The backslider is no true Believer The nature of this faith which is saving is best understood by considering four things which relate to it viz. The Author the Object the Act and the Ground of it 1. The Author of it is God whence it is stiled the faith of the operation of God Col. 2.12 There is a humane faith framed by the strength of reason but this is a blessed fruit of the Spirit of God Gal. 5.22 it is there reckoned among them It is the effect of that almighty power which was put forth â—n the Resurrection of Christ Eph. 1.19 20. 2. The Object of it as saving â—s Christ So every where in the Scripture John 3.16 Whosoever believeth in him shall not perish c. When the Jaylor Acts 16.30 31. asked what he should do to be saved he was directed to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and had the aâ—surance of being saved if he did so Hâ— himself directs us to do thus John 14. â— To believe in God believe also in me And 〈◊〉 told the Jews John 8.24 If ye believe not that I am he ye shall die in your sin Faith indeed embraceth the promises be not for themselves but for Christ as 〈◊〉 is wrapt up in them 3. The Acts 〈◊〉 it which are the assent of the mind anâ— the consent of the heart The assent 〈◊〉 the mind to those glorious Truths thâ—â— concern Christ and the salvation of mâ—â— through him As That he came fort from God the Father with commission to negotiate in this great work Him haâ—â— God the Father sealed John 6.27 Thaâ— he was incarnate The Word was madâ— flesh John 1.14 That he is the verâ— Son of God as Peter saith Mat. 16.16 Thou art Christ the Son of the living God That there is no other name given undeâ— Heaven by which we can be saved Actâ— 14.12 These and the like Principles thâ— mind assents to This is not sufficient 〈◊〉 make it saving faith unless the heart consents also If thou believest with all thy heart says Philip to the Eunuch Acts 8.2 With the heart man believeth unto righteousness Rom. 10.10 It makes the heart esteem Christ most precious 1 Pet. 2.7 To you that believe he is precious It is that which helps us to receive Christ into our very hearts He dwells in the heart by faith Eph. 3.17 and causeth the Soul to accept him in all his Offices and Natures and to rely on him alone for Justification and Salvation desiring to be found in him having the Righteousness which is by Christ and of God by faith as Paul speaks Phil. 3.9 And for our preservation in the mean time living as the Apostle saith Gal. 2.20 by the faith of the Son of God 4. The ground of it is the promise of God For a man to believe for salvation without a promise to build his faith upon is presumption and self-delusion We find Abraham had this for the foundation of his faith Heb. 6.13 Rom. 4.20 21. He rested on the promises of God by faith and staggered not at them through unbelief For a man to believe that God will save him though he be out of Christ and though there be no principles of grace and holiness in him is to build without a foundation for â—o such only is salvation promised This â—or the nature of saving faith If any enquire what the concurrence of faith to salvation is I answer briefly Faith coâ—curreth to salvation as it unites to Chrisâ— All things requisite to salvation meetiâ—â— Christ but none have this salvation 〈◊〉 him but such as are united to him Eteâ—nal life is in the Son and he that hath tâ—â— Son hath life he that hath not the Son haâ—â— not life 1 John 5.11 12. Communion 〈◊〉 grounded upon union and this is the proper effect of faith it doth interest thâ— Soul in the merit of Christ and gives it 〈◊〉 share in his Righteousness which is unâ—â—â— all and upon all them that believe Roâ— 3.22 and this by virtue of union Hencâ— proceeds peace Being justified by faith 〈◊〉 have peace with God Rom. 5 1. Faith dotâ— interest the Soul in the Spirit of Christ 〈◊〉 We know he abideth in us by his Spirit thaâ— he hath given us Now it is evident thaâ— from the presence of the Spirit flows alâ— things necessary to salvation Mortification of sin If we through the spirit mortifiâ—â— the deeds of the body we shall live Theâ—â— life of grace He that believeth on the Son out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water This spake Christ of the Spirit which Believers should receive John 7.38 39. Thus faith is the Nurse of all graces drawing sap from Christ the root and deriving influence from the Spirit to keep them in life and activity In a word it gives victory over temptations outward from the world alluring or affrighting 1 John 5.4 This is the victory whereby we overcome the world even our faith And inward from Satan By this shield of faith we may be able to quench all the fiery darts of that wicked one Eph. 6.16 Perseverance in the ways of God for by faith ye stand 2 Cor. 1.24 viz. by leaning upon the power of God which is the Spirit of God a Spirit of power And thus are Believers kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation 1 Pet. 1.5 If any further enquire How the way of faith is consistent with grace I answer Very well as appears by what is said Rom. 4.16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be by grace For there is no grace so modest and humble that arrogates nothing to it self but gives all to grace as faith is and doth Faith saves in a way of grace a precarious way It is empty and poor hath nothing of it self but receives all from grace and gives all again unto grace so that no way could have been found out more advantageous to the glory and honour of grace than this of faith Had it been through love repentance or good works there would have been some ascribing to the creature bâ— faith sets the whole Crown upon the head of grace and therefore we have reason to admire this blessed contrivancâ— of God who hath ordered salvation tâ— be through faith that it might more eminently appear to be of grace Besideâ— Faith it self is a fruit of grace it is 〈◊〉 grace that faith is given Phil. 1.29 〈◊〉 you it is given freely given to believe 〈◊〉 Christ It is of grace that faith is accepted not for its own worth or excellency So it appears to be consistent with graâ—â— that it be of faith for faith doth not ecclipse but illustrate the glory of grace Branch 2. That the work of faith tâ— salvation is not of humane operation 〈◊〉 is not of our selves saith the Text. For theâ—â— is no power in man that hath any tendency to produce such an effect as this Foâ— there was not a principle of faith formally in Adam at
effects of this light which shined from heaven upon Saul set down in the 4th 5th and 6th verses of this 9th Chap. of the Acts which will be found upon others also in some measure upon whom Christ this true Light shines savingly 1. It is a humbling light This was the first effect it had upon Saul verse 4. He fell to the earth not only prostrate in his body but doubtless his heart was low laid in the dust even at the foot of Christ Hath the light we received had this blessed effect upon us to humble us for the pride of our heart Doth it puff us up and make us proud conceited of our selves despisers of others This light is the work of the Prince of darkness transforming himself into an Angel of light The light from heaven brought Saul into a posture of humility who before thought scorn to be controuled and will have the same effect upon our hearts 2. It made Saul inquisitive after Christ verse 5. He said Who art thou Lord By which question he acknowledgeth his own ignorance and mistake and begs information and instruction in the knowledge of Christ Such operation will the light that comes indeed from Heaven have upon us It will make us full of enquiries after Christ Such as these Who art thou Lord How shall I know thee Where shall I find thee How shall I come to be acquainted with thee O thou blessed Lord Jesus How may I get some experimental knowledge of thee in the vertues of thy death in the power of thy resurrection in the influences of thy grace and Spirit in the comforts of thy love and covenant 3. It caused Saul to submit himself to Christ his will to Christs commands verse 6. He said Lord what wilt thou have me to do As if he had said I have gone formerly to men to know what service they would command me but now I bow my self to thy most holy pleasure Lord What wilt thou have me to do Speak Lord and give me what commands thou pleasest and I am ready through thy grace to comply with them Make and propound thy own terms I will submit to them A man may have great natural light and acquired knowledge in Arts and Sciences in Tongues and Languages and these are so far from causing his heart to submit to Christs will that he will be ready to stand upon his own Terms But if it be from heaven it will cause a man to strike sail to Christ absolutely and presently as we see here in Saul Are we able to say Speak Lord for thy Servants hear Write thy own terms declare thy pleasure what thou wilt have us to do or suffer our wills and interests are swallowed up in thine We will no longer be our own to do the wills of the flesh and of the mind or to be captives to Satan at his will but we would be melted into thy holy will and improve our utmost strength and designs for thy service This is a light darted into thy Soul from heaven this is a sure evidence it is Christ that is thy saving light when it thus makes thee humble before him inquisitive after him and submitting thy self unto him 2. Christ the true saving light is warming and enlivening Such is the Sun to the earth It heats and quickens the creatures Such is the Lord Christ to the Church to the hearts of those that are his indeed The Lord God is a Sun Psal 84.11 which several expound of Christ It is he alone that heats our Chill Spirits He quickens those dead in trespasses and sins Eph. 2.1 But now because there are false heats some will yet enquire how we may know the heat and quickening we have to be from Christ For answer briefly 1. If it be a heat from the Lord it will warm us throughout inwardly as well as outwardly Artificial heat is only external but this heats within and without it warms every part as well as any one The fire within me burst out saith David Psal 39.3 It made Paul truly zealous for God It made the disciplies hearts to burn within them Luke 24.32 The Ark was pitched within and without This heat Christ gives will make us not only abstain from sin our of respect to men and our credit with them but to abhor and hate every false way out of a deep respect to God The Sun warms every part of the body God and Christ can pierce deeper than the Sun 2. This true light warms intensely as well as throughly I mean it heats more and more unto perfection It makes us fervent boiling hot in Spirit not like Jehu zealous only in pretence and growing colder as his own ends were attained but still pressing more and more after the mark still more of God more of Christ The heart was never so much for sin and self but now it is as intense upon God 3. If the light we have and the heat and quickening from it be from Christ then it is communicative The Sun communicates his light and heat his beams and lustre to others so it will be here A man will not be all for himself There is no Minister truly enlivened by the Lord but he will say O that all my people were savingly enlightned and quickned by Jesus Christ Come let us go up to the house of the Lord and let us walk in the light of the Lord. There is no Christian thus wrought upon but will be ready to say as the Woman of Samaria did John 4.29 Come see a man that told me all that ever I did Or as David Come and I will tell you what the Lord hath done for my Soul Thus as the Sun brings the creatures it produceth to their perfection so doth Christ much more finish his good work he hath begun to its perfect growth and maturity This is the light and heat of the Lord. 4. If it be attractive and drawing lifting up the affections and drawing away the corruptions of the heart it is from Christ The light and heat of the Sun doth attract and elevate the vapours and fogs from the earth So Christ the Sun of righteousness doth 1. Draw up the affections of Souls to himself When I am lifted up saith Christ I will draw all men unto me John 12.32 No man can come to me except the father draw him saies Christ John 6.44 Draw us saith the Spouse we will run after thee Cant. 1.4 He will draw up our love our joy and our desires unto him our sorrow our hatred and all our affections We shall love as he loves and grieve where he grieves and hate what he hates and joy in what he rejoiceth in He carries away our hearts from whatever was the unlawful object of our love and makes us willing in the day of his power Psal 110.3 2. He draws away our corruptions by the forcible heats of his holy Spirit There will soon be some showers of sorrow and grief that we should so
that except themselves should not perish but have eternal life Yea the Gospel shews the way whereby men may be justified from those things from which they cannot be Justified by the Law of Moses namely by the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed by God to those that apprehend and apply the same by true faith Phil. 3.9 Paul desires to he found not in his own righteousness but in that righteousness which is through Christ the righteousness which is of God by faith So likewise Rom. 3.22 He speaks of the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe Yea life and immortality is brought to light by the Gospel 2 Tim. 1.10 Obscurely under the Law more clearly under the Gospel are these things revealed Qu. 2. Ye will say What is that walking in the light the Text enjoyns upon us Ans 1. It is a walking or coming forth unto the light as if Christ had said Come forth that ye may see the light Isa 49.9 Christ is there promised to be given for a covenant of the people that he may say to the Prisoners Go forth and to them that are in darkness Shew your selves God the Father speaks to Christ in the verse before Thus saith the Lord I will give thee for a Covenant to the people that he may say to the Gentiles go forth That he might with power and efficacy say thus to them as he did at the first beginning of all things say Let there be light and there was light To the Prisoners that is to the Gentiles who are held fast by the cords and in the fetters of sin in Satans Prison Come forth to the light Receive Divine illumination Come forth that ye may see your selves your lost dangerous undone condition by nature before it be too late to get help and recovery It 's said John 3.20 Every one that doth evil hateth the light neither cometh to the light lest his deeds be reproved Ahab hateth Michaiah and Elijah and took them for his enemies because they discoverd his sins Men love darkness rather than light not only because they are unwilling others should see their sins but because they are not willing to see them themselves But if we will listen to Christ we must come forth to the light and he that doth and would ever do truth cometh to the light that it may be made manifest that his works are wrought in God as it is verse 21. 2. It is a walking into the light This is that Christ speaks of in the verse after the Text Believe in the light that ye may be children of light And so the sense is Believe in me who am the light And in v. 46. Christ adds further to clear this I am come a light into the World that whosoever believeth in me should not abide in darkness So then when the Spirit of Christ works faith in our Souls we are united to Christ ingrafted into him by these blessed bonds of union His Spirit dwelleth in us and he himself dwelleth in our hearts by faith when we thus receive Christ Jesus the Lord by believing in his name we walk into the light indeed John 1.12 Col. 2.6 When we accept him upon the terms of the Gospel in all his Offices Natures Ordinances and Commands and continue in them we obey that which is required in the Text. 3. Walk up to the Light Obey the light I am the light of the World saith Christ John 8.12 He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life Some speak much of following the light within them and it is indeed the duty of all to walk up to the light they have received They that have only the light of Reason that Candle of the Lord should walk up to to that light And to what of God they that are Heathens have or may know by the works of Creation And so they that have the light of the Scriptures ought to obey the same and follow the Rules thereof And so where the light of grace is there is expected an answerable living up to the same If we thus walkin the light as God is in the light we have fellowship with him and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin 1 John 1.6 This goeth under various notions in the word Walk in wisdom Col. 4.5 That is with care and caution in regard of the manifold dangers and extremities we are liable to Walk uprightly Peter did not thus walk in that particular mentioned Gal. 2.14 He did not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 foot it aright as he ought to have done but went against his light for which the Apostle Paul reproved him Walk circumspectly Eph. 5.15 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Walk exactly or precisely and accurately Walk in the Spirit Gal. 5.16 In and after the Counsels and motions of Gods holy Spirit To obey his voice when we hear him saying This is the way walk ye in it Thus we â—hould walk in all holy duties and even in our ordinary Callings A man may walk in the flesh even in the â—orst of Religions and a man may and â—â—ght to walk in the Spirit when he is about the works of his ordinary and â—â—rticular Calling This is also termed a walking according to Rule Gal. 6.16 As many as walk according 〈◊〉 this Rule peace be on them and mercy Religion lies not in dead and unactive â—abits and principles but there must be activtiy and operation there must be walking not in this or that single or particular duty but in a holy tract â—ourse and conversation so walking â—mports And yet we may not walk 〈◊〉 random but regularly and according â—o rule 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To walk in â—â—der in a comely and decent manner â—o the word signifies A Christian is â—ot left to Rove up and down at large where he list but to keep within â—ounds and to observe his measures 〈◊〉 walking Yea it must be according to this Rule 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That is the Rule of the new creature spoken of in the very verse before The Gospel in the word of it and and the Gospel in the work of it each of them is a Rule to a Christian The latter is here intended To act and walk according to the principles and Inclinations of grace and a sanctified heart and nature This is also set forth under the notion of walking in love Eph. 5.2 in love to God and Christ in love to his House and Ordinances and Servants in love to our Friends yea even to our Enemies So it is styled a walking in the Truth verse 4. of the second Epistle of St. John In the truth of Doctrine in truth of heart in truth of words and expressions to all men It is called a walking in newness of life which is to act according to the height of those principles which are in them Also a walking as Christ walked 1 John
Rev. 1.6 and washed them from their sins in his own blood 'T is this Love that confers Adopting grace Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed 1 John 3.1 upon us that we should be called the Sons of God It is this Love that moves him to comfort them He hath loved us saies St. Paul and given us everlasting consolation 2 Thes 2.16 If not alwaies the sense of comfort yet firm and sure grounds of strong and durable consolation Once more There is also amor complacentiae a Love of complacency and delight God hath in his People which is the highest act or degree of Love All his delight is in his Saints Psal 16.3 that are in the earth His Truth his Worship and his People are all he hath any great delight in here in this World To a contrite Christian that trembles at his word Isa 66.2 he looks with an eye of greater complacency than to Heaven and Earth That 's the second property 3. It is free Love Absolutely perfectly free I will Love them freely Hos 14.4 saith God by the Prophet Hosea If he did not love freely he could not love at all such vile Creatures as we are There is no cause of his Love but his Love The Lord did not set his Love upon Israel because they were more in number than any other People Deut. 77.8 but because he loved them Free it is in every sense and respect There was no want of us or of our services For he is alsufficient and what want can be to him that is infinitâ— to whom there can be nothing added The Sea though a vast Ocean yet becauâ—â— finite is capable of addition and diâ—â—nution but what can be added to innity which comprehends all things wiâ—â— in it self Isa 40.15 17. Behold he taketh up the Isles as very little thing the Nations before him 〈◊〉 as a drop of a bucket as the small dust of 〈◊〉 ballance All Nations are counted to his as nothing less than nothing and vanitâ— His Love therefore is not a love of inâ—gence but of redundance flowing oâ— freely Also it was without purchase 〈◊〉 merit on his Peoples part and in thâ— sense free They have not enough to pâ—â—chase the least outward mercy much lâ—â—â— special Love it 's bestowed gratis wiâ—â—out money and without price Even thâ— merit and blood of Christ did not pâ—â—chase the Love of Benevolence but thâ— Love was the cause of Christ's comiâ—â— and of all he did and suffered Rom. 5.8 God coâ—mended his love to us because when we wâ—â—â— sinners Christ died for us saith St. Pâ—â—â— We have demerit enough to draw 〈◊〉 the wrath and hatred of God but nothing to be an attractive of his Love It is fâ—â—â— also because given without grudgiâ—â— God loves his people with all his heaâ—â— and with all his soul Jer. 31.41 and he upbraids not Free also it is because without constraint None could impose upon God in this matter he could have withheld it and denied it for ever and none could compel him to set his love upon them In a word It is free Love because it can receive no compensation from them who are the objects of it Can a man be profitable to the Almighty Job 22.3 as a man may be profitable unto himself This the Lord foresaw and yet loves them 4. It is a very peculiar distinguishing Love This is declared in those saving mercies he bestows upon them and denies to others though they to whom they are denied fall under the same external circumstances if not greater sometimes with those to whom they are given A full instance of this we have in Jacob and Esau Was not Esau Jacob's Brother Mal. 1.2 saith the Lord yet I have loved Jacob and I have hated Esau Not that God who is Love did or could hate the person of Esau abstractly considered he loves the person he made and hates the sin he never made He is said to hate the workers of iniquity but it is for their works sake But here in the Prophet it is to be taken for a less degree of love which is often called hated in the Scriptures Gen. 29.31 'T is said Jaâ—â— hated Leah it 's meant comparatively 〈◊〉 loved her with a less degree of love thâ— Rachel Luk. 14.26 So it is said He that hateth not Fâ—ther and Mother c. yea and his own liâ—â— also cannot be Christ's Disciple In othâ—â— Scriptures we are commanded to lovâ— these relations and to preserve our live and therefore 't is to be understood of lower degree of love In comparison 〈◊〉 our love to Christ our love to thing here below should be rather a kind 〈◊〉 hatred than love Thus God loved Jacâ—â— with such a transcendent peculiar dâ—â—â— stinguishing Love as in comparisoâ—â— he is said to hate Esau His Lovâ— to Jacob was manifested in bestowing peculiar favours upon him wheâ—â— Esau had only common mercies Hâ— could say I have enough but Jacob said I have all God passed a gracious decreâ—â— and purpose upon Jacob which he diâ— not upon Esau Rom. 9.11 12 13. as St. Paul testifies Thâ— Children not being yet born neither having done good or evil that the purpose of God according to Election might stand he said The elder shall serve the younger 〈◊〉 it is written Jacob have I loved but Esaâ—â— have I hated Gen. 28.22 13. God appeared to Jacob and established his Covenant with him this he did not to or with Esau Gen. 32.28 Hos 12.4 He made Jacob a Prince with himself and gave him by prayers tears to overcome him Of a wrestling Jacob he became a prevailing Israel this he gave not to Esau And though Esau had another name given him yet it was a worse Edom which signifies red because of his red hairy complexion as some think or because of the red Pottage he desired and for it sold his birth-right as others judge But this signifies not so well as Esau which imports protection But Jacob is yet much more excellent In a word Jacob had a very gracious and savoury spirit We read when his Brother asked him who his Children were he answered These are the Children whom the Lord hath graciously given thy Servant We find no such favoury expressions fall from Esau What distinguishing love is there in all these passages which will appear yet more fully if we consider that Esau was upon even ground with Jacob in outward priviledges and in some above him Rom. 9.10 They both descended from the same Parents both under the Seal of the Covenant Circumcision both had Education in the same Family and herein Esau excelled that he was the first-born Gen. 25. and the beloved Son of his good Father Isaâ— yet saith the Lord Jacob have I loved 〈◊〉 Esau have I hated O what wonderful â—â—â—culiar distinguishing love is here Tâ—â— is the Love of God to all his People two
Canaan for there are no Sons of Anak there no Enemies to combate with as there was in that of old The Enemies are here in the Wilderness of this world and if once you pass the brink of death the last enemy to be destroyed you are at rest in that glorious and pleasant Countrey for ever 3. There is this Comfort also That God cares and provides for his Church in their present condition until they arrive there which is the second Doctrine Doct. 2. That God doth and will certainty provide for his Church and People in their Wilderness-Condition Thus the Lord caâ—ed for Israel of old which he would â—ave them not forget Who fed thee in â—â—e Wilderness with Manna saith the â—â—xt So he did for the Gospel-Church Rev. 12.6 14. He prepared a place 〈◊〉 the woman in the Wilderness that â—â—ey should feed her there He proâ—â—des all things needful for his People â—ere I will name two or three Particuâ—â—s 1. He provides a place for them there 〈◊〉 he did for Isreal of old Tents they â—â—d though no settled abode no houses because they were moving up and doâ—â— from place to place So in the plaâ—â— named before the woman had a plaâ—â— in the Wilderness prepared of Goâ—â— Though but Tents yet suitable to 〈◊〉 place for here they have no continuâ—â— City In my fathers house says Christ 〈◊〉 many Mansions John 14.2 a 〈◊〉 not made with hands eternal in the heaveâ— 2 Cor. 5.1 Here therefore Teâ—â— should content them So were they 〈◊〉 old Heb. 11.38 though they wanâ—â—red in desarts and mountains and deâ—â— and caves of the earth So long as Gâ—â— hath work for them doing or sufferâ—â— work he will have a Room a place 〈◊〉 them When Luthers enemies askâ—â— him where he would be when such 〈◊〉 great person came into Germany to seâ—â— for him He answered Aut sub 〈◊〉 Aut in coelo Either under Heaven or Heaven So may all Gods People say 2. He provides leading and â—â—rection for his People in and through 〈◊〉 Wilderness of this world Thus he 〈◊〉 for Israel of old Exod. 13.21 2â—â— The Lord went before them by a pillâ—â— cloud to lead them the way and by night iâ—â— pillar of fire to give them light to go by 〈◊〉 and by night He took not away the â—â—dar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night from before his People Thus he is said to have led them in the Wilderness in the verse before the text Though he led them about this way and that way yet the right way that they might go to a City of habitation Psal 107.4 7. They had many turns and returns backward and forward yet arrived at a happy end and were conducted to their desired rest So it is still The Word and the Spirit and the Providence of God are the pillars as it were by which God provides and gives counsel guidance and direction to his People as they travel through the Wilderness of this world As many as are led by the Spirit of God are the Sons of God Rom. 8.14 So it is as true reciprocally As many as are the Sons of God are led by the Spirit of God And indeed so it guided Israel of old Isa 63.11 12 13 14. Where is he that put his Spirit within him That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm That led them through the deep as an horse in the Wilderness that they should not stumble As a beast goeth down into the valley so the Spirit of the Lord caused him to rest God made Moses a guide to Israel but it was the Spirit of God that led Moses and instructed him to lead the People So noâ— in Gospel-days and therefore Chrisâ— tells his sorrowing Disciples Johâ— 16.13 that when he is come he wâ—â—â— lead them into all truth So likewisâ— by his word he leads them He hath oâ—dained it to be a light to their feet and 〈◊〉 Lamp to their Path Psal 119.105 The Spirit is a voice behind them anâ— the Word is a rule before them Aâ—â— by his providence also he doth direâ—â— them Hence it is termed the eye 〈◊〉 God because by it God guides his Peâ—ple in all the revolutions and turning of this world I will instruct thee saiâ—â— God to his servant Psal 32. vers 8. in the way in which thou shouldest go I wiâ—â— guide thee with mine eye His provideâ—tial eye If any say How is it then thâ—â— they wander and miscarry as sad eâ—â— perince shews I answer Not froâ— any defect in Gods provision but eitheâ— because they will not follow the conduâ—â— of heaven wilfulness sometimes occasioâ—â— wanderings Or because God for thâ—â— their sin doth withdraw or suspend hiâ— leading and guiding influences from theâ—â— and then they go astray It is said 2 Chroâ—â— 32.31 That in the business of thâ—â— Ambassadors of the Princes of Babylâ—â— God left Hezekiah c. And how soon did he stumble and fall When pride and self-confidence prevail in them as it did in him in Peter then God is provoked to remove his direction from them Yet this is never totally and absolutely taken from them but God will reduce them and recover them and never cease leading them in the way of righteousness in the midst of the Paths of Judgment till he hath caused all those that love him to inherit substance as it is said Prov. 8.20.21 3. He provides food and raiment for them I say food both for their Bodies and Souls So he did for Israel of old as the text shews He fed them in the Wilderness with Manna What the Manna was we read Exod. 16. 1 Cor. 10. John 6. largely It was the bread that the Lord gave Israel from the Clouds to eat There was no plowing and sowing in the Wilderness and so no ordinary provision God therefore gave them Manna miraculously and extraordinarily They did eat Angels food saies the Psalmist Excellent food it was if Angles needed they could desire no better Thus wonderfully did he seed Israel forty years together in the Wilderness And this was not food only for their Bodies but for their Souls also Hence it is said to be Spiritual meat in that place beforenamed 1 Cor. 10. They did all eat the same Spiritual meat Because the Manna was an eminent Type of Christ as is largely set forth by Christ himself John 6. It was one of the Jews extraordinary Sacraments which sealed up to Believers their Spiritual nourishment in grace by the free Covenant of God in the Messiah He also secured their Cloths from waxing old by a miracle And he is not worse to his Gospel-Church than to Isreal There is a general care God hath of all his Creatures He feeds the Ravens when they cry unto him He gives all his Creatures their meat in due season He opens his hands and satisfies the desire of every living thing Psal 145.15 16. There is a more particular care he takes
of man but yet exerciseth a more special and peculiar providence over his Church and People So he provided for David in his straits He sent a Raven with bread and flesh morning and evening to feed Elijah 1. Kings 17.4 6. And in the same Chapter we read how wonderfully he provided for the widow of Zarephath when she had but a handfull of meal in the barrel and a little oil in the cruise he by a miracle increased it so that it failed not till God sent rain on the earth So Christ miraculously multipled the loaves that he might feed the People in the Wilderness Matth. 15. And as for the bodies so for the Souls of his servants he still feeds them in all their straits If the ordinary means of grace fail he can provide extraordinarily Hence it is said God had prepared that they namely the two Prophets spoken of Rev. 11. should feed the Woman in the Wilderness Rev. 12.6 14. They should feed those hidden ones with the hidden Manna So he promiseth to feed his people Israel with the heritage of Jacob their Father Isa 58.14 that is with spiritual communications of the Covenant of Grace And again Zech. 11.7 I will feed the flock of slaughter even you O poor of the flock An afflicted and poor people designed to slaughter and ruine who have lost your visible pastures the Ordinances I will be your Shepherd and will feed you invisibly by my Word and Spirit ye shall go in and out and find pastures So in several verses of the 34th of Ezekiel we have promises to the same purpose And David having the Lord foâ— his Shepherd concludes he shall want 〈◊〉 good thing he shall be fed in green pâ—â—stures and led beside the still waters Psal 23.12 That is God would givâ— him enough food sufficient so is 〈◊〉 and water to the Sheep yea the 〈◊〉 condition and daintiest provision so aâ—â— green pastures and still waters Or as thâ— Original hath it pastures of tender graâ—â— and waters of quietness such as are emâ—nently restorative for it follows He restoreth my Soul This is the care God takeâ— to provide for his in their Wilderness state Quest. You will say Why will God thâ—â— provide for his Church and People Ans 1. Because they are the peoplâ— of his Covenant and so he stands in alâ— Covenant-relations to them Psal 111.5 It 's said He giveth them their meat iâ— due season that fear him he will ever bâ— mindful of his Covenant He is relateâ— to them as a Father if a Father be askeâ— Bread by a Son will he give him a Stonâ—â— saith Christ Your heavenly Father knowâ— ye have need of these things Matth. 6. â—â— Will an affectionate Father see his 〈◊〉 want when he is able to supply hiâ—â— The Apostle saith 1 Tim. 5.8 If aâ—â— man provide not for his own especially for those of his house or kindred as it is in the Margin he hath denied the Faith is worse than an Infidel And will not God much more provide for his Covenant-people who thus lays it upon men as their duty to look to their own and so severely sensures them that neglect it Surely he will This Israel found Psal 105.40 41 42. The people asked and he brought Quails and satisfied them with the Bread of Heaven c. For he remembred his holy promise and Abraham his Servant 2. Because God is sufficiently qualified to provide for them He hath an all-seeâ—ng eye a compassionate heart and an almighty hand These three render him â—ble and fit and willing to do it I say â—1 An all-seeing eye For the eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil â—nd the good Prov. 15.3 And these eyes â—f the Lord do therefore run to and fro â—he whole heart that he may observe how 〈◊〉 is with his Church and take care for â—hem 2 Chron. 16.9 When Hagar sate â—own and lifted up her voice and wept â—ecause the water in the bottle was spent â— Gen. 21.15 16. and they were now in â—e Wilderness a dry and thirsty Land where little expectation of supply 〈◊〉 be had God saw the affliction of Hâ—â— and her Son and opened her eyes and 〈◊〉 saw a Well of Water v. 19. With this pâ—â—vidence she was much affected as you 〈◊〉 see Gen. 16.13 She called the nam◠〈◊〉 the Lord that spake unto her Tho◠〈◊〉 seest me for she said Have I also 〈◊〉 looked after him that seeth me Wherâ—â—â— the Well was called Beer-lakairoi that 〈◊〉 the Well of him that lives and sees 〈◊〉 because God had so seen her in her â—â—â—ction as to provide graciously for 〈◊〉 2. A pitiful and compassionate heâ—â—â— Some see the wants and necessities 〈◊〉 others yet have no bowels of compassioâ—â— and so make no provision give no relieâ—â— Such were the Priest Levite we read 〈◊〉 Luk. 10.30 31 32 33 34 35. When they saâ—â— the man stripped of his raiment and woundeâ—â— the Priest passed by on the other side the Levite looked on him and passed away likewise when the Samaritan saw him he had compâ—â—sion on him bound up his wounds pouring 〈◊〉 Oil and Wine c. Christ is the goods Samaritan who hath compassion on the soâ—â— and bodies of them that are in want aâ—â— provides suitably and graciously for theâ—â— He had compassion on the peoples soâ—â— Mat. 9.36 37 38. when he saw mâ—â—tudes fainted and were scattered abroad as Sheep having no Shepherd and said The harvest truly is great but the labourers are few pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth labourers into his harvest So was he moved with pity and compassion to the bodies of the people that were fasting in the Wilderness Matth. 15.32 with him three days I will not send them away fasting says he lest they faint by the way 3. An almighty hand Some have knowledge of their Childrens wants and hearts to pity them and yet it is not in the power of their hand to supply their needs As we read Hagar saw her Childs danger and shewed the compassions of a tender Mother yet could not help and relieve him or her self but God hath an omnipotent hand and can do what he will in Heaven and in Earth he can rain Manna from Heaven and give Water out of the Rock as he did to Israel in the Wilderness And thus he represents himself to Abraham Gen. 17.1 I am God almighty And being thus qualified he will surely provide for all his people 3. Because he knows that by so doing he provides for his own glory Hence it is that when Abraham had that question put to him by his Son Where is the Lamb for a burnt-offering He answered Mâ— Son God will provide himself a Lamb c. Gen. 22.7 8. There is an emphasis iâ— that word Himself For the answer 〈◊〉 the question had been full if it had beâ—â— omitted and he only had said God 〈◊〉 provide a Lamb. But when
not all his benefits who remembred thee in thy low estate when no man cared for thy Soul 2. Go not back from him turn not aside from following him in thy duty though it be through difficulty This God commends in Israel of old Jer. 2.2 I remember the kindness of thy youth the love of their Espousals hoâ— thou wentest after me in the Wilderness O Repent not of your engagements for God Say not as some of these murmurers did Let us go back again to Egypt to our Onions and Garlick to our sins and lusts to our Superstitions and Idolatries again But rather let us say as Jepthah Judges 11.35 I have opened my mouth unto the Lord and I cannot go back When we fall into days of great backsliding we should think we hear Christ speaking to us as he did to his Apostles Joh. 6.66 67 68. When many of the Disciples of Christ went back from him and walked no more with him he said to the Apostles Will ye also go away Peter answered Lord To whom should we go O let a Caleb like spirit be in us that we may follow the Lord fully O that we could by this approve our selves to be the Sheep of Christ indeed by hearing his voice and following him and not following strangers nor knowing the voice of strangers John 10.4 5. Strange Doctrines strange Worship that is such Doctrines and Worship as are strange to the holy Scriptures let us not receive them nor those that bring them Never is there more need Sheep should listen to the voice of their Shepherd and follow him than when they are in a waste howling Wilderness apt of themselves to go astray and so ready to be devoured by the Beasts of prey We should therefore pray with the Spouse Cant. 1.7 Tell me O thou whom my Soul loveth where thou feedest where thou makest thy Flock to rest at noon for why should I be as one that turneth aside by the Flocks of thy Companions 3. To conclude all Trust in the Lord for ever This is Wilderness-work In the greatest straits and most amazing distresses when we are stript of all humane helps and ordinary means fail yet believe that God will provide for our Bodies for our Souls for our Families for his Church and People Casting all our care on him for he careth for us 1 Pet. 5.7 In all our exigencies let us roll our selves on God and go up from this Wilderness leaning on our Beloved Cant. 8.5 This is God's Command Psal 37.3 Trust in the Lord and do good so shalt thou dwell in the Land and verily thou shalt be â—ed Hereby we give God his greatest honour Rom. 4.20 Abraham was strong in faith giving glory to God This â—s the way to be delivered out of straits Exod. 14.13 Stand still namely in way of faith and dependance and ye shall see the salvation of the Lord. Faith will 〈◊〉 our best Anchor staying our Souls upâ—â— God and his Promise Isa 26.3 Thâ— wilt keep him in perfect peace whose minâ— stayed on thee because he trusteth in thâ— We know not how great the wants 〈◊〉 straits are we may be reduced unto Remember this Example in the Text noâ— before us Ordinary means failed 〈◊〉 God provided extraordinarily He haâ— wonderful ways to provide for his Châ—â—dren He can make a little go a greâ—â— way as when he multiplied the Loaâ—â— by a Miracle He can cause the courseâ— food to be as good nourishment as the best dainties witness Daniel's pulse Hâ— can by unexpected ways bring relieâ— When Musculus that famous Divine wanted bread for his Family and maâ—â— those Verses in his straits which are 〈◊〉 follows Est Deus in coelis qui providus omnia curâ—â— Nunquan credentes deseruisse potest In English thus There is a God in Hâ—â—ven who hath a provident care for all 〈◊〉 creatures and cannot forsake those that â—â—lieve in him As he was thus exercising himself in a way of Faith one sent him a Loaf of Bread which relieved him and his Family And in the Massacre at Paris was one Merlin nourished fourteen days together by an Egg a day laid by an Hen that came constantly to that Hawmow where he lay hid from danger Only let us labour to be Israelites indeed for such shall want no good thing Let us come into the Wilderness as Israel did by following God's Word and Spirit and not by neglecting God's Rule not by prodigal expensive courses or idleness and neglect of our Callings Let us use all good and lawful means to provide for our selves Israel took pains to gather the Manna daily and to bake it in Pans and fit it for their eating We must also pray for provision as Christ teacheth us in the Pattern he gave his Disciples to say Give us this day our daily bread and then let us trust in the Lord and by Faith leave the event with him he will take care for us As Mr. Hern a worthy Minister of the Gospel said to his Wife when he was nigh death and she with divers Children like to be left in a low condition weeping by him he sought to quiet her with these words Peace Sweet-heart That God that feed the Ravens will not starve the Herns So would I say here That God who fed Israel with Manna in the Wilderness will not fail to feed those that trust in him with food convenient for them in their greatest straits and necessities Comfort your selves and one another with these things SERMON IV. Nahum 1.7 The Lord is good a strong hold in the day of trouble and he knoweth theâ—â— that trust in him SOme say this Prophet was born at Elkosh a small Town in Galilee and there named Nahum which signifies a Comforter And so he was to Gods people He speaks indeed terrible thingâ— against Gods enemies in the 2 3 4 5 and 6 verses He shews how dreadfuâ— the wrath of God would be against the Ninevites and the Assyrians for their great wickedness Yet so as he also declares how comfortably God would manifest himself to his people in all their troubles in the words of the text The Lord is good c. Wherein he gives us 1. A description of Gods nature in general The Lord is good 2. An account wherein he his ready to express this goodness to Israel in particular Which is set down in two things 1. He is a strong hold 2. He knows them that trust in him in a day of trouble The notes observable are these 1. That the Lord is good 2. That the Church and people of God have or may expect to meet with a day of trouble 3. That God is a strong hold for them in that troublous time 4. That God knows them that trust in him in the day of trouble Of these in order Doct. 1. That the Lord is Good This is expresly in the Text. To open this briefly in two things 1. He is good in himself and so there is a threefold goodness in
much and so long sin against the Lord so loving and so good a Father It will make our souls die to sin daily and to be careful and jealous lest any affection should prove inordinate and prejudicial to Christs honour and its own comfort By these things we may know whether Christ be indeed a saving light unto our Souls and so finding him to be may drink in all the comfort that flows from so sweet a truth as this is Object We fear may some say Christ is not such a light to us because we find our corruptions so strong in us and our affections so dead to Christ Ans There may be something of Christ as such a light in thee and yet this not clearly perceived nor felt by thee There may be notwithstanding thy complaints some dawning of the day some breakings forth of the morning light upon thy Soul For Christs goings forth in enlightning and quickning and comforting grace are prepared as the morning Hos 6.3 Now the morning goeth forth gradually small at the beginning but growing to perfection Do not despise the day of small things Though the morning be Cloudy and Rainy yet Christ â—uth prepared a wind to blow them â—ver He deals with Souls in this case as in the care of the blind man Mark 8. â—3 24. He caused him at first to see â—ut imperfectly he saw men walking â—s Trees afterwards clearly So he will â—eal with thee Though thou goest forth â—s the morning yet ere long thou wilt â—e fair as the Moon yea clear as the Sun Cant. 6.10 Vse 3. Suffer the word of Exhortation 1. Let all be perswaded to receive Christ this true light We see â—ur need of natural light and who reâ—ects it Who loves not the light more than darkness Who opens not their windows and doors to receive the light of the Sun How much more should we â—pen our eyes and hearts to entertain Christ the Spiritual and saving light O let us all pray with David Lord lift â—â—ou up the light of thy countenance upon us Psal 4.6 None but the blind do unâ—ervalue the benefit of light none but weak Eyes are offended at it none but â—culterers and thieves fly from it None but ignorant or wicked or hypocriteâ— undervalue Christ and when he is willing to be a light to them love darkness rather than light Owls and Bats love the night Darkness is a suitable element to a dark heart Melancholy Spirits love dark places So did he we read of Luke 8.27 But after Christ had commanded the evil Spirit out of him then he sate at Christs feet clothed and in his right mind O let us all go to Christ that he would be pleased who commanded the light at first to shine out of darkness to shine into all our hearts to give us the light of saving knowledge sound holiness and divine comforts that we may no more call light darkness and darkness light but in this our day see the things that belong unto our peace before they be hidden from our eyes 2. Let us receive every discovery of Christ as a beam of light and let us receive nothing as light but what comes from him And above all things let us walk while we have the light Which leads us to the second Doctrine Doct. 2. That it is the duty of all men to walk while they have the light Hence is that Exhortation of the Apostle Paul Rom. 13.12 13. The night is far spent the day is at hand let us therefore cast off the deeds of darkness and put on the Armour of light Let us walk honestly as in the day c. As if he had said The night of your unregeneracy is past and the day of grace has dawned upon your Souls Therefore as men when they see the glimmering of the day cast off their night-clothes so we seeing a glimmering of the Gospel ought to cast off the works of darkness as night-attire have no more to do with them sins are called works of darkness because many times they are done in the dark and because they proceed from darkness and if not cast off truly and timely tend to bring men to utter darkness And we should now put on the Armour of light as those that rise out of their sleep put on their working apparel that they may be fit for the business of the day So now seeing the night of ignorance is past adorn your selves with the works of light They that sleep sleep in the night and they that are drunk are drunk in the night But let them that are of the day put on the graces of the Spirit of Christ that bright and glistering armour wherewith their Souls shall not only be armed but adorned such as shines to the glory of God and becomes those that desire to walk honestly as in the day Christ himself did walk and work while he had his day John 9.4 I must work the works of God saith he while it is day Let us follow his steps herein Qu. 1. Ye will say How may men be said to have the light Ans By enjoying the Gospel of Christ For though his personal presence and ministry are withdrawn yet the light of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ shines amongst us And every word of Christ is light Isa 51.4 A Law shall proceed from me for a light of the people saith Christ His word is the rule and standard of light Isa 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light or no morning in them This is that more sure word of prophecy which we shall do well we take heed unto as un to a light that shineth in a dark place 2 Pet. 1.19 Where the Apostle shews that a written Revelation from the Word is more sure than an immediate Revelation from heaven Here I might shew some of those Truths the Gospel gives a more full and clear discovery of than ever was before this glorious light came into the World As the great Doctrine of the Trinity the Incarnation of Christ the great and dangerous evil of unbelief that Christ came and put himself in the place of sinners and died an accursed death to save men from unbelief so that by his mediatory sacrifice there is a possibility for condemned unbelievers to be saved from that sentence that is gone out against them He ordered Repentance and Remission of sins to be preached in his name And that he that believeth in him shall be saved And he stayed not till men sent to him but he calls to them Ezek. c. 18. Why will ye dye O house of Israel Yea The Gospel holds forth life to the greatest sinners to the worst or men if thy will indeed believe and turn in to God by Christ God so loved the World that he gave his only begotton Son John 3.16 That whosoever believeth on him None excepted where Christ is offered but those