keep him from being dismayed at all the trouble and calamities that he meeteth withall in the world Fear not saith Christ little flock for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom In this Observation there is two things supposed First It is supposed in this Doctrine that believers have an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven This I need not now stand to prove having spoken to it already in the handling of the former Observation God being their Father he hath provided an eternal inheritance of glory for them in his eternal Kingdom Secondly It is supposed in the Doctrine that believers are like to meet with opposition from the world they are diligent in the practise of godliness are driving a Trade for Heaven they shall be sure to meet with abundance of trouble and hindrance from the world and the Prince of the world this is a truth exceeding manifest both from Scripture and experience We shall be hated of all men for his names sake Mat. 10.22 And because Christ hath chosen his people out of the world therefore the world hated him Jo. 15.19 And experience makes this evidence in all ages of the world those that are godly walk with God they have been sure to have their portion of afflictions and tribulations from the hands and tongues of the malicious and ungodly world my design is to shew what little cause the Servants of God that have an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven to be afraid or dismayed at any of these hindrances and oppositions that they meet withal in their way to Heaven For the handling of this Doctrine and the fiting of it for our improvement by Application I shall speak to these three things First I shall shew you by some instances from the word of God how the Saints that have had an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven have been incouraged in the ways of God and have had their spirits born up in their lowest condition and in their greatest tryals and troubles here below Secondly I shall shew you that believers are dehorted from dispondency and being dismayed under their sufferings upon the consideration of their Heavenly interest Thirdly I shall give you some Reasons why believers that have a Title to the Heavenly Glory should be couragious and undaunted and not dismayed at all their eternal Trials and Tribulations that they meet withal from the world and so shall come to the Application First For the first of these I might give you many instances from the word of God of the courage and magnanimity of the heirs of Heaven in their Tryals as David how couragious was he in the Lord even in his lowest condition Psalm 46.1 2 3 4. God is our resuge and our strength a very present help in Trouble therefore saith he will we not fear though the earth be removed though the Mountains be cast into the midst of the Sea though the Waters thereof roar and be troubled though the Mountains shake with the swelling thereof Selah Psalm 118.6 The Lord is on my side I will not fear what man can do unto me David he had put confidence in God and therefore was not afraid of man where the fear of God is and where the hope of glory is there the slavish fear of man will quickly vanish away this no doubt was that which made the three Children not to be afraid of the fiery Furnace nor Daniel of the Den of Lyons Dan. 3.16 and 6. We have a notable example to this purpose Hab. 3.17 18. Although the Fig-tree should not blossome nor fruit be in the Vine though the labour of the Olive should fail and the fields should yield no meat though the flocks should be out off from the fold and there should be no herd in the stall yet will I rejoyce in the Lord I will joy in the God of my salvation The consideration of his heavenly interest and that God was the God of his salvation was that which not only kept the Prophet from being dismayed but also made him to rejoyce in the absence of all creature joys and comforts the want of these worldly things were not able to abate his heavenly joy which he had in the God of his salvation The consideration of their heavenly interest and their title to the everlasting glory was that which made the Apostles of Christ so couragious and comfortable under all their sufferings that they underwent for Christ This was that which made the Martyr Steven so fearless and undaunted when he was on the brink of death and when the stones flew about his ears when he could look up into Heaven the place of his Inheritance where he was going and take a view of that Heavenly glory Acts 7 55. A believer that can look up by an eye of faith upon Christ and Heaven and take a view of the unseen world the place of his eternal rest and felicity will be able in some measure to undergo with comfort the sharpest and bitterest persecutions that the malice of Men or Divels can expose him to This was that which made Paul and Sylas sing praises at midnight when they were shut up in prison and their feet in the stocks Acts 16.25 This was that which caused the believing Hebrews to take joyfully the spoiling of their goods even the consideration of their interest in the Kingdom of Heaven Heb. 10.34 For ye bad compassion of me in my bonds and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods knowing that in Heaven you have a better and a more enduring substance Their knowledge of this their interest in the Heavenly riches made them willingly to part with the earthly riches for the sake of Christ Secondly The next thing to be spoken unto is this to shew that the people of God upon this consideration of their interest in the Kingdom of Glory have been dehorted from fear and dispondence and exhorted to courage and magnanimity in the ways of God Upon this consideration it is that Christ exhorts his little flock in the Text not to fear because that God would give them the Kingdom of Heaven How often are the Servants of God in Scripture dehorted from fear Isa 41.10 Fear not I am with thee be not dismaied I am thy God Vers 14. Fear not thou worm Jacob and ye men of Israel I will help thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer Isa 50.7 8. Fear ye not the reproach of men be not dismayed at their revilings for the Moth shall eat them up like a garment and the worm shall eat them like wool but my Righteousness shall be for ever and my Salvation from Generation to Generation And again Vers 12. Wâ—â— art thou that shouldest be afraid of a man that shall dye and of the Son of man that shall be made as grass and forgetteth the Lord thy Maker that stretched out the Heavens and laid the foundation of the Earth And our Saviour in the New Testament to the supporting of Believers
will report it all my familliars or as in the Margent every man of my peace watched for my haltings saying peradventure he will be enticed and we shall prevail against him and we shall take our revenge of him While they pretended friendship and peace they intended nothing but mischief even the taking of their revenge on him So the Presidents and the Princes watched righteous Daniel to mischief him Dan. 6.4 where first they seek to find occasion against him concerning the Kingdom they would gladly have found any occasion against him to have accused him of Disloyalty Sedition Treason Rebellion or at least falshood and unfaithfulness but here they could find no fault his very enemies being Judges ver 5. In the next place therefore they plot to find occasion against him from the Law of his God and therefore enticing the King to make a Law against the Law of Daniels God they quickly catch him So you may see the Scribes and Pharisees watched the Lord Jesus that Just One Luke 67. And the Scribes and Pharisees watched him whether he would heal on the Sabbath day that they might find an accusation against him It seems they had a Law against doing good on the Sabbath day So Luke 20.19 20. And the chief Priestâ—es and the Scribes sought to lay hands on him and they feared the people for they perceived that he had spoke this parable against them and they watched him and sent forth spies which should fain themselves just men that they might take hold of his words that so they might deliver him to the power and authority of the governour They endeavour to trapan him that they might give him over to the secular Power Time would fail to show how they watched the Apostles and the Saints all down along throughout all Ages Neither need we search the Records of former ages in this matter for evidence our own times affording pregnant proof more then enough in this thing and as it hath been and now is so it will be to the end of this wicked world the guise and manner of the Wicked thus to watch the Righteous to do him a mischief 1. For that there is the same principle of hatred and enmity in the Wicked against the Rigeteous now as ever yea and ever will to the worlds end That enmity that we read of in Gen. 3.15 is a lasting enmity as long as there is any of the seed of the Serpent in the world it will work it is an enmity in nature Prov. 29.27 He that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked and the wicked must cease to be wicked ere this will cease to be As there are some Creatures that have an enmity in nature as the Woolf and the Sheep so that enmity is propagated to all of the kind that partake of that nature So is the enmity that the children of the wicked one have against the children of God As therefore the Wolf need not be taught to watch to devour the Sheep it being natural to him so the wicked need not be taught to do the Saints a mischief having a principle within them inclining and instructing them thereunto 2. There is the same necessary ground and occasion of their hatred of them though there be no just ground of the wicked hatred of the righteous hence David speaks of their hating him without a cause Psal 69 4. that is without just cause on his part yet there is a necessary ground of their hatred and that continueth now as heretofore and will continue as long as there are any truly godly and what that is you may see in that Psal 38.20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries because I follow the thing that good is The true ground and reason of their being adversaries unto David was this Because he followed that which they hated Thus our Saviour shewing his Disciples how they should be hated of the world acquaints them with the true cause and ground of the worlds hatred John 15 19. If you were of the world the world would love his own but because you are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world therefore the world hateth you And that this is the proper ground of the worlds hatred is most manifest for that the same person whom the world loved while he was of the world when called out of the world into the Kingdome of Christ then is he hated of those that before loved him as in Paul And if a person that professeth himself the Disciple of Christ and is hated of the world shall forsake the assembly of the Saints and turn back from the way of righteousness and run into the same excess of riot with the prophane world none more the worlds darling then he 〈◊〉 So that it is Godliness Holiness and true Religion that is the true ground of the worlds hatred So 1 Joh. 3.12 Not as Cain who was of the wicked one and slew his brother and wherefore slew he him because his own works were evil and his brothers righteous This was the true cause of his hatred and while that the cause remaineth while godly men continue to walk in the ways of godliness the wicked will continue to hate them 3. The Devil whose Children these wicked ones are 1 John 3.8 10. is still as malitious 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 Ephes 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 aâ—d 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 what shall the righteous do shall he render evil for evil and watch the wicked that he may mischief them God forbid what shall he forsake his righteousness and leave off to be godly no in no wise But if you 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 the Lord and keep his way And so I come to what is expresly asserted in this point That however it go with the truly godly here in this world more especially when the wicked watcheth the righteous to mischief them it is their best way to wait on the Lord and keep his Way Here I shall speak by way of Explication in shewing 1. VVhat it is to wait on the Lord. 2.
shall inherit the Kingdom of God Damnation is entailed upon unrighteous men 2. If you are merciful you shall be gathered to Christ if you are one that is full of bowels of compassion to the distressed members of Christ Jesus for Christ hath said it Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy now if you are hard-hearted covetous worldly minded remember that Text He shall have judgement without mercy that shews no mercy 3. He that is gathered to the second Adam by faith in this world shall certainly be gathered unto Christ by vision in the other world Christ Jesus will save all his members and you must know that faith is a transplanting grace it is not only a heart-purifying but a world-overcoming grace It takes a man out of the old Adam and puts him into a new Adam it takes a man out of the root of scattering and puts him into the root of union and conjunction Wherefore you that are now joyned to Christ by faith here shall be joyned to Christ in glory hereafter But now you that are vagabonds Cains and aliens from the life of God and from the life of grace You that are wooden members wooden legs in Christs body that have no real conjunction with Christ you shall not be gathered to him in glory Lastly If you are gathered here to the Saints by love then you shall be gathered to the Saints in Heaven and to the everlasting injoyment of God with them to all eternity Confider this every man shall be gathered when he dies to those whom he delights and chooseth to keep pany with while he lives in this world If you are gathered to the wicked in love and affection here you shall be gathered to them at death in hell and destruction for it is pity companions should be parted wheat must to wheat and tares to tares for wheat and tares shall not be bound together at the last day The last use is of exhortation If the righteous must perish and if their death be nothing but a gathering then take this threefold Exhortation First Let us labor to make the best use we can of our godly friends and Ministers before they be gathered let us do as Elisha did he was told that his Master Elijah was to be taken up to Heaven and therefore he would never leave him till he had got the spirit of Elijah doubled upon him If Elisha had not thought that Elijah would have been taken up that day he would never have followed him so punctually and inseparably as he did O beloved did you believe that Text Zach. 1.5 of which we have often had experience Your fathers where are they and the prophets do they live for ever Indeed if they did live for ever we might get good from them when we please because we are sure never to lose them but they live not for ever but must perish and be taken up to heaven And therefore whilst we have them let us make what use we can of them before they be taken away from us It is a great fault among the people of God that they make no more use of their Godly friends and Ministers I have known many that have godly relations that have died that it hath been the greatest burden on their consciences that they got no more good by those Godly Relations while they lived Many of us deal with our Ministers as we do with a strange sight that is to be seen near our doors we are not so much solicitous when we see it but a stranger that comes from a far Country is curious and very careful presently to see it So do we in this City especially I have had experience of it by being here many years strangers that come out of the Country many times get that good by a Minister that his own people do not because they think their Minister is continually with them but a stranger knows he is there but for a day and he hears so that he carries Christ home with him and a great deal of consolation also Beloved this is a great fault I beseech you remember the Righteous must be gathered let us therefore do with them as we do with Books that are borrowed if a man borrows a Book he knows he must keep it but for a day or two and therefore he will be sure to read it over whereas if the Book be a mans own he laies it aside because he knows he can read it at any time Remember your Ministers are but lent you they are not your own and you know not but that God may take away your Elâ—jahs from you this night Therefore make what use you can of them while you have them Secondly Must the Righteous be taken away Then let the Righteous make conscience of doing what good they can before they are taken away Beloved if it were possible for the Godly to grieve in Heaven this would be their greatest sorrow that they have done God no more service here upon earth Be wise for God O ye Righteous do as old men that have rich places offices they labour to buy the reversion of their places for their Children So must you to whom God hath given great gifts and graces labor to propagate your gifts graces that there may be no loss by your death Observe the cares of St. Paul the aged in his exhortation to Timothy 2 Tim. 3.4 5 Watch thou all things endure afflictions do the work of an Evangelist make full proof of thy Ministry why so for I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand and therefore work thou see that thou endure affliction preach the Gospel as becomes a Minister of the Gospel that there may be no loss by my departure So in 2 Tim. 2.2 The things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses the same commit thou to faithful men that shall be able to teach others also Hath God committed any thing to you a treasure of Learning or Grace commit it to young Ministers that they may commit it to others that so there may be a succession of Gifts and Graces Do as Physitians do that labour to communicate their skill to their Children and to others so should we that there may be a succession of Godly ones that Godliness may be entailed upon us and our Relations Thirdly and lastly let us all labour to be such that when we dye when we come to be gathered we may be gathered to Christ and his Angels not to the Devil and his angels And for that purpose let us labour to be merciful and righteous and let us be gathered to Christ by Faith and to one another by love and dear affection and then we shall be gathered at the great day to Christ and the blessed company of the Saints Angels There are 4 observations yet behind but I must wave them at this time I have now another Sermon to preach and I cannot without
all thy worldly concernments thy relations diseases c. are all numbred Nay more remember this Believer all thy distrusts disquiets murmurings despondencies the meanest lust unseen and the most secret sin are all numbred 6. Are our hairs numbred This is sad news for Unbelievers Are your hairs numbred then certainly your Oaths Curses contempts of Gods people all your sinful thoughts words actions wilful omissions of commanded duties commissions of forbidden sins all your disputings against God his people his word wayes will are all upon the file they are all numbred 7. What an encouragement is there here for poor sinners to come in to God Do but come into God and thou shalt come into such a condition of safety that the very hairs shall be all numbred And if thou wilt not come in certainly thou art wanting to thy self For look as well as thou canst to thy self thou hast not a promise to keep one hair of thy head till to morrow morning Not a promise of a sup of water bit of bread nor a promise of one minutes safety till to morrow morning And if so be thou hast not a God no interest in him if God should turn his back on thee a thousand to one but afflictions come And if afflictions come thy heart is gone thou having no spiritual strength in heart no eternal Rock of ages to flie to no wonder if thou faint under them and so thou wilt certainly do If a Believer that hath but little strength is apt to faint thou that hast no strength wilt utterly fall when afflictions find thee And this leads to The Eighth Sermon Prov. 24.10 If thou faint in the day of Adversity thy strength is small THe Observation from hence was To faint in the day of trouble argues a mans inward strength to be but small his judgement weak his reason low his graces feeble his inward comfort peace and joy not much but very little This 1. Shews whence our mis-givings of heart whence our want of liveliness of spirit in and under troubles proceeded even from hence that our strength is but small 2. Teaches us how to judge what our spiritual strength is namely this way How dost thou bear afflictions How is it with thee in a day of distress Dost thou faint and fail It argues thy strength is but small By way of Dehortation Do not thou faint in the day of affliction in the day of adversity Take heed of fainting in three things 1. Under work or duty be it never so great grievous troublesome or dangerous 2. Under the with-holdings of mercy be they never so long detained 3. Under afflictions be they or may they be never so grievous whether 1. Publick afflictions the afflictions of the Church of God Suppose Sion is now clad in Sack-cloth there 's a time coming when she shall be arrayed in Scarlet When the Whores Scarlet shall be turned into Rags the Churches Rags shall be turned into Gold Or 2. Personal afflictions faint not under them be it this or that or the other be they never so great never so long or never so many But what shall I do to bear up my spirit and to preserve me from fainting 1. Live in the holy dependence and filial fear of the great God He that fears God most to be sure will faint least 2. Strengthen Grace There are two graces to be strengthened viz. Strengthen Faith I had fainted unless I had believed c. Strengthen Patience dejection of soul usually comes from impatience 3. Be much in Prayer Is any man afflicted let him not go and sinfully murmur and complain but let him pray 4. Make use of heart-strengthening considerations and that is 1. Turn over the promises They are left on purpose as Gods bottle his Vial of Cordials to keep the soul from fainting 2. What ever befalls remember it proceeds from Gods love 3. All that God aims at is to do thee good 4. Be the affection never so great 't is as necessary as prosperity as health This thy Physick is as necessary as thy food 5. The issue of all a Crown of glory these light afflictions which are but for a moment worketh out for us a far more excellent and eternal weight of glory And therefore if so be there be such principles from which afflictions flow and such ends to which they are managed It is no wonder Christ will not pray that we may be taken out of the world from affliction but keep in this world from the evil So we fall on The Ninth Sermon Joh. 17.15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil GOd hath spoken once yea twice have I heard this That power belongeth to God When God is pleased to strike twice upon the same string it seems he hath something more than ordinary mind that you should observe the turn The Doctrine was That it is the will of Jesus Christ that his servants should continue in the world though they meet with nothing but trouble in the world I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world let them stay Lord be thou but their Pilot and then keep them at Sea as long as thou wilt God knows his Saints are very serviceable in their generation They are as it were a Pillar of fire unto the rest of the world for guide and light By their Doctrine and Conversation they instruct the godly and convince the wicked God will have his people stay in the World that his power providence mercy and goodness in their preservation may more clearly be discovered that their afflictions here may work out for them an eternal weight of glory These are the reasons why God will have them stay in the World c. Then 1. Saints carry your selves as becomes such in midst of such a World with that wisdom faithfulness carefulness humility that may bring honour both to your selves and to your Profession Walk as Lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation Walk closely warily innocently patiently submissively c. All these are necessary while you are to converse here in this wicked world 1. From that truth But that thou shouldest keep them from the evil Observe preservation from sin is a greater mercy than exemption from suffering Which 1. Informs us of a truth that carnal men will never believe till they come to Hell that that is the height of folly which the men of the world count to be the top of wisdom they think it wisdom to choose sin rather than suffering 2 This will evidence that the people of God are not such Fools as the men of the World think they are but the wisest that will choose the greatest suffering rather than the least sin 3. This reproves those that will take more care to have their afflictions removed than sanctified 4. Be more afraid of sinning and less afraid of suffering what afraid of a lash my child
Dungeon c. 'T is compared to Bread Manna Food Water Precious Stones Rain c. Nay 't is more necessary As they formerly we can better be without the Sun than without Chrysostom Love for God makes us sensibly to say we can as well be without fire or water as without the word of God As it is the more excellent because compared to those things what they are naturally it is spiritually so it is spiritual Bread spiritual Water spiritual Pearl c. 2. By its precious Properties Operations There is a Scripture to me tastes like honey in my mouth Ps 19.7 8 9. Where the word is discovered by its properties and operations The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the Soul The testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple The Statutes of the Lord are right rejoycing the heart The Commandements of the Lord are pure enlightning the eyes The fear of the Lord is clean enduring for ever The Judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether What are these the Metaphors to which the Word is compared Are these the Properties and Operations of the Word No wonder then Job sets such a high valuation upon them as he doth in our Twelfth Sermon Job 23.12 I have esteemed the Word of his mouth more than my necessary food IN these words you have the matter and the measure of Job's valuation 1. The matter of Job's valuation i.e. the words all the words of his mouth precepts as well as promises threatnings and directions as well as promises and priviledges 2. The measure of his valuation as his food as his necessary food nay more than his necessary food Hence this truth was raised The Ordinances of God are exceeding precious to all truly Religious Persons All the Ordinances of God and amongst them his word which is not the least part of his worship This appears 1. From their desires after the Ordinances My Soul panteth longeth after c. 2. From their hearty content and satisfaction in them 3. From their bitter Lamentation under the want of them 4. From their diligent endeavours to enjoy them Religious Persons really understand their worth and want of them They know the Ordinances of God to be the food the spiritual fodder of the Soul the walks of God where God is pleased to take his turn the Instruments of Divine Glory the Legacy of Christians their Christian Armour and Accoutrements to contest with Sin Satan the World and as Stars that lead to Bethlehem no wonder the Ordinances are so precious in the esteem of all truly Religious Then 1. Know your priviledge yet you enjoy Ordinances 2. Lament the sad condition of those poor titular Christians on the one hand that have Ordinances but enjoy them not they know not the worth of them And true Christians on the other hand from whom the Ordinances are gone and whether ever they will return they know not 3. This reproves those to whom they are not precious But how shall I know the Ordinances are precious to me Answer If thou carriest thy self towards them as towards what thou lookest on as precious tell me 1. Art thou greedy of all opportunities of enjoying 2. Heartily troubled when hindred of enjoying them 3. Hast thou a dear respect to those that help thee to the enjoyment of them 2. By way of Conviction to those mad men that tell us of being above i.e. without Ordinances What was it ever heard of any of Gods Saints in Scripture that ever they said they were above Ordinances 3. For Instruction to Christians It will be seasonable to consider what you ought to do if God should deprive you of your Ordinances He did not say it is probable but such a thing is possible Therefore make provision lay in provision before-hand Provision of Knowledge of Grace of Comfort of Light against a day of darkness And if it should come here is Counsel given to us and Consolations laid before us 1. Counsel given us if ever it should be 1. Lament bewail mourn over the Lords absence weep till you can weep no longer 2. Seek after pursue them Let them go where they will be sure thou follow the Ordinances 3. Be more frequent and serious in the use of private Ordinances 4. Frequently reflect back on thy former enjoyments Oh the House the Tabernacle of God c. And reflect 1. To excite your thankfulness to God that ever you did enjoy them 2. To suck strength from the Ordinances To chew the cud and get strength of them 3. For Humiliation for finning away and provoking God to take them away 2. For Consolation that the People of God may not utterly fail then 1. Know in such a condition That though your condition be exceeding bad yet better than many thousands they never had Ordinances 2. God is able in such a case to support without Ordinances When he calls into the Wilderness he can carry along without Circumcision 3. Remember those that have had them but not now What is become of Sion Of the Church of c. 4. Your Salvation may be carried on without Ordinances 5. There is a time coming when you shall have no need of Ordinances In the mean time if you cannot get up to the Ark of God Take heed of bowing to the Calves at Dan and Bethel If you cannot serve the God of Israel Take heed you serve not the gods of the Amorites What you will do I know not to be sure Joshua would not Chuse you saith he this day whom you will serve whether the Gods which your Fathers served that were on the other side of the flood or the gods of the Amorites in whose Land ye dwell But as for me and my House we will serve the Lord. Which brings me to The Thirteenth Sermon Josh 24.15 As for me and my House we will serve the Lord. IN the words two things 1. An indefatigable Exhortation Take your own choice follow your own discretion If you will go and bow down to a dumb Idol to a captive God c. 2. An admirable Dehortation We are at a pitch we are resolved and if there be any attractive in me or my Family you have it in this I and my Houshold we will serve the Lord. The Observations were 1. Pious Governours of Families are very zealous that their Families as well as themselves shall serve the Lord. Never hope of thriving in godliness till you bring your Families right for God to be of the same Religion with your selves 2. A true sincere Christian is resolved to chuse and follow God what ever else the World chuse and follow 1. Sincere Christians have much more satisfaction in the judgment and practice of God his Word Saints than in the judgment and practice of the World He knows their judgment to be depraved their choice and practice corrupt their end and conclusion worst of all Therefore no wonder he makes a better choice 2. They have the best testimony in
under their afflictions and tribulations tells them that it is a blessed thing thus to be dealt withal by the World Mat. 5 10 11 12. Blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness sake for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you and speak all manner of evil against you falsly for my sake rejoyce and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in Heaven And Luke 6.22 Blessed are ye when men shall hate you and when they shall separate from you their company and shall reproach you and cast out your name as evil for the Son of mans sake rejoyce in that day and leap for joy for behold your reward is great in Heaven The consideration of our interest in the Kingdom of Heaven should keep us from being dismaved though we are hated persecuted reproached by the prophane world but should make us rejoyce rather and leap for joy Thus much for the second thing which is That the people of God are dehorted from fear and dispondency and exhorted to courage and magnanimity in the ways of God from the very consideration of their interest in the Kingdom of Heaven Thirdly I shall give you the Reasons why Believers those that have an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven should not fear not be dismayed at any outward trouble opposition or tribulation that they meet with in the world First It is very unsutable for one that hath secured the heavenly interest and his title to eternal glory to be dismayed at thing of nought how unsutable is it for one that is an Heir of Heaven to be excessively grieved and disconsolate because he meeteth with some rubs in his way thither Oh how unseemly is it for a child of light to walk in darkness and heaviness because somewhat of the world falls a cross to his expectation or desire for one that is to enjoy eternal happiness in the life to come to be dismayed and perplexed at every petty cross that he meeteth here below how unseemly is it for a child of God and Heir of Heaven for one that shall sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the Heavenly glory to go up and down drooping at inconsiderable crosses and light afflictions which are but for a moment For a worldling that hath all his good things here and hath no other portion but in this life to be grieved and perplexed at his external losses and troubles this is not so much for such a one to be grieved when he is thwarted in his designs and when the world falls a cross to him this is but sutable and agreeable to such a one because he hath placed his Hope his Contentment his joy and delight in these things and therefore being deprived of them he is deprived of his best things his Portion his All. But for a Child of God one that hath an interest in eternal life and glory to be cast down and dismayed at such small things as the affliction trials and tribulations of the world Oh what an unseemly thing is this as if their Heavenly interest did not give them greater cause of joy and rejoycing then those external worldly afflictions do give them cause of sadness and disconsolation The Frantick mirth of the prophane World that are in the high way to Damnation and the groundless perplexities of the regenerate Children of God are both alike unsuitable and unseemly although not both alike dangerous To see a Worldling that hath nothing else to comfort and support him but the fading enjoyments of this present life to be merry and jovial as if all were well and on the other hand to see a believer that is an heir of Heaven to live in a drooping and disconsolate state because of these outward troubles is cause of pity and lamentation Secondly As it is unsuitable for a child of God that hath secured his eternal state and made sure of his heavenly interest to be dismayed at the afflictions of the world so it is very unwarrantble believers are commanded to be much in holy rejoycing Rejoyce saith Christ to his Disciples because your names are written in Heaven Luke 10.20 Be glad in the Lord Oh ye righteous and shout for joy all ye upright in heart Psal 32.11 Rejoyce in the Lord oh ye righteous for praise is comely for the upright Psal 33.1 Rejoyce evermore 1 Thes 5.16 Oh how exceeding unwarrantable is it then for those that have an interest in the heavenly Glory to be discouraged at their outward afflictions by which they do disparage Religion and frighten away others from the doors of grace Thirdly It is irrational for one that hath secured his interest in the Heavenly Kingdom to be afraid of his worldly afflictions and tribulations seeing all the losses and crosses in the World are as nothing comparatively to such an one Let a Child of God but weigh and ponder such things aright and compare the cause of joy that he hath by virtue of his heavenly interest on the one hand with the cause of sorrow that he hath by reason of the crosses of the world on the other and he will see that he hath a thousand times more cause of joy than of sorrow and therefore the thoughts of his heavenly interest should swallow up those of his worldly troubles and disappointments I reckon saith the Apostle Paul that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us Rom. 1.18 And the same Apostle tell us elsewhere Our light afflictions which are but for a moment work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory 2 Cor. 4.17 Now is it not unreasonable for a believer to be grieved and disquieted with those light afflictions which shall be recompenced with an eternal weight of glory What can a child of God lose as long as his God his portion his interest in Heaven is safe and secured to him What are all the losses that he can sustain in the World as long as he is interested in the Eternal Kingdom of Glory I must tell you Believers ye that walk holily and closely with God and have a title to the Kingdom of Heaven for you to be grieved and discontented because all things do not concur according to your desires in the World is unreasonable and absurd as if a rich man that hath a great Estate and fair Houses and Orchards should be disquieted because the winde bloweth away a few leaves from his Trees Is not the Kingdom of Heaven that thou art entitled to enough to make thee amends for all thy troubles and calamities in the end Art thou troubled by the profane World and vexed up and down by thy Enemies and not suffered to rest in quiet And is it not enough for thee that the Kingdom of Heaven is the place of thine eternal rest and happiness where thou shalt be for ever advanced above their reach Art thou
shortly become a feast for Worms though they may be adorned with all the Ornaments that the pride of man can invent and friends and riches and will but accompany us to the Grave and there leave us and Oh what will then become of us if we have no interest in Christ and Heaven and can no lay claim to the eveâ—laâ—ing Glory If you ask me how we shall do to secure our interest in the Kingdom of Heaven I answer it must be by a through closure with Christ by saith and chusing of him for our Lord and Saviour God hath ordained that those that are united to Christ by faith here on earth that they shall be with Christ and live with Christ in Heaven Heaven and Glory is the Dowry that God giveth with his Son Jesus Christ and they that will Marry the Heir shall have the Inheritance and if we are Christs then all will be ours 1 Cor. 3.22 23. Whether of Paul or Apoâ—os or Cephas or things present or things to come all is yours and ye are Christs They that have an interest in Christ have a Title to all Let us therefore contract our selves to Christ resolving to be no longer our own but his and to live no longer to our selves but to him let us chuse him to be our Lord and Saviour and take him upon his own Terms as he is offered to us in the Gospel to be our King Priest and Prophet and when we are once thus united to Christ by faith we shall be coheirs with him of the heavenly Inheritance all this will be ours when we are Christs by a self-resignation and submission and when Christ is ours by a believing choice and election when we have thus made choice of Christ upon his own terms to be our Lord and Saviour our portion and our all and have given up our selves to him to be wholly his and at his dispose this will undoubtedly give us a sâ—m and an unquestionable title to Heaven Secondly The next address that I have to make is to those that are the Heirs of this Kingdom and have a Title to this Heavenly Inheritance Is it so that a Believers interest in the Kingdom of Heaven is enough to bear up his spirit under all his troubles and afflictions and to keep him from being dismayed under his sorest Trials and Tribulations that he meeteth withal from the World then the Exhortation that I shall give to you is the same that our Saviour giveth in the Text Fear not little Flock for it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom You that have an interest in the Heavenly Glory Oh be not dismayed nor affrighted at those outward afflictions and tribulations that you meet with here below it is true God doth often exercise his dear Children with Trials Afflictions and Tribulations this is the way by which God doth discipline his Children while they are in their Minority here this Believers must count upon before hand but there is not any of those things that should make a believing Christian dismayed seeing his eternal concernments are so safe and his Heavenly interest is secure And there is no Trouble nor Cross that the Saints can meet withal but that we are somewhere or other in the Word of God exhorted not to be afraid of it Do we meet with reproach from men is that the Cross we undergo this indeed is heavy insomuch that the Psalmist complains that his heart was broken by it Psal 69.20 Yet the Servants of God the Heirs of Heaven are cautioned not to fear that â—a 51.10 Fear not the reproach oâ— men nâ—r be afraid of their revilings or is the affliâ—tion that thou meetest withal imprisonment for the sake of Christ and of a good Conscience this is likewise grievous and heavy to be born yet the Heirs of Heaven are exhorted not to fear that neither Rev. 2.10 it is Christs advice to the Church of Smyrna Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer behâ—ld the Devil shall cast some of you into Prisâ—n that ye may be tryed and 〈◊〉 shall have Tribulation Ten days be thou faithful unto the death and I will 〈◊〉 thee a crown of â—ife Those that hâ—â—◠〈◊〉 interest in the crown of life imprisonment for the sake of Christ if God shouâ—d call them thereunto nay put case thou wert to suffer death it self for the sake of Christ this is the greatest and sorest of all sufferings yet the servants of Gâ—d are cautioâ—ed not to fear that neither for it can be but a bodily death and it will make way for a better and happier life Mat. 10.28 Fear not them that can kill thâ— body but are not able to kill the soul Whatsoever thâ— sufferings be thou that art a Believer and hast an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven thou art exhorted not to be afraid of it Oh Christians I beseech you act faith upon your Heavenly Interest I might tell you it can never be more seasonable so to do than now the more you act faith hereupon the more you will be enabled to live above the frowns of a troublesome and vexatious world Oh look up by an eye of faith upon â—he recompence of rewards and you will be able to prefer the afflictions of the Saints before the vain and transitory pleasures of unregenerate sinners which endure but for a moment and to chuse the greatest affliction before the least sin as Moses did Heb. 11.25 26. And let the joy that is set before you make you to endure the Crosses of this world and to desâ—ise the shame as the Captain of your salvation hath done before you and let the hope of the Glory of God make you rejoyce notwithstanding all the scorn and contempt that you meet with from the world But because of our frailty and aptness to be afraid and dismayed at afflictions and tribulations I shall see before you some considerations which if well weighed might by the blessing of God do much to the curing and removing of those fears and discontents that are aâ—t to seize upon us when we are exposed to Trials and losses in the world First Consider Christians you that have secured your heavenly interest are you in sore Troubles and do you meet with hard dealings from men it may be you may bring more glory to God bâ—â—our afflictions lâ—sses and crosses in the world than if you should always be in a quiet prosperous and serene condition it may be God mâ—â— have a greater Revenue of glory by thy troubles and â—â—â—als than by thy prosperity in the world and shall we not be wilâ—â—â—g to bâ— in such a condition howsâ—ever unpleasant to our corrupt fleâ—h in which we may be most sâ—rviceable fâ—r Gâ—d and bring most hâ—â—â—uâ— and 〈◊〉 to him It is a sign that we have little love to God or indeed to 〈◊〉 own souls if we do not prefer the Glory of God before our own ease and carnal contentment what do we but
mock with God in our prayers when we pray that his Name may be glorified if we are dismayed and discontented when God is glorified by us in our sufferings because they are tedious and irksome to our flesh If we are unwilling that God should be glorified by our sufferings If we are unwilling to honour him in an afflicted state why do we then in our prayers pretend to beg that God may be glorified Oh how much is God glorified many times by the sufferings of his people when as he is dishonoured by the secure and sensual lives of many thousands that are in prosperous calm and quiet condition in the World I might give you many instances from the Scripture to such that the sufferings of Gods people have tended very much to the setting forth of the high praises of the Lord. Oh how much have the sufferings of the Israelites been all along of Joh of David of Hezekiah of the three Children of Daniel and so under the New Testament how have the sufferings of Stephen Paul Silas and the rest of the Apostles and Martyrs resounded to the honor and glory of God for whom they suffered Indeed Gods people do more honour and glorifie God by their sufferings than by their doings for him Let us not then be dismayed though we may be in a troublesome and suffering condition seeing this is a condition in the which we are most capable of doing service for God and of bringing most honor and glory to him Secondly Thou that hast an interest in the Kingdom of Heaven art thou in an afflicted suffering condition in the world to bear up thy fainting spirits consider that affliction and tribulation is that by which God is pleased to cleanse and purge his people from sin Afflictions are like Black-soap which doth seem to soil the Cloath and make it more filthy yet it purgeth and cleanseth it and maketh it more white at length it is as the fire into which the Gold may be thrown yet it is not consumed but refined and puriâ—ied thereby it loseth only its dross so the Saints are not quite consumed by their afflictions but sanctified and they lose only that filth dross and rust that doth mix it self with grace in their hearts by this shall the iniquity of Jacob be purged saith God speaking of afflictions and this is all the fruit to take away his sin and shall we be unwilling to have our sins purged It is true as for those that are Reâ—robates God usually lets them alone to go on and die and â—erish for ever when as yet God is pleased to correct his people and to cast them into the Furnace of affliction because he intends mercy to them and surely it will be known one day that there can be no greater Judgment befall poor Creatures than to be let alone without chastisements to take their own swing in sin and Oh how many thousands are now in Torment for that they were let alone in their sins and never chastised by Afflictions in their Life time when as Gods people are chastened of the Lord that they might not be condemned with the World 1 Cor. 11.32 And which is easier to be born external tribulations in this life or eternal torments in the life to come one of these two will certainly befall every man and woman of us either we shall be chastened here or condemned hereafter the wicked are oftentimes let alone here they are not in troubles as other men Psal 73. but they are condemned with the World The Goâ—ly they are often chastized of the Lord here but it is in mercy to them that they may be purged from sin and not condemned with the world And David tells us that by his afflictions he was reduced from going astray and brought back again into the Fold of God Psal 119.67 Before I was afflicted I went astray but now have I kept thy precepts And shall we be dismayed at the means whereby we are kept close to God and are kept from falling away from God A man is willing to take a bitter medicine to purge away that disease which would otherwise kill him Nor is he troubled at the working of his Physick though he have many painful gripes so long as it tends to the removing of those obnoxious humours and diseases which would otherways bring him to his grave And shall Christians be afraid of the bitter Cup of Afflictions which by Gods blessing purge away their sins which are the diseases of their Souls and so preserve them from eternal death Thy trials here are to purge thee and cleanse thee that thou mayest not lie in Eternal torments in the world to come And shall Christians be dismayed at that which tends to their Eternal health and Salvation and to the keeping of their Souls from Hell We should rather rejoyce to be in that condition whatsoever it be by which we may be most purged and preserved from sin Standing poâ—ls do usually contract filth and mud So those Christians that are setled upon the lees in a prosperous state and condition they do verâ— frequently get filâ—h and corruption The people of God are never made the freer from sin by their freedom from outward affliâ—tions This then is the second consideration to keep the Saints from being dismayed at their afflictions in the World because thereby they are purged from sin which would otherways prove the bane of their souls Thirdly You that are the heirs of Heaven and have an interest in the Eternal Glory you are in affliction and tribulation in the World be not dismayed For coâ—â—ider that the thing do tend to the exercisinâ— and increase of our â—â—aces and tâ— the making of â—ou eminent in Grace and â—â—linesâ— Aâ—d will you be daunted at that which tend to the making of you more holy Will you be grieved at that which tends to the increasing of your faith patience humility heavenly-mindedness and to the making of you more eminent for holiness and godliness Believers are usually greater gainers by their afflictions in the World than by their external prosperity yea many times they are losers by their prosperity when as they have been great gainers by their troubles and adversity Oh how many have gained in grace and holiness by their losses in the World the servants of God were never more eminent in grace than when they were least and lowest in their outward estate true graces are the diamonds that shine brightest in the darkest night and these shine clearest in the obscurest night of adversity The Saints in Scripture were then most eminent for holiness and godliness and all other graces when they lay under greatest troubles and tribulations from the World and how exemplary in holiness and how eminent in faith and heavenly-mindedness were the Martyrs when they were afflicted tormented imprisoned burned and persecuted with the most grievous persecutions from the hands of wicked men when as the prosperity and pleasures of the wicked did tend
so many thousands of godly Ministers which by their doctrine and lives have been as Lights in the world shall be extinguished and silenced believe it Sirs there is no good groping out our way to Heaven in the dark when as we know not whether our next step will be in Heaven or Hell in eternal joy or misery A Sick man is never the nearer health because his Physician is not suffered to speak to him of the danger of his Disease and carnal and ungodly men are never the nearer their salvation because their faithful Ministers are not suffered to preach to them of the evil and danger of their sins which are the hinderers of it I shall commend to your consideration that one Scripture which I would have you be often reading and thinking on as it is recorded 1 Pet. 4.17 18. The time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God and if it begin at us what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of Christ and if the righteous scarcely be saved where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear If God begin with his faithful Ministers to chastise and afflict them Oh what then will become of the wicked and ungodly world if the godly drink fust of this Cup it is because the wicked shall drink the dregs of it A second sort of persons which I shall speak to are such who are halting between two that are like Agrippa almost perswaded to be Christians that have some convictions upon their consciences of the excellency of the ways of God but yet their interest leads them another way they are unwilling to expose themselves to any troubles or tribulations by going against the stream of the world they are afraid that if they should be diligent in the duties of Religion and should walk holily and closely with God that then they should be reproached and scorned or persecuted by the World and therefore they will go on a little way but no farther than that they may retreat back again with ease and safety as to their carnal and worldly interests to such whosoever you are I must tell you First that you must go beyond the common sort of the World unless you will intend to come short of Heaven you must not take the example of the multitude to be a sufficient warrant for you to walk by the broad way though it be to your corrupt natures the most pleasant way yet it is not the safest but the most dangerous way and the narrow way of holiness and godliness will be found at last to be the way leading to life though there be but few that finde it Mat 7.13 15. they that are afraid of making too much ado for Heaven they are like to have nothing at all to do with Heaven it is a Christians duty and should be his care not to be conformed to the world but to be transformed by the renewing of their minde that they may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God Rom. 12.2 Secondly you must not stick at afflictions and crosses in the World if you intend to go to Heaven Christs cross is the first that must be learnt by Christs Disciples Luke 14.27 you must account upon it before hand that if you will live godly in Christ Jesus you must suffer persecution 1 Tim. 3.5 You must not be afraid of the reproaches of the ungodly nor flinch at oppositions and tribulations if you intend to be everlastingly happy the fearful are in the forefront of them that march to Hell Rev. 21.8 but the fearful and unbelieving and abominable c. shall have their part in the Lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death The fearful you set down in the front in that black List there mentioned But the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force Thirdly The end will pay for all the Kingdom of Heaven will make you amends for all the tribulations that you meet with in your way to Heaven Lastly I shall speak a word to those that fear the Lord and are diligent in the practise of godliness that are very much grieved that their faithful Teachers would be removed into corners my advice that I have to give you besides what I have spoken before is the same with Pauls to the Philippians Chap 4.1 My brethren dearly beloved and longed for my joy and crown so stand fast in the Lord my dearly beloved Consider your Heavenly interest and let that bear you up under all your worldly troubles and persecutions let not the terrour nor threats of men nor devils make you stir a part from the Doctrine which is according to godliness though you may be scorned and afflicted by men yet the day will come when you will be publickly owned and honoured by the Lord of glory and when Christ which is your life shall appear then shall you appear with him in glory be not affrighted at the sufferings of your Ministers though they should be far greater than now they are nor discouraged at the backsliding of hypocritical professors who having formerly made fair pretences to religion and reformation yet are turned with the dog to their old vomit again and by their so doing do declare that it is their carnal interests only that they look unto and therefore they will be for religion and reformation so long as that may be promoted thereby and no longer but labour to imitate the heroick courage of Joshua who resolved that he and his House would serve the Lord though all Israel should forsake him and backslide from him Stand fast I beseech you in the faith quit your selves like men be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might put on the whole armour of God that you may be able to stand in the evil day and having done all to stand let not the enmity nor opposition of the ungodly make you to forsake the duties of Religion and the ways of holiness think not the better of that way or of those persons meerly because they prosper in the world nor the worse of those meerly because they are persecuted and afflicted What were those that were tortured not accepting deliverance that had tryal of cruel mockings and scourgings yea moreover of bonds and imprisonment that were stoned that were sawen asunder that were tempted that were slain by the sword they that wandered about in sheeps-skins and goats-skins being destitute afflicted tormented Heb. 22.35 36 37. They were such of whom the world was not worthy vers 38. True holiness and the fear of God are never the less lovely in Gods account because it is rejected scorned and condemned by the wicked world and sin and prophaneness is never a whit the more pleasing unto Christ because it is in fashion and practised by the greatest or most of men Finally my brethren commit your selves and your way unto the Lord and wait patiently for him
had but your eyes open to behold to what certain great and unconceivable misery you are every moment for want of Gods gracious presence obnoxious Who alas can stand by you if God be not with you Who is there that can give you comfort if He frown upon you Or who can relieve your Souls when assaulted by men tempted by Devils and grievously tormented by the estuations of your own Consciences if God depart from you the happiness of man consists in Communion with God and all those are compleatly miserable with whom the Lord is not present 2. The great safety and blessed security of all those that endeavour to walk according to what thty have heard and learned and received of the Lord. Not to do as the most do not to run with the men of the world into the same excess of Riot but to walk circumspectly endeavouring to answer our knowledge with suitable practice this doth usually enrage the world against us However if God be with us what can all the world do against us Rom. 8.13 Such walk with God in a way of Duty Whatever therefore the world and ungodly men may attempt to the contrary yet Gods presence with them therein will make it a way of safety However then some timorated Spirits may think by dissembling conscience and giving way to sinful compliances to secure themselves Yet we may hence see that there is no such security as in walking with God in a way of Duty Communion with God in a way of Duty is a sure Sanctuary of Refuge As no stranger can enter into it so Gods people have most while they dwell in it Psal 27.5 By dissembling Conscience and waving Duty we run our selves upon a thousand dangers But by diligence in the wayes of God and being faithful in all the duties of his worship we betake our selves to the Name of the Lord in which as a strong Tower we are sure to find safety Prov. 18.10 3. The desperate folly and fool-hardiness of all such as set themselves against Gods people opposing them in the practice of what they have heard and learned and received of the Lord. 'T is usual with the World then to trample upon the Righteous when surrounded with Afflictions they will grieve where God wounds they will persecute where God smites But whereever the condition of Gods people is yet the Lord is still present with them neither can the ungodly of the World oppose them in wel-doing but they enter a quarrel with God himself Why then do you pride your selves against those like Moab wâ—th whom God is present And why do you strive to abase those whom God will exalt Jer. 48.26 27. Are you stronger than the mighty God of Jacob And can you be present to hurt those with whom God is present to protect and save Oh how great is the folly of wicked men whom nothing can râ—tlâ—im from prosecuting their bloody thoughts against the righteous nor withhold from opposing them in the practice of what they have learned Do they know of a certainty that God is with the righteous that no weapon formed against them shall prosper and that the Lord by his presence will secure them against all their Enemies Why then should they still be kicking against the pricks 4. What reason all those have to sit down satisfied with their portion who make it their care to practice what they have heard and learned and received of the Lord. Though possibly they have neither Riches nor Honors nor Friends in the World with them yet they have God with them as an inexhaustible treasure to supply all their wants as a Crown of glory upon their heads and as an everlasting Friend who will never fail them Heb. 13.5 What then though a Christian want other things is it not enough that God over all blessed for ever is still graciously present with him and become his portion Shall he inflict himself for want of Star-light who hath the Sun in its full strength shining upon him or be disconsolate for the loss of some broken Cistern who may go at his pleasure to the Fountain-head where waters are sweetest Oh how unsuitably were it for you that live up to your knowledge endeavouring to practice what you have learned to grow despondent and repining for want of creature-comforts when God your Creator is alwayes present with you to comfort and solace your souls in every condition Had you nothing but God's gracious presence and an interest in him for your portion yet this were as much as happiness comes to sufficient to make you everlastingly blessed For happy is that People whose God is the Lord. Psal 144 15. Sâ—condly By way of Exhortation Let me now prevail with you all those things which you have heard and learned and received to do them Oh! walk in obedience with God would you ever enjoy his gracious presence Many precious truths have been preached among you many heavenly Doctrins have been set before you many wholsome lessons and faithful Admonitions have been given you let me now therefore being for ought I know as a Star setting and rising no more in this Horizon like a Lamp going out and shining no more in this your house of Sacred meeting and as a dying man whose last breath is now expiring perswade you for your own good to remember what you have heard to hold fast what you have received and to practice what you have learned Oh! let this be the main of your care that as the Truth as it is in Jesus hath been delivered to you so you may be delivered up to it expressing the soundness of your knowledge by the holiness of your lives and conversations Oh! this my Brethren is the one thing necessary you may hear much and yet be strangers to God you may learn much and yet never come nigh God you may receive many wholsom instructions at his hands and yet at last be punished with everlasting destruction from his presence but now if you practice what you hear if you live up to what you have learned and transer be into your lives those wholsome instructions you receive from God he will never forsake you but will alwayes be graciously present with you But that I may not leave you half perswaded give me leave to acquaint you with the excellency of God's gracious Presence in these following particulars 1. Consider Such is the presence of God with those that walk in obedience with him that it will make them in all things to thrive and prosper The Ark received into Obed-Edom'â— house caused all that he had to prosper So the Lord received by obedience into the heart and graciously present there makes the whole man prosperous He makes him prosper in the inward man and he also makes him prosper in the outward man Where God is graciously present there can nothing be wanting neither for soul nor for body but the man is successful and prospers in all his undertakings Psal 1.