of David how he was tossed froâ— one Wilderness to another We find hiâ— in the Wilderness of Ziph 1 Sam. 2â—â— 14 15. and presently in the Wilderneâ—â— of Maon v. 24. of the same chapter 〈◊〉 the Wilderness of Engedi 1 Sam. 24. â—â— And all this after great appearances 〈◊〉 God for them After he had so wondeâ—fully saved Israel out of Pharaohs hanâ—â— and brought them out of Egyptian boâ—dage he brought them forthwith into thâ— Wilderness After David was anointâ—â— King God ordered a Wilderness-conâ—tion for him Possibly some will say Aâ—â— this was in the time of the Old Tesâ—â—ment-dispensation we hope better thing to be the lot of the gospel-Gospel-Church Bâ—â— if we look into the Scriptures of the Neâ—â— Testament we shall find it is the veâ—â— same Rev. 12.6 14. The Woman is foâ—ced to flee into the Wilderness By thâ— Woman is meant the Church so calleâ— for her weakness and for her fruitfulness Even after the great deliverance she haâ—â— of the Man-child she travelled with sâ—â—â—â— was ordered by God himself into this coâ—dition And no wonder when Chriâ—â— the Head of the Church had the same loâ—â— For after that glorious manifestation 〈◊〉 his Baptism the Father speaking by 〈◊〉 audible voice and the Holy Ghost appearing in the visible shape of a Dove and lighting upon him he was led up of the Spirit into the Wilderness Qu. 1. You will say In what respects is the Churches lot to be termed a Wilderness-state Ans 1. A Wilderness is a lonesome and solitary place Hence it is said to be a Land that no man passeth through where no man dwells Jer. 2.6 Job 38.26 And thence it is that the Wilderness and solitary place are made terms synonymous or of the same signification Isa 35.1 And when the Prophet desired to retire himself from his people that he might the better lament their sins and approaching calamities he thus expresseth himself Jer. 9.2 O that I had in the Wilderness a lodging-place of way-faring men that I might leave my people and go from them 'T is true Some Wildernesses are habitable and inhabited as that in which John Baptist preached Mat. 3.1 he went and preached in the Wilderness of Judea He was the voice of one crying in the Wilderness Isa 40.3 But though here were Towns and Cities wherein men dwelt yet others mostly are without inhabitant Thus is it with God's People sometimes they are brought into lonesome and solitary coâ—ditions where they can enjoy no comfâ—â—table Christian-communion David coâ—plains That he was as a Pelican or Bâ—â—tern as some translate in the Wilderneâ—â— and like an Owl of the Desart He watâ—â—â—ed and was alone as a Sparrow upon thâ— house top Psal 102.6 7. These are â—â—litary and mournful Birds and so mounful are Christians when they lose theâ— spiritual converse and communion it being one great comfort of their lives 2. A Wilderness is a place of fear aâ—terrour Solitariness breeds fear but 〈◊〉 we add this to it that there is not onâ—â— want of suitable society but many anâ— great dangers by reason of wild Beaâ—â— inhabitants there it may well be stile 〈◊〉 the great and terrible Wilderness as it 〈◊〉 called Deut. 1.19 and Deut. 8.15 wheâ—â— were fiery Serpents and Scorpions Anâ— 't is said of Christ when he was in thâ— Wilderness that he was with the wiâ—â— Beasts Mark 1.13 We read of thâ— Dragons of the Wilderness Mal. 1 3â— and how mortal to the Israelites the â—â—tings of the Serpents were Numb 21 6â— The Lord sent fiery Serpents among thâ— people and they bit the people and muâ—â— people of Israel died The world is like Wilderness to God's people in this respect Here is the great red Dragon that old Serpent the Devil as he is called Rev. 12.3 9. Here are his Agents and Bayliffs wicked and ungodly men like wild Beasts seeking to make a prey of them that fear God and to devour them and all they have to spoil their outward comforts to take away their inward peace to cast reproach upon their names to deprive them of their liberties and to shed their blood and how then can it be otherwise than a place of fear and terrour to them Sometimes God saith Touch not mine Anointed and do my Prophets no harm At another time he seems to summon all the wild Beasts of the Forrest to devour them Psal 44.12 Thou sellest thy people for nought and dost not encrease thy wealth by their price Like a Captain that gives away his Souldiers by companies for nought If God did encrease the revenue of his glory by this terrible dispensation it would give his people some satisfaction but if otherwise it must needs be grievous to them David saith Lead me in a plain path because of mine Enemies Or observers as in the Original Compare this with Hosea 5. v. 1. where the Rulers of Church and State are charged that they had been 〈◊〉 a snare on Mizpeh and a Net spread up on Tabor These were places not faâ—â— from Jerusalem where Jeroboam seâ—â— Watches to observe who they weâ—â— that went away to worship at Jerusalâ—â— after God's Institution and could 〈◊〉 with a good Conscience comply with the new devised way he had set up a Dan and Bethel to bring them into 〈◊〉 Net to punish them Thus it hath beâ—â— in after-ages snares have been laid 〈◊〉 catch conscientious men in and brinâ— them under severe penalties whiâ—â— makes the World a terrible Wildernâ—â—â— to them 3. A Wilderness is a place of waâ—dring This was Israels condition dâ—â—ring their forty years abode in the Wiâ—â—derness as was threatned Numb 14.33 Your Children shall wander in the Wildeâ—ness We read that God causeth mentâ—â— wander in the Wilderness where theâ—â— is no way Job 12.24 Here 't is useâ— metaphorically When a people are given over to mistakes and errour 〈◊〉 knowing how to order their course 〈◊〉 arrive at their end Like men in a waâ—â— howling Wilderness that know not whâ—ther they go every step may be baâ—â— ward as well as forward Not that God is active in leading men into false ways but does permit them to be seduced or as a punishment of his upon them for neglecting his counsel and direction may give them up to their own straying hearts and other seducing spirits Even thus are God's people apt to wander whilest in the Wilderness of this world I have gone astray saith David like a lost Sheep Psal 119.176 which of all creatures is most apt to wander and least able to return to the Fold again So David found in himself the like averseness Hence he prays in the same verse O seek thy Servant He it is that brings back wandring Souls at first conversion and reduceth them from their after-straglings Our wildrings are sent to prevent our wandrings and this effect they had on David at least to prevent his being utterly lost Psal 119. v. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray but now I have kept thy word Yet
Canaan for there are no Sons of Anak there no Enemies to combate with as there was in that of old The Enemies are here in the Wilderness of this world and if once you pass the brink of death the last enemy to be destroyed you are at rest in that glorious and pleasant Countrey for ever 3. There is this Comfort also That God cares and provides for his Church in their present condition until they arrive there which is the second Doctrine Doct. 2. That God doth and will certainty provide for his Church and People in their Wilderness-Condition Thus the Lord caâ—ed for Israel of old which he would â—ave them not forget Who fed thee in â—â—e Wilderness with Manna saith the â—â—xt So he did for the gospel-Gospel-Church Rev. 12.6 14. He prepared a place 〈◊〉 the woman in the Wilderness that â—â—ey should feed her there He proâ—â—des all things needful for his People â—ere I will name two or three Particuâ—â—s 1. He provides a place for them there 〈◊〉 he did for Isreal of old Tents they â—â—d though no settled abode no houses because they were moving up and doâ—â— from place to place So in the plaâ—â— named before the woman had a plaâ—â— in the Wilderness prepared of Goâ—â— Though but Tents yet suitable to 〈◊〉 place for here they have no continuâ—â— City In my fathers house says Christ 〈◊〉 many Mansions John 14.2 a 〈◊〉 not made with hands eternal in the heaveâ— 2 Cor. 5.1 Here therefore Teâ—â— should content them So were they 〈◊〉 old Heb. 11.38 though they wanâ—â—red in desarts and mountains and deâ—â— and caves of the earth So long as Gâ—â— hath work for them doing or sufferâ—â— work he will have a Room a place 〈◊〉 them When Luthers enemies askâ—â— him where he would be when such 〈◊〉 great person came into Germany to seâ—â— for him He answered Aut sub 〈◊〉 Aut in coelo Either under Heaven or Heaven So may all Gods People say 2. He provides leading and â—â—rection for his People in and through 〈◊〉 Wilderness of this world Thus he 〈◊〉 for Israel of old Exod. 13.21 2â—â— The Lord went before them by a pillâ—â— cloud to lead them the way and by night iâ—â— pillar of fire to give them light to go by 〈◊〉 and by night He took not away the â—â—dar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night from before his People Thus he is said to have led them in the Wilderness in the verse before the text Though he led them about this way and that way yet the right way that they might go to a City of habitation Psal 107.4 7. They had many turns and returns backward and forward yet arrived at a happy end and were conducted to their desired rest So it is still The Word and the Spirit and the Providence of God are the pillars as it were by which God provides and gives counsel guidance and direction to his People as they travel through the Wilderness of this world As many as are led by the Spirit of God are the Sons of God Rom. 8.14 So it is as true reciprocally As many as are the Sons of God are led by the Spirit of God And indeed so it guided Israel of old Isa 63.11 12 13 14. Where is he that put his Spirit within him That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm That led them through the deep as an horse in the Wilderness that they should not stumble As a beast goeth down into the valley so the Spirit of the Lord caused him to rest God made Moses a guide to Israel but it was the Spirit of God that led Moses and instructed him to lead the People So noâ— in Gospel-days and therefore Chrisâ— tells his sorrowing Disciples Johâ— 16.13 that when he is come he wâ—â—â— lead them into all truth So likewisâ— by his word he leads them He hath oâ—dained it to be a light to their feet and 〈◊〉 Lamp to their Path Psal 119.105 The Spirit is a voice behind them anâ— the Word is a rule before them Aâ—â— by his providence also he doth direâ—â— them Hence it is termed the eye 〈◊〉 God because by it God guides his Peâ—ple in all the revolutions and turning of this world I will instruct thee saiâ—â— God to his servant Psal 32. vers 8. in the way in which thou shouldest go I wiâ—â— guide thee with mine eye His provideâ—tial eye If any say How is it then thâ—â— they wander and miscarry as sad eâ—â— perince shews I answer Not froâ— any defect in Gods provision but eitheâ— because they will not follow the conduâ—â— of heaven wilfulness sometimes occasioâ—â— wanderings Or because God for thâ—â— their sin doth withdraw or suspend hiâ— leading and guiding influences from theâ—â— and then they go astray It is said 2 Chroâ—â— 32.31 That in the business of thâ—â— Ambassadors of the Princes of Babylâ—â— God left Hezekiah c. And how soon did he stumble and fall When pride and self-confidence prevail in them as it did in him in Peter then God is provoked to remove his direction from them Yet this is never totally and absolutely taken from them but God will reduce them and recover them and never cease leading them in the way of righteousness in the midst of the Paths of Judgment till he hath caused all those that love him to inherit substance as it is said Prov. 8.20.21 3. He provides food and raiment for them I say food both for their Bodies and Souls So he did for Israel of old as the text shews He fed them in the Wilderness with Manna What the Manna was we read Exod. 16. 1 Cor. 10. John 6. largely It was the bread that the Lord gave Israel from the Clouds to eat There was no plowing and sowing in the Wilderness and so no ordinary provision God therefore gave them Manna miraculously and extraordinarily They did eat Angels food saies the Psalmist Excellent food it was if Angles needed they could desire no better Thus wonderfully did he seed Israel forty years together in the Wilderness And this was not food only for their Bodies but for their Souls also Hence it is said to be Spiritual meat in that place beforenamed 1 Cor. 10. They did all eat the same Spiritual meat Because the Manna was an eminent Type of Christ as is largely set forth by Christ himself John 6. It was one of the Jews extraordinary Sacraments which sealed up to Believers their Spiritual nourishment in grace by the free Covenant of God in the Messiah He also secured their Cloths from waxing old by a miracle And he is not worse to his Gospel-Church than to Isreal There is a general care God hath of all his Creatures He feeds the Ravens when they cry unto him He gives all his Creatures their meat in due season He opens his hands and satisfies the desire of every living thing Psal 145.15 16. There is a more particular care he takes
of man but yet exerciseth a more special and peculiar providence over his Church and People So he provided for David in his straits He sent a Raven with bread and flesh morning and evening to feed Elijah 1. Kings 17.4 6. And in the same Chapter we read how wonderfully he provided for the widow of Zarephath when she had but a handfull of meal in the barrel and a little oil in the cruise he by a miracle increased it so that it failed not till God sent rain on the earth So Christ miraculously multipled the loaves that he might feed the People in the Wilderness Matth. 15. And as for the bodies so for the Souls of his servants he still feeds them in all their straits If the ordinary means of grace fail he can provide extraordinarily Hence it is said God had prepared that they namely the two Prophets spoken of Rev. 11. should feed the Woman in the Wilderness Rev. 12.6 14. They should feed those hidden ones with the hidden Manna So he promiseth to feed his people Israel with the heritage of Jacob their Father Isa 58.14 that is with spiritual communications of the Covenant of Grace And again Zech. 11.7 I will feed the flock of slaughter even you O poor of the flock An afflicted and poor people designed to slaughter and ruine who have lost your visible pastures the Ordinances I will be your Shepherd and will feed you invisibly by my Word and Spirit ye shall go in and out and find pastures So in several verses of the 34th of Ezekiel we have promises to the same purpose And David having the Lord foâ— his Shepherd concludes he shall want 〈◊〉 good thing he shall be fed in green pâ—â—stures and led beside the still waters Psal 23.12 That is God would givâ— him enough food sufficient so is 〈◊〉 and water to the Sheep yea the 〈◊〉 condition and daintiest provision so aâ—â— green pastures and still waters Or as thâ— Original hath it pastures of tender graâ—â— and waters of quietness such as are emâ—nently restorative for it follows He restoreth my Soul This is the care God takeâ— to provide for his in their Wilderness state Quest. You will say Why will God thâ—â— provide for his Church and People Ans 1. Because they are the peoplâ— of his Covenant and so he stands in alâ— Covenant-relations to them Psal 111.5 It 's said He giveth them their meat iâ— due season that fear him he will ever bâ— mindful of his Covenant He is relateâ— to them as a Father if a Father be askeâ— Bread by a Son will he give him a Stonâ—â— saith Christ Your heavenly Father knowâ— ye have need of these things Matth. 6. â—â— Will an affectionate Father see his 〈◊〉 want when he is able to supply hiâ—â— The Apostle saith 1 Tim. 5.8 If aâ—â— man provide not for his own especially for those of his house or kindred as it is in the Margin he hath denied the Faith is worse than an Infidel And will not God much more provide for his Covenant-people who thus lays it upon men as their duty to look to their own and so severely sensures them that neglect it Surely he will This Israel found Psal 105.40 41 42. The people asked and he brought Quails and satisfied them with the Bread of Heaven c. For he remembred his holy promise and Abraham his Servant 2. Because God is sufficiently qualified to provide for them He hath an all-seeâ—ng eye a compassionate heart and an almighty hand These three render him â—ble and fit and willing to do it I say â—1 An all-seeing eye For the eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil â—nd the good Prov. 15.3 And these eyes â—f the Lord do therefore run to and fro â—he whole heart that he may observe how 〈◊〉 is with his Church and take care for â—hem 2 Chron. 16.9 When Hagar sate â—own and lifted up her voice and wept â—ecause the water in the bottle was spent â— Gen. 21.15 16. and they were now in â—e Wilderness a dry and thirsty Land where little expectation of supply 〈◊〉 be had God saw the affliction of Hâ—â— and her Son and opened her eyes and 〈◊〉 saw a Well of Water v. 19. With this pâ—â—vidence she was much affected as you 〈◊〉 see Gen. 16.13 She called the nam◠〈◊〉 the Lord that spake unto her Tho◠〈◊〉 seest me for she said Have I also 〈◊〉 looked after him that seeth me Wherâ—â—â— the Well was called Beer-lakairoi that 〈◊〉 the Well of him that lives and sees 〈◊〉 because God had so seen her in her â—â—â—ction as to provide graciously for 〈◊〉 2. A pitiful and compassionate heâ—â—â— Some see the wants and necessities 〈◊〉 others yet have no bowels of compassioâ—â— and so make no provision give no relieâ—â— Such were the Priest Levite we read 〈◊〉 Luk. 10.30 31 32 33 34 35. When they saâ—â— the man stripped of his raiment and woundeâ—â— the Priest passed by on the other side the Levite looked on him and passed away likewise when the Samaritan saw him he had compâ—â—sion on him bound up his wounds pouring 〈◊〉 Oil and Wine c. Christ is the goods Samaritan who hath compassion on the soâ—â— and bodies of them that are in want aâ—â— provides suitably and graciously for theâ—â— He had compassion on the peoples soâ—â— Mat. 9.36 37 38. when he saw mâ—â—tudes fainted and were scattered abroad as Sheep having no Shepherd and said The harvest truly is great but the labourers are few pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest that he will send forth labourers into his harvest So was he moved with pity and compassion to the bodies of the people that were fasting in the Wilderness Matth. 15.32 with him three days I will not send them away fasting says he lest they faint by the way 3. An almighty hand Some have knowledge of their Childrens wants and hearts to pity them and yet it is not in the power of their hand to supply their needs As we read Hagar saw her Childs danger and shewed the compassions of a tender Mother yet could not help and relieve him or her self but God hath an omnipotent hand and can do what he will in Heaven and in Earth he can rain Manna from Heaven and give Water out of the Rock as he did to Israel in the Wilderness And thus he represents himself to Abraham Gen. 17.1 I am God almighty And being thus qualified he will surely provide for all his people 3. Because he knows that by so doing he provides for his own glory Hence it is that when Abraham had that question put to him by his Son Where is the Lamb for a burnt-offering He answered Mâ— Son God will provide himself a Lamb c. Gen. 22.7 8. There is an emphasis iâ— that word Himself For the answer 〈◊〉 the question had been full if it had beâ—â— omitted and he only had said God 〈◊〉 provide a Lamb. But when
is good but let us rather imitate â—is goodness he doth good even to his â—ery enemies Matth. 5.45 So let us â—f our enemy hunger feed him if he â—hirst give him drink Let our work â—e to go up and down doing good as Christ did And let not the common goodness of God content us greatly â—hankful we should be for it but not â—est in it Let us say as David Psal â—06 4 Remember us with the favour thou â—earest to thy people c. 3. Let this â—omfort Gods people for so good is God that no good thing will he withhold â—rom them that walk uprightly Psal 84. â—1 They that fear the Lord shall want no â—ood thing Psal 34.10 Some may say we see many such in great want and unâ—er many evils and troubles Let such know and consider 1. It is becauâ—â— they are wanting to themselves Theâ— are not in the exercise of Faith nor 〈◊〉 close walking with God These with hold good things from them Acquâ—â—â— thy self with God so shall good come 〈◊〉 thee Job 22.21 2. The state of Gâ—â— people is not to be judged by outwaâ—â— appearance They have a better goâ—â— than this worlds good They enjâ—â—â— spiritual good things God saith 〈◊〉 will satiate the weary Soul with gooâ—ness with the goodness of his houâ—â— even of his holy Temple This Strâ—â—gers meddle not with It is better thâ—â— all the good things of their own houâ—â— 3. The time of their full enjoymeâ—â— of God is not yet come Then they wâ—â—â— say as it is Psal 31.19 O how greaâ—â— thy goodness which thou hast laid up for thâ—â— that fear thee for them that trust in thâ—â— before the Sons of men So much for thâ—â— first note Doct. 2. That the Church and People 〈◊〉 God have a day of Trouble This is here iâ—â—plied in that God is said to be their strâ—â—â— hold in the day of trouble it supposes thâ—â— had such a day The Prophet its thoâ—â— hath a particular respect to Hezekiah 〈◊〉 had a day of trouble of rebuke and blâ—phemy when Senacherib the King of Assyria came up against him as is evident in the Prophet Isaiah chap. 37.3 And thus it hath been is or may be with God's people they have their days of trouble a cloudy and dark day as Ezekiel calls it a showry a rainy day As they have their days of Sun-shine of Joy and Mercy so a day of Affliction a stormy and tempestuous day All kind of trouble is here understood outward and inward trouble little and great troubles As they have a day of prosperity so likewise of adversity The Church of Christ is his body in every natural body there are many members sometime the head akes or the eye smarts the arm is sore the foot is wounded the heart is heavy then great must needs be the trouble of the body So here one member of Christs body lies in the prison others are oppressed and ruined in their Estates others banished others put to death great must needs be the trouble of the body of Christ when it is thus Elijah lamented his trouble being persecuted by Jezabel 1 Kings 19. Job an upright member had many troubles like the waves of the Sea one upon another his Estate gone his Children slain his Wife and Friends prove his Enemies and Troubles Sâ—â—â—â— shooting his Arrows at him and 〈◊〉 seeming to be against him great was 〈◊〉 trouble Jacob David Paul and othâ—â— confirm this truth to us Here I 〈◊〉 briefly shew 1. The Times whâ—â—â— 2. The Reasons why it is thus Qu. 1. Ye will say When or at 〈◊〉 special Times hath the Church a day 〈◊〉 trouble Ans 1. When their hearts gâ—â—â— high and proud under mercies then 〈◊〉 ally follows a day of trouble God giâ—â— great favours to his people exalts thâ—â— in priviledges and they are lifted up 〈◊〉 pride wax wanton under them then coâ—â—â—â— great trouble Thus it was with Hezâ—kiah who as I hinted before is hâ—â—â— particularly spoken of he was under gâ—â—â—â— mercies raised from a low and wâ—â—â— condition by sickness his heart was lifâ—â—â— up in pride then comes a day of troubâ—â—â— upon him He shewed the Embassadâ—â— of the King of Babylon all his Treasuâ—â— in a vain-glorious boasting way therefoâ—â— all was carried away from him Dâ—â—â—â— was advanced his Mountain was stroâ—â— he upon this grew secure and proud 〈◊〉 said he should not be moved and tâ—â— drew upon him a day of great trouble 〈◊〉 adversity To have our hearts lifted up in the ways of God as Jehosaphat's was under many and extraordinary mercies is excellent indeed but to be lifted up above measure as Paul found a proneness in himself to be under his revelations is very sinful God will prick this bladder swoln with pride by some thorn in the flesh to take us down again for his Soul so liftted up is not upright in him as the Prophet speaks 2. When the people of God are in some measure fitted and prepared for trouble then they may expect a day of trouble It s a great misery and judgment to have mercies or troubles when we are unprepared for either But God is very good to his people in this that he gives them both when they are fitted for them to be better by them to improve mercies and troubles He knows their frame and will not put new wine into old bottles nor lay heavy burdens on weak shoulders but proportions the burden to the back his strokes unto their strength that they may be able to bear it 1 Cor. 10.13 The woman is not put to flee into the Wilderness Rev. 12.6 14. till she hath wings given her to fit her for the flight and a place prepared of God that they should feeâ— her there When God hath given muâ—â— grace then comes a day of trouble to 〈◊〉 Christians to the use of that grace As Goâ— will not over-burden them so he wiâ—â— not undervalue them If they have greaâ— grace to bear great troubles they maâ— expect them 3. When his people lean to their owâ— understandings and follow their owâ— devices not consulting God nor taking his counsel then let them expect a daâ— of trouble When they will be wise 〈◊〉 their own conceit and betake themselvâ—â— to their own inventions neglecting 〈◊〉 frequent his counsel they alwaies meeâ— with trouble Did you ever read God people thus doing and escape it Goâ— would have Jonah go and preach to Niâ—â—veh what he bad him but he runs to hiâ— own ways and goes to Tharshish Dâ—â— he escape trouble O the great affliction he was involved in Thrown as 〈◊〉 were into the belly of hell for his disobedience to the God of heaven and following his own contrivances to avoid trouble he brought himself into far greater troubles Never did any good maâ— lie easy upon that pillow which was 〈◊〉 their own laying or sleep well on thâ—â— bed which was of their own making Though Jacob was designed to have the blessing yet