the day of the most dismal and deep distresse whereby it is evident that the sweetest ferenitie of soul in the sadest most surprising of troubles is possible to him that beleeveth Thirdly That which doth commend Books and without an Epistle of of recommendation is an Epistle Commendatory sufficient makes all courting of the Reader to their perusal a superfluous complement an unprofitable waste of words yea a profuse expense of precious time is That what the Author writs be not onely upright and words of truth But that the truth treated of be pertinent to the present day the duty pressed be that which must be known that it may be practised when upon the real and right performance thereof depends in a particular manner more than the believers peace yea more than his soul and eternal happinesse can amount uuto Viz. the glorifying of God in the fires of fiery trials and the bringing up a good report upon his vvayes by a practical proof that there is a sufficiency of strength communicable whereby the weakest is made strong and a singularitie of sweetnesse experienced whereby a man otherwise of sorrows can sing in the wayes of the Lord even when his way lyes thorow fire water so that he who hath taken hold of the path of life needs neither faint in the way because of his own weaknesse there being everlasting armes underneath stronglie supporting nor yet turn aside out of it when there is a lyon in it neither wearie in going foreward through want of what is sweet and refreshing since there is a well spring of comfort insured unto the walker in these wayes so as in the greatest pinch and penurie of all outward things yea when put to the greatest pain he hath still everlasting consolation and can glory in tribulation and rejoyce not onely in the hope of the glory of God but sing as alreadie in the suburbs of heaven while under the shineings of his Masters face and the shedings abroad of his love in the heart And according to this rate and reckoning I may make bold to say the mater herein treated of is of that moment import present necessitie as to draw the eyes of all men towards it that their hearts may be cast into this mould and they put in case to practise accordingly for this was the happie Authors scope for this he wearied himself and was at this peece of pains amongst his other eminent singularly useful and assiduous labourings for the edification of the Church at home and abroad the care of all which lay upon him that thou mightest know how to finde ease safetie and refreshment when there seems nothing in thy life but sorrow and in thy cup but gall and wormewood In a word the Author hath written the first second part of the Life of Faith that the Reader may write the third part in his practise by making his life a transumpt of both in a day when most are making shipwrack of faith and a good conscience and many who once professed themselves Disciples are now turning back And Alas I am affraid it shall be observed and said of them they walked no more with him But for their turnings aside unto these croaked courses were led forth with the workers of iniquitie So that this is a word in season seeing besides the native and intrinsick beautie of truth that commends what is said to thy peruseal the adventitious beautie of seasonablenesse endears it to thee For he that writes it was a Preacher who sought to finde out acceptable words the tongue of the learned was given unto him For what he writs doth witnesse that his eare vvas vvakened to hear as the learned that so the might speak and vvrite as the learned But for a conclusion I must tell thee that the spiritually vvise and zealous Author vvas not only driven to treat of this subject because of the present pressurs of the poor remnant pressed out of measure and beyond strength though he had this also in prospect that so they might be quickened quieted encouraged and comforted under these crushing calamities and might be instructed hovv to glorifie God in this day of visitation and endure the vvorlds hatred and the vvorst that either enraged Adversaries or incensed friends can doe as seeing him vvho is invisible and as believing that all these shall vvork together for their good and as assured that they shall turn to their salvation through the intercession of the Mediator and the supplie of the Spirit of Jesus Christ But more particularly considering our vvay and our proceeding from evil to vvorse vvhat high affronts have been put upon our infinitly glorious Lord and Master hovv these have not only not been resented and vvitnessed against vvith a zeal a fervor of pure zeal proportioned to the furious fervidnesse and unhallovved heat of that opposition to Christ and hatred to the coming of his Kingdom in the World vvitnessed by the complex of the adversaries course and carriage But Alas to our shameful astonishing faint vvhen called to have been valiant for the truth and to have acquit ourselves as the good souldiers of Jesus Christ ambitious to have been sacrificed upon the Interest of our Royal Master's glorious Crovvn and Prerogative hath been added a drawing back Courses have been taken patronized and applauded partly in recto partly in obliquo And that by some vvhom least of all it became if I may say so from vvhose hand Christ might have exspected a heroick opposition to these hell-black driveings vvhereby a defection for in despite of all the palliatings and cunning plaisterings to hide this novv its manifest hath been and is novv carried on And there is no small rage vvitnessed against all vvho essay to discover our iniquitie to turn avvay our captivitie In a vvord vvhen he considered all the dispensations of God and took notice of the dispositions propensions of men not of the multitude but of Ministers and Professors even of these vvho vvould monopolize to themselves the repute of zealous according to knovvledge the onelie vvise men in the Church vvho knovv the times and vvhat the Israel of God ought to doe as if vvisdom vvere either to die vvith them or to live only with the persons of their principles and practises he fell under the apprehension and persuasion and who can escape it of a woful day coming upon the people of these practises however a great many have not only been puting far away the thoughts of this evil day but have been dreaming of a delivery ah how deep a delusion shall this be quickly found And therefore that the poor remnant who in some measure have escaped and have endeavoured to keep themselves pure frâ—…m the pollution of this defection may know what to doe and how to carry in that day of vengeance of our Godâ—… when he shall draw his wheted his glittering and furbished sword to avenge the quarrel of a
and lay his conclusions of new Then I should wish He were not God for the true God is a God that changeth not Mal. 3 6. and a God whose Purposes cannot fail for they have a hand with them to effectuatall Esai 14 26. as he purposeth so shall it stand Esa 14 24. Who can disanull what He purposeth Vers. 27. And what he purposeth he will also do Esai 46 v. 11. So that if I should once imagine that His decrees could alter upon one account or other I should in so far deny the true living God And if one of his purposes could alter why not another how then should I think that his purpose according to election should staud Rom. 9 11. 8 28. Ephes. 1 v. 11. 3 10 11. 2 Tim. 1 9. And if there were the least ground of doubt here where were all my Hop Comfort Confidence Therefore would the beleever say Because it is my joy comfort that His purposes fail not and that He is a God that cannot change but whom he loveth he loveth to the end therefore will I with joy subject my self unto all his decreed Dispensations towards me how hard so ever they may seem to flesh because He is Unchangable and Almighty and thereupon hangeth all my Hope and Salvation 2. All his determinations and decrees are for his own glory He worketh all things according to the Counsel of his own will that we should be to the praise of his Glory Ephes. 1 11 12. He maketh all things for Himself Prov. 16 4. Hence the beleeving soul reasoneth with himself Shall I stand in the way of God's getting his glory He hath determined this to befall me for his own glory and should I wish it to be otherwayes Should I not comply with his holy designe of glorifying himself by this his Dispensation towards me Should I not acquiesce in all the meanes and methods His infinit wisdom hath thought upon and He in infinite wisdom hath determined to make use of for glorifying of his own name Should not I be satisfied with his being exalted Nay should not this Consideration that hereby God will be glorified make mine heart sing under all my sorrow cause me conclude all my meditations on His dispen fations towards me as Paul did his Discourse Rom. 11. For of him through him to him are all things to whom be glory for ever Amen v. last 3 As all that God hath decreed to do in the world is for his own glory so all that he hath determined to do with or to bring upon His own people who are called according to the election of grace is for their good according to that Rom. 8 28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God to them who are the called according to his purpose Hence the Godly Soul can reason Shall I be against mine own good and advantage Shall I wish that things were otherwise than they are when the only Wise and Gracious God hath ordered and ordained them so for my good He hath made many noble connexions in his Purposes that I see not and seing He hath said that all things work together for good to such as love Him and are called according to his purpose why should I not beleeve against sense and carnal reason Am I able to search out the Almighty unto perfection Can I finde out all the depths of his Counsel and Wisdom Shall I think then that he can bring about my good and felicity by no meanes and dispensations but such as I am satisfied with Shall I measure the unsearchable riches of his Wisdom and Councel thus Shall I rebell against his Dispensations and fret and murmure against Him who dealeth thus and thus with me because I see not how He can bring about my everlasting advantage hereby No Nay rather because his word is true beleeving the same I will embrace the sharpest of Dispentions He is pleased to tryst me with and waire to see how infinit Wisdom shall make good what Truth it self hath said Thus we see how the Consideration of the decreed will of God can preserve the Christians life in worst of times CONSIDERATION IX It is the Commanding will of God CHristian souls have much Peace and joy when they are going about a commanded duty and they know upon good grounds that what they are going about is a commanded duty notwithstanding of the many Hazards Difficulties Pinches and Distresses they are put to in the prosecution thereof and when they are called to suffer and to lye under outward Trouble and Affliction are oftentimes under much sadness of heart and disquietment of mind upon this account among others That they know not if their suffering be according to the will of God and whether or not they have ground to expect God's approbation which if they saw clear ground to beleeve and look for they would be no more disquieted than when going about other clear and necessary duties It will be useful therefore and advantagious to such as meet with a suffering life to know some thing whereby they may come to understand how and what way they may or may not be called of God to suffer I grant that Suffering as it is a meer passion doth not properly fall under a command But the Choosing Embracing patient cheerful couragious and Christian Enduring of Sufferings and Affliction fall under a command and this is all the subject of our present enquirie That we may know when we are to judge our selves called of God to choose Affliction with the people of God and to undergo it with courage and patience knowing that in so doing we are approven of God In order therefore to the clearing up of this we would know That as there is a time when God calleth to valient acting and appearing and hazarding lives and fortunes and all for Him and His interest and to jeopard our lives on the high places in the field and to come forth to the help of the Lord against the mighty as we would escape the Curse of Meroz Iudg. 5 23. So there is a time when He who only can change seasâ—…ns and times calleth for Valiant Suffering and to become a companion in Tribulation and in the Kingdom and Patience of Jesus Christ. And this appeareth from these particulars 1. There is a particular gift of God for this Suffering as wee see Phil. 1. vers 29. Vnto you it is given not only to beleeve on him but also to suffer for his sake And when God giveth a gift for such a peculiar work it saith there is a time and season when that gift is to be imployed and exercised for he giveth not gifts to lye by us and rust or to be hid in a napkin under ground 2. There are peculiar duties called-for at the hands of Christians relative only or mainly unto a suffering time as Taking up the Cross Patience Being faithful unto the death Revel
2 10. Holding fast Christ's name and not denying his faith Vers. 13. Keeping Christs works unto the end Vers. 26. Keeping of Christs word and not denying his name Revel 3. v. 8. Keeping the word of Christs patience V. 10. Keeping fast and not casting away our Confidence Heb. 10 35. and the like All which say there is a time for suffering and witnessing to the truth by suffering 3. â—…he many motives and encouragments given to bear up the hearts of sufferers say that the people of God have such a lot to look for and must lay their account to meet with Trials and Tribulations for adhering to truth 4 The many Instances and examples of valiant and stedfast Sufferers before us recorded for our Instruction and Information say there is such a season wherein such as would stand fast in the faith can look for nothing but sharp trials for the Name of Jesus 5. The forewarnings given to such as will follow Christ to take up withall their cross Mat. 16 24. And that through much tribulation we must enter into the Kingdom of God Act. 14 22. And that all who will live godly in Christ Iesus shall suffer persecution 2 Tim. 3. vers 12. That we should not think strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try us as though some strange thing hapned unto us 1 Pet. 4. vers 12 These and the like confirme this matter 6 Christ the Captaine of our Salvation was made perfect through sufferings Heb. 2 10. He himself hath told us Mat. 10 24 25 That the Disciple is not above his Master nor the Servant above his Lord that it is enough for the Disciple that he be as his Master the Servant as his Lord that if they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub how much more shall they call them of his houshold And we are bidden look unto Iesus the Author and finisher of faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the crosse despising the shame And to consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself lest we be wearied and fainte in our mindes Hebr. 12 2 3. And we are told 1 Petr. 2 21. That even hereunto we are called because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example that we should follow his steps And againe Chap. 4 1. For asmuch as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh we should arme our selves likewise with the same mind All which and the like say that a Suffering lot is abiding the followers of Jesus and that it is the will of God they should prepare for it 7. Some special works there are which God hath upon the wheels to perfect and these call for a suffering season such as the trial and discovery of the sincerity of His grace in His own as also the exercise and promoving thereof for tribulation worketh patience and patience experience and experience hop Rom. 5 3 4. So the trying of saith worketh patience Iam. 1 3. See also 1 Pet. 1. vers 7. and 4 12. As also the discovery of the rottenness and hypocrisie of a Professing generation who want root and so must wither when the scorching sun of persecution ariseth Mat. 13 5 21. For this is as a small sieve So also the discovery of the Maliciousness and wickedness of Enemies which lay hid and latent before it gote a seasonable vent when their hour and power of darkness cometh Luk. 22 53. 8. This may be confirmed by express Testimonies of Scripture such as 1 Pet. 2. vers 19 20 21. For this is thank worthy or grace if a man for conscience toward God endure griefe suffering wrongfully But if when ye do well suffer for it ye take it patiently this is acceptable or grace or favour with God For even hereunto were ye called It must then be a commanded duty and obedience to a command that rendereth a man gracious and acceptable with God So 1 Pet. 4 19. Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God c. this is according to his will of command So Heb. 10 39. The will of God there mentioned is as we explained it his will of command which was done by enduring patiently for the Profession of the truth a whole fight of afflictions their patient suffering being noble service to their Lord and Master By all which we see that there are some times and seasons wherein the people of God are called to suffer If it be enquired When is that Time and Season wherein the people of the Lord are called to suffer The answere is easie to wit when the red horse spoken of Revel 6 4. is sent forth and power is given to him that sitteth thereon to take peace from the earth and for that end hath given unto him a great sword that is when Truth and the Profession thereof is persecuted when Tribulation or Persecution ariseth because of the Word as it is Mat. 13 26. When men must be slain for the Word of God and for the Testimonie which they hold Revel 6 9. When the Truth and the open Profession thereof is questioned and opposed then are the followers of Christ called to suffer rather than to sin and upon all hazards to hold fast the Profession of their faith without wavering not forsaking even the assembling of themselves together Heb. 10 23 25. Then are they to make Moses's choise that is chuse rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season Heb. 11 25. When any of the revealed Truthes of God are opposed and such as owne the same are maligned hated and persecuted that is the Season wherein the Lord calleth all His to embrace any suffering rather than deny His Truth and the word of His Patience It is spoken to the commendation of the Church of Pergamos Revel 2. vers 13. That though dwelling where Satans seat was yet she held fast Christ's â—…ame and did not deny His faith even in these daies wherein Antipas Christ's faithful Martyr was slaine So that it is Christ's will and command that all his followers should abide stedfast faithful and unmovable in owning of his Truth and Cause his Word and Interest on all hazards But some will possibly enquire How shall I know whether or not I in particular be called to suffer Answer We are not to expect any extraordinary Revelation or Declaration of God's mind in this particular though I grant the Lord may condescend in love and pity to some weak persons to give some more than ordinary intimation of his will whether by some secret and forcible impulse upon their Spirits or by some influence of comfort and encouragment whereby they are enabled to despise the shame and to endure the cross as seeing the joy set before them and are strengthened against the feares of men even of the greatest and most terrible as seeing Him who is Invisible But these outflowings of his Love
and Tenderness not being the Rule of our duty we must not think that we are never called to hazard on suffering untill we meet with some such Dispensation of his free grace Nor must we waite for some singular Intimation made by some more than ordinary light given to discover the Truth and the Importance thereof for owning of which we are exposed to suffering The Revelation of the Truth made by Jesus Christ in his Word is the only ground of our faith our faith thereunto is called for though we want such rare communications of Light bearing home the soul-captivaring perswasion of the Truth its concernments over all possiblity of doubting or hesitating in the least for these are not our Ground or Rule of faith but soveraigne and special helps to strengthen our faith and to fix us more upon our ground But the ground of our Suffering and that which we should look upon as a call from God to choose suffering is the Lord's command to owne and avow His Truth so that when the Lord in His Holy and Wise Providence ordereth matters so as that we must either suffer or sin in denying His word or any point of Truth revealed in his word and so either Suffer or forsake our Duty then are we to look upon our selves as called of God to choose suffering rather than sin When as it were Sin and Suffering are laid before us that we may make our choise and there is no third thing to demurre us nor any faire and lawful way to escape the suffering but by sinning then with Moses in that forecited place Heb. 11 2â—… We are to preferre Suffering before Sinning and that according to the will of God This deed of Moses in chusing rather to suffer a â—…tction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season was a rare Act of faith and consequently an act of obedience faith being no blind act but walking upon the ground of a command When then we can not evite suffering but by sinning in denying the Truth or in not adhering to it or not Professing of it according to the will of God we suffer for well doing This is it that is acceptable unto God and that to which we are called to wit That we take it patiently when we do well and suffer for it This is to endure grief suffering wrongfully for conscience towards God and which is thankworthie 1 Pet. 2. vers 19 20 21. Hence we see that it must be Truth and the Word of Christ that must be suffered for else we cannot be said to suffer for Conscience towards God nor for well doing If a Person be under the Power of an Erroneous Conscience taking that for Truth which is nothing but Errour his suffering in defence thereof and for adhering thereto is not suffering for well doing nor for conscience towards God nor have such any call from God to suffer upon that account and yet if for fear of suffering any such should deny that which they apprehended to be truth they should virtually deny the truth of God and sinne because they should deny that which they took to be the truth of God and if it had been â—…eally the truth of God they would have denied it no less than now they have done though they did mistakingly apprehend it to be the truth of God when it was not In this case there is no preventing of sin but by laving by the blinded and erroneous Conscience that is by laying aside the mistake and errour and receiving â—…ight Information concerning the Truth And therefore when a time of trial cometh and persecution ariseth upon the account of the Testimony of Jesus and of his Word all wâ—…o would be found faithful in that day of trial should labour to have the Word dwelling in them richly to be rooted and grounded in the Truth tobe receiving and drinking-in the Truthes of God and to have all grounded upon the infallible Word of Truth that what they owne and hold may be the sure and undoubted Truth of Jesus and so a part of his Testimony And for this Cause they would be living neer to Him who is the Truth that being taught of Him and receiving the Truth as it is in Jesus they may be in case to assert and owne the same upon all hazards and so fitted for witnessing to the Truth and for holding fast Christs Word and nothing else But some may say Though we know and beleeve the Truth that is opposed Yet we are not able to maintaine it against learned Adversaries nor to answere their contrary Arguments and Objections How can we suffer upon the account of such a piece of truth which we have not skill and understanding to defend against cunning Adversaries I Answ. Though it is true Men of great parts and abilities to plead and argue for truth would seem to have a great advantage in such a day of trial yet experience proveth that such as are far inferiour unto them as to parts and abilities will be helped to faithful witness-bearing to the Truth when they may shamfully decline that Duty Suffering is a peculiar gift doth not alwayes accompany the gift of learning And I doubt it be required of all Christians to be able to disput for the truth and to answere all the Sophismes of cunning Adversaries yet it is required of all that they contend earnestly for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints Iud. 3. and that they stand fast in the faith 1 Cor. 16 13. and in the Lord Phil. 4 v. 1. 1 Thes. 3 8. and hold fast Christs Name and the Word of his Patience and not deny his Faith and Name Revel 2 10 13 and 3 v. 8 10. and that they keep his Word Revel 3 8. It is the Duty of all to receive the Truth and the Love of the Truth and when the truth in its Love and Loveliness is received then it sincketh into the heart and such though they cannot Disput for the Truth yet can suffer for it and not deny it upon any termes Though they have but a little strength yet they will keep his Word as is spoken to the Commendation of the Church of Philadelphia Revel 3 v 8. Truth is Truth though we be not able to defend it against Sophisters and to stop the mouth of gaine-sayers and the Truth as it is in Jesus and as it is a part of his Testimonie who is the Truth should be owned and maintained by suffering The Primitive Christians who suffered martyrdom for the Truth were not all able to answere the Cavils and Sophismes of a Celsus and a Porphyrie and others who imployed their learning and parts against the Truth yet having received the love of the truth and embraced the Gospel of Jesus Christ no sufferings nor torments could move them to a forsaking or denying of the same They did keep Christs word and would not deny his Name But may some say what
if the point of Truth upon which I am questioned and staged be but small and of no great consequence and many moe than I do so judge it must I hazard on suffering upon the account thereof and think that God will accept of me therein Answere Let the point of truth be never so small and inconsiderable whether in thine own eyes or in the eyes of others yet it being a part of the Truth of God and of the Revelation of Jesus Christ it is a part of that Name of Christ's which should not be denied and of that Word which should be kept Satan may move Persecuters to urge but small things at the beginning that thereby he may make way to greater knowing that if once Professors cede in smaller matters they are the fairer to be prevailed with in greater things for hâ—…ving forsaken the Lord in lesser they are out of the ordinary rode of meeting with promised help and assistance when they are questioned upon greater things Who love Truth for Truth 's sake and upon the account that it is the Truth of Jesus will love the lâ—…ast of divine truthes and therefore will not deny it because it is a part of the Name of Christ every part whereof is sweet and desirable unto the gracious soul. On the other hand who forsake and deny Truth because it is small and inconsiderable will hold no Truth as the Name and Word of Christ and so will be faire to deny the greatest who suffer not for the Truth as it is the Truth and because it is the Truth of Christ cannot be said to suffer for conscience toward God and as holding fast the Name of Jesus and the word of his patience And such as are willing to suffer for the Truth upon this account will suffer upon all Truth how small so ever it may seem to be if it be a part of the word of His Testimony The Testimonie to the Truth is not to be estimat according to the greatness or weightiness of the Truth upon which the Testimony is called for but rather on the contrary that may be accounted a great Testimony which is for a small Truth to speak comparatively for indeed no part of Christ's truth should be accounted small because it argueth great love to the Truth and Zeal for it it argueth much singleness and honesty and so is much to the glory of God such as are thus faithful in a very little may be much esteemed of by the Lord and have rule over many cities The denying of or not witnessing unto the meanest Truth in a stated case of Confession is a being ashamed of Christ and of his Truth and who are ashamed of or deny Him before Men He will deny them before His Father which is in heaven The least sin must not be committed to shun suffering but the denying of or not bearing witness unto any of the Truthes of Christ in a day of trial is no small iniquity and therefore as we said we are to look upon our selves as called of God to suffer when we can not avoid it but by finning Yet some may say when the thing required is manifestly sinful and unrighteous the call to suffering rather in that case seemeth very clear and unquestionable and when it is so the person may have much peace and calmness within but when the question seemeth more disputable the call must needs be less clear that one hath to suffer upon that account and an unclear call cannot but creat much perturbation of mind and perplexity Ans. A call may be Gods call wherein or whereabout there may be much unclearness It is said of Abraham Heb. 11 8. That by faith when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an Inheritance he obeyed and went out though as it is added not knowing whither he went It seemeth good in the Lord's eyes not to make every ones call alike clear and unquestionable that their faith and obedience may be the more tried Some have their call to suffering written as it were with sun-beames so clearly and distinctly that he who runneth may read it others have their duty and call written with smaller letters which every one cannot read and yet this be no less the call of God than the other The call which the three Children had to suffer was clear and unquestionable 〈◊〉 being such an act of manifest Idolatry which was enjoyned them that none acquanted with the law of God could have the least scruple touching its horrid iniquity The call againe which Moses had rather to suffer than to be called the Son of Pharaohs Daughter would seem not to have been so legible and clear to all and yet it was the true call of God for by faith he obeyed this call So Daniel's call to hazard rather on the lions than forbear prayer to the God of heaven seemeth more â—…lear and legible than Mordecaiâ—…s call to hazard his own life and the life of all the Jewes before he would bow and do reverâ—…ce unto Haman â—…e Amalakite and yet this was found to be the true call of God In the primitive times the case seemed clear and unquestionable when Christians were commanded to renounce Christianity to give up their Bibles as renunceing the same or to burne incense to Idols or to build a Temple to Idols or suffer death but when their life was offered unto them on condition they would but give any old paper or clout in stead of the poors coats or would give a small summe of money wherewith to helo to build the temple to the Idol God one would think their call to suffer was more dark and yet these worthy witnesses would not redeem their life at such a rate Yea if the souldiers weary in executing of them should have violently plucked any such thing from them against their wills as desireous of the smallest seeming Victory they would not consent but run after them declaring their adherence to the truth and Marcus Arethusius would not give one penny to the building of the Idol Temple If it be said But what if by some Imprudent or Unnecessary act or other I have occasioned the trial and trouble to my self Can I in this case suppose that I am called of God to suffer I Ans. It is true that some unnecessary or not every way commendable act or other may give the first rise or occasion to our trouble and yet when sufferings are not purely upon that account nor for that cause but stated upon another ground we may notwithstanding of this imprudent or unnecessary occasioning of the trial to ourselves look upon ourselves as called of God to suffer rather than to deny Him or any part of His Truth It is observed by some of Paul that the occasion of his last trouble mentioned Act. 21. to wit his hearkening to the advice of Iames and the Elders of Ierusalem was a thing which he might well have forborne yea and
guaird our hearts or rather to give heart and tongue and all unto Christ to keep that we may be helped to suffer holily to His glory 2. When He was reviled He reviled not againe when He suffered He threatned not When they were doing the worst they could do against Him He did not in the least requite them or wish harme unto them but on the contrary as we heard Luk. 24. 34. He prayed the Father to forgive them So in this should we endeavour to follow our copie and thereby give proof of our Christian Patience to bless when they curse us and pray for them when they dispitfully use us and persecute us and to do them good that hate us thus shall we evidence that we are the Children of our Father who is in heaven Mat. 5 44 45. 3. He committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously He referred Himself and His Cause unto the righteous Judg of quick and dead So should we do we should not fret our selves because of evil doers neither be envious against the workers of iniquity but commit our way unto the Lord and trust also in Him and He shall bring it to passe Psal 37. vers 1 5. waite for His decision who is the righteous Judge Further the right Consideration of this Patience of Christ in all His sufferings would help us unto a more Christian and Patient way of bearing the crosse for we would see ground to say 1. Was Christ who did no sin put to all this suffering and did He bear it all with wonderful patience and should I take it ill to be thus persecuted seing howbeit men have no just quarrel against me yet God hath just cause to pursue me Was sinless and holy Jesus patient and should I be impatient who am punished of God less than mine iniquities deserve 2. Was Christ so patient under such an heavie cross with which mine is not to be compared or named in one day and should I be impatient and thereby offend God more It were better for me to be following my copie and keeping mine hands clean of sin let the crosse be what it will 3. Could not all the wrongs that Christ met with at the hands of cruel and ungrate wretches move Him once to give them one evil word or to wish them the least evil imaginable But did He rather pray for them And is it fit for me to be wishing them evil in my heart Should I not rather desire to imitate Christ and to strive against mine own passion and willingly forgive them all the wrongs they do unto me 4. Did Christ commit His cause to God and waite for His decision And should not I possesse my soul in patience resting on God by faith that He will judge all these wrongs and injuries in due time Is not God the judge And doth not vengeance belong unto Him And should I think to dethrone Him and take his office and work upon me Oh! It is better that I follow Christ roll all over on God and quiet my Soul in hope of a righteous Determination from God the righteous judge of all the world 7. The right consideration of Christ's sufferings upon such an account as to men I mean His suffering because He affirmed Himself to be a King would make the Beleever called to suffer upon that same account to wit for Asserting Maintaining Avowing and by their actions and practice Declaring that Christ is King and only King and Head over His spiritual Kingdom and Church rejoice in that honour that is put upon him to be called to witness unto such a Truth that Christ Himself was a Martyr for in respect of Men. O! how should this fill the hearts of such with joy make them sing in the midst of the flames and rejoice in that they are counted worthy to suffer for so noble a cause or for the least branch thereof 8. From Christ suffering so willingly so cheerfully so resolutly for the unjust for sinners and for rebels the Suffering beleever will draw this Conclusion did Christ suffer such things and that so cheerfully heartily and willingly for my cause and should not I be ready to suffer cheerfully heartily and willingly for his Cause Word Truth and Interest So that this would hearten unto an hearty and couragious witnessing for the Lord and for His Truth and for the Word of His Patience and shame the man from a discouraged faint-hearted dead and drouping manner of following Christ and of bearing His cross for he would see cause to say did Christ suffer so much for unworthy sinful nothing Me and that with so much Patience Cheerfulness Sted fastness and fixed Resolution and should I be ashamed of Him who is the God of glory the Prince of the Kings of the earth King of Kings and Lord of Lords or of His Cause and Interest Should I carry when suffering upon His account and upon the account of His Truth His Word His Testimony His work and Interest as if I were an evil door Should I carry as if I repented of owning Him and His Interest No no I should account it my glory as it is indeed CONSIDERATION XII Our Sufferings are nothing comparable to Christ's WHen we spoke to the last Consideration we mentioned something of this But because more is to be said of it and it may be edifyingly Improven for the ends designed we shall speak alittle more to it here by it self though it be but a branch of the former And for this cause we shall do these two things 1. We shall mention some particulars whereby the disproportion betwixt Christ's Sufferings and Ours will appear manifest 2. We shall shew how thoughts of these my prove advantagious unto a Christians spiritual life in a day of Affliction and Tribulation In order to the understanding of the first we would take notice 1. That the disproportion is infinite in respect of the Persons suffering what are we Yesterday-Nothings base and worthless wormes whose life is in our nostrils vaine empty shadowes But He is the standart-bearer amongst Ten Thousand Cant. 5. vers 10. The wonderful Counsellour the Mighty God the Everlasting Father and the Prince of peace Esai 9. vers 6. This maketh that all our Sufferings are not worthie to be compared with His. We know that the Greatness Nobility Worth and Dignity of the Person who is put to suffer maketh the Sufferings more in the account of men than otherwise they would be That a poor base unworthy beggar is scourged spit upon and buffeted is nothing or not much considerable but to see a King a Prince or great Noble-man so used that is a considerable matter in the eyes of men It is not much to see beggars sitting on dung-hils but it is much to see such as did feed delicatly sit desolat in the streets and to see such as were brought up in scarlet embraceing dunghils that is indeed matter of a lamentation Lam. 4. vers 5. To see base men
or courage that we may imagine to be in us that we may not think of standing upon our own legs for these will fail us And should fix our eye on this Father of Lights from whom every good gift must come and by faith depend upon Him and seek this from Him in prayer through faith We have encouragment now to go to God through Jesus to seek this gift because it is a gift and because it is a gift purchased by Christ. 5. And especially should this be our exercise when at any time we finde our heart like to fainte and our strength like to faill us and we are like to sinck Then should we double our â—…uites and renew our acts of Faith upon the ground of Christs Purchase and the Fathers Grace and Readiness to bestow what we need and cannot now want of His own Free Grace and good Will Lastly There is here a sure ground of great Comfort laid down and this is the plain scope of the words for the Apostle is comforting these Christians of the Church of Philippi against the Cross with this among others that to suffer for Christ's sake was a gift of God and a gift bestowed upon them through Jesus Christ So that there is here comfort against many Discouragments As 1. Against the thoughts of the greatness of the difficulty we are ready to cry out Oh we cannot wrestle thorow this Cross wherein are so many difficulties and each more insuperable than another But this may comfort us That there is a gift of God for it which will make all difficulties superable we of ourselves as of ourselves cannot wreastle thorow but this gift can enable and that there is nothing called for at our hands but what this gift will enable us to do this gift will bear all our Charges and keep our heads above when swiming thorow the most dangerous Seas 2. This may comfort against the thoughts of Rageing Strong and Cruel Adversaries for this gift will enable if it be given to Suffer we shall be helped to Suffer all their Rage and Cruelty and not fear or fainte 3. It may comfort us against the thoughts of our own weakness we are but like a reed shaken in the winde and cannot endure much Yet as when the gift of faith was given all our corruption and unbeleefe and all the Power of Satan could not hinder our closeing with Christ so when this Gift of Suffering is bestowed through Jesus Christ all our inward weakness and aversness shall not hinder our through-bearing We shall then go in the strength of that gift without wearying or fainting for we shall then be strong in the Lord and in the Power of His Might 4. It may Comfort against the apprehensions of our own sinfulness and great unworthiness whereby we may fear that He shall forsake us because of our provocations and not helpe us thorow For this being the gift of God and given in the behalfe of Christ we cannot think that it can be given for any worth in us What ever our sins be we may look to Him when we are called to bear witness to His Truth who is a great and a free Giver and have hope that He will make us Partakers of that free Gift in and through Christ. Beggars look for a free almes though they can plead nothing but poverty and want and are far from pleading their own worth and merites He gave us faith at first which we neither did nor could merite and why may He not also give us this gift when He calleth us to the duty 5. It may comfort against the faintings of others whom we apprehend to have been more able to ride thorow the storme than we are We are ready to say How can such as I am stand when the like of Peter fainted so foulely But this is comfortable that it is not any stock of Grace or inward Strength Resolution and natural Courage or the like that will carry thorow but the gift of God and without this gift of God the strongest will not stand and with it the weakest will be enabled to stand-out the trial And when God denieth this for a time unto strong Christians for His own Holy Ends He may give it to the weak and so carry them thorow that all may see it is His gift that doth the thing and nothing else 6. This may also comfort us against the thoughts of our unpreparedness to meet with the trial for the matter of our throw-bearing dependeth not upon our fitness and preparation for the Exercise but upon the Gift of God and this gift will be more glorious and excellent in their eyes who knowing themselves to have been very far out of case for such a trial were yet enabled by vertue of that gift to stand and to suffer for the sake of Christ. 7. So it may comfort against the sorrowful thoughts of their former Miscarriages Faintings and sinful Shunnings of a faithful Testimony which may readily cause such apprehend that the Lord will stand by them no more but forsake them as they did formerly forsake Him This I say may comfort them that it is a gift and a gift of God and a gift purchased by the bloud of Jesus by which they must be helped and what is of that nature may be given notwithstanding of all that hath past all Gods gifts being free and the more unworthy they be on whom they are bestowed the glory of free grace shineth forth the more and the worth and value of the Merites of Christ is more conspicuous CONSIDERATION XVI The Sufferings of Christs Servants are for the advantage of the Church WHen persecution ariseth especially against Christs eminent Servants and Followers then many are ready to draw strange Concâ—…usions in their own minde touching the Church and to think that the Church shall be utterly extirpated little considering the wonderful Workings of God who by that meane which to them threatneth ruine is bringing about the welfare and advantage of the Church to the Glory of His Power and Wisdom Whereas if it were beleeved that even by persecution raised against the Preachers and eminent Professours the Church should be no loser the thoughts of such a Dispensation could not cause much consternation In order to the speaking a few words unto this we would take notice of a few Instances which will confirme the truth thereof Act. 8 vers 1. It is said that at that time there was a great persecution against the Church which was at Ierusalem and they were all scattered abroad throughout the Regions of Iudea and Samaria except the Apostles that is all the Church-Officers were forced to flee after Stephen was stoned But did this any harme to the Church No but did tend rather to the furtherance of the Gospel for it is added vers 4. Therefore they that were scattered went every where preaching the word so that by this meanes the Gospel was spread throughout the Regions about and that more
so multiplied motives to seek salvation an outgate by sinful and unlawful wayes and meanes doubled yet the soul is fixed on Him and on Him alone and will say Asshur shall not save us we will not ride upon horses but in God alone the fatherless findeth merey Hos. 14 3. All which may discover our sinful and unsutable frame in such a dark day when the Lord is in Glory and Majesty sutable to Himself carrying on His work out of our sight and is hiding Himself that we cannot see him nor know what he is doing so may it point forth our duty and teach us what to think and what to do in such a day And to this end we may hence learn in particular to minde those duties following 1. In such a day wherein the Lord hideth Himself we should beware of entertaining any jealous thoughts of Him Satan will then be busie to muster up all the Arguments and Grounds he can to cause Beleevers at least turn jealous of God and to doubt if He will appear any more for Zion to the end they may faint and give over Faith and Hope and then he hath gained his point and Beleevers in such a day may expect this and feare their own hearts that will be too ready to comply with all Satans Motions and Suggestions This therefore would be carefully guarded against 2. In such a day the unchangable Purposes of God His faithful Word and Promises should be the subject of our Meditation on these should we dwell and ruminate to the end our heads may be keeped-up in hope and we may not despond 3. We should beware to make the day darker by sinful departing from God and by giving way to Satans Temptations When folks in a dark night are walking among snares and pits they will set down their feet with great warriness and circumspection so should we do in such a day lest we make our Condition worse 4. We should observe narrowly what we can mark in the Dispensations of the Lord that will say and evince to us according to the grounds of spiritual reasoning that God is about His work and that though we see Him not yet He in working under ground and carrying on His projects to the end we may be confirmed in our hope and strengthened to waite with patience and faith 5. We should minde our duty whatever He do for that is it we are called to and so much the rather that the Lord hideth Himself should we be diligent in unquestionable duties for He meeteth him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness Esai 64 v. 5. 6. We should beware to limite the holy One of Israel let us rather stoup and adore and acknowledge Him to be Jehovah who doth what He will The Third thing considerable in these words of truth is what is imported by that word Verily And it wouldseem to pointe out to us these particulars following which I shall but mention First That it is no light or easie mater to win to the faith and to the sight of this by saith That God is the Lord and the God of Israel and the Saviour when He hideth Himself For this ejaculation seemeth to have been or is so here expressed as if it had been the issue and result of some great inward wrestling out of which when the Prophet getteth up his head he cryeth out Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself c. And considering the frame of our heart by Nature and the subtilty of Satan and his skill and diligence to muster up all Considerations in such a day to our disadvantage this difficulty cannot but be great Secondly That this truth is of great moment being here confirmed by such an asseveration It is a truth useful and necessary to be beleeved and fixed in the heart For it is attended with great advantages and the want of the faith of it is not only sinful but most hurtful and dangerous being accompanied with many sad evils and being the cause of dreadful effects and consequences Thirdly That this Truth should be fixed in our hearts as a great and fundamental point and put beyond all doubt or disput with us that He is a God that hideth Himself the God of Israel and the Saviour The Last Particular here considerable is the Prophets uttering this Mater to God and speaking thus to Him Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself c. Which pointeth forth to us these things First The sincerity and uprightness of heart in the Prophet who could thus speak unto God and lay the matter before Him as it was Which should teach us to be honest sincere and upright in all our carriage free of deceit and hypocrisie Secondly The reality of this his Exercise and outgate for it was no made and supposed thing but real To teach us so to carry Thirdly That the Prophets heart was more warmed unto God and that this was the result of his excercise in his meditations that his heart was drawn nigher unto God for now he uttereth the matter in the very bosome of the Father It is well when our exercises have this issue and outgate Fourthly His open Profession of this matter was to exalt and glorify God for herein is a piece of solemne worship performed unto God which pointeth forth our duty in the like case CONSIDERATION XXI No man can make straight what God hath made crooked ECCLES VII V. 13. Consider the Work of God for who can make that straight which He hath made crooked IN a day wherein the People of God are persecuted and afflicted for His sake and cause it were a great help and advantage unto a christian and sutable carriage under that dispensation to have right and sutable thoughts of God and of His divine works In such a day we fancie and imagine many things amiss in the Providential Workings of God many things we think we see that might be helped and if we had the disposal of matters in our hand should be quickly redressed and thus being led away with our own proud hearts and insensibly carried down the strame we fall a censureing of the holy Way of the Lord and a quarrelling with Him because He doth not rectifie matters according to our mind and doth not governe the world or at least the Church according to our wishings and wouldings Now because this frame of spirit is so repugnant unto the Holy Will of God so unsutable unto the Children of God so hurtful unto the Soul and such an Enemie unto the right deportment of Souls in the day of Crosses and Affliction it will be of use to to speak some thing if the Lord will help to rectifie our mistakes and to cure us of these Distempers We think we see many crooked Passages in God's Way and Dispensations with the Church and with ourselves in particular and we imagine also we know wayes how to set all these crooks even But this is really a clear demonstration of our follie