Insurrection of the Workers of Iniquity who whet their tongues like a Sword and bend their Bowes to shoot their Arrows even bitter words that they may shoot secret in at the perfect suddenly do they shoot at him and fear not So we read in that Isa 29.20 21. of those that watch for iniquity that make a man an offendour for a word that lay a snare for him that reproveth in the Gate and that turn aside the Just for a thing of nought Thus it hath been ever since the beginning So wicked Cain watcheth righteous Abel to kill him Gen. 4.8 And Cain talked with Abel his Brother and it came to passe that when they were in the field that Cain rose up against his Brother Abel and slew him And thus have Cain's brood done all down along for he was of the wicked one 1 John 3.12 So hath Esau watched righteous Jacob Gen. 27.41 42. comforting himself that he should have shortly a time to do him the mischief that he intended him So Saul watcheth righteous David 1 Sam. 19.11 Saul sent Messengers to Davids house to watch him and slay him in the Morning And so did others his wicked adversaries watch him as you have him complaining Psal 38.12 They that seek after my life lay Snares for me and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things and imagine deceit all the day long And Psal 140.5 The proud have laid a Snare for me and Cords they have spread a Net by the way side they have set Grins for me So did Jeremiah's Familiars as he calls them Jer. 20.10 For I heard the defaming of many fear on every side Report say they and we will report it All my Familiars or as in the Margent every man of my peace watched for my halting saying peradventure he will be enticed we shall prevail against him and we shall take our revenge of him While they pretended friendship and peace they intended nothiâ—â— but mischief even the taking of their revenge on him So the Presidents and the Princes watched righteous Daniel to mischief him Dan. 6.4 where first they seek to find occasion against him concerning the Kingdom they would gladly have sound any occasion against him to have accused him of Disloyalty Sedition Treason Rebellion or at least Falshood and Unfaithfulness but here they could find no fault his very enemies being Judges Vers 5. In the next place therefore they plot to find occasion against him from the Law of his God and therefore enticing the King to make a Law against the Law of Daniels God they quickly catch him So you may see the Scribes and Pharisees watched the Lord Jesus that Just One Luke 6.7 And the Scribes and Pharisees watched Him whether He would heal on the Sabbath Day that they might find an accusation against Him It seems they had a Law against doing good on the Sabbath Day So Luke 20.19 20. And the chief Priests and the Scribes sought to lay hands on Him and they feared the people for they perceived that he had spoken this Parable against them and they watched Him and sent forth spies which should feign themselves just men that they might take hold of his words that so they might deliver Him to the Power and Authority of the Governour They endeavour to trappan Him that they might give him over to the secular Power Time would fail to shew how they watched the Apostles the Saints all down along throughout all ages Neither need we search the records of former ages in this matter for evidence our own times affording pregnant proof more than enough in this thing and as it hath been and now is so it will be to the end of this wicked world the guise and manner of the wicked thus to watch the Righteous to do him a mischief 1. For that there is the same principle of hatred and enmity in the Wicked against the Righteous now as ever yea and ever will to the worlds end That enmity that we read of in Gen. 3.15 is a lasting enmity as long as there are any of the Seed of the Serpent in the world it will work It is an enmity in nature Prov. 29.27 He that is upright in the way is an abomination to the Wicked and the wicked must cease to be wicked ere this will cease to be As there are some Creatures that have an enmity in nature as the Wolf and the Sheep so that enmity is propagated to all of the kind that partake of that nature So is the Enmity that the Children of the Wicked one have against the Children of God As therefore the Wolf need not to be taught to watch to devour the Sheep it being natural to him So the Wicked need not be taught to do the Saints a mischief having a principle within them inclining and instructing them thereunto 2. There is the same necessary ground and occasion of their hatred of them Though there be no just ground of the wickeds hatred of the righteous hence David speaks of their hating him without a cause Psal 69.4 that is without just cause on his part yet there is a necessary ground of their hatred and that continueth now as heretofore and will continue as long as there are any truly Godly and what that is you may see in that Psal 38.20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries because I follow the thing that good is The true ground and reason of their being adversaries unto David was this Because he followed that which they hated Thus our Saviour shewing his Disciples how they should be hated of the World acquaints them with the true cause and ground of the Worlds hatred John 15.19 If you were of the World the world would love its own but because you are not of the World but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the World hateth you And that this is the proper ground of the Worlds hatred is most manifest for that the same person whom the world loved while he was of the world when called out of the world into the Kingdom of Christ then is he hated of those that before loved him as in Paul And if a person that professeth himself the Disciple of Christ and is hated of the world shall forsake the assembly of Saints and turn back from the way of righteousnesse and run into the same excesse of riot with the prophane world none more worlds darling than he So that it is Godliness Holiness and true Religion that is the true ground of the worlds hatred So 1. John 3.12 Not as Cain who was of the wicked one and slew his brother and wherefore slew he him because his own works were evil and his brothers righteous This was the true cause of his hatred and while that the cause remaineth while godly Men continue to walk in the wayes of Godlinesse the wicked will continue to hate them 3. The Devil whose Children these wicked ones are 1 John 3.8 10.
therefore the Apostle said unto them 2 Pet. 3.17 Ye therefore Beloved seeing ye know these things before beware least ye also be led away with the errour of the wicked and fall from your own stedfastness So say I seeing ye know the VVay of the Lord and approve of it beware lest being led away with the errour of the wicked and your own Judgments being thereby corrupted and your Consciences defiled you fall from your own stedfastnesse And I the rather press this for that as the Apostle hath it 2 Cor. 11.3 I fear lest by any means as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ 3. Keep the VVay of the Lord in your Profession I am speaking unto those who as Rom. 10.10 with the heart believe unto righteousness and with the mouth make confession unto salvation And you have the Exhortation in the words of the Apostle Heb. 10.23 Let us hold fast the profession of the Faith without wavering Be not ashamed of your Profession as our Saviour speaks Mark 8.38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my Words in this adulterous and sinful Generation of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the Glory of his Father with his holy Angels with Mat. 10.32 33. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men him will I confess also before my Father which is in Heaven But whosoever shall deny me before men him will I also deny before my Father which is in Heaven 4. Keep the VVay of the Lord in your hearts and affections loving rejoycing and delighting in the VVay of the Lord The keeping of it in your Memories Judgments and Profession will be but in vain unless you keep it in your hearts Lay up and hide the VVord of God in your hearts let the desire and delight of your Soul be in the VVay of the Lord with the Psal 119.111 Thy Testimonies have I taken for mine heritage for ever for they are the rejoycing of my heart 'T is the Character of the Godly man Psal 1.1 2. He delighteth in the Law of the Lord and in his Law doth he meditate day and night 5. Keep the Way of the Lord in your lives and conversations walking therein conscientiously observing the Commandments of God to do accordingly I am speaking to those who have chosen the way of the Lord to walk in and they may read what the Lord saith in that Deut. 5.32 You shall observe to do as the Lord your God hath commanded you You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left you shall walk in all the Wayes that the Lord your God hath commanded you And to as many as walk according to this Rule peace shall be upon them and upon the Israel of God Having thus opened this Duty take these few Directions among the many that might be given 1. Let the Spirit of Christ be your guide and principle I am speaking unto such as have the Spirit of Christ Now if you consult that Ezek. 36.27 you shall find that the Lord promiseth his People that he will put his Spirit within them and to what purpose viz. both to encline enable and guide them to walk in his Statutes and to observe his Commandments to do them There is no entring into the VVay of the Lord but by the Spirit Joh. 3.3 we all naturally being gone astray wander from the way of the Lord and 't is the Spirit only that can and doth reduce men into this way and the best being but lame and having not only a principle of halting in but declining from it there is no walking in this VVay but by the assistance and guidance of the Spirit Let therefore the Spirit of God be your guide it is promised that he shall lead you into all Truth John 16.13 Let the Spirit be your principle walk in the Spirit Gal. 5.16 then you shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh but shall keep the Way of the Lord. 2. Make the Word of God your Rule I have heretofore from that John 6.39 and 1 Tim. 3.15 and several other places cleared to you that it is given of God for this end to be the Rule both for Faith and Practice Keep therefore unto this and by no means depart from this if you would keep the VVay of the Lord. Here you have the Lord revealing his Way and that clearly and plainly so that the most simple that apply themselves to it may understand it the Scriptures are a perfect and a constant Rule Therefore as in that Isa 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this Word 't is because there is no Light in them There are some that make the Light within their Rule and that in opposition to the VVord but the Light in such is Darkness for if they speak not according to this VVord if it be but diverse from though not directly opposite unto it then there is no light in them Indeed the Light within that is Conscience enlightned is a Rule but it is Regula Regulata a Ruled Rule There is Regula Regulans and Regula Regulata A Ruling Rule and a Ruled Rule The former is a Rule to the latter by which it is to be tryed and approved The Word of God is a ruling Rule and Conscience is a ruled Rule which is to be obeyed as far as it speaks according to the Word and no further If therefore you would keep the Way of the Lord do not despise Conscience do not neglect the Light within but make it not thy Rule make the VVord of God thy Rule admit not of any thing that is belonging to the VVay of the Lord that is not grounded upon or not warranted by his Word If you would keep the Way of the Lord hold fast to what is written stick to the Word That saying of Austin is famous Sive de Christo sive de Ecclesia sive de quacunque alia re non dico si nos sed si Angelus de caelo vobis annunciaverit praeterquam quod in Scripturis accipistes Anathema sit Not to say If we but if an Angel from Heaven shall preach any thing of Christ or of the Church or of any other thing besides what ye have received in the Scriptures let him be accursed Like to that Gal. 1.8 9. The Word is the heavenly compass whereby we may be directed to steer our course aright to the Haven of happiness Keep you to the Word while one says this is the way and another that Try all things by the Rule of the Word and make that your Rule to walk by Hence when Paul was taking his leave of the Church at Ephesus in that Acts 20. In his Farewel-Sermon that after his departure they might keep the Way of the Lord you may read what he commends to them vers 32. And now Brethren I commend you to God and the Word
hurt thee So he promiseth all his in that Isa 41.10 So that the readiest way to escape the mischief that our enemies design against us is to wait on the Lord and to keep his way whatever carnal wisdom thinks or suggests to the contrary It is true this is the way to be hated and to have many enemies who from their malice and rage will devise and design much mischief against us but Rom. 8.31 If God be for us who shall be against us that is it matters not who they are that are against us This then is the safest way hence Prov. 1.31 Who so hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely I know this seems a Paradox to the men of the World and they think some other wayes to be more safe First Some think that sinful compliance is a safer way but their errour will be manifest to any that duly consider 1. That hereby they do more encourage the wicked World against them whilst they partly comply but will not run into the same excess of riot with them So Lots compliance with the wicked Sodomites in offering them his Daughters did but encourage them the more against him Gen. 19.9 And they said Stand back which words may either refer unto Lot and then they hold forth how they were enraged by his motion or to one another as contending who should fall foul on him first and this agreeth with the following words And they said again This one fellow came in to sojourn and he will needs be a Judge Now will we deal worse with thee than with them and they pressed sore upon the man so far were they from being appealed by his sinful compliance as that they grew the more furious against him 2. Hereby you provoke the Lord to withdraw the Covert of his Protection from you while you wait on the Lord and keep his Way you have the promise of his Protection 2 Chron. 15.2 but if by sinful compliance with the wicked you forsake him he will forsake you you forfeit his protection Had not Jehosaphat's compliance with Ahab like to have cost him his life 2 Chron. 18. and hear what the Prophet sayes to him 2 Chron. 19.2 Shouldst thou help the ungodly and love them that hate the Lord therefore is wrath come upon thee from the Lord And through the wrath of the Lord that is upon men for their sinful compliance those very evils are brought upon them sometimes which they think to escape As notable is that instance which Mr. Fox gives account of on Richard Denton in Queen Mary's dayes who by his sinful compliance with the wicked World in disowning the truth of the Gospel thought to escape burning and was afterwards burnt in his own house according to that of our Saviour He that will save his life shall lose it Mat. 16.25 Secondly Others think that to avenge themselves in paying the wicked in their own Coyn doing mischief unto them is the safest way but their errour will be manifest from that of our Saviour Mat. 26.52 Put up again thy Sword into its place for all they that take the Sword shall perish by the Sword This way in which they think to provide for their safety is in the judgement of our Saviour the ready way to their ruine Thirdly Others think by Shuffling Lying Equivocating to provide better for their safety then by keeping the Way of the Lord but however some present security sometimes hath been obtained by such wayes yet in the end they are most pernicious and destructive for us Prov. 19.5 He that speaketh Lyes shall not escape and vers 9. He that speaketh Lyes shall perish And for such as comfort themselves as they Isa 28.25 We have made Lyes our refuge and under Falshood have we hid our selves Mind what the Lord saith to them vers 17. Judgement will I also lay to the Line and Righteousness to the Plummet and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of Lyes and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place and your Covenant with Death shall be dissanulled and your agreement with Hell shall not stand when the overflowing scourge shall passe through then shall you be trodden down by it and then where is your safety they think to secure themselves from the wrath of man but they mind not how to be secured from the wrath of God 4ly Others think by basely deserting their places to provide better for their safety than by following the Lord and keeping his Way But the hazards David was in when he took this course 1 Sam. 27. may convince these men of their mistakē especially if they consider that he that leaves the place God hath set him in out of base fear is sure to carry his fear with him where-ever he go if not in the place he promised himself greatest security to meet with the evil he feared As the Lord threatens them in that Jer. 42.17 Then it shall come to passe that the Sword which ye feared shall overtake you there in the Land of Egypt and the Famine whereof you were affraid shall follow close after you in Egypt and there ye shall dye Fifthly Others think it a safer way rebelliously to step out of their places for the overturning the power of those that are in Authority over them because they grant power to the wicked to oppress and mischief them But had Zimri peace that slew his Master the experience of all Ages testifies how ill they provide for their safety at the long-run who take this course Let that instance suffice which we have in 2 Chron. 25.3 So that whatever men may think there is no such way to escape the mischief intended against us by the wicked as to wait on the Lord keep his Way 2. It will yet further appear to be the safest way for that it is the ready way to have good by all their troubles by all that the wicked do against them Wait on the Lord and keep his Way then no matter though the wicked watch against you to do you a mischief for they shall not only prove abortive in all the mischievous designs they are big with as Job 5.12 but according to his promise all shall work together for good Rom. 8.28 for he that hath promised is infinite in Power Wisdome Goodness and Faithfulness to over-rule all the devices and designs of his and your Enemies so as to make those things that are in their own nature against you to work together for your good As you know what Joseph says in that Gen. 50.20 As for you ye thought evil against me but God meant it unto good to bring to pass as it is this day to save much people alive Thus doth God over-rule the malice and revenge of men for good to his people but they must then wait on the Lord and keep his Way as you may see Psal 81.8 c. For all the Paths of the Lord are Mercy and Truth unto such as keep his Covenant and his
thee because he trusteth in thee That which is rendred perfect peace is Peace Peace in the Original the reduplication according to the Idiome of the Hebrew denoting the excellency perfection abundance and duration of Peace But to whom is this promise made saith the Text to him whose mind is stayed on the Lord and trusteth in him and in vers 2. to the righteous Nation which keepeth the Truth which according to the point in hand may be exprest to them that wait on the Lord and keep his Way So Psal 119.165 Great Peace have they that love thy Law and nothing shall offend them 2. 'T is the ready way to have the Holy Ghost who is stiled the Comforter to abide with us What more comfortable way than that wherein we may be sure to have the Comforter to be with us to abide and continue with us Wait on the Lord and keep his way so shall the Comforter abide with you for ever Expresse is that of our Lord to this purpose John 14.15 16. If you love me keep my Commandements and I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever So vers 23. If any man love me he will keep my words and my Father will love him and we will come and make our abode with him So that this is the way to have Father Son and Holy Ghost to come to us and abide with us 3. The Comforts which are to be had in this way are true solid substantial and abiding Comforts such as fill the soul with inward joy and mirth under the sorest outward trouble so as that they can sing in prison and leap in the flames Notable is that expression of the Apostle 2 Cor. 3.4 I am filled with comfort I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulations in following the Lord. He tells us in the next verse that his flesh had no rest that he was troubled on every side and yet exceeding joyful yea he tells us in another place 2 Cor. 1.5 that as his afflictions did abound for Christ so his consolations did abound by him 4. This is the way to arrive speedily where the wicked shall trouble you no more where there shall be no more sorrow nor weeping but where you shall have perfect rest and peace fulness of joy and comfort for evermore That of the Lord Jesus to his Disciples Luke 22.28 29. is plain for this Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations and I appoint you a Kingdom as my Father hath appointed unto me with John 10.27 28. My Sheep hear my voyce and I know them and they follow me and I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand As Caleb and Joshua waited on the Lord and kept his way following him fully and so entred Canaan and had a peaceable and comfortable possession there Josh 14.14 so they that wait on the Lord and keep his Way shall have abundant entrance into that heavenly Canaan 2 Pet. 1.11 where there is fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore Psal 16.11 And thus it appears to be the most comfortable way To conclude this we say All is well that ends well Now Psal 37.37 Mark the perfect man and behold the upright for the end of that man is peace Thus then we have cleared That however it go with the People of God here in this world more especially when the wicked watch them to doe them a mischief 't is their best way to wait on the Lord and keep his way for that it is the honestest the wisest the safest and the most honourable and most comfortable way And though I doubt not but enough hath been spoken to perswade and prevail with those that have an understanding to discern and a heart to perceive what hath been set before them Yet I question not but carnal reason hath many things to object and such as may prevail with carnal hearts to disbelieve all that hath been spoken so far at least as to prefer the wayes of carnal wisdom before this Way of the Lord But I rest satisfied with that answer of our Saviour Matth. 13.11 It is given to you to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven but unto them it is not given Thus you have the Doctrinal part of the point I proceed to the Application and we shall make use of this 1. To admonish and forewarn all the followers of Christ that have own'd engag'd and walk'd in the way of the Lord to take heed that they be not stumbled moved and turned out of the way of the Lord. The Apostle in Heb. 12.13 adviseth them to make straight paths for their feet lest that which is lame should be turned out of the way but let it rather be healed There is some lameness remaining with the Best with some more with some less but with all some It lies therefore in all to take heed lest they be turned out of the way Hence that of the Apostle 1 Cor. 10.12 Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall and let him that thinketh he is stablished and setled in the way of the Lord take heed lest he be offended and turned out of the way O that a holy Jealousie in this thing may possesse and fill all your hearts More particularly I would forewarn you to take heed lest you be offended through some things and by some persons in this day of temptation 1. Take heed lest you be offended at the Crosse Our Saviour in the Parable of the Sower Mat. 13. tells us of some who though they hear and receive the Word for a season with joy yet when Tribulation or Persecution ariseth for the Word by and by they are offended How is this fulfilled in our dayes how many are there who while the Way of the Lord was the Way to preferment did professe and walk in it who now that it is opposed and every-where spoken against do decline and forsake it Be you admonished to take heed lest the stumbling-block of others sufferings especially of faithfull Ministers do turn you out of the way The Apostle laboureth much in removing this stumbling-block as you may see 2 Cor. 1. Phil. 1. 1 Thess 3.3 Therefore I do the more earnestly forewarn you of this and take heed lest what sufferings come on you for the Gospel sake do turn you out of the way you are no Disciples for Christ unlesse you take up your Crosse and follow him Luke 14.27 2. Take heed lest you be offended by the falls and Apostacies of hypocritical professors This is that Satan and his instruments will lay before you to turn you out of the way of the Lord our Saviour doth therefore forewarn of this Mat. 24. so likewise his Apostles 1 Tim. 4.1 2 Pet. 2.1 2. and 1 John 2.19 3. Take heed that you be not stumbled by the scorn contempt and reproach that
to the Fathers hand he willingly submits to what sufferings came upon him That you may keep the Way of the Lord in the midst of all the sufferings you are like to meet with herein following the Lord Jesus Christ eying the hand of your gracious Father in all the sufferings that come upon you of what nature soever and by whomsoever inflicted and whatever may be the ends of those by whom you suffer yet that they are all ordered by him in accomplishment of his VVord Do ye not believe this I know that ye do believe it by Faith therefore improve it for the quieting of your hearts in all your sufferings This is that the Apostle presseth the Saints unto in the 12th of the Hebrews where he taketh for granted that all kind of sufferings more especially such as come upon us by the contradiction of sinners are fatherly corrections from the Lord and so in accomplishment of the VVord of God according unto that Psal 89.30 31. and therefore humbly to be submitted to so Heb. 12.9 10. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us and we gave them reverence shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live for they verily for a few dayes chastened us after their own pleasure but he for our profit that we may be partakers of his Holiness Seeing therefore whatsoever befalls you in the Way of the Lord is by your Father's ordering in accomplishment of his VVord for your profit that ye may be partakers of his Holiness submit your selves to him eye your Fathers hand and end and be quiet 3. It was the practice of Jesus Christ in his state of humiliation to give unto Civil Magistrates and Rulers what was their due yea to forgo somewhat of his Civil Right rather than to offend them For giving unto Civil Magistrates their due notable is that of Mat. 22.21 Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and unto God the things that are God's And as he taught them so he practised himself for he was not of those who say and do not but his practice was alwayes conformable to his Doctrine VVhen therefore they that received Tribute-money at Capernaum came and demanded of him he will rather recede from his Civil Liberty than offend them Mat. 17.25 26 27. Now go ye and do likewise If ye will keep the VVay of the Lord give unto Caesar the things that are Caesars be subject unto the King and all that are in Authority Let the exhortation be that 1 Pet. 2.13 Submit your selves to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake VVhat is here meant by Ordinance of man is clear from what follows whether to the King as supream or unto Governors c. Be ye therefore subject Saints not only for wrath but for Conscience sake for the Lord's sake and as Rom. 13.7 Render to every one their due Tribute to whom Tribute Custom to whom Custom is due c. Such subjection to Magistrates as thwarteth not our obedience unto God lies within the Way of the Lord Yeeld therefore active obedience unto the King as far as Conscience towards God will give leave Fear God and honour the King 1 Pet. 2.17 Give all that honour to the King that is consistent with the true Fear of God Let nothing but Conscience towards God hinder you at any time from yeelding active obedience to all the King's Laws And here Beloved I shall take occasion to open my heart sincerely to you You know what is required of me if I will continue a publick Minister in this Kingdom I hope no sober persons can think me such a humerous perverse Phanatick as to throw away my Maintenance much lesse my Ministerial Capacity which is much more dear to me than Livelihood yea than Life out of a proud humor and vain-glorious fancy In brief therefore as I shall answer it before the great God the searcher of all hearts and the righteous Judge did not Conscience towards God forbid me I would willingly and readily do all that the Act requires But seeing I cannot declare an unfeigned Assent and Consent as the Law requires As from the fear of my God I dare not so from the love you generally have to me I know you would not have me dissemble with God and men I do therefore humbly choose to submit to the Penalty rather than by a hypocritical conformity for such it must be in me if any to dishonour my God wound my own Conscience and dissemble with men knowing assuredly that my God hath no need of my sin And if he have any work for me in the publick Ministry he will encline the King's heart to grant Liberty and Encouragement therein to me with the rest of those who desire to be faithful in preaching of the Gospel which that the Lord will grant I promise my self the help of all your prayers who have been savoured with any spiritual blessings through my Ministry 4. It was the practice of Jesus Christ to be so far from making resistance by the sword to keep himself from suffering that he refused such help as was offered him that way So Mat. 26.52 Then said Jesus unto him Put up again thy sword into his place for all they that take the sword shall perish by the sword 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 't is not all that use but all that take the sword without a lawful call So John 18.11 Put up thy sword into thy sheath the Cup which my Father will have me to drink shall I not drink it If you would keep the Way of the Lord herein follow Christ so as not to resist those that are in Authority however unjustly you may suffer from them for 1 Pet. 2.19 This is thank-worthy if a man for Conscience-sake toward God endure grief suffering wrongfully 5. It was the practice of Jesus Christ to be so far from avenging himself as to render good for evil to forgive his enemies to seek their good and welfare So in Luke 23.34 Then said Jesus Father forgive them for they know not what they do Thus follow Christ according to that he teacheth in Mat. 5.34 Love your enemies Blesse them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you And what the Apostle exhorteth in Rom. 12.19 20. Dearly beloved avenge not your selves but rather give place unto wrath for it is written Vengeance is mine I will repay saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger feed him if he thirst give him drink c. 6. The Lord Jesus Christ had great compassion for poor wandering sinners Mat. 9.36 Great love for his Saints John 13.1 with tender pity towards them in all their sorrows and afflictions Isa 63.9 Herein also be ye followers of Christ according to that Col. 3.12 13. Put on therefore as the Elect of God holy and beloved bowels of mercies kindness humblenesse of mind meeknesse long-suffering
forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you so also do ye 7. The Lord Jesus counted not his life dear when that he was called to give it up in bearing witnesse to the Truth as you have it in that John 18.37 he bears witnesse to the Truth when called to it with the hazard of his life Herein follow Jesus Christ in bearing Witness to the Truth of God though with the hazard of your lives as Paul doth in that Acts 20.24 Whatever mischief be threatned by wicked men yet deny not be not ashamed of the Words Truths and Wayes of Christ for 't is the Word of the true and faithful Witness which we have Mark 8.36 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful Generation of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy Angels And Oh how sad if this be thy portion for if in that day Christ shall be ashamed of thee Wo be to thee for ever thou shalt be wretched and miserable to all Eternity But be faithful couragious and constant in confessing him and his Wayes and Truths for he hath said Mat. 10.32 Whosoever therefore shall confesse me before men him will I confesse before my Father that is in Heaven And Oh how comfortable if this be thy Portion for if Jesus Christ confesse thee at that day Peace be to thee for ever thou shalt be blessed and happy to all Eternity Though therefore thy confessing of him be attended not only with Reproaches and Revilings but with Fines Bonds Imprisonment yea Death it self yet herein follow him in bearing witness to the Truth when called unto it whatever hazard you run by it yea though it come to the drinking of the Cup that he drank of and to the sealing of your Testimony with your blood knowing that if ye suffer with him you shall also reign together with him Thus if you follow the Lord walking in his steps in these and other Particulars wherein he hath given us an example you shall be sure to keep the Way of the Lord. And this shall suffice for the third branch of the Direction 4. Let the Glory of God be your End if that you would keep the way of the Lord. If you have sincerely entred the Way of the Lord then the Glory of the Lord is your last End and if you would keep on steadily in this way look to the Glory of God as your main End Though it be possible for a man that hath the Glory of God for his End to step out of the Way of the Lord yet it is impossible for a man to keep the Way of the Lord unless this be his utmost End Yea though it be possible for one that is right in his End to err in this or that particular so as to stray from the Way of the Lord in some lesser matters that shall not prejudice his Salvation yet it is impossible that such a one should so mistake about the Substantials of this Way as to turn aside and to walk totally and finally in the Way that leadeth to destruction and eternal perdition Though the purity of the End will not make amends for the viciousness of the means yet where a man is right in his End much Errour as to the means shall be forgiven him yea and to have the Glory of God for your End in all your natural and civil Actions is the way to sanctifie them and to inscribe Holiness to the Lord on them Thus may the meanest actions of your particular Callings become Religious if they be done as to the Lord in obedience to his Command and with respect to his Glory Therefore as the Apostle hath it 1 Cor. 10.32 Whether you eat or drink or whatever ye do do all to the Glory of God Make this your scope and it will be of special use to guide you when the way is doubtful being indeed propounded by the Apostle for that end As a man that is travelling on Salisbury Plain towards the City he comes somtimes where there is no beaten paths and somtimes where two or three ways meet now to keep his eye on the City is the ready course to keep him in the right way So if a man were to draw a streight Line to such a Point and hath not a Rule to draw by his readiest way is to keep his eye upon the Point So when your way is doubtful and you know not which way to take take that which is most for the Glory of God where you see not your Rule keep your eye on the Glory of God and it will be of choice use to keep you streight in the Way of the Lord. And so much for the first branch of the Exhortation 2. Be exhorted to wait on the Lord for without this you will not long keep the VVay of the Lord there are such troubles distresses and tribulations that attend the Way of the Lord that as the Apostle hath it Heb. 10.36 Ye have need of Patience that after ye have done the will of God you may inherit the Promise So say I you have need of waiting that you may keep the Way of the Lord and continue therein to the end Wherein the Nature of this Duty lies and what Encouragements there are to it in the worst of times I have lately shewn you when I preached on that Lam. 3.26 It is good that a man hope and wait quietly for the Salvation of the Lord. Whence I observed That however it go with the people of God it is good it is best for them to hope and wait quietly for the Salvation of the Lord. I shall therefore only recommend this Duty to you as the work of this dark Day and conclude with that of our Saviour Luke 12.35 c. And let your Loyns be girded about and your Lights burning and ye your selves like to men that wait for their Lord when he will return from the Wedding that when he cometh and knocketh they may open to him immediately Blessed are those Servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching Yea Keep the Way of the Lord and wait on him For as vers 42 43. Who then is that faithful and wise Steward whom his Lord shall make Ruler over his Houshold to give them their Portion of meat in due season Blessed is that Servant whom the Lord when he cometh shall find so doing FINIS