is still as malicious and industrious as ever to put them upon this We read of Satan in that 1 Pet. 5.8 that he goeth up and down like a roaring Lyon seeking whom he may devour and as far as the Lord permits him he acts wicked men in whom he ruleth Eph. 2.2 to do what mischief they can to the Godly yea and in the last times he is so far from abating his rage as that we read his wrath groweth the hotter because he knoweth he hath but a short time Rev. 12.12 While therefore the principle of enmity which is in the wicked against the Saints remaineth and while the ground of their hatred continues and Satan is as industriously stirring them up as ever nought else can be expected but that they watch the righteous to do them a mischief But now wher shall the righteous do shall he render evil for evil and watch the wicked that he may mischieve them God forbid what shall he forsake his righteousnesse and leave off to be godly no in no wise But if ye would know O ye Saints and righteous Ones what to do in this case I am sent of God at this time to instruct you That it will be your best way to wait on she Lord and keep his way And so I come to what is expresly asserted in the point That however it go with the truly Godly here in this World more especially when the Wicked watcheth the righteous to mischieve them 't is their best way to wait on the Lord and keepe his way Here I shall speak by way of Explication in shewing 1. What it is to wait on the Lord. 2. What it is to keep his way First To wait on the Lord is taken more largly or more strictly 1. More largly And so it is the same with serving the Lord attending and following the Lord and takes in the whole duty of the Saints waiting on the Lord as a Souldier on his Captain or as a Servant on his Master Psal 123.2 Behold as the eyes of the Servants look to the hands of their Masters and as the eyes of a Maiden unto the hand of her Mistris so our eyes wait on the Lord our God So in that Hos 12.6 Turn thou to thy God and keep Mercy and Judgement and wait on thy God continually 2. More strictly And so it intends a patient expecting the Lords Salvation 'T is the continued exercise of Faith and Hope it is Faith and Hope eekt out So here Vers 7. Rest on the Lord wait patiently So Psal 130. when he cries out of the depths as he sayes Vers 1. then Vers 5. I Wait for the Lord my soul doth wait and in his word do I hope My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning I say more than they that watch for the morning We have both these together in that Lam. 3.25 26. The Lord is good to them that wait for him to the soul that seeketh him There it is taken as largly as seeking after God but it follows It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the Salvation of the Lord there it is taken for the continued exercise of hope for a patient expectation of the Lord's Salvation Secondly What it is to keep the Way of the Lord here mind The way of the Lord may be understood of that way wherein he walketh towards his People which is aptly stil'd the way of his Providence or of that way wherein he requires his People to walk towards him and is properly stiled the way of his Precepts 1. There is the Way of Gods Providence in which he walketh towards us of which that Psal 18.30 speaketh As for God his Way is perfect So Psal 25.10 All the Paths or Wayes of the Lord are Mercy and Truth unto such as keep his Covenant and Testimonies Now if it be thus taken here Then to keepe his Way is diligently to attend his Hand and to observe his Carriage and ordering in all that befalls his People more especially in all that trouble that comes on them For whatever trouble comes upon the People of God and whoever be the instruments of inflicting the Lord hath his way in it Mic. 6.9 ordering it as to the kind as to the measure as to the season as to the continuance as to the ends and fruits Now to observe the Lord's Hand and to attend his Way in ordering his Providences and our troubles this is to keep his Way So Isa 26.8 In the way of thy Judgements we have waited for thee as if he had said We have waited on the Lord and kept his Way 2. There is the way of God's Precepts in which he commandeth his People to walk And thus is this phrase most commonly taken So 2 Kings 21.22 where 't is said of Amon He forsook the Lord God of his Fathers and walked not in the Way of the Lord i.e. not in the Way of his Commandements Thus David spake of the way of his Precepts in Psal 119.27 Make me understand the way of thy Precepts And if it be taken thus then to keep the Way of the Lord is to walk in his Statutes and to observe his Commandments to do them So Gen. 18.19 The Lord testifies of Abraham I know him that he will command his Children and his houshold after him and they shall keep the Way of the Lord to do Justice and Judgement So in Job 23.11 12. My feet have held his steps his way have I kept and not declined neither have I gone back from the Commandments of his lips So to walk in his Wayes and to keep his Commandments are the same Deut. 26.17 and Psal 119.1 2. So that the sum of all is However it be with the truly Godly more especially when the wicked do watch them to do them a mischief their best way is to attend on the Lord to follow him to walk on in the ways of his Commandements so eying the hand of the Lord in all that befalls them as they that patiently expect and quietly wait for the Salvation of the Lord. Thus for explication I now come to the Demonstration which shall be dispatcht by clearing That it is the honestest the wisest the safest the most comfortable and most honourable Way First This is the most innocent just and honest Way yea truly this is the only good honest and right Way I am to shew what is the best for a Godly man to whom no way is good but what is just and honest There are indeed other ways which a man may take when he is in trouble through the wickeds watching him to do him a mischief whereby to escape the mischief intended him but they are not just and honest I shall instance in these 1. By sinful complying with the wicked in their ungodly ways thereby to abate the edge of their wrath This was the way Peter took when in the High Priests Hall he not only denyes his
hurt thee So he promiseth all his in that Isa 41.10 So that the readiest way to escape the mischief that our enemies design against us is to wait on the Lord and to keep his way whatever carnal wisdom thinks or suggests to the contrary It is true this is the way to be hated and to have many enemies who from their malice and rage will devise and design much mischief against us but Rom. 8.31 If God be for us who shall be against us that is it matters not who they are that are against us This then is the safest way hence Prov. 1.31 Who so hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely I know this seems a Paradox to the men of the World and they think some other wayes to be more safe First Some think that sinful compliance is a safer way but their errour will be manifest to any that duly consider 1. That hereby they do more encourage the wicked World against them whilst they partly comply but will not run into the same excess of riot with them So Lots compliance with the wicked Sodomites in offering them his Daughters did but encourage them the more against him Gen. 19.9 And they said Stand back which words may either refer unto Lot and then they hold forth how they were enraged by his motion or to one another as contending who should fall foul on him first and this agreeth with the following words And they said again This one fellow came in to sojourn and he will needs be a Judge Now will we deal worse with thee than with them and they pressed sore upon the man so far were they from being appealed by his sinful compliance as that they grew the more furious against him 2. Hereby you provoke the Lord to withdraw the Covert of his Protection from you while you wait on the Lord and keep his Way you have the promise of his Protection 2 Chron. 15.2 but if by sinful compliance with the wicked you forsake him he will forsake you you forfeit his protection Had not Jehosaphat's compliance with Ahab like to have cost him his life 2 Chron. 18. and hear what the Prophet sayes to him 2 Chron. 19.2 Shouldst thou help the ungodly and love them that hate the Lord therefore is wrath come upon thee from the Lord And through the wrath of the Lord that is upon men for their sinful compliance those very evils are brought upon them sometimes which they think to escape As notable is that instance which Mr. Fox gives account of on Richard Denton in Queen Mary's dayes who by his sinful compliance with the wicked World in disowning the truth of the Gospel thought to escape burning and was afterwards burnt in his own house according to that of our Saviour He that will save his life shall lose it Mat. 16.25 Secondly Others think that to avenge themselves in paying the wicked in their own Coyn doing mischief unto them is the safest way but their errour will be manifest from that of our Saviour Mat. 26.52 Put up again thy Sword into its place for all they that take the Sword shall perish by the Sword This way in which they think to provide for their safety is in the judgement of our Saviour the ready way to their ruine Thirdly Others think by Shuffling Lying Equivocating to provide better for their safety then by keeping the Way of the Lord but however some present security sometimes hath been obtained by such wayes yet in the end they are most pernicious and destructive for us Prov. 19.5 He that speaketh Lyes shall not escape and vers 9. He that speaketh Lyes shall perish And for such as comfort themselves as they Isa 28.25 We have made Lyes our refuge and under Falshood have we hid our selves Mind what the Lord saith to them vers 17. Judgement will I also lay to the Line and Righteousness to the Plummet and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of Lyes and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place and your Covenant with Death shall be dissanulled and your agreement with Hell shall not stand when the overflowing scourge shall passe through then shall you be trodden down by it and then where is your safety they think to secure themselves from the wrath of man but they mind not how to be secured from the wrath of God 4ly Others think by basely deserting their places to provide better for their safety than by following the Lord and keeping his Way But the hazards David was in when he took this course 1 Sam. 27. may convince these men of their mistakē especially if they consider that he that leaves the place God hath set him in out of base fear is sure to carry his fear with him where-ever he go if not in the place he promised himself greatest security to meet with the evil he feared As the Lord threatens them in that Jer. 42.17 Then it shall come to passe that the Sword which ye feared shall overtake you there in the Land of Egypt and the Famine whereof you were affraid shall follow close after you in Egypt and there ye shall dye Fifthly Others think it a safer way rebelliously to step out of their places for the overturning the power of those that are in Authority over them because they grant power to the wicked to oppress and mischief them But had Zimri peace that slew his Master the experience of all Ages testifies how ill they provide for their safety at the long-run who take this course Let that instance suffice which we have in 2 Chron. 25.3 So that whatever men may think there is no such way to escape the mischief intended against us by the wicked as to wait on the Lord keep his Way 2. It will yet further appear to be the safest way for that it is the ready way to have good by all their troubles by all that the wicked do against them Wait on the Lord and keep his Way then no matter though the wicked watch against you to do you a mischief for they shall not only prove abortive in all the mischievous designs they are big with as Job 5.12 but according to his promise all shall work together for good Rom. 8.28 for he that hath promised is infinite in Power Wisdome Goodness and Faithfulness to over-rule all the devices and designs of his and your Enemies so as to make those things that are in their own nature against you to work together for your good As you know what Joseph says in that Gen. 50.20 As for you ye thought evil against me but God meant it unto good to bring to pass as it is this day to save much people alive Thus doth God over-rule the malice and revenge of men for good to his people but they must then wait on the Lord and keep his Way as you may see Psal 81.8 c. For all the Paths of the Lord are Mercy and Truth unto such as keep his Covenant and his
thee because he trusteth in thee That which is rendred perfect peace is Peace Peace in the Original the reduplication according to the Idiome of the Hebrew denoting the excellency perfection abundance and duration of Peace But to whom is this promise made saith the Text to him whose mind is stayed on the Lord and trusteth in him and in vers 2. to the righteous Nation which keepeth the Truth which according to the point in hand may be exprest to them that wait on the Lord and keep his Way So Psal 119.165 Great Peace have they that love thy Law and nothing shall offend them 2. 'T is the ready way to have the Holy Ghost who is stiled the Comforter to abide with us What more comfortable way than that wherein we may be sure to have the Comforter to be with us to abide and continue with us Wait on the Lord and keep his way so shall the Comforter abide with you for ever Expresse is that of our Lord to this purpose John 14.15 16. If you love me keep my Commandements and I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever So vers 23. If any man love me he will keep my words and my Father will love him and we will come and make our abode with him So that this is the way to have Father Son and Holy Ghost to come to us and abide with us 3. The Comforts which are to be had in this way are true solid substantial and abiding Comforts such as fill the soul with inward joy and mirth under the sorest outward trouble so as that they can sing in prison and leap in the flames Notable is that expression of the Apostle 2 Cor. 3.4 I am filled with comfort I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulations in following the Lord. He tells us in the next verse that his flesh had no rest that he was troubled on every side and yet exceeding joyful yea he tells us in another place 2 Cor. 1.5 that as his afflictions did abound for Christ so his consolations did abound by him 4. This is the way to arrive speedily where the wicked shall trouble you no more where there shall be no more sorrow nor weeping but where you shall have perfect rest and peace fulness of joy and comfort for evermore That of the Lord Jesus to his Disciples Luke 22.28 29. is plain for this Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations and I appoint you a Kingdom as my Father hath appointed unto me with John 10.27 28. My Sheep hear my voyce and I know them and they follow me and I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand As Caleb and Joshua waited on the Lord and kept his way following him fully and so entred Canaan and had a peaceable and comfortable possession there Josh 14.14 so they that wait on the Lord and keep his Way shall have abundant entrance into that heavenly Canaan 2 Pet. 1.11 where there is fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore Psal 16.11 And thus it appears to be the most comfortable way To conclude this we say All is well that ends well Now Psal 37.37 Mark the perfect man and behold the upright for the end of that man is peace Thus then we have cleared That however it go with the People of God here in this world more especially when the wicked watch them to doe them a mischief 't is their best way to wait on the Lord and keep his way for that it is the honestest the wisest the safest and the most honourable and most comfortable way And though I doubt not but enough hath been spoken to perswade and prevail with those that have an understanding to discern and a heart to perceive what hath been set before them Yet I question not but carnal reason hath many things to object and such as may prevail with carnal hearts to disbelieve all that hath been spoken so far at least as to prefer the wayes of carnal wisdom before this Way of the Lord But I rest satisfied with that answer of our Saviour Matth. 13.11 It is given to you to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven but unto them it is not given Thus you have the Doctrinal part of the point I proceed to the Application and we shall make use of this 1. To admonish and forewarn all the followers of Christ that have own'd engag'd and walk'd in the way of the Lord to take heed that they be not stumbled moved and turned out of the way of the Lord. The Apostle in Heb. 12.13 adviseth them to make straight paths for their feet lest that which is lame should be turned out of the way but let it rather be healed There is some lameness remaining with the Best with some more with some less but with all some It lies therefore in all to take heed lest they be turned out of the way Hence that of the Apostle 1 Cor. 10.12 Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall and let him that thinketh he is stablished and setled in the way of the Lord take heed lest he be offended and turned out of the way O that a holy Jealousie in this thing may possesse and fill all your hearts More particularly I would forewarn you to take heed lest you be offended through some things and by some persons in this day of temptation 1. Take heed lest you be offended at the Crosse Our Saviour in the Parable of the Sower Mat. 13. tells us of some who though they hear and receive the Word for a season with joy yet when Tribulation or Persecution ariseth for the Word by and by they are offended How is this fulfilled in our dayes how many are there who while the Way of the Lord was the Way to preferment did professe and walk in it who now that it is opposed and every-where spoken against do decline and forsake it Be you admonished to take heed lest the stumbling-block of others sufferings especially of faithfull Ministers do turn you out of the way The Apostle laboureth much in removing this stumbling-block as you may see 2 Cor. 1. Phil. 1. 1 Thess 3.3 Therefore I do the more earnestly forewarn you of this and take heed lest what sufferings come on you for the Gospel sake do turn you out of the way you are no Disciples for Christ unlesse you take up your Crosse and follow him Luke 14.27 2. Take heed lest you be offended by the falls and Apostacies of hypocritical professors This is that Satan and his instruments will lay before you to turn you out of the way of the Lord our Saviour doth therefore forewarn of this Mat. 24. so likewise his Apostles 1 Tim. 4.1 2 Pet. 2.1 2. and 1 John 2.19 3. Take heed that you be not stumbled by the scorn contempt and reproach that
Master-but backs his denyal with an Oath yea being among a cursing crew that should seem would not believe him else he falls a cursing and swearing that he knew not the man Mat. 26.74 2. By sinful shifting or shuffling through Lyes or deceitful Equivocations to avoid the mischief intended This was the way that Abraham took to escape the mischief that he thought at one time the Men of Gerar might do to him Gen. 20. and that the Egyptians might do to him at another time for his wives sake wherein though Abraham did not tell a down-right untruth as he excuseth the matter to Abimilech yet he did sinfully shuffle in making use of a deceitful Equivocation for his safety 3. By angrily and revengfully rendring Evil for Evil thereby thinking to pay the wicked in his own Coyn and to avenge a mans own quarrel This was the course that David was about to take against Nabal had he not been prevented by Abigaeles wisdom 1 Sam. 25.33 4. By basely deserting the Place that the Lord hath put a man in and requires him to abide in This was that which Shemaiah would have out Nehemiah upon but he refused to hearken to him in Neh. 6.10.11 not but that a man may forsake his place not only of habitation but also oâ— publick station and employment in some cases when that the Lord calls him off but this is no base deserting Base deserting is when out of cowardliness and base fear a man withdraws himself from his place in which and at that time when the Lord requires him to abide that he may provide for his own safety This was the way Moses would have taken when the Lord was sending him to deliver his People had the Lord left him to himself as you may see at last in the 3d. and 4th Chapters of the Book of Exoduâ— 5. By rebelliously and traiterously stepping out of the place that God hath set a man in This was that way they tempted David unto in 1 Sam. 24.4 and which Abishai would have taken had not David hindered him 1 Sam. 26.9 Now none of these ways are just and honest being all of them contrary to the Command and a departing from God to the Creature as I shall clear particularly First That sinfully to comply with the wicked to abate the edge of their wrath is contrary to the Command is clear from these Scriptures Eph. 5.7 Be ye not therefore partakers with them that is with the Wicked with the Children of disobedience Now one way of partaking with them is by sinful compliance hence vers 11 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works o darkness have you no hand do not you bear a part be not drawn in to comply in these things To this purpose is that Rom. 12.2 Be not conformed to this World Nonconformity to this World is a Christians duty Secondly That sinfully to shift and shuffle through Lyes and deceitful Equivocations to provide for ones safety is contrary to the Command of God clear is that Gen. 20.9 where Abimilech reproving Abraham for his practice tells him Thou hast done things to me that ought not to be done Thirdly That to render evil for evil and to avenge our selves is against the Command of God clear is that Prov. 20.21 Say not thou I will recompence evil but wait on the Lord and he shall save thee 1 Thess 5.15 See that none render evil for evil to any man Rom. 12.17 Recompence to no man evil for evil and 19. Dearly beloved avenge not your selves Fourthly That basely to desert the place that God hath put a man in is against the Command of God clear is that 1 Cor. 7.24 Brethren let every one wherein he is called therein abide with God and as in the condition wherein so in the place whereunto till God remove him Fifthly That rebelliously to step out of a mans place is against the Command of God is clear from Eccles 10.4 If the spirit of thy Ruler rise up against thee leave not thy place for yielding pacifieth great offences Subjects are here directed how to carry themselves when that the spirit of the Ruler rises up against them the counsel that the Spirit here gives is That they keep their place not in a way of rebellious opposition but in way of yielding subjection leave not thy place as a subject contain thy self within the bounds of thine own calling and condition bridling all disloyal passions and forbearing all unlawful attempts to ward off the wrath of the Ruler he speaketh not against a prudent withdrawing from a storm as David from Saul Elias from Ahab and Christ from Herod but against a disloyal and rebellious defection as Israel to their Tents 1 Kings 12.16 So that whatever the provocations be that the Rulers give Subjects must submit themselves by yielding active obedience in all things which they command according to God and by patiently enduring what they inflict on us though for righteousness sake keeping our selves in the some humble obedient and loyal temper whatever provocations we meet with to the contrary And that in all these wayes there is a departing from God to the Creature arising from a distrust of his All-sufficiency to provide for us in his way and from a conceit of our own wisdom to provide better for our safety is most manifest therefore these ways being contrary to the Command of God and inâ—urious to his All-sufficiency are not just and honest but to wait on the Lord and to keep his way this is the good the right and the honest Way See 1 Sam. 12.23 where he tels them that he will shew them the good and the right way and what that is he acquaints them in the next verse Only fear the Lord and serve him in Truth with all your heart which is to the same purpose with wait on the Lord and keep his way that is the honest and good Way in which the Lord commandeth his People to walk 2 Chron. 6.27 His Commandments being holy just and good Rom. 7.12 The way of his Commandments must needs be good just and honest yea and his Commandments being the Rule the goodness of a way lyes in its conformity thereunto and this is the way that is agreeable to the Command of God as in the Text. 2. This is the wisest Way When a man hath many wise subtile and powerful enemies watching to mischieve him he had need behave himself wisely Hence when our Saviour sends forth his Disciples as Sheep among Wolves Mat. 10.16 he sayes to them Be wise as Serpents and innocent as Doves he adviseth them to look to the wisest as well as the honestest way Now however carnal men do think some one of the forementioned wayes to be the wisest yet it will be apparent that to wait on the Lord and keep his Way is the wisest course by these two arguments First It is the way which the truest and highest VVisdom the VVisdom of God doth direct unto So here
is cast on the way of the Lord and those that walk in it This is that Satan and his instruments will lay before you That the way of the Lord and his followers are every where under reproach and contempt for as they said to Paul so hath the false Church said to those that teach the way of the Lord truly Acts 28.22 For as concerning this Sect we know that every where it is spoken against the Original is Heresie the way of the Lord is commonly thus branded in the world and they that walk in it are counted a company of Sectaries and Hereticks But this should stumble us no more than it did Paul who there ver 23. boldly teacheth this way and Act. 24.14 freely professeth it But this I confess to thee that after the way which they call Heresie so worship I the God of my Fathers 4. Take heed you be not offended at the prosperity of the wicked especially when he bringeth wicked devices to pass This was that had almost turn'd the Psalmist out of the way Psal 73.2 3. As for me my feet were almost gone my steps had well-nigh slipt for I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked To see those that despise hate and persecute the VVay of the Lord and those that walk in it to prosper and flourish while those that love it own it and walk in it are in an afflicted and suffering condition this not only overturns formal Professors but many a time puts sincere Believers to a stand Hence that advice in Psal 37.7 Fret not thy self because of him who prospereth because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass And as ver 8. Fret not thy self in any wise to do evil 2. Take heed of such persons as by whom if you be not the more watchful you may be so offended as to be turned out of the way More particularly 1. Take heed of your selves This is that our Saviour calls for in that Mat. 16.24 If any man will come after me let him deny himself Our greatest danger is from our selves while we have within a deceiver and a traytor who is still conspiring to turn us out of the way Take heed therefore of your own selves consult not with flesh and blood Gal. 1.16 2. Beware of Satan This is that which the Apostle suggests 2 Cor. 3. I fear by any means least as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ And out of the like fear concerning you I beseech you beware of Satan and the rather for that as the Apostle saith vers 14. Satan is transformed into an Angel of light 3. Beware of false Teachers This is the advice of our Saviour in Math. 7.15 Beware of false Prophets which come unto you in sheeps cloathing c. And though I cannot say I know with the Apostle in Act. 20.29 yet I am greatly afraid that after my departing shall grievous Wolves enter in among you not sparing the Flock and that of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away Disciples after them 4. Beware of worldly Friends such as will counsel you to spare your selves such as savour not the things of God but those that be of men This our Saviour calls for in that of Luke 14.26 Answer them as Christ answered Peter Mat. 16.22 23. The proper use of this Point with respect to the people of God is To exhort and perswade them to wait on the Lord and keep his way however it be whoever they are that watch and plot against them however they may prosper in bringing wicked devices to pass however they may prevail in oppressing the poor Saints yet this is the exhortation that I have received from the Lord for you Wait on the Lord and keep his Way There are two branches of the Exhortation I shall speak to both of them distinctly And because the latter of them is the main and the former a help thereto in bad times I shall invert the order of the Text and speak to what is here the latter in the first place and to the other as time will give leave 1. However it go Saints though the wicked watch to do you a mischief yet keep you the Way of the Lord diligently observing the way of his Commandments the way of your duty to walk therein Forasmuch as it hath been the design of my preaching all-along to expound the Way of God to you and to instruct you in the Way of the Lord And I am now directing my Speech to the Saints of God who know own and profess the Way of the Lord. I shall not spend much time while I have so little left in recounting to you what I have taught you concerning the way of the Lord only in general that Way of Truth and Righteousness the Way of Faith and Holiness which I have taught you from the VVord is intended You know the way of Gospel-Doctrin Gospel-Fellowship Gospel-VVorship Gospel-Discipline and Gospel-Conversation which I have preached and you have received And here Beloved I call God to witness in whose Name I have preached to you that I have preached the VVay of the Lord sincerely and faithfully as I have received of the Lord by the teaching of his Spirit through the VVord I therefore beseech and entreat you out of that hearty love I bear to you and that affectionate care I have for you that as you tender the Glory of God your own Peace here and eternal Happiness hereafter and the spiritual and eternal Good of others that you will remember how you have heard and received and keep the VVay of the Lord. In the prosecuting of this I shall speak to these two things First Open this duty in a few particulars Secondly Give you some Directions to help you herein For the first of these take it in these particulars 1. Be exhorted to keep the VVay of the Lord in your memories So Rev. 3.3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard and hold fast I am speaking to those that have received the knowledge of the VVay of the Lord that they retain what they have learned and that they maintain an actual remembrance of it and the rather take heed to this every one of you with the greater diligence for that you are like to be deprived of the help of your Remembrancers viz. the faithful Ministers of Christ 1 Tim. 4.6 you have had their help a long while in putting you from Sabbath to Sabbath in remembrance but this is taking from you as the Apostle in another case Heb. 2.1 Therefore ye ought to give the more earnest heed to the things ye have heard least at any time ye should let them slip 2. Keep the VVay of the Lord in your Judgments and Consciences I am speaking to those whose Judgments are enlightned and Consciences renewed to approve of the VVay of the Lord As
forbearing one another and forgiving one another if any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you so also do ye 7. The Lord Jesus counted not his life dear when that he was called to give it up in bearing witnesse to the Truth as you have it in that John 18.37 he bears witnesse to the Truth when called to it with the hazard of his life Herein follow Jesus Christ in bearing Witness to the Truth of God though with the hazard of your lives as Paul doth in that Acts 20.24 Whatever mischief be threatned by wicked men yet deny not be not ashamed of the Words Truths and Wayes of Christ for 't is the Word of the true and faithful Witness which we have Mark 8.36 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful Generation of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy Angels And Oh how sad if this be thy portion for if in that day Christ shall be ashamed of thee Wo be to thee for ever thou shalt be wretched and miserable to all Eternity But be faithful couragious and constant in confessing him and his Wayes and Truths for he hath said Mat. 10.32 Whosoever therefore shall confesse me before men him will I confesse before my Father that is in Heaven And Oh how comfortable if this be thy Portion for if Jesus Christ confesse thee at that day Peace be to thee for ever thou shalt be blessed and happy to all Eternity Though therefore thy confessing of him be attended not only with Reproaches and Revilings but with Fines Bonds Imprisonment yea Death it self yet herein follow him in bearing witness to the Truth when called unto it whatever hazard you run by it yea though it come to the drinking of the Cup that he drank of and to the sealing of your Testimony with your blood knowing that if ye suffer with him you shall also reign together with him Thus if you follow the Lord walking in his steps in these and other Particulars wherein he hath given us an example you shall be sure to keep the Way of the Lord. And this shall suffice for the third branch of the Direction 4. Let the Glory of God be your End if that you would keep the way of the Lord. If you have sincerely entred the Way of the Lord then the Glory of the Lord is your last End and if you would keep on steadily in this way look to the Glory of God as your main End Though it be possible for a man that hath the Glory of God for his End to step out of the Way of the Lord yet it is impossible for a man to keep the Way of the Lord unless this be his utmost End Yea though it be possible for one that is right in his End to err in this or that particular so as to stray from the Way of the Lord in some lesser matters that shall not prejudice his Salvation yet it is impossible that such a one should so mistake about the Substantials of this Way as to turn aside and to walk totally and finally in the Way that leadeth to destruction and eternal perdition Though the purity of the End will not make amends for the viciousness of the means yet where a man is right in his End much Errour as to the means shall be forgiven him yea and to have the Glory of God for your End in all your natural and civil Actions is the way to sanctifie them and to inscribe Holiness to the Lord on them Thus may the meanest actions of your particular Callings become Religious if they be done as to the Lord in obedience to his Command and with respect to his Glory Therefore as the Apostle hath it 1 Cor. 10.32 Whether you eat or drink or whatever ye do do all to the Glory of God Make this your scope and it will be of special use to guide you when the way is doubtful being indeed propounded by the Apostle for that end As a man that is travelling on Salisbury Plain towards the City he comes somtimes where there is no beaten paths and somtimes where two or three ways meet now to keep his eye on the City is the ready course to keep him in the right way So if a man were to draw a streight Line to such a Point and hath not a Rule to draw by his readiest way is to keep his eye upon the Point So when your way is doubtful and you know not which way to take take that which is most for the Glory of God where you see not your Rule keep your eye on the Glory of God and it will be of choice use to keep you streight in the Way of the Lord. And so much for the first branch of the Exhortation 2. Be exhorted to wait on the Lord for without this you will not long keep the VVay of the Lord there are such troubles distresses and tribulations that attend the Way of the Lord that as the Apostle hath it Heb. 10.36 Ye have need of Patience that after ye have done the will of God you may inherit the Promise So say I you have need of waiting that you may keep the Way of the Lord and continue therein to the end Wherein the Nature of this Duty lies and what Encouragements there are to it in the worst of times I have lately shewn you when I preached on that Lam. 3.26 It is good that a man hope and wait quietly for the Salvation of the Lord. Whence I observed That however it go with the people of God it is good it is best for them to hope and wait quietly for the Salvation of the Lord. I shall therefore only recommend this Duty to you as the work of this dark Day and conclude with that of our Saviour Luke 12.35 c. And let your Loyns be girded about and your Lights burning and ye your selves like to men that wait for their Lord when he will return from the Wedding that when he cometh and knocketh they may open to him immediately Blessed are those Servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching Yea Keep the Way of the Lord and wait on him For as vers 42 43. Who then is that faithful and wise Steward whom his Lord shall make Ruler over his Houshold to give them their Portion of meat in due season Blessed is that Servant whom the Lord when he cometh shall find so doing FINIS