thus the Apostle goes on but saith he the fruit of the spirit is love joy peace long-suffering gentlenesse goodnes faith meeknesse temperance ver. 22 23. Here is a Saint-like frame indeed but how comes this thinke you surely all this is but the effect of obedience for it presently followes and they that are Christ's that have an interest in him have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts ver. 24. that is they that are in Christ that have an interest in him have given up themselves wholly to him and by the guidance of the Spirit and the power of Christ's death the power of sinne in their nature is subdued the sinfull affections and lusts arising thence are kept in and kild I beseech you be faithfull to your souls in examining your selves by this Signe of all other actions cannot be covered they will tell you whose you are you are not to doe any thing nor speak any thing nay if once you be Christ's you dare not transgresse the command of Jesus Christ let it be what it will in never so small a thing if a christian discerne it to be against Jesus Christ he will rather dye then doe it when once a christian gives up himselfe to Christ to be married to Christ he is no longer his own he is now under the command of Jesus Christ if now the devill or a lust bid such a christian doe this or that the christian will presently say did Jesus Châ—ist command me did he bid me doe it if Jesus Christ give me but a word I am ready or else I dare not this is the third signe whereby a christian may know he hath a right to Christ Signe 4. A fourth signe whereby a christian may know he haâ—h an interest in Christ is when he he will own Christ own his cause and people in the worst of times it is not much to own Christ own Religion and associate with christians when all these are countenanced and in credit but here 's the tryall of love the faith and obediance of a christian when he will take up the Crosse and follow Christ when he will yet keep on after Christ through wet and dry as the Proverb is it 's a signe a christian hath much of Christ when he will yet own Christ though others forsake him when he keeps his walking with Christ though he goe alone as Paul did 2 Tim. 1.15 chap. 4.16 when he will follow his profession though he must let goe his life as the three children did Dan. 3. and many precious Saints have done and now doe it would but take up time to urge insâ—ances doe you but make good use of this little and it will doe you much good the Lord hath now brought us unto trying times and Jesus Christ doth now say who is on my side who what now will you venture for Christ â—nd his cause and his people doth your hearts tell you that Religion is dearer to you then esiates then life then the best blood in your bodies doe you pray for the prosperity of Christ's cause will you stand for it and owne it what condition soever it 's in doth not the ebbings and flowings of Christs cause bring you to it and cast you from it the Lord knowes there it more of this latter sort then the former abundance follow Christ's Cause for their owne ends and these will fall off when their ends faile but let me tell you none but christians can suck to Christ under difficulties the spirits and hearts of others are up and down as their objects are the principles by which they are carried it 's onely the christian who lives by faith that stands to Christ his cause and people at all times this is the fourth signe Signe 5. The fift and last signe whereby a christian may rest assured of his interest in Christ is his desire to be with Christ in his glory when a soul hath once got a relish a taste an earnest of the inheritance in Heaven it 's full of longings and desirings after glory take such a soule nothing takes it up nothing takes it off Jesus Christ alone is all in all you may offer such a one the gold of Ophir the treasures of India the wealth of the world the Crownâ— of Kings but all this takes not it affect not no saith the soule Christ is my treasure Christ is my crown of rejoycing you may proffer what you please but still the soule will say as once Paul did I count all things but losse for the excellency to be comâ—ared to the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord Phil. 3.8 talk what you will of parts and prililedges yet when all is done this was Pauls conclusion but Christ is all in all Col. 3.11 of al the things in the world Paul found but one case wherein it was disputable whether he might desire â—o live in the flesh and that 's such a one as many would not imagine they would think it almost the lest matter of all but it 's this here was Pauls case he was at a stand whether it was better for him to live in the flesh to promote the Gospell or to dye and goe to Christ in his glory Paul was in a sweet condition come life come death and that made the difficulty the greater for to me to live is Christ and to dye is gain Phil. 1.21 that is if I live I shall be comforted in the work of Christ and if I dye I shall reigne with Christ yet what I shall chuse I wot not for I am in a streight betwixt two ver. 22 23. Paul was now between doing the work of Christ and going home for his wage to Christ it put faithfull Paul hard to it to satisfie the scruple of his own conscience and when all is done he answers with a distinction for his own part this is his resolution for himselfe he holds for Heaven having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is farre better ver. 23. the latter part But then on the other side as Paul had a respect unto the worke he was in the preaching o the Gospell unto the flock of Christ his life was better and more necessary for them neverthelesse to abide in the flesh is more needfull for you ver. 24. here then is an example for you to try your hearts by truly when this is seriously considered it 's no wonder to see so many loath and so few willing to dye alas the reason is easily given they have no interest in Christ they have no acquaintance with God they know not what shall become of their souls when they dye againe the feares and terrours of death strike deep and speaks terrible things to them Jesus Christ hath not taken away the sting of death for them it bites deep it amazes them death being but the gate of hell to let them now feele those torments which in life and prosperity they would not feare but on
the other side Ansâ— Alas it is the plainest thing in the world and if yet you know it not I will endeavour to cleare it and the Lord set it home upon your hearts I will not burthen your memories with abundance but only give you an infallible marke of the Child of God I pray diligently observe the words of Jesus Christ himsefe I am the good Shepheard and know my sheepe and am known of mine John 10.14 Knowne of mine will you say what 's that That is Christs Sheepe Christs flocke know him so as to heare his voyce and obey his commandâ— they will not follow strange men nor stâ—ange and unâ—arranted wayes ver. 45. They will heare Gods Word and endeavour to know Gods will in any thing and then on they goe These all speake one language looking still upon God Tâ—at which thou commandest that will we doe And whether thou sendest us thither will we goe Now then do but you consider whether of the Forces now raised in this Kingdome goes the neerest to this rule and the businesse is easily decideâ— Who is it that would submit to the Word and rule of God And who is it that would rule by prerogative Who is it that hath set upon the worke of Reformation And who it hath said they shall not and he will not Reforme furthen he pleases Who is it that are dâ—sirous to preserve the people of God and defend themselves in temple-worke by all lawfull meanes And who is it that musters up all the bloody Papists which can be got in this and other Kingdomes even making peace with proclaimed Traytors and from time to time brought them into England because they were expert murderers to destroy his owne faithfull Subjects Truely I am ashamed to rifle into the King-fins of these times and I will forbeare onely as the Minister of God in Soule-businesse I must speake out that by my silence I become not guilty of others blood The Lord helpe you to close with the truth for I protest if God should have seene it good to have brought in Christ into our Kingdome another way it would have been the joy of my soul and many others to have spoken more better for our King then now I can But I will sweeten this bitter subject with brevity and now passe into another poynt which is much more pleasing and therefore I hope length will be delight 3. Vse of Exhort The third use is of Exhortation If Gods people shall be the prevailing people if God will worke deliverance for them then be exhorted to labour after a right an intrest in Jesus Christ or else you shall have no share with the Saints You know all the old world was drownt which was not in tâ—e Arke Gen. 7.23 So all shall perish that not saved in the Aâ—ke Christ Jesus That was a Tipe of this Nay I will come neerer to you unlesse you be incorpoâ—ated into Christ unlâ—sse he be yours there is not any thing you have will doe you any good Whatsoever God gives to the Church to his Saints will not make you happy you have no part in it That which the Saints may rejoyce in for the very same you shall grieve yea it will your sorrow even the excellency of your gifts and parts will perish you Those things which are blessings to the Saints are curses to the wicked they will helpe damne them lower in hell You may thinke I goe far but I goe not beyond my rule I have the word of Jesus Christ for what I say The Scribes and Pharâ—sees were men of admirable parts much wit great learning yea they used praying and made long prayers too yet these being not sanctified to them they were but the more able to doe evill and therefore prest them deeper into hell Who unto Scribes and Pharisees hypocrites for yâ—â— devoure widdowes houses and for a pretence mâ—ke long prayers what then therefore yee shall receive the greateâ— damnation Mat. 23.14 The like you have from Christ in another place wheâ—e he upâ—raids the Cities of Coâ—azin Bethsaida and Capernaum for their security in sin notwithstanding the rich meanes of grace which God had given to them above others and therefore tells them that their judgements shall be more sharpe then others Jesus Christ begins his speech to them Mat. 11. vers. 20. But those I will refer to your examination and onely instance and explaine the 23. vers. Christs words are these And thou Capernaum which art exalted to heaven shall be brought downe to hell for if the mighty workes which have beene in thee had beene done in Sodomeâ— it would have remained untill this day Jesus Christ speaking to the other Cities gives them their doome in the former verses but here turâ—ing â—o Capernaum he speakes to her with an Emphesis But thou Câ—pernaum As if Jeâ—us Christ should say Wâ—e unto thee Corazin woâ— unto theâ— Beâ—hsaida c. but woe woe woâ— to thee Copernaum which art exalted to heaven who hast had meanes above all the rest meanes which might have brought thee to heaven such meanes as would have converted and so saved Sodome it selfe to this day even these meanes will make thâ—e most miserable and carry thee fuâ—ther into hell thâ—n Sodomes sins will doe her It shall be morâ— tollerable for the Land of Sodomâ— in the day of judgement then for thee vers. 24. I beseech you who ever you be consider this for the Lords sake take heed of neglecting abusing either meanes or gifts What a miserable case are those in which have not Christ when parts Sermons Sacraments all increase damnation On the other side is not Christ despised Christ worth the having which helpes all gives a right to all guides in all I have here a large subject to treat off and I hope you will not expect that I should be very briefe being such a Christ-concerning poynt a soule-concerning poynt but that I should fully open it before I passe I might indeed run out into many parts but I will contract my thoughts and handle onely some particulars which shall be these First I will endeavour to discover and set out the wretched estate of the wicked who are out of Christ and then come to shew the excellency of the Saints priviledges who have a right and interest in Jesus Christ I will after this lay downe some directions for the use of the Saints as certaine speciall helpes to bring a soule to Christ and close up all with some choice Motives I must begin with the lesse pleasing part the wretched estate of the wicked who have interest in Christ But this hath its use as wâ—ll as the other Nay it will helpe much to the other The danger of the one will move a gracious spirit to looke out for the other The Law saith Paul was our schoolâ—-master to bring us to Christ Gal. 3.24 That is the terrors of the Law shew us our need of Christ the law sends us to seeke
the other side death is the desire of true Christians the thoughts of Heaven and that happinesse which is there with Christ takes up the heart rejoyces the spirit and fils them with desire of glory Oh saith a beleeving christian to be with Christ in Heaven is the end of my hopes here I am a stranger and a pilgrim in Heaven I am at home here I am waifairing under troubles wants miseries and biting calamities inward from my self and outward for the world there I shal be in the full fruition of rest and peace and glory that shall never have an end the place is purchased and the way is plained Iesus Christ who hath done all for me and is my onely beloved is gone before why then should I stay behind every houre I live here in sorrow I misse innumerable unspeakable joyes in the life eternall this will be the frame of a christian who hath an interest in Iesus Christ and the last signe I have been faithfull to my poore power in this discovery of a true christians interest in Christ the good Lord make it effectuall for the kindly working upon all our soules and that this main soul-busines may be the more carefully and earnestly endeavored after I shall encourage you to this comfortable work by some affecting motives and so leave you and this word to the power of God's grace Motive 1. First labour to get thy evidences cleered assurance of Christ past unto thy soule and though the full time of the churches deliverance be not yet come thou shalt be sweetly provided for whatever becomes of strangers of enemies God to speak with reverence will and must take care of children and servants it 's God's own rule he that provideth not for his family is worse then an Infidell 1 Tim. 5.8 now the church is God's family the Saints are his children and joyâ—t heiâ—s with Christ Rom. 8.17 we cannot therefore have such hard thoughts of God as to think he will charge that upon man which he will break himself we never yet could accuse God of so much weaknesse and let us take heed of suspecting the lack of love or the lest unkindnesse in God The Saints are Gods and Christs Gods in Christ in all the neerest and sweetest relations that can be name the fulleâ—t and fiâ—mest relations that can be and the Saints are the same to God in Christ God is a Father the Saints his sons and his daughters 2 Cor. 6.18 Christ is the husband the church the wife the spouse Cant. 4.9 10.11 Christ is the head the church his body Eph. 1.22 23. and as if this expression dâ—d not yet fully set out the neer relation betwixt Christ and the Saints the Apostle adds in the same Epistle we are members of his body of his flesh and of his bones ch. 5. ver. 30. can you think that now the Saints of God shall not be provided for let what times can come do come I tell you poore Saints upon the matter you have as much as God himself hath you have God you have al that God can doe the wisdom of God is yours the power of God â—s yours all is yours because yee are christ's and christ is God'â— 1 Cor. 3.22 23. the Saints have a protection against the evill of sad times when it goes ill with others it shall go wel with them The young Lyons do lack and suffer hungâ—r the great ones of the world may come to much misery but they that seek the Loâ—d shall not want any good thing Ps. 34.10 see you have God's Word God's promise for what I say and God will break the frame of heaven and earth rather then break promise with his people God is faithfull and therefore the Apostle cals his promise a sure word of promise 2 Pet. 1.19 you may build upon you may venture your salvation upon it God never deceived any who then would not be a christian who would not seek for an interest in Jesus Christ who would not câ—ose with this God and trust this God with all let this fear you from offending and stirre you up to a search after the priviledge let this perswade you all and altogether to become christians and this shall be the first motive Motive 2. Secondly if you have a right or interest in Christ that Christ be yours all the power of the wicked cannot harm you all that the wicked can doe shall not hurt you is not this a comfortable condition is not this a sweet support for Saints in these sad times nay I will tell you more aâ—l the intended evill of the wicked shall work for your good is not this enough to anger Malignants and vex the bloody wretches that are now in armes against Gods Saints yes surely it would if it were not hid from their eyes I know this will hardly goe for truth few will beleeve it and indeed it is such a pitch of faith as few comparatively ever reach too it is I say an infallible truth but hardly beleeved I have already touched upon this but me thinks I could dwell upon this sweet subject it speaks so much comfort to the Saiâ—ts in these sad times of warre woe and misery the Saints have much need of all encouragement to hold up their spirits when persecutions straine out blood give me leave then to cleere up your comforts in particlar cases First let the wicked rage and threat and plot and feed themselves with hopes of the Saints blood yea let them take the devill and hell to help and they shall goe no further they can do no more then what the God of the Saints the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ suffers Now 〈…〉 in it if God suffer it you may be sure it shall not hurt the Saints let 〈…〉 sufferings be what they will let them carry never so black a countenanâ—â—◠〈◊〉 the face be as grim and fearfull as it will God has goâ—d in it to the Saintâ— it shall doe them good I will give a cleere text for it Rom. 8.28 We know saitâ—Paul here is a certainty that all things let them be what they will work together for good to them that love God to them who are the called according to his purpose Is not this a sweet place is not this a strong support for the Saints that all the working plotting and powers of the wicked shall do them good let them goe on as long as they can they doe the Saints good they help on the cause of God let them purpose what they please God still over-reaches them God overplots their plottings and over-powers their strength that all their endeavours takes no effect all they doe proves foolish and vaine they make nothing of all in the end David observed this long agoe Behold saith David take notice of it he the wicked travaileth with iniquity their very plottings are painfull they are carried on with great difficulty and hath conceived mischiefe and brought fâ—rth falâ—hood Pâ— 7.14
Ierusalem At the first victory or at the first taking of Ierusalem Nebuchadnezzar tooke the King prisoner and put the City to a fine 2 Chron. 36.6 7. But when he layd Siege the second time and tooke Ierusalem observe what a fearfull desolation he made of that glorious City He slew their young men with the sword in the house of their Sanctuary where there lives should have beene saved and had no compassion on the young man or maiden old man or him that stooped for age And they burnt he house of God and brake downe the wall of Ierusalem and burnt all the pallaces thereof with fire and abundance of the like inhumaine cruelty as you may read at large in this very chapter Againe victories fill the mouths of the wicked with blasphemy against God cause them eiâ—her wholly to deny the power and essence of God or at least to vilifie the Lord Almighty This was the very ground of Rabshakehs blasphemy when he would have drawne the people from Hezekiah and this was his blasphemie Let not Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord saying The Lord will surely deliver us and this City shall not be delivered into the hand of the King of Assyria 2 King 18.30 Whence fetches he this From the many victories his master had got which he instances in Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad and the like Who are they among all the Gods of the Countries that have delivered their Country out of mine hand That the Lâ—â—d should deliver Ierusalem out of my hand 2 King 18.34 35. And then lastly power and pride fires on the wicked to their owne destruction because they prevaile once they thinke to prosper alwayes this was the destruction of the King of Ai and his City because Israel was routed in one assault at Ai when they had an Achan amongst them the men of Ai thinke Israel must alwayes have the worst This was discovered to Israel by Ioshuah when he made his second attempt and gave order for the laying of his Ambush They will sayth he come out after us till we have drawne them from the City for they will say They flee before us as at the first Josh. 8.5 6. And so accordingly they did even to their utter ruine at that very time as you may read in the sequell of the chapper Thus I have given you undenyable testimony of this truth but indeed I needed not to have gone so â—ar for proofe one dayes conference with the Kings caves would give you full assurance of what I said This is one of the wayes in which the King loses by getting a word of the second and I will proceed I said in the second place the King loses by that which he calls getting by the victories he gets over his Subjects but Gods Saints In all this the people of God are more fitted for deliverance and the cause is extreamely forwarded What earnest prayers are now put up What deep groanes and pleading-blood goes daily to God by this meanes The King had better to have a whole Army of men against him then the blood of one Saint These Saints which the King hath slaine fight with him night and day They are now with God in heaven and they are continually hastening and moving God to fulfill his promises and avenge their blood I pray you see how the Text is to prove this Rev. 6.9 10. I saw under the Altar the Soules of them who were slaine for the Word of God and for the testimony which they held And they cryed yea with a loud with voice saying How long O Lord holy and true doâ—st thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell in the earth You may see all this doth but helpe on the cause of God and bring iâ— the Saints faster to the Lord The harder the stroak the lowder they cry the sharper it is the more it humbles the more it fits and then is deliverance the neerer Tell me now doth not this tremble your Malignants spirits â—s not this a strange cause which the enemies themselves helpe forward and doe the Saints most good where they intend the greatest hurt Thus much for matter of reproofe 2. Vse of Admon My second use shall be for Admonition To admonish all to take heed for the time to come of so much as having an ill thought of the Cause of God or the people of God for what ever you intend for them shall befall your selves as I have already delivered and further all that ever you are ablâ— to doe cannot hinder God for going on with the worke You may counsell encourage fight and sometimes prevail too as I have shewed yet all shall come to nought and you will be found but to fight against God and therefore it was your wisest course to sit still and let Gods businesse goe on let this Church-worke we are now about goe freely on and be done This is not only my counsell for it was the advice of a great Statist in the like case When the Apostles were about Church-Worke preaching up a Reformation the Jewes made strong opposition They imprisoned God delivered This would not doe and then they thought to silence them by death they had determined to kill the Apostles But now steps in Gamaliel and tells them it was far better for them to let them alone and he gives them very good reason for this his admonition And now saith he I say vnto you refraine from these men and let them alone for if their counsell or their work be of men it will come to nought But if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it lest happily ye be found even to fight against God Acts 5.38 39. The Devill may delude you that you may think you do God great service in killing these Round-heads and destroying this factious generation Yea Christ himself said as much when he was alive he then foretold what since is come to passe John 16.2 Yet woe be to them that doe it you may thinke iâ— a strange speech but 't is true It was better for a man to have his tongue pull'd out of his head then to speake against the Saints of God It was better for one to dye then to have a hand in the death of one poor Christian And Jesus Christ makes good what I affirme for I raise my speecheâ— from his words Who so shall offend one of these little ones which beleeve in 〈◊〉 it were better for him that a milstone were hanged about his necke and that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea Math. 18.6 Now do you beleeve that this is the Word of God and that there is any truth in it Then you must conclude it is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living God by hurting the Saints or hinâ—ering Gods Cause if they could Object But how shall I know that the Parliaments Cause is Gods Cause thoâ—e which joyn with them are more Gods people then on
proper right of Church-members Wâ—cked men Hypocrites may put on a face an out-side of profession and for a time may get to the Lords Supper amongst his Saints but such had better forbeare They are usurpers they have no right to this marriage Supper They eate and drinke their own damnation not having faith to discern Christ 1 Cor. 11.29 And so for baptisme wicked and unbeleevers have no right to it nor their Children It is a peculiar priviledg of the Saints of beleevers I do not observe that the Apostles did ever administer this Ordinance to any but beleevers When the Eunuch asked Philip saying what doth hinder me to baptized Philip said If thou beleevest with all thy heart thou maist Acts 8.36 37. Upon this ground the Goaler and his houshold were baptized Acts 16.30.33 Upon this ground Peter told the Jewes that they might be baptized and further adds that unto such beleevers the promises did pertaine For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are afar of even as many as the Lord your shall call Acts 2.38.39 That iâ— all you Jews who act faith in your repentance and are desirous to reforme and now close with Jesus Christ you may be baptized into that faith for baptisme is one of your Priviledges It is yours you have a right to it by promise Yea and further your children have a right to it also by his promise to you It is a priviledg God giveâ— to the children of Beleevers I finde not a jot of comfort not a bit oâ— promise in all the holy Scriptures but only to such as shall be convinced and converted and so brought in to God pardoned and priviledged by Jesus Christ I dare not desemble I dare not cry peace peace when security in ignorance and sin may bring damnation to your soules The Lord give you hearts to receive the trueth in the same love and sincâ—rity as I deliver it to you and so I come to the last particular Thirdly and lastly the wicked who have no interest in Christ can have no share in the Churches peace When the Lord shall make up this promise and deliver those that trust to him the wicked shall have no part with Gods people The wicked are not within the promise Nay God has promised the contrary There is no peace to the wicked saith my God Isa. 48.22 When times of peace riches and honour and liberty given to the Saints when the Gospell times so long promised to the Churches shall come Then will the wicked miseries of the wicked begin Then shall their times of sorrow and sadnesse come in They will but then enter I need not seeke far for Scripture proofes of these trueths It is very plaine all along in this 37. Psalme but that you may know there is other cleare Texts for the purpose Take some time to reade the seven Chap. of Dan. with the 18. 19. Chap. of the Revelation All these do fully hold out what I intend viz. The wickeds misery and the Churches glory when the day of deliverance comes all is for the Saints and against the ungodly Reforming times are discovering times Though Gods people have lain low and long under reproach and persecutions yet God will raise them up bring downe their upholders The Saints are Gods Jewels yea his precious Jewels though they have lyen amongst drosse And when his refining timâ— comas when God sets to purge and reforme Kingdomes God will have a speciall care of his Saints he will spare them as a tender Father spareth his owne sonne Then will God make an apparent difference that others may doscerne bâ—tweene the godly and the wicked Mâ—l 3.17.18 Loving friends I pray you now take up a little time to sit in consultation with your own hearts I beseech you consider of what importance and necâ—ssity this my most serious exhortation is to labour for an interest in Christ Withoâ—â— Christ you are nothing nay you are woâ—se then nothing You had better never to have had a being in this â—iâ—e then meerely to live and dye and go to hâ—ll and that you must doe if you goe not to heaven by Christ Therâ— is no other meanes no other wayes but only by Jesus Christ They are Iesus Christs own words I am the way the trueâ—h and the life no man commeth to the Father 〈◊〉 by me Iohn 14.6 And who woâ—ld not now desire â—nclose with Christ and love Christ and walke wiâ—h Christ Yea who would not be rouled uâ— wholly enclosed in Christ where there dwells so much sweetneste sâ— much fâ—llnessâ— so much freedome What a deepe engagement hath a Christian to become â—ll Christs while Christ is all in all to him we have not these glorious priviledges as men and women but as Christians as being members of Christ And thus we have a right to the creatures friends Ministers Ordinances Peace or what ever may do us good There is a full place which I have reserved to prove what I have so much pressed I pray you observe it and rememâ—er it and the very Text is one of the things expressed in the words which shall be yours Whether Pâ—ul or Apollo or Cephas or the world or life or death or things presenâ— or things to come name what you can all are yours 1 Cor. 3.22.23 Is not thâ—â— a sweet and plaine Scripture But where comes in all this priviledge Have you this by nature or purchase I meane your own merit have you this from Adam No no in Adam all dye but in Iesuâ— Christ we are made alive Here comes in the Saints priviledges to all All are yours because ye are Christâ— Christ is Gods Object But if all these priviledges belong chiefly to the Saints to the Christians are they only interested in them by being in Christ how then is it that the wicked fâ—r the most part possesse morâ— of the world then the godly do Answ. This objection I have partly answered all along but now I will eâ—deavour to speake fully to it First you know its a generall maxime To every thing there is a season and a time to every puâ—pose under the Sâ—n Eccles. 3.1 And of these there is a time to weepe and a time to laugh vers. â— A tâ—me to get and a time to lose vers. 6. This is Gods own order and he will observeâ— I pray you marke here There is a time to mourn and a time to laugh vers. 4. This is the Saintâ— part There is a time to get and a time to lose vers. 6. That is the doome of the wicked Search all Histories and the Church hath had small beginnings but strong oppositions few friends many enemieâ— little peace much trouble small joy great sorrow This hath hitherto beenâ— the Churches condition as you may see by all Propheticall Emblemes of weaknesse The Church in many places is but compared to a woman Amongst all do but read Rev. 12. There the Church is called
a woman a woman in travaile which yet denoâ—es greater weaknesse and accompanied with paine and sorrow Yet this poore pained travelâ—ing woman is now persecuted by a cruell and powerful â—nemie This hath hitherto been the Churches condition She hath had her time of mouâ—ning since Christ 1600. and ode yeares and therefore now she may looke for her time her time of rejoycing It is her right she may expect it It is Gods promise she mâ—y claime it They that sowe in teares shall reape in joy Psal. 126.5 The Church hath had a lâ—ng wet seed time she hath watred her plants to the purpose and therefore a full and happy Harvest of peace and plenty must needs be neere blessed be God when we looke up when we looke above our blood and miseries and eye God the times looke white as if the Harvest of deliverance was at hand for the Churches of the Lord in these parts of Europe And who ever lives shall see our present troubles to have a powerfull effect through all christian world This I say is the Churches the Saints time their part Now we will view the adverse part the other side and observe the time of the wicked The wicked you know were ever opposed to the godly and so is their condition The Saints have a hard entrance but a happy issue The wicked is cleane contray They have a plaine and easie path but death and hell are at the end They have a time to get and â—â—me to lose They have had a long time of getting Not to look back into the old Testament where the foure persecuting Monarchies were all prophesied of by Daniel châ—p 2. and answerably had their times as the Chaldean Monarchy the Persian and Midean Monarchy the Grecian Monarchy I will onely speake of the Roman Monarchy that mingle-mangle of Iron and clay Temporall and Spirituall as they call it Emperour and Pope though they would not hold together amongst themselves being of divers natures yet they have still agreed to continue persâ—cuting of Gods Saints That hath gone on for above 1600. yeares They have beene geuing upon the Saints almost all this while and therefore now it s no more but just with God to bring their time of losing Saints cheare up you hearts ply God with your prayers you shall prevaile Blessed be God your enemies have beene of the decaying losing hand a pretty while they have lost in Scotland that you know they have lost in England that you know and they shall lose and lose till they have lost all It is their part God hath alotted it to them and they shall have it Yea feâ—r it not God will doe it He hath promised it and he will performe it I am loath to be tedious or I could draw you to a full view of the wickeds ruine In the Revelation if you will but read and mark part of two chapters in this booke you shall there have as much as I have said In the 17. chap. you have a large description of the Whore in all her glory and chap. 18. vers. 2. there is her destruction I will leave this uâ—to your more serious thoughts and now proceed to the more full answer of the Objection In the second place I answer that the all-wise God may have many and sound reasons and that for the good of his Saints to suffer the wicked to prosper and put much of these outward things into their hands I will give you some of them 1. Answ. First though God suffer the wicked to thâ—ive long and have a great measure of these eaâ—thy outward things yet it is not with the like right which the Saints have them by men out of Christ have onely outwaâ—d things by a generall providenâ—e they have not so good aâ—ight and full title to any thing as the Saints have and I will shew you how they differ First wicked men unbeleevers men out of Christ may have much put into their hands when God intends to make use of them yet it is onely as they are subservient unto his glory in the Saints good They shall have little comfort in what they have while they have it they have them with much trouble and disquiet There is many times eveâ— a hell in great men houses because God bestowes not outward things upon them out of love not to doe them good But the Saints have all from the love of God in Christ Though they have never so little yet they are happy they live comfortably what they have does them good Hence was that proverbiall speech of Solomon Prov. 15.16 This is the difference Secondly the wicked men out of Christ have no right to any thing that is Gods by vertue of any promise from God They are not in Covenant with God so God is not theirs nor engaged to them by promise only what he bestows upon them by courtesie and meere providence It was Gods expression to Abraham I will give to thee and to thy seede c. Gen. 17.8 Now beleevers are the seede of Abraham they are in Covenâ—â—â— with God they may claim a priviledg as children they have a right by promise from God This is the second difference Thirdly the wicked who have not Christ have all they possesse without Christ they have the gift without God They have the gifts without grace to use them and then you may know how it will goe with them You know it will doe a man little good to have a whole shop full of curious tooles and know not how to used them But the Saints have God and the gift yea God in the gift They have the holy Spirit brought along in ever mercy which will helpe them to manage all and guide them in all and so sweetens all to them turns all to a happy and blessed use that all is for their good It is the promise of Iesus Christ he will see it made good to his Saints The Comforter which is the holy Ghost whom the Father will send in my name hee shall teach you all things Iohn 14.6 This is the 3 difference I will now come to the second answer to the objection 2 Aâ—sw 2. God may suffer the wicked to have great power to get into much strength the better and more effectually to do his work You know it is not a little common fire that will melt gold It must be a strong fire a hot fire Now Gods Saints in Scripture are compared to gold and though gold the chiefest of mettalls yet it hath drosse which must be purged out and takâ—n away Isa. 1.25 That is even the best of Gods Saints have many sins and corruptions which must be purged out in the fire of afâ—lâ—ctions And for this purpose God makes use of wicked Kings and great men and in this sence God calls them his servants as I mentioned at large in the Reasons Alas the very greatest and sharpest persecutions that ever the wicked raised did the Saints good it exercised
that is when they have done all they can they misse of their hopes when they say their pâ—ots shall take effect and hurt the Saints they lye it shall not be so nay poor Saints I have more comfort for you yet here is that still which may doe your sorrowfull hearts good and that is this God doth not onely infatuate their Counsels and bring to nothing their plots but God uâ—ually beats them with their owne weapon let the wicked prepare what they will and intend what they will against the Saints that shall be their owne it s for themselves as you see but now David said the wicked were travailing hewing out their mischievous plots but what comes it too alâ—s all this while they but dig a pit wherein themselves shall perish their mischievous intentions shall be â—heir own misery their cruelty shâ—ll come home to them he made a pit and dig'd it and 〈◊〉 fallen into the ditch which he made his mischeife shall return upon his own head and his violent dealing shall come downe upoâ— his own pate ver. 15 16. of the same Psalm This is a plain proofe but if you may see example it 's lâ—ke you will beleeve it better take notice then but of one or two take but the confessiâ—n of Adoni-bezek King oâ—Jerusalem when he himselfe was taken prisoner by Judâ—h and Simeâ—n as saith he I have done so God hath requited me Jud. 1.7 again consider the event of Hamans bloody designe upon poor Mordecai and the Jewes mark the end of that plot Haman thought he had so cunningly contrived the buâ—â—nesse and was so confident of obtaining his desire that he made ready a high Gallowes and now onely waits for the Kings decree Hest. 5.14 in the next chapter Haman goes to the King with an intent to have him speak the word and all was done but see I pray you how God turns about the designe the poor Porter Mornecai is advanced to the greatest honour in the Kings Court and by the Kings command Haman was hanged upon the same Gallowes he set up for Mordecai Hest. 7.9 10. I might also give you more of the same presidents but these are sufficient what think you now of this who would not be on God's side and Christ's side and the Saints side which is such a prosperous side which shall be the prevailing â—ide And what a miserable condition are wicked men in who are enemies to Gods people that none of all those ever brought their desires about look upon all the persecuting Monarchies that ever yet reigned and they never carried their designes thorow this hath still been their ends They have fallen and perished and the Church yet thrives Tstis speaks comfort to the Saints in the first câ—sâ— Secondly let the wicked proceed as far as they can against the Saints let them come to the washing of their hands in the hearts blood of the Saints and that I suppose will conclude which is as far as they can goe yet I say in this they doe the Saints no hurt nay I will affirme it they doe them good I say suppose as now its frequent a Saint fals by the hand of the wicked yet I say such a one has no hurt he is not made worse but better by it Such a one doth noâ— loose but lay downe his life in the cause of God I say the childe of God that so dyes doth but lay downe his life for a time and it shall certainly be restored again with advantage it shall be better'd it is onely changed an immortall for a mortall 1. Cor. 15.53 Who I pray you would not change thus at any time who would not willingly leave a poore rotten cottage that will keepe out to wet or weather for a goodly faire Pallace alas what hurt doth the wicked to the Saints by killing them what hurt doth one doe to a poore pined prisoner to knock off his bolts and set him at liberty what hurt doth one when he finds a poore childe like to perish in the woods to lead him out and bring him home to his Fathers house this is all the hurt the enemies doth the Saints The poore Soule is lockt and pined in the prison of the body a Bullet sets it at liberty the poor soule being ready to perish in a wood of troubles and miseries Death brings it to heaven and happinesse to God and Christ the Saints and glory I pray you consider this well and you shall see that let the wicked doe what they can they can doe the Saints no hurt nay all is for their good This is the second Motive Motive 3. Labour to get a right an interest in Christ and then let your condition be what it will be you have God for your help and Jesus Cbrist to bear you company If once you be married to Jesus Christ he takes you for betâ—er and worse he will goe with you counsell you comfort you suffer with you and carry you thorow all Every Christian may challenge this promise I wil not leave thee nor forsake thee Heb. 13.4 and from this the holy Ghost raises an invincible sort of courage saying so that he may boldly say The Lord is my helper I will not feare what man shall doe unto me ver. 6. This you will conclude is right Christian valour indeed but whence fetches the Christian this undaunted resolution It is not barely from the Promise but from the everlasting love of Jesus Châ—ist in whom all promises are confirmed as â—ollowes ver. 8. Jesus Chrâ—st the same yesterday and to day and forever Iesus Christ is faithfull and constant to the Saints Iesus Christ likes his poore Saints never the morse because they are blacke with sufferings though the world makes them miserable and acconts them as the filth of the earth they are of a higher esteeme with Iesus Christ Hence is that speech of the Spouse in the Canticles Look not upon me because I am black judge me not by my outward appearance there was cause for it my mothers children were angry with me Cant. 1.6 yet for all this the Spouse is not troubled at heâ— sable colour her selfe nor Iesus Christ loves her never the lesse In her owne apprehension she is comely ver. 5. and to her beloved she is the fairest among women ver. 8. Goe further as Iesus Christ likes not the afflicted Church the despised Saints the worse neither doth he leave her the more Of all times he is most with the Saints in trouble it was the promise of Iesus Christ to his Disciples to come in to their helpe especially in straits I will not leave you comfortlesse I will come unto you Joh. 14.18 Of all times Iesus Christ will be sure to come in to the Saints when he sees there is need of support Iesus Christ must doe it he cannot but doe it he is a fellow-feeler of the Saints miseries the Saints are of his flesh and bones a neere relation that you know is a strong
moâ—ive with men to helpe a childe a friend when they are over-borne with power The Saints are also the members of Christs body Eph. 5.30 and Iesus Christ is the head Eph. 1.22 Now you know you cannot in the least manner hurt the remotest partâ— of the body not a little fingers end not a toe but the head is instantly sensible of it The head is the seat of the soule all the motions of liâ—e in the body are chiefly acted from the rationall faculties there Christ is not lesse to the Saints his members he is more to them Let the wicked take heed how they meddâ—e with the Saints they that put the Saints in prison puts Jesus Christ in prison make the Saints suffer and you make Jesus Christ suffer Jesus Christ must be with the Saints in all conditions it 's his promise and he will make it good when but the three children were cast bound into thar seven-fold fiery furnace because they would not worship an Idoll the King did see foure men loose walking in the midst of the fire and they had no hurt and the forme of the fourth was ike the sonne of God Dan. 3.25 Jesus Christ will goe through the fire with his Saints when Peter was in prison for the testimony of Jesus an Angel comes knocks off his bolts makes all the doors fly open before him and leads him away Act. 12.7 8 9 10. the like upon the matter was done to Paul and Silas Act. 16.24 25 c. I say let the Saints be where they will Jesus Christ will be with them doe what you please to the Saints you doe it to Iesus Christ Saul could not go to persecute the Saints but Iesus Christ cals to him Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Act. 9.4 and mark I pray you what an Item Iesus Christ adds ver. 5. It hard for thee to kink agaâ—nst the pricks the wicked must looke for sharp service it 's a dangerous worke to hurt the Saints their wisest way is to let them alone and not meddle with them let the Saints be never so few in appearance and the enemies never so many the Saints have more with then against them they that have Iesus Christ for them have enough at full though they be weak he is strong though they be few he hath men and Angels at his command when Elisha's servant upon the approach of the Army which came to take away Elisha cried alas my Master how shall we doe 2 Kin. 6.15 Elisha answered feare not for they that be with us are moe then they that be with them ver. 16. and these Elisha made use of ver. 17 18. the like is in that speech of Christ in his streight in the Garden he had onely a few and those fals-hearted Disciples with him when the multitude came with swords and staves about him alas saith Iesus Christ what are al these I â—ould but pray to my Faâ—her he would â—resently give me more then twelue legions of Angels Mat. 26.53 that is an infinite number I might add much sweet comfort to the Saints out of the power of Christ vvho is their companion in all but this subject is the sum of the next motive of which in its place Motive 4. Fourthly get your interest in Christ cleered up make sure of your right to him and you shall have a share in the Churches deliverance there is not a more infallible truth there is not any thing more certaine the Churches deliveraâ—ce shall come the Saints deliverance shall come God will doe it himselfe the Lord will save them and deliver them because they put their trust in him the time will come certainly yea the time will come shortly that God will give a glorious day to his poor despised saints saints feare it not it will come this encouragement is not mine but he which knew vvell the mind of God and never yet vvas lye found in his mouth even the Lord Christ Iesus I will give you his own vvords feare not little flocke it is your Fathers good pleasure it 's his owne mind to give you the Kingdome Luk. 12.32 this is so sweet to the Saints this is such a soul-affecting subject that I cannot passe without a little stay upon these excellent comforts I vvill therefore vievv them apart first it 's a great comfort and strange support to the saints to consider that a glorious deliverance shall bertainly come if there be any truth in all the book of God vvhich let them ever perish that dares deny it this position is true the Churches of Iesus Christ shall certainly be delivered from the vvicked it 's God's vvord and God's promise it 's a sure vvord of promse and God vvill not faile his people nor break his promise the Churches deliverance vvas determined by the counsell of heaven from all eternity promised vvhen the commission of persecution vvas first of all granted Gen. 3.15 and divers hundreds of times repeated in the old and nevv Testaments it vvere enough to have onely the promise of God that deliverance shall come to the saints but that vvhich confirms the certainty is that God himselfe vvill doe it it 's no lesse then three times repeated in tvvo verses of the 37. Psal. The salvation of the righteous is of the Lord he is their strength in the time of trouble The Lord shall help them and deliver them he shall deliver them from the wicked and save them because they trust in him ver. 39 40. indeed if the businesse vvas altogether left to man there might be just suspition of a long delay our eyes and our eares see and heare daily of the basenesse of many who are strong pretenders to the Religious part in these times vvherein God is about this great busines of the saints deliverance pride selfe and trechery have much prolonged our misery vvere it not that our hope vvas in the Lord vve vvere in a sad condition but I say againe Saints cheare up your drooping souls let open enemies and pretending friends doe what they can to keep off the Churches peace God will infatuate their counsels discover their treasons and destroy their strength the Lord will certainly deliver his Saints from the wicked because they trust in him Secondly the Churches dâ—liverance shall not onely certainly but shortly come I meane not comparatively but really within a little time when I say 〈◊〉 deliverance shall shortly come you must think I look above our present condiâ—ion which though blessed be God our cause hath much more life in it noâ— then outwardly could be discerned the last yeere yet our continued distempers and distractions bespeak much misery but I say I look above these I look at the Word and usually wayes of God these are my guides I know you will be desirous to heare my grounds for which I so confidently affirme and I will presâ—ntly give them to you some there are which I could urge yet think it wisdome to conceal them
but I will name two and they are strong ones First it 's a â—otable signe that our deliverance is at hand now the Lord hath put our worthies of Paâ—liament upon the work of Reformation Peace is the Babe the fruit of Reformation the Scriptures are plentifull in presidentâ— 2 Chron. 15.19 chap. 20.29 30. both these are plaine and full of comfort if you read the chapters but this 30. ver. is enough it selfe I pray you mark it so the Realm of Jehosaphat was quiet for his God gave him râ—st round about the Lord gave the Kingdome peace upon reformation that was the ground Secondly the Saints may conclude that their deliverance is neer from the height of the enemies pride and blasphemy when they are at the height then they shall down when the measure of sin is fild up then wrâ—th shall be poured down upon them you may read Senacherib's pride in Rabshaketh's blasphemy and then mark the issue it would be too much to give you the words of the whole story here but consider the event that 's the thing I ayme at In the 2 Kin. 18. you have a relation of Assyria's pride and blasphemy and in the very next chapter Assyria's Army the object and subject of the Lord's wrath now then what doe you think of the hope of the Churches deliverance when you consider the height of the enemies pride and blasphemy I will not mention the enemies pride and conceited self confidence of a promised conquest and I know now what if you be not acquainted with their fancies you may but read those printed papers which are called the Kings Declarations and you may see more then I â—m willing to expresse but if you dare beleeve reports never was there the like blasphemy known in the world as is daily heard in the enemies quarters which are now in armes to hinder the work of Reformation Alas Rabshaketh was but a learner to these of our times these are so bold that they scorne God to his face and commonly use this blasphemous expression as a familiar oath God dam me if he dare truly I hope you will excuse me in further instances I feare and tremble to think of them but certainly the Saints may build upon it God will very shortly execute vengeance upon this wicked bloody generation who have so long called for it themselves feare it not God will do it he wants not power when he is pleased to set about it this is the fourth motive Motive 5. Labour after the assurance of your interest in Christ and you shall enjoy a sweet communion with Christ nothing is so sweet and pleasing to the soule as communion with Iesus Christ this is the very reason that Paul desired to dye and to be with Christ that he might have a neerer communion with Christ then he could have in the flesh I tell you it 's a high priviledge which the Saintâ— have to have communion with Jesus Christ it 's the life of their cause it must needs goe well with you when you have such an Advocate to plead for you at the throne of grace when you have such a friend as can and will frequently carry your prayers and present your desires to the great God who is his Father and by him made your Father I say feare not the successe do you only keep to the rule labour to eye God labour to conforme your selves to the revealed will of God in his Word be earnest with Iesus Christ to intercede with you and for you to your Father lay home his promises to him and he cannot deny you God will not deceive you because you trust in him the which the Lord of his mercy speedily accomplish and that alone for the sake of Iesus Christ Amen Amen FINIS Rev. 19. Rev. 16. â—4 Rev 12.12 Josh. 1.2.3 4. Iudg. 20.18.21 Math. 14 2â—.23 24. Iosh 7.11 12.24 25 26. Iudg. 20. â—6 Math. 14.27