11 Thirdly He is infinite in Wisdom who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord or being his Cousellour taught him with whom took he Counsel and who instructed him and taught him the Path of Judgments and Knowledge and shewed him the way of understanding he is Prince of Peace wonderful Counsellour the everlasting Father Isa 40.13 14. Isa 9.6 7. chap. 11. to 11. Fourthly He is matchless in Beauty He is the Rose of Sharon White and Ruddy the choicest of ten thousands His Head as the most fine Gold his Locks are bushy and black as a Raven his Mouth is sweet yea he is altogether lovely Cant. 2.1 Cant. 5.10 to 17. Fifthly He is of everlasting continuance all created Beings are either tainted with inherent and natural defects or imperfections Riches canker and consume beauty failes with the complexion friends power and humane glory are Solomons vanities and perish in the using or are cut off with time but he made all things and of his Kingdom there shall be no end he is Alpha and Omega Rev. 1.8 Sixthly He is absolute Soveraign and Conquerour of all Enemies even of Death and the World be of good-Comfort I have overcome the World the Issues of Death belong to him he hath the Keys of the House of David he can shut and no man open he can open and no man shut I am he that liveth and was dead and behold I live for evermore and have the Keys of Hell and Death Rev. 1.8 chap. 5.9 The seventh reason why the Lord Jesus Christ doth afflict and chastise his People is to exercise their Faith and Patience upon his Promises to them in their afflictions It being the Lords way with his People to afflict them to trials and confirmation not to their destruction or overthrow to chastise them in Measure and not to leave them altogether unpunished for I am with thee saith thee Lord to save thee Jer. 30.11 Though I make a full end of all Nations whether I have scattered thee yet will I not make a full end of thee but will correct thee in measure and not leave thee altogether unpunished The Lord knoweth the complexion of his People and therefore deals warily and gently with them by his afflicting hand he intends not their destruction but to frame them for Vessels of Love and Mercy he intending they shall be the Temples of the Holy Ghost he refines them and chuseth them in the Furnace of Afflâ—ction to scoure off the natural and sinful uncleanness And thus he deals in a tenderly and fatherly way Jer. 48.10 chap. 9.7 In measure when it shutteth forth I will debate with it he stayeth the rough wind in the day of his East-wind and all his Billows do not blow at once Jer. 27.7 8 9. He will not overcharge them but proportions the Physick of Affliction to the strength he will give them No temptation hath befallen you but what is common to Men the Lord is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above measure but with every temptation will give an outgate that ye may be able to bear it 1 Cor. 10 30. 2 Cor. 4.17 18. And therefore the Wise Physician of Souls who will not break a bruised Reed nor quench a smoaking Flax. Isa 42.3 To prevent the discouragement of the Christian Patient in their afflictions affords them the Cordials of his Infallible Promises to stay support and uphold them against the sourest gripings of Temptations and Trials which is his Fatherly Potion that he measures to them in this Life And these Promises are suited to all the Christians Lot on this side of time as well to their Spiritual State Trials and Difficulties as to that of the Temporary Troubles and Afflictions Isa 11. all Isa 61.1 2 3. And First for their Spiritual state in these three particulars First In Spiritual darkness and desertion of Gods presence for their Cloudiness in the sense of Gods favour Secondly Under the sense or apprehensions of greatest Sins And Thirdly Under repeated Sins or Relapses First In Darkness and Soul Desertion as every throw or gripe to the diseased do discompose and aggravate so much more when afflictions the Arrows of the Almighty are upon any and that their Spiritual state is clouded and they have not the comfortable presence of God so as they are under fears and darkness that the Lord is not their Salvation or cannot be satisfied that these Chastisements are in Mercy and not in Wrath from the Hand of a Father how is the Soul hurried and curdled like a Cheese and roars with David as distracted with terrours a wounded Spirit who can bear this of all conditions is the most anxious and comfortless as on the other hand when the Countenance of a reconciled God in Christ Jesus looks thorough the deepest Cloud of Afflictions the Soul rejoyceth in Tribulation Some will say who will shew us any good but Lord lift thou up the Light of thy Countenance which will make our Soul more joyful and more glad than when their Corn and Wine encrease in great abundance Psal 4.6 7 8. And in this doleful state the Lords Promises are rich and manifold Who is among you that feareth the Lord and obeyeth the voice of his Servant that walketh in darkness and hath no light let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God Isa 50.10 Unto the Righteous there ariseth light in darkness Psal 112.4 Light is sowed to the Righteous and Joy to the Upright in Heart Psal 97.11 I am sought of them that asked not for me I am found of them that sought me not I said behold me behold me unto a Nation that was not called by my name before they call I will answer and while they are yet speaking I will hear saith the Lord Isa 65.1 24. Before she travelled she brought forth before her pain came she was delivered of a Man Child and as soon as Zion Travelled she brought forth her Children shall I bring to the Birth and not cause to bring forth shall I cause to bring forth and shut the Womb saith the Lord Isa 66.7 8 9. The great Physitian of Souls like a just and wise Physitian useth ordinary means in common Distempers but in extremities and dangerous Distempers Cordials and Rich and Choicest Medicines are not with held when all ordinary helps fail his special Love and Power manifests it self when we were helpless yea Enemies he brings succour comfort and relief and makes with us an everlasting Covenant Ezek. 16. to 8. Rom. 5.6 7 8. Thus he sheweth his Prerogative of curing as well as his Love when no other help appears when my Father and my Mother forsake me then the Lord shall take me up Psal 27.10 Isa 49.15 chap.
both He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and all power is given to him in Heaven and in Earth he hath the Keys of Hell and Death he openeth and no man shuts and he shutteth and no man openeth Rev. 1.18 He executeth Judgment for the oppressed who giveth food to the hungry the Lord looseth the Prisoner Psal 146.7 The Lord upholdeth all that fall and raiseth up all that be bowed down Psal 145.14 He made them to be pittied of those that carried them away Captives Psal 107.10 Then they cried unto the Lord and he delivered them out of their distresses such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of Death being bound in Afflictions Irons he brought them out of Darkness and the Shadow of Death and broke their Bonds asunder he sent his Word and healed them and delivered them from their destructions Psal 107.6 10 14 20. The Lord heareth the Poor and despiseth not the Prisoners Psal 69.33 Thus saith the Lord I will bring again the Captivity of Jacobs Tents and have mercy on his dwelling place and the City shall be built upon her own heap and the Pallace shall remain after the manner thereof Behold I will bring them from the North Country and they shall come with weeping and with supplication will I lead them I will cause them to walk by the Rivers of Waters by a straight way wherein they shall not stumble for I am a Father to Israel and Ephraim is my first born he that scattered Israel will gather him as a Shepherd doth his Flock for the Lord hath redeemed Israel and ransomed him from him that was stronger than he Jer. 30.18 A Voice was heard in Rama Lamentation and bitter weeping Rachel weeping for her Children refusing to be comforted because they were not thus saith the Lord refrain thy Voice from Weeping and thine Eyes from Tears for thy Work shall be rewarded and they shall come again from the Land of the Enemy there is hope in thine end that they shall come again to their own Borders Jer 31 8 to 23. And the Heathen shall know that the House of Israel went into Captivity because they trespassed against me therefore hid I my Face from them therefore thus saith the Lord now will I bring again the Captivity of Jacob and have mercy upon the whole House of Israel I will be jealous for my Holy Name after that they have born their shame and all their trespasses that they have trespassed against me when they dwelt safely in their own Land and none made them afraid And I am Sanctified of them in the sight of many Nations Then shall they know that I am the Lord their God which caused them to be led into Captivity among the Heathen but I have gathered them into their own Land and have left none of them any more there neither will I hide my Face any more from them for I have poured out my Spirit upon the House of Israel Ezekiel 29.23 c. Behold I will gather them out of all Nations and all Countries whether I have driven them in mine anger and in my fury and in great wrath and will bring them again to this place and will cause them to dwell safely and they shall be my People and I will be their God and I will give them one Heart and one Way that they may fear me for the good of them and their Children after them Yea I will rejoice over them to do them good and I will most assuredly plant them in this Land with my whole Heart and with my whole Soul for as I have brought all this great evil upon this People so will I bring upon them all the good that I have promised them Jer. 32.37 to end Turn ye to the strong hold ye Prisoners of hope even to day do I declare unto you that I will render double unto you they shall be as the Stones of a Crown lifted up as an Ensign upon his Land for how great is his goodness how great is his beauty Corn shall make the Young Men chearful and the new Wine Maids Zach. 9.12 to the end Thus saith the Lord after seventy years be accomplished at Babilon I will visit you and perform my good words towards you and cause you to return to this place for I know the Thoughts that I think towards you Thoughts of Peace and not of Evil to give you an expected end you shall call on me go and pray and I will hearken unto you ye shall seek me and find me when ye seek me with all your Heart I will be found of you and turn away your Captivity and gather you from all the Nations and all places whither I have driven you and bring you again to the place whence I caused you to be driven away Captive Jer. 29.10 to 15. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return to Zion with everlasting Songs and Joy upon their Heads they shall obtain Joy and Gladness and Sorrow and Sighing shall fly away Isa 39.10 That thou may'st say to the Prisoners go forth to them that are in darkness shew your selves the Captives of the mighty shall be taken away and the Prey of the terrible shall be taken away Isa 49.5 25 26. read Isaiah 52. to 7. and Psal 102.19 and Isa 20. God setteth the solitary in Families and bringeth out those that are bound with Chains but rebellious are in a dry Land As we see from the foregoing Scriptures the manifold Promises of God for the delivery of his Prisoners of hope the same instruct us also of the Lords great Power and goodness in his delivering of his People in these respects First By giving to them a more lively appearance and discovery of himself under their confinement than formerly and affords them more patience and courage to bear their Afflictions and Confinements Prisons or places of Retirement and as at all times we should examine our case as to peace with God and seeing all afflictions are from God and Confinements especially for the good of such as wait on him we ought in Prison Houses to search our Hearts and try our Ways and seek out the Causes of Gods so dealing with us and by this means he maketh the darkest Prisons the happiest Lodgings by the effects it works on such as therein walk with God and seek reconciliation with him in Jesus Christ we see what clear revelations Jeremiah had when shut up in closest Prisons and Dungeons and with what undaunted Zeal and Courage for God he delivers the Message of God when he was most severely dealt with being supported by God against all discouragements see Jeremiah 32.2 and 3. chap. 33. and 1. ch 37.16 ch 38.4.5 and 6. chap. 39.16 17 18. ch 42.10 See the constancy of Zeal and Courage of the three Children when they knew the Law against them was irrepealable Be it known to the oh King we will not obey thee nor worship the Image which thou hast set up
away my acquaintance far from me thou hast made me an abomination to them I am shut up I cannot come forth I am afflicted from my Youth and ready to dye while I suffer thy Terrours I am distracted Psal 88.8 15 18. We are become a reproach to our Neighbours a scorn and a derision to them that are about us I am become a stranger to my Brethren an alien to my Mothers Children Psal 69.8 See the Apostles Case At my first answer no man stood by me but all Men forsook me nevertheless the Lord stood with me and strengthned me 2 Tim. 4.16 17. Consider the Churches state there is none to plead thy cause all thy lovers have forgotten thee they seek thee not in which we see the height of unkindness of unnaturality of Relations but consider in that same and often repeated place The Lords wonderful kindness therefore all they that devour thee shall be devoured and all thy Adversaries every one of them shall go into Captivity for I will restore health unto thee and heal thee of thy wounds Jer. 30.11 to 18. One shall say unto him what are these wounds in thy hands and he shall answer those which I have received in the house of my Friend Zech. 13.6 See the Churches state and what advice the Prophet giveth unto her upon the consideration of the unfaithfulness of Friends Trust not in a Friend put no confidence in a Guide keep the Doors of thy Mouth from the Wife that lieth in thy Bosom for the Son dishonoureth the Father and the Daughter riseth up against the Mother and the Daughter in Law against the Mother in Law and a Mans Enemies are those of his own House Mic. 7.5 6 7. The Church in the Prophet Isaiah's time was under contempt reproach and forsaken of friends but yet he comforts her with great assurances of Gods everlasting favour fear not for thou shalt not be ashamed thou shalt forget the shame of thy Youth and not remember the reproach of thy Widow-hood any more for thy Maker is thy Husband the Lord of Hosts is his Name and thy Redeemer the holy one of Israel for the Lord hath called thee as a Woman forsaken and grieved in Spirit a Wife of Youth when thou wast refused for a little moment have I forsaken thee but with great Mercy will I gather thee in a little wrath I hid my Face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy upon thee saith the Lord Isa 54.5 6 7 8 And farther when all help failes and no appearance of any hope then the Lord Interposeth I looked and there was none to help I wondered that there was none to uphold therefore mine own arm brought Salvation and my Fury it upheld me Isa 63.5 This also was Davids case I looked on my Right Hand and beheld but there was no man would know me refuge failed me no man careth for my Soul Psal 142.4 This also was the great case of the Church wherein the Lord interposeth with his great deliverance but Sion said the Lord hath forsaken me my God hath forgotten me but behold the Lords Fatherly answer exceeding all the compassion of Women Can a Woman forsake her suckling Child that she should not have compassion on the Son of her Womb she may forget but I cannot forget thee saith the Lord I have graven thee upon the Palms of my hands thy Walls are continually before me thy Children shall make haste thy destroyers and they that made thee waste shall go forth of thee Isa 49.14 to 18. Behold the lamentable state of the Church wherein she complains all her friends have dealt treacherously with her and not only forsaken her but become her Enemies Lam. 1. all The fifth instance of Gods kindness to his People is when under great reproaches as a good name is better than Gold and Pretious ointment nevertheless the holiest and most innocent of Gods People have been exposed unto and are obnoxious to slanders revilings and reproaches from the worst of Men. Christ the Lord of Glory was called a Wine-bibber a Drunkard a Friend to Publicanes and Sinners and charged with having a Devil and being a Charmer by Beelzebub the Prince of Devils and at his Death was reviled as a deceiver and they that passed by railed on him thou that savest others come down from the Cross and save thy self he that saved others himself he cannot save Mat. 15.29 30 31. Luke 7.33 34. ch 11.15 The Apostles were called rebellious turners of the World upside down stirrers up of the People and Inventers of new doctrine How was David reviled and reproached by Shimei Come out thou bloody Man the Lord hath returned on thee all the blood of the House of Saul and thou art taken in thy mischief because thou art a bloody Man 2 Sam. 16.6 7 8. I was a reproach amongst all mine Enemies especially to my Neighbours and a fear to mine acquantance they that did see me fled from me I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind I am like a broken Vessel I have heard the slanders of many fear was on every side while they took Council together against me they devised to take away my Life but I trusted to thee O Lord and said thou art my God Psal 31.11 12 13 14 20. False Witnesses rose up against me they laid to my charge things I knew not they rewarded me evil for my good to the spoiling of my Soul in my adversity they rejoiced and gathered themselves together yea the Abjects gathered themselves together against me and I knew it not they did tear me and ceased not with Hypocritical mockers at Feasts they gnashed upon me with their Teeth yea they opened their mouth wide against me and said a ha a ha our eyes have seen it Psal 35.11 to 22. My lovers and my friends stood aloof from my sore my kinsmen stood afar off they also that seek after my Soul lay Snares for me and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things against me and imagine deceit all the day long but my Enemies are lively and they are strong and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied they also that render evil for good are mine Adversaries Psal 38.11 to 21. Mine Enemies speak evil of me when shall he die if he come to see me he speaketh vanity he gathereth iniquity to it self and when he goeth away he telleth it all that hate me whisper together against me they did devise my hurt now that he lieth down he shall rise no more yea mine own familiar friend in whom I trusted who did eat of my bread did lift up his heel against me Psal 41.5 to 9. Moses the humble and meekest of Men was charged with ambition and assuming of Arbitrary Power even by his Brother Aaron and Sister Miriam Thou takest too much upon thee hath the Lord spoken by Moses only hath he not spoken by us also Numb 12.1.2 This also was Christs Lot
My Brethren have dealt deceitfully with me as a Brook John 13.18 This also was the sad Condition of the Church Thou hast heard their reproach O Lord their Imaginations against me the Lips of those that rise up against me their devices against me all the day long behold their sitting down and their rising up I am their Musick Lam. 3.6 62 63. David was as among Lions their Teeth were as Spears against him and their Tongues as sharp Swords they wrested his words Psal 57.4 Psal 56.2 5 6. He was the Song of the Drunkards Reproach hath broken my Heart I am full of heaviness I looked for some to take pity but there was none and for comforters but I found none Psal 69. all Our Soul is exceedingly filled with the scorn of those that dwell at ease and with the contempt of the Proud Psal 123.4 The sixth reason why God thus chastiseth his People is to make them sensible of the different measures by which he deals with his People in their Afflictions and with the wicked by his Judgment upon them and that consists in these six respects First He chastiseth his People in love and for their good but his Judgments on the Wicked are to their Everlasting Loss and Condemnation Secondly He unwillingly and with reluctance corrects his People but taketh pleasure in his Justice upon the Wicked Thirdly He corrects his People in measure and moderation but Rains down the Vials of his displeasure upon his Enemies Fourthly The Chastisements of his People are but for a moment and not to make an end of them but the Wicked are totally cut off without expectation or hope of recovery Fifthly The Godly though afflicted are comforted by Gods presence they have communion and fellowship with the Father and holy Trinity but the Wicked have no hope in their end or punishments Sixthly The Godly by their afflictions are taught to know the difference between Spiritual and Carnal enjoyments Temporal and Eternal Mercies First The Godly's Chastisements are for their good although all Trials Afflictions and Temptations are a dark Cloud and carry a pale Face yet when the Godly do search out the purpose of God in this and are desirous to know his Intentions therein they will see this to be in love when the Godly enjoy all sensual pleasures without any intermission they are apt to surfeit upon Mercies and turn lazy and forget God as the slothful Man by luxuriant feeding ease and gluttony contracts a Lethargy so are the best of men apt to forget the Fountain of Mercies and wax wanton against God as the People of Israel in their quiet and plenteous enjoyments Exod. 15 ch 17. Num. 11. ch 16. Deut. 11. Therefore the Lord visits his People with Rods to rouse them out of their laziness to make them turn to their rock for their good and safety Psal 106. Before I was afflicted I went astray but now have I learned to keep thy Word blessed is the Man whom thou chastiseth and teacheth out of thy Law Psal 119.67 71. This is the end to the Godly to take away his sin Isa 27.9 Whom the Lord loveth he chastneth and scourgeth every Son whom he receiveth If ye endure chastning God dealeth with you as with Sons for what Son is he whom the Father chastneth not but if ye be without Chastisement whereof all are partakers then are ye Bastards and no Children we had Fathers of the Flesh who chastised us after their own pleasure and we gave them reverence shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of Spirits and life for they for a while corrected us according to their own pleasure but he for our profit that we may be partakers of his holiness now no chastning for the present seemeth joyous but grievous but afterwards it bringeth forth the perfect fruit of Righteousness to them that are exercised thereby Heb. 12.5 to 12. But see the Issue of the wicked and ungodly they shall be like the chaff which the Wind driveth away Ps 1.4 5 6. Secondly The Lord doth not afflict his People willingly but with great reluctancy How shall I give thee up Ephraim how shall I deliver thee Israel how shall I make thee as Adma how shall I set thee as Zeboim my Heart is turned within me my repenting is turned together Hos 11.8 Is Ephraim my dear Son is he a pleasant Child for since I spoke against him I remember him still earnestly my Bowels are troubled for him I will surely have mercy upon him saith the Lord Jer. 31.20 Repent and turn your selves from your transgressions so Iniquity shall not be your ruin cast away all your transgressions and make you a new Heart and a new Spirit for why will you dye O house of Israel for I have no pleasure in the death of a sinner therefore turn your selves and live See Ezek. 33.11 Luk. 13.34 35. Ezek. 18.30 31 32. Thirdly The Lord corrects his People in measure and not in extremity as he doth the wicked hath he smitten him as he smote those that smote him or is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him in measure when it shooteth forth thou wilt debate with it he stayeth his rough Wind in the day of his East-wind Isaiah 27.7 8. Fourthly The Afflictions of the Godly are but for a short time for a small moment have I forsaken thee but with great mercy will I gather thee in a little wrath I hid my self from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy upon thee Isa 5 4.7 8. They shall go into Babilon until I deliver them I will visit them there and restore them to this place Jer. 27.22 Refrain thy voice from weeping and thine eyes from tears for thy work shall be rewarded and they shall come again from the Land of the Enemy and there is hope in thine end and thy Children shall come again in their own border Jer. 31.15 16 17. Thus though the Lord deals severely with his People nevertheless it is but for a time and in moderation and giveth them a happy delivery and eternal rest with himself in the end but he deals otherways with his Enemies never withdrawing his Judgments from them until he hath accomplished their destruction and avenged their malice against his People Wherefore it shall come to pass when the Lord hath performed this whole work upon mount Sion I will punish the stout-heart of the King of Assyria and the glory of his high looks Isa 41.15 16. I was wroth with my People I have polluted mine Inheritance and given them into thy hands thou didst shew them no mercy upon the antient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoak thou saidst I will be a Lady for ever for that thou didst not lay these things to thy Heart neither didst remember the latter end of them therefore hear thou this thou that art given to pleasure that dwellest carelesly that sayest in thy Heart
contrived and fitted them for it for as Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God nor Corruption Incorruption so the Lord doth provide his Saints Spiritual and Incorruptible Bodies capable to receive these Spiritual Manifestations of his Glory and of Christ and all the Heavenly Host 1 Cor. 15. read all As this is an Eminent Instance of Eternal Happiness that Believers shall be Cloathed with Spiritual Bodies like that of Christs so it may Minister great Consolation to Afflicted Misers that the time doth not only hasten in which they shall be delivered from Misery but that also they shall have Bodies incapable of any misery The third Eminent instance of this Eternal Happiness is to be admitted into the Fellowship of Christ and all the Heavenly Host that they may be with me where I am Jo. 17.24 It is usual to Strangers to inquire into all the Magnificence of all Countries where they Travel the Queen of Sheba came to see the glory of Solomon Hezekiah shewed to the Ambassadour of the King of Babylon all his Glory Power and Wealth but what 's all the Earthly glory but Poppet shows to the glory of God which is above Human reach and as the greatest Honour Kings can give their Subjects is to admit them into their presence and constant Fellowship so this is the Chief Dignity of Saints that they are admitted into the immidiate presence of God and Christ and that not under a Cloud or Vail of the Flesh as Moses saw God in the Mount and as the Lord appeared in the Camp of Israel and at the Door of the Tabernacle but face to face to behold the fulness of his glory for when we are under the Clog of these Earthly Bodies we cannot behold the Majesty of God but when we are Clothed with these immortal Bodies we shall see as We are seen and know as we are known 1 Cor. 13.9 10 11 12. And as the glory of God himself is sufficient for all admiration and Satisfaction so the sight of the glorious Host of Heaven cannot but be exceeding delightful to see the sufferers for Christ enjoy the reward of their Patience and Faith to him that overcometh will I grant to sit down with me on my Throne even as I overcame and am set down with my Father on his Throne Rev. 3.21 These are they which came out of great Tribulation and have washed their Robes in the Blood of the Lamb therefore are they before the Throne of God and serve him Day and Night in his Temple and he that sitteth on the Throne shall dwell amongst them Rev. 7.14 15. This is the patience of the Saints these are they that keep the Commandments and the Faith of Jesus these sing the Song of Moses Rev. 14.4 12 13. These are the Souls of those who were beheaded for the Name of Jesus and the Word of God Rev. 15. 3 4. ch 19.7 8 9. Rev. 20.4 These are they which were invited and prepared for the Wedding of the Lamb. See the Apostles Description of the Heavenly Society but ye are come unto Mount Sion the City of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem and to an innumerable Company of Angels to the General Assembly and Church of the First-born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the Spirits of just Men made perfect and to Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant and to the blood of Sprinkling which speaketh better things than the Blood of Abel Heb. 12.22 23 24. As it 's no small part of Eternal Happiness to be admitted into the immediate presence of God so is it to be continued there to all Eternity The greatest favourites have fallen Haman was Hanged and Achitophel Hang'd himself because his Court fell but the Favour of God is for ever he that abideth in the Will of God shall indure for ever 1 Jo. 2.17 his People are all Sealed and Marked they are made Pillars of the Temple of God have his Name on them and can go out no more they are before the Lord Day and Night Rev. 3.12 and dwells with him they are Heirs of all things and can never fall from the Favour of God Rev. 21.7 Fifthly As the Saints of God are Eternally in his presence and so confirmed in their Happy State that they cannot fail so they have all after Pain Sorrow Grief and Trouble wiped off and secured from it they shall Hunger no more nor Thirst any more there shall no Sun light on them nor any Heat for the Lamb shall feed them and lead them unto living Fountains of Water and God shall wipe away all Tears from their Eyes and there shall be no more Death nor Sorrow nor Crying neither shall there be any pain for the former things are passed away This is the Portion of Believers in their Eternally Blessed Estate of all which these improvements may be made First Compare Man in his Estate of Nature and Misery with him in his Estate of Grace and Glory Secondly Believe the promises to Believers Thirdly Be Comforted and rejoyce in the Faith of Salvation promised in the Gospel First Man in his best Estate is altogether Vanity Ecl. 2.11 ch 13. ch 4. ch 5.12 17. Secondly In Relation to Corruption his thoughts are impure all his Thoughts and Imaginations Evil and only Evil continually Gen. 6.15 Mat. 15.19 Thirdly As to performances all our Righteousness are as filthy Rags and Menstruous Garments the whole Head sick the whole Heart faint Is 1.5 6. ch 64.6 Fourthly Heart Deceitful a Body of Death full of all Evil Jer. 17.9 Rom. 7.18 Fifthly Darkness without Light or knowledge of God and his truth or the Redeemer Tit. 3.3 1 Cor. 6.9 Eph. 2.1 2 3 11 12. ch 5.8 This being the Picture of Man in Nature without Grace Let us view him in Christ and renewed First All glorious within Holiness to the Lord Heir of all things all things yours Rev. 21.7 Rom. 8.32 Secondly Made sure a Pillar in the Temple of God go out no more hath Gods Name and City on him his Robes washed in the Blood of the Lamb Rev. 3.12 ch 7.15 16 17. Thirdly Continually in Gods presence God Dwells with them Rev. 3.21 Fourthly Crown'd with Everlasting Happiness and Glory no more Sorrow nor Pain the former things are past away Rev. 21.3 to 8. Secondly Believe Gods promises and rejoyce in them First Is Man lost by Nature and the Heir of Wrath and hath Christ dyed for sinners Eph. 2.3 Rom. 5.6 7 8. Secondly Hath God promised Redemption by his Blood and Eternal Life on Faith in him Jo. 3.16 17 18. Rom. 5.9 Thirdly Hath he said in vain seek ye my Face and live Is 45.19 20. Fourthly Is he in Compliment who is he that walketh in Darkness and hath no Light let him Trust in the Name of the Lord and stay on his God Is 50.10 Fifthly Are his professions of Love and Care a dry and only Complimentive and not Real Is 49.15