beleeving alike he will be alike in dispensing his mercies Mal. 3.6 I am the Lord I change not therefore ye sonnes of Jacob are not consumed Therefore also collect as David 1 Sam. 17 36. and as Paul 2 Tim. 4.17 18. It is a great help to a Beleever to remember the yeers of the right hand of the most high Psal 77.10 and call to mind what he hath done for his Church and people formerly to the Church in Aegypt in the Wildernesse in Hamans time in other exigences Others have fared well while they waited on God therefore we also will wait and doubt not but to doe well enough Psal 22.4 5. Our Fathers trusted in thee they trusted and thou didst deliver them They cryed unto thee and were delivered they rusted in thee and were not confounded Thus fortifie your faith as much as ye can and it will be a strong fortifying of your spirits in all feares of evill A strong and healthy body getteth up a high hill farre better then a weakling can doe If our faith were stronger our hearts should be more fixed and setled then they are If it were the fall assurance of faith Heb. 10.22 we should not once doubt for all these terrours Mark 11.13 Remember the removing of mountaines and transplanting of trees into the midst of the sea all by the power of faith Onely beleeve and all shall be possible Other Consequences of the point are these I. Be thankfull for this precious grace of faith Be thankfull for the usefull grace of Faith which is so usefull in these dangerous dayes the staffe of thy life the strength of thy soule the fixâ—ng of thy poore trembling heart the only sight thou hast when round about is nothing but darknesse A great and wonderful gift thou receivedst when the Lord gave thee faith to beleeve in his Sonne and rest in promises It is worth the having though thou pastedst through the pikes in duties of humiliation It cost some adoe to get faith but when it is once had it is a most blessed commodity It stands thee in stead ever afterward whatever sad occasions thou hast The Jaylor though much cast downe for a while Act. 1â— 34 yet reioyced that he beleeved and all his houshold And those primitive Beleevers who were pricked at the heart in hearing of their great sinne reioyced and praised God for so great a mercy Acts 2.44 47. Goe thou and doe likewise We give thanks for lesser mercies then this Or what if the Lord give thee not riches health peace and the like Yet he gives that which is better and countervailes all other defects with infinite advantage on the eternall part Doe thy best to work faith in others II. If things goe thus then doe all ye can to get faith into your children and friends as ye desire they should have found and hearty comfort in the evill day Ye would not see them lye distracted malancholie drooping under their burden taking indirect courses to help themselves Now lay a good foundation not onely in morall vertues or religious duties but goe higher tell them of Christ of the Covenant the promises sinne and guiltinesse their need of a Saviour and the like It is a great matter Ps 112.1 to feare God and delight greatly in his Commandements This Text is a promise to such persons but note withall it goeth higher even to that sovereigne grace of faith His heart is fixed trusting in the Lord. verse 7. And it was by faith that the old Beleevers dâ—d suffered or received those great matters Heb. 11. Therefore in all thy instruction and discipline still insinuate something for faith Get that notion into their heads and hearts None but Christ Jo. Lambert Advance a faithfull Ministery whereby faith is bestowed None but Christ III. If it be so then advance a faithfull Ministery aâ— the meanes whereby faith is bred and thereby a ground laid for solid comfort in times of feare Plant such a Ministery where it is wanting cherish and maintaine it where it is Pitty them that want the Ordinance pray they may have the Word of faith preached among them Mat. 6.38 Pray the Lord of the Harvest to send forth Labourers into his Harvest If rich be at charges if in authority give countenance to a faith-breeding Ministery This is the onely way for poore soules to be soundly comforted when their tryall commeth Comfort stands not in a smartering knowledge or a few good words or saying over some good prayers or the like but if faith were bestowed into the heart which alone can quicken a soule otherwise dying No grace nor vertue can knit a knot betweene God and the soul but onely faith Faith truly so called is of a lasting nature whatever tryals there be and of a triumphing nature 1 Pet. 1.7 8. Beleeving ye reâ—oâ—ce with ioy unspeakable and full of glory And if so how worthy are those pains whereby faith is conveyed into the heart and afterward confirmed Take faiths part against a faithlesse generation 2 Pet. 1.1 IV. Ever commend and stand in the magnifying of faith which doth so good offiâ—es in the worst times Call it a precâ—ous faith much to be esteemed and prized Endure not any word of disparagement to be cast upon it There is a carnall generation of men and womâ—n who doe much slight and villifie faith as an ayrie Notion a trifle nothing in comparison of Charity and good works Oh here is much adoe about faith these are our Solifidians c. Whereto I say First neither charity nor works are any thing without faith Heb. 11.6 Without faith it is impossible to please Gâ—d It is in Christ only that we and our graces are acceptâ—d No merit in charity nor the works of it onely in Christ they get acceptance Yea in faith it selfe is nothing meritorious all the vertue and praise of it standeth in relation to Christ the Object Secondly it is faith that must uphold the heart in an evill time When dangers be abroad and feares come home to us this is our anchor to be staid withall We have seen how much is cast upon faith to doe in these sad plucks What we have done in an holy way may be a comfort but the stresse of the businesse lyeth on this how well we have beleeved and what interest we have in Christ Psal 27.13 I had fainted unles I had beleeved to see the goodnesse of the Lord in the Land of the living And the comfort of the good we have done comes in a secondary consideration Heb. 10.4 In that ye did it to these ye did it unto me By faith Abel offered a better sacrifice them Cain Thirdly faith ever will produce good works Fides sola iustificat sed fides quae iustificat non est sola as a good Tree good fruits It works by love Gal. 5.6 and love is a laborious thing 1 Cor. 13.4.7 No fire without light and warmth no faith without love and good works Every branch in Christ bringeth forth good fruit Fourthly it is a Popish spirit that makes such a jumbling of faith and charity which are ever to be distinguished though not separated Leave each his owne work and place and both are glorious and whereas other comparisons are odious these most Or it is an ignorant spirit which knows not what the maine tye is between God and a soule now fallen into sinne nor how we come to God by Christ alone and how we are justified freely by grace which faith appropriateth al our present adherence to God is by faith hereafter by sight and fruition Or lastly it is a prophane spirit of a man in love with his sinne or worldly vanities all for a present enjoyment he will not stay for his happinesse till hereafter as faith directeth And to get a lively faith asketh more paines then he is willing to take some adoe there is to try examine evidence maintaine and increase faith which the lazie Christian will never endure FINIS May 22. 1644. Imprimatur Joseph Caryl
enter because of unbeliefe Heb. 3.19 Good is comming but we are short-winded and wait not thence these delayes All the fault is not in wicked enemies or the sinners in Sion but some fault resideth in Gods owne children who beleeve not as they should doe Infidelity is an hatefull sinne too and reprovable it detracteth from God as if he were not wise able vigilant to fulfill his promises so he stayes his hand as one that will be better waited on Take notice of this as one cause why the work of Reformation and of our happinesse doth stick so long in the birth it is much desired but not attained and yet the Lord willing it should be done and that throughly There is cause enough for it in the unreformednesse of people who after all the terrours and humiliations yet tuâ—n not from their evil ways as the men of Ninive Jon. 3.10 But here is something in Gods owne people whose faith is so little and their feare so great If we beleeved more we should see his great works done the sooner Therefore resolve upon that in Mark 11.22 23 24. Have Faith in God And What things soever ye desire when ye pray beleeve that ye receive them and ye shall have them Secondly think thus with your selves why should not faith make couragious as well as vain-glory envy propriety of goods safety of the Country memory and emulation of Ancestors or the like carnall considerations which have mightily elevated the spirits of people heretofore as namely the old Romans who became Lords of the World Cicero pro aris focis was a great word with them entring into a fight Ovid. Horat. And Ingens gloria calcar habet and Dulce decâ—rum est pro patria mori and Imperti causâ c. But faith hath higher and stronger considerations the Cause of God the maintaining of the Gospell contending for the faith delivered once to the Saints the upholding and enlarging of the Kingdome of Christ the keeping of a good conscience the glory of Heaven in our eye and who would be a slave to Antichrist Bodily slavery is bad enough c. Consider Their Rock is not 〈◊〉 unto our Rock 〈◊〉 our enemâ— theâ—◠〈◊〉 being Judges Deut 12.31 And Thâ—s they doe for a coâ—â—â—ptible Crowne we for an 〈◊〉 â—apitole 1 Cor. 9.25 The higher the spring the higher the water will ascend at the Conduit A Beleever therefore going bâ— the highest Principles and notions should gâ—t highest in his resolutâ—ons and behaviours Thirdly we have still and a long time have had great meanes to be strong in faith a Ministery oâ— many yeeâ—s continuance which is growing food 1 Pet. 2.2 〈…〉 of the Wood that it 〈…〉 A tree planted in a goâ—â— place and there continuing mâ—nâ—eeâ—s is well rooted and so should the trees of righteousnesse be after so long standing The Martyrâ— had but few yeerâ— in King 〈◊〉 time yet they gathered strength enough to carry them through the flames A shame it will be to us not to be proficients according to our time when for the time we might be Teachers Heb. 5.11 Weaknesses of faith and other graces should have been outgrowne long agoe Adde the going so often to the Lords Supper which to a prepared soule is a batling Ordinance No feast yeeldeth so good juyâ— and nourishment to the body buâ— this yeeldeth as good to such â— soule Bread strengthneth man heart especially this bread thaâ— came downe from Heaven Psa 104.15 O the sweet communioâ— that hath been between Christ anâ— thy Soule upon due frequenting the Ordinance and O the frequent repast of thy soule upon prayer and the experience thou hast had of Gods love anâ— providence and doest thou yeâ— feare Hilarion Hieron in eius vita Septuaginta annos serviviâ—â— Christo mori times Finally the many good Books and Treatises which of late yeerâ— have been published M. Culveâ—well M. Rogers as it were of purpose to fence and furnisâ— Christians for these sad times wherein are choicest collection for fixing a poore beleeving heart in all occasions M. Ball M. Wilson God that foresaw what he was about to doe directed his Ministers so to make provision for his people as when he sent a sore famine upon Canaan he sent Joseph beforehand to provide for his Father and Brethren Fourthly in those present troubles and dangers the Lord hath all along opened a doore of hope Hos 2.13 for upholding our faith unto victory Seeing how weak weare in beleeving bare promises he hath given us somthing in hand for encouragement He hath still sent us some pawnes of more which he will doe for us in time an earnest of the whole bargaine And experience is a great help unto faith as in the Apostles 2 Cor 1.10 He hath deliveâ—ed us from great death and doth deliver and we trust also he will deliver When we began to quaile at any time presently a victory was given a discovery made a defeat of their Counsels or Forces the spirits of people raised up above all expectation in a Countâ— which was given for a lost Count a signe the Lord means to doe the work at last If he meant to dâ—stroy us he would not shew us such things as these Thus by what the Lord hath done already he doth even invite us to beleeve and not feare Fiftly it is but a while and yâ— shall see what now ye beleeve Yâ—â— a little while Heb. 10.37 and he that shall comâ— will come and his reward is with him In Heaven there will be nâ— acting of faith no use of it as now all there is in Fruition Union and Vision Joh. 20.29 In this life Blessed are they that beleeve though they see not In that life blessed are those that see what hitherto they beleeved If we strive a little we shall find our waiting was to purpose Yet two or three Closes and we shall be at our Fathers house And there we shall have neither unbeliefe to combat withall nor any other enemy no feare no molestation no imperfection whatsoever Sixtly if faith be not acted ye will lose the benefit of those comforts which are your owne Ye forsake your owne meâ—â—â—s Jonah 2.8 Ye live heavily when your estate gives you leave to live most cheerfully Hagâ—â— saw 〈◊〉 the Well and was out of heart as if no water were to be bad Mâ—â— saw not Christ 〈◊〉 eyeâ— being heldâ— and was still in perplexity A miserly niggard wants what he hâ—th as well as what he hath not And to look upon Paulum sepultae distat inertiae Celata viâ—tus what difference between an unbeleever and a Beleever not improving his faith when need requires One sighs as much as the other c. Now this is a disparagement to faith and the high calling of a Christian who alone in truth hath cause to be meâ—ry A discouragement to others to come on in such an uncomfortable profession An
THE ROCKE OR A setled heart in unsetled times A short Discourse minding and helping Gods People to make use of their Faith for moderating their Feares in these sad times of the sorrowes of SION Being the heads of some Sermons Preached lately and now published for that purpose By William Jemmat Pastor of Netlested in the County of Kent Psal 57.1 Be mercifull unto me O God be mercifull unto me for my soule trusteth in thee yea in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge untill these calamities be overpast London printed for Samuel Enderby and are to be sold at the Star in Popes-head-alley 1644. To the most Noble Patriot and my most worthy Patron Sir Edward Scot of Scots-hall Knight of the Bath together with the Lady Mary Scot his most worthy and religious Consort Grace Mercy and Peace be multiplyed in our Lord Jesus Christ SAd experience telleth even good Christians how weak their owne spirits are in the sore trials of these distracting times even where their peace and comforts are continued before they are put to suffer as their brethren abroad do Fears of evill threatned doe much disquiet them and too often suspend their faith from doing the due and proper office of it So that they deserve a check for their unbeliefe in the words of our Lord Why are ye fearfull O ye of little faith Mat. 8.26 And yet because they dislike and struggle with this unbeliefe they deserve pitty and to be helped against it which was the occasion of these meditations at the first and now of publishing them And for this Dedication of them to your worthy selves the cause is apparant Partly I would help forward your comfort in God after all your activity and charge in the great Cause of God now in agitation Partly I would make knowne your exemplary love to the work of God both in times of peace maintaining a Lecture at your owne cost and spending much upon the poore upon Ministers and others and in these times of warre exhausting your estate to buy Arms Horses and provisions of divers kinds for helping the Lord against the mighty beside your continuall cares and counsels for the publike and for the peace of our County which amongst other our Worthies oweth much to your worship for the safety of it and repelling of the enemy Your Martiall Family hath gained much honour hereby among all godly and understanding Christians And partly I would hereby tell the world that to me and mine you have bin a most free and loving Patron and was the like to my Predecessor and his Family The Lord returne into your bosome seven fold add to your dayes abundantly give you health take away or mittigate those paines you are sometimes subject unto strengthen you in the inner man by his Spirit fill you and yours with all heavenly graces and comforts keepe you unblamable to his Kingdome and glory and give you with us to see the peace of Sion againe established with the utter disappointment of all the enemies Which are the daily prayers of May 26. 1644. Your worships much obliged William Jemmat A setled HEART in unsetled Times PSAL. 112.7 He shall not be afraid of evill tidings his heart is fixed trusting in the Lord. Section I. Whether and how farre forth she feares of evill may be expelled from godly hearts in times of publike danger THis Question is occasioned upon reading the words of that Text thus What no feare Expos Faith and Feares 〈…〉 so fixed that you feare nothing What if there be tidings of a great Army comming against you What if tidings of great losses in your estate of Children miscarrying friend destroyed or the like Hath any such a faith as that still he will fear no evill tidings Whereto the Answer may be made in six things and the Text withall expounded I. Faith in the Essence of it casteth out all feare Essence and Existâ—nce of Faith as is said of love the daughter of faith 1 Joh. 4.18 perfect loâ—e easteth out feare But our faith is not perfect as there be frailties in our graces so in our faith We need still to say Mar. 9.24 1 Cor. 13. â— I beleeve Lord help my unbeliefe We know in part and love in part and beleeve in part and all in part till that perfect come This is faith in the existâ—nce of it in this or that Subject this or that Beleever If it were entire it would render a man altogether fearlesse Adam in innocency by faith adhering to God perfectly had nothing to feare And Christ the second Adam beleeving perfectly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mark 1. â— 33 feared no threats of the wicked nor dangers He feared indeed at his Passion but that was partly because he stood in our room who by sinne were brought into a condition of terrours partly in respect of his Fathers wrath which must now be appeased And I suppose in the day of judgement before the Saints enter into Heaven it will be by the perfection of their faith that they feare none of those terrours and amazements 1 Joh. 4.17 Herein is our love made perfect that we may have boldnesse in the day of Judgement Yea there will be great joy as in a day of refreshment a day of redemption of the restoring of all things of the Lambs Marriage of the best good that ever the godly saw II. Faith in the full and entire acts of it casteth out all feare that is so long and so farre forth as we trust in the Lord for that time we shall be unmovable and invincible as mount Sion Psal 125.1 though another while we be fearfull and conflict with sore doubtings Job 19.25 As Job now confident I know my Redeemer liveth anon very much distempered and David one while will fear nothing Psal 24.4 though he walk in the midst of the Valley of the shadow of death and another while bewrayeth great infidelity 〈◊〉 77.9 Will the Lord be no more gracious c. The proper act of faith is to cleave to the Lord without wavering or doubting This led the Martyrs through the prisons and flames and extreamest sufferings This we read of in Paul very much 2 Tim. 1.12 I know whom I have beleeved and Rom. 8.38 I am perswaded that neither death nor life shall be able to seperate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord and so it is in others where the full assurance of faith is obtained Heb. 10.22 and note the phrase here His heart is fixed trusting in the Lord or in asmuch as he trusteth in the Lord or so farre forth as he trusteth in the Lord just the same forme of speaking as in 1 Tim. 4.8 Godlinesse is profitable to all things having the promise that is in asmuch as it hath the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come Now apply this to the former instances of a great Army comming
have their feares as others have and their feares are both naturall and usefull Onely this may curbe them and keep them from being immoderate Faith acted sets the heart as a rock and the face as a flint Isa 50.7 The Lord God will helpe me therefore shall I not be confounded therefore have I set my face like a flint and I know thaâ— I shall not be ashamed Obiect Oh! but it is very hard to keep the heart in a good frame of depending and waiting on God I find my heart soon unsetled though sometime fixed Ans 1 True Gods owne children find sad vicissitudes of faith and frailty flesh and spirit are ever combating as in other things so in this like those that goe upon the sea sometime carried up to Heaven Psal 107.26 sometime downe againe into the deâ—ps Let no Christian discourage himselfe because of these alterations Be glad that sometimes ye find an high tide of affections and assurances 77. 10. David remembred the yeerâ— of old and was comforted Secondly it is indeed difficult and that shewes the excellency of the life of faith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 All excellent things are attended wâ—th their difficulties A great estate needs much adoe in the managing None layeth siege to a Cottage neither will Satan trouble those that live the life of nature but where faith is he will quickly shew himselfe an enemy Thirdly Religion in generall and faith in particular hath a power in it Lactant. â—â—nditu 4.28 both to maintaine it selfe and oppose the enemy Religion in latin hath its name of bindâ—ng And in this case it bindeth the beleeving soule to its Mast so to avoyd enchanting Syrens of the World and keep it upright against all stormes of temptation and persecution and faith at weakest cryes out for help Lord increase our faith Lord belp my unbeliefe The life of nature strives to preserve it selfe as long as it can and by the best meanes it can and so doth the life of faith The weakest Beleever can make moane and say all is not well with him and long for some reliefe which struglings shall be relieved Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousnesse Mat. 5.6 for they shall be filled Fourthly therefore strive still to act thy faith chide unbeliefe away as Psal 42.11 Why art thou cast downe O my soule why art thou disquieted within me What reason for this infidelity Fight the good fight of faith 1 Tim. 6.12 Contend for the Faith Jude 3. As for the doctrine of faith and habit of faith so for the act and exercise of it In vain is that habit of power which is not reduced into act No need to bid a Sea-man cast forth his anchor in a storme so me thinks there should be no need to call upon a Christian to set his faith on worke in these dangerous dayes Quest What should we doe to exercise our faith in soule weather Meanes to bring faith into act and make our use of it when need requireth Answ 1. Seeke the Lord by prayer Jam. 1.17 from whom commeth every good and perfect gâ—ft and to live the life of faith is one of those gifts As he is the Author so the Fâ—nâ—sher of faith Heb. 12.2 As he gives the habit so the act and operation of it The Lord gives his Church both the former and laâ—ter raine Faith is a Creature and the strength whereby we stand is uncreated even God himselfe Thou art the strength of my heart said David and my portion for ever Ps 37.26 Faith that must support us must it selfe be supported of the Lord as Christ prayed for Peter Luke 22.32 I have prayed that thy faith faile not Doth any of you therefore want wisdome or strength Jam. 1.5 6. Let him ask of God who giveth liberally He is the onely stay for a poore Beleever in streights and difficulties Fall to casting anchor in Heaven or else ye are gone 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth neither justifie nor uphold us in great trials God must help us to beleeve or we shall soone come to nothing Faith with its Correlative is all in all to us 2. Keep still in eye those many grounds on which faith standeth and establisheth the heart that is the Relations of God to us his Attributes Promises Providence mercies received mercies reserved c. A tall man in the bottome of a celler will see but little and a strong Beleever if his grounds be out of fight will be weak as another man To the Law and to the Testimony Isa 8.20 in matters to be done to the Gospell and to the Promises in matters to be beleeved and receive comfort A Trades-man to furnish his Shop will repaire to the Ware-house And a Christian to be furnished with comfort must repaire to the Promises and the like supplies It may be observed that the same Christian as he hath used his grounds or not used them hath been strangely altered as if he were not the same man One while a Gyant another while a Dwarfe Oh saith David I shall one day fall by the hand of Saul Another time he will not feare Psal 3 6. though ten thousand had compassed him round about One while Job curseth his birth-day and is very impatient another while he will trust in God Job 13.15 though he kill him It is aliquid Dei some divine thing that must uphold the best heart that is If his means be neglected or laid aside there quickly comes a fearfull alteration When the Moone receives not light from the Sunne it is presently eclipsed 3 Shut the eye of flesh at such times and beware of carnall reason Carnall reason is a great enemy to faith therefore these are opposed one to another To walk by faith and walk by sight 2 Cor. 5.7 We walk by faith and not by sight He that will goe by likelihoods and unlikelihoods shall never be setled in beleeving The servant of Elisha feared because he looked onely at them that came against him and saw not who were with him The Noble-man dyed for it If God should make windowes in Heaven 2 Kin. 7.2 could there be such plenty Zacharias was stricken dumb for asking whereby shall I know this Luk. 1.20 being old and his Wife well stricken in yeers Abraham on the other side Rom. 4.19 considered not the deadnesse of his owne body or of Sarahs wombe but looked at him who had promised that he was able and faithfull to performe The naked Word of God is sufficient for performing all his promises Never ask when or how or any such matters Hath not the Lord spoken it And if it be mervailous in your eyes should it be mervailous in mine eyes saâ—th the Lord of â—osts Zech. 8.6 Oh say we our enemies are many and strong our friends few and weak treasure exhausted no likelihood of carrying our cause Joh. 11.39 Lord by this time it stinketh for tâ—â—s
home they shall not intend to trouble us Thirdly that the Lord makes fâ—ll the baâ—â—es of our gates and is a wall of fire round about us Zech. 2.5 the Rereward the Shield all in all to us Though we have but a watry-wall about our Island yet in God it may prove too high and strong to be sealed Our woodden houses may swimme about and keepe out the enemies Fourthly there may be forreigne friends as well as foreigne enemies and stronger then they wiser then they more succesfull then they as the Lord can make them The hearts of all are in the hand of God who still followes his owne work and useth what Instruments he pleaseth And we see he hath brought in one friendly Nation already 4. About the defect of friends Obiect 4. I feare our Worthies in Parliament will be weary discouraged too few and so the work may cease Answ The Word saith that the Lord hath yet the residue of Spirit Mal. 2.15 It is but pouring out of more Spirit and they shall renew their strength and courage Or if one faile another shall stand up in his place Certainly he that hath so raised and upheld them hitherto will continue them to us and his owne work by them Jud. 13.23 If he meant to destroy them he would not have shewed them such things as these And who ever heard of a people in Covenant with God and studying Reformation wholly forsaken 2 Chron. 15.2 The Lord is with you while ye are with him And he sheweth since the Covenant last entred into by many great and notable victories that he intends them good and us by them Beleeve therefore they shall be worthy instruments of more glory to God and of more good to his people Zech. 4.9 The â—ands of Zerubbabel have layd the foundation of this house his hands also shall finish it Obiect 5. 5. Of the want of Treasure Psal 24.1 I feare our moneys will faile the sinews of War Answ 1. The Word saith The earth is the Lords and the fulnesse thereof And he can make our Newters Malignants and Misers to bring forth their treasures Or spring a new mine for supply some other way 2. It saith 1 Cor. 1.27 that he makes the weak to confound the mâ—ghty And in like reason the poore to overthrow the rich When men see their estates gone they wax desperate Necessity hath been called a terrible weapon And it is evident that riches cannot get victories The battel is not to the strong Eccles 9.11 The event of a battell belongs wholly to God Prov. 21.31 The Horse is prepared against the day of battell but safety is of the Lord. Obiect 6. 6. About our sinnes lâ—st they hinder I could trust otherwise but feare our sinnes will hinder good things Answ 1. The Word saith that God doth his great works for Church freely Onely because mercy pleaseth him I wâ—oâ—ghâ— for my Names sake often in Ezek. 20. and 36.32 Not for your sakes doe I this c. 2. If our sinnes could hinder we should not have seen any of these great deliverances and victories We have sinnes enough to have laid us desolate long agoe Not a remnant had been left before this time Onely the Lord seems to have past by the sinnes of the remnant of his people and so we are saved by a great deliverance 7. About triall to some particular Obiect 7. I feare we may suffer for a while as our Brethren have done and for my part I doubt I should shew much weaknesse when I come to the tryall Luk. 12.4 2 Cor. 12.9 Answ 1. Christ saith Feare not them that kill the body Secondly his grace is sufficient for thee as well as for others Joh. 10.28 None shall pluck his Sheep out of his â—â—â—â—s None shall seperate from his love Thirdly in the tryall God stands by his people more then at other times to shew himselfe stâ—ong in a weak Creature 2 Cor. 12.9 In theâ—r weakâ—â—â—â— his power is the more glorified and manifested He will be with them in six troubles and in seven in fire and in water So that ye may say boldly The Lord is with us we will not feare what man can doe unto us Heb. 13.6 8. About Martyrdome Object 8. What if I should be put to suffer Martyrdome I shrink to think of it Answ The Word saith Rom 8.37 we are more thâ—n 〈…〉 through him that loved us And we may say accordingly First the Martyrs were flesh and blood as we are Oâ— themselves weak and no more able to endure those extremities then other men They suffered nothing in their owne strength but by faith and you have faith as well as they Secondly God is the same God now as then and will put forth the same strength in you as in them Isa 59.1 His hand is not shortned neither will his promise faile He is God al-sufficient Gen. 17.1 and still the same to his Church as in the dayes of old Isa 46.3 4. 9. About the enduring of hardship Obiect 9. I shall not be able to endure cold hunger prison reproach c. Answ The Word saith these are vanquished enemies and disabled in the maine Rom. 8.35 And all the gates of hell shall not prevaile against the Church And defiance may be made against them as there who shall seperate who shall accuse or condemnâ— And assurance had that we shall not flinch for any of them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I am perswaded that neither death nor life shall be able to seperate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 10. About Children left to the world Obiect 10. What shall become of my poore Children Answ The Word saith the Covenant reacheth the Children as well as the Parents Gen. 17.7 I am thy God and the God of thy sâ—ed They shall therefore find a Father in Heaven when none is on earth And promises to be performed which will prove large portions and friends on earth which you little think of Even an hundred fold Fathers and Mothers c. Mark 10.29 30. And it hath been observed that the Children of Martyrs have received speciall blessings from God especially in their souls Obiect 11. About the losse of Friends 11. How shall we live if my husband be slaine or some other friend by whom I live Answ The Word saith that Man lives not by bread onely Mat. 4.4 but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God And is not the Lord better to thee then ten husbands or ten friends And who multiplied the meale in the barrell and oyle in the cruse Who gave a blessing to Daniels course fare that he looked better then any of the Kings Children Who fed so many thousand with two barly loaves and a few in all fishes True miracles are ceased but not Providence and that sometimes in a strange wayâ— God can and will doe
above what we ask or think Eph. 3.20 12. About sin forced upon a good soule Obiect 12. I feare my Chastity may be violated or some other sinne forced upon me which would be a terrour to my soule and break the band between God and me Suidas Answ 1. It was Origens sinne for avoyding the filthy Black more to burne incense to the Idoll No evill may be done that good may come of it Rom. 3.8 Secondly He that doth worng saith the Word shall suffer according to the wrong he doth Col. 3.25 not he that suffereth wrong No sinne hurts to which consent is not given It is the others sinne thy sorrow Tarquin â—ucret Aug. Two in the adultery yet but one adulterer Thirdly the Lord who is most mercifull will not presently breake with his Child when hurried to sinne by temptation or violence of persecution No Isa 30 18. Psal 103.14 he is a God of Jâ—dgment knoweth 〈◊〉 sâ—ame and that we are but dust and will remember his Covenant an everlasting Covenant Section VII Make much of Faith which is so usefull and other Corolaries of the point Faith being so strong and effectuall a meanes to settle the heart in evill times Faith to be â—â—â—â—â—shâ—d and â—ncâ—eaâ—ed Mâ—â—â—eâ— it will be good wisdome for Christians to make much of their faith to cherish it strengthen it fix it and be adding to it daily Souldiers will keep their Forts well that their â—oâ—ts may keep them And alike must Beleevers doe for their faith which is so much for their turne every way It were folly to complaine of a troubled spirit about these troublous times and not be earnest in preserving and increasing faith which should fasten and quiet the heart It were a sinfull neglect of the meanes which God in great wisdome and love hath set apart for the remedy We have seen grounds enough for our confirmation which if they be well improved would both preserve and increase our faith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Arist It is a rule that all things are nourished of the same matter whereof they are bred Therefore First be diligent and conscionable in the use of the Word publique and private whereby faith commeth at first and afterward is encreased The Word is sincere milk Rom. 10.17 whereby new-borne Babes may grow 1 Pet. 2.2 A child thrives best by the Mothers milk In the Word are promises to be ever met withall in all particulars And as good Evidences for house or land well perused doe much cleer a mans title to the thing So the Scriptures well searched and applyed doe strongly cleere the righteous mans Evidence for Heaven The failing of Christians is when they wax negligent in the Word or if they turne aside to visions or other fancies no food so nourishing as Gods Word duly regarded They that are planted in thâ— house of God are fat and flourishing and bring forth fruit in old age Psal 92.14 Secondly be frequent and serious in going to the Lords Table where is a fatning Banket to the prepared and worthy Receiver No feast yeeldeth better nourishment to the body then this to the soule This is the true Sacrament of Confirmation This is a Medicine that expelleth all evils 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ignat. ad Ephes both unbeliefe and all the heavy passions that issue from it Onely get a good appetite prepare examine come fitted to receive a blessing The Master of the Feast would not be wanting to his owne Ordinance if his Guests were not wanting to themselves Spirituall sloath foolish curiosity turning to vaine janglings are maine hinderances of the benefit which that blessed Ordinance is reany otherwise to afford Thirdly frequent lovingly and improve wisely the Communion of Saints which ye professe to beleeve these are able to satisfie your doubts mind you of promises produce experiences comfort you beare you up and doe much for fixing you on your Rock United forces doe back one another As iron sharpneth iron so the face of one Christian strengtheneth heereth another But woe be to hâ—m that is alone Eccl. 4.10 It he fall who shall raise him up And the devill desireth no betteâ— advantage then to find Christians solitary and private-minded When Thomas was absent from the rest of his fellowes Joh. 22.25 he grew to a sturdy kind of unbeliefe Unlesse I may feele I will not beleeve Fourthly pray much and earnestly for the increasing and acting of thy faith Mar. 9.24 Luk. 17.5 Lord help my unbeliefe Lord increase our faith Pray to be able to live the life of faith to trust perfectly in the grace revealed to have the use of thy faith when need is to have thy heart fixed by beleeving What is not the Lord able and willing to doe for them that cry unto him Hath he not promised to returne a gracious answer Even a naturall Father will regard and pitty the mone which his poore child maketh Fifthly recount and search out the promises which are the same to the feeding of faith as oyle is to the feeding of a lamp soone extinguished if fuell be with-held Abraham was strong in faith because he had both eyes upon the promises Promises will make us Partakers of the divine nature 2 Pet 1.4 Heires of promise should live on promises as their owne proper element and nourishment A Beleever forgetting the promises is as a fish on dry land Gods people of old were busie in searching out promises when the search was difficult obscure and nothing so comfortable as now in the light of the Gospell 1 Pet. 1.11 12. Sixtly meditate on the Attributes of God which have great power to make us beleeve any thing which the Lord hath promised He is able who promised he is faithfull who promised Rom. 4.21 1 Thes 5.24 c. All of them are engaged for our good as himself who is our God by a firme Covenant And faith will subsume I beleeve in God Almighty What cannot he doe who is Almighty I beleeve in the onely-wise God who is Omniscient and what cannot such a one invent I beleeve in him who is the searcher of reynes and knoweth the hidden things of darknesse what wicked plot cannot he discover I beleeve in him who is true and faithfull what word of his shall fall to the ground So in the other A Dwarfe with a Gyant on his side waxeth resolute and valiant When the eye is taken oft from one-selfe and all enemies or other incumbrances and kept close upon God how strong will faith he and the heart unmovable Seventhly strengthen thy faith by the experiments thou hast had of God formerly and others have had His works partly done partly in doing invite confidence for time to come The reason is because the Lord is ever the same inexhaust unweariable his hand not shortned nor his eare heavy but he can and will help his people to the uttermost To like persons in the like way and