THE MOST NOBLE ROBERT EARLE OF ESSEX AND LO: GEN OF THE FORCES FOR K PARL THE SAINTS Support in these sad TIMES Delivered in a Sermon at Tiverton in Devonshire in the time his Excellencies army raised for King and Parliament quartered there By Tho. Palmer Minister to the Honourable Major Generall Skippons Regiment Imprimater Joseph Carrill LONDON Printed by M. Okes for William Ley and are to be sold at his shop at Pauls Chaine 1644. To His EXCELLENCY Robert Earle of Essex Viscount Herreford Barron Ferrars of Chaâ—tly Lord Bourcher and Lovaine one of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Counsel and Generall of the Army raysed by the Parliament in defence of the true Protestant Râ—ligion His Majesties Person the Lawes and Liberties of the Kingdom and the Priviledges of Parliament Great Generall I Take the boldnesse to stile you what God himselfe hath certainly made you Surely as yet God never honoured any man with so great a prize as hee hath now intrusted your Excellency with God hath put you into his owne place God hath graced you with his owne Name Lord of Hosts Geneâ—all of Armies God in our appearance hath committed unto your care what is preciâ—us to himselfe A precious Gospell precious Ordinances a precious Parliament a precious people God hath called forth your Excellency as a choise worthy to be his Generall and the Champion of Iesus Christ to fight the great and last Battell with Antichrist in this your Native Kingdome Laâ— confident your Excellency is not so little read in Divine history or such a stranger to the worlds experience as to thinke this Church-workâ— this thing called Reformation will be found a matter of ease and pleasure No it is a businesse of the greatest difficvlâ—y in the world Antichrist wâ—l ingage the Kings of the earth and set the whole world in a combustion before he will leave his hold It is the nature of the devill to rage horribly towards his end It is the property of a dying Beast to give one great struggle when life is departing why may not God now make this Good in this Roman Beast amongst us Great Generall thinke not lesse of God â—r worse of this Cause for one foile Joshuahs Armie may flee and fall before the men of Ai though he had good warrant to fall on and the designe wisely managed Israel may lose two battells together before Benjamin when God had them goe Iesus Christs owne Disciples may meete with a crosse gale when they goe about his businesse Now it being within my owne verge to opâ—n Scrâ—pture I tâ—kâ— this liberty to hiâ—t unâ—o your Excellency the meaning of God in this strange dispensation and further to let your Excellency know that God haâ—h much sweet in this bitter much good in this seeming evill Israel was routed fled and fell before Ai that plundering Achan might be found out and punished Israel fell in two Battells together before Benjamin that thâ—y might learne more seriously to seeke and trust God upon the first undertaking Aâ—d the Disciples must be in a hopelesse helpelesse perishing storm that their faith in Christ though by a miraculous experience might be firmely established Little did I thinke when first I preached and writ out these collections that God intended to mâ—kâ— them so suitable to the condition of your Excellencies Armie as now I conceive them It is not the least of my thoughts in this to looke at my selfe but my aime is alone Gods glory I am not unacquainted with your Excellencies goodnesse as well as greatnesse ever discerning an unwonted humility in so great a personage which is my strong encouragâ—ment to present unto your Excellency this small tender of a most reall affection If your Excellency be pleased to peruse it it beares the character of a right Souldier and I know you wil not love it the worse for that Your Excellency will here finde a sincere heart and an undaunted Spirit in a plaine and meane Presse Flattery is fitter for the Kings Court then the Lords Campe Be pleasâ—d then great Generall to honour mee in the acceptation Protect it as you approve it and I have my desire The great God prosper his great woâ—ke in your handâ— and make your Name glorious to succeeding Ages Most Noble Generall in the Name of the Lord goe on and hee will yet do mightily for you You will expâ—esse your greatnesse in over-looking difficulties And certrinly a Generall of so many faithful prayers cannot miscarry You may yet assure your selfe Gods people have you in a high-esteeme The Saints aâ—e daily begging at the Throne of Grace of you Question it not but God will make a sweet and full returne of all the prayâ—rs teares wrongs and Blood which hath so long cryed to heaven This is the desire and the expâ—ctation Of your Excellencies most faithfâ—lly devoted in the Worke of Jesus Christ Thomas Palmer A Support for the SAINTS in these sad times PSAL. 37. vers. 40. He shall deliver them from the wicked and save them because they trust in him VArious and promiscuous are the Lords dealings with the Godly and wicked in this life God doth not infallibly feed his choisest Saints with the sweet-meates of prosperity and let the wicked onely lye under the lash of biting calamity woe and misery No for if prosperity did ever wait upon Gods people and adversity attend the ungodly then we might easily find out the wayes of God and know peâ—fectly who were his But sayth Solomon No man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them for that all things come alike to all there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked c. Eccles. 9.1 2. That is in the common dispensation of outward things during the time of Gods plâ—asure Outward providences at all times are no infallible rules to judge by Gods wisedome is above our reach we cannot say presently that any are in Gods favour because they thrive and prosper nor conclude others under a curse because that misery and trouble doth still attend them True it is the children of God may more justly expect freedome and mercy from the hand of their Father then the servants of Satan can doe the Saints have the Word and the precious Promises of God to build upon and by which God as I may say is ingaged to his faithfull ones which the other have not yet the Lord in his wisedome and by his power is pleâ—sed so to order all that for the exercise of graces and the tryall of faith he often puâ—s his people to it he many times brings them very low he knocks away all their self-props that Gods precious ones many times seemingly lye under clouds of displeasure whâ—n the wicked may be thought to have all at their hearts desire This experienced truth hath staggered not a few and even strange beleevers Davâ—d who was indued with almost unparalleled graces confesseth it of himselfe that upon
this very ground he was at a stâ—nd he could not presently tell what to think on 't See his owne words Psal. 37. First here is that which amazed honest-hearted David I saw the prosperity of the wicked there are no bands in their death but their strength is firme they are not in trouble as other men neither are they plagued like other men and vers. 3 4 5 to 12. And what did this worke in the thoughts of plain-meaning David Surely sad thoughts declaming and declining thoughts Verily I have cleansed my heart in vaine and washed my hands in innocency for all the day long have â— beâ—â—e plagued anâ— chastened every morning vers. 13 14. This is as iâ—David sâ—ould have said I looked that God would have beene down-right 〈…〉 that he would have presently punished the wicked and prâ—speâ—â—d 〈◊〉 owne people but I find it otherwise nay cleane contrary God is â—ot so good as I looked for and therefore I have walked holily to little purpose You may see how deepely this promiscuous dealing tooke with David at the fiâ—st and he could not tell what to thinke of God for it Nay further it appeares that he sate in consultation with himselfe what might be Gods meaning in it and yet when he had wearied his thoughts with selfe-reasonings he could not make it out When I thought to know this it was too painfull for me vers. 16. Now you may see poore David was at a losse every way and was almost gone and yet here the Lord puts in and brings him to the place and meanes of full satisfaction in his greatâ—st doubts the Word and the Spirit God onely reveales all saving-truth to whom and when it pleaseth him I went into the Sanctuary of God then understood I their end vers. 17. David now you may see is otherwise informed and hath reversed his hard thoughts of God and not onely sets out the gâ—odnesse and kindnesse of God to his owne people but solemnely confesseth his weakenesse truely God is good to Israel even to such as are of a cleane heart but as for me my feet were almost gone my steps had wel-nigh slipt vers. 1 2. Thus David being better instructed he now preacheth knowne experieâ—ce and for the consolation of the Church hath pen'd many excâ—llent Psalms of purpose to support her in the greatest miseries This 37 Psalme is little but a reitteration of comfortable promises to the people of God inter-mixt with speciall directions how to behave themselves under their tryalls I might be long in opning the coherents of my Text but I will not dwell at the doore The whole matter of the Psalme may be considered under two head 1. Gods gracious directions to the Saints how to carry themselves under their tryalls 2. The diffeâ—ent ends which Gods will make with the wicked and the godly I will briefly unfold these and this will bring you to the sense of the Text of which in order First Gods gracious directions to the Saints how to carry themselves under their tryalls God would not have the Saints to breake out in passion against the wicked nor once have so much as an envious thought because of their vain pâ—osperity And hereupon fayth David Fret not thy sâ—lfe because of â—vill doers neither be thou envious against the workes of iniquity For they shall soon be cut downe like the grasse and wither as the greene herbe ver 1.2 Which is as if David should say take example by me have no hard thoughts of God because many times the wicked thrive and his owne people are kept under that enemies live on the sweet and you taste the bitter Let them alone with it grudge them not for it it is but an empty fading comfortlesse happinesse which will presently be gone their prosperity is but like cut grasse it will wither presently and then all is gone with them earth is all the heaven they have therefore envie them not for that it s as little as you can wish them Then in the next place David calls the Saints to a further exercise of their graceâ— three of which I will observe to you 1. David calls the Saints to the exercise of Faith Trust in the Lord and doe good so shalt thou dwell in the Land and verily thou shalt be fed vers 3. That is keepe to thy rule walke closely with God and trust him for the rest feare it not verily certainly who ever falls thou shalt stand who ever wants thou shalt be sweetly and fully provided for 2. David calls the Saints to an earnest love to God and delight in his services and they shall not be disappoynted of their hopes Delight thy selfe also in the Lord and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart vers. 4. which as if David should say notwithstanding you may have narrow thoughts of Gods fulnesse and that he spends too much on his enemies Yet trouble not your selves with those vaine feares whatsoever God lets out to strangers he will reserve enough for his children and houshold servants doe but you goe on chearfully carry on your services with love and delight and you shall have as much as you can or doe look for you shall have as much as heart can wish this is the second direction 3. David calls the Saints to patience and contentednesse though God doe not presently manifest his approbation of their righteous and holy conversâ—tions to the world Commit thy way unto the Lord trusâ— also in him and he shall bring it to passe He shall bring forth thy rightâ—ousnesse as the light and thy judgement as the noone day vers. 5 6. That is what ever the ignorant world may say and judge of thee as erroneous or hypocriticall and thereforâ— hated and despised in the eyes of God because afflicted and the stroake lyes heavy upon thee yet continue thou thy integrity and trust God with the issue feare it not a discovering time shall come when God shall put a difference betweene those that serve him and those that serve him not This is the thiâ—d direction and so I will passe to the subject of the second part of the Psalme now to be insisted on viz. the different ends of the wicked and godly Secondly the latter and greater part of this Psalme is taken up in the discovery of the different ends God makes with the wicked and godly I put the worst first because I had rather close up your thoughts with hopes then feares but chiefly to come streight upon my Text Fiâ—st thâ—n we are to take a further view of the wicked and ungodly Wee have seen their beginnings we must also mark their ends We cannot wel judge what the day will be till wee see how the Sun sets This then is the businesse Cerâ—ainly there is some vast difference in death and something that is far sweeteâ— in the ends of the godly then of the wicked or else wicked men would not desiâ—e to have the same end who cannot abide the
Ierusalem At the first victory or at the first taking of Ierusalem Nebuchadnezzar tooke the King prisoner and put the City to a fine 2 Chron. 36.6 7. But when he layd Siege the second time and tooke Ierusalem observe what a fearfull desolation he made of that glorious City He slew their young men with the sword in the house of their Sanctuary where there lives should have beene saved and had no compassion on the young man or maiden old man or him that stooped for age And they burnt he house of God and brake downe the wall of Ierusalem and burnt all the pallaces thereof with fire and abundance of the like inhumaine cruelty as you may read at large in this very chapter Againe victories fill the mouths of the wicked with blasphemy against God cause them eiâ—her wholly to deny the power and essence of God or at least to vilifie the Lord Almighty This was the very ground of Rabshakehs blasphemy when he would have drawne the people from Hezekiah and this was his blasphemie Let not Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord saying The Lord will surely deliver us and this City shall not be delivered into the hand of the King of Assyria 2 King 18.30 Whence fetches he this From the many victories his master had got which he instances in Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad and the like Who are they among all the Gods of the Countries that have delivered their Country out of mine hand That the Lâ—â—d should deliver Ierusalem out of my hand 2 King 18.34 35. And then lastly power and pride fires on the wicked to their owne destruction because they prevaile once they thinke to prosper alwayes this was the destruction of the King of Ai and his City because Israel was routed in one assault at Ai when they had an Achan amongst them the men of Ai thinke Israel must alwayes have the worst This was discovered to Israel by Ioshuah when he made his second attempt and gave order for the laying of his Ambush They will sayth he come out after us till we have drawne them from the City for they will say They flee before us as at the first Josh. 8.5 6. And so accordingly they did even to their utter ruine at that very time as you may read in the sequell of the chapper Thus I have given you undenyable testimony of this truth but indeed I needed not to have gone so â—ar for proofe one dayes conference with the Kings caves would give you full assurance of what I said This is one of the wayes in which the King loses by getting a word of the second and I will proceed I said in the second place the King loses by that which he calls getting by the victories he gets over his Subjects but Gods Saints In all this the people of God are more fitted for deliverance and the cause is extreamely forwarded What earnest prayers are now put up What deep groanes and pleading-blood goes daily to God by this meanes The King had better to have a whole Army of men against him then the blood of one Saint These Saints which the King hath slaine fight with him night and day They are now with God in heaven and they are continually hastening and moving God to fulfill his promises and avenge their blood I pray you see how the Text is to prove this Rev. 6.9 10. I saw under the Altar the Soules of them who were slaine for the Word of God and for the testimony which they held And they cryed yea with a loud with voice saying How long O Lord holy and true doâ—st thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell in the earth You may see all this doth but helpe on the cause of God and bring iâ— the Saints faster to the Lord The harder the stroak the lowder they cry the sharper it is the more it humbles the more it fits and then is deliverance the neerer Tell me now doth not this tremble your Malignants spirits â—s not this a strange cause which the enemies themselves helpe forward and doe the Saints most good where they intend the greatest hurt Thus much for matter of reproofe 2. Vse of Admon My second use shall be for Admonition To admonish all to take heed for the time to come of so much as having an ill thought of the Cause of God or the people of God for what ever you intend for them shall befall your selves as I have already delivered and further all that ever you are ablâ— to doe cannot hinder God for going on with the worke You may counsell encourage fight and sometimes prevail too as I have shewed yet all shall come to nought and you will be found but to fight against God and therefore it was your wisest course to sit still and let Gods businesse goe on let this Church-worke we are now about goe freely on and be done This is not only my counsell for it was the advice of a great Statist in the like case When the Apostles were about Church-Worke preaching up a Reformation the Jewes made strong opposition They imprisoned God delivered This would not doe and then they thought to silence them by death they had determined to kill the Apostles But now steps in Gamaliel and tells them it was far better for them to let them alone and he gives them very good reason for this his admonition And now saith he I say vnto you refraine from these men and let them alone for if their counsell or their work be of men it will come to nought But if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it lest happily ye be found even to fight against God Acts 5.38 39. The Devill may delude you that you may think you do God great service in killing these Round-heads and destroying this factious generation Yea Christ himself said as much when he was alive he then foretold what since is come to passe John 16.2 Yet woe be to them that doe it you may thinke iâ— a strange speech but 't is true It was better for a man to have his tongue pull'd out of his head then to speake against the Saints of God It was better for one to dye then to have a hand in the death of one poor Christian And Jesus Christ makes good what I affirme for I raise my speecheâ— from his words Who so shall offend one of these little ones which beleeve in 〈◊〉 it were better for him that a milstone were hanged about his necke and that he were drowned in the depth of the Sea Math. 18.6 Now do you beleeve that this is the Word of God and that there is any truth in it Then you must conclude it is a fearfull thing to fall into the hands of the living God by hurting the Saints or hinâ—ering Gods Cause if they could Object But how shall I know that the Parliaments Cause is Gods Cause thoâ—e which joyn with them are more Gods people then on
beare ver. 4. of this vveight is iniquity This is the second Instance Lastly actuall sinnes and iniquities are also called transgressioâ—s and this vvord explaines both the other sinne is sinne as done evilly vvickedly and it is ill done or vvickedly done vvhich is done beside or against the rule and command of God and this is is transgression A Christian hath a rule to vvalke by and to goe off from his rule is transgression iniquity or sinne and hence is that expression of Paul Rom. 14.23 He that dourteth is damned if he eat because he careth not of faith fâ—r whatsoever is not of fâ—ith is sinneâ— that is looke to your rule see and know a warrant for what you doe or else you will transgresse you will sinne these tranâ—gressions are soule weights soul burdens and therefore David prayed for deliverance from them in these termes deliver me from all my transgressions Psal. 39.8 Thus I desire every one to study the estate of their soules I know it is a hard matter it 's above a Preacher to make some beleeve this but let me speake home and speake the truth too for which I will give you my warrant from the Word I say to any of you you had far better never to have been borne vvithout you have the new-birth unlesse you be borne againe unlesse you be borne anew unto Christ Iesus unlesse you have this birth you can never come into Heaven and then you know where your place will be These are the words of Iesus Christ twice repeâ—tâ—d Jesus answered and said unto him verely verely I say unto thee except a man be borne againe or as the Originall affords from above he cannot see the Kingdome of God Iohn 3.3 And as though Iesus Christ did not here fully explaine it he still redoubles his affirmation in the same wordâ— and enlargeth his meaning Iâ—sus answered verely verely the deepest attestation that ever Christ tooke I say unto thee except a man be borne of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the Kingdome of God ver. 5. Oh that the men of the world which as yet have nothing of Christ that as yet know not savingly and experimentally what Christ is nay know not whether their soules have need of Christ or no would thinke sadly of this and seriously lay to heart what shall become of them hereafter what shall become of the soule when the body is put to rot in the grave what joy can any take in Riches Honour Wife Children Fâ—ieâ—ds or any thing if they have nothing of Christ but when death seizes on the body Riches Honouâ—â— Friends all leaves them and the Devill seizeth upon their soules would not this tremble a stubborne heart is not this enough to startle a carnall man or woman out of their sleepe of security I am sure it takes deepe with them who have lesse need to feare it the Saints of God and because I would not lay too much sadnesse upon their spirits who have more need to be lifted up then cast down I will now fall into a more pleasing subjâ—ct the other means to get assurance of Christ Doct. 2. The poore soule that would have an interest in Christ must labour to get a true knowledge of the freenesse and fulnesse of Gods promiseâ— made in Christ Here is that which will doe your bodies good and your soules good here is a comfort for every calamity a medicine for every malady and a salue for every sore I may speak plainly of the blood of Christ which Jeremiah speaks Prophetically Ier. 8.22 Is there no balme in Gilead is there no Physition there why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered that it there must needs be Balme where Balme grows in the place from whence all comes So there must needs be mercy in the fountain of mercy in the Father of mercy Why then take ye not the right way why goe ye not to God in your misery why lay ye not the Promises before God and claime your priviledges by the death and sufferings of Christ If you doe this God cannot deny you God will not deny you For your helpe herein you must be frequent in the Scriptures heare them read them they will acquaint you with the Promises and the Priviledges which shall come in to you by Christ The Bible is Gods Booke of Record and you cannot know the minde of God anywhere else the best of other Bookes doe but derive their excellency from this this is the rule to all others and therefore Jesâ—s Christ cals us to the use of this above all others Search the Scriptures for they are they which testifie of me Ioh. 5.39 Of all Books here you shall have most of Jesus Christ Object But some may say I have heard and red the Scriptures by times this thirty or forty yeeres c. yet I finde not so much in them as you now say I know not whether I have any right to Christ for all this onely I hope God will have mercy on my soule when I shall dye Answ. The Lord knowes this is the condition of abundance the most part even of those who have beene Sermon-hearers and Sacrament receivers and thinke themselves in an estate good enough Alas poore soules you are in a sad condition but I had rather informe you then lament you I will therefore endeavour a full answer to the objection I say to lay all things together and consider well every thing a part you would thinke it no wonder to see men so ignorant in the wayes and truths of God notwithstanding so much Gospell-meanes and Gospell light we doe injoy I will not mention the malice of our Non-preaching Prelates the deliverance from whom our Kingdome yet hath not had a greater cause of thankfulnesse in these late times neither will I urge the pride idlenesse and basenesse of I thinke I may say the most of the Clergie these have beene too well knowne lets to the increase of Christs Kingdome But I will give you some reasons of thiâ— your ignorance and darknesse ensuing from your owne selves First you hinder and deprive your selves of much light and many sweet comforts by neglecting the meanâ— and helpes to knowledge A man that would keepe himselfe warme will goe to the fire if you want water you goe to draw it out of the Well and goe to the Spring a childe in his wants will goe to his Father Thus you must doe or else you cannot be helped this must be the course you are to take to get spirituall knowledge Resort unto the Ministers of God acquaint your selves with experienced Christians who are able to speake out of knowledge what they have found God to their poore soules Be diligent in hearing Sermons and reading the Scriptures never any man yet who endeavoured eaâ—nestly the saving knowledge of God as it was needfull for him but he obtained it at one time or other Let nothing then but God keepe thee
interest in Christ in some measure or other is acquainted with the love care and power which abides in Jesus Christ and upon this ground saving faith is built They that know thy Name saith David wil trust to thee Psal. 9.10 that is they that know Jesus Christ to be the Sonne of God to be one with the Father Ioh. 17. know him to be God al-sufficient This is fâ—iths sure foundation and hence it was that Paul takes up his firme resolution to commit all to Christ I know saith he whom I have beleeved I have had experience of him and I am perswaded that he is able tâ— keep that which I have committed unto him 2 Tim. 1.12 This was a sweet frame in Paul here was a right faith and assuredly the Saints have the same they have the like pretious faith 2 Pet. 1.1 all the Saints now have the like faith the Apostles had for nature or matter though not the like measure of faith Every christian is willing nay desirous to give up all to the disposall of Christ they well know that Iesus Christ is a better keeper of any thing then they themselves are and therefore they are desirous to put all into his hand christians will trust Christ with estates wives children Religion bodies and soules this is the faith of christians it 's a true faith and it never fails True it is an hypocrite a meer knowing professor may goe farre as the young man did Mat. 19. but they cannot trust Iesus Christ with all they may stand the calm and make a goodly shew but in the storme when troubles sufferings and losses come in with profession of Christ they are lost too they are gone they want foundation they have not faith to trust Christ under difficulties Mat. 7.26 27. they know not that the Lord will be a refuge for the oppressed a refuge a hiding-place a defence in times of trouble as David did or else they would put their trust in God Ps. 9.9 10. now then bring your hearts to the rule try them whether they will be willing to close with Iesus Christ and trust him with all and for all if you have a faith that can thus see acknowledge and trust Christ with all it 's good it 's firme it is a faith given by God wrought by the holy Ghost it 's more then flesh and blood can doe thus to trust Iesus Christ And therefore I will conclude upon this faith as Iesus Christ did of the same faith in Peter This a firme faith and the gates of hell shall not prevaile against it Mat. 16.16 17 18. This a second sign of a christians reall interest in Christ Signe 3. The third Signe of a Christians interest in Christ is a ready obedience to all the commands of Christ when I give you obedience for a signe of being in Christ I meane a filiall and not a servile obedience an obedience that is free full universall not compelled or in part Iesus Christ loves not half Christians nor almost christians Iesus Christ will be all Master or no Master I am perswaded your selves think this a truth and no matter of dispute The soule that hath truly given up it selfe to Iesus Christ that trusts him with all expects all from him to make it happy will be counselled and commanded by the will and word of Iesuâ— Ghrist Obedience is a full discovery a notable marâ— to make known what Master you serve whose commands you obey and works you doe his you are if you obey Christ his you are if you obey the Devill his you are I know this truth is very hardly received many will live like devils and yet would be called christians and be partakers of the Saints priviledges That therefore you may the better judge of your inward estate conâ—â—dâ—r your outward walking who hath the command of your lives and actions what rule goe you by that will not deceive you this was Pauls direction to the Romans and it shall now be mine po you Know you not that is it 's a thing you ought to remember that to whom yee yeeld your selves servaâ—t to obey his servants yee are to whom you obey whether of sinne unto death or obedience unto righteousnesse Rom. 6.16 Objest But you may say how shall I know by my actions when I obey the divell and when I obey Iesus Christ Ans. This is the easiest thing that may be if you deale faithfully with your own soules there is no truth in all the Bible more clearly set down then this for the children of the divell Iesus Christ saith ye are of your father the divell and the lusts of your father ye will doe Ioh. 8.44 On the other side the sheepe the servants of Iesus Christ thâ—y harken for his commands and obey his will the sheepe follow him for they know his voyce Ioh. 10.4 Object But how shall I know which are the works of the divell and which are the commands of Iesus Christ Ans. This also is as plain as can be and they are distinguished all along the Scriptures but I will give you one place for all and that will clear both to the ful Paul writing to the Galathians satisfies the point to the full onely he differs in tearmes from the other places alledged before these works are distinguished and the one call'd the works of the divell the other the commandments of Christ and here Paul cals the one the workâ— of the flesh the other the fruits of the spirit and here is little difference if they be considered now if you would know how these may be discerned the Apostle first tels you they are manifest and then reckons up many particulars the Apostle begins with the works of the flesh or the divell call them whether you please and also shews the reward of them then he describes many qualifications in christians and gives the reason of their sweet frame I will give you both these apart becauâ—e the knowledge of them may dâ—e you much good and the Lord blesse it to you First the Apostle discovers and names many particular works of the divell now saitâ— he the works of the flesh are manifest any body may know them which are these adultery fornication uncleaâ—nesse lasciviousnesse idolatry witchcraft hatred varâ—ance emulations wrath strife seditions heresies envyâ—ngs murders drunkennesse revilings c. the Apostle names these and concludes with such like that is these and such as these are will keepe a soule out of heaven they have no inheritance there and then you know what will follow his words are these â—hey which do such things shall not inherit the kingdome of God Gal. 5.19.20 21. Thus you see what the works of the divell are and how he payes them their wage â— will next fall upon the qualifications of the Saints as they are helped and guided by the Spirit the holy Ghost and therfore called the fruit of the spirit In the Saints the servants of God you finde nothing but sweetnesse
the other side death is the desire of true Christians the thoughts of Heaven and that happinesse which is there with Christ takes up the heart rejoyces the spirit and fils them with desire of glory Oh saith a beleeving christian to be with Christ in Heaven is the end of my hopes here I am a stranger and a pilgrim in Heaven I am at home here I am waifairing under troubles wants miseries and biting calamities inward from my self and outward for the world there I shal be in the full fruition of rest and peace and glory that shall never have an end the place is purchased and the way is plained Iesus Christ who hath done all for me and is my onely beloved is gone before why then should I stay behind every houre I live here in sorrow I misse innumerable unspeakable joyes in the life eternall this will be the frame of a christian who hath an interest in Iesus Christ and the last signe I have been faithfull to my poore power in this discovery of a true christians interest in Christ the good Lord make it effectuall for the kindly working upon all our soules and that this main soul-busines may be the more carefully and earnestly endeavored after I shall encourage you to this comfortable work by some affecting motives and so leave you and this word to the power of God's grace Motive 1. First labour to get thy evidences cleered assurance of Christ past unto thy soule and though the full time of the churches deliverance be not yet come thou shalt be sweetly provided for whatever becomes of strangers of enemies God to speak with reverence will and must take care of children and servants it 's God's own rule he that provideth not for his family is worse then an Infidell 1 Tim. 5.8 now the church is God's family the Saints are his children and joyâ—t heiâ—s with Christ Rom. 8.17 we cannot therefore have such hard thoughts of God as to think he will charge that upon man which he will break himself we never yet could accuse God of so much weaknesse and let us take heed of suspecting the lack of love or the lest unkindnesse in God The Saints are Gods and Christs Gods in Christ in all the neerest and sweetest relations that can be name the fulleâ—t and fiâ—mest relations that can be and the Saints are the same to God in Christ God is a Father the Saints his sons and his daughters 2 Cor. 6.18 Christ is the husband the church the wife the spouse Cant. 4.9 10.11 Christ is the head the church his body Eph. 1.22 23. and as if this expression dâ—d not yet fully set out the neer relation betwixt Christ and the Saints the Apostle adds in the same Epistle we are members of his body of his flesh and of his bones ch. 5. ver. 30. can you think that now the Saints of God shall not be provided for let what times can come do come I tell you poore Saints upon the matter you have as much as God himself hath you have God you have al that God can doe the wisdom of God is yours the power of God â—s yours all is yours because yee are christ's and christ is God'â— 1 Cor. 3.22 23. the Saints have a protection against the evill of sad times when it goes ill with others it shall go wel with them The young Lyons do lack and suffer hungâ—r the great ones of the world may come to much misery but they that seek the Loâ—d shall not want any good thing Ps. 34.10 see you have God's Word God's promise for what I say and God will break the frame of heaven and earth rather then break promise with his people God is faithfull and therefore the Apostle cals his promise a sure word of promise 2 Pet. 1.19 you may build upon you may venture your salvation upon it God never deceived any who then would not be a christian who would not seek for an interest in Jesus Christ who would not câ—ose with this God and trust this God with all let this fear you from offending and stirre you up to a search after the priviledge let this perswade you all and altogether to become christians and this shall be the first motive Motive 2. Secondly if you have a right or interest in Christ that Christ be yours all the power of the wicked cannot harm you all that the wicked can doe shall not hurt you is not this a comfortable condition is not this a sweet support for Saints in these sad times nay I will tell you more aâ—l the intended evill of the wicked shall work for your good is not this enough to anger Malignants and vex the bloody wretches that are now in armes against Gods Saints yes surely it would if it were not hid from their eyes I know this will hardly goe for truth few will beleeve it and indeed it is such a pitch of faith as few comparatively ever reach too it is I say an infallible truth but hardly beleeved I have already touched upon this but me thinks I could dwell upon this sweet subject it speaks so much comfort to the Saiâ—ts in these sad times of warre woe and misery the Saints have much need of all encouragement to hold up their spirits when persecutions straine out blood give me leave then to cleere up your comforts in particlar cases First let the wicked rage and threat and plot and feed themselves with hopes of the Saints blood yea let them take the devill and hell to help and they shall goe no further they can do no more then what the God of the Saints the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ suffers Now 〈…〉 in it if God suffer it you may be sure it shall not hurt the Saints let 〈…〉 sufferings be what they will let them carry never so black a countenanâ—â—◠〈◊〉 the face be as grim and fearfull as it will God has goâ—d in it to the Saintâ— it shall doe them good I will give a cleere text for it Rom. 8.28 We know saitâ—Paul here is a certainty that all things let them be what they will work together for good to them that love God to them who are the called according to his purpose Is not this a sweet place is not this a strong support for the Saints that all the working plotting and powers of the wicked shall do them good let them goe on as long as they can they doe the Saints good they help on the cause of God let them purpose what they please God still over-reaches them God overplots their plottings and over-powers their strength that all their endeavours takes no effect all they doe proves foolish and vaine they make nothing of all in the end David observed this long agoe Behold saith David take notice of it he the wicked travaileth with iniquity their very plottings are painfull they are carried on with great difficulty and hath conceived mischiefe and brought fâ—rth falâ—hood Pâ— 7.14
moâ—ive with men to helpe a childe a friend when they are over-borne with power The Saints are also the members of Christs body Eph. 5.30 and Iesus Christ is the head Eph. 1.22 Now you know you cannot in the least manner hurt the remotest partâ— of the body not a little fingers end not a toe but the head is instantly sensible of it The head is the seat of the soule all the motions of liâ—e in the body are chiefly acted from the rationall faculties there Christ is not lesse to the Saints his members he is more to them Let the wicked take heed how they meddâ—e with the Saints they that put the Saints in prison puts Jesus Christ in prison make the Saints suffer and you make Jesus Christ suffer Jesus Christ must be with the Saints in all conditions it 's his promise and he will make it good when but the three children were cast bound into thar seven-fold fiery furnace because they would not worship an Idoll the King did see foure men loose walking in the midst of the fire and they had no hurt and the forme of the fourth was ike the sonne of God Dan. 3.25 Jesus Christ will goe through the fire with his Saints when Peter was in prison for the testimony of Jesus an Angel comes knocks off his bolts makes all the doors fly open before him and leads him away Act. 12.7 8 9 10. the like upon the matter was done to Paul and Silas Act. 16.24 25 c. I say let the Saints be where they will Jesus Christ will be with them doe what you please to the Saints you doe it to Iesus Christ Saul could not go to persecute the Saints but Iesus Christ cals to him Saul Saul why persecutest thou me Act. 9.4 and mark I pray you what an Item Iesus Christ adds ver. 5. It hard for thee to kink agaâ—nst the pricks the wicked must looke for sharp service it 's a dangerous worke to hurt the Saints their wisest way is to let them alone and not meddle with them let the Saints be never so few in appearance and the enemies never so many the Saints have more with then against them they that have Iesus Christ for them have enough at full though they be weak he is strong though they be few he hath men and Angels at his command when Elisha's servant upon the approach of the Army which came to take away Elisha cried alas my Master how shall we doe 2 Kin. 6.15 Elisha answered feare not for they that be with us are moe then they that be with them ver. 16. and these Elisha made use of ver. 17 18. the like is in that speech of Christ in his streight in the Garden he had onely a few and those fals-hearted Disciples with him when the multitude came with swords and staves about him alas saith Iesus Christ what are al these I â—ould but pray to my Faâ—her he would â—resently give me more then twelue legions of Angels Mat. 26.53 that is an infinite number I might add much sweet comfort to the Saints out of the power of Christ vvho is their companion in all but this subject is the sum of the next motive of which in its place Motive 4. Fourthly get your interest in Christ cleered up make sure of your right to him and you shall have a share in the Churches deliverance there is not a more infallible truth there is not any thing more certaine the Churches deliveraâ—ce shall come the Saints deliverance shall come God will doe it himselfe the Lord will save them and deliver them because they put their trust in him the time will come certainly yea the time will come shortly that God will give a glorious day to his poor despised saints saints feare it not it will come this encouragement is not mine but he which knew vvell the mind of God and never yet vvas lye found in his mouth even the Lord Christ Iesus I will give you his own vvords feare not little flocke it is your Fathers good pleasure it 's his owne mind to give you the Kingdome Luk. 12.32 this is so sweet to the Saints this is such a soul-affecting subject that I cannot passe without a little stay upon these excellent comforts I vvill therefore vievv them apart first it 's a great comfort and strange support to the saints to consider that a glorious deliverance shall bertainly come if there be any truth in all the book of God vvhich let them ever perish that dares deny it this position is true the Churches of Iesus Christ shall certainly be delivered from the vvicked it 's God's vvord and God's promise it 's a sure vvord of promse and God vvill not faile his people nor break his promise the Churches deliverance vvas determined by the counsell of heaven from all eternity promised vvhen the commission of persecution vvas first of all granted Gen. 3.15 and divers hundreds of times repeated in the old and nevv Testaments it vvere enough to have onely the promise of God that deliverance shall come to the saints but that vvhich confirms the certainty is that God himselfe vvill doe it it 's no lesse then three times repeated in tvvo verses of the 37. Psal. The salvation of the righteous is of the Lord he is their strength in the time of trouble The Lord shall help them and deliver them he shall deliver them from the wicked and save them because they trust in him ver. 39 40. indeed if the businesse vvas altogether left to man there might be just suspition of a long delay our eyes and our eares see and heare daily of the basenesse of many who are strong pretenders to the Religious part in these times vvherein God is about this great busines of the saints deliverance pride selfe and trechery have much prolonged our misery vvere it not that our hope vvas in the Lord vve vvere in a sad condition but I say againe Saints cheare up your drooping souls let open enemies and pretending friends doe what they can to keep off the Churches peace God will infatuate their counsels discover their treasons and destroy their strength the Lord will certainly deliver his Saints from the wicked because they trust in him Secondly the Churches dâ—liverance shall not onely certainly but shortly come I meane not comparatively but really within a little time when I say 〈◊〉 deliverance shall shortly come you must think I look above our present condiâ—ion which though blessed be God our cause hath much more life in it noâ— then outwardly could be discerned the last yeere yet our continued distempers and distractions bespeak much misery but I say I look above these I look at the Word and usually wayes of God these are my guides I know you will be desirous to heare my grounds for which I so confidently affirme and I will presâ—ntly give them to you some there are which I could urge yet think it wisdome to conceal them