be observed and dreaded by such as feare God there must be in all godly hearts a demeanor and frame of spirit suitable to divine providence the successe and prosperity of men in the world doth digitate and direct something of duty to Gods Children but whilst providence is to bee observed it is not to be obeyed against any precept Whilst it is to be improved it must be our care it be not misimproved and whilst we wait to hear see Gods mind in a providence we must not make it to speak the uncertain sound of our own fancies and pointblank contrary to Gods wil in his word I would that providencâ— be used not abused and duely argued but not made to conclude what the promises of successe and prosperity will not conclude let me therefore unto the guiding you unto the due observation and Christian improvement of providences successe and prosperity desire you to keep this golden Rule in mind and have it always at hand in changeable times and under variety of providences viz. Gods providence doth determine our condition but not defend any cause or dictate any course of life Providence is the explication of Gods mind Concerning our enjoyments not our endeavours and are to convince this is the estate wee must enjoy or endure not these are the principles we must believe and practice we must imbrace Gods providence is no Rule to know by no Rule to go by It was never intended to be a line of decision in doubtfull controversies or a Rule of direction in difficult cases it is indeed a good Dictator to our passions but no direction to our actions the due and diligent observer of providence seeth what to fear and what to desire when to mourn and when to rejoyce and how to lye low and how to be lifted up under the hand of God but not what to believe in matters of faith and act in matters of Religion I deny not the change of Gods people under changing providences but must have this change understood to be a change not of principles but passion not piety and Religion but particular acts of piety that not in substance and matter but method and order Gods providence doth sometimes call to weeping Isai 22.12 and mourning and cloathing in sackcloth and sometimes to joy and gladnesse and feasting before the Lord and he that answereth not this Call of Providence with the change of his demeanour is prophane and liable to divine plagues yet he that improves this providence to the casting off Religion Psal 44.17 and forsaking the Covenant of God is blasphemous and irreligious degenerated from the Saints of old who could cleave to Gods Covenant under the greatest of crosses whilst then we fear before God and observe his providence as disposing all affairs under the Sun we must not favour any cause because successfull nor follow any course of life because prosperous for we must know 1. Precept not providence is the Rule of direction unto the people of God Their enquiry is what doth God speak not what doth God succeed God hath published his word and prescribed it to be the Rule of life and manners and hath bound his people to the determination thereof Matters of faith and Religion have ever been positive and prescribed by the word and not left to the uncertain determination of providence the Gentiles may be left to the guidance of the stars and determinations of Heavens influence but Gods Israel have â—â—ws statutes Ordinances and commandements which they must observe fare it as it wil w th their coÌ„ditioÌ„ they must not turn to the right hand or the left hand from Gods declared will Deut. 5 32.1â—.11.28.14 No change of providence must carry them from positive commands their very King the subject of highest prosperity must have the Law written and therein read daily and Rule the people not by the impulse or instigation of providence but those positive prescriptions in doubtful cases Israel must appeal to the Priest and have the controversie decided by the Law but we never read of any appeal to providence directed or allowed to the Law and to the testimony Deut. 17 17. if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Isa 8.20 In the most dark estate that that ever befell Israel they are directed to the word not works of God to uphold their faith and direct their conversation Remember the Law of Moses my servant wh ill I commanded him in Horeb for a Israel with the statutes judgments Mal. 4.4 was the counsell of God to Israel untill the comming of the Messiah and he leavs not Christian faith on the changable wheel of providence but committed it to writing that it might be a standard of doctrine and Rule of life These things are written that we may believe Joh. 20.31 And peace is to be on as many as walk according to the written Rule Gal. 6.16 No gracious heart ever yet durst decline the word of God to be directed by works of providence Ahabs majesty his Prophets harmony 1 King 22.13 14. friends perswasion and fear of adversity have no influence on Micaiah to turn him from the word of the Lord he will speak what the Lord speaketh Nay Balaam the false Prophet however swayed by the prospering providence put into his hand and pursuing the wages of unrighteousnesse dares not â—ut protest against the influence of providence a subjection to the word of God The word that God putteth into my mouth that will I speak Numb 22.38 The Barbarians may bottome their perswasions of Paul Act. 26.6.14.11 12. upon the successe of the Viper and the Lycaonians stir up their superstition by the miraculous providences that attend the Apostles 17.11 but the noble Bereans regard neither the one nor the other But search the Scipture and bottome their faith on the Word of God he that weigheth Religion in the ballance of providence forsaketh â—he ballance of the Sanctuary God never intends by providence to justâ—e our precepts and to make his word of none effect Let Mâ—homet cudgell Chrâ—â—â— Jâ—â—us will convince his disciples and by his word witnesse his truth when providences run never so crosse to mannage a cause with appeals to providence is to manifest a want of or a weaknesse in the word of God and put the controversie on that course that giveth no assurance of decision having never been appointed to that end to embrace any course because it prospereth is to forsake the law of the Lord as rude and uncertain and blasphemously to tempt God by a course on which no faith can be founded for that no promise is made unto it obedience to the word is manifested when works of providence do run counter and contrary thereunto the appeal of comfort to the soul and honour to God and his truth is all this is come upon us yet have we not forgotten thee nor dealt
Foelix scelus Querela piorum ET Auscultatio Divina OR Prospering prophaneness provoking Holy conference and Gods Attention in which you have The Happy estate of the wicked The Holy exercise of the godly The Hazard and event of both Plainly propounded in sundry sermons preached at Botolphs Algate London and after contracted in two sermons preached in Peters Church in West-Chester July 17. 1659. Now published to the counsell and confirmation of the godly and check of the false surmises and reports of the wicked By ZACHARY CROFTON Job 1â— 5 He that is ready to slip with his feet is as a Lamp despised in the thought of him that is at ease ver 6. The Tabernacles of the robbers prosper and they that provoke God are secure into whose hand God bringeth abundantly Psal 44.17 All this is come upon us yet have we not forgotten thee neither have we dealt falsly in thy covenant Psal 12.5 For the oppression of the poor for the sighing of the needy now will I arise saith the Lord to set him in safety from him who puffeth at him London Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the three Crowns aâ— the lower end of Cheapside 1660. To the Right worshipfull the Major Bayliffs and Burgesses of the ancient Corporation of Newcastle Underline in Staffordshire Right worshipfull and well beloved AMongst my many friends I have at this time made bold to prefixe your names to this small tract you have been my people and I doubt not but will bee my patrons you have already appeared my purgators from the reproaches which hereticall rage hath raised against me yet that is not the end of this Dedication the truth is Gods and I doubt not his defence of it and its Author but to express my hearty affections towards you I think I may say you know I love you I hope to rejoyce in many souls among you as seales of my Ministry I cannot but let the world know my Ministry afforded me most comfort among you The Lord forgive the sin of such as divided between me and you as my love is to you my care is for you A people you are obnoxious to temptation conversant in holy coÌ„ference so sit for these instructions you are subject to the same providences with other men and no less apt to be swayed by them against divine precepts your schismaticall neighbours studying to seduce you will without doubt ply you with the arguments of providence and the lukewarmness to and slighty recession from holy Ordinances of many among you the Skepticisme of others who change their tune with the time and company the separation already made by some and the Errastianisme of others making the Church no other then the Common-wealth in a religious dress decked by the looking glass of the civill Magistrates mind The attendance of the allegiance of some of you on whomsoever by a providence though never so prophanely can step into a chair of State but especially the late discords which have fallen out between you and your Ministers the rather for that as I have heard your Town hall hath though but for a time and that it may bee by connivance too become a Chappell of contradiction to your Church wherein the Lords day was spent in a different worship to what you profess cannot but make me fear that you too much incline to dance after providence beyond what God alloweth Scriptures doth direct I must confess if providence must be our rule universall toleration nay rather protection propagation of schiâ—me error and heresie must be our duty but I would desire that you may know the providences of God may dispose our condition but not direct our conversation I would beg you to approve your selves obedient to Scripture precepts whilst observant of successefull providences as sensible that one divine direction will afford more comfort in evil times then all providentiall dispensations notwithstanding therefore your eyes see to the trouble of your souls men of Atheisme irreligion perfidie perjurie schisme sacriledge subverting all civill Magistracie supplanting Gospel order blaspheming Gods truth and ordinances making schismes in and from Christ his Church and setting up themselves by sinfull projects and violent intrusion into Church and State yet prosper in this prophaneness tempting God by stout words and religiously espousing him by fasting prayers unto their horrid impieties and yet are delivered be you carefull you do not admire providence into illogicall and irreligious conclusions I would not darken any the dispensations of God to our Land but wish that in our revolutions all men may read that God ruleth in the kingdoms of men he pulleth down and setteth up by bis own soveraignty but my work and endeavour is to direct men to the righâ— husbanding of providence that successfull sin may not be lifted up with the crie of sanctity nor oppressed loyalty justice and piety bee dejected despised and disowned We live in changing days and therein great is the cry of providence the godly are censured for not dancing after providence into Jeroboams changes in Church and State whilst palpable positive prophaneness is pleaded for as piety and generation-work of God I pray you consider sad are the changes which are onely defended by after providences alteration may be of divine appointment yet disowned by God when effected by mens sinfull accomplishments they have set up Kings but not by mee saith God in a case against which Israel must not fight for this thing is from the Lord 1 King 12.21 Hos 8.4 It will never content a gracious heart to attain an end of Gods appointment unless by means of Gods approvement anointed David provoked by persecution durst not cut his way to the throne his heart smote him for cutting the lap of Sauls garment when providence put his head into his power Jeroboam for catching a Kingdom by a providence beareth this brand Jeroboam who made Israel to sin better it is to wait on walk with God in affliction then be the subjects of such providences to wander with David in a wilderness til God cleer the throne then with Jeroboam by perfidie sedition rebellion to rend away a Kingdom and possesse it themselves though this condition be of divine appointment But beloved Sirs that I may not too long parley with you at the threshold shall I be bold in the name of the Lord to propound unto you some few duties to be done by you in such days of providence shall I beg that in these evill times you will observe these four directions 1. Propound the word not providence of God as the reason of your faith and rule of conversation This not that is appointed to this end Jesus Christ by one providence might have made to himselfe many proselites yet would not allow it but ever referred his hearers to Scriptures the new lights of our age blaze much with providence but look you to the Law and the Testimonie if any speak
not according to this rule there is no truth in him Oh let not Christian faith be founded on Turkish reason 2. Persevere in truth and piety Heresies must come that they who are sound may be made manifest Schisme must succeed that the fixed in Christ may be found sincere these must not onely come on the the stage but stand and succeed it may be unto persecution of the Orthodox and sound as did Arrianisme in the Grecian Empire Anabaptisme in Germany they are no other then tryalls of faith and patience be it your care to cleave to truth when disowned and disregarded and continue in the Church though disordered and discouraged let not the boysterous blasts of providence remove you from your stedfastness in the faith or union of the Church Catholick I know the design of some schismaticall neighbours by courting nay some of them by creeping into your town is to paganize you as they have done other places and set up their own schismaticall assemblies and I fear your over affectionate observation of the providential rising of some from you hath been as a snare of separation from the Churh unto more then naturall relations but however Church gatherers have gathered the power treasure of these Nations to themselves forsake not you the assembling of your selves together as the manner of som is and stand out against the sinful assembling of Church gatherers The glittering glory of particular Churches of selfe-constitution that way of Corah and selfe consecration that way of Jeroboam will prove nay I may say doth prove an ignis fatuus leading into the fools paradise of high expectations but leaving men in the wilderness of confusion They that feared God in Israel followed the despised and driven out Priests to Jerusalem let it be your prayer care not to follow the flocks of Christ his pretended companions I pray you recall to mind what instructions I gave you many years since from that Text Cant. 1.7 whilst you have power prevent Congregational foxes from spoiling your vines though you cannot keep them out of close corners you may from places of concourse and command them out of your common Hall and publick places of assemblie give them no countenance whose only errand is confusion you are now a Church of Christ become not the guilded Synagogue of Satan Will not reason tell you selfe-constitution is a sedition in the Common-wealth and schisme in the Church Is authority essentiall to a civill and not to a religious Corporation What superstructure can bee built on a sinfull schismatical foundation judge ye though it flourish flie from it it cannot but fall I say bee you stable in truth steady in the union of the Church constant to Gods covenant and continuing in prayer though God carry discouragingly towards his people for God laughs the Devill to scorn when Job serveth him for nought and the Saints constancy in holiness doth witness that there is a reward to the righteous when the prospering providences of the prophane do suggest it 's in vain to serve God 3. Prize and preserve among you a sound and zealous Ministry such you have enjoyed such you may by your own advantages which you above other Towns enjoy Pastors to feed witb knowledge and understanding are Gods promises and his peoples priviledge bread and water of affliction to be imbraced before their removeall let not the generall contempt providence poureth on Mâ—nistry deaden your affection to your Ministers but know them as over you in the Lord I am not a little grieved for your late differences with godly Ministers I wish you would seriously surveigh your souls see wether some spirit of pride passion prejudice or vain glory do not act and occasion them take heed you jar not with Ministers untill you wreak your quarrell on Ministry I wish some of you have not already proclaimed open warr I will not acquit your Ministers from their infirmities but desire you take heed to your selves in this day of discouraging providences to Gods Ministers true piety should prize prefer them so evill are the times that dis-satisfaction in a prophane Minister can scarcely pass without the censure of dis-respect to Ministry much less when fomented continued against a man who is a faithful painful and diligent and in the generall course of his life let malice say its worst a godly Minister my beloved let the office and person be distinguished and the dignity of the one will darken and cloud the infirmitie of the other and the authority of the one will awe duty denied to the weakness of the other Receive Ministers as they are indeed the messengers of the Lord of Hosts Embassadors of Jesus Christ and then despise them even in their distress if you can 4. Pursue your conference and mannage it with all prudence avoid the evills incident to it pursue the directions herein propounded you have heretofore been acquainted with them but have need to bee put in remembrance take heed of spirituall pride in conference least it prove an Audley conference that may plunge you into the precipice of Anabaptisme and other heresies my heart bleeds over those men with whom you know I have sometime past had sweet communion though they wil not now hear mee bee warned by their example Be carefull of and constant in these and other duties directed in the word what ever men say or cross providences seem to suggest Let Ecebolius whirl about with every wind of providence in the Empire untill hee proclaim the shame of his own unconstancy be you pillars of truth and Cedars of holiness standing in stormy days as indeed rooted and built up in Christ and resolved into divine revelation as your rule however disposed by providence as to your present outward condition whereunto that you may bee strengthened read these notes as helpfull and offered from the hearty affections and with the hearty prayer for Gods blessing of your Quondam Pastor yet zealously affectionate for the good of your souls ZAC CROFTON from my Study in Botolphs Algate Lon. Nov. 3. 1659. To the Reader Courteous Reader I Did many months since begin this discourse unto my own Congregation intending chiefly to instruct them in the too much neglected and abused duty of Godly conference but finding the words so connexed that I could not eonveniently come at my intended doctrine untill I had spoken to the condition which did constrain the godly their speaking one to another I divided the Text into three generall heads to be discussed and so intended them for particular instruction never to be made more publick but God who over-ruleth mens purposes hath otherwayes disposed In June last I being called to preach at the morning exercise in Magdalen Milk-street Church tooke some of these notes as next hand and did very briefly discuss the prosperoâ—s providences which do attend the prophane Such approbation it met with from many godly hearers that I was pursued with great importunity to
publish the same yet I resisted and resolved they shâ—uld never see the light in July following my Dâ—mestick affairs did câ—ll me down unto the since unhappy County of Chester in the City whereof I was by many friendly obligations and intreaties engâ—ged to preach one whole Lords day and did discourse this same subject as most fresh in memory because the very same on my thoughts in my ordinary course at home what advantage any that are in that City godly and zealous for religion have hence reaped they best know what occasion they have to improve these instructions we must shut our eyes if we wil not see shortly after my thus preaching did break out the late unhappy insurrection and did something retard my return home I being absenct in such a juncture of time was by malice to which I have been no little exposed reported as engâ—ged in the design and highly noysed to have preached before the body late in Arms in Westchester City And this report was carried with that height of impudence that it gained credit among friends and foes affrighted my poor family with proud threats exposed me to troublsome attendance on the late Committee for the Militia and Councill of State before the last of whom a member of themselves offered to produce a Leivetenant who heard mee preach and would on oath depose it was so and so circumstanced as envy did desire but when I demanded his appearance and testimony and could not obtain it I was brought under a promise of printing the sermons I did preach at Westchester And thus the providence of God hath constrained them from me I hope for good It is very probable the matter and season may expose the preaching and publishing these notes unto the censure of the Committee for discretion which if it do let mee bee rather blamed for indiscreet discovery of Gods mind then unfaithfull silence and dissembling divine truth darkning precepts by providences the sin of too many Prophets in our age and Nation yet true prudence speaks words pertinent to present providences wise men must oppose Gods word to mens wickedness and give counsell squared to condition nor should danger divert or dismay them Isaiah will cry aloud to tell Judah of her sin though for it he fall under the saw And Jeremiah will declare Gods mind though it cast him into the dungeon Michaiah must needs hâ—ve played the fool if he had followed providence to the flattery of Ahab as did all the other Prophets However evill times of hatred against him who rebuketh in the Gate and abhorrency of him that speaketh uprightly may make the prudent not bound by office to keep silence It must not do so to Gods Ministers whose office is to witness for God and piety when prospering prophaneness proclaimeth God to be as the wicked and that 't is in vain to serve God It is a mans prudence to do with vigor the duty of his place against all opposition shall the providences of God bee made the apologie of sin and so the stumbling block of the Saints and the Ministers of God not make known the method and order of them and the pleasure of the Lord that men cleave to his covenant though they be killed all the day long and walk with him in worst times that so the wicked may be convinced and the weak be strengthened the times of Gods silence are the times of his Ministers speaking when judgement is reprieved the malefactor must be reproved I could heartily wish guilt on mens consciences did not groundlesly charge indiscretion on Gods Ministers and impertinency on Gods Word had not our eyes seen treason rebellion regicide perfidie perjury pride hypocrisie and violence break out into sad and sinfull revolutions to the utter subversion of foundations violation of Laws invasion of interests destruction of liberties trampling on truth divastation of the Church blasphemy of God Christ and his Ordinances contempt of Gospell-Ministry letting loose the Devill by a boundless toleration and unparalleld wickedness and unspeakable confusion in Church and State and that against all declarations protestations imprecations solemne vows and Covenants oaths appeales to God and men even of all kind of civill or religious bonds and had not our ears heard these boastings of properity and succe sfull providences as undeniable demonstration of Gods good liking and approbation nay of Gods very appointment and designation of these horrid impieties as the good old cause of his sons kingdom and the proper work of his Saints conducing much to his glory blasphemously pleading providence against precepts provoking themselves to pursue and persist in their own lusts directly contrary to Gods Law and proudly censuring the poor holy humble upright men of God as ignorant in sensible of Gods hand proud obstinate Resisting providence peevish prophane disowning the very hand disposing such prosperity to the prophane and onely because they subscribe not to and go not along with their sinfull though successefull enterprises and consent not to pluck the fift command out of the decalogue to fling Gods word behind thei back and dance after providence into Jeroboam like changes in Church and State I say courteous reader had not our eyes seen and our ears heard this sad abuse of providence and mens conscience grown tickle and tender by reason of guilt a discou se of providence might have passed without the least charge of violence discontent peevishnesse or indiscretion but proper plaisters must be applied though the wounded patient brand the Chirurgion with Rashnesse and cruelty in provoking pain by searching and suitable applications Chrisostom ceased not Reprove drunkennesse for all the frettings of a drunken people untill they ceased to be drunk nor was Jehoiadah the Priest diverted from his just enterprice and duty by Athalia the usurper her onterie of Treason Treason Yet give me leave to tell thee that providence did suite the time to the Text I did not suite the Text to the time I had begun and made some progresse in this discourse before the late return of the republck and its successe against the disowners of it so that my choice is not so much to be blamed as Gods wisdom in directing my thoughts to be acknowledged Reader what ever fault may be charged on me I shall submissely bear knowing I am a man and have managed the discourse like a man of much weaknesse yet the matter I will averre is the minde of God meet for the Saints meditation and in our day most needfull to be studied Thou hast them in a plain dresse as they were preached and are most proper for thy capacitie and had the Authour enjoyed his minde thou hadst had them much sooner thou now hast them read with diligence and due consideration and that thou mayest profit by them shall be the constant prayer of ZAC CROF Foelix Scelus Querela Piorum Prospering Prophanenesse provoking holy conference and Gods attention First preached at Botolphs Algate Lond. and
give me leave therefore to appoint the borders of your holy conference and that you may never hereafter pleade ignorance I will tell you what private Christians in their conferences may do and what uâ—der the pretence of conference private Christians may not meddle withall as they tender the edification of the Church advancement of Religion and salvation of their own souls First then there are seven pâ—si ive and speciall acts of conâ—erâ—â—ce and Communion of Saints which particular Christians and private brethren not onely lawfully may but in duty must discharge each with and towards other and they are briefly these 1. Private Christians may and must pray one for another in the behalf of themselves and the whole Church of God prayer is indeed an act of publick worship to be done in and by the Church whose mouth must be the Ministers of God Joel 2.17 But it is also a private and personall duty to be done by every child of God in secret and in society It is Required that every Christian do it and that believers do pray one for another James 5 16. And it is the promise of the covenant of grace that families and tribes shall every of them pray apart and in the times of the Churches perplexity even private Saints though there were no Ministers among them should go together and pray in Communion and by joynt supplication thus did the men that feared God in our Text and the many who were gathered into the house of Mary the mother of John and were praying in the day of Herods Rage acts â—2 12 Some have been angry at but never durst argue against the practice of Christians in private fasts and prayers no it is their duty and priviledge 2. Private Christians may and must confess their sins one unto another none but Papists will confine confession to a Priest or publick officer sin must indeed be sometimes confessed in and to the Church when she is become the object of offence and scandalized by the miscarriage and so the finner become the subject of her censure but private brethren may not onely confess their sins one unto another as they are the parties offended but as they are brethren and subjects of pity and of compâ—ssion who seeing his brother sin a sin not unto death will pray for him and it shall be forgiven him private brethren must not onely pray against the guilt but power also of each others lust and must not onely pray against sin but be serviceable by other means to the subduing the strength thereof and saving the soul from the error of his way and therefore it is commanded that common Saints do confesse their sin one unto another I presume I need not advise prudence in the choice of those brethren to whom we will commit such secrets 3 Private Christians may and must in their private conferences Check and Rebuke one anothers impieties and miscarriages fraternall correption is a duty beyond all exception commanded of God Thou shalt in any wise Rebuke thy brother and not suffer sin up on him Lev. 19.17 Appointed by Christ if thy brother offend tell him of his faults between thee and him as an hinderance to sin and help in temptation exhort by way of Rebuke one another least ye be hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sin It is the provocation of Repentance balme of a wounded conscience desired by David Let the Righteous smite me it is the Restitution of a Relapsed soul Gal. 6.1 The private mans passage to glory and provision for honour covering a multitude of sins and converting the soul James 5.19.20 The end of mutuall confession is mutuall Reprehension these are the wounds of a friend more faithful then the kisses of an enemy Prov. 27.6 Where let it be Remembred that Reproof is the wound of a friend done in Charity not out of office with pitty and successefull by its truth and justice not with power prevailing by its Authority 4. Private Christians may and must counsell and quicken each others graces And so spur each others duties say come let us return unto the Lord let us joyn our selves to God in an everlasting covenant they must consider observe have an eye unto each others ways and walkings to warm the cold affections and provoke unto love and good works none but the slothfull in duty and slaves to prophanesse can be angry at or argue against the private Rebukes and exhortations of holy conference 5. Private Christians may and must comfort one another in their anguish and affliction sanctity supplanteth no act of society but sets us in a better capacity to perform to Reason much more religion leads friends to visit Job in his afflâ—ctâ—oâ— for to him that is afflicted pity must be shewed by his friend The not speaking consolation was the mistake of Jobs friends in all that long conference they had with him when our friends interr their dead we are directed to comfort each other 1 Thes 5.11 by conferring of the Resurrection of the body the speaking of promises and providences of God so as to prop up a sinking soul to strengthen the feeble hands is the work not onely of publick communion but also of private conference the consolations of God must not be concealed but imparted as occasion requireth unto the good of others 6. Private Christians may and must coÌ„plain of the evil of the times to affect each others hearts with sence of and sorrow for sin or Gods sad providences mens stout words against God must be matter of expostulation to them that fear God Jonathan David must into the field to confer of Sauls wickedness and cruelty Israels abomination must be made mention of among the mourners for it the dâ—eadfull dispensations of God at the death of Christ must be the matter of discourse to the Disciples as they waâ—k to Emmaus every soul must see Gods hand observe Gods providences and make the prosperity of prophaness and escapes impiety the matter of discourse unto his own and other mens discretion to a due demeanor and suitable conversation 7. Private Christians may must confer with each other of the things of faith and salvation none but Papists who lock up the knowledge of the truth from poor souls and the people of God and impose on their faith what the Church doth believe will make it heresie to enquire into and debate of the Articles of the Creed Obadiah may without any sin or disobedience expostulate the injunctions of the Prophets and it shall be a note of Nobility to the Bereans to enquire into the Scriptures to finde the verity of the Apostles doctrine This is no other then the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and Christian conference allowed and enforced by the ministers in jus divinum ministerii cap. 5. Pa. 81. of this City Nay and was honoured by our Saviour in joyning in society and debating with the Disciples that went to Emmaus the death and resurrection of himself those
neglected matters of order tend to the beauty but not the being of the Church articles of faith and acts of holinesse may be followed by men that are ignorant of the debates of Church order disputes of circumstances becomes many times the destruction of the power of godliness it is noted of eminent Mr. Dod that he never loved to meddle with the coÌ„troversies of the times because they dulled his affections to holinesse if in any thing â—oÌ„mon Christian should be concluded by Church officers it is in matters of discipline order 4. Confer not the experiences of Saints manner of Gods work on the heart and conscience because these are meerly personall may prove prejudiciall unto others conviction and consolation is the common condition of all believers but the modus and gradus operandi measure and manner of it is different ordinarily disposed by the temper and disposition of the subject and cannot be a Rule unto others the easiness of Davids must not be the measure of Manasseh his conviction nor must the thundring conviction and conversion of Saul be the square thereof unto Peter experiences of this nature administer no edification but many times engender in some despondencies and in other presumptions leave we therefore a wise God to work his own work in his own way let us make the work it self object of our observation and discourse not much making known the manner and measure thereof These things I advice be not propounded as the matter of your conference because repugnant to its end but instead hereof confer 1. Prophane practices of the wicked with which your hearts are to be affected and that out of zeal to Gods holy name hereby dishonored and piety to immortall souls hereby endangered and compassion to them who by their prosperity in the course of impiety do become a stumbling block temptation and evill example to others multiplying to themselvs the wrath of God unto which they are by their present successe prepared This is more then probable to have been the matter of which the men in our Text did speak one to another we may not alwaies speak to the conviction of the wicked yet we may and must speak to the confirmation of our selves against the temptation of their prospering prophanesse and successefull sin 2. Principles of which are ploin and obvious to every serious Christian studious of Scriptuee and are essentiall to the vâ—ry being of a believer and indispensably necessary to salaation These are the foundations of the oracles of God by which we are conâ—â—ituted Christians and capable of being edified ignorance and inconstâ—ncy in the principles of faith fits us for all heresie and seduction from the truth the matter of Christ his conference with his Disciples in the coasts of Philippi as is evident by his Whom say men that I am and whom say ye that I am Mat. 16.13.16 Was the verity of the Messias who was to be believed and the matter of his conference with the Disciples that walked to Emmaus was his death and Resurrection those great Articles of faith and Pauls Errand to Rome was by conference to establish the Saints in the faith Rom. 1.11 The common work of the Communion of Saints is to edifie one another in their most holy faith and therefore the principles thereof is the proper matter of their conference 3. Practises of piety which are to be performed unto these being to the gracious soul supernaturall and and above his reach beyond his naturall strength nay contra naturall unto which their flesh bears an enmity they cannot but be weak and dull apt to be wearied especially when under affliction and all worldly discouragements men speaking common course of providence seeming to confirm their language that it is in vain to serve God therefore we must consider one another to provoke unto love and good work so long as the willing spirit is Retarded with the weaknesse of the flesh the words of the wise must be as nails and as goads 4. Promises of Grace which must be the props of the soul the uphold of hope under the prospering providences that do attend the prophane and afflictions which are incident to the Righteous whilst the vision is delayed the just must live by faith and by discoursing of Gods promises and properties establish their expectation of a discrimnating deliverance out of all their sorrows though at the present the proud are called happy c. If these and things of the like nature be made the matter of your conference it will produce its end and prove an ordinance of edification informing your judgements affecting your hearts quickning and establishing the soul in faith and holinesse I have done with the first and shall now passe to the 2. direction unto the right management of conference Direct 2 Right matter propounded proceed unto your conference with due prudence wisdom is the ornament and excellency of every action and must be the especiall property of believers that will put forth in exercises of Religion they must proceed with much prudence and beware of betraying the same into scandall by any acts of in discretion many are the snares which attend holy conference and great are the evils which our corrupt natures do draw from so good an exercise we must therfore be very watchfull to improve it to its end and avoid its evill though accidentall the truely prudent will limit themselves in things lawfull least they Run into things unlawfull It is Austins assertion that he who knoweth not how to deny what is in his liberty will never be able to decline what is forbidden and the truely Godly must avoide the appearance of evill not onely the species but shews the kinds but shadows of sin are to be shunned let therefore your conference be managed with all wisdom in point of time place manner and order 1. The time of conference is occasionall as opportunity is offered for holy conference is not a duty fixed to any speciall season but as divine providence and humane condition doth cast and call us into society we are to speak one unto another as in the time of friendly visit in any affliction familiar intercourse in holy actions or falling into each others company by appointed or unexpected affairs so that the Godly must watch for and catch at the opportunity of exhorting and admonishing comforting one another by holy conference yet we do not deny or deem it unlawfull for the Godly of any vicinity and neighbor hood by mutuall consent to keep fixed seasons wherein to associate and speak one unto another in holy conference onely we advise that the time fixed be our own not Gods or our families our own I say not Gods that is not the Lords day and the season of solemne assemblies and publick worship holy conference I confesse doth well become the Sabbath but the Sabbath cannot well be the fixed season of conference epecially the time of publick exercise when God is by
10.11 It is in vaine to serve God and no Profit to waâ—ke mournfully all the day for we cal the proud happy c. And so that God is taxed to be an hard master and holinesse is jâ—dged vanity nay the very godly themselves â—re ready to condemne the generation of the just to be a company of fooles that do in vaine wash their hands and cleanse their hearts because they are afflicted all the day long They sometimes rash y conclude God hath forgotte n to be gratious and so lay injustice to Gods charge nay the pride of the prophane carrieth to conclude because of Gods silence thâ—t he is all together such an one as themselves an a bettor and approver of their prophanenesse and therefore do begin their impious designs with praier to him return their successe in sin with solemn prâ—ises to him can a God of jealousie heart his blasphemy not remoue its cause and set the iniquity of the wicked before their eyes and by making the godly see that the prospering prophane men stand but in slippery places that so they may conclude truly God is good to the righteous and by rescuing the just from the power of the oppressor make all the world proclaime verily there is a reward for the righteous verily there is a God who judgeth the earth Psalm 58.11 Nor is God more necesstated to manifest his favour to the godly to vindicate his justice and holinesse then many other of his properties and the righteous course of his providence in directing all things to the good of them that fear him which I must not stand to explain but passe unto one property more and that is his truth faithfulnesse And this leads us to the second speciall engagement which is from himself laid on God to manifest respect to those that are godly in evill times viz. Verifiying his word and promises the Lord is just in all his works and true in all his sayings His word is establ shed for ever no Iâ—tâ— of it must fall to the ground many are the gratious promises God hath made to the righteouâ— and the deâ—ay of their accomplishment makes them many times the derision of the wicked who blasphemously demand Where is the promise of his coming And so mock the Prophets of the Lord and therefore though the vision tarry for an appoâ—nâ—ed time yet it shall come it shall not â—arry though the children of God many times doubt aâ—d their enemies deny the truth of what is spoken concerning Israell yet all must be accomplished that God may be proclaimed faithfull and true God hath said it and shall he not make it good he hath spoken it and shall hee not accomplish it Shall be the reason why no inchantments can prevaile against Jacob Wee see then however the wicked prosper and the godly suffer for a season Yet their labour cannot be in vaine they must come into God's thoughts and be honoured amongst men Who are faithfull to him in evill times And the very height of the wicked helpes forward the salvation of the just for Gods properties must bee vindicated God's word must bee verified and that is the first pâ—rt of the reason but secondlâ— God is under a speciall engagement to shew speciall respect unto the godly and their holy exercises in timâ—s of prospering prophanenesse and that in respect of the godly themselves and that to Prevent the danger of sin Plead the cause of the just The first engagement laid on God in respect of the Righteous is to prevent the danger of sin the prosperity of the wicked is the saddest stumbling stone that can lye in the way of the Godly on this they have done and many times do fall and fearfully wound themselves continuall sorrow on the godly and successe to the prophane will make the very best of men ready to shake hands with piety and strikes hands with the wicked but God is faithfull and will not suffer us to be tempted above what we are able and therefore will not suffer the Rod of the wicked to lye always on the lot of the Righteous least they put forth their hands to do wickedly Psal 125. â— The second engagement on God is To vindicate the Righteous cause of his people The time of crosse providences is the time of the proud censures of the profane when God seems not to Regard the wicked are subject to Reproach the godly if Job be in adversity the sting of it shall be his friends false accusations of hypocrisie and if David be driven from Jerusalem bâ— his son Absolon he shal be cursed by Shimei and called a man of Beliall and a man of blood and a traitor to his Master Saul If a Viper be on Pauls hand he shall bee determined a murderer but when God ariseth and delivereth the Righteous and setteth him in safâ—ty from him that puffeth at him then shall the tune be changed if God return the captivity of Job his censorious frâ—ends shall be the first that come to comfort him and if David return in peace Shimei shall be the first that meeteth him with confession of his wicked cursâ—ng if Paul escape the venomâ— of the Viper then hâ— shal be called a God For mens censures are as changable as their condition the Resurrection of name and estate goeth together and therâ—fore it is that Gods appearance to the rescue of the Righteous from the proud is said to be a pleading their cause the godly under the clamâ—urs of the wicked commit their Righteous cause to God silently bear all reproaches and wait for Gods righteous judgment and therefoâ—e God is engaged to restore their estate and cause their Righteousnesse to break forth as the sun at noon-day so that if we well wâ—igh the Specialty of Relation Gods people stand in unto him the speciall service they do for him in the time of prospering prophanesse and the speciall engagements which lye on God we must needs see that there si great reason for the speciall respect he sheweth them for it is a just thing with God to render tribulation to them that trouble you and to you that are troubled peace with him 27 Thes 1.6 7. I now passe then to the application of this doctrine and shall onely improve it unto two uses viz. To 1. Check and abate the insolencies of the wicked 2. Cheer and animate the discharges of the Righteous Is it so as certaainly so it is that the godly and their holy exercises in times of prospering prophaness do meet with such speciall acceptance from the Lord of hosts let this then check and abate the insolencies of the wicked the ungodly cannot prosper but they are proud nor the Children of God be chastised but they are condemned by the wicked the Proud cannot be called happy nor they that work wickednesse be delivered c. But they blaspheme God and Religion and insult over and reproach the Righteous God cannot a little frown on his people but