though in the fire yet unconsumed The Church of God was hot yea all in flames and yet not consumed Let the fire be never so hot so fierce so furious so spreading the Church shall have a being and live and bear up in the midst of the flames If the Church like the Sea loose in one place it gits ground in another when the worst of men and Devils and Informers have done their worst the Lord will have a name among his People on Earth The Church with the Lamp in the story laughes at all those winds that would blow it out Well may we stand amazed and wonder that so flaming and terrible a fire falling upon so contemptible a Bush and so dry and despicable a shrub should not presently turn it into ashes for why is the fire too weak O no. Is the Bush so strong as to defend and secure it self against devouring flames O no. Or is the Bush not apt to burn and consume by so fierâ—e a fire O no. It is not from the impotency of the fire nor from the strength or constitution of the Bush for a dry Bramble-bush in the matter of it is as combustible as any chaff and as easily destroyed as any stubble but because the natural force thereof was râ—strained by the glorious power of God for if God concur not with the nature of things they cannot work nor shew their kind There are two inseparable qualities of fire 1. To give light 2. To burn And yet Divine power divides and separates these two for this fire giveth light but burneth not O what a mighty what an astonishing preservation is here The afflictions and sufferings of the Church are not a consuming fire but a trying fire as the fire in a Furnace consumes the dross but tryes the gold and puts a new lustre beauty and glory upon it Hesiod speaks of thirty thousand Demy-Gods Psalm 121. 4 Isa 27. 3. Mal. 3. 17. Zach. 2. 8. Psalm 31. 20. that were keepers of men but what are so many thousand Gods to that one God that neither slumbers nor sleeps but day and night keeps his People as his Jewels as the apple of his eye that keeps them in his Pavilion as a Prince his Favorite There is a Dialogue between a Heathen and a Jew after the Jews return from captivity all Nations round about them being enemies unto them the Heathen asked the Jew how he and his Contrey-men could hope for any safety because saith he every one of you is as a silly sheep compassed about with fifty wolves I but saith the Jew we are kept by such a shepherd as can kill all these wolves when he pleases and by that means preserve his sheep But Fifthly consider how this eminent preservation of his People from dangers in the midst of dangers is effected and brought about and that is by the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ the great Angel of the Covenant for Moses saith expresly of this Vision that the Lord appeared unto Moses and God calleth unto him out of the midst of the Bush said Moses Moses c. This calling of Moses by his Verse 4. name the doubling of his name in such a familiar loving manner was a sign of Gods singular favour to Moses Choice Favorits God frequently called by name as Scipio by way of favour call'd the Citizens by their names and so Cyrus upon the same ground called his Souldiers by their names you may see in those instances of Abraham Isaac and Jacob c. and so our Lord Jesus Christ called Peter by his name Nathanael by his name Mary by her name c. The same presence of the Son of God that preserved the three Children or rather Champions in that furious furnace of Nebuchadnezzar from burning or singeing preserved the Bush though not from burning yet from consuming by restraining the natural force of the fire and strengthning the Bush against it The Bush the Church in the fire came forth of the hottest Furnace that ever was kindled not blacker nor worser but brighter and better more glorious than the Sun in his strength and all this from the presence of the Angel of the Covevenant that dwelt in the Bush Divine presence can preserve a flaming Bush from being consumed Witness our preservation to this day though we have been as a burning Bush God is in the midst of her she shall not be Psalm 46. 5. moved God shall help her and that right early Heb. When the morning appeareth that is in the nick of time when help shall be most feasonable and best welcom The presence of the Lord in the midst of his Church will secure her from being greatly moved in the midst of all those great dreadful confusions that are abroad in the world Hence the Church is called Jehovah shammah The Lord is Ezek. 48. 35. there His presence in Heaven makes it heaven his presence in the Church makes it happy and safe Nothing shall disturb or harm them that have the presence of God in the midst of them The Church is built upon Mat. 16. 18. a rock she is invincible Jer. 1. 8. Be not afraid of their faces for I am with thee to deliver thee saith the Lord. Opposition is as Calvin writes to the French King Evangelii genius the black Angel that dogs the Gospel at the heels Verse 17. Thoâ— therefore gird up thy loyns and arise and speak â—nto them all thaâ— I command thee be not dismayed at their faces lest I 〈◊〉 thee before them Verse 18. For behold I have made thee this day a defenced City and an iron pillar and brasen wall against the whole Land against the Kings of Judah against the Princes thereof against the Priests thereof and against the people of the Land Verse 19. And they shall fight against thee but they shall not prevail against thee for I am with thee saith the Lord to deliver thee Gods presence with his Messengers is a guard and a safe-guard all-sufficient against all opposition whatsoever Earthly Princes and Soveraigns are not wont to go with those whom they send on Embassage but God always goes along with those whom he sends will by his powerful presence protect defend them against opposers at all times in all places when all others fâ—il and forsake us Christs presence is security sufficient for If he be with us who can be against us They must first prevail against him before they can prevail against them that withstand and oppose those whom he standeth by to back and protect How comes this to pass that In some cases a man were better loose his life than be cowaâ—dly Aristotle Eth. 3. cap. 1. Jeremiah a man a man alone should bear up so stoutly and stand so strong against Kings Princes Priests People 't is from the signal presence of God with him I am with thee And what can all the great ones of
that may pass upon him How many Martyrs have ventured into the Heb. 11. 34. very flames to meet with Christ and that have many other wayes made a sacrifice of their dearest lives and all to meet with Christ O the cruel mockings the scourgings Rev. 12. 11. Heb. 11. 36 37 38 the bonds the imprisonments the stoning the sawing asunder that many of the Lords worthies have ventured upon and all to meet with the presence of the Lord and why then should any of you be afraid to enter into an afflicted condition where you shall be sure to meet the singular presence of the Lord that will certainly turn your afflicted condition into a comfortable condition to you The great design of the Lord in afflicting of his People is to meet with them and to draw them into a nearer communion with himself it is that they may see more of him than ever and taste more of him than ever and enjoy more of him than ever in order to which he subdues their corruptions by afflictions Isa 1. 25. c. 27. 8 9 Heb. 12â— 10 11. Hos 2. 14. and strengthens their graces and heightens their holiness by all their troubles and trials When ever he leads his Spouse into a wilderness it is that he may speak friendly and comfortably to her or that he may speak to her heart as the Hebrew runs The great design of the Lord in bringing her into a wilderness was that he might make such discoveries of himself of his love and of his soveraign grace as might chear up her heart yea as might even make her heart leap and dance within her Or as some sence it I will take her alone for the purpose even into a solitary wilderness where I may more frâ—ely impart my mind to her that she having her whole desire she may come up from the wilderness leaning upon her beloved and so be brought into the bride-house with all Cant. 8. 5. solemnity By all which it is most evident that there is no such evil in a wilderness estate in an afflicted condition as many imagin But Eightly will the Lord be signally present with his 8 Inference People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers then what a high encouragement should this be to poor sinners to study Christ to acquaint themselves with Christ to embrace Christ to chuse Christ to close with Christ to submit to Christ Joh. 1. 12. Ps 112. 2 3. Ps 2. 12. 2 Cor. 8. 5. and to make a resignation of themselves to Christ and to secure their interest in Christ that so they may enjoy his signal presence in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers O how many mercies are wrapt up in this mercy of enjoying the singular presence of the Lord in all the troubles and tryals of this life It is a mercy to have the presence of a Friend it is Psalm 23. 4. a greater to have the presence of a near and dear relation with us in a day of distress in a day of darkness But what a mercy is it then to have the presence of the Lord with one in a dark day That 's excellent counsel that the wisest Prince that ever swayed a scepter gives in that Eccles 11. 8. Remember the days of darkness for they shall be many When light shall be turned into darkness pleasure into pain delights into wearisomness calms into storms Summer dayes into Winter nights and the lightsome dayes of life into the dark dayes of old age and death O now the singular presence of the Lord with a man in these dayes of darkness will be a mercy more worth than ten thousand worlds To have a wise a loving Psalm 71. 20 21. a powerful a faithful Friend to own us in the dark to stand by us in the dark to uphold us in the dark to refresh us in the dark to encourage us in the dark c. is a very choice and singular mercy O then what is it to have the presence of the Lord with us in all those dark dayes that are to pass over our heads What David said of the sword of Goliath in another case There is none 1 Sam. 21. 8 9. like that that I may say of the Divine presence with a man in the dark There is none like that The Psalmist Psal 73. 26. The Greek saith The God of my heart c. hit the mark the whit when he said My flesh and my heart faileth but God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever When his flesh that is his outward man and when his heart his courage that is his inward man failed him then God was the strength of his heart or the rock of his heart as the Hebrew runs at the very last gasp God came in with his soveraign Cordial and revived him and recovered him and brought new life and strength into him When a Saint is at worst when he is at lowest when he is even overwhelmed with troubles and sorrows and when the dayes of darkness so multiply upon him that he seems past all hope of recovery then the Divine presence does most gloriously manifest it self and display it self in supporting strengthning comforting and encouraging of him In the Rev. 4. 6. you read that the world is like a sea of glass I saw before the Throne a sea of glass The world is transitory very frail and brittle as glass and it is instable tumultuous and troublesome as the sea Here the world is shadowed out to us by a sea of glass and how can we stand on this sea how can we live on this sea how can we walk on this sea if Christ don't take us by the hand and lead us and support us and secure us O Sirs we can't uphold our selves on this sea of glass nor others can 't uphold us on this sea of glass it is none but dear Jesus it is no presence but his singular presence that can make us to stand or go on this sea of glass And if this world be a sea of glass oh what infinit cause have we to secure our interest in Christ who alone can pilot us safe over this troublesome dangerous and tempestuous sea Oh that I could prevail with poor sinners to take Christ into the ship of their souls that so he may pilot them safe into the heavenly Harbour the heavenly Canaan No Pilot in Heaven or Earth can land you on the shore of a happy eternity from off this sea of glass but Jesus When on this sea of glass the winds blow high storms arise and the bold waves beat into the ship O then the sinner cryes a Kingdom for a Christ a world for a Pilot to save us from eternal drowning Oh that before eternal storms and tempests do beat upon poor sinners they Ps 11. 6. Ps 9. 17. Hos 2. 19 20. 2 Cor. 11. 2. would be prevailed with to close
with Christ to accept of Christ and to enter into a marriage-covenant a marriage-union with Christ that so they may enjoy his singular presence with them whilst they are on this sea of glass There is no presence so greatly desirable so absolutely necessary so exceeding sweet comfortable as the presence of Christ therefore before all above all secure this presence of Christ by matching with the person of Christ then you will be safe happy on a sea of glass Ninthly will the Lord be signally present with his 9 Inference People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers then let me infer that unbelief infidelity and despondency of spirit in an evil day does very ill become the People of God Is the Lord present with you in your greatest troubles and will you flag in your faith and be crest fallen in your courage when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall Isa 25. 4. what is this but to tell all the world that there is more power in your troubles to sink and daunt you than there is in the presence of the Lord to support and encourage you when a Christian is upon the very banks of the Red Sea yet then the Divine presence should encourage him To stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. It would Exod. 14. 13. be good for timerous Christians in an evil day to dwell much upon the Prophets commission Isa 35. 3. Strengthen ye the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees Say to them that are of a fearful heart be strong fear not Ah but how shall weak hands be strong and a timorous heart cease to fear and saint Why Behold your God will come with vengeance even God with a recompence he will come and save you he is on his way he will be suddenly with you yea he is already in the midst of you and he will save you If you cast but Isa 41. 10. c. 43. 2 Heb. 13. 5. Jer. 32 40 41. cap. 31. 31 to 38. Gen. 41. 35 36 48 49. Col. 1. 19. cap. 2. 3. your eye upon precious promises if you cast but your eye upon the new Covenant which is Gods great store-house there you will find all supports all supplyes all helps and all comforts laid up and laid in for you and therefore never despond never faint never be discouraged in an evil day in a dark time As Joseph had his store-houses to give a full supply to the Egyptians in time of famine so dear Jesus of whom Joseph was but a type has his store-houses of mercy of goodness of power of plenty of bounty out of which in the worst of times he is able to give his People a full supply according to all their needs and therefore be not discouraged don't despond in a day of trouble O my Friends how often has the Lord hid you in the secret of his presence Ps 27. 5. Ps 31. 20 from the pride of men and kept you secretly in his pavilion from the strife of tongues And therefore be strong and lift up the hands that hang down and the feeble knees When David was in a very great distress Heb. 12. 12. he does not despond nor give way to unbelief but encourages himself in the Lord his God The Hebrew word is 1 Sam. 30. 6. derived from Chazack which notes a laying hold on God with all his strength as men do when they are in danger of drowning who will suffer any thing rather then let go their hold When David was almost under water when he was in danger of drowning then by a hand of faith he layes hold on the rock of ages and encourages himself in the Lord his God What heavenly gallantry of spirit did good Nehemiah shew from that Divine presence that was with him in that great day of trouble and distress when the remnant of the captivity were in great affliction and reproach and the wall of Jerusalem broken down and the gates thereof burnt with Neh. 1. 3. fire You know Shemajah advises him to take Sanctuary in the Temple because the enemy had designed to fall upon him by night and slay him and cause the work to cease but Nehemiah having a signal presence of God Cap. â— 11. Cap. 6. 10. with him gives this heroick and resolute answer Should such a man as I flee and who is there being as I am would go into the Temple to save his life I will not go in Should I flee into the Temple like a malefactor to take sanctuary there How would God be dishonoured Religion reproached the People discouraged the weak scandalized and the wicked imboldned to insult and triumph over me saying Is this the man that is called by God and qualified by God for this work and service Is this the man that is countenanced and encouraged by the King to build the walls and gates and city of Jerusalem Is this the man that is the chief Magistrate and Governour Neh. 2. 5. to the 10. of the City Is this the man that is sent and set for the defence of the People and that should encourage them in their work O what a mouth of blasphemy would be opened should I make a base retreat into the Temple to save my life This is a work that I will rather dye than do I have found the face of God the presence of God in bowing the heart of King Artaxerxes to contribute his Royal aid and commission me to the work and in the bending of the hearts of the Elders of the Jews to own my authority and to rise up as one man to build and therefore I will rather dye upon the spot than go into the Temple to save my life Oh my Friends it becomes not those that have the presence of God with them in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers to sink so low in their faith and confidence as to cry out with the Prophets Servant Alass Master what shall we do Or with the 2 Kings 6 15. Mat. 8. 25. Ez. 37. 11. Lament 3. 18. Isa 49. 14. Disciples when in a storm We perish Or with the whole house of Israel Our bones are dryed and our hope is lost and we are cut off for our parts Or with weeping Jeremiah My strength and my hope is perished from the Lord Or with Sion The Lord hath forsaken me and my Lord hath forgotten me Oh 't is for a lamentation when Gods dearest Children shall bewray their infidelity by a fainting sinking discouraged spirit in an evil day But Tenthly and lastly will the Lord be signally present 10 Inference with his People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers then let the People of the Lord be very thankful for his presence with them in their greatest troubles c. O Sirs this Divine presence is Exod. 33. 13 14 15 16.
makes known the most hidden and gloriou mysteries to John that ever was made known to any man as there was none that had so much of the heart of Christ as John so there was none had so much of the ear of Christ as John Christ singles out his servant John from all the men in the world and makes known to him all the happy providences and all the sad occurrences that were to come upon the followers of the Lamb that so they might know what to fit for and what to pray for and what to wait for Also he declares to John all that wrath and vengance all that desolation and destruction that should come upon the false Prophet and the Beast and upon all that wandered after them and that were worshippcrs of them and that had received their marks either in their foreheads or in their hands Thus you see that they which keep up the power of holyness in their hearts and lives they shall be sure to enjoy the choicest presence of God and the clearest fullest and sweetest discoveries of God and of these great things that concern the internal and eternal good of their souls Nothing wins upon God like holyness nothing delights God like holyness nothing engages the presence of God like holyness He shews his salvation to Psal 50. ult Vide Muis in loc him that ordereth his conversation aright He that puts every piece of his conversation in the right order he shall see and know that he shall be saved He that walks accurately and exactly that walks as in a frame treading gingerly stepping warily he shall have a prospect of Heaven here and a full fruition of Heaven hereafter Jsa 64. 5. Thou meetest him that rejoyceth and worketh righteousness those that remember thee in thy wayes He that works righteousness and walks in righteousness shall be sure to meet with God to enjoy the precious presence of God in his greatest troubles deepest distresses But Thirdly If you would enjoy the gracious presence of God with you in your greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers then keep close to instituted worship keep close to Gospel ordinances keep close to your Church state Exod. 20. 24. In all places where Isa 64. 5. Rev. 2. 1 Cant. 7. 5. Ezek. 48. ult I record my Name I will come unto thee and bless thee Where God fixeth his solemn worship for the memorial and honour of his Name there he will vouchsafe his gracious presence Mat. 18. 20. For where two or three are gathered together in my Name there am I in the midst of them The promise of Gods gracious assistance presence and acceptance is annexed to his Church whether it be great or small numerous or few Mat. 28. 20 Lo I am with you alway according to my Godhead Majesty grace and spirit Lo I am with you to own Christ in his ordinances doth as Mary open a box of ointments which diffuseth a spiritual savour among the Saints and this makes the ordinances precious in their eyes you Lo I am with you to counsel and direct you Lo I am with you to cheer and comfort you Lo I am with you to assist and strengthen you Lo I am with you to shelter you and protect you Lo I am with you to do all your works in you and for you Lo I am with you to strengthen your graces and to weaken your sins Lo I am with you to scatter your fears and answer your doubts Lo I am wirh you to better your hearts and to mend your lives Lo I am with you to bless you and crown you with immortality and glory And what can the soul desire more Such as have low thoughts of Gospel-ordinances such as slight Gospel-ordinances such as neglect Gospel-ordinances such as vilify Gospel-ordinances such as decry Gospel-ordinances such as oppose Gospel-ordinances such may talk of the presence of Christ and such may boast of the presence of Christ but all such are out of the way of enjoying the presence of Christ Christ is only to be met with in his own worship and in his own ways Ah how many in these dayes are there that are like to old Barzillai that had lost his tast and hearing and 2 Sam. 19. 35. so cared not for David's feasts and musick How many are there that formerly were very zealous for ordinances but now are as zealous against them How many formerly have made many great hard dangerous ventures to enjoy Gospel ordinances who now won't venture a broken shin for an ordinance no nor stir out of doors to enjoy an ordinance c. How many in our dayes upon neglecting and despising Gospel-ordinances have grown from naught to be very naught and from very naught to be stark naught He shall be an Apollo to me that can shew me one man in the world that ever grew better or holyer by neglecting or slighting Gospel-ordinances Many come to the ordinances too like the Aegyptian Dog which laps a little as he runs by the side of Nylus but stays not to drink How many in this great City run every Sabbath to hear this man and that and here they lap a little and there a little but never stay to drink never fix in this Congregation or that this way or that These persons are neither wise serious lovely nor lively in the ways of God I think they are judicially blinded and hardned that are indifferent whether they enjoy ordinances or not or that can part with ordinances with Zeph. 3. 18. dry eyes Surely the Child is either very sullen or very sick that cryes not for the breast As ever you would enjoy the gracious presence of God with you in all your troubles and distresses make conscience of sticking close to Gospel-ordinances But Fourthly If you would enjoy the gracious presence of God with you in your greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers then when you are not in troubles distresses dangers c. be sure you make much conscience of five things 1. Of prizing his presence above all other things so Moses did so Augustin Ex. 33. 13. to 17. would willingly go through Hell to Christ and Luther had rather be in Hell with Christ than in Heaven without him and Bernard had rather have Christ in a chimny corner than be in Heaven without him 2. Of improving this gracious presence against sin the world the flesh oppositions and temptations c. 3. Of walking sutable to this gracious presence 4. Of lamenting and mourning over those that want this gracious presence 5. Of holding any secret intelligence or correspondence with the profest and known enemies of Christ Princes will never vouchsafe their favourable presence to such subjects as hold any secret intelligence with their profest known enemies either at home or abroad so here But Fifthly If you would enjoy the gracious presence of God with you in your greatest troubles deepest distresses and most
securitas innocentiae quaecunque mundus bona indicat excellunt The tranquillity of conscience and the security of innocence excell all the things which the world counteth good He that hath a good conscience enjoyes a continual serenity and sits continually at that blessed Feast whereat the blessed Angels are Cooks and Butlers as Luther hath it and the three Persons in Trinity glad Guests All other Feasts to this of a good conscience are stark hunger the Feast of a good conscience is a full Feast a noble Feast a lasting Feast not for a day as that of Nabal's nor for seven dayes as that of Sampson's nor of nine-score dayes as that of Ahashuerus but a durable continual Feast without intermission of solace or interruption of society The best way in this world for a man to turn his whole life into a merry festival is to get and keep a good conscience The Heathen Philosopher could say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A good man keeps holy-day all the year about It was the testimony of a good conscience that made the Apostles rejoice Acts 5. 40. 41. 42. Cap. 16. 25 26. when they were beaten and abused by the Council It was the testimony of a good conscience that made Paul and Silas to sing in the prison It was the testimony of a good conscience that made Moses prefer Christ's Cross before Egypt's treasures It was the testimony of a good conscience that made those worthies in that 11. of the Hebrews more willing to die than to live to die than Heb. 11. 35. to dine It was the testimony of a good conscience that made the Martyrs to kiss the stake to hug their Executioners to clap their hands in the flames and to tread upon burning coals as upon beds of Roses Now it is not in the power or policy of Men or Devils to deprive a Christian of the testimony of his conscience and as long as that bird in the bosom sings no troubles no trials no oppositions no persecutions no dangers no death can make a Christian miserable The testimony of a good conscience will make a man triumph over the worst of men and the worst of sufferings But Ninthly If God be with us who can be against in I answer None so as to hinder the help assistance and succour of God at a dead lift Heb. 13. 5. Let your conversation be without covetousness or without the love of silver as the Greek word signifies and he content with 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 such things as you have Contenâ—i praesentibus so Beza Be content with present things The Hebrews had been plundered of all they had though they had nothing Heb. 10. 34. they must be content If Men cannot bring their means to their minds let them bring their minds to their means a little will serve our turn till we get to Heaven till we come to our Fathers house For he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee There are five Negatives in the Greek I read not the like throughout the New-Testament In that this promise is set down negatively I will never leave thee this makes the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 promise to be of a larger extent for it includes all times all places all estates all dangers all needs all distresses whatsoever as if he had more largely said thou shalt never stand in need of any of my help protection but thou shalt be sure to find it Affirmative promisses are not of that extent as negative promisses are for if a man should promise to assist help succour or counsel me if he do it now and then or upon some special occasions he has kept his promise But negatively for a man to say I will not fail thee I will never leave thee though he should help assist succour or stand by me a bundred yea a thousand times and yet fail me but once that negative promise is not punctually kept it is not perfectly kept It is further considerable that there is a great Emphasis in doubling and trebling a negative particle in Greek Doubling and trebling Negatives in Greek makes them much the strongeâ— the doubling of the Negative particle doth in this place carry the greater Emphasis because in setting down the same thing it is not only twice doubled but in the latter place it is trebled so as there are in all five Negatives as I have already hinted These two Phrases A general promise compriseth all particulars of that kind never leave nor forsake are so general as they include all the wants all dangers all distresses all necessities all calamities all miseries that can befal us in this world These two Phrases God 's not leaving God 's not forsaking implie all needful succours It is more than if he had said I will supply all thy wants I will heal all thy diseases I will secure thee against all sorts of dangers I will ease thee of all thy pains I will free thee of all thy oppressors I will break all thy bonds I will bring thee out of prison I will vanquish all thine enemies I will knock off all thy chaines and I will make thee triumph over all thy sufferings for these generals comprise all manner of particulars under them Verse 6. So that we may boldly say the Lord is Psalm 118. 6. my helper and I will not fear what man shall do unto me In this Verse there is an inference made upon the former promise of God's not leaving nor forsaking his the conjunction so that implieth an inserence and such 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an inference in this place as teacheth us to make a good use of the forenamed promise The use here set down is double the first is confidence in God the Lord is my helper Secondly courage against Man I will not fear what man shall do unto me Assurance of Gods presence to help at a dead lift should raise us up above all base and slavish fears of the power of men of the spoilings of men of the designs of men c. God being with us and for us and on our side we may boldly safely and confidently rest upon it that he will freely readily graciously afford all needful help assistance and succour when we are in the greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers The Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Helper according to the notation of it signifies one that is ready to run at the cry of another This notation implies a willing readiness and a ready willingness in God to help and succour his People when they are at a dead lift You know the tender Father the indulgent Mother the careful Nurse they presently run when any of them hears the Child cry or sees the Child in any danger or distress so when God sees his poor Children in any danger or distress Exod. 2. 23 24 25 Cap. 3. 7 8 9 10. when he hears them complain and cry out
accounted as sheep for the slaughter It is a question when and upon what occasion this Psalm was written Some think that it was written upon occasion of the 70 years captivity in Babylon but this can't Dan. 9. 11 12 13 14. be because that captivity was the fruit and product of their high iniquities as the Scriptures do every where evidence They could not say in Babylon for thy sake we are killed all the day long but for sins sake for our wickedness sake we are killed all the day long It is more probable that this Psalm was prenned upon the occasion of the horrible persecution of the Church under Antiochus Epiphanes unto which I guess Paul hath reference towards the latter end of that 11. to the Hebrews In this 22. Verse you have three things observable 1. The greatness of their sufferings They were killed amplified by a similitude As sheep to the slaughter 2. The cause not for their sin but for thy sake 3. The continuance how long even all the day long Their sufferings are great and long that Tyrant Antiochus made no more Dan. 11. reckoning of taking away of their lives than a Butcher doth of cuting the throats of the poor sheep and as Butchers kill the sheep without making conscience of the effusion of their blood even so did that Tyrant Antiochus destroy the Saints of the most high without making the least conscience of sâ—eding innocent blood and as Butchers think well of their work and are glad when they have butchered the poor sheep so did this Tyrant Antiochus he thought he did God good service in butchering of the holy People and rejoyced in that bloody service and yet notwithstanding all the dreadful things that these blessed souls suffered they still kept close to God and close to his Covenant and close to his wayes and close to his worship And Austin observes Aug. liâ— 22 de Civit. Dei c. 6 Exod. 1. 12. that though the Heathen sought to suppress the growth of Christianity by binding butchering racking stoning burning c. yet still they increased and multiplyed and still they kept close to God and his wayes The Church was at first founded in blood and it has thriven best when it has been moistned with blood it was at first founded in the blood of Christ and ever since it has been moistned or watered as it were with the blood of the Martyrs The Church of Christ in all Ages hath been like the oak which liveth by his own wounds and the more limbs are cut off the more new sprouts O how close to God his wayes and worship did the Saints keep in the Ten Persecutions they have followed the Lamb whither ever he went If they would have complyed with the wayes of the World and the worship of Rev. 14. â— 5. Heb. 11. 35. the World and the customs of the World they might have had case honour riches preferments c. but nothing could work them off from God or his wayes and therefore he will certainly stand by them and cleave to them and be signally present with them in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers But Tenthly the Lord will be signally present with his 10 Reason Mat. 5. 12. Lu. 6 23. People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers that they may be joyful and cheerful under all their troubles and that they may glory in all their tribulations It is good to have a patient Spirit but it is better to have a joyful Spirit in all our sufferings troubles distresses c. that we meet with in a way of well-doing Acts. 5. 40. And to him they agreed Gre. Rejoyce leap for joy 2 Cor. 12. 10. and when they had called the Apostles and beaten them they commanded that they should not speak in the Name of Jesus and let them go Verse 41. And they departed from the presence of the Council rejoycing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his Name In the Original 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That they were honoured to be dishonoured for Christ They looked upon it as a high honour to be dishonoured for Christ as a grace to be disgraced for Christ It was the Divine presence that made Acts 16. 20 22 23 24. Paul Silas to sing when they were accounted trouble-towns and when they were beaten with many stripes and cast into prison into the inner prison and laid neck Beza and heels together as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 notes The Divine presence made Paul and Silas to glory in all Ephes 6. 17. Rom. 5. 3. their stripes sores and wounds as old Souldiers glory in their scars and wounds which they receive in battle for their Prince and Country The Divine presence might well make Paul and Silas to say of their stripes sores as Muncer once said of his ulcers Hae sunt gemmae pretiosa ornamenta Dei These are the Jewels and the precious ornaments with which God adornes his dearest Servants It was the Divine presence that made Ignatius say in the midst of all his sufferings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I bear my bonds as so many spiritual pearls So 2 Cor. 7. 4. I am filled with comfort Tam exceeding joyful in all our tribulations Gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I do over-abound with joy Verse 5. For when we were come into Macedonia our flesh had no rest but we werâ— troubled on every side without were fightings within were fears Verse 6. Novertheless God that comforteth those that are cast down comforted us It was the Divine presence that filleth the Corinthians with exceeding comfort and joy when their fiesh had no rest and when they were troubled on every side this signal presence of God with them in all their tribulations filled their souls with such an exuberancy of joy that no good could match it nor no evil over-match it It was the Divine presence that made the Martyrs both ancient modern so comfortable cheerful under all their hideous sufferings It was the Divine presence that made Francisco Soyit say to his Adversaries You deprive me of this life promote me to a better which is as if you should rob me of counters furnish me with gold Oh how my heart leapeth for joy said one that I am so near the apprehension of eternal bliss God forgive me mine unthankfulness and unworthyness of so great glory In all the dayes of my life I was never so merry as now I am in this dark Dungeon believe me there is no such joy in the world as the People of Christ have under the cross Act. and Mon. fol. 1668 1669. 1670. said blessed Philpot that went to Heaven in flames of fire Let God but withdraw this fignal presence from his People in their sufferings and you will quickly find their hearts to droop their spirits to fail and they overwhelmed in a sea of sorrows as
2 Tim. 4. 22. Ps 16. ult a great mercy It is a peculiar mercy it is a distinguishing mercy it is a big-bellied mercy it is a mercy that hath many mercies in the womb of it it is a mercy greatning mercy it greatens all the mercies we do enjoy it is a mercy sweetning mercy it sweetens health strength riches honours trade relations liberty c. It is a soul mercy a mercy that reaches the soul that cheeres the soul that lifts up the soul that quiets the soul that satisfies the soul that will go to Heaven with the soul And will you not be thankful for such a mercy will you be thankful for temporal mercies and will Eph. 1. 3. you not be thankful for spiritual mercies will you be thankful for left-handed mercies and will you not be thankful for right-handed mercies will you be thankful for the mercies of the foot-stool and will you not be thankful for the mercies of the Throne will you be thankful for the mercies of this lower world and will you not be thankful for the mercies of the upper world Ps 103. 1. 2 3. 4. To enjoy the presence of God when we most need it is a mercy that deserves perpetual praises O it is infinit mercy not to be left alone in a day of trouble 'T is very Eccl. 4. 10 11. uncomfortable to be left alone Wo to him that is alone If a man fall and be left alone who shall help him up If a man be in danger and alone how miserable is his case But this is the support and comfort of a Christian Heb. 13. 5. Ps 37. 24. Ps 31. 3. Ps 73. 24. Exod. 33. 2. 14 15 16. in all his distresses that he is never left alone but his God is with him when he is at the lowest ebb for God to afford us the presence of our Friends in a day of trouble is a very great mercy But what is it then to enjoy the presence of God in a day of trouble what is the presence of a Friend a Favorit in a day of distress to the presence of a Prince yea what is the presence of an Angel to the presence of God in an evil day To enjoy the presence of God in an afflicted condition is a more transcendent mercy than to enjoy the presence of twelve legions of Angels in an afflicted condition The Divine presence is the greatest good in the world 't is life eternal 't is the bosom of God the gate of glory the beginning of Heaven the suburbs of happiness and therefore be much in blessing of God in admiring of God for his presence with you in a dark and trying day There is no gall no wormwood no affliction no judgment to Lam. 3. 19 â—0â— that of Gods departing from a People Jer. 6. 8. Be thou instructed O Jerusalem lest my soul depart from thee lest I make thee desolate a Land not inhabited When God departs nothing followeth but desolation upon desolation desolation of persons desolation of peace of prosperity of trade and of all that is near and dear unto us Hosea 9. 12. Though they bring up their children yet will I bereave them that there shall not be a man left yea wo also to them when I depart from them All terrible threatnings are summed up in this Wo unto them when I depart from them Surely even wo to them he puts a sureness upon this Wo to them when I depart from them As if the Holy-Ghost should say What do I threaten this or the other evil the great evil of all the rise of all evils is Gods forsaking of them Hell it self is nothing else but a separation from Gods presence with the ill consoquents thereof and were hell as full of tears as the sea is full of water yet all would not be sufficient to bewail the loss of that beatifical vision How miserable was Gen. 4. 1 Sam. 28. 15 16. They that are out of Go is care are under his curse Cain when cast off by God! and Saul when the Lord departed from him it was a most dreadful speech of Saul I am sure distressed for the Philistins make war against me and God is departed from me When God left the Israelites though for a little while the Holy-Ghost saith they were naked Exod. 32. 25. How naked Non veste sed gratia praesidio Dei Not for want of rayment Jun. in loc or weapons of war but for want of Gods presence and protection When God departs from a People that People lyes naked that is they lay open for all storms tempests dangers Now if it be the greatest evil in the world to be shut out from the gracious presence of Christ then it must be the greatest mercy in this world to enjoy the gracious presence of God in our great troubles and desperate dangers And therefore let all sincere Christians be much in thankfulness to the Lord and in blessing and praising the Lord for his signal presence with them in their low and afflicted estate O the light the life the love the holyness the peace the grace the comforts the supports that alwayes attends the gracious presence of the Lord with his People in their deep distresses c. therefore let the high praises of God for ever be in their mouths who enjoy this signal presence of God The 46 Psalm is called by some Luther's Psalm that is a Psalm that Luther was wont to call to his Friends to sing when any danger trouble or distress was near when the clouds began to gather Come saith Luther let us sing the 46 Psalm and then let our enemies do their worst Observe the confidence and triumph of the Church in the face of the greatest dangers Verse 1. God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble We may translate it He is found that is God is present at hand as Gen. 19. 15. God is a present help The Hebrew word in a secondary sence signifies Tobe sufficient Num. 11. 22. A sufficient help you need no other Verse 2. Therefore will not we fear though the Earth be removed and though the Mountains be carried into the midst of the Sea Verse 3. Though the waters thereof rore and be troubled though the Mountains shake with the swelling thereof Selah Verse 6. Though the Heathen rage and the Kingdoms were moved to remove and root out the Church with great force and fury Now mark by the change of the Earth and removing of the Mountains are often meant the greatest alterations and concussions of States and Polities Hag. 2. 22 23. Jer. 51. 25. Revel 6. 14. Now saith the Psalmist all these dreadful turns changes shakings and concussions of States and Kingdoms shall never trouble us nor daunt us they shall never make us fret faint or fear Why what 's the ground The Lord of Hâ—â—ts is with us The God of Jacob is our refuge Verse 7. and
that did he know how things stand with me would make my burdens his and my wants his and my sorrows his but he is in a far Countrey he is at the Indies and I may be undone before I can hear from him But it is not thus with you O Christians who have a God so nigh unto you who have the signal presence of God in the midst of you yea who have a God alwayes standing by you The Lord stood by me c. O my Friends how can you want comfort that have the God of all consolation present with you How can you 2 Cor. 1. 3. Isa 9. 6. 1 Pet. 5. 10. Isa 9. 6. want counsel that have the wonderful Counseller so near unto you How can you want grace who have the God of all grace standing by you How can you want Peace who have alwayes the presence of the Prince of Peace with you But. Fourthly Know for your comfort that if God be with you there is nothing there can be nothing but weakness against you Isa 27. 4. Who would set the briars God holdeth the Churches Enemies in chains having his hook in their nose and his bridle in their lips Isa 37. 29. he can easily rule and over-rule his proudest Enemies and thorns against me in battel I would go through them I would burn them together What are briars and thorns to a devouring fire to the consuming flames no more are all the Enemies of the Church to the presence of God with his People God will be a burning and destroying fire to all the Enemies of Zion wicked men are chaff Psalm 1. 1. And what is that to the wind to the whirl wind they are stubble Job 21. 18. They are as driven stubble to his bow Isai 41. 2. They are as stubble fully dry Nahum 1. 10. They are as stubble before the flame Joel 2. 5. They arelike dust 2 Kings 13. 7. Yea like small dust Isa 29. 5. They are like a morning cloud an early dew a little smoak Hosea 13. 3. The morning cloud is soon dispelled the early dew is soon dried up the rowling smoak out of the chimney is presently scattered O the weakness of man O the power of God! No People on Earth have such a power on their sides as the Saints have consult these Scriptures 2 Kings 6. 16. 2 Chron. 32. 6 7. Isai 8. 9 10. Numb 13. 28 30 31 32 33. Cap. 14. 9. No Christian can look upon the strong and mighty Enemies of Zion in a Scripture glass but must behold them as weak and impotent Persons Who could but smile to see weak Children to attempt to Zach. 2. 5. besiege a wall of brass or a wall of fire as great a folly and weakness it is for wicked men to make attempts upon the Saints who have been to this day and will be to the end a trembling and a burdensome stone to all Cap. 12. 2 3. that gather together against them Sense looks upon the Powers of the world as strong mighty and invincible but Faith looks upon them as poor weak contemptible gasping dying Men. Thus heroical Luther look'd upon them Contemptus est a me Romanus favor furor I care neither for Romes favour nor fury I am neither fond of the one nor afraid of the other It is dangerous to look upon the Powers of the world in the Devils multiplying glass it is best and safest to look upon them in a Scripture glass and then we shall never fear them nor sinfully shift them But Fifthly If God be signally present with his People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers then know for your comfort that none can be against you but they must be against God himself for God is with you in all your troubles as a Acts 9. 4 5 6. Father is with his Child a Husband with his Wife a General with his Army and as a Confederate with his Allies who is with them offensively and defensively hence they are said to rage against God Isa 37. 28 29. And to blaspheme God 2 Kings 19. 3 6. And to fight See Acts 23. 9. Prov. 21. 30. against God Acts 5 38 39. To fight against God is labour in vain who ever sought against God and prospered Some think that this Phrase of fighting against God is drawn from the Fable of the Gyants which were said to make war with the Gods The Church of Christ alwayes flourisheth most and increaseth most when the Exod. 1. 12 1. Tyrants of the Earth oppose it most and persecute it most Diocletian laid down the Empire in great discontent because he could not by any persecution suppress the true Christian Religion the more violent he was against the People of God the more they increased and multiplied and the more they were emboldned and encouraged and therefore in a rage he throws up all But Sixthly If the signal presence of God be with his People in their greatest troubles deepest distresses and most deadly dangers then know for your comfort that there is no presence like this presence no presence to the presence of God let me evidence this by an induction of six particulars briâ—fly thus For First It is the presence of an Almighty God Genes 17. 1. I am the Almighty Genes 49. 25. Numb 24. 4. God walk before me and be thou perfect Some derive the word Shaddai here used from dai that signifieth sufficiency God is an all sufficient good and a self-sufficient good he is an Independent good an absolute good an original good an universal good some derive the word Shaddai from Shad that signifieth a breast a dug because God feedeth his Children with sufficiency of all good things as the loving Mother doth the Child with the milk of her breasts God is the only satisfactory good and proportionable good and sutable good to our souls as the breast the dug is the most sutable good to the Childs stomach And others derive the word Shaddai from Shaddad which signifieth to spoil conquer or overcome and so they say that God did here invert or overcome the order of nature in causing the barren to bear But most Authors do translate it Omnipotent God then is called Shaddai that is omnipotent and all-sufficient for his omnipotency includeth also all-sufficiency Secondly you have the presence of a loving God with you Isa 43. 4. Since thou wast precious in my sight thou hast been honourable and I have loved thee But that this may the better stick and work you must remember First that God loves you with a first See Deâ—t 7. 7 8. love 1 John 4. 19. We love him because he first loved us Our love is but a reflex of his God first cast an eye of love upon us before we cast an eye of love on him and therefore God is no way indebted to us for our love Mary answers not Rabboni till Christ first said unto her John 20. 16.
119 120 7. It was agreed between the Father and the Son that Jesus Christ should be incarnate that he should take on him the Nature of those whom he was to save and for whom he was to satisfy and to bring to glory p. 120 121 122 8. That there were Commandments from the Father to the Son which be must obey and submit to c. p. 122 to 127 Several Propositions concerning the signal presence of God with his People in their greatest troubles c. 1. Proposition that Christ is many times really present when he is seemingly absent 2. Part p. 132 133 134 135 2. Proposition that the signal presence of God with his People in their greatest troubles and deepest distresses is only to be extended to his Covenant-people 2 Part p 135 136 137 3. Proposition that a sincere Christian may enjoy the signal prâ—sence of the Lord in great troubles supporting and upholding of him when he has not the presence of God quickning and comforting of him 2. Part p. 137 138 4 Proposition all Saints have not a like measure of the presence of the Lord in their troubles and tryals some have more and some have less upon five grounds 2. Part p. 138 139 5. Proposition none of the Saints have at all times in all troubles and distresses the same measure and degree of the presence of the Lord but in one affliction they have more in another less 2. Part p. 139 140 6. Proposition many precious Christians may have the signal presence of God with them in their great troubles and yet fear and doubt yea peremptorily conclude that they have not this presence of God with them the truth of this proposition is made evident by an induction of ten particulars 2. Part p. 140 141 142 R. Reasons why God will be signally present with his People in their greatest troubles c. First to render his suffering Children glorious in the very eyes and consciences both of Sinners and Saints 2. Parâ— p. 112 113 114 115 116 Secondly because he has in the Covenant of grace anâ— by maâ—y prâ—cious promises engaged himself to be present with them in a day of trouble 2. Part p 116 117 Thirdly because it makes most for his honour and glory in the World 2. Part p. 117 118 Fourthly because then his People stands in most need of his presence 2. Part p. 118 119 Fifthly because he dearly lâ—ves them 2. Part p. 119 120 121 122 123 Sixthly because of his propriety and interest in them and his near and dear Relation to them 2. Part p 123 124 Seventhly because commonly such times are times of great and sore temptations 2 Part p. 124 125 Eightly because he highly prizes them and sets an honourable value esteem upon them 2. Part p. 125 126 Ninthly because they won't leave him but stick close to him and to his interest 2. Part p. 126 127 128 129 Tenthly that they may be joyful and cheerful under all their troubles 2. Part p. 129 to 132 Of the Covenant of Redemption Of the substance of the Covenant of Redemption p. 66 67 68 Of the excellent properties of that Redemption we have by Jesus Christ First it is a great Redempâ—ion p. 101 102 103 104 2. It is a free and gracious Redemption p. 104 3. It is a full and plentious Redemption p. 104 105 4. 'T is eternal 't is permanent 't is a lasting yea an everlasting Redemption p. 105 106 107 108 5. It is an enriching Redemption p. 108 109 6. It is a Redemption sweetning Redemption p. 109 Of Remembring God hath engaged himself to remember the sins of his People no more p. 58 59 60 To Remember implyeth a fourfold act p. 60 S. Of the Scriptures Several choice ones opened and cleared The first choice Scripture that is opened and cleared is Gen. 3. 15. p. 69 2. Is Isa 42. 6. p. 69 70 71 3. Is Isa 49. 1. p. 71 to 75 4. Is Isa 52. 13 14. p. 75 76 77 5. Is Isa 53. p. 77 to 84 6. Is Isa 59 20 21. p. 84 85 86 7. Is Zach. 6. 12 13. p. 86 87 8. Is Psalm 40. 6 7 8. Compared with Heb. 10. 5 6 7. p. 87 to 95 9. Is Psalm 89 28. p. 95 96 10. Is Zach. 9. 11. p. 96 97 By these ten Scriptures it is most clear and evident that there was a Covenant a Compact and Agreement between God the Father our Lord Jesus Christ concerning the work of our Redemption Signes of the gracious presence of God with us Four signes of the gracious presence of God with us II. Part p. 168 169 Of Suffering for Christ The Covenant of Redemption should greatly encourage us in Suffering for Christ p 173 174 175 T. Of the Text. The Text opened II. Part p. 3 4 5 Of Thankfulness The People of God should be very Thankful to God for his presence with them in their greatest troubles c. II. Part p. 160 to 164 Of the Transaction between God and Christ The manner and quality of the transaction between God the Father and Jesus Christ was by mutual engagements and stipulations each Person undertaking to perform his part in order to our recovery and eternal felicity p. 127 128 129 Of outward Troubles There is no such great evil in outward troubles as men conceive and imagine II. Part p. 154 155 V. Of Union with Christ None can be so against us as to hinder our Vnion with Christ II. Part p. 92 to 95 Of Universal Redemption The Covenant of Redemption looks sowerly upon the Doctrine of universal Redemption p. 172 Of Unbelief Vnbelief doth very ill become the Saints in a day of trouble II. P. p. 158 to 160 W. All things shall Work for the Saints good Nothing shall hinder the operation of all things for the Saints good II. Part p. 68 to 72 FINIS BOOKS sold by Dorman Newman at the King's Arms in the Poultry Folio THE History of King John King Henry the Second and the most illustrious King Edward the First wherein the ancient Soveraign Dominion of the Kings of Great Britain over all persons in all Causes is asserted and vindicated with an exact Hâ—story of the Popes intolerable Usurpation upon the liberties of the Kings and Subjects of England and Ireland Collected out of the ancient Records in the Tower of London by W. Prin Esq of Lincolns-Inn and Keeper of his Majesties Records in the Tower of London A Description of the four Parts of the World taken from the works of Monsieur Sanson Geographer to the French King and other eminent Travellers and Authors To which is added the Commodities Coyns Weights and Measures of the chief Places of Traffick in the World illustrated with variety of useful and delightful Maps and Figures By Richard Blâ—me Gent. Memoires of the Lives Actions Sufferings and Deaths of those excellent Personages that suffered for Allegiance to their Soveraign in our late intestine Wars from the year 1637. to 1666. with