therefore shall not so particularly discusse them but shall gather the whole Respect herein expressed and so the mind of God towards the Righteous in bad times into this generall point of doctrine viz. The Godly and their holy exercise Doct. in times of prospering profanensse doth meet with speciall acceptance from the Lord of hosts This is a doctrine worthy our serious and second thoughts as eminently usefull to the establishment and encouragement of the godly under the increase and successe of prophanesse they had done their best endeavour amidst an ungodly nation and rude people they clave to God themselvs continue in the fear of the Lord and thoughts of his name and give proof thereof in speaking one to another bestir themselves to the conviction and confutation of the wicked comfort and confirmation of themselves and this they do under the greatest of discouragements imaginable for notwithstanding all their adhaerencie to activity for God thâ—ir condition was cloudy and dark the providences of God were crosse calamity compasseth them about only The proud are called happy and they that work wickednesse are set up c. In so much that the prophane insult over the Godly and blasphemously say It is in vain to serve God and there is no profit in keeping his Ordinances or in walking mournfully before him all the day how must we think God carrieth it all this while Do any serve God for nought as the wicked men will have it thought hath he no regard to the Righteous yea surely however the current of providence seems to suggest and and prophane men speak the Lord doth hearken and hear c. sheweth especial respect to the Godly accepteth with much delight their holy exercises maintained in times of prospering prophanesse although a sinner do evill an hundred times and his days be prolonged yet surely it shall go well with them thâ—t feare Gâ—d which fear before him Eccl. 8.12 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the earth to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect before him 2 Chron. 16.9 The Lord delighteth not in the strength of the horse he takes no pâ—easure in the legs of a man The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear him in them that hope in his mercy Psal 147.10 11. The grief of the godly meets with gracious acceptance Gods complacency is in their contests for his truth and glory in a cloudy day more then in all the glittering glory of the world the mourners in Jerusalem in the day of her abominations are the marked of the Lord. Ezek. 9. and in his own time God will restore comfort to Zion and to her mourners did ever the house of Jacob seek God in vain or serve him for nought or stand up for his name cause or people and not meet with eminent expressions of acceptance Shall Abraham arise to the rescue of an holy Lot from the hands of the prophane and not meet with his God to assure him that he is his shield and exceeding great reward Gen. 15.1 Gen. 19.16 Or shall Lot's Righteous soul be greived with the filthinesse of Sodom and not find the favour of God to pull him out of the destruction thereof Knoweth not the Lord how to deliver the Righteous Joh 42.10.7 8. Shall Job serve God for nought when stript of all by the Devill and shall not God return the captivity of Job and double his estate Shall he maintain his integrity against the proud censures of his prospering friends and not become their advocate to pray the pardon of their sin Shall Davids courage destroy the Goliah that defied the God of Israel and must not the Daughters of Israell sing 1 Sam 18.7 David hath slain his ten thousands Saul his thousands Shalhe wait on God in patience not lay his hand on the Lords anointed though himself anointed to the Kingdome to make way for the possession of Gods appointment and shall not his Throne be established Shall Daniel in the midst of Babylon make supplication for oppressed Israel Dan. 9.20 and not be comforted by the Angel Gabriel and assured that he is greatly beloved and his supplication is heard Shall any give a cup of cold water to a Prophet Mat. 10.40.41 42.19.28 29. Mâ—r. 10.29 in the name of a Prophet and not receive a Prophets reward Shall any lose his houses or brethren or sisters or father or mother or Wife or Children or lands for Christ his names sake and not receive here an hundred fold hereafter eternall life in a word when the dispensations of providence are darkest towards the Church the diligent discharge of holinesse is most delightfull to the Lord when his Spouse is in holes and clefts of the Rock then he takes pleasure to see her countenance and to hear her voyce Cant. 2.14 When all Israell are turned aside by Ahab then Gods regard is to the Remnant that bow not the knee to Baal when all the inhabitants of the earth receive the mark of the beast and follow the Whore Râ—v 13.10 then the Lord triumpheth in and insultingly observeth the faith and patience of the Saints when the prosperity of prophane men swells them to blaspheme and say that it is in vain to serve God if then they that fear God do speak often one to another then the Lord shall hearken and hear c. He accepts their service done in so sinfull a time nay he expresseth speciall acceptance as we shall evidence by the severall degrees and acts of it as they are declared in the Text. The specialtie of divine acceptance of the Godly and their holy exercise in times of prospering profaness doth appear and consist in three steps or gradations viz. The 1. Regard God hath to them and their service 2. Remembrance of them and their service 3. Recompence for them and their service The first degree and expression of Gods speciall acceptance is The Regard God hath unto the holy exercise of the godly in evill times 1 degree of divine acceptance and that is ardent and affectionate hee hearkned and heard he heard not onely but hearkned importing diligence and delight in his attentition as one that was affected with the discourse of the Godly in those dark times hearing is an act of observation but seemes to be formal superficiall and carelesse yet when it is referred unto God it notes his serious observation and delight unto the answer of the prayers of the poor and needy Psal 34.17.69.33 But hearkning is an act of attention that with all earnestness activity that we may apprehend what is spoken and not misse of it or mistake it but be resolved into it as the direction of our ways and therefore it is emphatically expressed by the Prophet Isai 32.3 The eyes of them that see shall not not be aim gestus diligenter auseul tantis The ears of them that hear shal hearken
honour on them then ever Ahashuerosh did on Mordecay when by the record of his good service his oblivion was allarum'd for his compassion doth work towards them he is peirced to the heart with this holy language his pity is provoked to spare them as a man spareth his own son which serveth him Nay his complacency is in them they shall be his is propriety and his jewels in peculiarity whose hearts cause such holy language in so bad and evil times but of these I shall speak more fully hereafter we see then what delight God takes in holy conference no tender parent can with more delight listen to the tatlings of her babe or lay up in her heart the pretty prudent reasons urged by the child and set her heart on the childe with more serious and compassionate affections then God doth to his people in their holy conference nor is it to be wondered at for this discourse is the expression of the thoughts of his holy name which they fear and evidence of those zealous affections they bear unto the honour of his name wayes of his holiness and this leads me to the 2d. Reason of the point Prospering prophaness provokes Reason 2 holy conference to declare the sincerity of sanctity God loves the truth in the inward parts hypocrisie is to God an abomination all outward profession of his name and attendance on his ordinances are of no value without sincere sanctity and an upright heart he is not a Jew who is one outwardly nor is that circumcision which is of the flesh but he is a Jew who is one inwardly and whose circumcision is of the heart whose praise is not of men but of God such as will be delight unto the Lord must be upright in heart the integrity of the heart covereth many infirmities God winks at the weakness of his sincere servants whose hearts are right before him mens care must be to manifest that holy conference in evill times as an evident declaration of sincere grace such as have superficiall and temporary graces may be forward in common and ordinary acts of holinesse and religion but are estranged to and carelesse of the rare and extraordinary acts thereof Common Christians make some care of publique exercises of Religion such as hearing Reading and the like ordinances of the Church in common but when acts of private and personall concernment are to to be performed they think them needless and superfluous all specialties in Religion are in their account singularities and nicities and the agents in them deemed busie bodies and giddy spirits making themselves over righteous but the sincere make conscience of keeping all Gods commands and performing every prescribed duty as well those which are private and personall as those which are publick and common and in this their speaking one to another there are these evidences of their sincere holiness 1. It is an especial service to God a speaking to him for him coÌ„plaining of the dishonor done to him confirming each others in adependence on him holy confereÌ„ce in so sinful times under so sad discouragements doth spring out of an heart 1. Apprehensive of present affairs observant of the dispensations of God towards his people security senslesness under gods hand is the object of a wo. God threatens sensuality as a sin indelible Iâ—a 22.13 non-appreheÌ„sion of his peoples affliction with most heavy judgments to live at ease in Lion and not to regard the affliction of Joseph is the work of an hypocrite and an high transgression Amos 6.4 But to apprehend Gods anger provoked and his hand lifted up the Lord looks on that with delight Josiah shal dye in peace because his heart was tender when he heard the words of the Lord against Jerusalem 2 Cor. 34.27 And the mourners for all Jerusalems abominations make such melody in Gods ears that they shall be the marked of the Lord in the day of Jerusalems desolation Ezek. 9. It is a kind check Godgives Samuel for mourning over Sauls rejection 1 Sam. 16.1 It is an how long not why dust thou mourn for Saul the matter was pleasing the measure is burthensome and to be blamed 2. Affectionate and ardent for Gods honour Their good thoughts did heat their affections and make them to boil over into holy conference heat of heart towards God must have vent of tongue for God thus when David mused the fire waxed hot untill he at length was constrained to break his resolved silence zeal for Gods honour grief for sins successe sets the Godly on conference each to others holy language is the Ruptures of the heated affections and provoked passions of an holy heart The Parents danger will make that child speak who never spake before Stephen spake with such fulness fervency as when the coÌ„motions of his soul stirred by the blasphemies of the Jews shewed him to be full of the holy Ghost Acts 7. 3. Associated to the Saints Communion of Saints is an Article of Creed and advantage of grace to every sincere soul Schisme cannot be a sign of sanctity it is a fruit of the flesh never was any savingly nverted but he presently sought Communion with the Church for extra Ecclesiam nulla salus no salvatioÌ„ without the pale of the Church Saul is no sooner become a Paul but he assayed to join himselfe to the Church Act. 9.26 No member of the Church must be idle and dead or unprofitabl buâ— must gives and receive nutriment towards the increase of the whole body every joint must supply it's proper part which is and can only be done by holy conference Good lives and languages are the Churches veins in which the blood of Gods word doth run unto it's strength and growth so that the men who manifest life in their union with the Church are carefull to maintain Communion and they that confirm themselvs by holy conference in evill times do evidence themselves in society with and serviceable to the Saints Colloquy is an act of Communion conference is in company 4. Adhaerence unto God professions are the souls obligations purposes bind a man at his own good will and pleasure and are alterable but promises professions and publike discourses provoke other mens observation and expectation of performance and accomplishment and so abide not within our power conscience of a backsliding spirit doth bring many of the Saints under the bond of promises professions and good conference from which they cannot start without shame but conference of God and Religion in times of prospering prophanenâ—sse proclaim a resolution of adhaerency a care against apostasy by such confirming soul-establishing Colloquies They must needs resolve to follow God piety who are fervent in discourse for and of them when they find no favour in the World an heart apprehensive of present affairs affected with Gods honour associating with the Saints adhaering to God in times of discouragement is approved sincere in Gods sight but holy conference is the vent
workers of wickedness and proceed to tempt God They sin with such daring presumption and speak such desperate blasphemous expressions as if designed to prove whether there be a God or he be a God of holinesse justice and power as he is deser bed Like prophane Israel they fret fume grudge grumble under their crossed expectation cry Is God in the midst of us Exod. 17.7 Can God spread a Table in the wilderness and prepare bread and flesh for his people As Psal 78.18 19 20. They dispute all divine threats and debate Gods very nature arraigning all the attributes of God at the barre of their proud fancy to be judged by their corrupt sence and blaspheming reason and so daringly resist divine direction like Israel rush out of a dogged diffidence into a desperate resolution of going to fight against Amaleck though warned by Moses to sit still in their places and not to go out to Warr for that God is not in the midst of them Numb 14 41 42 43 44 45. And presumptuously answer the Prophets of God with We will not hearken unto the voice of the Trumpet As for what thou hast spoken in the name of the Lord we will not do it but we will do what seemeth good in our own eyes Jer. 6.17.44.16 17. That by their daring presumptions they put Gods truth and justice so upon the test that he can no longer forbear but because of their abominations bring a curse on the Land v. 22. nay such is their hor-impudence that they do not onely debate but also blasphemously determine against the threatnings of justice crying out the destroying scourge shall not come nigh unto us we have made a Covenant with Hell and death and have made lyes our refuge and hid our selves under falshood Isa 28.15 Therefore they deride the messengers of God and mock his Prophets with an how went the Spirit of the Lord from me to thee 1 Kings 22.24 Watchman what of the night Isa 21.11 Where is the promise of his coming do not all things continue as they were 2 Pet. 3 Nay such is their impiety as to impeach Gods very holinessâ— and from his patience positively conclude him to be prophane and the pandor of all impiety they steal murder commit adultery and swear falsly and come and stand before God in the house where his name is called and say we are delivered to do all these abominations Jer. 7.9 They purpose and practice against plain precept most positive and unparallel'd prophanesse and crie providence providence leads us to it because God abides silent they say he is altogether such an one as themselves Psal 50.21 They conceive a mischievous device and come and enquire of the Lord They contrive by false accusations and horrid perjurie to shed innocent blood and Jesabel-like they proclaim a Fast S serious acts of piety are the prologues of their prophanesse in Nomine Dei in â—ipit omne malum they no sooner begin to fast and pray but sober men see and know their prophane purposes are near unto execution nor doth the wisdome and power of God passe their proud temptation for they attempt acts of cruelty and cry who is the God that shall deliver out of our hands crucifie Christ and his people and blasphemously insult he trusted in the Lord let him save him if he will have him trample on the righteous and triumph over them with a Where is now your God he persecutes the poor he boasteth of his hearts desire hee blesseth the Covetous whom God abhorreth through the pride of his countenance he will not seek after God God is not in all his thoughts his wayes are always grievous thy judgments are far above out of his fight as for all his enemies he puffeth at them his mouth is full of cursing and deceit under his tongue is mischief and vanity he croucheth and humbleth himself that the poor may fal by his strong ones yet he hath said in heart I shal not be moved s for all his enemies he puffeth at them he hath said in his heart God hath forgotten he hideth his face he will never see it The wicked contemn God he hath said in his heart Thou wilt not require it Psal 10. So thus these proud workers of wickednesse speak stout words against God and determine It is in vain to serve the Almighty they prophanely strive with their maker and put his truth holinesse power and justice to proof and provoke to the vindication of them And are not these the prophanest wretches Can we scrue iniquity one jot higher Can we chuse but wonder the Heavens fall not on their heads and the Earth devoureth them not alive yet these are the men whom prospering providences do frequently attend and so much for their persons The 2d thing to be considered is what prospering providences do attend these prophane wretches and in general All those providences which passe in common from the Creator to the Creature prophane men do and may possesse they have not indeed any the specialties of Grace holinesse and Covenant priviledges which stream in the blood of Christ unto Gods redeemed ones these strangers meddle not with these joys but peace plenty health honour wealth liberty all worldly terâ—â—ne sublimary mercy expressions of Gods goodnesse are extended to them and that in such abundance that as the Psalmist noteth They have more than heart 〈◊〉 wish They floâ—rish like the green 〈◊〉 tree and know no sorrow our Prophet doth very accurately describe the porsperitie of prophane men in the three steps thereof they are called Happy Set up Delivered 1 step of profane prosperity 1. The Proud are called happy they are accounted the only blessed men on earth they are objects of other mens admiration and applause they are esteemed and envied as the only possessors of good all men arise to give them honour and could wish their estate and enjoyments Their condition comments on Gods goodnesse and favour towards them They swim so in the fulnesse of their desire that they become the objects of all mens flatteries their happinesse shines with such splendour that their very attendants like Solomons young men are happie that they are so near none can or dare speak contemptibly of them nay men are their felicity to the silencing of reproof towards their impiety nay the very justifying of their wickednesse and crying all is well done Alexander wants not an Anaxarchus to set Justice by Jupiter Psal 49 18. and conclude all must be deemed just that is done by so great a King and that first by himself then by others though it be the murther of his dearest friend Clitus nor is it to be thought strange thâ—t men arise call them blessed and conclude them the happiest men on earth for that 2 They are set up 2 step of profane prosperity exalted by the hand of God to the highest of outward enjoyments They are set up in natures throne and blessed
diverted And hence it is that his providence doth attend the prophanest wretch The fourth and last wheel of providence which bringeth prosperity to the prophane The fourth wheel of peovid is due reservation of them to the day of vengeance God hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the World in righteousness Act. 17.30 by the man Christ Jesus when he wil render tribulation and anguish unto every one that doth wickedly and unto this day the wrath of the Lord is referred the wicked are reserved and the ungodly are not acquitted though not yet punished Paternall correction and chastisement is a coursorie expresssion of anger unto the awe of children and so passeth on the Godly every day but judicial punishment tending to the death and destruction of the malefactor is referred to the generall Sâ—ssions of Goal delivery and till this time men in prison enjoy their liberty sport and all due provisions for support of their being Gods rod may frequently reach his children but the Axe of his displeasure is long e're it cut off the hainous Malefactor God knoweth how to deliver the Godly out of temptation but to reserve the wicked unto the day of judgment 2 Pet. 2.9 In the course of his providence he gives them all things necessary for the support of theiâ— being and signifying of his goodnesse that with the more of majesty and justice he may proceed to their punishment and make them everlasting monuments of his wrath though the sinner do evill an hundred times yet God prolongeth his wrath but at the long run it shal not go wel with the wicked Eccl. 8.12 13. God scorns to be at the trouble of correction to men appointed to condemnation and foul his fingers with the daily chastisements of perverse rebellious castaways he freely gives the Prodigall the portion he must have whilst want labour lowring and hardship attends the heir and son of his favor he spareth but doth not acquit though the heart of the wicked be full set in them to do evill it is only because the sentence is not speedily executed Eccles 8.11 The wicked flourish not in favour but forbearance scape Scot-free becaus the day of reckoning is not yet come Solomon makes the memento of a day of judgment the youngsters bridle and St. James makes it the check of Rich mens jollity the young man may rejoyce and walk in the ways of his own heart but remember for all these things God will bring thee to judgment is his cooling-Card Eccles 11.9 The bitternesse of wicked mens best things is that in this life they have good things on earth they live in pleasure but their riches cry for judgment and they must be called to a reckoning but untill the day approach the trumpet sound the Judge be sate like secure prisoners they spend their days in sport and security as it was in the days of Noah men were eating and drinking marrying and giving in marriage untill the flood came even so shall it be at the comming of the Son of man the course of providence must run till the last day determine it Common provision must be made for Malefactors till the Goal delivery destroy them Man must not and God will not judge before the time therefore men sin and suffer not are profane and yet prosper We see then the first Reason carrying with it strength of conviction and declaring good ground for the prosperity of the prophane men the providence of God in it's common course doth dispose it and so long as this Chariot of Providence doth run on these wheels the demonstration of Gods power and soveraignity the distribution of Gods goodness to his creatures divine method and order and the due reservation of the wicked to the day of judgment We must call the proud happy and they that work wickednesse will be set up and they that tempt God will be delivered The 2d ground Reason of the prospering providences that attend the prophanest wretches is the patience of God which doth require it God is a God of mercy and his mercy is above all his works Psal 145.9 God is slow to anger and ready to forgive The execution of his wrath is his strange work in which hee seems no way dextrous is thereunto very slow he forgiveth iniquity and forbeareth the sinner unto the utmost of his pity and patience the whole course of his carriage towards the wicked is the comment upon nay the very current of his patience and long sufferance though he be a God of power and justice that is able in a moment to consume with the breath of his nostrills yet he is very slow in backward unto the destruction of the wicked of all his attributes God wil advance his goodnesse and long sufferance unto the acquittance of his power and severity when extended and aggravation of the wicked's torments when damned he therefore suffereth with long patience the vessells of wrath prepared unto destruction Rom. 9.22 Hence it is that Israel commits horrid sins with an high hand offering incense to the Queen of Heaven and other gods yet God suffers them to have plenty of victualls and to see no evill but it is only in his patience until he provoked by their abominations could no longer forbear Jer. 44.22 God deferreth the destruction of the world and day of judgment untill the scoffers and mockers of the last times tauntingly demand where is the promise of his comming and it is only because he is longsuffering not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance wicked men defie his power and dare his justice by their pride blasphemies yet he deferreth his judgments they sin with so high an hand that sober men wonder that the earth swalloweth them not up and thunder bolts flie not about their ears yet they abide in peace abound in their hearts desire and are acquitted from those common calamities which befall the Godly and God either suffers them in silence or onely sends his messengers rising early and sending them to intreat that they would not do that great wickednesse which his soul hateth and all to shew his patience and constrain them under his wrath to confesse such were their provocations that he could no longer forbear The wrath of God is to rage against the wicked and it is therefore restrained that like smothered fire it may flame more furiously and the impenitencie of the wicked against nay to the contempt of Gods goodnesse patience and long sufferance is the treasuring up of wrath against a day of wrath and the Revelation of Jesus Christ when the Lord ariseth to judgment he will roar out of Sion and make the inhabitants of the earth to tremble he is like a Lion loath to be rouzed and long before hee bee provoked so that because God is and will appeare exceeding patient his Macrothumia long sufferance must be magnified therefore do prospering providences attend the
Mans most serious attention is always expressed by a hearkning unto the Word of the Lord and Gods most speciall acceptance of his peoples desires is said to be hearking to their prayers Thus God hearkned to Leah and to Rachel Gen. 30 17.22 and he hearkned to Moses when he moved for Israel Deut. 9.19 10.10 Hearking is an act of regard and respect not onely to Attention but Auscultation they that hearken do obey yield assent admit of the thing hearkned as true good so that when the godly spake one unto another though to men it seemed to be in vain and they would not regard it yet the Lord heard and he had respect unto it nay he hearkned listned layed his ear unto their discourse with all diligence and delight assenting unto the truth and goodnesse of what they had spoken and admitting it to seize and settle upon his heart as that which must command the great Jehovah which he could not gain-say out would constrain him at the length to break his attention by an open asserting the verity of their discourse and the integrity of them that in so evill a time and under such a generall apostacy did feare him and think upon his name and zealously speak one to another But 2 degree of divine acceptance Secondly Gods acceptance of the Godly and their holy exercise is not onely to listen and regard but also to record and remember he doth hear and hearken with all pleasure and delight in so much that he hath a book of Remembrance written before him for them that fear him and think upon his name This Judge of the whole earth doth not only listen carefully to the language of his Advocates but lest any of their pleas should passe without pondering and due answer his Notaries are at work and enter in a book their discourse all their acts and arguments of holinesse least they should be forgotten note-books are notations of affection and care of recordation what we write we deem worth remembring Records are kept of matters of moment to be regarded and acts of loyalty and fidellity to be rewarded Catalogues and Calendars of eminent persons and service are prepared for Kings as the evidence of their respects and direction of the dignities they shal confer Chronicleâ— are written for the consideraon of most Royall Emperors as evidences of their esteem of things transacted and dictates of recompense for noble atchievements Tamerlane the great was so well pleased with the diligence faithfulnesse of his servants that he kept a Catalogue of their names and services which he daily read and the Chronicles of Persia were kept and consulted by the King Ahashuerosh that if his list or leasure could not confer a present recompense upon faithfull Mordecai for his good service an after opportunity may do it Now God is not forgetful as man nor needs he any record it must needs be in a distemper that David shall demand hath the Lord forgotten to be gracious Psal 77.9 Isaih 49.14 or Zion determine the Lord hath forsaken me and my God hath fogotten me For the Butler may forget Joseph and Joseph may forget his former toyl and Fathers house nay a woman may forget her sucking child but God cannot forget hâ—â— people and therefore when God makes mention of a book of Remembrance it is but after the manner of men to manifest and make known his high esteem of his people and their holy exercises whose names he is said after the manner of noble Princes to enter in a book of of life and their diligence in duty for him and his name to register in a book of Remembrance that although their devotion bee disowned and despised by men and devoted to oblivion and their present estate suggest it disregarded by the Lord yet they may know it is observed and esteemed as an high act of holinesse it shall bee registred in his Chronicles books of acts and Monuments that they may not lose but hereafter reap their due Reward And therefore The third and last degree of Gods speciall acceptance of the Godly and their holy exercise is 3 degree of divine acceptance Recompence and reward thereof God regards unto Remembrance and remembreth unto recompence he doth not only hear and hearken but cause a book of Remembrance to be written before him nor is his Record uselesse and a bare rehearsall of the holinesse of his people in evill times But the Dictator of the reward to be conferrd on them for diligent adhaerence unto him under prospering prophaness they must not lose that leave all for God in a day of temptation He will soon resolve that enquiry Master what shall we have who have left all and followed thee With an assurance none that have left any thing for him shal be losers but shal reap their comfort an hundred fold and have eternall life in to the bargain Mark 10.29 None that are stedfast unmoveable abounding in the woak of the Lord shal labour invain the God that accepts will in his time approve the acceptance of their service He that hears and hearkens will remember and he that remembreth wil recompence so as that after all the contempts of men by reason of the cloudy providences that attend them a man shal say verily there is a reward to the Righteous verily there is a God that judgeth the earth Psal 58.11 And the acceptance of God wil appear to be the more speciall if we consider the quality of this reward they shall receive that speak one to another in evil times which consisteth in these two things viz. Their 1. Propriety and Peculiarity of relation to God They shall be mine when I make up my Jewels 2. The Paternal carriage of God towards them I will spare them as a man spareth his own Son which serveth him 1 Part of Righteous mens Recompence The first â—art of this reward is the propriety and peculiarity of their relation unto God they shal be mine in the day that I make up my jewels their propriety is unto God they are his the Lords people are his portion and Israell is the lot of his inheritance Deut. 32.9 This is the high honour of Israel to vouch God for their God and to have God to vouch them for his people Deut 26.17 18. The great Charter of all our priviledges even the very Covenant of grace concludes us but in a propriety to God I will be your God and you shall bee my people nor indeed need we any more for happy is that people whose God is the Lord. Psal 144.15 In the utmost of distress nay wâ—en drawing nigh unto death the holy heart desirâ— no more then to beable to determine this God is our God our God and he will bâ— our guide even unto death Psal 44.14 For what is there in Heaven but God and what can we desire in all the earth besides the Lord. Psal 73.15 To stand entitled to God is to enjoy Abrahams
the Sea for the ransomed of the Lord to passe thorow and the Redeemed of the Lord shall return to Zion with singing and everlasting joy shall be upon their head they shall obtain gladnesse and joy and sorrow and mourning shall flee away Isai 35.9.51.10 11. Can God be mindlesse of his Church bought with his own blood hath he not spared his Son but given him for us Rom. 8. â—2 and shall he not much more spare us all things elâ—e hath he bought us with a price to glorifie him in soul and body and redeemed us to bee unto himselfe a peculiar people zealous of good works and shall he not have speciall respect unto our performancies vocation Lastly the godly are in speciall Relation to God by their vocation they are the chosen from eternity Redeemed with inestimable price yea and the called of the Lord the Elect of God lye sometimes in the estate of darknesse and by nature are no lesse liable to the wrath of God then the worst of men running with others in the same excess of riot Ephes 2.2 3. Titus 3.3 subject to the God of this World and serving divers lusts thus it was with Abraham and thus it was with the â—postles untill the grace of God appeared and called them out of darknesse into his marvellous light Heb. 3.1 but the godly are made partakers of the heavenly calling an estate of honour unto which not many wise not many rich not many noble do attain 1 Cor. 1.26 Vocation is the execution of Election and extention of favour intended from eternity whom God praedestinated them he called Rom. 8.39 Our calling is that which actually entitles us to the priviledges of grace and brings us into con formity to and communion with God engageth us to walk with Gâ—d and assureth that he is our God alsufficient our shield and exceeding great reward we are culled and called to bear up Gods name in the World and therefore must needs be cared for by him above the rest of the world he hath called us and must needs conserve us to his heavenly Kingdome If the cry of the called and chosen of God be of more value then that of the sleighted and rejected of the Lord if the complaints and holy conservation of the Redeemed bee worth regard then the Godly and their holy exercise must needs meet with speciall acceptance this specialtie of relation is the great Reason of the Saints affliction and suffering by the World and shal it not be the reason of their support safety the World hates them because chosen out of the World and shall they not then be kept in the World and from the evill of the World John 17. the the Devill rageth against them because the redeemed of the Lord and shal they not through divine favor shortly bring Satan under their feet their friends forsake and contemne them because the Called of the Lord shall not God then favour and fill them with joy in the light of his countenance So long as the godly stand in this speciall relation by Election Redemption and Vocation they cannot but find speciall acceptance of their service in sinfull times But secondly They are a people specially qualified for God they are not onely Vessells of honour but fitted for the masters use they have not one-divine election Redemption and Calling to enforce Gods affection towards them but singular holy qualities in their own mind and spirit to attract and draw unto themselves the divine favour like good Children are beloved by the Father not onely for that innate Reason because Children but because good they are the subjects of all those qualities which are the objects of divine complacencie they do what God delighteth in they are godly and hath not godlinesse the promise of this life and of that which is to come and they are employed in holy exercises and that is profitable when bodily exercise profiteth not The Text taketh notice of their rare qualifications and they are two they fear God and think upon his name they are both habitually and actually holy the fear of God that spring of prudence and beginning of all wisedome designing matters of highest importance discerning dangerous and difficult oppositions and directing all way and means for the accomplishment of it's great design of favour and Reconciliation That spur of duty that trembleth at Gods Word trampleth on all obstructions and travelleth with constancy and cheerfulnesse in the way of Gods holy Commands That strength against corruption and temptation curbing lusts casting off allurements and couragiously standing against humane fury which can onely kill the body the fear of God which made Abraham leave his Fathers house and follow God he knew not whither Mat. 10.28 which made Joseph faithfull in Potiphars house not daring to commit lewdnesse with his wanton Mistrisse that made Obadiah compassionate toward and carefull to preserve the Prophets of God that kept Job upright in the East and restrained the Idolatry imposed on the three Children and spurred Daniel to be exact in devotion when never so much liable to danger that filled the Martyrs with zeal in adhaerence to truth under hellish torments This fear of the Lord is the qualitie habit and disposition of such as live godly in evill times for indeed others that want this cannot do that the want of divine fear is the very ground of aâ—l impiety and shall not this speciall quality make them acceptable to God the fear of the Lord is to be prized above favour which is deceitful and beauty which is vain Prov. 31.30 And the Lord seeketh such as fear him to serve him and his eyes are on such as fear him his ears are open unto their cry Psal 33.18 And his pity is to them as a Father to his Child Psal 103.13 The fear of the Lord tendeth to life he that hath it shall be satisfied and shall not be visited with evill Prov. 19.23 but if visited he that feareth the Lord shall come out of all evill such is Gods delight in this speciall quality Eccl. 7.18 that though the sinner do evill an hundred times and be delivered yet certainly it shall go well with them that fear the Lord. Eccles 8.12 But they are not onely united unto God by the fear of his namâ— but do also act it unto his honour â— By thinking on his name they have not only this holy habit imprinted on and implanted in their hearts but it is operative and sendeth forth its fruits and effects they that feared the Lord thought â—pon his name and spake often one to another The fear of God fills the Godly man with the thoughts of Gods Name and so fills him with grief and jealousie because of the blasphemy which is belched out against this holy name and the dishonour that is done unto it like ingenious children they are affected with the Fathers disgrace the very zeal of Gods house consumeth them their cry
prospering prophaness do meet with such speciall acceptance from the Lord of hosts are reducible to three heads 1. They are a speciall people 2. They performe speciall service 3. God is under speciall engagement thereunto Of these in their orders and first of the first Reason viz. The Godly and their holy exercises in times of prospering prophanesse find speciall acceptance with the Lord of hosts because it is the service of speciall people the quality of the persons puts a lustre on the performance the Lord minds not somuch how well as by whom holy actions are performed The method of God is to consecrate the person that must approach unto him he Redeems unto himself a peculiar people that may and must be zealous of good works Titus 2.14 and makes unto himself a peculiar people and Royall Priest hood that they may offer up acceptable service a chosen Generation that they may shew forth the praises of him that hath called them out of darkness into his marvellous light 1 Pet. 2.7.9 Titus 2.14 For God hath respect to Abel and to his Sacrifice Gen. 4.5 And Daniell is dearly beloâ—ed and therefore his desires are accepted Dan. 9.23 God accepts the person and then the performance the naked person without any qualification is accepted by the Lord. Jacob having done no good is loved because the Lord wil exclude humane boasting Rom. 11.9 Josh 24.2 and magnifie his grace Abraham was of the family of Terah and served other gods when singled out to be the friend of God and Israel was no more holy then other nations Ezek. 16. her Father was an Amorite and her Mother an Hittite when lying in her blood God passed by and pitied her and chose her to be a peculiar people to come nigh unto himself and David was the the most despicable of the family of Jesse but the chosen of the Lord before saved and succeeded by the Lord the person of the wicked being disowned their best performances are rejected I know you not is a barre to divine acceptance of any action whilst weak and imperfect performances passe current for an acepted people for as the providence of God is peculiar to man above all other Creatures because of the specialty of their creation so among men it is most specially conversant about the Godly for they are most speciall persons and that in these two respects 1. Specialtie of relation to God 1. the speciall Relation to God 2. Specialty of qualification for God 1. By the specialty of relation to God They are his people and peculiar Treasure and the lot of his inheritance Above all people on the earth they are not onely Creatures and the noblest of Creatures but amongst the most noble of Creatures they are the choisest not onely are they the houshold stuffe but Jewels of God Vessels of honour fitted for the Masters use this specially of their relation unto God is in respect of their Election Redemption Vocation 2. specialtie of the Godly They are specially related to God and that by Election they are the chosen of the Lord and so the subjects of speciall favour Psal 106.3 4 5. We read of the good of Gods chosen the favour of the Elect which gives it an Emphasis Election is a note of high honour assurance of choisest blessings in the most sad and perplexed condtion Iâ—râ—els most encouraging Epethite is the chosen of the Lord. Psal 105.6 1 Chron. 16.13 And so under the gospell though they be a pâ—ople scattered through Pontus Galatia Cappadocia Asin and Bithynia Yet it is their honorable Epethitâ— Elect according to the fore knowleâ—ge of God 1 Pet. 1.2 and a chosen generation 1 Pet 2.7 For indeed Eâ—ection is the summe of all happinesse Psal 22 12. Happy is the people whom God hath chosen It is the Reason of support under saddest pressuâ—es Jacob whom I have chosen thou art my servant I have chosen thee and not cast thee away fear thou not I am with thee be not dismaid for I am thy God I will strengthen thee I will uphold thee by the Right hand of my Righteousnesse Isai 41.8 9 10. And of Salvation â—uâ— of most desperate dangers nay the enjoyment of all good is assured in and by our Election Oh! Jacob my servant and thou Jesuron whom I have chosen I will pour water on him that is thirsty and floods upon the dry ground I will pourmy spirit upon thy seed and my blessings upon thy Off-spring Isai 44.2 3. Election is the Fountain of all favour not onely vocation justification sanctification and glorification but even redemption The reason of all these is the result of our Election we are indeed chosen in Christ Eph. 1.4 but Christ was chosen for us he is Caput Electorum not Causa Electionis the head of the Elect but not the ground of election God did not chuse us because hee would shew his wisedome in the redemption by Christ but doth shew his wisdome and redemption by Christ because he had chosen us our Election was the enforcement of our redemption for the foundation of God abideth sure 2 Tim. 2.1 the Lord knoweth who are his and of his chosen he will not loose any so that the holy services of the Godly must needs find acceptance for they are a speciall people in Gods eye and election from all eternity in whose behalf he hath purposed and provided the utmost good that can be for they are indeed in speciall relation to him and shall be specially regarded by him however they are suffered sometimes to lye common as of no esteem Again secondly The Godly are in speciall Relation to God Redemption because Redeemed by him they are not only his by creation wherein yet the Emphasis lyeth on the Godly for in planting the Heavens and laying the foundations of the earth He hath said unto Zion thou art my people Isai 51.16 But also by redemption Psal 8. great is the dignity stamped on them by cretion wherein he was made but little lower then the Angells but much greater is the dignity of our redemption wherein we are made higher then Angels who are but ministring spirits to the redeemed of the Lord. Redemption is the assurance of highest favours for it is the result and expression of greatest love and good will the redeemed are those who have cost God dear Heb. 1.14 therefore must not be despised he hath bought them not with coruptible things as silver and gold but with the precious blood of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 1.19 It is the highest Epethite of honour They shall be called the Redeemed of the Lord. Isai 62.12 For that is the Evidence of their Election and effect of unspeakable compassion and cannot but assure them and however they are now disregarded dispersed and distressed in the World yet they shall be looked after and returned with comfort for the arm of the Lord shall awake and make a way through