if there is ground â—â—ough of a therefore trust in him because judgement is before him what ground is this â—â—en and how much faith doth â—his call for at our hands in that mercy is before him his thoughts of love are ever comming into his minde and he is ever mindfull of his Covenant that his Love and Grace hath made He sayes to a poore beleever O what shall I doe unto thee What shall I do for thee What is thy desire what is thy request it shall be granted what is thy need it shall be suplied Solomon tells us that the heart of an husband doth safely trust in â— vertuous wife Pro. 31.11.12 26. for shee will dâ—â— him good and not evill and in her tongue is the law of kindnesse and is this enough for such a trust O then may we noâ— much more say the heart of a beleever may must and doth trust safely in God thorow Christ 〈◊〉 The heart of God is an heart oâ— kindnesse as well as in his tongue is the law of kindnesse 〈◊〉 What hath not God What iâ— there not in God to allure the soule to repose it selfe in him to be his disciple to lye in his bosome to leane upon his shoulders to lye downe full of joy in his love a poore soule that hath such an husband as Christ is may well shee hath ground enough may without danger there is safety enough trust in him for all good for all blessed dispensations of his Grace and power to enhappy it if the Husband may well trust a vertuous wife with family affaieres how much more may the beleeving soule trust Christ with all spirituall affaires let that God that Saviour will the beleeving soule say be my trust who purposes such love such mercy to my soule in evill times who is a Winters sun to my frozen heart and a blessed springing shower to my chapt earth I will trust him with my conscience trust him with my family trust him with my name trust him with my estate trust him with a Kingdome trust him with glory yea both mine and his own too he will not faile me that never failed any he will not deceive me that cannot deceive one hee hath thoughts of peace towards me in all my sufferings he hath a gracious end for me out of all my sufferings the Lord my God hath a fullnesse of good for mee as well as I absolute need of his good and he knowes his owne thoughts of love better infinitely better then I the great want of his love whither should my soule betake her selfe but to this shelter upon this ground I shall have firme footing upon this Rocke I shall have good building in this bosome I shall have glorious refreshings under this shade I shall be received by this hand I shall be delivered O how excellent is that of David who speakes experimentally too for how did hee stand vnremoved against all Sauls Psal 125.1 and Sataâ—â— batteries they that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion which cannot be removed but abideth for ever a beleever iâ— not removed nay cannot and it is more for Mount Zion cannot and such a one is like this mount those that beleeve they be like not the world alas that changes every moneth with the moone it hath many new faces strange changes 1 Iohn 2.17 alas that passes away but like mount Zion and what enemy so much as ever shooke this much lesse removed it beleevers they are like this â—â—ount they abide as long as the â—â—ove of God himselfe abides and â—â—ey are as firme as the strength 〈◊〉 this love can make them â—â—erefore t is that David puts a â—etternesse upon this trusting in â—â—e Lord and tells us t is better â—â—en trusting in men yea then â—o put confidence in Princes Psal 118.8 a â—â—ing so excellent so precious 〈◊〉 practised in and by the word â—nd yet that is as high as our â—ust can go if it be placed in the world what power is above â—â—inces power yea the conjoyned power of all the Princes of â—he world together and yet all â—his makes no rock at all it is â—ut as an heape of sand there is â—â—o building upon it in any case trusting in God is better it is a wise and a sure way whatever the cause bee a man would thinke if it were unsafe in any case it were so in this when a poore Soule walks in darknesse and hath no light is full of terrors and hath no Comforterâ— is in great straits of of spirit and hath no ease is full of troubleâ— within and hath no peace thiâ— poore creature thinkes his case iâ— desperate Isa 50.10 and that he is a loâ—â— man this is a strait this is anâ— headlong condition indeed yeâ— sayes the Prophet let that maâ—â— trust in the name of the Lord let that poore soule stay upon hiâ— God as desperate as his case seemes to be though in his own eye he is a damned man though in the worlds eye he is irrecoverable yet sayes he trusting iâ— the Lord Staying upon his God will perfectly cure that man he shall not miscarry in this case as deadly as it shewes to be if hâ— can cast himselfe upon his Godâ— his God hath thought of peaceâ— promises of peace a covenant 〈◊〉 peace blood of peace for him God will raise up that soul shinâ— into that soule be a light to that soule a Prince of peace a father of mercy and God of all comforts to him and whensoever God does this hee does more â—â—en if hee should remove our word our miseries our troubles â—nd make all at peace in the Kingdome O that God would â—ay the hearts of Christiâ—ns here Sol. Song 2.14 O that they were how in the clefts of this Rocke like Christs Dove was there â—ver a better time to rest in God â—hen now O let the name of â—he Lord be precious to you do not only try now or taste what â—one how good God is but be â—onfident what hee will bee to you can your case be worse then to be killed yea that God himself should doe it an that in anger too as one would thinke yet Iob will trust in him Iob. 13.15 hee cannot trust in a living God that cannot trust in a killing God Iob had so learned a God in Christ and great cause he had for where he loves nothing can remove his Love he will have thoughts of peace and hee will have a desire to the worke of hiâ— hands Iob 14.15 and who shall let him 〈◊〉 the Enemie would he shall not 〈◊〉 What shall be able to separatâ— from this love or so much as give a stop or check to the working of it Vse 3 Thirdly Saints use your skill here are the wels of salvation draw out waters here are the blessed breasts of Consolationâ— suck at them draw hard milkeâ— out and be delighted with the abundance of Christs glorious mercyes
how may I doe such a 〈◊〉 harme Dan. 6.4 5. how may I give hiâ—â— blow that hee may never 〈◊〉 â—ore How may I both accuse â—â—n and condeme him too â—ake as those wretches those â—â—godly great ones sought to â—â—de occasion against Daniel Dan. 6.4 5 to 〈◊〉 stroy him When shall he dye â—â—d his name perish was both the â—â—quiry and also the malicious â—â—ngings of the ungodly conâ—â—rning David Psal 41.5 they thought it â—â—ng ere his life name posteriâ—â— was rooted out ere all his â—â—od were gone dead and rotâ—â— And was not this the very â—â—ult of the Atheists counsells â—â—inst Ieremiah Ier. 18.8 Come let us â—â—ite him with the tongue or for â—â—e tonge because he will not â—â—ld his peace but prophecy â—â—ainst them and their evill â—â—aies they will smite him and â—â—ite him downe they will go 〈◊〉 it with Club-law rather then 〈◊〉 Prophet shall be suffered to â—â—nd If travelling with iniquity 〈◊〉 conceiving mischiefe if â—â—nging forth falshood will be the overthrow of the servants 〈◊〉 Christ Psal 7.14 they shall down the malicious mischeiuous thoughâ—â— of wicked men they are thoghâ—â— of evill not of good thoughts 〈◊〉 hatred not of love thoughts 〈◊〉 trouble not of peace the thoughts are how to disturbâ—â— how to discourage how to 〈◊〉 voure and to destroy may 〈◊〉 God say to these as he did 〈◊〉 those murmurers in the Parabâ—â— are your eyes your thoughtâ— evill because myne be good what do ye meane to make Pits to distroy where 〈◊〉 make promises to save wlâ—â— have I here Ier. 52.5 that my people 〈◊〉 taken away for naught even 〈◊〉 your thoughts in your imagâ— nations what is this yoâ—â— workes your way your wâ—â— to imploy your thoughts in sâ—â— a way Wo to you that devisesuâ— iniquity Mich. 2.1 and worke such evâ—â— upon your beds the God thâ—â— sees and loathes it speakes 〈◊〉 And he that speakes it will 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he sayes will make good his â—â—ord to the full such thoughts 〈◊〉 you thinike sayes God I â—â—nnot endure and such punishâ—ent as I inflict you shall not â—â—dure oh that Persecutors had â—â—t eyes to see this truth might â—â—ey not here read themselves â—â—trary to God and God conâ—â—y to them these are they â—â—t beare up their heads high â—â—he world oh how lofty are â—â—ir hearts eyes and waies 〈◊〉 what will their end bee 〈◊〉 will they come down â—â—en the almighty hand of diâ—â— justice shall give them the 〈◊〉 throw Secondly are not they much 〈◊〉 who dreame that there is 〈◊〉 God to looke after his peoâ—â— when they be cast down 〈◊〉 say the wicked God hath â—â—ken them we shall have our 〈◊〉 let us be upon the bones of 〈◊〉 now shall they be bread 〈◊〉 and a prey to us persecute â—â—ake them there is none to deliver the day is our own 〈◊〉 field is wone let us arise up 〈◊〉 the prey let us devoure roâ—â— is the time and thus they ercâ—â—rage one another in an eâ—â—â— matter and t is a jolly time wâ—â—â— them now to thinke that 〈◊〉 Davids be downe and shall â—â—â—ver rise more Reve. 11.10 Now they mâ—â—â— merry together like these 〈◊〉 dwelt upon the earth when 〈◊〉 two witnesses of Jesus Châ—â— was flaine then they reioyâ—â— over them as thinking whaâ— brave world t was now 〈◊〉 them Ior. 30.17 Sick Zion Bruised Zâ—â— Wounded Zion spoiled Zâ—â— here 's no better from wiâ—â— men then the title of Out-eâ—â—â— They call her sayes the Propâ—â— an Out-cast saying This is Zâ—â— in scorne and derision poâ—â—ing at her with the fingâ—â— contempt whom no man â—â—â—eth after Now Zion in 〈◊〉 apprehensions hath never friend she is cast out of favour of God and men as thiâ—â—inke who seekes after her 〈◊〉 who cares for her who lookes â—â—â—ter her welfare why God â—â—â—oes yee wicked ones he is â—â—â—ying her condition he is grieuâ—â—d for her aflictions he is conâ—â—â—iving for her deliverance he â—â—â—urposes her salvation I will â—â—â—store heatlh unto thee and I 〈◊〉 will heale thee of thy wounds â—â—â—aith the Lord oh what a voice 〈◊〉 this this is the voice of my â—â—â—eloved may the poore soule â—â—â—ey this is none other but the â—â—â—oice of my Father and this is 〈◊〉 the gate of heaven unto me 〈◊〉 Oh methinkes now I am in â—â—â—eaven Now me thinkes I â—â—â—ould tread downe with conâ—â—â—empt all the spite and rage of â—â—â—ell Now me thinkes I could â—â—â—ay with the Church speake 〈◊〉 with her confidence mine eneâ—â—â—nie shall see my happinesse and 〈◊〉 name shall cover her wich said â—â—â—nto me Mic 7.10 Where is the Lord thy 〈◊〉 God Mine eyes shall be hold her 〈◊〉 that is in a way of triumph as one fallen to the ground now shall shee be trodden downe as the mire of the streets here is your portion may Zion say this is the reward you shall have you beheld mee with proud scornefull eyes and with glad hearts when I was in misery mine eye shall behold you cut downe with a thankfull heart you shall have treading dowe for treading downe Nay you shall to the myre whereas I when at worst was upon a Rocke you shall be troden as the myre of the streets Who will pity you when you fall Who will lament when you are destroyed and you are never in your place till ye be thus trodden downe Where should myre go but to the myre and where should mire be but under feet you that dreame wish and long for Gods forsaking of his owne servants what thoughts have you of God and against God the the while but such as deny him such as make him a lier Woe â—o you when blindnesse and deceitfulnesse thus leads you you may love it you shall one day â—â—ue for it Thirdly see hence the unchangeablenesse and blessed constancy that runs parallell with the infinite the pretious the dearest love of God towards his through all conditions Gods love parts not from those 〈◊〉 loves what ever go away â—his stayes God hath thoughts of peace for his in captivity for his in Babylon In this ever â—o be admired love of God â—here is not saith the Apostle â—ny shadow of turning Jam. 1.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is so â—ne and the same that there is â—ot any colour or likenesse not â—o much as any think obscurely â—â—sembling the least variablenesse in God with God there 〈◊〉 not so much as the rude â—ranght of turning so the â—ord notes not so much as â—â—y give the least ground for man to say that God is in any degree variable or unconstant in this his glorious love or iâ— the blessed gifts and fruits of itâ— When once the face of Gods love is towards a people 't is and 't will bee ever so it is like the living creatures in Ezekiel Ezek. 1.12 it turns not but goes forward in most sweet expressions of it selfe it runs and streams through all the sad
Israelites quailes were with vengeance but you cannot have your God with a plague you cannot have his face shining with such darknesse clouding one misery may sad and another it may be a farre worse may begin which may include in it a seven-times more in respect of sorrow and burden but if wee long for the appearing of these mercifull thoughts of God and they come there will be no such after claps no such degrees or successions of evill but this will be a sight worth seeing this will be good worth enjoying this will be rich mercy where ever it comes Oh let it never be said if we had longed for the gracious commings of our God they had been ours our God would have come and would not have kept silence the Gospell would have come and would not have been stopt a Reformation would have come and that a pure one too Peace would have come and a sweet one too let not our God long to have us thus to long and yet have cause to complain and say oh that mine had hearkened oh that mine had longed What shall wee not thus love when we may satisfie Gods desire by our longing and enjoy all the good we can desire too The hungry after Christ shall bee satisfied he fils the hungry with good things sayes Mary they shall have enough Luk. 1.53 for they shall be filled and that not with winde neither but but with good things she speaks this by blessed experience too God had filled her hungry soul with infinite good insomuch that she proclaimes for joy the usuall and most gracious dealing of God with all that be his and tels us God fils them with good that be hungry and what do these hunger after Surely for the comming of Christ their desires cried oh when shall our Saviour come when shall he be born when shall we see the consolation of Israel And did these long in vaine did they hunger without filling were they empty without satisfaction No no he that sends the rich empty away will not send the poor in spirit empty away such as are full in themselves such as have no such hungring in them they shall not be filled with Messes from the Lords own Table they shall be turned off with a go to the Gods whom ye have served let them fill you that have had you you like none of my dainties and you shall taste none of my supper but to the hungry sayes God come ye shall finde food come ye shall finde rest you shall have your laps full your bellies full your souls full from the fulnesse of Jesus Christ Christ loves to powre his water upon dry ground to sowe his seed upon good ground to come where he is wisht for where hee is earnestly desired when the souls cry is oh when will Christ come he will quickly answer him and say so I come Isa 58.9 behold here am I poor soules you shall have what you long for what you are so earnest for at my hands O thou longing soul be it unto thee according to thy longing this thou wouldest have this thou shalt have even my salvation it is none of Gods wayes to send empty soules empty away either from his presence from his hand or from his dores their longings be his therefore his satisfying mercies shall be theirs Gods promise to such a soul is open thy mouth full wide and I will fill it let it be never so wide opened God knowes what he can do it is not out of his teach it is in his power it is his will it is his love it is his minde to fulfill such a soul Secondly ye that would draw waters out of these wels of salvation ye that would have these mercifull meanings of our God for your selves and his look to it that you strongly expect the appearance of these thoughts of his love oh let your expectations be true earnest large the Messias the Lords Christ was long expected ere he was exhibited and more mighty then ordinary were the expectations of the faithfull when the time drew nigh their hearts were much more carried out after the consolation of Israel Lu. 2.25 Simeons heart was not onely hot in devotion but in expectation too and there were so many that looked for redemption of Jerusalem in Israel that they made up an all them for Anna the Prophetesse spake of Christ when he was brought to be presented to the Lord in the Temple to all them that looked for redemption in Israel Christ he was the desire of all nations Hag. 2.7 Zach. 9.1 as well as the Saviour of all that did so desire him the eyes of all the true Israelites were waiting eys this way they their eys were toward the Lord and it was to behold their King comming unto them and it was not long after that God said to the daughter of Zion behold thy King commeth within the compasse of 8. verses God gives him in to her so successefull so prosperous doth this way prove to the Saints of God when does God in the way of his ordinary providence give unto his creatures when doth he open his hand to them for their satisfaction but even then when the eyes of all things wait upon him Psal 145.15 16. and 40.1 when had Daivd his God so inclined to him as to heare his cry but when he waited patiently for the Lord when Davids soule was so strongly set upon the gracions answer that he should have from God that he can wait in waiting dwell upon the duty double his patience and never look off from the God he cried to he shall quickly have the deliverance he cried for be brought sweetly out of the miery clay his feet shall be set upon a rock and his goings ordered as he was ever looking towards the Lord to give him the thing he wanted to deliver him from the thing he felt or feared so his God came accordingly our God not onely towards his purposes an end but an expectation too as it is in the Text an end in respect of their miseries an expectation in respect of faith and his promises it is as much as if God should say I will then put an end to all the afflictions of my people I will then give deliverances peace and all good when my peoples expectations are strong for it when they so expect then I will do when I give peace it shall be an expected peace when I give good it shall be an expected good when I give an end it shall be an expected end our God intends to have his mercy welcome when it comes and therfore he will make the hearts of Believers work after it look for it settle upon it ere it comes our God intends to have his given to be kept on foot to have some springing of that he hath already sown ere the remainder of mercy laid up in his promises shall come he will see how his children will trade