A Support for the Sinking Heart in Times of Distress, Text

A Support for the Sinking Heart in Times of Distress · Text

p. 1GEN. XXII. XIV.

In the Mount of the Lord it ſhall be ſeene.

INterpreters call this Text a Proverbe, the interpretation whereof is to be fetched from the occaſion of it.

God by way of tryall did put his ſervant Abraham upon a ſad taske,Verſ. 1. a dead ſervice, commanding him to make a burnt offering of his ſonne, his ſonne Iſaack, the ſonne of his age, and the ſonne of Gods promiſe.

Take now thy ſonne, thy only ſonne Iſaack whom thou loveſt, Verſ. 2.and get thee into the land of Moriah, and offer him there for a burnt offering.

How heavy this worke was likely to be upon Abrahams heart, I leave it to the judgement of any affectionate father, when he hath ſeriouſly peruſed the law of the Lord concerning burnt offerings.

The offering being ſlaine it was to be cut in peeces,Lev. 1.6.8, 9.Lev 1:6Lev 1:8Lev 1:9 the wood being laid upon the Altar fire was to be put under, the parts, the head, the fat were to be laid in order upon the wood, the inwards and the legs being waſht in water, all were to be burnt on the Altar.

When the good old man had chewed this bitter pill for the ſpace of three dayes, towards the end of the third day,Gen. 22.4.Gen 22:4 he lifting up his eyes ſaw the place afarre off where his p. 2deareſt ſonne muſt be ſacrificed.

Being come to his journeyes end he builds the Altar, binds his ſonne, and layes him thereon. What patheticall conference pafled betweene them two, the Holy Ghoſt reveales not. But what it was each affectionate heart will make conjecture. When the father (no doubt with a heavy heart) had taken the knife, and lifted up his hand, and was ready to give the deaths blow to his beloved Iſaack, now imagin you what were Abrahams ſtraights.

Is it not probable he might have ſuch reaſonings as theſe? If I kill not my ſonne God will be incenſed becauſe he is diſobeyed; If I doe, how will the world clamour and cenſure, being ignorant of my warrant, and therefore apt to judge my act both impious and unnaturall.

Now in the Mount is the Lord ſeene, divine providence ſweetly and gloriouſly appeareth two wayes.

1. In that Abrahams ſonne is ſpared.

Ʋerſ. 11, 12.2. In that a ſitting ſacrifice is prepared, and both unexpected. Abraham, Abraham hold thy hand.

How welcome were theſe words to the working warme heart of Abraham, being ready to let forth the life of his welbeloved ſonne? The execution is checkt, Iſaack is not killed,Heb. 11.17.Heb 11:17 and yet the intention of his obedience herein is graciouſly accepted: yea and as an addition of mercy, he is aſſured by Chriſt the Angell of the covenant,Ʋerſ. 12. that God accounted him one that truly feared his name. Now J know thou feareſt me.

This unexpected providence might worke in the good mans heart willingneſſe to tender unto the Lord an offering in way of thankfullneſſe, that his Majeſty might have ſome homage in the ſame place where he had ſhewed ſo much favour. And though ſpeedy proviſion of that kind was as farre from Abrahams thoughts, as the preſervation of his ſonne, yet when he lifted up his eyes and looked, behold behind him aramme caught in a thicket by the hornes. Ʋerſ. 13.And Abraham went and tooke the ramme p. 3and offered him up for a burnt offering in the ſtead of his ſonne, and Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah Jireh. In the Mount of the Lord it ſhall be ſeene.

I will not trouble you in reporting the various readings of theſe words from the originall. In ſhort, the engliſh of my Text is this, Mans extremity is Gods opportunity. Or if you would have my Doctrine in other words, take it thus:

In the Mount, in the midſt of ſtraights it hath beene the manner of the Almighty, Doct.mercifully to manifeſt himſelfe for his ſervants comfort.

There are two things that I ſhall deſire to ſpeake too in the proſecution of this point, purpoſeley pitched upon becauſe of this dayes perplexity.

1. Confirmation, that it may be ſtrongly beleeved.

2. Application, that it may be ſeaſonably improved.

The Confirmation of the Doctrine I will give in.

1. By Scripture.

2. By Reaſon.

The Scripture proofe you ſhall have under two heads.

1. The Promiſes of God.

2. The experiences of the godly.

I will mention only two pretious Promiſes, becauſe they are ſufficient, being both pregnant and pertinent, ſpeaking both fully and punctually to the point in hand.

The former is in Pſal. 72.12. where the ſweet diſpenſations of Chriſts regall authority being tipically foretold by King Solomons government,Pſal. 72.12.Ps 72:12 we have this recorded. He ſhall deliver the needy when he cryeth, the poore alſo and him that hath no helper. You may doe well to marke the fitneſſe and fullneſſe of the Promiſe.

1. When Chriſt finds his people in themſelves poore and needy, deſtitute of abilities to ſhelter themſelves from wrong and violence.

2. When in regard of others it is thus with them, viz. not only that they have weake helps, or few helpers, but when they have no helpers, none at all.

p. 43. When in this diſtreſſe they cry out as perſons in an undone condition, then, though not till then will he deliver.

The other Promiſe is regiſtred in Deut. 32.36. For the Lord ſhall judge his people, Deut. 32.36.Deut 32:36and repent himſelfe for his ſervants when he ſeeth that their power is gone, and there is none ſhut, up, or left.

The language is large, and hath much in it, but becauſe the proofe in it is apparent to every eye, I will leave it.

The experiences of the godly which I ſhall produce you may pleaſe thus to conſider:

1. Of ſingle Perſons plunged into deepe dangers.

2. Of companies, whether few or many, compaſſed about with devouring perills on every ſide.

For ſingle Perſons, I will inſtance in foure Examples.

Dan. 6.16.17, &c.Dan 6:16Dan 6:17The firſt is of Daniell, wherein fource circumſtances are remarkeable.

1. He was caſt to Lyons, not only one but many, the number we know not.

2. He was put into the Lyons den, and the doore was ſhut, a ſtone was brought and layed upon the mouth of the den that he might not get forth from thoſe beaſts of prey.

3. The King ſealeth it with his owne ſignet, and with the ſignet of his Lords, that the purpoſe might not be changed concerning Daniell.

4. In this darke den of deadly danger he continued a whole night, and in this great ſtraight the Lord by his Angell, ſhut the Lyons mouthes that they did his ſervant no hurt at all.

The ſecond Example is that of David, 1 Sam. 23. from the 25. to the 28. Saul purſued after David in the wilderneſſe of Maon, and Saul went on this ſide the Mountaine and David and his men on that ſide of the Mountaine, and David made haſte to get away for feare of Saul, for Saul and his men compaſſed David and his men round about to take them. But there came a meſſenger unto Saul ſaying, haſt thee and come, for the Philiſtines have invaded the Land, p. 5wherefore Saul returned from purſuing after David.

In this Example theſe things are conſiderable.

1. It was no leſſe then Davids life that now was endangered.Ʋerſ. 15.

2. The Ziphites who were acquainted with Davids holds, combined themſelves alſo againſt him.Ʋerſ. 19.

3. All this ſtrength did not only in a warre-like way take up armes to meete him, for then by flying backe he might have made an eſcape, but they compaſſed him round about.

4. His ſtrength was not ſufficient ſafely to breake through theſe blood-thirſting forces: Now in this ſtraight, an unexpected providence procures his preſervation: In this Mount was God ſeene gloriouſly.

The third Example is that of Paul, which you have in the 21. Acts 30.31, 32. All the City was moved, and the people ranne together, they bound Paul, drew him out of the Temple, and forthwith the doores were ſhut, and as they went about to kill him, tydings came to the chiefe Captaine of the band, that all Jeruſalem was in an uproare, who immediately tooke ſouldiers, and Centurions, and ranne downe unto them, and when they ſaw the chiefe Captaine and the ſouldiers, they left beating Paul.

Herein you may note:

1. The generall Inſurrection, All the City.

2. Their violent Oppoſition, They drew him out.

3. Their bloody Intention, It was to kill Paul.

4. Their entrance upon execution, They were beating him to beate out his life: Now in this ſtraight commeth tydings, leave him there is ſomething elſe to doe: Thus was God in the Mount ſeene, and Pauls life preſerved.

The fourth Example is of Peter, Acts 12.4, 6, 7. wherein note:

1. That Herod intending to kill him (having done execution upon James, ver. 3.) had apprehended him, and impriſoned him.

2. In priſon he was committed to the cuſtody of foure quaternions of ſouldiers, that for every watch both day p. 6and night there might be 4. looking to him to prevent eſcape.

3. The night before he was to be brought forth, he was bound with two chaines, and two ſouldiers had him betweene them. And now, that night, and in that ſtraight, he was delivered by the Angell of God.

The experiences of Gods people in combined companies, come in the next place to be conſidered, and for brevities ſake I will only ſuggeſt three.

The firſt is of Shadrack, Meſheck and Abednego, wherein their Perſons are not ſo many as the particulars notable in their deliverance, Dan. 3.19, 20, 21, 22, 23. &c. Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the forme of his viſage was changed againſt Shadrack, Meſech and Abednego, therefore he spake and commanded that they ſhould heate the furnace ſeven times more then it was wont to be heated, &c.

From theſe words their extreame perill with which they were beſieged, appeares in five circumſtances.

1. Their death is determined by the King, who had authority to command both their tortures and executioners.

2. The moſt mighty ſouldiers were appointed to bind them, and doe execution upon them.

3. The furnace being heated ſeven times more hot then ordinarily, did burne to death them who undertooke their burning.

4. Theſe 3. men, were caſt not only into the mouth, but into the midſt of the furnace.

5. They fell down bound in the midſt of the burning fiery furnace. Now in this condition, conceive how little hope could be expected of life to be continued, and yet it is affirmed by the Holy Ghoſt,Ʋerſ. 27. that they had no hurt, upon their bodies the fire had no power, nor was the haire of their head ſinged.

The next is of Iſrael when they came out of Egypt, recorded, Exodus 14. wherein theſe things ſet forth Israels extremity.

p. 71. The forces prepared againſt them, The heart of Pharoah and of his ſervants was turned againſt the people, and he made ready his Chariot and tooked his people with him, and he tooke ſix hundred choſen Chariots, Ʋerſ. 5, 6, 7.and all the Chariots of Egypt, and Captaines over every one of them.

2. The purſuit made after them, They purſued after the children of Iſrael, and the Egyptians purſued after them, Ʋerſ. 8, 9.all the horſes and Chariots of Pharaoh, and his horſemen and his army.

3. The dreadfull apprehenſions raiſed in the hearts of the Iſraelites, (viz.) that no leſſe then their death was intended. Why haſt thou taken us away to dye? Ʋerſ. 11, 12.Had it not beene better for us to ſerve the Egyptians then that we ſhould dye.

4. The particulars whereby they were further ſtraightned.Ʋerſ. 9. 1. The Egyptians overtooke them encamping by the Sea. 2. The Seas of they went forward threatned to devoure them. In this diſtreſſe God diſcovers himſelfe, and delivers them. For obſerve the words, Moſes ſaid unto the people, feare ye not, ſtand ſtill, Ʋerſ. 13.and ſee the ſalvation of the Lord, which h… will ſhew to you to day.

To day, even juſt now and not before, helpe comes from Heaven Herein this farther circumſtances hath it's weight, that Iſrael at this inſtant was provoking God, by murmuring and diſtruſtfull feares.

The laſt is of Iſrael in the raigne of Jeroboam ſonne of Joaſh. 2 King. 14.26, 27.2 Kgs 14:262 Kgs 14:27The Lord ſaw the affliction of Iſrael that it was very bitter, for there was not any ſhut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Iſrael, and the Lord ſaid not that he would blot out the name of Iſrael under Heaven, but he ſaved them by the hand of Jeroboam the ſonne of Joaſh.

All theſe paſſages propounded from ſacred records, may abundantly ſatisfie us in the truth of the doctrine now under hand: (viz.) That in the Mount of the Lord it ſhall appeare, Mans extremity is Gods opportunity.

In caſe you inquire the Reaſons of this divine diſpenſation, I returne anſwer.

p. 8That God thus worketh in reference to

Himſelfe.

His people.

Their enemies

1. In reference to himſelfe. The prayſe and glory of his own bleſſed Name deſigned in all his works, is the ſupreame end aymed at in this Providence. This God bringeth in as the cauſe why his hand carryed Iſrael to the very ſide of the Sea, into the mouth of death before deliverance ſhould appeare. I will be honoured upon Pharaoh and upon all his hoaſt; that the Egyptians may know that I am the Lord.Exod. 14.4.Exod 14:4

VponUpon ſuch occaſions the Attributes of the Lord breake forth in glory, His Wiſdome is moſt manifeſted when it worketh beyond meanes, above meanes, that humane reaſon cannot find out divine foot-ſteps. His Power truimphs when all oppoſition ſhrinketh before his wondrous workings. The like might be ſhewed concerning his other excellencies. The event of Gods dealings with Daniel, and the three young governours in the times of their ſtraights, diſcover that this was Gods intent in thoſe providences. For marke how Nebuchadnezzar and the King Darius did trumpet forth the praiſes of the God of Shadrach, Meſech, Abednego and Daniel, when they were eye witneſſes of thoſe two glorious deliverances which were wrought on by omnipotency.Dan. 3.28, 29.Dan 3:28Dan 3:29 Then Nebuchadnezzar ſpake and ſaid, bleſſed be the God of Shadrach, Meſhach and Abednego, who hath ſent his Angell, and delivered his ſervants that trusted in him, and have changed the Kings word, and yeelded their bodies that they might not ſerve, nor worſhip any god, except their owne God. Therefore I make a decree, that every people, nation and language, which ſpeake any thing amiſſe againſt the God of Shadrach, Meſhach and Abednego, ſhall be cut in pieces, and their houſes ſhall be made a dung-hill, Then King Darius wrote unto all people, Dan. 6.26, 27.Dan 6:26Dan 6:27nations and languages, that dwell in all the earth. I make a decree, that in every dominion of my Kingdome, men tremble and feare before p. 9the God of Daniell, for he is the living God, and ſtedfaſt for ever, and his Kingdome that which ſhall not be destroyed, and his dominion ſhall be even unto the end. He delivereth and reſoueth, and he worketh ſignes and wonders in Heaven and in earth who hath delivered Daniell from the power of the Lyons. By both theſe inſtances it is evident, that the Lord doth appeare in the Mount for his owne ſake, to get and raiſe himſelfe a name in the world.

2. God doth thus work in reſpect to his own people. And here I will note only foure particulars.

1. Sometimes that he might diſcover to his ſervants for their encouragement, both the truth and ſtrength of his owne graces in them. This was the reaſon why God thus tryed Abraham, that he might manifeſt that holy feare which was planted in his breaſt. Hereupon God putteth him to it, and carrieth him into the Mount, leadeth him into diſtreſſe by degrees, acting him on to build the Altar, to lay the wood in order, to bind his Iſaack, to lay him upon the Altar, upon the wood, yea to take the knife, and to ſtretch forth his hand to ſlay his ſonne, before he did appeare for his comfort, in giving order for the lengthening of Iſaacks life. And now when there ſeemed to be but one minute of time unto the effuſion of Iſaacks blood, heare the good newes from Heaven, Abraham I know thou feareſt me.

2. Sometimes to manifeſt the feebleneſſe of ſome grace in their hearts for their humbling, Peter thought himſelfe full enough of courage to come to Chriſt upon the ſinking ſeas it he might have a call. Well! marke the iſſue, Chriſt calleth him, come out Peter, but when he ſaw the windes boyſterous, and when his ſooting failed, he began to ſinke, then he was afraid and cryed out, Mat. 14.28, 29, 30, 31.Matt 14:28Matt 14:29Matt 14:30Matt 14:31hereupon obſerve Chriſts anſwer, O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt.

3. That he may ſet the graces of his Spirit in exerciſe, both for their increaſe, and for the enfeebling of contrary luſts. We know that habits are ſtrengthened by exerciſe, and grace is augmented in its meaſure, by p. 10being put forth vigorouſly in it's operations. And by how much any grace gathereth ſtrength, by ſo much the oppoſing corruption becommeth feeble in a Chriſtian breſt. And that the Lord hath this end in this kind of working, it might be evidenced by manifold inſtances, but for brevities ſake, I will only point at one, in one ſingle experiment.

As holy affiance in God is confirmed, ſo by ſuch like diſpenſations creature confidence is abated in holy hearts, 2 Cor. 1.9, 10. But we had the ſentence of death in our ſelves, that we ſhould not truſt in our ſelves, but in God which raiſeth the dead, who delivered us from ſo great a death, and doth deliver, in whom we truſt that he will yet deliver us. Men in ſtraights ſee the ſtrength of creature helps ſhunke up, and withered, whereupon they dare leane to them no longer; but Gods irreſiſtible power profound wiſdome, abundant goodneſſe, and other glorious attributes in ſuch difficult caſes being clearely diſcovered, the ſoule is incouraged confidently to caſt it ſelfe into his armes for future times.

4. That their deliverance might be more ſweet to their ſpirits, and conſequently that their joyes might the more readily runne out before his Majeſty in holy thankfullneſſe. When we expect that now our houſes ſhall be fired, the City ſack it our eſtates waſted, our wives abuſed, our children cruelly murthered, our Sabbath and weeke day meetings interrupted, our Parliament diſſolved, and our Kingdome deſolated. Now to ſee theſe clouds to blow over, and our Sunne to breake forth againe, oh how ſweet will this glorious change be to our now-dropping hearts! Davids experince ſpeaks to this purpoſe, Pſal 34.1, 2, 3. A Pſalme of David when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed. I will bleſſe the Lord at all times, his praiſe ſhall continually be in my mouth: My ſoule ſhall make her bouſt in the Lord, the hamble ſhall heare thereof and be glad, oh magnifie the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. Pſal. 86.12, 1, 3. I will praiſe thee O p. 11Lord my God with all my heart, and I will glorifie thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me, and thou haſt delivered my ſoule from the loweſt hell. But more fully and fitly may our Kingdome concernments be expreſſed by: Pſal. 1▪ 24. if our God be pleaſed now to appeare in the Mount for London, for England, in this day of our deep danger, and exceeding, exceeding great feare, And our deſired deliverance from preſent perplexities, may with joy of ſoule be expreſſed by the words of that Pſalme. If it had not beene the Lord who was on our ſide, now may England ſay, if it had not beene the Lord who was on our ſide, when men roſe up againſt us, then they had ſwallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled againſt us, then the waters had overwhelmed us, the ſtreame had gone over our ſoule, then the proud waters had gone over our ſoule. But bleſſed be the Lord who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth, &c.

3. God thus worketh in regard of his peoples enemies, both the Divell and diveliſh men. 1. In regard of the Divell, that he might ſtop his black and ſlanderous mouth, which is upon all occaſions wide open in wayes of calumny, caſting ſlanderous accuſations upon Gods good ſervants. When all Jobs eſtate was removed in a day, all his children knockt dead at one blow, God commending Job ſaith thus to Satan,Job 2 3.Job 2:3 Haſt thou conſidered my ſervant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God and eſcheweth evill? and ſtill be holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedſt me againſt him to deſtroy him without cauſe. And Satan anſwered and ſaid, skin for skin, ver. 4, 5,yea all that a man hath will he give for his life, put forth thy hand now and touch his bone, and his fleſh, and he will curſe thee to thy face. Hereupon God bringeth Job into further ſtraights, for this very purpoſe to ſilence Satan.Rev. 12.10.Rev 12:10 And whereas thoſe malignant ſpirits continue to be the accuſers of the Brethren, and are ſtill apt to provoke his Majeſty againſt them, ſuggeſting, that if his providence put them to pinches, they will then ſly out, and manifeſt their carnall p. 12fleſhlineſſe in the profeſſion and practice of Religion: Hereupon God puts them (as it were) into the ſtocks, and ſets them upon the rack, and cauſeth them to be beſieged with difficulties to prove Satan a notoriour lyar.

2. In regard of divelliſh men. Partly to fill their hearts with the more vexation: Partly to chaine down their violent ſpirits, that they may not breake forth with further fury againſt his cauſe and people, and through the power of ſtrong conviction, to work ſome change in their lives and courſes.

1. To fill their hearts with the more vexation. The Lord doth indeed rejoyce in the miſery of the wicked. I will laugh at your calamity, Prov. 1.26.Prov 1:26and mock when your feare commeth: yea it is a comfort to his highneſſe to powre forth fury upon them:Ezek. 5.13.Ezek 5:13 I will cauſe my fury to reſt upon them, and I will be comforted. And the Pſalmiſt ſeems to give in this, as a reaſon why God cauſeth it to be midnight with his ſervants before light peep forth, why they are in deep danger before day-light appeare, Pſal. 112.9, 10. Ʋnto the upright there ariſeth light in the darkneſſe, his heart is eſtabliſhed, he ſhall not be afraid: untill be ſee his deſire upon his enemies, his horne ſhall be exalted with honour, the wicked ſhall ſee it and be grieved, he ſhall gnaſh with his teeth and melt away. It cutteth a wicked man to the heart, when he thinketh he ſhall have the day in the downfall of the righteous, and yet the godly they riſe and get ground, and gather ſtrength. We have a pregnant proof of this in the example of Haman; Eſth. 5.14.Esth 5:14who expecting that Mordecai ſhould be hanged, when Mordecai was advanced to great honour,Eſth 6.10, 11.Esth 6:10Esth 6:11 then Haman mourned and hanged down the head: And thus it will be with the popiſh and prophane,ver 12. who this day rejoyce in our dolefull ſtraights, when God ſhall appeare in the Mount for our deliverance.

2. That chaines of reſtraint might be laid upon their hearts and hands, by Gods ſtrange and amazing providences. When they ſee that God from Heaven doth give teſtimonialls of approbation to his poore perſecuted p. 13ſervants and ſervice, being plunged over head and eares in the floods of deepeſt calamity.

This is made good upon Nebuchadnezzar. Dan. 3.29.Dan 3:29Therefore I make a decree, that every people, nation and language which speake any thing amiſſe againſt the God of Shadrach, Meſhach and Abednego, ſhall be cut in peeces, and their houſes ſhall be made a dung-hill, becauſe there is no other God that can deliver after this ſort. Then the King promoted Shadrach,ver. 30. Meſhach and Abednego in the province of Babilon.

In like manner the defeate of Haman, and the deliverance of the poore Jewes devoted to deſtruction,Eſth. 8.16, 17.Esth 8:16Esth 8:17 produced the ſame effect upon many of their enemies. And truly notwithſtanding this dayes feares and ſtraights, we will hope to ſee ſome ſuch effects upon the hearts and lives of ſome who deride and oppoſe our deſired reformation. Thus much for Confirmation of the doctrine. Application followeth. There are foure uſes to be made which are both naturall and ſeaſonable.

Hence it followeth,Ʋſe 1. Information. that people have no ground at all to ſuſpect their own gracious ſtanding in reference to God becauſe of their ſtraights. Deep and devouring dangers may be ready to ſwallow up the righteous, God may bring an Abraham into the Mount, unto great difficulties, Gods people may travell through the red ſea in the way to Canaan, ſeas of trouble, bloody times may overtake them who are moſt deare to God. This I rather note becauſe Gods people are apt to daſh upon this rock, and to doe themſelves much wrong by thus reaſoning. If God did love me,1 Pet. 4.12.1 Pet 4:12 or had been graciouſly reſpectiue to my humiliations and prayers, I ſhould not have ſeen ſo black, ſo dark a day. My ſelfe and mine, our peace and Parliament, our perſons and poſſeſſions had never been in ſuch danger, if the Lord had bin favourable to me in ſeeking better times. Herein David failed: Pſal. 73.13, 14. Verily I have cleanſed my heart in vaine, and waſhed my hands in innocency, for all the day long have I bin plagued, and chaſtened every morning. p. 14Now to keep us from adding guilt to our grief, that we may not provoke God to be angry, while our enemies are filled brim full of bloud-thirſting fury. I will briefly ſuggeſt foure conſiderations, to preſerve us from this miſtake.

1. By this error acted, we deny the perfection of the word of God, becauſe therein there is no ſuch rule to judge by. Yea the Scriptures openly and evidently ſpeake the contrary, Eccleſ. 9.1, 2. No man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them. All things come alike to all, there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked. And certainely if we ſhall dare to adde our deviſes to Gods word,Prov. 30.6.Prov 30:6 he will be angry. Adde thou not unto his words leſt he reprove thee, and thou be found a lyar.

2. Thus people beare falſe witneſſe againſt themſelves, by paſſing unjuſtifiable ſentences againſt their own ſoules.Exod. 20.16.Exod 20:16 Thou ſhalt not beare falſe witneſſe againſt thy neighbour. To detract from our neighbours credit and comfort, is a breach of Gods law. And truly it admits many aggravations, when we deale thus injuriouſly with our ſelves.

3. We expreſſe much ingratitude to God, the God of all our mercies, calling his love into queſtion, and overlooking or undervaluing all former favours, becauſe of preſent preſſures and approaching dangers. Let Iſraels miſcarriage in this kind be your looking-glaſſe to ſhew the foule face of this fault, that you may take heed of this deformity. When Pharaoh purſued them, and the roaring ſeas threatned to devoure them, their deliverance out of Egypt (though wrought on by many miraculous providences) was accounted a miſery rather then a mercy, for obſerve their language, Exod. 14.11. wherefore haſt thou dealt thus with us?

4. By this miſtake we reach a wrong to others, Pſal. 73.15. If I ſay I will speake thus, behold I ſhould offend againſt the generation of thy children. Our carriage in this particular may caſt ſad diſcouragements upon the hearts p. 15of many deare to God, cauſing them to queſtion their ſpirituall ſtate, becauſe of outward ſtraights. Hereby alſo we ſeeme to ſuſpect their wiſdome who uphold their hopes, and maintaine their comforts, notwithſtanding their manifold heavy afflictions.

Cenſure not others to be rejected or abhorred by the Lord, becauſe you meet with them in the Mount,Ʋſe 2. Admonition. you ſee them in ſtraights, in extremities. Beloved, the words of the Pſalmiſt are conſiderable.Pſal. 41.1, 3.Ps 41:1Ps 41:3 Bleſſed is he that conſidereth the poore, the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble, the Lord will ſtrengthen him upon the bed of languiſhing, thou wilt make all his bed in his ſickneſſe. As you deſire favourable dealing from God in the time of your perſonall calamity, learne to judge wiſely and charitably of them who are in extremity. The Barbarians did cenſure Paul to be a man under ſome black note of infamy, faſtened upon him by the Lord, becauſe of his ſuddaine and unexpected danger. Acts 28.4. And when the Barbarians ſaw the venemous beaſt hang on his hand, they ſaid among themſelves, no doubt this man is a murderer. Marke their confidence as well as their uncharitableneſſe, no doubt he is a murderer: And why no doubt? becauſe though he hath eſcaped the ſea, yet vengeance ſuffereth him not to live, for a venemous viper, a death threatning creature now did hang upon his hand. Beloved when we looke upon men arreſted by credit-killing accuſations, and purſued with death-threatning charges, and conſtrained to hide themſelves from the bloody hands of violence, let us take heed of adding to their ſorrow by our cenſures. That practice which was well beſeeming Barbarians, will be very uncomely for us Chriſtians. Two things conſider to keep you from this fault, which I will propound without much enlargement.

1. The ſinfullneſſe of this cenſoriouſneſſe.

2. The dangerouſneſſe of this cenſoriouſneſſe.

The ſinfullneſſe of it:

1. Being forbidden by Chriſt, judge not, Mat. 7.1.Matt 7:1that you be not judged; judge not, that is, not raſhly, groundleſly, uncharitably.

p. 162. Arguing want of love, for truth and ſtrength of love maketh faire and canded conſtructions of all occurrances which concerne them whom we love. Charity doth not behave it ſelfe unſeemly, 1 Cor. 13.5. ver. 7.1 Cor 13:5is not eaſily provoked, thinketh no evill, beareth all things, beleeveth all things, hopeth all things.

3. Weakning love, for affection is enfeebled by our looking upon our brethren through the glaſſe which preſents them as unlovely, while we think them perſons diſregarded by God, our reſpect to them is diminiſhed.

4. Hindering prayer, the Apoſtle knew this, and therfore I pray you conſider by what an argument he preſſeth the Hebrews to pray for him,Heb. 13.18.Heb 13:18 pray for us, for we truſt we have a good conſcience in all things, willing to live honeſtly. If you be well perſwaded of the afflicted in regard of their pious frame, you will be the more willing to let out your hearts for them in a way of prayer. But when men thus think, the Heavens frown, and God is angry with ſuch an one, and therfore it is a vain thing to beſtow time and breath in prayer for him, this office of Chriſtian love is interrupted. By theſe particulars you may perceive that this cenſoriouſneſſe is very ſinfull; ſinfull in the root, and ſinfull in the fruits, ſinfull in the heart, and ſinfull in the life, checking grace, and hindering duty.

2. Conſider the dangerouſneſſe of it.

1. God is much incenſed, You remember how Eliphas and the other of Jobs friends, loaded him with their heavy cenſures, concluding his hypocriſie from his extremity. Now when God had done with Job, having ſchooled him out of the whirlwind, and had wrought him to his own bent, obſerve what followeth, The Lord ſaid to Eliphas the Tewanite, my wrath is kindled againſt thee, Job 42.7.Job 42:7and againſt thy two friends, for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right as my ſervant Job hath. Therefore my beloved if you would not ſuffer under Gods frowns, nor ſmart under the expreſſions of his diſpleaſure, p. 17if you would not have the ſparks of Gods wrath to kindle upon you, take heed of cenſuring any of Gods worthies that have bin inſtrumentall for good either in Church or commonwealth, becauſe for the preſent under a black cloud, becauſe expoſed unto any diſgrace or danger, by reaſon of ſome ſad providence.

2. Our cenſoriouſneſſe may in our ſuffering times adde much weight to our own heavy preſſures. If I cenſure others, and thereby adde affliction to their bonds, I may expect that God will adde gall to my wormwood, when the bitter cup commeth to my hand, and I muſt per force take down a diſpleaſing and diſtaſtfull draught. Judge not, that you be not judged, for with what judgement ye judge, ye ſhall be judged, and with what meaſure ye mete, Mat. 7.1. ver. 2.Matt 7:1it ſhall be meaſured to you againe. Theſe meditations made uſe of, may, I hope through Gods mercy, prevent our ſinning againſt God, others and our ſelves, by uncharitable cenſures caſt upon our diſtreſſed brethren.

It concerneth all of us to prepare for a journey into the Mount, to make ready for tryalls by extremities.Ʋſe 3. Exhortation. Beloved, this day the Heavens are black over our heads, and our feares are not few, for ought we know God will have us into the Mount, my meaning is, it may be the Lord will thruſt us into ſuch extremities, as we never yet met with in all our lives.

There are two things that I will plainly ſpeake to in the enlarging of this uſe.

1. What may quicken us to prepare for ſtraights.

2. What courſe muſt be taken that we may be prepared for ſuch a condition.

To perſwade our preparation, conſider two motive.

1. That we are all expoſed unto perplexities.

2. That we are all ſubject to manifold miſcarriages in ſuch a ſtate.

1. We are all ſubject to a diſtreſſed condition, let him that denieth it bring forth his ſuperſedias, and ſay here, I have that from Heaven ſigned and fealed, which doth ſecure me I ſhall never come into adverſity. Beloved, beleeve p. 18it, whatſoever afflictions have ſeized upon any of Gods worthies formerly, may overtake you and me before we dye, and we cannot tell how ſpeedily. You have heard what befell Iſraell, and why may not the ſame betide England, you have heard what befell Abraham, David, Daniell, Paul, and why may not we looke for the like.

Secondly, Subject we are to many miſcarriages when God in his providence bringeth us to extremities: I will only hint this in a word or two.

1. Extremities doe expoſe us unto unbeliefe, A grievous ſinne it is to ſuffer our ſoules at any time to be taken from an holy adherence, and firme dependance upon our God, and yet thus we are in danger to diſhonour his highneſſe, and wrong our own ſoules in times of diſtreſſe. Davids example doth evidence this fully. What more fayre promiſe can any man imbrace, then that which God made to him particularly, that he ſhould be the King of Iſrael, and yet when David was in a ſtraight, you heare of his diſtruſt from his own confeſſion, I was gratly afflicted, Pſ. 116.10, 21.Ps 116:10Ps 116:21I ſaid in my hast all men are lyars, Nathan a lyar, and all others who told him of ſucceeding Saul in the Kingdome of Iſrael, they were all lyars. And why? becauſe he ſaw not a faire and eaſie paſſage to the crown. The like alſo is recorded concerning him, when wearied out with the bloody purſuit of envious Saul. And David ſaid in his heart, I ſhall periſh now one day by the hand of Saul.1 Sam. 27.1.1 Sam 27:1

2. In diſtreſſe we are diſpoſed to ſtrange impatiency and diſcontent of ſpirit, which diſtemper doth wofully diſguiſe our hearts, and diſgrace our profeſſion. It is a wonderfull thing that ever a heart furniſhed with grace,Jonah 44. ſhould flye out as Jonah did. Firſt, he thought he had loſt his reputation, becauſe Niniveh by him threatned was by the Lord ſpared. Well, he goeth out, and then the Sunne annoyed him in regard of his body,ver. 6. but God provided a ſhelter, and the man was calme, afterward the gourd being worme-eaten and withered,… 7. Jonah he p. 19chafes and frets. The Lord checks him by this interrogation, doest thou well to be angry? ver. 8.Marke and be warned by his anſwer, I doe well to be angry even unto death. ver. 9. Job 3.Job 3The hiſtory of patient Job alſo proves this plentifully.

3. I might adde, that we are ſubject to ſinfull feares, which diſmay and torment the heart, check duty, weaken joy, and interrupt our ſweet communion with God. Take notice of this diſtemper in Gods own people, for which his majeſty chideth them,Iſa. 51.12. ver. 13.Isa 51:12 And who art thou that feareſt a man that ſhall dye, and the ſonne of man that is but as graſſe, and for getteſt the Lord thy maker, that hath ſtretched forth the Heavens, and layed the foundations of the earth, and haſt feared continually every day, &c.

4. Apt we are to uſe ſinfull ſhiſts betaking our ſelves to unworthy practices to ſafeguard our ſelves in times of extremitie. Obſerve this in Peters practice,Mat. 26, 70. ver. 72.Matt 26:70 his Maſter is apprehended, violently carried away, likely to ſuffer death as a grievous malefactor. Now he ſeeth himſelfe ſurrounded with them that oppoſe Chriſt,ver. 74. and this diſtreſſe drove him upon a dangerous rock, a three-fold denyall of his deareſt Maſter: Let this move you and me, to prepare that we may not in like manner miſſe it, if God ſhall be pleaſed thus to prove us.

Theſe things I beleeve doe affect your hearts, whereupon in probability you will deſire direction. Attend therefore and I will give you ſome counſell briefly: There are ſix things which I ſhall commend to your conſideration and practice.

Firſt, You muſt labour to make ſure your propriety in God: When David upon ſervice had bin abroad,1 Sam. 30.2.1 Sam 30:2 Ziglack the place where he left his wife and children was burnt,ver. 3. when he commeth home, there was no houſe to entertaine him, no wife to welcome him, no children to be a comfort unto him, they all were carried captive, hereupon he with the reſt,ver. 4. ver. 5. ver. 6. wept till they could weepe no longer, &c. But David incouraged himſelfe in the Lord his God. Heede here the ground of his ſupport and conſolation, not the Lord God, but the Lord his God, deity p. 20and propriety hold up his heavy heart, for the good man enjoying God, might thus refreſh his drooping ſpirit. What though I have not an houſe to dwell in? thou art my dwelling place, my habitation, a place of ſweeteſt reſt and ſafeſt refuge. What though I have not a Wife? I have more in God then a yoak-fellow could have afforded. What though I have not a Child? there is more then the comfort of a numerous poſterity in the bleſſed Deity. The ſouldiers cannot batter down this caſtle, the pilfering people pillaging, cannot poſſibly ſteale away this treaſure, the troops of robbers, the deſperate Cavilliers cannot deprive of this poſſeſſion: This might be much enlarged both ſeaſonably and profitably, but I muſt not inſiſt upon any thing. But this is my requeſt, that you would without delay endeavour to cleare up your intereſt in the almighty, that your dejected hearts may not abide diſconſolate in the dayes of your diſtreſſe.

Secondly, Acquaint your ſelves with God, and labour to be familiar with his Majeſty by conſtant and frequent communion through Jeſus Chriſt. Men deſire to know the utmoſt worth of what they have in poſſeſſion, and what improvement may be made thereof if need ſhould ſo require. We reade in the Parable, that he that had bought a piece of ground, Luk 14.13.Luke 14:13muſt needs goe to ſee it, and therefore he muſt be excuſed if other things be neglected. If we were thus wiſe for our ſoules, we would ſeek to know, and to improve our God who is our inheritance, yea our all, unto our various advantages in the times of our greateſt need. Seriouſly therefore aske thy ſelfe this queſtion, What have I in having a God? What have I? I have infinite wiſdome to adviſe me in all difficulties, infinite power to carry me through all ſtraights, abundant goodneſſe to ſupply all my wants, the tendereſt bowells to commiſerate me in my moſt dolefull condition, yea I have alſufficiency to fill me brim full, and running over unto ſatisfaction. I added converſe with thy God. He that would have comfort from Phyſitians p. 21in time of ſickneſſe, gaineth and maintaineth acquaintance with them in time of health. If you and I ſhall dare to keep at a diſtance from God in a way of eſtrangement from his Majeſty in ſummer dayes, and in ſun-ſhine ſeaſons, when the Heavens are cleere, and the City is peaceable, and the Parliament promiſing, and our hopes flouriſhing, we ſhall want comfort through communion with God, when the ſunne ſetteth, winter approacheth, Parliament breaketh, and miſery threatneth on every ſide. Being in haſt I ſhall here lay heads confuſedly on heapes, whereas I ſhould diſtinctly have diſcovered three things.

1. How God is revealed in holy writ for our comfort in the worſt of times.

2. By what courſes Chriſtians ſhould gaine, and maintaine communion with their God.

3. What fruitfull improvements may be made of God by ſuch imployments. But I ſhall leave theſe things to your private care, having ſuggeſted this courſe by way of friendly counſell to make way for your comfort in the day of diſtreſſe.

Thirdly, Walke exactly. Take heed of making breaches upon your conſciences, by willing and willfull ſinning againſt the God of your comforts. Beloved, beloved you know that thoſe who have had bruiſes and broken bones, they will feele aches in hard weather, and certainly if you will in time of proſperity dare to ſinne againſt conſcience, it will adde ſorrow to your Sops, and gall to your wormwood, when God commeth upon you in a way of bitter calamity. Sinfull ſenſuall ſurfets upon ſweet morſells, will breed wringing paines, and painfull vomits.Gen 42.21.Gen 42:21 The ſonnes of Jacob were in a great ſtraight when they were taken for ſpyes as the ſtory reports. What did now wring them? The remembrance of ſinne, though many yeers ſince committed, ah our brothers blood, our brothers blood; we would not pity him when he made his moane, and now God will be avenged of us. Alas, alas, we were hard-hearted towards p. 22a brother, and therefore no wonder that we meet with harſhneſſe amongſt ſtrangers. Whereas the maintaining of a cleere conſcience, ô what a comfort will it be when all ſhall be blackneſſe, and blood about us. See it in Paul and his companions. When they made no other account but to dye,2 Cor. 1.12.2 Cor 1:12 what ſaith Paul, This was our rejoycing, (that was ſtrange, rejoyce when the next day they might expect to goe to the ſtake?) well ſaith Paul our rejoycing is this, the teſtimony of our conſcience, that in ſimplicity and godly ſincerity, we have had our converſation in the world. Beloved, beleeve it that you cannot lay in a better cordiall, to comfort and to ſtay your hearts in fearfull, fainting, diſtreſſing, dying times, then by exact walking with God before the ſtorme fall. The Apoſtles experience puts a probatum eſt unto this preſcription. For ought we know, the day is at hand wherein we ſhall heare the warre-Horſes neighing, the murthering Cannons roaring, the little Children skreaking, and the fearfull Women skritching: You know not, beloved, how ſoon you may ſee your City flaming, your own houſes burning, your goods waſting. It will be a ſad ſight to behold your Wives barbarouſly abuſed, your Husbands bloudily butchered, and your Children cruelly tormented. I beſeech you, I beſeech you, conſider now what will yeeld you comfort then. When Hezekiah did daily expect to dye, take notice, unto what he betooke himſelfe for ſolace and ſupport: Remember now ô Lord I beſeech thee, Iſa. 38.3.Isa 38:3how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy ſight. In like manner may we raiſe up our ſinking hearts in ſuch heavy times, if we can truly thus ſpeake unto the ſoule-ſearching Majeſty. Lord while times were peaceable and proſperous, when I was ſurrounded with comforts on every ſide, thou knoweſt I had a heart to walke with thee humbly, to obſerve thy Sabbath holily, to uſe thy worſhips purely, and to aime at the honour of thy name ſincerely. This, this will cheare you both living and dying. You know that neither p. 23the lowd windes, nor the black clouds, nor the great ſhowers, nor the flaſhings of lightning, nor the hideous claps of thunder, doe ſo much affright us, as an earthquake. But when ſome vapours are got into the hollow places, the bowells of the earth, and the foundation of the world ſhakes, this is terrible, this is terrible indeed, though the Sunne ſhine, and no cloud appeare in the skie. In like manner it is not ſo much an outward affliction as guilt within, guilt within which cauſeth the heart of man to rocke and quake through feare within him. Therfore take heed, ſtop all the paſſages into your ſoules, keep the heart with all diligence, that no knowne guilt be admitted into it, as you deſire a ſtable, firme frame of ſpirit, prepared for the ſtrongeſt ſtormes, the greateſt ſtraights wherewith divine providence may poſſibly prove you.

Fourthly, If you have made wounds and bruiſes in your conſciences, ſeeke an healing plaiſter by ſound repentance ſuddainely. A bone broken being well ſet (they ſay) becomes the ſtronger. David had gaſhed his conſcience grievouſly, both by uncleanneſſe and murther, in the matter of Bathſheba and Ʋriah. Notwithſtanding by means of Nathans plaine dealing being wrought to deepe ſorrow, the wound was healed, and the ſame mouth which cured him by a corraſive, gave him this comfort, God hath forgiven thy ſinne, thou ſhalt not dye. 2 Sam. 12.13.2 Sam 12:13Now after this, according to the threatning of Nathan, ver. 11.God raiſed up evill againſt him out of his own houſe, and he was in a wonderfull ſtraight, Abſolom was up in armes againſt him. This diſtreſſe occaſioned the third Pſalme, as the title tells, wherein he expreſſeth his perplexed condition. Many are they that riſe up against me, Pſal. 3.1.2.Ps 3:1Ps 3:2many there be that ſay of my ſoule there is no helpe for him in God. Now here is a ſtraight indeed, many imagining, that Heaven could not helpe him: yet if you will by his phraſe of ſpeech, judge the frame of his heart, you ſhall find as much confidence in him now, as ever in all his life: Take notice of it.ver. 3. But thou ô Lord art a ſhield for p. 24me, ver. 6.my glory, and the lifter up of my head. I will not be afraid of ten thouſands of people, that have ſet themſelves againſt me round about. ver. 5.Yea this is added, I laid me down and ſlept. Conſider in his ſuppoſition, 1. The number of enemies, viz. ten thouſand. 2. The manner of their oppoſition, though they ſhould riſe up in a warlike manner againſt me. 3. Their advantage againſt him, and his danger to be apprehended by them. It is not though they come to meete me, or though they make after me, for then by flight he might hope for ſafety, But though they ſhould beſet me round about, &c. David having made his peace with God, though now in a very great diſtreſſe, yea although (remembring Gods threathing) he might reade his ſcandalous ſinnes, in this heavy affliction, yet his confidence, courage and comfort is very remarkeable. If any of your conſciences now wring you upon the remembrance of ſuch a ſinne, or ſuch a ſinne, (I name none, but leave it between God and your own hearts to conſider of it) goe home repeat, repent and make your peace with God to day, without any further delay, that you may be ſit for a ſtraight if it ſhould come to morrow.

Fiftly, Mind and trade your experience. God hath done already as much for England as is yet to be done, to ſet all things right and in order againe amongſt us. Not many Moneths ſince, our dayes were as darke, our feares as great, and our enemies as many as now. Let us therefore remember our ſelves, the Lord lives, the Almighty is in Heaven, he ſtill is mindfull of his covenant, and changeth not. The holy Scriptures yeeld us plentifull proofe of improving former experiences, to arme againſt future feares.1 Sam. 17.36.1 Sam 17:36 That of David is notable, Thy ſervant ſlew both the Lyon and the Beare, and this uncircumciſed Philiſtine ſhall be as one of them. ver. 37.David ſaid moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the Lyon, and out of the paw of the Beare, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philiſtine.Pſal. 61.2, 3.Ps 61:2Ps 61:3 When my heart is overwhelmed, leade me to the rock that is higher then I, for thou haſt bin a ſhelter for p. 25me, and a ſtrong tower from the enemy. In like manner the Apoſtle improves his deliverance from Nero, that perſecutor. No man ſtood by me, but all forſooke me, 2 Tim. 4.16. ver. 17.2 Tim 4:16notwithſtanding the Lord ſtood with me and ſtrengthened me, and I was delivered out of the mouth of the Lyon. Conſider the words, Paul was not only in the Lyons denne, not only within the reach of the Lyons chaine, nor only under the Lyons paw, but in the Lyons mouth. Now his inference is obſerveable,ver. 18. And the Lord ſhall deliver me from every evill worke, and will preſerve me unto his heavenly Kingdome. Againe note,2 Cor. 1.9.2 Cor 1:9 We had the ſentence of death in our ſelves, that we ſhould not truſt in our ſelves,ver. 10. but in God which raiſeth the dead. Who delivered us from ſo great a death, and doth deliver, in whom we truſt that he will yet deliver us. Here for your helpe, I will hint one experience ſtill freſh in our mindes, God ſetled peace between us and Scotland, when after great preparations for warre, the arymes were ſet in battell array, the onſet given, the skirmiſh begun, blood drawne, many ſlaine, the two Kingdomes ready to be broken in pieces, the one againſt the other. Conſider what great things God hath done, and trade your experiences for your future profit.

Sixty, Cleere up your evidences for Heaven, and keep them ſo faire, that in the darkeſt day they may be legible, eaſie to be read without hacking and heſitancy. The uſefullneſſe hereof in evill times appeares in the Apoſtles experience, For which cauſe we faint not, 2 Cor 4.16.2 Cor 4:16but though our outward man periſh, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction that is but for a moment, ver. 17.worketh for us a farre more exceeding and eternall weigh of glory. Mind the ground, For we know that if our earthly houſe of this Tabernacle were diſſolved, Chap. 5. ver. 1.we have a building of God, an houſe not made with hands, eternall in the Heavens. The heire apparent of Heaven, may hold up head and heart, and in this manner expreſſe himſelfe: come the worſt that can come, though my ſtate ſhall decay, my ſoule and body part, my ſelfe and deareſt naturall p. 26friends be plucked aſunder,Heb. 10.34.Heb 10:34 yet I have in Heaven, a better and more enduring ſubſtance: more and better friends, ſweeter and more ſatisfying communion. If they take away my traſh, the true treaſure, that is out of their reach. What if they take downe my tottering tabernacle of clay? I ſhall have a glorified, a beautified body to all eternity, in ſpight of hell and earth combining againſt me. What if they drive me out of houſe, and City, and Kingdome, the beſt is, they cannot expell me from my God, nor deprive me of a manſion, an abiding place in the City of God, the Kingdome of Heaven.

Ʋſe 4. Comfort.It is a ground of ſweet joy, and ſtrong incouragement unto us, notwithſtanding our preſent ſtate which is darke and dreadfull. Here we may ſeaſonably with comfort call to mind that ſtrange apparition unto Moſeſ: A buſh burning with fire, Exod. 3.2.Exod 3:2and yet the buſh was not conſumed. Beloved, what ſlames of fury are now kindled in the boſomes of many, threatning to burne downe all our hopes? Yet let us pluck up courage, for though our ſinnes have made us combuſtible matter, yet may we hope that our God will not conſume us. Let us cheare our ſelves againſt the jeares and inſolencies of the Malignant party with the words of the Church, Rejoyee not againſt me ô my enemy, Mich. 7.8.Mic 7:8when I fall I ſhall riſe againe, when I ſit in darkeneſſe the Lord ſhall be a light unto me. Some interpreters conceive, Abraham had this deliverance hinted before hand, and therefore firſt told his ſervants,Gen. 22.5.Gen 22:5 I and the lad will goe yonder and worſhip, and come againe to you: and afterward going to the place where Iſaack was to be ſacrificed; when the child ſaid, father, father here is the wood, but where is the burnt offering, he anſwered, my ſonne God will prepare one, and this held up the good mans heart, encouraging him thus to reſolve, I will goe on, I will ſee what God will doe, I will put him to it. We are in ſtraights at this day, I need not tell you, and who knowes but that to day in the Mount God will appeare for our comfort. Much I cannot p. 27ſpeake through want of time to this uſe, yet dare I not altogether be ſilent, conſidering the ſeaſon. VnderUnder two heads I will briefly aſſiſt your ſinking ſpirits by way of advice.

1. Learne aright to make way for deſired comforts in times of diſtreſſe, that you may have this Texts, and this Sermons incouragement at hand, not only now, but hereafter when you may ſtand in need.

2. Improve the particulars compriſed in this title Jehovah, held forth for our uſe in the Text now handling, I may not now ſpeake under theſe heads, both unto our Nationall and Perſonall concernments diſtinctly. For the former, way is made for our refreſhing in the worſt of times that can poſſibly overtake us.

1. By ſtudying the qualifications to which favour is promiſed.

2. By uſing the meanes of our good which by the Lord are preſcribed.

Firſt, Every one may not challenge propriety in the priviledge of the Text. Every looſe-liver may not come out and ſay, well I in the Mount God will be ſeene, and therefore I will feare no colours. No, no, for there is a peculiar gracious diſpoſition to be found upon the hearts of them who may expect that God will appeare in the Mount for them, for their conſolation.

1. Your ſoules muſt be ſo ſeaſoned with Gods feare, that having his command, you will not draw backe from any ſervice put upon your hands, how hard, how heavy ſoever. Marke it in Abraham, Abraham now I know thou feareſt me, and how doth his feare diſcover it ſelfe, VponUpon divine commiſſion he ſets upon a ſervice, the doing whereof, was againſt heart and haire, repugnant to reaſon, without all preſident, againſt the ſtreame of naturall affections, croſſing the conceit and opinion of the world. Can you imagine if Iſaack had bin ſlaine, and the fact known, what a hubbub would have bin in the Country? how many mouthes would have bin opened, in reporting Abrahams ſtrange and unheard of cruelty? Iſaak is p. 28killed, and his own father, father Abraham, that religious man, he himſelfe hath killed him, how would this have rung in every corner? Doe but thinke what Mother Sarah would have ſaid upon her Husbands returne home, Husband where is Iſaak? and conjecture with what a ſad heart he might have made this anſwer, Wife I have killed him, and I have burnt him before God as a ſacrifice. Beloved, neither theſe things, nor any other which might be caſt in as diſcouragements, did take him off from duty. The feare of God carried him above all diſcouragements, both from his naturall affections, his wives frownes, and the worlds clamours. And to this man, thus fearing God, God appeares in the Mount: Minde this I pray you, and labour herein to be like this gracious man, thus devoted to Gods feare.

2. You muſt, not dare to adventure upon any known ſinne, though it be to ſafeguard your perſons, your eſtates, your places of favour and honour, your any thing, your all things under the Sunne. A man of this make, is one who may expect to meet with the Almighty in the Mount. The proofe of this is faire in the experience of Daniell. The decree was ſigned, he muſt not for thirty dayes pray unto his God,Dan. 6.7.Dan 6:7 if he did, he muſt be throwne into the Lyons den, well ſaith Daniell, let the Lyons make a meale upon my body, I am reſolved I will not forbeare this worſhip due to my God, I will not thus interrupt my communion with my heavenly Father. The like you have in the three young Governours, the King he would have them fall down and worſhip the image he had ſet up.Dan. 3.Dan 3 If you will not, you muſt into the furnace.ver 17. ver 18. Marke their anſwer, Our God whom we ſerve is able to deliver, but if not, be is knowne unto thee, we will not ſerve thy gods. And the proofe of the point reported how God appeared in the dayes of their diſtreſſe for their deliverance, unto theſe experiments I might adde Promiſes. If thou take away from the midſt of thee the yoake, Iſa 58 9. ver. 10.Isa 58:9the putting forth of the ſinger, and speaking vanity, and if thou draw out thy ſoule to the hungry, and ſatisfie the afflicted ſoule. The meaning p. 29is, if you will betake your ſelves to courſes of piety and mercy, contrary to your former wayes of wickedneſſe and violence, then ſhall your light breake forth in obſcurity, and your darkneſſe be as the noone-day. ver. 11.And the Lord ſhall guide thee continually, and ſatisfie thy ſoule in drought, and make fat thy bones, and thou ſhalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whoſe waters faile not. If iniquity be in thy hand put it farre away, Job 11.14, 15.Job 11:14Job 11:15and let not wickedneſſe dwell in thy Tabernacle, for then ſhalt thou lift up thy face without ſpot, yea thou ſhalt be ſtedfaſt, and thou ſhalt not feare. What incouragements ſhould theſe be to perſwade us to reforme our ſelves, and to endeavour the amendment of one another. Therefore goe home now, and thus ſay to God, and to your ſelves ſeriouſly and ſincerely, I am reſolved I will leave my cheating, and cozening, my oathes, lying, my hypocriſie and pride, and all my other known ſinnes. Away with theſe and all other diſcovered abhominations, promiſe God for future times to betake your ſelves unto a better courſe of living, as you deſire the ſweet and ſeaſonable diſcoveries of God, in the time of your greateſt need.

Secondly, The meanes of your good muſt be uſed, and they are,

1. Civill.

2. Sacred.

For Civill meanes, You muſt not ſay we care not whether we have any more watch in the City, night or day, we will trouble and charge our ſelves no further in this kind. But you muſt hold on in being ſerviceable to divine providence, otherwiſe you will tempt God. There is a notable example of Joab in this caſe both commendable and imitable.2 Sam. 10.9.2 Sam 10:9 When Joab ſaw the front of the battle was againſt him, before and behind, he choſe all the choice men of Iſraell, and put them in array againſt the Syrians,ver 10. and the reſt of the people he delivered into the hand of his brother. ver. 11.And he ſaid, if the Aſſyrians be too ſtrong for me, then thou ſhalt helpe me, but if the children of Ammon be too ſtrong for thee then I will come and helpe thee. Now be of good courage, ver. 12.and let us p. 30play the men and fight for God and our country, and the Lord doe that which ſeemeth him good. Remember we have by ſolemne proteſtation bound our ſelves before God to doe our utmoſt in wayes lawfull for the honour of our King, the liberty of the Proteſtant Religion, for the peace and welfare of the three Kingdomes, and for the priviledges of our Parliament, and keeping within the limits of our callings, to oppoſe Popery, and popiſh innovations. Therefore every man according to the lawes of God and of the land, muſt unweariedly be induſtrious, night and day, for the Kingdomes good, in the uſe of meanes, both defenſive and offenſive, as neceſſity may require.

2. There are meanes ſacred, Teares and Prayers are the Chriſtians beſt weapons, this munition let us make uſe of. Jeh ſhaphat ſurrounded with danger, when Moab, Ammon, 2 Chro. 20.3.2 Chr 20:3and the children of Mount Seir came out againſt him, what courſe doth he betake himſelfe to? he feared, and ſet himſelfe to ſeeke the Lord, and proclamed a faſt. And David being in danger to looſe both his Kingdome and his life, by the inſurrection of Abſolom, betooke himſelfe to prayer,2 Sam. 15.31. Pſal. 3.2 Sam 15:31Ps 3 to breake the neck of Achitophels crafty counſell, and alſo to ſecure himſelfe from the hand of violence, now ſtretched forth againſt him. Beloved, as Gods command, and the practiſe of his people, doe guide us unto this imployment, ſo Gods pretious promiſes, and our own glorious experiences, touching the prevalency of this ordinance, ſhould perſwade our perſeverance herein in theſe times of feare and danger.

Secondly, What is the improvement of the originall word here uſed, In the Mount Jehovah ſhall be ſeene. This title hath much in it, a great deale more then I may mention. Thus much I have obſerved from holy Scripture, that it both,

1. Advanceth God.

2. And advantageth a Chriſtian in times of ſtraights.

Pſal. 68.3.Ps 68:3Let the righteous be glad, let them rejoyce before God, yea let thē exceedingly rejoyce. Sing unto God, ſing praiſes to his name, extoll him that rideth on the Heavens by his Name Jah,ver. 4. and p. 31rejoyce before him. Foure things there be hinted in this title Jehovha, and they are all uſefull for our preſent purpoſe.

This title holdeth forth the Lords,

1. Soveraignty.

2. Independancy.

3. Immutability.

4. Fidelity.

1. It ſuggeſteth the Lords unlimited Soveraignty, his abſolute and undoubted authority over all things. Jehovah he is the moſt high, not only high, or higher then many, or more high then the moſt, but the moſt high over all the earth. Pſal. 83.18.Ps 83:18It is Jehovah that ruleth Kings, and ordereth Crowns, joy in him, he can rule both the Kings heart and counſell, he governeth in the Country and in the City, at Weſtminſter, and here within the walls: Therfore ſtill rejoyce in him, for he is Jehovah, the all-governing Majeſty.

2. It noteth his independancy. All creatures for their continuance, have a kind of dependance upon one another. As the graſſe and plants upon the earth, the bruites upon the fruits of the earth, and our nutriment is from inferior creatures. But our Jehovah dependeth upon none, he is of, and from himſelfe, he needeth no ſervant, no ſervice. In him we all live, move and have our being, Acts 17.28.Acts 17:28but his Majeſty is beholding to none, either men or Angels, either for being or wel-being. Thus much God intended to teach by his ſpeech to Moſes, and God ſaid unto Moſes, I am that I am. Exod. 3.14.Exod 3:14We think verily that we ſhall be utterly undone if the Parliament breake up, or if our King divide himſelfe from this his body repreſentative. Beloved, my ſoule maketh out to God for the prevention of this ſad fraction. Yet I beſeech you remember this, whatſoever falls out, that whereas all men, and all ordinances, Kings and Parliaments depend on God, yet our God Jehovah is an independent Majeſty.

3. It intimateth Gods Immutability, All other things change, As a ſnow ball melteth by our handling it, and the flower withereth by our ſmelling it, ſo theſe ſublunary contentments waſt and ware away by our uſing them. p. 32But in the Lord Johovah there is everlaſting ſtrength, Iſa. 26.4.Isa 26:4or as the originall languange expreſſeth it, The Lord Jehovah is a rock of ages, he abideth the ſelfe ſame, ſtrong, unalterable, unmoveable God throughout all generations.

Mind this (my beloved) that though England Ireland-like ſhould be waſted, although there ſhould be ſad changes in Church and Common-wealth, in City and Country, in Towns and Families: Yet ſtill our Jehovah continues in himſelfe, and unto his people the ſelf-ſame All-ſufficient, All-ſatisfying God. Surely we who pitch our hearts and hopes upon this unchangeable foundation, the Lord Jehovah, may abide ſteddy in our ſpirits and comforts in the midſt of the worſt alterations that can overtakes us.

Exod. 6.3.Exod 6:34. It expreſſeth Gods fidelity. And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Iſaack, and unto Jacob, by the Name of God almighty, but by my Name Jehovah was I not known unto them. The true meaning is,Gen. 15.13, 16 compared with Exod. 12.41.Gen 15:13Gen 15:16Exod 12:41 that whereas God had manifeſted abundantly his power by many glorious providences in former times, now he intended to prove himſelfe mindfull and carefull of his promiſes made unto his people. Now let us make improvement hereof for our comfort. Search divine records, conſider the various pretious promiſes annexed by the Almighty unto the covenant of free grace and mercy. Chooſe out of thoſe Goſpell treaſures, ſuch pearles as you put the higheſt prizes upon, Collect thoſe particular promiſes, which you conceive moſt pertinent for your condition, and moſt full your ſatisfaction. And from this ſweet title Jehovah, you may comfortably and confidently inferre this concluſions.

Whatſoever Promiſe is regiſtred in the book of God, either in the old or new Teſtament, that this Jehovah will ſet all his attributes on work, for the full and ſeaſonable accompliſhment thereof unto his own people by ſpeciall covenant. Therfore having evidenced your propriety in Goſpell Promiſes through Jeſus Chriſt, from this bottom build your comforts, in the darkeſt and moſt dolefull times. Is is Jehovah the all-governing, the independing, the immutable and faithfull God that will be ſeen in the Mount for his ſervants deliverance.

FINIS.

End of the text · Simeon Ashe, A Support for the Sinking Heart in Times of Distress (1642)