The backslider is no true Believer The nature of this faith which is saving is best understood by considering four things which relate to it viz. The Author the Object the Act and the Ground of it 1. The Author of it is God whence it is stiled the faith of the operation of God Col. 2.12 There is a humane faith framed by the strength of reason but this is a blessed fruit of the Spirit of God Gal. 5.22 it is there reckoned among them It is the effect of that almighty power which was put forth â—n the Resurrection of Christ Eph. 1.19 20. 2. The Object of it as saving â—s Christ So every where in the Scripture John 3.16 Whosoever believeth in him shall not perish c. When the Jaylor Acts 16.30 31. asked what he should do to be saved he was directed to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and had the aâ—surance of being saved if he did so Hâ— himself directs us to do thus John 14. â— To believe in God believe also in me And 〈◊〉 told the Jews John 8.24 If ye believe not that I am he ye shall die in your sin Faith indeed embraceth the promises be not for themselves but for Christ as 〈◊〉 is wrapt up in them 3. The Acts 〈◊〉 it which are the assent of the mind anâ— the consent of the heart The assent 〈◊〉 the mind to those glorious Truths thâ—â— concern Christ and the salvation of mâ—â— through him As That he came fort from God the Father with commission to negotiate in this great work Him haâ—â— God the Father sealed John 6.27 Thaâ— he was incarnate The Word was madâ— flesh John 1.14 That he is the verâ— Son of God as Peter saith Mat. 16.16 Thou art Christ the Son of the living God That there is no other name given undeâ— Heaven by which we can be saved Actâ— 14.12 These and the like Principles thâ— mind assents to This is not sufficient 〈◊〉 make it saving faith unless the heart consents also If thou believest with all thy heart says Philip to the Eunuch Acts 8.2 With the heart man believeth unto righteousness Rom. 10.10 It makes the heart esteem Christ most precious 1 Pet. 2.7 To you that believe he is precious It is that which helps us to receive Christ into our very hearts He dwells in the heart by faith Eph. 3.17 and causeth the Soul to accept him in all his Offices and Natures and to rely on him alone for Justification and Salvation desiring to be found in him having the Righteousness which is by Christ and of God by faith as Paul speaks Phil. 3.9 And for our preservation in the mean time living as the Apostle saith Gal. 2.20 by the faith of the Son of God 4. The ground of it is the promise of God For a man to believe for salvation without a promise to build his faith upon is presumption and self-delusion We find Abraham had this for the foundation of his faith Heb. 6.13 Rom. 4.20 21. He rested on the promises of God by faith and staggered not at them through unbelief For a man to believe that God will save him though he be out of Christ and though there be no principles of grace and holiness in him is to build without a foundation for â—o such only is salvation promised This â—or the nature of saving faith If any enquire what the concurrence of faith to salvation is I answer briefly Faith coâ—curreth to salvation as it unites to Chrisâ— All things requisite to salvation meetiâ—â— Christ but none have this salvation 〈◊〉 him but such as are united to him Eteâ—nal life is in the Son and he that hath tâ—â— Son hath life he that hath not the Son haâ—â— not life 1 John 5.11 12. Communion 〈◊〉 grounded upon union and this is the proper effect of faith it doth interest thâ— Soul in the merit of Christ and gives it 〈◊〉 share in his Righteousness which is unâ—â—â— all and upon all them that believe Roâ— 3.22 and this by virtue of union Hencâ— proceeds peace Being justified by faith 〈◊〉 have peace with God Rom. 5 1. Faith dotâ— interest the Soul in the Spirit of Christ 〈◊〉 We know he abideth in us by his Spirit thaâ— he hath given us Now it is evident thaâ— from the presence of the Spirit flows alâ— things necessary to salvation Mortification of sin If we through the spirit mortifiâ—â— the deeds of the body we shall live Theâ—â— life of grace He that believeth on the Son out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water This spake Christ of the Spirit which Believers should receive John 7.38 39. Thus faith is the Nurse of all graces drawing sap from Christ the root and deriving influence from the Spirit to keep them in life and activity In a word it gives victory over temptations outward from the world alluring or affrighting 1 John 5.4 This is the victory whereby we overcome the world even our faith And inward from Satan By this shield of faith we may be able to quench all the fiery darts of that wicked one Eph. 6.16 Perseverance in the ways of God for by faith ye stand 2 Cor. 1.24 viz. by leaning upon the power of God which is the Spirit of God a Spirit of power And thus are Believers kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation 1 Pet. 1.5 If any further enquire How the way of faith is consistent with grace I answer Very well as appears by what is said Rom. 4.16 Therefore it is of faith that it might be by grace For there is no grace so modest and humble that arrogates nothing to it self but gives all to grace as faith is and doth Faith saves in a way of grace a precarious way It is empty and poor hath nothing of it self but receives all from grace and gives all again unto grace so that no way could have been found out more advantageous to the glory and honour of grace than this of faith Had it been through love repentance or good works there would have been some ascribing to the creature bâ— faith sets the whole Crown upon the head of grace and therefore we have reason to admire this blessed contrivancâ— of God who hath ordered salvation tâ— be through faith that it might more eminently appear to be of grace Besideâ— Faith it self is a fruit of grace it is 〈◊〉 grace that faith is given Phil. 1.29 〈◊〉 you it is given freely given to believe 〈◊〉 Christ It is of grace that faith is accepted not for its own worth or excellency So it appears to be consistent with graâ—â— that it be of faith for faith doth not ecclipse but illustrate the glory of grace Branch 2. That the work of faith tâ— salvation is not of humane operation 〈◊〉 is not of our selves saith the Text. For theâ—â— is no power in man that hath any tendency to produce such an effect as this Foâ— there was not a principle of faith formally in Adam at
will name but one because that is hinted at here namely to exclude boasting that no flesh may glory in God's presence Not of works lest any man should boast saith the Apostle that all men may walk humbly with God and glory in him alone and hence he saith Rom. 3.27 Boasting is excluded By what Law by the Law of works Nay but by the Law of faith The Use follows Vse 1. Is Salvation of grace and only of grace Then here we see how eviâ— and dangerous it is to seek to be saved by or for our good works No man can be saved who neglects them yet no man is saved for them they are not the cause of salvation but grace alone The Moralist will plead he hath been no drunkard no unclean person no unjust dealer the Hypocrite will attempt every good work in shew and appearance at least and the profane person purposeth to be better and to do better thus meâ— think to be saved by their works Those also that are troubled they can do nâ— more good works and not troubled for want of the knowledge of the grace of God and for want of his Spirit assisting to every good work Are you not those that may say some of you that you have found sweetness from your good works and deeds when you have been inlarged in them rather than from the sense of the rich and free grace of God When you have done them well then you are comforted but if dead and distracted in them then discouraged and cast down what do these things shew but that we seek salvation by works Some cannot endure to hear of the sinfulness of their good works of the raggedness of their own best Righteousness Thus did the Pharisees they could not endure Christ should pull up the Bridge upon which they hoped to go to Heaven these think to be saved by their good works whereas we should say We serve God because his free and rich grace invites and though imperfections cleave to our works yet we expect not salvation by them but we appeal to the rich and free love and grace of God to save us To go about to claim salvation by works is to take away the heart and life of the Gospel A man may as soon think to get over a deep River upon the shadow of a Tree that grows by it as get to Heaven by his good works This very thought mars and poisons all if thou thinkest to be saved by them it is very doubtful whether thou dost not run the very hazard of thy salvation be thy doings never so good The Gospel is a Doctrine of the utmost self-denial it draws men to good works in respect of performance and then draws them off from good works in regard of dependance O thâ—â— we could learn this great Mystery Vse 2. Suffer the word of Exhortation in a few brief particulars 1. Leâ— us learn to study the rich and free gracâ— of God more and to grow in the knowledge of it for it is by grace we are saved The right knowledge of it strike down all presumption and engageth to duty and service Men dare not sin thaâ— grace may abound or turn this grace into wantonness but will abhor it it is the presumptuous man that abuseth and despiseth grace and makes use of it to neglect a holy life and walking in good works 2. Let all be encouraged to seek salvation by grace Thou mayeâ—â— not say or think thou canst not be saved because thy sins are many and great for we read of the manifold grace of God to take away thy manifold past and present sins 1 Pet. 4.10 And where sin abounded grace did much more abound Rom. 5.20 Look for salvation in this way and here is hope for thee It is a speech unbecoming any to say The God of grace never intended any thing of grace for me Seek it humbly as Beggars that cannot compel an Alms Seek it with hope waiting patiently on the Lord and by no means say and think there is no hope for thee Grace can save whom it will it justifies the ungodly not in but from their ungodliness and what ground hast thou to conclude against thy self For a Soul to say If I were so holy I could then cast my self upon grace it destroys the nature of grace Remember that sweet promise Job 22.29 He will save the humble person Put thy self into the arms of grace and thou wilt find the sweetness of it There is no Soul here this day but for ought I know may come to be saved by this grace if the fault be not his own thinking he may live in his sin and walk after his ungodly lusts and yet rest on grace to save him Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound God forbid Rom. 6.1 Better it were salvation had never been offered to us than that either we be found refusers or abusers of it and so meet with the sorest destruction 3. Let all God's People know and do their duty in answer to this grace Mourn for your sins against the Lord because grace shall reign notwithstanding all your sins as the Apostle shews Rom. 5. ult Strongly desire the perfection of salvation attribute all to grace as Paul did he pressed forward towards the mark Phil. 3.14 And though he laboured more than others yeâ— he saith it was not he but the grace oâ— God which was with him 1 Cor. 15.10 Set the Crown upon the head of grace aâ— they Zech. 4.7 cried Grace grace Reâ—â— upon grace for the consummating salvation and act in some resemblance to thiâ— way of God He saves you freely do you serve him freely and do you continue to own profess and believe in this grace persevering in all those things that accompany salvation till you be fully possessed of it Doct. 3. That the Faith through which we are saved is not of our selves but is thâ— gift of God Or thus The work of Faith to Salvation is not of humane operation but oâ— divine donation Here are three things to be cleared 1. That those that are saved by grace are yet saved through faith 2. That this work of faith to salvation is not of themselves 3. That it is thâ— gift of God Of these in order Branch 1. Those that are saved bâ— grace are yet saved through faith or iâ— the way of believing The Text is express for it So the Commission runs that Christ gave his Apostles Mar. 16.15 16 He saith to them Go ye into all the world preach the Gospel to every creature He that believeth shall be saved he that believeth not shall be damned As many as were ordained to eternal life believed Whom God hath appointed to salvation as the end he hath ordained to faith as the means We are of them that believe to the saving of the Soul saith the Apostle Heb. 10.39 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but of faith The adversative conjunction shews that Apostacy and Faith cannot stand together
dangerous mistakes Some meâ— apprehend a facility of believing bâ—â— this is highly presumptuous it is not 〈◊〉 your selves saith the Text It is exceedinâ— pernicious for it makes men slighty 〈◊〉 examining this work and careless in improving the means and like the fool Sâ—lomon speaks of Eccles 4.5 that foldeâ— his hands together and eateth his owâ— flesh careless and negligent and bringâ— themselves to ruine Others are ready 〈◊〉 murmure against God and think to chaâ—â— their unbelief upon him but he will bâ— justified when he appears and clear wheâ— he judgeth As Adam at first so men 〈◊〉 the last will be ready to lay blame oâ— him but he will surely return it upoâ— themselves and say as of old O Israel thou hast destroyed thy self O ye Sons oâ— Men your guilt is upon your own heads Because unbelievers were preingageâ— against the offers of grace men have before-hand made over themselves to Sin Satan and the World and are careless about the means of grace Sinners do not what they may and can they improve not the rational faculties God gives them Isa 46.8 Remember this shew your selves men Why should men then think hardly of God Idolaters act beneath men Surely his proceedings against them will be just and their condemnation righteous Vse 2. Let us all examine and enquire into our hearts for a true work of faith through which we may be saved It was unfeigned faith that was in Timothy 2 Tim. 1.5 Is ours such We all profess we believe is it so indeed Thus it may be known 1. By strong desires to receive Christ on Gospel-terms as King Priest and Prophet not only to be saved by him but to yield subjection to him not only to tast of his bounty but to cleave to him in duty No unbeliever doth desire Christ in this extent and latitude he his for happiness not for holiness for Christ to save him and for his lusts to rule him In times of trouble sickness and death he hath strong desires after Christ let these Clouds blow over and his desires are vanished David did not only desire God would hide his face from his sins but that he would create in him a clean heart and renew in him a rigâ—â— spirit 2. True faith is a mournâ—â— grace it makes a penitent heart They sâ—â—â— look on him whom they have pierced 〈◊〉 mourn Zech. 12.10 Penitent tears flâ—â—â— from Faiths Eye it mourns for its oâ—â— weakness and for strength of unbeliâ—â— Mark 9.24 as he said with tears I â—â—lieve Lord help my unbelief 3. It cannâ—â— rest in its weakness but desires the sinâ—â—â— milk of the Word by which it was fiâ—â— wrought that it may grow thereâ—â— 1 Pet. 2.2 4. It will cleave to Châ—â—â—â— for ever and not part with him or frâ—â— him upon any terms The Gadarens â—â—sily parted from Christ for they belieâ—â— not in him Some yea many of his Dâ—â—ciples went away from him and walkâ—â— no more with him John 6.66 These hâ—â— no true work of faith in them But woâ—â— Peter and the rest that had received thâ— gift of faith go away from him No 〈◊〉 for the world verse 68. When Christ 〈◊〉 the question to them Peter answered 〈◊〉 the name of them all Lord to whom shoâ—â—â— we go from thee Thou hast the words 〈◊〉 eternal life What true faith wants in eâ—â—dence it will make up in adherence 〈◊〉 us all try our selves in this matter by thâ—â— notes and not deceive our own Soâ—â—â— Vse 3. Of Exhortation 1. Let all that want faith go out of themselves for it and seek this gift at the hand of God He gives it by means The Gospel is the word of faith Rom. 10.8 The Holy Ghost is the Spirit of Faith 2 Cor. 4.13 and he is the Spirit of Promise O wait in Gospel dispensations in the word of faith for the work of faith and oppose not the Spirit when he offers his help to this work And remember whatever gift God gives if you have not this gift of faith all is nothing What is the gift of wealth What is the gift of restraining grace What is the gift of humane wisdom What is the gift of ordinances the gift of prayer having not this grace of faith given with and above them Can they satisfie Can they sanctifie Can they save us Had not the rich fool in the Gospel the young man and the Pharisees and Herod these gifts yet all perished for want of faith to save them We may covet the best gifts but this of faith is the more excellent way to life and salvation O pray much and earnestly for this grace and know if you that are evil can give good things to â—our Children how much more will God give faith to them that so ask him 2. Believers are bound to glorifie God for 〈◊〉 gift For faith is precious 2 Pet. 1 â—â—â— the trial of it much more faith it 〈◊〉 is more precious than gold Gold is pâ—â—cious among men and Solomon saith â—â—ney answers all things So doth faith mâ—â—â— more Consider what manner of 〈◊〉 faith is and it will cause them that 〈◊〉 it to glorifie God for it 1. 'T is a â—â—â—ritual gift for it is wrought by the poâ—â—â— of the Spirit and that is the very reaâ—â— carnal men are so little affected with 〈◊〉 for they cannot understand it 2. 〈◊〉 a free gift Thou hast nothing to give 〈◊〉 it The Queen of Sheba gave great gâ—â—â— to Solomon because of his wisdom but thâ—â— hast none to give to God 'T is free alâ—â— because thou hast done nothing for it Dâ—vid slew many of the Philistines to haâ—â— Saul's Daughter given him but thou 〈◊〉 slain no lust done no service for Gâ—4â— that faith should be given thee Freeâ—â— is also because without any relation 〈◊〉 engage him to thee A Father gives 〈◊〉 his Child because he is his Child 〈◊〉 thou art by nature a Child of wraâ—â—â— 3. 'T is an excellent and choice gift â—â—â—led precious faith as before was touchâ—â— God gives the men of the world the huâ—â— and stubble of the world but to them 〈◊〉 gives precious faith precious in respect of the worker God the object Christ the end Salvation and in respect of the variety of blessings it lets thee into This is the golden Key that lets thee into all the Treasures of grace and mercy laid up in Christ into comfort here and glory hereafter 4. 'T is a lasting gift This gift of God is without repentance God repented he gave Saul a Kingdom and â—o he may repent he gives men so much of the world but where he bestows this gift of saving faith he never repents of it The comfort and assurance of faith the â—vely actings and stirrings of faith may be â—â—spended but the habit root and principle of faith is not destroyed or removed 5. It is a growing gift a man â—â—ves his Son Money or Land and he â—ay increase it or he may diminish it â—â—at this gift
shall increase and grow from â—â—ith to faith from strength to strength â—â—om one degree to another Oh what â—â—use have Believers then to glorifie God â—â—r this unspeakable gift And shew your thankfulness in two things 1. In living 〈◊〉 and making use of faith in all times â—â—d conditions Look to God for skill â—â—use it to fetch power from Christ to â—â—due lusts and the world This is your Victory even your faith O make use 〈◊〉 it to fetch out of Christs fulness graâ—â—â— for grace This is that grace which 〈◊〉 go with us from place to place froâ— Countrey to Countrey from Earth 〈◊〉 Heaven Men may take away our Estaâ—â— our Relations but we may go up leanâ—â—â— on this Jacobs staff through all 〈◊〉 troubles of this Wilderness till we coâ—â— to the heavenly Canaan This will maâ—â— us take joyfully the spoiling of our gooâ—â— and make a Prison as good yea betâ—â—â— than a Pallace It makes that which 〈◊〉 terrible to others comfortable to you 〈◊〉 made some of the Primitive Christiâ—â— cry out to their Persecutors to deâ—â— some new afflictions and to increase thâ—â— torments By faith they gloried in triâ—â—lations and glorified God in the fires 〈◊〉 learn and labour to act faith in all conâ—â—tions In your losses act faith in Goâ—â— providence and promises that he will giâ—â— you more of himself and shed abrâ—â—â— more of his Love into your hearts 〈◊〉 manifest more of his image and grace 〈◊〉 your Souls If your Enemies come 〈◊〉 you act faith in God's presence and â—â—lieve that though Men and Devils 〈◊〉 against you yet God and his holy Aâ—â—â— are with you and for you and grâ—â—â— are these than those against you If you feel not the presence of God with you yet act faith in his presence and say For a moment he is gone but with everlasting kindness will he return That you believe your Husband loves you though he be absent from you and that he will see you again and your heart shall rejoyce and your Joy shall no man take away from you If you be brought low in the world act faith in God's bond and engagement for though a man hath no money by him yet if he hath good bonds he comforts himself So may you who have God's Covenant and Promises for your security So when death comes act faith then and remember you are members of Christ and shall not perish Believe God is with you in death as he was with Daniel the three Children and David who on that very account would not fear to pass through the valley of the shadow of death Psal 23.4 Act faith in the Kingdom of God and say to thy Soul as Christ did to the believing thief To day shalt thou be with Christ in Paradise Though we break our fast with Enemies said some Martyrs yet we shall sup with Abraham Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of God â—2 Press after the perfection of your faith as the inchoation so the confirmation of faith is the gift of God He 〈◊〉 the Author and the Finisher of yoâ—â— Faith Heb. 12.2 It is of God to cofirm faith Christ prays your faith â—ewordâ— not Luke 22.32 Pray as they 〈◊〉 Luke 17.5 Lord increase our faith 〈◊〉 will he fulfil the good pleasure of 〈◊〉 grace in you and the work of faith 〈◊〉 power 2 Thes 1.11 And in due tiâ—â— you shall receive the end of your faith 〈◊〉 salvation of your Souls There is mâ—â—â— lacking in your faith but it shall be â—â—â—fected and you shall walk by sight 〈◊〉 not by faith SERMON III. Deteronomy 8.16 Who fed thee in the Wilderness with Manna SOme of the Heathens even by the Light of Nature were carried to begin all things with God A Jove pricnipium was a Maxim among them How much more commendable is it amongst them to whom are committed the Oracles of God that they should remember God and acknowledge him upon all occasions because it is his assistance that is the principle of all performances and his presence that is the safety of all conditions This is that therefore which Moses in this chapter does put Israel upon that in the midst of all their sufficiency they remember God and thankfully acknowledge his bounty and goodness towards them This â—e inculcates and urgeth upon them once and again from the 10th verse of this chapter unto the 15th When thou hast eaten and art full then thou shalt bless the Lorâ— thy God c. Beware that thou forget noâ— the Lord thy God c. v. 10 11. So againâ—â— v. 13 14. Lest when thou hast eaten and aâ—â—â— full then thy heart be lifted up and thou forget the Lord thy God c. Then Moses proceeds to mention some particular favour God had bestowed on them in the Wilderness he enumerates his leading theâ— verse 15. who led thee in the Wilderness even till they were gotten through it Anâ— here in the Text he speaks of his feedinâ— them there Where we may observe 1. The Agent implied in the woâ—â— who which hath reference to the 14tâ— verse where God is mentioned he it waâ— that had the chief hand in this glorioâ—â— work 'T is said indeed he led them 〈◊〉 the hand of Moses and Aaron but theâ—â— were only his Instruments he was the principal Agent So Moses struck the Roâ—â— but God caused water to flow out thenâ—â—â— 2. The Act Fed that is provided fooâ— 3. The Persons that were fed by him Thee not a particular person only but thâ— people of Israel 4. The Place wheâ—â— was it he thus provided for them In tâ—â— Wilderness 5. The food it self wherâ— with he fed them there with Manna 〈◊〉 which we read Exod. 16.14 15. Whâ—â—â— the dew was gone up behold upon the face of the Wilderness there lay a small round thing as small as the hoar frost on the ground And when the Children of Isreal saw it they said one to another It is Manna for they wist not what it was And Moses said unto them This is the bread the Lord hath given you to eat It was not like the Manna we use which is Physical but it was for food being prepared by the great God for that use There are two Propositions in the Text. 1. That God orders a Wilderness-condition to be the lot of his Church and People in this world 2. That he will provide for them in this Wilderness-state Doct. 1. That God sometimes orders a Wilderness-condition to be the lot of his Church and People in this world Thus we see it was his dispensation to Israel to bring them into such a state as well as into such a place Here it is stiled Asts 7.38 the Church in the Wilderness There were many Wildernesses betwixt Egypt and Canaan Sometimes they were in one sometimes in another We read they were in the Wilderness of Shur Exod. 15.22 in the Wilderness of Sin Exod. 16.1 in the Wilderness of Sinai Exod. 19.1 So for particular persons We read
is good but let us rather imitate â—is goodness he doth good even to his â—ery enemies Matth. 5.45 So let us â—f our enemy hunger feed him if he â—hirst give him drink Let our work â—e to go up and down doing good as Christ did And let not the common goodness of God content us greatly â—hankful we should be for it but not â—est in it Let us say as David Psal â—06 4 Remember us with the favour thou â—earest to thy people c. 3. Let this â—omfort Gods people for so good is God that no good thing will he withhold â—rom them that walk uprightly Psal 84. â—1 They that fear the Lord shall want no â—ood thing Psal 34.10 Some may say we see many such in great want and unâ—er many evils and troubles Let such know and consider 1. It is becauâ—â— they are wanting to themselves Theâ— are not in the exercise of Faith nor 〈◊〉 close walking with God These with hold good things from them Acquâ—â—â— thy self with God so shall good come 〈◊〉 thee Job 22.21 2. The state of Gâ—â— people is not to be judged by outwaâ—â— appearance They have a better goâ—â— than this worlds good They enjâ—â—â— spiritual good things God saith 〈◊〉 will satiate the weary Soul with gooâ—ness with the goodness of his houâ—â— even of his holy Temple This Strâ—â—gers meddle not with It is better thâ—â— all the good things of their own houâ—â— 3. The time of their full enjoymeâ—â— of God is not yet come Then they wâ—â—â— say as it is Psal 31.19 O how greaâ—â— thy goodness which thou hast laid up for thâ—â— that fear thee for them that trust in thâ—â— before the Sons of men So much for thâ—â— first note Doct. 2. That the Church and People 〈◊〉 God have a day of Trouble This is here iâ—â—plied in that God is said to be their strâ—â—â— hold in the day of trouble it supposes thâ—â— had such a day The Prophet its thoâ—â— hath a particular respect to Hezekiah 〈◊〉 had a day of trouble of rebuke and blâ—phemy when Senacherib the King of Assyria came up against him as is evident in the Prophet Isaiah chap. 37.3 And thus it hath been is or may be with God's people they have their days of trouble a cloudy and dark day as Ezekiel calls it a showry a rainy day As they have their days of Sun-shine of Joy and Mercy so a day of Affliction a stormy and tempestuous day All kind of trouble is here understood outward and inward trouble little and great troubles As they have a day of prosperity so likewise of adversity The Church of Christ is his body in every natural body there are many members sometime the head akes or the eye smarts the arm is sore the foot is wounded the heart is heavy then great must needs be the trouble of the body So here one member of Christs body lies in the prison others are oppressed and ruined in their Estates others banished others put to death great must needs be the trouble of the body of Christ when it is thus Elijah lamented his trouble being persecuted by Jezabel 1 Kings 19. Job an upright member had many troubles like the waves of the Sea one upon another his Estate gone his Children slain his Wife and Friends prove his Enemies and Troubles Sâ—â—â—â— shooting his Arrows at him and 〈◊〉 seeming to be against him great was 〈◊〉 trouble Jacob David Paul and othâ—â— confirm this truth to us Here I 〈◊〉 briefly shew 1. The Times whâ—â—â— 2. The Reasons why it is thus Qu. 1. Ye will say When or at 〈◊〉 special Times hath the Church a day 〈◊〉 trouble Ans 1. When their hearts gâ—â—â— high and proud under mercies then 〈◊〉 ally follows a day of trouble God giâ—â— great favours to his people exalts thâ—â— in priviledges and they are lifted up 〈◊〉 pride wax wanton under them then coâ—â—â—â— great trouble Thus it was with Hezâ—kiah who as I hinted before is hâ—â—â— particularly spoken of he was under gâ—â—â—â— mercies raised from a low and wâ—â—â— condition by sickness his heart was lifâ—â—â— up in pride then comes a day of troubâ—â—â— upon him He shewed the Embassadâ—â— of the King of Babylon all his Treasuâ—â— in a vain-glorious boasting way therefoâ—â— all was carried away from him Dâ—â—â—â— was advanced his Mountain was stroâ—â— he upon this grew secure and proud 〈◊〉 said he should not be moved and tâ—â— drew upon him a day of great trouble 〈◊〉 adversity To have our hearts lifted up in the ways of God as Jehosaphat's was under many and extraordinary mercies is excellent indeed but to be lifted up above measure as Paul found a proneness in himself to be under his revelations is very sinful God will prick this bladder swoln with pride by some thorn in the flesh to take us down again for his Soul so liftted up is not upright in him as the Prophet speaks 2. When the people of God are in some measure fitted and prepared for trouble then they may expect a day of trouble It s a great misery and judgment to have mercies or troubles when we are unprepared for either But God is very good to his people in this that he gives them both when they are fitted for them to be better by them to improve mercies and troubles He knows their frame and will not put new wine into old bottles nor lay heavy burdens on weak shoulders but proportions the burden to the back his strokes unto their strength that they may be able to bear it 1 Cor. 10.13 The woman is not put to flee into the Wilderness Rev. 12.6 14. till she hath wings given her to fit her for the flight and a place prepared of God that they should feeâ— her there When God hath given muâ—â— grace then comes a day of trouble to 〈◊〉 Christians to the use of that grace As Goâ— will not over-burden them so he wiâ—â— not undervalue them If they have greaâ— grace to bear great troubles they maâ— expect them 3. When his people lean to their owâ— understandings and follow their owâ— devices not consulting God nor taking his counsel then let them expect a daâ— of trouble When they will be wise 〈◊〉 their own conceit and betake themselvâ—â— to their own inventions neglecting 〈◊〉 frequent his counsel they alwaies meeâ— with trouble Did you ever read God people thus doing and escape it Goâ— would have Jonah go and preach to Niâ—â—veh what he bad him but he runs to hiâ— own ways and goes to Tharshish Dâ—â— he escape trouble O the great affliction he was involved in Thrown as 〈◊〉 were into the belly of hell for his disobedience to the God of heaven and following his own contrivances to avoid trouble he brought himself into far greater troubles Never did any good maâ— lie easy upon that pillow which was 〈◊〉 their own laying or sleep well on thâ—â— bed which was of their own making Though Jacob was designed to have the blessing yet