of Povidence and the course of Nature upon his hopes of Isaac did most visibly controul the same But let me add herewith that the most choice and experienced in the Work and Advantages of Faith hath not done with the Settlement hereof even after the greatest Confirmations for whilst he is within time he must still look out both for new Assaults and further Experiments of Assistance for this end and to attain a higher Growth But oh how dark and strange a thing is this and how disrelishing to most in this present day who count it enough to have their Religion in the Bibls but not in their Sonl and to have it in external Ordinances and a visible Form but in no inward Enjoyments of the same A Second Proposal upon this great Subject of the quieting Power of Faith amidst the Hazards and Terrors of Time is to know the Truth hereof in the sureness of its Principles and on what a clear Warrant so wonderful a Piece of our Religion does found This I must touch a little to clear the same both from any presumptive Confidence and enthusiastick Pretences on such an account and that its holding in the way of Right on the Warrant of Divine Truth is no less sure than the Enjoyment hereof is sweet when we can with such Evidence see 1. How it hath this fundamental Principle to hold by that the God of Truth hath taken the establishing of his Peoples Faith under his own Hand as his alone immediate Work and is such a Work that none but he can accomplish Thus we see 2 Cor. 1. 20. the sureness of the Grounds of our Faith held forth that all the Promises of God in Christ are Yea and Amen in him unto the Glory of God c. But though here is enough as to a Divine Warrant and Right yet will not this alone bear out without it be Gods immediate Work also when a Storm riseth therefore Verse 21. it's expresly shewed that he who establisheth us in Christ and hath anointed us is God and hath given us the earnest of his Spirit to raise the Faith of his People answerable to the Height and Measure of any present Tryal 2. Is it not on this sure Principle of Truth also that Faith in the Power and Supports hereof even in the most extraordinary case of Tryal does found That the Lord Jesus Christ hath not only given himself for us by a legal Substitution in our Room to satisfy Divine Justice but hath given himself to us to be enjoyed in the nearest Intimacy of Relation and a vital Vnion with himself so that thus he is not only the Purchaser but the Dispenser also of such potent Influences as the Faith of his People in the most extream case does need and as he knows the ways of the Righteous in their Necessities Temptations and Hazards so he hath fixed them this way in such an immediate and absolute Dependance on himself by taking off visible Refuges to give them a more special discriminating Testimony of his Respects though then in the present time it may have a very strange and dismal Appearance whilst it 's not understood in such a case how his gracious Design to accomplish the great ends of his Love to his People lyes so near him as to defer oft an answering of their natural Desires until things come to that Extremity as may make way both for the highest Tryal and Victory of their Faith 3. It is one of the most fundamental Grounds and Principles of Trust that no doctrinal Knowledge of this Mystery of Faith in its supporting Power against the greatest of Trouble can avail without the Spirit of Faith 2 Cor. 4. 13. For here does the Communion of the Holy Ghost with the Saints on the Earth most eminently lye and the Enjoyments of Faith in the saddest Hours of Temptation are experienced how the Joy and Peace of believing in such a Security of Mind does thus work when there is no natural Cause or visible Appearance for the same and how in so strange a manner a Christians Spirit hath been oft carried above the present Temptation of their day with such Quiet and Composure of Mind as even in the midst of great Waters they have not come near unto them so as to shake and stagger their Confidence and I doubt not that many humble and tender Christians have at some times been sealed with that inward Assurance by the Spirit of Faith and with such Strength and Clearness of Evidence in an oblignatory way to their Souls as the greatest Assaults and Oppositions of Satan which have been after made thereto were never able to break the same so bright and convincing hath the Conveyance of such a Seal been in that time as they could thus humbly take Instruments that it was assuredly given them of God and was Truth and no Lie 4. And is it not one of the Principles and Grounds of our Faith that the great Author thereof hath made its Security so full and with that Evidence as may fully countervail the want of ocular Demonstration by outward Sense For thus does our Blessed Lord testify Joh. 14. 17. when he hath there promised the sending of his Spirit to his Church whom the World cannot receive because they see him not and can be no Object of Humane Sense which is the only prevailing Evidence and Demonstration with a terrene Spirit but then shews his Disciples that they had a more full and sure Testimony For you know him says he and I have made you sure by a higher Evidence as can leave no room for Doubtfulness for though herein does the excellency of Faith most eminently appear in believing things not seen and contrary to all natural Sense on the Credit of Divine Revelation yet is there no Darkness this way from want of Evidence since this must be understood only quoad evidentiam rei sed non quoad evidentiam testimonii which is made as full as that which we have seen with our Eyes or have touched and handled in that Security which God hath given to us in his way of believing 5. I must yet add one Principle of our Faith for giving Light to that strong Influence and Power thereof amidst the greatest Fears and Terrors of future Events that it is sure such who are Christs have not only things present but things to come made theirs Cor. which is one of those great Assurances of Truth that seems little understood or improved by most as being not only founded on that fundamental Right of our being Christs and made thus Heirs of those Promises which are in him yea and Amen to his People but that such an entry is also on the Enjoyment of this right by the Power of believing and inward Testimony of the Spirit as can fully quiet the Soul of a Christian and make things to come in another manner There 's then the Residue of the World know It 's true there is a rational Prospect and
did fail and could give no Support in such an Hour Thus I have offered a View in such an Example where the Support and Strength of a Christians Faith in the most astonishing Hour of Temptation does lye and of the solid judicious Actings thereof both in the way of Light and Power And there is herewith presented a special Series and Scale of these Steps whereby such a Measure of Establishment is attainable under that blessed Conduct of the Word and Spirit of God as it keeps close by the Line of Truth betwixt Hazards both on the Right and Left Hand so that we may see on what firm and sure Ground such are and have their Anchor fixed who thus know the work of Faith in an extraordinary case of Tryal But now in the last place I must yet in an applicatory way shut up this Discourse with a more special respect to the times we are now in when such great Thoughts of Heart may be both from those strange Providences that have of late gone over the Churches of Christ in those Three Nations and what my be yet expected and on a near Approach since it is sure Men does not know their day nor can take to heart Time and Judgment where there is no suitable Regard to the Voice of God in his Works as well as in his Word and what is given to be the most remarkable Talent of Observation on such an account I have spoke a little to such a strange Supposal the Psalmist makes as to what might be the Tryal of his Faith in the day wherein he then stood But let me speak a few things that may be judged more than supposable with respect to the present time wherein it seems in some singular way to be stated from other times and though with humble Sobriety I have desired to exoner my Soul on such an Account in a late Essay which hath been published yet having a rise both from this Subject and the present Aspects of Providences I must crave leave to offer some Thoughts farther 1. Is it not more than supposable that such an Appeal from the Lord as we have Isa 5 4. hath a most peculiar respect beyond former times to this Generation What could I have done more to my Vineyard than I have done by new Methods and Tryals both in the way of Grace and in the Severity of Judgments to bring the Churches of Britain again unto God Or hath there been such Precedents in the way of the Lord with any Churches else and in that manner as these 50 Years past he hath made use of And oh what must be expected to work for such an end when no instituted means does answer thereto and that it 's evident what the highest Improvements of Mens natural Power can do which is so much exalted by this Generation to shut out the Necessity of supernatural Influences of Grace with so little Fear of such a judicial Restraint thereof as is at this day For if Men do but sincerely reason their Soul unto serious Thoughts of such a cafe what can be seen now by ordinary means to beget a deep and awful Sense of God on Mens Souls if he do not in some more immediate and extraordinary way appear but such an astonishing Confidence and Contempt of all Divine Signs and Threatnings seem discernable as nothing in a monitory way does work or affect in Mens Spirits Nor is Judgment from Heaven a matter of Fear with most if it be not felt But the same Spirit which we may see Isa 5. 19. may be visible in the present times when they said Let him make speed and hasten his work that we may see it and let the Counsel of the Holy one of Israel draw near that we may know it which was in an express way to speak that neither their Faith nor their Fear did rise higher than sensible Evidence and Demonstration of what was present in their sight 2. It 's a matter of Truth also is more than supposable that the Stability of the Earth beneath us can give no Assurance and solid Quiet of Spirit to those who dwell thereon until they be at Peace with Heaven But whilst they reckon that nothing is more sure to build their Hopes on than this lower Earth and thus have their Hearts on the same Level therewith may see how amidst their greatest Confidence and Expectation their Judgment may then immediately have its Rise from the same so as in one Hour to make the alone Support of their Confidence to be the Grave thereof and whatever some have writ as to the foregoing Presages of any remarkable Earthquake before it took place yet was it never known that an Appearance of God this way either to forewarn as a Sign or as a present Judgment did occurr but with a present Surprizal when nothing hereof was feared or supected And it hath ever been one of the most immediate Signs of sudden Destruction when a Peoples Security hath come to that height as nothing could be awakning in such a case answerable to that 1 Thess 5. 3. when they said Peace Peace then was a destroying Stroak most imminent and near And I may speak this with Assurance that either these late Providences by which God hath in so remarkable a manner made himself known shall be regarded as Signs and carry Mens Spirits above any Product of natural Causes herein unto God or will at last be felt by what is signified thereby 3. I hope it can be no questionable thing with any of a serious and considering Spirit that as the standing of the World and its being secured from the Extremity of Justice is alone by a Dispensation of Grace and the Tenor of the Second Covenant with respect to the Church therein so is it in no other way but of Grace only that Britain hath this day any Claim or Charter of Right to the Blessings of Providence and for having the Hedges of Divine Protection kept up Nor could the furthest of humane Strength and Counsel avail then if once the full measure of the Long-suffering and Tenderness of God should be summed up that hath assuredly its set Bounds to the most eminent Churches where sometimes God hath most remarkably shined and oh what a thing should this World be to live in were it but fore one Day or Hour if there should be a withholding of an immediate Divine Care and Inspection over the same or for so small a time that Door could be shut up of Entercourse betwixt Heaven and the Saints here which by a Divine immutable Constitution of Grace is kept open whilst they are within time But this is a thing as to any publick and national Interest that seems to have little Credit or Regard with Men what invisible Influence such a hid Party who makes least Appearance in the Earth hath on the greatest Changes thereof and how a filling up the Measure of the Elect in a Nation and Continuance of the Candlestick
in a present Extremity and amidst the greatest Terrors of Sense when there is no possible Support from Nature or things seen in such a case To this does the Psalmist here bear a most clear Witness I confess it is one of the most astonishing Mysteries of our Religion which is wholly unaccountable to the Spirit of this World and it hath been matter of Wonder to me in how ordinary a way such a Subject is oft spoken of and what length is come in the Notion and Theory when so little of the experimental Light hereof seems to be found on the Earth in this day But where it is known in Truth it is surely one of the greatest Demonstrations of God and of his immediate Power and working on the Soul in this Militant State yea such as may supply the room of any external Miracles to these who know the same it is a thing of that Nature as exceeds the Sphere of all created Power to work and goes far above the reach of Angels to impart the same but to him only it belongs who is both the Author and Finisher of our Faith yea which according to the out-lettings of his Spirit herein makes so unspeakable a difference betwixt such and themselves to whom it is thus known how in one time then they are made to differ from another and where the Sorrows and Pains of a doubting Heart about the Warrant of their Hope is understood it will be then known what unexpressible Joy the Truth of such an Assurance as we find here in the Text does raise and be as a Resurrection from the Dead in that case It 's true such a particular Confidence and Trust that hath nothing from things seen or on any natural account to fix cannot bear out in the way of Light only even on the most clear Grounds of a Divine Promise herein but is immediately dependant on that measure of the Spirit of Faith which is then given to answer to the height and measure of their present Tryal but yet it 's sure and unquestionable that such a Faith as is not founded on Appearances hath a Ballast as will not be broken by contrary Appearances and since this may look as a very dark and amazing thing what relates to such singular workings of a Christians Faith in an Extremity I would speak a few things to be previously considered in what manner this acts on the highest Principles of inlightned Reason as well as by supernatural Influence and how nothing can be more rationally deduced than such a Conclusion which David here makes from the foregoing Premises since it 's undeniable 1. That such a sweet and absolute Necessity there is for Men to betake themselves to a Divine Power and Relief only in a present exigence of Tryal when it 's sure that God hath afforded nothing to Man without himself in the whole frame of the Creation to bear up that weight of Dependance and Trust so as we must herein either cease from Man whose Breath is in his Nostrils in the way of Reliance or Part with God Nor can any time ever find that to be Blessed on which the God of Truth hath by any irrevocable Sentence setled a Curse But this is one of the rare Characters of a Christian when in such a manner both his Choice and Confidence does center in God alone as he is resolved to trust him only or none else and to ly at Anchor on his revealed Truth or perish The great Former of Heaven and Earth will not bear the empty Name and Shew of being his Peoples hope when the Interest and Weight thereof is laid on things beside himself 2. It is no less demonstrable and known on this Head that there is no possible rest or quiet to the Soul of Man amidst the Hazards and Terrors of time but in an intire Dependance and Trust on an invisible God and his being their alone Refuge and Help for the Profession of the only true God and of our Souls adventuring intirely on him as the alone Object of our Trust is one and the same and as there is a receding from the one so is there consequentially from the other also in denying to him the Glory of his Godhead Nothing is indeed more usual than to see Mens Confidence still Ebb and Flow according to the visible posture of their Affairs tho it does sadly evidence such a Trust and Reliance that hath its greatest Weight on something else than God however he bear the Name thereof It is unquestionable that the greatest Princes and Monarchs need to have their Dependance no less setled on God even for outward Supplies than the Poor whose holding hereof is no less absolutely from him than those who may be put to live on Humane Charity and are ever in his Reverence who can make the Scarlet to embrace the Dunghill when it would seem not conceivable to Humane Reason It is in this respect that one of the highest Tryals of Faith is when external Advantages do most abound and in that Sense Riches prove so mortal to those who enjoy the same and as Christ himself testifies is no less hard for such to be saved than for a Camel to go through a Needle 's Eye It 's so rare for Men to have the World in their Hand and not upon their Heart also as the ground of their Confidence and Trust 3. This should be also considered for giving Light to the work of Faith in any extraordinary Tryals that it 's sure the utmost Perfection of this excellent Grace not only in its Truth but in the Degree and Measure thereof is alone in this Life attainable so that this is not possible to be at a higher Pitch than in this Militant State or to have another Season for paying in that Tribute of Glory and Praise unto the God of Truth and to his faithfulness which is so highly called for in the way of believing but within time only but in a more special way in the greatest exigence and strait which may be in a Christians case when their Hope seems most visibly stated against them It is in this Sense the Apostle speaks of the filling up of the work of Faith in a Christians day 2. Thess 1. 5. as one of the highest Designs of Providence in the Conflicts of their Warfare though the same measure in this Work and Tryals hereof be not allotted to some as to others yea it is in that respect only James speaks Chap. 1. 4. for the Patience of Faith to have its perfct work and to attain this in the utmost Degree since it belongs only to this Life 4. But is it not a Compensation to the hardest Lessons of a Christians Confidence and Trust and to the most remarkable Hour of Extremity that we know God hath reserved thereto the most immediate and extraordinary Discoveries of himself and of his being God alone above what is known in the ordinary course of his Providence Said I not unto
Earth before whom the greatest of Men must either bow or be broken and that the time is not only near but is now come for his taking to himself his great Power to reign with another Appearance of his Greatness and Terror than was ever known before in the World And oh what must be expected to work for greatr Excitements to Fear and a more awful Sense of a Supernatural and Divine Power and of his supreme Government over the World when no instituted means in a moral way does answer to this end Tho' it is sure if that Relation we stand in to the Deity and the Interest of our Ingagements to him with the Greatness of our hope from him alone were taken to Heart we could not but accountsuch to be most desirable Acts of Providence yea rejoyce herein where he gives the most near and immediate Discoveries of himself when the Vindication of his glory is so visibly concerned in the same even though it should cause trembling to Humane Sense and be at a very dear and expensive Rate to a secure World But it is on another Head that I must more specially insist in a practical way as to the great Security of Faith with such a full Reliance on God as is here held forth in this Scripture and to what a Degree the Elevation of a Christians Soul may be thus raised with that inward Assurance as can bear out against the greatest Terrors of Sense This is a Demonstration of God by his immediate working on the Souls of Men which is wonderful and should be matter of great Improvement in the saddest Tryals of our Warfare to know in what manner divine Power is thus exerted as can in a Moment dispel the most extream Fears and Darkness on the Soul so as to make Day arise and a Sun shine there when it hath been as Midnight otherwise And since this is a Subject of such Weight as the very Life Comfort and sustaining of the Soul amidst the innumerable Hazards and Tryals of time lyes herein as to a full Assurance and Acquiescence of the Mind but the certainty of our Faith that we are thus safe and in sure Terms with God it may be needful to answer a few Proposals for giving Light thereto 1. How we are to apprehend aright so great an Attainment of Grace as this is and to have our Judgment setled and clear about so wonderful an Experiment I know it is no ordinary Standard or Example what 's here held forth in such Assurance of Davids Faith when no Supposal of Hazard or Extremity was then too great for the same for even this great Man of God had at other times his low Ebbs and Faintings that were as remarkable as such a Triumph and High-Spring-Tide which we see here in the Power of believing but on the other Hand this is a strange Riddle to the Spirit of the World and unaccountable to all Reason in the Eyes of many who profess the same Doctrin of our Faith as if it were something that alone works in the Power of some strong Imagination whilst they take up Religion in a natural way only which goes not above moral Inducements and the Power of Free-will I must therefore speak a little in a special way to such a Proposal 1. That the great Design of the Gospel does most eminently ly here not only to reveal the Mystery of Grace and of Redemption in what Christ hath done for us but to acquaint us also with the immediate and internal work of Faith on the Soul which he does work and perfect in us as the Author and Finisher thereof which was so wonderful a thing as put one of the Disciples of Christ to that strange Enquiry Lord how is it that thou wilt manifest thy self to us and not to the World and in such a distinguishing way by inward Evidence and Power 2. This cannot be understood aright but by such a Discovery thereof as one of the essential parts of that rare Divine Workmanship of the new man which in its whole Life and Actings hath no other Subsistence but by immediate Supplies from Heaven and as in one time of a Christians Life his Faith will need a more extraordinary Allowance for Support than in another so I must humbly judge the present time we are in is such as needs in a more than ordinary way some clear Understanding of this Mystery of Faith by practical Light and the vertue thereof in an Hour of Temptation when the times seem to be growing so dark as the Spirits of the most Judicious discerners of things are put to Astonishment to think what Providence may be bringing forth when the Sea-Compass seems as it were to fail and so little of any conforting Signs but for a long time past have been in Paths so untrodden as is not easie to trace or find a clear way before us 3. But this cannot be understood as some singular and powerful Operation of the Spirit of God which upon some special Service for him may be imparted to such as never knew his graci-Inhabitation in their Soul or what it is to be entred in such a State of Communion with the Spirit as is by his setled Residence and abiding with them John 14. 17. For such is this mystery of Faith in the Nature thereof as it 's true acting and work is not attainable without a vital influence from Heaven and where it 's gradual Increase and Advance is made a Reward to frequency in the Acts thereof and these resolute Adventures and Reliance which hath through Grace been attained on a Divine Power 4. But for a more full understanding hereof it is not possibly attainable without a supernatural Evidence accompanying the same such whereby it clearly sees both the Excellency and Certainty of things that are above Sense how they are no less sure than great And though the highest Enjoyments of Faith whereby the Soul rests about things to come as if they were present hath no such immediate Evidence thereof as they are in themselves and are the Objects of our Sense else they could not be hoped for if they were thus seen Yet it 's upon no Credibility but upon the highest Certainty that this quieting work of Faith is founded But how this supernatural Evidence does work on a Christians Soul in an Hour of greatest Tryal is not expressible by Words tho' it doth then clear it self in the same manner as the Day-light does when the Sun shines For when it 's known in the Power thereof in times of Fainting and Distress it hath then such a Call therewith by a present Efficacy as Psal 116. 7. to return unto their rest a rest of Tranquility and Assurance from God in the way of a Promise when there may not be the least Appearance of its Performance Thus did Abraham know the Truth and Power of such an Evidence upon his Soul when he staggered not at the Promise through Vnbelief when both the way
greatest Substance and Reality with the sanctifying Vertue of the Spirit made so evident as can make his Work and Services for God to be matter of the highest Delight and Enjoyment yea he now knows what a spiritual Faculty and Life is for corresponding with those Divine Communications so as with a judicious and discerning Ear he can know the voice of his beloved Master from the voice of a Stranger both in its Sweetness to allure and in its Power and Efficacy to draw and conform their Soul into a nearer Resemblance to himself with that Tenderness and Fear which is the native Result of such an Intimacy of Converse 6. But as to this marvelous Acquaintance with the Spirit of God in order to a higher Encrease of Faith He is one who can give an Account hereof also that in no singular way it was attained but as it does respect the whole Community of the Saints by an unchangeable Rule as attainable not only in the retired Duties of Communion with God but by an invisible Trade and Commerce with external Ordinances and the Out-lettings of Sanctury Strength this way answerable to that Psal 20. 2. in both which Respects his Faith hath oft gained a higher Interest and Establishment than by external Providences as being more immediately dependent on the Spirit of God and as all Causes must work answerably to the Nature thereof so can he put his Seal and Testimony to that hid Vertue and vital Influence which those Divine Institutions of the Gospel hath on Mens Soul and is only peculiar thereto yea when others who stay only in the outward Court are bounded this way with an audible Voice to their Ears and literal Discovery of sacred Truth to the Judgment such can witness what unexpressible Support hath been then enjoyed for a more full Settlement of their Faith by immediate Conveyances of Power and Life to their Spirits as hath made it sweet matter of Admiration what invisible Strength hath in a moral way been thus imparted and what remarkable Returns of Light they have had upon such a Tryal of enquiring in the Temple from the Fountain of Divine Light in the way of his Word under their darkest Hours which sometimes have been like Elijahs Meal in the Strength whereof he was enabled to go Forty days without Faint and Weariness 7. But for a further illustrating of such an Example whatever in a preparatory way he hath thus attained for a special acting of Faith in the most extreme Case Yet when this is not at a distance but becomes a present visible Object of Sense and comes so near as cannot but in some extraordinary way affect his Spirit then does it yet more appear where his Strength and immediate Relief does lye in making that great Tryal of turning his Eyes wholly to God by a present Address for such a special Allowance from Heaven that his Strength may be according to his day and then it is in his improvement of that way which God hath consecrated for the most extreme Exigences of a Christians Life he knows the high Value and Use of such great Experiments he hath formerly made of sensible Acceptance and Audience in the most astonishing Straits with such Testimony from Heaven herein and inward Evidence on his Soul as if Fire had come from thence to consume the Sacrifice so as he could then speak in that manner Psal 20. 6. Now know I that the Lord saves his Anointed and Psal 40. 11. I know I shall yet praise him yea as he knows the way of humble Wrestling in Prayer is not bounded in its Warrant by the greatest Extremity so it hath been in such a case that when God does take some unusal Tryal of his People and of their Faith he then designs to give them some great and singular Tryal of himself 8. It may be further applicable to such an Example that though the workings of a special Faith in some great Exigence and Distress be such that he cannot speak to others as it 's then felt in the Light and Power thereof yet does he then know the Security hereof and present Settlement of his Spirit with such Evidence as he sees as well as believes when he cannot possibly demonstrate this to the Conviction of others but as he knows with Assurance his Trust in such an Hour to be one of the most highly rational Acts of his Life so is this no less evident and sure how the whole supernatural part of Christianity whereby a Christian is raised above himself and the Workings of natural Light and Reason hath its alone Dependence on a near and immediate Converse with Heaven wherein his great Strength then lies that when a Tide from without may be such as should quickly overwhelm his Soul he is thus put on a higher Tryal than at other times of the Certainty of Divine Support by a present gale of the Spirit to stemm the same such as riseth higher than the Work or Assistance of Angels Yea how it is not habitual Grace only that could make the practical use of the Shield of Faith to be clear and comforting in an Extremity if there were not some very immediate Supplies But if it be inquired what is the Ground whereon they must adventure and rest their Soul in such an Hour and should specially fix their Anchor on it is not conceivable without respect to two special actings of Faith by which Abraham and Sarah did enter on the Enjoyment of the Promise when nothing seem'd in an ordinary way more impossible than this that he was perswaded God was able to perform what he had promised Rom. 4. And she judged him faithful who had promised Heb. 11. 9. But yet now let me add this more with respect to such an Example that he is one who in a Season of greatest Tryal knows the greatness of that Witness he is then sisted under to be of another kind than any humane Observation that may be upon him when he hath so difficult and hazardous a part to act on the Theatre of his Life and that he hath herein not only the Witness of the elect Angels the watching and considering Eye of the Powers of Darkness who are against him but above all that he is in a more singular way than at other times stated under the immediate Witness of the Glorious Trinity to see how he acts suitably to the greatness of a divine Refuge and these Assurances which the God of Truth hath given him to adventure on then is it also that he knows the Tryal of his Faith does not alone lie when he is now at so eminent a Step thereof for the quiet and support of his own Spirit but for such an Appearance before Men as may tend to sanctify God before the World and for a putting his Seal hereto that he is faithful and true to whom these have concredited themselves and that they durst follow him with a resolute Reliance when both Sense and natural Reason
there with the oversight of a special Providence is still of the same Extent 4. It is a Dilemma of undeniable Evidence as to the publick State and Interest of those Nations that we must either have God for us in the Efficacy and Out-goings of his Providence or against us That God who in the supreme Administration of his Government over the World stands not as Nouter or as a Witness only to the Actings of Men but if he be not on our side and interested in our Cause we must then know him as an Adversary For there can be no possible midst herein that God whose Room all the World cannot supply if he should be shut out of our Counsels yea such a God we have both to fear and rely on who is not one like to our selves to be put off with Words or a complemental Address in a stated Form only or can expect in Faith that this will bring Assistance to turn the Scale of Providence on our side if he be not according to his revealed Counsel with an intire Reliance on him alone adored and feared as God Yea it 's sure in no humane Affairs he does more immediately appear and by an extraordinary Ministery of the Angels than in the decision of War and of Battels For which cause he does in so special a respect take that Style unto himself to be the Lord of Hosts It should seem a strange and astonishing thing how Men can live in the Earth without God without whom they cannot live for one Moment and in whose Hand their Breâ—â—…h is yet if we look to the publick state of Religion this day nothing may be more applicable to the most numerous part of the Reformed Churches than this and that the Sense of a Deity hath more Power and Influence amongst Heathens who walk in the Name of their God than it hath amongst Millions of professed Christians for except we shut out Reason such must be surlie said to live without God in the Earth and not to walk in his Name who live without any resolute dependance and trust upon him in the course and conduct of their affairs whose great business in the World lies only with Men and are much more influenced by such a fear than of his srownings and terror who made Heaven and Earth when it seem's now easie with most to lose God if they may gain Men and make an intrest that way tho the purchase will never bear the expence yea can go the farthest length of external Worship in Church Assemblies and yet be without God then as to any internal converse or injoyment of him by inward acts of adoration and what account can such possibly make of an invisible God who know no other measure of their confidence but as visible things do either smile or frown upon them but there is one respect further wherein we may see how most who profess the name of God do this day live without him in the Earth which is in the way of observation of what passeth betwixt him and them whether by providences or influences on their Soul but take all things at an adventure without any higher looke than what is from Secondary causes though it was in this way that an Enoch an Noah and the whole race of the Saints who have gon before knew what it was to walk with God in the Earth no less in discerning his appearances and work towards them than their way and services towards him But oh what will he do with us when it may be feared that the most prevailing suffrage and vote of the generation we are now in should be this if their Soul might speak for them in such a case let God depart from us for we desire not the Knowledge of the Most High since this lght tends only to be tormenting and does afford no comfort to such or can it be expected that he will allow in this age a Restoring Miracle to bring men again to the faith and sense of the Deity as he did in the days of Elia when we have a much greater Talent to be accountable for than these had or any former Ages past having the whole income of their Confirmations and improvements added to our Stocks 5 Tho the great intrest of that mysterie of a Christians Faith which is the special Subject of this Discourse does in the first place respect our Reconciled State and justification before God yet is it too evident that the most usually trying and difficult part thereof is with respect to the Tryals and conflicts of time and sucha day when they must live immediately on God and give him the Glory of his Godhead when no visible means can support which is that wonderful experiment of Faith in the power thereof that is here expresly pointed at when it is by the Spirit of God as his immediate work alone proportioned to the most extraordinary hight of a Christians Tryal but as to the filling up of this great work of Faith in the appointed measure thereof it does principally 1. respect the whole State and times of the elect Church and on this account there is still a growing increase as to the measure of the work of Faith since Abel the righteous and is not yet come in many degrees to that full hight of perfection which it must have before the close of time yea herein hath each of the Saints their proper share and interest for bringing forth the Glory of this excellent Grace to it's greatest display before Angels and Men which is an end worthy of all the Tryals and suffering times which have ever gone over the Church because this way of giving glory to God is only within time 2. But it must be understood also that in each age of the Church there are some more illustrous examples that the Lord does afford to the World this way in whom his Grace in the power thereof hath a greater triumph in the way of passive valour than in these who have been most admired upon their Heroick Actings and conquest over Men. 3. It is undeniable also what eminent experiments have been thus afforded upon these adventures of a Christians Faith which did not then answer the ordinary Standard of the Tryals which others have had and though we may confidently hope that the highest measure of the suffering times of the Church is now accomplished and past and of the tryal of the passive Graces of the Spirit yet it may be matter of fear that the Faith of Christians in this day may have some more extraordinary Essay in the way of Judgment as to the publick State of the Church and of these Nations now in these last times of the Gentiles than what hath been in ages past and may need more than ordinary ballast to bear up against the darkness thereof when such a midnight hour seems immediately to preceed the dawning of that bright Sun-shine which may be truly reckoned the brightness of Christ's second coming
in that last state of time 6. May it not be matter of unavoidable evidence also as to the present State of the Church that there is surely some eminent period of providence to which so swift and extraordinary a courses of remarkable changes as hath in a successive way still attended these Nations have aproper tendency these being so unusual and astonishing and out of the way of the Lords ordinary working as the most judicious and deep discerners of things could not to this day have reasoned their falling out on principles of humane reason yea such as I must humbly judge will not cease until the Spirit of God be quieted in that great Design which he is to accomplish hereby answerable to that Zach. 6 8. on which he hath set his heart who leaves not his work unperfected which hath also the same sense and intent Isa 66. 9. Shall I bring to the birth and not cause to bring sorth c. nor I am perswaded will any humane counsel make civil establishments to be effectual until that great design of Providence be more understood and concurred with 7. It is now a day of great expectation how the next scene of Providence may open for a farther clearing of this design of the Lord about which I judge these who have nearest converse with God this day by his Word and Spirit see cause to give their fears the first place before their hopes as to some very extrordinary work of judgment that from all signs seems to lie nearest now to the reformed Churches in the frame of providence tho we are like to have little either of Faith or fear when it comes until it be made an object of Sense but I am sure a few of these evident prognosticks that now are in our sight would have deeply affected the Spirits of ous Fathers when we may see no Providences are so extraordinary as to have any sanctifying influence on Mens Souls for the most part or to advance the publick state of Religion as formerly when an outward Calm and a dead Lethargy herewith does so visibly still go together which hath a more mortal aspect on the present state of Britain than might be judged from the highest Paroxism of personal sufferings when the Christian interest this day for accomplishing the great designs of Grace under a reformed profession thereof is as a low thing in Mens eyes in respect of what is more extrinsick and foreign thereto when also the long decrease of that tide of power and influences of Religion on Mens Souls hath at last come to such an ebb by these judicial removes of the Spirit of God that without some very immediate appearance from Heaven we might fear lest Truth should quickly perish from the Earth yea when it 's so evident that God is yet calling for some to stand in the gap and make up the hedge before Judgment go forth butt almost none sound to answer it's voice so intently are Mens Spirits now even of such who outgo others in a profession set upon designs about their own things and it hath surely ever been a dismal sign to a Nation when it becomes rare to find any suitable Instruments and Tools to answer a restoring work therein or to see that raisedness of Spirit for such an end as hath been formerly which may be feared speaks the long shadows of the Evening before some horror of great Darkness are too visibly stretched out But if Men do count these things small and remote from their eyes and will raise a confidence that it shall be Peace until there be another Appearance for God and the Interest of his Kingdom than hath yet been It may make the Disappointment Sad and Dreadful in the Issue One thing I have thought strange how there can be a National Love and Respect to its Interest in another way than to have God Interested both in their Case and Cause in the first Room or how Solemn and Publick Thaksgivings in a stated external Form for the most eminent Appearances of God whether as to a Nation or to a City or to Persons is so visibly divided from such an essential part thereof which is by Thankofferings and some Returns to him in a promissory way by Deeds and Performances as well as by Words suitable to the Weight of such Engagements But this is a rare Practice now to be found on the Earth to design some special Consecration of the Gain of any eminent National Mercies unto God this way 8. Yet whatever may be too evident in the matter of our Fear it 's sure that the just Grounds of our Hopes in behalf of the Church does far exceed the same And though there be many extraordinary Signs to cause Terror and Consternation of Spirit there is one Sign of another kind that will compense all which is that Sign of the Son of Man Mat. 24. 30. as it is to be understood in a promissory Sense and how that great Mourning of the Tribes of the Earth which is there spoke to attend such a Sign hath the same Sense with that Zach. 12. 10. and is clearly expository of the same They shall look on me whom they have Pierced and Mourn c. as also that evident Parallel Rev. 1. 6. since these do so jointly bear evidence to the Nature and Intent of such a Sign as will then have an eminent Appearance with the first entry and returning of the Jews unto him whom their Fathers did pierce I know some of the greatest Writers of this Age such as Vsher Twiss and Mead and of late that Worthy Man Mr. Mather of New-England take this in the same Sense only seem to reckon this Sign to be the thing signified of Christ himself in a visible Appearance then to the World But this will be e're long in another manner understood in the Event Yet I have found it so sweet a Subject of Thoughts in these dismal and sad Times when other Signs are so tremendous that in some things which are most clear herein and suitable to humble Sobriety I must speak a few things 1. How it is unquestionable this is that one Sign by way of Singularity which our Blessed Head and Redeemer does appropriate to himself as his and to be the Sign 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Son of Man such as hath never been given to the World like thereto nor will ever be until he come himself to Judgment 2. It is surely a Sign which must be Publick and Conspicuous to the World in some extraordinary Vision to humane Sense for therein is the Intent of that Prediction made express and clear But as to the Nature hereof or its Duration I judge it suitable not to enquire where the Holy Ghost hath not more particularly cleared the same and reserved a further Discovery thereof to the Event 3. It is sure also when this great Appearance shall be to the World it will be with that demonstrative and undubitable Evidence as