is still as malicious and industrious as ever to put them upon this We read of Satan in that 1 Pet. 5.8 that he goeth up and down like a roaring Lyon seeking whom he may devour and as far as the Lord permits him he acts wicked men in whom he ruleth Eph. 2.2 to do what mischief they can to the Godly yea and in the last times he is so far from abating his rage as that we read his wrath groweth the hotter because he knoweth he hath but a short time Rev. 12.12 While therefore the principle of enmity which is in the wicked against the Saints remaineth and while the ground of their hatred continues and Satan is as industriously stirring them up as ever nought else can be expected but that they watch the righteous to do them a mischief But now wher shall the righteous do shall he render evil for evil and watch the wicked that he may mischieve them God forbid what shall he forsake his righteousnesse and leave off to be godly no in no wise But if ye would know O ye Saints and righteous Ones what to do in this case I am sent of God at this time to instruct you That it will be your best way to wait on she Lord and keep his way And so I come to what is expresly asserted in the point That however it go with the truly Godly here in this World more especially when the Wicked watcheth the righteous to mischieve them 't is their best way to wait on the Lord and keepe his way Here I shall speak by way of Explication in shewing 1. What it is to wait on the Lord. 2. What it is to keep his way First To wait on the Lord is taken more largly or more strictly 1. More largly And so it is the same with serving the Lord attending and following the Lord and takes in the whole duty of the Saints waiting on the Lord as a Souldier on his Captain or as a Servant on his Master Psal 123.2 Behold as the eyes of the Servants look to the hands of their Masters and as the eyes of a Maiden unto the hand of her Mistris so our eyes wait on the Lord our God So in that Hos 12.6 Turn thou to thy God and keep Mercy and Judgement and wait on thy God continually 2. More strictly And so it intends a patient expecting the Lords Salvation 'T is the continued exercise of Faith and Hope it is Faith and Hope eekt out So here Vers 7. Rest on the Lord wait patiently So Psal 130. when he cries out of the depths as he sayes Vers 1. then Vers 5. I Wait for the Lord my soul doth wait and in his word do I hope My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning I say more than they that watch for the morning We have both these together in that Lam. 3.25 26. The Lord is good to them that wait for him to the soul that seeketh him There it is taken as largly as seeking after God but it follows It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the Salvation of the Lord there it is taken for the continued exercise of hope for a patient expectation of the Lord's Salvation Secondly What it is to keep the Way of the Lord here mind The way of the Lord may be understood of that way wherein he walketh towards his People which is aptly stil'd the way of his Providence or of that way wherein he requires his People to walk towards him and is properly stiled the way of his Precepts 1. There is the Way of Gods Providence in which he walketh towards us of which that Psal 18.30 speaketh As for God his Way is perfect So Psal 25.10 All the Paths or Wayes of the Lord are Mercy and Truth unto such as keep his Covenant and Testimonies Now if it be thus taken here Then to keepe his Way is diligently to attend his Hand and to observe his Carriage and ordering in all that befalls his People more especially in all that trouble that comes on them For whatever trouble comes upon the People of God and whoever be the instruments of inflicting the Lord hath his way in it Mic. 6.9 ordering it as to the kind as to the measure as to the season as to the continuance as to the ends and fruits Now to observe the Lord's Hand and to attend his Way in ordering his Providences and our troubles this is to keep his Way So Isa 26.8 In the way of thy Judgements we have waited for thee as if he had said We have waited on the Lord and kept his Way 2. There is the way of God's Precepts in which he commandeth his People to walk And thus is this phrase most commonly taken So 2 Kings 21.22 where 't is said of Amon He forsook the Lord God of his Fathers and walked not in the Way of the Lord i.e. not in the Way of his Commandements Thus David spake of the way of his Precepts in Psal 119.27 Make me understand the way of thy Precepts And if it be taken thus then to keep the Way of the Lord is to walk in his Statutes and to observe his Commandments to do them So Gen. 18.19 The Lord testifies of Abraham I know him that he will command his Children and his houshold after him and they shall keep the Way of the Lord to do Justice and Judgement So in Job 23.11 12. My feet have held his steps his way have I kept and not declined neither have I gone back from the Commandments of his lips So to walk in his Wayes and to keep his Commandments are the same Deut. 26.17 and Psal 119.1 2. So that the sum of all is However it be with the truly Godly more especially when the wicked do watch them to do them a mischief their best way is to attend on the Lord to follow him to walk on in the ways of his Commandements so eying the hand of the Lord in all that befalls them as they that patiently expect and quietly wait for the Salvation of the Lord. Thus for explication I now come to the Demonstration which shall be dispatcht by clearing That it is the honestest the wisest the safest the most comfortable and most honourable Way First This is the most innocent just and honest Way yea truly this is the only good honest and right Way I am to shew what is the best for a Godly man to whom no way is good but what is just and honest There are indeed other ways which a man may take when he is in trouble through the wickeds watching him to do him a mischief whereby to escape the mischief intended him but they are not just and honest I shall instance in these 1. By sinful complying with the wicked in their ungodly ways thereby to abate the edge of their wrath This was the way Peter took when in the High Priests Hall he not only denyes his
THE SAINTS Great DUTY IN Time of the dangerous Afflictions Persecutions and Oppressions they may meet with in the troublesome and tempestuous Sea of this World either by spiritual or temporal Enemies Preached in a FAREWEL-SERMON BY Mr. GEORGE THORNE of Weymouth in Dorset-shire From Psal 37.34 Wait on the Lord and keep his Way Published by a Friend EXOD. 14.13 And Moses said to the people Fear ye not stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. LONDON Printed in the Year 1664 The SAINTS GREAT DUTY IN Time of Affliction Persecution and Oppression PSAL. 37.34 Wait on the Lord and keep his Way NOt knowing whether ever I shall speak to you more from this place being willing to leave a word in season I shall recommend to you what in answer to prayer I have received of the Lord for the directing me in my course in this gloomy dark day being well assured that as many of us as walk by this Rule and sail by this Compass however we may be scattered by the tempestuous storms we meet with here in the Sea of this World shall shortly arrive at and meet in our desired Port the Haven of eternal Rest and Happiness What therefore the Lord hath said to me and that with a strong hand that say I unto you in the Name of the Lord Wait on the Lord and keep his Way The scope of this Psalm is to direct the people of God and to encourage them to keep on in the course of godliness at such times as when the wicked prosper flourish and grow great and the Godly fro afflicted troubled persecuted and oppressed And there are two general parts of the Psalm intermixtly spoken unto throughout The one is for Direction the other for Encouragement The Text appertains to the former part And the sum of the Directions may be reduced unto two Heads First That they take heed of such inward Commotions and perturbations of spirit as through the remainder of corruption they are subject unto and by the temptations of Satan and the provocations of wicked men they will be put upon through this occasion More particularly he forewarns them to take heed of Envy vers 1. 7. and of Anger vers 8. And what need there is at such a time to watch against the exorbitant workings of these Passions none that observe their own hearts can well be ignorant such being the unworthy insolent and provoking Carriage of the wicked toward the poor People of God as is able as we may say to move a Saint Hence that of Psal 73.23 But as for me my feet were almost gone my steps had well-nigh slipt for I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked Attend therefore to the counsel of the Holy Ghost Fret not thy self because of evil-doers neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity Fret not thy self because of him that prospereth in his way because of the man that bringeth wicked devices to pass Cease from anger and forsake wrath Fret not thy-selfe in any wise to doe evil Secondly That they so carry themselves towards the Lord in keeping on in their way of following him as becomes those that firmly believe and stedfastly hope in him for his Salvation There are many particular directions to this purpose vers 3. Trust in the Lord and do good Vers 4. Delight thy self also in the Lord. Vers 5. Commit thy way unto the Lord. Vers 7. Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him Vers 27. Depart from evil and do good and here in the Text Wait on the Lord and keep his way These words contain Advice and Counsel for the people of God and 't is considerable either with respect to the troubles and temptations of the people of God in general or with respect to that particular that is immediately touched on before the Text vers 33. The wicked watcheth the righteous and seeketh to slay him Upon this somthing is spoken by way of encouragement to the righteous vers 33. The Lord will not leave him in his hand nor condemn him when he is judged Though he may let him fall into the hands of the VVicked he will not leave him there though the VVicked may fit in judgment on him and pass sentence against him yet the Lord will not condemn him yea when he is judged he is chastened of the Lord that he should not be condemned with the VVorld Thus for the encouragement of the Righteous 2. There is somthing by way of direction in the words read Wait on the Lord and keep his Way From the words considered under this double reference we have this profitable point of Doctrine However it go with the truly Godly here in this World more especially when the wicked watch the Righteous to do them a mischief it is their best way to wait on the Lord and keep his Way I shall not spend time to shew you who are truly Godly and who are VVicked It is said of the Godly man vers 31. The Law of God is in his heart Such then as from the Law of God in their hearts have respect to all his Commandments walking in all the Statutes and Ordinances of God blameless Luke 1.6 such are truly godly And such as from the Dominion of sin in them are evil Doers workers of iniquity walking according to the Lusts of the Flesh and of the mind according to the course of this World of the Prince of the Power of the Air c. they are wicked In the handling of this Point according to my wonted method I shall speak first to what is supposed and then to what is expresly laid down Here are two things supposed in this point the one more General the other more Particular First In General 'T is supposed that the condition of the truly Godly may be full of Troubles Afflictions and Distresses in this VVorld for when 't is said However it go with the truly Godly the meaning is how evilly how badly soever though they be never so much troubled afflicted and distressed wherein 't is supposed that it may go very ill that the truly Godly may be full of troubles sufferings and distresses this is not only plainly held forth in Scripture in such Texts as these Psal 34.19 John 16.33 Acts 14.22 but so sadly experienced in all Ages that we need not spend time in the clearing of it Secondly More Particularly It is supposed That 't is the manner and guise of the Wicked to watch the Righteous to mischief them so vers 32 and vers 12. The Wicked plotteth against the just or as the Margent practiseth i. e. his wit and skill his labour and Judgment is employed against him And vers 14. The wicked have drawn their Sword and bent their Bow to cast down the poor and the needy and to slay such as be of upright conversation So Psal 64.2 the Psalmist prayes Hide me from the secret Counsel of the Wicked from the
of his Grace which is able to build you up and give you an Inheritance among those that are sanctified He recommends the Word of God to them So Beloved now that I may no more speak to you from this place for the teaching of you the right and the good Way I recommend to you the Word of the Lord which will be a Light to your feet and a Lanthorn to your Paths to guide you in the Way of the Lord till you attain the end of your Faith the Salvation of your Souls What knowledge I have of the Way of the Lord what I have taught you of the VVay of the Lord I have been taught by the Spirit of the Lord through the VVord and though you want the great help of a plain powerful and faithful Ministry for the future yet let not those that are sincere in desiring to walk in the VVay of the Lord be discouraged by those who would make them believe that the VVord is hard to be understood for that as it is more from malignity in us than difficulty in the Scriptures that the most do not understand them so they are easie to be understood by them that sincerely endeavour it being not only most plain and clear in teaching the Way of the Lord but also appointed to enlighten the eyes and make wise the simple Psal 19.7 8. Yea the entrance of it giveth Light it giveth understanding to the simple Psal 119.130 And how weak and simple soever any of the Saints may be in worldly matters and in the VVorlds account yet of them all is that spoken 1 John 2.27 But the Anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lye and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in Him Though they corrupt and pervert this Text that make use of it to the disanulling of all Ministerial teaching for if John had meant so to what purpose did he write this Epistle yet when God depriveth us of this help this Scripture affords support and comfort to the Saints that by the Spirit in them they shall be enabled to understand what he teacheth in the Word so as to abide in the Lord and in his Way as they have been taught Having then the Spirit for your principle and guide let the VVord be your Rule and you shall keep the VVay of the Lord according to that promise Isa 35.8 The way faring-men though fools shall not err therein 3. Let the example of Christ be your pattern that you may keep the Way of the Lord set this copy alwayes before you He alwayes kept the Way of the Lord as he came down from Heaven to do the VVill of his Father John 6.38 so he did alwayes those things that did please him John 8.29 He never departed in the least from the VVay of the Lord He knew no sin neither was guile found in his mouth If then you would keep the VVay of the Lord learn of him follow him walk even as he walked Indeed in the things that are proper to Christ as God or as Mediator therein he is not to be imitated by us but in the things that he did or suffered as man he left us an example or pattern that we should follow his steps 2 Pet. 2.21 Hence that exhortation of his Mat. 11.29 Learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart That then you may be directed as well as encouraged to keep the VVay of the Lord look to Jesus and walk as you have him for an example Indeed the Apostle exhorts to walk as you have Him for an example Phil. 3.17 But knowing that he could give them but an imperfect copy he exhorts in that 1 Cor. 11.1 Be ye followers of me even as I also am of Christ It may be of good use to us to mind the Examples of the Apostles and faithful Ministers of the Gospel that have walkt on in the VVay of the Lord before us But forasmuch as there is none of them even Peter himself but went awry more or less Therefore make the example of Christ your pattern Time will not permit to prosecute this at large I shall only offer some few particulars from the example of Christ to you such as may be most seasonable to further you in keeping the VVay of the Lord. 1. It was the work and business of the Lord Jesus Christ to do the VVill of his Father to do what pleased him As he came down from Heaven to do his Fathers VVill as you before heard from John 6.68 so he made it his work and business To this purpose is that Luke 2.49 How is it that ye sought me wist ye not that I must be about my Fathers business with that John 4.34 Jesus saith unto them My meat is to do the Will of him that sent me and to finish his work If then you will keep the VVay of the Lord herein be ye followers of Christ let it be your work and business to do the VVill of the Lord and to walk in all well-pleasing before him Let the Exhortation be in the words of the Apostle 1 Thes 4.1 Furthermore then we beseech you Brethren and exhort you That as you have received of us how you ought to walk and to please God so ye would abound more and more 2. It was the practice of the Lord Jesus Christ to look on all the sufferings that came upon him as coming from the hand of his Father in accomplishment of his Word and therefore quietly to submit to them To this purpose is it that he tells Pilate in John 19.11 Thou couldst have no power at all against me except it were given thee from above He looks beyond Pilate to him that was above So John 18.11 The Cup which my Father hath given me shall I not drink it He over looks the instruments and looks on his sufferings as a cup put into his hand by his Father And as he observed the hand of his Father in the sufferings that came upon him so he takes notice that they are in accomplishment of Scripture Mat. 26.53 54. Thinkest thou that I could not now pray to my Father and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of Angels but how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled that thus it must be and he takes notice that the Scriprure had foretold that thus it must be and that he must suffer and enter into glory as he clears it in that of Luke 24.25 26. Therefore though he prayed if it be possible as Mathew hath it and if thou be willing let this Cup pass from me as Luke hath it yet he quietly submits to his Fathers VVill with a Not my will but thine be done And as Mat. 26.42 If this cup may not pass away except I drink it let thy will be done Thus you see how by looking
in the Text. So in that Psal 27.14 he complains of his enemies and of false witnesses that were risen up against him that did breath out cruelty vers 12. and then by the spirit he commends to himself and others suitable advice in such a case vers 14. Wait on the Lord. So Exod. 14.13 there Pharaoh and all his Hosts are at the heels of the poor Israelites he counts of nothing but of destroying them Exod. 15.9 and they for their parts knew not how to escape Now sayes Moses to them Fear ye not stand still and see the Salvation of the Lord. So that whatever distress the People of God are in this is the way the VVisdom of God directs unto for what the Word of God in the Scripture directs to that the Wisdom of God directs as is clear from that Luke 11.49 2. This is the way that the wisest men have taken David was a wise man we read of him in 1 Sam. 18.30 that David behaved himselfe more wisely than all the Servants of Saul so that his name was much set by Now this was the way that he took as you have him speaking in that Ps 18.21 I have kept the ways of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God for all thy Judgments were before me and I did not put away his Statutes from me c. So Psal 119.110 The wicked have laid a snare for me yet I erred not from thy Precepts Daniel was a wise man hence that Proverb Ezek. 28.3 Wiser than Daniel and he took this course when that his Enemies had laid a snare for him to take away his life yet Dan. 6.10 he declined not from the way of the Lord but waited on the Lord and kept his way as aforetime as you may there read Yea Jesus Christ the Wisdom of God he took this course as you may read Luke 13. where when certain of the Pharisees came saying to him Get thee out and depart hence for Herod will kill thee vers 31. He answered vers 32. Go ye and tell that Fox Behold I cast out Devils and do cures to day and to morrow that is I will do the work of my Father I will follow what he hath sent me about and keep his Way whatever becomes of me Thus you see it is the wisest way 3. This is the safest way when a man is beset with the wicked that seek to mischieve him 't is a time to look after the safest way now to wait on the Lord and to keep his Way is the safest course a man can take Pro. 10.9 He that walks uprightly walks surely And 28. 18. Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved I know carnal wisdom thinks otherwise and mocks at this But I am speaking to the People of God who are capable of receiving and understanding what I shall offer and to them this will appear to be the safest way by these two Particulars First This is the readiest way for the People of God to escape that mischief which the wicked devise and intend against them Prov 18.10 The Name of the Lord is a strong Tower the Righteous fly to it and are safe But how do they fly to this strong hold but upon the wings of Faith and Hope whereby they wait on the Lord and being fled for refuge to this strong hold they are sale and continue safe by abiding there which is by keeping the Way of the Lord Hence that Prov. 16.7 When a mans wayes please the Lord he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him Now for those whose wayes please him who wait on him and keep his way he maketh even their enemies to be at peace with them these several wayes 1. Sometimes by changing their hearts and by making them even of Enemies to become Friends So we find he changed the heart of Ahasuerus that whereas his enmity was so enflamed by the mis-information of Haman as that he had signed the Decree for the utter destroying of the People of God yet afterwards he grants unto the Jews to gather themselves together and stand for their lives to destroy slay and cause to perish all the power of the people of the Province that should assault both little ones and women and to take the spoil of them for a prey So he changed the heart of Nebuchadnezzar with respect to the three Worthies whom in the heat of his fury be commanded to be cast into the fiery Furnace heated seven times hotter than aforetime yet afterwards his heart is so turned towards them as that he greatly promotes them in the Province of Babylon as you may read Dan. 3. So the Lord changed the heart of Paul who of a persecuting Saul became a preaching Paul Gal. 1.23 abounding in love to Christ and his Members as he did before in rage and cruelty against them 2. By restraining sometimes their envy and fury so that though their hearts continue as full of bitterness malice and revenge as formerly yet he bindeth up their hands so as that they cannot execute the mischief they intend against his People So Psal 76.5 The stout-hearted are spoiled or disarmed they have slept their sleep and none of the men of might have found their hands All which expressions tend to shew the restraint that is laid upon them and by whom you may see vers 6. At thy Rebuke O God of Jacob both the Chariots and the Horses are cast into a dead sleep Hence that vers 10. Surely the wrath of men shall praise thee that is as much of it as he suffers for to break forth for the remainder of wrath wilt thou restrain We have a notable example of this in Laban Gen. 31. who is not only rebuked by the Lord in his not pursuit after Jacob with a charge not to hurt him but is over-ruled to tell Jacob how the God of his Father spake to him as you may read vers 29. whatever be the fury and rage of the enemy he can say unto it Thus far shalt thou go and no farther as Job 38.11 3. He maketh their enemies to be at peace with them sometimes by enclining them to use his People well and to treat them peaceably after that they have them in their power and under their hand Jer. 15.11 The Lord said Verily it shall be well with thy remnant verily I will cause the enemy to treat thee well in time of evil and in the time of affliction So we read Psal 106.46 He made them to be pityed of all them that carryed them away captives 4. Alwayes by over-ruling what they do against them so as that it shall not hurt them So Isa 54.17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper But of whom is this spoken it follows there This is the heritage of the Servants of the Lord It may prosper to put them to smart but not to hurt them As the Lord promised Paul Acts 18.10 I am with thee and no man shall set on thee to
thee because he trusteth in thee That which is rendred perfect peace is Peace Peace in the Original the reduplication according to the Idiome of the Hebrew denoting the excellency perfection abundance and duration of Peace But to whom is this promise made saith the Text to him whose mind is stayed on the Lord and trusteth in him and in vers 2. to the righteous Nation which keepeth the Truth which according to the point in hand may be exprest to them that wait on the Lord and keep his Way So Psal 119.165 Great Peace have they that love thy Law and nothing shall offend them 2. 'T is the ready way to have the Holy Ghost who is stiled the Comforter to abide with us What more comfortable way than that wherein we may be sure to have the Comforter to be with us to abide and continue with us Wait on the Lord and keep his way so shall the Comforter abide with you for ever Expresse is that of our Lord to this purpose John 14.15 16. If you love me keep my Commandements and I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever So vers 23. If any man love me he will keep my words and my Father will love him and we will come and make our abode with him So that this is the way to have Father Son and Holy Ghost to come to us and abide with us 3. The Comforts which are to be had in this way are true solid substantial and abiding Comforts such as fill the soul with inward joy and mirth under the sorest outward trouble so as that they can sing in prison and leap in the flames Notable is that expression of the Apostle 2 Cor. 3.4 I am filled with comfort I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulations in following the Lord. He tells us in the next verse that his flesh had no rest that he was troubled on every side and yet exceeding joyful yea he tells us in another place 2 Cor. 1.5 that as his afflictions did abound for Christ so his consolations did abound by him 4. This is the way to arrive speedily where the wicked shall trouble you no more where there shall be no more sorrow nor weeping but where you shall have perfect rest and peace fulness of joy and comfort for evermore That of the Lord Jesus to his Disciples Luke 22.28 29. is plain for this Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations and I appoint you a Kingdom as my Father hath appointed unto me with John 10.27 28. My Sheep hear my voyce and I know them and they follow me and I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand As Caleb and Joshua waited on the Lord and kept his way following him fully and so entred Canaan and had a peaceable and comfortable possession there Josh 14.14 so they that wait on the Lord and keep his Way shall have abundant entrance into that heavenly Canaan 2 Pet. 1.11 where there is fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore Psal 16.11 And thus it appears to be the most comfortable way To conclude this we say All is well that ends well Now Psal 37.37 Mark the perfect man and behold the upright for the end of that man is peace Thus then we have cleared That however it go with the People of God here in this world more especially when the wicked watch them to doe them a mischief 't is their best way to wait on the Lord and keep his way for that it is the honestest the wisest the safest and the most honourable and most comfortable way And though I doubt not but enough hath been spoken to perswade and prevail with those that have an understanding to discern and a heart to perceive what hath been set before them Yet I question not but carnal reason hath many things to object and such as may prevail with carnal hearts to disbelieve all that hath been spoken so far at least as to prefer the wayes of carnal wisdom before this Way of the Lord But I rest satisfied with that answer of our Saviour Matth. 13.11 It is given to you to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven but unto them it is not given Thus you have the Doctrinal part of the point I proceed to the Application and we shall make use of this 1. To admonish and forewarn all the followers of Christ that have own'd engag'd and walk'd in the way of the Lord to take heed that they be not stumbled moved and turned out of the way of the Lord. The Apostle in Heb. 12.13 adviseth them to make straight paths for their feet lest that which is lame should be turned out of the way but let it rather be healed There is some lameness remaining with the Best with some more with some less but with all some It lies therefore in all to take heed lest they be turned out of the way Hence that of the Apostle 1 Cor. 10.12 Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall and let him that thinketh he is stablished and setled in the way of the Lord take heed lest he be offended and turned out of the way O that a holy Jealousie in this thing may possesse and fill all your hearts More particularly I would forewarn you to take heed lest you be offended through some things and by some persons in this day of temptation 1. Take heed lest you be offended at the Crosse Our Saviour in the Parable of the Sower Mat. 13. tells us of some who though they hear and receive the Word for a season with joy yet when Tribulation or Persecution ariseth for the Word by and by they are offended How is this fulfilled in our dayes how many are there who while the Way of the Lord was the Way to preferment did professe and walk in it who now that it is opposed and every-where spoken against do decline and forsake it Be you admonished to take heed lest the stumbling-block of others sufferings especially of faithfull Ministers do turn you out of the way The Apostle laboureth much in removing this stumbling-block as you may see 2 Cor. 1. Phil. 1. 1 Thess 3.3 Therefore I do the more earnestly forewarn you of this and take heed lest what sufferings come on you for the Gospel sake do turn you out of the way you are no Disciples for Christ unlesse you take up your Crosse and follow him Luke 14.27 2. Take heed lest you be offended by the falls and Apostacies of hypocritical professors This is that Satan and his instruments will lay before you to turn you out of the way of the Lord our Saviour doth therefore forewarn of this Mat. 24. so likewise his Apostles 1 Tim. 4.1 2 Pet. 2.1 2. and 1 John 2.19 3. Take heed that you be not stumbled by the scorn contempt and reproach that
is cast on the way of the Lord and those that walk in it This is that Satan and his instruments will lay before you That the way of the Lord and his followers are every where under reproach and contempt for as they said to Paul so hath the false Church said to those that teach the way of the Lord truly Acts 28.22 For as concerning this Sect we know that every where it is spoken against the Original is Heresie the way of the Lord is commonly thus branded in the world and they that walk in it are counted a company of Sectaries and Hereticks But this should stumble us no more than it did Paul who there ver 23. boldly teacheth this way and Act. 24.14 freely professeth it But this I confess to thee that after the way which they call Heresie so worship I the God of my Fathers 4. Take heed you be not offended at the prosperity of the wicked especially when he bringeth wicked devices to pass This was that had almost turn'd the Psalmist out of the way Psal 73.2 3. As for me my feet were almost gone my steps had well-nigh slipt for I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked To see those that despise hate and persecute the VVay of the Lord and those that walk in it to prosper and flourish while those that love it own it and walk in it are in an afflicted and suffering condition this not only overturns formal Professors but many a time puts sincere Believers to a stand Hence that advice in Psal 37.7 Fret not thy self because of him who prospereth because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass And as ver 8. Fret not thy self in any wise to do evil 2. Take heed of such persons as by whom if you be not the more watchful you may be so offended as to be turned out of the way More particularly 1. Take heed of your selves This is that our Saviour calls for in that Mat. 16.24 If any man will come after me let him deny himself Our greatest danger is from our selves while we have within a deceiver and a traytor who is still conspiring to turn us out of the way Take heed therefore of your own selves consult not with flesh and blood Gal. 1.16 2. Beware of Satan This is that which the Apostle suggests 2 Cor. 3. I fear by any means least as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ And out of the like fear concerning you I beseech you beware of Satan and the rather for that as the Apostle saith vers 14. Satan is transformed into an Angel of light 3. Beware of false Teachers This is the advice of our Saviour in Math. 7.15 Beware of false Prophets which come unto you in sheeps cloathing c. And though I cannot say I know with the Apostle in Act. 20.29 yet I am greatly afraid that after my departing shall grievous Wolves enter in among you not sparing the Flock and that of your own selves shall men arise speaking perverse things to draw away Disciples after them 4. Beware of worldly Friends such as will counsel you to spare your selves such as savour not the things of God but those that be of men This our Saviour calls for in that of Luke 14.26 Answer them as Christ answered Peter Mat. 16.22 23. The proper use of this Point with respect to the people of God is To exhort and perswade them to wait on the Lord and keep his way however it be whoever they are that watch and plot against them however they may prosper in bringing wicked devices to pass however they may prevail in oppressing the poor Saints yet this is the exhortation that I have received from the Lord for you Wait on the Lord and keep his Way There are two branches of the Exhortation I shall speak to both of them distinctly And because the latter of them is the main and the former a help thereto in bad times I shall invert the order of the Text and speak to what is here the latter in the first place and to the other as time will give leave 1. However it go Saints though the wicked watch to do you a mischief yet keep you the Way of the Lord diligently observing the way of his Commandments the way of your duty to walk therein Forasmuch as it hath been the design of my preaching all-along to expound the Way of God to you and to instruct you in the Way of the Lord And I am now directing my Speech to the Saints of God who know own and profess the Way of the Lord. I shall not spend much time while I have so little left in recounting to you what I have taught you concerning the way of the Lord only in general that Way of Truth and Righteousness the Way of Faith and Holiness which I have taught you from the VVord is intended You know the way of Gospel-Doctrin Gospel-Fellowship Gospel-VVorship Gospel-Discipline and Gospel-Conversation which I have preached and you have received And here Beloved I call God to witness in whose Name I have preached to you that I have preached the VVay of the Lord sincerely and faithfully as I have received of the Lord by the teaching of his Spirit through the VVord I therefore beseech and entreat you out of that hearty love I bear to you and that affectionate care I have for you that as you tender the Glory of God your own Peace here and eternal Happiness hereafter and the spiritual and eternal Good of others that you will remember how you have heard and received and keep the VVay of the Lord. In the prosecuting of this I shall speak to these two things First Open this duty in a few particulars Secondly Give you some Directions to help you herein For the first of these take it in these particulars 1. Be exhorted to keep the VVay of the Lord in your memories So Rev. 3.3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard and hold fast I am speaking to those that have received the knowledge of the VVay of the Lord that they retain what they have learned and that they maintain an actual remembrance of it and the rather take heed to this every one of you with the greater diligence for that you are like to be deprived of the help of your Remembrancers viz. the faithful Ministers of Christ 1 Tim. 4.6 you have had their help a long while in putting you from Sabbath to Sabbath in remembrance but this is taking from you as the Apostle in another case Heb. 2.1 Therefore ye ought to give the more earnest heed to the things ye have heard least at any time ye should let them slip 2. Keep the VVay of the Lord in your Judgments and Consciences I am speaking to those whose Judgments are enlightned and Consciences renewed to approve of the VVay of the Lord As
therefore the Apostle said unto them 2 Pet. 3.17 Ye therefore Beloved seeing ye know these things before beware least ye also be led away with the errour of the wicked and fall from your own stedfastness So say I seeing ye know the VVay of the Lord and approve of it beware lest being led away with the errour of the wicked and your own Judgments being thereby corrupted and your Consciences defiled you fall from your own stedfastnesse And I the rather press this for that as the Apostle hath it 2 Cor. 11.3 I fear lest by any means as the Serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ 3. Keep the VVay of the Lord in your Profession I am speaking unto those who as Rom. 10.10 with the heart believe unto righteousness and with the mouth make confession unto salvation And you have the Exhortation in the words of the Apostle Heb. 10.23 Let us hold fast the profession of the Faith without wavering Be not ashamed of your Profession as our Saviour speaks Mark 8.38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my Words in this adulterous and sinful Generation of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the Glory of his Father with his holy Angels with Mat. 10.32 33. Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men him will I confess also before my Father which is in Heaven But whosoever shall deny me before men him will I also deny before my Father which is in Heaven 4. Keep the VVay of the Lord in your hearts and affections loving rejoycing and delighting in the VVay of the Lord The keeping of it in your Memories Judgments and Profession will be but in vain unless you keep it in your hearts Lay up and hide the VVord of God in your hearts let the desire and delight of your Soul be in the VVay of the Lord with the Psal 119.111 Thy Testimonies have I taken for mine heritage for ever for they are the rejoycing of my heart 'T is the Character of the Godly man Psal 1.1 2. He delighteth in the Law of the Lord and in his Law doth he meditate day and night 5. Keep the Way of the Lord in your lives and conversations walking therein conscientiously observing the Commandments of God to do accordingly I am speaking to those who have chosen the way of the Lord to walk in and they may read what the Lord saith in that Deut. 5.32 You shall observe to do as the Lord your God hath commanded you You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left you shall walk in all the Wayes that the Lord your God hath commanded you And to as many as walk according to this Rule peace shall be upon them and upon the Israel of God Having thus opened this Duty take these few Directions among the many that might be given 1. Let the Spirit of Christ be your guide and principle I am speaking unto such as have the Spirit of Christ Now if you consult that Ezek. 36.27 you shall find that the Lord promiseth his People that he will put his Spirit within them and to what purpose viz. both to encline enable and guide them to walk in his Statutes and to observe his Commandments to do them There is no entring into the VVay of the Lord but by the Spirit Joh. 3.3 we all naturally being gone astray wander from the way of the Lord and 't is the Spirit only that can and doth reduce men into this way and the best being but lame and having not only a principle of halting in but declining from it there is no walking in this VVay but by the assistance and guidance of the Spirit Let therefore the Spirit of God be your guide it is promised that he shall lead you into all Truth John 16.13 Let the Spirit be your principle walk in the Spirit Gal. 5.16 then you shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh but shall keep the Way of the Lord. 2. Make the Word of God your Rule I have heretofore from that John 6.39 and 1 Tim. 3.15 and several other places cleared to you that it is given of God for this end to be the Rule both for Faith and Practice Keep therefore unto this and by no means depart from this if you would keep the VVay of the Lord. Here you have the Lord revealing his Way and that clearly and plainly so that the most simple that apply themselves to it may understand it the Scriptures are a perfect and a constant Rule Therefore as in that Isa 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this Word 't is because there is no Light in them There are some that make the Light within their Rule and that in opposition to the VVord but the Light in such is Darkness for if they speak not according to this VVord if it be but diverse from though not directly opposite unto it then there is no light in them Indeed the Light within that is Conscience enlightned is a Rule but it is Regula Regulata a Ruled Rule There is Regula Regulans and Regula Regulata A Ruling Rule and a Ruled Rule The former is a Rule to the latter by which it is to be tryed and approved The Word of God is a ruling Rule and Conscience is a ruled Rule which is to be obeyed as far as it speaks according to the Word and no further If therefore you would keep the Way of the Lord do not despise Conscience do not neglect the Light within but make it not thy Rule make the VVord of God thy Rule admit not of any thing that is belonging to the VVay of the Lord that is not grounded upon or not warranted by his Word If you would keep the Way of the Lord hold fast to what is written stick to the Word That saying of Austin is famous Sive de Christo sive de Ecclesia sive de quacunque alia re non dico si nos sed si Angelus de caelo vobis annunciaverit praeterquam quod in Scripturis accipistes Anathema sit Not to say If we but if an Angel from Heaven shall preach any thing of Christ or of the Church or of any other thing besides what ye have received in the Scriptures let him be accursed Like to that Gal. 1.8 9. The Word is the heavenly compass whereby we may be directed to steer our course aright to the Haven of happiness Keep you to the Word while one says this is the way and another that Try all things by the Rule of the Word and make that your Rule to walk by Hence when Paul was taking his leave of the Church at Ephesus in that Acts 20. In his Farewel-Sermon that after his departure they might keep the Way of the Lord you may read what he commends to them vers 32. And now Brethren I commend you to God and the Word
to the Fathers hand he willingly submits to what sufferings came upon him That you may keep the Way of the Lord in the midst of all the sufferings you are like to meet with herein following the Lord Jesus Christ eying the hand of your gracious Father in all the sufferings that come upon you of what nature soever and by whomsoever inflicted and whatever may be the ends of those by whom you suffer yet that they are all ordered by him in accomplishment of his VVord Do ye not believe this I know that ye do believe it by Faith therefore improve it for the quieting of your hearts in all your sufferings This is that the Apostle presseth the Saints unto in the 12th of the Hebrews where he taketh for granted that all kind of sufferings more especially such as come upon us by the contradiction of sinners are fatherly corrections from the Lord and so in accomplishment of the VVord of God according unto that Psal 89.30 31. and therefore humbly to be submitted to so Heb. 12.9 10. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us and we gave them reverence shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live for they verily for a few dayes chastened us after their own pleasure but he for our profit that we may be partakers of his Holiness Seeing therefore whatsoever befalls you in the Way of the Lord is by your Father's ordering in accomplishment of his VVord for your profit that ye may be partakers of his Holiness submit your selves to him eye your Fathers hand and end and be quiet 3. It was the practice of Jesus Christ in his state of humiliation to give unto Civil Magistrates and Rulers what was their due yea to forgo somewhat of his Civil Right rather than to offend them For giving unto Civil Magistrates their due notable is that of Mat. 22.21 Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and unto God the things that are God's And as he taught them so he practised himself for he was not of those who say and do not but his practice was alwayes conformable to his Doctrine VVhen therefore they that received Tribute-money at Capernaum came and demanded of him he will rather recede from his Civil Liberty than offend them Mat. 17.25 26 27. Now go ye and do likewise If ye will keep the VVay of the Lord give unto Caesar the things that are Caesars be subject unto the King and all that are in Authority Let the exhortation be that 1 Pet. 2.13 Submit your selves to every Ordinance of man for the Lords sake VVhat is here meant by Ordinance of man is clear from what follows whether to the King as supream or unto Governors c. Be ye therefore subject Saints not only for wrath but for Conscience sake for the Lord's sake and as Rom. 13.7 Render to every one their due Tribute to whom Tribute Custom to whom Custom is due c. Such subjection to Magistrates as thwarteth not our obedience unto God lies within the Way of the Lord Yeeld therefore active obedience unto the King as far as Conscience towards God will give leave Fear God and honour the King 1 Pet. 2.17 Give all that honour to the King that is consistent with the true Fear of God Let nothing but Conscience towards God hinder you at any time from yeelding active obedience to all the King's Laws And here Beloved I shall take occasion to open my heart sincerely to you You know what is required of me if I will continue a publick Minister in this Kingdom I hope no sober persons can think me such a humerous perverse Phanatick as to throw away my Maintenance much lesse my Ministerial Capacity which is much more dear to me than Livelihood yea than Life out of a proud humor and vain-glorious fancy In brief therefore as I shall answer it before the great God the searcher of all hearts and the righteous Judge did not Conscience towards God forbid me I would willingly and readily do all that the Act requires But seeing I cannot declare an unfeigned Assent and Consent as the Law requires As from the fear of my God I dare not so from the love you generally have to me I know you would not have me dissemble with God and men I do therefore humbly choose to submit to the Penalty rather than by a hypocritical conformity for such it must be in me if any to dishonour my God wound my own Conscience and dissemble with men knowing assuredly that my God hath no need of my sin And if he have any work for me in the publick Ministry he will encline the King's heart to grant Liberty and Encouragement therein to me with the rest of those who desire to be faithful in preaching of the Gospel which that the Lord will grant I promise my self the help of all your prayers who have been savoured with any spiritual blessings through my Ministry 4. It was the practice of Jesus Christ to be so far from making resistance by the sword to keep himself from suffering that he refused such help as was offered him that way So Mat. 26.52 Then said Jesus unto him Put up again thy sword into his place for all they that take the sword shall perish by the sword 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 't is not all that use but all that take the sword without a lawful call So John 18.11 Put up thy sword into thy sheath the Cup which my Father will have me to drink shall I not drink it If you would keep the Way of the Lord herein follow Christ so as not to resist those that are in Authority however unjustly you may suffer from them for 1 Pet. 2.19 This is thank-worthy if a man for Conscience-sake toward God endure grief suffering wrongfully 5. It was the practice of Jesus Christ to be so far from avenging himself as to render good for evil to forgive his enemies to seek their good and welfare So in Luke 23.34 Then said Jesus Father forgive them for they know not what they do Thus follow Christ according to that he teacheth in Mat. 5.34 Love your enemies Blesse them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you And what the Apostle exhorteth in Rom. 12.19 20. Dearly beloved avenge not your selves but rather give place unto wrath for it is written Vengeance is mine I will repay saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger feed him if he thirst give him drink c. 6. The Lord Jesus Christ had great compassion for poor wandering sinners Mat. 9.36 Great love for his Saints John 13.1 with tender pity towards them in all their sorrows and afflictions Isa 63.9 Herein also be ye followers of Christ according to that Col. 3.12 13. Put on therefore as the Elect of God holy and beloved bowels of mercies kindness humblenesse of mind meeknesse long-suffering