THE ROCKE OR A setled heart in unsetled times A short Discourse minding and helping Gods People to make use of their Faith for moderating their Feares in these sad times of the sorrowes of SION Being the heads of some Sermons Preached lately and now published for that purpose By William Jemmat Pastor of Netlested in the County of Kent Psal 57.1 Be mercifull unto me O God be mercifull unto me for my soule trusteth in thee yea in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge untill these calamities be overpast London printed for Samuel Enderby and are to be sold at the Star in Popes-head-alley 1644. To the most Noble Patriot and my most worthy Patron Sir Edward Scot of Scots-hall Knight of the Bath together with the Lady Mary Scot his most worthy and religious Consort Grace Mercy and Peace be multiplyed in our Lord Jesus Christ SAd experience telleth even good Christians how weak their owne spirits are in the sore trials of these distracting times even where their peace and comforts are continued before they are put to suffer as their brethren abroad do Fears of evill threatned doe much disquiet them and too often suspend their faith from doing the due and proper office of it So that they deserve a check for their unbeliefe in the words of our Lord Why are ye fearfull O ye of little faith Mat. 8.26 And yet because they dislike and struggle with this unbeliefe they deserve pitty and to be helped against it which was the occasion of these meditations at the first and now of publishing them And for this Dedication of them to your worthy selves the cause is apparant Partly I would help forward your comfort in God after all your activity and charge in the great Cause of God now in agitation Partly I would make knowne your exemplary love to the work of God both in times of peace maintaining a Lecture at your owne cost and spending much upon the poore upon Ministers and others and in these times of warre exhausting your estate to buy Arms Horses and provisions of divers kinds for helping the Lord against the mighty beside your continuall cares and counsels for the publike and for the peace of our County which amongst other our Worthies oweth much to your worship for the safety of it and repelling of the enemy Your Martiall Family hath gained much honour hereby among all godly and understanding Christians And partly I would hereby tell the world that to me and mine you have bin a most free and loving Patron and was the like to my Predecessor and his Family The Lord returne into your bosome seven fold add to your dayes abundantly give you health take away or mittigate those paines you are sometimes subject unto strengthen you in the inner man by his Spirit fill you and yours with all heavenly graces and comforts keepe you unblamable to his Kingdome and glory and give you with us to see the peace of Sion againe established with the utter disappointment of all the enemies Which are the daily prayers of May 26. 1644. Your worships much obliged William Jemmat A setled HEART in unsetled Times PSAL. 112.7 He shall not be afraid of evill tidings his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord. Section I. Whether and how farre forth she feares of evill may be expelled from godly hearts in times of publike danger THis Question is occasioned upon reading the words of that Text thus What no feare Expos Faith and Feares 〈…〉 so fixed that you feare nothing What if there be tidings of a great Army comming against you What if tidings of great losses in your estate of Children miscarrying friend destroyed or the like Hath any such a faith as that still he will fear no evill tidings Whereto the Answer may be made in six things and the Text withall expounded I. Faith in the Essence of it casteth out all feare Essence and Existâ—nce of Faith as is said of love the daughter of faith 1 Joh. 4.18 perfect loâ—e easteth out feare But our faith is not perfect as there be frailties in our graces so in our faith We need still to say Mar. 9.24 1 Cor. 13. â— I beleeve Lord help my unbeliefe We know in part and love in part and beleeve in part and all in part till that perfect come This is faith in the existâ—nce of it in this or that Subject this or that Beleever If it were entire it would render a man altogether fearlesse Adam in innocency by faith adhering to God perfectly had nothing to feare And Christ the second Adam beleeving perfectly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mark 1. â— 33 feared no threats of the wicked nor dangers He feared indeed at his Passion but that was partly because he stood in our room who by sinne were brought into a condition of terrours partly in respect of his Fathers wrath which must now be appeased And I suppose in the day of judgement before the Saints enter into Heaven it will be by the perfection of their faith that they feare none of those terrours and amazements 1 Joh. 4.17 Herein is our love made perfect that we may have boldnesse in the day of Judgement Yea there will be great joy as in a day of refreshment a day of redemption of the restoring of all things of the Lambs Marriage of the best good that ever the godly saw II. Faith in the full and entire acts of it casteth out all feare that is so long and so farre forth as we trust in the Lord for that time we shall be unmovable and invincible as mount Sion Psal 125.1 though another while we be fearfull and conflict with sore doubtings Job 19.25 As Job now confident I know my Redeemer liveth anon very much distempered and David one while will fear nothing Psal 24.4 though he walk in the midst of the Valley of the shadow of death and another while bewrayeth great infidelity 〈◊〉 77.9 Will the Lord be no more gracious c. The proper act of faith is to cleave to the Lord without wavering or doubting This led the Martyrs through the prisons and flames and extreamest sufferings This we read of in Paul very much 2 Tim. 1.12 I know whom I have beleeved and Rom. 8.38 I am perswaded that neither death nor life shall be able to seperate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord and so it is in others where the full assurance of faith is obtained Heb. 10.22 and note the phrase here His heart is fixed trusting in the Lord or in asmuch as he trusteth in the Lord or so farre forth as he trusteth in the Lord just the same forme of speaking as in 1 Tim. 4.8 Godlinesse is profitable to all things having the promise that is in asmuch as it hath the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come Now apply this to the former instances of a great Army comming
enter because of unbeliefe Heb. 3.19 Good is comming but we are short-winded and wait not thence these delayes All the fault is not in wicked enemies or the sinners in Sion but some fault resideth in Gods owne children who beleeve not as they should doe Infidelity is an hatefull sinne too and reprovable it detracteth from God as if he were not wise able vigilant to fulfill his promises so he stayes his hand as one that will be better waited on Take notice of this as one cause why the work of Reformation and of our happinesse doth stick so long in the birth it is much desired but not attained and yet the Lord willing it should be done and that throughly There is cause enough for it in the unreformednesse of people who after all the terrours and humiliations yet tuâ—n not from their evil ways as the men of Ninive Jon. 3.10 But here is something in Gods owne people whose faith is so little and their feare so great If we beleeved more we should see his great works done the sooner Therefore resolve upon that in Mark 11.22 23 24. Have Faith in God And What things soever ye desire when ye pray beleeve that ye receive them and ye shall have them Secondly think thus with your selves why should not faith make couragious as well as vain-glory envy propriety of goods safety of the Country memory and emulation of Ancestors or the like carnall considerations which have mightily elevated the spirits of people heretofore as namely the old Romans who became Lords of the World Cicero pro aris focis was a great word with them entring into a fight Ovid. Horat. And Ingens gloria calcar habet and Dulce decâ—rum est pro patria mori and Imperti causâ c. But faith hath higher and stronger considerations the Cause of God the maintaining of the Gospell contending for the faith delivered once to the Saints the upholding and enlarging of the Kingdome of Christ the keeping of a good conscience the glory of Heaven in our eye and who would be a slave to Antichrist Bodily slavery is bad enough c. Consider Their Rock is not 〈◊〉 unto our Rock 〈◊〉 our enemâ— theâ—◠〈◊〉 being Judges Deut 12.31 And Thâ—s they doe for a coâ—â—â—ptible Crowne we for an 〈◊〉 â—apitole 1 Cor. 9.25 The higher the spring the higher the water will ascend at the Conduit A Beleever therefore going bâ— the highest Principles and notions should gâ—t highest in his resolutâ—ons and behaviours Thirdly we have still and a long time have had great meanes to be strong in faith a Ministery oâ— many yeeâ—s continuance which is growing food 1 Pet. 2.2 〈…〉 of the Wood that it 〈…〉 A tree planted in a goâ—â— place and there continuing mâ—nâ—eeâ—s is well rooted and so should the trees of righteousnesse be after so long standing The Martyrâ— had but few yeerâ— in King 〈◊〉 time yet they gathered strength enough to carry them through the flames A shame it will be to us not to be proficients according to our time when for the time we might be Teachers Heb. 5.11 Weaknesses of faith and other graces should have been outgrowne long agoe Adde the going so often to the Lords Supper which to a prepared soule is a batling Ordinance No feast yeeldeth so good juyâ— and nourishment to the body buâ— this yeeldeth as good to such â— soule Bread strengthneth man heart especially this bread thaâ— came downe from Heaven Psa 104.15 O the sweet communioâ— that hath been between Christ anâ— thy Soule upon due frequenting the Ordinance and O the frequent repast of thy soule upon prayer and the experience thou hast had of Gods love anâ— providence and doest thou yeâ— feare Hilarion Hieron in eius vita Septuaginta annos serviviâ—â— Christo mori times Finally the many good Books and Treatises which of late yeerâ— have been published M. Culveâ—well M. Rogers as it were of purpose to fence and furnisâ— Christians for these sad times wherein are choicest collection for fixing a poore beleeving heart in all occasions M. Ball M. Wilson God that foresaw what he was about to doe directed his Ministers so to make provision for his people as when he sent a sore famine upon Canaan he sent Joseph beforehand to provide for his Father and Brethren Fourthly in those present troubles and dangers the Lord hath all along opened a doore of hope Hos 2.13 for upholding our faith unto victory Seeing how weak weare in beleeving bare promises he hath given us somthing in hand for encouragement He hath still sent us some pawnes of more which he will doe for us in time an earnest of the whole bargaine And experience is a great help unto faith as in the Apostles 2 Cor 1.10 He hath deliveâ—ed us from great death and doth deliver and we trust also he will deliver When we began to quaile at any time presently a victory was given a discovery made a defeat of their Counsels or Forces the spirits of people raised up above all expectation in a Countâ— which was given for a lost Count a signe the Lord means to doe the work at last If he meant to dâ—stroy us he would not shew us such things as these Thus by what the Lord hath done already he doth even invite us to beleeve and not feare Fiftly it is but a while and yâ— shall see what now ye beleeve Yâ—â— a little while Heb. 10.37 and he that shall comâ— will come and his reward is with him In Heaven there will be nâ— acting of faith no use of it as now all there is in Fruition Union and Vision Joh. 20.29 In this life Blessed are they that beleeve though they see not In that life blessed are those that see what hitherto they beleeved If we strive a little we shall find our waiting was to purpose Yet two or three Closes and we shall be at our Fathers house And there we shall have neither unbeliefe to combat withall nor any other enemy no feare no molestation no imperfection whatsoever Sixtly if faith be not acted ye will lose the benefit of those comforts which are your owne Ye forsake your owne meâ—â—â—s Jonah 2.8 Ye live heavily when your estate gives you leave to live most cheerfully Hagâ—â— saw 〈◊〉 the Well and was out of heart as if no water were to be bad Mâ—â— saw not Christ 〈◊〉 eyeâ— being heldâ— and was still in perplexity A miserly niggard wants what he hâ—th as well as what he hath not And to look upon Paulum sepultae distat inertiae Celata viâ—tus what difference between an unbeleever and a Beleever not improving his faith when need requires One sighs as much as the other c. Now this is a disparagement to faith and the high calling of a Christian who alone in truth hath cause to be meâ—ry A discouragement to others to come on in such an uncomfortable profession An
The Lord is a Jealous God and feares least his glory goe to another and his people a zealous people T it 2.14 fearing the same thing which is a feare holy and commendable V. Some feare is both natuâ—all and very usefull Feare is a naturall affâ—â—ction Feaâ—â— a naturall 〈◊〉 carried to some evill at hand for the avoyding of it Nature seekâ— the preservation of it selfe and declines the contraries and the preservation of the outward estate wherewith God hath blessed him to save as much as it can from rapine and violence why not an honest providence is not onely lawfull but necessary 〈…〉 And it is usefull to act according to Gods providence who will blesse and help his people but not idling carelesse fearlesse neglecting the meaâ—â—es Sometimes feare acteth for the avoyding of the evill feared as Acts 27.38 in feare of shipwrack and to obtaine the promise of saving their lives they lâ—ghtned the shâ—p and cast out the wheat into the sea Sometimes by preparing for the evill if it be not to be avoyded as Amos 4.12 Therefore thus will I doe unto thee O Israel and because I will doe this unto thee prepare to meet thy God O Israel And by this latter the soule is drawne neerer unto God reasoning Is there so much danger abroad It is time then to get the closer to God and keep with him When Hawks be abroad the Bird is safest upon the nest Psal 91.4 He shall cover thee with his feâ—thers and under his wings shalt them 〈◊〉 And thus it is a sinne not to feare when a judgement is comming as in wicked men who care for nothing Feaâ—e ye not me saith the Lord Jer. 5.22 We are commanded to feare him who Luk. 12. â— after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell And one discription of God children is they feare the Lord Mal. 3.16 VI. The promise here made to the godly is for the expelling of immoderate feares either not to enter into a beleeving heart at all or else to be soone thrust out againe Therefore the feares here are opposed to establishing of the heart ver 8. he shall not be afraid his heart is established His heart is of a preserving and fencing nature to uphold the heart against every assault and annoyance of enemies Phil. 4.7 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The peace of God shall keep your hearts and minds as souldiers in a garrison through Christ Jesus But when are feares immoderate Feareâ— when immoderate 4. Notes 1. When they are killing as to worldly and carnall men sometimes they are worldly sorrow causeth death See an instance in Jer. 49.23 24.2 When they hinder duty so afraid that ye cannot pray read heare with profit or the like 3. When they banish all joy in God which should not be feare before God but with some mixture of joy rejoyce with trembling Psal 2.11 and reioyce in the Lord alway and againe I say Phil. 4.4 reioyce 4. When they put men into unlawfull wayes to help themselves as Saul in his feare of the Philistines would needs ofter sacrifice which was not his office to doe or goe to the Witch at Endoâ— against his owne Law and conscience This they do not to godly men whâ—n most afraid they have some help to stay them up untill better times Even in desertions when the Lord withdrawes his comforts and they make moane yet they will not adventure upon sinne which might give some contentment they will lift up a prayer euen when they say they have little hope to speed they magnifie the estate of Gods children who enjoy comfort and love them will not speak ill of them nor doe ought against them A signe thrâ—â—out of the matter is in them Job 19.28 as Job said of himselfe amidst all those distempers They have the sâ—â—stance though they faile in circumstance Isa 6.13 1 Joh. 3.9 They holy seed is the substance thereof The seed of God abideth in them Though the â—â—â—â—es fall off yet the â—ap lyes at the root faith keeps the heart alive still That they are willing to resist a temptation though sometimes foiled and grieve when the Tempter hath been too hard for them and amidst all their foiles their faith upholds them unto victory Still they are comprehended of Christ even when they are not able to comprehend Christ Phil. 3.12 And in due time they shall be delivered from all their feares enemies dangers combats molestation Section II. Grounds of fixing and setling the heart by Faith The chiefe point in this discourse Faith is a strong and effectuall meanes to settle the heart in times of danger in times when evill tidings fly about in times when unbeleeving hearts reele to and fro Hab. 2.4 Behold his setâ—le which is lifted up is not upright in him â—â—t the iust shall live by his faith Isa 7.9 If ye will not beleeve 〈◊〉 ye shall not be established Chap. 50.10 Who is among you that feareth the Lord that obeyeth the voyce of his servant that walketh in darknesse and hath no light let him trust in the Name of the Lord and stay upon his God Joh. 14.1 Let not your heart be troubled ye beleeve in God believe also in me Groundâ— The Grounds hereof are these 1. In resrect of God on whom faith trusteth The whole blessed Trinity The heart may well be fixed because it trusteth on the Lord who is the Rock of salvation In a great storme it is good to fasten the anchor to a strong rock Psal 95.1 And such is God to the Church in great persecutions so as all the gates of hell shall not prevaile against it Mat. 16.18 First God the Father Father Relations the fountaine of the Trinity and of our comfort He is our Father as Christs by nature so ours by adoption and a child resteth securely in the bosome of his loving father Attributes And every Attribute is mighty to fix the heart of Beleever The power wisdome holinesse truth mercy justice of God and the rest Deâ—â—e Also his Counsell taken for the maine that is the saving of his soule God is far beyond all imperfections of an earthly friend who loves well but may prove forgetfull unable weary of doing good c. Beside faith seeth in God a sweet and blessed Providence Providence in which it may rest quietly and contentedly Saying as Abraham in that exigent Gen. 22.14 God will provide in the mount it shall be seene Without the will of my Father in Hâ—aven not a haire of mine head nor a little sporrow can fall to the ground Things come not to passe either by fate or fortune which are the contentments of fools and Atheâ—sts but by the good hand of God at least permitting and ordering And there be divers acts of Providence Acts of it Over-ruling mittigating limiting disposing all to good even the worst events God is the great Governour of the world
is the fourth day Ah said Christ to Martha said I not unto thee that if thou wouldest beleeve thou shouldest see the glory of God Joh. 11.40 Mans reason is a short measure to esteem the power and wisdome of God These are some meanes to act faith in these times of need Now put your faith to it 2 Tim. 1.6 stirre up the gift of God that is in you Wherefore should a man have riches and not have the use of them Know it is a fault and matter of reproofe in Beleevers to give way to those feares Isa 8.12 13. Feare not their feare nor be afraid sanctifie the Lord of hosts himselfe and let him be your feare and your dread why did ye doubt Mat. 8.26 O ye of little faith He is a coward who hath a sword by his side and will not use it against a theefe And he is a Miser who hath store of riches and yet wanteth necessaries in his sicknesse Apply it to thy selfe and think Who would be so clogged and turmoyled with feares when he may be rid of them Onely if ye stand to your owne Principles and remember your grounds None so merry as a true Christian if he hold his owne indeed none but he Others glory in the face not in heart 2 Cor. 5.12 Section IV. Benefits of acting thy Faith in these evill times These benefits are many and great Seven benefits of Faith well acted First what a sweet life would it be to be past these torturing fears which now lye gnawing upon your hearts Vâ—tanâ—n vitalis 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Origen and drinking up your spirâ—t that your life is scarce worthy to be called a life Oh these heavy and groâ—ning passions of unbelief How doe they keep a man in boâ—dage all the dayes of his life Heb. 2.15 A man shall through these feares want what he hath aswell as what he hath not Onely because he brings not his faith into exercise Secondly the acting of faith would be great glory to God whom we serve and in whom we professe to beleeve shewing actually that the Lord is sufficient matter of joy when all other comforts faile Hab. 3.17 18. Although the Figge-tree shall not blossome yet will I reioyce in the Lord I will be glad in the God of my salvation It is honour to any Master to see his Servant cheerfull at his businesse and stick to him in great hazards a signe he is a good Master So here God is honoured while his servants wait upon him cheerfully And joy of heartes one part of our Masters allowance My servants shall reioyce Isa 65.13 Thirdly it would be a good credit to our holy profession and draw others to it as being a fountaine of comfort in the saddâ—st streights and difficulties Psal 46.4 There is a River the streames whereof shall make glad the City of God And who would not enter upon so comfortable a course of life All seeme willing to live a fine and joyfull life which is never done compleatly till faith be both gotten and exercised Fourthly if our faith were well acted we should walk as so many tall Gyants farre above all reach of the evill world our faith being our victory whereby we overcome the world 1 Joh. 5.4 We should not onely beare but contemne the contempt of ungodly men Heb. 12.2 As our Lord who despised the shame Threaten these things to your Courtiers said the Martyrs we have faith and thereby are growne hardy Or promise these rewards honours great advantages to them that care for them we have other matters in our heart and eye and cannot be wonne from the truth Fiftly it our faith were duly set on worke we should undertake great things for the Cause and in the way of God saying in great sufferings as the Apostle did 2 Tim. 1.12 2 Cor. 4.13 I know whom I have beleeved Having the spirit of faith we would speake and make a good confession in time of need We would part with our estates yea and lives too disburse fight apologize any thing so that our Lord and his Cause may be glorified Sixtly still as faith is acted we shall be able to make mighty prayers prayers that shall availe mâ—ch for furthering the worke of God being prayers of â—aâ—th Jam. 5.15 16. And we shall not be weary of praying though we seem to strive against the streame No saith Faith it will be to purpose therefore pray alwayâ— and fâ—â—m not Luke 18.1 Lastly if we act our faith we shall be kept from temptations which great afflictions use generally to bring along with them as namely to despaire or use indirect meanes for helping our selves He that beleeveth shall not make hast Isa 28.16 Our faith will be a shield to us whereby we shall be able to quench all the fiery daâ—ts of the wicked Eph. 6.16 It will be a meanes to keep God with us and keep us in the way of God which alwayes hath a sure recompence of reward Section V. Motives to act Faith in these dangerous times Motives Beside those benefits of acting thy faith there be divers other considerations which may move thee thereunto First the setting of thy faith on work setteth God on work to doe great things for his people According to thy faith be it unto thee Mat. 8.13 said our Lord in the Gospell and to Martha he said John 11 4â— Said I not unto thee that if thou wouldest beleeve thou shouldest see the glory of God Mordecai beleeved deliverance would come one way or other and it came accordingly Est 4.14 The three Jewes beleeved God would save them in the fiery furnace and they were saved Dan. 3.17 The greatest Beleevers have been the greatest Receivers Heb. 11. The old Beleevers by faith obtained wonderfull mercies All things are possible to him that beleeveth God will doe for them that give glory to his Name which is by faith Rom 4.20 such give him the glory of his power of his wisdome mercy faithfulnesse all his Attributes and they cast themselves wholly upon him as Clyents on their Counsellour therefore shall not be disappointed yea Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord and whose hope the Lord is he shall be as a Tree planted by the watters c. Jer. 17.7 8. But ah this base infidelity which puts our faith so much in our eye cals it so often from our hearts too much flesh too little faith we beleeve no longer then we see signes and wonders scarce cheerfull but while we heare of a victory or discovery or other mercy mightily cast downe at a foyle or the prevailing of enemies Shake as the Trees of the Wood when Rezâ—n and Pekah are joyned together Isa 7.1 2. And it brings little home as is said of carking care God being dishonoured by unbeliefe withdraweth his hand doth not his work or not yet seeth no vessell set to receive his precious liquor and so the oyle ceaseth Israel could not
hinderancâ— of prayer a dishonour to God aâ— if he made no good allowance to his Servants And doth the devils owne work who when he cannot hinder a Christian of the end of his way will doe his best to spoyle him of the comfort of his way Section VI. Objections for feare against Faith answered Oh say some we have so many things to feare that we know not how to make use of our faith But why so Faith hath a strength at all assayes to help at a dead lift That if a Christian hold his owne he shall wade well through all his feares and evils feared All things are possible to him that beleeveth to receive to doe to suffer to overcome Generall salves for the feares of Beleevers Know therefore in generall First that the Order of Grace is stronger then the Order of Nature We have many enemies or troubles but mo with us then against us They are great but the Lord greater Omnipotent And the Angels mightier to save then devils to hurt us Divine Ordinances full of solid strength and comfort and all the Treasures of Gods love full and inexhaust If a Beleever look upward he seeth an infinite advantage above them all The wavâ—s rage horribly but the Loâ—d is mightier Psal 93.3 4. Tyrants get on high and are mighty to oppresse but still he is mightier Eccles 5.8 They are crafty but he catcheth thâ— man their craftinesse 1 Cor. 3.19 Secondly faith â—â—n set the Christian farre above his own strength as the strength of others so his owne Out of weaknesse be shall be made strong Heb. 11.34 He can doe more in a certaine case then at another time As Martyrs they endured the flamâ—s as men they could never have enduâ—â—d them While Peters faith lâ—sted he walked upon the waters Thirdly in all particular fears saith hath something to say out of the Word which shall stay the heart and counterpâ—â—â—e all the burden of feares that would clog it The Word hath a quickning vertue first and last First for reâ—â—neration afterward for sustentation It is a plentifull Store-house out of which some comfort is still to be fetched And David saith he had perished unlesse the Word had comforted him 〈…〉 To give some instances of the fears of godly Christians in these 〈◊〉 dayes 1. About losing the Gospell Obiect 1. We feare we shall lose the Gospell the maine aime of the Antichristian generation that are risen up amongst us Answ 1. The Word saith that the Gospell is at Gods disposing and not mans whoever he be The Starres are in the right hand of Christ Rev. 1.16 It is God that takes away the Word of the Kingdom and gives it to others Mat. 21.43 And faithfull Ministers say they shall continue at their worke so long as God pleaseth let all the â—oâ—es and beasts of the world doe what they can Luke 13.31 32. Gâ—â— and tell that â—ox c. They were in ill case if they were at mans discretion Even in times of peace wicked men would have quite put downe good Ministers their malice and wickednesse hath not been wanting all this while No thankes to them that the Gospell hath continued as it doth 2. If there should be some resâ—â—â—t yet not wholly especially in respect of a good heart The word of God is not boâ—â—d 2 Tim. 2.9 The beleeving heart shall be mervailously fed with the old store it gathered There is an hidden Mannaâ— And Rev. â— 19 the Word of Gâ—d abideth in you As for the Elect that are not yet gathered the Word shall goe forth and reach the mall It shall have a free course and be glorified 2 Thes 3.1 When God hath a people to gather Act. 18.10 11. though there be many Adversaries yet Preachers shall both goe and continue there 1 Cor. 16.8 9. I have much people in this City abide here And Jeremies preaching did good to some though the most cursed him chap. 15.11 The Election obtainâ—th thâ—ugh the rest be hardned The Elect must be sâ—aled before â—â—y hurt can be done Rev. 7.3 3. The Word saith that if it should be suppressed a while yet it shall be restored againe Teachers shall not be removed into corners any more Isa 30.20 They must fall to their work againe Rev. 10.11 Thou must prophesie againe After three dayes and an half the two Witnesses revived and stood up chap. 11.11 And commonly the ruines of the Church are restored with much advantage the Ordinances purged from the corruptions that attended them The glory of the latter house greater then that of the former Hag. 2.9 All reduced to the rule and standard of the Word noting by Gods severity wherein they offended and provoked him to wrath Ashamed of their iniquities and all errours and so the Lord shewes them the form of the house Ezek. 43.10 11. 4. The Word saith that the enemies of it shall be utterly confounded and brought to an end spâ—cially Antichrist that grand friend of Traditions and humane Constitutions downe he must goâ— notwithstanding all his pillars and supporterâ— He goeth into peâ—ditâ—on Rev 17.11 Though he get breath a while and some lightning before death yet that is his end The end of these warres will be at the gates of Rome all in flames and everlasting desolation Obiect 2. About the dishonour of God Sect. 1. 2. God will be dishonoured and blasphemed if the wicked prevaile Answ 1. In this case your fear is most lawfull and best allowed because as we have seen before both God and godly men have ever so feared And I may tell you ye have cause to rejoyce that ye have such holy fears as the feare 2. The Word saith that God is a Jealous God and will look to his owne glory will not suffer the enemies or Idols to get it from him Isa 42.8 Yea he will get glory over them all as over the Egyptians and all their gods Ex. 12.12 and will turne all their fury to his owne pâ—aâ—se Ps 76 1â— being the more illustrious by their disappointment True it was a sword to Davids heart to heare the wicked say Where iâ— thy God Ps 42.10 but if the Lord be patient why should not we onely our duty is to mourne for such blasphemies and pray to the contrary 3. Above a forreigne invasion Obiect 3. I feare that forreigners will invade and they will shew no mercy Answ The Word tels first that the spirits and minds of men are in Gods hand Exodus 34.24 they shall not think of invading while his people are busie in his worship Or he can let them see where the Right goeth that they shall let all alone and not meddle Secondly that the Lord can make the earth to help the woman Rev. 12.16 Earthly men shall beare the burthen of one anothers malice and so his people escape it Moaâ—â—tes and Ammonites fell to cutting one another and so Jeâ—â—â—â—poaâ— escaped While they have work enough to doe at
above what we ask or think Eph. 3.20 12. About sin forced upon a good soule Obiect 12. I feare my Chastity may be violated or some other sinne forced upon me which would be a terrour to my soule and break the band between God and me Suidas Answ 1. It was Origens sinne for avoyding the filthy Black more to burne incense to the Idoll No evill may be done that good may come of it Rom. 3.8 Secondly He that doth worng saith the Word shall suffer according to the wrong he doth Col. 3.25 not he that suffereth wrong No sinne hurts to which consent is not given It is the others sinne thy sorrow Tarquin â—ucret Aug. Two in the adultery yet but one adulterer Thirdly the Lord who is most mercifull will not presently breake with his Child when hurried to sinne by temptation or violence of persecution No Isa 30 18. Psal 103.14 he is a God of Jâ—dgment knoweth 〈◊〉 sâ—ame and that we are but dust and will remember his Covenant an everlasting Covenant Section VII Make much of Faith which is so usefull and other Corolaries of the point Faith being so strong and effectuall a meanes to settle the heart in evill times Faith to be â—â—â—â—â—shâ—d and â—ncâ—eaâ—ed Mâ—â—â—eâ— it will be good wisdome for Christians to make much of their faith to cherish it strengthen it fix it and be adding to it daily Souldiers will keep their Forts well that their â—oâ—ts may keep them And alike must Beleevers doe for their faith which is so much for their turne every way It were folly to complaine of a troubled spirit about these troublous times and not be earnest in preserving and increasing faith which should fasten and quiet the heart It were a sinfull neglect of the meanes which God in great wisdome and love hath set apart for the remedy We have seen grounds enough for our confirmation which if they be well improved would both preserve and increase our faith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist It is a rule that all things are nourished of the same matter whereof they are bred Therefore First be diligent and conscionable in the use of the Word publique and private whereby faith commeth at first and afterward is encreased The Word is sincere milk Rom. 10.17 whereby new-borne Babes may grow 1 Pet. 2.2 A child thrives best by the Mothers milk In the Word are promises to be ever met withall in all particulars And as good Evidences for house or land well perused doe much cleer a mans title to the thing So the Scriptures well searched and applyed doe strongly cleere the righteous mans Evidence for Heaven The failing of Christians is when they wax negligent in the Word or if they turne aside to visions or other fancies no food so nourishing as Gods Word duly regarded They that are planted in thâ— house of God are fat and flourishing and bring forth fruit in old age Psal 92.14 Secondly be frequent and serious in going to the Lords Table where is a fatning Banket to the prepared and worthy Receiver No feast yeeldeth better nourishment to the body then this to the soule This is the true Sacrament of Confirmation This is a Medicine that expelleth all evils 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ignat. ad Ephes both unbeliefe and all the heavy passions that issue from it Onely get a good appetite prepare examine come fitted to receive a blessing The Master of the Feast would not be wanting to his owne Ordinance if his Guests were not wanting to themselves Spirituall sloath foolish curiosity turning to vaine janglings are maine hinderances of the benefit which that blessed Ordinance is reany otherwise to afford Thirdly frequent lovingly and improve wisely the Communion of Saints which ye professe to beleeve these are able to satisfie your doubts mind you of promises produce experiences comfort you beare you up and doe much for fixing you on your Rock United forces doe back one another As iron sharpneth iron so the face of one Christian strengtheneth heereth another But woe be to hâ—m that is alone Eccl. 4.10 It he fall who shall raise him up And the devill desireth no betteâ— advantage then to find Christians solitary and private-minded When Thomas was absent from the rest of his fellowes Joh. 22.25 he grew to a sturdy kind of unbeliefe Unlesse I may feele I will not beleeve Fourthly pray much and earnestly for the increasing and acting of thy faith Mar. 9.24 Luk. 17.5 Lord help my unbeliefe Lord increase our faith Pray to be able to live the life of faith to trust perfectly in the grace revealed to have the use of thy faith when need is to have thy heart fixed by beleeving What is not the Lord able and willing to doe for them that cry unto him Hath he not promised to returne a gracious answer Even a naturall Father will regard and pitty the mone which his poore child maketh Fifthly recount and search out the promises which are the same to the feeding of faith as oyle is to the feeding of a lamp soone extinguished if fuell be with-held Abraham was strong in faith because he had both eyes upon the promises Promises will make us Partakers of the divine nature 2 Pet 1.4 Heires of promise should live on promises as their owne proper element and nourishment A Beleever forgetting the promises is as a fish on dry land Gods people of old were busie in searching out promises when the search was difficult obscure and nothing so comfortable as now in the light of the Gospell 1 Pet. 1.11 12. Sixtly meditate on the Attributes of God which have great power to make us beleeve any thing which the Lord hath promised He is able who promised he is faithfull who promised Rom. 4.21 1 Thes 5.24 c. All of them are engaged for our good as himself who is our God by a firme Covenant And faith will subsume I beleeve in God Almighty What cannot he doe who is Almighty I beleeve in the onely-wise God who is Omniscient and what cannot such a one invent I beleeve in him who is the searcher of reynes and knoweth the hidden things of darknesse what wicked plot cannot he discover I beleeve in him who is true and faithfull what word of his shall fall to the ground So in the other A Dwarfe with a Gyant on his side waxeth resolute and valiant When the eye is taken oft from one-selfe and all enemies or other incumbrances and kept close upon God how strong will faith he and the heart unmovable Seventhly strengthen thy faith by the experiments thou hast had of God formerly and others have had His works partly done partly in doing invite confidence for time to come The reason is because the Lord is ever the same inexhaust unweariable his hand not shortned nor his eare heavy but he can and will help his people to the uttermost To like persons in the like way and
beleeving alike he will be alike in dispensing his mercies Mal. 3.6 I am the Lord I change not therefore ye sonnes of Jacob are not consumed Therefore also collect as David 1 Sam. 17 36. and as Paul 2 Tim. 4.17 18. It is a great help to a Beleever to remember the yeers of the right hand of the most high Psal 77.10 and call to mind what he hath done for his Church and people formerly to the Church in Aegypt in the Wildernesse in Hamans time in other exigences Others have fared well while they waited on God therefore we also will wait and doubt not but to doe well enough Psal 22.4 5. Our Fathers trusted in thee they trusted and thou didst deliver them They cryed unto thee and were delivered they rusted in thee and were not confounded Thus fortifie your faith as much as ye can and it will be a strong fortifying of your spirits in all feares of evill A strong and healthy body getteth up a high hill farre better then a weakling can doe If our faith were stronger our hearts should be more fixed and setled then they are If it were the fall assurance of faith Heb. 10.22 we should not once doubt for all these terrours Mark 11.13 Remember the removing of mountaines and transplanting of trees into the midst of the sea all by the power of faith Onely beleeve and all shall be possible Other Consequences of the point are these I. Be thankfull for this precious grace of faith Be thankfull for the usefull grace of Faith which is so usefull in these dangerous dayes the staffe of thy life the strength of thy soule the fixâ—ng of thy poore trembling heart the only sight thou hast when round about is nothing but darknesse A great and wonderful gift thou receivedst when the Lord gave thee faith to beleeve in his Sonne and rest in promises It is worth the having though thou pastedst through the pikes in duties of humiliation It cost some adoe to get faith but when it is once had it is a most blessed commodity It stands thee in stead ever afterward whatever sad occasions thou hast The Jaylor though much cast downe for a while Act. 1â— 34 yet reioyced that he beleeved and all his houshold And those primitive Beleevers who were pricked at the heart in hearing of their great sinne reioyced and praised God for so great a mercy Acts 2.44 47. Goe thou and doe likewise We give thanks for lesser mercies then this Or what if the Lord give thee not riches health peace and the like Yet he gives that which is better and countervailes all other defects with infinite advantage on the eternall part Doe thy best to work faith in others II. If things goe thus then doe all ye can to get faith into your children and friends as ye desire they should have found and hearty comfort in the evill day Ye would not see them lye distracted malancholie drooping under their burden taking indirect courses to help themselves Now lay a good foundation not onely in morall vertues or religious duties but goe higher tell them of Christ of the Covenant the promises sinne and guiltinesse their need of a Saviour and the like It is a great matter Ps 112.1 to feare God and delight greatly in his Commandements This Text is a promise to such persons but note withall it goeth higher even to that sovereigne grace of faith His heart is fixed trusting in the Lord. verse 7. And it was by faith that the old Beleevers dâ—d suffered or received those great matters Heb. 11. Therefore in all thy instruction and discipline still insinuate something for faith Get that notion into their heads and hearts None but Christ Jo. Lambert Advance a faithfull Ministery whereby faith is bestowed None but Christ III. If it be so then advance a faithfull Ministery aâ— the meanes whereby faith is bred and thereby a ground laid for solid comfort in times of feare Plant such a Ministery where it is wanting cherish and maintaine it where it is Pitty them that want the Ordinance pray they may have the Word of faith preached among them Mat. 6.38 Pray the Lord of the Harvest to send forth Labourers into his Harvest If rich be at charges if in authority give countenance to a faith-breeding Ministery This is the onely way for poore soules to be soundly comforted when their tryall commeth Comfort stands not in a smartering knowledge or a few good words or saying over some good prayers or the like but if faith were bestowed into the heart which alone can quicken a soule otherwise dying No grace nor vertue can knit a knot betweene God and the soul but onely faith Faith truly so called is of a lasting nature whatever tryals there be and of a triumphing nature 1 Pet. 1.7 8. Beleeving ye reâ—oâ—ce with ioy unspeakable and full of glory And if so how worthy are those pains whereby faith is conveyed into the heart and afterward confirmed Take faiths part against a faithlesse generation 2 Pet. 1.1 IV. Ever commend and stand in the magnifying of faith which doth so good offiâ—es in the worst times Call it a precâ—ous faith much to be esteemed and prized Endure not any word of disparagement to be cast upon it There is a carnall generation of men and womâ—n who doe much slight and villifie faith as an ayrie Notion a trifle nothing in comparison of Charity and good works Oh here is much adoe about faith these are our Solifidians c. Whereto I say First neither charity nor works are any thing without faith Heb. 11.6 Without faith it is impossible to please Gâ—d It is in Christ only that we and our graces are acceptâ—d No merit in charity nor the works of it onely in Christ they get acceptance Yea in faith it selfe is nothing meritorious all the vertue and praise of it standeth in relation to Christ the Object Secondly it is faith that must uphold the heart in an evill time When dangers be abroad and feares come home to us this is our anchor to be staid withall We have seen how much is cast upon faith to doe in these sad plucks What we have done in an holy way may be a comfort but the stresse of the businesse lyeth on this how well we have beleeved and what interest we have in Christ Psal 27.13 I had fainted unles I had beleeved to see the goodnesse of the Lord in the Land of the living And the comfort of the good we have done comes in a secondary consideration Heb. 10.4 In that ye did it to these ye did it unto me By faith Abel offered a better sacrifice them Cain Thirdly faith ever will produce good works Fides sola iustificat sed fides quae iustificat non est sola as a good Tree good fruits It works by love Gal. 5.6 and love is a laborious thing 1 Cor. 13.4.7 No fire without light and warmth no faith without love and good works Every branch in Christ bringeth forth good fruit Fourthly it is a Popish spirit that makes such a jumbling of faith and charity which are ever to be distinguished though not separated Leave each his owne work and place and both are glorious and whereas other comparisons are odious these most Or it is an ignorant spirit which knows not what the maine tye is between God and a soule now fallen into sinne nor how we come to God by Christ alone and how we are justified freely by grace which faith appropriateth al our present adherence to God is by faith hereafter by sight and fruition Or lastly it is a prophane spirit of a man in love with his sinne or worldly vanities all for a present enjoyment he will not stay for his happinesse till hereafter as faith directeth And to get a lively faith asketh more paines then he is willing to take some adoe there is to try examine evidence maintaine and increase faith which the lazie Christian will never endure FINIS May 22. 1644. Imprimatur Joseph Caryl
which is a conâ—inuall feast a brazen wall great matter of joy in many and great afflictions 2 Cor. 1.12 This is our reioycing even the testimony of our conscience Thirdly it worketh hope which is an anchor of the soule both sure and stedfast entring into that withâ—n the vaile Heb. 6.19 and saith Though it be ill for the present it will be better hereafter In the world is no comfort but in Heaven there is enough and enough Men are enemies but God a friend and will appeare in time for us and against them all And if our selves should miscarry yet our posterity shall see the fruit of all these stirres our children shall enter into the good land A great stay to the heart when almost overwhelmed with caâ—es and feaâ—es Psal 27.13 I had fainted unlesse I had beleeved to see the goodnesse of the Lord in the land of the lâ—ving Fourthly faith works patience to endure any thing in the way and for the cause of God therefore we both labour and suffer reproach because we trust in the living God 1. Tim. 4.10 And by patience the Christian hath power over his owne spirit and can possesse his soule Luk. 21.19 which otherwise would be lost as it were by impatience and other distempers When patience hath its perfect worke Jam. 1.4 he shall be altogether invincible and shall hold out unto victory and to the enjoying of all mercies promised Heb. 6.12 old Beleevers through faith and patience inherited the promises Fiftly faith can pray the prayer of faith Jam. 5.15 16. Oratio fidei Omnipoten◠〈◊〉 which availeth much and after a sort is Omnipotent as Luther said And specially by prayer the Beleever can get hearâ—s-ease in every sâ—d qualitie the setling of unquiet affections heavy passions of unbelief frightfull apprehensions of evill to come Lord help my miâ—châ—fe Maâ— 9.24 Ps 109.4 for my love they are my adversaries bâ—t I 〈◊〉 my selfâ— unto prayer mark the force of that phrase And it is said of Jehosaphat in that great danger that he set himselfâ— to seek the Lord which both qualified his feare and obtained a victory 2 Chron. 20.3 V. In respect of the enemies both in the world and from hell Enemâ—es dâ—sabled in the â—aâ—ne Rom. 8.33 Faith seeth them disabled in the maâ—ne Who can aâ—â—â—â—st or condemâ—e or separate from the love of God Well they may kill the body but not hurt the soule or rifle the estate but not prejudice the goodnes of his estate toward God Therefore feare them not saith our Saviour Luk 12.4 5. Neither can they do that til the Lord give them leave 2 Sam. 16.11 as he bad Shimeâ— to curse David and satan could not touch Job nor enter into the Swine of the Gadaâ—â—â—ns till he had commission Enemies are a sharp rod but in the hand of God to lay on or take off as he pleaseth Isa 10.5 Nor yet can they vex us one moment longer then the Lord will As we see in Israels comming out of Egypt Exod 12.41 The selfe same day wherein the 430. yeers were expired The rod of the wicked shall not rest on the lot of the righteous Ps 125.3 In due time the rod must be cast into the fire VI. In respect of the proper â—nd of faith Faith ends of not but â—n salvation which is salvation 1 Pet. 1.9 Faith never leaves the soul but in endlesse unspeakable blessednes There indeed it self endeth having done its office but the effect benefit of it never endeth Now they say all is well that ends well and in present all is well because the end shall be good thence the heart is fixed and the Beleever fainteth not whatever he suffers in this life see 2 Cor. 4.16 17 18. The Ordinance of God VII In respect of Gods grant and ordinance to a Beleever walking humbly with him as here in the Text this stands aâ— a priviledge of the godly described 〈◊〉 1. to be onâ— that fâ—a â—t God and dâ—lâ—gâ—â—â—â—â—g earth 〈◊〉 Commâ—â—dâ—ments God â—ath past over to him such in humâ—nity He shâ—â— not b◠〈…〉 dâ—gâ—◠〈…〉 in the Lord. Having taken his part of sorrow and feare before-hand Hab. 3 16. he shall rest in the day of evill And having come to Gods termes of beleeving repenting obeying zeale and the like he shall now enjoy the sweetnesse of it One that hath served his time faithfully shall have the priviledges of a Townsman or Citizen These are the grounds whereon faith setleth the heart in evill 〈◊〉 All this while we say nothing â—f a Stoicall or Câ—n call resolution that a Christian should either be voyd of affections Heb. 12.5 oâ— despâ—se the crosse by a dogged stomacke or that he needs worldly wisdome and policy to help himselfe or that he must shift and shâ—rk for himsâ—lfe in an indirect way or goe over to the enemies of God and Religion or on the other side seeke his owne revenge upon them All this is but Sauâ—â— Armour not sit for Davâ—d to fight in Therefore we leave them to Maâ—â—â—â—vel and his disciples Men of this world Job 36.21 who choose sinne rather then affliction And we goe out against the enemies of God as David against Goliah 1 Sam. 17.45 in the name of the Lord. Grounds of faith suffice the heires of faith who are ever happiest and most at ease when they hold them to their grounds Section III. Improve Faith for setling thy heart in these evill times Make use of Faith at these times of need Every one wisheth the times were setled and if the times were setled he would doe thus and thus to make gaine and live a merry life But Christians the setling of the times is not in your power the setling of your hearts is and ye see how Other may passe away as fruitlesse wishes and lost endeavours but this is feisable and will be to good purpose The Just is an everlasting foâ—ndation saith Solomon Prov. 10. that is being fixed by faith otherwise he is weak as another man this is the Samsons look which holds all our strength together this keeps life in the heart and steddinesse whereas without it the soule staggers like a drunken man Now live by faith Hab. 2.4 While the naturall man lives the life of nature do you live the life of grace and of faith Make use of this privilege as Townsmen doe of theirs to enrich themselves and keep out forreigners No man hath a commodity lying by him but he will make use of it when it shall be most for his advantage And so should a Christian of his faith in these times of need Never in all our dayes had we such times and occasions as these and therefore now more then ever we should put our faith to the proofe Godly men have no exemption from troubles dangers or evill tidings but onely an Antidote to fence their poore hearts against the venome of them And they
home they shall not intend to trouble us Thirdly that the Lord makes fâ—ll the baâ—â—es of our gates and is a wall of fire round about us Zech. 2.5 the Rereward the Shield all in all to us Though we have but a watry-wall about our Island yet in God it may prove too high and strong to be sealed Our woodden houses may swimme about and keepe out the enemies Fourthly there may be forreigne friends as well as foreigne enemies and stronger then they wiser then they more succesfull then they as the Lord can make them The hearts of all are in the hand of God who still followes his owne work and useth what Instruments he pleaseth And we see he hath brought in one friendly Nation already 4. About the defect of friends Obiect 4. I feare our Worthies in Parliament will be weary discouraged too few and so the work may cease Answ The Word saith that the Lord hath yet the residue of Spirit Mal. 2.15 It is but pouring out of more Spirit and they shall renew their strength and courage Or if one faile another shall stand up in his place Certainly he that hath so raised and upheld them hitherto will continue them to us and his owne work by them Jud. 13.23 If he meant to destroy them he would not have shewed them such things as these And who ever heard of a people in Covenant with God and studying Reformation wholly forsaken 2 Chron. 15.2 The Lord is with you while ye are with him And he sheweth since the Covenant last entred into by many great and notable victories that he intends them good and us by them Beleeve therefore they shall be worthy instruments of more glory to God and of more good to his people Zech. 4.9 The â—ands of Zerubbabel have layd the foundation of this house his hands also shall finish it Obiect 5. 5. Of the want of Treasure Psal 24.1 I feare our moneys will faile the sinews of War Answ 1. The Word saith The earth is the Lords and the fulnesse thereof And he can make our Newters Malignants and Misers to bring forth their treasures Or spring a new mine for supply some other way 2. It saith 1 Cor. 1.27 that he makes the weak to confound the mâ—ghty And in like reason the poore to overthrow the rich When men see their estates gone they wax desperate Necessity hath been called a terrible weapon And it is evident that riches cannot get victories The battel is not to the strong Eccles 9.11 The event of a battell belongs wholly to God Prov. 21.31 The Horse is prepared against the day of battell but safety is of the Lord. Obiect 6. 6. About our sinnes lâ—st they hinder I could trust otherwise but feare our sinnes will hinder good things Answ 1. The Word saith that God doth his great works for Church freely Onely because mercy pleaseth him I wâ—oâ—ghâ— for my Names sake often in Ezek. 20. and 36.32 Not for your sakes doe I this c. 2. If our sinnes could hinder we should not have seen any of these great deliverances and victories We have sinnes enough to have laid us desolate long agoe Not a remnant had been left before this time Onely the Lord seems to have past by the sinnes of the remnant of his people and so we are saved by a great deliverance 7. About triall to some particular Obiect 7. I feare we may suffer for a while as our Brethren have done and for my part I doubt I should shew much weaknesse when I come to the tryall Luk. 12.4 2 Cor. 12.9 Answ 1. Christ saith Feare not them that kill the body Secondly his grace is sufficient for thee as well as for others Joh. 10.28 None shall pluck his Sheep out of his â—â—â—â—s None shall seperate from his love Thirdly in the tryall God stands by his people more then at other times to shew himselfe stâ—ong in a weak Creature 2 Cor. 12.9 In theâ—r weakâ—â—â—â— his power is the more glorified and manifested He will be with them in six troubles and in seven in fire and in water So that ye may say boldly The Lord is with us we will not feare what man can doe unto us Heb. 13.6 8. About Martyrdome Object 8. What if I should be put to suffer Martyrdome I shrink to think of it Answ The Word saith Rom 8.37 we are more thâ—n 〈…〉 through him that loved us And we may say accordingly First the Martyrs were flesh and blood as we are Oâ— themselves weak and no more able to endure those extremities then other men They suffered nothing in their owne strength but by faith and you have faith as well as they Secondly God is the same God now as then and will put forth the same strength in you as in them Isa 59.1 His hand is not shortned neither will his promise faile He is God al-sufficient Gen. 17.1 and still the same to his Church as in the dayes of old Isa 46.3 4. 9. About the enduring of hardship Obiect 9. I shall not be able to endure cold hunger prison reproach c. Answ The Word saith these are vanquished enemies and disabled in the maine Rom. 8.35 And all the gates of hell shall not prevaile against the Church And defiance may be made against them as there who shall seperate who shall accuse or condemnâ— And assurance had that we shall not flinch for any of them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I am perswaded that neither death nor life shall be able to seperate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 10. About Children left to the world Obiect 10. What shall become of my poore Children Answ The Word saith the Covenant reacheth the Children as well as the Parents Gen. 17.7 I am thy God and the God of thy sâ—ed They shall therefore find a Father in Heaven when none is on earth And promises to be performed which will prove large portions and friends on earth which you little think of Even an hundred fold Fathers and Mothers c. Mark 10.29 30. And it hath been observed that the Children of Martyrs have received speciall blessings from God especially in their souls Obiect 11. About the losse of Friends 11. How shall we live if my husband be slaine or some other friend by whom I live Answ The Word saith that Man lives not by bread onely Mat. 4.4 but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God And is not the Lord better to thee then ten husbands or ten friends And who multiplied the meale in the barrell and oyle in the cruse Who gave a blessing to Daniels course fare that he looked better then any of the Kings Children Who fed so many thousand with two barly loaves and a few in all fishes True miracles are ceased but not Providence and that sometimes in a strange wayâ— God can and will doe