of Conscience Next Regulate your life by the Word having a constant Eye upon that as your Rule Use 2d Of Reproof If this be so advantageous an Exercise it reproves those that lay this work aside because they think the neglect of Mortification is consistent with Grace but as we were saying it is not consistent with the Life of Grace And the total neglect of it is inconsistent with Grace it self 3ly It reproves those that forbear Mortification because they see not many Evils to Mortifie through want of Self-Examination 4ly Those that spare their Sins because they think there are few free of the like of these Evills they are loath to Mortify Use 3d. Of Tryal To try whether we be about this Work or not 1st The Man that is about this Work he is glad of any actual separation Providence makes between him and his Ills by Crosses 2ly He is daily watchful against External Temptations 3ly He is daily porcing on the Mischiefs that Sin does him and Prays more for Grace against sin then to be free of Crosses and welcoms that Word most that particularly hits his Evills and does not spurn at it Observe 3ly That the Spirit is the great and principal cause of Mortification This is clear if ye consider the strength and deceitfulness of Lusts it must require the Spirits power in opposition to them 2ly if ye consider the ineffectualness of the means that many enjoy without the Spirits Blessing 3ly If ye consider that even those that are weak in natural parts they will when they depend upon the Spirit find great success in Mortification beyond others The manner how the Spirit does Mortifie is by discovering the hatefulness of Sin and its danger 2ly By applying the promises of the Gospel and so outbidding Corruption 3ly By enforcing the Commands of God against sin upon the Conscience Use If it be so we should use the means and Pray for the Spirits Blessing upon them 2ly We should not grieve the Mortifieing Spirit by unwatchfulness against External Temptations by want of Self-Examination to discern our Evills by falling into a frame of indifferency about Mortification that so we desire it faintly Verse 14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God HEre is a proof That those that Mortify their Corruption by the Spirit shall live because They are the Sons of God And he proves this because that as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God Observe the Children of God are led by Gods Spirit I shall clear how this is and then apply it And first The Spirit leads the Child of God by giving him saving Instruction this is Gods teaching according to the Covenant-Promise 1st He opens his understanding that he may understand the Scriptures Luke 24.45 He makes them understand Truth Error 1 John 2.27 2ly He reveals the good things of the Gospel to him in their reality and usefulness 1 Cor. 2 13. 3ly He reveals the spirituality of the Law to them he makes the Commandment which is the Law come in its spiritual meaning to them Rom. 7.9 4ly He instructs them in the vanity of the Creature he makes them see an end of all perfection Psal 119.96 But 2ly He leads them as a Comforter and Encourager of them in their Journey and this he does these three ways 1st By witnessing their Adoption Rom. 8.15 2ly By helping them to apply the Promises Eph. 1.13 3ly By exciting their Hope Rom. 15.13 A 3d. way how he leads them is by strengthening their Grace and so assisting them in their Duty Eph. 3 16. A 4th Way is By exciting them to their Duty when they are laisy And this is done 1st By bringing the Word to their Remembrance Jo. 14.27 2ly By bringing their Engagements to God to their remembrance 3ly He excites them to their Duty by making them observe the Call of Exciteing Providences A 5th Way is By being a Reprover to them discovering to them their sinful Inclinations and strayings out of the way A 6th Way is By discovering unto them and giving them a foresight of the Stumbling-blocks that lye in the way and of the manifold Temptations they may meet with in it A 7th Way is By determining them in dubious cases Paul was bound in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem tho Agabas the Prophet told him of his suffering there From this We may make an Use of Tryal We may conclude that we are Gods Children if we observe these Operations of the Spirit in us 2ly We would be exhorted to beware of these things that marrs the presence of this Guide from us And 1st We would beware of impenitency under known Guilt Psal 51. David was afraid of the loseing the free Spirit by his Impenitency 2ly Beware of Worldliness John 14 17. 3ly Beware of Intemperance These that would be filled with the Spirit must not be filled with Wine Eph. 5.18 4ly Beware of an Vindictive Spirit Eph. 4.31 5ly Beware of slighting the Motions of the Spirit if we would live by the Spirit we must walk in the Spirit Gal. 5.25 6ly Beware of a Legal Frame of Spirit The Spirit glorifies Christ and so is grieved when Christians give not Christ his due The Spirit glorifies Christ John 16.14 7ly We would beware of Laziness or lying by from the use of appointed Means for that is the Way to quench the Spirit 1 Thess 5.19 8â—y Beware of neglecting Praying for the Spirit for the Father gives the holy Spirit to them that ask him 9ly Beware of casting your self upon Temptations we should abstain from all appearance of Evil if we would not quench the Spirit 1 Thess 5.22 Motives to perswade us to entertain the presence of this Guide 1st He is an unerring Guide He neither can nor will mislead us 2ly He is an experienced Guide he hath led many Sons to Glory 3ly He is sent by the Father and the Son to lead the Believer to Heaven 4ly This Guide is near us and constantly with us if we doe not grieve him he remaineth with us and shall be in us John 14 17. 4ly This Guide is absolutely needful for the Christian without him he has no Light no Comfort and no Strength The ignorant dejected and weak Condition of the Christian makes the guiding and leading of the Spirit absolutely needful to him There is a 3d. Use of Consolation from this Doctrine if the Child of God have the leading of the Spirit he may be much comforted under the various Cases he is in in the World he is many times weak for his Duty The Spirit can strengthen him with Might in the inward Man The Child of God is many times environed with Temptations the Spirit can give him the foresight of these He is many times straitned to know what is his Duty The Spirit can lead the blind by a way they know not He is subject to many Discouragements but the Spirit is a
the Visible Church who because of their being strangers to the Operations of the Spirit in the Hearts of true Believers look upon Assurance as an unattainable thing As to the second Observation The way to win to this Assurance it is set down in the Text and it is by getting a two fold Testimony for our Sonship The one from the Spirit and the other from our Conscience The Spirit Testifies to our Sonship 1st By giving an External Revelation in the Scriptures that penitent Believers are the Sons of God John 1.12 2ly The Spirit concurrs with this Testimony by illuminating the Mind and Understanding and perswading it of the truth of this External Revelation 1 Cor. 2.12 3ly The Spirit concurrs to this Testimony by being an evidence of our Sonship by reason of his Gracious sanctifying presence in us Therefore the Scripture calls him the Earnest of our Inheritance Eph. 1 13 and Gods Seal on us Eph 4.30 4ly The Spirit testifies our Sonship by giving us this Internal Objective Revelation viz. That we are Sons and that we have these true Graces in us that are the true Marks of our Adopted state and albeit we cannot discern a true difference between a suggestion of the Spirit of God injecting this thought in us That we are â—onâ— differing I say from the Act of our Conscience concluding our Sonship from reflecting on the truth of our Graces yet there may be a difference between these Two the thought and persuasion injected by the Spirit being attended with a total expulsion of all Fears Whereas the Act of the Conscience may have some mixture of fears attending it And if we consider this Text which asserts the Spirit to be a Co-witness with Conscience testifieing Sonship it supposeth that the Spirit doth give this Internal Objective Revelation to the Mind as a distinct Testimony from that of the Conscience For to say that all that the Spirit works in this affair is to assist the Conscience concluding Sonship from the discerning of the true Marks of a renewed state To say this does not seem to be the whole of his Text for in that case the Spirit helps only the Conscience to be a Witness but he cannot properly be called a Testator himself yea also and another Testator besides the Conscience which the Text does here assert neither doeth tâ— is Assertion of the Spirits giving this Internal Objective Revelation anent the Son ship of the Saints take off Believers from the written word as a Rule of their Life and expose Believers to delusions by leading them to wait upon Internal Revelations differing from the Revelations made in Scripture And that 1st Because this Internal Revelation is agreeable to Scripture-Revelation because it is the Revelacion of Sonship to a particular Membeâ— of the Church who hath all the Scripture-marks of an Adopted state neither is this internal Revelation of Sonship to a particular Believer a new Revelation of a new Article of Faith not contained in the Scriptures added to the Creed of other Believers obliedging them to believe the same it is only the Revelation of a Truth consonant to the Scriptures made to a particular Believer to his comfort And if it be said the asserting of such an Revelation leaves men at great uncertainty because they may take Satans Suggestion for the Testimony of the Spirit It is Answered The Testimony of the Spirit is attended with the Testimony of Conscience concluding upon rational Grounds their Sonship he is said here to be a Co-witness with our Spirits 2ly Where it is it brings with it a disposition and promptitude for Prayer It is the Testimony of the Spirit of Adoption whereby we Cry Abba Father 3ly It disposes the Soul for Holiness it is the holy Spirit of Promise that gives this Testimony Eph. 1.13 There are these Three or Four Ways whereby we may win to this Spirits Testimony As. 1st By exact walking God gives it as a Reward to his Obedient Children 2ly By being of a Gospel-frame of Spirit he is the holy Spirit of Promise and we receive the Spirit as well in his comforting Testimony as in his Sanctifying Vertue by improving the Gospel We receive the Spirit by the hearing of Faith Gal. 3.2 That is by the acceptance and improving of the Object of Faith Viz. the Promise of the Gospel A 3d. Way we receive the Spirit is to be devout much given to Prayer the Spirit of Adoption prompting us to pray is attended with this Testimony as we see by thir two Verses joined together A 4th Way to win at it is Labour for the constant witnessing of our own Conscience testifying to our Son ship and this is win at by studying singleness and sincerity 2 Cor. 1.12 See Jobâ— Experience 2ly We would labour for the grouth of Grace for when Grace is growen it is better seen than when it is in a mean measure 3ly We would labour to have all the Graces of the Spirit for our shortcoming in some makes us jealous we want all 4ly When God calls us to self-denying Acts of Obedience we would readily answer Gods Call For if God take self-denying Acts of Obedience for Evidences of the Truth of Grace a mans own Conscience may safely take them for a sure Evidence of the same for God says Gen. 22. That by Abrahams offering up of Isaac he knew that he feared God Verse 17. And if Children then Heirs Heirs of God and Joint-Heirs with Christ if so be that we suffer with him that we may be also glorifyed together HERE the Apostle infers a certainty of the Children of Gods possessing the Inheritance If Children then Hears and he commends that Inheritance from these two Grounds As 1st It is an Inheritance suitable to the Giver they are Heirs of God 2d Ground is it is the same Inheritance possest by the Lord Christ they are Co-heirs with him The Apostle here also prevents an Objection that might be made against this Doctrine which might be taken from the suffering Lot of the Saints and he turns the Objection to a Confirmation of this Truth See 1 Pet. 1.14 If so be that we suffer with him that we may be also glorifyed together Observe 1st From the Text that God's Children shall certainly possess the Inheritance The 1st Ground of this Objective Certainty is the Oath and Promise of the Covenant See Heb. 6. 2d Ground is the two Priviledges of the Saints whereby they have Right to this Inheritance And these are 1st Justification Tit. 3.6 2ly Adoption See the Text. 3d. Ground are the Seals whereby God confirms the Promise of this Inheritance to his People 1st Seal is the internal Seal of the Spirit Eph. 1.13 2d Seal is the external Seal of the Sacrament of the Supper which is a Seal of the Communion of his Body and Blood the Bread which we break is the Communion of his Body and the Cup which we drink is the Communion of his Blood 2 Cor. 10. And we know
blessedness together with this that it carries 〈◊〉 the bosom of it a removal of all Evil engageth 〈◊〉 to long for it It is our diffidence of the certainâ— of this happiness and our Carnal Minds wherebâ— we are strongly affected to Bodily and external gooâ— These two make us unconcerned and indifferent as 〈◊〉 our going hastily to Heaven 2ly This Patieâ— waiting for Heaven imports our expectation of 〈◊〉 we would believe that it is keeped for us 1 Pet. â— 2ly We should believe we are keeped for it 1 Pâ— 1 5. 1 Pet 4 last 2 Tim. 1 12. This firm expectâ—tion of Heaven is necessary for defending us agaiâ— Worldly Allurements and fixing our Love to Goâ— 3ly This Patient waiting imports in it an endâ—ing of Crosses without Fretting without Faintinâ— we should not fret under Persecutions under Perâ—nal Chastisements under the labour and toil of Duty under the singularity of Crosses under the Assaults of Satans Temptations which may be violent strange and frequent we should kyth our Patience in the want of fretting under Crosses by our Love to God complyance with our present Duty and our loathness to take sinful courses for our relief 4ly This Patient waiting for Heaven imports a protracted and continued hope See Psal 71 14 Col. 1 19 1 Pet. 1 13 Heb 3.14 It is necessary because it is long betwixt the promise of it and the performance of it 2â—y Our Work continues and therefore our hope should continue 3ly Our Tryals may continue and therefore our Hope should continue 4ly We have good reason to continue our hope under continuing Tryals because God has born through formerly the Saints under alle long Tryals and the experience we have had of Gods through bearing us in our former Tryals should make us believe that he will carry us through all the Tryals that is befor our hand Use of this is If we would wait patiently for Heaven as the Text bids us we must strive for an all of Patience Col. 1.10 and for this effect we should acquire much of the Art of Self-denyal Verse 26. Likeways the Spirit also helpeth our Infirmities HEre the Apostle gives us an other Ground of Comfort under the Cross viz That tho the Saints be compassed with Infirmities yet the Spirit supports them under those and doth as the word in the first Language imports join himself with them in bearing of their Burthen Observe The Saints under Crosses have Infirmities both Moral and Physical Moral Infirmities such as Discontent as Jonah had Impatience which Job had a share of Unbelief with David Psal 77 Partial Atheism Psal 73 Pride with Hezekiah Isai 39. Passionate revenge with David in the case of Nabal Selfishness with those People that lived in the days of Hagai who Builded their own houses and forgot to Build the house of God weariedness in Labour and toil in Duty with Moses who wearied in the toil and labour of the Government of the People Partial Hypocrisie with David in the matter of Vriah 1 Pet. 2 1 2ly They are subject to Physical Troubles because they meet with Challenges for their old and new Sins under the Crosses which makes them apprehend their Crosses to be wrathful and makes them fear their continueing and grouth In the 3d place They are subject to Bodily Frailty and Sickness and Death which certainly contributes to make the Cross the more uneasy The Saints subjection to these manifold Moral Infirmities should bâ— a motive to humble them and to make them watchful lest they break out into gross Transgressions by them For when I say the Saints are subject to those Infirmities my meaning is not that the tract of their life is spent in outward Acts signifying the Predominancy of these ills in their heart for the Godly Man does no Iniquity in that sense See Psal 119 2 1 Jo. 3.8 But when I say they are subjsâ—ct to Infirmities my meaning is That Corruption tho it be broken in its Power in Believers yet it is partially Acting with their Graces There is another Use And that is Since the Saints are subject to physical Throuble then they need not wonder that besides the Persecution they sustained for the Testimony of the Truth they are lyable to manifold personal troubles since the Saints have been tryed with those before them Observe 2ly That the Spirit supports the Saints under their Infirmities he keeps them from despair under their most violent Temptations Psal 42.5 Psal 73 23. and 73.3 Lam. 3.13 The Spirit supports the Saints by giving them a prospect of Heaven Eph. 1.18 this cures their impatience and discontent 2ly He supports them by discovering the Truth of their Grace 1 Cor. 2.12 this was the way he supported Job 2ly He supports them against Temptations to Sin by discovering the odiousness of Sin to them this was it whereby he keeped David from yeilding to the Temptations of fretting against the prosperity of the Wicked the Spirit did convince him that if he gave way to that Temptation it were upon the matter an denying of the necessity and advantage of Piety Psal 73 17. 4ly The Spirit keeps a man from sinning under the Cross by fixing a man in such thoughts as may best preserve him from these sins he is presently tempted to and therefore when the Spirit would preserve David from despair Psal 77. He fixes his thoughts on the former kindnesses of God towards him He called to mind the former days 5ly He supports the Saints by strengthening the habits of Grace Eph. 3.17 and this makes their Gracious Work more easy 6ly He applys the promises to them and so makes them cheerful in their duty notwithstanding of their Infirmities 7ly He gives them access to God in Prayer as the Text afterwards tells us Vse 1st This lets us see That common Courage will not bear us through our Infirmities 2ly This refutes the Worlds Atheism because it evinceth that there is an efficacy in the Spirit that supports the Saints under their Infirmities 3ly It bids Crossed Christians under their Infirmities be careful to obtain and entertain the Spirits presence by shunning Legality Worldlyness and Sensuality greiving the Spirit Repelling his motions and quenching them we should Pray much to God for the Spirit Luke 17 18. We should labour to attain the Spirits presence by the use of Ordinances next we should be careful to refer our through-bearing to the Spirit and not to our selves Verse 26. For we know not what we should pray for as we ought but the Spirit it self also maketh Intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered THE Apostle doth instance the particular help the Spirit affords us in Prayer To prove that the Spirit is the helper of our Infirmities under the Cross Observe 1st That Prayer is a very suitable Exercise to Crossed Christians 2ly We are very ignorant what to Pray for or how to Pray 3ly This indisposition for Prayer is removed by the Spirit And 4ly Where the Spirit removes
without Efficacy reflect 〈◊〉 Gods sincerity in the external call for the external call only holds out what is Duty and what mâ— be a sufficient encouragement for the doing of thâ— Duty but it does not signifie any thing of Gods 〈◊〉 terminate Purpose to bring about Events Neithâ— are these only that are externally called excusabâ— for their disobedience upon the account of their waâ— of the internal Call for they are willingly disobedient and they have sufficient discovery of Duâ— with sufficient encouragement to perform it Use 1st This lets us see the Soveraignty oâ— God in dispensing this internal Call to some and denying it to others this is handled by the Apostle Rom. 9. Use 2d Of Exhortation to exhort the internally called to thankfulness seing it is a special Mercy not granted to all within the Visible Church Observe next that this internal Call is of Grace 〈◊〉 and not of Works see 2 Tim. 1.8 This is clear 〈◊〉 ye consider who they are the Called The Poor 1 Cor. 1.27 The Foolish Matth. 11.25 The Prophane passing by the Civil 2 Cor. 6.10 The dead in Trespasses and Sins Eph. 2.1 The Gentiles passing by many of the Jews besides Gods calling the wicked Nation of the Jews to a Visible Church-state passing by other Nations that were more Civilized then they was à representation of the freedom of this Internal Call see Deut. 9.4 Now there were some Nations better then the Jews for when God sent Ezekiel to them he said if he had sent them to other Nations he had not found them so Rebellious as the house of Judah and Christ said that tho the Jews were Impenitent under his Doctrine and Miracles yet if they of Tyre and Sidon had heard and seen them they would not a been so Next This Internal Call is free Because the Soul is passive in Vocation Phil. 3.12 2ly It is free because it is not merited by Works for all the good Works that a man can do flows from the Power of Grace 1 Cor. 15.10 Now we want Grace before we be internally Called and we are in the flesh also before we be internally Called Now these that are in the flesh cannot please God and therefore cannot merite this internal Call Again neither can it be said that the receiving of this internal Call doth merite because Gods Working in us to Will is of good Pleasure also well as his working in us to do Phil. 2.12 Use 1st The internally Called should be humble 2ly They should be confident of their perseverance seing Grace began their Salvation it can also carry it on 3ly Seing ye get this Grace freely of God use it for him Use 2d To encourage these who find their Grace under decay to use means for its recovery and expect it seing it was given freely Use 3d. Of Instruction to let us see that Glory is of Grace seeing our first Calling to it is free Use 4th It encourages Ministers to go on with the external Call because God may confer the internal Call upon the worst seing it is free and the worst of sinners may use the means for their conversion to God seing God can confer this internal Call upon the worst of them freely Observe 3ly This Call is effectual seing it is the accomplishment of a standing purpose see Rom. 9.11 Jo. 6 44.45 Cant. 1.3 4. The promise of thâ— Spirit Ezek. 36. â—6 Doth not only say that God wil enable us to walk in his Statutes but that we shall actually walk in them beside not only a Power to believe but Actual Believing is Gods Gift Phil. 1. last And actual Repentance is the certain effect of converting Grace Jer. 31 18. Likeas this Grace conferred by this Internal Call cures the resistence to it self because by it the stony heart is taken out of our flesh and we get an heart of flesh Neither can it be said that our concurrence into this Internal Calâ— makes it effectual because then Gods working in us to do were not so much of his good pleasure as his working in us to will contrair to Phil. 2.2 And our Calling which is said to be of Grace and not of Works might be said to be of this Work Viz. A Concurrence with the internal Call which cannot be consistent with this which is said in the 2 Tim 1.9 Viz. That our Calling is not of Works bâ— of Grace Besides to say that the effectualness of this Grace depended on our concurrence it were also much as to say that it were in our power to make Christs Death fruitless and to render void the Promise of the Father to the Son in the Covenant of Redemption Viz. That he should see his seed and the pleasure of the Lord should prosper in his hand Isai 53.10 Neither doth the effectualness of this Call take away the natural freedom of the Will for that Natural freedom consists in a spontaneous willing acting from choice Neither doth the Doctrine of the effectualness of Grace speak any thing against the approvableness of the Saints obedience to Gods Call for it may flow from determinating Grace and yet be approvable for the obedience of Angels and confirm'd Saints in Heaven is approven of God Use 1st This lets us see the difference betwixt Gods working on Mens Spirits and Satans working on them Satan can only perswade but God can determine 2ly we may see the great power of God in the power of converting Grace It is compared to the Power that raised Christ from the Dead Eph. 1.18 3ly It says we need not despair of the Conversion of the worst 4ly It says that the Converted may believe that they shall persevere notwithstanding of the opposition made to their perseverance because that same powerful Grace that converted them at first can make them persevere Next When it is said they are called according to purpose it speaks this Call to be a persevering Call for this purpose is irrevocable Rom. 11.29 Observe next That those that are called according to purpose their Calling is a sure pledge that God will make all their Afflictions tend to their spiritual good and that because their Calling is linked with their Glory as being the first prime effect of their predestination v 30. Use of this is That if we would be sure that ouâ— Afflictions would advance our spiritual Good we would try our Calling And first try it by our Saving Knowledge 2 Pet. 1.58 2ly Try it by ouâ— attainment to Holyness 1 Thess 4.7 3ly Try it by your Communion with Christ 1 Cor. 1.9 4ly Try it by your esteem of the mystery of the Cross 1 Cor. 1.23 5ly Try it by the deep impressions of the Gospel Truths on your Heart Rom. 6.17 6ly Try it by your esteem of the Calling Word If ye desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby 1 Pet. 2.2 Verse 29 For whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conform'd to the image of his Son that he might
was opprest with his sickness and when he undelivered he could not express the greatness of the Sense he had of it 4ly He brings his People to this pass to try if they rue their former Religion Hezekiah was tryed whether he rued his Reformation by the Assyrian Invasion 2 Chron. 32.1 5ly He does it to make them fervent in Prayer 2 Chron. 20.12 6ly To try their Integrity whether they shall take unlawful Ways for their Relief 7ly This is to make them not to trust in their own Wisdom but in Gods 2 Cor. 1 8 9 And 8ly This is done to punish their sin Isa 59.10 11 12. Observe 3ly The Saints may meet with Exile or Banishment the Word here translated Persecution may be meant of Expulsion from the Society whereof they are Members This is caseable to the Saints as witness the case of David and of the Captives in Jeconiab's days God trysts them with this 1st To awaken their longing after the Ordinances Psal 63.8 Psal 42. 2ly To punish the Wicked with the want of their Company 3ly To convert the Elect where they go Acts 11.19 Isa 66 19. 4ly To fit them for great Services by accustoming them to bear hardship as he did with Moses and David 5ly To make them to be denyed to their Relations and to be strangers on the Earth 6ly That they may have Experience of Gods Fatherly Provision of them in such a case Vse If this may be their case prepare to meet with it and for this effect use your Liberty and the Company of your Friends edifieingly that when you are in Exile you may bear off your Conscience-Challenges for abuse of Mercies 2ly Use the World as an strange Place and make Heaven your Home 3ly Labour for Communion with God that whâ— you want the Company of your Friends you 〈◊〉 have Gods Company to make it up 4ly In tâ— midst of your Prosperity acquaint your self with Life of Faith and Dependence upon God that whâ— ye come to straits that life may be the more easy â— you 5ly Acquaint your self with the comfortabâ— allowances of Gods People under Exile As 1st Hâ— supplies the want of Ordinances to them Ezek. â— 16 2ly He provides Friends to them where the go as he provided to Joseph and Daniel 3ly Hâ— supports them under that case 2 Cor. 4 9. 4ly Theâ— are sure of a Recompence Mat. 19 â—9 5ly Hâ— sanctifies that condition to them Jer. 24.7 6ly He renews the sense of their Interest in Gods Covenant-Promise Gen. 28 And discovers more of thâ— Secrets of the Covenant of Grace than at any â—ther time See his dealing with the Captives in Baâ—lon and sometimes he gives them a foresight 〈◊〉 the future State of the Church as he did to Daniel Observe 4ly That Gods People may be tryeâ— with Famine God does this 1st To punish Sensuality Lam 4.5 2ly To humble them and â— prepare them for Plenty Deut. 8 3 6. 3ly To tâ— their Faith and Integrity as it was with Christ 〈◊〉 the Wilderness 4ly To depend more upon Providence than to trust what they presently possesâ— 5ly That they may have experience of Gods blessing their little Vse Be comforted under this case when ye faâ— in it For 1st Christ was in this case that he might Sympathize with you 2ly This case mâ— prevent the Snare of Plenty 3ly It may be the occasion of some extraordinary Way of Gods providing for you for it may be an occasion of Gods giving them an experience that he blesses their little Observe 5ly They may be tryed with Nakedness 2 Cor. 11.27 Heb 11.37 And this teacheth you not to be Prodigal as to cloaths ye know not what may come 2ly The People of God may be comforted under this Lot because it 's not a singular case 2ly They have Christs Righteousness to cover their Spiritual Nakedness and may expect the Garment of Immortality Observe 6ly They may meet with Perils that may put their Life in hazard to be taken away suddenly 2 Cor. 11.26 And this reproves the vulgar who censures the state of the Godly upon the account of their meeting with thir Perils see Acts 28.4 2ly It says the state of the Saints is secure tho they should suddenly be taken away 3ly It bids them prepare for Death lest they be surprised with it 4ly It bids them be thankful for the continuance of their life seing they are lyable to so many Perils as may take it away Observe next The Saints may be tryed with the Enmity of the Powers of the World against them this is meant by the Sword and this is done for the greater Tryal of the Saints that they may suffer in their Name alse well as in their Body for when the Powers of the Earth persecute them they pretend their being guilty of Crimes that they are innocent of The Apostle insists in this Tryal by citeing the Experience of the Saints in Psal 44. The Words are as it is writen For thy sake we are killed all the day long we are counted as sheep for the slaughter In which Words we may see 1st That the recorded Persecution of the Saints in Scripture is great comfort to the Saints when they are persecute 2ly We may see that the Powers on Earth maâ— take away the life of the Saints for adhereing to the Truth The Reason is because Gods Truth wâ— not let them sin without a Witness it awakens theâ— Conscience against them These Prophets tormented them that dwelt on the Earth Rev. 11. 2ly They persecute them because they oppose their wicked political Designs as Jeroboam persecute Amos God permits this that Persecutors should kilâ— them to the End that Persecutors their Enmity should be better discovered and their Cup the sooner filled that the Saints Faith may be better tryed and their Corruptions more purged and they made more heavenly and that Hypocrites may be purgeâ— out of the Kirk by that soreness of the Persecution and that the Power of God may be more seen it enlarging of his Church under that Persecution as it was seen in Egypt and in the Primitive Times Vse Since this is caseable Gods People would be comforted under this Providence by these Grounds 1st It is an honour that they are to co-witness with Christ to the Truth 2ly Truth will receive no Damnage by this it 's more cleared and confirmed the Church receives no damnage by it it 's more purified and enlarged the Godly receive no damnage by it for they are born up Luke 21.14 15. The Lord takes this way for to chastise their sin and that tends in the hinderend for their honour and he lets them not want comfort and by this they have a great evidence of the soundness of their Grace Next From this Citation that we are killed all the day long There is imported 1st That Persecutors Malice is not soon satisfied the constancy of Saints irritates their Malice and former Acts of persecution gives the Devil access to hurry