Two Treatises, Part 1
THE PILGRIMES PROFESSION.
PSAL. 39.12.
I am a ſtranger with thee, & a ſoiourner as all my Fathers.
THIS holy Prophet being by great diſtreſſe of mind, and diſeaſe of bodie, brought very low, (as appeareth in the whole Pſalme) and ſo low as he was readie to breake patience, and to offend with his tongue; Verſ. 3 yet after a doubtfull combat, betweene faith and Frailtie; his Faith ſtepps aboue fleſh, and leades him out of himſelfe, Verſ. 7 to wait vponupon God with holy ſilence: and lifteth him vp to God in fervent and earneſt Prayers (which are the breath of Faith) both for pardon of ſinne, Verſ. 8 the cauſe, and for releaſe from the affliction and plague, the effect of it. And becauſe the ſenſe of miſery was deepe; Verſ. 10 he ſtriues with God, with great, vehement, and earneſtneſſe of ſpirit, ingeminating his petitions in this twelfth verſe. Riſing vp in his requeſts by degrees, as one that meaneth to preuaile with God (as another Iacoh) and not let him goe till hee hauehave bleſſed him; and therefore firſt he deſireth the Lord to heare his Prayer. But becauſe the Prayers of the Saints are often faint and feeble, and without any ſtrong motion; hee deſires the Lord to hearken to his cry; the ſenſe of his neede vrged ſtrong cries, feruency, and importunitie. And further becauſe eueryevery ſtrong cry is not heard, vnleſſe it proceed from a broken and contrite ſpirit: He prayeth the LORD not to keepe ſilence at his teares; well hee knew that prayers of faith, watered with teares of godly ſorrow, are eloquent perſwaders, to draw a comfortable anſwere from God; they cannot ſuffer him to ſit ſilent long; who hath prepared both a bottle to reſerue them in, and an hand-kerchiefe to wipe them away from the eyes of his children. Try it after holy Dauid who will, or can; make eueryevery day a ſpring to ſowe thy prayers in heauen; and water them ſometimes with an Aprill ſhower of mournfull reares for thy ſinne, and miſery; and thou haſt preuailed againſt Gods ſilence; thou ſhalt beare a ſweet and comfortable anſwere in due ſeaſon.
Now the wordes read are a reaſon of bis earneſt requeſt, drawne from the acknowledgement of the frailty, vanity, and breuity of his life, layd downe by a compariſon taken from ſtrangers, or Pilgrimes, of which number hee profeſſeth himſelfe to bee; and may well bee called, The Pilgrimes profeſsion.
In tying which words with the former, it may be asked, firſt, what force can there bee in this reaſon, to mooue or encline God to mercy, becauſe hee was a ſtranger with him; it might rather imply, that God ſhould the more eſtrange himſelfe from him, and ſtand further from his helpe.
I anſwere. 1. The Hebrew phraſe,Quis dubitat quod bic pſaltes poſuit gnimea tecum, idem eſſe quod Liphneca, id eſt, coram ie. Bucer. I am a ſtranger with thee, ſignifieth as much as to ſay, I am a ſtranger before thee, or in thy ſight. And not that hee was a ſtranger in affection, or conuerſation from God, as the wicked, who are ſaid to be ſtrange children, and ſtrangers from the wombe. Pſal. 58.3.For how could Dauid bee ſuch a ſtranger, who ſet the Lord euer before him, and at his right hand, Pſal. 16.8.that hee might not ſinne againſt him?
2. As it is a confeſſion and teſtimony of bis own humility and ſenſe of his miſery, it is a motiue to mercy; as if he had ſaid, I am a ſtranger and need helpe, becauſe as a ſtranger, I lie open to many iniuries and inconueniences: but thou art the God of the abiect; and thy property is as to caſt downe the proud, ſo to raiſe vp ſuch deiected ſoules as I am, and therefore heare my prayers, cryes, and teares.
3. As it aſcribeth vntounto the Lord the honour of mercy, it is a motiue to mercy; for holy Dauid puts the LORD in minde of his owne gracious inclination and affection to ſtrangers;Exo. 22.…1. Re…. 19.23 Do…. 10.19 for hee hath commanded vsus to be kinde to ſtrangers; and hath in ſpeciall manner vndertaken the protection of ſtrangers. Pſalme 146.9. The Lord keepeth the ſtrangers: and therefore his faith binding God after a fort to his owne law and promiſe, aſſureth himſelfe of Gods mercy, becauſe he is a ſtranger.
4. As it is an acknowledgement of his owne impotency, and the miſery of his life, it pleadeth ſtrongly for mercy, as if hee had ſaid; Thou knoweſt Lord, that I am a ſtranger heere, and ſo long as I am ſo, I cannot but carry a burden of fleſh, and a body of ſinne, and daily thereby deſerue thy moſt heauie diſpleaſure: and therefore I beſeech thee, bee not ſo extreame againſt mee, as in iuſtice thou mayeſt; but conſidering my frailty, mingle thy corrections with merciemercy. And whereas I diſcerne alſo by my bodily weakneſſe and infirmity, that I am a ſtranger here, and of ſhort continuance, I pray thee remooue thy hand, and let not all my life bee miſerable, but Verſ. 13 ſtay thine anger from mee, that I may recouer my ſtrength, before I goe hence, and bee no more. And vponupon the ſame ground, Iob makes the ſame requeſt,Iob 10.21. Let him ceaſe and leaue off from me, that I may take a little comfort, before I goe and ſhall not returne, &c.
Secondly, it may bee asked, How can Dauid vſe this as a reaſon for his recouery, which hee vſed before, verſe 4. for the haſtening of his death; for becauſe his life was ſhort and miſerable, therefoer hee deſires hee might die in all haſte.
To which I anſwere. That great difference there is betweene Dauid foiled by fleſh, and Dauid ſupported by the Spirit; for wee hauehave in him lying vnderunder the temptation, an inſtance of our owne ſtrong-hearted corruption; which out of a good propoſition, can draw moſt dangerous and wicked concluſions; for, out of the conſideration of the ſhortneſſe of his life, hee could draw concluſions of murmuring, impatience, and almoſt of deſperation. But now Dauid is another man, and the Spirit of grace hath conquered thoſe aſſaults, and now hee can out of the ſame premiſes, draw the cleane contrary concluſions, to ſupport his faith, patience, and dependance vponupon God. For ſuch is the wiſdome of the Spirit, that hee can draw holy, ſweet, and comfortable concluſions from thoſe principles and grounds, from which fleſh and corruption vſeth to ſucke ſinne and poiſon; and teacheth the Saints ſo to doe.
In the profeſſion it ſelfe,Meaning.conſider for the meaning foure things;
1.1. What is this ſtranger. What a ſtranger is.
2. Who is this ſtranger.
3. Where he is a ſtranger.
4. The communitie of this condition; as all my Fathers were.
1. A ſtranger is hee, that being abſent from his owne Countrey is trauelling homewardes vntounto it. For theſe two conditions are proper to a ſtranger. Firſt, that hee is abſent from his natiue ſoyle, abſent from his naturall friends, abſent from his Fathers houſe, and abſent from his owne home and inheritance; thus was Abraham a ſtranger in Canaan Secondly, that he is trauelling home as a Pilgrime to his owne Countrey; Thus was Iacob a ſtranger, whoſe whole life was a trauaile in forraine Countreys, out of any certaine and ſettled dwelling, as himſelfe profeſſeth, Gen. 47.9. The whole time of mypilgrimage is an hundred and thirtie yeeres.
2. Who is this ſtranger? Dauid ſaith, I am a ſtranger, which may ſeeme ſtrange, if wee conſider that Dauid was a King, and that in his owne Countrey, and that the Countrey of Iudea; in compariſon of whoſe inhabitants all the world beſides were ſtrangers, as Matth. 27.7. For Dauid was not now in flight before Saul, 2 Sam. 21.23.as when hee plaid the foole in the Philiſtims Countrey before Acbiſh to ſaue his life; nor in likelihood, in chaſe before Abſalom, as when being driuen from home, hee went vp to the mount of Oliues and wept. Neither vndertooke hee any meritorious iourney in a Pilgrims weed. For beſides that, hee was King of Ieruſalem, and needed not make any tedious Pilgrimage thither, Popiſh Pilgrims were not borne ſome thouſands of yeeres after his Age.Peregrinatio ad Imagines nalla fuit ante 600. annos a Chriſto nato. Perk. Probl.There was now no Sepulcher of our Lord to viſit; nor no Image of our Lady, and yet he profeſſeth himſelfe a ſtranger.
3. But where was Dauid a ſtranger? Himſelfe ſaith, Before thee, that is, whereſoeuer hee is before God, there hee is a ſtranger; not in another mans kingdome or Countrey, as of Moabites or Philiſtims: but in his owne Countrey, in Canaan he is a ſtranger; yea, at Bethlem in the City of Dauid; and in Sion the Fort of Dauid hee is a ſtranger. This hee expreſſeth, Pſalme 119.19. I am a ſtranger vponupon earth, that is, in eueryevery part of the earth, euen in mine owne houſe, in mine owne bed, in mine owne body and boſome I am a ſtranger with thee. Wherein the holy Prophet both acknowledgeth the Lord the proprietary, of whom he held his Countrey and Kingdome.Lev. 25.23.For it is as if hee had ſaid, I am a ſtranger in thy Countrey; my Countrey is thy Countrey, and thy Countrey is my Countrey; and now I doe but ſo…ourne a while with thee in thy Countrey, till I returne home and dwell with thee in my Countrey. As alſo hee inſol…th a motiue, why the LORD ſhould encline his eare to his Prayer, and ſhew him fauour, becauſe hee is a ſtranger in the Lords Countrey; and therefore committing himſelfe to the protection and ſafe conduct of the Lord of the Countrey, hee doubteth not, but to finde grace in his eyes, and by his meanes a comfortable paſſage, till hee come happily to the end of his way. For who ſhould heare the complaints of a ſoiourner, but hee with whom he ſoiourneth?
4. But is it otherwiſe with Dauid now, than with other men? No ſurely, but hee beareth part in the common condition of his Fathers. Although hee was deare to God, and the King of Gods people; yet hee is no better than his Fathers; hee is a ſtranger as all his Fathers were. Hee meaneth not the fathers of his fleſh onelyonly, who were all dead, and gone to their iourneys end, but the Fathers of his faith alſo; thoſe holy Patriarchs, Abraham, Iſaac, Iacob, and their poſterity, which were the holy ſeed; who in their times accounted themſelues ſtrangers, Heb. 11.13, 14.and declared themſelues ſo to bee; both in that they chuſed to dwell in Tents, Heb. 11.9.and not in houſes or Cities; as the poſteritie of Cain did, for they held themſelues ſtrangers on earth, and expecting eueryevery day the word of God to call them hither or thither, at his pleaſure, they would not cumber themſelues with buildings or purchaſes; but betooke themſelues to poore and portable tents, which were ſoone pitched vp, and as ſoone taken downe. As alſo in that they were contented to wander vp and downe as Pilgrims, reſtleſly from place to place, inſomuch as the iourneyes and trauels of Abraham recorded in his Story, amounts to 1794. miles; Iacobs little leſſe, whoſe poſteritie was a ſtranger in Egypt foure hundred yeeres; and from thence were taken into the terrible Wilderneſſe; where they wandred forty yeeres, and all the reſt of them in the wide wilderneſſe of this world, and vale of Baca, onelyonly paſſed thorow as Pilgrims vntounto the heauenly Canaan. All which our holy Prophet reuoluing in his minde, ſubſcribeth the ſame ſchedule, that he is a ſtranger alſo as they were.Doct.
Hence wee learne, That all the Saints of God, and true beleeuers, are ſtrangers vponupon earth: for ſo was Dauid, and all his Fathers of his fleſh, and of his faith, as himſelfe not onelyonly heere in ſenſe of his affliction profeſſeth: but elſewhere ſtirred vp by the ſight and ſenſe of Gods abundant merciemercy towardes him, and in the time of his ſolenme ioy and feſtiuitie vttereth the ſame words, 1 Chron. 29.15. All things come of thee and of thine owne hand …ee hauehave gi…en thee; foreign.for wee are ſtrangers before thee, and ſolourners like all our Fathers, 2 Cor. 5.6 while wee are at home in the body, wee are eſtranged from the Lord. And indeed eueryevery Chriſtian is a Gerſhom; that is, a ſtranger and in a ſtrange land: in reſpect, firſt of place, for they are abſent from heauenly Canaan, their owne home and Countrey; heere is not their fathers houſe, nor their brethren and ſiſters, nor their treaſure; they are Citizens with Saints, Eph. 2.19.and heauen their home, where our Lord Ieſus is preparing Manſions for them, Iohn 14. Secondly, as for the world, it is but a way to their Countrey, and as a wildernes thorow which the Iſrael of God paſſe towards their Canaan. They are indeed in the world, but not of it: for they are called out of the world; 1. by Chriſts ſeparation, Iohn 15.19. I hauehave choſen you out of the world. 2. Chriſts interdiction, 1 Iohn 2.15. LoueLove not the world nor the things of the world, 3. Chriſts operation, Gal. 6.14.Commorandi diuerſoriū, non habitandi Cicero de Senect. The world is crncified to mee, and I vntounto the world. The very light of nature ſaw and ſaid, that nature hath affoorded vsus in this world onelyonly an Inne, and not a dwelling: and ſhould not grace much more acquaint vsus with Gods decree and ordinance, which is, that man ſhould bee a while in the world, as in a way to paſſe him vntounto his finall eſtate elſewhere, or at moſt, but a trauailer in an Inne, which hee is ready to leaue the next morrow.
Secondly, in their owne account and confeſſion they are ſtrangers, Heb. 11.13. All theſe confeſſed that they were ſtrangers and pilgrimes vponupon earth. And in the account of the world alſo they are ſtrangers, which vſeth them ſtrangely and courſely, as Dauid was a ſtranger to his brethren Pſal. 69.8. And whereas, were they of the world, it would know them, louelove them, and hugge them in their lap: they being ſtrangers, it is an other Egypt to Gods firſt borne, and knoweth them not but to vexe and oppreſſe them.
Thirdly, in reſpect of the ſhort time of their continuance, for as a ſtranger abides not in a ſtrange place (as the natiues doe) but haſteneth through his way, and ſo with his time cutteth and ſhorteneth his iourney;Heb. 13.14ſo the godly hauehave here no abiding city, neither is this their reſting place. For this cauſe the whole militant Church is called a Tabernacle:Pſal. 15.1. & the Saints call the time of their life for the ſhortneſſe and diſcontinuance of it, but a being in this tabernacle, 2 Pet. 1.13becauſe firſt, as a Tabernacle is but a ſoiourning place, ſet vp for a ſhift, to hide our ſelues for a ſmall while, as the Souldier hides himſelfe in a ſconce or tent onelyonly for the time of a ſiege at the longeſt: ſo is it with the Tabernacle of the body, ſet vp for a ſmall time, not ſo much for it ſelfe as for the Inmate, the Soule which is contained in it. Secondly, as a Tabernacle is a moueable tent, pitched for a day; ouer-night is ſet vp, and perhaps, the next day the ſtakes are pulled vp, and the cordes are ſlacked, and the couering is folded vp: no otherwiſe is it with the Tabernacle of the body, which no man knoweth, whether it ſhall ſtand vnmoued till the next morrow, no, nor till the next houre.
Thirdly, as a Tabernacle is onelyonly a couering but hath no foundation to ſettle vponupon: ſo Iob ſpeaketh of our bodies, as houſes of clay, Iob. 4.19.whoſe foundation is in the duſt: that if God did not faſten the ſiluer cords of them to his appointed time, eueryevery blaſt would ouerthrow them eueryevery moment.
Fouthly, the godly are ſtrangers heere below in reſpect of their buſineſſe, and employment; a ſtranger is vnacquainted with the affaires of the place where hee takes vp his Inne, hee meddles not with the gouernment, the offices, the paſſages of cauſes in the towne where hee lieth as a ſtranger; but intendeth his iourney, and onelyonly careth how hee may paſſe through: and if hee hauehave any buſineſſe there, it is onelyonly to aduance his eſtate at home in his owne Countrey. And ſo it is with the godly; they eſtrange themſelues as much as may bee from the world, and the common courſes of it: their callings they caſt not off, becauſe they are commaunded to abide in them with moderate care, to prouide for themſelues, and theirs. And for earthly things they cannot bee without them, while they hauehave a life to maintaine by them; but yet they meddle no more with them than needes muſt; and in the middeſt of their earthly buſineſſe are not earthly minded. They are Burgeſſes of another Corporation,Col. 3.10. and all their trading and traffique heere is to make themſelues a rich and ſure eſtate there. They hauehave a chiefe buſineſſe to doe, which they principally intend, namely, to ſeeke the kingdome of God, and the righteouſneſſe of it; to repent of their ſinnes, to beleeue in the Sonne of God; and to make their election ſure: whereto they giuegive all diligeuce, as they are exhorted 2 Pet. 1.10.
Fiftly, The godly are ſtrangers in reſpect of their affection; for, as ſtrangers long after home; and where euer their bodies bee, their hearts and mindes are not there, but at home where their deare friends and eſtates are: So is it with the Saints, whoſe mindes and meditations, and conuerſation are in heauen before hand; for there is their Fathers houſe, and there is their inheritance; there is Ieſus Chriſt their treaſure; and no maruell if their hearts bee there where their treaſure is. The worldling hath his whole portion in this life, and therefore hee beſtowes all his heart, his thoughts, his cares, his deſires, and endeauours vponupon the world; he runs after it with a full deſire. But it cannot bee ſo with the godly man, who is minded as was good Nehemiah, 2.3. Who although his perſon was in the King of Perſia his Court, and was a neere attendant at the Kings Table, yet his heart was at Ieruſalem. And as Daniel, who while hee was in the land of his captiuity, yet he opened his windowes eueryevery day towards Ieruſalem.
Queſt. But are not wicked men ſtrangers heere vponupon earth, as well as the godly?
Anſw. Wicked men and worldlings are indeed ſtrangers here, if we looke towards God, they are ſtrangers with him, ſtrangers from the Couenant of God; and ſtrangers from the life, and wayes of God. Or if we conſider the time of their continuance heere, they hauehave no more continuance heere, than others; they hauehave no Leaſes of their liues; nor no ſurer hold of their eſtates than others hauehave. The rich Glutton heard; Thou foole this night ſhall they take away thy ſoule, and all. Or if wee conſider the place in which they liue, they are ſtrangers; for the Eaſt wind takes away and hurles them out of their place,Iob 27.21. as eaſily as any other. And the mightie die ſuddenly, Iob 34.20.and are taken away without hand. And their houſes and poſſeſſions which knew them once, ſhall know them no more, but take in other ſtrangers for a terme of dayes, as they tooke in them.
But wicked men are not ſtrangers as the godly are, in foure reſpects.
1. In their owne account, or conceit; for, though their eſtate bee as vnſtable as any others; yet hauehave they a ſtrong conceit of continuance, and of taking their reſt for many yeeres. They are deſcribed to bee ſuch as put off the euill day; and make leagues with death; and are hardly brought to confeſſe themſelues to be Pilgrims and ſtrangers.
2. In the worlds account they bee not ſtrangers, but neighbours, and Towne-dwellers. The world knowes them, and loueth them as her owne: yea, lulleth them in her lap as her children, ſhee graceth them, enricheth them, and aduanceth them as men of beſt deſerts. In a word, ſhee thinketh nothing ſhee hath too good for ſuch faſt friends, and diligent ſeruants.
3. In their owne affection they bee no ſtrangers; for how can they conſidering they hauehave no other portion but here? Pſal. 17.14. How can they but minde earthly things,Phil. 3.19. to whom God hath ſhewed no better? How can they but giuegive away their affections, and bury their hearts in earth, and drowne themſelues in the delights of it, that hauehave no other God, no other Heauen? What man will bee willing to giuegive ouer a broken title, till hee bee aſſured, and ſeated in a better? which becauſe they are not; like prophane Eſaus, they hunger after pottage, let the bleſſing goe where it will.
4. In their courſe and conuerſation they doe not declare themſelues to bee ſtrangers. All their ſtudie, their paines, their ſweat and endeuour, is to get a ſure and contented eſtate in earth: they treaſure all in earth; If they can encreaſe their Corne, their Wine, their Oyle, their Coyne, their Commodities, they reſt as in a good portion; ſeldome or neuer ſeeking in earneſt that good part which ſhould neuer bee taken from them, nor they from it, if once they could attaine it. Thus much of the Doctrine, and this queſtion. The Vſe followeth.
Firſt, In that the godly man is a ſtranger and Pilgrim here, we learne ſundry duties. As firſt to practiſe Chriſtian ſobrietie, in the affecting,Chriſtian ſobriety in 1. affecting. enioying, and vſing the things of this life. For 1. a ſtranger in his way affects not, deſires not, lookes not for great things for himſelfe in the Citie hee trauelleth thorow; hee lightly regardeth the honours, offices, reuenues, and priuiledges of it: his chiefe deſires and affections are elſewhere; all the priuiledge he expecteth there is how to paſſe quietly & ſafely through; Euen ſo ought the Chriſtian Pilgrim by the weaned carriage of himſelfe towards things below, declare plainly (as the Patriarches did) that hee ſeeketh a Country.Heb. 11.14.
Seekeſt thou great things for thy ſelfe (ſaith the Lord to Baruk) ſeeke them not. Ier. 45.5.And why muſt hee not? becauſe he was but a ſtranger in that Land, now preſently to bee giuen ouer into the hands of ſtrangers.
Secondly,2. Enioying. A ſtranger enioyes the things of a ſtrange place as a ſtranger; he vſeth other mens goods for a night, but he ſetteth not his heart on them, nor taketh much delight in them, becauſe hee knoweth hee muſt leaue them next morning, and may take none away with him; Euen ſo a Chriſtian ſtranger taketh but little delight in his iourney, becauſe hee thinketh not himſelfe at home, neither doth hee enioy things here as his portion, nor as his owne, becauſe hee is to bee countable for them; and becauſe hee well knoweth, that too much delight in fleſhly and worldly pleaſures giueth life to corruption, and weakeneth grace in him; hee attendeth that wholſome Apoſtolicall exhortation, 1 Pet. 2.11. Dearely beloued, as ſtrangers and Pilgrims abſtaine from fleſhly luſts, which fight againſt the ſoule.
Thirdly,3. Vſing the world. a ſtranger vſeth the neceſſary comforts hee meeteth with in his way as a ſtranger; hee vſeth them rather for neceſſitie than for ſatietie, onelyonly for preſent occaſion, and that with moderation and ſobrietie; Euen ſo a Chriſtian Pilgrim muſt learne to vſe the world as not vſing it: 1 Cor. 7.31.and in the midſt of his wealth and abundance, in the fruition of his greateſt delights and pleaſures, to take his minde off them, and to lift vp his thoughts to heauen, the place of his abode. Which dutie the Apoſtle ſtrongly enforceth, Phil. 3.20. Carnall men minde earthly things. and forgetting both heauen, and the God of heauen, Make their belly their God, that is, drowne themſelues in the pond and puddle of ſenſualitie. But farre bee it from vsus who profeſſe the teaching of grace ſo to doe, Our conuerſation is in heauen, from whence wee looke for a Sauiour; they hauehave their portion in this life, Pſa. 17.14.but our portion is in another, and contrary courſes beſeeme men of contrary Countries.
Secondly, In that wee are ſtrangers heere, wee learne another Dutic, which is, the exerciſe of Chriſtian patience and contentment in all eſtates, be it ſickneſſe, pouerty, reproaches, abuſes or wrongs in any kinde: a ſtranger is contented to endure the wrongs that meet him in his way; hee digeſteth, and putteth vp all patiently; he complaineth not, and much leſſe ſeeketh reuenge: for hee knowes he ſhall hauehave little reſt or redreſſe till hee come home: Euen ſo the Chriſtian Pilgrim muſt learne patiently to endure the afflictions, and courſe and croſſe vſages of this ſtrange Country, 2 Cor. 4. laſt verſe, the bleſſed Apoſtle was contented to endure all indignities and wrongs; becauſe hee was of another countrey, the high priuiledges and excellencies whereof, Eie hath neuer ſeene, nor eare hath ever heard, nor ever entred into the heart of man. Ioh. 14.4.When the Diſciples of our SAVIOVR tooke it heauily that Chriſt ſayd hee muſt leaue them: for now what could they expect but to bee expoſed and layd open to all the worlds malignitie, deſtitute of their Lords preſence and protection? hee comforteth them by this ſame argument; That this is not their place of reſt, but hee goeth to prepare a place for them. Moſes chuſed to ſuffer afflictions with Gods people, Heb. 11.26becauſe hee was a ſtranger heere, and looked for a recompenſe of reward hereafter. A cloude of Martyres as witneſſes ſeale this truth, who were ſlaine, hewen a ſunder, wandred vp and downe in ſheepes skins, in goats skins, being deſtitute, afflicted, and tormented; and would not bee deliuered Ver. 35 (namely vponupon vnequall conditions) becauſe they ſaw that God had prepared better things for them.
A ſtranger turnes not againſt eueryevery Dogge that barketh at him; let Doeg accuſe, and Shemei reuile, let Currs barke, there is no hope to ſtill them; the beſt way is to contemne them, and attend and ride on thy way. A ſtranger ſhrinkes not for eueryevery ſhower of raine, nor is diſheartned with the roughneſſe,Nubecula eſt, tranſilis. and foulneſſe of the way; but hee will through thicke and thinne, through drops and drought, and all becauſe hee is going home. Neither muſt thou that art a Chriſtian Pilgrim, ſhrinke for the ſtormes of the world, nor the aſperouſneſſe of the way, which is all ſtrewed with croſſes; but hearten thy ſelfe as the Paſſenger who vſually ſayth, it is neuer an ill day that hath a good night; and though many bitter pils of harſh and ſtrange vſages muſt bee ſwallowed by theſe ſtrangers, yet the conſideration of home is as ſugar in their pockets to ſweeten them all.
A ſtranger meaſures not his owne worth, nor thinketh worſe of himſelfe for things befalling him in the way; but eſteemeth and valueth himſelfe, according to his eſtate at home: So muſt the Chriſtian ſtranger, liue by faith, looke vponupon things not ſeene. Let the world vnderunder-value thee, content thy ſelfe, that thou haſt credit, and reputation at home, where thou art knowne, and thy worth is knowne, which by no diſparagement in the way can be obſcured, or diminiſhed.
Thirdly, a third dutie hence that wee are ſtrangers heere, is to learne to eſtrange our ſelues from the world, and courſes of worldly men. A ſtranger when euer hee trauailes, reteineth the manners, faſhions, and cuſtomes of his owne countrey; a Chriſtian ſtranger although hee bee in the world, yet hee is not of the world, hee is of another corporation, and therefore though hee walke in the fleſh, 2 Cor. 10.3 foreignyet hee muſt not warre according to the fleſh. Hee carrieth this body of fleſh about him as others doe, but hee muſt fight againſt fleſh and the luſts of it, contrary to the Patrons, and defenders of the corruptions that are in the worlde through luſt. The worlde may and muſt enioy our preſence for a time, but muſt at no time gaine our conformity to it, Rom. 12.2. Faſhion not your ſelues according to this world, that is, the cuſtomes and guizes of it; becauſe it lieth in wickedneſſe, and the Chriſtian is caſt into another forme of doctrine and conuerſation, Art thou now ſollicited to follow the luſts and faſhions of this world? thinke with thy ſelfe, that thou art a ſtranger heere, and of another Countrey; thou liueſt vnderunder other lawes; thou maiſt not caſt in thy lot with the wicked of the world; nor giuegive voice or ſuffrage in their meetings; but bee as Lot, who though hee were in Sodome, was not of Sodome; but was perpetually vexed with the vncleane conuerſation of thoſe wicked men. Art thou prouoked to ſweare, to drinke exceſſiuely, to lie for aduantage, to breake the Sabbath for gaine, to vncleanneſſe, or any other foule luſt? Now ſay to thy ſelfe; I am of the kingdome of light; but this is a worke of darkeneſſe; this is an vnlawfull act in my Countrey, and why ſhould I practiſe it heere? ſeeing my Lord and King muſt needs know it: if I commit treaſon heere againſt my King and Countrey; my King hath informers enough, and I ſhall looſe my whole eſtate there, and bee baniſhed out of my countrey for euer. Shall I (ſaith Ioſeph) commit this ſinne againſt my God, againſt my Maſter? Seeing my Maſter hath kept nothing from mee but ſinne; I will not doe this thing, I will not ſinne, and commit this high wickedneſſe.
Fourthly, A fourth dutie is, that ſeeing we are ſtrangers heere, to learne to affect our owne countrey, and highly to eſteeme it. EueryEvery man by nature loueth his natiue Countrey beſt; neither thinketh himſelfe ſo well in any forreine land; and ſtrangers, eſpecially hauing parents, kindred, and great reuenues in their natiue ſoyle; and being hardly entreated where they ſoiourne; would be glad to returne home, and enioy the ſight of thoſe whom they hauehave long longed to ſee: Euen ſo the Chriſtian Pilgrim. Neuer did Iſrael more affect and extoll their owne Countrey in their baniſhment from it, and captiuitie in Babylon, than the Chriſtian ſtranger doth affectedly deſire, and preferre his heauenly Countrey aboue this ſtrange land, the Countrey of his captiuitie; For, hee diſcerneth that this is not his Countrey, firſt, That is a mans Country where he was borne and brought vp, but whence taketh a Chriſtian his ſpirituall birth, or where is hee brought vp but in the Church and kingdome of Chriſt? Earth giueth him a birth and being as hee is man, but as a Chriſtian hee is borne of God. Secondly, againe, that is a mans countrey where his parents, his anceſtors, and deare kindred dwell, and inhabit. Now where dwelleth the Chriſtian mans Father, but in heauen? Where is his elder brother but there? Where are all his brethren and ſiſters, ſonnes and daughters of the ſame parents but there? and therefore heauen is his Countrey. Thirdly, Further, that is a mans Countrey where his principall eſtate, and goods are, where his patrimony and inheritance lyeth; and where is the chiefe portion, the treaſure, the immortall inheritance of the Chriſtian, but in heauen? And where elſe is his Countrie? Now then, a Chriſtian conſidering on the one hand, that hee is in a ſtrange Countrey, and how hardly hee hath bin intreated in it, and ſo likely to be ſtill; and on the other hand, that hee hath an home and a father there that loueth him dearely; and that his elder brother Ieſus Chriſt, and all his ſpirituall kindred, the Saints of God are there; And beſides that, hee hath a rich portion and a large patrimony, euen an immortall inheritance in heauen; how can hee chuſe but to bee reared in his affections, yea, rauiſhed to bee there? deſiring nothing in the world more than to bee diſſolued hence, and to bee with Chriſt, which is beſt of all. Phil. 1.23.A Traueller hath his minde, and thoughts ſtill vponupon home, and ſaith with himſelfe, Home is homely. And the Marriner, or Sea-faring man in a ſtorme, or rough Sea, hath his deſires on the Shore, and his minde is not where his body is. So is it with the Chriſtian Paſſenger, his minde is not where his body is; and if hee cannot get home in the body as ſoone as hee deſireth, yet in his ſpirit, hee will minde heauen, and heauenly things; hee will get as neere home as hee can; if he cannot get into the heart of the citie, hee will bee ſure to get into the ſuburbes, the Church of God. If hee cannot get ſuddenly into that Ieruſalem which is aboue, Reu. 21.2.hee will get into the Ieruſalem which is from aboue; and where his perſon cannot bee for the time, his conuerſation & meditation ſhall bee in heauen; Matt. 6 21.for where his treaſure is, there will his heart be alſo.
Vſe 2. In that wee are ſtrangers with God, wee learne diuers things;
1. The ſoueraigntie and power of God, who is the great owner, Zach. 4.14and ruler of the whole earth. Kings themſelues, who are the higheſt earthly Lords, and commanders, are but ſtrangers with God,Pſal. 24.1. for the earth is the Lords, and all that therein is: And no man ſitteth in his owne, but are Tenants at will vnderunder this great Land-Lord. The greateſt of men, yea, of Kings, are but as David was, ſoiourners in his ſight, Leuitic. 25.23. The Land is his, and wee are but ſtrangers and ſoiourners with him.
2. Wee muſt hence gather out our owne dutie towards God, in whoſe Countrey wee ſoiourne; and our dutie is manifold;
1. To aske leaue of GOD, to paſſe through his Countrey; ſo did Iſrael of Edom, a wicked Prince and people, Numbers 20. I pray thee that we may paſſe through thy Countrey, &c. It is fit to aske leaue where no right is. Beſides, that by daily prayer for Gods leaue, and fauourable louelove in our way, wee both aſcribe vntounto God the honour of ſoueraigntie and bountie; as alſo ſweeten his mercies which hee giueth vsus leaue to enioy, all which are ſanctified to vsus by the word and by praier.1 Tim. 4.5.
2. Binde thy ſelfe from treſpaſſing in the way and Countrey through which thou paſſeſt; So did Iſrael vntounto Edom, Num. 20.17.We will not goe through the fields, nor the vineyards: neither will wee drinke of the water of the wells; wee will goe by the Kings way, and neither turne to the right hand, nor left, till wee bee paſt thy borders; So muſt the Chriſtian bee carefull hee tranſgreſſe not the lawes of the Countrey in which hee ſoiournes, to ſtirre vp againſt himſelfe the wrath and reuenge of the Lord in whoſe Countrey hee ſoiourneth; but frame himſelfe to pleaſe him, by whoſe leaue hee trauelleth through his Countrey. How carefull and diligent were Ioſephs brethren to pleaſe their vnknowne brother,Gen. 44.the Lord of that ſtrange Countrey? Much more ought we to pleaſe our brother Ieſus Chriſt, the Lord of this ſtrange countrey, through which wee paſſe to our owne Canaan.
3. Caſt thy care vponupon God, and depend vponupon him for all needfull ſupplies; ſo did holy David heere, becauſe hee was a ſtranger in Gods Countrey, he therefore caſteth his burden vponupon the Lord, deſiring him to heare his prayer, and to hearken to his cry, and not to bee ſilent at his teares. A ſtranger ouerloadeth not himſelfe with cares, and carriages; but carrying a competent viaunce with him, dependeth for all neceſſaries vponupon them where he ſoiourneth; ſo a Chriſtian ſtranger need bee in nothing carefull, Phil. 4.6.but in all things let his requeſts bee ſhewed vntounto God (the King of the Countrey) in prayer. All diſtruſtfull and exceſſiue carefulneſſe is to bee auoyded of a Chriſtian, yea, ſuppoſe the care be about things lawfull, if it bee exceſſiue, it is ſinfull, and vnſeemely in a Chriſtian Pilgrim. Let thy chiefe care be,Pſal. 37.5. 1 Pet. 5.7. to commit thy way vntounto the Lord, and truſt in him, and hee ſhall bring it to paſſe, Pſal. 55.22. Caſt thy care vponupon the Lord, and he ſhall nouriſh thee.
4. Be much in thankefulneſſe vntounto God for all the comfortable bleſſings thou receiueſt in thy Pilgrimage: a ſtranger thankefully accepteth all the fauours ſhewed him in a ſtrange Countrey: and ſo did holy Dauid, when God had enabled him to prepare abundantly for the building of the temple, breake out into abundant praiſes; Wee thanke thee our God, 1 Chro. 29.13.14.and praiſe thy glorious Name. But who am I? or what is my people, that we ſhould offer vntounto thee? for all is thine, and of thine own hauehave we giuen thee; for, wee are ſtrangers before thee, and ſoiourners, as all our Fathers were. And ſurely, it well beſeemeth the iuſt to bee thankfull, ſeeing they are ſtrangers in the Lords land, and all the comforts they enioy, are his by right, and poſſeſſion, and theirs onelyonly by leaue, and thankfull acceptation.
5. Be contented and patient, if this great Lord deny thee any thing thou wouldſt hauehave whileſt thou paſſeſt through his Countrey;Numb. 20 21.ſo was Iſrael when Edom out of a churliſh and hurtfull minde, denied them peaceable paſſage. But the Lord of this Countrey knoweth what is fit for vsus, and neuer denieth any thing out of a churliſh minde, neither can deny any thing good in it ſelfe, and good to vsus; and if he with-hold any hurtfull things, we muſt be not onelyonly patient but thankfull.
Vſe 3. In that wee are ſtrangers heere, and trauelling to our countrey, as all our Fathers hauehave done before vsus, it appeareth that our wiſdome will bee to reſolue of paines and trauell all the dayes of our life, and not to expect reſt till the night of death come, when dying in the Lord we ſhall reſt from our labours; and becauſe this is not our reſt, Mica. 2.…0.wee muſt ariſe and depart hence. And ſeeing wee can no more auoid this weary iourney, than any of our Fathers could doe; we muſt rather beſtow wiſe and carefull thoughts, in fitting our ſelues to our iourney, and in behauing our ſelues through our way, than to expect to auoid the tediouſneſſe and difficulties of it.
Queſt. How may we fit our ſelues for our iourney home into our owne Countrey?
Anſ. A traueller fitteth himſelfe to his iourney two waies eſpecially;
1. By caſting off, and leauing behinde him whatſoeuer would burden or hinder him in his way.
2. By prouiding for himſelfe things fit for his iourney.
Of the former ſort there be three eſpeciall encumbrances that the Chriſtian Pilgrim muſt lighten himſelfe off. The firſt of them is ſinne, which as an intollerable burden preſſeth vsus downe, Heb. 12.1.and hangeth faſt on; and therefore the Apoſtle counſelleth to caſt it off, if wee meane to runne the race before vsus. Now the way to lighten our ſelues of this weight, is to exerciſe eueryevery day the grace of repentance and mortification, and daily to take ſome ſinne or other in hand, and at leaſt to ſlake and abate the power of it, that if wee cannot bee rid of the ſinne in reſpect of the preſence of it, yet we may be rid of the reigne and command of it.
The ſecond, are earthly cares, profits, and pleaſures, which are as heauy ſtones tyed vntounto vsus, and preſſing vsus from heauen to earth, making heauie and ſad the ſoule, and vnweildy in her motions. The way for vsus to lighten our ſelues of theſe encumbrances, is daily and continually to eleuate, and raiſe our thoughts homeward, and heauenward, and exerciſe our ſelues in holy meditations, praiers, and praiſes, ſundry times through the day.
For as he that would keepe a Clocke in true motion, muſt eueryevery day ſundry times winde vp the plummets, which are ſtil drawing downward; euen ſo muſt we doe with our hearts; the cares and pleaſures of the world are as plummets of Lead, preſſing downe the ſoule inceſſantly, in her motion towards heauen; and hee that would continue his motiō muſt daily wind vp his heart towards God: and by maine ſtrength of grace fetch it vp from earth, that it may be ſirmly ſetled on heauenly things, delighting it ſelfe with the riches of heauen; & with contemplation of thoſe pleaſures, that are at the right hand of God for euermore.
The third encumbrance, is the feare of death, which preſſeth vsus all our life; and the Chriſtian muſt lighten himſelfe of this burden by looking beyond it to his own home; by longing after the liuing God, whom none can ſee in the body and liue; by conſidering that the nearer he is to death, hee is ſo much neerer home. And what ſtranger feareth to goe home; or is ſorry when after a long abſence, hee is entring into his owne Citie?
Secondly, A wiſe Chriſtian will furniſh and prouide himſelfe with neceſſaries, and needefull ſupplies, to helpe him through his iourney.
There be fiue things eſpecially which a traueller muſt fit himſelfe withall, that his iourney may bee leſſe tedious, and more proſperous to himſelfe.
1. The knowledge of the direct way. Now whereas no man knowes the way to the heauenly countrey, without Gods teaching, eueryevery one muſt goe to God himſelfe firſt, and then to ſuch as God hath appointed to bee the directors, and inſtructors in this way. The former wee ſee in holy Dauid, Pſalme 119.19. I am a ſtranger vponupon earth, therefore hide not thy Commandements from duplicate page duplicate page mee. Hee knew well how hardly a blinde man could performe a farre and dangerous iourney, and thus it is onelyonly the Commandement that ſhewes the way to this heauenly Countrey. Why, was Dauid a blinde man, or did hee not know the ten Commandements? Euen Dauid who was not ſtone blinde, but much enlightned, was blinde in part, and ſtill earneſt, that the LORD would further open his eies, Pſal. 119.18, 34, 35.to ſee the way more plainly, & clearely than yet hee did: And though hee knew the words, and true ſence of the ten Commandements, yet hee deſireth ſtill to bee led further into the particular vſe, application, direction, and obedience of them; and of all other parts of the Word, which hee ſaith, is exceeding large. Verſ. 96 And for the latter; As a ſtrāger in an vnknown Country, and way, will euer, bee asking the way of eueryevery one neuer ſo ſimple, who knoweth the way better than himſelfe; and will obſerue the ſeuerall markes, and ſtatues, by which hee may know, whether hee bee right, or no: So muſt eueryevery Chriſtian Pilgrim bee inquiſitiue of his way; for which purpoſe he muſt frequent the miniſtry of the word diligently, which God hath erected to bee as A light in a darke place; as the Pillar of the Cloude and fire by night and by day, to direct vsus through this dry and deſert wilderneſſe; as Ariadnes threede to helpe vsus through this trouble-ſome Maze and Labyrinth; and as a voyce behinde vsus, ſaying, this is the way, walke in it. An inquiſitiue Chriſtian will bee ſtill conſulting with Gods Miniſters about the way of God: and conferring with priuate Chriſtians, bee they neuer ſo meane in place or appearance, concerning their great iourney betweene heauen and earth; and will take ſpeciall notice of the markes of their way, as whether it bee the narrow way, or the broad way; whether it be ſtrewed with croſſes, or pleaſant to the fleſh; whether it bee a cleane way, or a foule, dirtie, and mirie way of luſts; whether it bee an old beaten way by the feet of ancient beleeuers, the Prophets, the Apoſtles, and holy men, yea, of Ieſus Chriſt himſelfe; or a new broken and deuiſed way, vnknown vntounto them, and the Scriptures; whether it bee a right way, Hoſ. 14.9.or a crooked path of by lanes, and turnings to the right hand, or to the left; whether it bee a lightſome, or a darke way,Pro. 4.19. and the like. Thus inquiſitiue and carefull will a Chriſtian Pilgrim bee of the beſt directions he can get; as the poore iaylor will know of Paul his priſoner, what hee may doe to bee ſaued; and it is none of the lighteſt plagues of God, to hauehave an heart vnwilling to ask about the way of heauen
A ſecond comfortable helpe in an vnknowne way, is a good guide. The Chriſtian ſtranger hath neede of a guide, and the beſt guide is God himſelfe, yea and more, God is the only guide. In any other way or iourney, the natiues or inhabitants can guide a ſtranger from place to place, but here none but God can bee our guide, Pſalme 25.9. He will guide in Iudgement, and teach the humble his way.
Queſt. But how then may a man get God to bee his guide?
Anſw. By two ſpeciall meanes;
1. By earneſt Praier. Dauid knowing that none but God could guide him, prayeth, Pſalme 143.8. Shew me the way that I ſhall goe. And verſe 10. Let thy good Spirit leade mee vntounto the land of righteouſneſſe.
2. By conſtant ſubiection to Gods word; for God goeth before vsus by his word, as hee did before Iſrael in the Pillar of the Cloud & fire, and willing obedience to Gods word maketh God our guide.
Thirdly, A ſtranger in his way needeth his viance, or prouiſion for his expence. The word of God is the Chriſtians viaticum, & ſupplyeth all his needs, it affoords him food in his hunger, being the bread of life, and the Mannah that came downe from heauen; it yeeldeth him drinke in his thirſt, being water of life, and whoſoeuer thirſteth, is called to theſe ſweet waters of conſolation, drawne out of the wells of ſaluation; it affords him Phyſick in his ſoules ſickneſſe; ſtrength in his weakeneſſe; and neuer leaueth him that leaneth vponupon it, without ſufficient means to helpe him through his iourney.
Fourthly, a traueller hath need of a weapon to defend himſelfe, and to wound or keepe off his enemies. The ſame word of God is a ſpeciall part of our ſpirituall armour; it is the ſword of the Spirit. And as Dauid ſaid of Goliahs ſword, Oh, there is none to that, giuegive mee that; ſo there is no ſword to this for the repulſe of all ſpirituall enemies, and for the ſure defence of him that ſhall buckle it cloſe vntounto him. Beſides that, it directs him to obtaine and faſten vntounto him all the other peeces of Chriſtian armour, ſo as in no part he lie open or naked to danger.
Fiftly, A Traueller hath neede of good company, which is pro vehiculo, as good as a Waggon or Coach, to carry him with the more eaſe through the tediouſneſſe of the way. The ſame teſtimonies of God are ſweete companions, and helpe to deceiue, and paſſe ouer our time comfortably; if wee can talke of them in the way, and in the houſe, and in the field; and if wee can whet them vponupon our ſelues and others; if wee make them The man of our counſell, and meditate on them night and day; hee is neuer alone that hath God and Chriſt conferring, counſelling, and directing him in the Scriptures; neither is hee alone, who when hee is moſt alone, is in Soliloquie with God; this man wanteth neither company nor comfort.
Now how happily ſhall this man compaſſe his iourney,Pſa. 119.54. and goe ſinging through the moſt tedious wayes of his Pilgrimage, that hath thus furniſhed himſelfe with the vnderſtanding of his way; with a faithfull and vnerring guide; with ſufficient proviſion for his expence; with a ſerviceable weapon; and with a ſweet and chearefull Companion?
Vſe 4. In that wee are Pilgrims in the way to our Countrey; In this way … muſt learne to demeane our ſelues as way-faring men, and imitate the Pilgrim in theſe particulars.
1. To bee ſtirring early for our iourney, and take the day before vsus, that wee may diſpatch our iourney before wee be benighted It is our Lords counſell to worke while the day laſteth, becauſe the night commeth wherein none can worke, Ioh. 11.9. And his owne practiſe propounded for our imitation, Iob. 9.4. and imitated by the Saints, whoſe prayſes are in the Scriptures. Holy David ſerved out his time according to the counſell of God, that is, while he lived hee was a ſervant of God, for the good of the age in which hee lived. And the Apoſtle Peter exhorteth,1 Pet. 4.2.that henceforth ſo much time as remaineth in the fleſh, wee ſpend according to the will of God. Well did the holy men conſider, what an advantage it is to ſet out in the way of God early, even in the morning of the life; What a ſweet comfort it is to bee early graced; that wee hauehave but a ſhort day paſſed away in a few houres to travell in; that this day ſtayeth not, but haſteneth from vsus; that this day is the onelyonly time to walke in; and that this day being ſhut in, there is no more time to worke or walke in, and therefore did beſtir themſelues leſt they ſhould fall ſhort of their intended iourney.
2. As a man in his iourney, will bee glad of any good company that will goe but part of his way with him; So muſt the Chriſtian in his iourney, bee glad of companie in his way to heaven; and heartily embrace the fellowſhip and ſocietie of the Saints, which meane to goe through with him. Indeed if a man would chuſe to ſort himſelfe with evill men, hee might get more company, but they goe the contrary way; but a wiſe traveller will rather chuſe to goe with one, or two, yea or alone in his right way, than goe a cleane contrary way for companie. Let vsus bee glad to meet our countrymen in this throughfare, bee kinde to them for the ſame Countrey ſake; and as wee ſhall eaſily know them by their language, habit, and converſation, ſo let vsus heartily affect them, & vndividedly cleaue vntounto them.
3. In this way bee glad (as a ſtranger in a ſtrange Country) to ſend home vponupon enery occaſion offering it ſelfe; ſend home thy prayers, thy daily deſires, thy thoughts, thy meditations, thy prayſes, thy ſacrifices, thy louelove tokens. And becauſe ſome thing is to bee done for thee at home now in thine abſence, beſeech Chriſt thy beſt friend, to ſet forward thy buſineſſe there, and to looke to thine occaſions, leſt all goe to wracke, by preparing a manſion for thee; by making interceſſion for thee; by ſending out his Spirit for thy direction and comfort, till thou returneſt home vntounto him; eternall prayſes and thankes for ſuch great favours, ſo freely conferred vponupon thee.
4. In this way bee content if ſometimes thou are weary as one that goeth vp a ſteepe hill if ſometimes thou ſigheſt and panteſt in thy painfull travell, through a foule way, and ſtormie weather; Let the tediouſneſſe of the way make thee deſire the wayes end, and to covet to bee at home with Chriſt, which is beſt of all. But bee ſure in thy wearineſſe thou ſit not downe; much leſſe looke backe with Lots wife; but preſſe hard forward to the marke, Philip. 3.13.as one reſolved to goe through and perſevere to the end; conſidering that after an hill commeth a valley; after foule way commeth fayre; and after a ſtorme a faire ſhine and gleame againe;Pſal. 30. heavineſſe may endure for a night, but ioy returneth in the morning. If wee hauehave need of patience for a while,Heb. 10.36. it is but to enioy the promiſes. If the ſufferings for Christ encreaſe.2 Cor. 1. ſo ſhall alſo the comforts. Pſal.34.And many are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth them out of all. The end which crowneth all thy labour is worth all thy paines & patience
Vſe 5. Seeing all the Saints are ſtrangers here as all our Fathers hauehave beene; Here are ſundry grounds of comfort ariſing hence to beleevers.
1. Againſt the diſgraces and open iniuries they perpetually ſuſtaine from the hands of evill men, and the ſmall favour they find in the world; for what can they looke for other, being ſtrangers, but ſtrange vſages and entertainements from the world. If they were of the world, the world would louelove them as her owne. EueryEvery Corporation preferreth into offices her owne free men, and inhabitants; and it were folly for a ſtranger paſſing but through, to expect thoſe places, and preferments; hee muſt rather caſt to endure wronges, where his worth is vnknowne, and expect no remedy or releaſe at any of their hands; but herein comfort himſelfe that hee hath credit, and can hauehave right in his owne countrie, and if he were once at home, hee ſhould put vp no ſuch wrongs and indignities.
2. Againſt the troubles and oppreſſions of the Saints of God in theſe heavie times of warres and bloudie perſecutions; in which the Captaines of Antichriſt chaſe the godly from their ſeates, houſes, eſtates, and countries; not ſuffering the Doue of Chriſt a reſt for the ſole of her foot. Here is a ground of comfort.
1. That all the furie of the enemies, exiling and baniſhing the godly, can but make them ſtrangers, and ſo were they before, wherſoever they dwelt in any place of the earth. It is no great addition of miſerie to baniſh him, that was in baniſhment before; or to driue a man out of one ſtrange place into another: Hee that is alreadie a ſtranger vponupon earth in affection, can eaſily become come actually a ſtranger, if God call him vntounto it.
2. When the enemies hauehave exerciſed all their rage, they cannot baniſh them out of GODS Countrey; but they are ſtrangers before God, who is equally preſent with them in one corner of the earth as well as in another, to protect them, to provide for them, to pittie them, and guide them home to their owne Countrey.
3. Although the enemies would bee endleſſe in their rage againſt the Saints; and were they to liue ever, they would ever nouriſh and exerciſe an immortall wrath againſt the people of God, yet can they not inflict ſo much miſchiefe on them as they deſire; For beſides that themſelues are mortall, and beſides the juſtice of God breaking quickly to peeces the rods of his wrath, and caſting them into the fire; the godly themſelues are but ſtrangers here, and of ſhort continuance; ſo as, ſuppoſe their ſufferings bee ſharpe, yet they bee but ſhort. The rods of the wicked ſhall not alwayes lye vponupon the lot of the righteous (as they deſire they ſhould) ſeeing the godly are ſtrangers as well in time as in place, and themſelues not continuing, their miſerie cannot bee continuall.
3. In the many loſſes of theſe worldly and corruptible things, which take them to their wings, and flie from one maiſter to another, by meanes of warre, mortalitie, and many caſualties; a Chriſtian hath comfort, that hee beeing a ſtranger here, he hath no great eſtate to loſe; ſome Mooveables, ſuch as hee carryeth along with him in his iourney, hee may loſe by the way, but his eſtate and inheritance is ſafe enough at home. Nay, in that great and finall deſtruction of the whole world by the dreadfull fire of the laſt day;2 Pet. 3.10. When the heavens ſhall paſſe away with a noyſe, and the elements ſhall melt with heat, and the earth, with the workes that are therein ſhall bee burnt vp: When all other men ſhall bee looſers of all their whole eſtates, onelyonly the godly (becauſe they are Strangers here) they ſhall eſcape all theſe things, and be no loſers at all.
If ſome whole Citie ſhould bee conſumed by fire, when the whole multitude of Inhabitants ſuſtaine loſſe, and beggery, by that Accident; a ſtranger that is but paſſing through the Cittie, and hath his eſtate and dwelling elſewhere, hee loſeth nothing at all; So the godly ſhall be glad in that day, that they hauehave no ſtocke nor portion with them, who had no other portion but in this life.
4. As his eſtate is ſafe, ſo likewiſe is the perſon of the godly Pilgrim; For hee not being of the world, hee ſhall not periſh with the world. It was happie for Lot that hee was a ſtranger,Gen. 19.9.and ſcorned as a ſtranger by the Sodomites; for when all they were ſcalded with a ſhower of fire and Brimſtone, the Lord being mercifull vntounto him, his perſon was in ſafetie. Sever thy ſelfe from the condition of ſinnefull men; eſtrange thy ſelfe from the condition of ſinnefull men; eſtrange thy ſelfe from their courſes; walke as one deliuered from this evill world, if not yet in reſpect of place, yet in reſpect of new qualities; thou ſhalt hauehave Gods protection, and ſee the ſalvation of the LORD, when all the wicked Inhabitants of the earth ſhall call for the hills to cover them, and the mountaines to fall vponupon them, to hide them from the wrath of the Lambe; for the great day of his wrath is come, Rev. 6.16, 17.and who can ſtand? (⁂)
FINIS.