Explication of Psalm 110, Verse 1 (3 of 3)

Explication of Psalm 110 · Verse 1 (3 of 3)

p. 89Againe this point of the stabilitie of Christs Kingdome is a ground of strong confidence & comfort to the whole Church of Christ, against all the violence of any outward enemies wherwith sometimes they may seeme to bee swallowed upon. Though they associate themselves, and gird to the battle, though they take counsell, and make decrees against the Lords anointed and against his spouse, yet it shall all come to nought, and be broken in pieces, all the smoake of hell shall not bee able to extinguish, p. 90nor all the power of hell to overturne the Church of God, and the reason is, Immanuel, God is with us, Esai. 8.9, 10. That anointing which the Church hath received shall deliver it at last from the yoke of the enemie, Esai. 10.27. Though it seeme for the time in as desperate a condition as a dry stick in the fire, or a dead body in the grave, yet this is not indeed a sepulture, but a semination. Though it seeme to bee cast away for a season, yet in due time it will come up and flourish againe, Zechariah 3.2. Ezekiel 37.11. And this is the assurance that the Church may have, that the Lord can save and deliver a second time, Esai. 11.11. that hee is the same God yesterday, and to day, and for ever; and therfore such a God as the Church hath found him heretofore, such a God it shall finde him to day, and for ever, in the returnes and manifestations of his mercy. Which discovers the folly, and foretels the confusion of the enemies of Christs Kingdome, they conceive mischiefe, but they bring forth nothing but vanity, Iob 15.35. They conceive chaffe, and bring forth stubble, Esai. 33.11. They imagine nothing but a vaine thing, their malice is but like the fighting of briars and thornes with the fire, Esai. 27.4. Nahum 1.10. like the dashing of waves against a rock, like a mad mans shooting arrowes against the Sunne, which at last returne upon his owne head; like the puffing of the fanne against the corne, which driveth away nothing but the chaffe, like the beating of the winde against the saile, or the foming and raging of the water against a mill, which by the wisedome of the artificers are all ordered unto usefull and excellent ends. And surely when the Lord shall have accomplished his worke on mount Sion, when hee shall by the adversary, as by a fanne have purged away the iniquity of Iacob, and taken away his sinne, hee will then returne in peace and beauty unto his people againe. Looke on the preparation of some large building, in one p. 91place you shall see heapes of lime, and morter, in another piles of timber, every where rude, and indigested materials, and a tumultuary noise of axes and hammers, but at length the artificer sets every thing in order, and raiseth up a beautifull structure: such is the proceeding of the Lord in the afflictions and vastations of his Church, though the enemie intend to ruine it, yet God intends onelyonly to repaire it. Thus farre as Donec respects Christs Kingdome in it selfe.

Now as it respecteth the enemies of Christ, it notes, First, The present inconsummatenesse of the victories, and by consequence the intranquillity of Christs Kingdome here upon the earth. All his enemies are not yet under his feete, Satan is not yet shut up; the rage of hell, the persecutions and policies of wicked men, the present immunity of desperate sinners, are evidences that Christ hath yet much worke to doe in his Church. But doth not the Apostle say, that all things are put under his feete? Eph. 1.22. It is true quoad judiciariam potestatem, but not quoad exercitium potestatis. Hee shall not receive any new power to subdue his enemies, which hee hath not already; but yet hee can execute that power when and how hee will. And hee is pleased to suffer his enemies in this respite of their reprivall to rage, and revile, and persecute him in his members. Every wicked man is condemned already, and hath the wrath of God abiding upon him, Iob. 3.18.36. OnelyOnly Christ doth suspend the execution of them for many weighty reasons. As first, to shew his patience and long suffering towards the vessels of wrath, for hee ever comes first with an offer of peace, before hee drawes the sword, Rom. 2.4. Rom. 9.22. Deut. 20.10-13. Luk. 10.5, 11. Secondly, to magnifie the power of his protection and providence over the Church in the midst of their enemies, for if the Lord were not on the Churches side when man riseth up against it, if hee did not rebuke the proud waves, and set p. 92them their bounds how farre they should goe, there could bee no more power in the Church to withstand them, than in a levell **Ier. 5.22. Aegyptus mari concavitate depressior, & tamen praecep to creatoris tanquam compe dibus coercetur mare Rubrum ne in Aegyptum irrumpat. Basil, Mag. Hexamer. Homil. 4.Jer 5:22of sand to resist an inundation of the Sea, Psal. 124.1.5. Thirdly, to reserve wicked men unto the great day of his appearing, and of the declaration of his power and righteousnesse, wherin all the world shall bee the spectators and witnesses of his just and victorious proceedings against them, Act. 17.31. Fourthly, to shew forth his mighty power in destroying the wicked all together. They who here carried themselves with that insolence as if every particular man meant to have plucked Christ out of his throne, shall there all together bee brought forth before him. That as the righteous are reserved to have their full salvation together, 1 Thess. 4.17. so the wicked may bee bound up in bundles, and destroied together, Psal. 37.38. Esai. 1.28. Fifthly, to fill up the measure, and to ripen the sinnes of wicked men: for the Lord puts the wickednesse of men into an Epha, and when they have filled up their measure, he then sealeth them up unto the execution of his righteous judgements. And hence it is that the Scripture calleth wicked men Vessels fitted for destruction, for they first fill themselves with sin, and then God filleth them up with wrath and shame. Sixthly, to fill up the number of his Elect, for hee hath many sheepe which are not yet within his fold, and they many of them the posterity of wicked men, Ioh. 10.16. Seventhly, to fill up the measure of his owne sufferings in his members, that they may follow him unto his kingdome through the same way of afflictions as he went before them, Col. 1.24. Revel. 6.11. Eighthly, to exercise the faith of his Church, to drive the faithfull with the Prophet Habakuk into their watch-tower, and with David into the Sanctuary of the Lord, thereto waite upon him in the way of his judgements, to consider that the end of the righteous man is peace, and that the pride and prosperity of p. 93the wicked is but as the fat of Lambes, and as the beauty of grasse; that God hath set them in slippery places, and will cast them downe at the last, Hab. 2.1, 3. Psal. 37.2.10.20. Psal. 73.18. Lastly, to weane the faithfull from earthly affections, and to kindle in them the desires of the Saints under the altar, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our bloud on them that dwell on the earth? Revel. 6.10.

Secondly, as donec notes the Patience of Christ towards his enemies, so it notes likewise that there are fixed bounds and limits unto that patience, beyond which he will no longer forbeare them. There is an appointed day, wherein hee will judge the world with righteousnesse, Act. 17.31. There is a yeere of vengeance, and of recompences for the controversies of Sion, Esai. 34.8. The wilde asse that sucketh up the winde at her pleasure may be found in her monethmonth, Ier. 2.24. The Lord seeth that the day of the wicked is comming. It is an appointed time, though it tarry, yet if we waite for it, It will surely come, it will not tarry, Psal. 37.13. Hab. 2.3. Well then, let men goe on with all the fiercenesse and excesse of riot they will, let them walke in the way of their heart, and in the sight of their eyes, yet all this while they are in a chaine, they have but a compasse to goe, and God will bring them to judgement at the last. When the day of a Drunkard and riotous person is come, when he hath taken so many hellish swallowes, and hath filled up the measure of his lusts, his marrow must then lie downe in the dust, though the cup were at his mouth, yet from thence it shall be snatch'd away, and for everlasting hee shall never taste a drop of sweetnesse, nor have the least desire of his wicked heart satisfied any more. A wicked mans sinnes will not follow him to hell to please him, but onelyonly the memory of them to bee an everlasting scourge, and flame upon his conscience. O then take heed of ripening sinne, by custome, by security, by insensibility, p. 94by impudence and stoutnesse of heart, by making it a mocke, a matter of glory and of boasting, by stopping the eare against the voice of the Charmer, and turning the backe upon the invitations unto mercy, by resisting the Evidence of the Spirit in the Word, and committing sinne in the light of the Sunne: for as the heat of the sunne doth wither the fruit which falls off, and ripen that which hangs on the tree; so the Word doth weaken those lusts which a man is desirous to shake off, and doth ripen those which the heart holds fast and will not part with. When was Israel overthrowne, but when they mocked the Messengers of God, and despised his Word, and misused his Prophets, and rejected the remedy of their sinne? and when was Juda destroyed, but when they hardened themselves against the Word, and would not take notice of the day of their peace? Alas, what haste doe men make to promote their owne damnation, and to goe quickly to hell, when they will breake through the very Law of God, and through all his holy Ordinances, that they may come thither the sooner, as if the gate would bee shut against them, or as if it were a place of some great preferment; as if they had to doe with a blinde God which could not see, or with an impotent God which could not revenge their impieties. Well, for all this, the Wise mans speech will prove true at the last, Know, that God will bring thee unto judgement.

Thirdly, donec notes the infallible accomplishment of Christs victories and triumph over his enemies at the last, when the day is come wherein he will bee patient towards them no longer. The Prophet giveth three excellent reasons hereof in one verse, Esai. 33.22. The Lord is our Judge, the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King, hee will save us. Hee is our Judge, and therefore certainely when the day of triall is come hee will plead our cause against our adversaries, and will condemne p. 95them, Mich. 7.9. But a Judge cannot doe what pleaseth himselfe, but is bound to his rule, and proceedeth according to establish'd lawes. Therefore he is our Lawgiver likewise, and therefore hee may himselfe appoint Lawes according to his owne will, but when the Will of the Judge, and the Rule of the Law doe both consent in the punishing of offendors, yet then still the King hath a liberty of mercy, and hee may pardon those whom the Law and the Judge have condemned. But Christ, who shall judge the enemies of his Church according to the Law which himselfe hath made, is himselfe the King, and therefore when he revengeth,Oportet eum ad tantam evidentiam regnum suum perducere, donec inimici eius nullo modo audeant negare quod regnat, Aug. there is none besides nor above him to pardon. So at that day there shall bee a full manifestation of the Kingdome of Christ, none of his enemies shall moue the wing, or open the mouth, or peepe against him.

The second thing formerly proposed in this latter part of the verse was, The Author of subduing Christs enemies under his feet [I the Lord.] Wicked men will never submit themselves to Christs Kingdome, but stand out in opposition against him in his Word and wayes. When Gods hand is lifted up in the dispensation of his Word and threatnings against sin, men will not see, Esai. 26.11. And therefore he saith, My spirit shall not alwayes strive with men, to note that men would of themselves alwayes strive with the spirit, and never yeeld nor submit to Christ. Though the patience and goodnesse of God should lead them to repentance, and forewarne them to flye from the wrath to come, yet they after their hardnesse and impenitent heart do hereby treasure up against themselves the more wrath,Rom. 2.4, 5.Rom 2:4Rom 2:5 and because judgement is not speedily executed,Eccles. 8.11.Eccl 8:11 their heart is wholly set in them to doe mischiefe. Let favour, saith the Prophet, be shewed unto a wicked man, yet will he not learne righteousnesse, Esai. 26.10.Isa 26:10in the land of uprightnesse will he deale unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the Lord. Certainely if a wicked p. 96man could bee rescued out of hell it selfe, and brought backe into the possibilities of merciemercy againe, yet would he in a second life flie out against God, and while he had time take his fill of lusts againe. We see Clay will but grow harder by the fire, and that metall which melted in the Fornace, being taken thence will returne to its wonted solidity. When Pharaoh saw that the raine, and the haile, and the thunders were ceased, (though in the time of them he was like melted metall,Exod. 9.27, 28.34, 35.Exod 9:27Exod 9:28Exod 9:34Exod 9:35 and did acknowledge the righteousnesse of God and his owne sinne, and make strong promises that Israel should goe) yet then he sinned more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants, and would not let the children of Israel goe. Doe wee not see men sometimes cast on a bed of sickenesse, brought to the very brinke of hell, and to the smell of that sulphurie lake, when by Gods wonderfull patience they are snatch'd like a brand out of the fire, and have recover'd a little strength to provoke the Lord againe, when they should now set themselves to make good those hypocriticall resolutions of amendement of life, wherewith in their extremity they flattered God, and deceived themselves, suddenly breake forth into more filthinesse than before, as if they meant now to be revenged of God, and to fetch backe that time which sickenesse tooke from them by an extremity of sinning, as if they had made a Covenant with hell to doe it more service, if they might then be spared? All the favours and methods which God useth are not enough to bring wicked men home unto him of their owne wils. Though I redeemed them, Hos. 7.13, 14.Hos 7:13Hos 7:14saith the Lord, yet have they spoken lyes against me, they have not cryed unto me with their heart, when they howled upon their beds. The people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, Esai. 9.13. Amos 4.6▪ 8, 9, 10, 11.Isa 9:13Amos 4:6Amos 4:8Amos 4:9Amos 4:10Amos 4:11neither doe they seeke the Lord of hosts. So many judgements did the Lord send upon Israel in the necke of one another, and yet still the burden of the Prophet is, Yet have you not returned unto me, saith p. 97the Lord. Damme up the passage of a river, and use all the Art that may be to over-rule it, yet you can never carry it backward in its owne channell; you may cut it out into other courses and diverticles, but no Art can drive it unto a contrary motion, and make it retire into its owne fountaine: So though wicked men may haply by divers reasons which their lusts will admit, be so farre wrought upon as to change their courses, yet it is impossible to change themselves, or to turne them quite out of their owne way into the way of Christ. There is but a bivium in the world, a way of life, and a way of death, and the Lord in the Ministery of the Word gives us our option, I have set before you this day life and death, blessing and cursing, and hee that beleeveth shall be saved, hee that beleeveth not shall be damned. To the former he invites, beseecheth, enticeth us with promises, with oathes, with engagements, with prevention of any just objection which might be made; We beseech you, saith the Apostle, in Christs stead that you be reconciled unto God. From the other he deterres us by forewarning us of the wrath to come, and of the period which death will put to our lusts with our lives. And as Tertullian once spake of the Oath of God, so may I of his entreaties, and threatnings. O blessed men whom the Lord himselfe is pleased to sollicite and entice unto happinesse, but, O miserable men they who will not beleeve nor accept of Gods owne entreaties: And yet thus miserable are we all by nature. There is in men so much atheisme, infidelity and distrust of Gods Word, so close an adherencie of lust unto the soule, that it rather chooseth to runne the hazzard, and to goe to hell entire, than to goe halt and maimed unto heaven; yea, to make God a liar, to blesse themselves in their sinnes, when he curseth, and to judge of him by themselves, as if he tooke no notice of their wayes.Deut. 29.19.Deut 29:19 It is not therefore without just cause that God so often threatneth to remember all the sinnes of wickedPsal. 50.21.Ps 50:21 p. 98men, and to doe against them whatsoever he hath spoken.Hos. 5.2, 3. Hos. 7.2, 12. Amos 8.7. Deut. 31.34, 35. Psal. 50.21. Ier. 17.1.Hos 5:2Hos 5:3Hos 7:2Hos 7:12Amos 8:7Deut 31:34Deut 31:35Ps 50:21Jer 17:1 Wee see then that men will never submit themselves unto the Scepter of Christ, nor prevent the wrath to come by a voluntary subjection. It remaines therefore that God take the worke into his owne hands, and put them perforce under Christs feete. They will not submit to his kingdome of grace and mercy, they will not beleeve his kingdome of glory and salvation, but they shall be made subject to the sword of his wrath, and that without any hope of escape, or power of opposition, for God himselfe shall do it immediatly by his owne mighty power. Hee will interpose his owne hand, and magnifie the glory of his owne strength in the just confusion of wicked men. So the Apostle saith, that The Lord will shew his wrath, and make his power knowne in the vessels fitted for destruction, Rom. 9.22. Two meanes the Apostle sheweth shall be used in the destruction of the wicked, to effect it. The presence or countenance, and the glorious power of the Lord, 2 Thes. 1.9. The very terrour of his face, and the dreadfull Majesty of his presence shall slay the wicked. The kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chiefe captaines, and the mighty men, those who all their life time were themselves terrible, and had beene acquainted with terrours, shall then begge of the mountaines and rockes to fall upon them and to hide them from the Face of him that sitteth upon the throne, and from the wrath of the Lambe, Revel. 6.15, 16. Esai. 2.10. whence that usuall expression of Gods resolution to destroy a people, I will set my face against them. O then how sore shall the condemnation of wicked men bee, when therein the Lord purposeth to declare foreign, the glorious strength of his owne almighty arme. Here when the Lord punisheth a people, he onelyonly sheweth how much strength and edge he can put into the Creatures to execute his displeasure. But the extreme terrour of the last p. 99day shall be this, that men shall fall immediatly into the hands of God himselfe, who hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, and▪ I will recompence, Heb. 10.30, 31. And therefore the Apostle useth this expostulation against Idolaters, Doe we provoke the Lord to jelousie? Are we stronger than he? 1 Cor. 10.22. Dare we meete the Lord in his fury, doe we provoke him to powre out All his wrath? Psal. 78.38. He will at last stir up all his wrath against the vessels that are fitted for it. And for that cause he will punish them himselfe. For there is no Creature able to bring all Gods wrath unto another, there is no vessell able to hold all Gods displeasure. The Apostle telleth us that wee have to doe with God in his Word, Heb. 4.13. but herein he useth the ministery of weake men, so that his Majesty is cover'd, and wicked men have a veile upon their hearts, that they cannot see God in his Word. When thy hand is lifted up, namely in the threatnings and predictions of wrath out of the word, they will not see: for it is a worke of faith to receive the word as Gods word, and therein before-hand to see his power, and to heare his rod, Mic. 6.9. Other men belye the Lord, and say it is not he. But though they will not acknowledge that they have to doe with God in his word, though they will not see when his hand is lifted up in the preparations of his wrath, yet they shall see and know that they have to doe with him in his judgements, when his hand falleth downe againe in the execution of his wrath. So the Lord expostulateth with them, Ezek. 22.14. Can thine heart endure or thine hands bee strong in the dayes that I shall deale with thee? The Prophet Esay resolves that question, The sinners in Sion are affraid, fearefulnesse hath surprised the hypocrites, (namely a fearefull looking for of judgement▪ and fiery indignation, as the Apostle speakes, Heb. 10.27.) Who amongst us shall dwell with the devouring fire, who amongst us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? p. 100Esai. 33.14. that is, in the words of another Prophet, Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fiercenesse of his anger. His fury is powred out like fire, and the rockes are throwne downe by him, Nahum 1.6.

Confirmations of this point we may take from these considerations: First, the quarrell with sinners is Gods owne,Levit. 26.25. Hos. 12.2. Psal. 2.2. Esai. 65.3.Lev 26:25Hos 12:2Ps 2:2Isa 65:3 the controversie his owne, the injuries and indignities have beene done to himselfe and his owne sonne, the challenges have beene sent unto himselfe and his owne Spirit: And therefore no marvell if hee take the matter into his owne hands, and the quarrell so immediatly reflecting upon him, if he be provoked to revenge it by his owne immediate power.

Secondly, revenge is his royalty and peculiar prerogative, Deut. 32.35.41. from whence the Apostle inferres, That it is a fearefull thing to fall into the hands of the living God, Heb. 10.30, 31. And there are these arguments of fearefulnesse in it; First, it shall be in Iudgement without mercy, Iam. 2.13. there shall be no mixture of any sweetnesse in the cup of Gods displeasure, but all poison and bitternesse; there shall not bee affoorded a drop of water to a lake of fire, a minute of eafe to an eternity of torment. Secondly, it shall be in fury without compassion: In humane judgements where the law of the state will not suffer a Judge to acquit or shew mercy, yet the law of nature will force him to cōpassionate & grieve for the malefactor whom he must condemne. There is no Judge so senselesse of anothers miserie, nor so destitute of humane affections as to pronounce a sentence of condemnation with laughter. But the Lord will condemne his enemies in vengeance without any pittie. I will laugh, saith the Lord, at your calamity, I will mocke when your feare commeth, Prov. 1.26. Thirdly, it shall bee in revenge and recompence, in reward and proportion, that is, in a full and everlasting detestation of wicked men, p. 101the weight whereof shall peradventure lye heavier upon them, than all the other torments which they are to suffer, when they shall looke on themselves as scorned and abhorred exiles from the favour and presence of him that made them. For as the wicked did here hate God, and set their hearts and their courses against him in suo aeterno in all that time which God permitted them to sinne in: so God will hate wicked men, and set his face and fury against them in suo aeterno too, as long as he shall be Judge of the world.

Thirdly, this may be seene in the inchoations of hell in wicked men upon the earth. When the doore of the conscience is opened and that sin, which lay there asleepe before, riseth up like an enraged Lion to fly upon the soule, when the Lord suffers some flashes of his glittering sword to breake in like lightening upon the Spirit, and to amaze a sinner with the pledges and first fruits of hell, when he melteth the stout hearts of men, and grindeth them unto powder, what is all this but the secret touch of Gods owne finger upon the conscience? For there is no creature in the world whose ministerie the heart doth discerne, in the estuations and invisible workings of a guilty and unquiet spirit.

Fourthly, the torments of wicked angels whence can they come? there is no Creature strong enough to lay upon them a sufficient recompence of paine for their sinne against the Majestie of God. And for the disputes of Schoole-men touching corporall fire in hell, and the manner of elevating and applying corporall agents to worke upon spirituall substances, they are but the intemperate nicities of men ignorant of the Scriptures, and of the terrour of the Lord, who is himselfe a consuming fire. The divels acknowledge Christ their Tormentor, and that when hee did nothing but rebuke them: there was no fire, nor any other creature by him applied, but onelyonly the Majesty of his owne word, power, and person, p. 102which wrung from them that hideous cry, Art thou come to torment us before the time? Matth. 8.29.

Lastly, consider the heavinesse of Christs owne soule, his agonie and sense of the curse due unto our sinne when he was in the garden,Mat. 26.37. Luk. 22.44. Ioh. 12.27. Mark. 14.33, 34.Matt 26:37Luke 22:44John 12:27Mark 14:33Mark 14:34 the trouble, astonishment, and extreme anguish of his soule, which wrought out of his sacred body that woefull and wonderfull sweat. Whence came it all? wee reade never of any divels let loose to torment him, they were ever tormented at his presence. We reade of no other Angels that had commission to afflict him, we reade of an Angell which was sent to strengthen him, Luk. 22.43. There is no reason to thinke that the feare of a bodily death, which was the onelyonly thing that men could inflict upon him, was that which squeezed out those drops of bloud, and extorted those bitter and strong cries from him. There were not in his innocent soule, in his most pure and sacred body any seeds or principles of such tormenting distempers; his compassion towards the misery of sinners, his knowledge of the guilt and cursednesse of sinne, was as great at other times as now: What then could it else be, but the weight of his Fathers justice, the conflict with his Fathers wrath against the sinnes of men, which wrought such extremity of heavinesse in his soule? And hee was our suretie, he stood in our stead, that which was done to the greene tree, should much more have beene done to the dry; If God layd upon him the strokes which were due unto our sinne, how much more heavie shall his hand be upon those whom he throughly hateth?

But shall not the Angels then be executioners of the sentence of Gods wrath upon wicked men? I answere, The Angels shal have their service in the comming of the Lord. First, as Attendants, to shew forth the majestie and glory of Christ to the world, 2 Thes. 1.7. Matth. 24.31. Secondly, as executioners of his will, which is to gather together the Elect and the reprobate, to binde p. 103up the wicked as sheaves or faggots for the fire. Matth. 13.30.24.31. But yet still the Lord interposeth his owne power. As a Schoolemaster setteth one scholar to bring forth another unto punishment, but then hee layeth on the stripes himselfe.

But why is it said that the Father shal put Christs enemies under his feet? doth not Christ himselfe do it as well as the Father? yes doubtlesse. God hath given the Sonne authority to execute Iudgement also, and put into his hands a rod of iron, to dash his enemies to peeces like a potters vessell; for whatsoever things the father doth, these also doth the sonne likewise, Ioh. 5.19.27. Psal. 2.9. But we are to note that the subjecting of Christs enemies under his feete is a worke of divine power. And therefore though it be attributed to Christ as an Officer, yet it belongeth to the Father, as the Fountaine of all divine operations. So God is said to have set forth his Sonne as a propitiation, Rom. 3.25. and yet the Sonne came downe and manifested himselfe, Phil. 2.7, 8. Heb. 9.26. The Father is said to have raised him from the dead, Act. 2.32 Rom. 6.4. and yet the Sonne raised himselfe by his owne power, Iohn 10.18. the Father is said to have set Christ at his owne right hand in heavenly places, Ephes. 1.20. and Christ is said to have sate downe himselfe on the right hand of the Majestie on high, Heb. 1.3.10.12. The Father is said to give the holy Ghost, Ioh. 14.16. and yet the Sonne promiseth to send him himselfe, Ioh. 16.7. so here, though the Sonne have received power sufficient to subdue all his enemies under his feete (for he is able to subdue all things unto himselfe, Phil. 3.21.) yet the Father to shew his hatred against the enemies of Christ, and his consent to the victories of his Son, will likewise subdue all things unto him, 1 Cor. 15.27, 28.

O then that men would be by the terrour of the Lord perswaded to fly from the wrath to come, to consider the weight of Gods heavie hand, and when they see such a p. 104storme comming to hide themselves in the holes of that Rocke of mercy. It is nothing but Atheisme and infidelity which bewitcheth men with desperate senselesnesse against the vengeance of God. And therefore as the Lord hath seconded his Word of Promise with an oath, that they might have strong consolation who flye for refuge to lay hold on the hope which is set before them, Heb. 6.17, 18. So hath hee confirmed the Word of his threatnings with an oath too. If I lift up my hand to heaven and say, I live for ever — I will render vengeance to mine enemies, I will reward them that hate me, Deut. 32.40 41. and againe, The Lord hath sworne by the excellency of Iacob, surely I will never forget any of their workes, Amos 8.7. and againe, I have sworne by my selfe, that unto me every knee shall bow▪ Esai. 45.23. and this he doth that secure and obdurate sinners might have the stronger reasons to flye from the wrath which is set before them. O nos miseros, qui nec juranti Deo credimus! How wonderfull is the stupidity of men, that will neither beleeve the words, nor tremble at the oath of God? Hee warneth us to fly from the wrath to come, and we make haste to meete it the rather: wee fill up our measure, and commit sinne with both hands greedily, with uncleane and intemperate courses, we bring immature deaths upon our selves, that so we may hasten to hell the sooner, and make triall whether God be a liar or no. For this indeed is the very direct issue of every profane exorbitancy which men rush into. Every man hath much Atheisme in his heart by nature, but such desperate stupidity doth wonderfully improve it, and bring men by degrees to the hellish presumption of those in the Prophets, The Lord will not doe good, Ier. 5.11, 12.Jer 5:11Jer 5:12neither will he doe evill; It is not the Lord, neither shall evill come upon us, the Prophets shall become winde, and the word is not in them. The dayes are prolonged and the vision shall faile; Ezek. 12.22.Ezek 12:22this man prophesieth of things afarre off, of doomes day, of things which p. 105shall be long after our time. VntoUnto these men, I say, in the words of the Apostle, though they sleep, and see nothing, and mocke at the promise of Christs comming, yet their damnation sleepeth not, 2 Pet. 23.but shall come upon them soone enough, even like an armed man. Be not ye mockers, saith the Prophet, lest your bands be made strong. Esai. 28.22.Isa 28:22Atheisme, and scorne of Gods judgements will make him binde them the faster upon us, he will get the better of the proudest of his enemies. Wee may mocke, but God will not be mocked. Gal. 6.7, 8.Gal 6:7Gal 6:8Hee that shooteth arrowes against the Sunne, shall never reach high enough to violate it, but the arrowes shall returne upon his owne head. Contempt of God, and his threatnings doth but tye our damnation the faster upon us, and make our condition the more remedilesse.2 Chro. 36.16.2 Chr 36:16 The rage and wrestling of a beast with the rope which bindes him, doth make the knot the faster. Nay, there is no Atheist in the world, but some time or other feeleth by the horrours of his owne bosome, and by the records of his owne conscience, that there is a consumption decreed, and a day of slaughter comming for the buls of Bashan.

Againe, others I have knowne acknowledge indeede the terrour of the Lord, but yet goe desperately on in their presumptions, and that upon two other dangerous downefals: First, they thus argue, peradventure I belong to Gods Election of Grace, and then he will fetch me in, in his time, and in the meane time his mercy is above my sinnes, and it is not for me to hasten his worke till he will himselfe. O what a perversenesse is this for the wickednesse of man to perturbe the Order of God? His Rule is, that we should argue from a holy conversation to our Election, and by our diligence in adding one grace unto another to make it sure unto our selves; not to argue from our Election to our calling, nor to neglect all diligence till our Election appeare. It is true, the mercy of Christ is infinitely wider than the very rebellions of men, p. 106and it may be hee will snatch such a wicked disputer as this like a brand out of the fire. But then know withall, that every desperate sin thou dost now wilfully run into, will at last cost thee such bitter throwes such bloudy teares, as thou wouldest not be willing with the least of them to purchase the most sweete and constant pleasure which thy heart can now delight in. And in the meane time it is a bloody adventure upon the patience of God,Medium interim surantur tempus & commeatum faciu…t delinquendi. Tertull. Ion. 3.8, 9.Jonah 3:8Jonah 3:9 for any man upon expectation of Gods favour to steale time from his service, and to turne the possibilitie of the mercy of God into an occasion of sinning. The Ninivites gathered another conclusion from those premises; Let man and beast be covered with sackecloth and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turne every one from their evill way, and from the violence which is in their hands: and the ground of this resolution was this, Who can tell if God will turne and repent, and turne away from his fierce anger that wee perish not? And the Prophets teach us to make another use of the possibility of Gods mercy; Rent your hearts and not your garments, and turne unto the Lord your God, Ioel 2.12, 14.Joel 2:12Joel 2:14for he is gratious and mercifull, slow to anger, and of great kindenesse, and repenteth him of the evill. Who knoweth if he will returne and repent, and leave a blessing behinde him, &c. and againe, Seeke ye the Lord all ye meeke of the earth, Zeph. 2.3.Zeph 2:3seeke righteousnesse, seeke meeknesse, it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the Lords anger.

But then secondly, there are not wanting desperate wretches who will thus hellishly argue against the service of God. It may be the decree is gone forth, and I am rejected by God, and why should I labour in vaine, and goe about to repeale his will, and not rather, since I shall have no heaven hereafter, take the fill of mine owne wayes and lusts here? Thus we finde the wicked Epicures conclude, Wee shall dye tomorrow, and therefore let us eate and drinke to day. 1 Cor. 15.32.1 Cor 15:32Nay, but who art thou, O p. 107man, who disputest against God? who rather choosest to abuse the secrets of God, that thou maiest dishonour him, than to bee ruled by his revealed will, that thou maist obey him? Let the potsheards strive with the potsheards of the earth, but let not the Clay dash it selfe against him that made it. Remember and tremble at the difference which our Saviour makes even amongst the wicked in hell. It shall be easier for Sodome and Gomorrah, and for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgement, than for those cities which have heard and despised him. Wicked men are treasuring up of wrath, and hoording up of destruction against their owne soules, every new oath or blasphemie heapes a new mountaine upon their conscience; every renewed act of any uncleannesse plungeth a man deeper into hell, giveth the divell more hold fast of him, adds more fuell unto his Tophet, squeezeth in more dregges and woefull ingredients into the cup of astonishment which he must swallow. Doubtlesse a sinner in hell would account himselfe a blessed creature if hee did not feele there the weight and worme of such and such particular sinnes, which with much easinesse he might have forborne, nay which without paine and labour hee could not commit. We see Dives in hell begg'd for but a drop of water to coole his tongue in that mightie flame. Now suppose a man in a burning fornace; what great comfort could he receive from but a drop of water against a fornace of fire? Certainely the abatement of so much paine as the abiding of one drop would remove, could in no proportion amount to the taking away the punishment of the smallest sin, of the least idle word, or unprofitable thought; and yet in that extremity there shall not bee allowed a drop of refreshment against a lake of fire. O that men would therefore in time consider what a woefull thing it is to fall into the hands, and to rowze up the jealousie of the living God; that because he will doe thus and thus unto obdurate sinners, p. 106duplicate page p. 107duplicate page p. 108they would therefore in time humble themselves under his mightie hand, and prepare to meete him in the way of his judgements. For certainely no sooner doth the heart of a Sinner yeeld to God, but hee meeteth him in his returne and preventeth him with goodnesse, his heart likewise is turned within him, and his repentings are kindled together. With much more delight will he put a man into the armes of Christ, than for…e him under his feet. He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men; he taketh no pleasure in the death of a sinner, but he delighteth in mercy.

The last thing observed was the Manner of this victory, expressed in those words, Ponam, and ponam scabellum. To put, and to put as a stoole under Christs feet. Now this expression, that the conquest of Christs enemies shall bee but as the removing of a stoole into his place, noteth unto us two things:

First, the easinesse of Gods victory over the enemies of Christ. They are before him as nothing, lesse than nothing,Esai. 41.15.Isa 41:15 the drop of a bucket, the dust of a ballance, a very little thing. What thing is heavier than a mountaine, what thing easier than a touch, what lighter than chaffe, or softer than wax? and yet they who in the eyes of men are as strong and immoveable as mountaines, if God but touch them they shall bee turned into chaffe, and flow at his presence.Esai 64.3.Isa 64:3 If a man had a deadly pestilence and of infallible infection, how easily might that man be avenged on his enemy with but breathing in his face? Now the breath of the Lord is like a streame of brimstone to devoure the wicked.Esai. 30 33.Isa 30:33 As easily as fire consumeth flax or stubble,Esai. 27.4. Esai. 47.14. Zech. 12.3, 6. Psal. 2.9.Isa 27:4Isa 47:14Zech 12:3Zech 12:6Ps 2:9 as easily as poyson invadeth the spirits of the body, as easily as a rod of iron breaketh in peeces a potters vessell, as easily as a burdensome stone bruizeth that which it fals upon; so, and much more irresistibly doth the wrath of the Lord consume his enemies.

p. 109Not to insist long on so certaine and obvious a truth. Farre easier wee know it is to destroy than to build up, there is no such art required in demolishing,Corpora tardè augescunt citò extinguuntur. Tac. as there is in erecting of an edifice, those things which are long and difficultly growing up, are suddenly extinguished. Since therfore God had power and wisedome to make the creature, no wonder if hee can most easily destroy him.

Againe, Gods power is as it were set on by his jealousie and fury against sinners. Anger wee know is the whetstone of strength, in an equality of other termes it will make a man prevaile. Nothing is able to stand before a fire which is once enrag'd. Now Gods displeasure is kindled, and breaketh forth into a flame against the sinnes of men, Deut. 29.20. like a devouring Lion, or a bereaved Beare, like the implacable rage of a jealous man, so doth the fire of the Lords revenge breake forth upon the enemies of his Sonne.

Adde hereunto our disposition and preparednesse for the wrath of God.Hos. 13.7, 8. Prov. 6.34. Cant. 8.6. Ezek. 36.5.Hos 13:7Hos 13:8Prov 6:34Song 8:6Ezek 36:5 Strength it selfe may bee tired out in vaine upon a subject which is uncapable of any injury therefrom. But if the paw of a Beare meet with so thinne a substance as the kall of a mans heart, how easily is it torne to pieces? Every action is then most speedily finished when the subject on which it workes is thereunto prepared. Farre easier is it to make a print in wax than in Adamant, to kindle a fire in dry stubble, than in greene wood. Now wicked men have fitted themselves for wrath, and are the procurers, and artificers of their owne destruction. They are vessels,Rom. 9 22. Esai. 3.9. Ier. 2.17. Ier. 4.18. Hos. 13.9.Rom 9:22Isa 3:9Jer 2:17Jer 4:18Hos 13:9 and God is never without treasures of wrath, so that the confusion of a wicked man is but like the drawing of water out of a fountaine, or the filling of a bag out of a heape of treasure.

Lastly, adde hereunto our destitutenesse of all helpe & succor. Even fire amongst pitch might bee quenched, if a man could powre downe water in abundance upon it. p. 110But the wicked shall have no strength either in or about them to prevent or remove the wrath to come. Here indeed they have some helpes (such as they are) to stand out against God in his word. Weatlh and greatnesse to bee the provisions of their lusts, the countenance of the wicked world to encourage them in their wayes; Satan and the wisedome of the flesh to furnish them with arguments, and to cast a varnish upon uncleanesse: but when the lion comes the shepheard can doe the sheepe no good, when the fire comes the rotten post shall perish with the varnish which cover'd it. Hee that was here strong enough to provoke God, shall at last bee bound hand and foote, and so have no faculty left either to resist him or to runne from him.

There is a foolish disposition in the hearts of men to thinke that they shall ever continue in that estate which they are once in. The proud and wicked man hath said in his heart,Psal. 10.6.11.Ps 10:6Ps 10:11 I shall never bee moved, I shall never bee in adversity. God hath forgotten, hee hideth his face, hee will never see it. And the Prophet David was overtaken with this grosse error, I said in my prosperity I shall never bee moved. Luk. 12.19. Mic. 3.11. Deut. 29.19. Esai. 56.12. Esai. 38.12. Ezek. 37.11.Luke 12:19Mic 3:11Deut 29:19Isa 56:12Isa 38:12Ezek 37:11This was the vaine conceite of the foole in the gospell, thou hast much laid up for many years, take thine ease, eate, drinke, and bee merry. This ever hath been the language of secure and wicked men, No evill shall come upon us, I shall have peace though I walke in the imagination of mine heart. To morrow shall bee as this day and much more abundant. And so also in afflictions; Hath the Lord forgotten to bee gratious and shut up his loving kindnesse in displeasure? from day even to night wilt thou make an end of mee. I said my hope is left and I am cut off for my part. I shall never overcome such an affliction, I shall never breake through such a pressure. And both these come from want of faith touching the power of God to subdue all enemies under Christs feete. If men would but consider how easily God can breake downe p. 111all their cobwebs, and sweepe away their refuge of lies, how easily hee can spoile them of all the provisions of their lusts, and leave them like a lambe in a large place, they would bee more fearfull of him▪ and lesse dote upon things which will not profit, they would take heed how they abuse their youth, strength, time, abilities, as if they had a spring of them all within themselves, and consider that their good is not in their owne hand, that the seithe can get as well through the greene grasse as the dry stubble, that consuming fire can as well melt the hardest metall as the softest wax. What is the reason why men in sore extremities make strong resolutions, and vow much repentance and amendment of life, and yet as soone as they are off from the rack returne againe to their vomit, and wallow in their wonted lusts, but because their sense made them feele that then, which if they had faith they might still perceive, and so still continue in the same good resolutions, namely that Gods hand was neere unto them? But what, is not God a God afarre off as well as neere at hand? doth not hee say of wicked men,Iob 20.22. Amos 4.7. Hos…. 2.9. Hag. 1.9. Hos. 9.2. Psal. 78.30, 31.Job 20:22Amos 4:7Hag 1:9Hos 9:2Ps 78:30Ps 78:31 that in the fulnesse of their sufficiency they shall bee in straites? cannot hee blast the corne in the blade, in the harvest, in the barne, in the very mouth of the wicked? Did hee not cut off Belshazzar in his cups, and Herod in his robas, and Babylon and Tyrus in their pride, and Haman in his favor, and Iezabel in her paint? Have but faith enough to say I am a man, and therefore no humane events should bee strange unto mee, and even that one consideration may keepe a man from outrage of sinning. It may bee I have abundance of earthly things, yet am I still but a gilded potsheard: It may bee I have excellent endowments, but I have them all in an earthen vessell. And shall the potsheard strive with the potter, and provoke him that made it? This would teach us to feare and tremble at Gods power. Though wee looke upon death and judgment as a-farre off, yet God p. 112can make them neere when hee will, for hee hath said that the damnation of wicked men is swift, and that they are neere unto cursing. 2 Pet. 2.1. Heb. 6 8. Host. 8.1. Zech 5.1. Hos. 5.7. Hos 10.15. Esai. 47.9. Eccle. 8.12, 13.2 Pet 2:1Heb 6:8Zech 5:1Hos 5:7Hos 10:15Isa 47:9Eccl 8:12Eccl 8:13His judgments are like lightning, and have wings suddenly to overtake a sinner. Hee requires but a monethmonth, nay but a morning, nay but a moment to consume his enemies, and bring desolation upon those who said they should …it as a Lady for ever, and did never remember the latter end. Though a sinner doe evill an hundred times, and his dayes bee prolonged, namely by the patience and permission of God, in whose hands his dayes are, yet it shall goe well at last onelyonly with those that feare God; The wicked are not able to prolong their owne dayes.

Againe, for Afflictions and Temptations, it is a great fruit of the infidelity of mens hearts, and a foolish charging and chiding of our Maker, to accompt our selves swallowed up of any present pressure. If we did but consider that it is as easie with God to subdue our enemies, and to rebuke our afflictions as it is with us to put a stoole under our feete, wee would then learne to waite on him in all our distresses, and when we cannot answere difficulties, nor extricate our selves out of our owne doubts or fears, to conclude that his thoughts are above our thoughts, and his wayes above our wayes, and so to cast our selves wholly upon his power.Esai. 55.8, 9.Isa 55:8Isa 55:9 Tis an argument which the Lord every where useth to establish his Church withall:Esai. 8.12, 13.Isa 8:12Isa 8:13 Feare not the feare of men, nor bee affraid, but sanctifie the Lord of hosts himselfe, and let him bee your feare. Who art thou that thou shouldst bee affraid of a man that shall dye, and of the Sonne of Man which shall bee made as grasse; Esai. 51.12, 13.Isa 51:12Isa 51:13and forgettest the Lord thy maker, and hast feared every day because of the fury of the oppressor? Zech. 8.6, 7.Zech 8:6Zech 8:7And where is the fury of the oppressor? If it bee marvailous in the eyes of the remnant of this people, should it bee marvailous in mine eyes, saith the Lord of hosts? Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh, is there p. 113any thing too hard for mee? Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. Hee shall bee as a tree planted by the waters, Ier. 32.27. Gen. 18.14. Ier. 17.7, 8. Esai 41.17, 18. Hab. 3.17▪19.Jer 32:27Gen 18:14Jer 17:7Jer 17:8Isa 41:17Isa 41:18Hab 3:17Hab 3:19which shall not bee carefull in the yeere of drought. When the poore and needy seeke water and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will heare them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them. Though the fig-tree shall not blossome, neither shall fruite bee in the vines, the labor of the olive shall faile, and the field shall yeeld no meate, the flock shall bee cut off from the fould, and there shall bee no heard in the stals: yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Hee is able to doe abundantly above all that wee can ask or thinke. God would never so frequently carry men to the dependance upon his power, if they were not apt in extremities to judge of God by themselves, and to suspect his power.

Secondly, as this Putting of Christs enemies like a stoole under his feete noteth Easinesse, so also it noteth Order or Beauty too. When Christs enemies shall bee under his foote, then there shall bee a right Order in things, then it shall indeed appeare that God is a God of Order, and therefore the day wherin that shall bee done, is called the Time of the Restitution of all things, Act. 3.21. The putting of Christs enemies under his feete is an Act of Iustice, and of all other,foreign. Arist. Ethic. lib. 5. cap. 1. Iustice is the most orderly vertue, that which keepeth beauty upon the face of a people, as consisting it selfe in a symmetrie, and proportion. Againe, every thing out of its owne place is out of order, but when things are all in their proper places and due proportions, then there results a beauty and comelinesse from them. In a great house there are many vessels, some of wood and brasse, others of gold and silver. some for honorable, others for base and sordid uses; Now if all these were confusedly together in one roome a man would conclude that things were out of order, but when the plate is in one place, the brasse and wood in p. 114another, wee acknowledge a decency and cleanlinesse in such a house. Let a body bee of never so exact temperature and delicate complexion, yet if any member therin bee misplaced, the eye in the roome of the eare, or the cheeke of the forehead, there can bee no beauty in such a body: So in the Church, till God set every one in his right place, the order thereof is but imperfect. Therefore when Iudas was put under Christs feete, hee is said to have gone foreign, unto his owne place, Act. 1.25.

Why then should any man murmure at the prosperity of wicked men,Ezek. 18.25. Mal. 3.14, 15.Ezek 18:25Mal 3:14Mal 3:15 or conceive of Gods proceedings as if they were irregular and unequall, as if there were no profit for those who walke mournfully, but the proud, and wicked workers were set up? This is to revile the workman while hee is yet in the fitting of his worke. The pieces are not yet put together in their proper joints, and therefore no marvell if the evennesse and beauty of Gods workes bee not so plainly discovered. For every thing is beautifull in its time; what though the corne in the field hang downe the head, and the weeds seeme to flourish and overtop it; stay but till the harvest, and it will then appeare which was for the garner, and which for the fire. Goe into the Sanctuary of the Lord, and by faith looke unto the day of the revelation of Gods righteous judgments, and it will appeare that the wayes of the Lord are right, Hos. 14.9.Hos 14:9though the transgressors stumble in them, or bee offended at them.

Secondly, from hence every man may learne how to bring beauty and order into himselfe, namely by subduing those enemies of Christ, those lusts and evill affections which dwell within him. Lawes wee know are the ligaments and sinewes of a state, the strings as it were which being touched and animated by skilfull governors doe yield that excellent harmonie which is to bee seen in well constituted common wealths; the more they prevaile so much the more unitie is preserved and faction p. 115abated, and community cherished in the mindes of men: Even so where the Scepter of Christ, the Law of the minde, the roiall Law of Liberty and grace doe more prevaile over the lusts of the heart, by so much the more excellent is the harmonie and complexion of such a soule.

Now the last thing in this verse is,Psal. 8.6.Ps 8:6 Scabellum pedibus tuis. A stoole under thy feete. Things are under Christs feete two manner of wayes: Either by way of subjection as Servants unto him, and so hee hath dominion over all the workes of Gods hands,Eph. 1.21, 22.Eph 1:21Eph 1:22 and hath all things put under his feete. So the Apostle saith, that God hath set him at his owne right hand in heavenly places, farre above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion and every name that is named, not onelyonly in this world but also in that which is to come;1 Pet. 3.22.1 Pet 3:22 And hath put all things under his feete, and gave him to bee the head over all things to the Church. Which S. Peter expresseth in a like manner: Hee is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God, Angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him: Or secondly, by way of victorie and insultation, and so all Christs enemies are put under his feete. Which is the most proper way. For the members of Christ are indeed under the head. So wee finde that the sheepe of Christ are in his hands. Ioh. 10.28. Esai. 40.11. Esai. 63.1·3. Ioel 3.13, 14. Revel. 14.20.John 10:28Isa 40:11Isa 63:1Joel 3:13Joel 3:14Rev 14:20No man shall pluck them out of my hand. And the Lambes of Christ are in his armes, and bosome. Hee shall gather the Lambs with his arme, and carry them in his bosome. But the enemies of Christ are under his feete to bee trampled upon, till their bloud bee squeezed out, and his garments stained with it. All the multiplied multitudes of the wicked in the world shall bee but as so many Clusters of ripe grapes to bee cast into the great winepresse of the wrath of God, and to bee troden by him who went forth on a white horse conquering and to conquer, till the bloud come out of the winepresse even unto the p. 116horse bridles. And this is an usuall expression of a totall victory in holy Scripture, the laying of an adversary even with the ground, that hee may bee crushed and trampled upon. This was the curse of the Serpent that hee should crawle with his belly upon the dust of the earth,Gen. 3.14. Luk. 10.19. Rom. 16.20. Psal. 68.23.Gen 3:14Luke 10:19Rom 16:20Ps 68:23 and that the seed of the woman should bruize his head. And it is the curse of Gods enemies, that they should lick the dust, and that the feete of the Church and the tongue of her dogs should bee dipped in the bloud of her enemies. Thus David put the people of Rabbah under harrowes; and Iehu trod Iezabel under his horses feete.2 Sam. 12.31. 2 Kings 9.33. Lam. 1.15.2 Sam 12:312 Kgs 9:33Lam 1:15 And therefore the Church chooseth that phrase to expresse the greatnesse of her calamity by. The Lord hath trodden under foote all my mighty men in the midst of mee; hee hath called an assembly against mee to crush my yong men. The Lord hath trodden the Virgin, the Daughter of Iuda as in a wine-presse.

Now this putting of Christs enemies as a stoole under his feet, notes unto us in regard of Christ two things: First, his Rest; and secondly, his Triumph. To stand, in the Scripture Phrase (as I have before observed) denoteth Ministery, and to Sit, Rest; and there is no posture more easie than to sit with a stoole under ones feet. Till Christs enemies then be all under his feet, he is not fully in his Rest. It is true, in his owne person he is in Rest, he hath finished the worke which was given him to doe, and therefore is entred into his rest. Hee hath alreadie ascended up on high, and led captivity captive; yet in his members he still suffers, though not by way of paine or passion, yet by way of Sympathy or compassion, he is touched with a feeling of our infirmities, Heb. 4.15. As by the things which he suffered,Heb. 5.8. Heb. 2.17, 18.Heb 5:8Heb 2:17Heb 2:18 he learned obedience towards God, so by the same sufferings hee learned compassion, and thereupon mercy and fidelity towards his members; for no man can be more tenderly faithfull in the businesse of another, than he who by his owne experience p. 117knoweth the consequence and necessity of it. And therefore he is said to be afflicted in all the afflictions of his people;Esay. 63.9. Coloss. 1.24.Isa 63:9Col 1:24 and the Apostle tels us that the afflictions of the Saints fill up the remainders, or that which is behinde, of the sufferings of Christ; for as the Church is called the fulnesse of Christ, who yet of himselfe is so full, as that he filleth all in all (neither doth the Church serve to supply his defects, but to magnifie his mercy:) so the Churches sufferings are esteemed the fulnesse of the sufferings of Christ, although his were of themselves so full before, as that they had a consummatum est to seale up both their measure and their merit; and therefore our sufferings are called his, not by way of addition, or improvement unto those, but by way of honour and dignitie unto us, they shew Christs compassion towards us, and our union and conformitie to him, but no way either any defect of vertue in his, or any value of merit in ours, or any ecclesiasticall treasure, or redundancie out of a mixture of both, very profitable they are for the edification of the Church, but very base and unworthy for the expiation of sinne: very profitable for the comfort of men, but very unprofitable to the justice of God. So then, though Christ rest from suffering in himselfe, yet not in his Saints; though the Serpent cannot come to the head, yet it is still bruizing of his heele. Here then the Apostles inference is good, there remaineth therefore rest unto the people of God, and that such a glorious rest as must arise out of the ruine of their enemies, when the wicked perish they shall see it and rejoyce, and shall wash their feet in the bloud of their adversaries. The revenge of God against his enemies is such, as shall bring an ease with it: Ah, saith the Lord, I will ease me of mine adversaries,Esay 65.13. Esay 66.5.Isa 65:13Isa 66:5 I will avenge me of mine enemies, Esay 1.24. This is the comfort which the Lord giveth his people, that they shall be full when their enemies shall be hungry, and that he will appeare to their p. 118joy, when their enemies shall be ashamed.

This must teach wicked men to take heed of persecuting the members of Christ, for they therein are professed enemies to him whom yet they would seeme to worship. This is certaine, that all the counsels and resolutions which are made against the subjects or lawes of Christs kingdome, are but vaine imaginations which shall never be executed; He will at last avenge the quarrell of his people, and in spight of all the power or malice of hell, make them to sit actually in heavenly places with him, whom he hath virtually and representatively carried thither alreadie. And it should comfort the faithfull in all their sufferings for Christs sake: Because hereby they are, first, Conformable unto him: Secondly, they are Associates with him: Thirdly, they are assured that they are in a way to rest: for, saith the Apostle, it is just with God to recompence tribulation to them that trouble you,2 Thess. 1.6, 7.2 Thess 1:62 Thess 1:7 and to you who are troubled rest, when the Lord Iesus shall be revealed from heaven. And inasmuch, saith Saint Peter, as you are partakers of Christs sufferings, when his glory shall be revealed, ye shall be glad also with exceeding joy: 1 Pet 4.13.1 Pet 4:13And this joy shall be so much the greater, because it shall grow out of the everlasting subjection of the enemie under Christs feet, and those whom here they persecuted and despised, shal there with Christ be their judges.1 Cor. 6.2, 3.1 Cor 6:21 Cor 6:3

Secondly, as it noteth the Rest, so likewise the Triumph of Christ, Alex. ab Alex. Gen. dier. lib. 6. cap. 6. Rosin. Antiq. Rom. l. 10. c. 29.when he shall set his feet on the necke of his enemies. The Apostle saith, that he triumphed over them in his Crosse, Coloss. 2.15. And there are two words which have an allusion unto the formes of triumph, Expoliation and Publication, or representation of the pompe unto the world of the faithfull. He spoiled principalities and powers, that is, He tooke from them all their armour wherein they trusted, and divided the spoiles, Luke 11.22. The armour of Satan was principally p. 119the hand-writing of the Law which was against us, or contrary unto us, so long as wee were under the full force and rigour of that, so long we were under the possession and tyranny of Satan; but when Christ nailed that unto the Crosse, and tooke it out of the way, then all the other panoply of Satan was easily taken from him: he was then spoiled of all his weapons and provisions of lust, for the world, and therewithall the things which are in the world,Gal. 6.14.Gal 6:14 were unto us crucified in the Crosse of Christ; so that now by faith in him wee are able to overcome the world, to value it aright,1 Iohn 5.4, 5.1 John 5:41 John 5:5 to esteeme the promises thereof thinne and empty, and the threatnings thereof vaine and false;Heb. 11.26.Heb 11:26 the treasures thereof baser than the very reproches of Christ,Rom. 8.18.Rom 8:18 and the afflictions thereof not worthy to bee compared with the glory which shall bee revealed in us,2 Cor. 17. as being in their measure but light, and but momentary in their duration. The power and wisdome of Satan was likewise in the Crosse of Christ most notably befooled and disappointed; for when hee thought that hee had now swallowed up Christ, hee found a hooke under that bait, he found that which neither himselfe, nor any of his instruments could have suspected, that Christ crucified was indeed the wisdome of God, and the power of God, and that through death hee chose to destroy him who had the power of death, 1 Cor. 1.24. Heb. 2.14. Againe, he made a shew, or publike representation of this his victory, and of these his spoiles openly unto the world. As the Crosse was his triumphall chariot, so was it likewise ferculum pompae, the pageant, as it were, and table of his spoiles, for though to a carnall eye there was nothing but ignominy and dishonour in it, yet to those that are called, there is an eye of faith given to see in the Crosse of Christ Hell disappointed, Satan confounded, his kingdome demolished, the earthly members of the old man crucified, affections and lusts abated, and captivity alreadie p. 120led captive. And indeed what triumph of any the most glorious Conquerour was ever honoured with the opening of graves, the resurrection of the dead, the conversion of enemies, the acclamation of mute and inanimate creatures, the darknesse of the Sunne, the trembling of the earth, the compassion of the rockes, the amazement of the world, the admiration of the Angels of heaven, but onelyonly this triumph of Christ upon the Crosse? And if he did so triumph there, how much more at the right hand of the Majestie on high, where he is crowned with glory and honour; and at that great day, which is therefore called the Day of the Lord Iesus, because hee will therein consummate his triumph over all his enemies, when hee shall come with the attendance of Angels, in a chariot of fire, with all the unbeleevers of the world bound before his Throne, and with the clamour, applause, and admiration of all the Saints.

And this is a plentifull ground of comfort to the faithfull in all their conflicts with Satan, sinne, temptations, or corruptions, they fight under his protection, and with his Spirit who hath himselfe already triumphed, who accounteth our temptations his, and his victories ours; who turned the sorest perplexities which the world shal ever see, into a doctrine of comfort unto his Disciples, Luke 21.25-28. When ever then we are assaulted with any heavie temptation to discomforts, feares, fainting, wearinesse, despaire, sinfull conformities or the like; let us not tosse over our owne store, nor depend upon any strength or principles of our owne, but looke onelyonly by faith unto the victories of Christ, and to this great promise which is here made unto him, as Head and Captaine of the Church, by whom wee shall be able to doe all things, and though wee were surrounded with enemies, to escape, as he did, thorow the midst of them all. Wee know the Cats unum magnum, in the fable, was more worth than the Foxes thousand shifts, notwithstanding p. 121all the which he was caught at the last. Our enemies come against us in armies, with infinite methods and stratagems to circumvent us, this onelyonly is our comfort, that we have unum magnum, one refuge which is above all the wisdome of the enemie, to climbe up unto the Crosse of Christ, and to commit the keeping of our soules unto him, out of whose hands no man can take them. When David went forth against Goliah, he did not grapple with him by his owne strength, but with his Sling and his stone at a distance overthrew him. It is not good to let Satan come too close unto the soule, to let in his temptations, or to enter into any private and intimate combate with him (this was for our Captain onelyonly to doe, who we know entred into the field with him, as being certaine of his owne strength) but our onelyonly way to prevaile against him, is to take faith as a sling, and Christ as a stone, he will undoubtedly finde out a place to enter in and to sinke the proudest enemie: we are beset with enemies, yea, we are enemies unto our selves, the burden of the flesh, the assaults of the world, the firy darts of Satan, treason within, and warres without, swarmes of Midianites, troopes of Amalekites, the Sea before us, the Aegyptian behinde us, sinne before, Satan and the world behinde, either I must runne on and bee drowned in sinne, or I must stand still and be hewed in peeces with the persecutions of wicked men, or I must revolt and turne backe to Aegypt, and so be devoured in her plagues. In these extremities the Apostle hath given us our unum magnum, Looke unto Iesus, he that is the Author, will be the finisher of our faith:Heb. 12.1, 2. Heb. 10.36, 37.Heb 12:1Heb 12:2Heb 10:36Heb 10:37 It is yet but a little while, he will come and will not tarry, he is within the view of our faith, hee is within the crie of our prayers, hee sitteth at the right hand of power, nay, hee there standeth, and is risen up already in the quarrell of his Saints, Act. 7.56. The nearer the Aegyptian is to Israel, the nearer he is to ruine, and the nearer Israel is to p. 122deliverance. Though Moses have not Chariots, nor multitudes of weapons,Esay 11.1. Zech. 3.8. Exod. 33.14, 16.Isa 11:1Zech 3:8Exod 33:14Exod 33:16 yet he hath a Rod, a Branch, an Angell of Gods presence, which can open the Sea, and give an issue to the greatest dangers, which can turne the enemies rage into his owne ruine. There is no enemie so close, so dangerous, so unavoidable as our owne lusts. Now the Lord promiseth to deale with the sinnes of his people, as he did with the Aegyptians; wee know their tyranny he subdued with many plagues, their first-born, the strength and flower of the Land, he slew before, and those who afterwards joyned themselves against his people, he drowned in the bottome of the Sea; so saith the Prophet, He will subdue our iniquities, he will purge them away,Mic. 7.19, 20. Psal. 65.3.Mic 7:19Mic 7:20Ps 65:3 the power and strength of them he will abate by his Spirit; and as for those remainders thereof, which are yet behinde, and rebell against his grace, hee will cast all of them into the depths of the Sea, Q…od in prosundum maris abjicitur penitus non extat▪ Theodoret. Psal. 103.12. Esay 43.25. Esay 44.22.Ps 103:12Isa 43:25Isa 44:22that is, hee will remove them utterly away from us, he will drowne them in everlasting forgetfulnesse, he will not only blot them out that they may not be, but he will not remember them neither, which is in some sort to make them even not to have beene. And, which yet makes the assurance of all this the stronger, the ground of it all is onelyonly in God himselfe, his Covenant and Mercy. Now though our condition alters, yet his mercy is still the same: If the root of the Covenant were in us, then as we change, that also would vary too, but the root is in Gods owne grace, whose mercy is therefore without repentance in himselfe,Mal. 3.6.Mal 3:6 because it is without reason, or merit in us.

Now lastly, this Foot-stoole under Christs feet, in regard of his enemies, noteth unto us foure things: First, The extreme shame and confusion which they shall everlastingly suffer,Esay. 2.11.Isa 2:11 the utter abasing and bringing downe of all that exalteth it selfe against Christ. In victories amongst men, the part conquered goes many times off upon some honourable termes; at the very worst when p. 123they are led captives, yet they goe like men still; but to be made a stoole for the Conquerour to insult over,Psal 72.9. Mic. 7.17. Esay 49 23. Qui Constantini toties p…rterrunt urbem, Sub Tamberlano sella canisque suit.Ps 72:9Mic 7:17Isa 49:23 to licke the dust like a serpent, and move out of holes like the wormes of the earth, to be so low, as not to have any further degree of calamity or dishonour left unto which a man may be debased; this is the extremitie of shame. It is noted for the greatest indignity which Bajazet the grand Signior ever suffered, when Tamerlane his adversary trampled upon his necke; and of **Aurel. Victor & Eutropius.Valerian, that cruell persecutour of the Church, that he was trod under foot by Sapores the Persian King, and after stayed like a beast. It notes the extremest degree of revenge, which hath no mixture of mercy or compassion in it: So that by this we see the enemies of Christ and his kingdome shall be put to utter and everlasting shame: That as the faithfull in that great day of their redemption shall lift up their heads, and have boldnesse in the presence of the Lambe; so the wicked shall fall flat upon their faces, and cleave unto the dust; when the bookes shall be unseal'd and the consciences of men opened, and the witnesses produced, and the secrets of uncleannesse reveal'd on the house-top, and the mouthes of the wicked, who here for a little while dispute against the waies of Christ, and cavill at his commands, shall be everlastingly stopped, when men shall be like a deprehended theefe (as the Prophet speakes) then shall their faces be as a flame,Ier. 2.26. Ezra 9.6. Dan. 9.7, 8. Rom, 6.21.Jer 2:26Ezra 9:6Dan 9:7Dan 9:8 full of trembling, confusion and astonishment. The very best that are finde shame enough in sinne, how much they who give themselves over unto vile and dishonourable affections?

Secondly, hereby is noted the Burden which wicked men must beare: The foot-stoole beareth the weight of the body, so must the enemies of Christ beare the weight of his heavie and everlasting wrath upon their soules. Sin in the committing seemes very light, no bigger than the cloud which the Prophet shewed his servant, but at p. 124last it gathers into such a tempest, as, if the soule make not haste, it will be swept away, and overwhelmed by it: weighty bodies doe with much difference affect the sense according to the difference of places wherein they are. That vessell or peece of timber, which when it is on the water, may be easily drawne with the hand of man, on the land cannot be stirred with much greater strength: So is it with sin upon the conscience, in the time of committing it, nothing more easie, but in the time of judging it, nothing more unsupportable. A wilde Asse in the time of her lusting traverseth her wayes with much petulancie, and snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure, no man can turne her, but in her monethmonth, that is, when she is burdened with her foale,Ier. 2.24.Jer 2:24 shee then feeleth the event of her former lustfulnesse, and will easily be overtaken: so the wicked in sinne, however for the time they may beare it out with much mirth, and cheere up their hearts in the daies of their pleasure, yet when sin is come to the birth, and so fully finished, that it is now ready to bring forth death unto the soule, they shall then finde that it is but like the roll which the Prophet swallowed, sweet to the palat, but bitter in the belly, like a cup of deadly poison, pleasant in the mouth, but torment in the bowels. On whomsoever the Sonne of man shall fall with the weight of his heavie displeasure hee will grinde him to powder.Matth. 21.44.Matt 21:44 That must needs bee a heavie burden which men would most joyfully exchange for the weight of rockes and mountaines to lye everlastingly upon their backes: And yet the wicked at that great day shall all in vaine begge of the mountaines and rockes to fall upon them,Revel. 6.16.Rev 6:16 and to hide them from the wrath of the Lambe, shall rather choose to live eternally under the weight of the heaviest creature in the world, than under the fury of him that sitteth upon the Throne.

Thirdly, herein likewise is noted the relation of a just and equall Recompence unto ungodly men. The Lord p. 125useth often to fit punishments to the quality and measure of the sinnes committed. Hee that on the earth denied a crumb of bread in hell was denied a drop of water. Man who being in honor would needs affect to bee as God, was thereby debased to become like the beasts that perish. Nadab and Abihu offered strange fire and perished by strange fire from the Lord. aaforeign Chrysost. Hom. 20. ad pop. Antioch.Sodome and Gomorra burnt in unnaturall lusts, and they were drowned in an unnaturall tempest of fire. bbInde paena caepit unde caepit & Crimen. Cyprian. de Lapsis.That Apostate in S. Cyprian, who opened his mouth against Christ in blasphemie, was immediatly smitten with dumbnesse that he could not open it unto Christ for mercy. ccSocrat. Histor. lib. 6. cap. 5. & Sozom. lib. 8. cap. 7.Eutropius the Eunuch when hee perswaded the Emperor to take from malefactors the benefit of refuge at the Altars, did therein prevent his owne mercy, and beg away the advantage of an escape from himselfe, the priviledge wherof hee did afterwards in vaine lay hold on. And thus will Christ deale with his enemies at the last day. Here they trample upon Christ, in his word, in his wayes, in his members. They make the Saints ddEsai 51.23. Heb. 10.29. Esai. 63.18. Revel 11.2. Heb. 6.6. Iudg. 1.7. 1 Cor. 6.2, 3. Rom. 16.20. Esai 14.2. Mic. 4.11, 12, 13. Mich. 7.10.Isa 51:23Heb 10:29Isa 63:18Rev 11:2Heb 6:6Judg 1:71 Cor 6:21 Cor 6:3Rom 16:20Isa 14:2Mic 4:11Mic 4:12Mic 4:13Mic 7:10bow downe for them to goe over, and make them as the pavements on the ground. They tread under foote the bloud of the covenant, and the Sanctuary of the Lord, and put Christ to shame here: and there their owne measure shall bee returned into their owne bosome, they shall bee constrained to confesse as Adonibezek, as I have done, so God hath requited mee. Yea, this they shall suffer from the meanest of Christs members, whom they here insulted over. They shall then as witnesses, and as it were co-assessors with Christ, judge the very wicked Angels, and tread them under their feet. They shall take them captives whose captives they were, and shall rule over their oppressors. All they that despised them shall bow themselves at the soles of their feete. They who gathered themselves against Sion, and said, let her bee defiled, and let our eye see it: shall themselves bee gathered as sheaves into the p. 126floore, and the Daughter of Sion shall arise and thresh them with hornes of iron, and with hooves of brasse. Then (saith the Church) shee that is mine enemies shall see it, & shame shall cover her which said unto mee, Where is the Lord thy God? Mine eyes shall behold her; Now shall shee bee troden downe as the mire of the streetes. Even so let all thine enemies perish O Lord; but let them which love thee bee as the Sunne when he goeth forth in his might.

Lastly, herin wee may note the great Power and wisedome of Christ in turning the malice and mischiefe of his enemies into his owne use and advantage; and in so aaVoluntas Humana, perversè utendo bonis, fit mala: ille Ordinate etiam malis …tendo, permanet bonus. Aug. Episi. 120. Sicut ergo ipsi benignitate, & patientia, id est Bon…s Dei malè ut untur, dum non corriguntur, sic contra Deus etiā malis eorum benè utitur, non solùm ad justitiā suam, quâ eis digna in fine retribuet, sed etiam ad exercitationem & profectum sanctorum suorum, ut ex ipsa …tiam ma…orum perversitate, boni proficiant, & probentur, & manifestentur. Idem, epist. 141.ordering wicked men that though they intend nothing but extirpation and ruine to his Kingdome, yet they shall bee usefull unto him, and, against their owne wills, serviceable to those glorious ends, in the accomplishing wherof hee shall bee admired by all those that beleeve. As in a great house there is necessary use of vessels of dishonour, destinated unto fordid and meane, but yet dayly services: so in bb2 Tim. 2.20.2 Tim 2:20the great house of God, wicked men are his utensils and houshold instruments, as footstooles, and staves, and vessels wherin there is no pleasure, though of them there may bee good use. The ccEsai. 10.5, 6, 7.Isa 10:5Isa 10:6Isa 10:7Assyrian was the Rod of his anger, his axe wherwith hee pruned, and his Saw wherwith hee threatned his people. ddRom. 9.17.Rom 9:17Pharoah was a vessell fitted to shew the glory and power of his name. eeMatth. 18.7.Matt 18:7It is necessary, saith our Savior that offences come, and there ff1 Cor. 11.19.1 Cor 11:19must bee heres…es, saith the Apostle. Because as a skilfull Physitian ordereth poysonfull and destructive ingredients unto usefull services: So the Lord by his wisedome doth make use of wicked mens persons and purposes to his owne most righteous and wonderfull ends, ggEsa. 37.28, 29.Isa 37:28Isa 37:29secretly and mightily directing their wicked designes, to the magnifying of his owne power and providence, and to the furthering of his people in faith and godlinesse.