A Word in Season to this Present Generation, Text (2 of 5)

A Word in Season to this Present Generation · Text (2 of 5)

p. 52A further proof of this eight particular, that is under our preſent conſideration you have in Iſa. 8. 9. Aſſociate Counſel is the extract of reaſon, the reſult of ſerious & ſad debates, ſaith Ci…ero.your ſelves O ye People, and ye ſhall be broken in pieces, and give ear all ye of far Countreys: gird your ſelves, and ye ſhall be broken in pieces: gird your ſelves, and ye ſhall be broken in pieces. Heb. And be broken in pieces, And be broken in pieces: And be broken in pieces. It is thrice repeated, to work it the deeper into the minds and hearts of thoſe, that ſhould either hear or read it; and to give the ſtronger aſſurance of the certainty of their being inevitably broken in pieces, who were adverſaries and conſpirators againſt the People of God: This ſpeech is directed to the Kings of Aſſyria, and other Nations that combined with him againſt the People of God; but eſpecially againſt the City of Jeruſalem: It is an holy Ironie, or laughing to ſcorn the aſſociating Enemies of the Church. Well, ſaith the Prophet, proceed as unanimouſly as politickly, and as powerfully in your combinations, conſultations, and p. 53preparations as you can, yet be aſſured, that all your aſſociations ſhall be diſſolved, and your counſels fruſtrated, and your attempts returned back upon your ſelves, to your own ruin and confuſion. Verſe 10. Take See Iſai. 7. 5, 6. Pſalm 33. 3.Isa 7:5Isa 7:6Ps 33:3counſel together. [Heb. conſult a conſultation, to wit about invading Judab, and ſurprizing Jeruſalem] and it ſhall come to naught: Speak the word and it ſhall not ſtand, for God is with us: Conſult, conclude, determine, reſolve upon what you pleaſe, you ſhall never be able by all your power and policy to prevail againſt the People of God, for his favourable, ſignal, and eminent preſence, is conſtantly with them, to aſſiſt, counſel, and protect them againſt all oppoſitions and aſſaults, Pſalm 33. 10.Ps 33:10God bringeth to naught the councel of the Nations; neither the Devil nor his Imps, nor any of their counſels, or inchantments, ſhall ever be able to ſtand before the preſence of the Lord with his People. Charles the Fifth, and the French King, had upon counſel taken covenanted and agreed, utterly to extirpate the Lutheran Faction out of all their Dominions; but God found them other employment, and by his ſignal preſence with his People, he gave them an happy Hal…yon. Let Men and Devils conſpire, let them plot, conſult and determine, all ſhall be in vain, becauſe there is no counſel againſt the Lord, there is no poſſibility of carrying of it againſt the preſence of the Lord with his People, his ſignal preſence will be their greateſt ſafety and ſecurity in the midſt of all plots, deſigns, dangers, &c. The ſignal preſence of God with his People, marrs and fruſtrates all the plots, counſels, and curious contrivances of the worlds wizards, as might be ſhewed in thoſe inſtances of Balaam, Pharaoh, Saul, Herod, with many others. But I muſt haſten, and therefore.

Ninthly, the Lord doth manifeſt his favourable, ſignal, and eminent preſence with his People, in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, by his ſympathizing with them in all their troubles, tryals, diſtreſſes, dangers, as you may clearly ſee by conſulting p. 54the choice Scriptures in the margin: So Iſa. 63. 9. In all their afflictions he was afflicted, and the Angel Exod. 2. 23, 24, 25. c. 3. 7, 8, 9, 10. Iſa. 37. 28, 29. Ez. 35. 7, 8, 9, 10. Mat. 25. 4. ult. Deut. 32. 9, 10, 11 John 14. 9, 10, Col. 15. Heb. 9. 24. Rom. 8. 34.Exod 2:23Exod 2:24Exod 2:25Isa 37:28Isa 37:29Matt 25:4Deut 32:9Deut 32:10Deut 32:11John 14:9John 14:10Heb 9:24Rom 8:34of his preſence ſaved them, in his love and in his pity he redeemed them, and he bare them and carried them all the days of old. Chriſt is here in the Hebrew called, The Angel of his face, either becauſe he doth exactly reſſemble God his Father, or becauſe he appeareth before the face or in the preſence of God for us. This Angel took to heart their afflictions, he was himſelf grieved for them, and with them. This Angel ſecured and ſafegarded them all the way thorow the Wilderneſs from Egypt to Canaan. This Angel did not only lead them, but he alſo lifted them up and took them in his arms, as Parents or Nurſes are wont to do with ſuch Children, that are young, and weakly, and in danger. And this Angel carryed them, as the Eagle doth her young ones, that are not fully fledged, or that are unable yet to fly on her wings. O the pity, the clemency, the ſympathy, and admirable compaſſion of Chriſt to his People in their ſuffering eſtate! Zach. 2. 8. He that toucheth you, toucheth Iſhon of Iſ…, it is here called Bath, the daughter of the eye, becauſe it is as dear to a man as an only daughter. O…utus … fama non patiuntur jec…s, The eye and the good name will endure no jests.the apple of his eye. The eye is the tendereſt piece of the tendereſt part; the eye is kept moſt diligently, and ſtrongly guarded by nature with five tunicles. A man can better bear a thump on the back, the biting of his finger, the cutting of his hand, the pricking of his leg, or a blow upon his arm, than a touch on the eye. O that perſecutors would be quiet, and let Gods People alone, and take heed how they meddle with Gods eyes. There is no touching of them, to wrong, or injure them, but you wrong and injure the holy one of Iſrael, who will certainly revenge himſelf upon you; they that ſtrike at Gods eyes, do through them ſtrike at God himſelf, which he will never put up. 'Tis a dangerous thing, to moleſt and trouble, to afflict or annoy the People of God, for God himſelf is very ſenſible of it, and accordingly he will certainly requite it. Acts. 9. 4. Saul, Saul, why perſecuteſt thou me? They that perſecute the Servants of Chriſt, they perſecute Chriſt himſelf, who liveth in them, and p. 55is myſtically united to them. Look as there is by virtue of the natural union a mutual ſympathy betwixt the head and the members, the Husband and the Wife: ſo 'tis here betwixt Chriſt and his Saints, for he is a moſt Heb. 4. 15. c. 5. 2. Col. 1. 24. Heb. 13 13. Iſa. 53. 4.Heb 4:15Col 1:24Heb 13:13Isa 53:4ſympathizing, compaſſionate, tender-hearted Saviour. Thoſe that ſhoot at the Saints hit Chriſt, their ſufferings are held his, and their reproaches are counted his. He that bore the Saints griefs when he was on Earth, (really and properly) he …ears them ſtill now he is in Heaven, (in a way of ſympathy) Chriſt in his glorified ſtate hath a very tender ſenſe of all the evil that is done to his Children, his members, his Spouſe, and looks upon it as done to himſelf. A great Lord ſaid to another great Lord of the Council in King Henry the Eighths dayes, concerning Cranmer, Let him alone, for the King will See the firſt part of my Golden Key, p. 277 278. 279. more of this.not ſuffer his finger to ake. So ſay I to the perſecutors of the day; Let the People of God alone, for if you do but make their finger ake. God will make your heads and hearts ake for it, before he has done with you. But,

Tenthly, the Lord doth manifeſt his favourable, ſignal, and eminent preſence with his People, in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, by pouring out upon them a greater ſpirit of prayer and ſupplication, in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, than formerly they have had. Iſa. 26. 16. Lord in trouble have they viſited Before they would ſay a Prayer, but now they poured out a Prayer.thee, they poured out a prayer, when thy chaſtening was upon them. [They poured out their ſtill prayer.] The Hebrew word Lachus, ſignifieth properly, a ſoft or low kind of muttering, which can hardly be heard. The Prophet hereby would intimate to us, that in their great troubles, and deepeſt diſtreſſes, they ſighed or groned unto God, and prayed in a ſtill and ſilent manner. Saints never viſit God more with her prayers, than when he viſits them moſt with his rod. Saints never pray with that ſeriouſneſs, that ſpiritualneſs, that heavenlyneſs, that humbleneſs, that brokenneſs, that ſervency, that frequency, as they do when they are under the mighty p. 56hand of God; and all this is from that ſignal preſence of God, that is with them, in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, &c. When it was a day of great trouble, of great diſtreſs, of great danger to the People of God in Germany, God poured out a very great ſpirit of prayer upon Luther; at length he comes out of his cloſet triumphingly, ſaying to his Fellow-labourers and Friends: Vicimus, vicimus; We have overcome, we have overcome. At which time it is ob…rved, that there came out a proclamation from Charles the Fift, that none ſhould be further moleſted for the profeſſion of the Goſpel. In dayes of …roubles and diſtreſs Luther was ſo warm, zealous, and powerful in prayer, that made one of his beſt Friends ſay, (Iſte vir potuit, quod voluit) That man could have of God what he pleaſed. Being once very warm in prayer, he let fall this tranſcendent rapture of a daring faith, Fiat mea voluntas, Let my will be done; (and then falls off ſweetly) Mea voluntas, Domine, quia tua, My will, Lord, becauſe thy will. It is reported in the life of Luther, that when he prayed it was tanta reverentia ut ſi Deo, & tanta fiducia ut ſi amico, It was with ſo much reverence as if he were praying to God, and with ſo much boldneſs as if he had been ſpeaking to his Friend. I have read of a fountain, that at noon day is cold, and at midnight it growes warm; ſo, many Chriſtians are cold in praying, in hearing, &c. in the day of proſperity, but yet are warm and lively in praying and wreſtling with God in the day of adverſity. Manaſſeh got more by 2 Chr. 33. 11, 12, 13. Jonah 2. Dan. 6. Pſ. 84 Luke 23. 42. 2 Ch. 20. 1. to the 13. Iſa. 37. 14. to the 12. Gen. …2. 6. to the 13. and from v. 24. to 3…. now he oyles the Ke… of prayers with tears, Hoſ. 12. 4.2 Chr 33:112 Chr 33:122 Chr 33:13Jonah 2Dan 6Ps 84Luke 23:42Luke 23:2Isa 37:14Gen 2:6Hos 12:4prayer in his iron-chains, than ever he got by his golden Crown. Afflictions are like the prick at the Nightingals breſt that awakes her, and that puts her upon her ſweet. and delightful ſinging. A ſincere Chriſtian never prayes ſo ſweetly, as when under the rod. One reports of Joachim, the Father of the Virgin Mary, that he would often ſay, Cibus & potus mihi erit oratio, Prayer is my meat and drink. When a Chriſtian is in trouble, then prayer is his meat and drink. O what a ſpirit of prayer was upon Jonah, when he was in the Whales belly! and upon Daniel, p. 57when he was among the Lyons! and upon David, in his wilderneſs-ſtate! and upon the Thief, when he was on the C…oſs! and upon Jehoſhaphat, when Moab and Ammon, and others, came againſt him to battel! and upon Hezekiah, when Sennacherib had invaded Judah! and upon Jacob, when his brother Eſau came to meet him with four hundred bloody cut-throates at his heels! As there be two kind of antidotes againſt poyſon, viz. hot and cold, ſo there are two kind of antidotes againſt all the troubles of this life, viz. fervent Prayer and holy Patience; the one hot, the otehr cold; the one quenching, the other quickning. When a Chriſtian under great troubles, deep diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, prayes more for the ſanctification of affliction, than the removal of affliction; when he prayes more to get off his ſins, than to get off his chains; when he prayes more to get good by the rod, than to get free from the rod; when he prayes more that his afflictions may be a refining fire, than a conſuming fire, and that his heart may be low, and his graces high, and that all his troubles may wean him more from this World, and ripen him the more for the glory of that upper World: It is a great demonſtration of the ſignal preſence of God with him in all his troubles, and deep diſtreſſes. But,

Eleventhly, the Lord doth manifeſt his favourable, ſignal, and eminent preſence with his People, in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, by drawing the hearts of his People nearer and cloſer to himſelf, by all the afflictions, troubles, diſtreſſes, and dangers, that do attend them in this World. Pſalm 119. 67. Before I was afflicted I weut aſtray, but now have I kept thy Word. God brought David nearer to Chryſoſtom.himſelf, by weeping croſs. Affliction is fire to purge out our droſs, and to make virtue ſhine. It is a potion to carry away ill humours, better than all the benedicta Medicamenta, as Phyſicians call them. Maſter Aſcham was a good Schoolmaſter to Queen Elizabeth: but affliction was a better, &c. By afflictions God humbles the hearts p. 58of his People, and betters the hearts of his People, and drawes the hearts of his People nearer and cloſer to himſelf, V. 71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted. The Laced emonians of old grew rich by war, and were bettered by it, when all other Kingdoms were undone by it. The Saints gain by their croſſes, troubles, and diſtreſſes. Their graces are more raiſed, their experiences are more Rom. 5. 3, 4. 2 Cor. 1. 3, 4. 5. Hoſ. 2. 14.Rom 5:3Rom 5:42 Cor 1:32 Cor 1:42 Cor 1:5Hos 2:14multiplyed, and their comforts are more augmented, and their communion with God is more heightned. The waves did but lift Noah's Ark nearer to Heaven, and the higher the waters grew, the more the Ark was lifted up to Heaven. The troubles and diſtreſſes that the Saints Pſalm 73. 13, 14, 28.Ps 73:13Ps 73:14Ps 73:28meet with, do but raiſe them in their fellowſhip with the Father, Son, and Spirit. When Tyribazus a noble Perſian, was arreſted, at firſt he drew out his ſword and defend himſelf; but when they charged him in the Kings name, and informed him, that they came from the King to carry him to the King, he yeelded willingly: So when afflictions arreſt a noble Chriſtian, he may murmur and ſtruggle at the firſt; but when he conſiders, it is ſent from God to bring him to the ſight of God, the King of glory, he willingly and readily ſubm…ts. to the rod, and kiſſes the rod. All the ſtones that came thick about Stephens ears, did but knock him the cloſer to Chriſt the Acts 7. 55. 60.Acts 7:55Acts 7:60Corner-ſtone. Tiburtius ſaw Paradiſe when he walked upon burning coals. If there be any way to Heaven on horſe back, 'tis by the croſs, ſaid Bradford. Hoſ. 2. 6. Therefore behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that ſhe ſhall not find her paths. By afflictions, difficulties, and diſtreſſes God hedges up his Peoples way. Well what then? Mark, v. 7. I will go and return to my firſt Husband, that is to God; I have run away from him by my ſins, and now I will return to him again by repentance. The grand deſſign of God, in all the afflictions that befal his People, is to bring them nearer and eloſer to himſelf. The Church could have no reſt at home, nor no comfort abroad till by affliction ſhe was brought into the preſence and company of her p. 59firſt Husband, Hoſ. 6. 1. Come and let us return unto the Hoſ. 5. 14.Hos 5:14Lord, for he hath torn, and he will heal us; be hath ſmitten, and he will bind us up. The great deſign of God in playing the Lyons part with his People, is to bring them nearer & cloſer to himſelf; and behold, how ſweetly this bleſſed deſign of God did take [Come & let us return unto the Lord, &c.] The power of God, the preſence of God, and the grace of God, is moſt gloriouſly manifeſted, by bringing the hearts of his People nearer and cloſer to himſelf by all the troubles, diſtreſſes, and dangers that do attend them. In the Winter-ſeaſon all the ſap of the tree runs down to the root, an… when a man is ſick all the blood goes to the heart: ſo in the winter of affliction when the ſoul is running out more and more to God, and a getting cloſer and nearer to God; it is all moſt ſure evidence of the ſignal preſence of God with that ſoul. But,

Twelfthly and laſtly, the Lord doth manifeſt his favourable, ſignal, and eminent preſence with his People in their greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, by rendering them invincible and unconquerable under all their troubles, diſtreſſes, and dangers, Rev. 12. 11. And they overcame him by the blood of Rev. 14. 1, 2, 3, 4, 2 Chr. 32. 7, 8, 21, 22.Rev 14:1Rev 14:2Rev 14:3Rev 14:42 Chr 32:72 Chr 32:82 Chr 32:212 Chr 32:22the Lamb, and by the word of their t…ſtimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death. By vertue of Chriſt's blood, the Saints are made victorious both over Satan and all his inſtruments, they ſet little by their lives in reſpect of Chriſt & his truth, yea they deſpiſed them in compariſon Sulpitius. Rupertus ſaith, that God did more gloriouſly triumph in Saint Low…ence his patience and conſtancy, when he was broiled on the Gridiron, than if he had ſaved his body from burning by a miracle. His faith and patience made him invin…ible.of Gods glory, and the great things of the Goſpel; they made ſo little account of them, that they expoſed them to all hazards and dangers for the cauſe of Chriſt. In the dayes of that bloody perſecutour Diocletian, the Chriſtians ſhewed as glorious power in the faith of Martyrdom, as in the faith of Miracles. The valour of the patients, and the ſavagneſs of the perſecutors, ſtriving together, till both exceeding nature and belief, bred wonder and aſtoniſhment in beholders and readers. It was a good ſaying of Cyprian, ſpeaking of the Saints p. 60and Martyrs in thoſe dayes, Occidi poterant, ſed vinci non poterant; They may kill them, but they cannot overcome them. Rev. 17. 14. Theſe ſhall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb ſhall overcome them: for he is the Lord of Lords, and King of Kings; and they that are with him are called and choſen, and faithful. The preſence of the Lamb has and will make the Saints victorious in all the ages of the world. Modeſtus, Lieutenant to Julian the Emperour, ſaid to Julian, While they ſuffer they deride us (ſaith he) and the torments are more fearful to them that ſtand by, than to the tormented; there is no end inſtances of this nature. There is nothing more clear in Scripture and in Hiſtory than this, that the ſignal preſence of the Lord with his People, in all their great troubles, deep diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, hath made them invincible and unconquerable. But now others that have been deſtitute of this favourable, ſignal, and eminent preſence of the Lord, in times of great troubles, deep diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, how have they fled when none have purſued them! how faint-hearted, how greatly daunted, and how ſadly diſcouraged have they been! how have they turn'd their backs, and quitted the field, and run from their colours, without ſtriking one ſtroke. Many in Cyprian's time, were overcome before the encounter, for they revolted to Idolatry, before any perſecution once aſſailed them. In the Palatinat, when there was a warm perſecution, ſcarce one Profeſſor of twenty ſtood out, but fell to Popery, as faſt as leaves fall from the trees in Autumn. And ſo in the perſecution under Decius, many Profeſſors that were rich and great in the World, they ſoon ſhrunk from Chriſt, and turn'd their backs upon his wayes. It is Gods favourable, ſignal, and eminent preſence with his People, that makes them ſtand to it in an evil day. Rom. 8. 31. If God be for us, who can be againſt us? That is, none; but this is a more forcible denying, Who can? Doeſt thou Paul ask, Who can? I'll tell thee: The Devil can, and Tyrants can, and Informers can, and Perſecutors can, p. 61and the whole World can; but ridendus eſt furor inanis, They are as nothing, and can do nothing againſt us. Wicked men may ſet themſelves againſt the Saints, but they ſhall not prevail againſt the Saints. What if all the world ſhould ſtrive to hinder the Sun from riſing or ſhining, or the wind from blowing, or the rain from falling; or like thoſe Pigmies, which went with their arrows and bows to repreſs the flowing of the Sea: Ludibrious acts, and meer follies. All that wicked men can do againſt the People of God, will be but as throwing ſtones againſt the wind. [If God be with us, who can be againſt us?] Me thinks theſe are words of great reſolution; as if he ſhould ſay, we have many enemies, and powerfulenemies, and daring enemies, and malitious enemies, and deſigning enemies, and enraged enemies, yet let the proudeſt of them ſhew their faces, and lift up their banners, I fear them not, I regard them not: Who can? who dare be againſt …? Let me give a little light into this precious Scripture [If God be for us, who can be againſt us?] that is none.

Firſt, None can be ſo againſt us, as to hurt us or harm us; therefore Aquinas well expounds that, Quis contra Dan. 3. 25. 27. Cap. 6. 22.Dan 3:25Dan 3:27nos? (i. e.) Quis efficaciter? and others, Quis laeſivè & prevalenter? who can be againſt us, ſo as to hurt us? Acts 18. 9. Then ſpoke the Lord to Paul in the night by a viſion, be not afraid but ſpeak, and hold not thy peace. Verſe 10. For I am with thee, and no man ſhall ſet on thee, to burt thee, for I have much people in this City. God had many Souls in this (ity to convert, and What ſaid Juſtin Martyr to his murtherers, in the behalf of himſelf and his fellow-Mortyrs? you may kill us, but you can never hurt us.to bring in to Chriſt, and therefore he animates and encourages. Paul to preach boldly and to go on in his work undauntedly. I but Lord there be many in the City, that will ſet themſelves againſt me. I but I am with thee. I but Lord there be many in the City, that will hate me. I but there is no Man that ſhall ſet on thee, to hurt thee. They may kill me, ſaid Socrates of his Enemies, but they cannot hurt me. It was the ſpeech of Anaxarchus a Heathen, when as he by the Tyrant p. 62he was commanded to be put in a Mortar, and be beaten to pieces with an Iron peſtel, he cries out to the Perſecutors, you do but be at the veſſel of Anaxarchus, you do not beat me, nor hurt me; you do but beat the caſe, the husk, the veſſel that contains another thing: his body was to him but as a caſe, a husk, he counted his ſoul himſelf, which his perſecutors could not reach nor hurt. Though there were many in the City of Corinth that would be ready furiouſly to ſet on Paul, yet there ſhould not be a man that ſhould be able to hurt Paul; God would be his life guard to protect him, and he would make void all the miſchievous deſigns, and endeavours of his adverſaries againſt him. When in a City the Lord hath thoſe that are ordained to Salvation, he will bleſs the labours of his faithful Servants with happy ſucceſs: ſo that faithful Miniſters may not, yea muſt not, for fear of the invincible malice of ſome, neglect the Salvation of others. All the Arrows that Men of might and malice ſhould ſhoot at Paul in the City of Corinth, ſhould never reach him, they ſhould never hurt him, nor harm him, 1 Pet. 3. 13. And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? They may oppoſe you, but they cannot harm you; they may hate you, but they cannot harm you; they may plot and deviſe miſchief againſt you, but they cannot harm you; they may perſecute you, but they cannot harm you. I know Caeſar told Metellus, that he could as eaſily take away his life, as bid it be done; but theſe were only bravado's, for that is a Royalty which belongs to God only (To whom belong the iſſues Pſalm 68. 20.Ps 68:20of death;) or the goings out from death, that is deliverances from death and deadly dangers. It is an alluſion to one that keepeth a paſſage or a door, that is God hath all the wayes which lead out from death in his own keeping. Chriſt hath the keys of death, the ſole Revel. 1. 18. 2 Pet. 2. 9.Rev 1:182 Pet 2:9dominion and diſpoſal of it; the Lord knows how to deliver his People from the moſt deſperate and deadly dangers, he can deliver them out of the mouth of the p. 63Lion, he can pull them out of the jaws of death, and ſo ſecure them from all harm or hurt, none can be ſo againſt the People of God as to harm their ſouls, as to hurt their happineſs: But

(If God be with us, who can be againſt us?) I anſwer, Secondly, None can be ſo againſt us, as to prevail 2. Matth. 16. 18. Heb. 2. 10. Jer. 1. 19. Cap. 20. 11.Matt 16:18Heb 2:10Jer 1:19over us; the Gates of hell may fight againſt us, but the Gates of hell cannot prevail againſt us: Chriſt is the Captain of your Salvation, God hath made him General of the Field, and therefore you may be ſure that he will ſtand by you, and bring you off with honour; you need never fear having the day, who have Chriſt your Captain for your ſecond; though your perſecutors are as ſo many roaring Lions, yet Chriſt who is the Lion of the Tribe of Judab, will make you victorious over Revel. 5. 5. Pſalm 129. 2.Rev 5:5Ps 129:2them all. In all ſtorms and tempeſts the Church will ſtand faſt, becauſe it ſtands upon a rock. God is on Zions ſide, and the Enemies of Zion muſt firſt prevail againſt Zions God: Before they can prevail over Zion her ſelf, Zions God will be a wall of fire about her, and Zach. 2. 5, Dent. 33. 26, 27, 28, 29.Zech 2:5therefore Zions Enemies ſhall never prevail over her: Were Zions ſhelter ſtones, theſe might be battered; were it walls of lead, theſe might be melted; were it a defence of waters, theſe might be dryed up; were it garriſons of mighty men, theſe might be ſcattered; were it engines of war, theſe might be defeated; were it trenches, theſe might be ſtopped; were it bulwarks, theſe might be overthrown: But Zion is guarded with a wall of fire round about her, and therefore all her oppoſers can never prevail over her: The Enemies of Zion 2 Chron. 32. 7, 8 Rom. 8. 37. Geneſ. 3. 12. Num. 14. 9.2 Chr 32:72 Chr 32:8Rom 8:37Gen 3:12Num 14:9are weak Enemies, they are infatuated Enemies, they are conquered Enemies, they are limited Enemies, they are chained Enemies, they are curſed Enemies, and they are naked Enemies, and therefore they ſhall never be prevalent Enemies over Zion Pharaoh followed the Exod. 14.Exod 14Iſraelites, but he and his mighty men were drowned, and Iſrael delivered, for God was with them. Saul 1 Sam. 26. 20.1 Sam 26:20hunted David as a Partridge i… the Mountains, but Saul p. 64periſheth, and David was crowned, for God was with him. Haman hated Mordecai, and plotted againſt Mordecai, Heſther 6. 7.but Haman is hanged and Mordecai advanced, for God was with him. The Preſidents and Princes inform Dan. 6.Dan 6againſt Daniel, and plot againſt Daniel, but they are by the Lions torn and devou…ed, and Daniel is delivered and exalted, for God was with him. Herod kills Acts 12.Acts 12James with the ſword, and impriſons Peter, but Herod is devoured by worms, and Peter is delivered out of priſon by an Angel, for God was with him. Let Atheiſts, Papiſts and Perſecutors ceaſe from plotting againſt Zion, from perſecuting of Zion, for it is utterly impoſſible to prevail againſt Zion. Let all Zions Adverſaries remember once for all, that if any Policy, counſel, lying, curſing, ſtrength or cruelty could have prevailed againſt Zion, Zion had been rooted out of the world long ago. If Balaam was at our Enemies elbows, he would tell them roundly and plainly, That it is in vain to curſe thoſe whom God bleſſeth. It is hard to Num. 23. 8. Acts 9. 5.Num 23:8Acts 9:5kick againſt the pricks: It is high madneſs for men to run their naked Bodies againſt a ſwords point. Let Zions Enemies remember that God, who takes pleaſure in Zion, ſits upon the Circle of the Earth, and all the Inhabitants Iſa. 40. 22. 15. 17.Isa 40:22Isa 40:15Isa 40:17are as Graſhoppers; yea all the Nations as a drop of a Bucket, and leſs than the duſt of the Ballance, and therefore he can eaſily revenge all the wrongs and injuries Some obſerve that Fauls Stile is ſo beautified with wonderful Eloquence and Rhe…orick, that not Tully, nor De…o…henes could ever ha…e ſo ſpoken, Auguſt. Eraſmu…. Some report of Auguſtin that he wiſhed for three things: …. To ſee Chriſt in the fleſh. 2. To ſee Rome in the pride of it. 3. To have heard Paul preach.that is done to Zion, by thoſe that would fain prevail over her, and triumph in her ruin. But,

Thirdly, (If God be with us, who can be againſt us?) I anſwer, None can be ſo againſt us, as to be able to ſeparate us from the love of God; and the love of Chriſt. Rom. 8. 35. Who ſhall ſeparate us from the love of Chriſt? ſhall tribulation, or diſtreſſes, or perſecution, or famine, or nakedneſs, or peril, or ſword? Verſe 36. (As it is written, for thy ſake are we killed all the day long: we are accounted as ſheep for the ſlaughter.) Verſe 37. Nay in all theſe things we are more than conquerers, through him that loved us. Verſe 38. For I am perſwaded, that neither p. 65death, nor life, nor Angels, nor Principalities, nor Powers, nor things preſent, nor things to come. Verſe 39. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other Creature, ſhall ſeparate us from the love of God, which is in Chriſt Jeſus It is not the pleaſures of life nor the pains of death, it is not evils felt nor evils feared, it is not the height of proſperity nor the depth of adverſity, it is not bonds nor baniſhment, it is not power nor policy, honour nor baſeneſs, it is not violent perſecutions nor multiplyed tribulations; it is not the ſcorns of men, nor reproaches of men, nor revilings of men, nor deſigns of men, nor any thing elſe, that can ſeparate us from the love of the Father or the love of the Son. In the 35. Verſe is a poſition, that no croſſes nor creatures can deprive us of the love of God, which is ſet down in a double interrogation, that he might add the more force and life to it, and raviſh the Readers: Who ſhall ſeparate us? That is none can: But he ſpeaks with contempt; Who ſhall? ſhall tribulation? as if he ſhould ſay, I ſcorn it; As Goliah defied David, ſaying, Doeſt thou come to me with a ſtaff? ſo Paul with a better Spirit defies all croſſes, ſufferings, trials, &c. as things not able to deprive ſincere Chriſtians of Chriſts love; ſhall tribulation, &c. He had before ſpoken of Perſons, now here he ſpeaks of things, becauſe Satan and his ſworn Slaves think by ſuch things to ſeparate between God and his People. Chryſoſtome obſerves Paul's wiſdome in three things: 1. That he ſaith not, Shall the love of riches, pleaſures, honours, &c. which have a mighty force in them to bewitch us; but ſhall tribulation, diſtreſs, &c. 2. That he begins with the lighter, and ſo riſeth to greater troubles, placing them in this order not caſually, but, by ſingular art. 3. That though theſe which he here rehcarſeth, conſiſt of a certain number, yet every one as a General hath ſpecial Troops under it: As when he ſaith Tribulation, he ſaith, imſpriſonments, bonds, ſlanders, baniſhments, &c. Shall tribulation, diſtreſs, perſecution? &c. No: They are bleſſed which endure theſe p. 66Matth. 5 10. 11.Matt 5:10Matt 5:11things. Shall famine? He which feeds on Chriſt, ſhall never periſh for hunger. Shall nakedneſs? Chriſts righteouſneſs is my cloathing; I ſhall willingly follow him even naked, who when he was cloathed with infinit glory as with a garment▪ was content to be born naked, and to be ſtript on the Croſs for my ſake. Shall peril? I know the hardeſt. Shall the ſword? Chriſt is to me in life and death advantage. But,

Fourthly, [If God be for us, who can be againſt us?] I anſwer, None can be againſt us ſo▪ as to bring us to their bow, their b…k, their will, their humour, their luſts. 1. Kings 19. 18. Yet I have left me ſeven thouſand in Iſrael, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kiſſed him: That is, I have Kiſſing was an outward token 1. of great and entire affection. 2. of ſubmiſſive reverence. 3. of willing and ready ſubjection.many thouſands that have not worſhipped Baal. Here a ſet number is put for an indefinite number; he means a very great number. Idolaters uſed not only to bow & kneel before their Idols, but alſo to kiſs them, according to that Hoſ. 13. 2. Let the men that ſacrifice kiſs the Calves. Cicero ſaith, that the chin of the image of Hercules was much worn, with the kiſſes of them that adored him. Now God had ſeveral thouſands of true Iſraelites indeed, that had not in the leaſt kind polluted themſelves with the Idolatrie of Baal. The denial of bowing the knee, and kiſſing with the mouth ſhewes, that Gods faithful Servants were ſo far from ſetting their hearts upon Baal, as that they would not make the leaſt ſhew of any affection or ſubjection to him. Theſe good ſouls had too great ſpirits to be conformable to the Idolatry of the times. Jeroboam with his eight hundred thouſand 2 Chr. 113. 3, 20.choſen men, his Popiſh Prieſts, and his golden Calves, could not bring Judah to his bow. Nebuchadnezzar nor his Princely Informers, nor his fiery Furnace, could never bring the three Children to his bow; the three Dan. 3.Dan 3Champions would be Non-conformiſts, though Court, City, and Country were violent for Conformity. Neither Darius, his Preſidents, nor Princes, could ever bring Dan. 6.Dan 6Daniel to their bow; Daniel would keep off from idolatry, p. 67and keep cloſe to his God, and cloſe to his duty, let all his enemies do their worſt. The Rulers and Elders of Iſrael charged the Apoſtles, and threatned the Apoſtles, and beat the Apoſtles, and commanded the Apoſtles, Acts 3. ibid. 4. and 5.Acts 3that they ſhould not ſpeak in the Name of Jeſus; but they could never bring them to their bow: For they Acts 5. 41. 42.Acts 5:41Acts 5:42departed from the preſence of the Council, rejoycing that they were counted worthy, to ſuffer ſhame for his Name; and daily in the Temple, and in every houſe they ceaſed not to teach and preach Jeſus Chriſt. Pharaoh by all his oppreſſions could never bring Iſrael to his bow; Nor Saul by all his perſecutions, could never bring David to his bow; Nor Haman by all his plots and deſigns could never bring Mordecai to his bow; and Paul will rather dye upon the Acts 20. 21, 22, 23 24. cap. 21. 13.Acts 20:21Acts 20:22Acts 20:23ſpot, than be brought to his enemies bow. The ten perſecuting Emperours could never bring the primitive Chriſtians to their bow; Nor the bloody, fierce, and fiery Papiſts could never bring the Martyrs to their bow, as you may ſee through out the Books of Martyrs. Among the many hundred inſtances that are there, I ſhall only refreſh your memory with this one: There were Endeavours to bring Hawkes to their bow, but all in Fox Acts and Mon. p. 1447.vain; at laſt ſome of his Chriſtian Friends deſired him for their encouragment and confirmation to give ſome token when he was in the flames (a ſtrange time one would think to attend upon ſigns by Friends) whether pains were tolerable, or no. He was bound to the ſtake, fire put to the wood, it burns, it flames, it conſumes his fleſh, his eyes ſtart out of his head, his fingers are conſumed with the fire; and when every one thought him dead, expecting the fall of his body: lo, ſuddenly he lifts up his ſtumps, and thrice as a famous conquerour, he claps them over his head. In this he was more than a Conquerour.

In former times the ſenſe of the love of God, made the Martyrs eſteem Tyrants as gnats and fleas, and torments as the fleabitings. Tertullian ſpeaking of his times ſaith, Acc…ſatio votumeſt, & paena faeli…itas. Tert. adverſ. Gent.that to be accuſed was the wiſh of Chriſtians, and puniſhment for Chriſt they counted felicity, A certain Woman p. 68…unning in all haſt with her child in her arms; being asked the cauſe, O, ſaith ſhe, I hear a great ſort of Chriſtians are appointed to be martyred, and I am afraid leſt I and my little one come too late. When the Emperour Valens baniſhed Baſil, and the Tribune threatned his death, I would (ſaid Baſil) I had any thing of worth, I would beſtow it on him that ſhould cut Baſil's windpipe; and when he had that night given him to deliberate, he anſwered, That he ſhould be the ſame man to morrow, and wiſhed that the Tribune would not be changed. Chryſoſtome being in baniſhment by the means of Eudoxia the Empreſs, wrote to a Biſhop called Cyriacus, and upon occaſion, tells of his reſolution before he was baniſhed, I thought with my ſelf (ſaith he) that if ſhe will baniſh me, the Earth is the Lords; if ſhe will ſaw me aſunder, I remembred the Prophet …ſay; if drown me, Jonas came to my mind; if ſtone me, I thought of Stephen; if behead me, of John Baptiſt; if take away my goods, Naked came I out of my mothers womb. By all which you may clearly ſee, that let the wicked do their worſt, they can never bring the Saints to their bow. But,

Fifthly, [If God be with us, who can be againſt us?] I anſwer, none, ſo as to hinder the operation of all things for our good. When men and devils have done their worſt, all the great troubles, deep diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, that do attend the Saints, ſhall work for their good. Rom. 8. 28. And we know that all I have read of a Jewiſh Rabbin, who would ſtill ſay, it was good what ever befel him, when he met with a croſs, he would ſay, it was good, when he met with a loſs, he would ſay, it is good.things work together, for good to them that love God, to them that are called according to his purpoſe. In this Verſe there are two things obſervable. Firſt, a propoſition, or a glorious priviledge, All things work together for good; This word foreign, Work together, is a phyſical expreſſion; ſeveral poyſonful ingredients put together, being tempered by the skilful Apothecary, make a ſoveraign medicine, and work together for the good of the Patient; they work together, not invicem, between themſelves, but together with God; not of their own nature, for ſo p. 69they do not co-operate, but contra-operate, but being ſanctified by God. And therefore one takes the verb paſſively, are wrought; for indeed take away God, and afflictions work for our hurt; but all Gods providences …eing divinely tempered and ſanctified, do work together for the beſt to the People of God. When the worſt of men have done their worſt againſt the Saints, all things ſhall ſweetly concur, yea conſpire for their good; 2. The proof which is double. 1. From the experience of all Saints, We know, it is not a matter pendulous, or doubtful. The Apoſtle doth not ſay, We think; but, We know. Nor he doth not ſay, We hope; but, We know. Nor he doth not ſay, We gueſs, we conjecture; but, We know. Nor he doth not ſay, We deſire that all things may work together for good; but, We know all things work together for good. Nor he doth not ſay, We pray that all things may work together for good; but, We know all Judg. 14. 12, 13, 14.Judg 14:12Judg 14:13Judg 14:14things work together for good. The wicked know not this ſecret, as the Philiſtins underſtood not Sampſons riddles; but we know that all the world ſhall not hinder the croſs from working for our good. 2. From a d…ſcription of them that love God; they are called according to Gods purpoſe: That is, God hath purpoſed the ſalvation of his People, he hath choſen them to ſalvation, and called them to it; and therefore it muſt needs be, that all theſe afflictions that befal his People, muſt work together for their internal and eternal good; otherwiſe he ſhould do that which ſhould croſs his own purpoſe, which wiſe men will not do; and, O how much leſs will the moſt wiſe God act counter croſs to his own purpoſe! So Jer. 24. 5. Thus ſaith the Lord, the God of Iſrael, Like theſe good Figs ſo will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have ſent out of this place into the Land of the Caldeans for their good. To be carried captive to Babylon was doubtleſs a very ſore and matchleſs affliction. Dan 9. 12. And he hath confirmed his words, which he ſpake againſt us, and againſt our Judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil, for under the whole p. 70Heaven hath not been done, as hath been done upon Jeruſalem. This may be the abridgment of Jeremiah's Lamentations, Lam. 1. 12. Is it nothing to you all ye that paſs by? Behold and ſee, If there be any ſorrow like unto my ſorrow, which is done unto me, wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger. Cap. 4. 16. For the puniſhment of the iniquity of the Daughter of my People, is greater than the puniſhment of the ſin of Sodom, that was overthrown as in a moment, and no hands ſtayed on her. Sodom ſuſtained not any ſiege from forreign forces, they were not vexed and plagued with the Armies of the Chaldeans; there was no hand of man in the deſtruction of Sodom, but a hand of Heaven only. Sodom was not kept long in pains and miſery as I and my People have been, but was ſuddenly overwhelmed, and in an inſtant diſpatched; all which ſhews that their miſeries and ſufferings were incomparable and matchleſs, and that they were ſo indeed will evidently appear, if you pleaſe but ſeriouſly to conſider either the antecedents of it, or the conſequents of it. The antecedents of it: what went before their captivity, viz. blood, and ſlaughter, and dreadful devaſtations. Or if you conſider the conſequents of it: as, 1. The enſlaving of their perſons, under a fierce and moſt cruel enemy. 2. The loſs of their eſtates. 3. The leaving of their Country, and the Land of their nativity. 4. A deprivation of the ordinances and worſhip of God. 5. The ſcorns and reproaches, the exaltations and triumphs of their adverſaries, that pleaſed and delighted themſelves in their captivity and miſery. Theſe were the See Pſal. 137. 7. Obadjah 12. 13, 14, 15, 16. Ezek. 25. 6. Pſal. 44. 13, 14.Ps 137:7Ezek 25:6Ps 44:13Ps 44:14woful conſequences of that captivity, and yet all the power and malice of men in the world could not hinder theſe amazing and aſtoniſhing tryals from working together for the ſpiritual, and everlaſting Deut. 8. 15, 16. Pſal. 119. 71, 75. Heb. 12. 10.Deut 8:15Deut 8:16Ps 119:71Ps 119:75Heb 12:10good of his captive People. That God will do his People good by the moſt terrible diſpenſations that they are under, you may ſee more and more evident by comparing the Scriptures in the margin together. As the Apothecary of poyſon makes Triacle, to drive out poyſon: p. 71ſo can God make the poyſon of afflictions (which in themſelves are the curſe of the Law) to drive out the poyſon of ſin. All the world can never hinder the affliction, troubles, and evils that befal the People of God, See my London's Lamentations, p. 34. to P. 53. See alſo my Mute Chriſtian under the ſmarting Rod.from working for their good; for God do's and wi… …y theſe means, 1. Diſcover ſin. 2. Prevent ſin. 3. Im…tter ſin. 4. Mortify ſin. And God will by afflictions, troubles, &c. 1. Revive, quicken, and recover his Childrens decayed graces. 2. Exerciſe his Childrens graces. 3. Increaſe his Childrens graces. 4. Make a further tryal and diſcovery of his Childrens graces. Let the enemies of Sion ſtorm and rage, plot and combine, &c. yet they ſhall never be able to hinder the greateſt troubles, the deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers, from working for the internal and eternal good of all the ſincere lovers of God. I have read a ſtory of one Pereus, who running at another with a ſword to kill him, by accident the ſword only run into his impoſtume, and broke that; and ſo he was inſtrumental to ſave him, whom he deſign'd to have kill'd: And ſo all the afflictions and troubles that the righteous meet with, they do but ſerve to cure them of the impoſtume of pride, or of the impoſtume of earthly mindedneſs, or of the impoſtume of ſelf love, or of the impoſtume of hypocriſy. Look upon the revolution of the Heavens how every Planet moves in its proper orb; their motions are not alike, but various, nay oppoſite each unto the other, hence thoſe different conjunctions, oppoſitions, and aſpects of the Planets, yet by the wheeling round of the primum mobile, they are brought about to one determinate point. The People of God have many enemies in the World, whoſe courſe and ſcope,. whoſe aims, and ends, and actions are not the ſame, yea divers, nay advers, one thwarting and croſſing the other, yet the overruling providence ſo ſwayes all ſubordinate and inferiour inſtruments and enemies, that in the midſt of their mutual jars they conſpire in a ſacred harmony, as if they were entred into a holy-league, or ſome ſacred combination p. 72for the good of his Choſen, where ever our Enemies be in reſpect of their places, whoſoever they be in regard of their Perſons, and however they are disjoyned in regard of their affections, yet all their projects and prac…s ſhall tend and end in the good of thoſe that love God. But

Sixthly, (If God be with us, who can be againſt us?) 6I anſwer, None; as to hinder our communion and fellowſhip with the Father, Son, and Spirit. 1 John 1. 3. That which we have ſeen and heard, declare we unto you, that ye may have fellowſhip with us: and truly our fellowſhip is with the Father, and with his Son Jeſus Chriſt. Nun…uem minus ſ…lus, quam cum ſelus, never leſs alone than when alo…e, ſaid the Heathen: and may not a Saint ſay ſo much more, that has communio… with Father, So… and Spirit. My God and I are good company ſaid famous Doctor S…s.Mans ſummum bonum ſtands in his Communion with God, as Scripture and experience evidences. A Man whoſe ſoul is converſant with God, ſhall find more pleaſure in a deſart, in a den, in a dungeon, in a fiery furnace, yea, and in the valley of the ſhadow of death, than in the Palace of a Prince. There is a ſweet and intimate Communion which Believers have with God; hence they are ſaid to walk with God, Geneſ. 5. 24. cap. 6. 9. and to talk with God, as Moſes frequently did, and to dwell in God, 1 John 4. 15. And to ſup with God, Rev. 3. 20. And to lodge with God, Cant. 7. 11. The nearneſs of this fellowſhip which we have with the Father, is repreſented by a gradation of alluſions in Scripture, all which do excellently illuſtrate this truth. There is ſome kind of participation that a Servant hath with his Maſter, yet greater is that which one Friend hath with another, but yet greater is that which a Son hath with the Father, but greateſt of all is that which the Bride hath with the Bridegroom. Now in all theſe relations we ſtand to the Father; we are his Servants and he is our Lord, Exod 12. 7. We are his friends, John 15. 14, 15. Jam. 2. 23. And he is our friend, Cant. 5. 1. an able friend, a ſure friend, a faithful friend, a cloſe friend, a conſtant friend. Plutarch's reaſoning is good (foreign) Friends have all things in common: But God is our Friend; Ergo we p. 73cannot want; a moſt rare ſpeech from a poor Heathen: He is our Father, Iſa. 63. 16. cap. 64 8. And we are his children, Iſa. 63. 8. He is our Bridegroom, and we are his Bride, Iſa. 61. 10. Hoſea 2. 19, 20. Iſa. 62. 5. And therefore it is no pride nor preſumption for Believers to ſay, our fellowſhip is with the Father: Our fellowſhip with Jeſus Chriſt, is ſet forth by the Parable of Matth. 22. 1, 2, 3. Luke 15.Matt 22:1Matt 22:2Matt 22:3Luke 15the Wedding-Feaſt, and by the Entertainment of the Prodigal Son, and by ſuch relations or various ſimilitudes, as carry communion in their boſoms, as of the head and the members, root and branches, foundation and building, husband and wife. The head hath communion with the body by ſenſe, influence, motion. The root with the branches, by leaf, ſap, and juice. The foundation with the building, by ſupport and ſtrength. The husband with the wife, by love and conſent: Thus it is betwixt Chriſt and the Believers, 1 Cor. l. 9. God is faithful by whom ye are called, to the fellowſhip of his Son Jeſus Chriſt. All Believers have fellowſhip with Chriſt, whether they be ſtrong or weak, rich or poor, Gal. 3. 28. 1 Pet. 2. 2. John 17. 20, 21, 22, 23.Gal 3:281 Pet 2high or low, ripe and well grown, or new born babes, and very tender. The head hath conjunction with all the members, and an influence into all the members, even the little Toes, as well as into the ſtrongeſt Arms; and the root (in the vertue of it) extends to the weakeſt branches, as well as to the ſtrongeſt limbs of the Tree. Communion is as large as union, all Believers are united to Chriſt, and all Believers have communion with Chriſt. Though one ſtar exceeds another in magnitude, yet all are alike ſeated in the heavenly Orb; and though one member be larger in the body than another, yet every one hath an equal conjunction with the head: And as Believers have fellowſhip with the Father and the Son, ſo they have fellowſhip with the Spirit alſo; every Believers communion extends to all the Perſons in the Trinity. 2 Cor. 13. 14. The grace of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghoſt be with you all. Amen. Now, no p. 74Men, no Devils, no wrath, no rage, no malice, no enmity, no afflictions, no oppoſitions, do perſecutions, no troubles, no trials, no bonds, no baniſhment, can interrupt or hinder a Believers communion with the three Perſons in Trinity. But

Seventhly, (If God be with us, who can be againſt us?) 7I anſwer, None, ſo as to hinder our private Trade to Heaven: All the world can never hinder a ſincere Chriſtian from driving a ſecret Trade with Heaven, as you may ſee by comparing the Scriptures in the Margin together. Pſalm 3. 2, 3, 4. Pſalm 6. 8, 9, 10. Pſalm 138. 3, Lan. 3. 55. to 59.Ps 3:2Ps 3:3Ps 3:4Ps 6:8Ps 6:9Ps 6:10Ps 138:3A Chriſtian …an as well hear without ears, and live without food, and fight without hands, and walk without feet, as he is able to live without ſecret Prayer. Secret Prayer is the life of our lives, the ſoul, the ſweet, the heaven of all our enjoyments; of all the duties of Religion: Secret Prayer is the moſt ſoul-ſweetning, ſoulſtrengthning, ſoul-nouriſhing, ſoul-fatning, ſoul-refreſhing, ſoul-ſatisfying, and ſoul-encouraging duty; in all the Ages of the world, the Saints have kept the Trade, in ſpite of all oppoſers and perſecutors, in priſons, in dungeons, in dens, in bonds, in baniſhments, on racks, and in the very flames, the Saints have ſtill kept up this ſecret Trade; as you may ſee at large in my Treatiſe on cloſet Prayer, called The privy Key of Heaven, to which I refer you. But

Eightly, (If God …e with us, who can be againſt us?) 8I anſwer, None, ſo as to deprive us of the ſweet Teſtimonie of our renewed conſciences, 2 Cor. 1. 12. For our rejoycing (or boaſting) is this the teſtimony of our conſcience, foreign, boaſting or glorying.that in ſimplicity and godly ſincerity, not with fleſhly wiſdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our converſation in the world, and more abundantly to youward. They were in great and preſſing troubles in Aſia, Verſe the 8. and yet they boaſted in the teſtimony of their conſciences; they were under a Sentence of death in themſelves, Verſe 9: and yet gloried in the teſtimony of their conſciences. Joy of conſcience is the greateſt joy, as trouble of conſcience is the greateſt trouble: p. 75when conſcience bears its teſtimony with us, and for us, how full of joy is the ſoul, even in the midſt of the deepeſt ſorrows, and greateſt ſufferings! Conſcientia pura ſemper ſecura, a good conſcience hath ſure confidence, and he that hath it, ſits Noah like

—mediis tranquillus in undis:

Quiet in the greateſt combuſtions; freed if not from the common deſtuction, yet from the common diſtraction. A good conſcience is an impregnable Fort; it fears no colours, it will enable a man to ſtand againſt the fierceſt batteries of men and divels. A good conſcience will fill a man with courage and comfort, in the midſt of all his troubles and diſtreſſes. Paul had enough to ſay for himſelf, when ſtanding before the Council, he could ſay: Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conſcience Acts 23. 1, 2.Acts 23:1Acts 23:2before God, until this day. And though as ſoon as he had ſaid ſo, Anani…s commanded to ſmite him on the mouth, yet he bears up bravely, becauſe his conſcience did not ſmite him, but acquit him. That man can never want muſick whoſe conſcience ſpeaks in conſort, and is harmonious with himſelf. A good conſcience is a Paradiſe in a wilderneſs, it is riches in poverty, and health in ſickneſs, and ſtrength in weakneſs, and liberty Iſa. 38. 3.Isa 38:3in bonds, and life in death. A good conſcience will enable a man to triumph over innumerable evils, yea over death it ſelf: Death to ſuch a perſon is not the King of terrors, but the King of deſires. A good conſcience Phil. 1. 23.Phil 1:23will be a Chriſtians beſt friend in the worſt times; it will be a ſword to defend him, a ſtaff to ſupport him, a pillar of fire to lead him, a Joſeph to nouriſh him, a Dorcas to cloath him, a Canaan to refreſh him, and a feaſt to delight him: He that is of a merry heart hath a Prov. 15. 15.Prov 15:15continual feaſt; Now there is nothing that can make a man Divinely merry, below a good conſcience. A good conſcience (ſaith one) is Thalamu… Dei, palatium Aug. Ser. 10. ad Fratres in E…em.Chriſti, habitaculum Spiritus Sancti, Paradiſus delitiarum: p. 76The bed of God, the palace of Chriſt, the habitation of the holy Ghoſt, the Paradiſe of delights; and wherein every Tree yieldeth a Feaſt. Tranquillitas conſcientiae, Ambroſ. Offic. l. 2. c. 1.& ſecuritas innocentiae quaecunque mundus bona indicat excellunt: The tranquillity of conſcience, and the ſecurity of innocence, excell all the things which the world counteth good. He that hath a good conſcience enjoyes a continual ſerenity, and ſits continually at that bleſſed Feaſt, whereat the bleſſed Angels are Cooks and Butlers (as Luther hath it) and the three Perſons in Trinity glad Gueſts. All other Feaſts to this of a good conſcience are ſtark hunger: the Feaſt of a good conſcience is a full Feaſt, a noble Feaſt, a laſting Feaſt: not for a day, as that of Nabal's; nor for ſeven dayes, as that of Sampſon's; nor of nine-ſcore dayes, as that of Ahaſhuerus, but a durable, continual Feaſt, without intermiſſion of ſolace, or interruption of ſociety: The beſt way in this world for a man, to turn his whole life into a merry feſtival, is to get and keep a good conſcience. The Heathen Philoſopher could ſay, foreign, A good man keeps holy-day all the year about. It was the teſtimony of a good conſcience, that made the Apoſtles rejoice Acts 5. 40. 41. 42. Cap. 16. 25, 26.Acts 5:40Acts 5:41Acts 5:42when they were beaten and abuſed by the Council. It was the teſtimony of a good conſcience, that made Paul and Silas to ſing in the priſon. It was the teſtimony of a good conſcience, that made Moſes prefer Chriſt's Croſs before Egypt's treaſures. It was the teſtimony of a good conſcience, that made thoſe worthies in that 11. of the Hebrews more willing to die than to live, to die than Heb. 11. 35.Heb 11:35to dine. It was the teſtimony of a good conſcience, that made the Martyrs to kiſs the ſtake, to hug their Executioners, to clap their hands in the flames, and to tread upon burning coals as upon beds of Roſes. Now it is not in the power or policy of Men or Devils, to deprive a Chriſtian of the teſtimony of his conſcience; and as long as that bird in the boſom ſings, no troubles, no trials, no oppoſitions, no perſecutions, no dangers, no p. 77death can make a Chriſtian miſerable. The teſtimony of a good conſcience will make a man triumph over the worſt of men, and the worſt of ſufferings. But

Ninthly, (If God be with us, who can be againſt in?) 9I anſwer, None, ſo as to hinder the help, aſſiſtance, and ſuccour of God at a dead lift. Heb. 13. 5. Let your converſation be without covetouſneſs, (or without the love of ſilver, as the Greek word ſignifies) and he content with foreign.ſuch things as you have. [Conten…i praeſentibus, ſo Beza, Be content with preſent things.] The Hebrews had been plundered of all they had, though they had nothing, Heb. 10. 34.Heb 10:34they muſt be content. If Men cannot bring their means to their minds, let them bring their minds to their means; a little will ſerve our turn till we get to Heaven, till we come to our Fathers houſe: For he hath ſaid, I will never leave thee, nor forſake thee. There are five Negatives in the Greek: I read not the like throughout the New-Teſtament. In that this promiſe is ſet down negatively. [I will never leave thee,) this makes the foreignpromiſe to be of a larger extent; for it includes all times, all places, all eſtates, all dangers, all needs, all diſtreſſes whatſoever, as if he had more largely ſaid, thou ſhalt never ſtand in need of any of my help & protection, but thou ſhalt be ſure to find it. Affirmative promiſſes are not of that extent, as negative promiſſes are; for if a man ſhould promiſe to aſſiſt, help, ſuccour or counſel me, if he do it now and then, or upon ſome ſpecial occaſions, he has kept his promiſe: But negatively for a man to ſay, I will not fail thee, I will never leave thee, though he ſhould help, aſſiſt, ſuccour or ſtand by me, a bundred, yea a thouſand times; and yet fail me but once, that negative promiſe is not punctually kept; it is not perfectly kept. It is further conſiderable, that there is a great Emphaſis in doubling and trebling a negative particle in Greek: Doubling and trebling Negatives in Greek makes them much the ſtronge… the doubling of the Negative particle doth in this place carry the greater Emphaſis, becauſe in ſetting down the ſame thing, it is not only twice doubled, p. 78but in the latter place it is trebled; ſo as there are in all five Negatives, as I have already hinted. Theſe two Phraſes A general promiſe compriſeth all particulars of that kind.never leave nor forſake, are ſo general as they include all the wants, all dangers, all diſtreſſes, all neceſſities, all calamities, all miſeries that can befal us in this world. Theſe two Phraſes, God's not leaving, God's not forſaking, implie all needful ſuccours. It is more than if he had ſaid, I will ſupply all thy wants, I will heal all thy diſeaſes, I will ſecure thee againſt all ſorts of dangers, I will eaſe thee of all thy pains, I will free thee of all thy oppreſſors, I will break all thy bonds, I will bring thee out of priſon, I will vanquiſh all thine enemies, I will knock off all thy chaines, and I will make thee triumph over all thy ſufferings; for theſe generals compriſe all manner of particulars under them. Verſe 6. So that we may boldly ſay, the Lord is Pſalm 118. 6.Ps 118:6my helper, and I will not fear what man ſhall do unto me. In this Verſe there is an inference made upon the former promiſe of God's not leaving, nor forſaking his; the conjunction (ſo that) implieth an inſerence, and ſuch foreign.an inference in this place, as teacheth us to make a good uſe of the forenamed promiſe: The uſe here ſet down is double; the firſt is confidence in God (the Lord is my helper.) Secondly, courage againſt Man, (I will not fear what man ſhall do unto me.) Aſſurance of Gods preſence to help at a dead lift, ſhould raiſe us up above all baſe and ſlaviſh fears of the power of men, of the ſpoilings of men, of the deſigns of men, &c. God being with us, and for us, and on our ſide, we may boldly, ſafely, and confidently reſt upon it, that he will freely, readily, graciouſly afford all needful help, aſſiſtance and ſuccour, when we are in the greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers. The Greek word foreign, (Helper) according to the notation of it, ſignifies one that is ready to run at the cry of another: This notation implies, a willing readineſs, and a ready willingneſs in God, to help and ſuccour his People, when they are at a dead lift. You know the p. 79tender Father, the indulgent Mother, the careful Nurſe, they preſently run when any of them hears the Child cry, or ſees the Child in any danger or diſtreſs; ſo when God ſees his poor Children in any danger or diſtreſs, Exod. 2. 23, 24, 25▪ Cap. 3. 7, 8, 9, 10.Exod 2:23Exod 2:24Exod 2:25when he hears them complain, and cry out of their ſufferings, their bonds, their burdens, their oppreſſions, their dangers, &c. he preſently runs to their relief and ſuccour. Pſalm 33. Our ſoul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our ſhield. Pſalm 49. 17. Thou art my deliverer: God is the Lord of Hoſts, with him alone is ſtrength and power, to deliver Iſrael out of all his troubles. He may do it, he can do it, he will do it, he is wiſe in Pſalm 9. 7, 8. Eſay. 43. 11. Pſalm 5. 12. Pſalm 22. 12. 2 Kings 6. 26, 27Ps 9:7Ps 9:8Isa 43:11Ps 5:12Ps 22:122 Kgs 6:262 Kgs 6:27heart and mighty in ſtrength; beſides him there is no Saviour, no deliverer; he is a ſhield to the righteous, ſtrength to the weak, a refuge to the oppreſſed; he is Inſtar omnium, All in all; who is like him in all the world, to help his People at a dead lift? when Friends can't help, when power can't help, when policy can't help, when riches can't help, when Princes can't help, when Parliaments can't help, yet then God can and will help his People, when all humane help fails. For the Lord ſhall judge his People, and repent himſelf for his Servants, when he ſeeth that their power (or hand) is Deut. 32. 36.Deut 32:36gone, and there is none ſhut up or left. When Gods People are at the very brink of ruin, then God wil… come in ſeaſonably to their help, their extremity ſhall be his opportunity to ſuccour his People, and to judge their Enemies: no men, no divels, no power, no policy can hinder God from helping, aiding, aſſiſting, and ſuccouring of his People, when they are at a dead lift. But.

Tenthly, (If God be with us, who can be againſt us?) I 10.anſwer, None, ſo as to hinder the ſprings of joy and comfort, from riſing and flowing in their Souls. Pſalm 71. 20. Thou which haſt ſhewed me great and ſore troubles ſhalt quicken me again, and ſhalt bring me up again from the depths of the Earth. Verſe 21. Thou ſhalt encreaſe my greatneſs and comfort me on every ſide. The Pſalmiſt p. 80was in thoſe deſperate dangers, that he ſeemed to be as a man that was dead and buried, and yet he had faith enough to believe, that God would ſurround him with cordials, and ſupply him with comforts from all ſides; there is no true comfort to be drawn out of the ſtanding pools of outward ſufficiences, but out of the living fountains of the all-ſufficiences of the Lord Almighty. Thou ſhalt comfort me on every ſide. Pſalm 94. 19. In the multitude of my thoughts within me, (or of my careful, troubled, perplexed thoughts, as the word properly ſignifies) thy comforts delight my ſoul. As the Pſalmiſt alwayes found God a preſent help, ſo he alwayes found him a preſent comfort in the day of troubles; God never did, nor never will want a cordial, to revive and keep up the Spirits of his people from fainting and ſinking in an evil day; when the Pſalmiſt was under many griefs, cares, fears, and perplexities of Spirit: God came in with thoſe comforts that did delight his ſoul, and chear up his Spirits. The word of the Lord is never Pſal. 119. 49, 50.Ps 119:49Ps 119:50more a word of comfort, nor the Spirit of the Lord is never more a Spirit of comfort, than when the Saints are in their deepeſt diſtreſſes, and ſoreſt perplexities, John 14. 16. And I will pray the Father, and he ſhall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. Verſe 26. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghoſt, whom the Father will ſend in my Name. Hudſon the Martyr being at the ſtake, he went from under his chain, and having prayed earneſtly, he was ſo comforted and refreſhed by the Holy Spirit, that he ſuffered valiantly and cheerfully. The Holy Ghoſt is called again and again the Comforter, becauſe his office is to work conſolation in the hearts of Gods People, in all their troubles and diſtreſſes. Spiritual comfort is therefore called joy in the Holy Ghoſt, becauſe the Holy Ghoſt doth. Rom. 14. 17.Rom 14:17create it in the ſoul. When a man ſuffers for righteouſneſs ſake, God comes with his cordials in the very nick of time, 1 Pet. 4. 13.1 Pet 4:13when a mans ſuffering is upon the account of Chriſt, God ſeldom fails to ſend the Comforter for the refreſhing and p. 81relieving of his Spirit. When a man is under bodily confinement, Iſa. 12. 3. cap. 66 11.Isa 12:3for the cauſe of Chriſt, God will never fail to be a Spring of life, a Well of Salvation and breaſts of conſolation to him. When a Chriſtian is brought to a piece of bread, then is the ſeaſon for God to feed him with heavenly Mann. I have told you of Mr. Glover, who found no comfort in the time of his impriſonment, but when he was going to the ſtake, he cried out to his Friend, He is come, he is come, meaning the Comforter. Hab. 3. 17. Although the fig-tree ſhall not bloſſom, neither ſhall fruit be in the vines, the labour of the olive ſhall fail, and the fields ſhall yield no meat, the flock ſhall be cut off from the fold, and there ſhall be no herd in the ſtalls. Verſ. 18. Yet I will rejoyce in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my ſalvation. In theſe words you have theſe two parts: 1. A ſad ſuppoſition. Although the fig-tree ſhall not bloſſom, &c. 2. A noble and comfortable reſolution, yet I will rejoyce in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my ſalvation. Let me firſt hint a little at the ſad ſuppoſition, Although the fig-tree ſhould not bloſſom, &c.

Firſt, though there ſhould be a famin in that Land, that of all Lands was the moſt plentiful & fruitful Land, yet Habakkuk would rejoyce in the Lord, and joy in the God of his ſalvation. The Land of Canaan of all Lands was the fruitfulleſt; 'twas as the garden of God; 'twas a Land that flowed with milk and honey, a Land of vineyards, the beſt of all Lands, as Moſes deſcribes it; A Land that brought forth to Iſaac no leſs than a hundred fold; It was ſo rich a Land, that it was the granary of other Dent. 8. 7, 8, 9. cap. 32. 13, 14, Gen 26. 12. 1 King. 5. 11. Acts 12. 20.Gen 26:121 Kgs 5:11Acts 12:20neighbouring Cities, and Countries, it had not only plenty for it ſelf, but bounty for others. Yet now when God ſhall turn a Paradiſe into a Wilderneſs, Habakkuk will rejoyce in the Lord, and …oy in the God of his ſalvation. But,

Secondly; when the anger and wrath of God ſhall cauſe a dearth in thoſe fruits, that naturally are moſt yielding and pleaſant, yet then Habakkuk would rejoyce in the Lord, and joy in the God of his ſalvation. The fig-tree of all trees is moſt fruitful, bringing forth of its p. 82own accord with the leaſt care and culture, fructifying in the moſt barren and ſtony places, bearing twice a year, ſooneſt ripening, and rarely failing; So the vine, thats a fruitful plant, 'tis made the emblem of plenty and fruitfulneſs. Now when there ſhall be a dearth upon theſe pleaſant fruits, yet then Habakkuk will rejoyce in the Lord, and joy in the God of his ſalvation. But,

Thirdly, another print of Divine diſpleaſure in the ſcarcity threatned is, that it is a national famine, a general famine, an overſpreading famine, uſually if one part of the Land ſuffers ſcarcity, other parts abound with plenty; but when God calls for a famine, he turns a whole Land into a deſart, into a barren wilderneſs: Baſhan languiſheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon Pſal. 107. 33. 34. Nahum. 1. 4.Ps 107:33Ps 107:34Nah 1:4languiſheth; theſe were the richeſt ſoyl of all the Country, yet theſe were parched up, and fruitleſs by his diſpleaſure, and yet for all this Habakkuk will rejoyce in the Lord, and joy in the God of his ſalvation. But,

Fourthly, another print of Divine diſpleaſure is this, that the Lord makes it an univerſal ſcarcity-upon all kind of foods, and ſupports of life; here is the ſtaff of bread broken, and the herds and flocks fail, and the refreſhing of the wine preſs, the ſeed and the vine, and the figtree and the olive-tree, all become fruitleſs; ſuch a deſolation is more than ordinary, uſually when one commodity fails, another abounds; if corn be dear, cattel will be cheap, that weather oft times, that hinders one kind of grain, helps another: but here God blaſts all the helps of the nature. Therefore God compares his judgments to a fire that burns all before it. The Land is Joel 2. 3.Joel 2:3as the Garden of Eden, before it and behind it a deſolate wilderneſs, and this the Lord points at as a wonder, Joel 1. 2. Hear this ye old men (who can talk of dear years) hath this been in your dayes, or even in the dayes of your Fathers? that which the Palmer-worm hath left, hath the catter pillars eaten. When God begins in a way of judgment, he makes an end, he makes the decayes of nature p. 83exceſſive and violent; and yet Habakkuk will rejoyce in the Lord, and joy in the God of his ſalvation. In his reſolution you have the firſt particle (although) Verſe 17. Now this particle is an act of forecaſt, theſe miſcries may befal us; And in the 18. Verſe you have the particle (yet) & that's an act of preparation againſt theſe miſeries. That particle (although) forecaſts the miſery and that particle (yet) forelayes the remedy; he foreſees ſorrows in the firſt, and he provides againſt them in the ſecond, yet I will rejoyce in the Lord, and joyin the God of my ſalvation.

So Paul comes with a Benedictus in his mouth (and foreign, that is word for word Let God be well ſpoken off. God bleſſeth us really, ſignally, greatly; and we bleſs him verbally, mentally, practically.ſurely it was in his heart before it was in his mouth) 2 Cor. 1. 3. Bleſſed be God, even the God of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. Verſe 4. Who comforteth us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we our ſelves are comforted of God. Verſe 5. For as the ſufferings of Chriſt abound in us, ſo our conſolation aboundeth by Chriſt. The Apoſtle begins here with thankſgiving, according to his accuſtomed man ner in all his Epiſtles; but contrary to his cuſtom doth he apply this thankſgiving wholly to himſelf. The reaſon was (ſaith Beza) becauſe the Corinthians did begin to deſpiſe him for his afflictions. (It being the common courſe of the world to d…ſpiſe the People of God when they are under ſufferings) Therefore he anſwered confidently for himſelf, that though he had been much afflicted, yet he had been much comforted, and rejoyced the more in his comforts, becauſe God had comforted him for that very cauſe, that he might be able and willing to comfort others. God is the God of all ſorts and degrees of comfort, who hath all comforts at his diſpoſe. This phraſe, The God of all comforts, intimates to us, 1. That no comfort can be found any where elſe, he hath the ſole gift of comfort. 2. Not only ſome, but all comfort; no imaginable comfort is wanting in him, nor to be found out of him: Look as the air lights not without the Sun, and as fuel heats not without fire, ſo neither can any thing ſoundly comfort us without God. 3. All p. 84degrees of comfort are to be found in him in our greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers. The lower the ebbe, the higher the tide; the deeper the diſtreſs, the greater the comforts; though the Apoſtle was greatly afflicted, yet his comforts did exceed his afflictions. 2 Cor. 7. 6. Nevertheleſs God that comforteth thoſe that are caſt down, comforted us by the coming of Titus. This is a moſt ſweet attribute of God a breaſt that we ſhould be ſtill ſucking at.When the Corinthians were in a very low condition, when they were even ſpent with grief, and ſwallowed up in ſorrows, when they were deſtitute of all relief and comfort, then the God of all comforts did comfort them. No tribulations, no perſecutions, no grievances, no priſon doores. no boults, no bars can keep out the conſolations of God, from flowing in upon his People. God loves to comfort his People, when all their outward comforts fail them. Gods comforts are not only ſweet, but ſeaſonable; he never comes too ſoon, nor never ſtays too long. If one drop of the joy of the Holy Ghoſt ſhould fall into Hell, it would ſwallow up all the torments of Hell, ſaith Auſtin. The joy of the Holy Ghoſt will certainly ſwallow up all the troubles and ſufferings that we meet with in a way of righteouſneſs. None have 1 Pet. 4. 12, 13, 14.1 Pet 4:121 Pet 4:131 Pet 4:14been more Divinely cheerful and merry than the Saints have been under their greateſt ſufferings. John Noyes took up a faggot at the fire, and kiſſed it, ſaying, Bleſſed be the time, that ever I was born to come to this preferment. When they faſtned Alice Driver to the ſtake to be burnt, never did neck-kerchief (ſaid ſhe with a cheerful countenance) become me ſo well as this chain. Mr. Bradford put off his cap and thanked God, when the Keepers wife brought him word that he was to be burnt on the morrow. Mr. Taylor fetcht a frisk, when he was come near the place where he was to ſuffer. Henry and John (two Auguſtin Monks) being the firſt that were burnt in Germany; and Mr. Rogers the firſt that was burnt in Queen Mary's dayes, did all ſing in the flames. Thus you ſee, that it is not the greateſt troubles, nor the deepeſt diſtreſſes, nor the moſt deadly dangers that can hinder p. 85the joy of the Lord, from overflowing the ſoul. But,

Eleventhly [If God be with us who can be againſt us?] I anſwer, none, ſo as to deprive us of our graces, which next to Chriſt are our choiceſt jewels. 1 John 3. 9. Whoſoever is born of God doth not commit ſin. That is, doth not give himſelf over to a voluntary ſerving of ſin; he do's not make a trade of ſin; he ſins not totally, finally, malitiouſly, habitually, ſtudiouſly, reſolutely, wilfully, delightfully, deadly, foreign, He does not make it his work to ſin, he cannot follow his luſts, as a work-man follows his trade) For his ſeed remaineth in him, The ſeed of God, the ſeed of grace, is an abiding ſeed; grace in it ſelf is certain and unchangeable, though the feeling thereof be uncertain; grace hath an abiding excellency in it; grace hath eternity ſtamped upon it; it is durable riches; other riches make themſelves wings, and flye from us, but grace will keep us company till we get to Prov, 8. 18. cap. 27. 24.Heaven, our laſt ſtep in holyneſs will be into happineſs; grace is a bloſſom of eternity; it is an anointing that abides, 1 John 2. 27. John 4. 14. cap. 7. 38.1 John 2:27John 4:14that is the principle of grace infuſed into you, which was typified by the unctions, or anointings in the ceremonial Law, which was ſignified by the precious ointment, poured upon the head of Aaron, that ran down to the skirts of his garments; this principle will prove durable and laſting. Grace is a well of water, ſpringing up into everlaſting life; grace is a river of living water: Now this river can never be dryed up, becauſe the Spirit of God is the conſtant ſpring that feeds it, and maintains it; grace is not a ſtream or a pond that may run dry, but a well, yea a ſpringing well of inexhauſtible fulneſs, ſweetneſs, vertue, and refreſhment; grace will ſtill be ſpringing up, and flowing out in all the carriages and deportments of a Chriſtian; grace will be flowing out in all a Chriſtians duties and ſervices in his outward calling and employments, in his tryals and ſufferings; grace will break out at a Chriſtians eyes, ears, tongue, hands, feet; where grace is a well of water, a river of living water, there that Chriſtian will ſee for Chriſt, and hear p. 86for Chriſt, and talk for Chriſt, and do for Chriſt, and walk with Chriſt; grace is a well, a river, that will be ſpringing up to everlaſting life; grace and glory differ (non ſpecie, ſed gradu) in degree, not in kind; grace differs very little from glory, the one is the ſeed, the other the flower; grace is glory militant, and glory is grace triumphant; grace is a beginning of glory, it may be compared to the golden chain in Homer, whoſe top was faſtned to the chair of Jupiter; grace and glory are individual, and inſeparable; the Pſalmiſt joyns them together, Pſalm 84. 11.Ps 84:11The Lord will give grace and glory. Grace is a living ſpring that never faileth, a ſeed that never dyeth, a jewel which never conſumeth, a Sun that never ſetteth; all other gifts of whatſoever kind, worth or excellency, are but like a cloud ſoon diſpelled, a veſſel of clay ſoon broken, a ſandy foundation ſoon ſunk; grace is more excellent than gold: gold draws the heart from God, grace draws the heart to God; gold doth but enrich the mortal part, the ignoble part, but grace enriches the Angelical part, the noble part; gold periſhes, but grace perſeveres; if grace were not permanent, it could not be excellent; 1 Pet. 1. 7.1 Pet 1:7if grace were not durable, it could not be pleaſurable; if grace were not laſting, yea everlaſting, it could not be a Chriſtians comfort in life; his ſupport in death and his glorious crown in the great day of account; grace in it ſelf is permanent, incorruptible; it fadeth not away; it is a birth that ſhall never dye; it is a plant of renown that ſhall never wither, but grow up more and more till grace be turn'd into glory: upon which account one of the Ancients had rather have S. Paul's coat Hierom.with his heavenly graces, then the purple of Kings with their Kingdoms: No troubles, no diſtreſſes, no dangers, can deprive us of our graces, can rob us of our ſpiritual treaſure. But,

Twelfthly, [If God be with us who can be againſt us?] I anſwer none, ſo as to deprive us of our inward peace, reſt, and quiet, though it thunder and lighten, and rain and blow abroad, yet a man may be at peace, p. 87and reſt and quiet at home. A man may have much trouble in the world, and yet reſt and quiet in his own ſpirit. John 14. 27. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give As bonum Haered…arium.unto you, not as th World giveth, give I unto you; let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. No men nor Devils, no troubles, nor diſtreſſes, can deprive a Chriſtian of that inward and bleſſed peace that Chriſt hath purchaſed and paid ſo dear for. Peace with God and peace of conſcience are rare jewels, that none can ſtrip us Rom. 5. 1. 2 Cor. 1. 12.Rom 5:12 Cor 1:12of. The world may wiſh you peace, but it is only Chriſt can give you peace. The worlds peace is commonly a dear bought peace, but Chriſt's peace is a cheap peace, a free peace. [My peace I give unto you.] The worlds peace is commonly a ſinful peace, but Chriſt's peace is a holy peace; the worlds peace is a curſed peace, but Chriſt's peace is a bleſſed peace; the worlds peace is but an earthly peace, but Chriſt's peace is an heavenly Heb. 12. 14. Pſalm 29. 11.Heb 12:14Ps 29:11peace, Rom. 14. 17. Some Chriſtians thought that others could not come to Heaven if they did not eat ſuch meates at they, but Paul tells them, that the kingdom of God conſiſts not in meat or drink, but in righteouſneſs & peace, & joy of the Holy Ghoſt. The worlds peace is but an imaginary peace, but Chriſt's peace is a real peace. The worlds peace is but a ſuperficial peace, but Chriſt's peace is a ſolid and ſubſtantial peace. The worlds peace is but 1 Theſ. 5 3. 1 Pet. 3. 11. Jam. 3. 21. Iſa 9. 6, 7. Pſ. 37. Iſa. 26 3. c. 27. 5.1 Thess 5:31 Pet 3:11Jas 3:21Isa 9:6Isa 9:7Ps 37Isa 26:3a tranſient peace, but Chriſts peace is a permanent peace. The Worlds peace is but a temporary peace, but Chriſt's peace is an eternal peace; it is a peace that all the world can't give to a Chriſtian, and it is a peace that all the world can't take from a Chriſtian. When the tyrant threatned one of the Ancients, that he would take away his houſe; he anſwered, Yet thou canſt not take away my peace. I will break up thy ſchool, yet ſhall I keep whole my peace; I will confiſcate all thy goods, yet there is no premunire againſt my peace; I will baniſh thee thy Country, yet I ſhall carry my peace with me. All above a believer is at peace, the controverſie betwixt God and him is ended, Chriſt takes up the quarrel betwixt God p. 88and a believer; (We have peace with God) All within a believer is at peace, a peaceable God makes all at peace…; Rom. 5. 1.Rom 5:1when our peace is made in the Court of Heaven (which is upon the firſt act of believing) then follows peace in the Court of Conſcience. Peace, which paſſeth all underſtanding; and all below a believer is at peace with him, Philip. 4. 7.Phil 4:7he has Peace with all the Creatures; when we are friends with God, then all the Creatures are our friends. The ſtones of the field ſhall be at league with thee, the beaſts Job 5. 23.Job 5:23of the field ſhall be at peace with thee, &c. The peace that Chriſt gives, is the inheritance of Saints only, 'twas all the Legacy which the Prince of peace l…ft to his ſubjects, and this Legacy none can take from them. Perfecutors may take away my goods, but they cannot take away my peace; they may take away my eſtate, but they cannot take away my peace; they may take away my liberty, but they cannot take away my peace; they may take away my good name, but they cannot take away my peace; they may take away my relations, but they cannot take away my peace; they may take away my life, but they cannot take away my peace. I grant that the beſt have no perfection of peace, becauſe they have no perfection of grace. If there were a perfection of grace, then there might be a perfection of peace, but the perfection of both is reſerved for another world; and it muſt be granted that though ſometimes a believer may want the ſenſe of peace, the ſweet of peace, yet the grounds of his peace are ſtill fixt, certain and conſtant; they are like mount Sion, that cannot be remov'd. Now the grounds of a Chriſtians peace are theſe, viz. Intereſt in Chriſt, reconciliation with God, juſtification, remiſſion of ſin, adoption, the Covenant of grace & peace, &c. Now theſe are always ſure and everlaſting, though the ſenſe of peace may eb & flow, riſe and fall in a believers breaſt, eſpecially when he is a combating with ſtrong corruptions, or high temptations, or under ſad deſertions, or when unbelief has got the throne, or when their hearts are quarrelſom, for commonly a quarrelſom heart is a troubleſom heart; or p. 89when they have blotted their evidences for Heaven, or when they are fallen from their firſt love, or when they have contracted eminent guilt upon their ſouls, or when they are declined in their communion with God, &c. Now in theſe caſes though a believer may loſe the ſenſe of peace, yet the grounds of his peace remain firm and ſure, and though he may loſe the ſenſe of his peace, yet in all theſe ſad and dark conditions his ſoul is day and night in the purſuit of peace, and he will never leave the chaſe till he has recovered his peace, knowing that God Pſalm 85. 8. 1 John 3. 9.Ps 85:81 John 3:9will firſt or laſt ſpeak peace to his ſoul; yea, though he has loſt the ſenſe of peace, yet he has that abiding ſeed of grace in his ſoul, that will in time recover his peace; do your enemies threaten to take away this or that from you, you may throw up your caps at them, and bid them do their worſt, for they can never take that peace from Iſa. 9. 6.Isa 9:6you that Chriſt has given as a Legacy to you; when there are never ſo great ſtorms within or without, yet then a believer may find peace in the Prince of peace; when his imperfections are many, a perfect Saviour can keep him in perfect peace in the midſt of them all, though his ſacrifices Iſa. 26. 3, 4. Heb. 7.Isa 26:3Isa 26:4Heb 7are imperfect, yet Chriſt a perfect Prieſt can ſpeak peace to his ſoul. Peace is that never-fading garland, which Chriſt will ſo ſet and ſettle upon the heads of the upright, that none ſhall be able to take it off. A Chriſtian can never loſe his inward peace, either totally or finally; 'tis true by Sin, Satan, and the World, a Chriſtians peace may be ſomewhat interrupted, but it can never be finally loſt. The greateſt ſtorms in this World that beat upon a believer, will in time blow over, and the Sun of righteouſneſs, the Prince of peace, will ſhine as gloriouſly upon him as ever. Under this word Shalom the Jews foreign.comprehend all peace, proſperity, and happy ſucceſs; when the worſt of men have done their worſt againſt the People of God, yet the iſſue ſhall be peace, proſperity, and happy ſucceſs. [My peace I give unto you,] That is that peace with God, and peace with conſcience, that I have purchaſed with my blood, I give unto you. And p. 90what power or policy is there, that can deprive us of this Legacy? ſurely none. The peace that Chriſt gives is bottomed upon his blood, upon his righteouſneſs, upon his ſatisfaction, upon his interceſſion, and upon a Covenant of peace, and therefore it muſt needs be a laſting peace, an abiding peace. But,

Thirteenthly, [If God be with us, who can be againſt us?] I anſwer none, ſo as to hinder us from being hid, ſecured, guarded, and protected by God in an evil day, or in a day of greateſt trouble, diſtreſs, or danger. Jer. 39. 11. Now Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon, gave charge concerning Jeremiah, to Neburazadan the Captain of the Guard, ſaying: Verſe 12. Take him, and look well to him, [Heb. Set thine eyes upon him] and do him no harm, but do unto him, even as he ſhall ſay unto thee. Here you ſhall ſee the admirable power, wiſdom, and goodneſs of God, inclining the heart of this great Monarch & Conquerour to provide for the Prophets ſafety and ſecurity, he that was a dreadful ſcourge to puniſh the wicked, is made by God the deliverer and preſerver of the Prophet. In the 12 Verſe you have the Kings Royal Commiſſion to the Captain of his Guard, to be as kind to him as tender of him, and to carry it as courteouſly to him, even as the Prophet himſelf ſhould deſire: Look well to him, do him no harm, but do unto him even as he ſhall ſay unto thee. Let him have all the content, all the ſatisfaction, and all the accommodation that himſelf ſhall require. Jer. 15. 11. The Lord ſaid, Verily I will cauſe the enemy to intreat thee well in the time of evil, and in the time of affliction. Heb. If I do not cauſe, &c. A defective ſpeech in the nature of an oath, as if God had ſaid, Let me not be deemed a God of my word, let me not be accounted true, let none reckon me faithful in my promiſe, if I don't turn his ſufferings into his advantage, and ſave him from danger in the midſt of danger: If in the time of the enemies invaſion Zach. 2. 5.Zech 2:5I be not a wall of fire about him, if in the time of publicke calamity I don't ſecure him; never truſt me for a God more: If he don't find more favour at the hand of p. 91his enemies than he hath formerly found among his own Vide Jer. 40. 1, 2 3, 4, 5. and c. 26. 23, 24. Jer. 45. 4.Jer 40:1Jer 40:2Jer 45:4People, never own me for a God more. Verſe 20. I am with thee to ſave thee, and to deliver thee, ſaith the Lord. Verſe 21. And I will deliver thee out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem thee out of the hand of the terrible. God engages himſelf to protect him againſt all the might & malice of his moſt terrible enemies; and though he ſhould fall into their hands, yet he would deliver him out of their hands. Pſalm 33. 3. They have conſulted againſt thy hidden ones. The Saints are, 1. Hid in Gods decree, 2. Hid in Chriſts wounds, 3. Hid in the chambers of Divine providence, 4. Hid in common dangers, as Noah was hid in his Ark, and as Lot was hid in Zoar, Iſa. 26. 20.Isa 26:20and as Daniel was hid in the Lyons den, and as the three Children were hid in the fiery Furnace, and as Jonah was hid in the Whales belly, 5. Hid with Chriſt in God, in Coloſ. 3. 3.Col 3:3times of greateſt trouble the Saints are hid under the hollow of Gods hand, under the ſhadow of Gods wing. Pſalm 27. 5. For in the time of trouble he ſhall hide me in Pſal. 91. 1, 4.Ps 91:1Ps 91:4his Pavilion. The Hebrew Succoh is written with a little Samech, to ſhew, ſay ſome, that a little pavilion or cottage where God is, ſhall be ſufficient to ſave-guard the Saints in the day of adverſity. He ſhall hide me in his hut, as a Shepherd doth his ſheep in a ſtormy day. [In the ſecret of his Tabernacle ſhall he hide me.] I ſhall be as ſafe, as if I were ſhut up in his holy Ark, Tabernacle, or Temple, whither they uſe to flee for ſhelter to the horns of the Altar, yea as if a man were hid in the moſt holy Place, where none might enter but only the High-Prieſt once a year, which is therefore called Gods ſecret place. A Ezeck. 7. 22.Shepherd ſhould not be more careful to ſhelter his ſheep in a Tent or Tabernacle from the heat of the Sun, nor a King ſhould not be more ready to protect a Favorite in his pavilion, whence none durſt venture to take him, than God would be careful and ready to ſhroud and ſhelter his People from the rage, madneſs, and malice of their enemies. How did God hide his Church in Aegypt! Exod. 3. 2, 3.Exod 3:2Exod 3:3the Buſh was ſtill burning, and yet was not conſumed; p. 92and how did he hide ſeven thouſand in Eliah's 1 Kings 19. 18.1 Kgs 19:18time, that had not bowed their knees to Baal. Though the Woman (the Church) be driven to flee into the wilderneſs, Rev. 12. 6.Rev 12:6yet there ſhe is hid, and there ſhe had a place prepared of God, that they ſhould feed her there a thouſand two hundred and three-ſcore dayes. Let our Enemies do their worſt, they ſhall not hinder us of Divine protection; no power, nor policy can hinder our being preſerved and ſecured by God, in the greateſt troubles, deepeſt diſtreſſes, and moſt deadly dangers that can attend us. But