liberer It is not my own Integrity that can free me from the Stroke of God's Hand Tho' I be not wicked yet I am not exempted from Affliction no nor any good man upon Earth Eccl. 9.1 2. Psal 73.10 14 Heb. 12.7 8 All things come alike to all the best men may be sadliest punished Waters of a full cup are wrung out to them they have been chastened every morning It 's no sign of God's Hatred but rather of his Love to correct his dearest Children yea to strike them with death It 's true Righteousness delivereth from death Prov. 10.2 but not from natural but spiritual and eternal death Josh 1.2 Moses my servant is dead Your Fathers Zech. 1.5 where are they and the Prophets do they live for ever we must needs dye It is the Royal Statute of Heaven mens Holiness and believing prayers cannot secure them from this Stroke as daily Experience testifies 4th Head is the Reasons why and whence it is that none can deliver out of the Hands of God 1. From GOD's Soveraignty and Man's Subjection His Kingdom ruleth over all Psâ—l â—3 19 He is Supreme Lord and Law-giver to the vast Universe coelestial and terrestrial yea infernal Creatures are under his command and controul God put the greatest Monarch on Earth seven years Apprentice to the Beasts of the Earth to learn this great Lesson of the Almighty's Soveraignty Dan. 4.35 All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing None can say unto him what doest thou Things must be as God orders them 2. From GOD's power and Man's weakness God is the Almighty this is his essential Property Geâ— 7.1 whereby he can do all things He created this World hangeth the Earth upon nothing and will burn it at the last day Heb. 11.3 he upholds all things with the Word of his power and can dissolve all in an instant and Who is able to stand before him Behold Isa 40.15 17 the nations are as a drop of a bucket yea all nations before him are as nothing yea less than nothing and vanity Who can resist him 3. From the Holiness of GOD and Sin of Man God is glorious in Holiness The Lord is righteous in all his ways Psal 145 17 and holy in all his works Never could any of the Sons of Men challenge him for an irregular act from the beginning of the World to this day all that have known God Jer. 12.1 Dan. 9 7. Lam. 3.39 have vindicated him and condemned themselves God is righteous but Man is punished for his Sins As Sinners cannot rescue out of God's Hands so if they judge aright they would not deliver themselves but say as David I know O Lord Psal 119 7 that thy judgments are right and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me 4. From the Wisdom of GOD and Man's Foolishness Alas what would Man do with himself if he were able to rescue himself out of God's Hands Cannot God dispose of him better than he can do of himself Psal 147.5 Is not his understanding infinite Rom. 8.28 Cannot God extract a medicinal Cup out of Poison and make the worst things work for the greatest good to his Children God is good to all abundant in Goodness and Truth and He doth good to them that be good Psal 125.4 Deut 8 2 1â—… yea he doth good by the most unlikely means he chastens his that he may humble them prove them to do them good in the later end It were but madness then for a foolish man to desire a deliverance out of the hands of such a God whose Works are wrought in number weight and measure and disposeth all things to the best Use 1. Of Doctrine to inform us 1. That there is a God against Atheists who say in their hearts Psal 14.1 there is no God yea some say it with their Tongues and alas too too many say it in their Lives It 's a proud Pharaoh that saith who is the Lord I know not the Lord that I should let Israel go Exod. 5.2 I will not let Israel go but God will make him know his Power and Justice before he hath done with him yea the stoutest Devils in Hell feel his Hand and cannot but believe there is a God â—am 2.19 for none can deliver them out of his Hand There 's no Atheists in Hell whatever there may be on Earth 2. That God alone is absolute Soveraign over the whole Universe he alone rules the World he hath a Chain that binds Men and Devils Men may contradict his commanding Will none can contradict his disposing and punishing Will â—er 10.7 who would not fear thee O King of Nations God is absolute Lord all Creatures are his Subjects God works immediately or mediately and when he useth means it is not propter defectum suae Virtutis sed propter abundantiam suae bonitatis for want of power in him but his Goodness to us to communicate Dignity to the Creatures in their instrumentality 1 Sam. 14.6 for there 's no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few by any or by no Instruments at all 3. That it 's wonderful Condescention that the great God will concern himself about sorry Man Psal 113.6 who humbleth himself to behold things in Heaven Job 7.17 18. and in the Earth What is man that thou shouldst magnifie him and that thou shouldst set thine heart upon him Psal 119.75 Wherein in visiting and trying him It 's an act of God's care and faithfulness when God will take the pains to whip us rather than forsake us we are beholden to him for a Rod of Love much more for deliverance out of Affliction Psal 8.4 144.3 and advancing us by his right hand This makes David twice break out into this exclamation What is man that thou art mindful of him and takest knowledge of him 4. Adore we the infinite Grace of God and Christ in the blessed Gospel contrivance Man had sold himself to Sin Satan but Jesus Christ came to deliver such forlorn Captives by price and by power by the price of his Blood and the power of his Spirit 1 Thes 1.10 Psal 68 8. Eph. 4 8. thus Jesus delivers souls from the wrath to come he is mighty to save read Isa 50.1.9.53 to 63.1 2. He leads captivity captive in his Ascension yea â—n his lowest state of Humiliation even on the cross he spoiâ—ed principalities and powers and makes a shew of them openly â—riumphing over them in it Col. 2.15 All the Devils in Hell cannot keep a poor Child of Electing Love whom God will â—et at liberty and none can deliver out of God's hands but Christ Oh admire the Love of God in this Redeeming Love which brings along with it temporal Blessings and Deliverance for this man shall be the peace when the Assyriâ—n shall come into our land Micah 5.5 6 7. 2d Use is of
JOB's Appeal BEING A Funeral Discourse Delivered at NORTHONNAM in York-shire Upon Occasion of the Death of Mr. JONATHAN DENTON WHEREIN A Christian's State is stated before GOD and his Sufferings from the Hand of GOD cleared Grounded upon JOB x. 7. By OLIVER HEYWOOD Minister of the Gospel LONDON Printed for B. Aylmer at the Three Pigeons over against the Royal Exchange in Cornhill 1695. To His Worthy Friend Mr. John Denton In Southwark near London Dear Friend THE Conception and Birth of these Two Sermons was short and sudden as the Tydings of the Death of your Dear Brother my Cordial Friend was surprizing to me and the Transcribing of these Notes an unexpected Motion managed something preposterously with a slight Hand snatchâ—d from my many other pressing Occasions and now sent to you upon the Request of some Relations to you and your dear deceased Brother by his very weak unworthy Pastor who had the Knowledge of him and Inspection over him many Years and can testifie to the Comfort of his surviving Friends that he was a Man of good Vnderstanding solid Judgment savory Spirit and blameless Conversation of good use in the Society where he was a Member beloved of all that knew him and very imitable in his modest humble chaste Conversation in a single Condition his Contempt of the World Mortifiedness to Pleasures and Honours Diligence in both general and particular Calling studying the Word of God reading good Books constant Attendance on Ordinances writing Sermons ingenuous asking Cases of Conscience his Abilities in Prayer Discourse seriousness in the practick part of Religion to which Many will bear their Testimony and are concerned for the loss of him These things I write to you not as informing you nor flattering him which cannot at all add to his present Happiness but to quicken us in our Diligence and as a Memorial of the Dead that dye in the Lord for God hath said The Memory of the Just is blessed and such as have obtained a good Report thro' Faith Prov. 10 7. â—â—eb 1â— 39 may be presented to surviving Generations for their imitation especially since our dead Friend left us Posterity to bear up his Name Notwithstanding his even Carriage yet his Heavenly Father thought fit to exercise him towards the latter end of his days with Severe Afflictions both in his Body and Spirit His Body was a meer Skeleton worn away decrepit and tho' he had been very active and agile yet had much ado to go upon Crutches thro' a violent Rheumatism seizing his lower parts His Mind was much disquieted with the sense of his own guiltiness great unprofitableness under Means of Grace much Vnbelief Hypocrisie which oft gave him occasion to call his state into question so that he told me he had great Fears upon him about his Sincerity and questioned how matters would prove at last and Satan set in with his violent Temptations and GOD also suspended the Light if his Countenance and Sealings of his Spirit so that he walk'd in darkness for a considerable time Yet before he dyed the Lord scattered his Fears erected his Hopes and shined upon his Soul with the Beams of his Love and the Lord carried him off the Stage comfortably honourably yea triumphantly He slept in the Lord July the Fifth and was interred at Hallifax July the Eighth 1695. The Spiritual Legacies he left were 1. Advice to his Friends 2. This Text. 1. He had given several weighty pieces of his Counsel to several of his Friends and Relations formerly near his End he said to a Young Man that came to visit him Oh Friend now by the Grace of God I am ready come Lord Jesus Oh be sure you get ready for this dying hour see to the getting of the Spirit of God in what you do you may pump for Expressions and Affections but see you get the Spirit of God for where the Spirit is there is Liberty Several things besides he said but the Distemper going up into his Head and he not sâ—eeping of a long time was not so sensible and capable of Discourse as he had been 2. The other Legacy he left was this Text. A Relation of his apprehending danger of his Death asked him what he would have me to do for him he having given an hint of his Mind before he answered He would desire me to preach a Funeral Sermon out of those words Job 10.7 There is none that can deliver out of thine hand I had notice of it when I was abroad and at my return preached on Lord's Day July 14. 1695 on that second part according to Order but have prefixed something to it on the former part of the Text because I knew it was first proper to him secondly profitable to us all and wish from my Soul we could all appeal thus sincerely to the Heart-searching God who then would transmit our afflicted Souls and Bodies out of the hands of Justice into the hands of Mercy There 's none of the Servants of God but they meet with a severe Purgatory in this Life and pass through Seas of Trouble to the Haven of Rest which make them Sea-sick and did not our blessed Pilot secure them Psal 42. they would split upon dangerous Rocks of Presumption or Despair sometimes Deep calls to Deep which imports Dr. Horton in loc as a learned Expositor observes 1. Variety or plurality of Evils and Evil in one kind to an Evil in another Troubles of Body Mind estate manifold Temptations without Fightings 2 Pet. 1.6.2 Cor. 7. â— within Fears 2. Conjunction of Evils one Evil within another not as in a Channel where Water runs and lessens in running but divers Waters meeting make a vast Flood not successively Job 16.14 but breach upon breach all at once Yea 3. A Connexion or dependance of one Evil upon another one Calamity invites another as if God pursued us till he make an end of us proceeding in Punishments This was the Conception of this good Man that had God's Hand on his Body Soul as is Earth Heaven and Hell conspired to make him every way miserable Desertions from God Temptations from Satan for that cursed Coward sets on God's Children where they are weakest God orders this for wise and gracious Ends partly to try our Spirits exercise Graces prevent worse Evils keep us humble conform us to Christ teach us to live by Faith to long for Christ and Heaven and prepare us for divine Cordials To be sure God's great care is to secure the main Stake in his Children He will not suffer their Souls to miscarry He would rather his Children should go to Heaven maimed than go to Hell with all their Limbs yea it may be they will march on faster lame or see Heavenly Things better when bodily blind or hear God's Voice better when corporally deaf than otherwise And our Blessed Saviour saith It 's better want any Member than be damned Mat. 5.29.32 Strong Humors must have strong
Sins break my Heart as they break out â—r work within they lye as an heavy load on my Conscience 〈…〉 28. 〈…〉 7.24 make me weary and heavy lan◠〈…〉 I cry O wretched man that I am who shall del◠〈…〉 from this body of death Thou knowest the 〈…〉 Groanâ— my Sin hath cost me Psal 38 9 Lord all my desire is 〈…〉 and my groaning is not hid from thee One Sin ha◠〈…〉 oft me more than all my other troubles Oh my brâ— Bones 9. Lord 〈◊〉 68 119 â—9 1â— thou knowest I love not the compâ—â— of wicked men I bid them oft depart from me not 〈◊〉 of ostentation but for fear of infection I would noâ—â— found among wicked men when my Lord calls I 'm 〈◊〉 not sate with vain persons Psal 25 4 5 yea I have hated the conâ—â—ation of evil doors I have ost got either Guilt or Grief◠〈◊〉 a needless associating with them I hope thou wiâ—â—â—ot rank me with the wicked whom I love not 10. Lord thou knowest I have loved the Society of thy Saints and Servants 〈◊〉 110 63. I am a Companion 〈◊〉 â—ll them that fear thee 〈…〉 11â— 63. Psal 〈◊〉 〈…〉 1â— these I account the Excellent 〈…〉 â—arth in whom is all my delight I am sure wicked Men love not thy Children and I am sure they are passed from Death to Life that love the brethrem I love them because they are so 〈◊〉 thee my Heavenly Father bea◠〈◊〉 image tho' â—oor in the World and differ in 〈…〉 â—om me yet my Heart is towards them and 〈…〉 â—nversing with them in God's Worship and 〈…〉 11. Lord I love 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 truly say I love my Minister better 〈…〉 â—ing and the Word of God better for its Purity 〈◊〉 maâ—e me to know my Transgressions and my Sins I love 〈◊〉 palâ—ating Job 〈◊〉 23 but would have my wound search'd to the bottom Psal â— that it may be safely cured Let the 〈…〉 â—ite me it shall be a kindness yea and Ishmael's 〈…〉 all do me good by a solemn reflecting upon my 〈…〉 12. Lord thou knowest whether my Soul 〈…〉 love thee and Jesus Christ Pet. 2 〈◊〉 thou hast said 〈…〉 â—lieve Christ is precious I have ost been feeling the Pulse 〈◊〉 my Soul and at last dare appeal to thee with Peter â—â—rd thou knowest that I love thee John 4 15. thy self shalt vouch for â—â—e and make my Affidavit Thou shalt not have this â—â—â—restation at my hand but upon thine own knowledg â—hou art the chiefest of Ten thousand yea Cart â— â— Phil 3 8 doubtless I â—unt all things but loss for the Excellency of the knowledge of â—hrist 13. Lord 1 Joh. 2.15 16 thou knowest what a poor sorry thing I â—ccount the World to be in all its Glory and Gayety â—as the Pleasures Profits Honours of the World are a â—oor Pageantry I have made Moses's choice Heb 11 24.25 to suffer â—flictions with the people of God than the pleasures of sin Honours and Offices in â—haraoh's Court. I can look thro' â—he best of the World and can turn my back upon it as â—n empty insignificant thing tho' the Men of the World â—re content with it for their Portion 14. Lord thou knowest the way that I take Job 23 20 and the â—arnest desire and design of my Soul to walk in thy ways to have respect to all thy Commandments Psal 110 6. Luke 1 6 Acts 13.22 Col. 4 12. to attend â—n all thy Ordinances I miss it in all but dare baulk â—one my aim is to fulfil all Gods wills to stand compleat â—n all the will of God there 's no Flesh-displeasing Duty â—o self-denying Act but I attempt to do it if God say â—o it I will not consult Flesh and Blood but say Gal 1 16 Ezra 10 12. Psal 26 12. As thou â—dst said so must I do my Foot standeth in an even place conditions 15. Lord thou knowest I do my best in every religious Exercise 2 Sam 21 24 Mat 22 37. Jer 48 10 Mal. 1 14. God forbid that I should offer to the Lord â—hat which costs me nothing I must love the Lord with all my soul mind strength God forbid that I should do the work of the Lord negligently or offer to the Lord a corrupt thing Oh that I could be more servent in Spirit in serving God God deserves more my best is infinitely below him Oh that I could do more but alas I am short in all 16. Lord thou knowest my design in all I do is for thâ— Glory and the enjoyment of thee I dare not look aâ— both 1 Cor. 10 30 then I lose my self in my natural civil spiritual Acts 1 Pet 4 11. Rom. 14 8. Phil 1.20 all the Lines must and shall bend this way that Gâ—â— in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ my design is to live to the Lord and to dye to the Lord thâ—â— Christ may be magnified to my Body by life or death And Oh that I could enjoy Communion with God in every Duty and Ordinance thou knowest this is my Heaven 17. Lord thou knowest all my dependance is upon thy Majesty both for assistance and acceptance I muâ—â— lean on my beloved Cant. 8.5 1 Cor. 15 10 2 Cor. 3 5 by the Grace of God I am what I am I cannot think a good thought without fresh Supplies oâ— Grace Phil 4 13 Psal 119 32 Rev. 8.3 but I am able to do all things through the strength of Christ I shall run the ways of thy commandments when thou shalt enlarge my heart and I lay all upon thy golden Altar to be accepted in the Beloved 18. Lord Phil. 3.14 thou knowest I am daily pressing towards Perfection I have not yet attained what I would fainâ—â— be at I would be mending what 's amiss soaring up to an higher pitch in Grace 2 Cor. 7.1 Col. 2.19 Eph. 4.15 perfecting Holiness in the feaâ— of God encreasing with all the encrease of God till I come to a perfect man Alas how much do I yet want of Perfectiâ—on I would still be singing the song of Degrees And gâ— from strength to strength Psal 84.7 till I appear before God in Zion 19. Lord thou knowest how much I am concern'd for the Church of God which gives some grounds to hope I am a lively Member of that mystical Body Psal 137.6 If I forget Jerusalem let my right hand forget her cunning Oh it raiseth my Heart to see the Gospel propagated Sinners converted Saints edified united But oh it runs to my Heart to see Christ's Interest laid low Psal 119.136 158. Mic. 7.1 2 3. Phil. 2 20. the preaching of the Gospel obstructed few Converts Scandals breaking out Contentions breaking in Wo is me the good man is perished out of the earth Wickedness abounds Love decays terras Astraea Reliquit I may make that Lamentation Isa 59.
20. Lord thou knowest notwithstanding all this Luke 17.10 Isa 61.5 what a mean account I have of my self and my poor doings horreo quicquid de meo est alas my doings are but Dregs and Rags I am still an unprofitable Servant I despair of my self I abhor my self in dust and ashes Job 42 6. I will be vile in mine own eyes God may justly condemn me notwithstanding all I have done yea for all I have done if God mark Iniquity Psal 130.3 4. Exod 28 38. O Lord who shall stand I fly to my Advocate Jesus Christ and desire this New Testament Aaron may take away the iniquity of my holy things I shall subjoin a few words of Application First for Doctrin If God's Children thus appeal then 1. Others do not know their Hearts for God's Children appeal not to Men as they do to God No man knows another's Heart and should not pretend to it that 's a wild groundless Censure such carry fair but their Hearts are naught How knowest thou Dost thou usurp God's Throne The best Men have been deceived with others Professions so the best Church on Earth with Simon Magus Act. 8.13 22. De secretis non judicat Ecclesia The Church judgeth of overt-Acts not of secret Thoughts 2. The most observant Persons have much ado to know their own Hearts but are glad to appeal to God The Prophet saith Who knows it i. e. few Jer. 17 9. It is a deep fathomless Pit Hazael said Is thy Servant a Dog that I should do such things Peter was confident he should never deny his Master but both fail'd The inward thought of every one Psal 64 6. and their heart is deep saith the Psalmist It gives doubtful and deceirful Answers like the Heathen Oracles Prov. 28 26. He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool it will certainly deceive him 3. Yet 't is possible Men may know their spiritual Estate Godwards else Job durst not thus appeal to God This Expression speaks some confidence in Job Vox est non dubitantis sed asserentis he doth not doubt but assert his Integrity yea Job saith ch 27.6 My righteousness I hold fast and will not let it go my heart shall not reproach me as long 〈◊〉 I live It 's possible Men may know whether they be in a state of Grace or no God hath given Conscience for this End Prov. 26 27. The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord searching a◠the inward parts of the belly If Men were faithful and would light their Candle at the Word and make diligent search they might know more 4. The whole World is distributed into two sorts of Persons good and bad godly and wicked pious or prophane Two Loves saith St. Augustin built two Cities the Love o◠God built Zion and Worldly Love built Babylon the whole Race of Mankind are Inhabitants of these two Cities And tho' carnal Men will not believe it but think Men differ rather gradu than specie only gradually some better others worse not in kind yet a time is coming when they shall discern betwixt the righteous and the wicked between him that serveth God Mal. 3 18. and him that serveth him not when the sheep shall be set on the right hand Mat. 25.34 and the goats on the left and receive different Sentences from the Impartial Judge of the World yea at this day as discriminating Grace makes a difference so discriminating Preaching shews a difference among Men yea Ministers must teach People the difference between holy and prophane Ezek 44.23.2 Tim 2 15. Heb 4 12. as well as divide the Word of God aright and it is a discerner of the Thoughts and intents of the Heart So that Men might see a vast difference if they were not wilfully or judicially blind Secondly Another Use is of Instruction and Admonition 1. To all sorts of Persons to be and behave themselves as such as may make their Appeal to God Oh that all Christians could say as the Church of old Psal 44.17 21. All this is come upon us yet have we not forgotten thee neither have we dealt falsly in thy covenant c. Shall not God search this out for he knoweth the secrets of the heart Oh Friends what side are you of God knows it 's fit you should know I know my sheep John 1◠14. John 2 24. He needs not that any should testifie of man for he knows what is in man Look to 't if you be godly God will own you as his if not be sure your sin will find you out Numb 32.23 Ask your selves What am I a Sheep or a Goat Whose am I GOD's Servant or the Devil's Slave What am I doing GOD's Work or the Devil's Drudgery Whither am I going to Heaven or Hell What say you to the twenty ' foresaid Appeals Will your Hearts ingenuously eccho to them If you say Yes compare your Hearts and Scripture and go upon safe grounds if not tremble under Divine Wrath and the Sentence of Condemnation Be distinct in this case for you must be try'd another day 2. If you find that you are wicked then woe be to you whether you be openly prophane or secret Hypocrites The light of the wicked shall be put out Job 18 5. Job 13.16 Psal 15.6 An Hypocrite shall not come before God The ungodly shall not stand in Judgment for the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous but the way of the ungodly shall perish The wicked must be silent in darkness 1 Sam. 2 9. Psal 9.17 Psal 7 11. 11.6 7. yea turned into Hell yea God is angry with the wicked every day and He will rain upon them snares fire and brimstone and an horrible tempest Upon your Doors may be writ a Lord have mercy upon you God will not own you nor hear your Prayer but say to the wicked Psal 50.16 what hast thou to do to declare my statutes or that thou shouldst take my covenant in thy mouth All you do is sinful natural civil Religious acts The very plowing of the wicked is sin Prov. 21.4 Prov. 15.8 Isa 3 11. Rom. 25.9 22 their Prayer is abomination yea their Sacrifice it will be bitterness in the end Say to the wicked It shall be all with him Yea the longer you live and the more mischief you do and the more misery you heap up to sit you for Destruction Oh therefore bethink your selves repent forsake your way and thoughts that he may have mercy on you Isa 55.6 7. Third Use concerns God's Children 1st by way of Comfort 2dly Caution 1st You that dare and do thus appeal to God in sincerity whose Hearts do not upbraid you thank God for it this very Appeal is a good Evidence of your Sincerity and will fortifie you 1. Against the Censures of Men God knows you better than men and will clear you when men condemn you Psal 35 11 24.
i.e. John Baptist some peculiar Indulgence and visible Tokens of God's Respect to him This is a Mercy that none can deprive the Saints of Yet this is not meant 7. The operation and working of the Holy Spirit Ezek. â— 3 The Hand i. e. the Spirit of the Lord was there upon him Ch. 2.2 And whether this be extraordinary motions or ordinary there 's none can hinder or obstruct these This is 〈◊〉 Truth but not the meaning of this Text. 8. By Hand is meant any providential Dispensation wheher good or bad Job 2.10 Shall we receive good at the and of God and not evil This is only God's Prerogative 〈◊〉 kill and I make alive This may be included in this Text. Yet it 's not all 9. Yet more particularly by Hand of God is meant an land of Affliction So saith David Thy hand presseth me â—re Psal 38.2 Be it inward or outward this I conceive to â—e the meaning as Job saith Have pity upon me Job O ye my â—riends for the hand of the Lord hath touched me 10. Or lastly by Hand of God is meant Death Psal â—9 15 God shall redeem my Soul from the power or hand of the Grave To God the Lord belong the issues from death Psal 68.20 If God â—ill who is he that can preserve alive or raise from the Grave Deut. 32.39 I kill saith God and I make alive I wound and I heal neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand This last and the former of Affliction I conceive are meant by the Hand of God in my Text and where are Men or Things that can secure us from Death or Trouble What Power or Policy can prevent or remove by force or cunning that Hand of God that He thinks good to bring upon us Suppose God take away Estate Friends Relations Health Peace Liberty or Life who can forbid him Where lives that man that can rescue these out of God's Handsâ— If God stop the Breath who can hold it The whole World must yield 3. The next Head to be handled is Who or what in Menâ— Opinion is judged most likely to deliver Persons out of the Hand of God 1st Men expect that their Riches and Honours and greaâ— Friends should deliver them as that wretched Prelate thaâ— cried out when dying Will Money do nothing will my Prince's Favour avail nothing why must I dye that caâ— command the greatest part of the Kingdom No no Riches profit not in the day of wrath Prov 10 2. Psal 49.6 7 8 9. no nor Treasures noâ—â— of them can by any means redeem his brother or give to God 〈◊〉 ransom for him Men are mistaken if they think to purchaâ— a Reprieve or Exemption from Death or any other Trouble Here Money bears no mastery a golden Key will not opeâ— God's Prison-door there 's no Bribe admitted in this case that can convey us from the Stroke of Justice Alas if God take Men away with his Stroke Job 36.17 18 19. then a great Ransom cannot deliver them Will God esteem mens Riches No no. 2dly Some have great confidence in an Arm of Flesh they think natural Health Vigor Fortitude will stand theâ— in stead but alas what 's become of the most vigoroâ— Spirits and Constitutions Where is Xerxes's Army of million of Men with all their fortitude and magnanimity No man hath power over the spirit Eccl. 8.8 to retain it there 's no dâ—â—charge in that war The Forces of Strength cannot with stand Assaults from Heaven no more than Men can hinder drops of Rain from falling Where 's the doughty Champion that can meet Arms with Jehovah John 9 4. Who hath hardened himself against him and hath prospered Are men yea 1 Cor 10 22 Job 34 29 33 all men stronger than God When he giveth quietness who then can make trouble So on the contrary He will recompence whether men chuse or refuse There is none that can deliver out of my hand saith God I will work Isa 43.13 and who shall let it All Attempts are in vain to keep off a Cross be it publick or personal to Soul or Body 3dly Men make great reckoning of Wit Parts Learning or politick Stratagems Men dig deep to hide their counsels from the Lord Job 5 12 13. but God disappointeth the devices of the crafty so that their hands cannot perform their enterprize The learnedst Physicians cannot find out an Antidote against Sickness or Death If men say thus we will do Isa 7.6 7. if God say it shall not stand he tumbles down the Babel of mens Inventions He saith Take councel together Isa 8.10 and it shall come to naught A whole College of Physicians with all their Art and Learning cannot cure so much as an Ague which is called Ludibrium Medicorum bids defiance to the Skill of the most learned yea the most contemptible Disease shall be the Door to let in Death if God open the Door for he alone keeps the Key And so in all other cases the great God can and oft doth knock the Pates of the wisest Politicians together and maketh their Counsels of none effect Prov. 21.32 for there is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord. Caesar Borgias little thought of his own Sickness and Death when he had laid a design of managing all things to his own advantage after his Father's death Eccl. 8.7 for man knoweth not that which shall be 4. But there 's one thing which is most likely to deliver out of the Hand of God and that is true Religion Piety Holiness Righteousness delivereth from death Prov. 10 2. and that in two respects 1. The Piety and Prayers of others Job 22.30 He shall deliver the island of the innocent and it is delivered by the pureness of thy hands The poor wise man by his wisdom delivered the city Ecâ—l 9.15 God would have spared Sodom for ten righteous persons in it Jer. 5 1. and saith of Jerusalem If you can but find a man that executeth judgment and seeketh the truth Psal 106.23 and I will pardon it Moses prevailed for all Israel of an Army of Six hundred thousand men then surely this will do No Jer. 15.1 sometimes it will not Though Moses and Sumuel stood before me yet my mind could not be towards this people cast them out of my sight Yea tho' these three men Noah Daniel and Job were in it they should but deliver their own soulâ— by their righteousness Ezek 14.14 If all the holy men on Earth should interpose for one man they cannot deliver him in some cases Nay 2. A man 's own Holiness Prayers Piety in some cases cannot deliver a choice Saint out of God's Hands especially as to temporal deliverance Moses himself must not go in Canaan not Aaron Some make this to be the sence of this Text Non mea quidem integritus facit ut hac plaga
Conviction in respect 1. of Publick 2. Personal Cases 1. As to Publick Affairs that refer to Church and State â—f God deliver us over into the hands of our Enemies tho' they be but wounded Men they shall prevail if Men reâ—use to drink of this Cup the Lord of Hosts saith Jer. 25 28. Ye shall â—ertainly drink It 's not valiant Armies numerous Forces or â—igh Fortifications that can secure us from Inundations of Divine Wrath Jer. 8.14 God puts a People to shame and silence for their Sin we may please our selves with Power and Poliâ—y they are insignificant things against Divine Vengeance There is a season when a Nations Iniquity is full Gen. 15.16 then they must be destroy'd and none can deliver Zech. 5.6 11. When the Ephah â—s full the talent of Lead is clapt on its mouth and the wings â—arry it into its proper place of irrevocable Destruction Alas Iniquity abounds Love decays there 's few Intercesâ—ors much Confidence in an Arm of Flesh great Ingratitude â—nder former Deliverances God may justly say I will deliâ—er you no more we may be very jealous Josh 10.13 2. As to particular Souls let graceless Sinners tremble O consider Psal 50.22 Heb. 10.31 poor Sinner that forgettest God lost he tear you in pieces and there be none to deliver it 's a fearful thing to fall into the hands of flaming Justice There are these ten considerations that look in the unconverted Sinner under Wrath. 1. Adam's Sin left you Prisoners in the Hand of Justice By Nature you are children of wrath 2. Every Act of Sin sinkâ— you deeper Eph. 2.3 binds you faster in this low Dungeon The pages of sin is death 3. Satan is God's Jaylor dragging you to Sin Rom 6.23.2 Tim. 2.26 Heb. 2.14 15 and executing the Sentence of Death at last 4. The righteous Law of God confirms the Sentence and Executiâ— on we are shut up and kept prisoners under the law 5. Gal. 3.22 23 Heâ— is the Goal where Sinners are kept as tormented Prisonerâ— till they have paid the utmost Farthing Mat. 5 25 26 Mat. 25.10 6. Death opens thâ— Door to Sinners admission into that woful state and shut the Door of Hope 7. Souls in that state are together with Devils reserved in chains of darkness to the judgment of thâ— great day Jude 6. 8. Sinners may be cast into this miserable Duâ—geon unâ—wares and die with a lye in their right hand 〈◊〉 Nonâ— but Christ can rescue Sinners out of the hands of Justice Isa 44.20 anâ— translatâ— us into glorious liberty 10. None are redeemed bâ— Christ Col. 1.13 but such as are sanctified and purified to himself a pâ— culiar people Tit. 2.14 zealous of good works Oh then if all this be truâ— what will become of poor graceless Christless Sinners Heaven is shut upon you Hell is gaping for you and â— once damned Luke 16.26 for ever damned for there 's a great gult â—â—ed and there 's no escaping out of that infernal Lake O thâ— stuâ—ers in Zion were afraid that fearefulness would surprize thâ— hypocrites Isa 33.14 which may prevent their falling into this devouâ—â— fire these everlasting burnings Lord open Sinners Eyeâ— and turn them from darkness to light and from the power 〈◊〉 Satan to God Acts 26.18 that they may receive forgiveness of sins and etâ—â—â—nal inheritance 3ª Use is of Instruction Exhortation a to Sinners 2. Sainâ— 1. Examin your state O consider whose hands you are iâ— you are in the hands either of God or the Devil of Merc◠〈◊〉 Justice Lord open the eyes of these men that they may see 2 Kin. 6.20 Oh that â—â—ou could see your danger and escape it the discovery of danger 〈◊〉 a step towards a Remedy Poor Sinner thou art in invisible â—hains Satan holds his black hand over thine Eyes Awake thou 〈◊〉 sleepest and Christ shall give thee light 2 Cor. 4. Eph. 5.14 2. Observe the Spirits motions operations when a light shines â— the Prison observe if whether the Angel of the Lord do not â—nite thee on the side and raise thee up oh follow him Acts 12.7 8 and thy â—hains will fall off Who can tell but if thou own the next graciâ—us motion but it may set thee a step nearer God Oh quench not â—â—e spirit comply with divine calls put your hand into God's hand 1 Thess 5.19 â—d he will lead you towards himself 3. Renounce all Sin Psal 94.20 Isal 1.16 1â— The throne of iniquity hath no fellowship 〈◊〉 Godâ—wash you make you clean put away your doings out of his sight â—en come near to God and you shall be familiar with him and be â—cured in the hollow of his hand shall a soul sin in God's hand â—e endeavours to cut down the Bough whereon he stands you â—nnot serve two Masters 4. Give up your selves to the Lord 2 Chron. 30.8 Rom. 6.19 yield your selves to the â—ord first your souls then your bodies as Instruments of Righteâ—sness you cannot expect that God should take you into his hands â—ll you have put your selves into his hands David practiseth it â—o thy hands I commend my spirit Peter requires it Psal 31.5 1 Pet. 4.19 Let them that â—â—ffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to â—m in well doing as to a faithful Creator II. A word or two to God's Children 1st such as are under â—od's Hand 2dly or delivered 1st If you be under God's Hand of Affliction and see not how â—ou can be delivered 1. Do not despond say not as David I shall one day perish put on â—atience let it have its perfect work look through the thick Cloud 1 Sam. 27.1 â—st tenebras spero lucem 2. Own God's Hand lay it not on Instruments so did Job â—he Lord hath given and taken away justifie God in all Job 1.21 it is fit it â—ould be so 3. Desire rather God's Hand may be sanctified than removed â—ay more to be fitted for deliverance than released from the â—ouble precipitate not your Mercies 4. Get faster hold of God by Faith and Prayer say as Job Job 13.15 Tho' 〈◊〉 kill me yet I will trust in him still own him as a Father and He â—ill own you as a Child Glorifie God in the fire Isa 24.16 2dly To you that are delivered I might add 1. Give God the Praise of your deliverance so did David Ps 30. 1.12 return back to give thanks 2. Love God more for himself Benefits may be inducement but God himself is the only adequate Object of your dearest Affectâ—â—ons Pâ—l 18.1 116.1 Psal 66.16 David twice professed his strong intense love after Affliction 3. Tell others what God hath done for you in a suitable Laâ—â—guage and Carriage let your Lives be walking Bibles live 〈◊〉 Persons raised from the dead 4. Long to be with God in Heaven not so much to be totalâ— freed from the Lord's Hand of Affliction as to be in his Bosom 〈◊〉 immediate communion 4th Use is of Consolation to God's Children tho' God's Hanâ— be heavy upon you and none can deliver you out of it yet 1. He 〈◊〉 a Father still tho' offended not a sin-revenging Judge in this latâ— case it 's dreadful in the former it's eligible Compare 2 Sam. 24 1â— with Heb. Psal 89.31 32 16.31 His whipping as a Father is a Branch of Gâ—spel-Covenant 2. As none can deliver you out of his correctiâ—â— Hand so none can pluck you out of his affecting Hand Our Loâ—â— Jesus testifies this both of himself and his Father who is greatâ—â— than all John 10.28 29.3 While you are in His Hand you are his Eye he never looks off you You are graven upon the palms of 〈◊〉 Hand Isa 49.16 God takes special care of you in his Providenâ— 4. If you never be delivered out of God's Hand of Affliction deaâ— will set you at liberty there 's two choice Cordials in 1 Cor. x. 〈◊〉 1st That you shall be inabled to bear your affliction 2dly That in dâ— time you shall have a way to escape To conclude then You Children of God be animated and great encourag'd in your Sufferings by God or for God tho' they 〈◊〉 sharp and long and no human help can avail to rescue you God câ— and will and you may say as the three Children Dan. 3 17. If be so our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fuâ—â— furnate and he will deliver us out of thine hand O King Yea the Loâ— will deliver you by his Hand of Mercy out of the Hand of Justicâ— yea 2 Tim. 14 18. from every evil work of sin in your souls damning Sin and sinsâ— Contrivances of Men and will preserve you unto his heavenly king doâ— Study the Promises reflect on Experiences live by Faith be much â— Prayer sanctifie God's Name and learn Obedience by what you suâ—fer under God's Hand and you will find all things working for yoâ—â— good Rom. 8.28 tho' you can't discern it at present Happy Souls who trust 〈◊〉 God and live by Faith in evil times for the Distich of honest Mâ—â—culus is verified Est Deus in Coele qui provictus omnia curat Credentes nusquam deseruisse potest There is a God in Heaven who 'll not leave Such-Souls on Earth as to him ever cleave THE END