lovest thou me more then these can you then Answer in truth Lord thou knowest all things thou knowest that I love thee do you love to be in the company of Jesus Christ do you love the Image of Christ wherever you see it are you glad to do him any service do you love all that is Christs his Ordinances Word Law his Ministers Saints if you take delight in these things it is a sign Christ hath loved you and that you will lean upon Christ in the evil dayes and blessed and happy is that Soul that can thus lean upon Christ her Beloved when wilderness-tryals troubles and afflictions comes upon them all such have Christ for their Head and Husband and Saviour and are safe in his arms where this is wanting consider what we have Isai 10.3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation and in the desolation which shall come from far to whom will ye flee for help and where will you leave your glory Vse 5. Exhortation 1. To them that yet have no part in Christ Labour for that Faith in and Love to the Lord Jesus Christ that Christ may not shake you off in an evil day what interest have you in the World that can reach your Souls to save them what is there in Heaven or Earth that can save the Soul but only the Lord Jesus Christ He is able to save to the utmost all that come to God by him Joh. 3.36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life and he that believeth not the Sonshall not see life but the wrath of God abideth on him Oh think oft of this Scripture and consider of the means of grace God hath so long afforded you and how oft he hath been calling upon you and knocking at the doors of your hearts Oh take the season while it lasts Oh to day to day while it is called to day harden not your hearts least God Sware in his wrath that you shall never enter into his rest Christ bad them walk in the light while they had the light and immediately he withdrew himself from them Oh do but forsake your sin all your sins and accept of the Lord Jesus upon his own terms and then you may venture to lean upon the Lord Jesus Christ he is able to bear the weight of all your Souls 2. Branch To the Spouse of Christ Be much in the exercise of Faith and Love First Be much in the exercise of Faith lean upon Christ as your Beloved stay on him rest upon him cast all your burthen and care upon him strengthen your selves in him you will need a strong Faith in wilderness tryals that may befal us consider how weak we are without Faith in Christ which will shield us against our potent enemies Sathan and all the World all other props are but as a broken Reed whereon will you lean else you have no righteousness no goodness no wisedome in your selves where will you lean then if not upon Christ what is there in the Creature that you may lean upon all the things of the World are Vanity of vanities therefore cast your care and your burthen upon the Lord Jesus who is able to stablish strengthen and settle you he is able to bear all the weight that is laid upon him do your sins and corruptions trouble you you may lay the weight of them upon the Lord Jesus he is able to bear them you may cast the care of your Souls upon him ye may cast the care of your Families the care of your Children you may cast all upon him he is able to bear the weight of all he is the Rock of ages Consider who your Beloved is the Lord Jesus Christ the God of Glory the Redeemer and Saviour of his People that Redeemeth Israel from all their Iniquities If any man sin we have an Advocate 1 â—ohn 2.1 He hath all Power in Heaven andEarth he is the Soveraign Lord of all you can be in no danger but he is able to save and he knows how to do it for he is only wise and he is faithful in all his promises and he is very loving he hath loved his with an everlasting love and from thence he hath given himself for us and will not lofe any that come to him whom he loveth he loveth to the end believe much and you shall receive much Christ saith to thee be it as thou wilt a Faith that will not be beaten off that hangs upon Christ for a blessing and as Jacob will not let go without a blessing shall surely have it what can any believing Soul finde in Christ that may not encourage him to lean upon him he is the Saviour the Head and Husband of his Church that takes care of them and that continually he is the Redeemer of his People that redeems them not only from all their adversities but from all their iniquities Oh then venture upon Jesus Christ and let Faith overcome all your doubts this Christ will accept of consider what encouragements a Believer hath to venture all upon Christ we have encouragement from the Covenant of Grace Ezek. 36.25 26. Then will Isprinkle clean water upon you and ye shall be clean from all your silthiness and from all your Idols will I cleanse you a new heart also will I give you and a new Spirit will I put within you and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give you an heart of flesh and I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my way and I will write my Law in your inward parts and I will put my fear into your hearts and you shall not depart from me and I will forgive your sins and remember them no more consider how God hath confirmed this covenant even by his Oath he hath Sworn by himself that we might have strong consolation and he hath confirmed it also by the Seals of the Covenant the Lord hath given us two Seals he hath set the Seal of Baptism to it whereby God hath owned us for his We are Baptized into the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost besides he hath given us the blessed Supper of the Lord Oh what a blessed Seal is that wherein the Lord offers a crucified Christ to us with all his merits he offers Christ with all the benefits and priviledges thereunto belonging when Christ is offered all his offered this Ordinance it signifieth that spiritual nourishment your Souls may have by a crucified Christ when the Lord said This is my Body which was broken for you and this is my Blood which was shed for you shall we be unbelieving notwithstanding all this and weak in the Faith like Thomas God forbid Lastly Be much in love to Jesus Christ that you may say you lean upon your Beloved is there not great cause that we should love Christ dearly that hath given himself to death for us what love is due to him that dyed
30.33 Tophet is ordained of old yea for the King it is prepared he hath made it deep and large the pile thereof is fire and much wood and the breath of the Lord like a stream of Brimstone doth kindle it Oh Consider what God is and what a state and condition every sinner is in that is an Enemy to God and it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God if you were ready to fall into the hands of a cruel Nation Oh what fear would there be what care and endeavour to escape it God is not cruel but he is a just revenging God 3. Consider how willing God is to be at peace see how the Lord expresses himself Isai 27.5 Let him take hold of my strength that he may make peace with me and he shall make peace with me Many a poor Soul questions whether God be willing they think it is in vain for them to go about to make peace with God why do you say so you hear the Lord here by the Prophet say if he will make peace he shall make peace the question therefore is not whether God be willing to be at peace with you but whether you be willing to be at peace with him the Lord hath given his Son to make peace and sends the word of reconciliation 2 Cor. 5.20 Now then we are Embassadors for Christ as though God did beseech you by us we pray you in Christ stead be reconciled to God Oh what evedent Demonstrations are there that God is willing to be at peace with poor sinners would God ever have given his Son and the Son have given himself if he had not been willing to be at peace surely no and also as was before alledged he hath sent Embassadors to beseech and intreat you to be reconciled our peace and all good is ready in Christ but here is the misery men will not be at peace Christ complains you will not come to me that you might have life who is it that is now at peace with God that was not once in the same estate with your Selves therefore you may be at peace only delay not but as Christ advises agree with thine adversary quickly while thou art in the way with him if you delay you will dye in your sins therefore if ever you intend to make your peace with God at all do it now really speedily and without delay 4. Lastly Lay down your enmity if Rebels will be at peace with their King they must lay down their weapons Isai 55.7 8 9. Let the Wicked forseek his way and the Vnrighteous man his thoughts and 〈◊〉 him return unto the Lord and he will have mercy upon him and to our God for he will abundantly pardon for my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your wayes my wayes for as the Heavens are higher then the Earth so are my wayes higher then your wayes and my thoughts then your thoughts there is joy in Heaven at the conversion of a sinner if you would but come in and accept of peace there is a way of peace yet for that sinner that hath lived in the peace of the World all this while if you will turn from all your sins unto God submit to the Government of the Lord Jesus 2. Exhortation To such as have received this great and wonderful gift of Christ this our blessed peace Oh prize it highly be exceeding thankful for it and labour by all means to cherish preserve and increase the assurance thereof think what a singular mercy it is to be at peace with God by Jesus Christ how unspeakable and full of glory it is this peace is a continual peace as Rom. 5.2 By whom also we have access by Faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoyce in the hope of the glory of God this I say that those that have this peace should labour so to walk as that they may persevere in it and to this end consider what the Psalmist speaks Psal 85.8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak for he will speak peace unto his people and to his Saints but let not them turn again to folly have a care you break not your peace remember Davids broken bones beware of sin and see that you walk humbly before God you have sin and corruption and you may meet with temptations Satan is your Enemy and he cannot abide you should have this peace therefore be watchful and be humble Isai 57.15 For thus saith the High and Lofty one that inhabiteth Eternity whose Name is Holy I dwell in the High and Holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit to revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones these are the Souls that shall have peace but take heed of an evil and unbelieving heart in departing from the living God take heed you doat not upon the peace of the World and grow secure by it 3. Exhortation Make use of this peace as it is intended by Christ Let not your heart be troubled Psal 125.1 2. they that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount-Sion that cannot be removed but abideth for ever as the Mounâ—aâ—nâ— are round about Jerusalem so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever Psal 27.1 2 3. The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear the Lord is the strength of my life of whâ—m shall I be afraid when the wicked even my enemies and my foes came upon me to eat up my flesh they stumbled and fell though an Host should encamp against me my heart shall not fear though War should rise against me in this will I be confident Psal 46.1 2. God is ouâ— refuge and strength a very present help in trouble therefore will not we fear though the Earth be removed and though the Mountains be carried into the midst of the Sea why should such a Soul fear for any evil tidings ye have that peace that the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against Oh shew your peace by your boldness in God by your glorying in tribulation do you meet with outward losses what need that trouble you when you have such a God as you have do you meet with painful afflictions you may well bare them patiently so long as the Soul enjoys Christs peace do you meet with ill Neighbours or disquiet in your Families all theâ—e are but light afflictions not worthy to be compared to the Glory that shall be revealed nay doth Death look you in the face you may tryumph over it for the sting of Death is taken away thanks be to God that hath given us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord and therefore let the peace of God guard your hearts against what ever you may meet withal If you consider the reasons of the point 1. The glorious excellency of this peace 2. That it is the gift and purchase of Christ and kept in his hand 3. Because this peace do not only set the Soul free from fear of wrath but takes away the poyson and venom of sin and also the sting of Death and Hell is taken away 4. Because all troubles and dangers shall not hurt this peace but all shall work together to the furtherance of their everlasting peace this peace will guard your hearts against all evil whatsoever you have cause to be quiet therefore let nothing dismay or disquiet the hearts of those that Christ hath given this peace unto whatever you hear of in the World we hear of many troubles and disquiets abroad in the World and the cause of God suffers much we should lay it to heart but not to be troubled disquieted or dismayed in the soarest troubles in a word Faint not for we look not at things â—resent which are temporary but at thing to come which are Eternal FINIS
but the will chuseth him for it's portion cleaves to him and rests upon him for all safety and good as it 's all in all and gives up it self to be guided ordered and disposed of in all conditions as most safe and happy in his hands and dispose Faith counts it self most safe in the Arms of Christ this is one effect of Faith for the Soul to give up it self to Christ to do as he will with it he may give what he will and take what he will the Soul is willing to part with any thing at the command oâ— Christ willing to part with it's dearest sins and lusts for Christ Jesus so that a Spouse of Christ seeing the Wisdome Faithfulness Power and Love of the Lord Jesus doth chuse him for her portion and give up her self to Christ willing to be at his disposing and willing to part with any thing for Christ here is her leaning upon her Beloved and so she fears not for any evil tidings Doct. It is a matter of much Observation and Admiration to see a Spouse of Christ coming out of a VVilderness condition and leaning by Faith firmly upon Christ as her beloved Proof That the excellency of the Spouse of Christ is in leaning upon her Beloved Heh 11. gives a Cloud of VVitnesses Abraham left his Country by Faith offered up Isaac by Faith Noah prepares an Arke by Faith others endured cruel mocking by Faith Oh the vertue and admirable effects of Faith you see in the VVilderness how highly God approved of Caleb who followed God fully when others spake evil of the good Land saith Calch they shall he meat for us we are wâ—ll able to overcome them My servant Calâ—â— saith the Lord he shall go in his Seed shall possess it how highly the Lord approves of Faith you may see in the Church of Philadelphia Rev. 3.8 9 10. he finds no fault with them but highly commends them for keeping the word of his patience and promises most safe protection when the hour of temptation overspreads the World the Centurion who had such Faith as to say Speak but the word and my Servant shall be healed Christ highly commends that Faith as not having found such no not in Israel So the Woman of Caâ—aan her Faith Christ commends and saith be it to thee even as thou wilt Reas 1. It is so not only from the excellency of Faith it self but from the excellency of a tryed Faith 1 Pet. 1.7 That the trial of your Faith being much more precious then of Gold that perisheth though it be tried with fire might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Christ Jesus Psal 12.6 The Words of the Lord are pure words as silver tried in a Furnace of Earth purified seven times as the word is pure and precious so is Faith under Wilderness trials Reas 2. Because this leaning upon Christ in such a state is an evidence of great love to Christ this the Lord takes great notice of Ier. 2.2 I remember the kindness of thy youth the love of thy â—spousals when thou wentest after me in the wilderness c. Reas 3. Because it 's a glorious thing to behold the love of God and Jesus Christ to lead up such a Spouse out of a Wilderness it causes that glory as is ascribed to God of old as that one act at the red Sea did Exod. 15 16. VVho is like unto thee O Lord glorious in Holiness fearful in praises doing wonders Deut. 32.10 11. He found them in a desart Land and in the wast bowling VVilderness he led him about he instucted him he kept him as the apple of his eye c. Vse 1. Instruction Here we may observe and see the manner of Gods dealing even with his most precious Churches and People even with this Shulamite he brings her out of the Wilderness so the Lord did of old when he brought his people out of Egypt He brought them into the Wilderness and the Lord saw the mixed multitude amongst them and that Generation must be all worn out before he brought them into the promised Land In the Wilderness the Lord shewed his wonderful works seeding them with Manna and giving them water out of the Rock there God proved them to know what was in their hearts and he found abundance of sin and pride and rebellion in them and yet all was to do them good in the latter end So when he brought them out of Babilon to 〈…〉 we read in Ezra and Nehemiah what afflictions and oppositions they mâ—t withal of Blastings and Mildews and disappointments in their Labours they were exercised withal as may be seen in the Prophecy of Haggai and so it will be with this Shulamite the Church of the Jews at their return the Lord will bring them out of the Wilderness of the People through many temptations and afflictions and that Wilderness condition may seem to continue for a long time if we compare Dan. 12.11 12. it appears to be fourty five years and so it hath been with the reformed Churches that are come out of spiritual Babilon in Scotland Holland and Geneva and the rest what bloody wars what persecutions and tryals of various kinds nay what Soul is it that the Lord hath brought home to himself but that they are brought out of a wilderness of tryals afflictions and temptations spiritual or outward to purge them and make them white Dan. 12. to bring them out of all confidence in themselves therefore wonder not at the persecutions and troubles that befal the Churches and Saints this day in the world God no doubt is doing some great work for his People the Lord Jesus hath his Fan in his hand and will throughly purge his Floor burn up the Chaffe and gather his VVheat into his Garner Let us not promise our selves a peaceable condition we may fear that the Lord hath further wilderness tryals to bring us through that he may purge out the Rebels and those that transgress we may fear that we are a people ripe for judgement when there is such great sins breaking out amongst us when there is so much Devision Worldliness c. Let us not be secure the Lord may justly carry us through a wilderness of sore tryals to purge his Churches of the Chaffe and to take us off from the World and confidence in his Ordinances which we are too apt to lean upon Vse 2. Instruction We may here observe what it is that makes a Spouse of Christ or any Soul an object of enquiry and admiration Her leaning on her Beloved by Faith and love this is the Glory Beauty and Excellency of any Church or Spouse of Christ or Soul to be much in the exercise of Faith and Love Faith is that which gives Glory to God Abraham gave glory to God by Believing Rom 4.20 He staggered not at the prâ—m sâ— of God through unbelief but was strong in Faith giving Glory to God That is therefore the eminency
of any Church or Soul to give Glory to God by Believing thus Iob under all his afflictions and temptations could believe that his Redeemer did live and that he should see him at the last day upon the Earth which was an eminency in him it 's therefore I say the eminency of any Church or Soul to be strong in Faith it is a great dishonour to God and to Jesus Christ when Disciples that have been long in the School of Christ yet have but little Faith how oft did the Lord Jesus upbraid his Disciples with this Oh ye of little Faith and sometimes how is it that you have no Faith this is an eminency in a Christian when he can give much Glory to God by Believing Christ delighteth in this and admires the Faith of the Centurion Mat. 8.10 VVhen Jesus heard it he marvelled and said to them that followed verily I say unto you I have not found so great Faith no not in Israel ver 13. And Iesus said unto the Centurion go thy way and as thou hast believed so be it done unto thee and his Servant was healed in the self same hour In this life of Faith the Apostle Paul was very eminent when he said the life that I now live I live by Faith in the Son of God Psal 27.1 2 3. the strength of his Faith was such that he said though an Host should encamp against me my heart should not faiâ— though war should rise against me in this will I be confident Faith gives God the Glory of his Power faithfulness mercy and grace to lean and venture the whole Interest of the Soul for Eternity upon the Lord Jesus Christ notwithstanding so many Sins Corruptions and Temptations this is a great and glorious work this is our victory over the world even our Faith and this Faith is that which draws vertue from Jesus Christ which causeth the Soul to be in love with the Lord Jesus as we may see in the Spouse she leaned upon her Beloved upon his love to her and the more because she felt his love to her Oh the eminency of Faith and love as the Apostle highly commends the Church of the Thessalonians 1 Thess 1.2 3. VVe give thanks to God alwayes for your work of Faith and abouâ— of love so Chap. 58. He calls Faith and Love the Brest-plate 1 Tim. 1.14 the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with Faith and Love which is in Christ Iesus where ye see much Faith and Love you may say there is abundance of Grace in that Soul 1 Pet. 1.8 VVhom having not seen yee love in whom though now ye see him not yet believing ye rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory This Love causeth the Soul to love the Holy God his Holy Law and also to love all the Saints of God and this is far above nature it argues a purified heart to love the Saints as 1 Pet. 1.22 Seing ye have purified your Souls in obeying the Truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the Brethren see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently Love is the fulfilling of the Law and Faith worketh by love these two Graces will be the glory of the Shulamite the new Ierusalem that is to come down from Heaven and it is the beauty and glory of any Christian the want or defects in these graces is a great blemish in any Spouse of Christ or Christian let us therefore I say acknowledge the eminency of that Church or Soul that is much in the exercise of Faith and Love Vse 3. Instruction Here we may observe and see the safety of any Soul oâ— Church of Christ to lean and stay it self upon Jesus Christ in Wilderness Tryals and Afflictions So Caleb and Ioshua so long as they trusted in God and cleaved to him the Lord was with them and brought them into the promised Land what can any Soul have to lean upon in an evil day of tryal trust not in Princes or any Son of man his breath is in his nostrils by strength shall no man prevail Confidence in Church Priviledges if men trust to them or Ordinances yea if they cry the Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord see what the Lord speaketh to this very largely Ier. 10. Isai 48.1 2. they call themselves the Holy City and stay themselves upon the God of Israel but not in Truth all such props as these will deceive them that lean upon them but now for a Soul to lean upon Christ as her Beloved in the enjoyment of all his Ordinances such a Soul may finde comfort herein as Holy David Psal 27.4 5. One thing have I desired of the Lord that will I sâ—â—k after that I may dwell in the House of the Lord all the dayes of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord and to enquire in his Holy Templeâ— For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his Pavillion in the secret of his Tabernacle shall he hide me he shall set me upon a Rock Vse 4. Tryal But would you be safe in times of Tryal and Afflictionâ— 1. Consider what interest you have in Jesus Christ can you lean and stay upon him alone and say he is my Rock my only Refuge have you chosen him as your Portion your all in all are all things dung and drosse in comparison of him can you suffer the loss of all for him this is a true leaning upon Christ as your Beloved but when the Soul wants an interest in Christ Jesus and hath not him to lean upon whether will such a Soul flee for help in times of tryal trouble and distresses there is then none but Christ none but Christ that will suit the Soul in this respect you may venture to lean upon him he is able and willing to bear all the weight that is laid upon him it doth therefore nearly concern every Soul to consider what interest he hath in Jesus Christ what perswasion have you had of the alsufficiency and grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ have you tryed his alsufficiency can you be perswaded of the alsufficiency of one that you never tryed but especially consider whether God hath drawn your heart to chuse Jesus Christ for your portion for your stay and support for your all and in all and that you have laid the whole weight of your Souls upon him have you given up your selves to Christ to be at his dispose have you chosen and taken him for your Lord and Christ and are you at his command can you part with your dearest Lust and sin as his command engages your Souls to do and suffer any thing that he requires 2. Consider is he your Beloved do you lean upon Jesus Christ as your Beloved as he whom your Soul loveth as he that is altogether beautiful and desirable is your greatest delight in communion with God so that if Christ should ask you the Question he asked Peter Ioh. 2.1.17 Simon