Soul-Prosperity in Several Sermons, Sermon 3
SERMON III.
I Proceed now to the ſecond particular. To ſhew wherein the proſperity of the Soul eſpecially conſiſteth: and when it may be ſaid, to thrive, and proſper. This is the principal thing, the Text, and Doctrine engage to ſpeak unto. And, indeed, to ſpeak unto it, is exceeding neceſſary: You may well remember what was laid down in a Doctrine, not long ſince handled. That a living Chriſtian, though alive to God, yet in reſpect of his Chriſtianity, and Religion, may be in a withering, languiſhing condition; as far from proſpering, as thoſe Trees are, whoſe leaves fall off, the boughs wither, and the root decays. It is ſo with many. As it is much talked on, that theſe times have brought forth many broken Merchants: So they have many broken, or almoſt broken Profeſſors. Good beginnings (it is too often found) are not always ſeconded with ſuitable proceedings. Too many are too like the New Moon in its firſt quarter, then it gives much light, but it is down again, and it's dark again all over before the Morning light. It was a ſad queſtion, which the Apoſtle put to the Galatians, chap. 5. v. 7, Ye did run well, who did hinder you? It was a queſtion, with a very ſharp rebuke in it; and it withal imports, that no ſatisfying reaſon could be given, why they ſhould make ſuch a halt.
Now in ſpeaking to this neceſſary point, I ſhall firſt mention ſome things in general, wherein the proſperity of the Soul conſiſts. And then ſomething, which may more particularly demonſtrate the truth, and reality of it.
1. In general. I ſhall premiſe; That as the firſt Riſe, and Foundation of Soul-proſperity (as to any poſſibility of Evidence, that ſuch a thing is begun) is laid in thoſe principles of Spiritual life, which are received by virtue of Union with Chriſt: So the growth and progreſs thereof conſiſts in their increaſe. As they increaſe, ſo the proſperity of the Soul increaſeth, and no otherwiſe. It is poſſible a Man may grow in gifts, and be very forward in exerciſing them, and yet the Soul not thrive. It is ſaid of the Corinthians, they came behind in no gift, 1 Cor. 1.7. but their grace did not thrive anſwerably to their gifts. No, they were ſtill but Babes, and very carnal. 1 Cor. 3.1, 2, 3.
2. I farther premiſe this: That there is a natural tendency in the principles of this life to grow, as there is in the beſt Seed, that is caſt into the ground to grow, and to bring forth fruit according to its kind: For they are the Seed of the living God; there is life in them, and every living thing grows according to the meaſure, which the God of its life hath appointed. The Picture of a Child doth not grow: it hath the ſame dimenſions now, which it had twenty years ago. But the living Child, to which theſe principles are compared, that, by receiving kindly nouriſhment, grows, 1 Pet. 2.2, As new born Babes deſire the ſincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. And certain it is, that no work of the Spirit is deſigned for glory, but that which is growing. 2 Cor. 3.18, But we all with open face, beholding as in a Glaſs, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the ſame image from glory to glory, even as by the ſpirit of the Lord. Gifts may wither, but grace will grow into glory.
Theſe two things premiſed, I come now to ſpeak (and that firſt of thoſe things in general, which are undenyable evidences of Soul-proſperity.)
1. When this thriving and growth is univerſal: The Body proſpers, when there is a healthy conſtitution all over: When the Head is well, the Stomach is well, and all the vital parts are ſound within: But in Children that have the Rickets, the Head is only growing, the inferiour parts of the Body being weak, and feeble: When it is ſo, we ſay; the Child proſpers not. It is oftentimes ſo with the Soul: It may ſeemingly proſper in ſome things, when it doth not really proſper in other things, or indeed in any thing. It was ſo with many in the Church of Epheſus: Their zeal was warm in externals, in a high and mighty oppoſition againſt falſe Teachers, Errours, and Hereſies, theſe they could not endure, Rev. 2.6. But it was not ſo in other things, in the beſt things, there was a great decay in the inward Man, in the vitals of Godlineſs, in thoſe graces that accompany Salvation, ver. 4, 5, I have ſomething againſt thee, becauſe thou haſt left thy firſt Love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do thy firſt works. This is as far from true Soul-proſperity, as a Tradeſman from thriving, who gains by ſome one pedling commodity, and loſeth thrice as much in greater matters. The Soul proſpers, when it grows up in all things. Eph. 4.15. But ſpeaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things, in him who is the Head, even Chriſt. It were endleſs almoſt to reckon up the thriving and proſpering in every grace. I ſhall therefore inſtance in 2 things, by the thriving whereof, we may take an eſtimate of the reſt.
1. When the Soul thrives in thoſe two graces, which by experience are found to have as great an influence on the health of the Soul, as Natural heat, and Radical moiſture, (ſo Phyſicians ſay, and Reaſon ſaith ſo too) have upon the health of the Body. The juſt temperament of theſe, is that which preſerves life, and health, and ſtrength. So when theſe two graces, that of Faith, which is as the Natural heat, and that of Repentance, which is as the Radical moiſture, are thriving, and growing toward their full height, then the Soul is in a very proſperous way.
1. When Faith grows, which is the Natural heat, as it did, 2 Theſ. 1.3,—becauſe that your Faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all, toward each other aboundeth.
Now this growth is beſt diſcerned.
1. When it grows in depth. So as the Soul is more and more ſetled, grounded, rooted, and built up in Chriſt. Col. 1.23, If ye continue in the Faith, grounded, and ſettled. And ch. 2.7, Rooted, and built up in him, and ſtabliſhed in the Faith. So that the heart is fixed, and is at peace within, when all without is ſhaken, and the foundation of all Creature-comforts turned upſide down. As a Tree, whoſe Root doth remain firm, when the top doth ſhake. Pſal. 56.3, What time, I am afraid, I will truſt in thee. He could keep his faith above his fears, Pſal. 112.7. He ſhall not be afraid of evil Tydings, his heart is fixed, truſting in the Lord. Job. 13.15. Though he ſlay me, yet will I truſt in him. As if he had ſaid: Though I read a ſentence of Death upon what concerns this Life; yet I have ſomewhat to truſt him for, beyond this Life. No danger, nor death ſhall beat me off from the holdfaſt of my faith in God, through Chriſt Jeſus: When it is thus, that promiſe will be made good, Iſa. 26.3, Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whoſe mind is ſtayed on thee, becauſe he truſteth in thee.
2. When it grows in breadth, ſo as it gives a firm, abſolute, unlimited aſſent to the whole truth of God, and receives the teſtimony of God, as in one thing, ſo in every thing, which it apprehends to be of God; and that purely, becauſe God ſaith ſo, whatever Senſe and Reaſon, can object to the contrary. So Act. 24.14. But I confeſs unto thee, that after the way, which they call Hereſie, ſo worſhip I the God of my Fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law, and the Prophets. Joh. 3.33, He that believeth his teſtimony, hath ſet to his Seal that God is true, (in every thing.) I ſpeak this of juſtifying faith, not only conſidered in its moſt eminent act, which is to receive Jeſus Chriſt, and reſt upon him alone, for whatſoever may give a title to, or a fitneſs for eternal Salvation; but in its moſt full, compleat, and perfect act, aſſenting to whatſoever is hiſtorically delivered in the word; believing every Command, every Threat'ning, every Promiſe, both of this life, and the life to come. So as whatever is recorded in the word, is ſo believed, not without ſome gratious effect upon the Soul. Obſerve it in four particulars.
(1.) A growing, thriving faith ſo believes what is Hiſtorically delivered concerning the Creation of the World, as nothing is too hard for it. Although the things believed do not yet appear; yet that hinders not a full aſſurance of their future exiſtence; ſeeing the ſame power of God, which created the World of nothing, can give a Being to whatever he hath ſaid, ſhall be, when it ſeems good unto him. Pſal. 121.2, My help cometh from the Lord, which made Heaven and Earth. As if he had ſaid; I will never diſtruſt his power for whatever I ſtand in need of, who could erect ſuch a ſtately Fabrick from nothing.
(2.) A growing, thriving faith believes every Command of God, Pſal. 119.66,—I have believed thy Commandments. He believes them to be holy, juſt, and good, and brings down every thought more and more in ſubjection unto them all. Thus Abraham's faith growing, and thriving hath many eminent acts of obedience aſcribed to it. Heb. 11.8. By Faith Abraham, when he was called of God, to go into a place which he ſhould afterward receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. A hard tryal: For as it is in the Proverb; The ſmoak of a Man's own Chimney, is as good as the fire of another's. So that Command, which was yet more hard, of offering up his only begotten Son, that is, of his wife Sarah, the Son of the Promiſe, in whoſe Seed all the Nations of the Earth ſhould be bleſſed, yet he ſubmitted to it. Heb. 11.17. though he had but ſhort warning, Gen. 22.2, 3. He received the Command over-night, and went about it next Morning.
(3.) A growing, thriving Faith believes the threat'nings of the Word; and this belief makes the Soul to ſtand in awe of them. Pſal. 119.161,—my heart ſtandeth in awe of thy word. So Heb. 11.7. Noah's Faith takes warning at the threat'ning: He was moved with fear, and prepared an Ark to the ſaving of his Houſe. This is not too low for the beſt grown Faith to act, nor be acted upon. God thought it not unmeet for Adam to make uſe of, in Innocency, Gen. 2.17. Job found it in himſelf, chap. 31.23, Deſtruction from God was a terrour unto me: and by reaſon of his Highneſs, I could not endure.
(4.) A thriving, growing faith, with all thankfulneſs, accepts the Promiſes, and with all heartineſs relyes upon God for the performance of mercy promiſed. Reſting upon the promiſe, when he hath nothing elſe to avouch it; when there is neither Senſe, nor Reaſon to ſecond Faith. So Abraham, Rom. 4.17, 18, &c. He believed God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth things that are not, as if they were: Who againſt hope, believed in hope. And being not weak in faith, he conſidered not his own Body now dead, &c. He ſtaggered not at the promiſe of God, through unbelief, but was ſtrong in faith, giving glory to God; being fully perſwaded, that what he had promiſed, he was able to perform, 2 Cor. 5.7, We walk by faith, and not by ſight. i. e. By the ſenſible enjoyment of what God hath promiſed, but by faith, believing, and waiting for the accompliſhment: Notwithſtanding all the real improbability, and ſeeming impoſſibilities that are in the way: When faith thus grows, the Soul proſpers exceedingly. Now the heart will be kept more ſweet, and clean then ordinary, Act. 15.9,—purifying their hearts by faith. The World will be Conquered. 1 Joh. 5.4, And this is the victory that overcometh the World, even your faith. And hereby Satan himſelf is trodden under foot.
2. When Repentance grows (which is as the Radical moiſture) then the Soul proſpers. Now Repentance grows,
(1.) When there is a growth and increaſe in the neceſſary adjunct of Repentance; in that which is as inſeparable from it, as heat is from the fire; and that is in an hearty grief, and godly ſorrow for ſin. This is neceſſary, that the Soul may experimentally know the bitterneſs of ſin, and taſte, as it were, the Gall, and Wormwood that is in it. Jer. 2.19, Thine own wickedneſs ſhall correct thee, and thy backſlidings ſhall reprove thee: know therefore, and ſee that it is an evil thing, and bitter, that thou haſt forſaken the Lord thy God, and that my fear is not in thee, ſaith the Lord God of hoſts. And it is inſeparable, for it cannot be rationally imagined, that a Man whoſe Eyes are opened, to ſee what great provocation there is in the leaſt ſin, as it is againſt the moſt high, and moſt holy God; it is impoſſible that it ſhould be without ſome pricking of the heart, as they felt Act. 2, 37. Now, when this grows, and increaſeth, ſo as it reacheth not only Beams, but Motes, not only Camels, but Gnats; melting the heart with godly ſorrow before God, for the leaſt vain word proceeding out of the mouth; yea for ſinful ſilence, in not ſpeaking, when and what we ought to ſpeak: and for the leaſt ſinful thought in the ſecret of our Souls, when this brings us upon our knees before God, and that with the firſt opportunity after the firſt diſcovery of it, as it did David, 1 Sam. 24.5. And it came to paſs, that afterward David's heart ſmote him. When it is thus, the Soul is in the high way of proſpering. For, what tenderneſs, what watchfulneſs, what humility, what high prizing of Chriſt, are likely to thrive, and proſper in ſuch a Soul, when it ſees how it forfeits all its hopes every day, and therefore hath ſuch need of Chriſt every day, that the forfeiture may not be taken:
(2.) The Soul proſpereth when there is a growth, and increaſe in the Eſſential parts of Repentance, and they are theſe two: (1.) Turning from ſin, and (2.) Turning to God. Herein the very Eſſence and Nature of this grace doth conſiſt. To work this was the ſcope of the Apoſtles miniſtry. Act. 26.18. And this is that, which ſorrow for ſin (if it be godly ſorrow indeed) doth work, 2 Cor. 7.10. For godly ſorrow worketh Repentance to ſalvation.
(1.) For the former of theſe: When the heart is heated with holy indignation againſt the leaſt ſin; and againſt it ſelf, for being, through its own careleſneſs, ſurprized by it, and defiled with it, as Job was, chap. 42.6. Wherefore I abhor my ſelf, and repent in duſt and aſhes. And when holy and humble reſolutions, in the ſtrength of Chriſt, are more hightened to keep himſelf that the wicked one touch him not, 1 Joh. 5.18. ſo as to leave any of his polluting impreſſions upon him. Pſal. 17.3,—thou haſt tryed me, and ſhalt find nothing. I am purpoſed that my mouth ſhall not tranſgreſs. Pſal. 39.1, I ſaid, I will take heed unto my ways, that I ſin not with my tongue. Hoſ. 14.8, Ephraim ſhall ſay, What have I any more to do with Idols. Iſa. 30.22, Ye ſhall defile alſo the covering of thy graven Images, of the ornament of thy molten Images of Gold: Thou ſhalt caſt them away, as a menſtruous cloth; thou ſhalt ſay unto it, Get thee hence.
(2.) For the latter part: Turning unto God; it is evident, that this is an Eſſential part of Repentance. For every ſin, ſo far as it prevails, turns the heart from God. Jam. 1.14, Every Man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own luſt, and enticed. Jer. 32.33, And they have turned to me the back, and not the face. Now the repenting ſinner, that prizeth the loving kindneſs of God as better then life, then life with all its fillings up with earthly comforts, cannot but ſet himſelf to turn unto God; as they did, Hoſea. 6.1, Come and let us return unto the Lord, for he hath torn, and he will heal us. Turn unto God, and that,
(1.) As the chiefeſt good, out of an unfeigned deſire to have his good will, to live in his love, and to enjoy Communion with him. Pſal. 4.6, 7,—Lord lift up the light of thy countenance upon us. Thou haſt put gladneſs in my heart, more then in the time, that their Corn, and their Wine increaſed. Pſal. 73.25, 26, Whom have I in Heaven but thee, and there is none upon Earth that I deſire beſides thee. My heart, and my fleſh faileth, but God is the ſtrength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
(2.) As our utmoſt end; reckoning upon it, that therefore we live, that we may exalt him, and ſanctifie his holy name in our hearts, and pleaſe him in all our ways, ſtill endeavouring, that in all things our end may fall in with his. Rom. 6.11, Likewiſe reckon ye alſo your ſelves to be dead indeed unto ſin, but alive to God, through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord. Rom. 14.7, 8, For none of us liveth to himſelf, and no Man dyeth to himſelf: For whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and whether we dye, we dye unto the Lord, whether we live therefore or die we are the Lords.
Thus ye ſee when Repentance may be ſaid to grow; and that in the growth thereof, the Soul exceedingly proſpers. Ye have likewiſe, the firſt evidence of univerſal growth, namely the growth of Faith, and Repentance; when theſe two grow in the Soul, which are as neceſſary for the wellfare of the Soul, as the Natural heat, and Radical moiſture are for the wellfare of the Body, then the Soul proſpereth. The God of all grace, bleſs us all with this proſperity: This is proſperity indeed.
But with ſadneſs of heart, it may be ſaid of theſe two graces, what is obſerved of ſome Out-landiſh fruits, that though with much coſt, and care they are tranſplanted into this Countrey, yet they thrive not, as they do in their native Soil, becauſe of the coldneſs of the Climate. Even ſo it is with Faith, and Repentance, though they are much ſpoken of, yet they thrive not: Though in reſpect of their Root, they may be in the Soul, yet what through the coldneſs, deadneſs, ſluggiſhneſs, and unmortifiedneſs of our hearts, they proſper not; and therefore our Souls proſper not, neither can they ever proſper, while theſe are neglected.
2. I proceed now to the ſecond inſtance of univerſal growth: and that is, when that bleſſing laid up in that promiſe recorded, Hoſ. 14.5. is given forth; when the God of all grace is as the dew to the Soul; ſo that it grows as the Lilly, and as the Cedars in Lebanon. The dew, ye know, is a very ſweet refreſhing moiſture, to the dry, and thirſty ground; which ſoaking into the Earth, makes it bring forth its fruits, and the fruit thereof to grow. So the dew of Heavenly influences, and Divine ſupplies of grace, when they fall upon the Soul, they make the Root of Divine principles to bring forth fruit, and the fruit to grow. And when it grows as the Lilly, and as the Cedar, then the Soul proſpers.
(1.) When it grows as the Lilly. The Lilly, ye know, is a very lovely Plant. Solomon in all his glory, was not like it. Now, the Soul grows as the Lilly, when it grows in thoſe lovely graces mentioned, Col. 3.12, Bowels of mercies, kindneſs, humbleneſs of mind, meekneſs, long ſuffering. Forbearing one another, forgiving one another. What a lovely ſight is it to ſee (ſo far as Man can ſee) a Soul clothed with theſe graces? Lovely they are in the eyes even of thoſe, that are ſtrangers to the life, and power of Religion; they cannot skill of the myſteries of Faith, of Communion with God, of the life of Faith, of the comforts of the Holy Ghoſt; but of theſe things they can judge, and cannot but commend. All commended Cranmer, that holy Martyr for his meekneſs; and kindneſs, even to thoſe that had wronged him, that it grew to a Proverb, Do him an ill turn, and he will be your friend for ever. So likewiſe, it grows as the Lilly, when it grows in gentleneſs, peaceableneſs, and eaſineſs, to be entreated; when there is an ingenuous facility, either to be perſwaded to what is good, or diſſwaded from what is evil, though in thoſe things that are contrary to our former apprehenſions, according to that in Jam. 3.17, But the wiſdom that is from above is firſt pure, then peaceable, gentle, eaſie to be entreated.—This is lovely as the Lilly. Some there are who are guilty of that which is condemned, 2 Pet. 2.10, Selfwilled; that will not let go their prejudices; as if to change their mind in what they are once engaged, were a diſparagement to them. This is very unlovely, for this is the greateſt folly, not to give place to right Reaſon. This hath not been the way of thoſe whoſe Souls have proſpered. David hearkened to the counſel of Abigail, and thought it no diſparagement unto him; yielding to the ſtrength of her reaſons, to alter his mind; and bleſſed God that he ſo happily met with her, 1 Sam. 25.32, 33. It is Propheſied, Iſa. 11.6, The Wolf ſhall dwell with the Lamb, &c. When Souls proſper under the Government of Chriſt, they will be ſo far ſubdued, and changed through the Spiritual efficacy thereof, that thoſe who, by nature, were as fiery, as violent, as untamed, and untractable, as Wolves, and Leopards, and Lyons, ſhall be ſo ductile, teachable, and perſwadeable to what is good, that a little Child ſhall lead them, and prevail with them, to alter their mind, bringing Scripture and Reaſon with them. This is lovely; when theſe Principles of grace grow in the Soul, the Soul grows as the Lilly.
(2.) The Soul then proſpers, when it grows, not only as the Lilly, but as the Cedars in Lebanon, which are much ſpoken of, in the Scripture. Of all Trees, theſe ſhoot up higheſt, and endure longeſt: The Timber whereof not being ſubject to rot, as other Timber. So that the Soul grows as the Cedar, when that deep, inward, rooted reſpect to things below, which rules in an unmortified heart, is ſo far mortified, that a Man's Treaſure is changed: We now lay up our Treaſure in Heaven, and ſet our affections on things that are above, mounting up as the Eagles, Iſa. 40.31. Looking after the things that are not ſeen, as the things our Souls delight in, having choſen them for our portion; preparing for, longing after, and rejoicing in hope of enjoying them. When things that are ſeen afford us but little, but matter of care, and grief, trouble, and ſorrow: When the Soul creeps on the Earth life a Snail, and is up in the things of the World, as an Eel in the Mud, then it never proſpers.
2. When a laſting durable frame of godlineſs is attained, and preſerved, then likewiſe it grows as the Cedar. As it ſaid of Enoch, Gen. 5.21. That he walked with God 300 years together. So it may be ſaid, that our beſt works are at laſt: as Rev. 2.19, I know thy works, and charity, and ſervice, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works, and the laſt to be more then the firſt. And that our Salvation is nearer, then when we (firſt) believed. Rom. 13.11. But when good impreſſions wear off, and hardly come on again, when inward meltings quickly dry up, as the morning dew; when the Soul is as it were ſick of the Staggers; now goes forward, and then goes backward, it is far from proſpering as it ought.
This is all, I have to ſay to the firſt Particular, that in the firſt Riſe, and Foundation of Soul-proſperity, as to any poſſible evidencing that ſuch a thing is begun, is laid in thoſe firſt principles of Spiritual life, which are received by virtue of our union with Chriſt; ſo the growth, and progreſs thereof conſiſts in their increaſe, and then, this increaſe, where this thriving is, is univerſal, when growth in one principle is added to another, as when Men add houſe to houſe, and field to field, they are ſaid to proſper in the World. Iſa. 5.8. So when Faith, which is as the natural heat, is added to Repentance, which is as the Radical moiſture, and the growth of the Cedar is added to the growth of the Lilly, then the Soul proſpers.
I now proceed to the ſecond Particular, As the Soul proſpers, when growth in gratious principles is univerſal, ſo much more, when gratious principles are kept in exerciſe. The Scripture ſpeaks much of this, more then, perhaps, is taken notice of. For all thoſe commands we have up and down in Scripture, to love the Lord, to fear him, to believe in the Lord Jeſus, do not ſo much require the firſt principle, as the acting and exerciſing of that principle: As for inſtance, 1 Joh. 3.23. Commands the exerciſe of Faith and Love. We read of the work of Faith, 2 Theſ. 1.11. The work, and labour of love. Heb. 6.10. The perfect work of patience, Jam. 1.5. Of walking in the fear of the Lord, Act. 9.31. Of walking in love, Eph. 5.2. Of walking by faith, 2 Cor. 5.7. Of living by faith, Gal. 2.20. All theſe expreſſions note, the actual exerciſes of theſe graces, each of them being buſied in, and taken up with their proper work. This is of abſolute neceſſity unto Soul-proſperity. Bodily exerciſe may be ſo uſed, as that it may be a great means of preſerving Bodily health, but this is of far greater uſe for preſerving the health of the Soul; for ſomething elſe, ſometimes, at leaſt as to ſome perſons, may ſupply the want of Bodily exerciſe, ſo as a perſon may do well enough without it: But nothing can ſupply, for the good of the Soul, the neglect of the exerciſe of grace. Yea indeed, it is all one, as to Soul-proſperity, for the time, when it is not exerciſed, as if there were no grace in the Soul at all. We have many ſad inſtances of this, that it hath been ſo: when the contrary principles of corruption have choakt, as it were, oppreſſed, and bound up, the gratious principle from ſtirring, and moving, to make any oppoſition, to any purpoſe. Iſa. 64.6,—our iniquities like the wind, have taken us away. This we ſee in David, without any wrong to the memory of Joſeph, I ſuppoſe it may be ſaid, that he had more grace, then Joſeph had, yet David not exerciſing it, fell (as it is ſaid of Saul, 2 Sam. 1.21.) among the uncircumciſed; the Shield of the Mighty, wherewith he might have quenched the fiery Darts of Satan, was vilely caſt away, as if he had never been anointed, with the anointing of the Spirit of God; whereas Joſeph ſtood like a Conquerour in the hour of temptation, when it came upon him, with ſo much violence, and advantage. What was the reaſon of this, but that Joſeph, at that time, had his Loins girt, his Lamp burning, his grace in exerciſe, as we find, Gen. 39.9? But it was not ſo, in that ſad hour, with David, he was ſlothful, and did not ſtir up himſelf to reſiſt, but gave place to Satan. In a word, Joſeph was awake, and David was aſleep. Nay, at another time, David was overcome, when Saul reſiſted, and overcame a temptation of the ſame kind. Compare 1 Sam. 25.21, 22. David reſolved to revenge himſelf, when he took himſelf to be affronted by Nabal; with 1 Sam. 10.27. The Children of Belial ſaid of Saul: How ſhall this Man ſave us? And they deſpiſed him, and brought him no preſent; but Saul held his peace. We ſee by this, that the having of much grace, avails not to the proſperity of the Soul, if it be not exerciſed. It is, for that preſent, all one to ſpeak of, as if there were none. It is very obſervable to this purpoſe, what we have in three Evangeliſts, concerning Chriſts reproving of his Diſciples, when they were ſo afraid of being drowned, Matth. 8.26, Why are ye ſo fearful, O ye of little Faith? In Mark, it is otherwiſe related, chap. 4.37, How is it that ye have no faith? Luke's expreſſion, chap. 8.25. is in a different way from both: Where is your Faith? Yet here is no ſuch difference, but what is eaſily reconciled. They had a little faith, as it is in Matthew: No faith, as it is in Mark. Luke takes up the difference, Where is your Faith? Saith he: Their little faith was to ſeek, when they had need of it; therefore their Souls were as much out of order, and their fear as great, as if their hearts had been full of unbelief all over.
It is then clearly thus: The Soul proſpers ſo much, and ſo long only as grace is exerciſed according as the matter requires. This we have exemplified in Gaius, whoſe Soul proſpered, at ſo high a rate. Truth was in him, and he walked in the Truth, ver. 3. of this Epiſtle: In godly ſincerity, as Paul did, 2 Cor. 1.12. He walked with God as Noah did, Gen. 6.9. He walked humbly with God, as Mich. 6.8. And all that do ſo, ſhall walk with God in White, Rev. 3.4. (as doubtleſs Gaius doth now;) an expreſſion that holds forth that unconceivable glory, wherewith that Soul ſhall, one day, be clothed; yea, and their Bodies too, at laſt, when made like unto the glorious Body of Chriſt. When his Face did ſhine, and his Raiment was white as the light, Matth. 17.2.
3. The Soul proſpers, when, in all theſe things, it proſpers daily. One day after another; and one day as well as another; when more and more is daily done, and more and more daily received, in the forementioned particulars. This Paul could ſay, 2 Cor. 4.16,—though our outward Man periſh, yet the inward Man is renewed day by day. The Body of Man, though it be of as healthy a conſtitution as any in the World; yet it grows but to ſuch an age, then it comes to a conſiſtency, ſtanding at a ſtay; and after it hath done ſo a while, it begins to decay. But as it may be ſo, yet it ſhould be otherwiſe with a proſperous Soul. Phil. 3.12, 13, 14, Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect, but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that, for which alſo I am apprehended of Chriſt Jeſus, &c. It was now 25 years ſince Paul's Converſion; for this Epiſtle to the Philippians was written the ſame year with that to the Epheſians; and both of them in that time mentioned, Act. 28.30, 31, When Paul dwelt two years (at Rome) in his own hired houſe, and received all that came unto him. He had been ſo long a Man in Chriſt, done and ſuffered ſo much for Chriſt, and received ſo much from Chriſt, yet he is exceeding hungry, and thirſty to receive more (ſpiritually, he was very poor in his own opinion) that ſo he might do more, where he was called. Though perfection (as he well knew) was not attainable in this life, yet he aimed at it, hoping he might come nearer to it, then yet he was. [I follow after, that I may apprehend.] What? Even that perfection which was then wanting. This was a proſperous Soul. I ſay no more to this, then as our Saviour ſaid in another caſe to the Lawyer, Luke. 10.37, Go, and do likewiſe.
4. Then the Soul proſpereth, when in conjunction with all theſe, it is more and more Rooted in Chriſt. So as notwithſtanding all our growth in grace, and all our exerciſe of grace, the life we live, ſo far as it is gratious (and it ought to be ſo, in all things) is more in Chriſt, and from Chriſt, and what we expect to receive from Chriſt, then in, and from our ſelves, when we think with our ſelves as the Apoſtle ſaid, Gal. 2.20, Nevertheleſs I live, yet not I, but Chriſt liveth in me, and the life which I now live in the fleſh, I live by the faith of the Son of God. Therefore intereſt Chriſt in all that ye do. Look unto him for aſſiſtance in every thing (Phil. 4.13, I can do all things, through Chriſt which ſtrengtheneth me.) and for acceptance of all, 1 Pet. 2.5, Ye alſo as lively stones are built up a ſpiritual houſe, an holy Prieſthood to offer up ſpiritual Sacrifices, acceptable to God, by Jeſus Chriſt. Let us go on, thus leaning upon our Beloved. The heart of Chriſt was much upon this, that all that are in a ſtate of Union with him, ſhould learn this, and live under the actual conſideration of it, Joh. 15.4, 5, Abide in me, and I in you; as the Branch cannot bear fruit of it ſelf, except it abide in the Vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the Vine, ye are the Branches; he that abideth in me, and I in him, the ſame bringeth forth much fruit; for without me, ye can do nothing. And the more this is learned, and accordingly reduced into practice, the more the Soul will proſper. It is worth our noting that true growth is noted by our growing in Chriſt. Eph. 4.15, But ſpeaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the Head, even Chriſt. 2 Pet. 3.18, But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord, and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt. As if to grow in parts, in duties, or any thing elſe, without growing in him, were a ſwelling, rather then a growth. The ſwelling of the Leg, or Arm, is no good ſign that the party grows ſtronger. It is thus indeed: whiles we are full of our own ſtrength, our Souls proſper not, 1 Sam. 2.9,—for by ſtrength ſhall no Man prevail. Therefore a proſpering Soul, though it hath, and when it hath put on the whole Armour of God, yet it is not to truſt thereto, but to be ſtrong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, Eph. 6.10. Certainly, the more deeply this principle is engraven in our hearts, and the more we act according to it, the better it will be with us. He that laboured more abundantly then they all, that could ſay, He had finiſhed his courſe, fought the good fight, and kept the faith, was he that ſaid, Not I, but the grace of God that was with me, 1 Cor. 15.10. Happy are thoſe Souls, and more happy they are like to be, that are ſo trained up in a continual ſenſibleneſs of their own inſufficiency, as to what is ſpiritually good, that ſtill there is a looking up for more ſupplies, that we may exerciſe what we have, Phil. 1.19,—and the ſupply of the Spirit of Jeſus Chriſt. What Paul prayed for the Theſſalonians, 2 Theſ. 3.5, The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and the patient waiting for Chriſt. i. e. into the exerciſe thereof. A Soul that would proſper, muſt pray for it ſelf. Yea, and for that which Paul deſired others to pray on his behalf, Eph. 6.18, 19, Praying alwaies with all Prayer, and Supplication,—that utterance may be given unto me. Paul had already a great gift of utterance, and memory, and had great experience of Gods preſence with him, in the exerciſe thereof, having preached ſo well, and ſo long, now twenty five years together, yet deſires their prayers, not only for the continuance of theſe gifts, but alſo for the actual exerciſe of them, ſo often as ever there was occaſion of uſing them. And no doubt Paul did pray thus for himſelf, as often as he was to preach, and as little doubt there is, but that he did his work ſo much the better for it, and with the better ſucceſs.
Thus ye have, what I have to ſay, concerning the firſt thing propoſed: What concerns the proſperity of the Soul in general, wherein it conſiſts, and when a Man may be ſaid to proſper.