witnesse doth give a distinct sound It palpably declâ—res and plainly proclaimes our Defection from God and Apostasie from him after we had bound our souls with an oath to the contrare It is not onely because we were not answerable to our Covenant-engagements to studie holinesse in the feare of God and walk like a people dedicat and devoâ—ed to him though such a breach goes alwayes before and the other followes afâ—er Buâ— because we dealt unfaithfully in thar Covenant made for Reformation in his house we beâ—ame lukewarme in the cause so the curse of deteâ—table neâ—trality hath over taken us our solemne acknowledgement of sin and engagements to dueties were forgotten Yea we proceeded from one degree of unfaithfulnesse infixedâ—esse in our Covenant with the most High to another till the whole of that Covenanted-work of Reformation was surrendered and put in their power who have destroyed all and razed and overturned the blessed foundations of that beautiful structure and this was done with such a hast and precipitation as he was looked upon as a peevish Ridicule who would have advised in that day to see previously to the securitie of Religion before these were put in power who were it's known and constant enemies And so what ouâ— worthy Fore-fathers of truely blessed memory by their zeal their wisdome their courage for God their valient contendings for the truth their prayers their witnessings their sufferings had by the good hand of their God upon them wrought out for us and put us in possession of we blindly and basely abandoned all and suffered our selves to be fooled out of the cause and out of our faithfulnesse to Christ with a flourish or small parcel of good words And it is for this iniquitie that the holy and righteous Lord pursues us this day it is for this that he doth punish us by these very hands into whose hands we put power to overturne his work and left them at liberty to do so Now O generation see the word of the Lord. It is not my purpose hereâ— to give an account of the several steps of our defection or to draw the lineaments of it's black visage that is an undertaking above my pen and parts let the Lord with whom is the residuâ— of the spirit finde out and furnish some for it and O that for my interest in the defection and my accession to the cause of Gods contending this day with poor Sâ—otland I may obâ—ain mercy to go mourning to my grave This may be cried out upon as Treason well if the mentioning of the Land 's treacherous dealing with God be called Treason all my Apologie is that that makes the necessitie of doing it double and indispensible dutie let me be a Traitor if that be Treason But I know this may be particularly bogled at and abomâ—nat as if it were the reviving and raking againe out of the ashes wherein they were burnt and by the burners designed for ever to lye buried of the causes of wrath I need say little as to this But that the Causes of wrath need neither my patrociny nor Apologie they carry alongst their own sâ—d aud certain evidence with them and I judge many who did not then see so far as these Seers did who drew them up and mourned before the Lord under the conviction of the guâ—lt therein held forth have since been convinced to their cost that the secret of the Lord was with these his Servants and that they stood in his Counsel and if any of them be â—ot they may be ere all bedone O the burning of the Covenant in England and the Causes of wrath in Scotland shall certainly be followed with a fire and siercenesse of indignation as shall make Authors Actors Abettors and Rejoycers thereat know what it is to give such an open defiance to the Almighty A Covenant burnt and burnt by Authority in the sight of heaven with such hell-black solemnities where the great God is Altera pars Contrahens for Reformation of Religion accordâ—ng to his word and righteounesse in walking before him is such a sin as may make every soul to tremble at the fore-thoughts of what God will do for vindicating his glory from that contempt thereby cast upon him My present businesse is not to addresse my self by way of Testimony or representation to them who have done such horrid things Onely I wish that the burning of that City into ashes where that Covenant was burnt together with that non-such plague and war may make them take warning ere it be too late who did this wickednesse for Alas all that is come will be forgotten when the wrath and vengeance that is yet coming shall be execute and mentioned O England England I feare I feare thy wo hasteneth the wrath of God is upon the wing against thee both for breach of Covenant and wipeing thy mouth as if thou hadst done nothing amisse Thou hast stood and seen thy brothers day Alas for thy day when others shall stand aloof from thee for feare of sharing in thy judgements O how unexamplified must the plagues be wherewith they shall be pursued whose wickednesse hath such a singularitie of hainousnesse in it on the ground of the Righteousness and Veracity of God! The burning of a Covenant made with God is a sin which I believe never had precedent or parallel and I also believe that the terrible tempest of the wrath of God falling from Heaven and following this guilt shall for ever fright men from following their steps who for this shall be made spectacles of his displeasure and documents to the coming of Christ what a dreadful and fearful thing it is for men taken red-hand in this wickednesse to fall into the hands of the living God! And as for burning the Causes of wrath I grant that wickednesse hath a perfect parallel but of a tremenduous consequence in â—ehojakim's practice recorded Jer. 36.23 where that ungodly King of unhappy memory upon his apprehended restitution to freedom and deliverie from the judgemâ—nt of God pursuing him for his wickednesse is so grated with the prophets faithfulnesse as he burnt the causes of wrath Now let it be taken notice of how the anger of the Lord burnt against this bold burner see his burial and Epitaph Ier. 22.18.19 but more particularly see how for this very consumating wickednesse he and his posteritie for ever are deprived from Crown and Scepter Ier. 36.30 2 Chro 36. His bâ—otheâ— Zedekiah it is true was made King for a time but he also continued to do evil in the â—ight of the Lord and broke the Covenant of God though he burnt it not and then the Lord sweeped that race for these rebellions against him together with the throne off the face of the earth thus the burning of the Causes of wrath and the breach of God's Covenant brought down the fire of the wrath of God from heaven which consumed with its flame these who had dared the Almighty after
soul and shoulder to defeat this desperat designe and in order to the frustrating of the projects of these peruerters of the right wayes of God let union in the Lord amongst his servants and people be studied and endeavoured Let us carry in this day as men of understanding who know the times and how the true Israelits of God ought to behave one towards another while the Adversaries lye in wait to prey upon our divisions and is it sutable while they gnash upon us with their teeth that we should bite and devour one another or is it not more Christian and Christ-like that while we suffer together we smile one upon onother and support one another yea and if it should come to dying die embraceing one another Let therefore all unsuteable and unseasonable striving and unbrotherly and unchristian contending be prevented or exstinguished ere they come to a flame for that is fatal It is well known how small a wedge of the same timber driven by the policy of an enemy especially when in power hath made great and grievous breaches amongst such who once took sweet counsel together and walked to the house of God in company how frequently in all ages of the Church have they carrried away many first to a connivance then to a compliance for he who is once cheated into a connivanee is easily charmed into a compliance with their designes and so rendered the opposition of the rest who stood and withstood lesse significant Let us therefore be wise Let us take notice of the Adversaries stratagems whose maxime is Devide impera And in this they are so cunning and closs as sometime they can personat a division amongst themselves that they may the more certainly effectuat it amongst us which when it comes to passe it hath ever deplorable and dismal effects For there is ever a sad and certain connexion observed betwixt a dividing time in the Church and a further departure from the truth and a hotter persecution of those who cleave to God and his truth with purpose of heart But becaufe I know the greatest pretenders to what is now pleaded for and persuaded unto are really the greatest enemies to that union and concord intended by the Spirit of God And to the end they themselves may be applauded in their not strivings as becomes for the truth they of all men are most ready to represent such as doe as fire brands and Church renders And therefore let none mistake what love to union amongst all the serious servants of Jesus Christ in such a day hath caused me to drop as if thereby I did intend to plead for or perswade unto an union with a disadvantage to the precious truth of God and the true interest of the Gospel or did insinuat in order to peace and union either an approbation of forbearance of dutie in its proper season or of taking such courses as in regaird of circumstances may be construed a compliance with the men who have made themselves and the Nation guiltie before God of this high transgression to wit of destroying what they once built and building againe what they destroyed what shall we leave any thing undone or shall we do any thing under what speciouâ— pretext soever that may seem to say we have said a confederacy to such who call us to a confederacy after God had instâ—ucted us with a strong hand not to say so since that confederacy will be found a conspiracy against him should we joine again with the persons of these abominations and breake his covenant would he not be angry with us till he had consumed us The woe upon woe and wâ—ath upon wrath which was denounced against Scotland by a great Seer and eminently faithful Master-builder amongst us upon the apprehension of a relapse into a compliance with the haters of the Lord and the work of reformation whereto he preceived a propension and saw the Nation begun already to be leavened with the dreadful leaven of Apostasie is so sadly accomplished upon us that unlesse we be a people devoted to ruine and utter destruction we will learne from what is past to stand aloofâ— and stop our eares at the Syren-songs of those who pipe to us that we may dance a compliance with them in their breach of covenant with the most High and secure them into a quiet possession of all which they have taken from our blessed Lord Jesus Christ for this is the substance and sense of this now pressed Boud and these newly required Lawborroweâ—s O if ever there was a day to be unite in crying uâ—ite our hearts to feare that glorious and fearefull name the Lord our God If ever there was a day to be unite in watching in standing fast in the faith in quiting our selves like men this is that day when these God-provoking courses are carried on and our compliance and concurrence therein required Oâ— now when thâ—re is such a combination against the Christ of God such an onenesse iâ— opposeing his Anointed let us studie an union in abiding with him in owning â—im as King and Supreme let us continue with him in these temptations and contend for him let us contend with one another for that confirms true union to excite to this contention Let us studie and promove onenesse in walking in the good old way without turning aside to the right hand or to the left because of the lion that is in it aâ—d without laying other foundations in whole or in part than what were laid Let us not disorder these foundations nor pick a stone out of that beautiful fabrick and then put our invention upon the raâ—k to forge a consistency betwixt some cessions to the adversary old principles and finde out a way how to go some length with them or how not to oppose them while they with so high a hand overturn the work of God and yet retain our integritie and set off this our novel invention to our Brethren with the embrodeâ—ie and vermilion of uâ—ion and think there is sufficient ground to call all dividers and stigmatize them as such who will not with us gâ—ude about to change their way and lay as much weight upon our notions and darke yea benighting Distâ—ngoes as we do Let us studie an onenesse in promoving the opposed work of God Alas under the pretence of being unite amongst our selves we were charmed and chained into a forbearance of many things in theiâ— proper season which may and ought to send us mourning to our grave and keep a closâ— union between sorrow and our soul till death make a divorce between soul and body let us studie an onâ—nesse in endeavouring some thing â—o signifie our sorrow and shame for the ground which we have lost and the advantage the Adversary by our faintings hath goâ— to tâ—â—mple upon and triumph oveâ— our case An onenesse in seeking of God a right way by fasting and praâ—er not daring â—o listen unto rush upon or receive overtours
The poor Man's Cup of cold Water Ministred To the Saints and Sufferers for Christ. IN SCOTLAND Who are admidst the scorching flames of the fiery Trial. I. JOH III 13. Marvel not my Brethren if the World hate you I. PET. IV 12 13. Behold think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as if some strange thing hapned unto you But rejoice c. II. THESS I 6. Seing it is a righteous thing with God to render tribulation to them that trouble you and to you who are troubled rest with us c. LUK. XVIII 7 I tel you that he will avenge them speedily PSAL. II 3 4 6 Let us breake their bands asunder He that sitteth in Heavens shall laugh Yet I have set my King upon my holy hill Zion PSAL. CXXXII 18. His Enemies will I clothe with shame But upon himself shall his Crown flourish Printed in the Year 1678. For the now truely honorable and really happy that little Flock and lovely Company in Scotland who are in great tribulation for the Word of God and for the Testimony of Iesus Christ and more particularly for his specially endeared Friends the Sufferers in the West OF SCOTLAND MUch honoured dearly beloved and longed for in our Lord Jesus Christ Grace from the God of all grace mercy from the Father of mercies who is rich in mercy peace from the God of peace whose it is to speake that peace and to give that peace which passeth all understanding together with joy in the Holy Ghost be multiplied upon you Though I am unable to do any thing for you or say any thing to you which can cannot to the equivalency of a releife now when you are overwhelmed with such an inundation and deludge of calamities as every one who looks on yea the very Authors and Instruments of these miseries and mischeifes must say if they speake their soul or sense you are pressed out of measure and beyond strength yet your sufferings are such for kinde and qualitie such for measure and weight such for substance and circumstances as might through a transport of griefe and compassion make the tongue of the dumb if he have bâ—t eyes or eares to break prison and cry out behold O Lord and consider to whom these things are done and for what and for whose sake I dare not Alas say that I fill up the just measure of that sorrow for you and that sympathy with you which is debt upon my part and an indispensible duty in this day of trouble and of treading down and of great perplexity by the Lord God of hosts in the valley of vision yet I desire to be amongst the company of those who doe not who dare not allow themselves to carry as inconcerned now when his precious interests lye a bleeding his poor remnant under their pressures as breathing out their last and such who endeavour to retain their integrity and to hold fall what they have that no man take their crown and to depart fâ—om that inquity which is the inquity of our time a departing from God and an opposition to Jesus Christ in nature and degree in height and hainousnesse of a tincture and elevation beyond and above what the departings from God and oppositions to his Son Jesus Christ have been or were capable of in former times make themselves a prey as is manifest in your case not to be paralleled if weighed in an even ballance I am so much straitned how to give my shallow and confused thoughts a vent while I essay to contribute my poor mite for alleying the bitternesse of your cup and mitigating the greatnesse of your griefe knowing well how little proportion what ever I am able to say keeps to the anguish of your soul because of what you are put to suffer as the sight of this indignation wherewith you are filled puts me to struggle with my inclination and staggers me in my resolution to speake as seeming rather to perswade me because of the heavienesse of his hand upon you to sit alone and keep silence then to open my mouth since the moving of my lips cannot asswage your griefe yet affection which easily procures a pardon when it misseth the marke it aimed to hit hath in the present clamant emergent emboldened me out of my poverty and penury to offer such as I have and besides I hope both from the conviction of duety and knowledge how much the depth of your distresse is beyond the supplies I can contribute for your ease and the supportings of my feeble feeklesse pen to acconnt it m mercy while you are in that Paroxisme agony of misery through the madnesse of such as are incensed against your Lord and Master to cry as I can on your behalfe Arise o Lord and rescue the soul of thy turtle from the rage of these men of cruelty and do not give up the beloved of thâ— soul into the hand of such an enemy whose way thy soul hateth You have often heard my deare and distressed friends and you have professed also to be in the faith of this That men may be more then conquerours when killed all the day long and that there is an hundred fold to be reaped in this life even with persecution Now set your selves when killed and crushed to put the crown upon your Profession now adorne that Doctrine of God the Saviour which you Professe by such a carriage as will witnesse you know in the midst of what flesh can do unto you how to be conforted in God how to endure the worlds hatred and harme as those whom no affliction can make miserable O that he may put you in case to seale from your own experience the sweetnesse of suffering for Christ And to say now we know there is a river that refresheth the whole City of God because he hath made us drink of this river of his pleasure whereof since we drank we have forgotten our Poverty remember our Misery no more now we can affirme from what we finde whereby our souls are fortified that as the sufferings of Christ have abounded in us so our consolation also hath abounded by Christ for whom we have suffered the loss of these things and in that loss are so great gainers as now we know what we have lost is but dung but what is left us or rather what we have found in these begun fruitions of Jesus Christ hath begun our heaven amidst all we suffer Yea I am hopeful it shall be with you in your huntings harassings and hideings as it was with Moses in the mount never so neer God as when at the remotest distance from all creature-converse and comfort And that even while you lye as among the pots and are black with the smoak of that fiery furnace heated seven times beyond what you or your Fathers have found or could have feared if Satan whose element is fire had not set the Instruments of your calamity on fire
the source rise and conduct of the Rulers procedour against you and their barbarous câ—uelty give you not onely confidence to pour out your heart befoâ—e him and present your câ—sâ— and cause in this General for thy sake we are killed all the day long we are counted as sheep for the slaughtâ—r But more particularly when you can sist your selves bâ—fore him and sob out your sorrowes in these words of a truth Lord against thy Holy Châ—ld Iâ—sus whom thou hâ—st anoâ—nâ—ed are all thâ—se gathered together and it is for our owning of him as thy anointed and râ—fuseing to be on that conspiracy that we ore thus used I know not vvhat can give ground of gladenesse in a mans life or vvhat can be cause of gloriation in death if resisting unto blood upon such a quarrell and not loving a mans life unto death in such a cause will not give ground for it Beloved Friends and much honourâ—d sufferers for Christ you know since you are taught of God that the way to overcome all trouble here and to carry as becometh Saints under it is to look above it and beyond it above it to the high and supreme hand that sends it and disposeth of it so as it may subserve your great Interest for in despight of the malice and madnesse of all inferior agents all these dire and dreadful things shall together with him who worketh mightily in his people and for them work together for your â—ood and beyond it and above it to the end of it and the recompence of reward following after it This is the way to profite by pressures to be gainers in all losses This is the ground of sweet peace and serenitie of mind amidst all trouble and the solid foundation for patience of Spirit For he is only in a capacitiâ— to possesse his spirit in patience whose spirit hath received these impressions without which the soul will be still disquieted Trouble will still tosse it as a ball in a large place and it will prove unstable as water I suppose since you are Saints and so must have some impressions of the absolute Soveraignitie of God that though in your searchings you could not finde out or fixe upon the cause of his contendiug with you thus yet you would either be silent or say it is the Lord let him doe unto us what seemeth hâ—m good And if he have no pleasure in our liveiâ—g and dwelling in our little huts and houses Bnt will drive us thence the will of the Loâ—d be done But not to insist on this which yet you will grant to be infinitly rational for who hath enjoyned him his wayâ— or who may say unto him what doest thou there is sufficient to keep you and me aâ—d the Christians of this generation from frâ—tingâ— and saying while in the fire and while the rod of the wicked rest upon your lot and these plowers plow upon your back and make their furrowes longer and deeper than all these plowersâ— which went before them did O when will God Loose the plough by cutting asunder the cords of the wicked and confouâ—ding turning them all back that hate you He is the Lord who will hasten it in his time to shew that he is righteous Let us weep for what we have done And wait in hope for what he will do why are we thus Surely a sight of our sin would make us wonder that we are not worse yea admire his goodnesse who will be at all this pains about us to heal us of these mortal diseases whereof our immortal souls are sick even unto death I am sure that the crimson dye of our crying iniquities would curb our impatience and cure us of that evil of quarrelling with him because of our suffâ—rings Consider therefore however you suffer very unjustly from men against whom you have done nothing justly to procure their indignation yet if you look within you and lift up your eyes above you and consider how the cry of your transgâ—essions is come up into his eare you will be constrained not onely to justifie him in this seeming severiâ—ie but to confesse from clearnesse and conviction you are punished lesse then your iniquities desâ—rve And that it is of the Lords mercâ— you are not consumed because his compassions fail not Hence is it thaâ— when the Apostle Peter hath been speaking of the fiery trial 1 Pet. 4â—12 13 14 15 16. which this day in our case and hath been encouraging and comforting them to a paâ—â—ent endâ—reinâ— while schorâ—hed with these flames by many noble arguments yet when he looks upâ—n thes heavie afflictions as coming from God he calls them verâ— 17 judgements intimaâ—ing thereby that his precious and peculiar people how upright and innocent soever as to men yet they are guiltie before God the righteous judge and that they muâ—â— acknowledge when â—hey â—ist thâ—mseâ—ves in his sight that what ever they suffeâ— is the fruit of their own doings and that by their provocations they have procured these things and rewarded all these evils unto their own soul by not walking worthy of him nor befoâ—e him to all pleasing If his people by their multiplied and manifold sins did not extort if I may say so strokes our of his hand he who doth not aâ—â—lict willingly nor grieve the Children of men but hath pleasure in the prosperitie of this people would not so often take the rod in his hand or would soon cast it into the â—ire for he doth not love to lash beyond necessitie and therefore when he hath performed his whole work upon mount zion he casts the rod into the fire and punisheth the fruit of the stout heart of his and his peoples enemies and the glory of their high looks The saints you know Brethren how graciows and grown so ever they are but Children and therefore must be under Chastisment The best of them are given to many Childish toyes and not a few of them in whom the root of the matter may be yea will be found are so far from abideing witâ— God in their callings and from adorning the Doctrine of God the Saviour that so men by seing their good works may glorifie their Father which is in heaven that there is a groffnesse in their way their iniquitie is ofâ—en found upon the skirts of their garmenâ—s and their spots are so unlike the spots of the people of God and Persons made partakers of the divine nature that because of these mouths of enemies are opened to blaspheme the name of God and reproach the blessed Profession But seting thsee aside Alas how doe they who escape such grosse pollutions yet often trifle in the matter of communion with God How formal and luke-warme in their addresses So that he who seeks the heart and will be worshiped in Spirit and Truth misseth their soul in their service How seldome arâ— they in Heaven How little dwelling upon the thoughts of Jesus Christ and the great sâ—lvation purchased by him on purpose
polishing instruments that so they may be made to shine as the sun in the firmament and put in case to see God when made lâ—ke him But besides that his purpose of having them in his company for ever puâ—s him to be at the pains of making them meet even by the â—hâ—ngs that they suffer as the mean which he graciously wisely useth and ordereth for that end to be partakers of the inheritance of the sâ—iâ—ts in light as is cleare comparing Coloss. 1 11. vvith 12. he minds to be familiar vvith them here alâ—o and admit them sometime vvhile in the vvay in the vvildernesse to eat Manna and to feast theiâ— souls in the begun fuitions of God and therefore to commend endeare this life unto them he makes the vvorld mingle a cup of gall vvorm vvood put it in their hand hold it to their head he beats them off from the vvorld that vvould vvrong them in into his ovvn boâ—ome O blessed repose the place indeed vvhere the vvearie finde both rest and refreshing But here I must be abrupt and leave the matter to be dilated and dwelt upon by you in yoâ—â— Meditation Onely let me say that the serious minding of these things would not onely prove a happie diversion and prevent the fretings of your mind by an unprofitable poreing upon your fiery afâ—liction But it would be the certain way to give you meat out of this eaterâ— Your mind would not onely be keep 't from being grangrened into impatience and galled with the load which lies upon your loins But you would be made glade and comforted over all yoâ—r sorrowes sufferings by beholding the end of the Lord the gracious designe he is driveing about you which is to make you up for ever by bâ—ing â—â—us undone And to order these light afflictions which are but for a moment so as thâ—y shall work for you a far more exceeding eternal weight of glory This is that wheel wiâ—hiâ— all â—â—ese wheels this is his purpose towards you the thoughts of whose heart take place in all Generations These things are upon his heart he cannot misse what he aimes at therefore you cannot be miserable amidst all the miseries you suffer from them who cast iniquitie upon you in wrath haâ—e you Nay therefore you cannot misse to be happy amidst all these he hath blessed you you shall be so But deare friends besides this general Consideration of your sin mine which is necessary for our profiting by every touch of his hand suffer me to suggâ—st the necessity of a particuâ—ar enquiry for when ever the Lord doth pursue a Church or a Land wiâ—h such a Church-desolating Land-destroying stroke as we have been under these so many yeers thouâ—h wickednesse violence in this assault upon you is come to such a Prodigious height as it is a surprise matter of astonishment to all who look on nay I am perswaded if noâ— many yeers ago it had been told these who have given the oâ—ders that they would do what now â—hâ—y boâ—h do defend they would have given Hâ—zaels answer he is then particularly pointing at some high and pâ—blick Provocation which his soul hates wherein that Church Nation is involved and whâ—reby thâ—y have made themselves deeply guiltie There is some accursed thing amongst that People Church when he breaks down what he had built gives up the dearely beloved of his soul into the hand of her enâ—mies which is our present condition And when it is thus It is high time to awake out of sleep to consider â—hat this is to enquire and accomplish a diligent search for finding that out for which his anger is fallen upon them lest God both search out the iniquitie of that people till he finde none search out the iniquity of their refusing to search then sweep them away as a generation of his wrath seperat them for evil as those in whom his soul hath no pleasure Nay that which will certainly make a generation a generation of his wrath cause him heap mischâ—ifs upon them spend his arrowes upoâ— them is when after such a fire is kindlâ—d as threatâ—ns the consumption of all with its flame men are not awakened to enquire what meaneth the heat of this great anger O when they are so unfaithful as either to be silent when they see it or are so oraculous in their â—inting at the guilt in stead of acquiting themâ—elves so faithfully to God so affectionatly to the souls of the unconcerned as to point it forth be so plain as thâ—y may thereby cause them to know their abominations as if they designed not to be understood I grant men may mistake in assigning causes and happy is that land which haâ—h these amongst them in such a day to whom the mouâ—h of the Lord hath spoken that they may dâ—clare it for what the land perisheth And yet if we will search the Scriptures and consult the records of the Church in her several periods we will finde that publick Church-desolating judgements had ever the guilt of that people so evidently engraven on them as he who did run might have read iâ— so that the dispensation seemed to cry every one into the consideration of the clearly procuring provocation and say O Generation see the Word of the Lord When he executs the judgement writen then he cloths his word with such a visible Garment as the man of wisdom must read his name of righteousnesse upon his rod and the gâ—â—lt of that people whom he so punisheth All of us therefore are called to a serious consideration of the causâ—s of Gods displeasure drawne out to such a length and arisen to such a height against us What then doeth such a stroke What doth such a Church-ruine after such a blessed reformation I neither feare nor blush to call it blessed notwithstanding of an act rescissory made to bury it and the belchings forth of enemies against it and all the Blashphemings of that great and good work of God by the Adversaries thereof I say what doth it say to us I cannot give the answer in more proper and plaint ermes than in the Prophet Jeremiah his words Chap. 22. where the question is proposed v. 8. by all that passe by wherefore thath the Lâ—rd done this unto this great City The Answer is given v. 9. Because they hâ—â—e foresaken ehe Covenant of the Lord their God Which is â—his upon the matter they had made themselves monsters for sin and God hath made them marvells for judgement and seâ— up a monument to the commendation of his righteousnesse over the ruine of these Covenantâ—breakers what means this sad change that the Lord who rejoyced over us to do us good and to multiply us is now turned against us as if he were rejoyceing over us to destroy us and to bring us to nought Oh! This his anger with such a
Deare Brethren mistake not the designe of this plain dealing I dar not daub with untempered mortar because I would not have you dally in the mâ—tter of Repentance I may say my record is in heaven that I have not allowed my self to be at ease since you were in trouble Let me speake therefore to you in â—he words of the Holy Ghost Heare ye the rod and who hath appointed it Learn to understand the Language of this Dispensation which if you doe your finger will ceâ—tainly be upon this sore and your eye toward the alone remedy so shall you comply with his noble Designe and blesse him eternally for what hath befallen you But Thirdly beloved sufferers for Christ as a further proof I have not mentioned these things on purpose you should be grieved and have sorâ—ow upon sorrow suffer me to adde That as I had often been made sad by that nnconcernednesse in the Matters of God and in the Sufferings of your Brethren observed with much sorrow and regret amongst youâ— unanswerable to the Kindenesse of your youth and the love of your espousals so I was refreâ—hed upon your behalfe and comforted to heare that there was a begun reviveing for some time observed amongst you and that now at the last your care of and concernednesse in the precious Interests of Christ began to flourish againe and some thing of old life and lustre began to appeare before this enemy broke-in upon youâ— and that he who had been riâ—eing Prosperously in many places of the Land going forth conquering souls to a compliance with the blessed besigne of the Gospel which is to crown the conquered was returning to give you a new visite and to make you â—avourie as in the dayes of old But more particularly what ever be the wickednesse of men and your innocency as to them that our blessed Lord Jesus hath graciously condescended to take a great Testimony at once from his old friends and followers in the West of Scotland he would not put such a Discredit and Discountenance upon youâ— as to have you behinde other parts of the land in filling up that which is behinde of the aâ—â—lictions oâ— Christ in your sufferings for his names sake the noble Interest of his crown O now happie and honourable favourits of so glorious a King would you have wishâ—d that the delivery of Scotland should have gone before this your distresse And that it should have been your reproach that you had been last in bringing home the King and had suffered least for his sake But now he hath rolled away your reproach and enrolled you amongst the honourable company of his witnesses O! what would you think to heare the Mediator make such a report of you in Heaven for his commendation makes beleevers and suâ—ferers fâ—mous there as this Now what was lacking of a full and faithful Testimony what was wanting in witnessing a good Confession amongst my Disciples and Friends in tâ—e West of Scotland is supplied with full measure heaped up shaken together and runing over They have not onely given and given cheerfully but the very poor amongst them have given as Kings unto God because they have given him themselves and their little All. O my Friends if you knew what report he is making of your suffering in heaven in stead of sincking into a despondency you would be in hazard to be diâ—tracted with joy However now Brethren rejoyce and now be glade in as much as he hath counâ—ed you worthy to suffer for his sake He hath set â— crown and garland upon your head which is not set on the head of every one whom he yet crowns with loving kindnesse and tender meâ—cies and which is denied to many who will yet get the immortal crown To you it is now given ` O blessed be the Giver and happy are the receivers not onely to believe on him but also to suffer for his sake To you it is given not onely to lodge him in your house and heart but because you have done so you are honoured to have your hoâ—ses taken in possession by others and your bodies which are temples of the Goly Ghost trod upon and abused by such who while they have the faces of men have the fashions of Devils But Deare Friends you are not so much debased and humbled when you lay your bodies as the mire and as the street to those that go over and when men does the equivalent of rideing over your head as you are highly honoured and exalted You are not so much hurt what ever harme they have done youâ— as you are made happie Remember whose these words are which contain in them a noble Cordial for you and an excellent remedie swallow it down and it will both seeke to the sore and make an inward jubilee in your soul Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousnesse sake for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven Look upward you may and Laugh Look upwardâ— that you may be in case to look all your trouble out of countenance Look uâ—ward and see who is Looking downward and his heart in his eye on purpose to take notice of all that is done to you for his sake their very hard speeches shall be remembered none of your sorrowes nor sufferings escape his observation but he takes notice of all these on purpose to comfort you over them and support you under thâ—m many a poor man amongst you durst never have evened himself â—o this degree and height of honour as either to have been driveâ— out of his hut or little hole-house or to have been oppressed in it that upon â—o noble an account as it shall be recorded in heaven reckoned as his Testimonie against the usurpation of the Mediators throne This is so great an honour I â—ay and a thing of so noble an import as many a poor man dar not suffer himself to believe it for joy He dare not allow himself to think that his name who had so little to lose will be enrolled amongst the company of Confessors but doe not wrong his love nor rob thy self of the rich conâ—olation he allowes upon thee For if thou hast lost but a hair â—or him if one of these have fâ—llen or hath been plucked from thy head let be thy old bleâ—â—onnet he will both recoâ—d it reward it he will not onely remember who have taken joyfully the spoiling of their goods But who when they had nothing of their own to lose had compassion upon them who were spoiled became companions by choice of them who were so used You cannot without blushing thiâ—k upon the value he will put upon your suffering how if I may say so he will magnâ—fie your poor mite which you are ashamed to mention Can you think without a kinde of pleasant confusion of the warme wonderful welcome you will get in the other world when you shall be advanced to reigne with him heare him speake these words to you you
to secure this your treasure is to commit the keeping of it to Jesus Christ for when it is in his hand and custodie it iâ— so sure as no maâ— no Devil can pluck it out for he is stronger then all Ye see that in a day of fiery trial and when judgement must begin at the House of God and when there is a must be of suffâ—ring according to his will for all that would do his will this is the happie advice given and alone expedient that will answer the end propounded 1 Pet. 4. last wherefore saith he let them who suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their soul to him in well-doiâ—g i. e. in doing these very thinâ—s for which they suffer all these evils of affliction for that is particularly the present well doing according to his will and so often as the doing of his will may infer danger let this act of commiting the soul to him be renewedâ— that so his will may only be done and his way keept with a holy undauntednesse of courage in the day of moâ—t desperat danger O! buâ— the soul is safe that is committed unto him we canâ—ot posâ—esse our souls in patieâ—ceâ— while we keep them in our own possession in such a dayâ— because we cannot secure them but then are they truely our own when we have given them away to him to keepâ— and we may then possesse them in patience when they are in his possession this made the Apostle 2 Tim. 1.12 enjoy a sweet serenitie in a very stormy day the perswasion of His being faithfull to his trust and able to keep that which he had committed â—nto him foâ—â—ified his soul against all feare of what could befall him in following the Lord and hardened him into a holy misregaird and contempt of the shame of the Crosse. Thereforeâ— deare Brethren let this be the greatest hast with you and the first hast too for he will do nothing â—or a man nor undertake to concerne hâ—mself in him or his affairs till he have committed his soul to hiâ— in the first place And when you have done this and to the end you may in this warfare attend upon the Lord without distraction commit all beside to him that you would have safe if a man love any thing then the onely way to keep it from being lost is to put it into his hand foâ— he not onely keeps all their bones who entrust him with their persons that none of them are broken when he intends not a greater good to them by the contrare but the very hairs of their head are numbeâ—ed and not one of them can be touched or fall to the ground without him Therefore having trusted him with your soul which is your treasure trust him with all your other liâ—tle â—riâ—â—les too He will take it ill if you doe other wise And if it be good for you to have these preserved he will keep them even to your old shoes the Angel will not let Pâ—â—er lose his Sandals or leave them behinde him in the prison Put your wives your children your estats your names and reputation yea whatsoever is deare unâ—o you in his hand and all is safe O but that person may be secure amiâ—st the bâ—iâ—teâ—ous blasts of affliction and the tempestuous rowlings of the raging seas of trouble whose pâ—rson and estate is insured in the insureance chamber of heaven Sure he who hath comâ—â—ttâ—d all to him may sleeâ— sweetly because he is safe amidst all dangers since the peace of God flowing from aâ—d folâ—owing such a commitment which passetâ— all understanding gairdâ— the hâ—â—â—t and mind through Christ â—esus Secondlâ— when you have thus committed all â—oâ— would have to his keeping to the end you may keep his way when assaultâ—d by Adverâ—aries and carry with that Gallantry which becomes thâ— Souâ—diers of the Captain of Salvationâ— make use of your allowed strength and furniture For you are noâ— called to this waâ—faâ—e on your own châ—rges The King beares all the cost so that you have a broâ—d boord to take a sufficiency of supply for all wants and weaknesse off and theâ—efoâ—e you are not so much to consider what you haâ—e or want in your selves in oâ—der to youâ— tâ—orow bearâ—ng aâ—d what you can do or endure in order to the obtaining of the victâ—â—y â—s what he will â—e â—o â—ou in that hour and do for you and accordinâ— to this reâ—koâ—ing you mâ—y say whâ—n we are weake thâ—n are we strong And when we can do notâ—ing yeâ— we can do all things and endure all things through Christ streâ—gthening or putting power in us and we may reckon also upon the victory you even you little ones have overcome them saâ—â—h he bâ—câ—uâ—e sâ—ronger is he thaâ— is in you then he that iâ— in the world Be stronâ— therâ—foâ—e in the Lord and in the power of his might Lay in store of suffering Graces put on the whole Armour of God saith the Aposâ—le that you may be able to stand he hath prepared that Armour for you and it is proof and he orders you to put it on and tâ—eâ—efore he doubles the exhorâ—ation take unto you thereâ—ore the whole armour of God thâ—t you mâ—â— be able tâ— stâ—â—d iâ— tâ—e evil day and having done all to stand I shall not insist on the particulars but leave that known place Ephes. 6. to your meditation Onely see well to these three Câ—râ—inâ—â— Gâ—aces as ever you would look for the Conquerours Crown first See well to â—our Faithâ— aâ—oâ—e aâ—l saith he taking the shield of Faith I cannot here hint the universal usefulneâ—â—e of faiâ—h in thâ—s waâ—fâ—re nor how it stâ—â—ls the soul with so much stoutnesse as it can mâ—ke a person look the very King of terrours out of countenance with a fearlesse misâ—eâ—aâ—rd In God I havâ— puâ— mâ— trust said that holy Man in a very desâ—erat danger and then he adds I will not feâ—re what flesh can do unto mee Faith not onely sees that thorow all darke and diâ—mal appearances which is of infinit value above all sufferings but as it interesteth the â—oul in that greaâ— gooâ—nesse it prompts with a holy fortitude and with a peremptorinesse of resolution and courage forceth its passage in order to possession thorow Devils Dangers and Death iâ—â—elf But consider particularly how faith is a shield that you may use it as such O blesâ—ed be He eternally though your eneâ—ies can take your old rusty swords they cannot spoil you of â—our faith and â—o they cannot conquer you For this is the victory whereby you over come the world even your faith Now faith is a shield and a shield of salvation because it interposeth God and his omnipotent power to protect betwixt the man and all that oppose himâ— and whatsoever would hurt him When David is put to flee from the face of ungodly Saul and his Court Grandees and hides himself in the Cave Pâ— 57 1. my soul trusteth in thee saith he yea in
great goodnesse to them who went before you you need not in order to your establishment run so far backward as to the records and experiences of former generations but I may say as you have heard so have you seen in the Ciâ—ie of our God Call to remembrance what you have been witnesses to what not a few of you have seen with joy and all of you have heard with gladnesse yea your enemies have beheld it with confusion of â—ace shame griefe and astonishment to wit that singular heart solacing and shining presence of God under which these your martyred Brethren were at their death It was evident he did not so much leave them into the hands of them who hated them to take away their lives as because he was so well pleased with their zealous fervour their fidelitie and fixednesse in his way which made them in Testimony of their love to him not to love their lives unto the death he therefore brought them forth to Crown them in the sight of these who killed them and in that Crucified their Master againe while they with a keen crueltie killed he crowned with loving kindnesse and kissed their souls out of them kepped them as they fell carried them off the scaffold in embraces to present them to his Father and set the Martyrs Crown upon their head I â—eed noâ— insist in a matter so manifest as it is beyond the hidings or denyings of those who put them to death and hath also caused so many thanksgiving unto God amongst the Saints so that I may aske you what do you feare Do you feare fruition Do you feare that they who cast you in the fiery furnace shall see the Son of God walking with you in the midst of the flames Do you feare to be seen made more then Conquerours through him who hath loved you Do you feare that when the incensed world hath yoked a fiery Chariot for you to cary out of the world that the world who hate you and hurry you thus off the stage shall see the King come and pave the bottome thereof for you with love Do you feare that while they stretch out their hand against you to take away your life he manifest his love in putting his left hand under your head and in embracing you with his right do you feare that while your blood is shed he give convincing significations to all that look on of his she ding abroad his love in your heart and that your blood is precious in his sight Are these things to be feared which have been the ambition of many righteous men yea and a piece of so great honour as they durst scarce even themselves to a sharing in it Or hath he deserted one of all the sufferers see if you can say it why then are you daunted with danger why do you doubt but he who hath glorified his name in others will glorifie it again in you Nay did he not most signally defeat the expectation of advâ—rsaries and out-do the hope of his poor servants by the remarkablenesse of his assistances given to some who were looked upon as such weake wriglings as they could noâ— stand it out but how by standing by them and strengthning them did he still the enemy and avenger and how did he by the marvellous supporting of his Grace perfect praise out of the mouth of such babes and sucklings I may appeale to the conscience of any present at these executions who savoure the things of God and saw under what a shining presence and with what joy uâ—speakeable and full of glory these dying men went out of the world and these murthered martyrs mounted their triumphant charriot if they would not at that time upon assuâ—ance to be carried off the stage under the same sun-shine and sweetnesse have left all they had in this world and gone with gladenesse in their company in to the other world If any one of all that now glorified company had been deserted you might be discouraged and shrink away and say what is our strength that we should hope But since everlasting armes underneath have been so visibly seen supporting every one whom he called to suffer it saith nothing if it say not this â—eare none of those things which you shall suffer For my grace shall be sufficient for yâ—u And my strength shall be made perfect in your weakenesse Therefore be not affraid but approach your duetie with humble confidence and courage even when death it self is in the way and you shall â—inde it with you as it was with the Priests beâ—ore whom Jordan recoiled not till their feet were within the brink Waite for your assistances and supports in the hour of conflâ—ct and in that very hourâ— it shall be given you and you put in case to say when we are weake â—hen are we strong And to compleat this account and make it appeare that the most daring and desperat enemy cannot ease his own soul by giving one instance to the contrair I can not here passe the death of Mr Miâ—chel which the Lord hath so excellently ordered both as to time and circumstances for whereas they who put him to death did hope to give thereby a daâ—h to the people oâ— God at this time and by their severitie exercised upon him to make them shrink into a fearefull compliance with their iniquous Contrivances but the supporting presence of God with him was such as no man needs for feare to forsake the way of the Lord because of what befell him I mentione not here the cause but leave the world to the account himself hath given thereof with what his Advocats had to plead on his behalfe And shall onely without making a parallel or instituting a comparison between the two allude to Samson's death in this execution Not that I mâ—y take occasion to tell the world that he who was aimed at may passe any day in the yeer for a Lord amongst the uncircumcised Philistims For that is no newes nay the world may judge I do these Lords wrong and him too in not associating him with But First Sampson was a rackel and rough-handed saint ready to peâ—t the Philistims upon all occasions yet secondly the Holy Ghost for all the faults that followed him hath recorded his name and enrolled him in thâ— number even while the names of many other are left out of these eminent worthies Hâ—b 11. And so he hath made the name of Mr Mitchell savovrie and as he tooke many Testimonies from him at all his appearances to the cause so he owned him in the end and honoâ—red him to die witnessing a good confession which will be on record to posâ—eritieâ— Thirdly as Sampson did more mischeâ—fe to the enemies of the people of God at his death than in all his life for when they sent for him to make themselves mirry with a sight of his misery the Lord helped him to spil â—heir sport so I judge it is beyond question with every sober man
that Mr Mitchells death hath done more hurt to it's contrivers and furious drivers than ever his lâ—fe could have done even though he had shot againe and hit that un hallowed marke For now where as he hath died desired they who drove it have in breathing out their crueltie against him brought an indelible infamy upon themselves and entâ—iled upon their posteritie a reproach never to be rolled away yea they have missed their marke so far in hiting him as I suppose the most confident scoffer amongst all those who promised them selves matter of mirth by his death and some thing on which they might breake their jest will be more loath to heare Mr Mitchels death mentioned than the death of any of those worthies that went before him lest concerning themselves it also be remembered how And thus was that prediction fulfilled with a witnesse contrary to the mind of him who in saying so did both mock and menace at once that God did glorifie himself by Mr Mithels death in the grasse market Yea glorifie himself he did and glory to him for having done so Is not this then Brethren heart-comforting and hand strengthening that all who went off the stage thus died under these refreshing manifestations and ravishments of spirit as their enjoyments would be the measure of mens desires for their own soul as they were the measure of the desires of these dying Martyrs for all the people of God For what could they wish more or seek more on the behalfe of these But O that it were with them in all things as it is with us except as to this scaffold which yet to us while under these manifestations is preferable to all the thrones of the Earth and the Pharadises and Pleaâ—ures wherein they live who put us to death Nay so marvellous was the presence of God with these his dying witnesses as I doubt nothing but some of the enemies who looked on and had a hand in sheding that innocent blood have said with themselves since O let me die the death of thâ—se righteous men and let my latter end be like theirs And I much doubt when death shall look the greatest Desperado amongst them in the face and he finds himself ready to be dragged before the judgement seat of Christ if the question were asked him whether he would have his soul now gathered with the souls of these suffereâ—s or with their souls who shall be brought in before the Tribunal with their fingers droping with the blood of those whom they killed upon such an account that he would be at any demurre what to choise Feare not then to follow Deare Brethren since you see how honourably the charges of all that have gone before you have been borne you have the same good God the same Christ the same Spirit the same cause the same covenanted strength have therefore the same confidence and courage as they did so doe you carry as in nothing terrified by your Adversaries which as it was in them so it will be in you an evident token of perdition to your proud and implacable persecuters But to you of salvation and that of God Suffer me ere I close to put one drop more in this cup to make it cooling and never-the-lesse cordial for that Endeavour Deare Friends with a Zealous prudence while you are in this fire of fiery trialls to prevent or exstinguish the wilde fire of unnecessare and hurtfull animosities amongst your selves by the flame of fervent and true love to God and one another this fire will burne out the other you see the enemy thrusts sore at you that you may fall therefore to the end they may misse their marke and you may stand fast in the Lord stand close together I shall not enlarge upon this head onely let me put you in mind of that notable place to this purpose when the Apostle Philip. 1. after what he had said of himself V. 20. O for a company in case to say the like comes to persuade to a carriage such as becometh the Gospel he pitched particularly upon this piece of a Gospel-becomeing conversation and perswads to it That I may heare saith he that ye stand fast in one Spiâ—it with one minde striving together for the faith of the Gospel c.. And knoweing well how much true unitie did strengthen the saints while put to this striving he doth in the following Cap. Viz. c. 2. v. 1 2 3. with a mervellously sweet emphaticknesse inculcat and commend the same thing with such a warme varietie of heart-melting and affection-moving words and arguments as are sufficient or nothing can be to cement and souder into a samenesse the souls and affections of all saints If there be therefore saith he any consolation in Christ if any comfort of love if any fellowship of the spirit if any bowels and mercies fullfill ye my joy that you be like minded having the same love being of one accord of one mind Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory but in lowlinesse of mind let each esteem other better than themselves Now what can be said after this Here you have union nobly qualified and arguments powerfully quickening to pursue after it O fall a striving therefore while put to strive against enemies who shall love God and his precious interests most and one another best who shall be most ready to forbeare and to beare one anothers burdens that so in fulfilling this law of Christ all may the more cheerfully beare the Crosse of Christ have there been amongst you animosities contentions jealousies whisperings evil surmiseings c. the more is the pitieâ— well then now is the time to confirme your love one towards another Now set your selves to provoke one another to love and to good works Now see if you who have discoursed and disputed your selves a sunder can pray your selves together and so meet in that blessed center I little doubt if your heart be heaven-hot in praying together in weeping before God together in wrestleing with him together but you will walk after the Lord together in a sweet zealous singlenesse of frame when your hearts have been warmely poured out together before God a spiritual harmonie and famenesse of soul in working the work of the Lord will follow upon it And if my observation do not fail our contentions never became hot till we were cooled and much taken off from praying together Consider what your enemies are doing driveing and designing Is it not to make you fall asunder that you may not be able when divided amongst your selves to stand before them or to withstand them take that door of them by shuting the door upon them at which you see they designe to enteâ— and that their accesse may be the more easie they will flatter some of you or forbeare some of you while they fall upon others that so they may run down and ruine all and raze foundations at last with ease Set your selves therefore with an onenesse of