came not to judg the World but to save the World So 1 Iohn 4.14 We have seen and do testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Saviour of the World But then his second Coming is in more Majesty then he comes as a God to judg To consider him as a severe Judg that would make our Heart tremble but to consider him as a Saviour that 's comfortable then he remembers his old Relation for the Elect's sake In short he is the great God and our Saviour to shew his double Work and Office at the last Day he is a Saviour to his own People when he comes to shew himself to be the great God to punish the Wicked that would not accept of Grace and Salvation 4. To give us a Taste and Pledg both of his Willingness and Ability to do us good He is a mighty God and yet a Saviour Certainly there is a Difference between God and Man If we pardon and do good it is out of need because we dare not do otherwise but Jesus Christ is the mighty God strong enough to revenge yet our Saviour gracious enough to save and pardon The coupling of these Words shew that Christ is not a Saviour out of Necessity but good Will Men forbear their Enemies out of Policy not Pity 2 Sam. 3.19 These Men the Sons of Zerviah are too hard for me Power makes us cruel Who finds his Enemy and slays him not If a Man find his Enemy will he let him go well away 1 Sam. 24.19 Among Men observe it and you will find the weakest are most pitiful and merciful Why because they need Pity and Commiseration themselves from others But now Jesus Christ that hath the greatest Power hath also the greatest Mercy and the greatest Love he is the mighty God but yet the Prince of Peace He will be a mighty God rather in saving than in destroying though he hath all Power in his Hands yet he will exercise it in Acts of Mercy We abuse our Power to Acts of Oppression and Violence O when shall we learn of Christ to be mighty and yet saving There cannot be a happier Conjunction than when Greatness and Goodness Power and good Will are met together Remember Power is only given us to do good with it and to do good is some Resemblance of Christ. What a Comfort is this to the Faithful that Christ is the great God and also a Saviour both able and willing to do them good and to bestow abundance of Grace upon them 5. To shew what Christ is to the Saints wherever he shews himself a Saviour there he doth also shew himself to be a mighty God Together with Acts of Grace and Favour there are issued out Acts of Power and Strength there 's a concomitant Operation of Power together with an Act of Pardon and Grace I find the Scripture speaking of this he pardoneth as a strong God Mich. 7.18 Who is a God like unto thee pardoning Iniquity c. In the Original who is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifies a strong God like unto thee And so Iunius renders it So Exod. 34.6 7. The Lord the Lord God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the strong God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in Goodness and Truth keeping Mercy for thousands forgiving Iniquity Transgression and Sin Moses plainly alludes to it Numb 14.17 18. Now I beseech thee let the Power of my Lord be great according as thou hast spoken saying The Lord is long-suffering and of great Mercy forgiving Iniquity and Transgression Whenever God shews Grace in pardoning Sin he shews Power also in subduing Sin So Psal. 62.11 God hath spoken once twice have I heard this that Power belongs to God And presently ver 12. Also unto thee O Lord belongeth Mercy Both these are dispensed together Those that come to God for Relief are under a double Trouble distemper'd Affections as well as a guilty Conscience therefore know for your Comfort Mercy and Power belong to God and in the Dispensation they usually go together 2 Pet. 1.3 According as his Divine Power hath given unto us all things that pertain to Life and Godliness Christians if you go to God aright you go to him not only for Life that you may be respited from Destruction but for Godliness not only for Acts of Grace but for Acts of Power as Wrath and Power are suted to the Reprobate so Mercy and Power to the Godly 6. To shew that Christ is not only a desirable Friend but a dreadful Adversary You must close with him as a Saviour or else you shall find him to your cost to be a mighty God you must submit to him or be destroyed you must accept of Mercy or feel the Power of his Wrath. And thus in Scripture Christ is represented with a golden Scepter and with an Iron Mace to dash his Enemies in Pieces like a Potâ—eâ—â—â— Vessel you must touch his golden Scepter or feel the Weight of his Iron Rod He that saveth can punish and crush as well as comfort Again we read of a Banner of Love and of a flying Roll of Curses and therefore as there is Mercy and Sweetness in Christ so he is represented as a dreadful Adversary Usually we presume on God's Mercy and fear Man's Power but this should not be so O! observe the Counsel the Lord gives Isa. 27.5 Let him take hold of my Strength that he may make Peace with me Blessed God! who is able to grapple and deal with thee in thy Strength but we overcome by yielding Let us humble our selves betimes that 's taking hold of his Strength and making Power our Friend It is an Allusion not to a Wrestler for so how can our Hands be strong and our Heart indure in the Day he shall deal with us but to a Suppliant when a Parent or Master is ready to strike the Child takes hold of his Arm and seeks terms of Peace and intreats him to pacify his Wrath So saith the Lord make Strength your Friend then his Power which otherwise would be your Enemy is ingaged to you 7. To preserve that mix'd Affection which best becomes the present State we are in Our State is mix'd and we act best under a mix'd Affection God would have us not only love him but fear him And therefore he is represented as a mighty God as well as a gracious Saviour that we may come to him with Reverence and yet with Confidence That 's the proper temper of a gracious Spirit in all our Addresses to God Psal. 2.10 Serve the Lord with Fear and rejoice with Trembling Fear mix'd and temper'd with Love is most regular so is Love that is guided with Fear Therefore when you pray to him and worship him and serve him remember he is the great God but lest that should breed Bondage and Dejection in your Spirits remember he is also our Saviour How sweet would this be if we could but make use of both these Titles
all things will not fail us at last The calling of the Gentiles the rejection of the Jews the sending of the Messiah these were things as invisible and as much to come as Heaven is to us new all these things have been fulfilled and why should we not trust God to the last Experience is wont to beget Hope Rom. 5.4 And Patience Experience and Experience Hope Can God lie or Truth it self be false What need hath God to flatter thee or deceive thee If we did preach a God that needed the Creatures then you might suspect what we tell you in his Name but he hath no Interest to be gratified his vehement Longings are for your Good and Profit Deut. 5.29 O that there were such an Heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my Commandments always that it may be well with them and with their Children for ever God doth not say that it may be well with me but with them Again let Reason be heard to speak how sutable it is to God's Nature Consider the Being of God is infinite and eternal and so is the Reward the Apostle calls it 2 Cor. 4.17 a far more exceeding and eternal Weight of Glory Araâ—nah gave like a King God's Gifts are like himself sutable to his infinite Mercy and eternal Duration how likely is it that God will once shew himself like himself And they are suitable to the Merit of Christ Is God at such expence for Trifles The Comforts of this World may be bought with Gold and Silver but the Apostle saith 1 Pet. 1.18 19. Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things as Silver and Gold c. but with the precious Blood of Christ as of a Lamb without blemish and without spot Why would God give so great a Price out of his own Treasury but to take a Debt upon himself and to oblige his Justice to be our Friend If Christ can be in the Womb and in the Grave why may not we be in Heaven It is more credible to believe that a Creature should be in Heaven than a God should be in the Grave and Christ's Abasement which is first is more than our Advancement There is not so great a distance between us and Happiness as between Christ and Misery Men naturally being made capable of an higher Condition of Mind and Affections to love and know God Godliness must have a better Recompence than is to be had in the World These are but the Offals of Providence enjoyed by God's Enemies they have the greatest Share Psal. 17.14 From Men of the World which have their Portion in this Life The wiser Men are the more they contemn these things Children are taken with Rattles Grace cannot be satisfied with the World without an higher Enjoyment of God Pleasures are common to us with the Beasts wicked Men flow in Ease and Plenty A Reward there must be it is impossible a Creature should rest in its own Action We see that natural Actions that tend to maintain Life have a Sweetness and Pleasure mingled with them that we may not neglect them or our own Preservation as Eating and Drinking and the like Therefore vertuous Actions much more such as are against the hair and bent of Nature must have a Reward a Reward better than the Work or else it would be lost Labour There is a disposition and instinct of Nature towards Eternal Happiness Man's Soul like a Spunge is thirsty and seeketh to be satisfied Psal. 4.6 Who will shew us any Good And every Good will not serve their turn Men at first take up with the Creature because it is next at hand but it satisfieth not their Sore runneth till they come to enjoy God Acts 17.27 That they should seek the Lord if haply they may feel after him and find him When we have all outward Blessings the Soul of Man is not filled up there is something wanting to our Peace and Quiet Solomon made Experiments but had no satisfaction Thus you see there is no such Reward so sutable to what is declared of God of Christ of the Nature of Man of Grace as this blessed Hope 2. Apply it Besides the Truth of the Promises look to the clearing up of your own Interest and Title It is a poor comfortless Meditation to think of a blessed Hope and the certainty of it unless we have an Interest in these things this will be but like the gaze of an hungry Man upon a Feast The Reprobates hereafter are lookers on and David speaks of a Table spread for him in the presence of his Enemies Psal. 23.5 Hope hath never a more lively Influence than when it is founded in Property and a sense of our own Interest Job 19.25 I know that my Redeemer liveth And 2 Cor. 5.1 We know that if our earthly House of this Tabernacle were dissolved we have a Building of God an House not made with Hands eternal in the Heavens 2 Tim. 4.8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousness which the Lord the righteous Iudg shall give me at that Day There is not only an Heaven but for me Thus are the Saints wont to profess their Interest and assured Hope But is Hope only the fruit of Assurance I answer It is the fruit of Faith as well as of Assurance or Experience but certainly it is very comfortable when we can discern our own Interest and in some sort necessary Before we can hope for our selves our Qualification is to be supposed for that is our Evidence Therefore I shall 1 st Press you to get this Assurance 2 dly Shew what kind of Application is absolutely required that you may thus look for the blessed Hope 1 st Let me press you to get an assured Title to Heaven In a Matter of such moment would a Man be at an Uncertainty Can he be quiet and not sure of Heaven Not to look after it is a bad sign A godly Man may want it but a godly Man cannot slight it A Man may want it he may creep to Heaven some are scarcely saved 1 Pet. 4.18 Others have an abundant Entrance 2 Pet. 1.10 11. Give diligence to make your Calling and Election sure for if ye do these things ye shall never fall For so an Entrance shall be ministred to you abundantly into the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ. For want of this you quite lose your Heaven upon Earth which consisteth in Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost and you lose much of the Influence of Hope Uncertain wavering Thoughts have little Efficacy But a good Man cannot slight it it is a breach of a Command which requireth Diligence It argueth spiritual Security when Men can be content to live long and yet do not know what will become of them How can you think of the Coming of Christ without Terror That which others look for and long for is your Fear as Felix trembled assoon as he heard of Judgment to come 2 dly
Persons were swept away at once The next news of Sin is in the instance of Sodom and there Sin was of such an evil influence that it made God to rain Hell out of Heaven as one expresses it Gehennam misit e coelo Gen. 19.24 Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of Heaven Dominus a Domino the Lord Christ from the Lord Jehovah Jesus Christ himself will become the Executioner upon such a Wicked People Go from Sodom to Sion and further trace the Story of Sin Who can read the Lamentations without lamentation or run over the story of Ierusalems sorrows with dry Eyes There was not such a People under Heaven both for Mercies and Judgments the dearly beloved of his Soul given up to a sad ruine Lam. 3.39 Wherefore doth a living man complain a man for the punishment of his Sins What is the reason of all this but Sin Will you go further and see the Effects of Sin upon the Son of God himself who was the Son of his Love the man Gods fellow as he is called Zech. 13.7 his Associate they solaced themselves mutually in each other Prov. 8.30 There was I by him as one brought up with him I was dayly his delight rejoycing alwaies before him See what Sin did to him that was but imputed to him Look into the Garden see him in his Agonies go to Golgotha see Christ hanging on the Cross if you would know Sin Gold and Silver would not ransom us nothing would serve but the Blood of Christ Oh come and wonder The boundless Sea of the God-head was stopped by the bank of Sin For a Candle to be put out is no such matter but for the Sun to be quenched and darkned this is dreadful So for a poor Creature to be forsaken is nothing but when the Son of God shall complain that he cannot actually enjoy the Comfort of the God-head when the Sun of Righteousness shall complain of an Eclipse and of a suspension of Consolation this is dreadful Though the Humane Nature recoyled out of a just abhorrency of the Sufferings he was to endure and he came to his Father Matth. 26.39 Oh my Father if it be possible let this cup pass from me And again ver 42. and again ver 44 saying the same words yet Divine Justice would not bate him one farthing what then would have become of us if Jesus Christ had not catched the blow Then survey common Experience If all the Charnels in the World were emptied upon one heap and all the Bones of all that ever dyed were laid together you might say all these were slain by Sin Whenever you see Sin you may entertain it as Elisha did Hazael Thou art the Murderer All Diseases Pestilences Wars Famines Tumults Earthquakes these are but the births of Sin it hath laid Houses desolate wasted Kingdoms destroyed Cities Sin may say Zephan 3.6.7 I have cut off the nations their Towers are desolate I have made their streets wast that none passeth by their Cities are destroyed so that there is no man there is none inhabitant I said surely thou wilt fear me that which we â—eel we may fear But we may come nearer home Do but consider the Effects of it within your selves in the Terrors of Conscience What a sorry Creature is Man when God arms his own thoughts against him and sets home one Sin upon his Conscience He longs for Death rather than Life Heman who was a Child of God complains Psal. 88.16 17 Thy fierce wrath goeth over me thy terrors have cut me off They came round about me dayly like water they compassed me about together What a sad thing is this that a Man should be Magor Missabib fear round about that his own Thoughts should be his Hell and wherever he goes he carries his Hell with him when he lies down in his Bed Hell lyes down with him when he walks out into the Field or Garden Hell walks with him when he goes about his Business Hell goes with him Sin is its own Executioner however it smiles in the first address yet afterwards it scourgeth the Soul with horror and despair Consider the horrors in Death There is a Natural abhorrency from Death as an Evil to our Life and Being but that which increaseth Horrour is Sin 1 Cor. 15.56 The sting of death is sin Oh what agonies will it raise in our Souls when we come to dye if we dye in our Sins Though we were immortal yet Sin is so great an Evil that it were not to be committed but when we are to dye and give an account how doth it fill the Soul with horror and diffidence and shame and anger Some wicked Men indeed dye stupid and careless at least doubtful and some may be fool-hardy like a Man that fetcheth a leap in the dark over a bottomless gulph he doth not know where his feet may light A Wicked Man is like a Tree that grows on the Bank of a River he is on the Borders of Hell and when he dyes he falls into it When they come to dye Sin will be accusing Conscience witnessing the Law condemning Satan insulting Heaven will be shut up against them and Hell inlarging her mouth Oh how will the Body curse the Soul for an ill guide and the Soul curse the Body as a wicked Instrument It is a sad parting when these two loving Friends Body and Soul part with Curses and can never expect to meet again but in Torment A Godly Man when he dyes takes a fair leave of his Body and saies farewel flesh He goes down to the Grave with the Covenant of Grace in his hand my flesh shall rest in Hope but a wicked Man dreadeth it that ever his Body and Soul must be united again they part with an expectation never to meet but in flames But all this is nothing to the Everlasting Estate that follows after it consider either the Loss or the Pain both will represent the Evil of Sin Consider the loss by sinning thou losest God and Heaven and Glory for a trifle for a little dreggy pleasure thou thrustest away Eternal Joyes thou dost as it were say I care not for Heaven so I may have carnal satisfaction as of Esau it is said Gen. 25.34 Thus Esau despised his birth-right it is not worth a Mess of Pottage With what sad Reflections wilt thou declaim against Sin when thou shalt see the Holy ones of God stand at the right hand of Christ and thou art halled to thy own place How will thy Heart turn upon thee for thy own folly then As one dreamt that his heart was boyling for his Sins in a Kettle of Scalding Lead and it cryed out to him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is I that have been the cause of this Were it not for Sin I might have had a place in Abrahams Bosom but now I am going to Everlasting Torment then you will know what Sin is
that may be hence deduced For certainly it was a special act of Gods meer Love Deut. 23.4 5. They hired against thee Balaam the Son of Beor to curse thee nevertheless the Lord thy God would not hearken to Balaam but the Lord thy God turned the Curse into a Blessing unto thee because the Lord thy God loved thee So Josh. 24.9 10. And Balak the Son of Zippor King of Moab arose and Warred against Israel and sent and called Balaam the Son of Beor to curse you But I would not hearken to Balaam therefore he blessed you still So I delivered you out of his hand 1. That wicked men cannot hurt the Godly but when God permitteth Gen. 31.7 Your father hath deceived me and changed my Wages ten times but God suffered him not to hurt me So Laban saith vers 29. It is in the Power of my hand to do you hurt but the God of your Fathers spake unto me yester-night saying Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad God hath the power of Blessing and Cursing in his own hand however men are disposed The King sought by all means possible and deviseable to bring Gods Curse upon them but God changed it into a glorious Blessing Mens hearts are not in their own hands and if they find their hearts success is not at their command God disappointed the plots and practice of Balak and Balaam Balaam returned as he came and could not Curse Israel but denounced woes against their Enemies 2. That God can protect us against the fraud as well as the violence of Enemies The Devil assaults us with Wiles and Darts Eph. 6.11 16. so do his Instruments assault us they vex us with their Wiles and pursue us with their open Hostility and Persecution but we may trust God with our safety A remedy may possibly be prepared against violence when no Man by his own foresight can find out all the Snares laid for him But this is the comfort of God's people that nothing is hidden from God he is wise and he is watchful wise to foresee the draught of his own providence Psal. 37.12 13. The wicked plotteth against the just and gnasheth upon him with his Teeth The Lord shall laugh at him for he seeth that the day is coming And as God is wise so he is watchful Psal. 121.4 He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep God is privy to their most secret designs 3. That God's providence is especially interested when the design is to corrupt Religion Balaam was right in pronouncing Blessings on the Children of Israel whilst they kept true to their Religion but his advice was to feast and entertain Israel kindly to induce them to forsake their God and then the Lord interposed and defeated this malicious purpose Many times God doth that for the sake of Religion which a people that profess Religion deserve not Isa. 4.5 And the Lord will create upon every dwelling place of mount Sion and upon her assemblies a Cloud and Smoak by day and the shining of a Flaming fire by night for upon all the glory shall be a defence Particular persons fell by those Wars but Religion was secured and kept safe 4. That God can make our very Enemies befriend us Thus he over-ruled the Heart of Balaam to bless Israel and curse their Enemies Prov. 16.7 When a Mans ways please the Lord he maketh even his Enemies to be at peace with him It is a Proverb not a Promise and must be interpreted that God can if he will and oftentimes doth it for the most part for proverbs are taken from what is usual and common Thus he made the keeper of the Prison kind to Ioseph Gen. 39.21 The Lord was with Joseph and shewed him Mercy and gave him favour in the sight of the Keeper of the Prison And Laban was smoothed by the way when he pursued after Iacob Gen. 31.29 The God of your Fathers appeared unto me yesternight saying Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad And Esau was kind to him when Iacob feared him Gen. 33.4 he ran to meet him and embraced him and fell upon his neck and kissed him But above all take the instance of the text Balaam came contrary to Gods warning having an eager desire after the reward his Hostile Mind continued still yet he blesseth instead of Cursing by the over-ruling power of God God hath several ways to accomplish this either by bridling their rage or putting convictions on their Consciences or changing their Hearts or determining their Interests It cannot be imagined but that the Creator is able to rule his Creature one way or other therefore we should cease from Man who is not sovereign Master of his own affections When all is thoroughly considered God will be found to be the most desireable friend and dreadful Adversary 5. That we cannot lye open to the plots and snares of those that hate us till we have provoked our shadow and defence to depart from us For till there was an Apostacy from the truth and the right ways of God Balaam withall his Wiles could have no advantage against Israel Balaams Counsel did more hurt than his Curse When we once contemn Gods Law and turn to the Wicked we forfeit our protection both against open violence and secret machinations Many things are contrived against us in the dark that we know not and see not but God watcheth for us Isa. 8.10 Take counsel together and it shall come to nought speak the word and it shall not stand for God is with us Keep God with you and you are safe All the plots of the Enemies were to separate between Them and God do not gratify them herein 6. Observe God's just Judgments on violent and fraudulent Enemies Balak and Balaam designed a mischief against Israel but it fell upon their own pates Balak lost a considerable part of his Territories which was allotted as a portion to the Tribe of Reuben Balaam was slain by the Sword And thus it usually falls out in the course of Gods Providence Psal. 7.15 16. He made a Pit and digged it and is fallen into the Ditch which he made His mischief shall return upon his own head and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate They are taken in the Pit they digged for others their treacherous designs and attempts return upon themselves to their own destruction as Iron when it is over-heated in the Fire burneth their Fingers which hold it or like an Arrow Shot up against Heaven it cometh down most piercingly upon their own heads they are taken in their own Pit poisoned in their own cup so that in the issue it appeareth they laid a snare for themselves all is converted to their own ruine 7. That God's Mercy is not wholly made void to his people notwithstanding their many sins and failings He spareth some though he punisheth others and remembreth his Covenant when our sins deserve it
saving of his house by which he condemned the World But you justifie the World as Israel is said to justifie Sodom Ezek. 16.51 Neither hath Samaria committed half of thy Sins but thou hast multiplied thine abominations more than they and hast justified thy sisters in all thine abominations which thou hast done You differ more in your Pretences than in your Conversations whilst you are weak and not thoroughly moulded and commanded by Religion If you are overcome by Sensuality Pride Worldliness Envy and Malice wherein do you differ from the ungodly World but only in the Name and some little Grace which is buried under an heap of Sin 7. Your Hearts will never serve you to do any excellent things for God but you will betray his Honour upon all occasions by your Weaknesses and Infirmities either by foolish Opinions vain Desires carnal Projects or turbulent Practices These are only mastered by growth in Grace and God hath most Honour from the strong and fruitful Christian Iohn 15.8 Herein is my Father glorified that ye bear much fruit Produce the genuine Fruits of Godliness and produce them in Plenty and you will mightily honour God in the World A Man acts most zealously and self-denyingly when the Love of God beareth Rule in his Heart 2 Cor. 5.13 14. For whether we be besides our selves it is for God or whether we be sober it is for your sakes for the love of Christ constraineth us There is none of us but might have acted much better and wiser and carried on our Profession more to the Honour of God if we had yielded more to the Sovereign Power and Empire of Grace 5. Use. Try whether God's Grace be decayed or increased in you If according to our years and standing we are advanced in the way to Heaven if for every year of our Lives we have passed a station of the Wilderness to Canaan if with the decaying of the Natural Life there hath been a growth of the Life of God in us 2 Cor. 4.16 Though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day Thus do God's People do go on from strength to strength 1 Thes. 4.1 Furthermore we beseech you brethren and exhort you by the Lord Iesus Christ that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God so ye would abound more and more As you are nearer to the Grave are you a step nearer to Heaven Are we every day more careless than another or more serious What hath been our Proficiency A Man may be long at Sea yet make a short Voyage So it is with most Men they live long in the World but they make little progress Are we stronger in resisting Temptations to Sin from the Devil the World and the Flesh 1 Iohn 2.14 Ye are strong and the word of God abideth in you and ye have overcome the wicked one In bearing Afflictions and Molestations of the Flesh upon the hopes of another World Prov. 24.10 If thou faint in the day of adversity thy strength is small In promptitude and readiness of Obedience Do you serve God with that readiness of Mind that will become Love to God and Faith in his Promises Heb. 13.21 The Lord make you perfect in every good work to do his will working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight through Iesus Christ. 2. Doctrine From the term of this Motion Those that go on from strength to strength shall at length appear before God in Zion Here observe 1. The place Zion that is Heaven in this accommodative sense wherein I handle it Heb. 12.22 But ye are come unto Mount Zion the City of the living God the heavenly Ierusalem and unto an innumerable Company of Angels c. Now this is a glorious Place Ierusalem below was a beautiful City but much more Ierusalem that is above This World is a Valley of Tears wherein rueful Spectacles are presented to our Eyes woful News possess our Ears here is Sorrowing and Sinning but no such thing there all is quiet beautiful and glorious no woful Sound or sad Spectacle no dismal Rumors nor evil Tydings Sense will tell you what the outside is this spangled Roof over our Heads is but the Pavement of that Palace 2. The Company Every one They were travelling to Zion in distinct Troops but they all meet in one Assembly and Congregation So here we have but little Company by the way a straight Gate and a narrow Way and but few that find it But when all meet together there is an innumerable Company of Angels and the Spirits of just Men made perfect Heb. 12.22.23 All joyning as in one Choice to land and bless God in a Consort of Voices 3. Their Blessedness There they appear before God That is their Happiness They appear not in order to Doom but Fruition Not only before God as a Judge but as a gracious Father 1 Iohn 3.2 When he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is 1 Cor. 13.12 For now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face now I know in part but then I shall know even also as I am known Here we know God by hear-say but see him not The fulness of our Joy is from the Vision and Sight of God All Sight of God transforming here 2 Cor. 3.18 We all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory as by the spirit of the Lord but there much more Here we are like him in Holiness and there in Happiness There is in God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. something happy something good and we shall be there like him in both Use. Let this beget Patience Rom. 8.18 I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the Glory which shall be revealed in us Heaven will pay for all And let it also beget diligence 1 Cor. 15.58 Be ye stedfast unmovable always abounding in the work of the Lord for as much as you know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Be always pressing on because of the high Price of your Calling The thought of the Prize should excite us to diligence A Sermon on 1 Cor. xi 26 For as oft as ye eat this bread and drink this cup ye do shew the Lord's death till he come I Shall fall directly upon the Words without any Preface In them observe I. A Duty supposed II. The Purpose and End of it declared 1. The Duty supposed In it you may observe two things 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 As often implieth a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that it must be often for he doth not say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 when but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as often it should be very often Seldom Communions came into the Church upon the decay of Zeal 2. Both Elements are supposed to be used As often as
his covenant Psal. 9.10 They that know thy name will put their trust in thee for thou Lord hast not forsaken them that seek thee To disappoint a Trust is accounted disingenuous among Men. No Age can give an Instance of this in God Obj. But his People complain of being forsaken Isa. 49.14 But Zion said The Lord hath forsaken me and my Lord hath forgotten me Yea Christ himself cried out My God my God why hast thou forsaken me Matth. 27.46 Ans. 1. Many times the Saints complain without a cause Sense maketh Lyes of God Psal. 31.22 I said in my haste I am cut off from before thine eyes nevertheless thou heardest the Voice of my supplications But there was no such matter Psal. 77.10 This is my infirmity The Lord may seem to a perplexed Heart to cast off a Man and to suspend the course of his wonted savour so as they may seem to be without all hope and comfort of the Promises when there 's no such matter 2. Though a Child of God may be forsaken for a while yet not forsaken for ever Isa. 54.7 8. For a small moment have I forsaken thee but with great mercies will I gather thee In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer There may be some short interruptions of a Christian's comfort All things here are subject to changes there will be Ebbs and Flows Nights and Days in our condition There will be Changes but it is but for a moment Mercy will not come out of season though Carnal Hopes may be spent Isa. 41.17 When the poor and needy seek water and there is none and their tongue faileth for thirst I the Lord will hear them I the God of Israel will not forsake them There are three kinds of forsaking 1. As to our outward and inward condition Outwardly God may reduce his People to great straights and yet not forsake them Every Condition is sweet where God is and he is with us in Dangers and Afflictions Isa. 43.2 When thou passest thorough the waters I will be with thee and thorough the rivers they shall not overflow thee when thou walkest thorough the fire thou shalt not be burnt neither shall the fire kindle upon thee God preserves not only from Fire and Water but in Fire and Water He may exercise his People with trouble but he will not withdraw himself from them in trouble but will stay with them and bear them company Our worldly Comforts may be gone but God stayeth behind we may be forsaken outwardly but are preserved inwardly Persecuted but not forsaken 2 Cor. 4.9 He giveth support still Psal. 138.3 In the day when I cried thou answeredst me and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. God affords sweet Refreshings to his People 2 Cor. 1.5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And gracious Visits and Experiences Rom. 5.3 4 5. And not only so but we glory in tribulation also knowing that tribulation worketh patience and patience experience and experience hope and hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy-ghost which is given unto us 2. Inward desertion is either in point of Comfort or in point of Grace Comfort may be withdrawn for the increase of Grace Rain is necessary as well as Sunshine We need many times our Thorn in the Flesh. Grace is the main thing we should desire though Comfort should not be despised We should be rather more humble and more diligent in a doubtful condition than in a settled 3. In point of Grace there is a total desertion and a partial desertion God's People may be deserted really but not utterly There is a Seed remaineth in them 1 Iohn 3.9 though they may lose much of their liveliness and alacrity in God's Service My loving kindness I will not take from them David had brutish Thoughts yet some Sustentation Psal. 73.23 Nevertheless I am continually with thee thou hast holden me by thy right hand He was kept from being utterly overcome by the temptation They have a secret Power to uphold them as long as they have any tenderness left with desires of former Enjoyments and sensibleness of their present Inconvenience The degrees of Grace may be lost when the Habit remaineth God's degrees of Presence with us should be observed as well as his degrees of Absence David bewaileth his Folly acknowledges Sustentation 4. The ends of this forsaking There are three 1. Sometimes to shew us our selves to our selves 2 Chron. 32.31 Howbeit in the business of the Ambassadors of the Princes of Babylon who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land God left him to try him that he might know all that was in his heart While God is present comforting quickening and guiding us we do not know what Pride and Passion lieth hidden in our Hearts God doth shew the folly of our Wisdom the weakness of our Strength and the imperfection of our Graces by his forsaking us 2. How ready he is to help in an extremity Psal. 94.18 19. When I said my foot slippeth thy mercy O Lord held me up In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul. When we are at the brink of Danger and full of Perplexities and dark Thoughts then doth Help appear 3. To quicken us to look after him and to draw us to nearer Communion with himself Hos. 5.15 I will go and return to my place till they acknowledge their offence and seek my face In their affliction they will seek me early When Afflictions press hard it puts an edge upon our Affections Surely God hath left something behind them when our Affections draw to him Dan. 9.3 All this evil is come upon us yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God To be dead and stupid then is a bad sign that we are deserted in point of sensible Comfort and Duty too The Use is to press you 1. To believe this Promise You see how emphatitically it is proposed The Flesh that loveth its own Ease will contradict and carnal Sense will bring Arguments against it therefore lay it up the more firmly Surely God will not forsake his People such tender Bowels such agreeable Love He that made the new Creature will not forsake it Will the Damm forsake her young ones and let them perish Christians he will let all the World perish rather than his Saints perish God may hide himself but never forsake them utterly It is a rare case to see them utterly destitute as to outward things Psal. 37.25 I have been young and now am old yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread David aged a Man of much Observation a great Student of Providence yet never saw it Ask the Beasts Fowls or Fishes Iob 12.7.8 Ask now