The Mighty Christ the Saints Help, Part 9

The Mighty Christ the Saints Help · Part 9

p. 209Reaſons why God hath appointed Chriſt, this Mighty One, to be an help to his people.

p. 210Reaſ. 1. Becauſe the Lord ſaw there would be need of a Mighty One; and that in ſeverall regards; as

Firſt, The weakneſs of his people; they being a feeble flock, of a very little ſtrength, and the Lord loves to ſtrengthen the weake hands; Feare not thou Worme Jacob (ſaith God) I will help thee, Iſa: 41.10, 14. Chap. 35.3.)

Secondly, The Difficulty of their worke; It is not onelyonly hard, but impoſſible to fleſh and blood to performe; Every part of it is hard; it is hard to beleeve, hard to pray, hard to deny a mans ſelfe, hard to forſake father and mother, wife, children, brethren and ſiſters, houſes and lands, and a mans life too for Chriſts ſake (Luke 9.23, 24. Luke 14.26.) It is hard to keep the Commandements of God, and the Faith of Jeſus, (Rev: 12.11, 17. & 14.12.) And therefore God ſent a Mighty One from heaven, even his own Son to help his weak ſervants in all their difficult ſervices.

Thirdly, The Mightineſs of their Adverſaries, who daily ſeek to hinder, and trouble them in their work. The Jewes that built the Temple at Jeruſalem, had mighty Adverſaries, who hindred them all that ever they could; and the Lord put it into the hearts of Darius and Artaxerxes to help th… (Ezra p. 2116.1, 7. Ezra 7.12, 13.) All the people of God may complaine with David; That their perſecutors are too ſtrong for them, neither do they wreſtle onelyonly againſt fleſh and blood, but againſt Principalities, againſt powers, againſt the Rulers of the darkneſs of this world, againſt ſpiritual wickedneſs in high places, Ephe: 6.12. And therefore the Lord ſees it needfull to ſend them a Saviour, and a Great one, and he ſhall help and deliver them.

Fourthly, Alſo the promiſed exaltation, and eſtabliſhment of his people; For God hath promiſed that in the laſt dayes, the Mountaine of the Lords houſe ſhall be eſtabliſhed in the Top of the Mountaines, and ſhall be exalted above the hils, and all Nations ſhall flow unto it, Iſa. 2.2. Mic. 4.1. That Jeruſalem ſhall be a quiet habitation, a Tabernacle that ſhall not be taken downe, not one of the ſtakes thereof ſhall ever be removed, neither ſhall any of the Cords thereof be broken, Iſa. 33.20. Yea the Lord hath ſaid of Zion, I will make thee an eternal excellency, a joy of many Generations, Iſa. 60.15. But as yet the people of God are low, Zion ſits in the dust, and is afflicted, and toſſed with Tempeſt, as yet ſhe is a Reproach, and a taunt and a by-word among the Nations; ſo that great things are yet to be done before ſhe be clothed with her promiſ… glory. But ſeeing the Lord hath loved her, and purpoſed, and promiſed p. 212that ſhe ſhall be exalted, and eſtabliſhed for ever; therefore hath he laid help upon one that is Mighty to do it for her, even Chriſt.

Reaſ. 2. For the honour and exaltation of Chriſt; That he who hath borne ſo much ſhame, and endured ſuch contradiction of ſinners againſt himſelfe, might be ſeene and knowne to be the Help, Deliverer, and Saviour of his people: And therefore the Father is ſaid to exalt him in this reſpect; Him hath God exalted with his Right hand, to be a Prince, and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Iſrael, and forgiveneſs of ſins, Acts 5.31. And by this Chriſt ſhall have,

Firſt, The HONOƲR of the Saints faith, and confidence; For in him they ſhall truſt for help in their ſeveral conditions; According to what was propheſied of him, Iſa. 11.10. To him ſhall the Gentiles ſeek; or in him ſhall the Gentiles trust, as the Apoſtle explaines it, Rom: 15.12. Its honour to Chriſt that the Saints are looking to him for deliverance and ſalvation, in their ſtraits and Troubles.

Secondly, The HONOƲR of the Saints praiſes; When they have found him to be their ſtrength, and help, they will make him their Song, and exalt him in their praiſes, (Iſa. 2.3, 4.) Their ſoules will be joyfull in him, and rejoyce i… …s ſalvation: All their bones ſhall ſay, LORD, who is like unto thee, p. 213which delivereſt the poore from him that is too ſtrong for him; yea the poore and the needy from him that ſpoileth him? All Chriſts ſaved and delivered ones, will cry with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was ſlaine, and hath holpen us, and Redeemed us to God by his blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and Nation, to receive power, and riches, and wiſdome, and ſtrength, and honour, and glory, and bleſſing, Rev: 5.9-12.

Object. Some may ſay, as Gideon to the Angel, Judg. 6.13. Oh my Lord, if the Lord be with us, why then is all this befallen us? If God hath appointed Chriſt, That Mighty One, to be a… help to his people, why are they in ſo much trouble and diſtreſſe?

Anſw. 1. As the Lord hath appointed Chriſt to be an help, ſo he hath alſo appointed a time for his people to ſuffer in; For as Christ, this Mighty One, had a ſuffering time in reſpect of HIS PERSON, in which he was ſet at nought, and derided, and perſecuted both by people, and Rulers, (before he entred into his Glory, Luke 24.26.) ſo he ſhall have in reſpect of his myſticall body the Saints, before they enter into the promiſed reſt and Glory. Thus much God told Abraham, when he appeared to him, Gen. 15.13, 14. ſaying, Know of a ſurety, that thy ſeed ſhall be a ſtranger in a land that is not theirs, and ſhall ſerve them; p. 214and they ſhall afflict them foure hundred yeares; And alſo that Nation whom they ſhall ſerve, will I Judge; and afterward ſhall they come out with Great ſubſtance. So likewiſe there was a time when the Lord ſaid to Zedekiah King of Judah; Bring your necks under the yoke of the King of Babylon, and ſerve him, and his people, Jer: 27.12. And they were to be quiet in that eſtate till ſeventy yeares were accompliſhed. And there was a time wherein God would break his yoke from off his peoples neck, and burſt their bonds, that ſtrangers might no more ſerve themſelves of them, Jer: 30.8, There is a day of Jacobs trouble, and there is a time, when he ſhall be ſaved out of it, (verſ. 7.) And when the time to favour Zion, yea the ſet time be come, God will ariſe and have mercy upon her, Pſal: 102.13. But the day of the Lords patience, and his peoples ſufferings, muſt precede the day of his vengeance, and his peoples ſalvation. The ſervant, as well as his Lord, muſt ſuffer, before he enter into Glory, (Rom: 8.17.)

Secondly, The Lord hath ſeveral wayes of helping his ſervants; his help doth not conſiſt onelyonly in freeing them from ſufferings, but alſo in upholding, and ſupporting them under ſufferings, ſo that they faint not in the evil day. Thus the Lord promiſed to help Jacob, Iſa: 41.10. Feare thou not, For I am with p. 215thee; be not diſmayed, for I am thy God. I will ſtrengthen thee, yea I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteouſneſs. With this way of help from the Lord, the Apoſtle labours to encourage the Saints at Corinth in their Temptations, 1 Cor: 10.13. God is faithfull, who will not ſuffer you to be Tempted above that you are able; but will with the Temptation alſo make a way to eſcape, that you may be able to beare it. Chriſt doth as well help his ſervants by keeping them from falling by Temptation, as by delivering them out of temptation; Thus Chriſt hath been, is, and will be the help of his people in their ſuffering day.

Thirdly, Though Chriſt be Mighty to help, and ſave to the uttermoſt all his …rvants out of all their Troubles; yet he ſeeth it meet in his infinite wiſdome to help them ſometimes but with a LITTLE help. God granted Rehoboam, and the Princes of Iſrael ſome Deliverance, but not a full Deliverance; a Deliverance from deſtruction, but not from ſervitude and ſpoile, 2 Chron: 12.7, 8, 9. And thus God helped his people Iſrael in Ezra's dayes, which he thankfully took notice of in his Confeſſion and Prayer, Ezra 9.7, 8, 9. For our iniquities have we, our Kings, and our Prieſts been delivered into the hand of the Kings of the Lands, to the ſword, to p. 216captivity, and to a ſpoil, and to confuſion of face, as it is this day; and now for a little ſpace grace hath been ſhewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a Remnant to eſcape, and to give us a Nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage; For we were bond men, yet our God hath not forſaken us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy unto us in the ſight of the Kings of Perſia, to give us a reviving, &c. It was the gracious Promiſe of God to his People, whom he caſt far off among the Heathen, and ſcattered among the Countries, That he would be to them as a little Sanctuary in the Countryes where they ſhould come, Ezek: 11.16. It is alſo ſaid of thoſe perſecuted, oppreſſed ones b… …hoſe Mighty Kings mentioned Dan: 11.34. They ſhall be holpen with a little help. And therefore though Chriſt doth not help ſo eminently and fully, as he will hereafter; yet let us not undervalue his preſent help; let us not ſay he helps not at all, becauſe he helps us but with a little help, in compariſon of what he will do: He ſees a little help is beſt for us at preſent, and it is more than we deſerve at his hands.

Fourthly, The Deliverances and Salvation of Gods people are commonly carryed on in a Miſtery; Not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of God. Gods Providence towards his Servants, p. 217is as a Wheel in the midſt of a Wheel, (as Ezek: ….16.) whoſe motion and work, and end in working, is not diſcerned by a common eye. Chriſt doth ſometimes walk in the dark, when he is helping his People, as the loving father is contriving good for his child, though the child perceiveth it not; to this agreeth that of the Prophet Iſaiah, Ch: 45. verſ. 15. Verily, thou art a God that hideſt thy ſelf, O God of Iſrael, the Saviour: Yea, God is ſometimes in a way of deliverance with his People, and their deliverance neer, when he ſeems to ingage them to greater ſufferings. There is ſo much contained in that promiſe of God to Zion, Micah 4.10. Be in pain, and labour to bring forth O Daughter of Zion, like a woman in travel; for now ſhalt thou go forth out of the City, and thou ſhalt dwell in the field, and thou ſhalt go even to Babylon; there ſhalt thou be delivered; there the LORD ſhall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies. We muſt not conclude that Chriſt doth not help us, becauſe we ſee not his hand lifted up.

Fifthly, There is SOMETHING IN CHRISTS SERVANTS becauſe of which he doth not ſometimes help them; as ſometimes CHRIST DOTH NOT HELP: ſometimes

Firſt, When his people do not beleeve, do not truſt nor ſtay upon him for help; for he is p. 218an help to all them that truſt in him; for any one to diſtrust the Power and Faithfullneſſe of Chriſt, is to exclude himſelf from partaking of the benefit thereof. When the children of Iſrael beleeved not the word of God, the Lord did not help them, but lifted up his hand againſt them to overthrow them in the wilderneſſe, Pſa. 106.24, 26. Chriſt did not many mighty works in his own Countrey, becauſe of their unbelief, Math. 13.58. If thou doſt not beleeve that he can, and will help, thou canſt not expect he ſhould help.

Secondly, When they ſet about any work without his call; The Lord hath been wont to help in thoſe things he hath called his Servants to, as might eaſily be made manifeſt in Moſes, Joſuah, Gideon, David, and others; but when his People have run, and he ſent them not, they have been without his help in ſuch undertakings. When the children of Iſrael would invade the Land of Canaan without Gods call, they were ſmitten, and diſcomfited, Numb: 14.44, 45. And though Joſiah was a good man, yet going to fight againſt Pharaoh Necho, contrary to the mind of God, he dyed for it, 2 Chron 35.20, 21, 22, 23. They that act without Chriſts call, are like to act without his help.

Thirdly, When they undertake any work, though never ſo good and excellent in at p. 219ſelf, in their own ſtrength, without engaging him to their help, he helps them not; as in the caſe of Peter, it was a good work, and much conducing to the honour of Chriſt, which Peter undertook; but truſting to his own ſtrength, Chriſt left him to miſcarry in it (John 13.37, 38.)

Fourthly, When the eyes of his people are upon ſome other beſides him, or when they joyn ſome other with him to help, then he uſually leaveth both him that helpeth, and him that is holpen to fall together, Iſa. 31.3. The Lord was Iſraels help when he was their God alone, and none other with him, Deut: 32.12. The LORD alone did lead them, and there was no ſtrange God with him. When the Spouſe ſhall lean upon Chriſt her Beloved, and upon other Lovers alſo, then Chriſt withholdeth his help from her.

Fifthly, When they have any ſiniſter ends and aims in what they do; for though the work be good, yet if a mans end be bad, Chriſt doth not uſually further him in it; as when a man in Preaching, Praying, or any part of Religion, ſeeks not ſo much Chriſts honour, as his own praiſe and profit, he cannot expect, neither doth he ordinarily receive ſuch help from the Spirit of Chriſt therein; They that ſeek not Chriſts things, but their own, p. 220ſhall not proſper, Jer: 10.21. Haggai 1.4, 6, 9.

Sixthly, When they refuſe to be holpen by him; Chriſts Servants are ſometimes more eſpecially in great dangers and ſtraits, and ſtand in need of his help: and though Chriſt ſhew himſelf willing and ready to ſave, and deliver them, yet ſuch is the folly and untowardneſſe of their ſpirits, that they will none of his help, but rather chuſe to ſuffer through walking in the wayes and imaginations of their own hearts, than to be delivered in their hearkning to his counſel, and ſubmitting to his will; and then no wonder Chriſt helps not; this was the frame of ſpirit, and ſad condition of Jeruſalem, which Chriſt lamented over, Jeruſalem was in danger, Chriſt would have holpen her, but ſhe would not, Chriſt lets her alone, and the iſſue is ſad, Matth. 23.37, 38. O Jeruſalem, Jeruſalem, thou that killeſt the Prophets, and ſtoneſt them that are ſent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as an Hen gathereth her Chickens under her wings, and ye would not? behold your houſe is left unto you deſolate.

Queſt. What ſhall Gods people do when Chriſt helps not?

p. 221Firſt, Seriouſly conſider, and lay it to heart, as a matter of greateſt concernment, and trouble to us. So did Joſhua when the Lord withheld his help from Iſrael, Joſhua 7.6, 8. Joſuah rent his cloathes, and fell to the earth upon his face, before the Ark of the LORD, untill the even-tide, he and the Elders of Iſrael, and put duſt upon their heads; and Joſhua ſaid, Alas, O Lord God, wherefore haſt thou at all brought this people over Jordan to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to deſtroy us? would to God, (Hebr: O that) we had been content, and dwelt on the other ſide Jordan. Oh LORD, what ſhall I ſay, when Iſrael turneth their backs before their enemies? We ſhould look upon it as that wherein both God and his People ſuffer. God ſuffers in his name, when he doth not help his people; His, and their enemies blaſpheme his name. Sometimes they caſt dirt upon his power, ſaying, The Lord cannot help, nor ſave; ſometimes upon his goodneſſe, and mercy, The Lord will not help; ſometimes upon his Truth and Faithfulneſſe, The Lord hath forgotten his people: Hence ſaith Joſhua, What wilt thou do for thy great name? And his people they muſt needs ſuffer when he with-draws his hand; they are endangered, and trampled upon by their enemies: and the ſuffering of Gods Name, and the diſtreſſes of his Servants, muſt not ſeem a p. 222light thing in our eyes. Nehemiah's frame and carriage under ſuch a diſpenſation, is worthy of imitation. When he heard that the Remnant that were left of the Captivity were in great affliction, and reproach, that the wall of Jeruſalem was broken down, and the gates thereof burnt with fire, he ſat down and wept, and mourned certain dayes, and faſted, and prayed before the God of Heaven, Neh: 1.3, 4. And this is that which Jeruſalem lamented with much bitterneſs of ſpirit, Lament: 1.15, 16. The Lord hath troden under foot all my mighty men, in the midſt of me; he hath called an Aſſembly againſt me to cruſh my young men, the Lord hath troden the Virgin, the Daughter of Judah, as a Wine-preſſe; For theſe things I weep, mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water, becauſe the Comforter that ſhould relieve my ſoul is far from me. It's juſt matter of mourning and lamentation when the appointed helper and Saviour doth not help nor ſave.

Secondly, They ſhould diligently ſearch out the cauſe and reaſon why Chriſt helps not: For if the Lord ceaſe to help his People, there is ſome cauſe for ſuch a dealing, as there is for what evil ſoever the Lord bring upon them, Ezek. 14.23. And when the Lord ſlacks his hand concerning the help of his Servants, its their preſent work and duty to look narrowly about them, and in them, to find out p. 223the cauſe thereof. When the Lord denyed Iſrael his help againſt the men of Ai, he told them the cauſe of it, There is an accurſed thing in the midſt of thee, O Iſrael; and commanded, and directed them to ſeek, and they found it out, Achan was taken, and the Silver, and the Garment, and the wedge of Gold, his Sons, Daughters, Aſſes, Sheep, Tent, and all that he had, and they ſtoned him, and burned them with fire, Joſhua 7. This was part of Jobs work in his affliction, to find out the cauſe of it, and that he might know it, he begs of God to ſhew him wherefore he contended with him, Job 10.2. Thus did David alſo in his diſtreſſe, Pſa. 22.1. My God, my God, why haſt thou forſaken me? why art thou ſo far from helping me: And we find the Faithful in their low and helpleſſe eſtate calling upon one another to this very thing, Lament: 3.40. Let us ſearch, and try our wayes, and turn again to the Lord.

Thirdly, They ſhould humbly acknowledge, and really forſake thoſe evils wherewith they have provoked Chriſt to with-hold his help from them in time of need. The Faithful do not onelyonly complain of their miſery and troubles, but they confeſſe, and forſake their iniquities; when Nehemiah conſidered the afflicted condition of the People, he doth not onelyonly put them upon faſting and confeſſion, but p. 224upon reformation alſo, Neh: 13. This is that which the Lord ſo frequently calls for at the hands of his people, Turn, turn your ſelves from all your tranſgreſſions; And they alſo call upon God for this, Lam: 5.21. Turn thou us unto thee, O Lord.

Fourthly, They ſhould earneſtly cry to the Lord for help; This hath been the courſe of the ſervants of God of old, whereby they have prevailed with God to lift up his hand to their help in time of trouble. The Church lifted up her voice in affliction, ſaying, Awake, why ſleepeſt thou, O Lord? Ariſe, caſt us not off for ever (Pſal. 44.23.) Wherefore hideſt thou thy face, and forgetteſt our affliction and oppreſſion? For our ſoul is bowed down to the duſt, our belly cleaveth to the earth; ariſe for our help, and redeem us for thy mercy ſake, This is a tryed means; ſaith David, This poor man cryed, and the Lord heard him, and ſaved him ou… …f all his troubles, Pſal. 34.6. When the men of Gibeon were in great diſtreſſe and danger by reaſon of five Kings coming againſt them, and needed help, they ſent to Joſhua, ſaying, Slack not thy hand from thy ſervants, come up to us quickly, and ſave us, and help us, Joſhua 10.6. So ſhould all the ſervants of the Lord cry to their Joſhua, the Lord Chriſt, whom God hath made ſo ſtrong for them, to come and help, and ſave them p. 225out of all their troubles When the Diſciples were in danger on the Sea, and wanted help, they cryed to Chriſt to ſave them, they awaked him, and ſaid unto him, Maſter, careſt thou not that we periſh? and he aroſe, and rebuked the wind, Mark 4.38, 39. O ye Saints, cry to Chriſt; and the more he ſeems to neglect you, cry ſo much the more earneſtly and conſtantly, and give him no reſt till he hear and help, and redeem you from all evils.

Fifthly, They ſhould patiently wait upon Chriſt for help; Though Chriſt do not help preſently, yet wait upon him, for he will help in due time; Do as Beggars that have but one doore to go to for bread, if none hear, nor help them preſently, they lay them down at the door, ſaying within themſelves, we will wait here, may be their compaſſions will move them as they paſſe by to help us: God forbid that any of Chriſts Servants ſhould ſay, either with heart or mouth, as that perſon, 2 Kings 6.33. What ſhould I wait for the Lord any longer? but rather to follow the counſel of the man after Gods own heart, mentioned Pſal. 37.7. Reſt in the LORD, and wait patiently for him, and for his help; though it tarry, wait for it, becauſe it will ſurely come, it will not tarry; and in the mean time know, It is a good thing that a man p. 226ſhould both hope and quietly wait for the ſalvation of the LORD, Lament: 3.26. Such only ſhall ſay, and ſing in the day that the Lord ariſe for the help of his people, Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will ſave us; This is the LORD, we have waited for him; we will be glad, and rejoyce in his ſalvation, Iſa. 25.9.

Queſt. When may Gods people groundedly expect that Christ will help them?

Anſw.

Firſt, When they are afflicted greatly; when their burthens are ſo heavy, that they know not how to bear them, then the Lord hath been wont to help them. The Egyptians made the children of Iſrael to ſerve with rigor, ſo that they ſighed and groaned by reaſon of their bondage; and the LORD ſaw the affliction of his people, and delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians, Exod. 1.13. & 2.23. & 3.—7,—8. And at another time, when God ſaw the affliction of the children of Iſrael that it was bitter, he ſaved them by the hand of Jeroboam, 2 Kings 14.26, 27. This David experienced, and acknowledgeth to the praiſe of God, Pſal. 116.6.—10.—16. p. 227ſaying, I was brought low, and he helped me; I was greatly afflicted, O LORD, thou haſt looſed my bonds: And he profeſſeth faith in God for the ſame towards others, Pſal. 18.27. Pſal. 140.12. Thou wilt ſave the afflicted ſoul: I know that the Lord will maintain the cauſe of the afflicted, and the right of the poor. The Church in her complaint and prayer to God for help, ſpreads the greatneſſe of her affliction before him, Lament: per totum, (throughout the Book) and concludes ſaying, Remember, O Lord, what is come upon us; conſider, and behold our reproach, Lament: 5.1.

Secondly, When they are forſaken utterly, when all creature help failes and ceaſes. The LORD will judge his people, and repent himſelf for his ſervants, when he ſeeth that their power is gone, and there is none ſhut up, nor left, Deut: 32.36. And according to this word did the Lord do for Iſrael; for when there was not any ſhut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Iſrael, he ſaved them by the hand of Jeroboam, the ſon of Joaſh, 2 Kings 14.26, 27. And the efore God is ſaid to be the helper of the Fatherleſſe, Pſal. 10.14. And to regard the prayer of the deſtitute, Pſal. 102.17. Jehoſhaphat ſeeking help of God, urgeth him with their weak and deſtitute condition, 2 Chron: 20.12. ſaying, O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might againſt this great company p. 228that cometh againſt us; neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon thee. And to raiſe Gods Servants expectation of help from Chriſt in their loweſt eſtate, it is propheſied of him, Pſal. 72.4.12, 13. That he ſhall judge the poor of the people, he ſhall ſave the children of the needy; he ſhall deliver the needy when he cryeth, the poor alſo, and him that hath no helper.

Thirdly, When they cry mightily to the LORD for help. When Iſrael was oppreſſed time after time, they cryed to the Lord, and he delivered them; when the Lord hath a purpoſe to help his ſervants, he uſually poures forth a Spirit of Prayer upon them. When the Decree of releaſe from Babylon was ready to iſſue forth, God put a mighty Spirit of Prayer upon Daniel, Chap: 9. And immediately, before God will work, deliverance and ſalvation for Jeruſalem, he will ſpirit his ſervants to cry mightily unto him to do it for them, Iſa: 62.6, 7. I have ſet Watchmen upon thy walls, O Jeruſalem, which ſhall never hold their peace, day, nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not ſilence, and g…ve him no rest till he eſtabliſh, and till he make Jeruſalem a praiſe in the earth; ſo that when a M…ghty Spirit of Prayer goes forth to engage Chriſt to help, he is not far from the help of his People.

p. 229Fourthly, When they beleeve on him ſtrongly: when Gods ſervants have reacht out an hand of faith towards him, he hath lifted up his hand to help them. Abraham beleeved ſtrongly, and the Lord did help him greatly; Jehoſhaphat, Aſa, David, and others, relyed on the Lord, and were holpen in the time of their troubles; the three ſervants of God, mentioned Dan: 3. were of great faith, and Chriſt helped them, ſo that the fire burnt them not, neither could the flame kindle up…n them; yea, as many as ever came to Chriſt for help, either for body or ſoul, (eſpecially all ſuch, as were of great faith) received it: and ſurely when the People of God ſtagger not at the Promiſe of help, but are ſtrong in faith, notwithſtanding many difficulties, and natural impoſſibilities before them, the Performance thereof is at hand. (Rom. 4.20.)

Fifthly, When they walk before him fa…thfully; nor doing their own, nor others, but his will. When the Servants of God of old did walk in their integrity, ſerving their Generations according to the will of God, he helped them and made their wayes proſperous; but when they did put forth their hands unto iniquity, the LORD was not with them: There is none can expect that God ſhould meet them in a way of mercy and help, p. 230but ſuch as work righteouſneſſe, and all ſuch may, Iſa. 64.5. they can confidently pray for help in time of need, as David did, Pſal. 119.173. Let thine hand help me, for I have choſen thy precepts. Chriſt promiſed and gave forth his help to his ſervants, when they were working his work in the ſimplicity and ſincerity of their ſouls; ſee his promiſe, Math. 28.19, 20. Go ye, teach all Nations, bapt…zing them in (or unto) the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to obſerve all things, whatſoever I have commanded you; And lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. So alſo Luke 21.12, 13, 14, 15. See likewiſe his performance of his good word to them in their Preaching, Diſputing, Writing, Gal: 2.8. Acts 6.10. Acts 11.21. 2 Cor. 10.10. And certainly, as many as ſhall be faithfull to him in the work whereunto he calls them, ſhall receive a ſufficiency of help to carry them through it.

Sixthly, When they uſe appointed means dil gently; doing neither more, nor leſſe, nor any other thing than what God requireth of them. When the Lord of old had a urpoſe to help and ſave his People in an eminent way, he was wont to ſet them about doing ſomething; and ſometimes that which was very unlikely (as to outward p. 231appearance) to further his intended work; yet when they were diligent in it, they were wonderfully helped, as might be ſhewn at large; ſo when Chriſt is in the way of the help and ſalvation of his people, he requireth ſomething that might ſeem a weak, fooliſh thing for them to do, which may ſeem in their eyes to be rather to their hurt, than help; yet they ought to be found uſing of it, and therein may expect Aſſiſtance from him. When there was want of wine at the Marriage in Cana of Galilee, the Mother of Jeſus ſaid unto the ſervants, Whatſoever he ſaith unto you, do it; which then they did, they were helped by him. (John 2.) When the Diſciples deſpairing of ſucceſs (having toiled all the night, and taken nothing) had given over fiſhing for that time, and were waſhing their Nets; he ſaid to Simon, Lanch out into the deep, and let down your Nets for a draught; at his word they did ſo; and when they had this done, they incloſed a great multitude of fiſhes. (Luke 5.4, 5.)

Seventhly, When enemies ſpeak proudly, act highly, and ſeem to bear down all before them, being most ſecure and confident in their wayes; then Chriſt is not far from the help of his People. The Lord hath ſaid by the mouth of his Prophet, Iſa: 59.19, When the enemy ſhall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the p. 232LORD ſhall lift up a Standard againſt him. It was ſo of old, when Pharaoh was moſt proud and confident, and ſaid, I will purſue, I will overtake, I will divide the ſpoil, my luſt ſhall be ſatisfied upon them, I will draw the ſword, my hand ſhall deſtroy them; then the Lord appeared for the help of his People againſt Pharaoh, and all his Hoſt, (Exod. 15.8.) as he did in Jehoſhaphats time, when multitudes came againſt them, 2 Chron: 20. as alſo in Nehemiah's dayes, when the Adverſaries ſaid, They ſhall not know, neither ſee, till we come in the midſt among them, and ſlay them, and cauſe the work to ceaſe, Neh: 4.11, 12, 15. And as it was heretofore, ſo it ſhall be hereafter; For when Babylon ſaith in her heart, I ſit a Queen, and am no widdow, and ſhall ſee no ſorrow, Then ſhall Chriſt the King of Sion, throw her down with violence, like a great Milſtone into the Sea, never to riſe again, (deſtroying her in a day, Rev: 18.7, 8.21.) and ſo free his Servants from all their oppreſſions; when men and Devils are raging, Chriſt will be helping.

Thus I have anſwered the Queſtion by theſe ſeaven Particulars, which I deſire may be conſidered joyntly; for when theſe things concurre, when both the caſe and carriage of Gods People, as alſo of their Enemies, is or ſhall be as hath been mentioned, p. 233help is at hand; they may then look up, and Lift up their heads, for their Redemption draweth nigh. (as Luke 21.28.)

Quest. What ƲSE ſhould we make of this?

Anſw: I. It is for Our INSTRƲCTION, in Four Things.

Firſt, It ſhews the Original, and firſt cauſe of Gods Servants help, namely, the LORD: For as their affliction, ſo their help cometh not forth out of the duſt, but from above, from the moſt High God: And as it is the choice priviledge of Gods People to find help in time of need; ſo it is their duty, and great advantage to know, and conſider from whence it cometh: And this Doctrine is an help to them therein; this did David, Pſal. 121.1, 2. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord which made Heaven and Earth; whoſoever be the Inſtruments, whatſoever be the means, help is from God alone; all Saviours and Salvations are from him. To this agreeth part of the Levites confeſſion of Gods goodneſſe to Iſrael, Nehem: 9.27. According to thy manifold mercies thou gaveſt p. 234them Saviours, who ſaved them out of the hand of their Enemies.

Secondly, It ſhews a ſufficient ground and reaſon of the faith and hope that is in the Saints for help from Chriſt in time of need; He is mighty to help; but that is not all, it is the will and ordination of God that he ſhould help, He was both anointed and appointed thereunto, Iſa: 42.1, 6, 7. & 61.1, 2, 3. Not onelyonly anointed and enabled, but appointed alſo; and what God hath anointed and appointed Chriſt to do, the Saints may beleeve, and hope for.

Thirdly, It ſhews the righteouſneſſe, faithfullneſſe, and goodneſſe of God in his commands to, and dealings with his people: He is no hard Maſter, looking to reap where he hath not ſown, nor to gather where he hath not ſtrawed; but as he hath appointed work for his people to do, and afflictions for them to endure, ſo he hath appointed and provided help for every imployment and condition.

Fourthly, It ſhews whence it is that the people of God have been, and are able to do ſuch great things; it is not of, nor from themſelves, but from Chriſt their helper and help. It was the Lords b…ing with, and helping his Servants of old, which made them do ſo valiantly and worthily; It was not by the Apoſtles own power and holineſs, but by the name of the Holy Child Jeſus (Gods appointed help p. 235and helper) that ſo many ſignes and wonders were done by them, Acts 3.12. & 4.30. Hence ſaith Paul, Phil: 4.13. I can do all things through Chriſt which ſtrengtheneth me. I laboured more abundantly then they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me, 1 Cor: 15.10.

II. ƲSE of REPROOFE.

Firſt, To the prophane ones of the world, who inſult and triumph over Gods people, as if they were altogether helpleſs, and utterly forſaken; yea, they ſay concerning the Righteous, There is no help in God for him, Pſal: 3.2. God hath forſaken him; perſecute and take him, for there is none to deliver him, Pſal: 71.11. This Doctrine tells ſuch, that they lie, and ſpeak not the truth; and which is worſe, they make God a liar; for God hath ſworn it by his holineſs, that he will not lie herein, Pſal. 89.35, 19. and ſaith, I have laid help (and help enough, help) upon one that is mighty; and they ſay, there is no help for him. And thus do many contradict the Lord himſelfe; but they ſhall one day finde that God is true, and they are liars, (Jer: 44.28.) for God will performe every Good word which he hath ſpoken concerning the help▪ deliverance, and ſalvation of his people, (as Joſ: 21.45. Joſ: 23. p. 23614.) I ſhall onelyonly ſay to ſuch, ſpeak no more ſo fooliſhly.

Secondly, To the proud ones of the earth, who truſt in themſelves, and in their own works for ſalvation, ſaying in their hearts, (though not with their tongues) that there is no need of the help of Chriſt, no need of his being made to them Wiſdome, Righteouſneſs, Sanctification, and Redemption, (1 Cor: 1.30.) hereby fruſtrating the grace of God, and making the death of Chriſt of none effect, Gal: 2.21. Such will one day finde, (though now they ſay, they are rich, and increaſed with goods, and have need of nothing,) that they are wretched, and miſerable, and poore, and blind, and naked; and ſtand in need of his gold, that they may be rich, and of his white rayment, that they may be clothed, that the ſhame of their nakedneſs may not appeare, Rev. 3.17, 8. Let ſuch heare, and conſider what God ſpeaks to them, Iſa: 50.11. Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compaſs your ſelves about with ſparks; walk in the light of your fire, and in the ſparks that ye have kindled: this ſhall ye have of mine hand, ye ſhall lie downe in ſorrow. As alſo what Chriſt ſaith in his parable, Luke 18.9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. Two men went up into the Temple to pray, the one a Phariſee, and the other a Publican; The Phariſee ſtood, and prayed thus with himſelfe, God, I thanke thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjuſt, p. 237Adulterers, or even as this Publican; I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I poſſeſſe. And the Publican ſtanding a farre off, would not lift up ſo much as his eyes unto heaven; but ſmote upon his breaſt, ſaying, God be mercifull to me a ſinner; I tell you, this man went downe to his houſe, juſtified rather than the other.

Thirdly, This alſo reproves thoſe that truſt in their own ſtrength for preſervation and deliverance from danger, that ſay in their hearts, We will deliver our ſelves, our own ſwords ſhall ſave us; as alſo thoſe that conceit their own hands ſufficient for their deſignes. How proudly did Pharaoh ſpeak, Exod: 15.9. I will purſue, I will overtake, I will divide the ſpoil, my luſt ſhall be ſatisfied upon them, my hand ſhall deſtroy them; And yet he was ſo far from being able to performe his enterpriſe, that he and all his hoſt miſerably periſhed in the mighty waters. Sennacherib likewiſe was ſo confident of prevailing againſt Jeruſalem, that he made a ſcorne at all oppoſition which ſhould be made againſt him: And yet was not able ſo much as to come before it with Shields, nor to caſt a bank againſt it. And the Angel of the Lord ſmote in his Camp an hundred, and fourſcore, and five thouſand in one night, Iſa: 37. Neither have they onelyonly been fruſtrated in, and puniſhed for, their confident boaſting in themſelves, but other p. 238Mighty Ones alſo; and as many as ſhall yet glory in their might, ſhall faint, and be weary, and utterly fall in the end, (Iſa: 40.30, 31.)

Fourthly, This alſo reproves DESPAIRING ONES.

Firſt, Thoſe that deſpaire of eternal ſalvation; and they are

Either GREAT SINNERS, ſuch as have ſinned ſo long, ſo much, and ſo grievouſly, that they conclude their iniquitie is greater than can be forgive…; and their filthineſs is ſuch as cannot be waſhed away, and that there is no hope that ever they ſhould be ſaved: To ſuch I ſay, though you have exceedingly provoked the Lord by your Rebelling againſt him; Why ſhould you further diſhonour him, and endanger your ſelves, by diſtruſting, and deſpairing of that help, which God hath laid upon Chriſt for you? And know, if you have abundantly ſinned, he can AND WILL abundantly pardon the Returning ſinner, (Iſa: 55.7. Jer: 3.1, 12, 13. Hoſ: 14.1, 2, 3.) Why ſhould any deſpaire of help from him, who is not onelyonly able to ſave them to the uttermoſt that come unto God by him, (Heb: 7.25.) but is alſo appointed of God thereunto, (John 3.16, 17.)

Or WEAK SAINTS, ſuch have ſometimes ſaid, that there is no help in Chriſt for them; p. 239but that they ſhall periſh in their Tranſgreſſions, and fall, at laſt, by the hand of ſome Temptation or other. But how injurious are ſuch to the grace of God, and their own ſoules; not conſidering, that God laid help upon his ſervant David for all Iſrael, eſpecially for the weak of the flock; yea, becauſe his people are weak, and that they might not truſt in themſelves, but in Chriſt, he hath appointed him to be an help for them, (1 Tim: 1.15. Rom: 4.5.)

Secondly, Thoſe that deſpaire of deliverance, or any promiſed proſperous condition; And this is when Gods people have prayed much, and waited long in a low and ſuffering eſtate, and the mercy ſeemes as far off at laſt, as it was at firſt; and the providence of God ſeemes to run croſſe to his promiſe. Thus it was with the children of Iſrael, Ezek: 37.11. Behold, they ſay, our bones are dried, and our hope is loſt, we are cut off for our parts. But why ſhould Gods people deſpaire in this reſpect, God can open their graves, and cauſe them to come up out of their graves, (verſ: 12.) He hath appointed a Mighty one to be an help to them, a Mighty Saviour and deliverer, who can deliver them when they are at the loweſt.

Fifthly, Thoſe that ſeek and look to others for help in time of trouble, as the manner of moſt p. 240is, and neglect Chriſt; that cry to the Mighty, and wiſe ones of the Earth, help us, ſave us; To ſuch I ſay,

Firſt, It's in vaine to go to the Creature for help, for help is not to be found in it; The wiſeſt, mightieſt, richeſt, and honourableſt, man on earth muſt ſay, as the King of Iſrael to the Woman of Samaria, crying to him for help, ſaying, Help my Lord, O King: If the LORD do not help thee, whence ſhall I help thee? 2 Kings 6.26, 27. The Pſalmiſt cryes out once, and againe, Vaine is the help of man, (Pſal: 60.11. & 108.12.) The Children of Iſrael went downe to Egypt for help, but they were a people that could not profit them, nor be an help, but a ſhame and reproach, Iſa: 30.2, 5. If the Cities of Judah, and Inhabitants of Jeruſalem, go and cry unto the Gods, unto whom they offered Incenſe, they ſhall not ſave them at all in time of their trouble, Jer: 11.12. Populous No was ſituate among the rivers, and had the waters round about her, the Sea was her Rampart, and her wall was from the Sea; Ethiopia and Egypt were her ſtrength, Put and Lubim were her helpers, yet ſhe was carried away, ſhe went into Captivity, Nah: 3.8, 9, 10. The Church acknowledgeth, and bewaileth her fault and condition in this reſpect, Lament: 4.17. ſaying, As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vaine help, in our watching p. 241we have watched for a Nation that could not ſave us. And what is more common and ordinary, than for thoſe that conceit, and look to receive help from Creatures, to meet with diſappointments, and to finde by experience that they imagine a vaine thing. I ſhall conclude this particular with that ſerious Affirmation, Jer: 3.23. Truly in vaine is ſalvation hoped for from the hils, and from the multitude of Mountaines; truly in the Lord our God is the ſalvation of Iſrael.

Secondly; It is not onelyonly in vaine, but dangerous alſo; greatly to the hurt and loſſe of thoſe that flee to the Creature for help: For the Lord will not onelyonly not help, but he is thereby provoked to come againſt ſuch, and their helpers too, to cauſe them all to fall; And therefore there is a Woe pronounced againſt ſuch, Iſa: 30.1. & 31.1. Wo to them that go downe to Egypt for help, to ſtrengthen themſelves in the ſtrength of Pharaoh: Iſrael ſought for help from Egypt, but received hurt; hence God tells the Inhabitants of Egypt, that they have been a ſtaffe of reed to the houſe of Iſrael. When they took hold of thee by thy hand, thou didſt break, and rent all their ſhoulder; and when they leaned upon thee, thou brakeſt, and madeſt all their loins to be at a ſtand, Ezek: 29.6, 7. If Ahaziah neglect the God of Iſrael in his ſickneſs, and ſeek help from Baalzebub, p. 242the God of Ekron, God will meet with him for it, And he ſhall not come downe from the bed on which he went up, but ſhall ſurely die, 2 King, 1.2, 4. Ahaz in his ſtraits ſent to the King of Aſſyria to help him; but he received harme, in ſtead of help; for, it is ſaid, he came unto him, and diſtreſſed him, but ſtrengthened him not. And Ahaz took away a portion out of the houſe of the Lord, and out of the houſe of the King, and of the Princes, and gave it unto the King of Aſſyria; but he helped him not; and miſſing of help from him, he betook himſelfe to falſe Gods, he ſacrificed to the Gods of Damaſcus, which ſmote him, and ſaid, becauſe the Gods of the Kings of Syria help them, therefore will I ſacrifice to them, that they may help me; but they alſo were far from helping him, For they were the ruine of him, and of all Iſrael, 2 Chron: 28.16, 20, 21, 23. And thus will it fare with the man, that (neglecting the help of Chriſt) truſteth in man, and maketh fleſh his Arme, (Jer: 17.5.)

Thirdly, It is ſinfull, VERY SINFƲLL; Such (like to the children of Iſrael, of whom God greatly complaines, Jer: 2.12, 13.) commit two great evils at once, they forſake the Lord Chriſt, the Saviour, and the Great one, whom God hath appointed for their help, and choſe to themſelves Creatures, weak Creatures, p. 243that can afford no help. The greatneſs of this evil conſiſts chiefly in THREE THINGS.

Firſt, It is a deſpiſing the riches of Gods goodneſs; In this was manifeſted the greatneſs of the love, and the riches of the goodneſs of God to his people, that he appointed his onelyonly begotten Son to be an help for them; and now for them to refuſe his help, and to ſeek to others for help, is a deſpiſing of the riches of Gods goodneſs, and that is no little evil, (Rom: 2.4, 5.)

Secondly, It is alſo a ſlighting of Chriſt; yea it is highly diſhonourable to Chriſt, whom God hath appointed to help. It is not onelyonly a preferring others before him, but it is a ſetting by this Mighty One, as needleſs, and a making uſe of others as ſufficient to help; This was Iſraels ſin, in asking a King to reigne over them, when God was their King; They ſlighted the Lord: Hence ſaid the Lord to Samuel, they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I ſhould not reigne over them, 1 Sam: 8.7. And Samuel charged it home upon them, 1 Sam: 10.19. Ye have this day rejected your God, who himſelfe ſaved you out of all your adverſities, and your tribulations, and ye have ſaid unto him, nay but ſet a King over us. It is no little ſin to tread underfoot the Son of God, Heb: 10.29.

Thirdly, Further, it is a walking contrary p. 244to profeſſion. Upon this account Ezra would not ſeek to the Creature for help againſt the enemy, which did lie in wait by the way, Ezra 8.21, 22. He betook himſelfe to the Lord, to ſeek of him a right way for him, and his companions, and their little ones, and all their ſubſtance. For (ſaith he) I was aſhamed to require of the King a band of Souldiers, and Horſmen to help us against the Enemy in the way; becauſe we had ſpoken unto the King, ſaying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that ſeek him. Becauſe it was contrary to his profeſſion, he ſought not help from the King. For men to call Chriſt LORD, and acknowledge him to be King, the Saviour, helper, redeemer, and deliverer of all thoſe that truſt in him; and yet to look to the hils, and the mountaines for help and ſalvation, is to walk contrary to their profeſſion; and that is a great evil alſo.

Ʋſe III. From hence flow forth ſeveral ſtreames of COMFORT to the people of the Lord, in their various conditions, and employments in this World.

It holds forth comfort to them;

Firſt, Against mightiest Adverſaries. They that hate the faithfull without a Cauſe are many; they that would deſtroy p. 245them, being their enemies, wrongfully, are mighty, their perſecutors are ſtronger than they, Pſal: 142.6. But here is the Comfort of the Righteous, they are not left alone to encounter with theſe Giants; Chriſt, the Captaine of ſalvation ſtands at their right hand to help them, (Pſal: 109.31.) If the Devil ſtirre up Mighty Ones to hate, and perſecute Gods ſervants; God (anſwerable thereunto) hath appointed a Mighty One, yea a Mightier than they, to be an help to his people. When the Devil himſelfe like a Roaring Lyon ſhall in any ſpeciall manner ſeek to devoure them, (1 Pet: 1.8.) Chriſt the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, is at hand to help and deliver them, (Zac: 3.1, 2. Rev: 5.5.) It is the high priviledge of the Church of the living God, that Chriſt, the appointed helper thereof, is mightier to ſave, than the Devil, and all enemies are to deſtroy, Iſa: 63.1. Yea, the very weakneſs of their Mighty helper and Saviour is ſtronger than their Adverſaries, (1 Cor: 1.25, 27.) They may boldly ſay, the Lord is our Helper, we will not feare what man ſhall do unto us, Heb: 13.6. With this, Luther comforted, and encouraged himſelfe, againſt many and Mighty Adverſaries, ſaying, Ego habeo qui cauſam defendat, etiamſi totus mundus in me ſolum inſaniat, I have one that can defend my Cauſe, although the Whole p. 246World ſhould be in a rage against me alone.

Secondly, Comfort againſt greateſt difficulties: When the people of God conſider what great and hard things, even impoſſible to fleſh and blood, the Lord hath required at their hands; [as to Deny themſelves, to forſake all for Chriſts ſake, to confeſſe him before men, and ſo to walk, even as he walked in this world,] And alſo compare their great work with their own little ſtrength; they are ſometimes much diſcouraged, and ready to faint in their work, and to ſay, almoſt deſpairing, Who is ſ…fficient for theſe things? Indeed the ſtrongeſt are not ſufficient of themſelves, as of themſelves to performe the leaſt part of the Lords will as they ought; yet the leaſt and weakest of the Saints (through Chriſt that Mighty One helping) are well able to overcome all difficulties. According to this the Apoſtle Paul ſpeaks, Phil: 4.13. I can do all things through Chriſt which ſtrengtheneth me; Surely it muſt needs be matter of great joy and comfort to Gods fearing and trembling ſervants, becauſe of difficulties, to heare of, and experience ſuch an alſufficiency of help, as is in Chriſt for them.

Thirdly, Comfort againſt deepeſt troubles; Sometimes God ſhews his people hard things, and make them to drinke the wine of Aſtoniſhment, p. 247Pſal: 60.3. They are ſometimes troubled on every ſide, innumerable evils compaſſing them about, (Pſal: 40.12.) ſo that they know not what to do, nor how to eſcape. But the Father of mercies will not leave his children to periſh in the deep waters of Affliction; but hath provided help for them in that eſtate, a Saviour in time of trouble. Jacob muſt have a time of trouble; but he ſhall be ſaved out of it, Jer: 30.7. This was Davids faith in his low eſtate, Pſal: 71.20, 21. Thou which haſt ſhewed me great and ſore troubles, ſhalt quicken me againe, and ſhalt bring me up againe from the depths of the Earth; thou ſhalt increaſe my greatneſs, and comfort me on every ſide. And let all the faithfull ſervants of the Lord, who are this day in the deep, even overwhelmed with troubles, lift up their heads, and rejoyce in this grace of God in laying help upon one that is Mighty, to redeeme Iſrael out of all his Troubles, (Pſal: 130.8.)

Fourthly, Comfort againſt weakest Inſtruments of help. He giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might, he encreaſeth ſtrength, (Iſa: 40. at the end.) If the Inſtruments he intend to uſe in his work be dull, he can ſharpen them; He can make the Worm Jacob, a new ſharp threſhing Inſtrument having teeth, to threſh the Mountaines, and beat them p. 248ſmall, Iſa: 41.14, 15. And if the iron be blunt, and he do whet the edge, he hath ſo much ſtrength to put to, as he can make it do execution, to cut aſunder, what he will have cut aſunder; It is nothing with him to help, whether with many, or with few, or with them that have no power, (2 Chron: 14.11.) Therefore let the ſervants of Chriſt be comforted and encouraged in the Mightineſs of their Lord to help, though they ſee nothing but fooliſh, weak, baſe, and deſpiſed things in his hand to make uſe of for their deliverance. Its the manner of Chriſt (and he gets honour thereby) to help by ſuch things; he hath choſen the fooliſh things of the world, to confound the wiſe; and the weak things of the world, to confound the things that are mighty; and baſe things of the world, and things which are deſpiſed, yea things which are not, to bring to nought, things that are, (1 Cor: 1.27.) The Mightineſs of the Agent, is an encouragement againſt the weakneſs of the meanes.

Object. But many put away from themſelves this breaſt of conſolation, and object against this Doctrine.

Firſt, Some ſaying, they are not worthy that Ch…iſt ſhould help them; And though God hath appointed him to be an help to his p. 249people, yet he will not ariſe to the help of ſuch obſtinate and rebellious ones as they have been, and are.

Anſw. Chriſt is a free, undeſerved help, and none of thoſe whoſe help he hath been, were ever worthy of it; But he hath remembred his people in their low eſtate; and redeemed them from many enemies, and evils; not becauſe of their merits, but becauſe his mercy endureth for ever. The children of Iſrael were a rebellious, and ſtiffnecked people, and yet the Lord ſaved, and delivered them many a time. And the Lords hand is not ſhortned that it cannot ſave; nor his goodneſs abated, that he ſhould not ſtill help his people, notwithſtanding their unworthineſs.

Secondly, Some ſay, that they are of froward, diſcontented, and peeviſh ſpirits under troubles, and Afflictions; and Chriſt will not help ſuch.

Anſw. Such a frame and carriage of any of the ſervants of Chriſt, muſt needs be a griefe, and trouble to his ſoule; but yet their hope of help from him in time of need, is not hereby cut off. The children of Iſrael were a froward, murmuring generation, and yet the moſt high God was their help from time to time; The tender-hearted mother is as ready to ſuccour, and help her froward, diſcontented p. 250child, that cryes night and day, as the reſt of her children: And ſurely Chriſts ſuccour and help extends as farre as any mothers on earth.

Thirdly, Some ſay, That Chriſt hath helped us often, we have wearied him, he will help no more.

Anſw. It proves oft ſo in reſpect of men; but in reſpect of Chriſt it is not ſo: He is an helper that fainteth not, neither can he be weary, (Iſa: 40.28.) And though men think when they have done a little for their followers, that they have done enough, and they muſt not trouble them too often; yet the Servants of Chriſt may go as often as they will to him for help, and be alwayes welcome, ſo they do not abuſe his grace towards them.

Beſides, Chriſts former, frequent helping of his People in their ſeveral ſtraits, is ſo far from containing any thing againſt his helping them for the future, that it is an Argument to prove, that he will continue his help to them; and according to this David argued, 1 Sam: 17.37. The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the Lyon, and out of the paw of the Bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philiſtim. He did not ſay, God hath d…livered me ſeveral times, he will deliver p. 251me no more; but the contrary, he will deliver me. The Apoſtle Paul uſeth the ſame Argument, 2 Cor. 1.10. 2 Tim: 4.17.

Fourthly, Some, That Chriſt indeed did help when on earth, but he is NOW IN HEAVEN, HE WILL HELP NO MORE.

Anſw. Though Chriſt be in Heaven, yet he is as neer to help his Servants, as when he was on Earth; there is nothing in his being in Heaven, whereby they ſhould fear he will not help: For by HIS BEING in Heaven, conſider

Firſt, He is not diſenabled to help; for there Angels & Authorities are made ſubject unto him, 1 Pet. 3.22. If Chriſt were ſo mighty to help when in a ſtate of Humiliation; how mighty to help and ſave muſt he needs be now he is ſet on the right hand of the Throne of the Majeſty in the Heavens? (Heb: 8.1.) He can help them againſt all enemies, he can rain down fire and brimſtone, ſtorm and tempeſt upon them; he can help them againſt all outward wants, for from on high he can ſend down ſhowres of bleſſings, as rain upon his Inheritance; he can help them alſo againſt all ſpirituall wants, he can ſend the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth p. 252which ſhall guide them into all Truth.

Secondly, By his Being in Heaven, He is not diſaffected towards them: his heart turned not from them by his going to Heaven; but though he be cloathed with glory, yet he is full of bowels; the ſame Spirit that acted him here below, reſts upon him, and abides with him for ever. Though there be a great alteration in his condition, being paſſed from Earth to Heaven, from ſhame to glory; yet there is no change in his diſpoſition, he is as pitiful and merciful to his People as ever, (Heb: 2.17, 18, & 4.15. with 5.2.) and therefore his Servants may now, as well as heretofore, expect help from him in time of need.

Thirdly, By his being in Heaven, He is not diſengaged from helping them. The Lord God appointed him to be an help to his People now he is in Heaven, as well as when he was on Earth. And as Chriſt did on Earth what was to be done for them here, ſo now he is in Heaven, he is there to do what is yet to be done for them; what he begun to work here, he is to finiſh there, (John 14.2. John 16.7.—15.) God made him a Prieſt for ever and that for the help of his People, and therefore it is ſaid, He is able to ſave them to the uttermoſt, that come unto God by him, ſeeing he ever liveth to make interceſſion for them, Heb: p. 2537.25. The ſame Apoſtle tells us, That he is entred into Heaven it ſelf, now to appear in the preſence of God for us, Heb: 9.24.

Fourthly, He is not thereby diſ-intereſted in them, nor they in him. Chriſts being in Heaven doth not deſtroy thoſe neer Relations that are between Chriſt and his People; he is ſtill a Shepherd, and they his ſheep; ſtill an Husband, and they his Spouſe; he is ſtill their Head, and they his Members; he is ſtill their Brother, Friend, Father, neither are theſe Relations onelyonly abiding, but are in their full vigour and glory in Heaven; he being a more glorious Head, Husband, Friend, than when on earth; the abiding of theſe Relations ſpeak forth his helping of his People.

Fifthly, He is not diſregardful of them by his being in Heaven. Some may be ready to ſay, he is at Gods right hand, he is in glory; and though he be not diſaffected towards us, yet he being ſo far above us, may forget, and diſregard us in our low eſtate; but it is not with Chriſt, as with corrupt man; his honour and advancement doth not puff him, nor make him proud; but though he be in his high eſtate, at the right hand of God, Angels, and Authorities, and Powers being made ſubject unto him, yet he doth regard, and help his Servants in their low eſtate. All things are delivered unto me of my Father, ſaith p. 254Chriſt, yet he was then mindful and careful of weak helpleſſe ſouls, earneſtly inviting them to himſelfe, ſaying, Come unto me all ye that labour, and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, Math. 11.27, 28. with 28.18, 19, 20.

Sixthly, He is not diſſwaded from helping them, being in Heaven. There is none there againſt his Servants, that ſhould ſeek to take him off from helping them; the Father who hath committed all things into his hands, is well pleaſed with it, being alſo full of compaſſion towards thoſe that are in diſtreſs. The Angels alſo, thoſe miniſtring Spirits rejoyce at it, and are ready at his word to go forth to miniſter for the Heirs of ſalvation. (Heb. 1.14.)

Seventhly, Neither is he (being in Heaven) any way damnified, nor diſadvantaged by helping his Servants on Earth; he hath not the leſſe by what he giveth to them; he is not the weaker by what he doth for them, but he gaineth by his layings out upon them; the more he ſoweth, the more he reapeth; the more he gives forth of grace and help to them, the more he receives of love and honour from them.

Thus it appears, that there is no cauſe why the Saints ſhould doubt of the help of Chriſt becauſe he is in Heaven, but that they p. 255ſhould the more confidently expect it, becauſe he liveth there to help them.

IV. Ʋſe. EXHORTATION.

Commit all to him. When others are committing themſelves and their concernments to the wiſe and mighty, and honourable ones of the earth, to be kept, ordered, and diſpoſed of by them, do you commit your ſelves, and things into the hands of Chriſt, unto whom the Father hath committed all Judgement, and made mighty to help, and keep whatſoever is committed to him. He is in Heaven, and what Treaſures you lay up for your ſelves there, are ſafe; there neither Moth, not Ruſt doth corrupt, and there Thieves do not break through nor ſteal, (Mat. 6.20.) He is the ſtrong man, ſtronger than all others, into whoſe houſe none can enter to ſpoil his goods, Luke 11.21, 22. therefore COMMIT ALL TO HIM.

I. Commit your SOULS to him. They are your moſt precious Treaſure, therefore it doth greatly concern you to look well to them, eſpecially in perilous times, that they may be ſafe; commit therefore the keeping of your ſouls to this Mighty One, (1 Pet. 4.19.) who alone is able to keep you from falling by the hand of any temptation, p. 256perſecution, corruption, or whatſoever may annoy, or indanger you in the way to his Heavenly Kingdome; he is the Great Shepherd, and Biſhop of ſouls, who can preſerve, feed, and nouriſh them unto eternal life, (1 Pet. 2.25.) Luther was wont to ſay, Let him that dyed for my ſoul, ſee to the ſalvation of it.

II. Commit your BODIES to him, for he is mighty to help and ſave them, alſo he is ABLE TO HELP, AND SAVE THEM.

Firſt, In caſe of ſervice; When the Lord Chriſt calls his People to his work, they oft neglect it with this pretence, their bodies are ſo weak, that they cannot do what is required; this is ſometimes the Miniſters Plea for his negligence, he is ſo weak, that he cannot Preach much, nor oft; the Peoples Plea for not hearing, we cannot go ſo far, or we cannot ſit ſo long; we canno… viſit the ſick at a diſtance, our bodyes wil… not away with journeying; This hath been many a Believers Plea, for not being baptized, their bodies cannot bear it, ſurely (ſay they) God doth not call us thus to afflict and endanger our bodyes; he will hav… mercy, and not ſacrifice: But let ſuch know that the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who hath bough… the Body, as well as the Spirit, doth requir… to be glorified in, with, and by the bodyes o… p. 257his People; and ſeeing he is mighty to help in this reſpect, namely to fit and ſtrengthen the weak bodyes of his Servants in his work, (as they have oft found by experience,) it ſhould greatly encourage and engage them, to giv… them up to watching, faſting, labouring, ſacrifice, or whatever ſervice the Lord ſhall call them to do. (Rom: 12.1.)

Secondly, In caſe of ſickneſs and diſeaſes. This the Lord commandeth by his Servant James, and encourageth to by a gracious promiſe of help in that reſpect, James 5.14, 15. Is any ſick among you? let him call for the Elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oyl the Name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith ſhall ſave the ſick, and the Lord ſhall raiſe him up. And this was the Primitive Practice, both Saints and People committed their bodyes to him, and were holpen, he healed them all, yea, many were healed, and many ſigns and wonders were done by the Name of Gods holy Child Jeſus, in the Apoſtles dayes, (Acts 4.30. Acts 8.5, 7. & 3.6.) and therefore let us commit our bodies to this Mighty One; let us make him our Phyſitian, he is able to help and heal.

Thirdly, In caſe of ſufferings. When you be called to ſuffer in your bodies, whether ſtripes, buffetings, impriſonments, hunger, p. 258thirſt, cold, nakedneſſe, or death for the ſake of Chriſt; be not fearful nor careful, but commit your bodyes (and every part thereof) to him, who is mighty to help in this reſpect alſo; both to prepare, fit, and ſtrengthen the body for the enduring theſe, and the like afflictions, and alſo to keep it that it ſhall not be loſt, nor periſh in any of its ſufferings, (no, not a hair or bone thereof, (Phil: 3.21. Luke 21.18. Pſal. 34.20.) but though it dye, it ſhall live again, he will raiſe it in power and glory, (1 Cor. 15.43.) and therefore men are ſaid only to kill the body, not utterly to deſtroy it. (Mat. 10.28.

III. Commit your Eſtates to him. He is able, and he will either keep your eſtates for you, (as ſome of his Servants who have been willing to part with them, have experienced, whileſt others diſtruſting, and not committing them into his hands, but ſeeking to ſave them, have loſt them,) or if you part with them for his ſake, he will help you to live of a little, yea, to live more comfortably of a little, than you did of a great deal; he will make your little that you have in a way of righteouſneſs, better than great Revenues without right, Pro: 16.8. And this Gods People have often experienced, and found that ſaying of Chriſt verified, Luke 12.15. viz: That p. 259a mans life conſiſteth not in the abundance of the things which he poſſeſſeth: and at laſt he will reſtore them with encreaſe, no leſs than an hundred fold, according to thoſe incouraging words of his, to his ſelf-denying Diſciples, Math. 19.29. Mark 10.29, 30. Neither ſhall they onelyonly have more, but better things than they loſe; for Braſs they ſhall have Gold, and for Iron they ſhall have Silver, and for Wood Braſſe, and for Stones Iron; for carnall things they ſhall have ſpiritual, and for temporal things they ſhall have eternal, 2 Cor. 4.16, 17, 18. Thus will Chriſt bleſſe the latter end of his faithfull followers, more than their beginning.

IV. Commit your NAMES to him; he is mighty to help his Servants in that reſpect alſo; And either he will keep up your Names and Reputations among men, that your very enemies ſhall be forced to ſpeak well of you, and to acknowledge, that you are more righteous than they: Or if your Names be covered and buried under reproach and diſgrace, yet he will raiſe them up again; He will bring forth your righteouſneſſe as the light, and your Judgement as the noon-day, Pſal. 37.2. Yea, the time is a coming, when he will take away the reproach and rebuke of his people from off all the earth, and make them a p. 260name and a praiſe among all people, Iſa. 25.8. Zeph: 3.20.

V. Commit his CAUSE to him. His Cauſe is the beſt cauſe in all the world, it is no other thing than truth and righteouſneſſe it ſelf, and it becometh his Servants to do what they can to help it forward; but yet not to be ſo ſolicitous and careful for it, as if the promoting of it depended onelyonly upon them; but when they have done what they can, to leave it to him who is able to plead, and maintain his own Cauſe againſt all the enemies thereof. What though Truth and Righteouſneſſe be fallen in the ſtreets, and ſeem to lye dead and buried, and almoſt forgotten by many? yea, what though inſtead of Truth there be Errour, inſtead of holineſſe there be prophaneſſe, inſtead of judgement there be oppreſſion, and inſtead of righteouſneſſe a cry; yet he is able to raiſe up his own Cauſe, and will do it; For he ſhall not fail, nor be diſcouraged, till he have ſet judgement; yea, till he have eſtabliſhed Truth and Righteouſneſſe in the Earth, Iſa. 42.4. Therefore let none of the followers of Chriſt be diſcouraged, if at any time the Cauſe of their Lord do not proſper in their hands, according to the deſires of their hearts, but commit it to him to mannage, who is wonderful in counſel, and excellent in working, (Iſa. 28.29.) p. 261This did David, Pſal. 74.22. ſaying, Ariſe O God, plead thy own cauſe. As alſo Luther, who was wont to ſay when the Cauſe of God was low in his hand, It is Gods Cauſe, let him look to it.

Sixthly, Commit YOUR OWN CAUSE to him. Other Mighty ones may be neglect and condemn your Righteous Cauſe; this Mighty One, the Lord Chriſt, who is higher than the higheſt, regardeth, and pleadeth the Cauſe of his People, yea, he will throughly plead their cauſe. In confidence of this grace of God, the Church of old reſolving to be quiet under the preſent diſpenſation, committed her cauſe to the Lord, as appears from thoſe words recorded Micah 7.8, 9. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, becauſe I have ſinned againſt him, untill he plead my Cauſe, and execute judgement for me; he will bring me forth to the light, and I ſhall behold his righteouſneſſe; then ſhe that is mine enemy ſhall ſee it, and ſhame ſhall cover her which ſaid unto me, Where is the Lord thy God? When Davids enemies digged pits for his ſoul, and rejoyced over him wrongfully, and deviſed deceitfull matters againſt them that were quiet in the Land, and opened their mouth wide againſt him, ſaying, Aha, aha, our eye hath ſeen it. He committed his cauſe to the Lord, Pſal. 35.22, 23. p. 262This thou hast ſeen, O Lord, keep not ſilence; O Lord, be not far from me, ſtir up thy ſelfe, and awake to my judgement, even unto my cauſe, my God, and my Lord. Thus did Jeremy alſo when his enemies deviſed devices againſt him, Jeremy. 11.20. & 20.10, 11, 12. Let then the upright Ones of the earth, when they are oppreſſed and wronged by the wicked of the world, be of good cheer, and not faint in their minds, but commit all to the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who is Mighty to clear and juſtifie them, and to take vengeance for them.

Seventhly, Commit your WORK to him. All your work and way, eſpecially your difficult work wherein you moſt need his help, look for it, God hath appointed him to be an help, and he is free to help, yea to work all your works in you, and FOR you. (Iſa: 26.12.)

Eighthly, Commit your CONDITIONS to him; Yea, let all, both the Wicked and the Righteous, both Sinners and Saints, commit their conditions to him.

I. SINNERS, Commit your Conditions to him, that you may not periſh in your iniquities; he onelyonly can help you.

Firſt, There is no other name under Heaven given among men, whereby you can be ſaved, (Acts 4.12.) Neither is there need of any p. 263other, foraſmuch as he is able to ſave them to the uttermoſt, that come unto God by him. (Heb. 6.7.) And therefore haſten away from the Devil, world, and your own ſelves, and all vanities, leſt they be your ruine; and commit your Conditions to him, and you ſhall find help and healing of all your wounds, and in the end everlaſting life, Acts 13.38, 39.

Secondly, Are you laden with ſin? ſo that you cannot look up with any confidence or cheerfulneſſe of ſpirit, (Pſal. 40.12.) Deſpair not, do not ſay, There is hope: (as Jer: 2.25.) Chriſt hath both power to forgive, and deſtroy ſin; his blood can cleanſe from all ſin, Mat. 11.28. 1 John 1.7, 9. His Spirit can crucifie the fleſh, with the affections and luſts, Rom. 8.11, 13.

Thirdly, Are you ignorant of the way of ſalvation? Do you ſit in great darkneſs? God hath given him to be a Light to the Gentiles, to open the blind eyes, (Iſa. 42.6, 7.) and he can make you that are darkneſſe, light in the Lord, (as thoſe in Eph: 5.8.) him ſelf hath ſaid, That he is the light of the world, and he that followeth him ſhall not walk in darkneſſe, but ſhall have the light of Life, John 8.12.

Fourthly, Are you the Devils Captives and Slaves to do his will? Jeſus Chriſt can deliver you from that ſervitude alſo, he can turn p. 264you (as he hath others) from the power of Satan unto God, (Acts 26.18.) to be his Servants, and Sons, bleſſed for ever: Yea, however it is with you, he can help you; therefore to day while it is called to day, while he tenders his help and ſalvation, do not neglect it, leſt hereafter when you call, and cry to him for it, he refuſe to hear you at all, (Heb: 2.3. & 3.7.—11. Prov: 1.22, 23, 24.)

II. SAINTS, Commit your Conditions to him alſo; your moſt afflictive Conditions, Caſt all your burthens upon him, according to that word, Pſal. 5.22. Caſt thy burthen upon the Lord, and he ſhall ſuſtain thee.

I. Commit your OƲTWARD CONDITIONS to him, all your bodily concernments and troubles; As

Firſt, Your Reproach; he is mighty to roll it away, Joſ. 5.9. And he will aſſuredly bring forth the righteouſneſſe of his people as the light, and their judgement as the noon day. (Pſal. 37.6.)

Secondly, Your Poverty, and low eſtate, as it is ſaid Pſal. 10.14. The poor committeth himſelf to thee, thou art the helper of the fatherleſſe. It is the work of this Mighty One to deliver the needy when he cryeth, the poor alſo, and him that hath no helper, (Pſal. 72.12.)

p. 265Thirdly, Your oppreſſions and perſecutions, he can deliver from them, he can and will burſt every band, and take off every yoke, and alſo break in pieces the oppreſſor, Pſal. 72.4.

II. Commit your INWARD SPIRITƲAL Conditions to him.

Firſt, All the troubles and burthens of your ſpirits, which are moſt heavy, and hard to bear, as it is written, A wounded ſpirit who can bear? Prov: 18.14. Make uſe of the arm of Chriſt, which he ſtretcheth out for your help, your ſouls ſupport, and ſalvation; and come to him (according to his gracious invitation) all you that are weary and heavy laden, and he will give you rest, (Mat. 11. at the end) and you ſhall find help in every time of need. (Heb: 4.)

Secondly, Are you ſuch as the Devil tempteth, and thruſts ſore against, that you might fall? Commit that condition to Chriſt, that he may be your helper therein, foraſmuch as he is appointed of God; and in that himſelf hath ſuffered, being tempted is able to ſuccour them that are tempted, Heb: 2.18. And to keep you from falling. (Jude 24.)

Thirdly, Have you been overcome by the Tempter? Still look unto Chriſt who is mighty to recover you out of the ſnare of the Devil, & to raiſe you up again, (1 Joh. 3.8.)

p. 266Fourthly, Are you men and women of ſorrowfull ſpirits, and full of heavineſſe? Lye at the feet of him whom God hath ſent to comfort all that mourn, to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for aſhes▪ the oyl of joy for mourning, the garment of praiſe for the ſpirit of heavineſſe, Iſa. 61.2, 3.

Fifthly, Do you find a Combate within you, the fleſh luſting against the ſpirit, and the ſpirit againſt the fleſh, ſo that you are hindred from doing the good you would, Gal. 5.17. and ſometimes brought into captivity to the Law of ſin, that you even cry out like wretched undone men, Who ſhall deliver us from the body of this death? Rom: 7.19, 23, 24. Commit this condition to Chriſt alſo, who is able to ſubdue your corruptions, and to ſet your ſouls above your luſts, and to make you (as he did Paul) victorious over all evil; ſo that you ſhall ſay with him in the like condition, We thank God through Jeſus Chriſt our Lord. Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, Rom: 7.25. 1 Cor: 15.57.

USE. Put your ſelves into Chriſts ſervice.

There are TWO THINGS uſually diſcourage ſouls from Chriſts worke; the p. 267Mightineſſe of Christ to help, doth encourage againſt both.

Firſt, DIFFICƲLTY: Chriſts ſervice is apprehended to be hard and difficult; and the ſoul that is ſometimes ſomewhat inclined to it, doth ordinarily put it off with theſe or the like arguings, I cannot perform it, if I ſhould undertake it; if I ſhould profeſs Chriſt, I ſhall not hold faſt my profeſſion, but diſhonour him by apoſtacy; if I ſhould name his Name, and not depart from iniquity, I had better make no mention of him: I know I ſhall never be able to pray as others do, nor ſo to learn, nor underſtand the Myſteries of the Kingdome, nor to deny my ſelf, and forſake all for Chriſt; and therefore I had as good abide a… I am, and not mind things that are TOO high and HARD for me.

You know what Anſwer Chriſt made to his Diſciples in the like caſe, Math. 19.26. With men this is impoſſible, but with God all things are poſſible. And though of your ſelves, as of your ſelves you are not ſufficient for the leaſt of thoſe things, (2 Cor. 3.6.) yet through the help of Chriſt, you may perform them all, he can make the dulleſt to underſtand, and the weakeſt mighty to do his will, and it is his work to ſtrengthen the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees, and to make them that are of a fearfull heart, bold and ſtrong; yea, he performeth all things for p. 268his Servants: And thus through Chriſt ſtrengthning of them, they experience his burthen to be light, and his yoke eaſie, Mat. 11.29. Therefore let not the thoughts, nor fears of difficulty hold any off from Chriſts ſervice, ſeeing he is ſo able to help.

Secondly, The other Diſcouragement DANGER: He that engageth in Chriſts work heartily and throughly, expoſeth himſelf to danger, (as ſome men count danger) his Name, Liberty, Eſtate, and Life it ſelf is in danger of being loſt; and the conſideration of theſe things keeps off many from profeſſing and ſerving Chriſt according to his pure, and glorious Goſpel.

But to Anſwer. But what though dangers be many, and great, it is enough to encourage to his work, that Jeſus Chriſt is a Great One, and a Saviour, mighty to help, and deliver in, and out of dangers: it was dangerous in the eyes of men for Shadrach, Meſhach, and Abednego, not to worſh…p the Golden Image which Nebuchadnezzar the King ſat up, as the generality of the people did, for they were caſt into the midſt of the burning fiery furnace, and yet they were ſafe there, having the Son of God with them, who did ſo keep them that they had no hurt, Dan: 3. It was dangerous for Daniel contrary to the Kings Decree, to pray three times a p. 269day, his Windows being open in his Chamber towards Jeruſalem, for he was caſt into the Lions den, and yet he was ſafe there; God ſent his Angel and ſhut the Lions mouths, ſo that no manner of hurt was found upon him, Dan: 6.10. It was dangerous alſo for Eſther to go in to the King, contrary to Law; And yet it made way both for her own, and her peoples preſervation, and ſafety. It was dangerous likewiſe for the Apoſtles and primitive Saints, to preach, and practiſe, contrary to the commands of the Rulers, and cuſtomes of the people: And yet Jeſus Chriſt being with them, according to his promiſe to help and ſtrengthen them in their work, they did wonderfully prevaile, and proſper, as in Acts 4.18, 19, 20, 29. Acts 5.17, 18, 19, 20-28, 29-38, 40, 41, 42.

Therefore let not feare of danger hinder any from yeelding up themſelves to the ſervice of Chriſt. And you that are ſo carefull to avoyd danger, conſider that you bring your ſelves into the greateſt danger, by declining his work. While you ſeek to ſave your ſelves, you looſe your ſouls and ſelves; While you ſtudy to eſcape the danger of mans hatred and wrath, you fall into danger of the diſpleaſure of the moſt high God, yea into danger of eternal Damnation, (Math: 16.25, 26. Mark 8.34-38.)