that devoured thee offend Jer. 2.3 Dost thou noâ— yet say It was then better with me then now Hos 2.7 Dost not yet hear the Lord lamenting over thee as Psal 81.11 to 15. Oh that my people had hearkened to me c. Dost not yet know it 's befallen thee as Ephraim Hos 13.1 9. Canst thou not remember where thou didst lose thy Crown that the way in which Ephraim got gray hairs Hos 7.8 to the end stole insensibly upon thee when men gathered thee John 15.6 when the present world was imbraced 2 Tim. 4.10 Was there not a time wherein thou followedst God as in a Land which was not sown Jer. 2.2 and thoughtst thou hadst gain enough in God and Godliness 1 Tim. 6.6 and thoughtst thou hadst enough of the world and couldst never get enough of God and hath not a time stolen upon thee wherein thou couldest never get enough of this world but hadst enough of God When thou turnedst thy back upon the succesful victorious way of Faith and tryedst the Carnal way of sence like the Nations Jer. 2.31 in Pride and Oppression staying thereon Isa 30.12 13 14. when the Word of the Lord grew a burthen to thee Jer. 6.10 11. when thou grewest zealous for thy utmost portion of earthly things and cold and indifferent in heavenly things Then thou mayest partly see thy work and the transgression thou hast exceeded Hast thou not in thy fulness also fallen into Sodoms snare Ezek. 16.49 Pride fulness of bread c. and been proud also of the Mountain or Temple of the Lord Jer. 7.4 under even the Nations transgressions Was zeal for Righteousness and sence of others cry in simplicity of Soul turned into insensibleness of others sufferings and satisfaction taken in self sensuality then mayst thou cry for a season at least and not be heard Prov. 21.13 Was successes abused to advance thy 〈…〉 in provoking the Lord to jealously Deut. 32.6 by lightness in Worship 1 Cor. 10.22 by breaking faith with the Enemy 2 Sam. 21.1 2 3. and oppressing thy Brethren too at the same time thinking to build Zion with blood Mich. 3.10 11. wherefore it is now plowed as a field c. and to settle on the lees Zeph. 1.12 13. when thou hadst gotten greatness and lands Deut. 6.11 12. blessing those that so steered backward Ps 10.3 or at least not mourning over these and such like departings and evils Ezek. 9.4 then is our work now best to be as Eze. 7.16 21.12 Ezr. 10.6 to come to the Valley of Achor stoning in our selves and others these troubling transgressions and to be humbled deeply if the Lord seem to give us a divorce as Jer. 11.15 Hos 2.15 And if any of you have got riches not by right and now leave them in the midst of your dayes or if you with-held and it tendeth to penury lay your hand on your mouth Jer. 17.11 Prov. 11.24 if by any hint thou seest thy sickness and thy wound do not do now as Hos 5.13 Isa 31.1 57.9 but try the good old way following wherein never any yet fail'd of finding effect who attained to it in truth Deut. 4.29 Hos 6.1 14.2 3. Isa 10.20 Jer. 4.1 2 3 4. 31.18 19 20. Ezra 10.2 Ezek. 7.16 For thus saith the Lord God the Holy One of Israel In returning and rest shall ye be saved in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength and ye would not but ye said no for we will flee upon Horses c. Isa 30.15 But you will say to me Who is he that liveth and sinneth not have not all their faults yea yet let me say to thee the spots of the Lords people are of several sorts and though all of them have sinned it is not safe like the Hypocrite or time-server to quit scores therefore with their reprovers to spare the troubling sin All Israel had sin in them but Achans especially troubled Israel therefore your Generation-sin against Gods Holy and Righteous Cause in your hands dishonouring it and his Holy Name either by Oppression grasping after the worlds greatness wisdom or riches which was so weak before you unbelief drawing back bringing an evil report upon the Promises not delighting in but despising the good Word and Wayes of the Lord trusting in an Arm of flesh lightly breaking Vows and Faith with God and men walking haughtily and loftily whilst oppression and violence continued and increased Yea lastly making Covenants with Hell and Death Isa 28.18 that is Carnal interests for fear of danger saying The time is not yet and the Lord will neither do good nor evil Zeph. 1.12 and the like are in the first place to be made close inquiry after as troublers of Israel and causers of confusion Yet also have those that have erred in vision and staggered in judgement Isa 28.7 limitting the Holy One to times instruments and wayes of working either for his People or against his Adversaries which he removeth as he sees good Ezek. 16.50 though they should be wholly free through mercy from that dethroning sin of making league with cursed interests through unbelief as Isa 28. yet have they much cause of mourning as having sinned both towards God greatly and occasioned stumbling to many and to their own Souls Yea lastly If God hath given so much integrity to any as to preserve them from the raging power of all the first black classes of publick corruptions which is much to be feared yet if thou hast been proud of thine integrity as Job 32.9 slighty in thy reproofs as Eli 1 Sam. 2.14 exalting thy self as Moses saying Must we fetch water Num. 20.10 instead of sanctifying God Yea in the ostentation of Hezekiah Is 39.2 may not God bring thee through Jobs furnace to bring thee into his abasement Job 42.6 or make thy ears tingle as Eli with rebukes 1 Sam. 3.13 or bury thee in silence as Moses Num. 34.5 6. or make all that is in thy house be carried into captivity as Hezekiah Isa 39.6 but especially if Cain-like thou hast been glad in uncovering the nakedness of others or Herod or Jehu-like hast affected praise 2 Kin. 10.16 Acts 12.23 or to have thy name exalted may not God pour contempt upon thee Oh! that we might be united in abasement through the pouring down of the Spirit of Grace and supplication as Zach. 12.10 11 13. Observe these that the house of Levi Nathan and David which were most eminent for faithfulness to the Lord shall yet see cause enough for their shortness made known to them in the light of the Spirit to mourn as deeply it may be as Shâ—mei who at first cursed the work of God 2 Sam. 16.5 Yea truly the Publican-like defiled One or who may be too justly stiled the Apostate that said I will not and after repented and went Lu. 21.19 shall be before many that have learned to say Apostate at every word and walk not humbly with their God On therefore
considereth the Poor the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble c. Psal 41.2 3. He that hath pitty to the Poor lendeth to the Lord Prov. 19.17 And that which he hath given will he pay him again he shall be repaid with interest indeed for it is a Sacrifice so acceptable and well-pleasing that in return to the Philippians who had sent twice to Paul even to Thessalonica to supply his necessity Phil. 4.16 He saith vers 19. My God shall supply all your need c. The Lord shew mercy to the House of Onisiphorus for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my Chain 2 Tim. 1.16 17. And whosoever saith Christ shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold Water onely in the Name of a Disciple verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his reward Mat. 10.42 For at the great day of Reckoning the Lord will esteem your Meat Drink Lodging Clothing and visits of his Hungry Thirsty Pilgrim Naked Sick and imprisoned Ones as done to him Mat. 25.35 c. and the contrary will be cursed vers 41. For I was an Hungry and ye gave me no Meat c. But such as consider the Poor are pronounced happy Prov. 14.21 He that giveth to the poor shall not lack Prov. 28.27 and the Righteous doth consider them Prov. 29.7 who yet perhaps may need an exhortation to be more enquiring after those that are at a distance from them in this evil day and like the Hebrews shew more labour of love herein Heb. 6 10 making it more your business as the Churches of Macedonia 2 Cor. 8.2 3 4. Who to their power yea and beyond their power were commended herein as willing and according as the merciful Man Psal 112.5 so to order your affairs with discretion as that you may be ever merciful and lending Oh! how many a profuse dish of Meat and other extravagancies which in such times especially may be sin to provide c. Isa 22.13 Exod. 33.4 Ezek. 21.10 Prov. 23.20 might be profitably laid aside for the poor Oh! that we might not be by fits in this work seeing the Poor are with us and lest as Deut. 15.11 yea increased daily perhaps for tryal of our love unfeigned to the Lord a little season who will shortly rid them out of their distress but that in giving there might be a true respect unto their need Deut. 15.8 He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed for he giveth of his bread to the poor Prov. 22.9 As the good Samaritan Luk. 10.33 34 35. who interrupted his Journey imployed his Pains Skill Purse and Credit too wholly to free the poor stranger out of his misery when the Priest and Levite that professed more neglected him which pattern of pitty to our Neighbour the Lord commendeth to us vers 37. as our standing example when great Professors fail and himself our Pattern who though he was Rich for our sakes became Poor 2 Cor. 8.9 Wherefore I beseech you put on bowels as the Elect of God give not according to the broken fragments of money you have about you but learn rather obedience to that Word of the Lord Luk. 12.33 Sell that you have and give Alms. Oh! how far are rich Professors from following the Lord herein who among them hath voluntarily lessened the yearly value of his Lands in Obedience to the Lord of all in this Oh! that vers 34. may not conclude most rich Professors Treasure to be onely earthly For where your Treasure is there will your hearts be also But alas How dwelleth the Love of God in him who hath this Worlds goods and seeth his Brother need and shutteth up his Bowels of Compassion Oh! tremble Rich Professors If in your expence upon your selves you are not so grieved for the afflictions of Joseph Amos 6.6 how can you face the aforesaid Word in 1 John 3.17 with Peace and shut up your Bowels to your poor Perishing Brethren Who shall trust such Stewards with the true Riches Luke 16.11 who deny the Lord the faithful imploying the unrighteous Mammon Profess what you will you are nothing if you be so unnatural as not to bear the burthens of your distressed Brethren Gal. 6.2 3. Do you pass on the other side and hide your eyes like the Priest and Levite from the poor Object in necessity The compassionate Samaritan shall shame you in the Day of 〈…〉 you at such a time Dives-like fare deliciously and cloath your self gorgiously and stop your ears at the cry of the poor you also shall cry your selves and shall not be heard Prov. 21.13 Yea is it not come to pass in part upon you already as Zech. 7.13 compared to vers 9. for this very thing And will not yet your danger be as Ezek. 8.18 And though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice yet will I not hear them Is not this the fast that I have chosen to loose the Bands of Wickedness to undoe the heavy burthens and to let the Oppressed go free and that you break every Yoak Is it not to deal thy Bread to the Hungry and that thou bring the Poor that are cast out to thy house When thou seest the naked that thou cover him and that thou hide not thy self from thine own flesh then shall thy light break forth c. Isa 58.6 7 8. Then shalt thou call and the Lord will answer thou shalt cry and he will say Here I am vers 9. And if thou draw out thy Soul to the hungry and satisfie the Afflicted Soul then shall thy light rise in obsecurity and thy darknesse be as at noon-day And the Lord shall guide thee continually and satisfie thy Soul in drought c. vers 10 11. But Oh rich Professor Canst thou not draw out thy Soul Canst thou not sell a part of thy Land nor spare of thy Goods Are thy Bowels so shut to thy poor Brother Art thou rather ashamed of him in his Bonds Canst thou not send to the Lord Know then Thou reproachest thy Maker Prov. 14.31 He hath little credit with thee while in this world and thou shalt be reproached by him for ever when he shall shut out thy cry Oh! will thy fading Riches whereof thou art an unjust Steward Luke 16.9 10 11. stand thee in stead with thy powerless Profession when he shall require of thee an account of thy Talent and thou shalt appear before him on the left hand to hear him indict thee on this wise When I was an hungry c. Mat. 25.42 43. But to such as through Grace can trust the Lord and honour him with their Substance Prov. 3.9 I hope I need now say no more then exhort you to do it in simplicity Rom. 12.8 according to your ability 1 Pet. 4.11 chearfully 2 Cor. 9.7 and as you have opportunity Gal. 6.10 which will not be long And whilst the Lord who giveth Seed to the Sower and blesseth the Seed sown give you to
reap bountifully 2 Cor. 9.6 and bless your Seed sown to the bringing the Blessings of many that are ready to perish upon you and raising up in the heart of the relieved abundant thanksgiving to God in your behalf 2 Cor. 9.12 13. To that end as you are intreated for the Lords sake to order your Affairs with Discretion avoiding all lavish expenses every other way to lay aside to your utmost weekly 1 Cor. 16.1 2. and labour to engage to this use by your earnest in treaty like the Macedonians some as neat as you can like Paul 2 Cor. 8.4 and Titus vers 16. and such whose praise is in the Gospel vers 18. and such who have often times proved diligent in many things but now are much more diligent vers 22. whose work it may be more naturally to mind and as equally as may be administer your liberality to the necessity of the innumerable distressed in wisdom that one do not abound whilst others perish Oh! that God would put it into the hearts of his Remnants every where to imploy all their might herein with correspondency like to the Body whereof Christ is the Head 1 Cor. 12.26 2 Cor. 11.29 That our Fasts may not be flung as dung in our Faces but with our acceptable Alms come before him and that the Primitive Example aforesaid and the solemn choosing seven men full of the Holy Spirit in one Congregation Acts 6.3 7. might so far add to the weightiness of this affair that there might be at least some such set a part on the behalf of the thousands of Precious Ones ready to perish in the Land that the fierce anger of the Lord may not yet further kindle upon us to the cursing our Blessings and we be extinct as Monsters forgetting our own flesh that under so famous Profession and frequent and fervent Prayer suffered our fellow Members to famish whilst we had fulness Which the Lord in Mercy prevent Amen And now a Word to the Afflicted IN the time of adversity consider is the Counsel given of the Lord Eccles 7.14 And indeed till adversity we are like the Prodigal Luke 15. who came not to himself until he could not fill his belly with the Husks vers 16. This Voice of the Lord calls now to the City and the Man of Wisdom will know his Name hear the Rod and who hath appointed it Mich. 6.9 The Visitations of the Lord preserved Jobs Spirit Job 10.12 and if that be not the Fruit to take away the sin Isa 27.9 there is too much cause to fear whether such a Professors Case be comprised in the New Covenant Psalm 89.32 and then his Poverty and his Riches his Prison and his Liberty will be much a like under a Curse and he will fall into the two extream evils which Agar prayed and Solomon by the Spirit gave Counsel against Prov. 30.8 3.11 But if the Lord please I would Elihu-like speak in the uprightness of my heart and utter knowledge clearly herein Job 33.3 I am very much perswaded That the good Figs for their good are come first into captivity Jer. 2.4 5. By captivity I mean the variety of close affliction which the Lord immediately or by cruel men or any other way hath brought them into or bound them with and by which he hath brought them down wonderfully for so Job's various distresse is called a Captivity Job 42.10 And now whether Poor in Prison or both Robbed Spoiled or on the Bed of Sickness Banished or chased from thy dwelling with the addition too it may be of inward withdrawing c. First I desire that first of all I may be accepted in imploring thy very serious and diligent search and self-examination with assurance that that word Ezek. 14.23 is as true in thy case as ever That God hath not done without cause all that he hath done unto thee and that still finding out the cause there will be no disposition to returning but to self-justifying still as Mal. 3.8 13. Secondly Till then the Commission for outward Judgements may continue Lev. 26.40 1 John 1.9 Prov. 28.13 Thirdly Insensibleness of the Cause exposeth to filthy-fretting Numb 14.23 24. Prov. 19.3 but Aaron when the Cause was shewed him held his peace Lev. 10.3 and so Mich. 7.9 Fourthly Till then we cannot so fitly enjoy deliverance Ezek. 16.63 36.31 32. Fifthly This is a mean to deliver when nothing else will do Ezek. 7.16 Isa 57.9 10 15. Hos 5.15 6.1 Ezek. 18.30 Sixthly Hereby God will be honoured again and his Name gloriously vindicated when thou shalt seriously thus acknowledge thy offences Jer. 3.13 Josh 7.19 And for Helps herein I beseech you First Hearken to the voice of the present Rod expounded by the Word Psal 18.25 Hos 8.3 10.4 Levit. 26.25 Mich. 6.9 Secondly Let no special excellency cause thee to over-look the Cause Rev. 2.4 5. 14.20 much less when it may be with thee as Rev. 3.1 Eli Moses Jehoshaphat Hezekiah Asa Jonah David c. troubled themselves and some of them Israel though they were eminent Thirdly Begin at the Root Ezek. 16.2 to 15. vers 27. Fourthly Do not clear thy self because men may in many things falsly accuse thee Job 40.2 to 6. 42.1 2. nor because men may in every thing commend thee 2 Cor. 10.18 Gal. 6.4 But Lastly Above all seek at the Throne earnestly with a true disposition to return Lam. 3.40 41. Jer. 29.12 13 14. Know now assuredly that the Prison or Captivity in which thou art is God's School or University wherein he would shew thee thy work and the transgression wherein thou hast exceeded Job 36.8 9. For thy work then sure if thou art chosen to bear his Name it is set down briefly in this single Scripture Mich. 6.8 and what doth the Lord 〈◊〉 quire of thee but to do justly to love mercy and to walk humbly with thy God Whereon I will not inlarge impertinently to swell my speech beyond the patience of the afflicted which perhaps his tribulation yet hath nor effected but expound walking humbly with thy God by that explanation in James 4.7 where it is called a submitting unto God that is to his Counsel to his Will with a reverend respect to all his advice and pleasure therein contented with our condition turning to his Will humbly and timely under his reproof Now poor Soul was there not a day wherein Professors experienced happiness whilst they walked so humbly with their God contented with Food Rayment in the Work and Way of God living in the comfort of the Righteousness of Christ in rich communion with him innocently abiding with him as in the Case of Adulam for his will and work cleaving to such as favoured his Righteous Cause in truth and steering thy course by the streight Rule of his Counsel not loving thy life in comparison of his Precious Service Cause and Gospel and whether it was not then better with thee Did not all them