Bowels Opened, Sermon 11
THE ELEVENTH SERMON.SERM. XI.
CANT. V. VI. VII.
I opened to my Beloved, but my Beloved had withdrawne himselfe, and was gone: my soule failed when …e spake, I sought him but could not find him, I called him but he gave mee no answer. &c.
THE pride and secur…tie of the Spouse provokes the Lord her husband oft to bring her very low, they being incompatible with Christs residence.
Pride is an affection contrarie t… his prerogative, for it sets up somewhat in the soule higher then God the highest.
Security is a d…ll temper or rather distemper that m…kes the soule neglect her watch and rely upon some outward priviledge, where this ill co…ple is entertained, there Christ useth to withdraw himselfe, even to the failing and fainting of the soule.
The Spouse is here in her fainting fit yet she seekes after …hrist: still she gives not over, so Ionas,Jonah. 2. I am cast out of thy presence (saies hee) yet notwithstand…ng I will looke toward thy holy Temple. And David Psal. 31. 22. I said in my hast I am cast out of thy sight, yet notwithstand…ng thou heardest the voice of my prayer. Hee said it, but hee said it in his haste. Gods children are surprized on the sudden to thinke they are castaway, but it is in haste and so soone as may be they recover themselves. I said it is my Infirmitie, said David Psal. 73. Jt is but in a passion, here then is the difference betweene the children of God and others in desertions, they arise,Isa. 13. these lye still and despaire. There is life in the substance of the Oake that makes it lift up its head above ground though it bee cut downe to the stumpes. Nay wee see further here the Church is not taken off for any discourragements, but her faith growes stronger, as the womans of Canaan did.Mat. 15.
The Reason whereof is, Faith lookes to the Promise and to the nature of God not to his present dealing.
And then God by a secret worke of his Spirit (though hee seeme to bee an enemy yet notwithstanding) drawes his children neerer and neerer to him by such his d…aling. All this strangenesse is but to mortifie some former lust, or consume some former drogs of securitie.
I sought him but I could not find him.
Heere one of the greatest discouragements of all other is, when prayer (which is left to the Church as a salve for all sores) hath no answer. This is the complaint, but indeed an errour of the Church; for Christ did heare the Church though hee seemed to turne his backe.
But how shal we know that God heares our Prayers?
Amongst many other things this is one:How to know that God heares our Prayers. when he gives us inward peace, then he heares our prayers, for so is the connexion. Phil. 4. 6. 7.
Or secondly,If he therewith gives … peace. If wee find a spirit to pray still, a spirit to waite and to hold out,Phil. 4. it is an argument that God either hath or will heare those prayers.
And as it is an argument that God heares our prayers,A spirit to hold out in prayer though without peace. so is it of the presence of Christ; for how could wee pray but from his inward presence? Christ was now present, and more present with the Church when hee seemed not to be found of her, then hee was when she was secure, for whence else comes this eagernesse of desire, this spirit of prayer, this earnestnesse of seeking.
I called but hee gave no answer &c.
Directions how to carry our selves in such an estate. How shall we carry our selves when it falls out that our hearts faile of that we seek for, whē we pray without succes & find not a presēt answer? or are in any such like state of desertion.
1. Wee must believe against beliefe (as it were) hope against hope, and trust in God, Rom. 4.Howsoever hee shewes himselfe to us as an opposite. Jt is no matter what his present dealing with his Church and children heere is, the nature of Faith is to breake through all opposition, to see the Sunne behind a cloud,2. Cor. 6. nay to see one contrary in another, life in death, a clame in a storme &c.
2. Labour for an absolute dependancie upon Christ with a povertie of spirit in our selves, this is the end of Christs withdrawing himselfe, to purge us of selfe confidence and pride.
3. Stir up your graces, for as nature joyning with phisicke helpes it to worke and carry away the malignant humours: so by the remainder of the Spirit that is in us, let us set all our graces on worke untill wee have carried away that that offends and clogs the soule, and not sincke under the burthen, for this is a speciall time for the exercising of faith, hope, love, diligence, care, watchfullnesse, and such like graces.
And let us know for our comfort, that evē this conflicting condition is a good estate. In a sicke body it is a signe of life and health approaching when the humours are stirred, so as that a man complaines that the phisicke workes. So when wee take to heart our present condition, though wee faile and find not what wee would, yet this will worke to the subduing of corruption at length. It is a signe of future victorie when wee are d…scontent with our present ill estate. Grace will get the upper hand, as nature doth when the humours are disturbed.
4. Againe when wee are in such a seeming forlorne estate, Let us have recourse to former experience. What is the reason that God vouchsafes his children for the most part in the beginning of their conversion (in their first love) experience of his love to ravishment? Jt is, that afterwards they may have recourse to that love of God then felt to support themselves, and withall to stirre up endeavours, and hope; that finding it not so well with them now as formerly it hath binn,Hose. 2▪ 7 by comparing state with state, desires may bee stirred up to bee as they were or rather better.
And as the remembrance of former experiences serve to excite endeavour, so to stirre up Hope. I hope it shall be as it was, because God is Immutable. I change but Christ alters not, the inferiour elementary world changes, heere is faire weather and foule, but the Sunne keepes his perpetuall course; and as in the gloomiest day that ever was there was light enough to make it day and to distinguish it from night, (though the Sunne did not shine) So in the most disconsolate state of a Christian soule, there is light enough in the soule to shew that the Sunne of Righteousnesse is there, and that Christ hath shined upon the soule,Psal. 112. 4. that it is day with the soule and not night.
5. And learne when wee are in this condition to waite Gods leasure, for hee hath waited ours. It is for our good, to prepare us for further blessings, to mortifie and subdue our corruptions, to inlarge the capacity of the soule that the Lord absents himselfe, therefore Bernard saith well, Tibi accidit &c. Christ comes and goes away for our good, when hee withdrawes the sence of his love, the soule thereupon is stretched with desire, that it may bee as it was in former time, in the daies of old. Thus much for that, I sought him but I could not find him, I called but hee gave me no answer.
Heere wee must answer one objection before wee leave the words.Object. This seemes to contradict other Scriptures, which promise that those that seeke shall find. Matt. 7. 7.It is true they that seeke shall find but not presently.Answ. Gods times are the best and fittest. They that seek shall find, if they seek constantly with their whole heart in all the meanes. Some doe not find, because they seeke in one meanes and not in another, they seeke Christ in reading and not in the ordinance of hearing, in private meditation, but not in the communion of Saints; wee must goe through all meanes to seeke Christ, not one must bee left. Thus if wee will seeke him, undoubtedly hee will make good his promise. Nay in some sort, hee is found before hee is sought, for hee is in our soules to stirre up desire of seeking him, hee prevents us with desires and answers us in some sort before wee pray, when hee gives us a spirit of prayer, it is a pledge to us, that hee meanes to answer us. Isa …3. 34.Therefore it is a spirituall deceit when wee thinke Christ is not in us and wee are neglected of him, because wee have not all that wee would have. Among many other deceits that Christians deceive themselves with in this kind these be two.Iudging of grace by the quanti…y and not by the value
1. That they judge grace by the quantity and not by the value and price of it, 1. Pet. 1.whereas the least measure of grace and comfort is to be esteemed, because it is an immortall seed cast into the soule by an immortall God the Father of Eternity.
2. Another deceit is,judging of ourselves by sense and …eeling. that Wee judge of our selves by sence and feeling and not by faith.
The watchmen that went about the citty found mee and smote me and tooke away my vaile from mee.
Heere the poore Church after the setting downe of her owne exercise in her disertion now sets out some outward ill dealing shee met with and that from those that should have beene her greatest comforters. The watchmen that went about the citty found me, they wounded me, the keepers of the walls tooke away my vaile from me.
Thus wee see how trouble followes trouble, One depth calls upon another: Inward desertion and outward affliction goe many times together. The troubles of the Church many times are like Iobes messengers they come fast one upon another, because God meanes to perfect the worke of Grace in their hearts, all this is for their good. The sharper the winter the better the spring, learne hence first of all therefore in generall.
That,Observ. It is no easie thing to be a sound Christian.
Wee see heere when the Church had betrothed her selfe to Christ and entertained him into her garden, there after she falls into a state of security and sleepe, whence Christ labours to rouse her up: then she useth him unkindely, after which hee withdrawes himselfe even so farre that her heart failes her; then (as if this were not enough) the watchmen that should have looked to her, they smite her, wound her and take away her vaile. See here the variety of the usage of the Church and changes of a Christian, not long in one state, hee is ebbing and …owing.
Therefore let none distaste the way of Godlinesse for this, that it is such a state as is subject to change and variety; whereas carnall men are upon their lees and find no changes.
But you will say,Object. All Christians are not thus tossed up and downe, so deserted of God and persecuted of others.
I answer, Indeed there is difference,Answ. Whence comes that difference? from Gods liberty; it is a misterie of the Sanctuarie, which no man in the world can give a reason of, why of Christians both equally beloved of God, Some should have a fairer passage to Heaven; others rougher and more rugged; It is a mysterie hid in Gods brest. It is sufficient for us, if God will bring us any way to Heaven, as the blessed Apostle saith.Phil. 3. 11. If by any meanes I might attaine to the resurrection of the dead, either through thicke or thinne, if God will bring me to Heaven it is no matter. If I by any meanes.
The Watchmen that went about the Citty smote mee, &c.
By the Watchmen heere are ment especially Governours of State and Church.
Why are they called Watchmen.
It is a borrowed speech taken from the custome of Citties that are beleagered, for pollicies sake they have watchmen to descry the danger they are liable unto, so Magistrates be watchmen of the State,Heb. 13. …7. Ministers are the watchmen for Soules, watching over our Soules for good.
Why doth God use Watchmen.Quest.
Not for any defect of power in him,Answ. 1. but for demonstration of his goodnes▪ for he is the great Watchman, who watcheth over our commonwealthes, Churches and persons, he hath an eye that never sleepes,Psal. 124. 4. He that watcheth Israel neither slumbers nor sleepes, yet notwithstanding hee hath subordinate Watchmen, not for defect of power, but for demonstrotion of goodnesse; hee manifests his goodnes in that he will use varietie of subordinate Watchers.
And likewise to shew his power in using many instruments and his care for …s when he keepes us together with his owne subordinate meanes.
And in this that God hath set over us Watchers (Ministers especially) It implyes that our soul…s are in danger, and indeed there is nothing in the world so beset as the soule of a poore Christian, who hath so many and so bad enemies as a Christian, and amongst them all, the worst and greatest enemie hee hath is neerest to him, and converseth daily with him, even himselfe. Therefore there must needs bee Watchmen to discover the deceits of Satan and his instruments, and of our owne hearts, to discover the dangers of Hierusalem, and the errours and sins of the times wherein wee live. The Church is in danger, for God hath set Watchmen, now God and nature doth nothing in vaine or needlessely.
Againe in that God takes such care for the soule, it shewes the woundrous worth of it, many arguments there be to shew that the soule is a pretious thing,Arguments shewing the pretiousnesse of the soule. it was breathed by God at first, Christ gave his life to redeeme it, but this is an especiall one that God hath ordained and established a ministry and Watchmen ouer it. And as God hath set some men Watchmen over others, so hath hee appointed every man to bee a Watchman to himselfe. Hee hath given every man a citty to watch over, that is his owne estate and soule, therefore let us not depend altogether on the watching of others. God hath planted a conscience in every of us, and useth as others to our good, so our owne care, wisdome, and foresight, these hee elevateth and sanctifieth.
The Wa…chmen that w…nt about the citty found mee, they smote mee, they wounded mee, &c. Come wee now to the carriage of these Watchmen,How the Church was wounded by the Watchmen. those that should have beene defensive prove most offensive.
They smote the Church and wounded her many wayes, (though it be not discovered heere in particular) as with their ill and scandolous life, and sometimes with corrupt doctrine and otherwhiles with bitter words, and their unjust censures, as wee see in the story of the Church,3 Ioh. 9. especially the Romish Church, they have excommunicated Churches and Princes: but not to speake of those Synagogues of Satan, come wee nearer home and wee may se amongst our selves sometimes those that are Watchmen and should be for encouragement, They smite and wound the Church,3 Ioh. I0. and take away her vaile.
What is it to take away the vaile.
You know in the times of the Old Testament a vaile was that which covered woemen for modestie, to shew their subjection, and it was likewise an honourable ornament, They tooke away the vaile, that is that wherewith the Church was covered, they tooke away that, that made the Church comely, and laid her open and as it were naked.
Now both these wayes, the Churches vaile is taken away by false and naughty Watchmen.
I. As the vaile is a token of subjection, when by their false D…ctrines,They tooke away the vail… of … subjection. they labour to draw people from Christ, and their subjection to him.
The Church is Christs Spous…, the vaile was a token of subjection, now they that d…aw the people to themselves, as in Popish Churches, that desire to sit high in the consciences of people, and so make the Church undutifull, They take away the vaile of subjection, and so force Christ to punish the Church, as wee see in former ages.
2. As the vaile is for honour and comelinesse, The vail… of her honour and comelinesse.so they take away the vaile of the Church, when they take away the credit and esteem… of the Church, when they lay open the infirmities and weaknesses of the Church. This is strange that the Watchmen should do this, yet notwithstanding oftentimes it falls out so that those that by place are Watchmen, are the bitterest enemies of the Church Who were bitterer enemies of the poore Church in Christs time then the Scr…bes, Pharises, and Priests.
And so in the time of the Prophets, who were the greatest enemies the Church had, but false Pri…sts, and Prophets.
What is the ground of this,Quest. that those men that by their stand…ng should bee encouragers, are rather dampers of the Churches …eile in pursuit …f it.Answ. Why the watchmen are the wonders of the Church
There are man… grounds of it.
Sometimes it falls out from a spirit of envie in them at the graces of Gods people which are wanting in themselves, they would not have others better then themselves.
Sometimes from Idlenesse which makes them hate all such as provoke them to paines: they raise up the dignity of outward things too much, as wee see in Poperie, they make every thing to conferre grace, as if they had a speciall vertue in them: but they neglect that wherewith God hath joyned an efficacie, his owne ordinances.
This should teach us,Vse. I. To bee in love with Christs governement, and to see the vanity of all things heere below, though they bee never so excellent in their ordinance. Such is the poyson of mans heart, and the malice of Satan that they turne the edge of the best things against the good of the Church.
What is more excellent then Magistracie, yet many times the point of the sword is directed the wrong way. I have said ye are Gods. Psal. 82. 6. They should governe, as God himselfe would governe, and aske with themselves, would God now if hee were a Watchman of the state doe thus and thus, but I wish woefull experience did not witnesse the contrary.
So … and should carry themselves even as Christ would do;2. Cor. 5. 20. they should strengthen the feeble knees and bind up the brok…n …,E…k. I3. I8 nor di…courag… and not …ow pillow…s …nder the … of wicked and …, but alas … the edge of the ordinance is oftentimes turned another way by the corrupt, proud, unbroken hearts of men and the malice of Satan.
Againe,Vse 2. it should teach us, not to thinke the worse of any for the disgraces of the times. The Watchmen heere take away the vaile of the Church, and her forwardnesse is disgraced by them: take heed therefore wee entertaine not rash conceites of others, upon the entertainement they find abroad in the world, or among those that have a standing in the Church, for so wee shall condemne Christ himselfe, how was hee judged of the Pri…sts, Scribes, and Pharisees in his times? and this hath beene the lot of the Church in all ages, the true members thereof were called Heretiques and Schismatickes, the vaile was taken of. It is the poysonfull pride of mans heart that when it cannot raise it selfe, by its owne worth, it will endeavour to raise it selfe by the ruine of others credit through lying slanders. The Divell was first a slanderer, and lyer, and then a murtherer, hee cannot murther without hee slander first, the credit of the Church must first bee taken away, and then shee is wounded, otherwise as it is a usuall proverbe, Those that kill a dogge make the world believe, that he was mad first, so they alwayes first traduced the Church to the world, and then persecuted her. Truth hath alwayes a scratch't face. Falshood many times goes under better habits then its owne which God suffers to exercise our skill and wisdome that wee might not depend upon the rash judgment of others, but might consider what grounds they have; not what men doe or whom they oppose, but from what cause. Whether from a spirit of F…vie, Idlenesse, Iealousie, and Pride, or from good grounds, else if Christ himselfe were on earth againe, we should condemne him, as now men do the generation of the just, whom they smite and wound and take away their vaile from them.
The end of the eleventh Sermon.