Apostle Paul had such confidence of the Philippians welfare because he had them in his heart what confidence may we have in all our troubles from Christs having us in his heart and bearing us upon his heart continually and ever living to make intercession for us 2 Our Lord Jesus Christ in his intercession represents to his Father our troubles and dangers that we are exposed to while we are in the World and our shiftless condition and the hatred we meet with from the World and prays his Father to keep us by his divine power he prays not that we should be taken out of the World while we have service to do in the World but that we may be kept from the evils we are liable to in the World Joh. 17.9.11 14 15. Where observe 1. The Persons for whom Christ interceedeth and they are all that are his ver 9.10 I pray for them I pray not for the World but for them which thou hast given me for they are thine and all mine are thine and thine are mine 2. He represents to his Father the dangers they are in by being in the World where they are hated and want his presence with them ver 11.14 And now I am no more in the world but these are in the world I have given them thy Word and the world hath hated them 3. He commits them to his Fathers care and prays him to keep them by his divine power ver 11. Holy Father keep through thine own Name those whom thou hast given me That which he mainly prayed for was not that they should be taken out of the world but kept from the evil ver 15. I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the World but keep them from the evil 4. The Arguments he useth in Prayer they are all mine and all thine and they glorifie me ver 10. All mine are thine and thine are mine and I am glorified in them 5. This Prayer of Christ for his wherein he hath prayed to his Father to keep them in his name whilst they are in this world was recorded on purpose to comfort our hearts under our troubles ver 13. These things I speak in the world that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves And this Prayer of Christ was made not only for his Disciples that were then living but for all that should afterward believe on him to the end of the World ver 20. Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their word And what Christ prayed for God will assuredly grant Joh. 11.42 I know that thou hearest me always Obj. But how is the intercession of Christ a ground of comfort against the troubles of the world when notwithstanding the Prayer of Christ that they that are his may be kept from the evil they fall into as many and as great troubles as other men A. 1. Many troubles and afflictions are kept off at the intercession of Christ from those that are his For such is the malice of Satan and wicked men against the Saints that they would do them an hundred fold more mischief than they do if God should not restrain them Ps 124.2.3 4 5. Laban would have done Jacob much hurt but God would not suffer him to hurt him Gen. 31.7 Your Father hath deceived me and changed my wages ten times but God suffered him not to hurt me The Israelites when few in number when they went up and down from one place and one Kingdom to another were liable to many injuries but God prevented the malice of their adversaries Psal 105.14 He suffered no man to do them wrong 2. When God doth not keep off troubles and afflictions from the Members of Christ which is not absolutely prayed for God at the intercession of Christ keeps off the evil of trouble from the members of Christ The evil of trouble is when troubles make us sin against God and forsake the ways of God Mat. 13.21 VVhen Tribulation or Persecution ariseth because of thy word by and by he is offended that is falleth away as another Evangelist expresseth it 2 King 6.33 Behold this evil is of the Lord why should I wait for the Lord any longer The evil of troubles is when men fret and curse and blaspheme the name of God because of their troubles as Isa 8.21 Rev. 16.10.11 Now the Members of Christ are kept from these evils under their troubles 3. At the intercession of Christ the nature of troubles and afflictions are changed they are not evils but good things to the People of God Psal 119.71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted 4. At the intercession of Christ they that are Christs are upheld under their troubles and kept from fainting Keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me Though we be not kept from trouble yet Christs Prayer is answered if we be kept by the power of God in our troubles kept from falling kept from fainting Now God for Christs sake keeps his people from falling and fainting under their troubles Psal 94.18 VVhen I said my Foot slippeth thy Mercy O Lord held me up Psal 116.8 Thou hast delivered my feet from falling Psal 118.13 Thou hast thrust sore at me that I might fall but the Lord helped me 3. The intercession of Christ is a ground of comfort under all our troubles because he interceedeth with his Father that the Spirit the comforter may be sent down into our hearts to abide with us for ever Joh. 14.1.16 17. Let not your heart be troubled I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the Spirit of Truth The Lord Jesus foreseeing that his Disciples would meet with many Tribulations that their hearts might not be troubled proposeth many grounds of comfort to them among others this is a principal one that he would interceed with his Father to give them his holy Spirit to be their Comforter to make his abode with them for ever But some may say though the Spirit the Comforter be sent down into our hearts to abide with us for ever yet many of the Servants of Christ that have the comforter want the comforts of the Spirit in their troubles Q. What shall we do that we may get the comforts of the Spirit in our afflictions A. 1. Walk in the fear of God both before trouble comes and when you walk in the midst of trouble for such as walk in the fear of God enjoy the comforts of the holy Ghost Act. 9.31 VValking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost 2. Give your selves to prayer in the day of trouble Joh. 16.24 Ask and ye shall recieve that your joy may be full Christ told his Disciples ver 20. That they should weep and lament and be sorrowful but their forrow should be turned into joy and here he directs them the way to get comfort under their
we have 1. The Title given to Christ my Beloved or as the Dutch my best Beloved or as one unicè dilectus my only Beloved Whatever apprehensions other men may have of Christ though they see no beauty or comliness why they should desire him though he be to them a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence though they make light of him and reject him yet gracious Souls love Christ yea he is their best Beloved they love him above all things and persons in the World 2. VVe have the claim that is laid to Christ My Beloved is mine I have a special and peculiar interest in him he is mine as much as any thing that I have is mine my Beloved is mine I can I do I will lay claim to him as my own Psal 67.6 God even our own God shall bless us 3. The Confidence the Spouse had of her special and peculiar interest in Christ It is not I hope he is mine or by way of desire O that he were mine but it is spoken with much confidence my Beloved is mine Isaiah 63.16 Doubtless thou art our Father 4. Here is Christs Interest in his Church I am his I am not I will not be mine own but I am his I am not the Worlds but he hath chosen and called me out of the world I am his 5. Christs familiar converse with his Church he feedeth among the Lilies that is he affordeth his presence to them he converseth familiarly with them as persons do that feed together 6. The persons among whom Christ feeds they that are his those that love him those that resemble the Lilies that is humble Souls such as walk innocently such as are fruitful It 's Plinys Observation Lilio nihil faecundius such as are like Christ the lilie of the Valleys meek and lowly in heart 7. The Consolation the Church hath under all the troubles of this Life and the fears of Death and that ariseth from two Heads 1. Her interest in Christ my Beloved is mine 2. The enjoyment of Christs presence he feedeth among the Lilies Feeding implyeth 1. His presence and familiar converse with her 2. His delight in her feeding signifieth delight John 4.34 My meat is to do the will of him that sent me 3. His ministring inward and spiritual Comforts Judg. 19.5 Comfort thine heart with a morsel of bread And inward supports Psal 104.15 Bread which strengthneth mans heart Observ 1. Jesus Christ and Gracious Souls have a mutual interest each in other Christ is theirs and they are his 2. Such as believe in Christ may come to a sure and certain Knowledge of their Interest in Christ they may be able to say with much confidence Christ is mine and I am his 3. Every true Believer hath a great love to Jesus Christ yea he loveth Christ above all things and persons in the whole world My beloved or as some render it my best beloved 4. It is the work and office of Faith to appropriate and apply Christ to a mans own Soul My beloved is mine 5. The Lord Jesus Christ feedeth among the Lilies that is converseth with them delighteth in them Communicates Spiritual comforts and supports to them 6. It is a great comfort to the Saints in an evil day when they are as a Lilie among Thorns that Christ feedeth among the Lilies The Observation insisted on is Doct. Interest in Christ is a ground of strong Consolation under all the troubles of this life and the dangers and approaches of Death When it was a time of persecution and there were Thorns on every side and the Foxes spoyling the Vines the Spouse could triumph in this My Beloved is mine and I am his Luk. 1.47 The Virgin Mary went through sore afflictions as sharp as if she had a Sword run through her Luk. 2.35 yet her Spirit could rejoyce in God her Saviour Paul when shut up in Prison could and did rejoyce in Christ Jesus Phil. 1.13 compared with Phil. 3.3 We rejoyce in Christ Jesus Cant. 8.5 The Wilderness a place of great troubles and a land of the shadow of Death that is where they walked almost continually in danger of death Jer. 2.6 yet under all the troubles of the wilderness and the shadow of death there was refreshment by leaning on Christ 2 Sam. 30.6 David was in great distress that he wept till he could weep no more and was in danger of death yet he could encourage himself in the Lord his God Cant. 2.2.3 As a Lilie among Thorns yet there I sat down under his shadow with great delight Psal 23.1.4 The Lord is my Shepherd and what then though I walk through the Valley of the shadow of Death I will fear no evil Sect. 2. VVhat is meant by an Interest in Christ How Christ becomes ours how we become Christs For the farther clearing hereof that an Interest in Christ is a ground of strong Consolation under all the troubles of this life and against the Fears and Terrors of Death it will be expedient to enquire what is meant by an Interest in Christ And how Christ becomes ours and how we become his To that end we may take notice of a three fold Interest in Christ 1. A general interest which is common to all men the evil as well as the good an interest by virtue of Creation and of Christs being Lord of all The Son as well as the Father was the Creatour of Mankind and all other creatures Joh. 1.3 All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was And not only by Creation hath Christ a right to all Mankind but as Mediatour he is Lord of all and is made Judge of the quick and dead and hath power over all flesh Act. 10.36 Preaching Peace by Jesus Christ he is Lord of all Joh. 3.35 The Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into his hands Joh. 17.2 Thou hast given him power over all flesh This general interest in part as his creatures or as subjects of his Mediatory Kingdom is not that interest which is a ground of Consolation For he ruleth by his power in the midst of his Enemies Psal 110.2 Rule thou in the midst of thine Enemies 2. There is a Titular Interest in Christ when men profess themselves to be Christs and profess and say that Christ is theirs but they are not his neither is he theirs in truth Joh. 1.11 He came to his own and his own recieved him not The Jews are called Christs own because they professed themselves to be the people of God but many of them were not his people Joh. 8.54 55. Ye say that he is your God yet ye have not known him Many lay claim to God as their God and to Christ as their Saviour that have no real interest in God and Christ 3. There is a special saving interest in Christ as our Redeemer which is when a man is made a partaker of Christ united to Christ and hath a real and
actual right to all the saving benefits of Christ Heb. 3.14 We are made partakers of Christ They that are thus Interested in Christ are said to be in Christ and by vertue of their Union with him they have a right to all his saving benefits 1 Cor. 1.30 Of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption To be thus interested in Christ is not common to all men but it is a special priviledge belonging to a peculiar people Tit. 2.14 who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and parifie unto himself a peculiar people As concerning this saving interest in Christ we find some men are Christ owned by him for his own 1 Cor. 3.23 ye are Christs Joh. 13.1 Jesus having loved his own loved them unto the end Some men are none of Christs Rom. 8.9 Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his but are without any part or portion in Christ Eph. 2.12 At that time ye were without Christ some men have a part with Christ some have no part at all in him or with him Joh. 13.8 If I wash thee not thou hast no part with me To open the nature of this saving Interest in Christ more fully I shall resolve these two questions 1. How Christ becometh ours 2. How we become his How doth Christ become ours A. 1. By the Fathers giving him to be a propitiation for our sins and Christs giving himself to die for our sins God the Father gave Christ to be the propitiation for our sins Joh. 16.8 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting Life 1 Joh. 4.10 Herein is love not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins And as God gave Christ so Christ gave himself to be a Sacrifice and ransom for us There was his own consent to this Gift the giving himself to die for our sins Gal. 2.20 Who loved me and gave himself for me Tit. 2.14 Who gave himself for us 1 Tim. 2.6 Who gave himself for a ransom for all 2. Christ becomes ours by effectual calling for when God calls us effectually he calls us to fellowship with Christ that is to be partakers of Christ and all his saving benefits 1 Cor. 1.9 God is faithful by whom ye were called to the Fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. When Christ dyed he gave himself for us when we are effectually called he giveth himself to us By the death of Christ there was an impetration or purchase of all things that were necessary to our Salvation In our effectual calling there is an application of Christ and all the benefits purchased by Christ to our own Souls As soon as we are effectually called Christ becomes ours and all his benefits become ours we have an actual right to an interest and propriety in Christ and in all his saving benefits 1 Cor. 1.26 Ye see your calling brethren All are yours and ye are Christs 1 Cor. 3.22.23 They that are effectually called Christ is theirs and all the benefits of Christ are theirs I add this word effectual because many are outwardly called by the Gospel who are not inwardly and effectually called to Fellowship with Christ now this effectual calling whereby we are made partakers of Christ and his saving benefits consists of these three Branches 1. Illumination when God calls us effectually he brings us out of our ignorance and darkness and gives us the knowledge of himself and his Son Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.9 Who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light The knowledge of Christ and God in Christ is a great furtherance of our being partakers of Christ and his saving benefits for through the knowledge of Christ are communicated to us all things pertaining to Life and Godliness 2 Pet. 1.3 According as his divine power hath given us all things pertaining to Life and Godliness through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and vertue 2. The loosening and taking off the heart from all things that hinder the Soul from coming to and following after Jesus Christ A man is called off from all that hinders his closeing with Christ whether they be worldly lusts or fleshly lusts or relying upon our own Righteousness or any other impediments A man is made to leave all to enjoy Christ when Christ called Levi he left all for to go after Christ Luk. 5.27 28. He said unto him follow me and he left all rose up and followed him When Christ called James and John they left their Father their Servants their Ship and there Nets and all to follow Christ Mark 1.20 He called them and they left their Father Zebedee in the Ship with the hired Servants and went after him When the Lord had called the Apostle Paul he was willing to suffer the loss of all things that came in competition with Christ so that he might win Christ Phil. 3.8 Yea doubtless and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus my Lord for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and do count them but dung that I may win Christ 3. VVhen God calls a man effectually he calls him to believe in Christ he calls him to come to Christ and to accept of Christ as offered in the Gospel and to rely upon him alone for his Salvation Joh. 6.45 Every man that hath heard and learned of the Father cometh unto me The Father calls us to come to his Son and every one that heareth this call effectually cometh to Jesus Christ Now they that are thus called to the knowledge and faith of Christ are made partakers of Christ and all his saving benefits for by Faith Christ dwells in our hearts Eph. 3.17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by Faith And they that are thus called shall have remission of sins and eternal life Rom. 8.30 Whom he called them he also justified and whom he justified them he also glorified 3. Christ becometh ours by our recieving him The Spirit of God maketh a free offer of Christ to every one that is willing to have him Rev. 22.17 The Spirit saith come And let him that is a thirst come And whoever will let him take the Water of Life freely VVhen we recieve Jesus Christ thus offered to us he becometh ours and we become his Joh. 1.12 To as many as recieved him to them gave he power to become the Sons of God even to them that believe on his name VVhen we recieve Christ he becomes our Saviour and God becomes our Father and we become his Sons Now this recieving Christ implyeth these 3 things 1. Our recieving that Testimony which is given of Christ in the Gospel concerning the person offices death and sufferings of Christ and the benefits that we
my house be not so with God yet he hath made with me an Everlasting Covenant ordered in all things and sure for this is all my desire and all my Salvation although he make it not to grow See what was Davids comfort when he was speaking his last words it was his interest in the Everlasting Covenant He hath made with me an Everlasting Covenant and the assurance he had of his Salvation by virtue of this Covenant This is all my Salvation 7. Interest in Christ is a ground of strong consolation under all sorts of troubles and against the terrours of Death because when Christ is ours all his saving benefits are ours As Ahab said to Benhadad 1 King 20.4 I am thine and all that I have So may I say If Christ be thine all that Christ hath is thine Hence such as are interested in Christ are said to be joynt heirs with Christ Rom. 8.17 When Christ is ours all things are ours things present and things to come life and death this world and the world to come adversitie and prosperitie all things are ours ordained and designed for our good 1 Cor. 3.21 22 23. All things are yours whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come all are yours and ye are Christs and Christ is Gods And if this will not comfort us to hear that life and death things present and things to come the Kingdom of Heaven and all things are ours what else will VVhen Christ is ours his Righteousness is ours Phil. 3.9 His blood and all that he hath purchased with his blood all his merits are ours and his intercession is ours God is our Father the Spirit is our comforter Heaven is our Inheritance yea all good things are ours Obs How is this true that they are Christs have all things when as many that are Christs are ful of wants they want Riches Friends c. and in great straits and have suffered the loss of all things for Christ and can these be consistent together that a man should have all things and yet want many things A. 1. They that are Christs have all things vertually in that contentment and satisfaction which they have in Christ and from Christ They are or may be as well contented as if they had all the world Thus it was with the Apostle in his wants and straits when he was as poor to outward appearance as a man that hath nothing he was as well contented as if he had possessed the whole world 2 Cor. 6.10 As having nothing and yet possessing all things A man that hath a contented mind is as well satisfied as if he had all the world Gen. 33.11 Take I pray thee my blessing that is brought unto thee because God hath dealt graciously with me and I have enough The Hebrew is li chol I have all things Hence note that they have enough that have contented and satisfied minds they have all things 2. They that are Christs have all things in the providential care of God though they be poor and in straits and have suffered the loss of all things the providence of God takes care of them to supply them with all things that are needful with all things that are good for them 1 Pet. 5.7 Casting all your care upon him for he careth for you The providence of God taketh such care for us in all things that we need not trouble our selves with anxious thoughts or cares about any thing but may cast all our care upon the Lord. The Providence of God doth and will take care of us to supply us with all needful things and all things that are good for us Phil 4.19 My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Jesus Christ 3. They have all things in the Covenant and Promise of God For in the Covenant there are all things promised that they do or can desire 2 Sam. 23.5 He hath made with me an Everlasting Covenant and this is all my Salvation and all my desire VVe can't desire more then Grace and Glory and all good things now these are all promised to us Ps 84.11 The Lord God is a Sun and a Shield the Lord will give grace and glory and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly And what things are ours by promise are ours by a better and a more sure tenure then what is ours by actual possession without a promise because what we have in our possession may be lost may be taken from us but the promises no creature can take from us 4. They have all things eminently and transcendently in God and Christ in having God for their portion and Christ for their Saviour What Solomon saith of mony Eccl. 10.19 Mony answereth all things The same may be said as truly of God and Christ God answereth all things and Christ answereth all things When we enjoy God who is the fountain of all good in the enjoyment of him for our God we do inherit all things Rev. 21.7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my Son They have all things in Christ their head what the head hath the head hath it for the good of the Members Now Christ our head hath all things for the good of his church Eph. 1.22 And gave him to be the head over all things in the Church 5. They have the good of all things though not the actual possession of all things Rom. 8.28 VVe know that all things work together for good to them that love God Yea their very wants are for their good for they put them upon living by Faith and stir up in them a Spirit of Prayer and keep them humble c. 6. They are heirs of all things though they are not come to the full enjoyment of their inheritance for they are joynt heirs with Christ Rom. 8.17 If children then heirs heirs of God and joynt heirs with Christ And Christ is heir of all things Heb. 1.2 Hath in these last days spoken to us by his Son whom he hath appointed heir of all things The heir while a child is Lord of all though he hath not the actual possession of his inheritance Gal. 4.1 So it is with us we are heirs of all things by virtue of our Union with Christ though we have not the actual possession of our inheritance 8. Interest in Christ is a ground of strong consolation under all troubles of life and terrors of death because all that are Christs are blessed in and by Christ and are so blessed as no troubles nor death it self can make them miserable but after their Union with Christ they are blessed and shall continue blessed for ever I shall open the blessedness of such as are Christs in these particulars 1. All that are Christs are in a most blessed and happy condition Psal 2.12 Blessed are all they that put their trust
promised to comfort his afflicted people And ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem That is to be observed for this Prophet had foretold great judgments and desolations should come upon Jerasalem As Isa 3.8 Jerusalem is ruined and Judah is fallen Isa 24.3 11. The Land shall be utterly emptied and utterly spoyled All joy is darkned and the mirth of the Land is gone Isa 64.10 Thy Holy Cities are a Wilderness Zion is a Wilderness Jerusalem a desolation Yet though these Ruines and Desolations were coming upon Jerusalem that the Land should be utterly spoiled all joy be darkned and the mirth of the Land quite gone yet the Lord promiseth to comfort his people in Jerusalem We that have such promises may rest upon God that for Christs sake he will comfort us in all our tribulations Mich. 7.8 VVhen I sit in darkness the Lord shall be a light unto me Afflictions and troubles are set out by the name of darkness Isa 45.7 Joy and Comfort are expressed by the name of light Psal 97.11 So that the meaning is when I am in trouble and distress the Lord shall give me comfort Ps 38.7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble thou wilt revive me Obj. But do we not see that notwithstanding these promises and the confidences of the people of God that God will comfort them in their afflictions yet they are oft times under very great sorrows and heaviness A. 1. The people of God have Flesh as well as Spirit though the Spirit be willing to love the cross the Flesh is weak though the Spirit rejoyceth in God the Flesh feeling the smart of the Rod mourns 2. Their sorrows do not last alwayes but are soon turned into joy Joh. 16.20 Ye shall weep and lament but your sorrow shall be turned into joy Christ doth not promise his Disciples that they shall have no sorrows no cause of weeping but this he promiseth that they shall not be left comfortless under their sorrows for their sorrow shall be turned into joy Psal 30.5 11. VVeeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning 3. Even while the people of God are mourning they are sowing the seeds of joy and comfort and shall doubtless reap the fruit of their sorrows in more abundant consolations Ps 126.5 6. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy He that goeth forth and weepeth bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again with rejoyceing bringing his sheaves with him There is much more reaped than was sown A little quantity of seed yields whole Cart-loads of Corn. To open this more fully of Christs promising not to leave his people comfortless in their troubles I will shew you several wayes whereby Christ comforts his Members and gives them peace under their greatest troubles 1. By shedding abroad the love of God in their hearts by the Holy Ghost which he gives unto them Rom. 5.3 5. VVe glory in tribulation because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us By shedding abroad the love of God in our hearts understand the manifesting of Gods love to our souls the giving us the knowledge and understanding of the love of God which doth wonderfully affect the heart with joy and gladness Psal 42.7 8. All thy waves and thy billows are gone over me yet the Lord will command his loving kindness in the day time and in the night his Song shall be with me Two things are here worthy of our observation 1. David did believe that in his greatest distresses when all Gods waves and billows went over him God would express and manifest his love to him yet the Lord will command his loving kindness The commanding his loving kindness implyeth the powerful expressions of his love VVhere the word of a King is there is power Eccl. 8.4 And the abiding impressions of his love Ps 33.9 He commanded and it stood fast And the speedy manifestation of his love For when God gives a command to things to be done it implyeth speed Ps 147.15 He sendeth forth his Commandment upon the Earth his word runneth very swiftly 2. David did believe that the manifestation of the love of God would be such a comfort to him that it would make his heart to sing for joy in his greatest distresses yet the Lord shall command his loving kindness and in the night his song shall be with me 2. Jesus Christ comforts and refresheth his Members in their troubles by those gracious visits which he gives them in their afflictions Job 10.12 Thy visitation hath preserved my Spirit John 16.22 And ye now have sorrow but I will see you again and your heart shall rejoyce and your joy no man taketh from you A visit from a good man is very comfortable in a day of trouble 2 Cor. 7.5 6. Our flesh had no rest we were troubled on every side without were fightings within were fears Nevertheless God that comforteth them that are cast down comforted us by the coming of Titus If a visit from a good man be so refreshing that it will comfort us when we are troubled on every side when we have fightings without and fears within then how comfortable is a visit from Christ in the day of trouble But how doth Christ visit his afflicted people what are those visits of Christ which he gives his people in their affliction A. 1. Christ visiteth his people with his word by bringing suitable and encouraging promises to them in a day of distress Lam. 3.54 57. Waters flowed over mine head then I said I am cut off Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee thou saidest fear not Thus the Lord visited Abraham with a suitable word of promise Gen. 15.1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abraham in a Vision saying Fear not Abraham I am thy shield and thy exceeding great reward And these are sweet visits which do greatly rejoyce the heart Psal 119.162 I rejoyce at thy word as one that findeth great spoil 2. Jesus Christ visiteth his people in their afflictions by his Spirit the teachings the revivings the supports of his Spirit Cant. 2.6 His left hand is under my head his right hand doth embrace me Isa 41.10 Fear thou not for I am with thee I will strengthen thee I will uphold thee Isa 57.15 I dwell with him that is of a contrite and an humble Spirit to revive the Spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones 3. The Lord Jesus visits his afflicted people when he answers their Prayers and fulfils his own promises Gen. 21.1 And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken 4. The Lord visits his afflicted people when he raiseth up deliverance for them out of their troubles Psal 106.4 O visit me with thy Salvation And such visits when God saves his people out of their troubles cause great joy Psal 21.1 The King shall joy in
and bringing me into Captivity to the Law of sin which is in my Members Rom. 7.17 19 21 23. Yet at the same time that he uttered these complaints he did look upon himself to be Christs and did bless God for his interest in Christ and the benefits he had by Christ ver 25. I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. The Galatians felt in themselves the lustings of the Flesh against the Spirit whereby they were hindred in well-doing Gal. 5.17 The Flesh lusteth against the Spirit and the Spirit against the Flesh and these are contrary the one to the other so that ye cannot do the things that ye would Yet these Persons that felt these conflicts between the Flesh and the Spirit were the Children of God through Faith in Jesus Christ Gal. 3 26. Ye are all the Children of God by Faith in Christ Jesus 5. A man may be sensible of much dryness and be under a great want of the influences of the Spirit of Grace and yet he may have a saving interest in Christ and God may be his God and Father in Christ Psal 119.83 94. I am become like a bottle in the smoke I am thine save me When the Psalmist found himself like a bottle in the smoke that is in a withered drie parched condition he did notwithstanding his drie and withered condition believe himself to be the Lords I am thine save me So also Psal 32.4 7. My moisture is turned into the drought of Summer Thou art my hiding place He did believe his interest in God though he found himself in such a dry condition that he complained his moisture was turned into the drought of Summer that is was so gone as he could not discern any remaining in him An example of believing God to be our Father in and through Christ under a suspension of influencees we have Isa 63.15 16. VVhere is thy zeal and thy strength and the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies towards me are they restrained Doubtless thou art our Father Thou O Lord art our Father our Redeemer 6. A man may be under the withdrawings of God the Lord may hide his face from him and though he seek the Lord he may give no answers to his Prayers and yet God may be his Father in Christ and he may have a saving interest in Christ Isa 64.7 8. Thou hast hid thy face from us But now O Lord thou art our Father Cant. 2.16 Compared with Cant. 5.6 My beloved is mine and I am his I opened to my beloved but my beloved had withdrawn himself and was gone I sought him but I could not find him I called him but He gave me no answer 7. A man may be succesless in Holy Duties he may not find what his Soul seeks after in Gods Ordinances and yet Christs may be his and he may be Christs Cant. 2.16 Compared with Cant. 3.1 My beloved is mine and I am his By night on my bed I sought him whom my Soul loveth I sought him but I found him not Here is earnestness and continuance in seeking Christ I sought him I sought him it 's mentioned twice Here is sincerity in seeking Christ a seeking him out of love and yet no success but I found him not Isa 49.4 I have laboured in vain and spent my strength for nought yet surely my judgment is with the Lord and my work with my God Here is labour in vain as to men and a spending our strength for nought and yet a claiming an interest in God 8. A man that hath a saving interest in Christ may be under various and different tempers and frames of Spirit He may have his Ups and his Downs sometimes his heart may be in a raised elevated frame he may have such an high measure of Faith as to fear nothing Isa 12.2 Behold God is my Salvation I will trust and not be afraid Ps 27.1 The Lord is my Light and Salvation whom shall I fear At another time the same person may be in a very low and dejected frame that his Soul may as it were cleave to the dust Ps 119.26 My soul cleaveth to the Dust Psal 42.6 O my God my Soul is cast down within me At one time he may have sweet peace and comfort Ps 94.19 Thy comforts delight my Soul Another time he may be in a disturbed disquieted frame and go mourning all the day long Ps 42.11 VVhy art thou cast down O my Soul and why art thou disquieted within me Ps 38.6 I am troubled I am bowed down greatly I go mourning all the day long At one time he may be in a lively frame and have earnest longings and breathings after God Ps 42.1 2. As the heart panteth after the water-brooks so panteth my Soul after thee O God My Soul thirsteth for God At another time he may be in a dead dull and stupid frame Ps 73.22 I was as a beast before thee Ps 143.3 4. He hath made me to dwell in darkness as those that have been long dead My heart within me is desolate Ps 102.4 My heart is smitten and withered like grass At one time he may be in a melting broken frame at another time in such an hardned frame that he may wonder to see how hard his heart is Isa 63.16 17. Doubtless thou art our Father O Lord why hast thou made us to err from thy wayes and hardned our hearts from thy fear At one time he may walk in the light of Gods countenance Psal 21.6 Thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance At another time he may be under the hidings of Gods face and that for so long a time as to fear that God will never return to him again Ps 13.1 How long wilt thou forget me O Lord for ever How long wilt thou hide thy face from me Thus we see how the Children of God are liable to variety of changes in their Spiritual state and in the frame of their hearts only let this be added also when ever their hearts are out of frame they are unquiet and troubled and can't be at rest till they get into a good frame again Psal 30.7 Thou didst hide thy face and I was troubled 9. A man may be in a very dark and distressed condition and want the presence of God and think himself forsaken of God and yet be one that hath a saving interest in Christ Isa 50.10 Who is there among you that feareth the Lord that walketh in darkness and seeth no Light let him stay himself upon his God The Lord is his God that heareth him though he walk in darkness and can't apprehend it Joh. 6.17 It was now dark and Jesus was not come to them They were Christs own Disciples that wanted Christs presence when they were at Sea in a dark night when there was a great Tempest that endangered their Lives See also Isa 49.14 15 16. § It is a great help to hold in our interest in Christ to commune often with our own
days to shew our love in our diligence in Ministring to the Saints as we have ability and as their necessity requireth Heb. 6.10 11. Another Grace that will much further our Assurance as trusting in God in all distresses and dangers and living by Faith on Gods promises Psal 31.14 I trusted in thee I said thou art my God The more we accustom our selves to trust in God the more confidently we shall be enabled to call God our God Another grace that will further our assurance is Uprightness when we walk in our Integrity that will scatter and dispel fears and bring in comfort Psal 112.4 Vnto the Vpright there ariseth Light in Darkness But I shall add no more upon this question Sect. 3. What they should do that can't make out their interest in Christ in a time of trouble and at the hour of Death Obj. It may be some will say it is true they that have an interest in Christ and know it may be of good chear under all the troubles of this Life and when they are to pass through the Valley of the Shadow of Death but what shall I do in an evil day and at the hour of Death that cannot to this day nor ever could make it out that I have a saving interest in Christ § Prayer a means to clear interest Encouragements to pray for this mercy A. 1. Pray to God to make clear to your Souls your interest in himself and his Son Jesus Christ Psal 35.3 Say unto my Soul I am thy Salvation That which David asks is not be thou my Salvation but 't is the satisfying his Soul with the knowledge that God was his Saviour and would give him Salvation Say unto my Soul That is Lord perswade my Soul Lord give my Soul satisfaction in this great case that thou art my Saviour and wilt confer Salvation upon me And what David prayed for in this kind that may we pray for also And for our encouragement to pray for the knowledge of your interest in Christ consider these things 1. Prayer is a means of Gods own appointing not only for the obtaining of the favour of God but also for the obtaining of the comfortable apprehensions of Gods love in Christ Job 33.26 He shall pray unto God and he shall be favourable unto him and he shall see his face with joy Here is a double blessing promised unto the man that prayeth unto God he shall obtain the favour of God and he shall see his face with joy that is he shall obtain the knowledge of Gods love to his Soul which shall put great joy and gladness into his heart 2. The knowledge of our interest in God as our Father and in Christ as our Saviour and Redeemer is promised in the new Covenant and what the Lord hath promised we may pray in Faith and Hope that we shall attain it See promises to this purpose Isa 60.16 Thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer That which is here promised is not I will be thy Saviour and thy Redeemer but the knowledge of our interest in Christ as our Saviour and our Redeemer It is not said thou shalt know that I am the Saviour of my people or the Saviour of those that trust in me Thon shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer Another promise of clearing our interest in Christ we have Joh. 14.20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father and you in me and I in you At that day what day is here meant some understand it of the future life when we shall live with Christ in Glory spoken of in the foregoing verse because I live ye shall live also at that day ye shall know And doubtless the full accomplishment of this promise is the priviledge of the other life to have a perfect understanding of the mystical Union between the Father and the Son and between Christ and Believers But it hath also a respect to clearing our Union with Christ in this life at that day that is after I am risen from the dead and gone to the Father and at that day that you set your love upon me and keep my Commandments and I shall pray the Father and he shall send you another comforter even the Spirit of truth he shall make it known to you that I am in you and you in me It may also relate to ver 13 14. When you shall earnestly pray to the Father in my name to have your union cleared in that day you shall know that I am in you and you in me If any say I have prayed to God to clear my Union with and my Interest in Christ and still I am in the dark about this matter I answer You must continue to seek this mercy the knowledge of your interest in God and Christ and that is the way to obtain it Hos 6.3 Then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord § Such as can't make out their Interest in Christ should close with Christ that they may have an Interest in him 2. If you cant nor ever could make out your Interest in Christ yea suppose it be so that you have no interest in him come in now and close with him The door of Hope still stands open to your Souls It is yet an accepted time and a day of Salvation God still continueth to offer Christ to your Souls and prays you to accept of him 2 Cor. 5.20 VVe pray you in Christs stead be you reconciled to God If at length after a long neglecting of Christ you will come in and close with him you shall be saved by him Heb. 4.7 To day after so long a time as it is said to day if you will bear his voice harden not your hearts Those that had stood all the day idle even to the last hour were invited to go into the Vineyard and going upon the invitation had their reward Matth. 20.6 7 9. And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle and saith unto them why stand ye here all the day idle Go ye also into the Vineyard and whatever is right that shall ye receive And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour they received every man a penny This penny is by the generality of Interpreters agreed to be eternal life and this eternal life shall be given to those that come into Christ at the last hour of the day though the former part of their time hath been spent in ideleness But some may say if a man hath reflected and lived without God in the day of his prosperity is there hope if such a man turn to God in the day of trouble that God will be found of him and be gracious unto him I answer There is hope for such as have neglected God along time if they turn to him in the day of their tròuble that he will be gracious unto them 2 Chron. 15.3 4.
Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel he was found of them § Such as want Evidence of their interest in Christ ought to trust in him for Salvation What grounds have such to trust in Christ 3. Though you want evidence of your interest in Christ in a time of trouble and at the hour of Death yet if you be such as live in the fear of God such as desire to be saved by Christ in his own way and upon his own Terms you may yea you ought to trust in Christ for eternal Salvation Isa 50.10 VVho is among you that fears the Lord that obeyeth the voice of his Servants that walketh in darkness and hath no light let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God A man that truly feareth God may be in great darkness about his Spiritual State he may have no light that is no Evidence of his interest in God and the promises and so be in a very uncomfortable condition yet such ought to trust in Christ If any say what grounds hath a man that followeth after Righteousness and desireth to live in the fear of God and yet wanteth evidence of his Interest in Christ and the promises of God to trust in Christ for his Salvation § Grounds of trusting in Christ for Salvation for such as are in a dark condition as to their Interest in Christ A. 1. God sends his Son into the World to take our nature upon him and to die for our Sins for this very end and purpose to seek and to save Sinners who were in a lost and undone condition 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief Luk. 19.10 The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost 1 John 4.14 VVe have seen and do testifie that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the VVorld John 3.17 God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him might be saved These general expressions to save the World to save Sinners to save that which was lost opens a door of hope to such as can't see their interest in Christ but see themselves lost Sinners and hearing that the Father sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world to save lost sinners i◠shews them that there is hope for their Souls that they may obtain Salvation By Jesus Christ 2. The Lord Jesus Christ who is the Saviour of the world and who came into the world purposely to save sinners is an all-sufficient Saviour able to save unto the uttermost all that come unto God by him Heb. 7.25 He is able to save them unto the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them He is able to save to the uttermost that is to save perfectly to save eternally to give all things requisite to Salvation he is able to justifie sanctifie and bring unto glory all that come unto him For his blood is available to take away the greatest sins of the greatest sinners in the whole world John 1.29 Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world And his Spirit is able to sanctifie the worst and most polluted Sinners The Corinthians were the chief of Sinners Extortioners Drunkards Adulterors Abusers of themselves with mankind with other abominations yet they were sanctified by the Spirit of Christ of great sinners made eminent Saints 1 Cor. 62.10 11. 3. The Lord Jesus Christ inviteth and calleth all distressed Persons in all places that see themselves in a perishing undone condition to look to him and to come to him for Salvation Isa 45.22 Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of Earth That is let all Persons from one end of the Earth to the other that find a want of Salvation look unto me and I will save them Matth. 11.28 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest 4. The Lord commandeth us to trust in his Son for the giving us eternall life 1 John 3.23 This is his Commandment that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another as he gave us Commandment And he is displeased with those that do not relie on him for their Salvation Ps 78.21 22. The Lord was wroth and anger came up against Israel because they believed not in God and trusted not in his Salvation 5. We have God promises yea many promises that he will give eternal life and blessedness to all whosoever they be that believe and trust in his Son Ps 2.12 Blessed are all they that put their trust in him Joh. 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life Joh. 6.47 Verily verily I say unto you He that believeth on me hath everlasting life § The plea of such as can't trust in Christ for Salvation for want of Sanctification Obj. 1. None shall be saved by Christ but such as are sanctified and in a state of Grace but I want evidences of my being sanctified and being in a state of Grace how then can I trust in Christ to save me A. 1. It is true that Christ sanctifieth all whom he saveth for without Holiness no man whatsoever shall see the Lord. Heb. 12.14 Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord. If a man live and dye in his sins without repentance and yet trust in Christ for Salvation he doth but delude himself for our Lord Jesus telleth us expresly that all that do not repent shall surely perish Luk. 13.3 I tell you nay but except ye repent ye shall all likewise perish 2. Though you want evidences of your Sanctification yet do you not find ardent desires of Sanctification do you not find hungrings and thirstings after Righteousness Such as hunger and thirst after Righteousness are in a blessed condition as well as they that have attained Righteousness Matth. 5.6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after Righteousness for they shall be filled Spiritual desires are an argument of the Grace of God bestowed upon us The gracious estate of the Servants of God is sometimes set out by their desires Isa 26.8 The desire of our Souls is to thee and to the remembrance of thy name Neh. 1.11 Thy Servants who desire to fear thy name Then our desires argue a gracious state when our desires of God and the things of God exceed our desires of other things Ps 73.25 Whom have I in Heaven but thee and there is none on Earth that I desire besides thee 3. If you find in your self a want of Sanctification know this that you are to trust in
Christ for Sanctification as well as Salvation 1 Cor. 1.30 Of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Sanctification Now if Christ be made of God unto us Sanctification then we may we ought to trust in Christ for Sanctification as well as other Blessings Vse last Learn hence that they which have gotten their interest in Christ cleared to their Souls need not to be afraid of death but may depart in peace A confirmation hereof we have in the example of this our deceased Sister Mrs. Ellen Asty who was a Mother in Israel who was so much above the fear of Death that when I was with her a few days before she dyed she used these expressions I can chearfully embrace death I should not be afraid of death if I should see him coming in at the Windows if I should see him come into my Chamber for my beloved is mine and I am his and therefore she knew he would not condemn her And having found abundance of comfort in her interest in Christ she was desirous that this Text might be Preached on at her Funeral My beloved is mine and I am his I suppose that others might be stirred up to get an interest in Christ and to get their interest made out Several things have been observed wherein she may be exemplary to others as may be seen in the account of her life which followeth THE LIFE OF Mrs. Ellen Asty THE Late Wife of Mr. Asty of Stratford in Suffolk Deceased Revel 14.13 Blessed are the Dead that dye in the Lord. Printed by J. R. 1681. THE LIFE OF Mrs. Ellen Asty THE Wife of Mr. Asty late Minister of the Gospel in Essex IT is exceedingly pleasant unto many to be beholding the Pictures of their dearest Friends when their persons are removed out of their sight and laid in the silent dust and it hath been found more than a little profitable unto surviving Friends to be reading over the lives of the most eminent Saints departed as hereby being dead they yet speak and become still as living patterns for their imitation It is said The memory of the just is Blessed Prov. 10.7 And it may be said of this pious Matron as of Demetrius 3 Joh. 1.12 She hath a good report of all men and of the truth it self As to her Birth and Education much might be spoken She was the Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bently her Father an eminent Godly Minister her Mother a very Gracious Holy Gentlewoman who lived at Plumsted in Norfolk who brought her up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord. She remembred her Creator in the days of her youth and chose him to be hers betimes The Lord was pleased to begin a work of Grace so early upon her heart and ripen it so fast that whilst she was young and Nature not grown to its perfection she was a well grown Christian in gracious experiences excelling many who set out for Jesus Christ long before her that she became a pattern of piety to others yea the whole Family where she lived before she entred into a married estate and many out of it even such as occasionally came into it were much the better for her and Blessed God that they had acquaintance with her valuing her Grace and Judgment in the deep matters of the Gospel She was the wife of Mr. Asty a laborious Minister of the Gospel whom God made much use of in the Conversion of many sinners and building up others in Grace and Holiness who were already brought home to Jesus Christ When she was first married several Gentlewomen sent their Daughters to be with her that they might live under her instructions and the Lord made her very useful to them She was eminent for her deportment and carriage in all Relations some who had intimate acquaintance with her do testify that she was dutiful to her Parents an obedient and loving Wife to her Husband a tender hearted Mother to her Children one said never did any bear the Souls of her Children and Childrens Children more upon their hearts than she did never was any more concerned for their Souls nor did more Travel in Birth than she till she could see that in Christ they were born again never any more concerned for the Souls of those committed to her charge though but servants than she was Some Ministers and others who knew her Conversation testifie of her gracious carriage and behaviour in her various conditions in the course of her Life as followeth She was very knowing in the things of Jesus Christ and her knowledge was experimental growing humbling and practical a well grounded Professor and an honour and glory to her Profession She had a sound Judgment a well enlightned understanding in the mystery of godliness She had the Scriptures the Fountain of saving knowledge in very high estimation and daily to the last diligently searched into them not one day passed but she read or had read to her some portions of them which she made matter of meditation and when her weaknesses were so great and her eyes so fail'd in the latter part of her life that she could not read her self she called one to read to her weighed all her actions by the Scriptures as her Rule considered her warrant call and command from God for all she did and acted in all in obedience thereunto She would often be telling others how in their way they might serve the Lord though the work of their place was never so mean and low if they did consider the precepts and rules which God had given referring to such a Relation place employ or condition wherein they stood and acted in obedience to his will therein She outwent most Christians in her strictness on the Lords day the whole time was spent in publick and private exercises and would allow nothing that was secular and aliene to Religion to be done in her Family that was not of indispensible necessity on that day and always had a more than ordinary preparation in her house the day before that those in her family might have no temptation in that respect to violate any part of the sacred time of that day She was very exact as to her words and discourses on that day not opening her Lips to speak any thing that wasnot suitable and agreeable to the holiness of that day and it was a great burthen and affliction to her Spirit which she could not bear but mourned under to hear others give their tongues a liberty to speak any thing unsuitable and heterogeneal to the day she did highly prize all the ordinances of Jesus Christ they were sweeter to her than the hony or the hony Comb more desirable than her appointed food never so much in her element as when waiting upon the Lord either in publick or private opportunities and to the last would venture through all difficulties and bear up under great weaknesses in duties of Christian Communion and could not live without
them her love to them and delight in them was as strong and fresh in her old age as in the day of her Espousals when she first set out and began to tast that the Lord was gracious It is not to be spoken how she hazarded her weak body to hear Sermons to attend upon the Lord in all opportunities enjoyable â—t was generally observed in Stratford that â—he was sick indeed if she was not at the word either on the Lords day or at Church meetings on the week day Nothing but a very afflictive hand of God kept her at home It was her daily study how to glorifie God in every condition and under every dispensation that was either prosperous or adverse that was principally her study how and in what way God might be most honoured and his name advanced by her She had a heart for Vniversal Obedience walking as Elizabeth in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless She evidenced that she was a friend to Jesus Christ by doing whatever he commandded her and through that friendship between Christ and her she found she could do nothing so well as the will of Christ and found that obedience easie loved Jesus Christ with a superlative love and served him not with half an a heart but sincerely with the whole heart yea delighted in serving of him she had a Law within suitable to the Law without which rendred it natural to her to act graciously Jesus Christ was her Life his Grace and Image were implanted in her Soul that from a Spirit of love to him even in old age when weak and sickly she acted for Christ yea above her strength he was in her so much by his Spirit that she thought nothing too much to do for him and his She was full of good projects and designs for Jesus Christ loved to visit the sick and afflicted and those who walked in darkness as to their spiritual conditions loved to acquaint themselves with her who by a great treasure of experiences was able to afford Counsell and comfort to them A Christian able to speak a word in season to the relief of any soul under spiritual burdens and pressures And as ready to impart what Jesus Christ had Communicated unto her and the Lord Communicated the more to her because she was so free to Communicate to others laying up her experiences as for her own good so for others that they might be comforted with the same comforts that she was comforted with-all Her discourse never tended to self applause or commendation neither was it burthensome frothy or unsuitable but always savoury Christian and profitable commanding the ears of all about her In her Family she was frequently taking opportunities in the day time and evening and when ever she thought it seasonable to be speaking of the things of God of the excellency of Jesus Christ of the way of Life by him opening the miserable condition of a soul out of Jesus Christ setting forth the evil of sin the immortality of the Soul the sufferings and eternity of the punishment of Hell to her Children Servants and those that lived with her and was daily dropping in and working upon them to make them serious and considerate and as God had given her a choice gift that way so he made a great use thereof her counsels warnings threatnings invitations and holy instructions were made singularly advantagious and useful to the convincing quickning and edifying those committed to her charge so as they had cause for ever to bless God for the gracious words which proceeded out of her mouth She was always taking of opportunities to be calling upon those in a natural estate to mind the great concerns of their Souls and to be exciting provoking encouraging and strengthning those whose face was Zion ward her words were as choice Silver seasoned with Grace mostly Scriptural The Sermons that she heard on the Lords day or Week day were much the Subject matter of her discourse The Light of Gospel Grace and Truth did so shine in her as that her presence laid a restraint upon Sinners it was a curb unto vain Persons if they came into the Room where she was present She was exact and much in private Duties every day and yet so prudent in the singling out of the time as that the place in the Family wherein she stood never missed her She had at all times a due respect to the duties of both Tables and both in her Life and Discourses shewed how inseparable they were commending to all persons with whom she had to do the necessary and indispensible observation of both She looked upon time as a precious thing that was not to run waste and was diligent in the improvement of the Sands of every hour so as there was no part of her Life from Morning unto Evening that was an empty space but was laid out either in doing or recieving good Like the Summer she brought forth every thing in its season wisely forecasting and timeing whatsoever she had the ordering of She studied to excel in faithfulness and uprigh ness in all she undertook like Nathaniel she was without allowed guile had the Testimony of her Conscience that in simplicity and Godly sincerity she had her Conversation in the World very zealous for the truth of Jesus Christ following the Lamb whithersoever he went She had a very publick Spirit minding the good of others where she lived much taken up about the welfare of the Nation and was deeply concerned for the interest of Christ all the world over daily bore Zion and the work that God was doing in the world upon her heart and laid out her self much in Prayer for those things She had a large heart for Jesus Christ and for all that were his though of differing perswasions always putting the best construction upon every thing but sin was no way censorious or ready harshly to judge others but did most fairly coustrue their actions and carriaages speaking modestly and moderately of them Gospel Charity ruling her Spirit in all wonderful affable and courteous so as the Grace and sweetness in her words and carriage did win upon all that she conversed with that they loved her and said that she was made up of love She by Grace was enabled to Regulate her affections had a choice poise continually upon her Spirit that she seldom or never roiled or was disturbed but walked in an even and composed frame though none more sympathizing loving tender and affectionate than she yet were her affections always in order and under command free from excessive and disturbing passions that do often put the strings of the Spirits of most men and women out of tune and so render them unfit for what they are called too in the place wherein the Lord hath set them She had a fresh remembrance of the means and methods of the Lords dealing with her in bringing her Soul unto him and of her many experiences she had of
his grace and love towards her She lived much in Communion with God there was an unspeakable intercourse between God and her Soul every day She would do nothing till she had spread it before the Lord and knew his mind and in things not only small but weighty She had such intimations from the Lord of his will and his secret was so with her as she before hand knew the mind of God because God had told hereby his Spirit for she gave not over till he had signified by his â—pirit upon her Spirit what was his pleasure what he would do or what he would have done and God did marvelously herein condescend to her not once but frequently or from time to time she was far from Euthusiasme but had such intimacy with the Lord that she went daily to him for some word some manifestation of himself to bear up her Spirit that day and he gave in either a word of promise or let out something of his attributes to her discovered of his Wisdom Power Faithfulness Allsufficiency Unchangableness and the like wherewith her inward man was fed and strengthned and when her Family concerns were more she arose the earlier and though attended with the greatest weakness yet always began the day with God and would not omit the seasons for private Communion with the Lord neither indeed could she live without them they being the life of her Spirit She lived in an eminent exercise of many graces of the Spirit She was well instructed in the mystery of the life of Faith lived in a daily dependance upon God for all in her greatest fulness she lived not upon the creature but upon God and recieved all from him in the way of Faith and Prayer in every strait she had recourse to the Al-sufficiency of God and would often say the creature runs into emptiness and the streams they dried up but the Fountain was ever full and flowing and in all losses and changes blessed her self in God her portion who was a faithful Covenant keeping God for ever she went to the Wisdom of God to be directed and waited there for Counsel every day her faith advanced into assurance of the love of God which she enjoyed most part of her days and thence issued spiritual and unmixed comforts as she walked circumspectly being careful not to provoke the Lord so he witnessed his love to her and filled her Soul with strong Consolation that she had a Heaven out of it's place even hereupon Earth she was in the Banquetting house of Jesus Christ in his Wine Cellar where his Banner over her was Love In a Letter of her own she said I have not only heard that God is good but I have had many experiences of his Love and Faithfulness to me in all my streights and Widdow-hood condition I may say the Life of Faith is the sweetest Life in the World as it is a Life that bringeth much glory to God so much comfort to our selves How full of Love she was to Jesus Christ is already manifested in her carefulness to keep his Commandments and also in her love to the Members of Christ both that and also her Humility and self-denyal appeared in that in her highest actings and best frame she disowned her self and leaned only upon Jesus Christ trusted only in him gloried in nothing but in Christ in the Cross of Christ in the Righteousness of Christ in the Love of Christ not in what she did for Christ though she did much and delighted in so doing but she gloried in the Grace of Christ that did much for her he and his Righteousness were all her life and comfort she had an eye upon the Incense the merits and intercession of Jesus Christ in all her approaches to God being ashamed of the mixture of sin those weaknesses and imperfections that were in her best performances notwithstanding all her strictness and exactness she lay as low before the Lord in the sense of her own vileness emptiness nothingness as if there were nothing in her She was much in exalting of Jesus Christ his merits and grace admiring what he had done for sinners touching their reconciliation to God the remission of sin their standing and priviledges in grace here and the glory that is to be revealed relying on the freeness and fulness of his grace alone as if she had done or were able to do nothing she did set the Crown on his head in all always saw that in her self which kept her low and humble before the Lord and nothing in her own eyes She excelled in and was a pattern of Patience under all her troubles her afflictions were many and long often at the very mouth of the Grave in the latter part of her time seldom enjoyed a well day yet never murmured thought her afflictions small bore them with a chearful Spirit was always submissive to the will of God always thought and spoke well of God and justified him in all her Tryals She was wonderfully melted into the will of God and lived always out of her own will resigned up to God to be disposed of as he pleased and was greatly satisfied in what he chose for her she hath said the will of God is sweet to her in every condition and under much bodily weakness if the Lord would have her live to be sick she was content yet latter ward was mostly tryed in the Fire of affliction when her Husband laid down his living upon the accompt of Non-conformity in stead of repining she said she was glad they had such a house and accommodations to leave for Christ and with all freeness and readiness resigned up all to him She was sorely tryed in the loss of her dearest Relations and choicest comforts in this World but she was prepared to be any thing that God would have her be and that with all alacrity and cheerfulness of Spirit She had a lively hope of future mercy of the life to come shee said she scarce knew how to live out of Heaven from Jesus Christ always groaning in the body to be delivered from the body of sin and death and to be with Jesus As she set out at first so she continued in the vigorous and constant exercise of all grace not loosing the life nor abating or impairing the strength thereof in old age under the decays of nature but in the 73 of her age she slept or dyed in Jesus and her Soul was gathered to the Spirits of just men made perfect FINIS Books to be Sold by Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and three Crowns in Cheapside A Hundred select Sermons on several Texts by Tho. Horton D. D. Sermons on 4 select Psalms viz. 4th 42 51 63. by Tho. Horton D. D. Mr. Baxters Christian Directory Sermons on the whole Epistle of Saint Paul to the Collossians by Mr. J. Daille translated into English by F. S. with Dr. Tho. Goodwins and Dr. John Owens Epistles Recommendatory An Exposition of Christs Temptation on Matth.