learned Lawyers are not so A Conventicle being a meeting together for a bad end or work and not for a good as the meetings of Christians to worship God are Having thus hinted some few of the many sufferings of others I come in the last place to give a short Intimation of my own which I mention not either to accuse my Country-men or to expect any benefit thereby to my self hoping to learn contentment in Christ with godlinesse in the meanest and miserablest condition but to remove fals reports to manifest as I am confident to expess it that I suffer from men only upon the account of Godliness and Religion though upon other information but false against me as that I should swear the members of my Congregation against all Magistrates and Ministers a thing I hate and directly contrary to my Judgement and that I should goe up and down two Counties preaching Sedition and Rebellion though I have not preached in all but either 2 or 3 daies publickly since April was 12 Month being in several Prisons ever since only about 24 daies intermission since my first imprisonment And I am not conscious to my self of Preaching or doing any thing against the present Powers or their Lawes neither can my Accusers prove any more against me Act. 24.13.27 than the Jews could against Paul when they accused him of sedition but on the contrary these men break the Lawes and are fineable to the King for false information however they think as a wise man said by other mens harmes 27 He. 3.9 5. Eliz. 3.6 25.3 4. 37.3.18 Lord Bacon to make redemption for their own sufferings But I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him till he plead my cause and pray as Jesus Christ hath taught me Father forgive them for they know not what they do A VVord in Season OR Some sutable and seasonable Considerations Counsels and Consolations sincerely intended and humbly proposed to All but more especially to the Afflicted and Persecuted SOlomon advised men In the day of adversity to consider a Eccl. 7.14 for God hath set it and the day of prosperity one against another and both are of him Adversity being but the night and dark part of mens time in this world to which notwithstanding God hath assigned some work for his people to do And 't is no small part of godly wisdome to understand the time and to know what is the proper work of the day both which some of the men of Issacar had understanding in b 1 Ch. 12.32 And this as the wise man faith is heart-understanding A wise mans heart diseerneth time and judgment c Eccl. 8.5 Time when and Judgement how and what to do And doubtless what was said ofa word fitly spoken may be as truly said of a work done in season That it is as Apples of Gold in pictures of Silver d Pro. 25.11 My aime in these few pages of the first part of this little Book is not to discover the nature of the present time or to prove it to be evil for it discovers it self sufficiently to be so both in respect of the sins and evils committed by men and the punishments justly inflicted by God for those Sins which two things the Prophets e Am. 5.11 Mic. 3.12 Apostles f 2 Tim. 3.1 2 3. c. 2 Pe. 3.3 make to be the main signs of evil times But to stir up the minds of all those that are wise-hearted though like Christ and his Prophets Apostles called mad-men or fools g Jo. 10.20 2 Ki. 9.11 Jer. 29.26 Mar. 3.21 1 Cor. 4.10 or as the Duch translation Englished in some places renders the word Fanaticks But be it so that such are mad yet wiser then the Father of that man which gave the name gives the reason why a wise man is mad Oppression saith Solomon makes a wise man mad h Eccl. 7.7 And Hosea saith The Prophet is a fool and the spiritual man is mad for the multitude of thine iniquity and forthe great hatred i Ho. 9.7 to be like Daniel searching the Scripture and so to get an insight into the present time and work and a Foresight of what God intends to do for God hath promised to declare reveal and frequently performed his secrets to his people k Ps 25.14 Amo. 3.7 Gen. 18.17 Dan. 8.13 Therefore they should be like those holy-ones in Daniel inquire how long it will be to the end of the vision Also learning those three exellent Lessons pointed out for evil times viz. To prove what is that acceptable will of God l Rom. 12.2 to redeem time m Eph. 5.16 17. n Jo. 12 35. and to do the worke of the day in the day In order thereunto here follow some seasonable Considerations Directions Encouragements and Consolations for all men especially Christians in times of any Affliction Consid 1 Consider that the Omnipotent al-wise God hath his will and hand in all the Actions matters occurrences things in this world which concern all persons and all Ages Yea those that are most strange and most sinful with reverence to his blessed Majesty be it spoken and without fathering the least evil upon him whose pure eyes cannot behold iniquity o Hab. 1.13 This consideration being well understood and weighed will silence all the Soul-disquietings and unruly thoughts of the hearts of Gods people Therefore mark some Scriptures and clear instances to that purpose As the selling of Joseph into Egypt though a sin in Josephs brethren yet he saith himself unto his brethren It was not you that sent me hither but God p Gen. 45.8 So the hardning of Pharoahs heart to hinder Israel to goe out of Egypt was of the Lord as God told Moses he would do it before he went to him I will barden his heart viz. Pharoahs that he shall not let the people goe q Ex. 4.21 7.3 So Sihon King of Heshbon would not let Israel pass by him but why for the Lord thy God hardned his Spirit r Du. 2.30 Like as the Lord is said to move David to number the people The anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel and he moved David to number the People s 2 Sa. 24.1 And the Lord is said to set up the adver saries of Rezin against him and joyn two of his enemies together the Syrians before and the Phylistines behind and they shall devoure Israel with open mouth t Esa 9.11.12 And David looked upon Sauls persecuting of him to be from God For mark his words to Saul Now therefore I pray thee let my Lord the King hear the words of his servant If the Lord have stirred the people up against me let him accept an offering u 1 Sam. 19.16 So it is said twice in one Chapter that God stirred up two enemies against Solomon And the Lord
stirred up an Adversary unto Solomon Hadad the Edomite c. And the Lord stirred up another Adversary Rezen c. w 1 Kin. 11.14 23. The like is said of Gods stirring up the King of Assyria to carry some of the Children of Israel Captives into Babylon x 1 Ch. 5.26 So God said he would strenghen the King of Babylon and put his Sword into his hand y Ez. 30.24 These with many more instances prove that Gods will and hand are in all the matters that are done upon Earth Object But these are Old-testament proofs and God dealt at that time in another way than he doth now in the Gospel daits Answ You will find as clear proofs in the New-Testament Christ himself allowes and in effect affirmeth That the power that Pilare had to condemn and Judge him was given him from above z Jo. 19.11 And the Apostles jointly acknowledge That Herod Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and the people of Israel were gathered together to do what soever Gods hand and his Counsel determined before to be done a Act. 4.28 So it is said That the Key of the bottomlesse-pit was given to the Angel that fell from Heaven b Rev. 9.1 2. Rev. 9.1 2 And this must be Christ who is said to have the Keys of Hell and of death c Ch. 1.18 But what to do Even to open make way for the smoke of Errors and Wickedness to ascend as there it follows Likewise the Gentiles have Commission to trample upon the Church for so much the words will bear And the Holy City shall be trodden under foot for forty and two Moneths d Ch. 11.2 Nay it is said further That God hath put it into the hearts of the ten Kings to fulfil his will to agree and to give their kingdom unto the Beast until the Word of God shall befulfilled e Ch. 17.17 But some may object and say by his will is meant hating the Whore making war with her and making her desolate Though that be part of his will yet the other may aswel be his will and so taken here and agreeable to other Scriptures As God said unto Satan before the destruction of Ahab Thou shalt be a lying spirit and goe forth and do so thou shalt prevaile with him f 1 Ki. 22.22 So it ' s said That the dwellers of Jerusalem and their Rulers fulfilled the Scriptures that is Gods will in condemning Christ. g Act. 13.27 Consider then you that fear God if you are under any affliction or suffering whatsoever that it is God that is the efficient and first cause of it As the Church in the Lamentations said Though he meaning God causeth grief c. h La. 3.32 And it is he that formeth Light and createth darkenesse i Esa 45.7 and there is no evil in the City i. e. of affliction but he doth it k Am. 3.6 If your enemies hate you look upon it as Gods turning their hearts to hate you l as the Egyptians did the Israleites l Ps 105.25 If they curse you look upon it as David did on Shimei's cursing For the Lord saith David hath bidden him m Sam. 16.10 11. If robbed spoiled and reproached by them remember That it is the Lord that gave Jacob for a spoil and Israel to the Robbers n Es 42.24 and Jacob to the curse and Israel to reproach o 43.28 And if you be delivered up into the hands of your Enemies yet say as Job did God hath delivered me up to the ungodly and turned me over into the hands of the wicked p Jo. 16.11 And if they slay you yet know they are but Gods Instruments and hand therein q Ps 17.13 14. And therefore conclude and say to them as Joseph did to his Brethren As for you ye thought evil against me but God meant it unto good r Gen. 50.20 Object But doth not this as you say plead for the enemies of God and tend to strengthen their hand and give them incourgement to persecute the people of God so much the more Answ No more than the Prophet Elisha's saying unto Israel I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Ifrael ſ 2 Ki. 8.12 c. Give him ground to kill and slay as he did afterward or the words of Christ said of Judas One of you shall betray me tend to move him to betray Christ And though God may give up wicked men to their own hearts lusts t Ps 81.12 and suffer them to walk in their own waies and commit such wickednesse v Act. 14.16 and leave them to discover what is in them and give the Devil leave to delude and harden them as he did Ahabs Prophets and permit them as he did Pharoah to pursue the Israelites who threatned and resolved six things I will pursue I will overtake I will divide the spoyl my lust shall be satisfied upon them I will draw my sword my hand shall destroy them w Exo. 15.9 yet he could performe but one of them and God will turn the rage of man to his own praise and the remainder of wrath he will restrain x Ps 86.11 Consid 2 Secondly as we should consider that whatsoever is done is done by the will appointment of the Lord and therefore we should with the Prophets learn to be silent because he doth it †Psal 39.9 So we should also consider wherefore the Lord doth all this doubtlesse it is not without cause as God told Israel of old And they shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done to it y Eze. 14.23 If like self-justifying Judah you ask Wherefore the Lord our God hath done all these things unto us z Jer. 5.19 I may and oh that I could with tears mention it and that my blood were fit to write it answer with the same Prophet For the greatnesse of our iniquities a Cha. 13.22 But alas whose tongue can utter or whose pen can expresse the nature or number the greatnesse grievousnesse of the sins of the Professors nay of the choisest Christians of this age to whom it may be truly said as formerly to Jerusalem That they have multiplied their transgressions more then they b Ez. 16.51 i. e. then the Samaritans with whom the Jewes had no dealings c Joh. 4.9 And may not the Lord say to his people now as formerly Thou hast also taught the wicked ones thy wayes d Jer. 2.33 Nay may not the Saints of God generally cry out Woe to us we have sinned e Lam. 5.16 and transgressed like men Yea wo to us we have sinned such sins as unrighteous men could not sin against light and love assurance and experience after sealing and consolations Hath any generation since the Apostles daies had such powerful Preachers and plenty of Preachings as this
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 OR THE Bird in the Cage CHIRPING Four distinct Notes to his Conforts abroad I. Of Consideration Counsel and Consolation II. Some Experiences and Observations gathered in Affliction and first intended only for private use III. The Lamentations of Jeremiah in the ordinary measure of singing Psalms IV. A true Christians Spiritual Pilgrimage setting forth his afflicted and consolatory state in another Metre And as a Preface hereto an Epistle to the Welsh Churches and a brief Narrative of the former Propagation and late Restriction of the Gospel and the true Preachers and Professors thereof in WALES And a short Vindication of the Author and others from the Calumniation of their Advesaries concerning the same By VAVA POWELL Iob 29.16 The dayes of Affliction have taken hold on me Ion. 2.2 I cryed out of my Affliction to the Lord and he heard me Deut. 33.15 As they dayes so shall thy strength be Ier. 50.34 Their Redeemer is strong the Lord of Hosts is his Name he shall throughly plead their Cause London Printed for L. C. at the next shop to Popes-head Alley on the West-side in Cornhil 1661. V. P. A Servant of Iesus Christ and your Brother To the Churches of God and scattered Saints throughout all Wales GRACE Mercy Peace and Patience be unto you all from God our Father through Jesus Christ the Son of God and our Saviour Beloved Brethren Whom I love dearly remember dayly long for greatly pray for earnestly and praise God heartily To whom I could write with my purest blood and do send these lines from my very inwardest bowels my eyes even at the writing hereof pouring forth teares for you as God knowes partly out of endeared affection but chiefly out of tender consideration and compassion of your late and present sufferings especially some of you of which I am a sharer and with whom yea for whose sakes in part I now suffer and am ready if God count and make me worthy and able to lay down my life for so deserving a Lord as ours is and for so dear a People as you are to whom also I am a debtor though at present disabled to pay that Pittance lent me for your sakes Ps 3.8 marg That I swore the members of my Chur. against all Magistrates Ministers and went preaching sedition rebellion throw two Counties whereas I was a prisoner above 2 months before This is like the Accusation against Nehemiah Paul Neh. 6.6 Act. 24.4 5 13. yet many of you and the Lord himself do bear me witness that I was unwilling to be a slothful servant or to hide my Talent in a Napkin whilst I enjoyed my liberty but to exercise it among you labouring day and night in perits often and many waies meeting and encountring with great difficulties but most of al with self-discouragements and weakenesses some whereof were known to my Observers as David calls his enemies many to you my friends more to my self but all to God Who yet made use of me a nothing Creature in his hand among better and worthyer Instruments to call gather edify you at which work I would have still been had not some of our own Country men laid hands unjustly upon me also informed against me falsly †as you well know whether out of hatred to the truth I preached and professed or that they might offer me as a Peace-offering to the Prince they know for what and I could tell God will in due time discover Neverthelesse I desire to pitty them pray for them and willingly to pardon the wrongs they have done to me and though I cannot say I am so transported with affection Rom. 9.2 3. and zeal as Paul to wish my self accursed from Christ for their sakes Yet I am perswaded I could be contented with Jonas to be cast into the Sea for the pacifying of Gods wrath towards them or their fury towards you But my faithful Fellow-travellers let us not be troubled that the winde now blowes in our faces or that like Lazarus we receive our evil things in this world Lu. 16.15 knowing that there is no Hell to the Saints but what they have in this present life and that to live persecuted and to die sainted are commonly inseparable and therefore as our Lord and his Apostle exhorted Rev. 2.10 1 Thes 3.3 Heb. 10.32 1 Pet. 4.12 Fear none of those things which you shall suffer Neither be moved by these afflictions nor count them strange for some of you when you were first illuminated endured afflictions and others of you who are Summer-converts were told that you must suffer it being the high-way and shortest cut to Heaven Consider then if all your way be fair and smooth what cause you have to question it and if any of you have the favour and friendship of the world let such a one suspect himself to be one of it Jo. 15.19 for the world will love only it 's own A day of close discovery and through tryal is come or coming upon us and the leaves of profession are like to hide hypocricy no longer Mat. 13.20 21 22. and 25 8 9. you know the stony and thorny ground were not discovered untill the time of temptation nor the foolish Virgins discerned till the very coming of Christ Judas was neither suspected nor did probably at all doubt himself till within few hours of his death Copper-coin may lie in the bag with gold and silver but when it comes to the Touch-stone it is found reprobate and Alcomy as some say will bear six fires but not the seventh The words therefore of Christ Luk. 21.8 Heb. 4.1 Take heed that ye be not deceived and of the Apostle Take heed least any of you seem to come short of the promise are very seasonable And never more need then now of Self-suspition Self-examination and self-searching whether we be in the Faith and Christ be in us yea or no What we build upon and whether we can stand before the Son of Man at his appearing Sincerity alwaies surpassed gifts and all flourishes of Religion in the sight of God and that will be of greatest request among good Men henceforth for the drosse must be taken away to make a vessel for the Refiner Pro. 25.4 and it 's to be feared when the Churches are searched they will be found like Sardis to have but a few names that keep their garments undefiled and all those that came in as self-seekers will steal out again to save themselves which is indeed the only way to lose themselves yet the foundation of God standeth sure Mat. 10.39 2 Tim. 2. 19 Pro. 10.25 Esa 4.5 Psa 33.11 Heb. 7.24 Psa 89.28 Esa 54.10 Jer. 32.40 and 33.20 25. and no member though never so mean or il-formed if it be of and in the body and really united to the Head shall be cut off but all that are living stones shall continue in the building and upon the
a command from a greater than Augustus even from God to do it though indeed the Heathens granted more liberty than professing Christians do now for then a man might not be judged before he was examined u Act. 28.18 nor committed without first signifying the crimes laid against him w Act. 25.27 The Romans gave liberty for Paul to goe to his friends and his friends to Minister and to come unto him x Ch. 24. 23 27. 3. In those daies a poor Prisoner might hire a house and a persecuted Preacher and Prisoner as Paul was had liberty to preach the Kingdome of God and teach the things which concerned the Lord Jesus Christ with confidence no man forbidding y Ch. 28. 30. 31. And for the poor people that had not the Law to do more than those that have both Law and Gospel is to them a praise and to us a shame Consid 8 Consider what frame of spirit you now have being under sufferings for God calls for expects that his peoples spirits and the frame of their hearts should correspond with their Conditions as we find frequently in the Scriptures If then that is in their captivity their uncircumcised hearts be humbled and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity Then will I remember saith the Lord my Covenant z Lev. 26.41 42. c. Mark what kind of spirit God requires to be in his people in the time of their Affliction namely a Humble Meek and Patient Spirit a Spirit offended neither at God nor men nor the Affliction it self but only at themselves also justifying God as Ezra did Thou hast punished us less than our iniquities have deserved a Ezr. 9.13 see Job 11.6 And David When thou with rebuke dost correct men for iniquity b Psa 39.11 and judging themselves c 1 Cor. 11.31 and becoming more guilty in their own eyes as God said by the Prophet I will goe to my place till they be guilty d Hos 5.15 marg And say as Job said If I be righteous yet will I not lift up my head I am full of confusion therefore see thou my affliction e Job 10.15 As if Job had said Oh Lord my work is to behold Sin and be sensible of my confusion but thine is to take notice of my affliction and to shew compassion Or as Nehemiah pray'd Spare me according to the greatness or multitude of thy mercy f Neh. 13.22 And Christians work in afflicton is to be weeping mourning sorrowing afflicting humbling searching cleansing and fearing themselves and trembling at Gods Judgements and soaking in the suds of true repentance sighing and being greatly ashamed deeply afflicted and self-miserable g Jam. 4.9 lifting up their voice earnestly unto the Lord like people that have their houses and Beds on fire crying out what shall we do or like people in a great flood every one sticking close to one another seeking to help each other through And bringing old sins yea our own rather than others to remembrance as there was under the Law an offering of memorial bringing iniquity to remembrance h Num. 5.15 we should now like Joseph's brethren remember our old iniquities and fall down to the ground and say as Judah said What shall I say unto my Lord what shall we speak how shall we clear our selves God hath found out our iniquities i Gen. 44.16 Christans work in time of affliction is not to be jarring one with another upbraiding each other with former miscarriages though they may in love and meeknesse admonish and mind one another thereof or to stand upon their tiptoes plead their own innocency for who can say his heart is clean or strive about controversal truths as those two Martyrs in Q. M. days that strove in the Bishops house about Infant Baptism which the Bishop soon decided by comitting them both to Prison and soon after to the Fire Neither is this a time to fret or as the Hebrew word signifies Thunder against our enemies as good Hannah did against her adversary that did sore provoke her k 1 Sa. 1.6 nor yet to cry as Micha did after his Idols Ye have taken away my Gods l Jud. 18.23 when the things of this World are taken away from us much less to goe on in sin or to trespass more and more m 2 Chr. 28.23 as wicked Ahaz did or as Israel did sin from Canaan to Caldea n Eze. 16.29 under affliction and so add more fuel to the fire to augment the fierce anger of the Lord o Num. 32.14 but rather let every one turn speedily from his Sins p 1 Ki. 8.35 and if there be iniquity in his heart hand or house to put it far q Job 11.14 22. and for ever away as Jacob did cause his houshold to do when he was in danger of the Canaanites and Perizites r Gen. 35.2 that God may according to his promise return to his people in mercy Å¿ 2 Chr. 30.6 from the fiercenesse of his anger which they have so greatly kindled Consid 9 Christians should also consider their Waies and their Works as well as the frame of their spirits For Gods eyes are upon the waies of man and he seeth all his goings t Job 34.21 and weigheth all his Actions u 1 Sam. 2.3 when the people of God were going or gone into Captivity one main duty which they were called to perform was to search and try their waies w Lam. 3.40 Another Prophet also most solemnly and twice in one Chapter tells the people from God when they were careless and minding their own concernes and things That that was the time for them to consider or set their hearts on their waies x Hag. 1.5.7 Oh that every one of us would consider the secret and hidden waies of our hearts for such there are y Ecl. 11.9 for our spirits and our thoughts desires and affections may be travelling in by-paths or going and hunting after some sinfull prey as the hounds in the night some after pleasure and fleshly z Eze. 6.9 lusts others after covetousness and the things of the World as it is said of some that their eyes and hearts are not but for their Covetousness a Jer. 22.17 and exercised with covetous practices b 2 Pet. 2.14 other mens hearts lifted up to destruction and others melting c Josh 14.8 failing for fear of men d Esa 7.2 of the things that are coming upon the Earth e Lu. 21.26 And as there are the waies of the heart so there are the waies and the walkings of the outward man to be considered whether pure or impure whether above or beneath whether crooked or streight whether forward or backward or sideward whether the old way of Saints or the old way of sinners for there are both f Jer.
he doth it to prove and try them Deu. 8.2 2 Chr. 32.31 He repents him for afflicting them Deu. 32.36 Ps 135.14 He feeds fans and purifies them by afflictions Mich. 6.14 Esa 1 25 27 9. Heb. 12.10 he then remembers them and the Covenant he made with them most of all Psa 136.23 Ne 9.17 he is not ashamed then to own them for his people He. 11.16 he shewes them mercy purposely that their enemies may shew them mercy Jer. 42.12 1 Ki. 8.5 he will throughly plead their cause against their enemies Je. 50.34 51.3 and he stretches his hand against the wrath of their enemies and restrains it Ps 138.7 86.11 rescues them out of their hands when they think they hold them fastest Je. 50.33 34. And he saith he will cut off their enemies before their faces and they shall no more oppress them but they shall fee their fall Ps 58.8 9 10 11. Es 17.19 Je. 46.18 Pr. 29.16 and they themselves shall be in due time perfectly delivered Ps 37.4 Pr. 12 13 Je. 24.7 1 Coe 10.13 And God will yet set his Son upon his holy hill and Kingdom in despite of his enemies Ps 2.6 Es 9.6 and if any wil detain Gods Ark the Church they will have cause to say as the Philistines did woe to us 1 Sam. 4.7 Let all therefore that fear God love Christ and wish well to Zion say with Jeremiah so be it O Lord Jer. 11.5 Some Scriptural Observations Spiritual Experiences pithy Sentences and plain Comparisons tending to Edification IN the first Creation The Old and New Creation compared God created the matter and substance of the Creation first and afterwards divided and formed the same So in the second or New Creation or in the work of Regeneration Gen. 1.2 so called 2 Cor. 5.17 Gal. 6.15 Ephes 2.10 first God createth Principles or infuseth the habits of Grace so called into men when there is none Phil. 2.12 Act. 9.4 5. and then distinguisheth and divideth the same 2. In the distinction between the parts and Works of the first Creation Ver. 4. some are higher and some lower as the Firmament higher than the Earth So some part of the work of Grace is in the supernal or uppermost room of the Soul that most stately building of God the Understanding in which is placed true Light and Knowledge and in the Will the Wine-Celler of God is seated Obedience 1 John 5.20 2 Cor. 10.5 3. Between these two are placed the Affections some whereof as Joy Love Desire and Hope are like the VVaters above the Firmament V. 7. and the other as Sorrow Grief and Hatred like the Waters below the Firmament 4. In the first Creation God's Spirit moved upon the Waters V. 2. So in the second Creation the Spirit convinceth quicknetâ— sanctifieth c. Jo. 16.8 6.63 1 Pet. 1. â— 5. In the first Creation V. 3 6 9.20 26. God by his Command and Word made all things so by his Word God works Regeneration and Grace in the Soul John 4.41 and 6.63 1 Pet. 1.23 Jam. 1.18 Psal 19.7 6. In the order of the first Creation or rather Formation V. 3. Division or Distinction God created and formed Light so in the order of Regeneration God first creates Light and Knowledge 2 Cor. 4.6 Acts 26.15 18. 2 Cor. 3.16 Heb. 8.10 7. In the first Creation the Lights as the Sun Moon and Stars were appointed to divide V. 14 16. and distinguish the day from the night So in the second Creation or Regeneration Jesus Christ his Spirit and Graces do distinguish Believers from Unbelievers and between themselves in the state of believing and regeneracy and the state of unbelief and unregeneracy in which they were in before Rom. 8.10 11. Eph. 2.12 13. and 5.8 1 Thess 5.5 1 Pet. 2.10 1 Joh. 3.4 8. In order the Evening Ver. 5 13 19 c. or time of darkness and disconsolation is before the morning or day of comsort and consolation set down in the first Creation So is the darkness sorrow fear trouble bondage doubts and disconsolations of a Christian first in his Conversion or his whole time in this Life is the evening of that Eternal Day they are to live with Christ in Heaven See Prov. 4.18 Psal 88.6 Isa 50.10 1 Cor. 13.9 1 John 3.2 9. In the first Creation the Trees V. 12. and so doubtless the Herbs had their Seed in them which brought forth fruit So the Trees and Herbs of Grace true Believers and Regenerate Persons have the seed of the Spirit the Word of God and his Grace in them which is the cause of their bearing spiritual fruit 1 Joh. 3.9 Mat. 13.23 2 Pet. 1.4 10. VVhen God in the first Creation had made the Creatures V. 21 25 c. he saw them all good So when God hath wrought the second Creation or work of Sanctification in the hearts of men he sees them good and not before Psal 37.23 Rom. 5.7 11. In the first Creation God made Man after his own Image that is in soveraignty over the Creatures or like the Father Son and Spirit that is consisting of spirit soul and body 1 Thess 5.23 So in the second Creation or Regeneration God doth create Men after his own Image in Knowledge Righteousness true Holiness and Love Col. 3.10 Eph. 4.24 1 Joh. 4.17 18. 12. In the first Creation God made some Creatures one day V. 5 13 19 c. and some another till He had finished the whole So God he makes some new creatures one day and some another and some in one Age and some in another till He hath converted his whole Elect and Redeemed number 13. In the first Creation V. 27. God created the Woman in the Man and then out of the Man and for the Man So in the Restitution of Man and Ch. 2.18 21 c. the Church of God is chosen in Christ and made holy by his Holiness and for his Glory Ephes 1.4 and 3.9 Ezek. 16.14 Hos 3.3 1 Pet. 2.9 14. VVhen God made the Creatures at first he commanded them to multiply and accordingly they did So when God works Grace in the hearts of his People he commands that they grow in grace and they do so 2 Pet. 3.18 Psal 84.7 and 92.12 13 14. Lastly VVhen the Lord had ended the work of Creation he rested Ch. 22.3 and the Sabbath begun So when the Lord hath finished the work of converting all his People then the Eternal Rest and Raign of the Saints will begin Matth. 13.48 49. Mark 13.20 27. Saints should fear every Sin but no Sufferings Psal 4.4 Revel 2.10 There is a guilt that Saints may communicate to others and contract from others both to be removed by new acts of Faith and Repentance It is a great ease to and unburthening of the Soul to confess Sin sensibly humbly brokenly and with hatred to it It is the property of a true Christian
to justifie God and to judge himself under the greatest Afflictions Christ and Sin are most magnified in the eyes of Believers in their Affliction but in a different manner and to a different end and then Christ is most desired and Sin most despised It is the duty of a Christian to suspect and search himself when he doth not know evil by himself It is and should be the care of a Christian not to suffer for Sin nor sin in suffering Account the least spiritual thing better than the greatest and best outward and temporal things There is no real bondage but what is either from or for Sin Christians will sooner overcome their outward Enemies by praying for them than by praying against them Bad times well improved are far better than good times not redeemed or mis-spent The heaviest afflictions on Earth are but light in comparison of Christ's sufferings Sins deserts or the punishment of the Wicked in Hell Let not Christians by their own prudence think to prevent Afflictions for they cannot avoid them 1 Thess 3.3 2 Tim. 3.12 The World's Jury may find Christians guilty but God can forbear pronouncing the Sentence or reprieve and pardon the Condemned Shut thy eyes from beholding thy ears from hearing and thy heart from entertaining Sin He hath a good command over his spirit that can stop it when moved with passion over his Affections when they are under sail and over his Tongue that can silence it when he will Compar All Christians must be brought into the fire before they will be brought to close for it is impossible to joyn cold pieces or one cold and another hot Compar As the Iron when it looks red in the fire seems to a looker on to be fit for the work-man to work it yet the workman may put it into the fire again and adde coals to heat it more So may the Lord do with his suffering People when they and others may think they have suffered enough yet God that knows best may not think so In the way to Heaven there are three narrow and hard passages the entrance into the new birth herein a man must leave behind him sinful self the entrance into assurance therein a man must leave and deny religious self that is look off his own evidences and lastly the gate of death then a man must part with natural self religious self and sinful self The two first I have experienced the last I expect He that is willing to part with his dearest Lust will be willing to part with his dear Life also If a Christian be made free to lay down his Life for Christ or his Cause yet let him sell or lose it at as dear a rate as he can for Christ A Christian will have but little comfort to suffer for that which is but a Notion in his head and not a setled Truth in his heart Yet ☞ Note that the lesser the Truths are which Christians do suffer for if rightly the more their love doth appear to Christ therein God's Minnums or least things are better than the World's Mountains or greatest things The Saints are to bear a three-fold Testimony to and for Christ and his Truths Breath-testimony Life-testimony and Bloodtestimony Speaking words maintaining Opinions and the outward performing of Duties and partaking of Ordinances are but the least things in Religion Affections Parts or Applause from the World or from Christians are very dangerous and not to be trusted in I never trusted Christ but I found him faithful nor my own heart but I found it false In looking upon the Scriptures and good men I did learn oft to know what I should be but I found it hard to be what I knew I ought to be From the first change wrought in a true Christian he may fear and suspect himself to be a Hypocrite but he never intends to be never approves of being a Hypocrite nor never countenances himself in Hypocrisie Let God's hiding thy infirmities and secret sins from thy Enemies make thee the freer and willinger to confess them unto him Learn to know Sin disallow of it dispise it overcome it inwardly and to put it from thee to fear its return and to be more estranged towards it more watchful to avoid Temptations and wise to shun Occasions that lead to it The strength of all Corruptions sometimes appears in one and do but overcome your Master-sin and you overcome all The power and strength of Corruption is but seldom known to wit when Temptations Opportunities and Occasions of Tryal come The best way to keep from Sin is to set God in his Power Purity and Glory still before our eyes to fear our selves to keep near to Christ to fast and pray privatly to engage other Saints for our help to cherish the holy Spirit to keep up constant practice of Holiness to provide contrary means against it to resolve strongly to withstand it to eye God's Promises Commands and Threatnings to withstand the first occasions to reason it off at a distance to believe it away when it comes near to avoid all occasione thereof When you would repent for some secret sins you have committed it is better and safer sometimes to do it in a general way than to think and speak of the same particularly for Satan and Sin will be ready to step in when they know we are attempting any thing against them It is advantagious for a Christian to disclose Satan's secrets to God and to his People but to keep his own secrets from him as much as he can That soul doth soon grow empty that is alwayes letting out but not carefull to lay in It is not for one that hath but little Grace and particularly knowledge to be too forward among more able and knowing Christians for then is his time to learn Christians should not be to learn their Duties when they should be doing them nor doing them when they should be suffering for them Com. Take heed Professors lest you be alwayes wooing Christ and yet never married to him Of being Concubines and not Queens Cant. 6.8 Com. Be not as the untilled ground bearing grass for the beasts of your Lusts but be like the Field or Garden bringing forth fruit for the Husbandman and Dresser Com. Be not as the Rock or Stone-wall which have savoury medicinable Herbs growing thereon for others but the Rock and Wall themselves never the better for them Having gifts to edifie others but your own hearts never the better Sin to a man before his Conversion is like cold Iron which he can hold in his hand without trouble Com. but after Conversion Sin heated by the fire of the Law is like hot Iron which a man will willingly cast away Lay in lay up and lay out for Christ Remember that you will shortly reach Immortality but never Eternity Make Christ your All and you will be sure to lay down your self All. ☞ Com. Keeping from Sin is Soul-Preservative-Physick Repentance for
Profession and Practice of him Persecution Clear knowledge of Christ in the understanding begets fervent love in the heart and both Godliness in the life When a man is imprisoned and shut up from men he is the more shut up with God Account it not restraint as long as thy heart can goe out towards God and his people and waies in affection and Prayer Retiredness and close imprisonment drives a man to hold closer Communion with God and to a stricter Search of himself I would be glad to be out of the World when I have no Service to do for God in it He that would live for himself only or chiefly in the world is not worthy to live a day in it If I may not have Liberty to serve Christ I would have the Glory to Suffer for Christ Never fear Death but when sin is in the way to it either as a cloud hiding thy assurance or as a provoking Cause pulling death as a punishment upon thee Com. I would not have God pluck me to heaven in Anger As a master seeing his Servant sleepy or sloathful turns him out of the field and from his work to sleep and take his rest at home I would willingly work for Christ to eternity if I could without asking any more wages then I had already and skill power and delight to do his work If an Earthly Jubilee or outward deliverance come to Gods people whilst thou live here be rosolved to give both thy Ears to be bor'd through and to abide with him and return no more to sin or the world Never reckon what thou hast of outward and wordly things unless it be to Praise God for them or to Serve God better with them Compar Take heed that preparatory meditation to prayer doth not prevent Prayer it self or put you beside Prayer Secret Prayer is either a familiar Speaking to God and with God or a pouring out of the heart before God through his Son our Saviour by his Spirit Sometimes ejaculations or short and suddain Pantings and breathings out of desires to God may be more acceptable to him and prevailing with him then long prayers One of the three Radicall sins spoken of in 1 Joh. 2.16 is every man's master-sin My strongest greatest and most fervent frequent desires were to be found in Christs reghteousness to convert sinners to be Holy in all manner of Conversation and to have my lot and living among and with the people and Saints of God There may be great difference between the temper of a Christian one time and another yea in the excercising of his gifts in Praying Preaching c. I often found my heart in dayes of humiliation more affected and melted by the Prayers of weaker then stronger Brethren And likewise observ'd that sometimes in matters of counsel and advice in the Church God hath given out his minde more clearly and convincingly by such as were less esteemed in the Church then those that were most esteemed Even as the hindermost Hound hits upon the Scent when all the pack besides lose it True Godliness and Hypocrysie are best discern'd in turnings and changes either when they change their conditions by Marriages or are exalted to offices or when new opinions begin to grow Com. Mark when you see a Professor that hath been careful to walk with other Christians and to follow the Ordinances of God constantly and closely if he begin to lagge behind and to with-draw he is surely under some sore temptation or hath faln into under some sin or which is worse may be dangerously suspected for a Hypocrite The like of one that hath been very confident and cheerful and is grown doubtful and sad Com. As the sappyest wood will hardlyest take fire so the Spiritualest Christian is hardlyest overcome with temptation and corruption 1 do not remember that ever fear and threatning did as mnch prevail with me as love and kindness or that I did atempt to overcome any man so much by might and cruelty as by perswasion and mercy I never repented me since my Conversion of any thing I said did or suffered for Christ or for walking in his way of joyning with his people nor resolved to goe on in any sin or turn back from the way of God or aside from the Commandements of God or to leave Church-Society One sin hath cost me more Sorrow then all my Sufferings It is happy to dye in the Lord and honourable to dye for the Lord. A Prison or persecution is to a Christian as some scaring thing that one sees in the night at a distance but when he comes near it and to know it he is not at all afraid of it Com. A man should hold sin as one would hold a hot-iron ready to fling it out of his hand but hold the Gospel and his Profession as a man would hold a Silver-cup that hath dainty meat in it which though it be hot yet he will not let it fall or like a glass that hath wine in it which a man will not willingly let slip out of his hand Com. Seek to find out your own Errors before another find them out and to write your own Errata's Com. It is now with all or most Christians as with men that had been at a very great and full feast who have Surfeited thereby and are stomack-sick and willing rather then to continue so to take a vomit and cast up all to the dogges so Christians had rather cast up all the sweet Morsels and mamocks of worldly things which they have swallowed down to the wicked againe then have them lye as guilts upon their Consciences or blocks between their Souls and Christ The Kings of the earth will ere long be Fanaticks that is wise fools and see their folly and madness in joyning with the Beast against the Lambe But first the Lamb must give one sound overthrow and fall to the Beast Rev. 17.14 16. When the Lord is trying his People they should be trying themselves I never remembered that I had such a hard thought of God as to think he did wrong me in or by any thing he layd upon me Com. Christians should not desire deliverance before the time appointed for that is as if a woman should desire to have her child born before the full and due time Com. Some mercies are big-belly'd mercies that have many mercies in their wombes as Election Redemption c. Com. Election is like the conception Redemption like the quickning in the womb Conversion like the birth and Perseverance in holiness like growth Com. A man that goes up stairs step by step may come to the Top at last as well as he that strides two or three steps of the stairs at once so a soft-pac'd Christian by continuance and perseverance will reach heaven at last It is a commendable thing in a Traveller so to travel in the mornning as to continue or mend his pace in the Evenning Soe for a Christian to run faster the
all his works in and for God Joh. 3.21 Rom. 6.10.1 Cor. 10.31 4. To bring his will to submit to the will of God in every thing Mark 26.42 Heb. 10.7 Take heed of sinning presumptuously i.e. 1. Knowingly Luke 12.47 Heb. 6.4 6.2 Pet. 2.20 2. Willingly and wilfully Hos 5.11 Heb. 10.26 3. By contemning the Law and Love of God Prov. 3.13 Rom. 2.4 4. By flighting Jesus Christ's Person Power and his Blood Mat. 12.24 Luke 19.14 Heb. 10.29 5. By blaspheming and doing despight to the Spirit of God Luke 11.15 Heb. 10.29 6. By falling into the hands of God without Christ and true Sanctification Heb. 10.29 Com. A Christian in Affliction if he understand not what God intends thereby should believe God intends not to hurt him As a Wife or a Child that a Husband or Father brings into a Wood or Water ☜ yet they are confident it is not to hang or drown them It is a sign that People do not repent when they grow worse Rev. 16.9 11. A passionate and troubled spirit is like a little Pryll of Water which every showre of Rain or Beast that passes thorow doth change the colour of it and make muddy Quick Onsets and Endeavours to Reform are far better than many Purposes and Resolutions It should trouble a Christian much to have such Graces which he receives from God beget so little good in him Oh my soul will neither great Love great Mercy great Forbearance great Intreaty nor great Wages prevail with thee to serve Christ freer and better A deep sence of sin begets deep sorrow for sin and true sorrow for sin leads to wel-grounded Faith from hence flows inward Peace Joy and Holiness The Lord would soon turn from his Wrath if men were turned from their Wickedness A Christian is not only to be contented with any condition but he is to be religiously contented or in a religious manner not as a meer man and to see that the least things he hath more than he deserves and the worst things that he endures yet sweetned and sanctified to him Com. As a Husbandman when great Rain comes unyoaks his Oxen and turns them home where they are feeding and gathering new strength to work again So God doth his Children in time of Affliction and Persecution Com. A Christians time of Affliction is like to a Womans washing or scouring day when the Cloaths or Vessels are all out of order but it is in order to set them in a better frame speedily Of all men a Christian may be freer to lose or to part with any thing than another man for he loses nothing but either what is hurtful to him to wit his sins or what he shall regain and recover of a better sort and in a more abundant degree As if he lose a small temporal ESTATE he hath in reversion an Eternal INHERITANCE If he lays down a body that is full of Corruption he shall have another free from Corruption and therfore he may say better than the Heathen could What I keep I lose and what I give or lay out I save The Lord hath I am perswaded done more by the Afflictions which he hath lately brought upon his People than either was done or like to be done by any other wayes or means Viz. 1. He hath driven his People more together and made them more one * Vnio in Larine signifies Vnion or a Pearl Oneness among Saints is a Pearl of great value 2. He hath separated more between them and the World like winnowing drives the Chaff further from the Wheat 3. He hath convinced them more of their miscarriages both towards him and toward one another 4. He hath made them to know persons and things better 5. To prize Spiritual Priviledges and Ordinances more Such a fulness as Christians had of Ordinances made them despise them like the Israelites the Manna 6. To experience their own weakness of Faith together with their great misbelief by checking the over-much Confidence of his Saints 7. To cry more earnestly to him and wait more constantly on him 8. They are unloaded and much discharged of the burden of the World A Christian should take heed lest he be giving way to his heart to steal out now and then to sin and get some sweet-bits thereof between Duties He should be careful also to fence that Gap most by which the strongest Temptations do enter oftenest in There will be a reviving of old sins if there be not effectual Repentance for them and a care by Faith through all Duties and Ordinances to get new strength against them and a constant watch kept over them When God makes the World too hot for his People to hold then they will let it go A Christian comes not to know the weakness of his Grace till the Spirit ceases to work in and by it nor the power of his Corruption till Satan works therein by his Temptation A Christian's flesh shonld keep from the shew and his Conscience from the guilt of Sin Sin 's best is before but its worst is behind and the sting and tayl of it longer than it self Where Sin is not killed it will kill Sin was condemned by Christ to save the sinner Rom. 8.3 Oh then let not the Sinner seek to save the Sin to condemn Christ again As the natural Sun the nearer it is to us and the more direct over us the less shadow it casteth So Christ the nearer he is to us the less Darkness and Sin we have Christians should account restraints from Sin great Mercies to them but Recoveries out of Sin with advatage greater Sin hath no mother but a man's heart nor father but Satan Sin draws the Soul into it either by power of policy by force or by fraud Christians should not give offence carelesly nor take offence causelesly Fear thy Friends more than thy Foes thy Sins more than thy Sufferings and Liberty more than Bondage Some Christians have four Thorns that grieve them a Thorn of Affliction from God a Thorn of Persecution from men and a Thorn of Temptation from Satan and of Corruption in themselves which is the worst and that which should trouble them most Though a man may be bled in time of self-ostentation both by God and men by God in Affliction and by men through Persecution Reproaches c. yet that Vein is apt to fill up still Christians should desire to be handfasted and heart-tied to the Lord and to be strong in Faith on Christ Love to him and Resolution for him Self-loathing destroyes self-love much and the more we loath our selves the better we love others Christians should not envy the patience of God towards their Enemies for it is nothing in comparison of what grace he shews to them If Affliction doth us good we should not desire to be free from it till it does us more good much less if it hath not done us any good at all The reason why men do not more magnifie GOD's Grace
temptation God hath heard me and frightned away the Temptation The wonderful work of God is much seen in preserving the Saints from the worship of the Beast Rev. 15.2 3. Be sure to praise God when you receive power agaist Sin and Temptation and you shall be sure to find God ready to give you power another time when you want it When thou art talking with thy Eenemy be sure to have thy eye upon his Sword and thy hand upon thy own watch how Satan or Sin intends to overcome you and how you may best disadvantage them Be still imployed in doing good and you shall not be much tempted or troubled with Evil. Some Christians have more trouble from and for temptation and Sin in one day than they have for suffering many Months Though a Christian should not adventure or dare to do or commit the least evil to gain the greatest good yet sometimes God makes some sin to do more good to a true Saint than many Ordinances and services Com. As a man that hath had great Plague-sores after they have been broken and healed the party becomes more healthy many years after or as some of the Physicians say the strongest poyson as Opium if it can be mastered and corrected it becomes the most Soveraign Physick But no other Physician but Christ can make Sin work good to the Godly as that expression of the Apostle Rom. 8.28 All things work together for good Perkins in his Case of Cons is judged by many Interpreters to comprehend Sin in it as well as suffering as the same words All things are taken in other Scriptures Act. 13.39 Eph. 5.13 And some say that the drinking of the wine wherein the Viper which is one of if not the most poysonful Creature hath been drowned will cure the Leprosy But this Viperous Poyson Sin is warily to be thought on and understood and 't is as when a Husband-man sees a Mole spoyling his ground he is moved the rather to turn water over it which is a means to kill and drown many more So a true Christian sometimes at the sight or sence of one corruption maketh search for and finds out many which puts him more earnestly to wrestle with God for more of his Spirit Power and grace against them all A Hypocrite knowes more than he is willing to do but a true Saint desires to do what he knows and to know more that he may do more and better The liberty of a Saint is not to be indifferent to do this or that but to be free in things that are excellent The actual sins of Men do not so much offend Christ as that they will not have him to be their Saviour Some means to help on Assurance and Holiness 1. Labour after a clearer knowledge of the Covenant of Grace and Testament of Christ as what Christ hath done and suffered for whom and upon what conditions men come to partake thereof 2. Consider these two works of Holiness and Assurance to be the proper works of the Spirit of God and therefore is called the Spirit of Holiness and of Grace because it doth sanctify and Seal the people of God Rom. 1.7 Zach. 12.10 2 Thes 2.13 Ephes 4.30 3. The Soul is to be perfectly off from beholding or depending upon any thing in self or done by self Esa 64.6 2 Cor. 1.9 Rev. 3.17 When the spirit of God seals our Souls as witnesses we do believe and are Gods Children Eph. 1.13 Rom. 8.16 there will be none of our own Signs or qualifications seen but like the Stars they will disappear when the Sun shines yet are still Stars and fixed so are Graces in believers 4. Be diligent in praying for Assurance and in using other means epsecially self-examination Heb. 6.12 2 Cor. 13.5 5. Take heed of all Sins for they put back the Soul both in beleiving and holiness Psal 51.8 11. Luke 22.31 32. 6. Give not way to hard thoughts of God neither entertain that principle of falling from Grace which cannot possibly consist with Assurance See Esa 63.16 and 64.8 Jer. 3.19 and 32.40 Phil. 1.6 Rom. 8.35 36. 7. Look narrowly to your Hearts Tongues Steps and Waies and keep a Diary of Gods dealings and your own walkings Prov. 4.23 Psal 24.25 26. Heb. 12.13 8. Exercise Repentance constantly upon every slip and fall into sin confess them mourn for them be ashamed and humbled for them and labour to hate them and loath your selves for them Lev. 26.40 41. Psal 32.15 Jer. 3.21 Ezek. 7.19 2 Cor. 7.11 Jam. 4.8 9. Eze. 20.43 THE Lamentations OF JEREMIAH IN MEETER CHAP. I. HOw doth the City sit alone that full of People was How is she become a widdow she that was great alas Among the Nations and Princess in Power and Glory Among the Provinces Is she become Tributary 2 She weepth now sore in the night and on her checks are teares She hath none for to comfort her among all her Lovers All her Friends have dealt treach'rously with her and now they are Become her real Enemies she could not them beware 3 Judah is gone into Bondage because of Affliction For their greatness of Servitude how sad is dear Zion She dwelleth among the Heathen she finds no rest but waits Her Persecutors overtake her between the sore straits 4 The ways of Zion do mourn much because none come of late Unto the solemn Feasts but all her Gates are desolate Her Priests do sigh her Virgins are afflicted too no less And she Jerusalem her self is in great bitterness 5 Her Adversaries are the chief her Enemies prosper Because the Lord himself for sins hath so afflicted her For her many Transgressions into Captivity Her little children are now gone before the Enemy 6 And from the Daughter of Zion all her beauty departs Her Princes have lost their Courage and are become like Harts That find no pasture any where and they are gone fainty Without strength before the face of the Pursuer they be 7 Jerusalem minded in the days of her Affliction And of her Miseries all her pleasant things that are gone That she had in the dayes of old when her People did fall * Dutch Transt By the hand of the Enemy and none help'd her at all The Adversaries look on her and at her Sabbaths mock'd 8 Jerusalem sin'd grievously therefore she is remov'd All that did honour her before hate her and not regard Because they saw her nakedness she sighs and turns backward 9 Her filthiness is in her skirts she her last end not minds Therefore she came down wonderfully no comforter she finds O Lord behold my affliction for the proud enemy Against thee and against me Lord himself doth magnifie 10 The adversary hath spread out his hand on all strongly Her pleasant things for she hath seen into the Sanctuary The heathen entred whom thou didst command that there should none Of them at all enter into thy Congregation 11 All her People do sadly sigh they seek bread
but in vain They gave their pleasant things for meat to bring their souls again See O Lord and consider me for vile I yet remain 12 Oh is it nothing unto you all ye that do passe by Behold and see if that there be any sorrow like my Sorrow which is done unto me wherewith the Lord now hath Afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger and wrath 13 Fire from above into my bones in justice he hath sent And it prevaileth against them by which my strength is spent For my feet he hath spread a net he back hath turned me Yea he hath made me desolate and all the day fainty 14 The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his own hand They are wreathed and are come up on my neck as a band He hath made my strength for to fail the Lord delivered me Into their hands from whom I now cannot rise or get free 15 The Lord hath trodden under foot all my men once mighty And in the midst of me he hath called an assembly Aganst me to crush my young men the Lord trod the Virgin The comely daughter of Judah in a wine-press for sin 16 For these things do I weep mine eye mine eye pours water down Because the Comforter that should relieve my Soul and own Is far from me and my children are desolate you see Because the Enemy hath so prevailed over me 17 Sad Zion spreadeth forth her hands to comfort her there 's none The Lord commanded concerning Jacob and his Zion That his Enemies should surround him yea Jerusalem Is as a menstruous woman now abiding among them 18 The Lord is wonderful righteous for I rebelled have Against his just commandment for all this he can save Hear I pray you all People then and this my sorrow see My maids and my young men are gone into Captivity 19 I called unto my Lovers but they deceived me My Priests and my Elders gave up the ghost in the City While they sought their meat that their souls therewith reliev'd might be 20 Behold O Lord for I am in grievous distress and woe My bowels are troubled mine heart is turn'd within me too Because I have most grievously rebelled this is come Abroad the Sword bereaveth much there is like Death at home 21 They my foes have heard that I sigh there 's none to comfort me Yea all mine Enemies have heard of this my misery They are glad that thou hast done it thou yet the day wilt bring That thou hast call'd and they shall be like unto me suffering 22 Let all their wickedness O Lord in time come before thee And do unto them according as thou hast done to me Because of all my transgressions committed against thee For my sighs are many for sins and my heart is fainty CHAP. II. HOw hath the glorious Lord cover'd the daughter of Zion With a thick cloud in his anger and from Heaven cast down Unto the earth the lowest state Israels whole beauty And forgot his foot-stool in the day that he was angry 2 The Lord hath swallowed up all the inhabitants well known Of Jacob and hath not piti'd in his wrath he threw down The daughters of Judah's strong holds he brought down to the ground He hath polluted the kingdom and her Princes once crownd 3 In his fierce anger he cut off Israels horn fully He hath drawn back his right hand from before the enemy And he is grievously incens'd against Jacob with ire Which round about sorely devour'd like to a flaming fire 4 He also bent his mighty bow like as an enemy He likewise stood with his right hand ev'n as an adversary And slew all things that did appear pleasant unto the eye In Zions daughters tent like fire he pour'd out his fury 5 The Lord was as an enemy he Israel swallowed And all her stately Pallaces he hath quite devoured He hath destroyed his strong holds and hath increased in The daughters of Judah's mourning and sorrow for her sin 6 And his Tabernacle away he did take violently As a Garden he destroy'd his places of Assembly The Lord caus'd Sabbaths and solemn feasts to cease in Zion He hath despis'd the King and Priest in his indignation 7 The Lord hath cast off his Altar he loath'd his sanctuary Her pallace wals he gave up to the hand of th' enemy And they in the house of the Lord have lifted up a voice As in the solemn feasting-days appointed to rejoyce 8 The Lord hath purposed also the wall to undermine Of the dear daughter of Zion he hath stretch'd out a line And he hath not withdrawn his hand from cruel destroying For he made rampart and walls mourn they joyn in languishing 9 Her gates are sunk into the ground her Bars are spoil'd and burst Her King and her Princes carried among the Gentiles curst The Law is no more to be seen her Prophets also find No vision nor Revelation from the Lord of his mind 10 The Elders of Zions daughther sit on the ground silent They have cast dust upon their heads in great astonishment They have girded themselves also with sack-cloth they are found The Virgins of Jerusalem hang their heads to the ground 11 Mine eyes do greatly fail with tears my bowels are troubled My liver and my inward parts on the earth is poured For the breach of the Daughter of my People in mis'ry For the babes and sucklings swoon in the streets of the City 12 They say to their Mothers where is the Corn and Wine we die When they swoon'd as the wounded in the streets of the City When their precious soul was poured and surrendred again Into their dear mothers bosom but all this was in vain 13 What thing shall I at this time take to testifie for thee Or what thing shall I parallel to thee in misery O daughter of Jerusalem what shall I think upon Equal to thee that I may give the consolation O Virgin daughter of Zion for thy breach is very Great like the sea who can heal thee of this thy misery 14 Thy Prophets have beheld both vain and foolish things for thee And they have not discovered thy great iniquity To turn away thy sore bondage by bidding thee repent But saw for thee false burdens and causes of banishment 15 All that passe by do now at thee clap their hands together They hiss and wag their heads now at Jerusalem's daughter Saying is this the City that men call the perfection Of beauty the joy of the whole earth Is this that Zion 16 All thine enemies have open'd their mouths wide against thee They hisse and gnash the teeth they say and that triumphantly We have now swallowed her up quite this is the day surely That we look'd for we it have found we have seen it fully 17 The Lord hath done what he devis'd and he hath fulfilled His words that in the daies of old himself had commanded He threw down and hath not piti'd and caused thine
Enemy to Rejoyce o're thee and he set up the horn of this thy foe 18 Their heart cried unto the Lord O wall of the Daughter Of Zion day and night let tears run down like a river Give thy self O Jerusalem no rest nor quietness Let not the apple of thine eyes cease whilst thy foes oppresse 19 Arise and cry out in the night in the first watch with grace Pour out thy heart like water now before Jehovah's face O lift up thy hands towards him for the life of thy sweet Young children that for hunger faint in top of every street 20 Behold O Lord and consider to whom thou this hast done Shall the woman eat their own fruit and babes of a span-long Shail the Priest and Prophet be slain in the Lords Sanctuary 21 The young and old lie on the ground in the streets openly My Virgins and my young Men are fallen by th' sword sadly Thou slew'st them in thy angry day thou kill'st without pitty 22 Thou cal'st as in a solemn day my terrours round about So that in the day of the Lord's anger none scaped out Nor remained those that I have swadled and brought up so Mine Enemy hath consumed my sin hath caused this woe CHAP. III. the man that affliction saw by the rod of his wrath Into darkness but not to light he led and brought me hath Surely against me he is turnd he turns his hand all day My flesh and skin hath he made old he brake my bones alway He built against me and compass'd with gall and travel me He set me in dark places as they that of old dead be He hedgd me round I cannot scape he made my chain heavy He also shuts out my prayer when I do shout and cry With hew'n stones he inclos'd my ways my paths he made un-straight Like Bear or Lion secretly for me he lies in wait And he hath turn'd aside my ways and in pieces pull'd me Yea he hath made me desolate great is my misery He bent his Bow and set me as a mark for the Arrow The Arrows of his Quiver he made through my reigns to go I was a Scoffe and derision to all my own People Also their song all the day long this to my sore trouble He fil'd me with bitterness he made me drunk with wormwood He brake my teeth with gravel-stones with ashes he me clad And thou hast also removed my soul far off from peace And I forgat prosperity by this my bitterness And I said my strength and my hope from the Lord is quite gone Minding the wormwood and the gall in this my affliction My soul doth still remember them and is humbled in me This I recall to mind therefore have I hope Lord in thee It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consum'd quite Because his compassions fail not we live still in his sight They are renew'd ev'ry morning great is thy †Faithfulness The heb word signifies also Truth truth in them The Lord 's my portion saith my soul therefore ' I le hope in him The Lord is good unto them that wait for him patiently And good unto the soul that doth seek him effectually It is good that a man should both hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord which unto his is * Psal 85.9 nigh It is good for a man that he the yoak in his youth bear He sits alone and silence keeps for on him he bar't there He putteth his mouth in the dust if perhaps hope may be He gives his cheeks to him that smites frl'd with reproach is he Nevertheless the Lord will not cast off for ever such But though he cause grief yet will he express compassion much According to the multitude of his mercies often For he afflicts not willingly nor grieves the sons of men To crush under his feet all the poor prisoners of the world To turn aside mans right before the face of the high Lord. To subvert a man in his cause the Lord doth not approve Who saith and it comes to pass when God wills it not above Out of the mouth of the most High proceeds not good and evil Why doth the living man complain man's plagu'd for being sinful Let 's search and try our ways and turn back to the Lord quickly Let 's lift our hearts with hands to God that 's in the heavens high We have transgressed and rebel'd thou hast not pardoned Thou hast cover'd us with anger and us persecuted Yea Jehovah thou hast us slain and hast not pittied Thou coveredst thy self with a cloud and our condition now Is such that our prayers could not unto thee Lord pass throw Thou mad'st us as the off-scouring and refuse among men All our enemies against us their mouths daily open Fear and a snare is come on us distresse and destruction Therefore with rivers of water mine eye still runneth down For the daughter of my People most sore destruction Mine eye drops down and ceaseth not without intermission Till the Lord look down and behold my case from heaven high For th'daughters all of my city my heart 's mov'd by mine eye Mine enemies chased me sore like a bird causlesly In th' dungeon they cut of my life and cast a stone on me Waters flowed over mine head then I said I am gone I call'd upon thy Name O Lord out of the low dungeon Thou heardst my voice hide not thine ear at my breathing my cry Thou drewest near bid'st me not fear that day I call'd on thee My soul's causes O Lord thou plead'st thou didst my life redeem Judge thou my cause O Lord again for thou my wrong hast seen Yea all their vengeance at all times thou perfectly didst see And their imaginations all wrongfully against me Thou hast heard their reproach O Lord all their †So in the Hebrew thoughts ' gainst me still The lips of those my foes that rose against me to my ill Also their ungodly device against me all the day At their down-sitting and rising I am their †So in the Hebrew See in Job 30.9 the same word song alway Render to them a recompence O Lord according to Their handy works give them thy curse yea them hearty sorrow Persecute and destroy them in anger from under * The thy Glorious heavens who onely art the Lord God Almighty CHAP. IV. HOw is the gold now become dim How 's the most fine gold chang'd In †So heb th' head of ev'rystreet the stones Of th' * Heb. sanctity Sanctuary out are pour'd 2 The precious sons of Zion like to fine gold how are they Esteem'd as works of Pottets hands the prtchers made with clay 3 Yea the †Heb. See Mal 1.3 Dragons draw out the breast they give suck to their young My Peoples daughters like fierce * Marg. owles of desarts is become 4 The sucking child's tongue cleaves to the roof of his mouth for drought The