house and set it on fire Whereupon some of our Company were necessitated to expose themselves to very great danger to put it out Simon Davis one of the three appointed by my self as Captain to supply my place by Reason of my wounds as aforesaid he being of a lively Spirit encouraged the Souldiers within the house to fire upon the Indians and also those that Adventured out to put out the Fire which began to rage and kindle upon the house side with these and the like words That God is with us and fights for us and will deliver us out of the hands of these Heathen which Expressions of his the Indians hearing they shouted and scoffed saying now sce how your God delivers you or will deliver you sending in many shots whilst our men were putting out the Fire But the Lord of Hosts wrought very graciously for us in preserving our Bodies both within and without the house from their shot and our house from being consumed by Fire we had but two men wounded in that Attempt of theirs but we apprehended that we killed divers of our Enemies I being desirous to hasten Intelligence to the Honoured Council of our present great distress we being so remote from any succour It being between sixty and seventy miles from us to Boston where the Council useth to sit and fearing our Ammunition would not last long to withstand them if they continued so to Assault us I spak to Ephraim Curtis to adventure forth again on that Service and to Attempt it on Foot as the way wherein there was most hope of getting away undiscovered He readily Assented and accordingly went out but there were so many Indians every where thereabouts that he could not pass without apparent hazard of Life so he came back again yet towards morning the said Ephraim adventured forth the third time and was fain to creep on his hands and knees for some space of ground that he might not be discerned by the Enemy who waited to prevent our sending if they could have hindred it But through Gods mercy he escaped their hands and got safely to Marlborough though very much spent and ready to saint by Reason of want of sleep before he went from us and his sore travel night and day in that hot Season till he got thither from whence he went to Boston yet before the said Ephraim got to Marlborough there was Intelligence brought thither of the burning of some houses and killing some Cattel at Quahaug by some who were going to Connecticut but they seeing what was done at the End of the Town and hearing several guns shot off further within the Town they durst proceed no further but Immediately returned to Marlborough though they then know not what had befallen Captain Hutchinson and my self and Company nor of our being there but that timely Intelligence they gave before Ephraim Curtis his coming to Marlborough occasioned the Honoured Major Willards turning his March towards Quahaug for our Relief who were in no small danger every hour of being destroyed the said Major being when he had that Intelligence upon his March another way as he was Ordered by the Honoured Council as is afterwards more fully expressed The next day being August 3d. they continued shooting shouting proceeded in their former wickedness blaspheming the Name of the Lord and reproaching us his Afflicted Servants scoffing at out prayers as they were sending in their shot upon all quarters of the house And many of them went to the Towns meeting house which was within twenty Rods of the house in which we were who mocked saying Come and pray sing Pfalms in Contempt made an hideous noise somewhat resembling singing But we to our power did endeavour our own defence sending our shot amongst them the Lord giving us Courage to resist them preserving us from the destruction they sought to bring upon us On the Evening following we saw our Enemies Carrying several of their dead or wounded men on their Backs who proceeded that night to send in their shot as they had done the night before also still shouted as if the day had been certainly theirs and they should without fail have prevailed against us which they might have the more hopes of in regard that we discerned the coming of new Companies to them to Assist and strengthen them and the unlikelihood of any coming to our help They also used several Stratagems to Fire us namely by wild fire in Cotton and Linnen Rags with Brimstone in them which Rags they tyed to the Piles of their Arrows sharp for the purpose and shot them to the Roof of our house after they had set them on Fire which would have much endangered the burning thereof had we not used means by cutting holes through the Roof and otherwise to beat the said Arrows down and God being pleased to prosper our Indeavours therein They carryed more Combustible matter as Flax and Hay to the sides of the house set it on fire then flocked apace towards the door of the house either to prevent our going forth to quench the Fire as we had done before or to kill our men in their Attempt to go forth or else to break into the house by the door whereupon we were forced to break down the wall of the house against the Fire to put it out They also shot a Ball of wild Fire into the garret of the house which fell amongst a great heap of Flax or Tow therein which one of our Souldiers through Gods good Providence soon espyed having water ready presently quenched it and so we were preserved by the keeper of Israel both our Bodies from their shot which they sent thick against us and the house from being consumed to Ashes although we were but weak to defend our selves we being not above twenty and six men with those of that small Town who were able for any Service and our Enemies as I Judged them about if not above three hundred I speak of the least for many there present did guess them to be four or five hundred It is the more to be observed that so little hurt should be done by the Enemies shot it commonly piercing the walls of the house and flying amongst the People and there being in the house fifty women and Children besides the men before mentioned But abroad in the yard one Thomas Wilson of that Town being sent to setch water for our help in further need that which we had being spent in putting out the Fire was shot by the Enemy in the upper Jaw and in the neck the anguish of which wound was such at the first that he cried out with a great noise by Reason whereof the Indians hearing him rejoyced and triumphed at it But his wound was healed in a short time praised be God On Wednesday August the 4th the Indians Fortifyed themselves at the meeting house and the Barne belonging to our house which they Fortified both at
observe not only some but All his Benefits Though one mercy should raise our Hearts to Heaven yet the more to quicken and enlarge them we should take notice of All the variety of them as praise is a difficult duty so it is difficult raising our hearts to the duty We are dull and Listless to all duty but especially to Thankfulness We are slow to go to God for mercy in our Troubles and Distresses but more slow to Return praise after Deliverances vouchsafed Hence that Expression in Psal 107. Psal 8.15 21 31. Oh that men would praise the Lord as if he should say It 's rather to be wished then expected Luke 17.17 18. There were Ten cried Lord have mercy upon us but only one Returned to give Thanks to Jesus Christ when cured The second part of the Doctrine Gracious and Humble Hearts observing Gods goodness towards them are studious and Sollicitous what to Return to him So the Prophet here what shall I Render to the Lord c. so 2 Sam. 7.1 when God had brought him to Rest in his Kingdome after so many wandrings he was studying how to advance the honour of God who had done so great things for him had so delivered him so advanced him to honour and Renown 1 Thes 3.9 what Thanks saith the Apostle can we Render c. The Reasons hereof are Reason 1. From the Consideration of the Nature of the Benefits Gods people enjoy The Prophet here may well say what shall I Render c. and so may every Child of God say All that are in Covenant with him what shall we Render for the Benefits we have received from our God 1. They are great mercies even very great as the promises of good to be given are great Promises 2 Pet. 1.4 so the good promised and bestowed They are great favours especially in spiritual blessings He gives great Deliverances as Psal 18.50 he doth great Things for his as Psal 71.19 and 86.13 2dly They are very many There is an All of them as in the Text an All that is beyond Expression Psal 139.14 more in number then the sand There is a multitude of them This was an Aggravation of Israels sin that they remembred not the multitude of Gods mercies Psal 106.7 3dly They are Everlasting mercies Psal 136. In every verse thy mercy endures for ever Gods people see and acknowledge Everlasting mercy even in outward and temporal blessings much more in spiritual and Eternal Because though the mercies themselves do not Indure for ever yet the Foundation of all to Gods people is Everlasting grace mercy And besides even these do in some degree tend to further their Everlasting blessedness helping them on in their way to their Fathers house in heaven therefore there is Reason to study and be Sollicitous what to render to God for them Reason 2. From the Consideration of the person from whom the Blessings and Deliverances come and to whom the Return is to be made and that is the Lord what shall I Render to the Lord for His Benefits 1. All the good we enjoy is from the Lord we are the Receivers He the giver They are his Benefits yea the gifts of the Lord of Lords and King of Kings the great and mighty God who Inhabits the Throne of glory Oh that the God of glory should have any respect to us dust and Ashes that he should do so great things for us worthless ones Psal 113.5 6 7. who is like unto the Lord our God who dwelleth on High who humbleth himself c. He raiseth the poor out of the Dust c. A good look from a Prince or some other great and honourable person is more then a greater thing from a meaner person 2dly Our Returns are to be made to the Lord and therefore we had need be Careful what we present to him This Reason God himself gives why he Curseth the deceiver who hath a male in his Flock and offereth to God a corrupt thing because he is a great King Mal. 1.14 and therefore he sharply reproves them for offering the halt and blind vers 8. Persons are usually Careful how they carry themselves towards a great man in returning Thanks to him for favours received from him much more here ought there to be Care The Return is to be made to God Solomon gives this Reason of the magnificence of the house he was to Build It was for the Lord who is a great and glorious one 2 Chr. 2.5 Any manner of house would not serve the turn the best Timber and stone must be provided and it must be wrought in the best manner and by the most Skilful persons that could be procured This was Abels Commendation that he brought of the Firstlings of his Flock and of the fat thereof Gen. 4.4 and to him God had Respect and to his Offering Reason 3. From the Consideration of the person that is to make the Return to God what shall I Return I that am so unworthy of the least mercy I that have had so many mercies so great Deliverances I that am notable to Render any thing beseeming his Majesty I that am under so many Bonds and Obligations I that am so priviledged by God what shall I Render c. Hence that Expression 2 Sam. 17 18 19 20. What can David say c. David the youngest of all my Fathers Sons and yet was preferred before them David that was a Shepard and now advanced to Regal dignity David that was so persecuted by potent and cruel Enemies and hath been so graciously and wonderfully preserved This makes a thankful heart studious especially Considering these three things therewith 1. All that we can Return is but little to his mercies but mites for Talents words for wonders All is as nothing 2dly What we Return to God is and by Reason of sin indwelling will be mixt with many Imperfections our best Services are but as torne Rags menstruous Cloaths Isai 64.6 Even our Robes our best Services need washing in the Blood of the Lord Revel 7.14 3dly All that we can give to God is His own and is but little of his own and therefore the Saints are sensible of their own Inability to make any meet Requital to God Mark holy Davids Expressions after his and the Princes offering towards the Building of the Temple 1 Chron. 29.10 to 15. vers a full place to prove all these three particulars before mentioned Use I. By way of Instruction or Information Instruct 1. A Soul in a thankful frame in a Tune of Thanksgiving can never be sufficiently satisfied in thinking and speaking of Gods mercies and favours towards him The Prophet had before in this Psalm spoken of Gods goodness towards him acknowledged his Bounty what God had done for him yea again and again repeated it and yet he is here still at the same work in the Text What shall I Render c. yea again Psal 16.17 How great hath Gods goodness been in hearing prayer
very readily Assented to it and promised that those of us whom God should be pleased to Carry home would attend it in due Season and when some others with my self and Son were in some good measure recovered of our wounds I Requested Mr. Bulkely to help us in the work of the day intended to be kept by us He being of a ready Spirit to the utmost of his strength to forward any good duty that God calls for he also Judging it to be of very great Concernment althoughte he Country was in very great distress our Deliverance being so Remarkable he did joyne with us therein on October 21.75 and then preached what is here published which we finding so seasonable to the occasion and beneficial to our selves I further Requested him that for the help of our memories and our better Improvement of what was then delivered to us also for the benefit and Edification of others he would give me a Coppy of it and suffer me to publish it which though for a time he delayed to do yet hath at length given given me a Coppy with power to do as I shall think best therein permitting it to be added to the aforesaid Narrative I hope it may be profitable to many of Gods people to whose view it may come I know that there be many in this Country at this day for whome it may be very seasonable who having with our selves received great mercies in Preservations and Deliverances in these Evil and Troublesome Times in the Naragansit Expedition and at other times and in other places where they have been in very great danger and in hazard of the loss of Life and all they had as also having been healed of sore and dangerous wounds been brought home safely to their dear Relations or have had their Relations Returned to them whom they feared they should not have seen again and have had their Habitations and Estates preserved when near to Ruine and others not farr from them were consumed All whom with all others whom God hath vouchsaved any special mercy to in Recovery out of great sicknesses or otherwise it Concerns to do as we were then Exhorted to do even seriously to observe what God hath done about them and for them and Carefully to Return that Praise Love and Obedience which he expects from them I Crave your Prayers for the blessing of God to accompany both his Works and his Word tous for our Everlasting good Tho. Wheeler A TRVE NARRATIVE Of the Lords Providences in various dispensations towards Captain Edward Hutchinson of Boston and my self and those that went with us into the Nipmuck Country and also to Quabaug alias Brookfield The said Captain Hutchinson having a Commission from the Honoured Council of this Colony to Treat with several Sachems in those parts in order to the publick peace and my self being also ordered by the said Council to accompany him with part of my Troop for Security from any danger that might be from the Indians and to Assist him in the Transaction of matters committed to him THe said Captain Hutchinson and my self with about twenty men or more marched from Cambridge to Sudbury July 28.75 and from thence into the Nipmuck Country and finding that the Indians had deserted their Towns and we having gone until we came within twenty miles of New Norwitch on July 31. only we saw two Indians having an Horse with them whom we would have spoke with but they fled from us and left their Horse which we took we then thought it not expedient to march any further that way but set our march for Brookfield whither we came on the Lords day about Noon From thence the same day being August 1. we understanding that the Indians were about Ten Miles Northwest from us we sent out four men to acquaint the Indians that we were not come to harm them but our business was only to deliver a Message from our Honoured Governour and Council to them and to receive their Answer we desiring to come to a Treaty of Peace with them though they had for several dayes fled from us they having before professed Friendship and promised Fidelity to the English When the Messengers came to them they made an Alarm and gathered together about an hundred and Fifty fighting men as near as they could judge The young men amongst them were stout in their Speeches and surly in their Carriage But at length three of the chief Sachems promised to meet us on the next morning about eight of the Clock upon a plain within three miles of Brookfield with which Answer the Messengers returned to us Whereupon though their Speeches and Carriage did much discourage divers of our Company yet we conceived that we had a cleer Call to go to meet them at the place whither they had promised to come Accordingly we with our men accompanied with three of the Principal Inhabitants of that Town marched to the plain appointed but the Treacherous Heathen intending mischief if they could have opportunity came not to the said place and so failed our hopes of speaking with them there Whereupon the said Captain Hutchinson and my self with the rest of our Company Considered what was best to be done whether we should go any further towards them or Return divers of us apprehending much danger in Case we did proceed because the Indians kept not promise there with us But the three men who belonged to Brookfield were so strongly perswaded of their Freedome from any ill Intentions towards us as upon other grounds so especially because the greatest part of those Indians belonged to David one of their chief Sachems who was taken to be a great Friend to the English That the said Captain Hutchinson who was principally Intrusted with the matter of Treaty with them was thereby encouraged to proceed and march forward towards a Swampe where the Indians then were When we came near the said Swampe the way was so very bad that we could march only in a fingle File there being a very Rocky Hill on the right hand and a thick Swampe on the left In which there were many of those cruel blood-thirsty Heathen who there way-laid us waiting an opportunity to cut us off there being also much brush on the side of the said Hill where they lay in Ambush to surprize us When we had marched there about sixty or seventy Rods the said perfidious Indians sent out their shot upon us as a showre of haile they being as was supposed about two hundred men or more We seeing our selves so beset and not having room to fight Endeavoured to fly for the safety of our lives In which Flight we were in no small danger to be all Cut off there being a very miry Swamp before us into which we could not enter with our horses to go forwards and there being no safety in retreating the way we came because many of our Enemies who lay behind the Bushes and had let us pass by them
Conditions require several duties The Christian Conversation is like a wheel every Spoke taketh its Turn God hath planted in man Affections for every Condition grace for every Affection and a duty for the Exercise of every grace and a Season for every duty in which it is most beautiful In the day of Trouble and Affliction the duty then is Prayer and Petition In the time of Deliverance and Prosperity Thanksgiving giving praise to the God of our Salvation and it is wisdome to perform what is most seasonable Jam. 5.13 Is any Afflicted let him pray Aske mercy and deliverance from the evils at Gods hand Is any merry by Reason of mercy received let him sing Psalms of praise exalting the Lord for his free goodness and bounty therein Accordingly the holy Prophet very probably David in this Psalm sets before us the Exercise of his grace in various Conditions which befell him He tels us what he did in the time of great Affliction and Distress he prayed He called upon the Name of the Lord ver 3 4. and being delivered and helped what he did and was resolved to do He loved the Lord and would walk before him in the Land of the Living He was thankful and would express his gratitude in his Conversation yea is Inquisitive what further to do therein as in the Text what shall I Render c. The Psalm then is Eucharistical or Gratulatory wherein the Psalmist giveth praise to God for his favour and mercy in a great Deliverance from a deadly danger and distress and so suitable to the present occasion of our meeting at this time If David were the Penman thereof the Deliverance may be that mentioned Psal 18. Title His preservation from Sauls furious and malicious Persecution and the rage and violence of all his Adherents and all others that sought his Ruine The words read contein a Pathetical Exclamation and Enquiry what shall I render c. as if he should say The Lord hath bestowed mercies yea many and great mercies upon me He hath heard my prayer when the sorrows of death encompassed me helped me when I was brought very low something is to be returned to him that even Reason suggests yea much is to be done but what that is I am as it were at a Loss I would do any thing to please and honour him who hath done so much for me In the words there are two parts 1. An Inquisition wherein we may Consider 1. The Subject or matter enquired after what shall I render 2dly The Object or person concerning whom the Enquiry is made and to whom the Return is to be made and that is Jehovah Not man but the Lord. 2dly The Reason of the Inquisition and that is the Consideration of all his Benefits There was just occasion to be so sollicitous Gods Benefits set out 1. By an Amplification All All his Benefits 2dly By an Application towards me All his Benefits towards me In this verse we have the Question In the verses following we have the Resolution He will take the Cup of Salvation c. and He will pay the Vows which he had made in his Trouble and Distress For Explication of the Terms Render The word Imports a kind of Requital It is attributed both to God and man and that in Relation to a good thing done and signifies to reward and to an Evil and signifies to Revenge Here it is Attributed to man in Relation to God but not as importing any possibility and satisfaction but only a readiness and forwardness to do any thing that might be acceptable to him Benefits The word in the Original is derived of that Verb which in the seventh verse is Translated dealt bountifully God 's Bounties And these the Prophet stiles His Benefits acknowledging all the good he received to come from him The Verse then is a Description of the frame of heart of a faithful Thanksgiver 1. In his Observation of Gods dispensation towards him in the Benefits bestowed on him 2dly In his Sollicitousness what to do by way of Retribution and his willingness to do whatsoever he knows may be acceptable to him and approved by him Hence this Doctrine may be raised Doct. A person or people in a right thankful frame upon the Observation of Gods Benifits and Bountiful favours towards them are very Sollicitous what to return to God for them Or such as are after Gods heart upon their Observation of mercies and deliverances bestowed on them are Sollicitous what Returns to make to God for them There be two parts in the Doctrine 1. That a gracious Heart observes and takes notice of Gods goodness towards him 2dly He is thereupon Inquisitive what to Return to God 1. The Prophet takes notice of Gods goodness His Inquisition what to return for it argues his Observation of it If he enquires what to Render It argues his taking notice of the Benefits yea of the variety and multitude of them in what God had been doing for him So David tels us Psal 139.14 marveilous are thy works and that my Soul knoweth right well So also in Psal 103.1 to the sixth verse Neh. 9.7 to 27th verse They take notice of the great and manifold mercies which God had bestowed upon his people Israel in former as well as latter times The Reasons hereof are Reason 1. From the worth of every one of Gods mercies There is not one of All of Gods Benefits and the blessings which we enjoy but it is worthy of notice for it is the Lords work the Operation of his hands every mercy is Gods gift and therefore to be Eyed and observed Psal 111.2 The works of the Lord are great sought out of all them that have pleasure therein As your deliverance from the great danger you were in at the Swampe and afterwards in the House It 's worthy observing and remembring how much more All our mercies at all time and in all places All comes from God Jam. 1.17 Every good and perfect gift commeth c. Reason 2. From the Thankfulness we owe to God for every mercy being unworthy of the least of them as Gen. 32 10. Jacob humbly acknowledgeth Now how shall we be Thankful for them if we do not observe them Hence the Prophet to Induce men to Thankfulness and to bless God for his goodness and mercy adviseth men to take notice of his kindness towards them Psal 100.3 4. And when the Lord upbraids his people for their great Ingratitude towards him he gives this as one Cause of it and so expresseth it they did not know nor Consider Isai 1.3 and Hos 2.8 she did not know that I gave c that is she did not seriously Consider of it that thereby she might have been stirred up to Thankfolness in obedience Reason 3. From the great difficulty of raising up our dull and sluggish hearts to that great duty of praise and Thankfulness especially in a lively and spiritual frame and therefore there is great need to
rescuing me from deadly dangers helping me when I was in a low Estate delivering mine Eyes from Tears c. bestowing so many Benefits loosing my bonds Ps 136. In every verse Thy mercy endureth for ever Oh praise give thanke for his mercy and when he was concluding he was ready to begin again Oh give Thanks ver 26. Oh give Thanks to the God of Heaven for c. A thankeful heart in a lively frame takes delight to speak of the goodness of God towards him Is not soon tyred nor weary thereof All Repetitions are not babling and therefore let us beware of so judging them sometimes out of the Aboundance of the Heart Christians go over and over the same thing in petition of good from God and in Thanksgiving for good received at his hands Instruct. 2. The Lord so dispenseth mercy to his people as thereby he leads them unto special and solemn seasons of Thanksgiving Though he do afflict them visit them with Rods yet in the midst of those Exercises he so dispenseth favours that they have Cause and just occasion not only of ordinary but also Extraordinary praises Their mercies come in a more then ordinary way and so call for morethen ordinary praises Sometimes God giveth them mercies through many difficulties as water out of the Rock Deut. 32.13 which together with their necessity made the water as bony and Oyle God could give them another way he goes that way that thereby he might provoke them to Thanksgiving Divers Instances we have in Psal 107. some he casts into Exile and delivers them others into Bonds and Imprisonment and releaseth them others he makes sick and heals them that they may praise him He brings them into great dangers and Distresses at Sea and Land that they may Render Praise in their Redemption Thus hath been Gods dispensations towards you here met you were in great distress i.e. and he hath not left you without signal Providences gracious discoveries of mercy and so given you occasion of Solemn Thanksgiving He brought you Low and hath raised you that you might praise him Instruct 3. A Thankeful Spirit is a Resolute and Inquisitive Spirit Inquisitive to know and Resolute to do what it knoweth may please the Lord. 1. It is Inquisitive to know what it may what it should do This is the property of gratefulness either to God or man as in David respecting the Posterity of his dear Jonathan Is there any of the house of Saul c. 2 Sam. 9.1 so also in Elisha respecting the Shunamite who had shewed him so much kindness 2 Kings 4.13.14 What is to be done for her Grateful Children and Friends will desire to know what may please their Parents Friends And so it is with the Children and Friends of God They desire to know the mind and will of God what he requires of them and what may be an acceptable Sacrifice to him Hence they pray for knowledge and understanding as David Psal 119.33 34 Hence also they will search the word of God that they may understand his will and understanding it do it Rom. 12.2 2dly It is a Resolute Spirit resolved to do what ever may express the Thankfulness of his heart to God according to his will As he purposeth in his heart not to sin by doing the Least Evil Dan. 1.8 so he purposeth and resolveth to do though not in his own strength what is pleasing to God Psal 119.8 I will keep thy Precepts and in the Text what shall I Render c. I will stick at nothing will do any thing as when Joseph supplyed the Egyptians with Come they yield to any Terms Let us find grace in the sight of my Lord and we will be Pharoahs Servants Gen 47 25. And as David was ready to do what ever Barzilla should request of him 2 Sam. 19.38 In testimony of his Thankfulness for his Loyalty and Bounty at such a time so a gracious Soul much more towards God It is resolved to do any thing to suffer any thing whereby God may be honoured As Paul Acts 21.14 How ungrateful then are they that will not do what they know to be pleasing to God though it be clearly set before them and strongly urged on them young men are called upon to turn to God quickly elder and younger ones to seek after him in all his holy Ordinances to forsake their Lusts and vain Company but they will not they hold fast deceit and refuse to Return They know what is good but will not do it Many know their duties in their Relations towards Superiours and Inferiours but will not yield to them And though some for Carnal sinister Respects do many things as Jebu Herod c. yet at something they stick some Dalilah they will keep some Lust they will not part withal some duty they will not perform Especially how farr are such from Thankfulness that resolve not to do what God sets before them as they Jer. 44.16 17 The word that thou hast spoken to us in the Name of the Lord we will not do Such are most Ingrateful ones for all the mercies they receive from him Instruct 4th To be truly thankful to God is an high and avery Spiritual Service It is a Rendring and making Returns to God what shall I Render to God c. For man to be sit to receive from God is a great matter but it is much higher for us to Render to God that man dust and Ashes should make a Requital to the great and glorious God Therefore David so magnifies God that they should offer so liberally to him 1 Chron. 29.10 c. It is a great matter to be admired that God should honour us therefore saith the Prophet what is man that thou art mindful of him c Thou hast Crowned him with glory and honour but for us to honour God is greater It is an high duty for the Sons of men which are but worms to rise so high as to honour God praising of God is an extolling or Exalting God Exod. 15.2 He is higher then to be exalted by us yet this we are said to do in an Acknowledgement of his hand giving him the glory of his wisdome power goodness Faithfulness and mercy in the operations of his hand about us Think it not an easy thing to praise the Lord It is not only a lip labour an easy Service It is a Rendring to God To play on Musick is pleasant but it is hard to set the Instrument in Tune to play well It is hard to get the heart in Tune in a Spiritual lively humble frame Hence David so stirs up himself to it Psal 103.1 2 and Deborab calls upon her self to awake Judg. 5.12 Instruct. 5th Gods doings are the matter of the Saints Acknowledgements in their Thanksgivings and praises of him The word Translated Praise signifies Confession and so often Rendred by Mr. Ainsworth Confess the Lord c. Now the Lords doings are the matter of their Confessions his Benefits
11. Use II. For Humiliation Hence we have a ground of humbling and abasing our selves in the Consideration of our great neglect of serious observation of Gods favours towards us and also of our short returnes we have made to him for them may not the Lord complain of us as of Israel Do you thus requite the Lord c. Deut. 32.6 It may seem unsuitable and unseasonable to urge this at such a time and on such a day when met to praise the Lord for his great mercies But they may well Consist An heart sensible of its own Ingratitude and scant Returns to God with a bewailing of the same and an heart desirous to praise him and breaking forth in thankful Acknowledgements of his manifold Benefits may stand together The Confideration of our former unthankfulness and the greatness of our Evil therein and Humiliation for it may help forward our Thankfulness for present and future times Use III. By way of Exhorration 1. To imitate this holy Prophet of God in taking notice of Gods mercies and in special of mercies to our selves Take notice of all Consider the times when mercies have been given out to you All times Mercies in your mothers womb mercies in Childhood mercies in single and married Condition Common dayes mercies Sabbath dayes mercies view the places where you have received mercies In Old-England on the Sea In this Country In one Town Family and other ship mercies and Shoar mercies mercies at home and mercies abroad mercy at the Swamp mercy in the house or Garrison Consider the kinds of mercy spiritual temporal preventing sparing supplying affording succours in a time of great need as in your late danger healing wounds restoring health and strength forbearing and giving further space and time of Repentance those that have been taken away if they were not prepared for their Change have no time any more to work in for Eternity Consider the Interest in others mercies publick or more private Every one of you may say It was mercy to me that the rest of the Company were then spared besides my self If several others had been cut off besides those that fell had not those that escaped been much more endangered what unlikelihood of your preservation afterward It is mercy that God made you Instrumental for the preservation of so many persons as were then in that place men women and little ones Consider that it is the Lords doing that you are Returned and hitherto preserved in your habitations Behold the work of God as in what he did against you so in what he hath wrought for you Mot. 1. Consider it is a great Evil not to ponder on and to Consider of the operation of his hands whether in afflictions or in mercies in Salvations Psal 28.4 5. 2dly If we be not observing Christians to discern and mark all Gods wayes about us we cannot sanctifie Gods Name therein as it is our duty to do 1 Pet. 3.15 All Gods works are a part of his Name he makes himself known in his wisdome power love goodness and mercy therein If we sanctifie not his Name he will be sanctified upon us Therefore Behold and see take notice of all his Providences 3dly If we do not observe them our selves how shall we declare them to others This is a duty incumbent on us Numb 22.31 Psal 22.31 and Psal 66.18 How can we tell to others what God hath done for us if we take not good notice of it our selves 2dly Be studiously sollicitous what to Return to the God of your Salvation as the Prophet here was what shall I Render c. I. There is something that God would not have returned to him there is a return that in stead of finding acceptance with him is a provocation to him It provokes him to wrath and Indignation 1. God would not have sin returned to him yet thus did many in Israel Deut. 32.6 Israel Gods peculiar people in Covenant with him after great things done for them did wretchedly and ungratefully deal with him they turned away from God and walked after the imagination of their own evil hearts they forsook the fountain of living waters and changed their glory for that which could not profit To receive good from God and return sin to God is vile abominable It is a very foolish thing to give way to sin against God when we have received mercies even many and great mercies from him and therefore it is called folly Psal 85.8 that they return not again to folly This God complains of in Israel in Isai 1.2 3. I have brought up Children and they have rebelled against me Beware every one of you here this day that you give not the Lord Cause so to complain of you I have brought up these persons I have blessed them in themselves and in their Relations I have preserved them in such deadly dangers I have rebuked the destroyer I have given them their lives for a prey I have brought them in safety to their habitations and Relations I have healed their wounds restored them to health and strength and Behold they still rebel against me they follow their Lusts their revelling and vain Company still they spend my Sabbaths loosly still they are still unsavoury in their Commnnication still proud froward The Lord takes special notice how persons carry it after signal mercies Isai 26.10 In special take heed of wantonness of Spirit and kicking against God in the enjoyment of his mercies kicking against his word against Reproofs against his Ordinances in Magistracy and Ministry against his Institutions in his house as too many do in these dayes Deut. 32.15 Jesurun waxed fat and kicked Israel should have been Jesurun i. e. righteous or upright before God but were nothing less when filled and fatted then they kicked like some young when they have sucked kick the Damms dugs Though Parents be liberal to their Children yet they would not have them wanton and trample good meat under their feet and yet such a Spirit there is in us we are ready to turn the very grace of God revealed in the Gospel into Lasciviousness as they did Jude 4. and many now do When Gods mercies make us wanton this God takes ill Take heed of sniffing and trampling mercies under feet Be not wanton secure proud scornful after such a deliverance as this say as Ezra 9.13 14. shall we after such a deliverance again break thy Commandments c. Let not sin the only object of Gods batred be the Return you make to God for his sparing preserving mercy c. Consider 1. This will be a great aggravation of all your other and former Evils to sin after such mercies as Israels murmurings and Rebellions in the wilderness after their deliverance at the red Sea and mercies vouchsafed Nehem. 9.10 with 16.17 verses 2. This will bring worse and greater Evils in one kind or other John 5.14 sin no more saith Christ least a worse thing come You that escaped without the least
forsake any sin to leave any evil Custome to walk more exactly with God to be more Careful in Relative duties to seek more after God in all his wayes to be more Reverent in attending to Gods worship Oh now be Careful to discharge what you have promised and resolved now pay what you vowed Ps 56.12 There saith David thy Vows are upon me O God the Vows which he had made to God in his danger lay upon him as a Bond which he must look to free himself from he had fast bound himself to God but he will loose himself by paying them Mot. 1. It is folly to Vow and not to pay and God taketh no pleasure in Fools Eccles 5.45 6. It is hateful folly Better not have vowed then vow and not pay 2. It is a great Aggravation of sin when it is against solemn Vows and therefrre take heed to your wayes If you did not vow in that time of danger yet you have vowed in your Baptisme that you would be the Lords Servants keep his Commandment But I doubt not but that you had serious thoughts then on those two or three dayes while your Trouble chieflyl asted that if God would return you in peace Safety to your Habitations to the Enjoyment of your Relations you would walk more to the praise of his Name and the honour of the Gospel That if the Lord would preserve you from violent and ungodly men that sought your Ruine you would be more faithful Servants to him Oh take heed to your selves that you forget not the promises wherein you have bound your Souls After deliverance had from God Return not to folly Psal 85.8 3. Consider God hath the Bond and it will be called for Though we may forget and little regard our Vows and and the payment of them yet God remembers all our Vows and Engagements one time or other we shall be put in mind of them God put Jacob in mind of his Vow when he went from his Fathers house c. Gen. 35.1 c. God had told him of it once before Chap. 31 13. It may be God was displeased with him for his slackness to go to Bethel and pay it and therefore though he did not chide him he being then in heaviness yet takes the opportunity and gently minds him what was his duty and would be for his safety when so full of fears of the Countries rising against him by Reason of that act of his Sons against the Sechemites Did you then Vow when in so great danger It was a seasonable time of vowing Take also the fittest season for payment And that is Now the present time Psal 116.14 18. Now in the prasence of his people Deferre not 5. Return fear to God That the Lord expects that the more he discovers his grace and goodness his mercy and Salvation to us we should fear him the more Psal 130.4 There is for giveness with thee that thou maiest be feared This is also foretold of Israel that at their Return out of Captivity they shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter dayes Hos 3. ult The more good you receive from God the more do you abound in the fear of God so shall it be with Gods ancient people when the Redeemer shall come to Zion and shall turn ungodliness from Jacob the fear of the Lord shall prevail mightily in their Hearts more then ever The greater Gods goodness the more shall the fear of God be upon their hearts All their joy in God and his goodness shall be mixed with a Reverential fear of God They shall serve the Lord in fear and rejoyes with trembling as Psal 2.11 so let it be with you Heb. 12.28 Serve the Lord with Reverence and godly fear fear to offend so good a God who hath had such mercy on you wrought such deliverances for you And in all your rejoycings and praisings of God for his goodness see that there be a mixture of fear work out your Salvation with fear and Trembling Phil. 2.12 And manifest the fear of God in your hearts by your Care to depart from all Evil Prov. 16.6 And by your using the very Name and Attributes of God with great Reverence by Reverencing Gods Sanctuary by endeavouring to walk with a good Conscience towards all men not oppressing any Levit. 25.17 not avenging our selves though injured Gen. 42.18 Being faithful in all Trusts committed to us Neh. 7.2 Be not high minded but fear not with a slavish fear to fear him only for his wrath and Judgements but also for his Compassion and goodness And therefore let our fear of God be joyned with a love of God to fear him in Love and Love him in fear Let not our fear drive us from God as Cains did but cause us to cleave closet to God as God promiseth in Jer. 32.40 6. Render true Sanctity to God Be perfecting holiness in the fear of God 2 Cor. 7.1 Math. 22.21 Render to God the things that are Gods Thus Christ spake upon their shewing him the penny that had Caesars Image on it that man might know that God requireth of man his own Image in man himself in which he at first Created him with which he at first adorned beautified him which was mans chief Excelleney glory Caesar would have his Image upon his Coine The Lord would see his Image in us The Image of his grace and holiness Let it be more shining And let it more appear and be manifested in our doing justly loving mercy and walking humbly with the Lord our God Be you holy for the Lord your God is holy yea in all manner of Conversation 1 Pet. 1.15 16 Be you merciful as your Father is merciful Luk. 6.36 As God is an universal good doing good to all so let us every one labour to be a publick good doing good to as many as we have opportunity Psal 16.2 3. my goodness extends not to thee saith David but to the Saints c. Gal. 6.10 As we have opportunity let us do good to all espcially to those that are of the Houshold of Faith Let us now labour to be like him in holiness goodness Righteousness we shall be like him hereafter in glory and Blessedness Let us more more approve our selves the Children of God in resembling him following of him walking after him Ephes 5.1 7. Render to God the fruit that he calls for under his Husbandry and the wayes he takes with us that we might be fruitful in well doing This he calls for and expects from a people for whom he hath done as for us in this wilderness to whom he gives the Gospel of the Kingdome who have Sanctuary Enjoyments to whom he vouchsafeth protection from their Enemies Math. 21.43 The Kingdom should be taken from the unfruitful Iews and given to them which should bring forth fruit render it in the season Isai 5.2.3 5 7. vers God tells us again and again what he looked for
us 6thly It is a most Heavenly duty the very work of the Saints in Heaven When all other work Ceaseth this shall not Cease to all Eternity The more you are in the Exercise of this Spiritual Service the more there is of the Life of Heaven upon Earth This day you meet together to praise the Name of the Lord who were together in such a danger that you almost despaired of Life as the Apostle saith 2 Cor. 1.8 Look that your praises be such that God may be well pleased with them and with you in the performance of this Service 1. Let them be Cordial with the heart yea with the whole heart Psal 9.1 1. See that your hearts be taken up with an Admiration of Gods favour and Bounty towards you as David Psal 139.14 Admire the Lords sparing delivering and restoring mercy 2. All our Service and worship of God must be with the heart and from the heart God calls for the Heart in all Prov. 23.26 He would have the Heart in prayer praise hearing the word and all other performances the Lord is n Spirit and will be worshipped in Spirit and Truth John 4.24 2. Let them be Verbal Psal 34.1 and 51.15 Hos 14.2 We will Render the Calves of our lips 1. In singing Psalms a duty in Gospel times Col 3.16 And then most seasonable when God gives Cause of Rejoycing in his mercies James 5.13 If any be merry let him sing Psalms Psal 126.1 2. when the Lord turned the Captivity of Zion c. our mouth was filled with Laughter and our Tongues with singing 2. In declaring Gods goodness unto others Extolling his Name speaking of his loving kindness Psal 66.18 Come hither saith the Prophet all you that fear God and I will tell what he hath done for my Soul What Deliverances I have received and Victories I have obtained what Answers of prayer I have had So Psal 145.21 my mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord c. In Luk. 8.38 39. Christ Commands the man out of whom he had cast the Devils to shew how great things God hath done for him 3. Let them be real praises praise him not only in our words but in all our wayes living to the honour of his Name which is called upon us and of the Gospel professed by us Phil. 1.27 Only let your Conversation be at becomes the Gospel of Christ That is a main thing to be attended to Psal 50.23 He that will offer praise aright must also order his Conversation aright Confession and Conversation must go together in a thankful man Psal 116.8 9. I will walk before God in the Land of the living Inward Affection must be manifested in our outward Conversation Therefore look well to your wayes Elder and younger walk holily and Righteously live soberly Righteously and godly in this present world else all your praises are vain The Lord will not accept them Let our praises be Continual Psal 34.1 and Psal 63.4 I will bless thee while I live Rest not in the work of a day but remember Gods mercies all your dayes Be not like the Israelites Psal 106.12 They sang his praises but soon forgot his works You that are young remember the Lord in your best dayes and let us all both Elder and younger remember him all our dayes Remember him to Love him serve honour and glorifie him Remember your Promises and Engagements to him If we remember not his mercies to praise him he will remember our Ingratitude against him therein by Cutting us short of his blessings and plaguing us with his Judgements 5. Let all our Sacrifices of praise be offered up to God in the Name of Jesus Christ that so they may be a sweet savour before him God smelled a sweet savour in Noahs Sacrifice after that wonderful preservation from the Floud of waters Gen. 8.20 Noah looked to Christ Heb. 13.15 Col. 3.17 In him God will be well pleased with you And that Testimony you shall have one day from him that you pleased him in your returns to him Let us thus now Render to God whiles we are here on Earth and we shall Reap the Fruit of all in the great day of Christs appearance when God will Render to every one according to their works Rom. 2.6 7. Then those that have carefully observed all Gods dispensations about them and been follicitous what to Render to him giving up themselves to him Loving fearing and obeying him walking in holy Fellowship with him in his own Appointments they shall be received by him into his Everlasting Kingdome there to be with him singing praises to him that sits on the Throne and to the Lamb for Evermore FINIS