laid down in 'T was observed that the spirit of Glory rested upon the primitive Martyrs and Confessors so as there enemies were not able to behold the refulgence of them 'T was said of Stephen that they were not able to resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spake and that as he saw heaven opened the Glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God so they saw his face as if it had been the face of an Angel This might be said to be extraordinary But Paul speaking of all Believers declares how they are able to triumph over sin and death and boldly challenge the victory from them all Oh death where is thy sting Oh grave where is thy victory yea he proceeds further Rom. 2.37 Nay in all these we are more than Conquerors A great speech for one that had been so sadly handled by Men and Devils Yet such is the victory of faith whereby Believers are enabled not only to get the victory but even to triumph over all their enemies therefore doth it necessarily follow that through faith which is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen they may be able to see the sight of Gods salvation even then when they pass through the dark vally of the shadow of death The Lord Jesus was never seen more glorious on earth than in that apparrel which was dyed red and stained with the blood of his enemies when he speaks in righteousness mighty to save In like manner the followers of Jesus are also glorious in their apparrel when they are thus clothed with the garments of Salvation and assuredly believe that which ere long they shall certainly enjoy VSE 1. The best of Gods servants in the times of their greatest prosperity are never so far secured from trouble but that they may need salvation All Believers are or may be assured of spiritual salvation they may certainly conclude they shall at the last receive the end of their faith the salvation of their souls but they may often stand in need of temporal salvation David had as great prosperity in his reign as ever any King on earth before him for t is said the Lord preserved him whithersoever he went whence he was too ready to take up this conclusion that he should never be moved That now all his forraign enemies as well as intestine foes being subdued his mountain stood so strong that it could never be shaken But he soon found no small trouble to arise by the hiding of Gods face Psal 30.7 8. For though affliction cometh not forth of the dust as Job speaks neither doth trouble spring out of the ground yet man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward i. e. Troubles come not by chance nor are to be imputed to the miscarriage of secondary causes yet man is born unto trouble as the sparks fly upward he works himself trouble as easily and ordinarily as if he were born for that end It is as natural for man to breed himself trouble as for sparks to fly upward Weeds grow out of the ground without mens labour or care but mens sins are the meritorious cause deserving and procuring and Gods wisdom and soveraignty are the efficient and inflictive cause of them we bring our selves into troubles but it is God only that can save us out of them God hath the hearts of all men in his hand and turns them as the Rivers of water He can turn them to favour or hate his People as he sees cause The time was when all that David did pleased the people but afterwards the people are displeased with him forsake him and follow Absolom God intended thereby to chasten David and to punish the iniquity of the People that had no better improved the blessing and priviledges of God in the time of Davids reign In Hezekiah time Sennacherib comes up against all the fenced Cities of Judah and takes them and layes siege to Jerusalem it self The Prophet therefore calleth the Assyrian the Rod of God's anger and the staff of his indignation in their hand but when God hath accomplished his work upon mount Sion and Jerusalem for the humbling of his People and pulling down their pride he will then punish the fruit of the stout heart of the King of Assyria and the glory of his high looks He will then call them to account for their proud words and blasphemous speeches God leads his People through various changes and difficult paths sometimes they are made to pass through the water sometimes through the fire they are in danger of being destroyed by either without some special kind of Salvation stretched forth In the dayes of Amos God called somtimes to contend by fire that devoured the great deep and eat up a part as he speaks and somtimes by famine all which bring Jacob low that he is scarce able to arise At another season God suffers the multitude of this nation to gather themselves together against his People for the tryal of their faith and exercise of their graces then the punishing of their sins as in Asa's and Jehosophat's time or rather that there might be a fit occasion to cut off the wicked nations of the world but yet they threaten sorely the Church and People of God that they might learn to put their confidence in him who is the rock of their Salvation There was one season in Solomon's time when Israel was without adversity or evil occurrent Solomon was at that time called of God to attend the building of the Temple and while he was intent upon that work God was pleased to secure him from all outward troubles but after that time God stirred him up many adversaries round about that he was never able to suppress though he might forget that calamity coming upon his family he was neverable by all his wisdom to save himself and them from or in the least prevent So as notwithstanding God may have made a Covenant with his People ordered in all things and sure as to their eternal salvation yet there may be cause for God to visit them with temporal calamities and evils which they know not how to save themselves from So deceitful are the hearts of the best of men and so dangerous are the temptations of the world that God knows not how to trust his People long with much outward prosperity and favour lest they should be ensnared and wax wanton and secure thereby After the return from the captivity when it might have been thought that they had received double for their sin and that therefore now their warefare should be accomplished and that now from that time foreward nothing but the oyl of comfort should be poured into their wounds yet you will find their suffrings were not quite ended many clouds of threatning evil did continually arise which much darkned their hopes of a setled time of tranquility A messenger that came from Judah informs Nehemiah that the remnant of
the captivity who were left then in the province were in great affliction and reproach which made him sit down and weep and mourn many dayes that in all that long tract of time from Cyrus his dayes to that time there was still remaining nothing but the former ruthful spectacle of the old seige The wall of Jerusalem was not yet repaired nor the gates set up and which was yet worse there appeared no hope of bettering their condition for the People of that Land as is said in Ezra 4.23 Still weakened their bands and hired Counsellours against them and hindred them all the remainder of Cyrus his time and all the following Kings till the reign of Darius when they obtained a decree to force them to desist from the work And in the time of Nehemiah they invented and fomented false reports against them that they intended to rebel which was the reason rendred why they were so intense about rebuilding the wall and when that would not do some were hired by their malicious enemies Sanballat Tobiah to dishearten them by lying prophesies when God sent them not only they were set on by others to put him in fear that the work might not be carried on Had Nehemiah been a man but of an ordinary courage he might have been affrighted and fled away to hide himself but he was a man of so much magnanimity as not to be affrightned with great words or letters though reiterated so many times over but Nehemiah's confidence is in God to whom he looks to save his People from those malicious attempts of their enemies Haman afterwards prevailed so far by lying and false accusations as to bring their neck unto the block The day was appointed the decree was sealed the nation of the Jews was distressed and the whole City was perplexed it was God only who was able to save them by turning Hamans as formerly he did Achitophels counsels to foolishness and turning the snare those great Polititians had laid for others into an halter wherewith to hang themselves There is no new thing under the sun saith Solomon that which hath already been done and at present is the like will be put in practice while there is a devil in hell to tempt and wicked men in the world to disquiet and disturb the building of God's Church upon earth Report they say in Jeremiah's time and we will report it invent a Rumor and we will blow it up and spread it abroad It is reported among the Heathen and Gashmues saith it that the Jews think to rebel Was it not so in the former age Did not Pulpits and Presses abound with invectives against Protestants in Germany Hussites in Bohemia Hugonots in France Lollards in England the scene it may be is now changed other persons have since ascended the Stage It was Puritans before and now Fanaticks The names are differing the spirit is the very same with which they are pursued they proclaim these men are no friends to Coesar Never was there any age since Christ's time yea since enmity was put between the seed of the Woman and the seed of the Serpent but those that fear God had cause to look up to him by servent Prayer and so wait upon him by ordering their wayes aright that they might be made to see the Salvation of God VSE 2. Salvation is from God only It is his Salvation that his People only expect They say with the Psalmist Psal 60. Give us help from trouble for vain is the help of man They still are praying and waiting that the Salvation of Israel were come out of Sion for God dwels in Sion and hath his habitation in Jerusalem and from thence must his People look for Salvation I will look unto the Hills from whence cometh my help It is God only who is able to cloth his People with Salvation The Lord Jesus who is the only Saviour of his People is brought in by the Prophet Isaiah as one astonished that there was none to be found on earth that would save his Church I looked and there was none to help I wondred that there was none to uphold therefore his own arme brought him salvation If we look round about the world amongst the Princes and Potentates of the Earth how few friends hath Sion among them all yea few of her Sons are forward to take her by the hand God's Church at this day is not much unlike the man that was found between Jerusalem and Jericho that fell among thieves who stripped him who wounded him and left him half dead The Priest and the Levite who are most engaged by their relation and profession to help in stead of that pass by on the other side that they might not see or take notice If God should not put it into the heart of some good Samaritans what would become of the poor Church of God Some have power in their hands to effect it and may seem to be called to the helm in their kingdoms for that very end yet are not willing to put their hand to the Lords work Some it may be are willing but question their call or their power so to do If the case be so that the promotion and salvation comes neither from the East nor from the West nor from the South but from God only let all his People say with Jacob we have waited for thy Salvation O Lord. Let that be the answer to be returned to the Messengers of the nations that come to enquire or solicit about leagues or engagments that God hath founded Sion and the poor of his People shall trust in her God not only hath the hearts of Kings in his hand to turn them as he pleases but he hath also the Devil under his authority if not to turn him yet to chain him up that he shall not hinder the Salvation of his Church Such troubles may befall them that no other hand can save them from but their comfort is that although the powers of darkness may conspire and the gates of hell combine yet they shall not prevail against them Greater is he that is in them than he that is in the world The experiences of all former ages give in full evidence to this that it is God only who is the Salvation of his People Solomon had received a double portion of his fathers spirit prosperity yet David tells them in Psal 127. Vnless the Lord keep the City the watchman waketh but in vain and that the workman laboured in vain except the Lord built the house So it is God alone from whom cometh our Salvation VSE 3. This may comfort the People of God who though they sin and suffer for their sinning yet they need not sin in their sorrows for there is a way thaâ— they may be made to see God's Salvation There is hope in Israel concerning thiâ— thing His People may draw water witâ— joy out of the wells of Salvation Cistern are apt to be broken and the brooks oâ—
Salvation of God When a People so walk as that they can approve themselves to God himself as Abraham I know Abraham that he will not only himself keep the way of the Lord but command his houshold after him to keep the same It may then be expected that God will bring upon them the good which he hath spoken Reas 3. From the consideration of others in the World If such a People that order their wayes aright in their daily walking with God or that so frame their doings as to turn unto the Lord their God if at any time they should humble themselves before him and yet should not see the salvation of God what would the wicked and ungodly of the World say but that it is in vain to serve God And what advantage is there in circumcision and keeping the whole Law of God if they are like to be plagued as other men it will be in vain to alter their course and live otherwayes than formerly they did This were certainly to sin against the generation of the just in the midst of whom God is alwayes wont to be found God will therefore have it known in the world that there is great recompence of reward in keeping the Law of the Lord and that though the righteous scarcely are saved yet saved they shall be whatever become of others Let Balak and Balaam conspire together to enchant the Tents of Israel and lay stumbling blocks before their Feet yet some shall be found in the midst of them so to order their wayes as that they shall be able to save the rest They may else plead with God as Joshuah once did in such an exigent when Israel did not see the salvation of God in a Military expedition And what wilt thou do for thy great Name Josh 7.9 But Joshuah is bidden not to be discouraged let God alone to look after the glory of his own if his People do but look after themselves and order their way aright God will make all the rest of the Nations to behold the glory of his Salvation God is able to exalt the valleys and make the rough places plain The glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all Flesh shall see it together Obj. But notwithstanding all these great and glorious things that are spoken of the City of God there lies this great stumbling block in the way of natural men that they never can get over yea which the Saints themselves are oft times at a great set before they can see through it they observe that though those who are called the people of God order their wayes never so right yet they see the salvation of God no more than other men They hear them complain with Asaph Psal 73. Though they cleansed their hearts and washed their hands yet all is in vain they are yet plagued like other men all the day long and chastened every morning And with the Church in Psal 44. We are counted but as sheep for the slaughter yet is not our heart turned back neither have our steps declined from thy way c. and for thy sake are we filled c. Sol. Those that take up Asaphs objection should take along Asaphs and the Churches answer Asaph acknowledges it was his folly and ignorance so to speak Nevertheless I am continually with the thou hast holden me by my right hand thoâ— shalt guid me with thy counsel and afterward receive me to glory It is the end of matter that is the ground of a right judgment thereof Finis coronat opus Joâ— ordered his way aright yet was harrowed with much affliction so may the Church and Poople of God but it is only to prepare the soyle for the receiving the seed of everlasting joy and comfort The People of God are never nearer Salvation than when they are exercised with the greatest sufferings so the eye of sense seems furthest from it so it was with Israel in Egypt they never were more grievously oppressed nor served with more rigor than a little before their deliverance In like manner the sufferings of the Church under Antichrist when they come to the greatest extremity in the three dayes and an half that strages or slaughter immediately proceeds their exaltation into Heaven and that in the sight of their Enemies So immediately after the three â—ayes Pestilence in Davids time the Lord ends out an Inhibition to the Angel that destroyed the People For now David â—nd the people are sufficiently humbled therefore God is willing to be reconciled accept them into terms of favour again and doth also then signally discover the place he had chosen for his Name to reside in It may certainly be said unto every humbled penitent believing person as Christ said to his Disciples they shall see the Kingdom of God and obtain his salvation and if they do not live to see a temporal salvation in this world they shall be sure not to miss of eternal salvation at the last Now let every one chuse what he would have to be saved from the wrath that is to come that shall destroy the world of the ungodly at last or to be saved from trouble and danger here and perish eternally at last But the full answer to all objections of this nature is that according to Gods ordinary providential dispensations God is with his People while they are with him which is a truth confirmed by the experience of all ages and all People for some have observed that the long continued success and prosperity of their heathen Empire of Rome was a reward of their justice temperance and industry So was it in the dayes of David Solomon and other good Kings of Judah But if God should see cause for a time out of his infinite wisdom and soveraignty to change the hands of providence and lay the left hand of favour and prosperity upon the younger less deserving he is a soveraign Ruler and may do what he will with his own he may afflict his people in this life and prosper the wicked for a time for ends best known to himself yet all this while he is near unto his people in all they call upon him for to uphold and preserve them in and carry them through all their sufferings and make them see his eternal salvation at last None of these things sc outward tribulations and crosses moved the Apostle Paul so he might finish his course with joy They need 〈◊〉 not much trouble themselves whatever become of their bodies if they can say with respect to their souls as a Monk said stroking his paunch Modo hic sit bene Or what were a man the better if he could gain the whole world and miss of the salvation of his soul at last If the body be lost destroyed by the elements returned to its first principles or reduced into the minutest Atomes yet all shall be gathered together again and raised up in a state of greater Glory and beauty than ever it was
Tema to be dryed up but wells are living fountains and if one should fail yet there are many wells of Salvation prepared for such as order their way aright Say not these wells are deep and we have nothing to draw for those that walk arighâ— shall find a bucket as well as a well and strength also to draw It was a joyfuâ— time with Israel when they encamped in the Wilderness at Elim where were seventy Palm trees and twelve wells of water A well for every one of the tribeâ— in particular yet this was but at one station but there are wells of Salvation now under the Gospel in every station of their Pilgrimage such considerations as these that follow may furnish us with this Salvation 1. God who is the God of all such as order their way aright is the God of Salvation Psal 68.20 which implies these things 1. That he is able to save his People No Enemy so potent no difficulty so great no sickness so dangerous but he is able to save his people from He is also said to be a God to whom vengeance belongeth God will then avenge his people of their Enemies These are dreadful speeches to the enemies of Gods People and more comfortable to themselves which ye have Deut. 32.39 c. I even I am he and there is no God with me that glorious great and supreme God his glory is spread over all the World I kill and I make alive I wound and I heal neither is there any that can deliver out of my hands c. If I whet my glittering sword and my hand take hold of Judgment I will render vengeance to mine enemies and reward to them that hate me c. From the beginning of revenges upon the Enemy Rejoyce O ye Nations with his People for he will avenge the blood of his Servants and will render vengeance to his Adversaries and will be merciful to his Land and to his People i. e. beginning at the head the Devil who is the prince of this world as Diodati notes on the place or as the prince of the great worldly Empire enemy to the Church seeing those great Empires which have named themselves universal have alwayes warred against God and his Church let none say that these speeches concerns the nation of the Jews only for though it might respect them primarily yet secondarily it includes the Church and people of God in all following ages and all those who have opposed them and hath accordingly been made good upon them as is evident in the vengeance of God upon Antiochus Dioclesian Maximinus Maxentias and Julian afterwards who were all destroyed by some more than ordinary hand of God in a way of vengeance upon them They are saved also from their sins the worst of their Enemies for now under the Gospel the People of God for all such are supposed to order their way aright being delivered from the hand of their Enemies shall be enabled to serve him in holiness and righteousness all the dayes of their life 2. It is here implied that he is willing to save them He taketh pleasure in this work of Salvation Who is a God like unto thee saith Micah that delighteth to pardon iniquity or that passeth by transgression because he delighteth in mercy he will subdue their Iniquities If sin be subdued that is the worst and most dangerous of all our Enemies there is no great fear from any of the rest And if the malady of sin be taken care for there is no other disease insident to such a people that will prove deadly The Inhabitants of Sion shall never complain of any sickness when once their sins are forgiven them 3. That he is wont to save them Such titles come to be appropriated to Rulers from their usual custom to do such or such things He is wont to be the hope of Israel and Saviour of them in the time of trouble did they ever miss of Salvation in one regard or other that waited upon him for Salvation Idolaters Hypocrites and Vnbelievers in time of their distress shall curse their King and their God and look upward Isa 8.21 i. e. to see if any help will come to them from Heaven they may look indeed but there will be none to save even unto the Lord but he will give them no answer Saul was one of these therefore God gave him no answer neither by Urim nor Thummim nor yet by Dreams or Visions 2. God hath appointed a Saviour for his People and hath imposed a Name upon him that declares it His name shall be called Jesus Mat. 1.21 for he shall save his People from their sins He is also said to be able to save unto the utmost all that come unto God through him when the question is asked who is this that cometh from Edom glorious in his Apparel it is answered I that speak in righteousness mighty to save i. e. The Lord Jesus Christ who hath promised everlasting Salvation to his Church and will powerfully perform it If this seem a difficult thing his other Names make way for the belief thereof The Government shall be upon his shoulder and His Name shall be called Wonderful Counsellour the Mighty God the Everlasting Father the Prince of peace i. e. as is interpreted the everlasting Son of God and hath taken our nature upon him by being born of the Virgin and defends the Churches right against all her Enemies in quality of a Mediator and head of the same who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords who hath made peace betwixt God and his People and Reigneth thereby to Life and Salvation for ever 3. God hath promised to be the Salvation of his People There is a ground for Faith to work upon Salvation is said to be the end of our Faith there is no other ground for Faith to build hope of Salvation upon but the Word of God Faith is the substance of things hoped for It gives Subsistence Being to the things that are hoped for such as walk before God in a right way may conclude he is faithful who hath promised who also will do it It was said of Archimedes the great Mathematician of old that he would undertake by the force of Engines which he would invent that if he had a Foundation to place his Engine upon he would raise the whole body of the Earth out of its Center it was a great speech but natural Ingeny will never be able to out-vye Theology Faith can do greater things than natural strength or skill Gods immutable word is a foundation for Faith to rest upon while it accomplishes all things that are needful for Salvation God is our strength and refuge sayes David Psal 46.1 2. a present help in time of trouble therefore we will not fear though the Earth be removed and the mountains be carried into the midst of the Sea what is this great mountain before Zerubbabel the least degree of Faith as our Saviour tells
present Generation of New-England upon the enquiry if they be such as order their way aright It is now a day of rebuke a time of Jacobs troubles he is brought very low by whom shall he arise It is Gods Salvation alone that we must expect and who are they that shall be assured to see that They are only such as order their Conversation aright Our fore-Fathers did approve themselves as such and accordingly they were made to see Gods Salvation they had as many Enemies met with as many dangers encountred with as many difficulties yet God delivered saved them out of all Do we that are yet surviving and coming on so order our way that we may say or hope we shall be made to see the salvation of God We were at the first planted a righteous Generation and noble Vine do we so continue Of all the Reformations that ever yet began in the World there have been but a very few observed to continue above an hundred years in that splendor and brightness with which they were at the first set forward Take for instance those of antient time before or since the Gospel began That of David and Solomon Asa and Jehosaphat Hezekiah and Josiah lasted but their time That of the Maccabees did not out-live their time at least in the beauty of it That of the Primitive Church was not so much a reforming as a new planting of the Church in Gospel Order when the night of Heathenish darkness and Jewish Ceremonies was quite spent and the day of the Gospel was at hand But the Reformation of Constantines time scarce continued in its primitive lustre and glory a full hundred years before a great degree of Apostasie appeared for t is said The Woman fled into the Wilderness after the birth of her Man-child that was to rule the Nations with a rod of Iron She hasted into the Wilderness where she was to continue 1260 dayes prophetical dayes which are so many Julian Political years It is to be supposed that the Church was some considerable time going before she was quite gone into the Wilderness The day of this last Reformation began first to break out in the time of Wickcliffe but it was not perfect day till Luther's time from whose dayes to the present time who ever takes a view may easily determine whether in the Nations that first embraced the Protestant Religion there be the same measure of Piety Zeal Holiness as was at the first In what integrity Geneva hath stood since Calvin's time is not unknown to many of them who are carrying on the Work of the present Generation As for our selves here in New-England we were or might have been set in the right way having no prejudicate Opinion or practice to forestal our Judgments but had the help of all the former ages and other Nations as well as our own Godly and Learned Divines in them to take pattern and example from in the laying our first Foundation both of Religion and Righteousness Doctrine and Discipline Church and Common-wealth Our first Rulers and Leaders in both were careful to order all things according to the pattern in that Mount Children that would not lye so God became their Saviour saving them from forreign and intestine Foes If we that are their posterity be found Children that will lie deny our first principles either in Faith or manners how can we expect that God should be our Saviour Now compare things 1. In the first place They sought first the Kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof and waited upon God for addition of such other things as he judged necessary They came not hither for the World or for Land or Traffick but for Religion and for liberty of Conscience in the Worship of God which was their only design and accordingly God blessed them and gave them the desire of their hearts they had the priviledges of God's Kingdom to their great content and satisfaction he added outward things above what was or could be expected in a Wilderness and when the first way of supply began to be stopped up God in his merciful providence opened another by turning us into a way of Trade and Commerce to further our more comfortable subsistence So God was pleased to bless our Issachar in his Tents and our Zebulun in their goings out who still called the People to the mountain and offered Sacrifices of Righteousness while they did thus like Solomon that sent his Ships to Ophir which brought in that which was of necessary and of substantial use God blessed them and made them see his salvation but when men could not content themselves in such a way of dealing but Traded only for Apes and Peacocks as was said by Mr. C. that is brought in nothing but Sack and Sugar Commodities to make fuel for Lust and called young people not to the mountain of the Lords house but to our own private recesses to offer Sacrifice to Bacchus and Venus and burns Incense to the evil Fiend hath not God broken our Ships at Ezion Geber and is he not now laying the Axe to the root of our Religion as well as Civil Rights and Liberties and begins to cut us short every way Hath not God called to contend by Fire and by Water by Famine and by Blasting Mildew Sword and Pestilence and is not his hand stretched out still Our Estates and Persons are spoiled by Murderers and barbarous Mahometans and it is to be feared the Lords controversie is not yet ended The Daughters of our Sion walks with stretched out necks c. And may we not find an Inventory of our Virgins Wardrobes in the third Chapter of Isaiah The Ensignes of Pride are exalted in our high places and all the produce in a manner of the whole Countrey is converted to maintain a commerce of superfluous vanities God threatens not to save but severely punish the Minister and Schollar the Mistriss and her Hand-maid for such thing as these yea to cut off the Tabernacles Jacob for such things as these 2. That Generation were zealous for the Worship of God they would by no means admit of any mixture of humane Inventions with divine Institutions in the matter of Gods Worship When they came over hither they were as Rasa Tabula fit to receive any Impression from the spirit of truth either as to Doctrine or Worship It might have been said of them in way of commendation that they could not bear them which were evil and seducers from the way of truth and that they tried them which said they were Apostles and were not and did find them Liars They also hated the deeds of the Nicholaitans which were also hateful to the spirit of the Lord Jesus They kept the word of Christs patience they were also kept from the hour of Temptation None were suffered among them to wear a rough Garment to deceive but they were ready to shew the wounds which they received in the house of their Friends none were