as to be ashamed or confounded but one way or other shall receive satisfaction at the hands of God according to their expectation Either he will give them the thing desired or what shall be better either here or hereafter Esa 49.23 They shall not be ashamed that wait for me They that wait upon great men in the world do find infinite disappointments shame sorrow and sometimes heart-breaking but so shall not they that wait on the Lord. 4. Such shall have their Prayers heard and their Petitions granted Psal 40.1 I waited patiently for the Lord and he inclined unto me and heard my cry This waiting makes that a Christian passeth over a delay and construeth it not for a denial and holds up his head to the time wherein God will be seen for him The like of the prayers that other Believers make in our behalf wait and we shall reap the benefit of them Psal 25.3 Let none that wait on thee be ashamed A very comfortable matter in this life of necessities urging us on every side 5. These Waiters have many secrets revealed to them and many experiments of the love of God which others shall not have they are still in the way of preferment and shall certaily have it one time or other Zech. 11.11 The poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it was the word of the Lord. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him He will manifest himself to the faithful observers of his will and not to others It is an excellent posture to abide with Christ in temptation To be faithful to the death is the ready way to the Crown of Life 6. It will be great joy on the Death-bed so to have waited on the Lord as dying Jacob found who amidst the blessing of his Children brake out into this Extasie I have waited for thy salvation O Lord Gen. 49.18 And when Hezekiah had received the sentence of death he could say in faith Remember how I have walked before thee in uprightness of my heart And so may other Believers say in all oppositions of the wicked Psal 25.21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me for I wait on thee 7. Unspeakable happiness is prepated for these our Waiters Esa 64.4 From the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear neither hath the eye seen O God beside thee what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him Now at last it appears how blessed they are and what it is to have the Lord waiting to do them good Now they have the reward of all their patience and constancy Now they see they took the wiser and safer course Evil men had the start of them in the world and triumphed over them even those that wait not for the counsel of God Psal 106.13 nor the promises of God 2 King 6.33 Should I wait for the Lord any longer They despised the godly for being so strict and mopish and observant waiting upon God at an inch They cast out their name as evil and watched to do them a mischief themselves being in the mean time the only men of note But now when the parting place comes and the day of distribution of rewards appeareth now it appears how good it was to wait upon the Lord at every turn and with constancy The conscionable hearing and repeating and obeying of good Sermons the reverent frequenting of the Lords Table the joyful and careful spending of Sabbaths the diligent maintaining and holding up of holy Discipline in the Family all the good words that have been spoken all the good actions that have been done shall now be rewarded liberally and plentifully And now they shall wait upon the Lord in another manner then ever in this life only to behold and partake of his glory for their full happiness and contentment USE III. AFter all those comforts that accrew by waiting on God and so renewing our strength for hastning toward heaven it behoves us to think on some duties to be performed that so we may be answerable to the great loving kindnesse of our God who first promised and now hath performed this mercy and truth 1. The godly should take notice of this mighty strength whereby they stand and acknowledge it so to become truly and unfainedly thankful not droop in themselves but be hearty and cheary nor disgrace their holy profession to others as if it were a profession all made of dumps and melancholy nor which is the special thing to defraud and deprive God of his due honour It becomes the just to be thankful Praise is comely for the upright Therefore go to thy house and tell what great things the Lord hath done for thee confess that mighty power whereby thou standest let it appear both in the chearfulness and uprightness of thy life It is a singular malice of the Devil and also weakness in corrupt nature not to acknowledge the work of God in the soul doing more mischief then we are aware Therefore herein watch both thine own weakness and the Devils wickedness As it is dangerous to presume of a strong faith and grace where none is so it is a sullen and unthankful sheepishness not to take notice of it where it is God loseth his glory and the Christian his portion and comfort And it is expedient for us to know where our strength lieth that so we may walk in it for the end it was given us as is said of the Primitive Churches That walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost they were multiplyed Act 9. And Never shall the Christian demean himself more bravely and generously then when he considers and remembers he hath received a power whereby he can over match all the adversary powers both of hell and earth They are all very weaklings in comparison of him and he can safely bid defiance to them all Who shall accuse or condemn or separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ yet still he will be humble and modest because he knows it is a borrowed strength We are strong in the Lord and the power of his might 2. This may be an encouragement to the godly to go on with their pains and diligence in holy exercises forasmuch as they know they shall get strength by them and such strength as infinitely surmounts all strength of nature both Humane and Angelical They seem weak Ordinances and not able to produce any worthy effects viz. Reading Hearing Praying Fasting Talking together Worldly-wise men deride such courses and many think there is no good to be got by them else why do they neglect them as they do But indeed they are mighty through God to the casting down of high holds and the setting up of high fortresses of grace and comfort in stead thereof There shall be Bread to the Sower and good success to him that laboureth Other labour is not so sure to speed and take effect even when they have
it may be perish by the splinters running into his hand Certainly this trusting in creatures hinders faith in the Creator and brings a curse in stead of a blessing Jer. 17.5 Thus saith the Lord Cursed be the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his arm and whose heart departeth from the Lord and ver 7. Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord and whose hope the Lord is Take heed Christians and beware of the evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God Heb. 3.12 which in this our corrupt nature these Puppets are apt to do 5. This briâ—â—leness of nature and natural things yieldeth sundry good instructions to young people and to the Parents Parents briefly are admonished in three things First not to pride themselves in lusty and likely Children as too many use to do making them so many idols and promising themselves great comfort by them it may be insulting over other men whose Children are weak and sickly wherewith the Lord is offended and sometime the likely Children are taken away or prove crosses when 〈◊〉 weaklings survive and become comforts to their parents Secondly parents even from the beginning should commend their children to the Lord by hearty prayer that if they dye in the birth or in their youth yet by Jesus Christ it may be well with their poor souls to eternity Oh that Ismael might lâ—ve in thy sight Thirdly they should begin with them betimes that by their gracious instructions they may quickly come to know and fear the Lord their God and so whatever becomes of them in the world yet their poor souls may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus Christ the highest acts of charity that can be shewed to our children Next for young people 1. They learn to walk in all humbleness of mind as those that may be soon snatched away and while they continue here are subject to many faintings and failings It concerns all to be cloathed with humility but especially young people whose judgment is not yet setled and they want the experience which in time they may have neither are they acquainted with themselves and their manifold weaknesses as in time they may be so that it is neither safe nor seemly for such to be shewing their opinion in matters to be talking much in company of Elder people especially to take upon them without a Calling to teach others as some bold men in these days have dangerously adventured Consider and fear if ye have the grace of God in you of a truth yet ye ought to walk in humility so to be worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called Eph. 4.12 Much more if the work of grace be not yet begun or not well evidenced here come those rules to be observed Prov. 3.5 6 7. Lean not to thine own understanding be not wise in thine own eyes fear the Lord and depart from evil 2. Beware of loose and Libertine courses which most young people do chuse and delight to take as best agreeing with their wild and foolish humors therefore called the lusts of youth and must be carefully avoided 2 Tim. 2 22. Fly youthful lusts As fleshly lusts and worldly lusts and lusts of the mind so the lusts of youth which are either peculiar to young people or most affected Remember and consider how these lusts are apt to forestall all good instructions of the word that there is no room for them â—â—â—her they cannot enter or if they do they are soon thrust ouâ— gain Mark 4.19 The lusts of other things entring choak the word and it becometh unfruitful When our young people are nipt in the bud they are scarce good ever afterward Our loose times have shewed it abundantly And after such lawlesness of young people comes that fearful summons Eccl. 11.9 Rejoyce O young man in thy youth and let thy heart chear thee in the days of thy youth and walk in the ways of thy heart and in the sight of thy eyes but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee unto judgment 3. Seeing all within you and without you is so fading and uncertain lift up your eyes and hearts to the Creator to get in with him and by him to obtain a solid and lasting good which may be sufficient for you in all other faintings and failings Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth and which is the whole duty of man fear God and keep his Commandments Eccl. 12.1 13. The wise man there had reckoned up all the vanities of the world and prescribed remedies against them and then bids us hear the conclusion of the whole matter in those two precepts When the soul is tyred out with the consideration of earthly vanities and distractive occurrences it should be think it self of getting home to his Ark where it may find rest for the soal of his foot as Psal 116.7 Return unto thy rest O my soul for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee It should be good instruction both to young and old when they find themselves perplexed or pricked with thorns of the world as who of us doth not to return to our God from whom by sin we departed Never till then shall we find rest and assured confidence Hos 2 6 7. When the Lord hedged up the Churches way with thorns that she could not find her paths then she said I will go and return to my first husband for then was it better with me then now And if young people in their young days would bethink themselves of returning to the Lord their God they might save themselves many scratches and woundings which afterward they are put to endure 4. Seeing all these things are so ye should all receive the exhortation which we give so often Make sure of Christ Make sure of Christ in him alone ye can find rest for your souls there is no salvation in any â—â—â—er no Name else given under heaven by which yâ—â—â—n be saved not Saints and Angels nor any of the creatures nor all of them put together all together could not redeem one soul nor make up the peace with the great God But in and by Christ all is firm and stable everlasting love everlasting compassions everlasting arms to embrace the Penitent an everlasting covenant promises most certain and sure to be performed Yea and Amen 2 Cor. 1.20 Bear us witness Christians we invite you day by day to come and receive Christ for your own we urge you with many Motives we tell you of your sin and danger and in the mean time ye feel in your selves the decays of nature and see in the mortality of your Neighbours what your case must be and ye know not how soon Once at last therefore be wise and Kiss the Son of God that in the worst straights ye may find enlargement and be blessed Psal 2.12 Blessed are they that trust in him If ye were commanded to do some great thing for blessedness would ye not
God which he hath sanctified and set apart for their confirmation in grace and in time they shall see all this evil redrest they shall meet with a strength they know not whence but only from God and this shall increase grace and comfort in their souls and fortifie them yet more to the day of their Redemption Esa 25.9 It shall be said in that day Lo this is our God we have waited for him and he will save us this is the Lord we have waited for him we will be glad and rejoyce in his salvation and chap. 26.8 and 30.18 and Dan. 12.12 Blessed is he that waiteth Certainly God will not be wanting to his own wayes nor fail of his promises made to Believers and where is faith to call for them they shall surely be fulfilled Psal 9.18 The needy shall not alway be forgotten the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever and Psal 10.17 Lord thou hast heard the desire of the humble thou wilt prepare their heart thou wilt cause thine ear to hear It is not for his glory to fail his people or if he should their hearts would fail them they would fall quite away their souls would be lost and their holy profession greatly disparaged Here it may be objected that many who waited upon God sometime are grown faint and weary and have utterly lost all their strength in the matters of Religion Answ No doubt but hypocrites may quite fall away it may be turn to be enemies they never waited on God in the way of faith and obedience and therefore might well let fall their hopeful beginnings and plausible forms of religiousness 1 John 2.19 They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us but they went out that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us Such are all our Apostates whether they be become Papists or Hereticks or Mockers of Zeal or Worldlings or Persecutors of their godly Brethren or profane in the course of their lives But whether may not a true Believer lose his strength and faint and be weary Answ Though it be a priviledge of the New Covenant that the grace of Christ in his people shall not fail and be extinguished yet they have no such priviledge as to flourish and remain still in the same vigor Their strength may be weakned though not annulled As in Nature a strong man may become weak by a Disease or by long fasting or by much travelling or the like so in matters of grace a tall and lusty Christian may become weak even as another who is but a Novice and beginner in the School of Christ I mean for a while and in some particular thing not wholly nor to the end A Brother may be overtaken in a fault and another may be tempted in like manner Gal. 6.1 And he that thinketh he standeth must take heed lest he fall Now in two respects may the strength of a true Christian be much abated both for his grace and for his comforts 1. His graces and gracious behaviour may be much weakned Ephesus left her first love that is the measure of love to the Gospel which she shewed at first receiving it Rev. 2.4 She loved it still and loved it heartily as appears by the second Verse I know thy works and thy labour and thy patience and how thou canst not bear with them that are evil and thou hast tryed them which say they are Apostles and are not and hast found them lyars And hast born and hast patience and for my Name sake hast laboured and hast not fainted But she loved it not so earnestly and heartily as she did at the beginning She had need to quicken up her self and do the first works So in chap 3.2 fainting Sardis must be watchful and strengthen the things which remain that are ready to dye for her works were not found perfect before God they wede not done in that entire manner as formerly they were So of other graces we feel too often and too much how our faith or hope or patience or humility and the rest do meet with knocks and cracks We make too many breaches in them Sometimes it is too too bad Our lives are nothing so profitable as they were The care and watch is broken up in comparison of the former diligence The tongue is even tyed and good speech is very rare over it was heretofore that if we should be still on the losing hand as we are now and then we should in time prove very Bankrupts in grace and be nothing worth toward God and toward the salvation of our souls 2. The comforts of a true Christian may be much weakned that he needs to pray with David Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation and Make me to hear joy and gladness that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoyce Psal 51.8 12. And often in the Psalms we read an alternation of joy and sorrow So unto this day Gods Children find great alteration in their comforts they have not the old feelings they miss the refreshings of the night which formerly they found they want the joys of the Spirit in the ancient liveliness their assurances are much decayed the head now hangs down like a Bull-rush which even was lifted up chearfully in looking for the day of Redemption the voice of joy is gone from their dwellings All is amort and in a dump and the man wonders what is come to him to make him so heavy He hath worldly comforts as he had before yea and he performs the same duties as he did before yet he hath not the same comfort either by failing in those duties or committing some presumptuous sin whereof hitherto he hath not repented as he sees at last and so recovers his hold of God but for the present he is very weak as wanting the joy of the Lord which should be his strength Neh. 8.10 But some will ask How far may the strength of a true Christian be abated Answ 1. With Caution the question is not of the being of a Christian but of his strength He that is once truly regenerate is ever regenerate and ever in the state of grace Only his grace is not alike strong at all times 2. Of them that faint all have not their strength in like manner or measure taken from them nor the same Christian every time of fainting Some are grievous falls some less some are lighter fears and sorrows some heavy Accordingly there needs more ado to recover some then other On some we must have compassion others we must save with fear plucking them out of the fire still putting a difference as the Apostle speaks Jude 22 2â— 3. It is lamentable to say how far the strength of a true Christian may be abated For graces not only the exercise and manifestation of them may be suspended but even the habits themselves much wasted and things
done which are quite contrary David failed so far in Charity toward Uriah that he contrived the murder of him Peter failed so far in Charity toward Christ that he denied and forswore him and that under a Curse So of the Drunkenness of Noah the Incest of Lot the rage of Asa against the Prophet and other mad moods of good men wherein it was strange to discover so much weakness and it is an horrible stumbling-block to the world that the Cedars of Lebanon were so shaken which is seen now and then even at this day For comforts they may seem sometimes to be utterly banished from an holy heart and despair set in the room witness the time of some spiritual desertion Oh the Lord hath forgotten to be gracious and shut up his loving kindness in everlasting displeasure Psal 77.7 8 9. David laments mournfully before he recovers the joy of his salvation Peter weeps bitterly before he gets a good look from Christ again and then he is shrewdly puzzled with those vexing questions Peter lovest thou me Peter lovest thou me Peter lovest thou me more then these Good Documents for all the Lords Darlings to be chary of their joys and take heed of lashing out at any time take heed of security take heed of wantonness take heed of quenching or grieving the Spirit It may cost thee the setting on Time may be that neither thy self nor others can afford thee comfort Neither Reading nor Praying nor Fasting nor all good exercises together can speak a word of peace to thy heart that is the work of God and he will take his own time both to chasten thy disloyalty and to turn thy captivity as he did for Job Here some may be inquisitive to know what it is that thus takes away the strength of a true Christian Whereto I say 1. It may be he wants his ordinary meals and then we know a strong man will grow weak quickly It may be he is removed from a powerful Ministery which sometimes he lived under or hears not good Preaching so often as he was wont to do while he heard duly and daily he was kept in flesh and good heart Or it may be he hath cast off his private exercises of reading the Scriptures and other good Books which should both fasten and renew the things delivered in the publick Ministery Or it may be he prays not by himself so often as he used to do but is a stranger in the Court of heaven the Father that sees in secret doth seldom see him in his Closet in respect of former days Or it may be the exercise of fasting is now wholly neglected he cannot intend it or it is an harsh exercise whereas indeed the only cause is his heart is not so holy and sincere as it was Or it may be he adventures too much to stand alone in the profession forsakes the Assemblies of Saints and so meets with that wo Wo to him that is alone 2. Too much eagerness upon the world slacks the love of heaven and heavenly things as hath been said Amor amore impeditur Carnal love either extinguisheth or lesseneth spiritual Where earthliness is predominant there is no love at all in sincerity these Thorns choak the seed of the word Or where it creeps too much upon a good heart the love is but weak low Thorns do some mischief to the Corn as in Demas who for a while forsook the Apostle and embraced the present world 2 Tim. 4.10 Many a good Christian hath found by woful experience that having too many Irons in the fire or taking too many cares into his head he hath much withered of his former greenness and liveliness in grace the world hath proved a Step-Mother to better things as in Martha who was encumbred with many things So of Ambition itching for repute and credit in the world till a reproof comes Seekest thou great things for thy self seek them not So complying with evil and carnal men till the Lord say Shouldest thou help the ungodly or be friends with them that hate the Lord This is one general cause why they are not so zealous in age as when they were young Converts 3. Scandalous or presumptuous sins do waste the Christians strength apace as in those holy men before rehearsed All sin is of a deadning and hardning nature and sets the Christian back a little that he is not so zealous as he should and would be as a Dog at his heels keeping him from running But while it is only of infirmity it little hinders him in his course God is easily intreated to assist him and continue the guidance of his Spirit and even by such rubs he gets ground daily But when the conscience is deeply wounded when the light is notoriously resisted when the heart smites and yet he will rush on this shall cost him dear now grace goes away exceedingly and comfort with the grace now he is become weak as another man and God hath some sharp correction in store for him to set him in his right wits again You know what evils followed David upon those scandals God will redeem his own glory and the honor of holy profession with the sorrows of his evil servants 4. Sometimes it is not for scandalous or presumptuous sins that the Lord forsakes his servants but their unthankfulness for former graces and comforts and mercies received They used them securely and gave not him the glory as he expected and deserved and therefore he leaves them for a while and it may be whips their own consciences They shall learn by the want what it was to have so much grace and comfort and may say as Psal 102.23 He weakned my strength in the way he shortned my days He takes a kind of revenge for the great unkindness This is the ordinary case of many who keep their ways and lives somewhat fair yet heavy and heartless Having been unthankful they are now left to this indifferency 5. Temptation may do much Never were the Philistine so watchful to bind Samson and know where his great strength lay that they might deprive him of it as the Devil is busie to rob and spoil us of our spiritual strength For this he watcheth continually and if he can come unobserved while we are secure and mindless of him he preys upon us exceedingly So he weakned our first Parents when they were much stronger then we are and David that he numbred the people and Peter that he was almost blown away like chaff These are the ordinary suckers that draw out much of the Life-bloud of true Christians It shall be our wisdom every one to examine his own heart and estate so to see how far he is decayed in the Trade of godliness and find out the true and proper cause of such languishing that so he may do afterward what is fit to be done by repentance prayer and more care in the use of holy means appointed for the regaining of his strength Consider it is
miserable to have ones spiritual strength so weakned even as miserable as to become poor after great wealthiness or sickly after great healthiness A lamentable change will nature and reason say and grace will teach a godly man to say likewise of spirituals By faith the Elders out of weakness were made strong and waxed valiant in fight Heb. 11.34 And this man of strong is become weak and fainteth in fighting the battels of the Lord. How is he decayed Oh this woful bankruptness of the soul whither doth it tend and what will be the end of these things unless the wiser course be taken in time Christians it concerns us much to lament and bewail this faintness whatever it is found in any Say not therefore I am safe in the main I cannot fall from grace I may do well enough though I be weaker then I was O who would miss so many comforts of the Spirit as such a one must miss or walk so heavily as such a one must walk it may be feel so many terrours as such a one must feel that there is but little difference between hell and him and he le ts go that perswasion concerning perseverance and hath some cause to doubt and fear he shall fall quite away I say who would be in such a woful case Therefore it is time to renew thy repentance and thy covenant and thy endeavours in footing it along in the ways of God as now toward a Sacrament the Lord offers thee new strength and more occasions to recover what is decayed since the last Sacrament he spreads his Table for thee again and hath kild his fatlings all is prepared and ready only be not thou unprepared and unready c. Know the only comfort is to them that take notice of their fainting and bewail it and would fain redress it Our Text saith They shall renew their strength Though their strength do decay at times yet it shall be renewed the labour that they take against a Sacrament shall not be lost therefore go in faith and go with confidence this is a promise and shall surely be performed Thou waitest on the Lord therefore thou shalt renew thy strength Heed and believe it and hear no accusing voices to the contrary either of the Devil or of thine own unbelieving heart Say not I often grow weak after I have been strong therefore I fear whether ever I shall come to that pitch and stature in grace or comfort which sometimes I had Know it is our condition in this life still to ebb and flow in heaven only we renew not our strength And divers Saints have relapsed as we see in the Spouse Cant. 3. and 5. And the promises here are indefinite after Relapses strength shall be renewed as well as in other cases though perhaps with more ado Only follow on and pray still one day thou shalt say as David Psal 138.3 in the day when I cryed thou answeredst me and strengthnedst me with strength in my soul And it is greater glory to God to preserve so weak a Vessel as thou art to his heavenly Kingdom having said My grace is sufficient for thee my strength is made perfect in weakness 2 Cor. 12.9 If we be strong in the Lord and the power of his might we are safe we are sure to do well enough Troubled we may be and shall be The Devil and the World and the Flesh will provide us troubles but in all this Conflict we shall stand and in the end overcome and in overcoming is the Crown and Glory To him that overcome will I give such and such mercies Now all this serves for Information Consolation and Exhortation USE I. INformation in two things If those things stand for truths according to the Scripture 1. Hereby is established the Doctrine of Saints perseverance in the estate of grace whereinto they are brought at their conversion When they are once regenerate and wait on the Lord as before they are sure to continue in that holy and happy estate to the end yea to an endless glory Now and Ever I speak not any thing to magnifie our selves and our pure naturals as some have pratled but only to advance the grace of God in Christ by whom we are able to do all things And we say It is vain whatsoever the Adversaries object concerning a mans own weakness that he is apt to fall into gross sins and shake off the grace of God and become no sheep no Member of Christ no Child of God no Heir of Heaven True of himself he is apt to do so and there is no other likelihood but if a Christian were left to himself he would fall both fearfully and finally We have an evil heart of unbelief to depart from the living God and are not sufficient of our selves to persevere in the good estate wherein we are set But what saith our Doctrine the strength whereby a true Christian standeth is a strength above that of Nature even most refined It is a borrowed strength a strength derived from God and will suffice him against all his weaknesses and all oppositions from hell and the world It will work so strongly in his heart that he will not fall away will not become a Goat when he was a Sheep will not run out of the sheepfold will not of a Child of God become a Child of the Devil nor lose the possession of heaven which he hath had in his eye to quicken and encourage him in his way The fear of God is so put into his heart that he neither can nor will depart from him The gifts and calling of God are without repentance God will never repent that he so revealed himself to the Elect and the Elect by grace shall never repent 2. The world is hereby convinced and condemned of passing rash and erroneous judgment upon the godly because of their falls and failings Oh they are Hypocrites Dissemblers make a shew of Religion and talk much of profession but see how they do the contrary But beware of Blasphemy It were good to hush and be silent and not condemn the Generation of Gods Children Know the Christian may be true though weak or he may be strong though weak in this or that particular his God is able to raise him again and make him stand Rom. 14 4. His strength shall be renewed when another with his meer civilities and formalities shall fall and fall without recovery I marvel what these would have said if they had lived in the days of David and seen him so scandalous in the matter of Urâ—ah Were they not Gods enemies who blasphemed because of those sins 2 Sam. 12.14 By this deed thou hast caused the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme It were time for all our Mockers and Censurers to repent bitterly USE II. THis stability of a godly mans estate ministers singular comfort to all who upon good evidence have owned and applyed Gods mercy to their poor hearts Their comfort is that they stand
gap is made till all be ashamed of him and he weary of himself A woful pickle and damnable but that he recovers all as Peter for a while a Turn-Coat but by and by a Penitent and at last a Martyr 6. The joy of the Lord is our strength Neh. 8.10 Sometimes we take much comfort in God go about his work very chearfully and pass not for small rubs that lie in our way no nor great ones it sufficeth that God is gracious and we shall have joy and glory enough in heaven But this bright-shining day suffers obscurity by a cloud when the Lord withdraweth a little Yet toward Evening it waxeth as bright as ever it was as the Martyrs at the stake after Recantations In every thing with a true Christian there is a recovery of losses to be made it is like the dead root of Jesse yet budding or as a Wheat-Corn dead in Winter but putting forth much strength in the Summer against the Harvest And this power of renewing his strength comes chiefly from God who saith such shall renew their strength and secondarily from themselves who being acted by grace will be willing all along to help themselves and so the Lord gets the honor of renewing their strength and themselves get much comfort by it Do ye yet want any more comfort Then see a little how this waiting on God and renewing of strength may stand you in stead against all those fears and cares and troubles which at times ye are subject unto No Prince when a Battel hath gone against him is so sure to recruit his forces and joyn issue again with the enemy as the Believer is sure by waiting on his God to renew his strength and recover all he hath lost and if he fear it is more then his good estate alloweth as for instance 1. Some good souls are afraid they shall never hold on to the end they have gone a good way in Religion but are so wearyish in themselves and find the world run so strong against them that they doubt they shall not overcome and then they must lose their Crown To whom I reply This and other places assure us of sufficient grounds for perseverance in the state of grace We stand by the everlasting love and compassion and covenant of our God We stand by the grace of a Mediator and so are better able to hold on then was Adam in innocency We stand by the strength and conduct of the Almighty Spirit of God who will never forsake us but abide with us for ever We stand by the invincible power of faith which through the mercy of God is able to keep us unto salvation We stand by vertue of the word that Immortal and Incorruptible seed which endureth for ever And the seed of God so abideth in us that we shall not fall away neither totally nor finally If so what ground for these fears or faintings 2. Some old Disciples are much troubled with the infirmities of old age in mind or body or both and are even weary of themselves and perform Religious duties but wearishly they are willing still to wait upon their God but cannot tell whether they shall be accepted or no or enabled to go on to Victory Answ Yet shall such be holpen with a little help Dan. 11 34. Little in their sense and apprehension but not in it self it is the power of God whereby they are kept to salvation and we know that the weakness of God is stronger then men We know also that God hath enlarged his power and all his excellencies for the good of his Chosen Esa 46.3 4. Hearken unto me O house of Jacob and all the remnant of the house of Israel which are born by me from the belly which are carryed from the womb And even to your old age I am he and even to hoar haires I will carry you I have made and I will bear and I will carry and will deliver you Good comfort to them whose understanding and memory fails them with legs and senses and all that is of nature and weather offends them whether hot or cold and much ado they have to hold out with cheariness a little longer Yet in their God they shall find a supply both of strength and comfort to carry them to their journies end Only let them pray and it shall be done for them Plead as David Psal 71 9 12 17 18. Cast me not off in the time of old age forsake me not when my strength faileth O God 〈◊〉 not far from me I will go in the strength of the Lord God O God thou hast taught me from my youth and hitherto I have declared thy wondrous works Now also when I am old and gray-headed O Lord forsake me not untill I have shewed thy strength unto this generation and thy power to every one that is to come Where note by the way what is the proper and chief end of desiring long life or the assistance of God in our way It is that we may the better advance the glory of God and serve our generation according to his counsel 3. Another is even tyred out with Satanical temptations and accusations and doubts that one time or other he shall fall by the hand of this hellish enemy Oh how black and cunning and incessant his fiery darts are and himself in the mean time very weak and simple and easie to be over-reached Can there be any hope of carrying the Victory Answ Yes because thy Captain hath said Resist the Devil and he shall fly from you and ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one and the God of peace shall tread Satan under your feet shortly and the head of the old Serpent is so bruised by the seed of the Woman and his Victory that he can never recover full strength against the remnant of her seed We know too that greater is he that is in us then he that is in the world We read of the weapons which we are to weild and overcome that they are of Gods framing and appointment the Armour of God and The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to cast down strong holds which are raised against God and against our comfort and Not only the weapons are mighty but we by them Strong in the Lord and the power of his might so that a song of triumph may be sung by fainty Believers Who shall accuse or condemn or separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ Certainly all the gates of hell shall never prevail against the Church of God nor any faithful Member of it 4. Other Believers fear because of many troubles of the family or of the world there are fightings without and terrors within they even faint and are weary and shall be tyred out one time or other what shall they do Answ Let them remember that Christ hath overcome the world and therefore though in the world they have
tribulation yet in him they shall have peace and ought to be of good chear and Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivereth them out of all And if deliverance be delayed yet by the assistance of Christ and his Spirit the afflictions are sweetned and the heart supported and all the suffering sanctified that in time the Christian shall say It was good for me to be afflicted that I might learn thy statutes And remember that when the troubles last longest yet all the while the Christian Traveller is getting nearer and nearer to his Fathers house so that Yet a little while and he that shall come will come and his reward is with him In the Mount it will be seen 5. Other Believers who complain not of troubles in things of nature or the world yet trouble themselves much about the welfare of the Church which they see endangered by enemies some undermining others infected with errors and heresies and scattering their poison far and near Oh what will become of poor Sion which is so hated or defaced many enemies and but few real friends Answ Bear up chearfully it is a good sign in thee that thou art so tender of the Churches well-doing thou hast a promise They shall prosper that love Sion and all they that mourn for her shall be glad and rejoyce with her Esa 66.10 And as for the Church it self remember though lovest it well yet God loves it better and knows better how to provide for its safety and chiefest welfare Psal 87.2 The Lord loveth the gates of Sion more then all the dwellings of Jacob. As for the enemies secret or open let the King of Sion alone to deal with them for their conversion or confusion or to raise up friends as need shall require and he sees expedient that the Captivity may be turned and great gifts bestowed for the beautifying of Sion 6. Others know not what they shall do if persecution should arise for the Gospels sake they are fainty enough under the persecution of the tongue or in smaller tryals and they doubt they shall fall utterly if fire and faggot should come in use again But remember here who brought the Martyrs through the flames to give testimony to the truths of the Gospel They were flesh and bloud as we are and yet were strengthned to pass through the fire after Jesus Christ and they had relations and advantages to leave for the truth as near and dear as we have and yet by grace were enabled to part with all yea rejoyced that they were accounted worthy to suffer for the Name of Christ And ye may observe in reading the Histories of the Martyrs how they that were very timorous for a while yet coming in sight of the stake they have waxed joyful and confident as Mr. Glover to his friend who knew his fears O Austine He is come he is come meaning the Spirit of strength and comfort Remember too that the Lord hath continued his Church and brought it through persecuting times as well as times of prosperity yea the Primitive Church was planted and watered and thrived best in the persecution of the first three hundred years The bloud of the Martyrs proved the seed of the Church to propagate and make glorious the Kingdom of Christ Therefore faint not nor be weary for any persecution felt or feared 7. A Believer may say Death is the King of terrors and I fear I shall not dye with any patience or comfort I know not what kind of death I shall dye or where or with what Company it may be by the Pestilence or by the Sword or by some tormenting Disease or a lingring Disease I know not what but I doubt I shall faint at the last and then where is all my hope and reward Answ Remember what hath been said This God is our God for ever and ever he will be our guide even unto death Psal 48.14 And not only unto death but in dying Jesus Christ will be gain unto us Phil. 1.21 And not only Angels are ours with other good creatures but even death is a Friend though he come in a Mourning Gown 1 Cor. 3 22. And ye know how death is out-braved from doing us a mischief chap. 15.55 O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory the sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law But thanks be to God who hath given us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord. As for the sad Harbingers and Messengers of death the Lord is able and hath promised to give a proportion of strength and comfort that when we faint and the outward man decays yet the inward man shall be renewed day by day and by rich mercy ye may come to fear nothing even when ye walk in the midst of the valley of the shadow of death And for the kind of Death Company Place Time and all circumstances it is best for the Child of God to submit to the will of his heavenly Father who hath said and would have us to rest in what he hath said My grace is sufficient for thee Only continue in a waiting condition as Job all the days of thy appointed time till that great change shall come thou shalt find it worth while to have so waited But because this waiting may be long and there go many things to waiting as the good servant who made all ready against the coming of his Lord I shall produce certain Motives as so many encouragements to the faithful servants of God who do so chearfully and constantly attend their God in those duties and those his Ordinances Many are the benefits of a due waiting 1. This at the Text they shall be enabled and blessed by this their waiting To renew their strength and hold out in the good ways of God unto glory Though there be divers weaknesses in themselves and discouragements in the world yet through rich mercy they shall run and not be weary walk and not faint A singular priviledge above all Apostates who have fallen away and come to nothing 2. They have hereby a note of true grace upon them that they are the Children and Servants of God in sincerity and not only in a general and common profession Our Text useth this Periphrasis or Description of the godly They that wait upon the Lord shall do thus and thus And it is a Description of the Gentiles conversion Esa 42.4 The Isles shall wait for his law with chap. 51.5 They shall wait upon me and on thy Name shall they trust and 60.9 Surely the Isles shall wait for me It is an ordinary Inquiry among tender spirits Whether am I indeed converted and brought home unto God or no The solution may hence be taken If ye wait on the Lord in the way and manner before described ye are indeed converted and need not trouble your selves any more 3. Another benefit is that these Waiters shall not in any thing be utterly disappointed so
this Banquet and not be the better for it How is it possible Well remember what that is to go rightly and do it indeed it is often shewed in our ministery and you called upon none can say he knows not Then settle to do it He that loves grace indeed and the comforts of grace let him strive to be lively and get as much of it as he can Doctr. 3. It is the nature and duty of good Christians to be constant in their good courses to the end not to be weary when they run nor faint when they walk The duty is in Rev. 2.10 Be thou faithful unto the death The priviledge is in this place They are born of incorruptible seed led by an holy Spirit that abides with them for ever embraced with an everlasting love and Covenant strengthned by a mighty faith which overcomes the world and quencheth the fiery darts of the Devil And this of the Text stands by way of promise They shall mount up They shall run and not be weary They shall walk and not faint Now all the promises of God in Christ are Yea and Amen The Oath and Promise of God are two immutable things wherein it is impossible he should be deceived or deceive Object They are weary oftentimes and faint in their course afflictions dishearten and unsettle them corruption of nature even foils them Satan gets within them Answ At the worst they fall not either totally or finally nor are ever so weary or faint but their strength is renewed again and they may say as the Apostle 2 Cor. 4.8 9 16. We are troubled on every side yet not distressed we are perplexed but not in despair persecuted but not forsaken cast down but not destroyed We faint not but though our outward man perish yet the inward man is renewed day by day Use Let all that wait on the Lord with their hearts both rejoyce in their priviledge and look well to their duty 1. Rejoyce in your priviledge Your endeavours in holy ways shall be Crowned with perseverance and your perseverance with glory Your desires shall be answered and satisfied to the full When many fall you shall stand And in the day when you are shrewdly shaken yet still you shall stand or if you fall you shall surely rise again True you must fear in respect of your selves and your own unstedfastness but in respect of God you have no cause at all to fear or be dismayed Through the mercy and grace of your God who hath promised you are as sure one day to be in heaven as now you are upon earth 2. Look to your duty that is to keep your selves in the love of God as the Apostle Jude adviseth Be not high-minded but fear and Let him that standeth take heed left he fall Holy joy never breeds security nor a neglect of the means as carnal and presumptuous us useth to do And not only work out your salvation with fear and trembling to shun a total and final Apostasie but take heed of partial and temporary backslidings admit as few interruptions in the way of well-doing as possibly you can still shake up your selves out of every weariness and every fainting Beware of the preparative though not to everlasting destruction yet temporary chastisement especially in the soul by the absence of Christ who withdraws a while when security prevailes Cant. 3. and 5. Ever fear to come any whit near that fatal conclusion of hypocrites who one time or other fall away and shew they were never the men and women that they would be taken to be not of us though among us 1 John 2.19 And of such the Lord saith If any man draw back my soul hath no pleasure in him and they draw back to perdition Heb. 10.39 USE IV. Conclusion ALL this so being may encourage all to a godly life and to receive the grace of God when it is offered to them as that which will set them in such a blessed and permanent condition above all the excellency nature is any way able to reach or attain Alass man what art thou by nature in the greatest of thy strength thou art but a fainting dying man In thy youth the flower of thine age thou mayest be soon cropt and defaced and then without grace in thy heart thou goest to hell as surely as Belzebub What is the strength of legs or beauty or nimbleness or healthiness or any natural endowments pretty things in their kind and such as whereof a good use may be made but in respect of Gods favor and heaven very trifles If so then much more honor riches pleasures ease dainty diet and the like these some call the gifts of fortune and Scripture saith they take them wings and profit not them that have been exercised in them Heb. 13.9 Wisdom would that a man look beyond all these to the better and enduring substance It is good that the heart be established with grace and not with meats He that is born anew unto God shall also be strong in God Though his beginning be but small and weak yet his latter end shall increase exceedingly Others of strong shall become weak he of weak shall become strong Let us hear the end of all All flesh is grass and the glory of man as the flower of the field the grass withereth and the flower fadeth away but the word of the Lord endureth for ever and this is the word which by the Gospel we preach unto you 1 Pet. 1.24 25. FINIS